The Experimenter's Handbook
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Valves Were Expensive in the Early Days of Radio and So Designers
By RODNEY CHAMPNESS, VK3UG would become gassy. Occasionally, even today, a valve with a purple glow inside it will be seen and this is often an indication that the glass to metal pin seal is not perfect and air has leaked VICTORIA into the valve. Incandescent light globes were the first items to have metal pins or wires protruding through a glass envelope. However, this created no real problem, since the vacuum created was satisfac- tory for their operation and the glass- to-metal seals were not as critical. In some cases, the globe was filled with an inert gas such as nitrogen to prevent Above: the Kriesler 11-41 was a popular evaporation of the filament. 4-valve reflex receiver from the 1950s. One problem with valves was that the metals used inside them (ie, for the elements and filaments) had to Valves were expensive in the early be carefully selected, otherwise they days of radio and so designers came up could emit gases when they became hot. These gases could then "poison" with clever techniques to minimise the a valve and adversely affect its per- valve count. One technique was known formance. So early attempts at making valves as "reflexing" and involved using the into viable amplifying devices encoun- same valve to work as both an RF or IF tered many difficulties. However, their potential to revolutionise radio was amplifier and as an audio amplifier. obvious and so a great deal of effort was put into solving these problems. It is for these and other reasons that valves were by far the most expensive nOMPONENTS such as tuning ca- had a small amount of gas left inside, and fragile components in early valve pacitors, inductors (both fixed and due to manufacturing limitations. -
RF Communications : Systems & Circuits
ELEN 665 RF Communications : Systems & Circuits Edgar Sánchez-Sinencio [email protected] Analog and Mixed-Signal Center,Texas A&M University 1 Fall 2009 WHAT ARE THE MAIN TOPICS INVOLVED TO FULLY UNDERSTAND RF DESIGN ? IC DES S IGN ON TI AND CA DEV NI ICES U MM CO N ICROWAVE G M SI E D TECHNIQUES F R SIGNAL PROCESSING APPLICATIONS 2 Analog and Mixed Signal Center, TAMU ELEN 665 (ESS) INTRODUCTION AND MOTIVATION • HOW DO LIVING BEINGS COMMUNICATE ? • HOW CAN WE MIMIC HUMAN COMMUNICATIONS ? • WHAT ARE THE FUNDAMENTAL ARCHITECTURES OF WIRELESS RECEIVERS AND TRANSMITTERS ? • WHAT ARE THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS IN A RECEIVER? How does non-linearity play a role? 3 Analog and Mixed Signal Center, TAMU HowHow dodo livingliving beingsbeings communicate?communicate? • Communicating is something that all animals, including humans, do. It could be a dog barking a warning, a cat arching its back, or crickets chirping, animals are always sending messages to each other. • Animals and plants react to stimuli which might come from other living things or from the environment. A stimulus usually causes the organism which receives it to respond to it. Animals use all their senses to communicate. • For example, some male birds develop colorful plumage so that the females will be attracted by a visual stimulus as well as by sound. • Bees (dogs) communicate by means smelling (sniffing). • Dolphins communicate through sounds. 4 • The signals which an organism uses can be visual (sight), sensual (touch), auditory (sound) or chemical Marine mammals establish contact with specific individuals using short-range vocalizations. The most singular example of marine mammals using sound to make or maintain contact is between mother and offspring. -
1991-07: the Story of Reflexes
