An Economical Combination

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 4, 9 August 1929, Page 32

An Economical Combination

THE following description of ZL2GA, which was on exhibition at the stand of the "Amateur Radio 'Transmitters" at the Exhibition, will be interesting to those who have seen this portable station :- ‘ The whole station, power suit; ete,, complete is housed in a fase which measures 14 inches by 14 inches by seven inches deep. The sets themselves . comprise two separate units, each in sizeviz., 6 inches by ‘54 inches by 5 inches. Fach is constructed of aluminium and fits into a felt-lined compartment in the top of the case. The receiver is a two-valve short-wave outfit which receives all the usual DX stations on short waves. The transmitter uses a receiving valve, in the Split-Colpitts circuit, The power used is a standard: 45-volt B battery for high tension and three dry cells for A battery. These are in the bottom of the case, where there is also room for key, ’phones, serial and other spare gear. \ The batteries are controlled by the switch just to the front of the sets. To the right the batteries are all conneced to the receiver and when the switch is to the left they are working the transmitter. If it is left upright they are disconnected. The switch mounted on the lid is the aerial change-over send-receive switch. (Continued on page 31.) . endenes a

(Continued from page 32.) The lid folds down and there is a . Carrying handle on the top of the case. The aerial used is a -fundamental type having 33 feet of wire as nearly vertical as circumstances permit, and a counterpoise for the transmitter ; also 33 feet in léngth suspended a foot or so above the ground. No earth is required. The compléte set weighs just over twenty pounds. When in the field the set gives consistent signals all over New Zealand and has commitnicated with Australia.

"With twice the plate voltage (90 volts) ft has been heard in France. The set goes through very rough usage; as ZL2GA’s work takes him into some of the roughest and wildest parts of New Zealand. It has been constructed with that in mind, and ZL2GA says nothing short of a road-roller will seriously interfere with it. _ The set caused great interest at the Wellington Radio Exhibition.