IF you fancy vintage tube transmission or homebrew gear, seek this book

[W7TFO]

In my years in the radio field, I have managed to amass a library.  There are numerous texts on radio & electronics here.  I personally go for the older tech.
  
All the ARRL and Jones handbooks up to 1960.  Collins. Ballantyne. Terman. Orr.  All those guys.  

Hundreds of QST's & 'Radio' magazine.  Military radio classroom books from several countries.  Technical manuals on lots of vintage gear.  Parts catalogs.  Masters.

I don't think I could live without all my books.

Of all, an innocuous little red tome titled "The Radio Manual" by George Sterling has a special place in my studies.  He was an FCC engineer.  Published by Van Nostrand, from 1928 to 1940.  Many printings.

Beautiful astute text, with metaphors anyone can understand.  Noticeably devoid of the usual rhetoric of technical books.  He uses terms like 'goodness' of a circuit.  Real life revelations of what works and what doesn't. Really useful schematics, photos, and tables.

If you are an inveterate homebrewer, maybe chasing an AWA award at times, here is a book you should have.  

Many have never seen this particular book, it may indeed be rare.  However, I have found several copies on eBay, and at local used bookstores.  What effort it takes finding one would not be wasted.

I invite your comments as to what book made a difference in your radio experience.

73DG

[N0WEK]

George E. Sterling Radio engineer
November 17, 1990
Services for George E. Sterling, who started the U.S. radio intelligence operations during World War II, will be held at 10 a.m. today at the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home in Portland, Maine.Mr. Sterling, who was 96 and lived in Portland, died Wednesday at a nursing home there after a short illness.He worked for the Federal Communications Commission for many years before retiring as a member of the commission in 1954.In the 1920s, he wrote a radio manual that came to be used as a textbook by radio engineers.

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/keyword/farray

I'll look for a copy of the book...there is one signed copy available now in fair condition...buy it now $39.00

There is a web page dedicated to George Sterling with history and pictures...

http://users.erols.com/danflan/sterling/dfhistory.html

[K5UJ]

There are several copies for sale at abebooks.com  enter the title and author and search.

Several have 1929 pub. dates so they are the earlier editions (1st ed.?) and may not be useful, unless you want the extreme vintage or are a collector.  There are a few later editions from the 1940s and one or two from 1950.  The 3rd edition published in the early to mid-1940s looks good.   Prices vary from not too bad to kind of steep (in my opinion).  

abebooks.com is an online second hand bookstore collective or cooperative that aggregates participant used bookstore inventories to provide multiple sources for a used book search.  I have used them a few times before in getting old Terman titles, a copy of the Orr handbook and a few other things.   IIRC they have a few sources for the LaPort radio antenna engineering book, but no bargain prices; book vendors know about supply and demand  

Rob

[wa2dtw]

This looks like what I need to fill in significant gaps in my knowledge.
There are still quite a few on Amazon.   Prices range from $12. on up.  I just purchased the 1940 revision (3rd edition).   
Thanks for the tip.
73
Steve WA2DTW

[W2DU]

 I used Sterling's Radio Manual in studying for my First Class Radiotelephone license in 1940.

My future wife was George's administrative assistant, who typed all of his material for the second edition of the book.

I worked under George Sterling in the FCC's Radio Intelligence Division (RID) from 1940 til 1944. and was personally acquainted with him.

Walt

[W2DU]

Sorry, wrong file came up with my previous post. Will try again.

Walt

[W2DU]

Sorry, didn't work. What I wanted to show was Sterling's signature on my Phone license, indicating service with the RID.

Walt

[Steve - WB3HUZ]

I have a copy for many years. It is an excellent book.

More on George Sterling at the link below.

http://users.erols.com/danflan/sterling/dfhistory.html

[W2DU]

Yes Steve, I've talked with Dan, in fact some of the data in his story about Sterling he acquired from me.

Thanks,

Walt

[k4kyv]

I have a copy for many years. It is an excellent book.

More on George Sterling at the link below.

http://users.erols.com/danflan/sterling/dfhistory.html

Steve, there's an example of at least one FCC commissioner who was an engineer.

I have a copy of an early edition of his book circa 1928 and a circa 1940 edition.

[Opcom]

I've got one of those as well, the third edition. It's on the shelf next to the Termans. I had another and gave it to my apprentice. One of the things I like about the work is the practical diagrams of actual equipment. The frontispiece as well - -the shipboard transmitter room.

[W7TFO]

Interesting how the thread following this guy Sterling weaves through so many lives here on the forum...

73DG

[W9RAN]

DG, do you suggest the later editions over the earlier ones?  Would guess the late 40's editions might be more usable, or not?

73,  BoB W9RAN

[W7TFO]

I have three, and the third edition is the most comprehensive if you want just one copy.  Most everything in the previous editions is kept, as they get thicker.  There is more about marine radio, studio recording, and sound on film as well.

73DG

[N0WEK]

Great suggestion!

I've got a 3rd edition on order.

[Opcom]

I hope Pete Millett will scan it. I wrote and asked him if he had it.

[W7TFO]

That would be a great thing, as my 3rd is printed on high-acid paper, and is in poor condition.

73DG

[Opcom]

Sounds like  a good candidate for scanning. pmillett.com  - his contact info is there, info@.. I think.