Radio broadcast .. (1922-30)

362 Radio Broadcast enough so that those desiring to listen to the poorer programme could do so without interference from the more powerful station. This new plan would result in some dissatisfaction at the smaller station, but it would be much less than under the present plan. Was there ever such an absurd situation? Plenty of wavelengths available — a governmental radio service intelligent and capable enough to put any plan of this kind into effect — and yet nothing done. Let us see what the National Radio Chamber of Commerce can do in the matter. They surely have our well wishes in anything they undertake along the line of starting the governmental machinery into motion. Simpler Instructions, and Service, for Ready-Made Sets THE following letter, making a plea for simpler instructions and a service of some kind for bought apparatus, came to the Editor's desk a few days ago: EDITOR "RADIO BROADCAST," Garden City, N. Y. DEAR SIR: Can't you use your influence to induce the makers of radio instruments to give service which will make their instruments more useful and valuable? I have now purchased at one time or another four different instruments, and with none of them was I able to get competent instructions, or even printed matter which was intelligible to a person unfamiliar with radio technicalities. It may be all right to assume that because a man buys a radio instrument he is one of these super boy amateurs, or a college professor; but, as a matter of fact, a very large number of people who would buy instruments need to have careful instructions, and there should be people who can teach them how to run the machines to get the most out of them. I should think one of the most dangerous points that the industry has to face is the selling of instruments which do not give satisfaction for one reason or another. All of which is respectfully submitted. Very truly yours, A RADIO FAN. It cannot be doubted that the opinion of thousands of set-owners, who do not know where to turn for help in operating the receiving sets which they have purchased, is voiced by the writer of this letter. As one of our readers expressed it recently: "We get thirteen pages of directions with a liver pill and practically nothing with most radio receivers." Nothing, that is, that the newcomer in radio can understand and use in operating his set to the best advantage. What is very evidently needed is simple instructions in "plain American." The radio set owners of to-day include more newcomers in the broadcasting game than old-timers, and they cannot be expected to rush in, successfully, where all but old-timers fear to tread. Rather complicated receiving sets are frequently accompanied by nothing but wrapping paper and excelsior. In some cases, where manufacturers do supply instructions, they miss the mark entirely, because the old-timer will "arrive" by experiment, anyway — in fact, he derives his greatest pleasure from trying various methods of bringing in better and stronger signals — and the novice will put aside the circular after five minutes, when he finds that it is (from his point of view — which is the only point of view that counts /) quite incomprehensible. What happens when a novice buys a set, gets it home, and starts to put it in operation? First of all, most of the electrical names so commonly tossed about by the fraternity — or even by the fourteen-year-old boy experimenter — mean nothing to him. And why should they? He is not necessarily " good at electrical things"; he is probably interested in learning, in time, some of the theory of radio transmission and reception, but to begin with, he wants results — signals — music. And he doesn't want to have to appeal (as frequently seems necessary to him) to an electrical engineer or a college professor to get them. There is a crying need also for adequate instructions for getting the best results — not merely results. As it is, many a fine receiving set lies idle, or limps along on two cylinders. Granted all this, how are instruction sheets or pamphlets to be prepared that are of real value to the "consumer"? One way is for the manufacturer to put himself in the place of the non-technical buyer, and supply in black and white the information that he would be likely to need. Another way is for the manufacturer to get hold of some acquaintance — an out-and-out neophyte, whose knowledge of radio is nil — make him thoroughly familiar with the care and operation of a given set, and then have him write the directions for others. The first method of attacking the problem is likely to be difficult for the man who exists in an atmosphere of technical terms. To him.