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Homebrew Equipment A place to show, design and discuss the weird and wonderful electronic creations from the hands of individual members. |
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30th Mar 2020, 9:50 pm | #1 |
Triode
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Var, France
Posts: 12
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Can anyone put flesh on the bones of this (probably 1920's) photo? It is part of a collection of old photos (not just radio pix) in the archive of Eastbourne Local History Society.
The coil and the capacitor (he would no doubt have called the latter a 'condenser') are easily recognised. I understand that the rectangular box is likely to have been a battery for the valve filaments. I presume the set would have been for medium wave reception. In the collection there is a shot of a circuit diagram from a 1924 issue of 'Modern Wireless' The listener was almost certainly a member of the Woodland family of Eastbourne, England. I don't believe that he ever held a transmitting licence. However, another pic shows the same man, now older. In the background can be seen an assortment of various aerials – a veritable aerial farm. RH Woodland and Sons were cabinet-makers that also produced invalid chairs. Thanks in advance for any comments. 813itF |
31st Mar 2020, 12:02 am | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Seaford, East Sussex, UK.
Posts: 5,997
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Re: Picture of early home-brew Receiver
There are two 'pip-top' valves that would be from around 1923-5, the nearest one could be a Cossor P1, http://www.r-type.org/exhib/aaj0002.htm. Operating a set with early 'bright emitter' valves outside would be quite risky as they used a rheostat to adjust the brightness by eye and would burn out if set too high.
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31st Mar 2020, 10:53 am | #3 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 13,454
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Re: Picture of early home-brew Receiver
Quote:
https://www.americanradiohistory.com...n-Wireless.htm Lawrence. |
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31st Mar 2020, 2:27 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 9,642
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Re: Picture of early home-brew Receiver
Back then MW was known as short wave. What we now call short wave was thought useless by the professionals until Amateurs proved otherwise.
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1st Apr 2020, 1:01 am | #5 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Coulsdon, London, UK.
Posts: 2,162
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Re: Picture of early home-brew Receiver
The battery with the leather strap could be a 6 Volt or possibly a 12 Volt lead acid battery.
Is there any chance it could be a NiFe battery? The vertical device could be a variometer variable inductor. |
1st Apr 2020, 10:29 am | #6 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Coulsdon, London, UK.
Posts: 2,162
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Re: Picture of early home-brew Receiver
The battery looks like an Exide unspillable accumulator.
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1st Apr 2020, 10:42 am | #7 |
Nonode
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire, UK.
Posts: 2,038
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Re: Picture of early home-brew Receiver
Looks like it could drive two sets of headphones.
__________________
Life's a long song, but the tune ends too soon for us all. |
15th Apr 2020, 9:26 pm | #8 |
Triode
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Var, France
Posts: 12
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Re: Picture of early home-brew Receiver
Apologies for not having replied sooner.
Very many thanks for the helpful replies ... I was particularly interested to see that the back numbers of Modern Wireless are available online. I didn't know about the 'pip-top' valves and the attendant dangers. All very good indeed. de 8itF |