Hi Fred,

I read about your BAMTRAT theremin made from a tube radio. But did
you know that it's possible to use a radio as a theremin WITHOUT
modification?

If you have a tube-type communications receiver with a REAL BFO and an
RF signal generator (i.e. Eico 324), that's all you need for a
theremin. Simply connect the RF generator to the receiver (tuned to
the blank carrier), switch-on the BFO and adjust to appropriate pitch.
To play the "theremin", open the cover of the radio and move your
hand around the tuning capacitor. I did that with my Hallicrafters
S-19R and it works quite well. Radios with fake BFO's (i.e.
Hallicrafters S-120) will not work.

Give it a try, Fred, and report back.

C.W.

Casino wrote:

Hi Fred,

I read about your BAMTRAT theremin made from a tube radio. But did
you know that it's possible to use a radio as a theremin WITHOUT
modification?

Yes. It bears pointing out that Lev Termin (Leon Theremin) was a radio
tech, first and foremost. I'm sure that other knew about this even
before he did, but he had the entrepreneurial instinct to exploit the idea.

If you have a tube-type communications receiver with a REAL BFO and an
RF signal generator (i.e. Eico 324), that's all you need for a
theremin. Simply connect the RF generator to the receiver (tuned to
the blank carrier), switch-on the BFO and adjust to appropriate pitch.
To play the "theremin", open the cover of the radio and move your
hand around the tuning capacitor. I did that with my Hallicrafters
S-19R and it works quite well. Radios with fake BFO's (i.e.
Hallicrafters S-120) will not work.

Right. However, there's one major element of the theremin that's
missing; the "no-hands" volume control.

Give it a try, Fred, and report back.

CW, I've done that many many times, starting when I was about 9, and got
my first communications receiver. Danged if I can remember now what it
was called, it was chock full of loktal tubes and had nice geared tuning
(and vernier tuning) with spring-loaded dual gears to prevent backlash.
This was one of the first times when I thought I'd invented something
(wow! That would make a GREAT musical instruemt) that already existed. I
was quite humbled when I found out, in the early sixties, that such a
thing had been invented way back in the 20's.

Cheers,
Fred

--
+--------------------------------------------+
| Music: http://www3.telus.net/dogstarmusic/ |
| Projects: http://dogstar.dantimax.dk |
+--------------------------------------------+

Hey Fred,
Can I post fifth prize to you?.
I'll need an address to send it to,
My email with be correct once you
remove the obvious bits from it.

Regards
Mark

In tNfub.74238$jy.55081@clgrps13 Fred Nachbaur writes:
This was one of the first times when I thought I'd invented something
(wow! That would make a GREAT musical instruemt) that already existed. I
was quite humbled when I found out, in the early sixties, that such a
thing had been invented way back in the 20's.

Heh. Reminds me of when I'd "invented" grid modulation as a
kid. Ah, well. At least it lets you know you're on the right track.

--
Tim Mullen
------------------------------------------------------------------
Am I in your basement? Looking for antique televisions, fans, etc.
------ finger this account or call anytime: (212)-463-0552 -------

I woke my parents up in the 60s at age 10 to tell them one Sunday morning I
had invented stereo AM! Fame and $$$ spun around in my head. I knew I was
to be written up in Boys Life, Look and the clear envy of my peers and
adults .

My dad patiently pointed out I had only connected two speakers in series.

I was a crushed young Thomas Edison

--
Carl
WA1KPD
Visit My Boatanchor Collection at http://pages.cthome.net/nord/wa1kpd.html
"Tim Mullen" wrote in message
...
In tNfub.74238$jy.55081@clgrps13 Fred Nachbaur
writes:
This was one of the first times when I thought I'd invented something
(wow! That would make a GREAT musical instruemt) that already existed. I
was quite humbled when I found out, in the early sixties, that such a
thing had been invented way back in the 20's.

Heh. Reminds me of when I'd "invented" grid modulation as a
kid. Ah, well. At least it lets you know you're on the right track.

