Also known as a "Receiving
Transformer", loose couplers were used extensively in receivers
built during the "teens". The coupler consists of two coils, a primary
and a secondary. The primary coil is stationary and is usually provided
with a slider for varying the inductance by single turns. The secondary
coil slides in and out of the primary to vary the coupling, and is
designed with several switch points in order to change its inductance.
Loose couplers were used as the primary tuning device
in early receivers. The primary coil was attached to an antenna and
ground (sometimes through a variable condenser.) The secondary was
connected to a detector (typically a crystal detector in the
early sets.. see
detectors for more information.)
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