Uploaded June 2021 | Updated September 2026, 24 minutes ago
The Tesla Coil is a resonant transformer that operates at radio frequencies. Nikola Tesla had big plans for his invention, but few of these plans worked out. However resonant transformers did find broad applications as intermediate frequency (IF) transformers in superheterodyne radio receivers, tank circuits in radio transmitters, ignition coils for internal combustion engines and as Curt Dunnam shows, a Tesla Coil's resonant frequency can be modulated with an audio signal to make an impressive looking , although not particularly great sounding, plasma speaker. The sound is produced as the air in the plasma expands and contracts with temperature changes caused by the audio energy supplied to the Tesla Coil. Although most musical Tesla Coils use pulse width modulation, Curt's 300 kilovolt, 400 watt carrier, coil is in linear mode, not unlike a low level modulated AM or SSB transmitter.
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The Tesla Coil is a resonant transformer that operates at radio frequencies. Nikola Tesla had big plans for his invention, but few of these plans worked out. However resonant transformers did find broad applications as intermediate frequency (IF) transformers in superheterodyne radio receivers, tank circuits in radio transmitters, ignition coils for internal combustion engines and as Curt Dunnam shows, a Tesla Coil's resonant frequency can be modulated with an audio signal to make an impressive looking , although not particularly great sounding, plasma speaker. The sound is produced as the air in the plasma expands and contracts with temperature changes caused by the audio energy supplied to the Tesla Coil. Although most musical Tesla Coils use pulse width modulation, Curt's 300 kilovolt, 400 watt carrier, coil is in linear mode, not unlike a low level modulated AM or SSB transmitter.
If you enjoyed this video, consider becoming a member of the Antique Wireless Association at: antiquewireless.org/homepage/membership
Subscribe to the Antique Wireless Museum channel and you'll receive news of our latest video uploads.
