RADIO, the IDEAL GIFT

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 23, 18 December 1931, Page 9

RADIO, the IDEAL GIFT

With the approach of Christmas comes the age old problem, "What shall I give?" and the age-old

ideas are turned over and rejected. It is difficult to come to a decision, for not only must the present be in accordance with the pocket, but it, more, than anything else, reflects the personality of the giver. And so the problem. One runs through the old list: Books, wearing apparel, pictures, cutlery, sports goods, and novelties, but nothing seems to fit in. More often than not we make the present and then are disappointed, not infrequently because someone else has given the same thing or because our friend has something like it. But in radio and electricity there is an almost unlimited field. _ These two new sciences, which are now household servants, are rapidly changing, and in doing so are providing a host of ideas for the discriminating Christmas giver. Not only may presents be selected from either of these useful and modern appliances, but in almost every house they are welcome additions. Both are relatively new and there are few homes to which a present of something radio or electrical would not be much appreciated. , LL us look into the possibilities offered by radio. There is the younger member of the family who is interested in radio as a hobby. To him radio parts are always acceptable; and there is a wide range to choose from. Headphones are always a safe gift, for there are many enthusiasts who cannot afford to buy a pair for themselves and who make do with the loudspeaker that is used for the family set. Even those who have a pair can utilise an extra. Concerning the actual parts used in the set, many suggestions { can be made. There is always a demand for condensers, fixed and "variable, of various capacities, good dials, new valves, transformers, and rheostats. Of course, for the non-technical member of the family to set about buying what is needed is something of a problem, but then there is always the technical friend to advise. ; For the owners of sets who are not interested technically there are always replacements. You have heard your friend say his valves at some time want renewing, yet he delays making the change. Forestall him and make valves your present. Again there are little refinements such as an extension speaker that will enable radio to be enjoyed in other rooms or taken on to the lawn, a tone control that enables even the older model sets to be brought, in one respect, up to date, a gramophone pick-up that enables the ordinary gramophone to be connected with the radio, a short-wave converter, a lightening arrester- _ perhaps a better one than is being used at present. There are other and perhaps more novel presents, such as an ingenious device by which one can record one’s own voice and reproduce it, a small microphone that enables the radio to amplify the voice, and remote controls that enable the set to be operated from another room. Talking a moment ago about radio gramophones reminds one of

the combined gramophone motors and pick-ups that are available. this Christmas. These outfits enable the ordinary radio to be con verted into a complete electric gramophone at a very small cost. They are self-contained-there being a motor and pick-up in a very. neat cabinet. ee For the owners of a combination, one of these devices or there is always the gift suggestion-records. Inexpensive and covering a complete range of tastes, gramophone records form very acceptable gifts. oo But the present of all is a complete radio set.. Certainly an expensive one, but is it not ideal to give one’s parents? The pleasure it brings is everlasting, and it will always bring to mind that happy Christmas in 1931 that was altogether different from the others, Imagine their joy on being awakened to the peal of chimes from the early morning broadcasts, and just think what a glorious New Year's Eve it would be following the Old Year round the world until it finally leaves us for good in America. After all, a good radio would not be such an expensive present if funds were pooled, and one good present made instead of many smaller ones. A really good local station set can be bought for a moderate sum, and it is surprising just how much enjoyment can be had from the local stations, particularly now that there are two or more operating in the larger cities. . RevEN the larger sets are relatively inex . ! pensive and a modern set can be had for less than £20. It is unlikely really that the prices of radio sets will fall much lower, in fact it is more likely they will shortly rise with the unfavourable state of the exchanges. So if you want a good radie and want it cheaply, buy it now. You will not be sorry. On the electrical side there is a very wide choice, ranging from practical gifts in the form of toastes, kettles, percolators, irons, read lamps and grillers to the more artistic lamp shades, table lamps, a novelties. It is quite safe to say that’ few people have seen but the merest fraction of the many beautiful and useful electric presents that can be had for but a small outlay. In any large electric shop there is a multitude of delightful presents, and in choosing from them ong can be almost certain of not duplicating what the recipient of the present

already possesses. But it is quite impossible in a brief outline to touch even lightly one of the many suggestions that radio and electricity offer as presents. Elsewhere are more detailed suggestions, but even they cannot adequately cover the huge field. One must look into a radio or electrical shop and talk with those in attendance to realise the tremendous range open to those whoa would select their presents from ‘radio and electricity. .