Challenge to "Grid Bias"

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 15, 23 October 1931, Page 6

Challenge to "Grid Bias"

Special Offer made by "The Radio Record" for an Independent: Test N another page we give in full the controversy that has waged between "Grid Bias," of the "Evening Post," and Mr. A. R. Harris, general manager of the Radio Broadcasting Company, upon the point of the efficiency or otherwise of the transmission by 2VYA of the speech on unemployment by the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates on Tuesday, October 13. On a number of previous occasions "Grid Bias" has complained of distortion on the part of 2YA. In previous statements Mr. A. R. Harris has explained that a careful check is maintained upon all transmissions, and that proof was submitted to "Grid Bias" in his own house by the chief engineer of the Radio Broadcasting Company of the efficiency and clarity of 2YA’s transmission. The technical explanation of the liability to distortion being suffered on multi-yalve receivers in close proximity to so highpowered a station as 2YA is referred to by Mr. Harris in his statements elsewhere and is supported by the practical experience of innumerable listeners. The"major point is that 2YA cannot at one and the same time issue transmission which was received clearly at a distance, and. transmission which is distorted locally. Obviously the transmission as sent out must be one thing or the other, and if certain listeners get distorted reception locally, then the fault must lie in their own receivers. In order to set this matter at rest once and for all, the "Radio Record" now issues a definite challenge to "Grid Bias." The "Radio Record" is prepared to hire the Concert Chamber of the Town Hail, or any other suitable hall in Wellington, on any evening convenient to "Grid Bias," for the purposes of a demonstration. The "Radio Record" is prepared to pay the expenses of "Grid Bias" removing into that hall his receiving set and returning it to his home. The "Radio Record" is prepared to invite representatives of any commercial receiving set to demonstrate their sets alongside that of "Grid Bias." The same offer will be open to the Radio Broadeasting Company to demonstrate on any set it chooses. The "Radio Record" is prepared to arrange for three musical judges, to be sereened from the sets, to make an award as to the clarity of reception of the sets under test. Prizes of £5 5s., £3 3s. and £2 2s. will be awarded for the sets placed first, second and third. The "Radio Record" is prépared, in order to secure absolute fairness and equity of administration, to entrust all arrangements for this test to a committee appointed by the Wellington branch of the Radio Dealers’ Association. ’ WILL "GRID BIAS" ACCEPT OUR OFFER ? We want to know definitely once and for all (1) Whether 2YA’S transmission is correct or not. (2) Whether the receiver of "Grid Bias" as specially prepared by him is capable of good reception compared with standard sets. : (3) Whether the comments of "Grid Bias" are based on reason or are merely "all bias," and part of a deliberate campaign entered upon for. 2 special predetermined purpose calculated . bo prejudice the Radio Broadcasting Company.