Tips and Jottings

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 22, 13 December 1929, Page 26

Tips and Jottings

| | Cutting Threaded Rod. HENEVER a length of threaded rod is to be cut, much trouble in trimming up the cut end will be saved if a die is first run on the rod. After the cut has been made, either with a hack-saw or a pair of wire-cutting pliers, the die is run off again ‘over the cut end, leaving a clean thread for nuts to be put on. This eliminates the necessity for filing the end after cutting. ’ Topping-up Accumulators. WHEN it becomes necessary to compensate for the evaporation of the electrolyte in an accumulator, care should be taken to add distilled water only. If ordinary tap-water is used, injury to the plates may be caused by the-presence of metallic impurities _intoduced through this medium. Also, if the: experimenter makes his own electrolyte from strong sulphuric acid and distilled water, the acid should always: be added’ to the water and’ never .;vice versa. This will prevent the 4ieid from "spitting" and perhaps causing injury by splashing on the

hands or clothes. :Should acid from an accumulator. be spilt, however,. it should be neutralised immediately by liberal applications of ammonia or of a strong soda solution. s Overhauling the Aerial. System. HIE approach of the finer days inevitably heralds that much belied operation-spring cleaning. This, however, should serve to jog-the memory of the keen wireless enthusiast that attention must he. turned to-the aerial system. During the. winter months the insulators will have ‘collected a considerable amount of dirt and grime, and it will well repay any expenditure of time if the whole aerial is lowered, the insulators thoroughly. washed and the aerial wire itself examined for any signs of defects.. If the wire is begin-. ning to corrode: it is better to it, while .the lead-in wire should also be overhauled, "The earth lead must not be forgottén, together ‘with the actual: connections between this wire, or wires and the particular type of: earth in use. "Due attention to . these’ details will, produce ‘a sense of satisfaction that: ag far as this part of the receiving: -statiow "is concerned doubts aa to unreliability need not exist.