Radio today (Jan-Mar 1939)

THE $6.95 RADIO SET Its circuits and new tubes explained: New markets tapped by low price Confirming rumors current throughout the trade for some weeks, the $6.95 radio set is here. Because many feel that these new low-priced units will tap new and greatly widened markets, and because of the intense interest in this new lowest-price development to date, Radio Today presents full information on the new CF 255 set just announced by Emerson. This 2-tube AC-DC receiver, built around two dual tubes, performs equally as well as previous 4-tube AC-D'C tuned-radio-frequency receivers. A sensitivity of 300 to 600 microvolts is obtained with production receivers. Straight design While the use of only two tubes suggests some trick circuits, the new "Emersonette"' is straight forward in circuit design. A type 12B8GT tube has a pentode and triode unit in a single envelope. The remote cut-off type pentode is similar to a 6D6 tube, but is so designed as to produce 25 per cent more amplification. The triode section, especially designed for power grid detection, corresponds to the 6E5 type of tube. A block diagram shows the circuit of this new receiver, and for simplicity the sections of the tubes are shown separately. The 32L7GT tube combines a beam-power output tube and a halfwave rectifier. The beam-power section is equivalent to a type 25L6 except for 25 per cent less power output caused by a reduction in the size of the tube elements. The rectifier is equivalent to half of the 25Z5 tube. Novel dial Several unusual features are found in this set. Eirst is the use of an illuminated vernier dial. This dial is but part of the condenser mounting bracket, and the pointer is a small piece of metal attached to the drive cord. The set is held into the front of the cabinet by means of several molded projections that keep the chassis flush with the bottom of the cabinet. At the rear two screws fasten Two-tube AC-DC radio having performance equivalent to 4-tube set. Being only 6^4 inches wide it is easily held in the hand. the chassis and the protective back to the cabinet. A new 4-inch permanent magnet speaker of the magnetic type gives performance equivalent to that of a dynamic speaker, yet simplifies the set since an output transformer is not necessary. Throughout the set, which has been in the design laboratory for many months, are a host of money saving ideas that have made it possible to produce the receiver for such a low price. Measuring only 6J4 inches wide by 4^4 high by ZXA deep, the set fills a need for travelling persons. For an aerial, a hank of flexible wire is supplied. Ten million sets in '39? "In the October issue of Radio Today/' explains Ben Abrams, president of Emerson, "I predicted an eventual sale of twelve to fifteen million sets a year in the United States. I believe today that we shall come very close to selling ten million sets in 1939, as compared to little more than half that number in 1938. At any rate Emerson is designing its models, and planning its advertising and sales promotion toward that end, and it is gratifying to note that our distributors and dealers have caught the spirit of this purpose." In announcing the new set it was explained that quantities would be offered to dealers only in proportion to purchases of standard Emerson models, thus preventing dealers from concentrating on only low-priced models. The Emersonette is supplied in walnut bakelite cabinet to sell at $6.95 ; red. green and ivory are 50 cents extra. NETWORKS' BILLINGS GAIN NBC set an all-time high for billings on its stations in January by selling $4,033,900 worth of advertising time. This is a 6.3 per cent rise over January, 1938, and a 3.8 per cent rise over December, 1938. CBS reports gross billings of $2,674,057 for January, or a gain of 5.7 per cent over December, 1938. Last year's January sale were the largest in CBS history. Mutual staged a 16.7 per cent gain in gross billings in January 1939 over last January, or $315,078 compared with $269,894 for total time sold. Block diagram of new $6.95 receiver using dual-type tubes. February, 1939 13