The Jersey Broadcaster

NEWSLETTER OF THE NEW JERSEY ANTIQUE RADIO CLUB

August 2013 Volume 19 Issue 8

MEETING/ MEETING NOTICE ACTIVITY NOTES The next NJARC meeting will take place on Friday, August 9th at 7:30 PM at Princeton's Bowen Hall (70 Prospect Ave.). Directions may be found at the club's website (http://.njarc.org). This month's program will include a compila- tion of radio-related movie shorts. Reported by Marv Beeferman neer, and his staff initiated a rush devel- "The Secret War" which turned the tide The ON-LINE Broadcaster opment to modify an existing Camp Ev- during the Battle of Britain. The New Jersey Broadcaster is now ans radar, successfully testing it on Long While we're on the subject of radar, on-line. To date, over 120 of your fel- Beach Island, and then shipping it imme- you can find an expanded version of low NJARC members have subscribed, diately to the Pacific theater where it me mber Ray Chase's article on the AN/ saving the club and your editor a sig- saved many lives. TPS-1D radar in the August issue of the nificant amount of money and work. Fifty years later, General Franks, head Tube Collector (bulletin of the Tube Co l- Interested? Send your e-mail address of the U.S. ground forces in Iraq, sent a lectors Association, edited by honorary to [email protected]. Be sure letter to U.S. Army CECOM requesting member Ludwell Sibley). The original to include your full name. the immediate production of the LCMR article first appeared in the May-August currently under development for the Spe- 2013 issue of the InfoAge Marconigraph. My apologies for a shortened (6 pages) cial Forces, by the successor division to Although I was on vacation and unable and late Broadcaster this month, influ- Dr. Marchetti's team. The threat was to attend, weather was perfect for our an- enced by some vacation time and a limited truck-mounted mortars that were attack- nual tailgate swapmeet at Infoage. Presi- input of new material. I'll try to make up ing U.S. forces in urban and semi-urban dent Richard Lee reported that it was nice for it with the next issue. areas. to see a few new vendors and he wants to Good news from InfoAge. The town- The full give a big "thank you" to member John ship has approved a new 1000 KVA trans- story, and its Tyminski for climbing on the InfoAge former to be installed by High-Energy many details, lawn mowing tractor and providing a Electric for a cost of $61,000. Once the will be told green carpet of freshly cut grass. As contracts are created and signed, delivery, at the Fourth usual, you can see a video of the event installation and testing is expected to take Annual Info- courtesy of member Bob Bennett's about three weeks. Age WWII "Radiowild" on "youtube" (http://www. As reported in the InfoAge "Electronic Weekend on youtube.com/user/Radiowild). Update," InfoAge volunteers have re- Volunteers Bob Per- August 24 to cently acquired a Lightweight Counter ricelli, John Cervini 25th from 1- Mortar Radar (LCMR) developed by the and Bruce Williams 5 PM. Ad- Army for use in Iraq and Afghanistan. stand near the LCMR. mission is The radar was donated by the Tobyhanna free with a Army Depot. It was developed jointly $5 donation requested. The weekend will between the Army (Fort Monmouth, NJ) feature dioramas, displays, and a special and the Syracuse Research Co rporation Waterhouse Art Exhibit of prints of for use by airborne forces. The light- WWII action. Also featured will be de- weight LCMR (120 lbs) is transportable tailed WWII National Archives 50th an- and can be deployed by a crew of two. niversary posters covering the entire con- The radar has an interesting connection flict. to InfoAge. During WWII and the cam- In addition, there will be a fascinating paign in the Pacific, a message was sent lecture on the WWII "Spy Radio" devel- from General MacArthur's staff to the Sig- oped at the Fort Monmouth Coles Area, nal Corps for help in dealing with a mo r- which stood off Exit 109 of the Garden Member Dave Snellman enjoys the tar threat from Japanese soldiers who had State Parkway. Special videos will be idyllic setting of our InfoAge tailgate. refused to surrender to U.S. troops. Dr. shown on Radar development, much of What looks like an R390 in the back of John Marchetti, Camp Evans radar pio- which took place at Camp Evans, and Dave's vehicle winds up with a "sold" tag in Bob Bennett's video. August 2013 Volume 19 Issue 8 Page 2

