THE RADIO WORLD

Southland Times, Issue 18927, 28 April 1923, Page 15

THE RADIO WORLD

There still seems to be some difficulty among wireless experimenters in converting their sets to conform to the regulations, says the Dunedin Star. Paragraph 66 states: "In the interests of radio telegraphy generally, the types of receiving circuits authorised by the license shall not include those which, in the judgment of the Minister, unduly energise the receiving antenna. An example of such types is that in which one coil of a two-coil tuner is used as a reaction coil, inducively coupled to take the antenna coil.” This distinctly prohibits the most common circuit in use at present; but those using this two-coil circuit can convert it to comply with the regulations with very little loss of signal strength by the addition of (1) a variometer, (2) a fixed coil and condenser in the plate circuit of the valve, this taking the place of the reaction coil. We will then have the primary coil connected to aerial and earth, the secondary coil connected to the grid (through the grid condenser) in the plate circuit. There should be no difficulty in this alteration, and regeneration is absolutely under control by the adjustment of the tuned plate circuit. Since the coupling is through the valve, adjustments will be different for various types of valves. There is no excuse for the amount of intefence that is present any evening, especially when a concert is in progress, and any amateur who is trying long-dis-tance reception has no chance whatever of receiving faint signals through the "howling of local valves.” We have heard receiving valves producing oscillations loud enough to hear with the ’phones lying on the table. Regulation 87 provides for a fine of £lO or imprisonment for three months for those using prohibited circuits, and unless local amateurs "play the game” it will be necessary to take immediate steps to enforce this provision. WIRELESS STARTS A TRAIN. In the American Radio Age is the account of the starting by radio of a locomotive hauling a train of 33 cars at East Pittsburg. It will be understood that the radio wave served only to release the energy that propelled the train. These are the details of the accomplishment. “The International Trade Special was started on its long journey when E. M. Herr, President of the Westinghouse Company, closed a switch on a pole near the railroad track on which the train was standing. The closing of this switch closed the wireless electrical circuits laid out by radio experts and engineers, and this reacted on the circuits in the locomotive, releasing the controller. "The release of the controller by wireless then started the International Trade Special and marked an event unparalleled in history and in wireless engineering. After the train was put in motion by the wireless arrangement, a locomotive engineer who was sitting in the cab, in accordance with the requirements of the Interstate Commerce Commission, took charge of the train. “The assembled guests, although expecting to witness an unprecedented event, were amazed at the facility with which the locomotive was started by wireless, and, for a moment stood silently in wonderment at the feat. Then they started cheering and continued cheering until the long train left the electric plant.” HORSE RACING BY RADIO. The New York American publishes the following:—"lt appears that a pacer, appropriately named Radio has been trained to circle the track at top speed, riderless and driverless, but ammoutred with a radioreceiving set in place of ordinary harness. The owner and trainer of the pacer sits in the grandstand and sends his commands by radio. A photograph shows the horse apparently responding, with ears turned back to catch the message, as if the words came from a rider or a driver, in the usual position instead of half a mile away. This particular use of radio is, of course, although there would appear to be no reason why several horses equipped with receiving outfits might not be made to compete, jockeyless, thus affording a highly interesting contest. And it is always possible that new and even important practical application may be found for methods that were at the outset thought of as only amus ing. In any event, the exhibition furnishes a tangible illustration of the wonders that the audience must find interesting and thought provocative. Perhaps some farmer at the fair where Radio gives his exhibition may be stimulated to equip his farm horses in similar fashion, so that from the coign of vantage of, let us say a windmill, a workman may direct several teams dragging ploughs or mowing machines or what not. The suggestion sounds chimerical—but what radio phenomenon is not chimerical.”

Lecturing on "Wireless and Aircraft” before the Chelmsford Engineering Society, Captain P. P. Eckersley emphasised the importance of communication between aircraft and the ground and also between different machines. Quite recently a machine at Croydon lost one of the wheels from its under-carriage, on leaving the ground. The pilot was warned of this by wireless and was able to make a good landing on his one remaining wheel by tilting his machine. For communication with aircraft, the telephone was used rather than Morse code, mainly because the pilot had plenty to think about without having to translate Morse at the same time. The pilot had the receivers close to his ears inside his helmet, and this was found to exclude the noice of his machine quite effectively Mr L. Slade, of Timaru, was the first amateur in New Zealand to receive American amateurs. The first call received was on November Sth, 1922, and since then Mr Slade has been logging them regularly, in some cases as many as 18 in one evening. Only one valve has been used to receive the calls. Mr Slade was using the primary and tickler circuit with an expanse A valve, but since this circuit has been barred by the Government, he is now using the primary, secondary and tickler circuit and aV 24 valve. The aerial is 40ft high at the free end and 23ft at lead-in end, with a 140 ft overall length. The concerts from Gisborne, Auckland (IYA) Wellington, and Dunedin are received very Q.S.A. on one valve, and on April 10 on about 220 metres, Mr Slade heard VIM (Melbourne) working V.P.D. (Suva), first on telegraphy then on speech. Only parts of the speech could be heard, viz., “Hullo, hullo, hullo, hullo, Suva” ; also, "I am closing down now. It is eight o’clock here.” This transmission was also heard by Mr J. Orbell, St. Albanj, who was using five valves at the time, and the music, etc., could be hard all over the operating room from the loud talker.

Small pieces of rubber hose or rubber tubing makes good insulators for the lead in wire if is must pass round the corner of the building or round the spouting. The wire is placed inside the hose or tubing. This idea will be quite O.K. for receiving sets, but a rubber hose does not offer good insulating qualities when a transmitter is used.

Battery acid.—People fussing around with storage batteries nay accidentally get some of the battery acid on their clothes. If this acid it not neutralised immediately it will leave a hole ir. the garment. A little ammonia immediately applied will neutralise the acid, and prevent it from burning a hole in the doth. Dr W. H. Eccles has accepted the presidency of the Radio Society of Great Britain in succession to Admiral Sir Henry B. Jackson.