History of wireless telegraphy and broadcasting in Australia/Topical/Publications/Wireless Weekly/Issues/1922 08 25
Links to Issue PDFs edit
scan of Australasian Radio World - Vol. 01 No. 04 - August 1936 has been utilised to create the partial content for this page and can be downloaded at this link to further extend the content and enable further text correction of this issue: ARW 1936 08
In general, only content which is required for other articles in this Wikibook has been entered here and text corrected. The material has been extensively used, inter alia, for compilation of biographical articles, radio club articles and station articles.
P.01 - Front Page edit
The Hundred per cent. Australian Radio Journal.
THE WIRELESS WEEKLY
A Journal Devoted to the Interests of Wireless Enthusiasts both Amateur and Professional
Vol. 1 — No. 4; SYDNEY, AUGUST 25th, 1922. Price — Threepence.
Cover Photo: Sketch of Antenna for New Station at Belgium (see page 4)
Advertisement: Wireless Electric Company, Beach Street, Coogee, N.S.W. We Specialise in Complete Radio Receiving Sets and all Parts. Write or Phone for Particulars. PHONE 368 & 369 RANDWICK.
P.02 - Editorial edit
Electricity House Ad edit
ELECTRICITY HOUSE. 387 GEORGE STREET (OP. STRAND). TEL. 2961 CITY FOR ALL RADIO SUPPLIES. We cater specially for the amateur. Expert advice given free. All and any Gear made to order. Large Stocks always on hand. Complete Outfits from £5. HONEYCOMB COILS, from 6s. 6d. CONDENSOR PLATES, from Is. 6d. doz. Knobs, Dials, Eheostats, Switch Arms, Ebonite and Bakelite Panels, Cabinets, etc. Switch Points, 2£d each. Polished English Ebonite Dials, 3s 9d each. All Crystals, 6d and Is. Crystal Cups, Is 3d each. Our Rotary Switch Arms are a decent job at 4s 6d. Sliders (for Tuning Coils), Is 9d. Terminals, 6d each. Get your name down for a Catalogue. Price 6d. Absolute Satisfaction Guaranteed.
A TALK WITH "WIRELESS WEEKLY."
A couple of weeks ago we made
a suggestion to the authorities,
that the nightly weather reports,
now sent out from Australian
coast stations by Wireless tele-
graphy, should also be broadcast-
ed by radiophone for the conveni-
ence of people in the country
districts.
Of course, it is hopeless to even
think that the scheme has been
considered as yet; it takes time for
the average Australian politician
to grasp anything in the nature of
progress. But it must be done.
For months past now France
has been giving out weather fore-
casts and reports by Radiophone,
realising that every Citizen, if he
cares to use a simple receiving set,
is entitled to the benefits of a na-
tional utility.
America, too, though her wire-
less affairs are not all that could
be desired, is in the van of pro-
gress. Even from conservative
England comes a report that wire-
less weather reports sent out in
Morse code have been slowed down
so that the amateur, who is not
an expert telegraphist, can inter-
cept them.
Here in Australia, the contin-
ent of zvide spaces, the agricul-
turalist and the pastoralist are
deprived of the thrice blessed
gifts of science.
Whyt
Because the authorities are not
abreast of the times in these mat-
ters. It is all very well to say
that the man on the land has no
apparatus to receive the reports.
If he knows that the reports are
to be broadcasted, he will soon get
the comparatively inexpensive set
to receive them.
It is likewise futile to say that
the radiophone is not efficient, for
an amateur only a few weeks back,
succeeded in getting speech from
his Sydney station to New Zealand,
using under nine watts power.
There is no reason for the au>
thox’ities to delay another week.
Garden Island Radio, Sydney and
the Melbourne Radio are equipped
with the necessary apparatus.
It is the intention of “Wireless
Weekly” to have questions on
this subject asked, in the House
of Representatives .
The replies will be interesting.
The Federal elections are fast
approaching; the Government can-
not afford to ignore or shelve such
an important matter as this.
SOMETHING TO DO
Here is the method of roughly cal-
culating the wave length of an
aerial : W.E. in metres equals L
multiplied by 4 point 6, over If point
25. “L” is the total length of the
aerial in feet.
The approximate wave length of
an aerial is 4 h time** its length, in-
clusive of the lead in and ground
lead. This appliesTo~the inverted
“E” type. For the wave Jengtli of
a tone “T” type, the length of the
aerial is divided by two, after
which the lead in and ground lead
lengths arc added.
COMPETITION COUPON.
To the Editor,
Sir, —Herewith photograph and
description of tny set as an entry
for your competition.
I agree to be bound by your
decision, and Observe the rules of
the competition.'
(Name) ..,
(Address)
(If under 18 years of age)
AMATEURS!
Let us show you hq&v to make your own
set, and economise.
We stock all Parts and will give you
every assistance.
Wo Specialise in all Loose Coupler Parts
Country and Interstate amateurs, take
advantage of our
Same Day Service.
Miss F. V. WALLACE,
Electrical Engineer,
S Royal Arcade (opp.