VII liliLdi gp e IRa~dln~o by PETER LANKSHEAR The story of `Reflexes' This month's column is not about rubber hammers and kneecaps, but a technology that persisted throughout the history of valve radio, and one that was exploited to its greatest extent in Australia. With semiconductors available today tal detector and then reflexed the audio valves coincided with a boom in at only a few cents apiece, it is difficult back to the grid of the valve to again `midget' radios, and an increasing de- to appreciate just how expensive ampli- amplify the signal. Any problems like mand for car radios. Economies in space fication was in the early days of radio. erratic operation and distortion were of and battery consumption became import- Not only valves, but every milliampere- little consequence. ant, providing an incentive to resurrect hour of precious battery power cost a lot reflexing. of money. Any way to economise was Early superhet use From late 1933 the Americans, espe- well received. An early 'high tech' application of re- cially RCA, made some use of the 6B7 in During World War 1, much research flexing was in Edwin Armstrong's first car radios as a reflexed IF and trans- went into triode valve applications. One generation of RCA superheterodynes, in former-coupled audio amplifier, with the US Navy worker, W.H. Priess, patented 1924. To keep the number of valves to a one valve providing IF and AF amplifi- the concept of passing a signal twice minimum, the first valve was used as an cation, diode detection and AGC. -
Build an Old Time One-Valve Radio T
•~ a.. e e Ifito .ega'3a, . tr Ssc~ . a~:r"..,`'r"'~g~~ t.~.= ~ y~~..i•'`'E~;sr,:~ .?-~`.r ;~'~I:i'Y ~~":'-:2i:5'-~'r:" *: ap~ i d -.t e -•i' e'•,y`. z'a--'~ ~a.r •~`,`'t ,'-yerk',t"3-c .rLt ~`u"r. ,~,`.~f'F' 06***104r"' G: _•ad2r. r,`r,*•r--,.x-00-fti;,s -,yr-4.o o-+J-0,0_4 03-c?'rv7-F * Special `nostalgia' project: BUILD AN OLD TIME ONE-VALVE RADIO T There's a lot of interest nowadays in building simple valve-based radio sets, of the type that were popular from the 1920s right up until the 1960s. Here's the first of two articles which give all the information you'll need to construct an authentic one-valver starting with a basic `grid-leak' set and progressing to a regenerative circuit with surprisingly good performance. Enough information is given to allow you to use almost any old valve or other components to hand. by PETER LAUGHTON Cleaning out my radio `shack' (read had, and how much I'd learned. This, cussion is the following project. mess) the other day, I came across a along with several recent Letters to The circuits described can be built number of radio receivers that I con- the Editor asking for more vintage using almost any combination of com- structed years ago based on valves, radio projects, resulted in me talking ponents, even from junked valve TV and remembered how much fun I'd to Jim Rowe, and the result of that dis- sets. -
'I'm 1 Continuing Education Company
March/April 1972 CAJ I: McGrauwHlll 'I'm 1 Continuing Education Company National Capitol Radio Radio Institute Engineering Institute CI Students and Graduates of NRI Important News for You Introducing the CONAR Model 214 Further Adventures of a Part -Time Serviceman Here'sa"Reel" Deal-and a "Hot" Deal (a $37.95 Value)Only $15.40 each(a $39.70 Value) (POSTAGE PAID ) Here's what the "hot" deal includes: 20 Transiolytic electrolytic capacitors Utilize a special low -leakage current con- struction and meet the very special needs of transistorized circuits.Excellent resist- ance to high humidity because of plastic case with thermo-setting resin end -seals. Each unit stamped with rating and polarity. 25 Pacer Film Capacitors Feature metal end caps over extended foil THE REEL DEAL #21AC sections. Assures best possible non -induc- tivecapacitors.End caps alsoeffective Here's what the "reel" moisture barriers. Protected by epoxy coat- deal includes: ing-rugged and durable. 65 Orange Drop Capacitors 90 Kwickette Soldering Best of the dipped tubulars An answer to a serviceman's and a must for applications prayer. These are the solder. an exact replace- YOUR ing aids that are saving tech- ment will fit. "Orange Drops" CHOICE nicianshours and hoursof are the perfect replacements work. Forquickpartsre- for dipped capacitors now used ONLY placement. Practically lets you by makers of the leading tele- do "in - circuit"component vision receivers. $15.40 testing. 130 Kwickette Soldering Aids Kidde Pocket Butane Torch Kit Answer to a serviceman's prayers.Saves Great for all kinds of soft soldering and you hours and hours of work. -
