Radio Digest (July 1924-Apr 1925)

August 16, 1924 RADIO DIGES T— Illustrated 30 Minute A-B-G Lessons for Radio Beginners Chapter XX — How Far Can I Hear? By P. E. Edelman IN THIS secies of articles the story Of Radio is told in so simple a manner that the uninitiated can follow theory and practice whether or not he knows anything1 about electricity or its application to Radiocasting' and reception. The series consists of twenty-five chapters, of which the five next will he: Chapter XXI — Choosing" a Radio outfit. Chapter XXII — Making" Your Own Radio. Chapter XXIII — Fixing Up the Radio Set. Chapter XXIV — The Radiocast listener's Brief History. Chapter XXV — Home Radio* AVERT popular question is "How far can I hear?" Much over-estimating is done on the subject. It depends on the receiving equipment used, the location, and transmitting conditions. One thing noticed is that the range is greater at night time than during the day Stations which are not heard during the day will be clearly picked up in the evening. The rays from the sun are thought to have an ionizing effect on the upper atmosphere so that there is more absorption of the radiating waves during the daytime. There is a seasonal variation in reception. The winter months afford much better reception conditions than do the summer days. Part of this is due to the fact that less static comes to bother winter reception. Radio can be enjoyed all the year around, and that is why conservative claims should be made for average range at all times rather than occasional records, even though such records can be repeated for many days when factors are favorable. Reliable Range Reliable range means how far an ordinary Radiocast program can be heard distinctly with tolerable minimum of interference, at any time. The extravagant claims for distance made for some sets are boiled down to a skeleton under such test. A steel building or a room containing A The "Goode" Two o-One Postpaid QUARTER AMPERE AMPLIFIER — DETECTOR RADIO TUBE GUARANTEED SATISFACTORY All "GOODE" Tubes Sold Direct to the Consumer — No Dealer Profits ONE — "Ooode" *« oq DetectorAmplifier $Z.«357 THREE — "Goode" a AO Detector-Amplifiers O.l* (All postage prepaid) The "Goode" Two-o-One A Tube amplifies or detects. It isa quarter ampere, six volts, standard base silvered tube. Rend express or postal money order or New York draft to — The Goode Tube Corporation EVANSVILLE Incorporated INDIANA metal lath will greatly cut down the distance range of the usual indoor aerial or loop receiver. Sometimes, moving a loop to an outside room or placing it near a window will make it possible to hear stations which the same equipment fails to pick up in another room in the same building. Expensive machines have been found unsatisfactory in certain large apartment buildings where the walls form a shielding cage. Sometimes a local elevator motor will cause much disturbance to clear reception. A different condition exists near some mineral lands, and reception range is much cut down by such local conditions. The same is true for certain mountainous districts and in other instances nearby heavy foliage of trees is thought to absorb much of the incoming energy. Distance Means Little in Radio After all, distance means little in Radio. A few hundred or even thousand miles are traversed by a Radio impulse in such a tiny fraction of one second that the difference of a few hundred miles makes little change in the traveling time. Ranges of 3,000 to 7,000 miles are sometimes attained. There is a certain appeal in the novelty of hearing a distant station. The average listener wants to do this at times, to demonstrate the "powerful ability" of a set to friends, or occasionally to hear a particular Radiocast program. Many old time listeners get the point of view that it is a game to see who can hear the most stations or the greatest distance, but this is usually the viewpoint of the new listener. Others regard distance reception as no more noteworthy than hearing a phonograph re-creation of a voice from a singer, made years ago, with the singer, perhaps, departed. As regards distance reception, an experienced listener can say, "That is nothing much. It has been done before, you know, and over greater distance." Logging There is a certain interest in logging stations which does much to increase a broadening attitude of mind and acquaintance with geographical centers, local customs, and even variations in lang-uage used by different sections of the Complete Satisfa Crosley Trirdyn 3R3 $ 65 This three tube receiver is built to give the efficiency of a five tube set. It represents the triumph of excellence in the radio field. The first tube furnishes non-reradiating, non-oscillating radio frequency amplification. The second tube is a regenerative detector and further is so coupled up as to reflex back on the first tube for one stage of audio frequency amplification. The third tube furnishes a second stage of Audio frequency amplification. Thus the three great powers in radio, represented by the three "R's," Radio Frequency, Regenerative, and