S.T.C. RADIO

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 152, 30 June 1932, Page 10

S.T.C. RADIO

WONDERFUL TONE QUALITY. Through the courtesy of the D.T.C. Ltd., the writer was given the opportunity, during tho week-end, of testing out one of the new S.T.C. (Standard Telephones and Cables, Ltd.) radio receivers, of which they are the local agents. The set under test was a five-valve A.C. receiver/ for operation on the broadcast band (frequency 1500 to 550 kilocycles) and is of the console cabinet type. The instrument is housed in a console cabinet of black walnut, and the panel of matched butt walnut adds beauty and fineness to the finish. The receiver is operated by a one-dial ganged condenser control, and a distinct station-finder adds to ease of tuning. A special feature is the silent tuning button which enables one to change from one station to another without any blast from in between stations, or electrical noises and static. The circuit is of tho radio frequency typo and employs three stages of screen-grid, penthode and rectifier. This S.T.C. receiver has many points of superiority—tone, range, selectivity, ease of operation, silent-*uning, and most of all, economy of operation. In the set under tost, the writer was greatly impressed by the tone of tho Kola electro-dynamic speaker, with which it is fitted. This, in mv opinion, is the outstanding feature. This should occasion no surprise, however, for the manufacturers (the Standard Telephones and Cables. Ltd.), have been coneentrating on voice reproduction for years past. 'l’ho speaker, for tone and steadiness under full load left nothing to bo de.sired. This, in combination with tho tone control (which enables the listener, by th*' turn of r knob, to have whatever tone he desires—bass, mellow or tenor), places nt the disposal of users a radio receiver whoso operation can give nothing but. lasting satisfaction, even to the severest musical critic. Owing to the very disturbed conditions in evidence during the week-end the writer did not attempt to compile anything like a real log hut, starting at the higher frequencies, a. run round the dial at 7.30 o’clock on Monday evening disclosed forty nine stations in operation— from faint to loud —(at almost every point of the dial). As regards selectivity, this British made sei is no whit behind ihose of American manufai ture. It is possible to tune in, without interference from ■I YA, Dunedin, KFI, California; and also 2ZW, Wellington without interference from IZR, Auckland. To sum up: The S.T.C. radio possesses tone quality, selectivity and sensitivity to a degree unapproached in previous receivers; it is a musical instrument, which reproduces musical tones with all their original brilliancy, and at such an inviting price the writer can recommend it in full confidence to | any prospective listener-in. |

Make Sure First! Some people interested in radio may have already seen in these notes that the powers-that-be have recently pro duced a further budget of regulations connected with matters radio. In this case attention has been turned to the components incorporated in sets that derive their power from the mains. The new additions to the rules are more a matter for the trade than the listener. Nevertheless it might be wise to make inquiries if the set being purchased breaks any of the new regulations. The maximum temperature for mains transformers incorporated in a radio set has been set admittedly high at 176 degrees, but some of the cheaper spts must come perilously near this maximum. Another point in thestt new’ regulations that is somewhat vague is the rule that "reactances” must not be used to reduce supply pressures. As every mains transformer in every a.c. mains set in the world is no more than a special form of reactance this new regulation, if taken seriously, would appear virtually to make the sale of mains sets illegal in New Zealand. Penthode Valves. Most manufacturers of penthode valves recommend that, a filter, consisting generally of a resistance and con denser in scries, should be used with the anode circuit. This is in effect a tone control, and it has the advantage first of all that it counteracts the tendency to over-emphasis of the higher audio-frequencies and in the second place that it comes in useful in case the loudspeaker should be disconnected. Generally with a penthode, unless some filter or corresponding counterbalance ing circuit is used, the quality with most ordinary loudspeakers is »apt to be poor. In view of this, and also in view of the rather peculiar character of the penthode valve, the instruction sheet supplied with the valve shoubl be very carefullv studied.