Gecophone BC1001 what to use for the cats whisker - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

PJL · 3rd Dec 2018, 2:24 pm

I bought myself an early Xmas present, a Gecophone BC1001 crystal set as I have always wanted one as they represent the earliest period of radio.

It is complete with a couple of crystal holders with crystals but the whisker is broken short. Reading around I see phospher bronze wire mentioned but is this the correct material as I assume the material has a significant impact on performance? Anyone know where I can get some from? If someone else has a BC1001 is it correct that the wire is simply secured by a screw?

Graham G3ZVT · 3rd Dec 2018, 2:49 pm

I suspect the only useful property that phosphor-bronze has is its springyness. I think I used the hair-spring from an old watch when I was a child.

3rd Dec 2018, 3:20 pm

When making "proper" crystal sets in my youth I used any old bit of thin wire, you don't need much spring as the contact is quite gentle.

Brigham · 3rd Dec 2018, 3:47 pm

There's usually a bit of 'whisker' in the tin when you buy a new crystal.

G6Tanuki · 3rd Dec 2018, 6:43 pm

In the past when trying to find the rectifying 'sweet spot' on the iron-pyrites in coal, I used a pair of the bristles from one of the little wooden-handled suede cleaning brushes.

John10b · 3rd Dec 2018, 7:40 pm

When I had my first crystal set in the late 40s I simply had loads of fun experimenting with all sorts of bits of wire, any thing I could get my hands on, and then was amazed when I heard something in the headphone, just play around and have fun.
Cheers
John

Dickie · 3rd Dec 2018, 8:15 pm

Yes the "whisker" wire is clamped under the head of a tiny screw.

PJL · 3rd Dec 2018, 9:23 pm

Thanks Richard, just checking nothing was missing but it seems it is all there then.

Dickie · 3rd Dec 2018, 9:40 pm

Either that's correct, or we've both got the same bodge!

3rd Dec 2018, 2:24 pm	#1
PJL Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seaford, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 5,997	Gecophone BC1001 what to use for the cats whisker I bought myself an early Xmas present, a Gecophone BC1001 crystal set as I have always wanted one as they represent the earliest period of radio. It is complete with a couple of crystal holders with crystals but the whisker is broken short. Reading around I see phospher bronze wire mentioned but is this the correct material as I assume the material has a significant impact on performance? Anyone know where I can get some from? If someone else has a BC1001 is it correct that the wire is simply secured by a screw?

3rd Dec 2018, 2:49 pm	#2
Graham G3ZVT Dekatron Join Date: May 2010 Location: Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 18,711	Re: Gecophone BC1001 what to use for the cats whisker I suspect the only useful property that phosphor-bronze has is its springyness. I think I used the hair-spring from an old watch when I was a child. __________________ -- Graham. G3ZVT

3rd Dec 2018, 3:20 pm	#3
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Gecophone BC1001 what to use for the cats whisker When making "proper" crystal sets in my youth I used any old bit of thin wire, you don't need much spring as the contact is quite gentle.

3rd Dec 2018, 3:47 pm	#4
Brigham Octode Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Co. Durham, UK. Posts: 1,116	Re: Gecophone BC1001 what to use for the cats whisker There's usually a bit of 'whisker' in the tin when you buy a new crystal.

3rd Dec 2018, 6:43 pm	#5
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,996	Re: Gecophone BC1001 what to use for the cats whisker In the past when trying to find the rectifying 'sweet spot' on the iron-pyrites in coal, I used a pair of the bristles from one of the little wooden-handled suede cleaning brushes.

3rd Dec 2018, 7:40 pm	#6
John10b Nonode Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales, UK. Posts: 2,884	Re: Gecophone BC1001 what to use for the cats whisker When I had my first crystal set in the late 40s I simply had loads of fun experimenting with all sorts of bits of wire, any thing I could get my hands on, and then was amazed when I heard something in the headphone, just play around and have fun. Cheers John

3rd Dec 2018, 8:15 pm	#7
Dickie Octode Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: St. Albans, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,478	Re: Gecophone BC1001 what to use for the cats whisker Yes the "whisker" wire is clamped under the head of a tiny screw. __________________ Regards, Richard, BVWS member

3rd Dec 2018, 9:23 pm	#8
PJL Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seaford, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 5,997	Re: Gecophone BC1001 what to use for the cats whisker Thanks Richard, just checking nothing was missing but it seems it is all there then.

3rd Dec 2018, 9:40 pm	#9
Dickie Octode Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: St. Albans, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,478	Re: Gecophone BC1001 what to use for the cats whisker Either that's correct, or we've both got the same bodge! __________________ Regards, Richard, BVWS member