[Milsurplus] Questions on WWI Radio

[Richard]

BC-14a crystal receivers were used during WWI to receive spark 
transmissions from spotter planes overflying the lines.  Crystal 
receivers are not powered; they use the incoming signal, rectified by 
the crystal, feeding headphones.  Crystal receivers will detect spark 
transmissions, modulated CW, and amplitude modulated signals. I didn't 
find the tuning range, but guess it's MW, (medium wave,) 300 Kc to 3 Mc.

Richard, AA1P

On 08/24/2014 11:02 AM, Joe Connor via Milsurplus wrote:
> There's an interesting WWI receiver listed on ebay:
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/WWI-1918-Signal-Corps-Crystal-Radio-Receiver-BC-14A-General-Radio-Co-/121416767705?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c4500d8d9
>
>
> What frequencies would such a receiver receive? How would it be powered? I have no connection to this sale and the price will be out of my league but I'm curious as to whether a receiver like that could be made to operate and, if so, what one could use it for. What would it have been used for during WWI?
>
> Thanks.
>
>                 Joe Connor
> ______________________________________________________________
>