[CW] Fwd: Annual Alexanderson Day with the SAQ Alexanderson Alternator from 1924

[Richard Knoppow]

-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: 	Re: [CW] Annual Alexanderson Day with the SAQ 
Alexanderson Alternator from 1924
Date: 	Sun, 27 Jun 2021 13:21:03 -0700
From: 	Richard Knoppow <1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com>
To: 	cw at mailman.qth.net



    Thorn Mayes has a great deal of information about the 
Alexanderson alternator in his book. General Electric built 
twenty of them, this is the last one left. We are fortunate that 
its kept in operating condition. There are videos of it on You Tube.
     One of the primary reasons for the creation of RCA was to 
keep the Alexanderson machines out of the hands of Marconi or 
other European wireless companies. The Alexanderson machines were 
very efficient and reliable along with the "multiple tuned" 
antennas that accompanied them. All operated in the range between 
about 15Khz and about 20Khz. Originally, RCA was to install eight 
machines at "Radio Central" at Rocky Point L.I. but the machines 
were so efficient and reliable that only two were ever installed 
and only two antennas constructed. Also effecting the future of 
the Alexanderson machines was the development of high frequency 
(short wave) transmission shortly after the close of WW-1. Short 
wave was much more efficient and much cheaper than the long wave 
systems. However, it was discovered that very long wave could 
communicate with submarines while submerged and was very reliable 
near the polar regions, so it continued to have a life for 
decades after it was initially thought to be obsolete. However, 
vacuum tube transmitters supplanted the alternator machines. 
Mayes has a chart showing the locations of alternator 
transmitters (some were moved around) and their ultimate fate. 
The Alexanderson alternator was based on a machine designed by 
Fessenden. He took it to General Electric to build and it was 
assigned to Alexanderson. Alexanderson found many problems with 
it but could not convince Fessenden to make the changes. However, 
GE decided to make machines based on Alexanderson's designs. They 
were built by the turbine division of  GE. The technical and 
especially the political story of the alternator is fascinating. 
Mayes gives considerable framework in his book but much more 
complete information, especially regarding the Navy's involvement 
with its development and the founding of RCA can be found in 
Captain Howeth's book "Communicatons and Electronics in the 
United States Navy" which is available free on the web.
    Enough. If you have means to listen for SAQ do so. If you are 
out in the country you can try making a wave antenna from a wire 
fence. Works best low and the longer it is the better. I mile 
long fence more or less pointed at the station should work.

On 6/27/2021 1:43 AM, D.J.J. Ring, Jr. wrote:
>
> Hello Friends, here the announcement from the Alexander 
> Grimeton Association:
>
> The annual transmission event on the Alexanderson Day with the 
> Alexanderson Alternator from 1924
>
> on VLF 17.2 kHz CW with the call sign SAQ, is scheduled for 
> Sunday, July 4th, 2021.
>
> The Alexander Grimeton Association are planning to carry out 
> two broadcasts to the world from the old Alexanderson 
> alternator SAQ. Only required staff will be in place, due to 
> the ongoing pandemic.
>
> *Transmission schedule:*
> 1. Startup and tuning at 10:30 CET (08:30 UTC) with a 
> transmission of a message at 11:00 CET (09:00 UTC)
> 2. Startup and tuning at 13:30 CET (11:30 UTC) with a 
> transmission of a message at 14:00 CET (12:00 UTC)
>
> *Live Video from World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station*
> Both transmission events can be seen *live* on our YouTube 
> Channel 
> <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-83S-l9JKD1iuhsXx3XQ3g?sub_confirmation=1>.
> The live video starts 5 minutes before the startup and tuning.
>
> https://alexander.n.se/alexanderson-day-2021/?lang=en 
> <https://alexander.n.se/alexanderson-day-2021/?lang=en>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> CW mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/cw
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:CW at mailman.qth.net
> CW List ARCHIVES: http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/cw/
> Unsubcribe send email to
> cw-unsubscribe at mailman.qth.net
> Subscribe send email to cw-subscribe at mailman.qth.net
> Support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> =30=

-- 
Richard Knoppow
1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
WB6KBL