Re: newbie to tesla stuff

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Harold Weiss by way of Terry Fritz <teslalist-at-qwest-dot-net>" <hweiss-at-new.rr-dot-com>

Welcome,

I see that you are in Richmond, VA.  Get a hold of the Tesla Coil Builders
of Richmond.  I'm sure that they would be glad to help a new coiler.

The first thing before you build a coil for yourself, is hit the books.
Anything about Tesla that sounds too good to be true, IS NOT TRUE!  Study up
on electrical safety, circuit theory, ect.  They will be useful.  The
Archives here will also be useful.  I wish I had this list back when I
started.  The ARRL handbooks can be useful.  I believe Brent Turner also has
a book. (anyone?) I think there are a few more on this list that have
written books on this subject.

When building your first coil, keep it simple.  Start with a basic coil
first, until you get the hang of it.  Do not go for the biggest baddest
monster coil of them all.  Those built by inexperienced coilers usualy end
in failure. (my first coil, spark length 1/8", spark gap 3/8")

Do not trust that just because it's high frequency it won't hurt you.
Remember! It is still electricity, and if the conditions are right, it can
and will electrocute you.

David E Weiss


 > OK, I have never built a Telsa coil before, so how do I get started? I
 > think that I need a dummies for Tesla book or something. But, in the
 > meantime could someone recommend a website or a book that could help me
get
 > going in the right direction?
 >
 > I have lots of questions and I don't know where to start. Here are few
that
 > I have:
 >
 > What's this stuff about Tesla putting coils on a ship to make it dissapear
 > from radar? Did this actually happen and did it work?
 >
 > What's so special about high frequency electicity? Can't it still kill
you?
 >
 > What is a spark gap? Do I need one of these?
 >
 > Anyway, I am really new to this, so I don't even know what kind of
 > questions that I should be asking. My main goal is not to kill
myself!!!!!!!
 >
 >
 > Thanks!!
 >
 >
 > James Brady
 > Richmond, VA
 >
 >