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Did I see "regenerative recievers" in these movies?

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hsieh

Sun May 22 2011, 12:16PM

Registered Member #1412 Joined: Thu Mar 27 2008, 04:07PM
Location: Taipei Taiwan
Posts: 278

Recently I watch two aircraft related movies."Amelia"

and "Memphis Belle"

(very old movie?)
I noticed that in these movie,when the crews of aircraft is operating the radio,sometimes the radio produced a sound similar to my homemade vacuum tube regenerative reciever!Then I read that regenerative recievers were still in use until WW2.

I'm so surprised that these movie presented this small detail.But my friends said that I'm too serious about movies.I'm so surprise because I might see something similar to what I built!

So did aircraft at that time(1930s~1940s) still use regenerative radio equipments?

Proud Mary

Sun May 22 2011, 01:20PM

Registered Member #543 Joined: Tue Feb 20 2007, 04:26PM
Location: UK
Posts: 4992

I can't comment on your films, which I have not seen, but I can confirm that regenerative and super-regenerative circuits were in widespread use during the Second World War, particularly in mobile VHF and UHF receivers.

Use of regeneration at HF was much less common, though where size and weight were critical, there was still a place for it, as we see in this British Paraset 'spy radio', supplied to partisans and resistance fighters. Notice the knob marked 'Reaction,' which is the old British term for regeneration:

There has been a great resurgence of interest in regenerative receivers for short distance telemetry and remote control applications, such as car door locking and garage door control. See here for an excellent discussion in the Microwave Journal:

On the hobbyist front, a Frenchman called Jamet has invented a 10 GHz regenerative receiver which may interest you:

Nah

Sun May 22 2011, 08:51PM

Registered Member #3567 Joined: Mon Jan 03 2011, 10:49PM
Location: USA, 1960s
Posts: 260

Garage door openers work on regeneration. (Or is it the super kind...) I have a bad memory.....

hsieh

Mon May 23 2011, 12:07AM

Registered Member #1412 Joined: Thu Mar 27 2008, 04:07PM
Location: Taipei Taiwan
Posts: 278

Several months ago I was trying to build vacuum tube regenerative radios.I tried many times.finally some of my circuits seems to work.But the circuits I build were very unstable.even the position of my hand can affect regeneration.And the variable capacitor I use seems can't stand the B+ voltage of the vacuum tube circuit.I see sparks inside it.

I found those circuit on some old books.the book said they are easy to build for beginners.

Proud Mary

Mon May 23 2011, 02:02AM

Registered Member #543 Joined: Tue Feb 20 2007, 04:26PM
Location: UK
Posts: 4992

è¬æ˜•å“² wrote ...

Several months ago I was trying to build vacuum tube regenerative radios.I tried many times.finally some of my circuits seems to work.But the circuits I build were very unstable.even the position of my hand can affect regeneration.And the variable capacitor I use seems can't stand the B+ voltage of the vacuum tube circuit.I see sparks inside it.

I found those circuit on some old books.the book said they are easy to build for beginners.

Regenerative detectors will suffer from 'hand capacitance' effects unless they are shielded inside a metal box or chassis.

They will also radiate interference at signal frequency unless you put an RF amplifier between the antenna and the detector.

You must make sure that any parts you use are of the correct voltage rating.

hsieh

Mon May 23 2011, 11:04AM

Registered Member #1412 Joined: Thu Mar 27 2008, 04:07PM
Location: Taipei Taiwan
Posts: 278

The parts for vacuum tube radio,or even semiconductor radio is hard to find today.

I even can't find the knob for modern variable capacitor and I have to made my own using wood sheet.Needless to say the old style variable capacitor.So I gave up.

Proud Mary

Mon May 23 2011, 03:12PM

Registered Member #543 Joined: Tue Feb 20 2007, 04:26PM
Location: UK
Posts: 4992

è¬æ˜•å“² wrote ...

The parts for vacuum tube radio,or even semiconductor radio is hard to find today.

I even can't find the knob for modern variable capacitor and I have to made my own using wood sheet.Needless to say the old style variable capacitor.So I gave up.

eBay UK always has thousands of thermionic valve era parts for sale, as does eBay in other European countries like Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

Finding the parts at a good price is all part of the hobby!

Nah

Mon May 23 2011, 08:01PM

Registered Member #3567 Joined: Mon Jan 03 2011, 10:49PM
Location: USA, 1960s
Posts: 260

I would suggest AES or radio daze. Playthings of the past has many NOS parts. Many more stores than you think cater to the radio crowd.

Newton Brawn

Wed Jun 20 2018, 03:05PM

Registered Member #3343 Joined: Thu Oct 21 2010, 04:06PM
Location: Toronto
Posts: 311

Hi Proud Mary,

Yes, I have built some Regenerative Radio Receivers during the 1950~1960 years.

I far I could remember one of them used a vacuum tube triode, 60 volts battery, 2000 ohms auricular phones and it was nice hear the local broadcast stations. It was stable and neat operation.

Good old times.

Now I am collecting parts for assemble another regenerative, using vacuum tubes.

How can I get complete information about the regenerative that you included above ?

Regards

Newton

radiotech

Fri Jun 22 2018, 03:05AM

Registered Member #2463 Joined: Wed Nov 11 2009, 03:49AM
Location:
Posts: 1546

The effects crew might have dubbed the sound of an AM
radio with a BFO being used.

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