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G4WYW > CW 24.07.05 13:37l 47 Lines 2197 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 069513G4WYW
Read: GUEST
Subj: Re: Aldis lamps..
Path: DB0FHN<DB0MRW<DB0WUE<DK0WUE<DB0RES<ON0AR<GB7FCR
Sent: 050724/1227Z @:GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU #:59310 [Blackpool] FBB-7.03a $:069513G4
From: G4WYW@GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU
To : CW@WW
VE1EX wrote:-
> Was wondering if anyone out there in WW land, has ever used an aldis
> lamp? If so, was it a rather slow mode of communication, or could a
> person work up to a fairly good speed with practice? I understand from
> a friend of mine, who has his second mate's ticket, that the only place
> where an aldis lamp is used as of a couple of years ago was entering the > Mediterranian at
Gibraltor..
I have not only used an Aldis Lamp but I still own one in perfect, as new
condition, though I doubt that I shall be using it again due to now being
unable to go out on the water. :-(
Although never as fast as RF CW, light signalling can, nevertheless, be a
rapid form of signalling and probably faster than your average RF CW Op.
Generally, lamp signalling used the International Signal Codes which uses
groups of letters to convey longer meanings, in the same way that Nelson
used flags to convey his famous,"ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERY MAN TO DO HIS DUTY"
Other places that I recall being flashed to identify ourselves have been,
passing Ascension Island in the Atlantic, passing the Lizard Point on the
south coast of the UK and passing Gilkicker Point in the Solent
approaching Portsmouth Harbour. In fact, ALL Queen's Harbourmasters are
proficient in
Aldis Lamp telegraphy.
For those interested, an Aldis Lamp works by switching a high power bulb
on (150+ watts) where it remains illuminated, then operating a fast
shutter mechanism that opens and closes the shutter rapidly. The "shutter"
is like a circular section of "Venetian Blind" that "blinks" at the press
of the trigger. This method ensures that the light (bulb) is always at
full brightness and lengthens the life of the bulb filament which would
probably soon burn out if it were relied upon for it to be switched on/off
quickly.
A highly polished silver concave mirror behind the bulb, concentrates the
light to a narrow but highly intense beam of light that penetrates and can
be seen even in bright daylight...
73 - Mel, G4WYW @ GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU
Message timed: 13:13 UTC on 24 Jul 05
Message sent using Winpack 6.80 (R)
Written by Roger Barker G4IDE.SK 9/9/04 R.I.P.
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