Arthur A. Hebert

“ THE average amateur thinks that because he has a coil or transformer, condenser, gap and a helix, it is only necessary to make the connections, and, if a big noise is made in the gap, he must be radiating powerful currents in the antenna. ”

“ In connection with the rotary gap, bear in mind that the speed at which it revolves has a material effect on the oscillations radiated, and it is not the greatest speed that will give the best radiation. A simple method to determine the note or pitch of the wave emitted by a rotary gap is to hold lightly a piece of stiff paper over the revolving wheel touching it as though cleaning the teeth. If the speed of the Motor is varied, there will be different tones given out which can be compared to the frequency of the signals radiated and received by other stations. ”

“ The set will be more efficient, of course, if this Oscillation Transformer is constructed with just one-half the turns given above to work on the 200 meter wave. Either the primary or secondary winding should be so arranged that it can be drawn away from the other so that a certain amount of coupling can be obtained.
THE ANTENNA: Efficient radiation cannot be obtained if the antenna has a normal wave length of 300 to 400 meters, as great many have, and the gap circuit 200 meters. If such a condition exists the circuits are out of balance, and it is certain that no radiation will take place. ”