Interview with K.E. Edwards

After publishing that write up of the classic crystal radio book Radios That Work For Free, [LINK] I reached out to Hope and Allen publishing. Martin Allen himself wrote back and the enigmatic K.E. Edwards granted me his first interview in 35 years. To preserve his anonymity I avoided questions specific to his identity.  How classic?  It was written up by Wired Magazine in 2007 [LINK]. Currently Edwards is engaged in writing the sequel to his now classic book. So this interview comes at a fine time to revisit his original work.

1. Can you tell me about the first crystal radio you built and when? 

I was 8 years old, in 1952. This crystal set was a square piece of wood about 1.5” x 1.5”, about 4” long. It had a slider bar and a fixed capacitor. I had one half of a headphone, one ear piece. I would listen to it with the headphone under my pillow. It worked poorly, and I only got one or two stations. But it was magic. The slider would get moved off the top of the wire, the galena and cats whisker would get bumped and I would work to find the right spot.

2. Did any person, friend or neighbor start you on the radio path? 

I did not know anyone who could help me. I asked radio and TV repair men how to build one and they offered what they remembered from the early days. I did not know it then but the conditions of the early days of radio where so much different that the crystal sets they used allowed for poor sets to do OK. Not like the 1950’s or today.

3. Did you further your radio knowledge at a radio training school, military or technical school? 

No. I finished the 12th grade. I was married and raised a family. All of my crystal set knowledge came from self study and experimenting.

4. Are you now, or have you in the past been a licensed ham? 

Yes. I operate QRP CW, mostly.

5. Have you ever worked in commercial radio? 

No

6. Your book Radios that Work for Free was published in 1977. Books and article on crystal radio building have already been around since at least the 1920s. What inspired you to write your own?

It is true that those works were around from the 20’s. But they had been removed from the library systems for lack of use. Also much of it was no longer relevant. I wanted to show my children how to build a crystal set. I knew how to make one but wanted the latest knowledge on how to do it and went looking for info. I could find none, or just bad info. It was not like today with the internet, where a search will gives you copious amounts of info. So I took my notes from years of experimenting, and decided to share what I had gleaned.

7. My edition has no bibliography. Were there any particular crystal radio books that informed or inspired your work?

No.

8. Are there any particular crystals or whisker combinations that you prefer to use? 

I love to play with crystals, but that is for amusement and research. A diode is the answer.

9. What are your thoughts on the sub-type of crystal radio... the foxhole radio? 

The boys of the second world war wanted to be informed or to be entertained, they used what they had to get the job done. Dissimilar material or imperfect contact detection is what is happening with the foxhole radio. It works, its fun.

10. What has led you to begin work on a second edition of your now classic text? 

I have never stopped experimenting, and building crystal sets. The interest in these sets is ongoing. As you can do the math I am 71 now and none of us know how long we have here. I wanted to share some of the things I could not cover in my first book. Let me say hear, we could write volumes on every single aspect of this fun hobby. I have had to leave so much out of the first book and this second, I feel bad. They are but simple little things but it all adds up to making a better radio. If you read my first book and this new one, I tried to keep my words to a minimum. So some of the smaller sentences; contain the most important info.

Jose, Thank you for your interest in radio. I love this hobby, it has changed my life. I think everyone, 
especially young people can benefit from the experience of building a crystal set. It offers so many rewards that go beyond radio.

Radios that Work for Free

The Hope and Allen Publishing Company was founded in 1971. It publishes an odd mix of Books on poetry, radio, computers, and cook books. It currently operates from a PO box in Grants Pass, OR. But the book above lists PO Box 535 in Belmont, CA. But that was back in 1977. Radios that Work for Free cost $5.00 back then. Hope and Allen actually still publish the book, [HERE] though the price is now up to $12.965 but also available in a digital edition. My used copy cost 99¢.  Their website provides the following write up:

"Radios That Work for Free is a "How to" Book for all ages. This is the most comprehensive work of its kind. Not only does the reader get a new hobby but the skills necessary to continue in a science and art that needs revival. The projects can be built by the novice with assured success. Also all the projects are especially adapted for "kitchen table construction." For those who have been waiting for something to fill their hands and to stimulate their minds, their search is over. Years of research and countless hours of experimentation have been accumulated to provide this broad base for the beginner. You will fill many hours building, listening and experimenting with Radios That Work For Free."

His full name is unknown. Edwards signs the last page of text only with his initials K.E.E. It's clear from the technical knowledge that he is an engineer, and from the introduction that he lived at the time in the San Francisco metro area. He writes "The author can separate twenty stations in the San Francisco Bay area and not just the one or two loud stations as can be done with commercial kits." The library of Congress does not list a full name. [SOURCE] So the mystery has endured. I contacted Hope and Allen hoping they'd give me a hint. They didn't.. but here's what they told me:

"K. E. Edwards  is of course a pen name.  K. E. Edward is in the process of writing Radios That Work For Free II.  It will be available as an E book in a few months. The name "K. E. Edwards" is his wife's maiden name.  K. E. Edwards has lived in Southern Oregon for the last 32 years.  He still builds crystal sets and does research. This new book may be his last radio book, time is something everyone contends with. He would like to remain in the shadows for now."