[QCWA] Spark/Arc Transmitters

[Norm Gertz]

Paul....I suggest you touch bases with Bob Merriam of the New England 
Wireless Museum.  He has a functioning transmitter which I am sure would 
interest you.
newsm at ids.net

He would also have some relevant information for you.

73   Norm   K1AA



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Walcott, Paul" <PWalcott at smartbus.org>
To: <QCWA at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2006 1:38 PM
Subject: [QCWA] Spark/Arc Transmitters


There was a very interesting article in the January 2006 issue of QST, A
Short History of Radio Transmitters, written by Bob W6BNB.  Most of the
article describes various spark and arc transmitters.  (Until I read
this article, I'd never realized that there was a difference.)

In this article the author states, "Spark transmitters were made illegal
for amateur use in 1927, although they were still used by ships at sea
for 25 years or more."

That leads me to a question:  Does anyone in the QCWA have authentic
information as to when and where the last authentic spark or arc
transmitters were used? (Maybe "authentic" isn't the best word for what
I'm asking, but I'm meaning to exclude special commemorative or
demonstration uses, but include anyone who was using these devices in
actual commercial or government operation.)  Perhaps this should
actually be several different questions:
#1  What was the last land-based use of spark transmission?
#2  What was the last use of spark transmission by ships at sea?
#3  What was the last-land based use of arc transmission?  (Remember, as
noted in the article by W6BNB, spark and arc are not the same.)
#4  What was the last use of arc transmission by ships at sea?

Paul Walcott
WD8H
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