POPULAR ALL-ELECTRICS

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

POPULAR ALL-ELECTRICS

INCREASE IN VALVE PRODUCTION FORTUNES SPENT ON RESEARCH The valve shortage of a year ago was responsible for making the valve division of the radio industry an alert, upstanding giant. Last year one-fifth of all radio expenditures went into valves. This year it is not a far estimate to believe that a quarter of all radio sales will go into valves. “The leap forward of the valve industry does not mean that the public is being charged more for the valves it uses,” said the president of a large valve company recently. “It is largely a reflection of the development of the all-electric set; the development of new an easier uses and the general expansion of radio use. Valves give more service than ever before, but radio sets are being put to greater and more continued use than ever before. It is not unusual for household radio sets to be in use all day and all evening. Electric sets, having made unnecessary battery replacement and battery charging, have made it possible for constant use. Improved broadcasting programmes have made continued use desirable. From the morning exercises to the evening’s slumber hour music there is a steady plenitude of broadcast attraction, and this, naturally enough, has its reflection in increased valve use.

“There is a tremendous competition existing between valve manufacturers, a competition not only for expanding markets, but for improvements. Every valve company of any importance whatsoever is spending a fortune on its research department. There exists that constant double purpose in ail valve research, to make the valves better and to make them lower priced. Shortage is Possible

“Never before was there a radio season where valves gave so much for their cost,” said the speaker. “I think it is accurate to say that there will be a shortage and also an overproduction. There will be, as there was last year, a shortage of good valves. There will also be an overproduction, because of the fact that so many new manufacturers have entered the valve field. But this overproduction will be based mainly on normally unsaleable merchandise, due to inexperience in manufacture.

“The present powerful position of the valve industry means, I believe, a great deal to the progress of radio industry. I believe that the most imaginative radio engineers are a part of the valve division; that they are doing most to make reception better, easier, more powerful; that their researches and results are making possible much better sets.”

A STRANGE ERROR How many high-tension batteries have you bought and used since you first started wireless? asks a writer in the Wireless Magazine. Quite a considerable number, I daresay. Have you ever had one in which—but let me tell you the story as it actually occurred. , Fading Signals A wireless neighbour of mine is the proud possessor of a five-valve portable set. As his signal strength had been falling off gradually for a few weeks, he decided to purchase a new high-tension battery. When he took the new battery home with him one Saturday afternoon, he did so in full expectancy of excellent signal strength over the week-end. Nothing at All! However, on placing the new battery in circuit in the receiver, he got absolutely nothing at all from the receiver. Putting back the old battery showed him that there was nothing wrong with the set. Very puzzled, he took the: new battery back to the shop from which he had purchased it. A test with the voltmeter gave undeniable evidence that the battery was all right, and that, as with the majority of new batteries, it gave more than its listed voltage. More Puzzled Than Ever More puzzled than ever, my wireless neighbour returned home with the battery. After a good deal of pondering, he hit upon the solution to his puzzle. What do you think it was? The cardboard container which held the battery had been put on the wrong way round so that the positive end of the battery was marked negative, and the negative end positive. When the change round was made, the battery gave what was expected of it. Have you ever had or heard of a high-tension battery in which the same error had been made by the makers? Flytox will kill all household insect pests—but will not injure the finest fabric. g