Q.V. Buildings),
George Street, Sydney.
A PECULIARITY.
BODY INDUCTANCL.
Do you know the meaning of
“body inductance?”
In radio reception the body has
a jueciii.m cnaracteristic of acting
as an inductance of very great re-
sistance or as a capacity of low
value (says “Popular Science
Siftings”). As an inductance you
can obtain results by disconnect-
ing the aerial from the apparatus
and holding the aerial in one
hand and touching the antenna
terminal of your apparatus with
the other hand. In the case of
nearby broadcasting stations,
where you are using the vacuum
tube detector with two stages of
amplification, fairly good loud re-
ception can be obtained by plac-
ing the body in series with the
antenna and the apparatus.
To do so, however, is merely an
experiment, and it has no value,
as it materially reduces the
strength of the signals. The body
will exert a capacity effect if
the hands are placed across cer-
tain of the terminals in your set.
For instance, if you place your
finger on the grid and plate ter-
minals of your vacuum tube the
body will act as a condenser, giv-
ing a slight feed-back from the
plate circuit to the oscillatory cir-
cuit, and a slight increase in
strength will be observed on vacu-
um tube sets that are not regen-
erative in themselves.
This body capacity effect is
sometimes the cause of a great
deal of inconvenience, particularly
in sets using vacuum tubes, where
the set itself is not ground-shield-
ed. The annoyance consists of
the fact that after the operator of
the set has completed the tuning
arrangements and withdraws his
hand, the whole* set is thrown out
of adjustment. This is caused by
the removal of the small amount
of capacity represented by the
body out of the circuit when the
operator withdraws his hand.
Don't try to solder your earth
wire to a water pipe, its most diffi-
cult. The best plan is to hold the
wire to the pipe by means of a
clip.
BEST SET.
WHOSE IS IT?
A COMPETITION.
“Wireless Weekly” is conduct-
ing a competition.
We are looking for the best
amateur crystal set, and the best
amateur valve set.
Of course, it would be imprac-
ticable for us to examine the ac-
tual sets, so the judging will be
on a,photograph and written des-
cription.
There is no entrance fee..
All you have to do to enter a
set is to get a good clear photo-
graph of it, and send it, together
with a description and details, not
exceeding 200 words, and the
filled out coupon on this page to
the Editor, “Wireless Weekly,”
Fox 378, G.P.O., Sydney. Enve-
lopes should be endorsed “Compe-
tition.”
It 'makes no difference if you
made the set yourself or not.
Judging will be on design, neat-
ness and originality, and in order
that the judges may have full in-
formation to work on, competitors
are asked to send good photo-
graphs, and clear manuscript,
written on one side of the paper
only..
The prizes will be an open order
to the value of one guinea, on any
establishment selling wireless ap-
paratus, for the best crystal set
and best valve set.
The competition will close on
September 22, when all entries
must be in the hands of the edi-
tor. All photographs and entries
sent in become the property of
the “ Wireless Weekly.”
Competitors must give their
full names and addresses, but if
it is expressly stated these will
be held confidential.
In all case's, and on each and
every point, the decision of the
Editor shall be final.
POLDHU.
FAMOUS STATION
CLOSES.
Poldhu, probably the most fam-
ous wireless station in the world,
has sent its last messages, says
the London Daily Mail. M.8.D., its
famous call sign for which ships’
operators have listened eagerly for
the last 19 years, is now replaced
by M.F.T., the sign of Clifden, the
Irish station of the Marconi Com-
pany.
Perched on the roclc-bound
coast of Cornwall, Poldhu, which
has made history, was the first
high-power wireless station to be
built, and from here the first wire-
less message was sent across the
Atlantic on a 2,000-metre wave-
length on December 12th, 1901, to
St. John’s, Newfoundland.
The future of the station is not
yet certain. It is probable it will
be used for research work, but
never again will messages from
the far ends of the earth be re-
ceived marked, ‘via Poldhu.”
HOW TO START
AVOIDING PITFALLS
BY ONE WHO HAS
SUFFERED.
The average man • hears a lot
about “experimenters'” and “ama-
teurs,” these days. He reads of
their doings, puzzles over their
technical jargon, and, perhaps
wishes he too would take up this
fascinating hobby.
Then the problem confronts
him: “How do I start?”
If the prospective enthusiast
has a friend already “in the
game” his path will.be easy, but
if not it is the . reverse. The
writer caught the -radio disease
from a stray technical publication
and went entirely the wrong way
about getting a set.
Fortunately I saw a newspaper
paragraph telling how and where
to apply for a license, and having
got a covering letter, and with
permission to experiment I set
about looking for apparatus.
From the teennieal' book I had
gleaned a very misty' idea of the
parts required, and not wishing to
show my Ignorance, I copied out
the bit and read it to the shop-
keeper.
i’liO ITJ ih K ■ STARTS.
. That, was all. right, but when
I got the parts home my troubles
commenced. I connected up, but
could get no-results, and after
wasting a deal of time and ex-
hausting all my patience, I re-
luctantly gave up. At that mo-
ment, radio was very near to los-
ing me. However, I pocketed my
pride, went back to the shop.
