New Radio Features

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 16, 2 November 1928, Page 31

New Radio Features

Notes by

Observer

HILE nothing revolutionary has taken place, nor is likely -to take place in the immediate future, there are fresh modifications and developments creeping into our system. In strolling casually round town when all radio dealers are demonstrating, many new and pleasing features are to be seen. Probably the most momentous feature is the appearance of the popularly-priced dynamic cone speaker, to which reference has already been made. More than one dealer has introduced this speaker, and on their first appearance good-sized crowds congregated round the shop doors. Many expressed admiration of the beautiful effect produced by a fully reproduced base--the music was characterised by tone and colour. Browning Drake Unit. A NEW Browning Drake, single drum dial unit, has appeared. It is prepared so that when mounted a minimum of controls (8) will appear on the panel. The coils are slightly smaller, but according to accurate tests, are not appreciably different from the standard three-inch coils. A new feature has *been introduced. What is comparable to a tickler to the aerial coil is used to compensate for the ganged condensers. By this means the set does not lose one iota of sensitivity. The coils are widely spaced. and so spaced as to make shielding unnecessary.

This new unit makes it a comparatively easy matter to add a screen grid stage. Mr. C, C. Fear (Messrs. Fear and Co., Wellington), an authority on the circuit, states that this unit is easily built in to a circuit and combined with a s.g. stage of R.F. makes a receiver which for efficiency and appearance the home constructor would find difficult to surpass. A Shielded Short-waver. ANOTHER very fine combination is on view. A completely shielded short-wave set, with coils that can be changed for broadcast reception, promises remarkable efficiency. A switching arrangement makes it possible to obtain musie at any time through a gramophone pick-up also embodied. The set is "fool proof," all wiring being concealed by a sub-panel. This very pleasing model, encased in an aluminium cabinet. is finished in dueco. The designer is Mr. 8S. McCarthy ("Macks" Radio Company). One-Stage Amplifier. THE beginner will find many efficient one-valve amplifiers on the market. Many of these are: very inexpensive. One particular dealer has built a complete outfit into a very neat cabinet and supplies a well-known.make of speaker, yet very reasonably priced.