• You can now help support WorldwideDX when you shop on Amazon at no additional cost to you! Simply follow this Shop on Amazon link first and a portion of any purchase is sent to WorldwideDX to help with site costs.

Question about FM crystals in an AM radio

Red 5

Member
Feb 28, 2015
43
3
18
55
I've been reading a bit online about FM crystals working in AM radios. Can anyone chime in on that? I have a vintage Lafayette 5w 3 channel walkie talkie that I'd love to use with my galaxy ii. If it's not possible, can you recommend a handheld radio that would work and not crazy expensive? It's just for fun, camping etc. Thanks in advance!
 

Are you referring to the older Scanner Xtal types, you know - the Rolling light scanner?

Police Fire Emergency Xtals you'd have to go to Radio Shack and get to use in an older Table top?

Because some of the Base Xtal frequencies - yes they can be used, but remember the Xtal synthesis required two Xtals (RX to TX then TX to RX methods come to mind) So the multiplication may put them out of range of your receiver.
 
  • Like
Reactions: midnight special
Yes, the walkie talkie takes those type of crystals. Forgive my ignorance, but I have a galaxy II that has FM mode, which I'd like to be able to use the Lafayette with on FM. Does that make sense? Found these crystals on eBay .. Capture+_2020-04-20-08-13-55.png
Capture+_2020-04-20-08-08-24.png
 
Last edited:
lafayette is a am mode radio,,, if you want fm ya must have a fm mode radio,, and if ya want a hand held fm mode radio ya need to look for an export type cb radio,,, just buying european crystals does not make a am mode cb go fm,,,, one that i can think of is the magnum 1012 handheld,,,
 
  • Like
Reactions: Red 5
All the crystals do is get you to a frequency, they don't have anything to do with the transmit mode.
There are a few Galaxy radios that have AM/FM/SSB/CW all using the same mixing crystals for any given frequency. The modes are determined by the parts in the radio, not the crystals.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Red 5
For What It Worth - the Xtals in the package take you to Channel 23 in US - FCC 27.255 is our (US) Channel 23.

Now, if your Lafayette can be CHANGED to FM reception you may have a winner, but the RX side can not work it (your Galaxy II) in it's original CONDITION - You'd have to modify it to put it in FM mode because the Lafayettes Receiver is an AM reception type - anyone using the Lafayette to RECEIVE FM couldn't decode the information FM signals use for audio - it won't work it will sound all pinched up - fuzzy too distorted to understand.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Red 5
Thank you for your responses! It totally makes sense. I was skeptical when I read that you could just swap the crystals.
 

dxChat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
  • @ Wildcat27:
    Hello I have a old school 2950 receives great on all modes and transmits great on AM but no transmit on SSB. Does anyone have any idea?
  • @ ButtFuzz:
    Good evening from Sunny Salem! What’s shaking?
  • dxBot:
    63Sprint has left the room.