These are two examples of home constructed crystal sets (see BLOSM:276:2018). Because of the large cost of factory built sets in the 1920’s many wireless enthusiasts chose to build their own receivers only a few components were needed (coil wound on former, crystal, variable capacitor, knobs, brass terminals, wire and headphones. A good outside Aerial & Earth were essential) and they took great pride in the finished appearance. The receiver on the right is unusual in that it does not have a variable capacitance tuning knob and relies on two semi-circles of brass studs connected internally to series tapped coils for course frequency selection.
The minimum weekly wage in 1925 was£1-11s-8d for a 50 hour week.
Did you know...
A commercially built crystal set cost on average about £5 10s.
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