I built this AM Airband receiver a very long time ago when I first started playing with radio circuits. The basic design is an amplified Tuned RF Crystal Set, but instead of picking up Medium Wave broadcast, it is tuned to the VHF band. With 5turns of 22SWG enambled copper wire wound on a 10mm former, a 12pF Trimmer and a 100cm telescopic aerial I managed to tune from the top of the FM Music band well past the AM Police Band. As you can tell it easily tunes the Aircraft and the 2m Ham Band. By reducing the windings, higher frequencies can be tuned into for example with 2turns, the AM UHF Airbands can be tuned. You require a steady tuning hand as the coverage is quite wide. The Airband reception was quite good, although I live under the UK to USA fight path. A FET preamp could be added to improve reception if required.
This page was updated on 21st March 2001.