Radio Digest (July 1924-Apr 1925)

14 RADIO DIGES 1— Illustrated July 19, 1924 Radio Digest Published by the Radio Digest Publishing Company, Inc. 510 North Dearborn Street Telephone: State 4372, 4373, 4374, 4375 Chicago, Illinois E. C. RATNEB, Publisher Evans E. Plummer Managing1 Editor Charles P. Smisor ■i""i—;""V"S«S2 Harry J. Marx Technical Editor Eastern Office, 611-12 Times Bldg., Times Sq., New York; Telephone Bryant 4909, 10462 Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations PUBLISHED WEEKLY SUBSCRIPTION BATES Yearly in U. S. and Possessions and Canada, $5.00 Foreign postage, $1.00 additional. Single copies, 10 cents. Vol. X Chicago, Saturday, July 19, 1924 No. 2 Service Demanded Live Manufacturers Provide Maintenance NEXT step in the development of Radio includes greater attention to service in connection with th§ making and operation of sets. Service is as important to Radio as service and service stations have been in the development of the automobile industry. and in time will have an important effect on the Radio industry. The extent of research and service work now done by leading manufacturers of Radio apparatus is not generally realized. Progressive Radio manufacturers who have established their business on a permanent basis, realize that to keep abreast of developments in Radio, and to make a product which will give service and satisfaction, they must maintain efficient engineering and research departments. Now, more than ever, the public is demanding service. It has a right to, and a great many manufacturers and dealers are enlarging and strengthening their facilities to provide it. Will Atoms Run Our Radios? Notable Scientist Tells of Enlarging Infinite Power ATOMS and the atomic structure have come to the attention of the Radio engineers so much of late that it is interesting to note what one distinguished English scientist, Dr. F. W. Aston, has to say on the subject of the power contained in these atoms. "It is practically a certainty, he remarked, that four neutral atoms of hydrogen gas weighs more than one neutral atom of helium gas, though they contain the same fundamental units. If we could transmute four atoms of hydrogen into one atom of helium, matter would be destroyed. This would release an almost inconceivable amount of power. A pint of water, could the hydrogen in it be converted into helium, would propel the Muretania across the Atlantic and back at full speed. A half a drop of water inside a vacuum tube would operate the tube, without batteries, for several human life times." Now, if some inventive genius would only step forward with some arrangement for converting hydrogen into helium he could command the wealth of the world. Will it be you ? Aid to Daily Papers Recent Political Conventions Proves Radio's Worth THE first Radiocast of a national political convention brought Radio into some newspaper offices where it had never before penetrated. It is said to have been of value to the managing editors in two ways : First, that it actually beat the press wire reports by about two minutes; and second, it enabled the managing editors and make-up men on duty at home offices, to anticipate stories and keep in touch with the actual spirit of the convention, probably better than reporters on the scene busy writing stories. The editor of a leading daily had a Radio receiving set on his desk and directed the make-up of his paper while he listened in to the convention, from the actual platform, as it were. He could feel the pulse of the sessions. He was able to get the "feel" of the convention. He secured a definite line on the spirit of the applause at each nomination speech, as well as outbursts following the casting of the votes by delegations, and judged for himself whether or not the cheering and applause were manufactured, inspired or spontaneous. This was a sidelight editors who remained at their desks never could secure before, and it was valuable, making possible better editing and follow-up stories. Radio brought in an additional story, one correspondents could not write. Some Radiophans feel that Radio has eliminated the need for extra papers, but on the other hand, the Radio announcements carry bare facts without interpretation. Radiocasts are gone in a moment, whereas the papers are longer lived and carry news and features, follow stories and views of authorities which do not come over the Radio. All of which the extra or the next issue of the paper all the i teresting and necessary to the Radiophan. An Adventure in Honolulu I live down here, a Yankee, As comfy as can be And if you read this "pome," You'll see what's troubling me. 'Twas midnight on the ocean; Not a street car was in sight. My set was working extra fine So I stayed up that night. I looked out o'er the water, As black as it could be; But all that I could think of Was my Radio set and me. I kissed my wife a nice good-night When she went up to bed, Then sat down by my Radio, With fones upon my head. I turned the dials here and there Trying to catch some sound, But learned to my great despair That nothing could be found. I gave the set an awful hit, I thought 'twas me for bed; But that was when I did my bit, For this is what was said: "This is Station XPQ, Honolulu, "The last selection broadcast "Was, 'Don't Let 'Em Fool You' "These shimmyers are sure fast!" Oh boy! Where's my log book. That's a new one all right! Numbers 10-16-80, taps 2-8. I'll sure know those on sight! Hello — what did he say then? Shimmy once! Shimmy twice! A selection by Alio McBen? Shimmy while they throw the dice! This is the sad part, about to come. Give me a swag o' that there rum. "How was that selection my friends? You have just heard Ahron Hershey demonstrate what it sounds like to hear Honolulu. WJZ, AJN announcing. This is WJZ signing off at 10:30, from Aeolian Hall, New York City." Wifey