There was a gleam in the shop-
keeper’s eyes when he saw me; I
think he understood. Frankly I
told him all and he kindly gave
me a lot of hints and changed the
parts for a nice little crystal set.
He also introduced- me to some
experimenters, wh© i got me into
their club. At the club meetings
I learned more than, anyone could
from text books.
WHAT TO DO,
I have now reached the valve
stage, and derive the maximum of
pleasure from my experimenting,
but I shall never forget my in-
glorious entry into the game.
Now this is my advice to any
person who washes to start ex-
perimenting. Write to the Secre-
tary of a club and ask him to get
you elected. Don’t be afraid to
ask the members for advice; they
were all beginners once. Write
straight away for a license, and
when you get it, choose your ap-
paratus. Ask one of your club-
mates what to get and let them
help you instal it.
Thereafter your progress
should be rapid and straightf
ward.
WE PROMISED.
(By LOO NATIK).
A man with a wild look in his
eyes and straw in his hair bustled
into the office of the “Wireless
Weekly,” the other day. While
waiting for the attendant to ar-
rive he scribbled the following
lines and asked the Editor to pub-
lish them. The Editor (belonging
to the clan that boasts of being
too proud to fight, and, incident-
ally being too fat to run) promis-
ed, so here you are: —
T’was Christmas Day in the “Nut
House”
The loonies were all there,
Watching a fellow patient,
Tearing his flowing hair.
I’ll tell you who he was, sir,
And wny he worried so;
His name was Grid Condenser,
The cause was Radio.
I’ll tell you the harrowing story.
And how he got put in,
He tried to make a sending set,
With a matchbox and a pin.
There are thirty five more
verses, but the Editor, now that
his friend is in good hands once
more, does not feel disposed to
inflict them on our readers.
“ *
Keep your accumulators up-
right. Sulphuric acid has an in-
desirable effect on one’s best car-
pet.
FOR BELGIUM.
Monster Station.
(See Front Page).
Our front page •- illustration
shows the giant station the Bel-
gian State has just started at '
Ruysselede, near Bruges. This
plant, is intended to communicate
with the Bel'gian colony in! Central
Africa, as well as with North and
South America. It will perhaps
be the most powerful in the world.
The aerial is to he supported by
eight towers 0f.2 75 metres height.
The power plant will consist of
one 1000-kilowatt generator, with
two high-frequency generators of
corresponding power. One of these
will be an arc generator, weighing
8 000 kilograms; the second will
be a high frequency alternator of
the Bethenod-Eatour system.
The second of these will work
at 2500 turns per minute, giving a
peripheral speed of 170 metres
per second for the rotor. It works
in a partial vacuum to reduce the
resistance. Rotor and stator are
to be cooled by oil circulating un-
dfer pressure. The length of waves
in both instances will be from
20,000 to 25,000 metres; current
on the aerial, 850 amperes. Auto-
matic transmission at a speed of
100-120 words per minute will he
employed.
The building of the plant has
been entrusted to the same Bel-
gian concern that is now engaged
on the Belgian stations in Central
Africa.
The drawing gives a view of the
plant with its huge aerial as ori-
ginally designed, although some
modifications of this design are
under way.
<s—
Hang tlte phones on a wall when
you have done with them. This
allows the moisture on the dia-
phragms to dry. Never tap the
diaphragms with a pencil. Once
they get bent they are useless.
See that your valve circuits are
not causing radiation. By this is
meant, don’t experiment with
e circuits until you know
. : you are doing.
MAKE YOUR OWN.
A LOOSE COUPLER SET.
A simple and effective loose-
■coupler crystal set is shown here,
and for the expenditure of a few
sliillings, and by following out the
•directions, a wireless set may be
constructed, which will have a
range of about 2,000 miles, with
a good aerial, and a wave length
«f over 2,000 metres.
■\\ith a set of this kind, you
should have no difficulty in hear-
inf Awanui, New Zealand, and
most Australian stations, and you
will be able to listen to the con-
certs, if favourably situated.
Get two cardboard tubes, about
seven inches long, and 41 inches
and 4 inches in diameter respec-
tively, and give them a good coat
of shellac, first making sure that
they are thoroughly dry.
Wind the larger tube, the prim-
ary with 24 or 26 gauge enamel-
led wire, a single winding being
all that is necessary, and mount
the tube between two square pieces
of wood, P and P’ , P’ having a
circular hole in it, to allow the
secondary tube to slide inside the
primary.
A brass rod and slider are
mounted on top of the primary as
shown, the slider “a” making con-
tact with the primary wire along
a track from which the enamel has
been carefully .scraped from the
wire, so that as the slider is moved
along the rod, contact is made
with each wire separately. 1
A terminal is fixed on the slider
rod at “x,” and another terminal
is placed in a convenient position,
on the other wooden end at “y,”
and one end of the primary wind-
ing is connected to “y.” The
other end of the primary wire is
secured to the cardboard tube, but
is not connected to any terminal.
It is a “dead-end.”
