The How and Why of Wireless

Wairarapa Age, 9 May 1924, Page 3

The How and Why of Wireless

(Continued.) In the recent development of wireless telephonic reception great strides have been made and all we have to do now is switch in the wireless set and hear songs, orchestral selections, etc., from the distant broadcasting station as clearly as though the singer or players were in the same room. The speech is far more distinct and vibrant than a record on the best of gramaphones and has all the characteristics of actual conversation. To those who has never listened in on a wireless receiving set the first experience is hard to describe, for though the natural voice is there, the speaker or singer may be many hundreds, even thousands of miles away at that precise moment. It is a living person speaking or singing and the impression is always that the personality is present whether he (or she) is a singer, statesman or preacher. You can sit in your own home by your own fire side in winter, or on the verandah or out under the trees in the summer, and hear the whole programme just as though you were one of the audience and paid for a front scat. If an item conies on that you don’t wish to hear (political speeches and lectures arc sometimes tedious) you simply switch off until that particular part is finished, then you switch on again and enjoy the selections you prefer. If you are anxiously waiting to hear the result of some big football or cricket match or the winner of a race, your wireless receiving set, in conjunction with the broadcasting service, provides the means whereby you can, no matter where you live, get trio results within ten seconds of the inf or-, mation reaching the broadcasting station.

In your home everyone can listen itt on the wireless broadcast entertainments if you have a good receiving set. The family gathers round the table on which the apparatus is placed, the selective switch is turned to get the best and most pleasing result. Then you have a couple of hours entertainment by the best artists tlitf city can offer, free of charge except the first cost of the receiving set, the Government license of 10/6 and the broadcasting service fee, which does not in any case exceed £3 per annum.

In the following summary of •' How and Why,” an expert in wireless telephony will explain in the clearest and most easily understandaolc terms anti illustrations the principles of wireless reception, and the working. of a receiving set, which is as simpio to operate as a table gramaphone. Already you know how wireless telephony and broadcasting affects you as a member of the community. You have read of the manifold advantages of “wireless”; now you will

if sufficiently interested to continue, learn of the simplicity with which a wireless reception set is installed and operated. But first of all let us describe this all wonderful “receiving set.” You may have seen an illustration of one in newspaper or catalogue, or the actual article in a snop. Here we illustrate two different types for your information. The first is what is known as a crystal set, because is uses crystal as tho detector element. A crystal set is useful for experimental work and short distance reception without amplification.

The second illustration is or a “valve” set, so called because u specially invented and scientifically constructed valve, or several of them, form the detector element. This is the most modern development of wireless, and valve sets are to crystal sets as much of an improvement as the motor car is to horse traction, Valve sets are almost universally adopted for commercial work throughout the world, being far more sensitive and reliable than the “crystal” type. Musical items, speeches, ana in ract every kind of wireless transmission is best received and controlled on valve type receiving sets.

Both gets, to look at, are simply boxes containing a few pieces of electrical apparatus not unlike tnat in the ordinary telephone, yet In that collection of electrical apparatus and its application lies the secret of satisfactory wireless reception. To each set you will note is attached a pair of telephone receivers for individual reception, though any number of head receiving sets can be attached to the valve type. These wireless head sets are very similar ill construction to those on telephones but fai' more sensitive, since they have to receive much weaker electrical impulses. Wireless receivers as a rule arc paired to nt over the head and cover tae ears w exclude all outside sounds. All you have to do when you wish to hear the wireless broadcasting station, is to adjust your wireless telephone neaa gear, switch on the “turner” and turn an ebonite knob till you get the desired strength of music or speech. The headgear ig attached to the wireless receiving apparatus by two cords, which are screwed into terminals marked for their attachment.