Comics in modern magazines are a rather rare phenomenon
for some reason, but they were fairly regular features up until a couple decades ago. This set of electronics-themed
comics is from the December 1949 edition of Radio & Television News. The first one would
probably not make sense to someone not familiar with the extents to which some radio operators go to
deploy antennas. During field day events and other mobile scenarios, Hams have been using
kites and balloons
(see More
on Balloon-Supported Antennas) to create 1/4-, 1/2-, or even full-wave vertical antennas
with wires run along the tether line, a la Benjamin Franklin. When a kite is used, because of the wind
carrying the kite away from the ground point, it is impossible to get the antenna vertical unless the
line is really long and the antenna wire is located on the most vertical section of the line's
catenary shape. The slanted antenna
creates a radiation pattern that is directed upward on the windward side and downward on the leeward
side. Under low or no wind conditions, a balloon has a better chance of enabling a near-vertical antenna.
Electronics-Themed Comics

"At a time like This - You Fly A Kite!" (Page 119)

"Remember in 1943 - you couldn't get a 35Z5?" (Page 131)

"What do you mean lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place?"
(Page 150)
Posted March 6, 2017
These Technically-Themed Comics Appeared in Vintage Electronics Magazines.
I personally scanned and posted every one from copies I own (and even colorized
some).
|
|
|
|