[Elecraft] RST or S - meter readings?

[Jack Smith]

Jim:

Correct -- arc transmitters operated on the negative resistance 
principle, as a portion of the E vs I curve for an arc has an area of 
negative resistance. As such, the arc worked as an amplifier or 
oscillator, thus yielding a continuous wave. (Same concept as a  tunnel 
diode, as a matter of fact.)

See pages 44-55 of "The Science of Radio" by Paul Nahin.

Jack


N2EY at aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 6/7/07 7:22:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
> kk5f at earthlink.net writes:
>
>
>   
>> Communications using Morse code by keyed continuous waves" in contrast to 
>> "communications using Morse code by keyed damped waves," which was the type of 
>> signal emitted by those old spark and arc transmitters of yesteryear, until 
>> alternators and vacuum tube oscillators were available to emit continuous 
>> waves during key-down.  CW vs. DW!
>>
>>
>>     
>
> I could be mistaken, but it is my understanding that arc transmitters (like 
> the Poulsen arc) generated continuous (undamped) waves. 
>
> 73 de Jim, N2EY
>
>
> **************************************
>  See what's free at 
> http://www.aol.com.
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
>  http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft    
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>
>