A New Chum's Plaint

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 13, 23 November 1928, Page 8

A New Chum's Plaint

T is interesting to note the safisfactory increase in the licenses being taken out, and this naturally mgans that literally thousands of péapfe in this country are "new chums" so far as wireless is concerned. I am one whose interest was sufficiently aroused at the time of the Southern Cross flight to urge me to invest in a six-valve set, but, like hundreds of other listeners, I wish to know something of the machine and "how it works." Thinking to be able to pick up something from current literature on radio, I find; almost without exception, that the newcomer is not catered for, and under the circumstances I consider you would be conferring a great boon to us newcomers if some simple, non-technical explanation were published occasionally of the various terms used in radio, For instance, grid leak, radio frequency, choke, condensers, parallel feed, plate, ete. etc., are all so much double Dutch to hundreds of new chums to wireless broadcasting, and I feel you would be filling a long-felt want if short articles were published . each week in explanation of the various terms used, which would encourage those with the time and inclination, to tackle building their own sets. Radio is» by. no means a simple subject to "get the hang of," but there does not appear to be-any attempt to edueate the vast number of listeners, many’ , of whom, I feel sure. want to feel in a position to know something about the y complicated machine that modern -sci-.: ence has given them. Hearty congratulations are due to the R.B.C. for the very interesting relay of the armistice service from 5SW. -New Chum. [Every effort is made by us to cater for the newcomer, and with that object in view we published a few months back the "New*Zealand Rauio Listeners’Guide" (price 2s. 6d. or 2s. 9d. posted), covering, in 160 pages,: practically all the information that should be available to a newcomer. This publication included a complete glossary of wireless terms. In response to requests for the very need you have mentioned, we republished the whole of that glossary throughout the "Radio Record." This has just been concluded, which possibly accounts for your not having noticed it in the "Radio Record." This edition of the "Guide" is practically ex- hausted, but it will be republished, with the necessary additions to bring it up to date, early in the New Year. As a further effort to meet the requirements of the "new chum" in radio, we conduct weekly in the "Radio Record" a Beginners’ Corner, where queries are invited to be submitted, and are dealt with in return. Our Constructional section is also designed to help those who wish to make own sets. We quite. appreciate, &th problem of the "new chum," and as far as possible we are catering for it along these lines. You will understand. how-. ever, that with a continued supply of newcomers entering the ranks of radia, it is impossible to keep repeating all ° the essential matter that it is neces-. sary for the newcomer to absorb. The ground, however, is covered as well as possible.-Hd.] os