Lichtsprechgerät 80 (optical communication transceiver) |
|
This is truly a legendary WWII device. Developed in 1937 by the famous Carl Zeiss optics company, this device used light beams to communicate voice signals. Two of these devices could be placed up to 5 km (3 miles) apart from one another, and voice communications would work. The best (and only) description of these devices and their operation can be found on the web site of Helge Fykse of Norway (LA6NCA) http://www.laud.no/ww2/lispr/index.htm The story: The story of these two sets were "rescued" from the Carl Zeiss factory in 1945 by a US Soldier who took them back to the US at the end of the war. He wrapped them in a 1945 dated newspaper and stored them in his attic. In 2006 his children found them and decided to sell them. I still have the newspaper in which they were wrapped. The set came with the heads, tripods, modulation boxes, cables, headsets, microphones and all spare parts including all spare light sensors and light bulbs. I will add more information as I restore and test my sets. |
|
Specifications |
|
YEAR INTRODUCED : |
1937 |
| MANUFACTURER: | Carl Zeiss |
FREQUENCY RANGE: |
NA |
NUMBER OF CRYSTALS: |
NA |
PRESET FREQUENCIES: |
NA |
ANTENNA: |
NA |
TUNING: |
NA |
SENSITIVITY: |
NA |
SELECTIVITY: |
NA |
POWER SOURCE: |
Batteries: 4,8 NC 5 (~ 5 hours of use)
|
SIMILAR SETS |
Li.Sp. 50/60 |
POWER OUTPUT: |
4 Watt light bulb |
TUBES (TYPE and NUMBER): |
5 x RV 2 P 800 (pentodes) |
USE: |
Secure line-of-sight communication. Telephone relay link. |
TYPE OF SIGNAL: |
Voice |
RANGE: (MILES) |
|
TO COMMUNICATE WITH: |
LiSpr.80 |
| TO REPLACE IN PART: | |
TRANSPORTATION: |
|
 |
The set - Missing: accessory boxes, 1 battery cable, 2 special telegraphy morse code keys, 2 special microphones. |
|
|
 |
One of the cables connecting the amplifier to the transmit/receive head. |
|
 |
Male connector of the cable. |
|
 |
| Female connector of the amplifier/optics cable. |
|
 |
Another photo of the male connector. |
|
 |
This cable connects the amplifier unit to the batteries (4,8 NC 5 and 2 B 19) |
|
 |
+ and - battery leads |
|
 |
1940-dated Dfh.a headphones which came with the set. |
|
 |
Unknown adapter. It's not mentioned anywhere in the documentation. |
|
 |
Another view of this adapter. |
|
 |
This is the early version of the device which attaches the head unit to the tripod and allows for elavation and transverse control. |
|
 |
Another view of this device. Note the Weimar Waffenamt stamp. |
|
 |
Another view of this device. |
|
 |
Top of one of the leather cases. |
|
 |
The second leather case for one of the head units. |
|
 |
Waffenamt, manufactuerer and year. |
|
 |
One of the original tripods which came with the set. These were standard tripods used with the LiSpr.80 |
|
 |
| Waffenampt on the tripd. |
|
 |
| Original Li.Spr.80 manual, issued to the Gebirgsjäggerregiment 137 |
|
 |
| One of the amplifier units with the lid open, showing the schematic. |
|
 |
| Closeup. |
|
 |
| Manufacture year and serial number. |
|
|
| Voltmeter |
|
 |
| Closeup of the schematic - this is the same one shown in the manual. |
|
 |
| Spare accessories drawer. All light bulbs and photo-elements are present. |
|
 |
| The rear of the photo-element (photo-sensitive resistor). |
|
 |
| Pin-hole to detect the light coming from the other Li.Spr.80 |
|
 |
| Amplifier unit removed from outer case and the front panel cover has also been removed. |
|
 |
| Closeup of the second amplifier box. |
|
 |
| Year of manufacture and serial number. |
|
 |
| Inside of the inner case showing the phenolic liner. |
|
 |
| Internal view of the amplifier. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
| Head unit mounted on a tripod. |
|
 |
| Another photo of the head unit. |
|
 |
| The latest elevation/transverse control which is present on both head units. |
|
 |
| Rear of the head unit. |
|
 |
| This is where the photo-element is inserted. |
|
 |
| Bottom of the head unit showing the light-bulb socket and modulator tube cover. |
|
 |
| Light-bulb socket has been screwed out to show the accurate machining. |
|
 |
| The modulater tube - RV2P800 |
|
 |
|
 |
| Head-on shot showing the Li.Spr.80 front view. |
|
 |
| Waffenamt |
