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May 1968 Radio-Electronics
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Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics.
See articles from Radio-Electronics,
published 1930-1988. All copyrights hereby acknowledged.
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Breaking news in the electronics
realm in 1968 included Matsushita Electric unveiling a piezoelectric ceramic (PCM)
transformer for TVs, replacing bulky flyback transformers. Driven by 200V AC, it
vibrates mechanically to generate 10-12 kV, slashing size/weight by 80%. Meanwhile,
the FDA moved to ban carbon tetrachloride (carbon tet) - a toxic chemical in fire
extinguishers and cleaners - citing fatal inhalation risks. Carbon tet was used
widely for cleaning grease and oil off electronics assemblies. In education, Tyler
Junior College adopted RCA's "Select-A-Lesson" dial-access system, letting students
dial course numbers to receive audio-visual lessons from centralized tapes. Defying
tube obsolescence, ITT Electron Tube Division debuted a 390 kW triode vacuum tube,
the world's most powerful single triode. Weighing 300+ lbs, it handles 90-megawatt
radar pulses and particle accelerator applications, with a filament gulping 1,025
amps.
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News Briefs
 No-Winding Transformer
Using the. piezoelectric ceramic (PCM) characteristic, Matsushita Electric has
developed a new TV high-voltage transformer with no windings. An ac voltage of 200
volts applied to the driving section of new PCM transformer causes it to vibrate
mechanically. Unit then produces a high voltage of 10,000 to 12,000 volts. It is
1/5 in size and 1/4 in weight of a conventional flyback transformer.
Photo shows transistor TV set using new PCM transformer (left); next to it is
the same size set using a conventional flyback.
Carbon Tet Ban Sought
The Federal Food and Drug Administration has proposed that carbon tetrachloride
be banned from interstate commerce. The agency recommended that the chemical - and
mixtures containing it - be banned as hazardous to health. Also prohibited would
be the use of carbon tet in fire extinguishers.
FDA cited the danger of inhaling carbon tet fumes, which can cause death or serious
injury to internal organs.
 Dial-a-Class
Students at Tyler (Texas) Junior College will be using new individual study centers
(see photo) this fall when RCA's "Select-A-Lesson" dial-access system goes into
operation. User looks up course number in directory, dials number, receives visual
and aural program material from central tape processor.
 Monster Fire Bottle Vacuum Tube
Who says vacuum tubes are obsolete? Not ITT Electron Tube Division, which bas
developed the world's most powerful single triode. The tube (see photo) has a plate
dissipation of 390 kW, filament current of 1,025 amps (at 29 volts) and weighs more
than 300 lb.
The gigantic thermionic-emission device can deliver 90-megawatt peak pulses as
a hard-tube radar modulator driving a klystron. The tube can also be used in a nuclear
research particle accelerator.
Armed Forces Day Military/Amateur Tests
The annual Armed Forces Day military-to-amateur cross-band tests will be conducted
on May 18, 1968. Certificates of merit will be awarded to persons submitting a perfect
copy of the message from the Secretary of Defense that will be broadcast during
the tests from 0900 May 18 to 0245 May 19 (GMT).
In addition, the Naval Communication Station in Washington, D.C., will be open
for area amateurs who wish to participate in the test transmission.
Initially, military stations will listen for calls from amateur stations within
amateur bands. Since this is a test of military-to-amateur communications, no traffic
handling or message handling will be permitted. Contacts will be limited to brief
exchanges of location and signal reports.
Transmission of radioteletype and CW receiving contests will begin at indicated
times with a 10-minute CQ call to permit participants to adjust equipment. The CQ
will be followed immediately by the message from the Secretary of Defense.
Navy station NSS in Washington, D C., will transmit 25 wpm CW on 3357, 4015,
7301 and 14,480 kHz during the test period: A 14.0-14.2-MHz CW broadcast of the
Secretary's message will start at 2300 (EDST) May 18.
Radioteletype transmissions will be made at 60 wpm on 4012.5 and 7380 kHz. NSS
will listen for responses on 3.60-3.65, 7.0-7.05, 7.1-7.15 and 14.05-14.10-MHz.
Radioteletype broadcast of the Secretary's message will begin at 2335 (EDST) May
18.
Additional send frequencies include 4040 kHz (SSB) and 14,3116.5 kHz (USB). Additional
receive frequencies include 3.8-4.0 and 14.2-14.35 MHz.
Provided it is consistent with operational and training commitments, radioteletype
via audio-frequency-shift keying will be transmitted on 143.820 MHz from a Navy
aircraft flying between Washington, D.C. and Boston during a major portion of the
test.
Copies of the Secretary's message and QSL cards should be sent c/o Commanding
Officer, US Naval Communications Station, Washington, D.C. 20390
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