DIY: Spark Gap Transmitter (Damped Harmonic Oscillator)

This video plunges you into the mesmerrizing world of early radio technology through the assembly and analysis of a DIY spark gap transmitter. This project offers a practical insight into the fascinating dynamics of damped harmonic oscillators and explains charasteristics such the logarithmic decrement, decay rate, damping factor, q factor, and beyond.

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[Afrotechmods]

Solid video covering the basics of a classic circuit for beginners 👍

[NHAY]

Excellent demo. A great example of applied mathematics

[Magic_Tee]

This may not be a new fact to know, but interestingly: Jagadish Chandra Bose used a similar topology for generating 5 mm waves in his laboratory in 1894. Of course it was not a regular lumped LC-circuit, but the resonator excitation was also made with spark-gap.

Once again: 60 GHz. Consciously, with measurement. 1890s.

[threeMetreJim]

Found this on hackaday after looking at some lame 'emp' generator. Personally I'd ditch C1, put C2 where the spark-gap is, and then place the spark gap from the junction of C2 & R1 to ground. Your repetition rate then would be determined by the power supply voltage, R1 & C2, and the output frequency by L and C2; the large charging resistor should isolate the power supply from the tuned circuit once the spark gap fires and the inductor will look like a short circuit and not affect the charging of C2 in any significant way. I'm mainly interested in these type of things for VHF+ though, 3MHz is a little on the low side. Still an interesting demo, I really miss my old scope.

[ziptie]

I remember having a drawing of how to use a spark plug on a marine motor to make an emergency radio the small drawing in my billfold during my boating years but lost it. would like any info on making an emergeny xmitter using an outboard or inboard marine engine

[commandingangel]

Outstanding video!
How much grounded aluminum shielding would it take to shield the circuit from itself?

[therfnoob]

This is a great video, thanks.
Do you know why the Q factor is so "bad", only 11? The inductor is almost "ideal" (coil with air core). What is causing so much dumping?

Thank you for explaining why the first 2 cycles are weird. Some times ago I was looking at the same screen you have, and was puzzled by those.

[vodkakvass]

now i can start trolling friends with that

[egg]

Very interesting video indeed. I have a random question though, do you know, how easy is it to buy common chemicals like acids exc for hobby use in Germany ? (without any license or chemistry phd).

[esra_erimez]

Can the spark gap be enclosed in glass with a gas that can control the spark better?

[mnoxman]

3KV/mm is interesting is that AC? I was taught the dielectric breakdown of air was 20KV/inch DC which is about 800V/mm DC. 3KV*25.4=76KV/In.

[thepeterbro]

I had always thought these were illegal to operate. Is this not true?