Spark Transmitter
The early wireless transmitter shown above was, in its time, cutting edge technology but today is regarded as piece of curious apparatus. The banner images show a simple battery operated spark transmitter. Coast stations would be slightly different--the battery would be replaced by generator and the coil would be coupled to a high copper wire antenna. If the generator was alternating current, the interrupter would be removed as well.
The Marconi company, prior to the installations on the west coast, had erected a handful of stations on Canada's east coast. The Marconi Company built the stations and supplied the qualified operators. Profit was made by a per word charge on any messages. The Marconi Company would only accept message traffic from other Marconi stations, whether shore based or on vessels. Thus ships fitted with wireless systems other than Marconi found themselves unable to pass message traffic on the Canadian east coast. The Dominion Government did not consider this to be of benefit to the maritime community.
The Marconi Company also had an agreement with the Canadian Dominion Government to supply and operate wireless stations in Canada. The Dominion Government drew up a new contract allowing it to withdraw if the Marconi system becomes superseded by a better system. Thus Shoemaker equipment was installed in the west coast stations erected by the Dominion Government and staffed by qualified operators. Marconi was left on the sidelines. Marconi Company eventually changed their policy and accepted any traffic.
By 1911 the Shoemaker transmitters were removed and Marconi equipment installed. This increased the station's range from about 100 miles to 300 miles.
Spark transmitters emitted signals other than on their assigned frequency and were causing interference to other spectrum users. As the radio technology improved the countries signatory to international regulations for radio/wireless decided that after January 01, 1935 no new spark installations would be approved and, further more, all spark transmitters will be removed from service by January 01, 1940.
The early wireless transmitter shown above was, in its time, cutting edge technology but today is regarded as piece of curious apparatus. The banner images show a simple battery operated spark transmitter. Coast stations would be slightly different--the battery would be replaced by generator and the coil would be coupled to a high copper wire antenna. If the generator was alternating current, the interrupter would be removed as well.
The Marconi company, prior to the installations on the west coast, had erected a handful of stations on Canada's east coast. The Marconi Company built the stations and supplied the qualified operators. Profit was made by a per word charge on any messages. The Marconi Company would only accept message traffic from other Marconi stations, whether shore based or on vessels. Thus ships fitted with wireless systems other than Marconi found themselves unable to pass message traffic on the Canadian east coast. The Dominion Government did not consider this to be of benefit to the maritime community.
The Marconi Company also had an agreement with the Canadian Dominion Government to supply and operate wireless stations in Canada. The Dominion Government drew up a new contract allowing it to withdraw if the Marconi system becomes superseded by a better system. Thus Shoemaker equipment was installed in the west coast stations erected by the Dominion Government and staffed by qualified operators. Marconi was left on the sidelines. Marconi Company eventually changed their policy and accepted any traffic.
By 1911 the Shoemaker transmitters were removed and Marconi equipment installed. This increased the station's range from about 100 miles to 300 miles.
Spark transmitters emitted signals other than on their assigned frequency and were causing interference to other spectrum users. As the radio technology improved the countries signatory to international regulations for radio/wireless decided that after January 01, 1935 no new spark installations would be approved and, further more, all spark transmitters will be removed from service by January 01, 1940.
Typical 1910 Station
This is a photo of a typical station from the turn of the century. The major items are all identified.
1 kWatt Marconi Ship Station
Retired ship operator's reminiscences on his old Marconi 1 KW ship station. A schematic and explanation.
Improved Spark Transmitter
Using a "quenched spark system" effectively doubles the efficiency of the transmitter by keeping more of the energy in the antenna, thus increasing the effective range of the station.
Antenna Change Over Switch
There had to be safe and quick way of moving the antenna between the transmitter and receiver. Marconi company had a couple of models and a popular one was the "Type 1".
There had to be safe and quick way of moving the antenna between the transmitter and receiver. Marconi company had a couple of models and a popular one was the "Type 1".