The terminal “y” is the aerial
terminal, and it is here that you
join your aerial wire, while “x
is the earth terminal, and is to be
joined to a water pipe or other
suitable earth.
It will be readily understood
that the current from the wireless
waves comes from the aerial to
“y,” passes through the primary
winding to the sliding contact a,
in whatever pqsition “a” may be,
then along the slider rod to “x,”
and so to earth. This is the com-
plete primary circuit. By moving
“a” nearer to “x” a longer length
of the primary winding is brought
into use, and these extra turns
give you a longer wave-length.
Ordinarily, with “a” about one
inch along the windings from “y,”
the commercial 600 metre wave
length would be picked up, so that
get a concert wave of say 1,400
metres, you would need to slide
“a” about $ of the way along to-
wards “x.”
Now for the secondary winding,
“b.” First of all, make sure that
you are winding “b” in the same
direction as you wound the prim-
ary, as shown by the arrows. Use
No. 20 gauge silk or cotton cov-
ered wire. Begin at the left hand
end, and wind for about one inch,
and then make a hole in the card-
board tube underneath, and put-
ting your hand inside, draw the
wire through Inside the tube, in a
long loop ready to connect to the
first stud “c” on the left of the
group of studs. Then wind along
for about another inch, and repeat
the looping of the wire, this time
connecting to the second stud, and
so on, until the end of the wire is
fastened to the last stud. Any
brass bolts and nuts may be used
as studs, but be sure to leave a
generous length of wire when,
making your loops for connection
to these, and if possible, solder the
connections. A knob and switch-
arm “d” are used to make contact
with the studs, and are fixed as
shown.
The secondary is mounted on
two brass rods “f,” which pass
(Continued on page 6).
a
Western Electric
A MOST EFFICENT HEADPIECE
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A light and comfortable, especially built
Radio Accessory, designed to reproduce
over a range from the low notes of a
church organ to the hieh vibrations of
a violin. You’ll find Western Electric
No. 1002-c. the finest headpiece you’ve
ever used. Call and inspect it, or write
for particulars.
WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY
(AUST.) LIMITED
192 Castlereagfi Street, Sydney.
262 Flinders Lane, Me bourne.
aELESS SPECIALTIES - GUARAhTEEl) & SENT ANYWHERE.
Get our Catalog, 80 pages,
200 illustrations.
Price 7d. post paid.
POTARYSWITCH
ARMS, with Ebonite
knobs. 3s. each.
Postage 3d.
SWITCH POINTS. Price 4d.
each, post paid.
SLIDERS (for Tuning Coils),
P s -( * d.
Wireless Hook-ups 88 page
Book, 157 diagrams.
Post paid Is. 3d.
DETECTORS (Dust-
proof). Illustrated. 255.
BABY (Simple and Re-
liable. ss.
SILICON or GALENA
CRYSTAL (tested). Is6d
CRYSTAL CUP, with
3 screws. Is. 6d. Post-
age lnd.
PHONE or GRID CONDENSER. 2s.
ut
Tlx/f^rLUi\r
- ■ P.H.M c ELROY.
21/ **U/AISJSTON STREET through the primary and second- ary ends, and are secured with nut 3 as shown at “n,” one end being fastened to a small wooden upright “g.” The whole is fixed to a base- board “r,” and screwed firmly in position. The secondary is provided with two circular wooden ends, which should have been previously men- tioned, the brass studs and switch- arm being mounted on one of these ends. “L” is a piece of ebonite fixed on the sides of the primary ends, and on it is mounted a simple phone condenser “K,” the construction of which will be des- cribed in the next issue, and a crystal cup “j” with a catwhiskcr contact. The telephones are connected to two terminals “t,t”- on the phone condenser, and the secondary cir- cuit is completed by taking one wire from the switch on the se- condary to the terminal Holding the catwhisker contact, and anoth- er wire from the beginning of the secondary end (which is other- wise a free end) to the top termin- al of the telephone condenser, then connect with a short wire, or brass strip, from the crystal cup to the bottom terminal of the condenser. The wires from the secondary could be brought around through the back of the primary and then behind the ebonite panel. They are not shown on the diagram. This set is more efficient, and gives finer tuning than that des- cribed in our last issue. The loose coupler has the adyantage that when the amateur goes in for valve work he can still use it in cr •■'nr-tinii with a valve panel. CHILD OF 5 MAKES A LOOSE COUPLER. Little Rex Roy, aged five years, of Sydney, has just completed a loose coupler set, with a wave ■ length up tto 2,000 metres, and a very credits able job it is. He built the set absolutely unaided except for advice, and when he and his father brought the set into the city the other day, it was connected to aerials, and found to give excel- lent results. Rex’s chief sorrow is that he has to go to bed: before Pennant Hills sends his weather reports every even- ing, but daddy has strict instructions not to meddle with “the set.” PLATE VOLTAGE. For detector purposes a “soft/* vaive is mostly used, and such valves are critical to plate volt- ages. In other words, one will work very well on say, twenty volts, while another will need r»nly about eight volts. It is not a bad scheme to use a multi-point switch in order to get the correct amount of voltage in the plate circuit. It is not absolutely ne- cessary, however, because modern valves are much: more stable in their operation than they used to be.