(Abobe Reader is free software available on the internet.) THE JERSEY BROADCASTER is The club is quite willing to make ex- the newsletter of the New Jersey Antique Radio Club (NJARC) which is dedicated ceptions for those of you who have prob- to preserving the history and enhancing the lems using a computer and we consider knowledge of radio and related dis- this understandable. But for the rest, in ciplines. Dues are $20 per year and today's digital environment, it is hard to meetings are held the second Friday of each month. The Editor or NJARC is not conceive of any reason not to receive on- liable for any other use of the contents of line versions of our newsletter. this publication. Won't you consider participating? - every little bit helps. Just send your re- PRESIDENT: Richard Lee John Tyminski shows off his wares. quest to [email protected]. (914)-589-3751 John is responsible for the nice green carpet they sit on. Upcoming Events VICE PRESIDENT: Sal Brisindi (732)-308–1748 September 13th: Monthly meeting at In- Two months ago, I included a request foAge - Tech-talk by Al Klase (to be an- SECRETARY/EDITOR: in the Broadcaster regarding delivery nounced) Marv Beeferman format that didn't seem too burdensome, September 20-21: Kutztown Antique Ra- (609)-693-9430 but unfortunately it resulted in zero re- dio Meet TREASURER: sponses. With the hope that there are at October 11th: Monthly meeting at Prince- Harry Klancer least a few takers out there, let's try it ton - Talk by Steve Klose on Armstrong (732)-238-1083 again: plaque project (tentative)

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS (WEST) : November 8th: Monthly meeting at Info- Darren Hoffman Dues renewals for 2013 were excel- Age - Talk by Joe Taylor on the history of (732)-928-0594 lent and I'm happy to report that we are the moon bounce project (tentative) still maintain a strong membership base. December 7th: Holiday Party at InfoAge SERGEANT-AT-ARMS (EAST): Rotating However, club membership still comes (no meeting this month) with a little responsibility for all of us. TRUSTEES: As with most clubs, 10% to 15% partici- Ray Chase (908)-757-9741 pation in keeping the club active is pretty Phil Vourtsis (732)-446-2427 Walt Heskes (732)-205-9143 standard. We do realize that the respon- sibilities of many club members and trav- NJARC OBSERVES TECHNICAL COORDINATOR: eling restrictions make it difficult for ARMSTRONG DAY Al Klase many people to volunteer and help out on (908)-892-5465 a frequent basis. However, there is one TUBE PROGRAM CHAIRMAN: thing that you can do that takes virtually By Al Klase little effort. Al Klase [email protected] Over the years, the cost of producing

SCHEMATIC PROGRAM: and mailing the NJARC Broadcaster has Aaron Hunter been steadily rising. Even with some 120 (609)-267-3065 members receiving our newsletter via the The New Jersey Antique Radio Club's internet, production costs still take a large Radio Technology Museum (RTM) held CAPACITOR PROGRAM: chunk out of our dues receipts. It would its first Armstrong Day observance on Matt Reynolds July 27th and 28th at the InfoAge Science (567)-204-3850 be a great service to the club if those of you receiving the Broadcaster by mail History Learning Center in Wall Town- RESISTOR PROGRAM: could consider switching to e-mail deliv- ship. The event honored the 101st anni- Walt Heskes ery. versary of Edwin Armstrong's introduc- (732)-205-9143 tion of the regenerative radio receiver. It is understandable why some me m- WEB COORDINATOR: bers might insist on being mailed a physi- Armstrong was arguably radio's most Dave Sica cal copy. Perhaps they desire to collect important inventor and the concept of re- (732)-382-0618 past copies. However, with a relatively generation brought the industry forward http://www.njarc.org from the early "wireless" era dominated inexpensive printer, a copy can easily be MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: obtained in black and white or better yet, by buzzing spark-gap Morse code trans- Marsha Simkin living color! Receiving the newsletter mitters and nearly deaf crystal receivers 33 Lakeland Drive requires no computer expertise or expen- into the vacuum tube-based electronic Barnegat, N.J. 08005 age. This also enabled the long distance (609)-660-8160 sive software; just click on the link that is sent out each month and the Adobe communications and voice broadcasting reader version quickly downloads. that we enjoy today. InfoAge enjoys an important connec- August 2013 Volume 19 Issue 8 Page 3 tion with the Armstrong story. It was president, Rich Phoenix, was also present. here, in January 1914, at the then under- The presentation was well-received construction Marconi Belmar station, that and inspired the society to consider hiring Armstrong demonstrated his device to a bus in the near future to take a trip to see Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of the club's museum at InfoAge. America's chief inspector David Sarnoff. Dover was just another typical stop on Sarnoff would go on to become president the club's traveling road show. In Octo- of RCA and Armstrong to pioneer and ber, we are scheduled to set up a small develop FM broadcasting and two-way display in the Mercer County Library in mobile communications. Lawrenceville, NJ. In keeping with the museum's principle that antique radios need to be heard as A tip of the hat to Ray, Harry, Joe and all well as seen, a number of vintage regen- Visitors mastering the operation of a those who help spread the "radio" word erative receivers, spanning the years from basic regenerative receiver. throughout the state, creating interest, 1912 forward, were in operation for audi- goodwill and perhaps a few additions to tioning by visitors. These included a re- the museum's inventory...Ed creation of Armstrong's original experi- mental receiver tuned to a simulated spark NJARC TALKS signal from the Marconi station on Cape TO DOVER Cod, a 1918 maritime receiver listening to continuous-wave Morse code and several HISTORIANS early broadcast and short-wave sets. By Ray Chase

