Detector/Diode
Diodes are devices that only allow current to flow in one
direction, and they cut an Amplitude Modulated, AM, radio wave in
half because the whole wave is self canceling. This half signal
is transmitted as sound by the earphone.
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This
is a picture of a diode and a capacitor working together separating out
audio sound from the resonance frequency. The antenna has a
capacitance, the ability to hold charge, and an inductance,
the ability to create an electric field.
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- Diode only
allows
positive wave portion in this picture
- Capacitor is
charged
during the positive wave and discharges during the voltage drop
smoothing the audio signal
- Diodes can
be assembled from
many materials: an
oxidized razor blade and pencil lead or brass safety pin, iron pyrite,
carborundum...bizarrelabs.com, sci-toys.com
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