Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Inspired by satellite crystal radios of the 1950s & 1960s, this brings back the feeling of that golden era.
MATERIALS
- Ferrites: 1 10mm x 10mm, 1 10mm x 20mm (30mm total)
- Rod: 2-3mm x length as needed
- 3D Printed parts: ring, top, bottom, core
- Wire, coil: 0.55mm (24AWG)
- Wire, antenna/ground: flexible, small diameter wire. About 1 meter / yard
- Alligator clips: x 2
- Resistor: 1 x 10k to 40k ohm
- Diode: 1n34a, D9K, or equivalent
- Crystal Earphone x 1
3D printer files: thingiverse.com/thing:7204218
We build a classic 1950–60s “Satellite” crystal radio. A DIY electronics project, inspired by the vintage rocket-style radios of the era. We walk through the entire process, from winding the inductive tuner coil, assembling the ferrite core, soldering the diode and earphone connections, stabilizing components with thread and white glue, and finishing everything inside a custom 3D-printed shell. Whether you’re into DIY electronics, crystal radios, retro tech, simple circuits, physics, RF tuning, or hands-on science experiments, this build is step by step so you can replicate this satellite radio with modern components. You’ll learn about coil winding techniques, scatter-winding angles, ferrite rod alignment, historical radio construction methods, and practical troubleshooting tips as we tune in multiple AM stations using nothing but passive components. Perfect for hobbyists, radio collectors, makers, tinkerers, and anyone who loves combining mechanics, technology, and vintage science. Enjoy the build—and happy experimenting with your own crystal radio projects!
RELATED VIDEOS (including this one):
Crystal Radio-Inductor Tuned Radio Intro youtu.be/7NdZFm6zXYo
Crystal Radio-Wand Radio youtu.be/S0I9NQNfUDU
Crystal Radio Earphone From Common / Cheap Stuff youtu.be/dWkKFD_yZs8
Crystal Radio-DIY Crystal Earphone youtu.be/ARtfLB0nQ5k
Crystal Radio Headphone--DIY Part 1/2 youtu.be/oG5cDi9Va_Q
Crystal Radio Headphone Mod--DIY Part 2/2 youtu.be/v_9InMj-eL8
Crystal Radio-Simple, Cheap, Inductor Tuned Radio Intro-The Coil youtu.be/7NdZFm6zXYo
Crystal Radio-Portable, Packable, Prepper Wand Radio youtu.be/S0I9NQNfUDU
Crystal Radio-Simple DIY Induction Tuned Radio youtu.be/ez_O3l7E5is
Crystal Radio-Space Rocket Radio, Induction Tuning youtu.be/xViNW4HFFDA
Crystal Radio-Simple, Packable, Robust youtu.be/kosErSipEzs
Crystal Radio-1950-60s Satellite Radio youtu.be/O6fyyGqvrQE
Disclaimer: This information is presented as entertainment only on an "as is" basis and any use the viewer makes of it is solely up to them, and it is their responsibility to determine if the information remains current and if it is applicable to their situation. The viewer is responsible for any and all safety involving this. Viewing this video is the viewer's agreement to these terms and conditions. If you do not agree, stop now.
#CrystalRadio #DIYElectronics #VintageTech #RadioProjects
Inspired by satellite crystal radios of the 1950s & 1960s, this brings back the feeling of that golden era.
MATERIALS
- Ferrites: 1 10mm x 10mm, 1 10mm x 20mm (30mm total)
- Rod: 2-3mm x length as needed
- 3D Printed parts: ring, top, bottom, core
- Wire, coil: 0.55mm (24AWG)
- Wire, antenna/ground: flexible, small diameter wire. About 1 meter / yard
- Alligator clips: x 2
- Resistor: 1 x 10k to 40k ohm
- Diode: 1n34a, D9K, or equivalent
- Crystal Earphone x 1
3D printer files: thingiverse.com/thing:7204218
We build a classic 1950–60s “Satellite” crystal radio. A DIY electronics project, inspired by the vintage rocket-style radios of the era. We walk through the entire process, from winding the inductive tuner coil, assembling the ferrite core, soldering the diode and earphone connections, stabilizing components with thread and white glue, and finishing everything inside a custom 3D-printed shell. Whether you’re into DIY electronics, crystal radios, retro tech, simple circuits, physics, RF tuning, or hands-on science experiments, this build is step by step so you can replicate this satellite radio with modern components. You’ll learn about coil winding techniques, scatter-winding angles, ferrite rod alignment, historical radio construction methods, and practical troubleshooting tips as we tune in multiple AM stations using nothing but passive components. Perfect for hobbyists, radio collectors, makers, tinkerers, and anyone who loves combining mechanics, technology, and vintage science. Enjoy the build—and happy experimenting with your own crystal radio projects!
RELATED VIDEOS (including this one):
Crystal Radio-Inductor Tuned Radio Intro youtu.be/7NdZFm6zXYo
Crystal Radio-Wand Radio youtu.be/S0I9NQNfUDU
Crystal Radio Earphone From Common / Cheap Stuff youtu.be/dWkKFD_yZs8
Crystal Radio-DIY Crystal Earphone youtu.be/ARtfLB0nQ5k
Crystal Radio Headphone--DIY Part 1/2 youtu.be/oG5cDi9Va_Q
Crystal Radio Headphone Mod--DIY Part 2/2 youtu.be/v_9InMj-eL8
Crystal Radio-Simple, Cheap, Inductor Tuned Radio Intro-The Coil youtu.be/7NdZFm6zXYo
Crystal Radio-Portable, Packable, Prepper Wand Radio youtu.be/S0I9NQNfUDU
Crystal Radio-Simple DIY Induction Tuned Radio youtu.be/ez_O3l7E5is
Crystal Radio-Space Rocket Radio, Induction Tuning youtu.be/xViNW4HFFDA
Crystal Radio-Simple, Packable, Robust youtu.be/kosErSipEzs
Crystal Radio-1950-60s Satellite Radio youtu.be/O6fyyGqvrQE
Disclaimer: This information is presented as entertainment only on an "as is" basis and any use the viewer makes of it is solely up to them, and it is their responsibility to determine if the information remains current and if it is applicable to their situation. The viewer is responsible for any and all safety involving this. Viewing this video is the viewer's agreement to these terms and conditions. If you do not agree, stop now.
#CrystalRadio #DIYElectronics #VintageTech #RadioProjects
