Recently I came upon this snippet in an old copy of the R.S.G.B 'Bulletin', dated August 1951.
I found it made fascinating food for thought . . . . so I thought I'd share it . . . .
In 1926, it was reported by an English Radio Amateur (a G2xx) that:
"Shortwave work has demonstrated that 'blind-spotting' can be reduced, especially where cities having heavy smoke atmospheres are concerned, owing to the (radio) wave penetrating the smoke at a steeper angle and therefore having a shorter path through it".
He then went on to describe some experiments he had made on this theme:
"Fading can be caused by tobacco smoke, especially where indoor aerials are concerned. This interesting experiment was discovered by accident, but it has been tested and re-tested with the same result. The percentage of 'hams' who smoke during operating hours must be large" [this was 1926] "and adequate provision should be made therefore for a proper atmosphere, free from hanging tobacco smoke."
So there you have it. Never mind just how much all that tarry smoke is gunging up the innards of your new glistening talk-box, it's also reducing your chances of hearing the DX! "If you can't hear 'em, you can't work 'em!" as the old saying goes.
Al.
I found it made fascinating food for thought . . . . so I thought I'd share it . . . .
In 1926, it was reported by an English Radio Amateur (a G2xx) that:
"Shortwave work has demonstrated that 'blind-spotting' can be reduced, especially where cities having heavy smoke atmospheres are concerned, owing to the (radio) wave penetrating the smoke at a steeper angle and therefore having a shorter path through it".
He then went on to describe some experiments he had made on this theme:
"Fading can be caused by tobacco smoke, especially where indoor aerials are concerned. This interesting experiment was discovered by accident, but it has been tested and re-tested with the same result. The percentage of 'hams' who smoke during operating hours must be large" [this was 1926] "and adequate provision should be made therefore for a proper atmosphere, free from hanging tobacco smoke."
So there you have it. Never mind just how much all that tarry smoke is gunging up the innards of your new glistening talk-box, it's also reducing your chances of hearing the DX! "If you can't hear 'em, you can't work 'em!" as the old saying goes.
Al.