--
Tim Mullen
------------------------------------------------------------------
Am I in your basement? Looking for antique televisions, fans, etc.
------ finger this account or call anytime: (212)-463-0552 -------

Carl Nord wrote:
I woke my parents up in the 60s at age 10 to tell them one Sunday morning I
had invented stereo AM! Fame and $$$ spun around in my head. I knew I was
to be written up in Boys Life, Look and the clear envy of my peers and
adults .

My dad patiently pointed out I had only connected two speakers in series.

I was a crushed young Thomas Edison

LOL! Don't ya hate it when that happens?

Wonder if Edison ever had days like that...

Cheers,
Fred
--
+--------------------------------------------+
| Music: http://www3.telus.net/dogstarmusic/ |
| Projects, Vacuum Tubes & other stuff: |
| http://www.dogstar.dantimax.dk |
+--------------------------------------------+

"Fred Nachbaur" wrote in message
news:ckAub.91883$jy.55036@clgrps13...


Carl Nord wrote:
I woke my parents up in the 60s at age 10 to tell them one Sunday
morning I
had invented stereo AM! Fame and $$$ spun around in my head. I knew I
was
to be written up in Boys Life, Look and the clear envy of my peers and
adults .

My dad patiently pointed out I had only connected two speakers in
series.

I was a crushed young Thomas Edison

LOL! Don't ya hate it when that happens?

Wonder if Edison ever had days like that...

Cheers,
Fred
--
+--------------------------------------------+
| Music: http://www3.telus.net/dogstarmusic/ |
| Projects, Vacuum Tubes & other stuff: |
| http://www.dogstar.dantimax.dk |
+--------------------------------------------+


His famous quote was

"I have not failed but merely found 10,000 ways that do not work"

I like it alot

So I figure he did have those days

Doug

doug wrote:
Edison
His famous quote was

"I have not failed but merely found 10,000 ways that do not work"

I like it alot

So I figure he did have those days

He was also quoted as having said, "Invention is 2% inspiration
and 98% perspiration." The above will attest to that method.

Jeff
(Here's you cue Larry to jump in about Tesla, my personal hero.)

--
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin
"A life lived in fear is a life half lived."
Tara Morice as Fran, from the movie "Strictly Ballroom"

In Jeffrey D Angus writes:

doug wrote:
Edison
His famous quote was

"I have not failed but merely found 10,000 ways that do not work"

I like it alot

So I figure he did have those days

He was also quoted as having said, "Invention is 2% inspiration
and 98% perspiration." The above will attest to that method.

If we're trading Edison quotes, my favorite (which I haven't
looked up to verify, so it might've been someone else) was when
shown some lab curiosity (the Edison effect, maybe? or prototype,
a visitor wanted to know what it was good for. Edison replied
"Of what use is a baby?", making the point that seems to have
eluded William Proxmire.

Jeff
(Here's you cue Larry to jump in about Tesla, my personal hero.)

It's important to calculate the volume of your food in
cubic centimeters before each meal.

--
Tim Mullen
------------------------------------------------------------------
Am I in your basement? Looking for antique televisions, fans, etc.
------ finger this account or call anytime: (212)-463-0552 -------

"Tim Mullen" wrote in message
...
In Jeffrey D Angus
writes:

doug wrote:
Edison
His famous quote was

"I have not failed but merely found 10,000 ways that do not work"

I like it alot

So I figure he did have those days

He was also quoted as having said, "Invention is 2% inspiration
and 98% perspiration." The above will attest to that method.

If we're trading Edison quotes, my favorite (which I haven't
looked up to verify, so it might've been someone else) was when
shown some lab curiosity (the Edison effect, maybe? or prototype,
a visitor wanted to know what it was good for. Edison replied
"Of what use is a baby?", making the point that seems to have
eluded William Proxmire.

Jeff
(Here's you cue Larry to jump in about Tesla, my personal hero.)

It's important to calculate the volume of your food in
cubic centimeters before each meal.

