Radio in Second Place in U.S.A. Industries

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 29, 1 February 1929, Page 8

Radio in Second Place in U.S.A. Industries

FROM a beginning a few years ago as a new idea and a new industry, radio to-day is second only to the motor-car industry in the United States of America. Imagine two train loads, each of 20 huge cars, full of radio receivers, leaving a factory every day. And this is only one of America’s huge radio manufacturing concerns. The enormous field in the United States of America for something good at a low price is staggering to New Zealanders. A New Zealand distributor, for some make of radio receiver, would feel very pleased to have reach‘ed a total of 2000 receivers for one year's effort. But imagine how the American manufacturer views this business (which would be to the above man, one half-day’s production), and we wonder why they are not keen to manufacture especially for 230 vy. A.C. when their standard is 110 v. > One average-sized distributor in America has little hesitation in placing an order for 20,000 receivers for spread delivery over one season. The enormous concern referred to above, the manufacturers of the Majestic Receiver, conceived the idea of offering 2 musical instrument to the public, instead of a small metal cabinet, plus some wires and a separate speaker (the typical radio receiver of the past) at a price that was within the reach of all. Estimating on a huge output, and consequent low production costs, this company decided to invest in the quality of the material the saving effected by quantity production. Even then, they found they could give better quality at lower prices than competitors manufacturing one-tenth of the number. Having at their disposal all the latest developments and improvements in wireless circuits, the Majestic engineers adopted the R.F.L. balanced circuit, and perfected this radio receiver until they produced the present wonderful instrument, a seven-valve (and rectifier) receiver, all electric, working from anv 230-volt lighting soc-

ket, one-dial control, wonderfully selective, and a great "distance getter." To ensure that the results of this | splendid piece of apparatus were not . spoiled by being hooked on to an inefficient loudspeaker, a genuine moving coil speaker was built to suit the exact characteristics of the set. The correct matching of the speaker to the receiver gives perfect reproduction, and immense volume without distortion. By attaching a gramophone pickup to the cheapest of gramophones, and using the amplifier stages of this receiver, it is converted into a perfect electric gramophone. Realising that their new production was so perfected as to be classed as a musical instrument, the manufacturers proceeded to house the apparatus in a beautifullydesigned and finished walnut console cabinet, fit to adorn the most elaborate drawing-room. Last year’s popular models of radio receivers are not usually found in the music room, but in father’s "den." This year, mother will claim the receiver for the music room. Thus, the radio receiver of to-day has climbed from the position of a "wireless set" to that of an "electric radio musical instrument." This splendid allelectric receiver will be retailed in New Zealand at below the price of the sixvalve ordinary table model battery set

of last year. The manufacturers claim that this year’s production, the "Majestic," is nearing perfection in radio.