TELEPHONE: CITY NO. 802.
RODMAN & KELAHER,
Electro-Medical instrument Makers,
f-
lOTa EBizaheth Street, Sydney.
lONIC MEDICATION OUTFITS. HOT AIR MACHINES. MEDICAL
BATTERIES. ACCUMULATORS. X-RAY APPARATUS * SPARK
COILS. ELECTRIC STERILIZERS. MAGNETOS.
Anglo-American Book Shop.
WILLIAMS AND SON
(late Hallams).
Q.Y. 1 UILDINGS,
459 GEORGE STREET,
SYDNEY.
All the Latest Wireless Books and
.Magazines in stock, posted anywhere.
Our Radio Yarn.
THE DREAM.
“Well, mother, anything else 1
can get you?”
Fred Ghampion, a sturdy youth
of 15, smiled down at his mother,
on whose pretty face sickness had
put its mark.
“No, thank you, Fred. I’m quite
comfortable now, so you run away
to your beloved wireless, and. I’ll
think out a nice welcome for fath-
er when he gets home to-morrow. ’
Fred strolled down to the little
shed in the back garden, where his
radio outfit was housed, and sat
down before the receiving panel.
He had got his love of radio from
liis father, wrho was chief wireless
officer on a cargo steamer trading
between Australia and America.
After a couple of months’ absence,
the steamer bearing his father was
nearing home and was due in port
the. following day.
Mr. Champion would be sur-
prised to find his wife on a sick
- bed. She had been stricken down
-two weeks before, and for some days her life had been despaired of. She was well on the way to recovery now, however, and the doctor had said that she would soon be about again. “But she must have no worry and no exeite-
- ment,” was his warning.
“I’ll see if I can pick up Dad, thought Fred, as he put on the ’phones and switched on the valve. He looked at his watch. It was eight o’clock, usually a fairly busy time, but to-night there was very little doing. A large passenger steamer, a long distance away, was talking with the coast station, some 15 miles from Fred’s home, and static bubbled and crackled
- freely.
Suddenly, Fred started. Dots and dashes were coming in fast, and to his trained cars they formed themselves into the dreaded 5.0.5., the appeal of those in peril at sea. Fred pencilled the message, and tears were streaming down his face when it ended, for the ship in trouble was his father’s. The message that told the story was: “Struck a submerged object 2 o miles due east of Black Point. Sinking by the head; cannot re- main afloat many minutes.” Fred started to rise, but, realis- ing his helplessness, sank back in his chair again. That the vessel was in a Lad way there was no doubt. Her signals were very weak, and the young operator sur- mised that his father was sending on his emergency power. He listened in again. The sig- nals had ceased, and he waited for the coast station to reply. Then Fred got the second blow of that night. The coast station had missed the S.O.S. message, and was asking for a repeat. Several times the request went forth, but there was no answer from the ship. She had either foundered or her emergency batteries had given out. How would the rescuers know where to go? It was improb- able that any other station had caught the message, for they would have relayed it on to the coast station ere this. Fred stared at the message on the pad in front of him. Yes! He could telephone it to the station. Snatching off his headgear, he dashed off to the nearest public telephone and gave the message to the officer in charge of the coast station, who happend to be a friend of his father. “Right son- ny,” the officer said; “we’ll get to work. Give us a ring in half an hour, and we will tell you what’s doing.” The half an hour went very slow- ly for Fred. He thought of his sick mother. The news would surely cause a relapse, if not worse. The next news from the station was that a fast destroyer was on her way to the scene. “If you listen in, said the officer, “you Will hear her reporting to us.” Some six hours later the white- faced youth heard the destroyer’s message: — “Searched the vicinity given thoroughly. Plenty of wreck- age, including smashed life- boats. No trace of survivors.” Heavy of heart the lead went into the house and looked into his mother’s room. “Come here, Fred,” whispered the sick woman, “I'm not feeling too well. I had such a dreadful dream, in which I saw Daddy’a ship go down.” Suddenly she started to sob violently. The sobbing ceased as the youth reached the bedside, and he' heard the faint whispef: “I’m going to join Daddy, Fred; good-bye. He died doing his duty.” 1 The frail form on the bed was very still, and the orphan pillowed his face in his hands and wept be- cause of his great grief. Referring to the success of the recent amateur Trans-Atlantic tests an American Professor com- pared the picking up of the feeble signals in Scotland to the percep- tion by eyesight of the rays of an ordinary electric bulb at a dis- tance of 3,000 miles.
“STAR” RADIO BATTERIES
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They are recognised to be better than any
imported battery, and no set is complete
and up-to-date without a “ STAR”
Spare Plates or Parts Supplied to
amateurs desirous of making up their
own batteries.
Full particulars and prices on application.
Batteries repaired, re-charged, and hired-
out at lowest rates.
STAR BATTERIES LIMITED
Storage Battery Manufacturers
“Hitch your Radio to a STAR.”
