Red Bank High School - Log Yearbook (Red Bank, NJ)

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THE ROUND TABLE 9 son with ability to build one can converse with other radio enthu- siasts throughout the world. Such a radio station is not much more complicated or expensive than an ordinary receiver such as every- body uses; the only requirement for operation that is in the least difficult is learning the Continental Morse code and the customs of amateurs. This would seem a much more interesting and bene- ficial branch of radio, if you are interested in radio as a hobby, than just listening to concerts and ex- perimenting with receivers, and it is; there are twenty-five thousand such stations licensed, and this number would, no doubt, be larger if the 'broadcast listeners 1 only knew of the existence of such a thing. Those who have advanced to the stage of owner of an amateur radio station usually ignore mere “broadcast listeners,1’ and as a re- sult, the so-called “BCL” knows nothing of radio other than the con- certs he listens to nightly. Now for a brief history of ama- teur radio. Marconi, back in 1899, succeeded in telegraphic communi- cation over short distances without the use of wires; experimenters and scientists interested themselves in it, and improved the system until it was practicable to communicate over several hundreds of miles, and ships began to install wireless transmitters to keep in touch with shore. Many of these early ex- perimenters were boys of about high school age; they not only made many contributions to the develop- ment of the new art, but they also began to communicate with each other by means of their radio equipment. Soon the American Radio Relay League was established, comprising about almost all of these “amateur” stations, including not only scien- tifically inclined young men, but also many great scientists and earnest experimenters, who were “amateurs” only in the sense that they worked, not for pay, but for love of their work. The American Radio Relay League was simply a co-operative association of all radio enthusiasts, which enabled them to arrange schedules with each other. handle messages all over the coun- try, and work together as a body. Amateur radio had been quite firm- ly established when the United States joined the World War. Fear- ing spies, all amateur radio stations were ordered dismantled, and all their operators on enlistment found themselves valuable to the govern- ment as operators at the big naval stations that sprang up, and in the Signal Corps of the army. When the war was over, the amateurs dusted off their apparatus and be- gan with more vigor than ever. Transmission of voice and music was made possible, and in 1921 the idea of broadcasting entertainment by this means was put into prac- tice, mainly as an experimental pro- ject. It took like wild fire, and in a short time broadcasting stations were being erected all over the country, and people who knew nothing of the science of radio bought receivers as a means of cheap entertainment. Some of the original amateurs went into the more profitable business of selling radio supplies or operating broad- casting stations, but as fast as the amateur ranks were depleted in this manner, they were filled twice as rapidly by the broadcasting fans who heard of amateur radio and became interested in the subject. Consequently, it progressed rapid- ly, although entirely independently from the new art of broadcasting. One of the most important recent developments was the discovery of the ability of short wave lengths to penetrate great distances; they had previously been considered worth- less, even by prominent engineers, but the amateurs through their love of investigation, found that un- heard of distances could be covered with transmitters of very small power, and soon amateurs in all continents were conversing with each other nightly on the new wave lengths. Well, now that we have a gen- eral idea of what amateurs are, we can turn to the more interesting part of this article. Let us make an imaginary visit to an amateur’s station and see what it is like. We arrive there, say 9 P. M., and the amateur is seated at a living room table, doing his homework. He greets us cordially (amateurs are the most democratic of individuals; probably they get that way because of their constant companionship with men from 14 to 74 years of age, with rich and poor, with great and small. Two amateurs, totally unknown to each other, can get to- gether and enjoy themselves for hours at a time, speaking of their beloved pastime.) We follow one to his “shack”, probably in an attic or cellar or some unused room of the house. The first thing we see is a strange collection of apparatus spread all over a long table, with- out any care whatsoever to house it m a good-looking cabinet, except m the case of a receiver; a pair of headphones, a pencil and some paper, a call book and a telegraph key lying on the table; and above it, fastened to the wall, a magnific- ent collection of post cards with large gaily-colored call letters printed on their