Monthly Archives: December 2018

1948 Apartment Antenna

1948DecRadioElec2Seventy years ago, W2YSF’s landlord didn’t allow an antenna on the roof of the ham’s Brooklyn apartment building, so improvisation was necessary.

He finally settled upon the design shown here for his 10 meter rig.  A telescoping antenna was mounted to a wooden bracket bolted to the window sill.  When it was time to get on the air, he swung the antenna outside and extended it.

The author notes that the same system should work well for 6 or 2 meters.

The design is shown in the December 1948 issue of Radio Electronics.

 



1958 Toy Telephone Radio

1958DecEE

We previously showed a 1947 radio built into a toy telephone.  The December 1958 issue of Electronics Illustrated improved upon the concept by turning the radio into a two-transistor model, complete with a tuning knob attached to the dial.  The radio switched itself on and off automatically thanks to a mercury switch installed in the receiver.

The two-transistor circuit “reflexed” one of the transistors by using it as both an RF and AF amplifier, allowing Junior to pull in all of the local stations with good volume.  And perhaps, if conditions were good, he might pull in an out-of-town station, or perhaps his deceased grandmother, as shown in the 1961 Twilight Zone episode shown here.

Billy's telephone just 14 years later. Coincidence?

1958DecEEschematic



1943 Life Magazine Electric Motor Project

1943Dec27LifeThis classic science fair project appeared 75 years ago today, in all places, in the December 17 1943 issue of Life magazine.

The magazine carried an article extolling the virtues of the nation’s then 200 million electric motors. It concluded with these plans for making one at home with only a wooden block, 5 paper clips, 13 thumbtacks, and a spool of enameled wire.

The old fashioned dry cell battery is a nice touch, but an alkaline D cell will work just as well.  For those who wish to bypass the parts procurement process, here is an available kit:



1948 Coin Operated Radios

1948DecRadioElecSeventy years ago this month, the December 1948 issue of Radio Electronics featured this serviceman’s account of his successful diversification into the coin-operated radio business.

While the author pointed out that potential markets included lunchonettes, beauty shops, and hospitals, he had so far exclusively provided radios to hotels.

While the radios were adjustable, the author had his set to play one hour for 25 cents. The average income from each set was about $3 per day, of which 25% was shared with the hotel owner.

To deal with the “familiar towel-and-soap stealers,” the set was fastened to a small table, which was in turn bolted to the floor. In addition, the author added a burglar alarm, which consisted of a microswitch in the radio’s case. If the radio was removed from the table, a bell would sound, and a lamp indicating the offending room would light in the manager’s office.



Silent Night: 1818

Christmas Eve 2018 marks the 200th anniversary of the hymn Silent Night.

Flooding had damaged the church organ at the parish church of Oberndorf in the Austrian Empire.  The priest, who had written the words, asked Franz Xaver Gruber to compose music for the guitar.  It was first performed 200 years ago tonight.



1928 Puerto Rico Hurricane

1928DecBLNinety years ago this month, the December 1928 issue of Boys’ Life carried this picture of Nat Pomeranz, 2APD, of Brooklyn, New York. When a September hurricane devastated Puerto Rico, the Navy’s station was destroyed, but a hasty emergency setup was made. Pomeranz was the first to pull in their weak signal and establish a communications link with the mainland.

The accompanying article noted that the Boy Scouts were in the process of setting up a radio network which could be of service not only in times of emergency, but in establishing closer contact between various troops.



1959 Boys’ Life Radio Contest

1948DecBLSixty years ago this month, the December 1958 issue of Boys’ Life magazine ran the rules for the 1959 annual Boys’ Life radio contest.  The contest was set for February 15-28.  To make sure scouts got their sleep, contest time was limited to 12 hours per week.

The contest featured separate categories for hams and SWL’s.  In the Ham category, the top prize was a National NC303 receiver.  The SWL top prize was a Hallicrafters S-85.