Radio today (Jan-Dec 1938)

WHEN IS A TUBE NOT A TUBE? Industry opinion backs Radio Today's drive against dummies Supports proposals to apply RMA definition in describing sets When Radio Today revealed in its November, 1937, issue the racketeering and misrepresentation going on in radio-set selling, by counting dummy resistor plug-ins as legitimate tubes, the storm which broke in the radio industry resulted in the drafting of a definition of "what constitutes a radio tube," by the engineering committee of the Eadio Manufacturers Association. This definition has now been formally approved by the directors of the RMA. It reads: "A radio tube is a device used in radio equipment in which an electric or magnetic field causes or controls the electronic or ionic conduction through a vacuum or a gas. This definition shall not be construed to include dial lamps used for illumination only, ballast or other resistance devices." With this definition approved by representative leaders of the radio industry, Radio Today in following up its own original move to clear up confusion of terms in radio-set selling, has proposed applying this definition to all descriptions and specifications of radio sets published in its pages. We believe that it is to the best interest of the radio trade to omit resistor tubes, plug-in resistors, dummy tubes, etc., from the tube count. Before applying this definition, which would mean that descriptions in Radio Today would refer only to "active tubes" in the set, the editors have invited the comments of representative radio manufacturers on such a move. A number of these comments follow : W. R. G. Baker General Electric Company Regardless of whether or not it was a sound business policy, the radio industry has consistently encouraged the consumer to measure in some degree, the performance of a radio receiver in terms of the number of tubes. If such a "measuring stick" is to be employed, the industry should jealously guard such a standard and it would seem that the RMA definition of a tube is very definitely a constructive step toward that end. Lewis M. Clement RCA Manufacturing Co. We are quite in agreement with both the RMA and Eadio Today's policy on the subject of not including "resistor" tubes in the tube count on radio receivers. Where we use such tubes in our present line and make mention of the number of tubes we say in each case "a blank-tube set plus ballast tube", thus omitting the ballast tube from the actual tube count. We agree with your stand and feel that the industry has been benefited by your active campaign on this subject. L. L. Spencer Stromberg-Carlson Telephone Mfg. Co. "Allow us to congratulate you upon your effort to clear the radio industry of one of its worst evils; namely, the 'Dummy Tube,' which has been used by the unscrupulous in the hope of securing sales. "RMA's definition will be a great help, I hope, in clearing this menace from the industry. "We hope that you continue your campaign." Powel Croiley, III The Croiley Radio Corporation "We are in accord with the RMA's definition of a radio tube, and feel that the Association is doing its best to improve a situation which, in our opinion, has been very bad. "We, too, feel that it is for the best interest of the radio trade to refer only to active tubes when describing the number of tubes in a radio set, and are in favor of your applying the RMA's definition in this way." G. W. Russell Electrical Research Laboratories, Inc. "We are absolutely in accord with applying the RMA definition the way you contemplate. But you will find that many will list and advertise 7-tube sets that are using a ballast tube as a 7-tube set including a ballast tube, rather as referring to it as just a 6-tube set. "We do not agree 100 per cent that a ballast tube is not an operating tube, particularly when used on a 2-volt battery set, as a ballast tube in a set of this type really does function and perform a definite duty, but regardless of our opinion in this matter, we will cooperate 100 per cent in this new ruling." Ray C. Ellis Delco Radio Division General Motors Corp. "It seems to us satisfactory that you use the RMA tube definition for your descriptions and specifications of radio receivers." Alan R. Tripp Pilot Radio Corporation "We believe that it would be a step in the right direction to list receivers of all manufacturers at the number of working tubes which they employ. Of course, the success of this scheme would depend upon all publications adopting your method of listing." S. H. Beebe Fada Radio and Electric Company "We do not believe that it will make very much difference what the manufacturers do in regard to the RMA definition, as it is our opinion that the retail trade will continue to sell six-tube sets as such if there are six articles in the set that look like a tube to the consumer. If the manufacturers of these devices would stop making them look like a radio tube, it might be possible to educate the retail trade accordingly. "We further believe that it would be desirable if all manufacturers of radio sets followed the same practice in their tube designations and we are heartily in favor of any move in this direction, provided it can secure sufficient support to make the result unanimous to all practical intents and purposes." L. E. Murray Better Business Bureau "We heartily recommend the adoption of the advertising policy you are considering as regards tube and tube complement designation, as well as commend you on the work you have been doing in this respect. This subject has been one of vital interest to this bureau for some time as evidenced by its bulletins on the subject." 54 Radio Today