Reflex, give both the name and the wonderfully efficient performance to the Crosley Trirdyn 3R3. Better -Cost Less Radio Products In the complete Crosley line are receiving sets to satisfy every pocketbook and preference covering a purchase range from $14.00 to $120.00 All Crosley regenerative sets are licensed under the Armstrong U. S. Patent No. 1.113.149. Every Crosley receiver is a leader in its line. You are assured of satisfaction when you purchase a Crosley. See the complete Crosley line. For Sale by Good Dealers Everywhere The Crosley Radio Corporation POWEL CROSLEY, JR., President 8493 Alfred Street Cincinnati, Ohio The Crosley Radio Corporation owns and operates broadcasting station WXW III HI I HI 1 1 1 IHIl 1 1 III Illlllllllllllllllllllllll MIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIII country. Logging means writing down the call letter of the station heard, the time, and the adjustment of the receiving set used. A convenient chart can be prepared or purchased, such as indicated by Figure 204. Many listeners find it interesting to compare the previous evening's log with a neighbors. A log also permits a chart to be made for setting the dials of a receiving outfit to bring in a certain station, provided that it is operating at the time. After much listening a certain station can be recognized by its announcer's voice or other typical distinguishing feature, without waiting for the call letters. Radio fishing comprises more or less haphazard twisting of the tuning control dials in the hopes of getting a station not previously heard. Ever so often as conditions favor this a new station can be heard for the first time and some listeners derive much pleasure from such a catch. RECEIVING SET LOG Station Dial No. Heard Time 1 2 Program KDKA 8:20 p.m. 20 21 Music, clear WGR 8:30 p.m. 21 21% Tails:, O. K. «v-OS 8:40 p.m. 33 34 Band, clear KSD 9:00 p.m. 64 66 Singer, O.K. Figure 204 Radiocast programs are taking some of the distance novelty from the long range receiving set owners and placing it with the sample crystal outfit owners. It depends on the viewpoint whether yovi regard the program or the means by which it is spread as the main thing. One thing about this "distance interest" is that many thousands of listeners stay at home and reach out for stations even into the wee small hours of the morning, to such extent that some lighting companies trace an increased consumption of lighting current thereto. Favorable Operating Circumstances For local Radiocasts up to fifteen miles, using earphones, a crystal set operated from an aerial will suffice. A one tube HAVE YOU SEEN? THE CARTER "TU-WAY" PLUG $1 It's leak proof. The insulated ring is undercut, no metal part ever comes in contact with it. Takes one to four headsets. Original Carter feature. Insist on the original. Any dealer can show you In Canada.— Carter Radio Co., Limited, Toronto. EVERErVDt Radio Batteries -they last longer Conspicuous for vitality and endurance — the right batteries by test and proof for every radio use. NATIONAL CARBON CO., Inc. Headquarters for Radio Battery Information New York San Francisco Canadian National Carbon Co., Limited Factory and Offices: Toronto, Ontario set can operate with indoor aerial within this range, for earphone reception. One stage of audio amplication may be added and two stages will permit good volume on loud speaker. Radio amplification is not necessary unless one wishes to use a small-sized loop within this range. One stage of Radio amplification is sufficient to operate a loop within this range. For reception within one to two hundred miles, using earphones, a one-tube set works best with outside aerial. Two stages of audio amplification will bring this within good loud speaking range. For indoor aerial or loop operation, one, and preferably, two stages of Radio amplification will be needed. For average coast to coast range, using aerial, one stage of tuned Radio ahead of one tube set will suffice for earphone reception, though two stages will be better. Two stages of transformer coupled Radio amplification will be required. Audio amplification can be added as usual for loud speaker volume. For average coast to coast range, using indoor aerial or loop, two or three good stages of Radio amplification are desirable to obtain loud speaker reproduction. Reflex combinations employing four tubes, Radio sets using six tubes, and outfits using eight or possibly ten tubes are also in this class. Foreign broadcast stations come in range of such outfits. The difference between indoor aerial or loop and outside aerial will commonly be equivalent to one stage of Radio amplification, so it is advisable to use aerial where such an aerial does not get too much other interference. (Continued on page 16) Every Question ANSWERED for only $1 At last you have under one covet a Complete Radio Handbook JUST OUT 514 PAGES Compiled by HARRY F. DART, E.E. Formerly with the Western Electric Co., and U. S. Army Instructor of Radio. Technically edited by F. H. 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