R.F. Oscill'motor': Can You Make a Powerful Oscillator?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the feasibility of converting a DC motor into a powerful radio frequency (R.F.) oscillator without using traditional electronic components. Participants explore the nature of oscillation in motors and alternative methods for generating R.F. signals.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether a DC motor can be transformed into a powerful R.F. oscillator, noting that ordinary motors already produce noise that could be perceived as oscillation.
  • Another participant asserts that the noise from a motor is primarily due to sparks from brushes making and breaking contact, suggesting limitations in using motors for clear R.F. signals.
  • Some participants propose that an AC generator could be used to produce an R.F. signal, referencing historical methods from the early days of radio technology.
  • There is mention of the need for filtering to prevent harmonics and interference with other users, indicating concerns about regulatory compliance and signal purity.
  • One participant suggests that a simple oscillator could be constructed using inductors, capacitors, and resistors, potentially incorporating transistors for modulation.
  • Another participant emphasizes that the generator itself acts as the oscillator, comparing it to early radio technology, while acknowledging that modern methods are more stable.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the practicality of using a DC motor as an R.F. oscillator, with some supporting the idea of using AC generators instead. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the effectiveness and feasibility of these approaches.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the need for filtering and stability concerns when using older technology for R.F. signal generation. There are also unresolved assumptions about the definitions of oscillation and the specific requirements for generating recognizable R.F. signals.

PhysicoRaj
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Hi,
Can you turn an electric (DC) motor into a powerful R.F. oscillator? I see that an ordinary motor is already an oscillator which produces noises in the receiver, but One that produces a sharp, distinct, recognizable signal (or noise) (of any frequency) in a receiver? I just don't want to use any electronic components bcuz I can just take to those simple a.m transmitters if I used transistors and condensers.. an 'electrical' method would do.
Thanks.
 
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PhysicoRaj said:
Hi,
Can you turn an electric (DC) motor into a powerful R.F. oscillator? I see that an ordinary motor is already an oscillator which produces noises in the receiver, but One that produces a sharp, distinct, recognizable signal (or noise) (of any frequency) in a receiver? I just don't want to use any electronic components bcuz I can just take to those simple a.m transmitters if I used transistors and condensers.. an 'electrical' method would do.
Thanks.

No, not really. The electrical noise you hear is from the sparks from the brushes making and breaking contact.
 
But on the other hand ... you can use an AC generator to produce a RF signal. This was done in the very early days of radio when there were few transmitters like that around.
Now days it would be strongly frowned upon without the output of the generator being well filtered to stop harmonics etc that would cause interference noise right across the spectrum upsetting other legit users

Dave
 
davenn said:
But on the other hand ... you can use an AC generator to produce a RF signal.
But it would need some turning to go on with.. so I think of only inductor... some capacitors and resistances( 1 or 2 transistors would do). A simple oscillator that can be modulated by a signal from a microphone.
 
PhysicoRaj said:
But it would need some turning to go on with.. so I think of only inductor... some capacitors and resistances( 1 or 2 transistors would do). A simple oscillator that can be modulated by a signal from a microphone.

the generator itself IS the oscillator. This is the way it was done back in the early days of radio. Nowhere near as stable as today's crystals, VCO's and PLL's etc but it worked :)


Dave
 
Thanks..
 

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