Spark Gap Transmitter
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Malin Head Spark Gap Transmitter 1902 - 1913
Above is a photograph of the original Spark Gap Transmitter that was used at Malin Head between 1902 and 1913. To the left of the transmitter is the Morse key that was used.
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Replica of the Malin Head Spark Gap Transmitter 1902 - 1913
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The spark gap
transmitter and wireless telegraphy were state-of-the-art technologies at
the time and was used at Malin Head. The transmitter allowed ships to send
messages by passengers and companies also when needed distress signals.
The Titanic contained
an advanced spark gap transmitter designed by Marconi. Even after the
development of radio, spark gap transmitters could be found on Navy ships
because they were simple and reliable. Spark gap transmitters emit noise
across a wide range of the spectrum so today they are not allowed to be
used.
Although spark gaps
could not transmit audio, the transition from wired to wireless telegraphy
caused people to begin thinking about the possibility of wireless telephony,
and led to the development of radio.
Spark gap
transmitters were eventually replaced by vacuum tubes and wireless
telephony. The wide range of energy they emitted interfered with radio and
led to the restriction and banning of spark gaps in the 1920s. Nonetheless,
spark gap transmitters were an important technology during their time and
were a significant predecessor to radio, cell phones, wireless internet, and
other wireless communication technologies popular today.
This replica transmitter is held by Peter Homer EI4JR