Radio Broadcast (May 1929-Apr 1930)

RADIO BROADCAST NEWS SECTION Grigsby Forms British Subsidiary The Grigsby-Grunow Company, makers of Majestic all-electric radio sets, is forming an English subsidiary, according to William C. Grunow, vice-president of the company. B. J. Grigsby, president of the concern, is in England relative to the formation of the Grigsby-Grunow, Ltd., he said. "Plant sites are being selected and within the next few months the English company will be in quantity production," he declared. England and the Continent, in the opinion of Mr. Grunow, are six years behind America in the utilization of radio sets. Bosch Users Report For some time, American Bosch has put customer questionnaires in their sets. They asked for helpful criticism. Bosch owners have used them and sometimes write long letters going into detail. An analysis of the returned questionnaires indicates how Bosch customers classify the desirable features of the set. The analysis: Tone 18.7% Volume 17.3 Appearance 16.8 Distance 14.2 Operating Simplicity 16.4 News of Patent Suits No. 1,173,079, E. F. Alexanderson, Selective tuning system; 1,195,632, W. C. White, Circuit connections of electrondischarge apparatus; 1,231,764, F. Lowenstein, Telephone relay; 1,251,377, A. W. Hull, Method of obtaining constant direct-current potentials; 1,426,754, R. S. Mathes, Circuits for electrondischarge devices, appeal filed January 4, 1929, C. C. A., 3d Cir. Doc. 4027, Shamrock Mfg. Co. v. Radio Corporation of America. No. 1,266,988, Pridham & Jensen, Amplifying receiver; 1,448,279, 1,579,392, same, Electrodynamic receiver, filed April 30, 1929, D. C. E. D., Pa., Doc. 5029, The Magnavox Co., v. AtwaterKent Mfg. Co. Recently Issued Patents No. 1,724,191, Combined Radio Receiver and Phonograph Reproducer and Recorder. Alfred N. Goldsmith, New York, N. Y., assignor to Radio Corporation of America. Filed June 12, 1925. No. 1,724,399, High-Frequency Transformer. Harold F. Elliott, Palo Alto, Calif., assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, to Victor Talking Machine Company, Camden, N. J., Filed September 17, 1927. No. 1,724,819, Method and Means for Reducing Retroactive Currents in Audion Amplifiers. Stuart Ballantine, White Haven, Pa., assignor to Radio Frequency Laboratories, Inc., Boonton, N. J., Filed June 2, 1925. New Location for Steelman Steelman, Inc., exclusive Fada wholesalers in New York City have moved from 24 Murray Street to 235 Fourth Avenue. President's Message By Michael Ert President, Federated RadioTrade Ass'n. The officers of the Federated Radio Trade Association wish to take this opportunity to extend to every radio tradesman, a welcome to participate in the activities of our Association and its affiliated groups. In order that the general conditions within the industry may be improved, the Federated Radio Trade Association has built itself as a national organization of associations engaged in the development of the radio industry. It has as its prime purpose, the encouragement of friendliness and cooperation between all branches of the industry in the great battle for the consumers' dollars. It constantly watches Federal, State, and local legislation so that any legislative acts will not be detrimental or hamper the progress of the industry, but rather that all acts will be for its betterment and advance. In a series of articles throughout the coming year we will outline the various activities that might be engaged in by radio trade associations to a profitable advantage. Many unbusiness-like practices in the trade can be eliminated through joint cooperation and we appeal to you to cooperate with our organization in attempting to bring about greater stabilization in the industry and better conditions for all concerned. News of the F.R.T.A. It is vitally necessary in an industry as new as radio that all members of the trade cooperate in eliminating evils which arise. It is the belief of the officers of the Federated Radio Trade Association that the best and quickest way to stabilize the industry and eliminate the practices which are eating at the core of the industry is to form local associations in every city and municipality, teaching in this way cooperation by the manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and the consumer. The Federated Radio Trade Association issued a book, How to Organi?e a Local Radio Trade Association. This book emphasizes the requirements for a local radio body and lists the more common organization errors. Among the subjects covered are initial meetings, constitution and bylaws, officers and board of directors, dues, meetings, committees, incorporation, and legal counsel. Model constitution and bylaws are provided, suitable for adaption to local conditions. Logical policies for local associations on legislative matters are outlined and a model interference ordinance is provided. A number of associations maintain an interference department and employ a capable man for the tracing down and elimination of the community's interfer ence problems. Forms and reports for this work have been developed. These show the causes of interference and outline the ways to remedy them. One of the industry's most difficult problems — that of satisfactory servicing — has already been solved in such cities as Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Minneapolis and San Francisco by a means of a system of examining, grading and registering servicemen. This activity, logically carried on by their local headquarters, provides one of the biggest opportunities for service because it is now generally recognized that the efforts of the sales department and the service department are just about inseparable. A good serviceman is also a salesman; in addition to his technical qualification he should have some measure of sales ability including good appearance and address. It is recommended that every registered serviceman carry an identification card and that grades be set up so that they are in conformity with the classification of other local associations which will enable servicemen making changes in the locality to carry on to their own best interests and the best interests of the industry. Some local associations stimulate interest and increase public good will by joint newspaper advertising, joint broadcasting, and sometimes by the provision of suitable programs upon special occasions. Because cost accounting is one of the principal factors in merchandising, several local associations have uniform cost accounting systems so that members may compare cost of doing business with a view to increased profit. Some groups employ an accountant to make a monthly checkup of members' books which is an invaluable service to all the dealers privileged to enjoy it. One local association has succeeded in instituting among local finance companies a system of insurance to cover radio sets on which there is an unpaid balance and also on radio sets sent out on demonstration but not yet sold. The insurance on demonstration equipment is contingent on the dealer giving all his business to one finance company and covers the full amount of the set's value. Insurance on unpaid balances covers not only fire but theft, tornado and conversion for and by any cause. The power obtained through local organization can influence the proper wiring of apartment buildings for radio, the quality of programs broadcast locally. A partial list of the achievements of the Federated Radio Trade Association includes publication of the F.R.T.A. News. exploitation of National Radio Week each fall; efforts to obtain reduction of insurance rates on radio stocks in store and warehouse; a study of the possibilities of a national credit and collection service. Other outstanding contributions of the Association to the industry include the conduct of an annual forum for the secretaries of local radio trade associations; ironing out radio show dates in fall so that the various shows will not conflict to the disadvantage of manufacturers planning exhibits; the conduct of an annual meeting of radio show managers; provision of membership trade-mark cuts and certificates to all members. 340 • • OCTOBER 1929 •