Beer Powered Radio

Geographic & Historical Alert – this project was originally developed in 1979 when AM radio stations operating in the 526.5 – 1606.5kHZ band were common. Check that you have local radio stations broadcasting on this band before starting this project. This project is still included for its educational value.
It had to happen – a radio which is powered by the energy contained in a glass of good old Aussie beer.
A few two cent coins and iron nails dipped into some glasses containing a small amount of beer causes a chemical reaction, producing enough electricity to run a simple radio receiver.
And just in case no-one in your family drinks beer, we’ll show you how to use a battery to replace the beer ‘power cell’.

You will need these components
FOR THE RADIO RECEIVER ITSELF:
Resistors:
One 100k ohm (brown – black – yellow)
Capacitors:
One 0.1uF disc ceramic
One 0.01uF disc ceramic
One 60 to 160pF variable type
Semiconductors:
One ZN414 integrated circuit or equivalent MK484, YS414, TA7642, UTC7642, LMF501T, LA1050
Miscellaneous:
One ferrite rod aerial
One crystal earphone
19 self-tapping screws with washers
Baseboard & project overlay No. 14
BEER POWER CELL
Three glasses and one can or bottle of beer
Three copper coins
Three iron nails 5cm long
Six paper clips
Four 25cm lengths of insulated hook-up wire
ALTERNATIVE (BATTERY) POWER SUPPLY:
One 33k ohm resistor (orange – orange – orange)
One protection diode, 1N4002 or similar
One battery clip