RADIO AND ITS RECEIVERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 385, 20 June 1928, Page 6

RADIO AND ITS RECEIVERS

Conducted for THE SU N by

R. F. HAYCOCK

Buying a Radio Set

ACTION, NOT HESITATION

MANY who contemplate purchasing a radio set are asking themselves whether the present is a suitable time to buy, in view of the many improvements that are being placed on the market just now.

It must be admitted that the question is somewhat disturbing, and it may be one of the factors which has caused the falling-off in the number of licenses. Those who contemplate purchasing a radio set as a rule know very little about radio, and the idea behind their proposed purchase ,is to secure entertainment in much the same way as they would from a gramophone, and when they read “Sensational developments pending in radio,” or like announcements they are apt to put on thbir considering caps, and hold off for a while. On the face of it they can hardly be blamed. They read of “all-electric” sets which need no batteries, and of new valves which will work direct from the electric light, but when they come to make inquiries they find the all-electries are»very expensive and that the new valve is yet in its infancy. With this knowledge before them they decide to await developments. Are they wise though? In no branch of science have improvements come so rapidly as in radio, and if we had all put off taking up this most fascinating hobby until improvements arrived, few of us would have had the years of pleasure that radio has given us. It is about eight or nine years ago that the writer purchased his first one

valve set. It was* a home-made affair, but it gave many hours of pleasure. My first loud-speaker was made oujt of a motor-cycle horn, a kerosene tin and pieces of bicycle tube. The earphones were clamped on to the “speaker,” and the household was positively thrilled when faint music could be heard when the ears were placed close to the horn of the speaker. It is not far from then to the present day big power sets with powerful speakers which will fill a hall or a theatre, but what I would have missed if I had waited for improvements Without labouring the point it might be asked how many people would fce driving motor-cars to-day if they had held back waiting for improvements to develop. To those who mean to take up radio some time or the other I would say make it now. Buy a set by one of the best known makers and get your pleasure now. With the majority of sets on the market at present it will not be difficult to alter them if necessary to suit probable innovations. Pending the perfection of what must be the ultimate set par-excellence, one without batteries, aerials, valves or static! intending radio fans would be well advised to consult a reliable dealer at once and enjoy the programmes from the many stations on the air.