Tell that to Mssrs. Frito and Lay

--
Tim Mullen
------------------------------------------------------------------
Am I in your basement? Looking for antique televisions, fans, etc.
------ finger this account or call anytime: (212)-463-0552 -------

"Jeffrey D Angus" wrote in message
. ..
:
:
: doug wrote:
: Edison
: His famous quote was
:
: "I have not failed but merely found 10,000 ways that do not work"
:
: I like it alot
:
: So I figure he did have those days
:
: He was also quoted as having said, "Invention is 2% inspiration
: and 98% perspiration." The above will attest to that method.
:
: Jeff
: (Here's you cue Larry to jump in about Tesla, my personal hero.)
:
: --
: "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
: safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin

hehe, wasn't he the guy flying the copper-threaded kite in
thunder-stormy weather, to see if 'twas something electrical,
out there.... talk about the dangers of HT
Rudy

: "A life lived in fear is a life half lived."
: Tara Morice as Fran, from the movie "Strictly Ballroom"
:

In "Steven Dinius" writes:


"Tim Mullen" wrote in message

It's important to calculate the volume of your food in
cubic centimeters before each meal.

Tell that to Mssrs. Frito and Lay

They need to feed more of their product to the pigeons.

For anyone who wonders what in holy hannah I'm talking about,
ya gotta read about Tesla. Absolutely brilliant in his concept
of the polyphase electrical system and the induction motor
(Although, IMHO, it was downhill from there -- effectively
turning the entire planet into a microwave oven so we'd have
sparks jumping between out fillings was not the brightest idea.),
he was also a total freak. Which is why I love 'em. E pluribus
weirdness, and all that. He felt compelled to do things in
odd multiples, so if he was out for a walk and circled the block
more than once, he'd have to do it three times.

And pigeons. He had a thing for the poor critters. Which
I can see, being a sucker for all small animals. Life's a
bitch when you're so poorly designed you can't move your head
and body at the same time.

--
Tim Mullen
------------------------------------------------------------------
Am I in your basement? Looking for antique televisions, fans, etc.
------ finger this account or call anytime: (212)-463-0552 -------

"Tim Mullen" wrote in message
...
In "Steven Dinius"
writes:


"Tim Mullen" wrote in message

It's important to calculate the volume of your food in
cubic centimeters before each meal.

Tell that to Mssrs. Frito and Lay

They need to feed more of their product to the pigeons.

ACK! Poisoning pigeons in the park...


For anyone who wonders what in holy hannah I'm talking about,
ya gotta read about Tesla. Absolutely brilliant in his concept
of the polyphase electrical system and the induction motor
(Although, IMHO, it was downhill from there -- effectively
turning the entire planet into a microwave oven so we'd have
sparks jumping between out fillings was not the brightest idea.),
he was also a total freak. Which is why I love 'em. E pluribus
weirdness, and all that. He felt compelled to do things in
odd multiples, so if he was out for a walk and circled the block
more than once, he'd have to do it three times.

And pigeons. He had a thing for the poor critters. Which
I can see, being a sucker for all small animals. Life's a
bitch when you're so poorly designed you can't move your head
and body at the same time.

--
Tim Mullen
------------------------------------------------------------------
Am I in your basement? Looking for antique televisions, fans, etc.
------ finger this account or call anytime: (212)-463-0552 -------

"Ruud Broens" wrote in message
...
hehe, wasn't he the guy flying the copper-threaded kite in
thunder-stormy weather, to see if 'twas something electrical,
out there.... talk about the dangers of HT
Rudy

: "A life lived in fear is a life half lived."
: Tara Morice as Fran, from the movie "Strictly Ballroom"
:



Franklin

--
--
.................................................. ........................
Choky
Prodanovic Aleksandar
YU

"don't use force, "don't use force,
use a larger hammer" use a larger tube
- Choky and IST"
- ZM
.................................................. ...........................

Tim Mullen wrote in message ...
In "Steven Dinius" writes:


"Tim Mullen" wrote in message

It's important to calculate the volume of your food in
cubic centimeters before each meal.

Tell that to Mssrs. Frito and Lay

They need to feed more of their product to the pigeons.