_ 43-45 Wentworth Avenue,
(Next Australian General Electric Company),
Sydney.
THE BUSY PEN.
Mr. Allen Burrows writes:
A central organisation as is at
present being formed, consisting
of representatives from amateur
and professional wireless bodies,
would have important and far-
reaching effects on the radio com-
munity of N.S.W. Never before
has the need for such an associa-
tion been more urgent. When
the advantages derived from a
similar organisation in America
are so manifest, the pity is that it
lias not been done here before; if
it had, conditions would probably
be different to what they are now.
But to reach its true objective,
the association must be absolutely
representative; for it to be other-
wise would be unjust to those
whom it excluded. Dealing with
the authorities as an organisation
professing to be representative of
the amateurs of N.S.W., it would
really only represent those whom
its conditions favoured. Exactly
w'hat those conditions may be is be-
side the point; at present, it ap-
pears they will consist of restric-
tions confining representation to
amateurs or professionals, fortun-
ate enought to have the opportun-
ity of assembling in certain num-
bers. A smaller body of whole-
hearted enthusiasts, whom circum-
stances prevent growing in num-
ber, are accordingly unrepresent-
ed through no fault of their own.
The contention that they can al-
ways join a larger club, thereby
giving themselves representation,
is as unfair as the restriction itself
is. The small club has as much
right to retain its individuality
and to make its voice heard, as
that which has the advantage of
numbers; or, if not as much right,
if has a certain right (proportion-
al to its size) which should be re-
spected.
After all, it is the wireless man
himself that a central organisation
is out to help, regardless of
whether he lives in the city and
is able to belong to several large
clubs at once, or whether circum-
stances prevent him joining a body
any larger than the numerous sub-
urban clubs which are now in
existence.
Dear Sir,
I am sure you will be inter- *
ested to hear about a little experi- <
ence of last week. I had occasion
to visit an aged and somewhat in- ,
firm couple who live in an isolated
cottage not far from the city, and
found them reading the first issue t
of your little paper “The Wireless :
Weekly,” and animatedly discus- ;
sing it.
The old lady told me that wire-
less had always fascinated her, .
and only for the great expense -
she would have possessed an out- ;
fit long ago. I am making her a
little set as a surprise, so that she .
may hear the concerts, and am
sure it will be a hard task to con-
vince her how small the expenses
really is, for one who lives so close j
to the city.
Wireless is indeed proving a
great blessing and deserves all
publicity it can get.
“C.Q."
HETERODYNE.
WHAT IT MEANS.
The literal translation of the
word, is “other power.” _ In its
application to radio, the hetero<-
dyne effect is used in continuous
wave telegraphy—the modern
form of signalling by means of
wireless. The theory* df hetero-
dyne can perhaps be-' best explain-
ed in theTfollowifig manner: The
transmitting station will be send-
ing out waves of
a certain specific frequency, which
for the purposes of illustration we
may say is. 50*000. cycles per sec-
ond.
Now this frequency is far too
high for the human ear to re-
spond to, and it is also too high
for the telephone receivers to re-
cord. The problem that had to
be solved before continuous wave
telegraphy became a success was
how to reduce this frequency so
that the telephones would record
the signals and make them audi-
ble to the ears.
MOST EFFICIENT. .. .
The heterodyne method has
been* found the most efficient, and
it consists of pitting one set of
high frequencies against another.
In our supposititious case the in-
coming frequency is at the rate of
50,000 cycles per second. In or-
der to obtain results in the tele-
phones the operator causes his re-
ceiving set to oscillate, or, in
other words, he turns it into a
minature transmitting set. He
adjusts these, oscillations until
they are about 49,500 cycles per
second in frequency.
The condition that now exists
in his receiving apparatus is this:
The two sets of frequencies clash
with each other 500 times every
second, or to put it into electrical
phraseology, they are out of phase
with each other 500 times each
second.
MUSICAL NOTE.
New, every time they clash the
two sets of frequencies cause a
click in the telephone receiver and
clicks running at the rate of 500
a second produce a very musical
note. It will be readily seen that
the operator, being able to control
the oscillations of his receiving
set, can produce any musical note
he pleases, because all he has to
do is to vary his own set to make
the number of clashes per second
anything 1 he chooses. He can, for
instance, make it 100 per second
or 2.000 per second.
Another advantage of this sys-
tem is that in the event of his be-
ing interefered with by ordinary
spark signals he has a good op-
portunity to overcome this inter-
ference by simply making his own
set produce higher frequencies
than the incoming wave, and still
get the same results. In other
words, instead of producing
oscillations at a frequency of
49,500 cycles a second, he can go
to 50,500 cycles a second. —
“Popular Science Siftings/’
RADIOPHONE.
SIMPLE SENDING SET.
