"Greg Mayman" bravely wrote to "Wayne Chirnside" (28
Jan 04  08:27:00)
 --- on the heady topic of "*BIG* TRANSISTORS"

 GM> Some people used to make their own galena (lead sulphide) by
 GM> heating powdered lead and sulphur. But I'm told the natural stuff
 GM> was better as it has to form crystals.

Oh, yes, I remember reading about that. Either way even with a natural
crystal it was always hit or miss.


 GM> And it was said to be possible to make a detector with a blue
 GM> Gilette blade for a safety razor and the graphite stick from a
 GM> pencil. I believe that's how the POWs in Germany were doing it
 GM> during WW2. Pencils and razor blades were fairly common in the
 GM> Red Cross packages.

 GM> But where did they get their earphones??????

Thinking like McGwyver I'd say, a tin can lid, a nail, some
telephone wire, a magnet, some paper, glue, etc, play at A.G.Bell!
Maybe simply get a telephone receiver handset or a telephone outright
why not? BTW there were after all radios in the camps for the guards.

 Mike
 ****

... Real techs don't lick nine-volt batteries!
--- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30