On the hot, steamy Tuesday evening of July 16, Harry Klancer and I presented the "History of Radio Broadcasting" to about 25 members of the Dover, New "It was a hot, steamy Tuesday eve- Jersey Historical Society. We were in- ning"… but Ray Chase was still able vited by George Laurie, the museum cu- to maintain his radio cool at the Dover rator. Richard Lee also dropped in to Historical Society. also represent the NJARC. As usual, we transmitted the audio through vintage radios. Since we were in Dover, home of member Joe Bentrovato, we did not have to transport any radios TESLA LAB since it would be akin to "carrying coal SAVED to Newcastle." Joe helped greatly by Al Klase explains the finer points of supplying several working radios from Armstrong's invention. his rather extensive collection, including a Zenith table model shutter dial (that I The following is based on a CNN report had sold to him quite a few years ago), a from May 10th, 2013...Ed Wards "movie dial" console and a nice Stromberg Carlson. Through some highly successful Joe had already placed a Philco con- crowdfunding and skillful negotiation, the sole in the museum with the intention of last remaining laboratory of futurist n-i broadcasting vintage radio programs ventor is now in the hands of when the museum is open. Presently, the a nonprofit group that wants to preserve museum does not have regular hours but the site and make it a museum honoring hopes to open one day a week. one who is sometimes referred to as "the The Dover Historical Society is father of the electric age." The Tesla Sci- housed in a 19th century frame house in ence Center announced that it has com- downtown Dover but the rooms are small pleted the purchase of the building and so it was a tight fit with the number of land of in Shoreham, attendees that showed up. As you may , after trying for more than 18 know, the same location is the intended Tuning in to the AM broadcast and years. The original asking price was $1.6 home of the New Jersey Radio Museum, amateur bands. million, but the deal closed for $850,000. although it is only virtual at this time. Its The Wardenclyffe Tower was to be August 2013 Volume 19 Issue 8 Page 4

tions to society to join in The following photo by Lewis Hine helping to make this dream showed up on the historical photo archive a reality." website Shorpy and was noted by NJARC member W2JI. Similar to the early days of InfoAge, the Tesla Science Center has called on volun- teers to assist in the cleanup along the perimeter of the site. Those interested can sign up using Volunteer- Spot.com. The Tesla Lab today. Largely forgotten for decades in the shadows of inventors like Thomas Edi- where Tesla would realize his dream of son, Tesla has emerged in recent years as developing wireless communications and a sort of an unsung hero among the sci- The caption reads as follows: "RCA Vic- clean, free energy for the world. It was ence-minded. Tesla foresaw the need for tor Final Inspector - testing radio fre- never completed, and the building was wireless transmissions in the late 1800s - quency alignment and making final test of later used by a photo processing company, a hundred years before anyone picked up chassis. This takes place in a room en- leaving the area tainted with chemicals. a cell phone. But Tesla's work lost much tirely surrounded by copper screening in Last year, the nonprofit made a plea on of its financial backing after Guglilmo order to protect testing from any interfe r- the Internet for donors. Tesla fan Mat- Marconi sent radio signals across the At- ence. This is the job requiring the highest thew Inman, creator of the Web cartoon lantic Ocean, and the lab site was lost in skill. Even technical training, such as an "The Oatmeal," started an 1915. Now, the Tesla Science Center electrical engineering course, must be crowdfunding effort irreverently titled hopes to soon be welcoming visitors who supplemented by a course of training at "Let's Build A Goddamn Tesla Museum." can understand and appreciate all the ac- the plant for this particular work." Fans of Tesla responded, raising more complishments and ideas envisioned by In the photo (can anyone identify the than $1 million in about a week before the inventor. model number?), the technician appears to wrapping up with $1.37 million. The be holding one of the control shafts in one money left over after the purchase will be hand and the base of one of two pilot used to clean up and renovate the prop- lights in the other. What exactly is he erty. The ultimate goal, an interactive testing for? Here are a few of the com- science museum honoring Tesla, will re- ments posted with the picture: quire much more cash. On his website, Inman thanked donors "He's checking for voltage tingle, holding and said an event is planned this summer the lamp base and grounding himself to in Shoreham to help finance the science the chassis, possibly because he likes it or center. Musical performances, lectures, perhaps it's a posed photograph." interactive exhibits and tours - with Inman as one of the guides - are planned during "Nice watch...but he should take it off the two-day event. Inman also plans a with all the high voltage hazards in the special Tesla demonstration during the area." Wardenclyffe in its prime. event: "I see a power transformer, so probably "I own a fully functional Tesla coil can- More information about fundraising not a live chassis." non and I plan to BBQ some Sriracha- events and the Wardenclyffe site can be bacon sandwiches by shooting them with found on the Tesla Science Center web- "Can you imagine having to wear those its 20,000 volt electric arc, so the event site. headphones all day? Heavy, and no cush- will be both scientific and delicious." ioning? No thanks!

