Radio, the Home Builder

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 52, 11 July 1930, Page 3

Radio, the Home Builder

Success of the Christchurch Radio Olympia

DISTINCT success has been A S| achieved in the second Christre" ¢ | church Radio Pxhibition, held ilast week, This show, organised by the local dealers, was % held in the Art Gallery, two Weok© || halls of which were employed, one for the presentation of ‘the concerts and another for the amateur transmitters, who had an interestying display. \a A unique scheme was lit upon, and ‘all the exhibits showed some aspects of the modern home aud its relation to radio. The nine bays depicted radio in different sessions. Figures were displayed so that each exhibit might be a room in any home.

On entering the hall, says the "Star," the first stall on the left, No. 1, was that of Messrs. A. BE. Strange. Here were to be seen all the "gadgets" dear to the heart of the crystal user, the one and two-valver and the man who, like Helen’s babies, likes not only to "see the wheels go wound" but also likes to make and set these same "wheels" in motion. Here were crystals, coils, transformers, valves, audiocouplers, variometers (almost forgotten by many), loudspeakers, etc.-a fine show, especially for the enthusiast whose wireless set has to be built little by little and after grave ‘consideration of ways and means. ‘ The next was bay No. 2-laid out as a drawing-room "scene" with several fine examples of console and table type Radiola receivers. The bay was that of Messrs. 8S. G. Clark, Ltd., and, with No. 8 (also devoted to R.C.A. products) was attractively laid out. Bay No. 3-Messrs. Watkinson, Ltd. -was the home of the Kellogg. Here the scene selected was one representing children listening to bedtime stories, by means of a ten-valve Kellogg receiver, what time the little ones toasted their toes before the fire. The Kellogg on view comprised a three-stage screened grid outfit-console cabinet type with built-in dynamic loudspeaker. A table model Kellogg in mahogany (as was the console) was also on view.

A Dance Halli Lounge. At bay No. 4-Direct Supplies, Ltd. . -Philips products took the eye. Laid out as a dance-hall lounge-with Y and girl complete-there was still ‘ ,90m for several Philips receivers. Interesting sets were found in the "flatdweller’s friend"-the little A.C. Q.P. --nn all-electric for the man or woman content to tune in the local station only; a very compact (10 x 4x 8 inches) short-waver (also capable of extension to an "all wave" of 10 to 2400 metres); a console set of two -gtages of screen grid, detector and pentode, a balanced armature loudspeaker ; and a "consolette’ complete. The fifth bay was that of Messrs. Newton and Fenton, Ltd. The stall was arranged to represent a woman’s room-sewing-machine, workbasket, materials and wireless set complete. The receivers on view were the. wellknown Dayton Navigator, an 8-valve ‘(and rectifier) outfit. that was of particular interest in that the cabinet work. of the console was carried out

by Messrs. Wilkinson Bros., of Colombo Street, in New Zealand walnut and beech. so The cabinets on view were beautifully made and lost nothing in comparison with the imported article, With Mr. J. I, Smail and his assistant, Mr. Vincent, in charge of bay No. 6, one knew at. once that here would be found the local hom: of the Majestic. The stall: was arranged to represent a dinner-room, with table set, maid in attendance, and cocktails -on the side, Of.course there were two Majesties. , ;

No. 7 stall held the Rogers-the bDri-tisher-presented by Messrs. A. R. Harris, Ltd. Two instruments were shown, the 550 "Highboy" and the 580 "Radio-gramophone console," both lovely: instruments, .made under ideal conditions by a firm which is Canadian owned and controlled. The bay represented that. refuge of mere man, his study. Here Mr. Man was shown at home, with a pipe in full blast, "consolation" (in decanter form) handy, at ease in a chair with a news-. paper across his knees and the "latest sports news" coming hot off the air through a Rogers. _ "Children’s Hour." "THE next stall, No. 8, was devoted. ‘to R.C.A. products, the local.agents. of which are Messrs. Webley, Sons. and Gofton Ltd., and Messrs. 8. G. Clark Ltd. (stall No. 2). The scene here was representative of a children’s room, with the little ones listening-in to the "Children’s Hour." Several Radiola sets were on view, as the wholesale agents in New Zealand are importers of Radiola chassis to be assembled and housed in consoles and cabinets of New. Zealand manufacture, the examples shown possessed the additional attraction of appealing to those to whom "Buy New Zealand

