Just a FEW questions from a newbie

To: tesla-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com
Subject: Just a FEW questions from a newbie
From: Peter Dalinis <pdalinis-at-xnet-dot-com>
Date: Wed, 08 Jan 1997 13:37:07 -0600
Subscriber: pdalinis-at-xnet-dot-com Wed Jan 8 22:29:18 1997
Hi,

I am new to this list, and to this hobby.  I am pretty good with
electronics and frequency's.  
I have a few questions that I cant seem to find answers to.... so I will
throw them in the
direction of the experts... that is if you guys dont mind....

One question that I cant figure out is how do you create the frequency
to emit the magnetic
fields?  Using a ignition coil switched with a 555 timer circuit would
do it.  I understand that.
But with just a spark gap?  How do you adjust the frequency to meet the
1/4wave on the
secondary?

For my first coil, I am looking for a design that gives off 1 foot
sparks.  If I get more, that 
is fine too :) What secondary size am I looking at?  2feet long by
3inches dia?

I have access to the following transformers:
24VDC in - 6KVDC out
24VDC in - 10.6KVDC out

Unfortunatally, I dont remember the current rating.. I do know they are
in milliamps.

What they are and where they came from is a mystery.  Another solution
that I can
think of using would be a ignition coil off a car which would be:

12VDC in - ?????VDC out  (I would have to use a 555 timer circuit to use
this one,
right?)
 
Which one would be the better one to use?


Capacitors.  Will doornob caps work a-ok?  Perhaps a few in series and
parrallel?  
Where can I go about getting some?  (no worthwhile hamfests in winter in
chicago)

Spark Gaps.  I found some docs for a rotary one, and a stationary one. 
The stationary
one looks easier for me to build is it ideal (airblast.txt)?  Will an
aquarium pump work for 
the air?  How about an airbrush compressor?  

Tank Curcuit.  I have seen many different configurations for this. 
Which one will
work best for my setup? 

Static Gaps.  I have been reading, and it appears that some of you have
more than
1 gap in your circuit.  Why?  Will I need more than 1?  Are these
fixed?  

Primary winding.  Why is this tapped?  Is this how you tune it?  What
medium do
you suggest I use for this?  Common sense tells me to make this coil
larger
than what some docs say.  5 turns of wire taped at 3 seems WAY to small
to me.
50 turns tapped at say 35 sounds more efficient to me... but that is me
:)

I have access to the following magnetic wire from Allied Electronics:

Belden Heavy Armored Poly Thermaleze high temp wire 22awg Belden8077 
501ft $29.38
Belden Single Beldsol Solderable magnet wire  22awg Belden8051 254ft
$17.34

Dearborn Single Polyurethane Class A Type T-1 105 degree C  22awg
.0266"od $20.81/pnd
Dearborn Heavy Poly-thermaleze Class F type T-2  155 degree C  22awg 
.0277"od  21.83/pnd
Dearborn Corona Resistant High Voltage Wire UL Style 3239 150 degree C 
10kvdc-40kvdc $???

Which one do you suggest I use?  22AWG the size to go with?

How nessacary is the Choke circuits?  Is the feedback going to be that
bad?  I dont
see why it would if you get your SWR down enough.  

Sorry for all the questions.... but I dont know where else to go!

Thanks VERY much....

Pete
N9OKO