How would one make a shortwave radio?

Question

What materials would be needed and how would one put it together?

Answer 1

Buy a Heathkit, you'll get instructions, all the parts and explanations of how to and how/why it works. My favourite presents as a kid.

Answer 2

The simplest way to do that these days is to purchase a kit and build it using small hand tools and a soldering iron with solder.

Ten Tec makes a few good ones. Others are available ranging in price from about $ 45 to several hundred bucks.

To get a quick view of some kits, go to Ebay.com and do a search on "qrp." you will come up with a number of very small radio sets for portable operation and some radio receiver kits. some of those have already been assembled and some are new in the package. you only want new in the package - you don't need someone elses problems.

From the standpoint of cost, your best bet with almost guaranteed results would be to purchase a radio that was already manufactured. I know that this is not what you asked, but offer it anyway.

To see some suitable radios, go back to Ebay.com and search on "shortwave radio" or "short wave receiver" or "communications receiver." You will find lots of sets to consider.

I have about 6 different models. My favorite unit is a VR-5000 radio which covers from the broadcast band all the way up to 2000 Mhz with all modes such as AM/FM/CW/SSB and variations of those. It is really cool to tune in shortwave and then TV, or police band stuff.
When I get tired of that I can listen to aircraft flying over head. That radio cost me about $400 used.

Cheers,
Zah

Answer 3

you can buy a kit.