Where to start? Building a Shortwave from scratch???

Hey everybody,

I have always wanted to build a radio from scratch using vacuum tube technology. I have always been interested in electronics, but honestly I really don't know enough to even know where to begin. Fortunately I am fairly sharp; I've been through Calculus and Calc based Physics, albeit years ago.

I would enjoy using a radio that gets excellent AM reception, shortwave etc... But I don't know what I don't know, or where to start.

Where would you guys suggest I begin?

Thanks!

See if you can find some of the Hugo Gernsback how to do it books. There was one called How to Build 4 Doerle Short Wave Sets, IIRC. It was a decent book and I think I have seen where you can download it off the web but I don't remember where,maybe the ARF? Anyway I have a few of those books and they are really nice and small. Not a lot of fluff, jut the info you need. You can also do a search on google books for homemade shortwave radios. I bet ones like popular mechanics may have some stories on it.

Look for a mid to late 50's Radio Amateur's Handbook.

type in url tube regen radio 1u4 tube is great

In the past I have had a couple of those greensback books. They even helped me figure out some circuits on some odd radios I couldn't get a schematic for.
They really are a great book.
Bill Cahill

"The impoverished radio experimenter" series is, IMO, a good place to start. It covers a lot of ground in a relatively straightforward manner with a limited emphasis on math.

"The impoverished radio experimenter" series is, IMO, a good place to start. It covers a lot of ground in a relatively straightforward manner with a limited emphasis on math.

And all the other recommendations are good ones. You won't need any math, except maybe some very basic algebra. The main thing is to find a design you like and build it. Plug in coils are nice for band changing. You can check online for the Knight Ocean Hopper schematic. It was sold as a kit in the 50's, but a simple super regen. The parts should be available. FYI

Any additional help, just ask here and someone will answer.

I would suggest "Everybody's Radio Manual". It is in djvu format at this link http://www.tuberadio.it/docs.htm You Will Also want to bookmark this page. It has a whole lot of good info for free.

a few years back i had some fun with a very simple a.m. radio.."the fox hole radio"..invented around ww2 era from what iv read..its worth a search,great vids on you tube about them..when i did mine it was a cardboard tube,wire,paperclip,pencil,blue'd razor blade an some tacs if i remember right..and an ear piece..i had such a kick outta how simple they were,all i could think of was this musta been what fred flintstone had,great fun..i think im going to look for a kit like mentioned above,sounds like fun