faces, addressed from Zanzibar, Madagascar, Siam, Palestine, Java, and everywhere. The amateur asks you to have a chair, and points out to you the things of interest. He explains that the little cabinet contains a receiver, while the miscellaneous arrangement of heavy coils, con- densers, and tubes, is the trans- mitter which sends out his signals to all parts of the world. No, he does not talk as you would over a telephone; the signals are in code, and sound to the unitiated like a long string of dots and dashes. Continued Next Issue SAY IT WITH SONGS “ Twas on a June Night” “Me and My Boy Friend” took a “Red Hot Mama” (“That Hard Hearted Hannah”) for a gay ride in “The Covered Wagon” on “The Road to Mandalay.” She played “Sleepy Time Gal,” but “Just Around the Corner” we met “Big Bad Bill,” 'Charlie, My Boy,” and “The Sheik.” “Down by the Old Midstream” we all ate some “Waffles”. We had a little chat and I said, “I have heard that “When I’m Gone You’ll Forget,' but Somebody Lied, cause “It’s (Continued on Page Twelve)

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8 THE ROUND TABLE «the FLYING DUTCHMAN” by Avery Giles “Tell us again about tbe “Flying Dutchman”, Captain Jim.” This plea was made to a gray-haired old sea-captain, christened James Beardsley, but who was familiarly called by the boys of New Bedford, Captain Jim. The speakers were four boys of the town, between the ages of ten and twelve, who were standing in the doorway of the old man’s workshop. “Step right in, boys, and take a seat,” was the cordial answer of Captain Jim. A cheery hre, blazing on the hearth, greeted them as they entered from the cold wintery out- doors. “I guess there’s room over there,” he added pointing to some old benches in a corner near the hre. “I’ve been pretty busy lately and you’ll have to excuse the looks of this pi ace.” Indeed there was hardly room for five persons in the shop. Models of ships and various wood carvings were scattered everywhere and on the large table, m the middle of the room, was a half completed sloop, an old model, such as was used before the Civil W ar. “Let’s see now,” began the old man, taking a seat before the hre and filling his pipe. “Oh, yes,” striking a match, “It was Friday, the thirteen- th of March, 1859, be- fore the war, when we set sail for Cuba, from this port, in the good ship, Priscilla. I was but a lad, about the age of Jack here, and serv- ing as cabin boy. We were in high spirits, as we had heard tales of great schools of whales around about Cuba. “Well, we were about a day off shore, when a northwester struck us. The Captain, being a bold man, gave orders to reef all sails and ride straight through her. We shipped heavy seas, un- til we reached the center of the storm. It was pitch black and the sea was smooth as glass. We could hear the wind roaring all around us.” “All at once a white and lurid speck appeared off to leeward. As she approached, we could see the Dutch flag floating from her mast. Her sides were all rotted and grin- ning skeletons, men of the ill-fated ship, stood on her decks, and as we stared, she suddenly disappeared.” “ 'The Flying Dutchman’, cried the mate, “God save our ship!” As he said this, the Priscilla hit the other side of the storm. Sud- denly I saw black. It was the first and last time I’ve ever fainted. When I awoke we were on a mer- chantman bound for home. I learned that in the rough seas the Priscilla had sprung a leak and foundered and that the Sea Lion, the British ship we were now on, had picked up us, miles off our course. All the crew was rescued except one poor wretch, who had thrown himself overboard when he saw the Phantom Ship.” We reached New Bedford the next day, me making a silent vow that never again would I sail on Friday, the thirteenth. I’ve never known myself to break this vow, and I’ve been on many a voyage since that time. After thanking him, the boys left for home, each with a rosy apple in his mouth and a roaring yarn ini his head. 29. ON AMATEUR RADIO —o--- Possibly a good story would be more acceptable to the readers of the “Round Table” than an article; the latter is supposed to be more: valuable as an educational medium,, and a higher type of literature, but who wants to pay ten perfectly good cents to improve his mind when he can obtain all the education he- wants and more, (usually!) for nothing, every day in the year? Well, don’t worry The purpose of this article is not in the least asso- ciated with education; it was writ- ten simply for the entertainment of its readers and to help fill the “Round Table”. Probably most of you have in your homes a radio set, perhaps for entertainment purposes, perhaps in. the case of more advanced radio “bugs” a means of occupying your time m experimentation and con- struction. However, the word “radio” to most people means sim- ply a means of bringing concerts and other features to the home; how many of you realize that broad- casting constitutes only about one- fifth in value of all radio services combined? There are many other fields of radio than that of broad- casting; there