The Radio Industry in New Zealand

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 32, 22 February 1929, Page 9

The Radio Industry in New Zealand

A Promising Start Already Made

ADIO in New Zealand is rapidly developing, so much so that already the nucleus of an industry has appeared. Previously the only sets available in New Zealand were those that were factory-made, either in England or America, or those which were made by the home constructor. For some considerable time it has been felt that New Zealand conditions called for a particular type of set or for some mogfication of the types already here. AA carefyjly-constructed home-built set has been found to give very fine results, but the difficulties have been manifold. Coils have been difficult to manufacture, the components have been difficult to match, cabinets, in most eases, have been made of anything the home constructor may lay his hands on, the result being, in many cases, a receiver that is not altogether efficient. Of the circuits that most New Zealand conssructors have tried and found most suitable are the Browning-Drake and tthe Hammarlund-Roberts. Both these circuits, in the hands of an inefficient constructor, will cause trouble, but, when constructed by an experienced radio engineer, give very fine reception under New Zealand condi-

tions. Both circuits have very many points in common, and to discriminate between the two would be unfair. Considering this, an Auckland firmMessrs. Johns Ltd.-having tried many circuits and sets under New Zealand conditions, have arrived at the conclusion that the Hammarlund-Roberts suits their purposes the best, and have, with this circuit, built up the first New Zealand radio industry. The First New Zealand Factory. ) UST a short distance out of the centre of New Zealand’s radio trade, Auckland, one finds the first factory to manufacture sets on a reasonably large scale in New Zealand, and a visit to this factory is both interesting and instructive. Through the summer months there has been no lack of industry at this factory, and everything has promised well for the coming season. Bmploying a large number of hands, the factory is a veritable hive of industry. New and modern machinery is being added gradually, and now a very fine class of set is being turned out. Many and varied are the types of machinery used, one particularly, the patent of the owners, has been applied to manufacturing coils. A closelyguarded process enables remarkably efficient coils to be turned out very rapidly. The finished coils are exceedingly -fine, and would grace any fac-tory-made receiver. There is machinery for almost any part of the manufacture of a receiver -machinery for turning shields, a portion which the home-constructor will find particularly difficult, a machine for engraving, which in itself is quite a difficult process, and without which a set cannot look its best, and machinery is now being fitted up to manufacture cabinets, so.that, in a short time, there should be a whole self-contained industry in the one building. The manufacturers are not confined to the building of one type of set, nor even to sets alone. Already a particular type of Tungar Charger has been made, and is being turned out in large numbers. This very fine charger, made throughout at the factory, should supply a need long felt by New Zealand people. The little charger is completely shielded, and fs on the whole a very fine piece of apparatus. Short-wave sets, designed last year, are now being manufactured and stored for the coming radio season. With a special condenser, the wavelength receivable by this set is as low as 15 metres. Four coils are provided, which will cover the waves from.15 to 100 metres approximately. In appearance, these sets are very fine and attractive. Short-wave adapters are also made at this factory, and, like the other products, speak well for their manufacturers. For the Home Constructor. Bur the owners of the factory are catering for the New Zealand constructor, and the coming year should find him minus many of the difficulties that have beset him in the past. Undoubtedly, the set of next season will be screened, and screening is api

an easy task for the constructor with limited tools. Standardised screening boxes are being made by Messrs. Johns, Ltd., and will be available on the market early in the season. Other firms are placing on the market screening boxes, so that this difficulty may no longer worry the constructor. The enthusiast who attempts making his own transformers, eliminators, or chargers will find that this firm will be able to supply stalloy cut to standard sizes, and all ready to place in the cores of his transformer. This will, no doubt, save a great deal of work and popularise the home-made eliminator in the coming season. --- — 8 ee