Latest in Television Servicing Audio
JULY 1951 tAl)I K - ea CS LATEST IN TELEVISION SERVICING AUDIO TELECAR SPEEDS TELEGRAMS 30 7J_E FIROAr-sCV,TINCJ AND COMml.micik flON. U.S. and CANADA In this issue: TV Tube Substitutions Field Strength Meter Pocket Superhet www.americanradiohistory.com tt,cea,flUMDNT A UTOMA TI-FOCU S Completely Provides- Eliminates- AUTOMATIC FOCUSING AT ALL TIMES FOCUSING COIL FINE OVERALL FOCUS FOCUSING CONTROLS REPLACES ALL 17" GLASS MECHANICAL FOCUSING RECTANGULARS WHETHER DEVICES ELECTROSTATIC OR ELECTROMAGNETIC 17" NtAvailable soon in other sizes nUM FOR COMPLETE TECHNICAL INFORMATION - WRITE: TUBE DIVISION - ALLEN B. DU MONT LABORATORIES, INC., CLIFTON, N.J. www.americanradiohistory.com RADI:': -TEL E. SMITH. Prea. aanonal gadia Inslilel. 8000 TECHNICIA FREE y N0 SN upoN A1. Americas Fast Growing Industry Offers You M 1. EXTRA MONEY Available to Imo' IN SPARE TIME Many students In 14 t 5, :r,IU a week extra fixing neighbors' Radios VETERANS in spare time while learning. The day you enroll I start sending you SPECIAL BOOKLETS to show you how to do this. Tester Bill you build with parts I send helps you service sets. All equipment under G.I. is yours to keep. 2. GOOD PAY JOB I TRAINED THESE MEN Your next step is a good job installing and servicing Radio- Televi- Mid Wow, Pam bila Wry IMdakes is TMMUM, Soon after finishingg Have am on shop sion sets or beccming boss of your own Radio -Television sales N. R. I course, An auw¡sedtl - h' ked for servicing a 5 large and service shop or getting a good job in a Broadcasting Station. -
Acme.Pdf (8.05Mb)
Amplification without Distortion A Discussionon Radio with Particular Refer- ence to the Construction and Operation of Radio Audio and "REFLEX" Amplifiers and Sets. Have you ever stopp€d to cousider what makee it poseible for you to hear the distant broadcasting station, to fill the room with music, to communicate with the amateur hundreds of miles away? It is amplification-the key to Radio, Amplification is used on both the transmitter and receiver, and with it thc ringer's voice in New York is transported to the farm in Ohio, or the President of the United States talks to the whole country just as though he werc in milliona of homes at the same time. But Radio without amplification would be a ship without a sail ! Amplification eliminates distance and permits a room or hall full of peoplc to be entertained simultaneously, but the limits of radio and amplification should be clearly understood, especially in regard to distance. The transmission rangc of radio varies greatly between day and night, city and country, summer and winter, and from oight to night, and in such a manner that no €ract rante can be specified for aoy particular aet. August, 1924 At-ti'n .. s the most eimple radio e€t will pick up broadcasting ltations at con- sidersble distancesaway, but usually this reception is a freak, anJcannut be dupli. cated at will. As the set becomes more elaborate (that is. as amplification'sreater is added) the reliable distance over which it will operate becomeg and treater up to a safeestimate of 300 to 500 miles in the winter eveningswhen using a loud speaking telephone and loop antenna. -
Radio-Electronics in All Its Phases Canada 30, Sil Vanl4 Xews Radio Service Edition
HUGO GERNSBACK, Editor g. o JUN 1 9 4 7 RADIO-ELECTRONICS IN ALL ITS PHASES CANADA 30, SIL VANL4 XEWS RADIO SERVICE EDITION JUNE Prepared by SYLVANIA ELECTRIC PRODUCTS INC., Emporium, Pa. 1947 RADIO SERVICEMEN! SYLVANIA'S COLORFUL NEW CLOCK BIG AID IN SERVICE SALES Specially Designed Famous -Make Clock Identifies Quality Stores Stocking Sylvania Tubes Bright white face ... Fifteen -inch diameterI black numerals! Radio tube in silver e Minute and hour and black...design hands in black ... of carton in famil- unique second iar green and hand in attractive black! red! Telechron move- ment sealed in The words ir "RADIO oil; case in brown SERVICE" in green crinkle finish with and black. The word silver -colored rim "SYLVANIA" in iden- around face! Nominal- tifying green! ly priced at only $7.501 Once you place this