Goods" is a slogan to be acted upon whenever possible. Last, but by no means least, was the stall No. 8, wherein the Crosley, in several types, was to be seen and admired. Here the local Crosley agents, Messrs. L. B. Scott Ltd., had chosen a library (house) scene as the setting for their screened-grid outfits. Housed in well-finished walnut consoles with puilt-in "Dynacoil" (moving coil) loudspeakers, and fitted with the ‘"xonpuncturable"’ Mershon condensers that are a feature of the internal "works" of these sets, the receivers on show attracted considerable attention.

GOODLY crowd around and in a doorway at one corner of the main room ‘was evidence that something out | of the usual listener’s ‘province was to be seen. And it was so. Here were two interesting features of the Olympia-the exhibit by the Radio Society of Christchurch and a short-wave transmitter in full operation. The Radio Society had sets old-very old, ancient in fact-and new. Cheek by jowl were to be seen : tiny "peanut" valves, old W.D.11’s, and giant 250watters. Then there were the aeroplane transmitters, with, nearby, 4. "winge generator" used for the supply of power-such as was used by Kingsford Smith on his famous Southern Cross; a Hartley transmitter, a tiny "portable" ‘of: that ilk (that "works" on 90 volts and has been heard in Auckland), other sets, gadgets, and ecards and cards galore. oy The transmitter’s section was in the control of Mr. W. Toon (ZL38CM) and he was kept busy: sending out greetings from visitors to the show to friends and relations in Australia and New Zealand who were within reach. Up to 10 o'clock last night Mr. Toon had taken in and dispatched by Morse code over 100 messages. »

[THE stage and ,audience:. chamber were, as might be expected, tastefully laid out, the former with due regard to broadcast requirements. Here one saw little to indicate that actual proadeasting was in progress. Two slim columns supported the inconspicuous. microphones, the ‘eontrol" man and his panel of instruments being hidden at one side behind ‘the grand piano.

The microphones on the pialrore were used for individual artists or for small . groups. When the band was put "on the air" these ‘ microphones were switched off, the sound being picked up by another microphone suspended well above the heads of the audience in the centre of the hall. Visitors were able to follow the whole process of broadcasting as it is carried out in an ordinary radio studio. The stalls were made the subject of an interesting competition, the prize for which was a £40 radio set. This competition aroused much interest, the task being to place the yarious stalls in the same ‘order of merit as the award of an expert window-dresser. "The official opening was’ carried. out by the Rey. T. K..Archer,, Mayor of ‘Christchurch. The Mayor’s Speech. N opening the Olympia, the mayor expressed his pleasure with the task which had been placed in his hands. From a glimpse of the exhibition he had gathered that there were many things of peauty and utility, and the firms responsible for the display deserved every encouragement. "Radio, Mr. Archer said, was serving a great purpose in the life of the com- munity. In New Zealand four big stations were in operation with a rota so arranged that there was never a day when there was not at least three (Concluded on page 12.)

Christchurch Radio Exhibition

(Concluded from page 3.)

of them on the air. Their programmes were varied and wide, embracing the instructive and the entertaining. "T am not well versed in radio," said the mayor, "and until I am no longer maayor there are two things which I intend to leave alone. Those are the radio and the gramophone. Very often I am exceedingly sorry that there is a telephone in my house, for with the termination of mayoral duties I like to enjoy the absolute quiet of complete rest, ‘That, of course, is purely professional, but I know that the radio in many homes is a delight and an entertainment." _Mr, Archer added that thanks were due. to Station 3YA for the ready manner in which the services of the company were always placed at the disposal of the public. It was noticeable

that any request made to the company met with prompt and courteous response, ~ Sunday Services. ON Sundays the radio stations were put to good use, continued the mayor. That was well known. Listen-ers-in had a choice of concerts or of sermons. "Quite a lot of people," he said, "find it convenient to listen-in to sermons

