RADIO TELEPHONES

Evening Star, Issue 18052, 21 August 1922, Page 6

RADIO TELEPHONES

10 THE EDII"OH. Sir—As these instruments and their equipments will, in the very near future, bo installed in thousands of homes throughout New Zealand, and a fair technical knowledge will be needed to guard against inexperience, I take this opportunit;* to throw' out a warning, and _ trust that it may bo the means of helping those who to-day are eager to launch out in that direction. Radio is probably more understood by boys and young men than by adults. Thousands of these throughout the world have been experimenting for some time, and many have arrived at a very advanced stage of progress by. stepping out in the right direction, while thousands have paid clearly for their experience. To those about to follow in their tracks I beg space to give a little guidance to keep them on the right way, as many rush in during the period of excitement. The best results to-day are obtained from set- using the outside antenme, or aerial wires, to collect _ the waves sent broadcast. As the ambition of every experimenter is to erect these as high as possible, these become the weak part of the equipment. In many cases they are run in too light a wire, and give out or break under wind stress or strain, and in every city many highly-charged wires are running in the vicinity, with the result that an aerial coming in contact becomes charged also. Loss of life and many fires haVe been the result of inexperience in this direction. I have seen many wires entering a building in a haphazard way instead of being led in on proper insulators and leading-in tubes, the cheapest and easiest way often being taken. Lightning does not visit this country very often, but when it does an antenme wire is a great attraction. A lightning arrestor should bo in circuit outside the building, and a heavy switch to cut over when not wanting to operate. If these conditions are carried out no accidents will occur, as radio is for a higher object than to bo made the scapegoat of careless installations. There are to-day many types of receiving sets on the market for commercial and private house use. Here, again, many will buy their experience through want of knowledge. Radio sets are like many other lines ; tho cheapest are far from the best, giving very unsatisfactory results and tending to finish -up as a plaything for tho children. It is not my intention at the present juncture to discuss any special make or design of receiving set, but anyone wishing to possess one should consult an expert or a practical person, or, better still, see for himself a practical demonstration. A little time spent this way will enlighten the student more than six months of text-books. My object in bringing these imparks before the public notice is to tiy to educate the amateur, as no doubt, if things aro dine in an inexperienced manner, tho hobby of radio-receiving will become hampered with restrictions and regulations brought about by not being advised properly in the first place. When this eventuates, the pleasure becomes a thing of tiie past. Let all those applying for a permit remember that if they use it and 'not abuse it there will be no need of stringent measures being taken by those at the head of that department. In conclusion, every encouragement should be given in the homes of tho rising generation. The experience gained is of great educational value, and any boy, and even girl, directing their footsteps on tho lines of radio investigations will have channels open to them least expected. Above all, do not be afraid to seek expert advice, as, by so doing, much expense can be saved and knowledge gained.—l am, etc., F. J. O’Neill. August 21.