O/T Spark Gap Transmitters was: Interest in UUCP?

From: Ross Archer <dogbert_at_mindless.com>
Date: Wed Jun 20 20:17:00 2001

Craig Smith wrote:

> Actually, we got a special permit to activate a spark transmitter
> [1000 watts, quenched gap Navy WW I unit] several years ago at the AWA
> [Antique Wireless Association] annual meeting in Rochester, NY. We were
> allowed a 60 sec transmission once an hour for a 12 hour period for
> purposes of "historical demonstration".

You need a permit? Ack. Anyone want to buy a 50 kV spark gap transmitter,
cheap? ;)



>
> I'm sure the harmonics [multiple and MANY] played hell with the local
> TV and radio reception. Across the parking lot it could be received
> anywhere from 400KC [where it was "supposed to be tuned"] .. on up to
> about 50MC or so.
> Sorry about the O/T post but it's a special interest area for me.
> There a 500 watt, 500 cycle War I Navy transmitter sitting behind me in
> my office!
> Craig
>
> Jim Strickland wrote:
> >
> > It's my impression the FCC takes a pretty dim view of spark-gap
> > transmitters. But then I've never been a ham or anything like that.
> > I don't *do* analog (yet).
> >
> > > No packet hardware... I guess that my old Utica transciever would be
> > > useless for this. Since we're talking about sending/receiving data in
> > > a classic manner, wouldn't it be neat to use sparc-gap transmitters,
> > > and then never worrying about having to do any form of D/A or A/D
> > > conversion?
> >
> > --
> > Jim Strickland
> > jim_at_DIESPAMMERSCUMcalico.litterbox.com
> > -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > BeOS Powered!
> > -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Received on Wed Jun 20 2001 - 20:17:00 BST