For anyone who wonders what in holy hannah I'm talking about,
ya gotta read about Tesla. Absolutely brilliant in his concept
of the polyphase electrical system and the induction motor
(Although, IMHO, it was downhill from there -- effectively
turning the entire planet into a microwave oven so we'd have
sparks jumping between out fillings was not the brightest idea.),
he was also a total freak. Which is why I love 'em. E pluribus
weirdness, and all that. He felt compelled to do things in
odd multiples, so if he was out for a walk and circled the block
more than once, he'd have to do it three times.

And pigeons. He had a thing for the poor critters. Which
I can see, being a sucker for all small animals. Life's a
bitch when you're so poorly designed you can't move your head
and body at the same time.



*I* think Tesla was an absolute genius! Unfortunatly,he was really
too far ahead of his time,people thought he was completely insane,and
from another planet.Some of the things I have read about him were very
interesting,like how he could envision complex working systems in his
brain,he had alot of stuff stored in his head,and never written on
paper.I read about how he invented,and worked through the whole AC
system as we know it,all in his head,worked out the bugs,and was
absolutely positive it would work,before he drew up the plans and got
patents.
Granted,shooting giant lightning bolts all over he planet probably
wasn't the wisest of ideas,but just the sheer fact that he could do it
(perhaps,had done it?) is what amazes me. Two of his inventions that
i'm interested in are the "earthquake machine" which he shook the town
with,untill the police knocked on the door,and he smashed it with a
sledgehammer...And a little cigar box sized contraption,with a couple
of tubes in it,that he and a friend ran an electric car with for great
distances. I've read lots about him,have a couple books,and a video
about him too.

Anyone that sat on,in,or under tesla coils as "therapy" is bound to
have something go haywire! ;-) He definatly was an odd one.

"Choky" wrote in message ...

"Ruud Broens" wrote in message
...
hehe, wasn't he the guy flying the copper-threaded kite in
thunder-stormy weather, to see if 'twas something electrical,
out there.... talk about the dangers of HT
Rudy

: "A life lived in fear is a life half lived."
: Tara Morice as Fran, from the movie "Strictly Ballroom"
:



Franklin

--
--
.................................................. .......................
Choky
Prodanovic Aleksandar
YU

"don't use force, "don't use force,
use a larger hammer" use a larger tube
- Choky and IST"
- ZM

.................................................. ...........................


That was the most enjoyable read in this NG in a long time
thanks to all who posted

Doug

Hi,

Two of his inventions that
i'm interested in are the "earthquake machine" which he shook the town
with,untill the police knocked on the door,and he smashed it with a
sledgehammer...And a little cigar box sized contraption,with a couple
of tubes in it,that he and a friend ran an electric car with for great
distances.

Great stories. Too bad there's no contemporary evidence for either
of them.

73, Alan

"Alan Douglas" adouglasatgis.net wrote in message
...
Hi,

Two of his inventions that
i'm interested in are the "earthquake machine" which he shook the
town
with,untill the police knocked on the door,and he smashed it with a
sledgehammer...And a little cigar box sized contraption,with a couple
of tubes in it,that he and a friend ran an electric car with for
great
distances.

Great stories. Too bad there's no contemporary evidence for either
of them.

73, Alan

I like the Tesla flying saucer stories even better.

http://tinyurl.com/vxt3

Frank Dresser

Alan Douglas adouglasatgis.net wrote:
in rec.audio.tubesmlbqrvkena8810j8larcea1a7rm7qgi7u7 @4ax.com,

: Hi,
:
: Two of his inventions that
: i'm interested in are the "earthquake machine" which he shook the town
: with,untill the police knocked on the door,and he smashed it with a
: sledgehammer...And a little cigar box sized contraption,with a couple
: of tubes in it,that he and a friend ran an electric car with for great
: distances.
:
: Great stories. Too bad there's no contemporary evidence for either
: of them.
:
: 73, Alan

Don't know about the sledgehammer or the cigar box, but there might be some
corroborating stories about the earthquake machine and a small generator.

"Tesla's Controlled Earthquake", N. Y. American, July 11, 1935.