are important com- mercial stations handling inter- national and trans-oceanic mes- sages in the same manner that an ordinary telegraph system would send more local messages; there are valuable ship-to-shore services which keep steamers of all sorts in constant communication with land; there are government and naval stations handling traffic of their own; there are the usual broadcast- ing stations, only one-fiftieth as numerous as other stations, which send to you concerts, sports, speeches, and other things of in- terest; and finally, there are ama- teur stations, second in potential interest to the average person only to broadcasting itself, but usually completely unknown to him. Amateur radio stations are pri- vately owned transmitters and re- ceivers by means of which any per-

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10 THE ROUND TABLE JOKES —o— Runaway Rumors. We have recently learned that our most esteemed Mr. Skakandy is a descendent of the late Czar Nickolas of Russia. Mr. Skakandy is probably the only one of this family left but he does not aspire for the position of Czar under the present era. Do you blame him? Soon after her honeymoon, Mrs. Smith was seen carrying a loving cup. We wonder if a rolling pm would do as well? —O— Oh, horrors! It has been rumor- ed that James Hanley was actually caught Charlestoning, and with his shoes on! What has become of his Scotch characteristics? The Two Critics. Say that a word from the wise is sufficient. The reference is to Professor Skakandy’s statement that you are lucky nowadays if your wife even sews a button on your coat. Well, we always did hear that experience is the best teacher. —0— Wonder if you have ever noticed the difference m the rate of speed on the stairs between periods from the speed at noon. —O— Introduce you to the Irresistible Force—Jimmy Hanley and his candy basket at recess. We won- der whether Jimmy or the candy is the attraction. Ask why the private feud be- tween Bennett and Branin in His- tory class. —0— Deduce that Chester Ebie must be a gentlemen, he prefers blonds. —0— Comment upon Martin Ken- nedy’s statement that the first rail- road was seventeen miles long and extended from Baltimore to Ohio. How’s that for the Irish optimism? —0— Want to know how someone as small as Neal Raver can make so much noise on a great big saxo- phone. Would like to find out if the water at the boys end of the hall has a kick in it. It seems that Mr. Skakandy samples it after every class. Advise to the Seniors. When a class meeting you attend. Be sure you’ve lots of dough to spend. It’s all to go for Washington, Where waits for us just loads of fun. PAY YOUR SENIOR DUES —o— Foolish Questions Why doesn’t Red Bank supply fur coats for the girls in physical training, as the instructor wears one? S.O.S.— Who owns the Starva- tion Islands?” Wise Guy— Hungary.” Paul Weilbacher (the master mind of Miss Galbreath’s Geome- try Class) is going to publish a new Geometry book. Miss Galbreath is certain it will contain many new and puzzling theorems. Personals. It is rumored that there is a new ice-boat on the river called the “Ku Klux Klan.” McKenna is to be sheet-tender. George Carroll Morford is suf- fering from a mental relapse. He recently forgot the date of a sur- prise party and spoiled it by arriv- ing two days ahead of time. Chester Ebie says a certain fellow around here has no steady girl. He adds, He ought to be like me and leave them alone al- together.” Oh, yes, little Nemo leaves them alone. James Hoot mon” Hanley would like to see the proof of every- thing. Prof. Skakandy said, If I gave you a ten dollar bill—” Han- ley replied, I’d like to see you prove that.” Heard in 9B Latin M axine, looking at airplane view of an ancient Roman theater as shown in text-book, impulsively cried: Oh, Miss Wainwnght, I didn’t know they had airplanes in those days!” Miss Galbreath (in Geometry Class) :“Ed, what conclusion can you draw from these statements?” Ed (wondering) : There must be something wrong.” —o— Mrs. Crandall: How did Car- dinal Mazarin carry out Richlieu’s foreign policies?” Tony Schar abba: On stretch- ers. A MODERN VERSION OF HAMLET’S SOLILOQUY To marry, or not to marry: that is the question: Whether’t is nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrage- ous Cupid, Or to take arms against a sea of women, And by opposing become a bache- lor. To marry: To marry; No more; and by to marry to say we start The head-ache and the thousand natural shocks That man is heir to, ’tis a consum- mation Not to be wished. To marry, To quarrel; To quarrel: perchance to divorce:. ay, there’s the rub; For in that divorce court what truths may come When we are brought before the judge. Must give us pause: there’s the respect That mak es marriage of so long life; For who would bear the whips and scorns of the aleinists. The wife’s story, the newspaper’s scandal. The pangs of cold love, the laws delay. The insolence of lawyers and the inconvenience That solitary confinement brings- When he himself might end his troubles With a mere automatic. —Jesse E. Bennett.