CHOOSING A SET

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 843, 11 December 1929, Page 16

CHOOSING A SET

• POINTS FOR BEGINNERS TONE QUALITY ESSENTIAL In purchasing a new radio set the things that are to be considered and their order of consideration will likely vary, depending upon the purchaser. The following remarks are intended to guide the purchaser who is nontechnical so he may depend entirely upon his own judgment while considering the information furnished with the different sets. Tone quality—and by tone quality is meant naturalness of reproduction—should head the list. Irrespective of the other good points in a receiver, unless a high quality of reproduction is furnished, the entertainment will not be satisfactory. It Is true that the ear cannot make close differentiations, but generally distortion or over emphasis will always cause more or less strain on the ear and will give a reaction unsatisfactory to the user. POWER OUTPUT Undistorted power output comes second on the list at the present time. This has not held so important a place in the past due to the limited use of the radio set and the limits of power valve development. Conditions are changing. In the past the radio set was located so that the listeners were

grouped in the room with the set. Today a set is often operated i,n other than the room in which the listeners are located. Better volume can be used and cause less interference with ordinary conversation where the set is some distance from the listeners. Sensitivity and selectivity.—With the new type of valve, that is, the screen-grid valve, sensitivity and selectivity have been imi roved, with the result that the sets for this year are showing better results than in the past. Power detection, which is new, *lias improved the quality furnished by the detector valve. The beatuy of cabinet design and workmanship.—Since the radio set is part of the home equipment, the beauty of design and good workmanship are essential factors. To one who knows woodwork and design, there is a great difference between two pieces of furniture, although on casual inspection they may seem very much alike. Since this cabinet must house the equipment, and since it is to be located in the home of today, where every effort is being made to beautify, careful consideration should be given to this factor. _ Simplicity and quietness of operation are factors often misunderstood. A sensitive receiver with all controls full on will furnish considerably more noise than an insensitive receiver. No receiver should be tested in comparison with other receivers for quietness of operation except at the same output volume from the speaker. A new feature of this year’s models, the automatic volume control, has simplified radio set operation. Blasting, due to overloading and fading, has been greatly reduced. The location of weak signals is made much easier. In the past a radio set would be adjusted to give reasonable volume on a powerful local station, and as the dial was turned a large percentage of good concerts would be missed unless the operator turned the volume control up or down. With greater undistorted power output and the automatic control, many more stations will be located as the dial is rotated than would have been in the past. WORKMANSHIP Workmanship and dependability of the manufacturer must be taken into consideration. They are a large factor in the length of satisfactory operation of the receiver. Here are the above requirements in a simple form for a guide: Tone Quality.—Comparison should he made between several recognised sets. Be sure the tone is natural. - Power output from the speaker or reproducer.—Be sure that the undistorted volume is sufficient for all occasions. Beauty of design and workmanship —Remember your radio will be one of the most conspicuous pieces in the home. Selectivity, sensitivity, simplicity, automatic volume control and quietness of operation.—These are essentials of a good receiver. Make careful comparison. The manufacturer.—Be sure the manufacturer is reputable and dependable. It is a good plan for those listeners who use trickle chargers to take the battery to a battery-charging station once a year to have the plates made fully active, the electrolyte tested for specific gravity, and the terminals cleaned of corrosion and vaselined up properly. The ordinary trickle charger may not quite get the charge up to full value, and this "real” charge will do the battery a world of good.