calls down, ."It's time for bed deary. What did you hear tonight?" Hubby calls up, "I'm com'in! Tell you tomorrow. Good-night." H. W. S. Mrs. Partington Speaks Out Dear Indi: Mizz Partington says maybe she ought to apologise to Wendell Hall for having accused him of being a false Prophet on account of his weather report, "It aint goin to rain no mo," for she knows now what he meant. It aint going to rain no more because it can't, its done rained all it could, only missing five days out of the last forty, i but she wants to beg him to use his influence right away to stop it and get us some Sunshine, or she may have to get him invesitgated by Gasston Bemeans and our Bullshevick senate committee to make him behave hisself or dry up. She thinks some of them delegates who are down to Cleveland, this week, had better be looking for a dry place, too, as this part of the country aint going to vote for nothing that even sounds wet. SIGNING OFF. You Can't Fool the Public. Oh, No! Dear Indi: Do you think if I started a fourth party with a platform promising to eradicate static, that I would have a chance of winning? Down south here where there's so much static we use the loud speaker for aging home brew. Showing off my set the other night when the atmos-"fearics" prevailed, the sweet young thing remarked, "About all you get is a rumor." W. B. P. The Prof. Is Okeh; Your Batteries Must Be Dead Dear Indi: Why can't I get KOP and the other stations on my receiver? Mine is extremely simple. I only use 13 tubes. It was perfected by Prof. Hoozzlegoozzle, of Shingle Circuit fame. The Prof, calls it his Super-Hindoormoonodyne. He confesses that it is better than his famous Shingle Circuit, and in his directions to me, said that about 70 volts would be about enough on the filaments. After putting 70 volts on the 13 tubes, I found they didn't even light. I think the Prof, is a humbug and should explain this through your column. SAFFRON. Roll Call: Micro Farads, Soozzee, Cactus Jack, Burt B. B., Blew A. Bottle, Ins U. Lation, Rheo Stat, Elsie, 2 Punk, Mama Haymes, Squibblabliblium, Pushometer, H. Ed Fones, Dit-Dah Dit-Dah, Eddy Currents, C. B. Attery, Jack — on the job! We're going to. have a beach party without portable Radio sets sometime soon for all our valueless contrib mfrs. The invite will be published. The Last Straw Condensed By DIELECTRIC These political conventions "on the air" should result in a public demand that they be made to conform to rules governing all other Radio entertainment. Under other circumstances, the Cleveland affair would have resembled that in New York, in that much good time is used in marching about the hall every time a man is put in nomination — a feature which listeners cannot see; another wasteful process being the seconding with long speeches by every delegate desirous of being heard. It's very useful to Radiocast these proceedings so millions who never attend may fittingly criticise and perhaps improve them. Station KFI in Los Angeles, is preparing to establish itself among the really big stations in the country. It has succeeded in reaching the Atlantic coast with its programs during the winter months, but with the new equipment, utilizing five kilowatts upon demand, there can be little doubt of better reception after the changes are made. The expense of improving the station and maintaining it will amount to considerable, although Earle C. Anthony believes his company will be remunerated for the outlay. It will be in a class with WEAF by November. Many of you remember the fate which seemed in store for KFIQ, Radiocast station in Yakima, Wash., before the Radiophans came to the rescue last winter, when it appeared inevitable the station must fade out. You also recall that the response of these same fans gave it new life and enabled it to continue — until now. Confidence in the plan of operation is not destroyed, I am sure, because it failed to work in this instance, for the immediate cause lies at the door of King Telephone. Under certain conditions the same thing could happen anywhere. For some time past I have been hearing about a new loud speaker to appear which would put all others out of sight ! It is here now and you may judge of its superiority by visiting the automobile tourists' camp grounds at Schenectady, N. Y. This invention of Dr. Hewlett, physicist of the research laboratory of the General Electric company, is known as an induction speaker and requires no horn. Aside from the fact that sound is emmitted from both sides, the most distinguishing feature claimed for it is the natural quality of tones reproduced. Loud speakers bear improving and it is to be hoped that this one does more nearly approach the ideal, but if not, then another will sooner or later. Fortunately for lovers of classical music who can tune in WJZ, concerts given by the New York Philharmonic orchestra will be on the air now thrice weekly until the close of the season toward the end of next month. These concerts come direct from the Lewisohn stadium in New York city. During the past seasons that the programs of this orchestra have been Radiocast, thousands have availed themselves of the privilege of listening to one of the foremost musicale organizations in the country. Many reserve the evenings devoted to this feature throughout the season, just as they would had tickets been secured for the stadium. I am wondering if there is anything under the sun which the famous Lloyds of London would be unwilling to insure. It is said that Harold Lloyd, .known to movie fans, had insurance with this big company to meet the untoward appearance of twins in his family. It worked in that case. Now Lloyds holds an insurance policy for $50,000, protecting Ernie Young's Revue against static or SOS calls silencing its Radiocasts from Dreamland park, Newark, N. J., sent through Radiocast WOR.