International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1936)

10 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST February 1936 voltage were to be read while E was in the low-voltage position. There remains the grid voltage to be read. If the tube had more prongs, and we had a regular analyzer, F would be turned to the position connected to the element of which the voltage is to be taken, and E would be turned to the proper range. In connection with current readings, B is moved to the left. It is seen that this disconnects the negative filament wire. No means is provided in this analyzer for reading current in this wire, but this is the same as the current in the positive wire (practically). Starting with No. 3 wire, follow this down to switch D. At D this wire branches off and goes left to a part of switch H, which selects the circuit that will be connected to the meter in order to read the current. Moving H down to make contact with the lower point, we then follow the wire from the blade of the switch up to two resistances. For the moment we will not go through the resistance, but will follow the wire up to B, which we now move to the left, and so on up to the meter through C. The dotted lines in C, B and H represent an insulated bar, moving both blades of the switch at the same time. Following the wire from the other terminal of the meter, we again go through C, then B, and down to G, which connects to the other end of the resistances that we left on our way up to the meter. You can see that one of these resistances is connected across the meter, which is why it is called a shunt. It shunts some of the current around the meter. G must be moved to the correct shunt to read filament current (which in this case is 300 mils) so the meter scale might read 500 mils, or Y2 amp. From the blade of G we trace down to the lower part of H, which is already in the right position, since we had moved it there in following the circuit up to the meter. From the lower contact of H the circuit goes to the wire connecting the lower part of D and down to the filament of the tube. This has placed the meter in the filament circuit, placed the proper shunt around the meter, and all we have to do now is to push down the button on D and read the filament current. You will notice that when D is closed it short-circuits the part of the wiring going to the left and up to the shunts and the meter. Reading Plate Current You should now be able to follow the circuits used in reading the plate current. No. 2 is the plate wire. We first see that B is to the left. Then G is turned to the correct position. H is now moved to make contact with the upper points of the switch. Pressing on the button of switch I now allows us to read the plate current. Should this be in the wrong direction, throw C the other way and then read the current. This circuit was drawn to explain an analyzer, and is not a practical working device, there being certain elements in it that would not be so good if built up exactly as shown. The foregoing gives a fair idea of the whys and wherefors of the analyzer. Next month we will discuss how to interpret the results of the readings obtained, and possibly some of the other uses to which these interesting instruments are put. To those readers who are familiar with this sort of equipment it may seem that some important points have been overlooked, but these points will be developed in future installments. (To be Continued) Inept Handling of Double Reel Inspires Charge That Unions Killed Proposal NOTHING is ever settled until it is settled right is an old adage that is applicable with special emphasis to the present muddled double-reel situation. I. P. has never voiced its opinion of the fumbling and fussing and futile tugging around that has marked the progress (?) of this matter to date, because tc have done so might have occasioned a measure of ill feeling which would have done neither the craft nor the reel's sponsors any good. True, I. P. did seize upon the doublereel fracas to hand out some rather severe lectures to the craft on the score of its complete disorganization and sham pretense of being a coordinated national unit on technical matters — -but these slams the craft absorbed partly because I. P. handed them out (the privileges of an old and faithful dog) and partly because the criticism was merited. From the very start I. P. made every effort to reconcile the differences existing between the producer-exhibitor interests and the craft on this project — despite the necessity for running counter to the known wishes of not a few of the larger and more powerful projectionist units in the Alliance. I. P. played out the game and absorbed whatever jolts were handed it by these aforementioned units, its one concern being to avert that situation wherein the double-reel sponsors could point a finger at the Unions and charge that the latter had killed the new standard. Harsh words these, but entirely justifiable now that the game has been played out — that is, as far as I. P. is concerned. The proposed reel standard, having been the victim of numerous postponements (the latest advance being from April 1 to August 1, this year) is now described as a dead horse that was "killed by the Unions" — precisely the charge I. P. anticipated and made every effort to squelch. The craft having absorbed in a vertical position such criticism as was handed out on this topic, let's review brieflly the facts relative to the development of this enterprise and find out whether the other side can also take it. Last September in the New York offices of the M.P.P.D.A. (Hays group) there was held a meeting of the alleged best minds of the distribution exchanges) and projection groups. The producers' interests were looked after by Mr. Gordon S. Mitchell, representing the Academy of M. P. Arts & Sciences, sponsor of the proposed change, and Arthur Dickinson of the Hays office. This writer attended the session. The conference generated no little gab about specifications — reels, shipping cases, exchange vaults, express charges, etc.— and it early became evident that the representatives of at least three of the major distributors had no particular fancy for the longer reel standard, if in fact they were not actually opposed to it. Universal still is openly opposed to the longer reel. Official Opinion Ignored Anticipating that the opposition of the distributors themselves might ultimately defeat the project, and sensing that nobody was willing to introduce the one topic that everybody present was thinking about, this writer expressed the opinion that before proceeding with technical and financial questions it might be well if the sponsors of the reel sought to ascertain the feeling of the organized projectionist craft toward the longer reel. This opinion included the flat statement that there were several large projectionist units known to be opposed to double reels, and that since the success or failure of the proposed standard in the last analysis rested largely with the projectionist craft, an effort should be made in advance of any actual work on the project to obtain an official expression of opinion from the Alliance. Everybody seemed to think that this was a very fine idea; and projectionist participation in the meeting terminated shortly thereafter. To this, I. P. knows of no effort