clubpix

Welcome to the Club Photo Page

Here you will find a "typical" club meeting, through photographs.

In May we had a live demo of the IRLP and EchoLink Systems using the KB6JAG 440 MHz repeater. That was followed by an impressive demo of the WIN System on another 440 frequency, and we talked to Juno Alaska, and a dozen other stations around California using a HT and a mobile mag mound antenna on a cookie sheet inside the building.

----------------------------------------------

The February 2005 Club meeting was another "winner" with a ride into ham radio history to the early 1900's and Spark Gap Transmitters presented by Steve Jensen, W6RHM with a "real" spark gap rig.

If you were in "awe" looking at a piece of history, then your were really awed when Steve plugged it in, and turned it ON. Unfortunately, the camera got left at home and the photos below came from Steve's web site instead of our camera. A movie camera would have been GREAT!

Maybe we can do this again later in the year. Old and New Hams alike were thrilled with the presentation.

We began our meeting with no special business so members and guests presented some special items of their own. For example:

1. Karen, W6SO announced that her sister Randi just received her call sign,

KG6YKQ and is now "on the air".

2. Jerry, the former KG6TPL is NOW W8JRC. How about that?

3. Sid, AE6BU brought in a couple VOM's for free! Yep, FREE!

4. Cal, KB7ZGL brought in a very old one tube receiver with a box of the

original plug in coils. (sorry guys, receivers in "those days" were NOT

bandswitched and not even digital either)

5. Jim, KF6WCL brought in a few mobile antennas for sale.

President Ron excused VP Robert and gave us an update on the Simpson Park

situation. Steve Jensen was introduced and then we had some refreshments with a variety of donuts provided by none other "Gator", KC6SFP. (thanks Herb)

Following refreshments Steve used slides to show us a number of photos of his grandfather's spark transmitter of 1918 and some of the experiences he had while using it and other equipment of its day. After some exciting stories he related how he got into the business he is in (Electromagnetic Interference Testing) the lights were turned on and he gave us a "tour" of the actual spark transmitter used by his grandfather 9YD. Yes, that's a real call sign.

He related the story of how his grandfather had passed this spark transmitter to his father, and from his father to him. After arranging a trip to a prospective museum for the spark transmitter, he received information that it was damaged and they were not certain about repairs. Steve made a trip to the place and was able to effect repairs but when he "tested" it the racket from the spark gap got the immediate attention of those present and someone remarked that it was "too dangerous" to be there. Steve brought it back with him.

The high voltage transformer generates about 6000 volts at about 100 Milliamps which is roughtly 600 watts of power. Under "operating" conditions, this could easily amount to a Kilowatt spark gap transmitter. It uses a motor to spin the "gap" which looks much like the blade used in circular saws. After plugging it in and turning it ON, the rotary gap motor slowly reached speed humming along. It was very quiet in the room as Steve sent a few fairly fast "V's using the key.

It was LOUD and the sparks were BRIGHT! I noticed a few jumped a little. Sure glad it was only 600 watts. (Typical rotary gap transmitters of the early 1900's ranged from about 1,000 watts to 5,000 watts.) Steve invited someone to come up and send some CW, but cautioned that the "key" was actually in the 120 vac power line so DON'T TOUCH THE METAL PARTS. KC, W6OB came up and sent several words. He didn't touch the metal parts. Then it was turned OFF and the rotary gap motor slowly ground to a stand still, while we all marveled at this wonderous invention of the early 1900's and how we had just witnessed history in the making. Old and New ham alike remarked how great this was to see the "real" thing and actually see it working. For the modern day ham, this was truly a royal treat and one to remember for a very lone time.

Steve answered some questions and thanked us for inviting him. It was a great meeting. Later during clean up, two of the young men who were helping pick up chairs asked what "was that strange noise they heard". I told them it was a genuine spark gap transmitter from the 1900's. They had a puzzled look on their faces, so I added "that's before most vacuum tubes and transistors" and they were still puzzled. I then added " Even before cell phones" and with that they smiled and one said "now that I know".

Thank you Steve for sharing "history" with us, with the REAL thing.

Below is a photo of Steve's grandfather (seated at the rig) from 1918. The rotary spark is above the transformer in this photo. For ease of mobility and handling, the rotary gap and motor have been moved onto a plate that the entire spark gap rig is housed on. Photos next time. Thanks again to Foy, KK6UM for the refreshments handling, coffee and water. Raffle winners were Shirley Risher (1st and 3rd place) and Bob Bensen 2nd place.