TROUBLESOME FADING

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 5, 19 August 1927, Page 7

TROUBLESOME FADING

A correspondent using 2 five-yalve set of an American make not much known in New Zealand, suspects his set for a "dud" as he is troubled with frequent fading of all stations. Noting that his location is inland, over 606 miles from Auckland, 880 from Wellington, and 190 from Christchurch, it is not surprising that there is noticeable fading, at least from 1YA and 2YA. In Wellington SYA comes in daily and nightly without fading, being the same distance from Christchurch as our correspondent’s location, so he should not be much troubled with fading from 8YA. Local conditions may account for the fading. Large masses of bush and mountainous country both appear to conduce to fading, and mineral deposits in the carth are also said to have a detrimental effect on reception. Tuvestigations in America show that any station may show signs of fading at a distance of 50 miles, but of course that would not be a general occurrence int the case of high-powered stations, Between Wellington and Auckland there appear to be conditions specially cotductive to fading, and there way he similar conditions in parts of the South Island. The only means of lessening the effect of fading is to increase reaction as reception weakens, but. this

can only be done where normal recepe tion gives volume to spare, and necessttates giving constant attention to the set. ‘There is still a great deal to be learnt regarding fading, but it is probably caused by several different factors, thus making it more difficult to arrive at a definate explanation. No set has yet been made that is immune from the effects of it, and could not be condemned fot something outside the circuit. However, results similar to fading can sometimes be caused by faults in a set, and in such cases remiedies can be suggested for trial. -- eT