big, colorful Telechron elec- your customers are being advised of the advan- tric clock -with its "Radio Service" face -in your tages of placing Sylvania "quality- controlled" window, you'll have an attractive sales aid that radio tubes in their equipment. By displaying identifies your business ... every second of the this on- the -spot sales help you're telling them you day ... as carrying the finest line of tubes made. sell these highest quality tubes. Get this wonder- Through far -reaching advertising campaigns, ful sales aid now ! ORDER FROM YOUR SYLVANIA DISTRIBUTOR or write SYLVANIA ELECTRIC PRODUCTS INC., Emporium, Pu. SYLVANIAELECTRIC MAKERS OF RA010 TUBES: CATHODE RAY TUBES; ELECTRONIC DEVICES; FLUORESCENT LAMPS. FIXTURES. WIRING DEVICES; ELECTRIC LIGHT BULBS A FREE iEssoN alLL. YOU'RE ALWAYS ` ' I'LL TRY, MARY, I'LL) II WITH RADIO--OUR SEWON T SEE WHAT I CAN OD SNOWED DILL HOW NE CO1111 WORK--WILL VOL) FIX IT? WITH IT TONIGHT MAKE GOOD PAY IN RADIO: iVE BEEN STUDYING' Al HOME WITH THE SAY, I'VE SEEN THEIR HELLO, BILL--GOT YES. -
RADIOECTRONICS in ALL ITS PHASES for Better Curves
1 "FLYING SPOT" TELEVISION TUBE SFi- TfIfVISInN SlrtlON RADIOECTRONICS IN ALL ITS PHASES For Better Curves Where They Count Most! Accurate taper curves prove correct resistance ments - and adds manufacturing skill and values. When you install a Mallory carbon repeated quality checks that assure you com- control, you know that your customer will get plete customer satisfaction when Mallory the fine, smooth tone gradations that result products are used. from tapers that are mathematically accurate. Mallory offers the most complete line of Mallory uses an exclusive method of applying volume controls- standardized to make them the talcum -fine carbon so that the fields of easy to stock. resistance are perfectly feathered for core rect attenuation. Mallory makes the three replacement parts that The Mallory 1485 Control Deal This attractive metal cabinet contains the are used on the majority 15 Controls and 9 Switches that will take of your jobs: volume care of 90% of your service calls. Its arrange- ment makes inventory control almost auto- controls, capacitors and matic-saves you frequent trips to the distrib- utor's e ter. It contains a rack for your vibrators. Into them, Radio Service Ency- Mallory builds design clopedia. You pay only for the Volume Con- experience that has been trols and Switches; the cabinet is included in acquired by constantly the deal at no extra keeping a step ahead cost to you. Check your Mallory distributor on Mallory controls are carefully tested J taper The esrlutire method of applying of commercial radio - this special offer. carbon Aires a Inure gradual taper curve than is produced by n elertronir develop. -
Electronic Home Music Reproducing Equipment
Electronic Home Music Reproducing Equipment Daniel R von Recklinghausen Copyright © 1977 by the Audio Engineering Society. Reprinted from the Journal of the Audio Engineering Society, 1977 October/November, pages 759...771. This material is posted here with permission of the AES. Internal or personal use of this material is permitted. However, permission to reprint/republish this material for advertising or promotional purposes or for creating new collective works for resale or redistribution must be obtained from the AES by contacting the Managing Editor, William McQuaid., [email protected]. By choosing to view this document, you agree to all provisions of the copyright laws protecting it. John G. (Jay) McKnight, Chair AES Historical Committee 2005 Nov 07 Electronic Home Music Reproducing Equipment DANIEL R. VON RECKLINGHAUSEN Arlington, MA The search for amplification and control of recorded and transmitted music over the last 100 years has progressed from mechanical amplifiers to tube amplifiers to solid-state equipment. The AM radio, the record player, the FM receiver, and the tape recorder have supplemented the acoustical phonograph and the telephone. An incomplete summary of important developments in the past is presented along with challenges for the future. Home music reproduction began when Bell invented the tromechanical repeater caused it to be used for 20 years telephone in 1876 and Edison invented the phonograph in more as a hearing-aid amplifier [5, pp. 64-69]. 