CHEAP-PRICED RADIO RECEIVERS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 227, 22 June 1936, Page 8

CHEAP-PRICED RADIO RECEIVERS

Minister’s Aim Criticised

SERVICEMEN CONSIDER IT PRACTICALLY USELESS

By Telegraph—Press Association.

Dunedin, June 21

A cheap-priced radio receiving set such as that suggested by the Government for bringing the benefits of radio broadcasting into thousands of homes in New Zealand not already equipped with sets is regarded by Dunedin servicemen as practically a useless proposition. It has been announced that the Government’s aim to produce an efficient receiver at a selling price of about £5 or £5/10/-. Some of the radio men are of the opinion that an efficient receiver could not be evolved for the price stated. If a set were made for that price it would be practically useless in Dunedin, Invercargill, Christchurch and Wellington, but might be workable in Auckland.

One serviceman stated that he had gone very carefully into the idea and had thought of a three-valve, tuned radio frequency set at a cheap price, but this would be useless in most New Zealand cities. The cost‘of the parts would be £5/12/10, and this did not include, soldering, wiring, testing or the cost of labour. Another man works out the cost of a low-priced receiver at £4/15/6. Assuming that certain parts would be reduced in price if the Government’s scheme were put into operation, said the serviceman, he had cut the price of a speaker down to 8/-. At the present time the cheapest speaker procurable cost 12/6 wholesale. His estimated cost did not include royalty charges, which in the case of the set he had in mind would amount to 14/-, or labour, which if done by girls would mean a further 4/- being added to the total. When Mie set had been assembled it would have to be tested by an expert, who would be paid a higher wage than the girl assembler. ■ Another serviceman said sets could be produced for the money stated, but they would not be of the type that would suit the buying public of Dunedin, which insists on distance reception. In making his announcement last week, the Postmaster-General, Hon. F. Jones, referred to the production in Germany of a cheap but efficient standard set and said there was no reason why the German scheme should not bo regarded hopefully in New Zealand The Minister was speaking of a twovalve electric set which is manufactured by mass production at a price within the reach of everyone. This set affords reliable reception of German stations, eight 100 k.w. and one 150 k.w. transmitters, and relay stations, but is not efficient enough to bring in foreign stations.