Radio Digest (July 1924-Apr 1925)

RADIO DICES T— Illustrated July 26, 1924 HOME-TOWN ARTIST GETS OPPORTUNITY DISTANCE LOSES ENCHANTMENT GRADUALLY Radiophans Learn Real Joys of Reception— Interest in Local Talent May Improve Quality NEW YORK. — Distance is beginning to lose its enchantment for the Radio enthusiast. The great American listening public has come to accept Radio as an indispensible service in the home rather than an experimental novelty which depends for its interest on long-distance •stunts." The question no longer is "How far can I reach?" but "What program shall I hear?" Many a Radiophan this summer has discovered for the first time that in his efforts to sweep distant fields he had been missing the real joys of Radio reception. The enthusiast now realizes that in many cases the best entertainment, the most interesting news features, were being Radiocast from a nearby station, within easy reach, while he, with his ears fixed for "distance," had been deaf to the true appeal that Radio made. Boot for Home-Town Talent Radiophans in many parts of the United States are becoming fervent "rooters" for their home-town talent, and many interesting factors are likely to develop from this movement. For one thing, the encouragement thus lent to local talent should result in a great improvement of program material. For another thing, the general practice of choosing a program upon merit rather than upon distance would solve some of the serious problems of interference now experienced in the air. As the attention of Radiophans was concentrated on the programs of local stations, there would arise a community interest in singers and musicians — native sons and daughters, as it were. local Artists Get Chance The development of this spirit would mean a great deal for the industry as a whole. In turn local artists would be given the opportunity to win public recognition for their talents, and this might lead to their success in broader fields, just as the reputations of established artists have been enhanced by their appearance before the enormous audiences offered by Radio. As an example of what community spirit can do for an artist the example of a Seattle composer of music may be given. This composer attracted so much favorable attention through his appearances at the local station that he was able to start on a tour of the larger stations with a good prospect of having his works published. Before he left, he was presented with a watch, a testimonial from the P.adio public subscribed to on its own initiative. New Sound-proof Studio to be Built by Station WHA MADISON, WIS. — A sound-proof Radiocasting studio, literally a "padded cell," to reduce reverberations, will be installed in Station WHA, this summer. Much new equipment, including new microphone and amplifier, will be added. To make the new studio sound-proof, so that there will be no reverberations of sounds, the walls and ceiling will be covered with Ealsam wool, a new deadening material. Heavy velour curtains at the windows, and a thick rug on the floor. Besides the new studio, WHA will install two new motor generators, one a tv.o-kilowatt machine, to supply the plate circuit of the tubes to increase radiation from the station, the other to heat the filaments of the transmitting tubes. As this generator will be direct current instead of alternating, it will reduce the "humming" noise. Einstein Ridicules Death Ray BERLIX. — Dr. Albert Einstein, according to a statement he released here recently, cannot see the relativity theory in the so-called "death ray." He says frankly that it is all a bluff. He maintains that there are only two electromagnetic waves which could come into the question, and that these two could react only through a metallic layer. German Radio Increases BERLIX. — Radio continues to grow flily in Germany where, before the latest government edict, all amateurs were obliged to make use of material furnished by the state and none other. Now amateurs may use any material they wish on payment of a yearly tax of twenty-four marks. Southwest Organizes DAEEAS, TEX. — Organization of the Southwest Radio Jobbers association here was completed at a meeting held recently 'dolphus hotel. A. I. Folsom is i : -treasurer. TELL ARTIST EDITOR OF YOUR FAVORITES DO YOU have a favorite Radiocast artist whose picture has not appeared in Radio Digest? If so tell the Artist Photo editor about it. Write him a little note mentioning the artist's name and station and he will attempt to give you what you want. The photographs, however, will be restricted to those artists for whom there are a number of requests. Space limitations demand the latter provision. Just write your note to the Artist Photo editor, care of Radio Digest, Chicago. WIAY, Born Twice, Has Final Funeral Washington Radiocast, Pioneer, Closes Down Permanently WASHINGTON, D. C— WIAY of Woodword and Lothrop, which has had two births since the advent of Radiocasting, has been closed permanently, as announced by C. O. Fischer, manager of the station. No reason was given for the "shut-down" of WIAY, whose voice has been familiar to Washington Radiophans several years. In August, 1922, when Radiocasting was passing through its pioneer period, WIAY was first born. It entertained the national capitol's initial crop of Radio enthusiasts afternoon and evening until June, 1923, when it "signed off" following the opening of Washington's two high power stations, WRC and WCAP. Unostentatiously, WIAY, after an absence of almost a year, was resurrected last March, and has been Radiocasting morning and afternoon programs since. During this period it did not interfere with the programs of WRC and WCAP. Kiddies Miss Uncle Bob CHICAGO. — Uncle Bob, KYW bedtime story-teller par excellent, was missing from the air recently and hundreds of kiddies wrote asking what the trouble was. He had been in New York, making records for the Victor company. Eastern children were given a treat when he went before the mike at Station WDAR and told one of his famous stories. His place was taken during his absence by Harry Davis, Uncle Bob's right hand man. The GREBE CLARIFIER THE first practical, workable solution of the problem of radiation from regenerative receivers. Unlike the "wave-trap" it increases signal intensity. $30 Increases Selectivity Increases Signal Intensity Improves Quality Prevents Radiation And— Is Easily Connected Ask your dealer or write for literature A. H. GREBE & CO. Richmond Hill, N. Y. Western Branch — 451 East 3rd St., Los Angeles, Cal. When you find a better Transformer it will bear the name THOMSON 2-1 Ratio $5.00 3V2-1 Ratio $4.00 6-1 Ratio $4.50 The mirror of the Broadcasting Studio SUPER TRANSFORMER— 2 to 1 Ratio (audio frequency) The Thordarson 2 to 1 ratio amplifying transformer is indeed the mirror of the broadcasting studio. It seemingly brings the artists direct to your home. Install a pair — it will take you but a few moments — and you will marvel at the richness of the musical qualities obtained. THORDARSON ELECTRIC MFG. CO. 500 W. HURON STREET CHICAGO, ILL.