Radio mirror (Jan-Oct 1923)

RADIO DIGEST April 28, 1923 Radio Digest Illustrated REG. U. S. PAT. OFF. Published by the Radio Digest Publishing Company, Inc. 123 West Madison Street Telephone State 4844-4845 Chicago, Illinois E. C RAYNER, Publisher Chas. F. Smisor, Editor Evans E. Plummer, Managing Editor Harry J. Marx. Technical Editor Eastern Representative, Jacob Miller, 2126 Broadway, New York Telephone Endicott 2390 Pacific Coast Representatives E. J. Wood, 251 Kearney St., San Francisco Telephone Kearney 1472 H. M. Morris, 417 Western Mutual Life Building, Los Angeles Telephone 12011 <S3?» 58 PUBLISHED WEEKLY SUBSCRIPTION RATES Single Copies, 10 Cents Vol, V Chicago, Saturday, April 28, 1923 No. 3 Bad Impressions Distorted Sounds from Large Horns Not Effective PEOPLE still exist who will not allow a phonograph in their homes. The first impression given by the big horns attached to the machines in their earlier designs made many people feel the phonograph would never produce clear music. Big horns protruding from the windows of Eadio shops have in the same way given a bad impression and introduction to Eadio. The music from such horns has been distorted and mixed with a "tin" sound. The right receiving set produces mellow tones, why distort them to produce loudness? Incentive for Factory Workers Installation of Radio Solves Production Problems IN THIS busy age there is always a demand for something that will relieve the monotony of the daily grind. This was proved by one of the largest manufacturers of knit goods who recently installed Radio in his factories. The girls were given five minutes out of every hour for recreation and rest. The experiment was tried with Radio by installing a set in the girls room in lieu of a phonograph. A great interest was taken in the concerts over the Radio. It was thought that the workers would take advantage of this new arrangement and stay overtime, but by careful observation it was found to be opposite in this ease, for being interested in the new-found diversion, they worked hard to pass the time and did not waste time as usual, by lagging, but hurried back to work to discuss the different things they had heard during the five minutes' rest. As a result, the girls, instead of growing dissatisfied and leaving, stayed and seemed happy, and the news spread that none of the girls employed in this factory were leaving, and for this reason the owner of the factory could get all the help he wanted. IV No Limits to the Field Covered Distance Depends on the Power Back of Station ADIO is a system of communication whereby intel > ligence is transmitted with the speed of light, in all directions, for any desired distance, without the aid of any artificial medium, by the propagation and detection of electrical disturbances in space. An analysis of this definition will indicate the unique inherent characteristics of Radio which make it serviceable where other systems of communication cannot be applied. While the speed of transmission in Radio is no greater than that of the wire communication systems, it is equal to it. A Radio message travels at the rate of 186,000 miles per second; more than 1,000,000 times the speed of sound. A Radio transmitter will radiate its message in all directions, a characteristic which has made broadcasting possible. A broadcast message can be heard by those in airplanes, in ships at sea, by those in submarines submerged in the sea, and in mines or other points under the surface of the earth. So far as is known Radio communication can be accomplished over any desired distance. Radio stations already have transmitted completely around the world, and since the medium which transmits light to us from stars and planets is the same medium which transmits Radio communication, it is reasonable to believe that a Radio message can be propagated through space for a distance depending only on the amount of power which is put behind it. The third inherent characteristic of Radio, by which it transmits intelligence without the aid of any artificial medium, places it in a field absolutely all its own. Not only does this permit communication with points otherwise inaccessible, such as for example, aircraft, ships and inaccessible parts of the country, but it eliminates the need of securing rights of way for transmission lines and their construction and maintenance. A Radio system is, therefore, rendered more positive than wired systems in that it is not subject to failures which frequently occur during the winter months in wire lines. Condensed By DIELECTRIC For those having perfect hearing the tortures of being very deaf are hard to imagine. Having among my acquaintances people who are mutes and those who are partially deaf I am of the opinion that it is more discomforting to be among the latter group. They are generally supposed to get the gist of a conversation and receive little sympathy if they fail, while the mute is saved this ordeal. It is very encouraging to learn of the results of recent tests at the Indiana Schools for the Deaf and to note that apparently not all of the children supposed to be totally deaf are actually so. Other tests have been made prior to this and phenomenal results claimed, however, it is certain that Radio is to play a great part in restoring the ability to hear and distinguish sounds to those who have latent hearing, and that of itself would be sufficient to make us thankful to the discoverers of Radiophony. As time goes on the demand on the part of listenersin for programs of a general high character will be met with a fuller response from the broadcasting stations. Already the public's demand for certain features has resulted in their incorporation in the regularly listed numbers to be broadcast. Those who wanted to hear grand opera given to the Radio world were finally successful in getting it. One of the large opera companies still holds aloof and refuses to allow its performances to be sent out through the ether. Opera has been broadcast in most of the large cities of the country this season and with profit to the managers as well as to the public. The first station to give this class of entertainment was KYW, transmitting performances by the Chicago Opera Company. This same station was the first to respond to the appeal to broadcast plays directs from the stage. Now we are to be provided with theatrical performances as a regular feature from their studio. Station WGY has put out some very good "Radio dramas" to the enjoyment of audiences tuned to the Schenectady station. In due season we will have everything we want to hear, even if it costs us contributions to broadcasting. We