RADIO RECORD

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 September 1934, Page 3

RADIO RECORD

NOTES FOR LISTENERS-IN

( By "Reception” )

CHOOSING A SET.

THREE MAIN FACTORS In choosing a set, the three main factors to be watched in arriving at a decision are quality, selectivity, and sensitivity. Of these, undoubtedly quality is the most' important, for the majority of listeners are most concerned with what they receive than the manner of the rendition. But with all that, there must be sufficient of the other two to ensure that the desired signals are received without any interference from other stations, and with a maximum signal strength. Primary factors of quality together with the necessary degree of selectivity and sensitivity should never be forgotten. If the receiver has a pleasing tone, and will bring in the desired stations without interference, then there are the grounds for satisfaction. No matter what technical features may be given to appeal, the radio has to be listened to, and this factor determines the enjoyment obtained from the broadcast programmes. And receiver design is subject to fashion. New circuits, components, methods of control, etc., may be boomed to an extent unwarranted by the technical advantages, thus establishing another fashion. Manufacturers immediately incorporate this feature. Usually this is quite successful; although sometimes there is such little success that the new production is no improvement—in fact, often worse—on the model that has gone before it. Yet the instrument sells because of the fashion. Present trends are for superheterodyne models, which can be obtained in many forms from the four-valve set up to a type using two or three times that nufnber of valves. Considering all circumstances, the smaller variety is capable of very good results. It has good selectivity together with moderate sensitivity, and a quality which is pleasing in spite of the fact that the output is generally limited. Five, six, and seven-valve types are sufficiently sensitive to pick up any worth-while station, and will separate them without any trouble. They also allow many of the refinements which go to improve the quality of reproduction and the ease of operation; The largest types combine quality, selectivity, and sensitivity to a maximum degree and can be called the “Rolls Royce” inradio receivers. Some mention must be made of details in design placed before the layman that often bring about decision in the purchase of a certain type of receiver. The advantages and disadantages are generally obvious; but volume control should be carefully investigated—it must have a smooth and wide range of control oyer the local stations. Visual tuning, silent spot tuning, etc., all have their clear cut advantages. Finally, when contemplating the purchase of a manufactured article, before a decision is reached a demonstration should be arranged for in the home. This will give the actual working conditions, and so ■ the results to be expected. Undoubted-

ly there are some very fine sets available, and by carefully considering the various points mentioned, the newcomer into radio will certainly find an immense amount of enjoyment from a tour of the ether. Superheterodynes give much more selectivity than the straight tuned radio frequency types of circuit that previously were so popular. It has this greater sensitivity by reason of the principle upon which it operates. But there is more chance of loss of quality than in the other type of circuit, and therein lies the difference between 1 a good 1 receiver and a' pool’ one. Experience with this type of circuit, however, together with careful design and manufacturing methods, has removed the difficulties formerly - associated with the superheterodyne—the modern receiver built by a manufacturer of repute meets all demands.

GERMAN BROADCASTING. HITLER’S SINGLE CONTROL There has recently been a little discussion in New Zealand about the propriety of allowing Parliamentary proceedings. to be broadcast. Some people—possibly including some who have never heard any Parliamentary proceedings—seem to be rather keen about having it done. Some, who would rather not be forced to think about such things, would not like it at all. And as there is nothing settled, there it is. Nevertheless, broadcasting is after all the biggest voice in the land. It is possible, for those who control it, to say just what they want, with tremendous efficiency. Even in this coiuitry, though most people hardly realise it, the whole broadcasting system can be taken over at a moment’s notice by the Government, for the purpose of broadcasting such matter as the Government desires. So far, such broadcasts have been confined to announcements that in the political sense have given no cause for alarm. But the world presents plenty of examples showing that wireless is rapidly becoming the most powerful instrument in the hands of government. America has long used the- system for making Presidential addresses public throughout the country. The present election campaign in Australia is being conducted with the intensive use of broadcasting. However, these are mere experiments. It is in the countries of dictatorships that the use of radio has become intensified as a political instrument. Russia quickly realised the possibilities of broadcasting as a means of driving governmental declarations and educational matter into the minds of the people; and it is of no small significance that in the modern Russian city flats radio receivers are installed, rent' free, as standard equipment. The Russian broadcasting system was also used for the purpose of spreading political doctrines into foreign countries, and was audible over almost all the world. It is, however, in Germany, under the rule of Hitler, that broadcasting

has become most intensively used for propagandist purposes. There, not only do Nazi orators use the transmitters; the people are not allowed to escape hearing them. On April 1, 1934; the nine broadcasting companies in Germany were dissolved and placed in the hands of one organisation, of which the broadcasting stations became branch offices. The Post Office had 5l per cent, of the shares iand the Federal States 49 per cent. The whole of the shares were transsferred to the Ministry for the Enlightenment of the People and Propaganda. Th‘e - Post Office, however, continued to collect the licence fees and operating the stations, retaining about half the fees and’ paying the balance to the Ministry of Propaganda. This gave the entire control' of broadcasting into the hands of one man, Dr. Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda, and' ensured that nothing could be broadcast that was not National Socialism.

, The main transmitting stations are being brought up to the maximum power allowed under the international agreement (100 kilowatts for medium and 150 kilowatts for long wave), and relay stations are also being increased in power; and their effective coverage is being increased by the installation of “anti-fading” aerials. Thus on the transmitting side, efficiency is ensured. There are nine high-power-ed transmitters in Germany. But there remains the listeningside, and there are none so deaf to broadcasting as those who have no receivers or will not “tune in.” Hitler, however, said: “Every German a listener.” To carry out this idea, special organisation is effected on great public occasions. An army of experts is set to work to install receivers and public address systems in places of public assembly all over the country. When Hitler makes a special speech, half the population hears him; traffic is suspended and industry is idle. On May Day, when an astounding demonstration was held in Berlin, Hitler addressed the vast gathering with the aid of 130 loud-speakers distributed over the field.

To assist the public further to listen to the official broadcasts, the Government has created the “People’s Receiver,” a good and inexpensive instrument, so as to reduce as far as possible the available excuses for not taking advantage of the service. It has not yet provided the service free, and the fact that licences have to be paid for, affords a means of checking, to some extent, whether listening is retaining its popularity or not. According to a writer in the “Wireless World,” whose article supplies the material for this summary, there has been an investigation as to why the number of listeners has lately declined.

The Germans opened, last February, a short-wave station consisting of two transmitters operating on nine-beam aerials for broadcasting to the world at large, and more powerful transmitters are to be installed.

It must not be understood from the foregoing that the German listeners are talked to death. Their programme? are, from the musical point of view, liberal and fine, bu't what talks there are are definitely under Government direction.