Apollo Comms Part 20: Pre-Modulation Processor Power Up

We power up the Apollo Pre Modulation Processor for the first time.

Links to doc:

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00:00 Intro and recap of previous episodes
02:05 Turning on the power supply module
04:28 Turning on the PM subcarriers
08:48 Turning on the FM subcarriers
10:34 Scientific data channels
12:42 Revisiting the PM subcarriers
15:51Apollo control panel switches
18:30 Next step: replicating the Command Module control panel

[ravnx]

Hey Marc, do you use a particular messaging client about 'giveaways' or is there an impersonator running around?

[BigMouthcal]

You guys are truly amazing. Marc's subtle humor, and the genius you all possess, make for a very informative and fun video. I am an Earthling with a love for all things Apollo.

[DEW]

Probably haven’t been so many smart people in one room since they developed that equipment back in the 1960’s. Amazing the quality and sophistication it has, especially the fact the most of it still functions perfectly after all of these years.

[TechGorilla]

Each and every time that I start to think that I am a pretty intelligent individual, I watch one of your videos and I am quite solidly humbled. I struggle to think of a skill that I have - even as somewhat of a renaissance man who can sew, knit, crochet and do needlepoint among other skills that mum taught me, plus vehicle work, home maintenance and cooking that dad taught me - that you could not duplicate with ease. Either as an individual or a group. I'm really in awe of the collective minds you assemble on a regular basis. Magnifique!

[peevester]

You just know this is going to end up with full LEM, command module, and MOCR simulators, talking to each other over short range microwave links. And I'm right there for it.

Before this series, I had absolutely no idea that radio links worked like this - I always assumed that if you were broadcasting multiple things, you just had multiple radios. It's been very educational, plus I finally understand what sidebands are.

[Chriss]

this series just never stops to amaze me.

[mndlessdrwer]

This is about as retro tech as you could ask for from any youtube channel and it is crazy impressive to see how ludicrously over-engineered all of the old NASA equipment was. Truly astonishing how everything is still pristine and seemingly functional after all this time.

[ravnx]

Howdie; those switches are diefiently still used in aircraft flying around today, I ordered a few the other day. They are around cheaper than new (alot of surplus stock) but be prepared to go hunting! 😝

[danvincent]

I wish I understood electronics so I could get what was going on . I’m absolutely fascinated by the logistics of the Apollo missions. As a 6 year old I tried to draw the moon, which was 11 years after the landing!

[rsmrsm]

You are simply managing to demystify something magical that the human being has accomplished.
Thanks for making this knowledge available.😀😀😀

[TechGorilla]

@2:08 - The blue shop towels. Funny story (maybe) - My wife found my stash of these in the boot of her Lexus where I keep some. This was about 5 years ago. She regularly goes to AutoZone to restock now. She swears by them for makeup removal and general cleanup. She uses them to dry her various makeup brushes after cleaning.

[hydranmenace]

I don't know how you're managing it but this is a good as the AGC and Alto restoration series. You're going to have to get NASA to sponsor your moon landing to raise the stakes at this rate.

[thehaze]

Incredible stuff!! To try and imagine how things are made and work and then take them apart to see how close my
predictions were has always been one of my favourite things to do, I see we are quite the same in that sense.
Great video as usual! Thanks for sharing Marc.

[VincentGroenewold]

Oh wow, you're actually making the switches function again on a "panel", that is so cool!

[ignaciomenendez]

Marc, this is so much fun, I just hope they don’t make it illegal, since it is free 👍🙏

[R.Daneel]

Any old H.P. engineers here watching in pride as that old test equipment pulls its weight today as well as it did when new?

[michaelhaardt]

The only sensible explanation for the Youtube view counter of this video is that it just wrapped around. Please continue this series, eventually Youtube should fix that.

[zyeborm]

I swear marc is going to have a 50% original, 50% ebay fully working apollo capsule by the end of this.
Also @CuriousMarc would you consider putting a low frequency block / high pass on your audio? when you move your camera sometimes my sub goes off like a Michael bay movie lol. I think its stuff under about 50hz but I haven't looked in detail. Not complaining or anything, just something I noticed and everything else in your videos are so good ;-)

[DrBovdin]

Ooh, I’m early this time 😉
This serial is a favourite

[simonstergaard]

looking forward to see it all fly again.