"Tesla cosmic ray motor may transmit power 'round the earth: Famed scientist,
on eve of 76th birthday, says he has succeeded in harnessing 'penetrating
rays' to operate small motive device." Brooklyn Eagle, July 10,1932.

Kansas City Journal-Post, Sep. 10, 1933: "My power generator will be of the
simplest kind -- just a big mass of steel, copper and aluminum, comprising a
stationary and rotating part, peculiarly assembled."

In 1912, Nikola Tesla stated in an interview that it would be possible to
split the planet, by combining vibrations with the correct resonance of the
earth itself. Tesla stated, "Within a few weeks, I could set the earth's crust
into such a state of vibrations that it would rise and fall hundreds of feet,
throwing rivers out of their beds, wrecking buildings, and practically
destroying civilization. The principle cannot fail..." Tesla once set off a
growing local vibration and shaking of the entire neighborhood around his
laboratory, using a 10-lb. device. Tesla later improved on his concepts,
calling this area "telegeodynamics". In 1935 he said: "The rhythmical
vibrations pass through the earth with almost no loss of energy... It becomes
possible to convey mechanical effects to the greatest terrestrial distances
and produce all kinds of unique effects... The invention could be used with
destructive effect in war..."

Hi,

: Great stories. Too bad there's no contemporary evidence for either
: of them.
:
: 73, Alan

Ross wrote:

Don't know about the sledgehammer or the cigar box, but there might be some
corroborating stories about the earthquake machine and a small generator.

"Tesla's Controlled Earthquake", N. Y. American, July 11, 1935.

"Tesla cosmic ray motor may transmit power 'round the earth: Famed scientist,
on eve of 76th birthday, says he has succeeded in harnessing 'penetrating
rays' to operate small motive device." Brooklyn Eagle, July 10,1932.

Kansas City Journal-Post, Sep. 10, 1933: "My power generator will be of the
simplest kind -- just a big mass of steel, copper and aluminum, comprising a
stationary and rotating part, peculiarly assembled."

Hmmm. July 11, 1935. July 10, 1932. Sep. 10, 1933. And the
events supposedly happened, when, around 1890? That's a new meaning
for "contemporary."

Cheers, Alan

Alan Douglas adouglasatgis.net responded:
in rec.audio.tubesadurrvstudn9kc74s5qbl32qt7engsmiii @4ax.com,

: Hi,
:
: : Great stories. Too bad there's no contemporary evidence for either
: : of them.
: :
: : 73, Alan
:
: Ross wrote:
:
: Don't know about the sledgehammer or the cigar box, but there might be some
: corroborating stories about the earthquake machine and a small generator.
:
: "Tesla's Controlled Earthquake", N. Y. American, July 11, 1935.
:
: "Tesla cosmic ray motor may transmit power 'round the earth: Famed scientist,
: on eve of 76th birthday, says he has succeeded in harnessing 'penetrating
: rays' to operate small motive device." Brooklyn Eagle, July 10,1932.
:
: Kansas City Journal-Post, Sep. 10, 1933: "My power generator will be of the
: simplest kind -- just a big mass of steel, copper and aluminum, comprising a
: stationary and rotating part, peculiarly assembled."
:
: Hmmm. July 11, 1935. July 10, 1932. Sep. 10, 1933. And the
: events supposedly happened, when, around 1890? That's a new meaning
: for "contemporary."
:
: Cheers, Alan

Well, fair enough! I don't know, really:- I was just adding a cut&paste - but
what events around 1890 are you referring to?

Hi,
Ross asked:

Well, fair enough! I don't know, really:- I was just adding a cut&paste - but
what events around 1890 are you referring to?

I thought that "earthquake" story was supposed to have taken place
in the 1890s. Thing is, New York City was full of newspapers at the
time, so why has no one ever found any reference to this?

The "electric auto" was conveniently a private demonstration, but
this "a cousin of a friend of my grandfather told me it happened sixty
years ago" bit just doesn't cut it. Actually I don't remember what
the line of communication was, perhaps not so convoluted, but just as
suspect.

Cheers, Alan