RADIO IN 1930

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 7, 9 January 1930, Page 16

RADIO IN 1930

FINAL TKST IS TONE

Each radio season is ushered in with « new collection of towns ami catchphrases to intrigue the prospective radio set purchaser, writes Howard T. Cervantes in the "Scientific American." While it would appear from a glance at the radio advertising that there had been a great many startling developments, it frequently becomes apparent after the season is well under way that there have been only one or two important innovations. This season we arc confronted with such terms as "screen-grid," "linear detection," "band pass filter," and countless other terms and phrases which hold no meaning for the layman. After all, the final test of- any radio receiver is what comes out of the loud-speaker. If the quality of reception does not come up to his expectations, the .mere fact that the set uses screen-grid tubes or has linear detection or any other feature will not induce him to buy. In reviewing this season's radio sets, we find that the greatest strides havebeen made in the improved quality or tone and fidelity of reproduction. In fact, a point has been reached where it is a difficult matter to note any marked difference in the reproduction of sets ranging in the same price class. In this respect it would bo interesting to witness a radio blindfoia test, using a dozen or so of the leading radio, sets of different manufacture similarly priced. It is safe to predict that the result of such a test would show that the majority of people who- are incapable of splitting hairs on musical harmonics, and'to whom overtones and undertones go unnoticed, would be unable to make an honest distinction between them. i While the great majority of manufacturers are featuring sets using i screen-grid tubes, Hot all of the improved tone quality can be attributed to the use of this new tube. A power Itubo which has recently come into use. and the progress that has been made in dynamic speaker design, have contributed largely-to the better reproduction evident in this year's receivers. Some tredit must also be given to the broadcasting stations for their higher ' quality of transmission which has reached a state of perfection undreamed of a few years ago. Although tho present furore over the screen-grid tube would seem to indicate that its application has revolutionised radio overnight, we have two prominent manufacturers who are continuing to use the standard type of A.C. tubo in their latest productions. . . . Tho one indisputable fact regarding this yoar's models is that the purchaser is given greater value for his money ' than at any time in the past. Any number of manufacturers are marketing sets in console cabinets with dynamic speaker and screen-grid tubes, together with other improvements, priced around 150 dollars (£3O). When we get above this figure we find more elaborate cabinets, automatic tuning, remote control, and other features that increase tho manufacturer's cost of production. This cost is finally passed along to those who are more exacting in their tastes and requirements. For example, the "tired business man" will have one of the new'remote-control receivers which he way adjust without leaving his easy chair, or he may have the control box: on a table beside his bed, enabling him to start, stop, or tune the set without getting up. For that matter, the control box may be installed in any room in the house ana the radio set proper located in any other room desir-

Ed ... There is no question that the average unit price on. the complete set has been dropping rapidly during the past two years, and probably tho'outstanding price development in manufacturers merchandising plans for tho present year is the large number of sets retailing between 100 dollars and 150 dollars. " The majority of these sets arc built in small consoles, many of them using the screen-grid tube and all equipped with dynamic speakers. There are probably fifteen or more manufacturers lighting tooth and nail in this highly competitive price class. Obviously large volume is necessary to build profitably at this price, and it is equally true that not all of these manufacturers csn by any means secure the volume, of sales which is necessary. Consequently, several of these manufacturers will probably retire from the field this year or be obliged to seek mergers with their competitors. Evidence of this latter development is already at hand. Some mergers have already been accomplished, and radio trade papers are filled with rumours of many more. ... Manufacturers are striving desperately to create the impression that the now models are a distinct advance over sets that have been heretofore available. It is true, nevertheless, that for , the first time in radio history it is dif[ficult for the average listener, to distinguish between the now sets and those that were available a year ago. This is the best evidence of the stabilisation that is making itself evident in tho radio industry, and purchasers of well-designed Sets manufactured in 1928 are to-day practically as well off as the owner of any of the latest models. Whereas hundreds of thousands of electric sets were sold last year, it is generally believed that the big swing from battery'sets to electric sets will take place in 1930, and that consequently more dollars per capita will be spent by the public for radio,in.the next six months than in any corresponding period in. the history of the art.