AERIAL EFFICIENCY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 16, 9 April 1927, Page 20

AERIAL EFFICIENCY

AN IMPORTANT FACTOR., ADVICE TO LISTENERS. At long last listeners are beginning to realise that the aerial has something to ilo with reception and a lot to do with the performance of the set they have made or purchased. The time has passed when a wire 100 feet long was considered the acme of perfection. The length of the aerial is an important factor. A long aerial tends to absorb energy from the set and prevent oscillation. A long aerial is, in effect, an absorption or loading circuit. It will not permit tuning of the modern set to very low wave lengths. For shorter wave lengths a short aerial is required. A short aerial also lends pep to any set. It may be made too short and the radio frequency tubes are made to oscillate. On sets theoretically constructed so as not to oscillate the short aerial raises havoc. The height of the aerial depends upon surrounding objects. If possible get above them say 20 or 30 feet. In wide open spaces there is no particular advantage in going much over 40 feet above the ground, although increased height docs add some to selectivity and signal strength from weak stations. If selectivity is to be obtained, a counterpoise under the aerial anil close to the ground seems preferrable. In case a ground is used a good ground is essential. This can only be found by experiment.