How do I harness radio static?

Question

I am aware that radio or television static is caused by backround radiation or something(more info on this would also be good).

How could I harness this, and what electrical components would I need?

Answer 1

You need a germanium or low-voltage schottky diode, a ferrite coil for AM radio, two 100 pF capacitors, a long (>10 ft.)aerial line, and a wire to a earth-ground connection).

Wire the capacitor and inductor in parallel. Connect one end of that combo to the aerial, and the other end to ground. Connect the diode to the aerial end of the coil/capacitor. Connect the other side of the diode to the 2nd capacitor. Connect the other end of the capacitor to ground.

You should develop a voltage across the 2nd capacitor, but the power level will be in the micro-watt regime. If you were to tune the circuit (try different values of capacitance (from 10 to 400 pF) to pick up a local AM carrier, you could have as much as a milliWatt.

What I have thought about is this. If you were to take 100 insulated very thin wires (like #30 magnet wire) and twist them all together to form a multi-strand antenna, then build 100 of those circuits, above, you would have 100 times the power (almost into the milli-watt regime).

If they were all properly tuned circuits to a strong AM station, you might get upwards of 100 mW.

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Answer 2

The energy density is too low to get usable energy at a reasonable cost.

There is energy in moon light too but not enough to be useful.

Answer 3

Tesla coil to a capacitor.