Mary Daum, treasurer of the Tesla Sci- "As has already been noted, the chassis is ence Center, said in a statement: FINAL equipped with a power transformer - so INSPECTOR: the chassis would never be live, no matter "We estimate that we will need to raise what the orientation of the mains (line), about $10 million to create a science AC connected to it. Amongst other learning center and museum worthy of 1936, CAMDEN things, safety concerns were a major rea- Tesla and his legacy. We invite everyone NEW JERSEY son for having a mains transformer." who believes in science education and in recognizing Tesla for his many contribu- August 2013 Volume 19 Issue 8 Page 5

AUGUST · Harry Klancer and Marty Friedman get a homebrew, 4-dial neutrodyne work- worked on a Lafayette 1938, 5-tube ing. (An interesting radio pointed out by REPAIR CLINIC model SB7 AM table radio. It took some Ray Chase with a total of 5 audio stages.) time to replace the dial cord and tuning But with a little probing with a screw- was noisy so the variable capacitor plates driver by Aaron Hunter, a typical failure By needed adjustment. Also, the sound was of these older radios was discovered - a Marv Beeferman scratchy and it was found that the wire that appeared connected but had ac- speaker cone was unglued from its rim. tually separated as a result of stress relief Our Summer repair clinic was held on With these fixes, the radio was brought at the solder joint. It was nice to hear one Saturday, August 3rd at InfoAge. As ex- back to life. of these older battery sets playing once pected, vacation time cut down a little on · Ray Chase worked on changing the again through a "loud talker." attendance and we had only one walk-in filter caps and recapping a homebrew · Matt Reynolds, Marty Friedman, Al requesting a radio evaluation. However, broadcast band superhet that showed Klase and Sal Brisindi joined forces to get this provided plenty of table space and amazing workmanship. Matt's miniature two-channel oscilloscope allowed our members to work on some of · Chuck Paci, Marty Friedman and Tom working (a $1.00 flea market buy). Just their own projects. The following activ i- Cawley found multiple problems with an by cleaning the spring connectors between ties were noted: RCA 45X11, 1940 Bakelite table radio the circuit boards, both channels came to · Steve Goulart handled our only walk-in, including a bad power cord connector, life with one channel fully functional. a 1957, 4-tube E-672 Philco AM portable. bad solder connections, shorted IF coil · John Tyminski started work on a Philco (This was the year Philco introduced its lead, and miswired filter caps and an- 46-200 but an open field coil stopped him first all-transistor radio and ended its tenna lead (from previous owner). Once dead in his tracks. "Transitone" line.) Steve replaced the fil- these problems were solved, a working · Your editor continued work on restor- ter capacitor and repaired a few traces and radio was reborn. ing an Atwater Kent Model E-145. the elderly lady who owned the radio was · Dick Hurff has been scratching his quite pleased to take home a working unit. head for some time with the inability to

A typical failure in older radios when solder joints (red wire) stress relieve leaving what looks like a good connec- tion until probed with a screwdriver.

Nothing like a breakfast of radio bagels.

A well-constructed homebrew. August 2013 Volume 19 Issue 8 Page 6

Not the best workbench conditions maintained by your editor.

Here's some additional 1920's original artwork courtesy of Ray Chase; its use and artist are unknown.