In view of the fact that trans-
mitting will soon be allowed in
Australia, the following article by
a writer in the “Wireless Age”
should interest. —
Many amateurs would like to
construct small radiophones, but
the numerous instruments that
are used confuse them and they
are afraid to build one for fear
it will not work. I have built
a set that is the last word in sim-
plicity. It is very efficient and
with 60 volts on the plate, will
cover 5 miles very easily. I havo
been heard at a distance of 20
miles. A circuit diagram of the
set is given in figure 1
The inductance consists of a
cardboard tube 2 inches in dia-
meter wound with 36 turns of
number 16 D.C.C. wire. The
wire should be wound from one
end (A) and at the 19th turn a
tap off (B). Seventeen more
turns should be wound to make
36 turns in all. The variable con-
denser in shunt to the inductance
has a capacity of .0005 rnfd. The
plate potential can be composed of
three ordinary “B” batteries con--
nected in scries, but if a few
more are used, so much the better.
The tap (B) is connected to the
Fig. 1
positive side of the filament light-
ing battery. A key can be con-
nected in this lead as shown in
the diagram for continuous wave
telegraphy. When using the set
as a radiophone, this key must be
closed. A microphone of the com-
mon land telephone type, which
can be purchased very cheaply, is
connected in the ground lead. Al-
together this set is very simple to
construct and is reliable and
stable in operation.
— .
Keep an eye on your lead-in
tube. Damp will cause bad insu-
lation and poor signals.
WIREIESS books.
Consolidated Radio Call Book. 10s.
Design Data for Radio-Trans-
mitters and Receivers (by Sleeper),
4s 6d.
Wireless Marconi Military Pack
Stations. Technical Description,
2 s.
Handbook for Wireless Operators
(Licensed H.M. Postmaster-Gene-
ral), 2s. 6d.
Wireless Telegraphy and Tele-
phony. Fully illustrated, 2s.
jThe Maintenance of Wireless
Telegraph Apparatus
3s 9d.
N.S.W. Bookstall Company, Ltd.,
476 George Street.
Beautiful Illumination with
PARIAN WARE
HUMPHREYS’ LIMITED,
465 George Street, Sydney.
Telephone: City 3849.
RADIO SETS
\
and Paris to make them.
Send for Price Lists.
ELECTRICAL UTILITIES SUPPLY COY.
605 GEORGE STREET, SYDNEY.
j
MUSIC IN THE AIR
SUNDAY NIGHT’S CONCERT.
Mr. Maclurcan’s concert, for next
Sunday night, commencing at 7.30,
includes the following Pathe re-
cords. If any fading of the higher
notes in the vocal records is
noticed, kindly report particulars
to Mr. Maclurcan.
Fox Trot. —“Sweet Love.”
Bed Time Story. —“Three Little
Pigs.” (The little ones can then
go to bed.)
Hawaiian Guitar. —“La Paloma.”
Soprano.—“ll Secreto di Suzanne,”
Claudia Muzio.
Piano Solo. —“Prelude in C Sharp
Minor,” Rachmaninoff.
Xylophone.—“ The Little Rascal.”
8 p.m. Code Practice, C.W. and
Buzzer.
One Step.—“ Swanee Rose.”
Hawaiian Guitar. —“Hawaiian Para-
dise.”
Banjo.—“Parsiflage.”
Baritone. —“Kashmiri Song,” from
the “Indian Love Lyrics.”
Baritone. —“The WTiistling Yarn,”
G. H. Snazelle.
Recitation. —“The Cricket Club of
Red Nose Flat.”
AN APPRECIATION.
(By “Listener).
Sunday nights are eagerly
looked forward to by radio en-
thusiasts, both amateur and pro-
fessional, throughout the State of
N.S.W., and we have to thank Mr.
Chas. Maclurcan for it.
Through his kindly and gener-
ous nature he entertains hundreds
of people with a very excellent
musical programme, broadcasted
from his station at Strathfield. AC
7.30 p.m. every amateur has his
set tuned to 1400 metres waiting
for the preliminary V’s to tune in
on. And what a welcome sound
it is after a week of dots and
dashes!
Everyone breathes a sigh of re-
lief if the old set is working O.K.
A few preliminary remarks, and
then the concert programme
starts.
I think I am right in saying that
Mr. Maclurcan is the pioneer of
radio telephone concerts in this
country, and the regularity of
them makes his name a household
word. We cannot express the en-
thusiasm and delight the hundreds
of amateurs feel over his splendid
Sunday night concerts.
The “Wireless Weekly” also
takes this opportunity to express
appreciation oh behalf of its
readers, to Mr. Maclurcan for his
generous attitude towards the
amateur experimenters. We hope
that he will long continue to give
us these much appreciated Sunday
evening radio concerts.
FOR THE FARMER’S
OUTFITS IN SCHOOLS.
In the Legislative Assembly on
Tuesday night, the Minister for
Education told Mr. Arkins that he
would consider a scheme of install-
ing wireless outfits at country
schools, and thus giving the chil-
dren a training in wireless tele-
graphy and at the same time dis-
seminating valuable weather infor-
mation to the surrounding farmers.
“Hush,” said Dick to his small
neighbour, Joe, who was permitted
to watch Dick operate his wonder-
ful crystal set, “I hear a ship!”
“I suppose” said Joe, in an awe-
stricken voice, “you can tell that
it is a ship, by the waves”?
