[Hallicrafters] Questions for OLD-timers (Hams)

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 24 Apr 2008 at 12:30, Jim Brannigan wrote:

> > 1.  I've read that the Post Office Technical Branch was at one time
> > (1920s, 1930s?) responsible for enforcement of amateur radio
> > practice (operating frequency, power output, etc.). Does anyone know
> > if that was the case?  The Federal Radio Commission came into being
> > in 1927, later to become the FCC in 1934.
> 
> Not in this country, see other posted answer

Yes.

> > 3.  In the 1940s and 1950s I think the amateur license application
> > required you to list how the station frequency was to be monitored
> > (measured).  Was that true?  When did that requirement get replaced
> > with "Operated in accordance with good engineering practice"?  I
> > suspect most operators now rely on the crystals in the transmitters
> > or/and a crystal calibrator to remain in the band.  Crystal use
> > started in 1934.
> >
> The only requirement was to stay within the band(s).

Yes. Correct.

>  A 100kc marker
> crystal was a standard station accessory.

For those who could afford it. :-)

> Accurate frequency
> measurement was never really an amateur concern.

Again, correct. Unless you wanted to join the annual FMT.

>  Precise frequency
> measurement became a necessity with the advent of VHF repeaters.

But that was handled with crystal control. Not much of a problem.

> 
> It is too bad that the League stopped selling the QST archive CD's,

I was recently given a set of those, if anyone here needs an article 
from a particular QST. However, be advised that the resolution of the 
photos leaves a lot to be desired. The text is easily readable though.

> but the book "200 meters and down" is still available

Yes. Fascinating history. A recent ER article on the WNP (Wireless 
North Pole) expedition would give you some valuable insights.

Ken Gordon W7EKB