Serving the worldwide community of radio-electronic homebrewers.
Providing blog support to the SolderSmoke podcast:
http://soldersmoke.com
Listen to Past Episodes
Just go to http://soldersmoke.com. On that archive page, just click on the blue hyperlinks and your audio player should play that episode.
http://soldersmoke.com
Thermatron fans beware! There is some trash talking of tubes in this 1953 Bell film. But there is also a lot of recognition of the contribution made by our beloved valves. I especially liked the report on the historic 1915 phone transmissions from Arlington, Virginia. ( I drive past the transmitter site every work day). FIVE HUNDRED TUBES combined to send the human voice from Arlington to both the Eiffel Tower and to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. FB OM! 59! I was disappointed, however, that this film failed to recognize another momentous 1953 achievement in sold state electronics: In that year, 11 year-old Pete Juliano built his first solid state amplifier -- an audio amp using a CK722 transistor. Read about it here: http://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/2015/03/pete-juliano-homebrwing-with.html
The fact that Pete was homebrewing solid state circuits at the time that this film was made is a reminder of the vast experience that he has, and of how much technological progress we have made in such a short period of time.
Just now watching this interesting old documentary, I discovered it's on the AT&T YouTube channel on which there is a playlist "AT&T Archives." 212 videos of Bell Labs documentaries like this one on transistors. Great stuff. Apparently, though, AT&T is little more than a brand nowadays. Nokia now owns Bell Labs. --Todd K7TFC
In response to popular demand, "SolderSmoke -- Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics" is now available as an e-book for Amazon's Kindle.
Here's the site:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004V9FIVW
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For the print version:
For shipping from a printer in the U.S. (probably better for N. American buyers) Click here: SolderSmoke USA Version
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For shipping from a printer in the UK, Spain, or the USA (probably better for UK and other European buyers)
Click here: SolderSmoke EU Version
The two versions are identical, except for a minor difference in the paper used. That's why the prices are a bit different.
Bill's OTHER Book (Warning: Not About Radio)
Click on the image to learn more
W4HBK's QRSS Grabber: The Amazing Pensacola Snapper (Live!)
Re: An Approaching RF Shinola Storm?
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Spent a fruitless lunch hour trying to talk to one of the solar companies
about the lease. First the shell game of changing company names about 3
deep, the...
Reminder
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Just a reminder:
The 2018 Zombie Shuffle is THIS Friday evening - October 19th, 2018.
Here's the link to the rules and details:
http://www.zianet.com/qrp/...
2018 ~ The Year of New SSB Transceivers
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The New Heathkit Filter Based SSB Transceiver is Alive and Working on 40
Meters!
Great Signal Reports!
Great Fun!
Great Satisfaction -- Homebrew Heaven!
...
Monday's 'NRN' CW Fun
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*My homebrew Ameco AC-1 clone*
A weekly CW operating activity that seems to be growing in popularity is
the Monday “*NRN*”.
The NRN get-togethers ar...
W4XEN's 3D-printed protectors for MTR3 QRP rigs
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In both of my hobbies, photography and ham radio, I see more and more
grass-roots solutions being used to address issues thanks to the
affordability of 3D ...
Audio Test Gadget
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While I was waiting on some parts and a set of boards to come in from
China, I decided to try making an audio frequency test gadget.
Since I had some of wha...
Winter 2018-19 Boat Anchor Season
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As summer wraps up here and turns into fall I start shifting from
QRP-In-The-Park to Boat-Anchors-In-The-Basement and the winter
contest/operating event s...
One more time...
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I made a stupid, bone headed move shortly after the last entry in this
saga: I was cleaning up and, rather than make multiple trips, carrying
stuff from ...
Mid-Summer 2018 Update
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A quick proof-of-life update for you. The whole month of July was pretty
much wiped out for me between the yearly family vacation which was followed
by hos...
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Transistor Radio Series – AF Power Amp Notes
I sought a low distortion, single supply, AF power amplifier for my
transistor radios. I’ll present my experi...
Yup – It’s Another Si5351 VFO
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To many, this will be just another Si5351 VFO project, with nothing to
distinguish it from the others. In fact, that’s exactly what it is. The
“how to” of ...
Regulated voltage for Regenerative receiver project
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Mr. Regula-tor
Building a regenerative tube receiver seems to have been a rite of passage
for all hams of yesteryear. Although I built one from a kit (4-St...
A New Look for your uBitx!
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Adding a "Cool Blue" Display to your uBitx!
The standard "green background" with black lettering frequently reminds me
that I suffer from Chronic seasicknes...
Posts
Just now watching this interesting old documentary, I discovered it's on the AT&T YouTube channel on which there is a playlist "AT&T Archives." 212 videos of Bell Labs documentaries like this one on transistors. Great stuff. Apparently, though, AT&T is little more than a brand nowadays. Nokia now owns Bell Labs. --Todd K7TFC
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering when and why corporate giants like Nokia arose. Did they have to globalise by acquisition just to stay afloat?
ReplyDeleteI also smoked (burnt out) several transistors as early as 1953. So that means not much has changed in 60 plus years.
ReplyDeletePete N6QW
Interesting video. To think what the transistor and fiber optics have enabled in communication.
ReplyDeleteI was fortunate to see Dr. Shockley speak about his work on the transistor at my university in 1982. Fascinating stuff.