look to the youth of the land for fearless investigation into untried methods of hooking up a set. Much that has been done to develop compact, portable receiving sets has been due to the ingeniousness of the young amateur. Of course he has contributed much else besides to the progress of Radio. As an organization of boys, there is perhaps no equal to the Boy Scouts in promoting practical tendencies. They have taken to the science of Radio enthusiastically and in most eases have had careful supervision. In New York alone some twenty-five thousand Boy Scouts .are delving into the mysteries of Radio, building their own sets and adding to their store of knowledge most useful information. One of the Scout sets is a portable one adapted to use on hikes and weighs but ten pounds. One of the most promising phases of the future of Radio is the keen interest displayed by boys who will become the men directing the affairs of amateur leagues. So long as the boy is encouraged to spend part of his time in Radio experimentation there need be no apprehension about further growth in this line. It would be a splendid thing for Radio if every community had a live, aggressive club comprising the set owners and set makers boosting the game and developing new members. There are clubs that actually accomplish little, but the recently organized "Springfield Associated Radiowls" in Massachusetts is on the right track in attempting to accomplish its purposes. Cooperation and experimentation are the essentials to a successful Radio club. It begins to look encouraging for the listeners in since Secretary Hoover 's conference completed its session with a constructive program. If the proposed changes in wavelengths are accepted as final, then we are on the way out of the tangle which would certainly have led to disaster, so far as broadcasting is concerned. It is very comforting to note that the amateur is well eared for in the schedule as outlined. In fact he is favored as he has not been before, and this is as it should be. A great deal is due to those not professionally concerned with Radio for its permanent advancement, and they should be granted every legitimate concession. Radio Digest was active in this conference with intent to aid in successfully overcoming the difficulties to efficient broadcasting. This paper has always done its share to promote the welfare of its readers — the great body of Radiophans — in whatever problem has presented itself, and you may rest assured it will continue to do so. "When I meet a genuine Radio BUG I like to find out just how much he is contributing to the game. Some of them are gifted with technical ability and aid the beginner in assembling his set. Others have Radio frolics, at which invited guests may revel in the joys of listening to what comes in through the set. I found one of these lately. He is an artist and while working away on his illustrations, sits with head phones all day long. Then when he goes home he sends out for folks who do not own a receiving set and brings them in to share the evening's entertainment. This he has done all winter, and when the Sunday afternoon recitals are broadcast the loudspeaker is aimed out of the window to give passersby as much as they like of the sacred music. Following up the results I found that nearly a dozen new enthusiasts had been added to our roll due to his enthusiasm and generosity. This is what I call a g-e-n-u-i-n-e Radio Bug! Let's have more of them. RADIO INDI-GEST 3 (This column is open to all aspiring Radioknuts who tender suitable contributions. Try to "make" the column if you can. All unsuitable manuscripts are turned over to the Office Squirrel who does not guarantee their return or anything else for that matter. — Indi.) QUESTIONS and ANSWERS Q. & A. dept., Radeeo In-Di.jest, Dere ser I bot a arial ackording to the speshificatins of mister h J man butt it wonte fit my house and lot being 2 long sew plese give me a picshure of same alterd 2 fit PS i hav an garadge on my lot? — PDQ (000). A — Would suggest you moving your garage hack in the alley. In case you have no alley, borrow vour neighbor's garden. We never heard of H. J. Marx. Dear Mr. Indi-Gest: Please be so kind to pardon my seeming familiarity, but my wife (one will acquire wives, won't one?) has made an urgent plea that you answer her interrogation. In your most interesting paper of April 21, she read a story regarding the introduction of illicit liquors into this country by the aid of Radio and wishes to he enlightened regarding whether or not the initials A. R. R. L." represent the "American Rum Running League ? — Alogonquin Tonsils III. A — CD Yes. (2) We are investigating, if so shall we send in your application to join the A. R. R. I.. with ours? (181200003689%$"&123) BLAH, Maywood. In your issue of April 21 I notice a very good looking Sheik on your front cover. Please give me his telphone number. — La Verne. A — All mail addressed to Perin in care of Indigest will be forwarded. Members of the other persuasion can reach Inez and Eula in the same manner. READERS' VIEWS Did You Rub with the Alcohol? Dear Indigest — After reading the Indigest I contracted a headache and rubbed my head with alcohol and went to sleep with a heating pad as a pillow. I was awakened by Station POZ playing All Ali. It came in over the pad^ like a ton of bricks. Can give name of pad and brand of alcohol on request. —Lillian G. Yes, It Is There— If You Look For It Dear Indigest — I have been a subscriber to Indigest for the past year and in looking over one of the latest copies I notice you have a department known as the Radio Digest. I am glad I discovered this as it is a very nice little feature. — Polly W. BOOK REVIEWS How and Why to Make Radio Sets, by Xlophone Zapp, is one of the recent publications of Spark and Coil Publishers, Inc. Mr. Zapp describes the parts of a Radio set where there is no danger of confusing one with the other. For instance he clearly shows the difference between a tube and a variometer by illustrations drawn by his four year old daughter. Eadio As I Know It is a book that could contain another hundred blank pages and would not cover the subject to fuller extent. Written by Ivan Awfulitch, the Russian Radiophan. The English edition De Luxe, bound in heavy flexable insulated oil cloth, is now to be had. Translated from the Russian by Polly W. NOTICE! Due to spring alterations the department of Indigent known as the Radio Disgust will be moved over one column to the right. This will put Indigest in the center column of page 10 next issue. During repairs and alterations business will go on as usual. — Indi.