N.Z. Radio Listeners Guide

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 45, 25 May 1928, Page 4

N.Z. Radio Listeners Guide

SUBSTANTIAL AND HANDSOME PUBLICATION en THE "N.Z. Radio Listeners’ Guide" (1928-9, 164 pp.) is now published and in process of distribution. It will, we think, be welcomed as a notably substantial and handsome publication of definite usefulness to listeners. _ Its compilation has proved exacting and onerous upon the writers engaged, as it was desired to make the publication one worthy df the Dominion and the cause of radio. Opening with a brief survey of wireless and an examination of the principles of radio, attention is speedily concentrated upon the ‘art of "listening," as a preliminary to which there is given a comprehensive chat about "selecting a set." All factors are covered in relation to prospective needs, after which follows a special section for the crystal user and points about crystal detection. The needs of the valve set owner are next fully covered in a series of. very comprehensive articles, dealing with all parts of the set and equipment: Next comes the section, "The Servicing of Sets." This section alone makes the book worth while, for packed within the pages covered by it is the experience of an outstandingly competent radio engineer, giving guidance on all difficulties in reception likely to be experienced. This is intended to be particularly useful to the country listener who has not a radio shop just next door. The history of radio in New Zealand is briefly covered, after which comes "The Listener’s Log," as comprehensive a compilation as possible of New Zealand, Australian, and overseas stations, their wavelengths and times of operation. A list of the more important American and Canadian stations may be expected to incite the ambitions of some of our D.X. champions. A SHORT wave section, contributed largely by Mr. F. W. Sellens, will be of value to all interested. This gives a full list of short wave stations which have been heard on telephony in New Zealand and the hours of reception so far as they can be scheduled. This is supplemented by a few additional stations whose times of operation are not certain. In view of the growing interest in short wave. reception a very full account of the construction of a shortwave’ receiver with full working diagrams and constructional details is given in the constructional section. This describes the circuit which is in point of fact used by Mr. Sellens. A technical description of the screened grid valve indicates the marvellous possibilities of this recent improvement. : CONSTRUCTORS will find their section particularly full and : reliable. The articles cover the whole range of crystal reception, one and two-valve amplification, the four-valve circuit, and the short-wave shielded receiver. A glossary of wireless terms will probably prove one of the most popular sections of the book. This has been specially compiled, and is quite the most comprehensive and compact that we have seen. Other sections give the law relating to wireless licenses, a list of amateur transmitters, the Morse code, and useful abbreviations. FOR usefulness and value to constructors and_ ordinary’ listeners alike nothing will exceed the special "Valve Guide for each position in the set" compiled with immense patience by "Megohm," and comprising a tabulation of all the main valves on the market to-day. This is supplemented by a valve guide table and other tabular matter of an indispensable character. Summarising the work, we can say definitely that it reflects credit upon the technical writers of the "Radio Record." It is a definite effort to give listeners a concise and informative volume embracing to the fullest possible extent information continually desired. The "Guide" may be procured from booksellers and dealers or direct from ourselves-P.O. Box 1032, Wellington. The published price is 2s. 6d., postage 3d.