[BC] Silly engineer tricks

[RichardBJohnson at comcast.net]

BTW, many early stereo transmitters were not much better than stereo-pilot-light lighters. It was only after Arno Meyer came out with his direct carrier-frequency discriminator that showed everyone how bad they were, that people started to take FM Stereo seriously.

http://www.belar.com/About/aboutus1.htm

The first Direct-FM exciters and stereo generators sold by Wilkinson Electronics were to replace equipment in the field made by so-called reputable companies, some new, that couldn't possibly work. In those days only the Collins and the Wilkinson could actually complete a proof-of-performance. The Wilkinson ended up getting recognition when It was used by the FCC as a stereo source for verifying FM stereo monitors being Type Approved.

http://www.abominablefirebug.com/BlogFiles/Wilkinson.jpg

Cheers,
Richard B. Johnson
Book: http://www.AbominableFirebug.com/

----- Original Message -----
From: RichardBJohnson at comcast.net

The Heathkit audio generators were very stable. Furthermore, I'm sure that the radios of those days didn't require accuracy in a pilot tone. The stereo lamp would probably light even if the pilot was 100 Hz off. Remember that the idea make it seem that the station was transmitting stereo, i.e., illuminate that #47 pilot light (no LEDs in those days).