without having to subscribe to the eollection. (Laughter). But, it has been my experience that when a church service is being put on the air, people come to church in larger numbers than ‘usual,"® The people of New Zealand, Mr. Archer went on, not only had the advantage of the local radio stations, but they had also the benefit that is brought to them from stations overseas, On a recent occasion listeners-in in New Zealand were able to hear the King’s gpeech. And on another occasion some people had heard the nightingale sing. ing in the Homeland. This was very close to being a miracle. The mayor briefly referred to the service performed by radio in the Byrd Antarctic expedition, and in Mr. Kingsford Smith’s flight across the Atlantic. Spiritual Mysteries. (CONCLUDING, the mayor said that there was one aspect of radio that deeply interested him. That was the wonderful system of radiology, which might lead to the solution of some of the great mysteries of the spiritual world. "All persons," he said, "have a spiritual side, and whether they° pay any attention to religion or not, they cannot get completely away from it. Radio seemed to suggest that those things which seem impossible to some people, and difficult to most people, are possible, and I believe that it will eventually solve the mysteries of the spiritual side of life.’ The mayor wished the Olympia the best of success. important Improvements. HE president of the Radio Olympia, Mr. L. B. Scott, stated that the strong support accorded the initiai effort last year had given rise to the enthusiasm which had resulted in the present exhibition. The Olympia had been made possible through the cooperation of the Radio Broadcasting Company and the Canterbury Radio Trading Association. Tracing the steps by which the industry had advanced, he said that the most noteworthy among improved accessories were the battery eliminator, and the development of artistic radio furniture made practicable the unit assembly. Further technical improvements were made, the dynamic speaker and the A.C. valve being the most noteworthy examples. , The trend had been towards the complete elimination of all batteries, and the use of higher voltages as a means of securing greater realism in reproduction both with respect to tonal quality and volume. All in all there was no eause for worry concerning radical departures in receiving sets which might make obsolete present-day models, for there were no important changes in construction in sight this year, and for some time to come. Radio had now been put on wheels. Radio sets for motor-cars were being manufactured, and motor: ists would have the opportunity of listening-in while travelling. Television was as interesting as ever, though in some circles there had been too much : unfounded optimism. Manufacturers

ce. Would have to burn much midnight oil before it could become sniversally practicable, . Musical Education. ME: J. EH. STRACHAN, principal of the Rangiora. High School, congratulated the promoters of the Olympia on the enterprise they had shown and on their desire to keep up to date, in all that was modern in radio. development. It was appropriate that .the Olympia was being conducted at. the Art Gallery because the present-day radio set was a work of art. "Radio to-day," he said, "is a work of art from another point of view, for it is a true musical instrument." Radio was playing an important role in the education of the public in music, and ./ if it did nothing else than to bring that cultural instinct into prominence a great and important service would be performed. Touching on the references made by the Mayor, concerning radio and spiritual revelation, Mr. Strachan said that radio was taking science nearer to the frontiers of human knowledge and had reached the line where energy turned into matter and where matter turned into energy... It was destined to cause a sociological revolution and be a means of ending war, for it was the greatest discovery of all time in bringing the peoples. of all nations into closer harmony. The radio telephone within the space of a few years would be the means of communication to all parts of the world, and the radio telephone was one thing that could not be controlled by a sect whose interests were purely selfish, The electro-dynamic development is the outstanding feature of Olympia, and the bays occupied by the various exhibitors are proof of the sweeping nature of the improvement which has followed the perfection of the latest advancement made by radio science. Artistic console cabinets in various designs are a prominent feature, The bays illustrate the utility of radio as a medium of distributing sports results, providing music at dinners, and at dances, the bedtime stories which are so popular with children, entertainmen in the home, and. assistance to the small set owner. In’ connection with the radio competition held. at the Olympia, over © 2000 entries were received. On Saturday night the winner, Mr. F. Chiverton, of Christchurch, was announced, and he was presented with a £40 radio set. One end of the hall was fitted up as a drawing-room, and here evening concerts and children’s sessions were performed, All decorations were artistically carried out by Mrs. J. M. Bingham.