1877. Instruments were manufactured soon thereafter and C.A. Parsons of London, England, inventor of the leased or sold to the public. Yet the listener had very little Auxetophone, marketed in 1907 a phonograph where the control over the reproduction and the volume of sound, the playback stylus vibration caused a valve to modulate a tone quality being predetermined by the manufacturer of stream of compressed air which was fed to a reproducing the phonograph and record or by the telephone company horn [6]. -
Amplification Without Distortion
Amplification without Distortion cAcme Apparatus Company • ElGHTH BDmON Amplification without Distortion A Discussion on Radio with Particular Refer� ence to the Construction and Operation of Radio Audio and" REFLEX" Amplifiers and Sets. Have you ever stopped to consider what makes it possible for you to hear the distant broadcasting station, to fill the room with music, to communicate with the amateur hundreds of miles away? It is amplification-the key to Radio. Amplification is used on both the transmitter and receiver, and with it the singer's voice in New York is transported to the farm in Ohio, or the President of the United States talks to the whole country just as though he were in million.. of homes at the same time. But Radio without amplification would be a .hip without a sail! Amplification eliminates distance and permits a room or hall full of people to he entertained simultaneously, but the limits of radio and amplification should be clearly understood, especially in regard to distance. The transmission range of radio varies greatly between day and night, city and country, summer and winter, and from night to night, and in such a manner that no exact range can be specified for any particular oet. B.&.N A-920 February, 1925 At times the most simple radio set will pick up broadcasting stations at con siderable distances away, but usually this reception is a freak, and cannot be dupli cated at will. As the set becomes more elaborate (that is, as amplification is added) the reliable distance over which it will operate becomes greater and greater up to a safe estimate of 300 to 500 miles in the winter evenings when using a loud speaking telephone and loop antenna. -
From Electronic to Video Gaming (Computing in Canada: Historical
From Electronic to Video Gaming (Computing in Canada: Historical Assessment Update) Sharing the Fun: Video Games in Canada, 1950-2015 Canada Science and Technology Museum Version 2 — January 30, 2015 Jean-Louis Trudel 1 Introduction Why is the playing of games so important? Even today, the approximately two billion dollars generated in GDP for the Canadian economy by the indigenous video game industry is far outweighed by the $155 billion in annual revenues of the overall information and communications technology (ICT) field. Similarly, while the video game industry may claim about 16,000 employees, the entire ICT sector employs over 520,000 Canadians. 1 Yet, 65 video game and computer science programs have sprung up in Canadian colleges and universities to cater to this new field where 97% of new graduate hires happen within Canada. 2 Furthermore, electronic gaming has become a pervasive form of entertainment, with 61% of Canadian households reporting by 2012 that they owned at least one game console and about 30% of Canadians playing every single day. 3 With the increasing adoption of mobile platforms (smartphones, tablets) available for use throughout the day, that percentage is expected to rise. Indeed, by 2014, 54% of Canadians had played a computer or video game within the past four weeks. 4 Therefore, paying attention to an industry that is able to capture the attention of so many Canadians on a regular basis is a recognition of its catering to a very deep-seated human instinct, sometimes identified as a neotenous feature rooted in early hominid evolution. Playfulness has long been recognized as a basic wellspring of human existence.