RADIO

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18587, 12 October 1928, Page 6

RADIO

BY

“AERIAL."

Reception Notes. Altered Horace” the Counterphase Six so as to permit of 135-150 volts being supplied to the second audio by inserting an extra terminal in the ebonite terminal strip and taking a lead thence to the second jack, and hooked up a Philips “B” eliminator last night in order to be able to answer a query propounded by a “Star” reader. The result will be found below in the reply to “Enquirer.” *.• The eliminator was used all evening, and it proved satisfactory in every way. Thetfe was not the slightest trace of A.C. hum—a most desirable feature Started off operations round about 8 p.m. with a search on the 220-260 metres band, just in time to hear KFON, Long Beach, but not at very great strength. A trifle -of static about. Also some Oswalds. St 55 25 2BL, Sydney, was in good form with their dinner music. Volume was excellent, little static, only one Oswald, and no £ a< k n f» during »a quarter of an hour with this station. About 8.30 tried A, Auckland, and found it going welLr-steady and clear. 2YA was not so good. Distortion was very severe—so much so that 3YA was reverted to and (as is becoming usual now) was left on for the greater portion of the evening.

It: was very pleasing to note that, in between items from 3YA, there was not a sound to indicate the presence of a wireless receiver in the room. The Philips eliminator thus showed that it was equal to the wet “B” batteries usually employed, neither hissing nor A.C. hum being audible.

a a si Made the rounds from 9.45 p.m. Results:—lYA: Great volume. Steady. An occasional crackle did not spoil reception. 2BL, Sydney: Good as gold with only a trifle of static. One canary chirrupped. No fading. JOAK: Weak. Static, louder. 9.55—3L0, Melbourne: Good volume in between light fading spells (during which a sustained high-pitched wail from a nearby Whining Willie predominated). Scarcely any static.

10.0—JOAK on 375 metres was better than on 345 metres, but that was all. Not much static. 4QG, Brisbane: Nice volume but not as good as 2BL or 3LO. More static, too, and fading was noted. 2YA: Much better than earlier in the evening, but there were still signs of fading. Stayed with 2YA, only to run into another spasm of distortion at 10.5. 2FC, Sydney at 10.8 was very disappointing at first, but it improved later. Lively concert. They were evidently having a great time at the Anzac Range, Liverpool. Reception was first-class after 10.15.

10.20—3 AR, Melbourne: Fair. Not much static. 7ZL, Hobart: Poor. Plenty of Morse. No static. Returned to 2YA to hear the latest news about the Southern Cross. Nothing doing until 11-30. During the interim 2YA kept things going with gramophone items. Much better transmission than during the concert session proper, as not only was there less fading but there was almost a complete absence of distortion.

2YA announced at 1150 to “our friends in Australia and the Pacific Islands” that the flight of the Southern Cross had been postponed.

Studio Notes. Items to be played by the IYA Orchestra this evening are headed by the overture “Der Freischutz,” by Weber. The vocalists for the evening will be Miss D. Youd, Miss to. Williamson, Mr L. Harvey and Mr Barry Coney. Elocutionary items will be given by Miss D. Carte Lloyd and Mr N. Ungemuth will contribute zither solos. A choice collection of operatic gems, both vocal and instrumental, will be heard from 2YA this evening, the vocalists being the Etude Quartet. Mr Doug. Stark, Wellington’s Harry Lauder, will present some more of his humorous work. Si Si “Our Miss Gibbs,” one of the most brilliant of the Caryll-Moncton musical comedies, will be presented t>v the Radiolians at 3YA this evening. This play is full of exceptionally bright songs and choruses. A miscellaneous programme will support "Our Miss Gibbs.” To this will be contributing Mr W. C. Mills (elocutionist), the Studio Trio, Mr Jock Gillespie (banjo medleys) and some gramophone records. 4YA has a concert and dance programme for this evening. * Si Si ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES. “Aerial” will be glad to answer any question pertaining to wireless, or give advice on the subject. Correspondents should give their names and addresses, not necessarily for publication. Si Si Si Loud Speakers. “Enquirer,” Cashmere, writes: “I have recently discarded dry batteries in favour of a Philips “B” Power Unit (eliminator) for use with my six-valve Bremer-Tully receiver (the original Counterphase). I have been getting excellent results with the following valves: Two Radiotrons, 201-A, in the first and second radio; a Philips ‘Miniwatt’ A 609 in third radio; Philips 615 as detector; two Philips 8605 in both audio stages, using 3, 41 and 9 volts ;C’ bias, with 135 volts ‘B’ dry batteries, and I could not wish for a better combination. But my set won’t stand the sixth tapping on the eliminator and my loud speaker rattles very badly. Can you tell me (1) the best tappings to use with the valves used (I don’t want to change them) and (2) what you think of the Magnavox dynamic loud speaker? Thanking you for past favours and appreciating your good work for radio.”

In reply: (1) On receipt of your letter yesterday I obtained a Philips eliminator from Messrs L. B. Scott to test it out on my 8.-T., which is similar to yours. Having two Philips 8605 valves available, placed them in the audio side and, using a 4000-ohm resistance horn speaker, found the best tappings to use are: Detector, plus 1; first audio (which includes the radio valves through the 500,000-ohm volume control), plus 4; second audio (power socket), plus 5. No wonder you heard

a rattle on using plus 6 as the voltage here is 210! (2) You will find some

notes on loud speakers in the radio column in to-morrow’s “Star.” I have not tested out the Magnavox dynamic speaker (there are two types—one the 230 v. type and the other operated from the ordinary 6-volt accumulator). Mr J. I. Smail is letting me have a 6-volt Magnavox for test during the weekend, and a report on its use Trill appear one day next week.—“ Aerial.”