What Difference Does a Good Earth Make?

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 44, 18 May 1928, Page 5

What Difference Does a Good Earth Make?

HALF A GUINEA FOR THE BEST RECORD OF IMPROVED EXPERIENCE .

HE amazing feat of receiving 694 broadcast stations, including four New Zealand stations, has been accomplished by Walter Pierce, of Rhode Island, off the Atlantic Coast of the United States. This feat, in itself remarkable, is made the more notable by the fact that it was attained on a Two Valve set of a make popular a few years ago, but now entirely off the market. The explanation of this extraordinary feaf lies in the very efficient "earth" system developed by Mr, Pierce. (THE full story of Mr. Pierce’s equipment and attainments was given in our issue of March 30. ‘That article caused a very great deal of interest amongst radio listeners, and we have heard of several instances where it has been applied in New Zealand, with a remarkable improvement in the strength of reception of a number of overseas stations. Anything that improves the quality of reception is wholly to the good of radio in general, and in order to encourage appreciation of the need for thoroughly good equipment in the subsidiary attachments of radio-good aerials and good earths-we would like to know some of the details of the improvement that has been effected. E are therefore offering a prize of Half-a-Guinea for the best account of improved reception effected by the use of either Mr. Piexce’s system of earthing, or any other specially good earthing device that has effected a particularly marked improvement irs reception. For the benefit of competitors, and intending competitors, we describe herewith the earth used by Pierce, and give an illustration of same as well.

The account of Pierce’s system said:-Outside the window therd was something unusual. The wire that led from the ground connection on the receiver out through the window ended at a binding post on & porcelain base. From this post twelve wires led to the same number of pipes or other pieces of metal embedded in the ground (see illustration). Pierce said that he found that each new ground connection increased selectivity and reduced the effect of body capacity; so he added one after another. A leaky automobile radiator was sunk in the ground, at the end of the row of pipes, with its caps just above the surface so that water could be poured into it. Circumstances alter cases. On a car, that radiator could only have inspired profanity; here it was an ideal device for keeping the ground connections wet. The ground clamps on the pipes were bright. Pierce said that he put on new ones every few weeks. It became evident that his phenomenal record was not the result of accident. : The aerial is 110 feet long and 26 feet high; it points N.N.E., with the set at the southerly end. Two glass insulators in series at each end prevented the escape of energy. The wire was of bare copper which, Pierce said, gives better results than tinned copper. He puts up new, wire, to replace the old every few months, or as soon as corrosion bes comes noticeable. The aerial is kept taut, to prevent swinging. PHS Competition will close on June 30, in order to give time for the system to be installed, if desired, and the improvement noted. PoE decision in the Competition will be determined upon the excel lence of the general account of the installation and the improved reception recorded. What we want are facts that will be useful to other listeners, as emphasising the improvement that can be effected by care in details and proper equipment. Letters should be. addressed to "The Editor, ‘Radio Record,’ P.O. Box 1032, Wellington."