Get it by Wireless:
THE RADIO MAGNAVOX
Breaks the restraints and restrictions
which confine the use and enjoyment
of Radio to the technical expert and
the man wearing the Head Set.
Tha Radio Magnavox:
The Re-producer with the
Movable Coil
gives volume without distortion.
With THE RADIO MAGNAVOX
wireless entertainment in the home
can be made a source of pleasure and
the centre of attraction for any
family or social gathering.
Wo Head Sets ar*o
Necessary,
Inquiries invited on any Radio prob-
lem or special apparatus.
Call, write, or phone,
MAGNAVOX AUSTRALASIA,
17 THE BANKING HOUSE.,
228 PITT STREET, SYDNEY.
Phone City 3710.
“Yours for Everything
Electrical,”
For the Home, Factory, Workr, Shops, or Ships,
We aim to Sell only the Best.
Prices are made to Suit all Purses.
ELECTRIC IRONS, TOASTERS,
FANS, from 305., 475. 6d., 90s.
Try a Course of my Cheap
50 C.P. Lamps, only 1/3. 13/6 Doz.
All Guaranteed and Tested.
Round the
Clubs.
THE WAVERLEY AMATEUR
RADIO CLUB.
In view of its intention to instal
a transmission set suitable for
1 .000 metres, is remodelling its
aerial. When completed, it will
consist of three wires on 10 foot
spreaders, with a length of about
SO feet. In addition, the aerial
is being entirely re-insulated. The
chief difficulty of the Club’s set
now lies in the valves, which have
to be imported. Mr. Maelurcan
has been consulted, with the ob-
ject of obtaining his opinion on
the different makes.
A separate night has now been
e 3lotted for code practice at the
Club rooms. This inauguration,
n is believed, will materially as-
sist members who are engaged in
learning Morse.
1LLAWARRA RADIO CLUB.
The Ulawarra Radio Club had a
busy evening at its last meeting on
17 th inst.
A le tter to the Club from the
Controller of Wireless was read in
reply to enquiries made as to
speed tests and licenses. It was
decided to make application for a
permit to carry on speed tests, and
Messrs. Hewett and Gorman were
appointed to conduct the tests.
Mr. C. Borthwick then gave an
interesting talk on fundamental
principles of wireless. With the as-
sistance of Mr. E. G. Bailey he
gave a simple demonstration of the
transmission of electric waves by
means of a spark coil attached to
a loop.
The Club’s delegates (Messrs.
Hewett and Atkinson) then report-
ed the result of the recent meet-
ing of Club delegates, whereupon
some lively discussion ensued,
particularly as to the capitation
fee to the proposed Association.
The desirability of such an Asso-
ciation was generally conceded,
and the Club decided to throw in
its lot with the Association, pro-
vided the. fee was limited to 2/-
per member, and subject to other
important matters being put on a
satisfactory basis at the adjourned
meeting.
The next Meeting of the Club
will be held at the Carlton School
of Arts on 31st August, at 8 p.m.
Buzzer practice, 7.30 to 8.
METRO CLUB!
There was a well-attended meet-
ing of the Metropolitan Radio
Club at the Kardomah Cafe, King
St., last week, when the President,
Mr. R. C. Marsden, occupied the
chair. The social side, which is
usually such a feature of this
club’.s meetings, had to be deleted
on this occasion, as the time was
marked out for discussion of the
matters arising out of the recent
Inter-Club Conference.
Various views were expressed,
the most vigorous discussion cen-
treing round the capitation fee for
the proposed wireless council for
New South Wales. The delegates,
Mr. Marsden and Mr. Best, were
instructed not to consent to more
than 1/- per head for each mem-
ber.
The members of the club were
unanimous in their praise of Mr.
Maclurcan’s kindness in sending
out the concerts, and a vote of ap-
preciation was carried. Mr. Palm-
ar gave a talk on batteries, which
was much appreciated.
SALE & EXCHANGE
Three Lines (approximately,
15 Words), may be inserted in
this Column for 9d.
Extra Lines or part thereof,
at 6d per line.
FOR SALE.— Crystal set; L. coupler,
detector, Ph. cond. and ’phones. Apply
N. J. Hurll, Northcotc Av., Killara.
Phone Jlll3.
Has anyone a good 6-volt accumulator
for sale? Price, etc., A. Pickering,
Wigram St., Harris Park.
WANTED—A Post Office Resistance Box.
C. Maclurcan, St athfield.
9 9 9
a ■ ■
What do you want to know?
Every reasonable specific Query
in the field of general wireless ad-
dressed to the Information Depart-
ment will receive a prompt reply.
While lengthy replies cannot be
given to complicated questions in-
volving extensive research or com-
putations, this department aims to
j© of maximum ..ervice in supply-
ing information as to what books
or other sources may contain
answers to these questions.
A stamped addressed envelope
must accompany each question, but
the writer’s name will not be pub-
lished if he so requests.
Address the Information Editor,
‘Wireless Weekly,” Box 378, G.P.0.,
Sydney.
STATION CALLS.
SHIPS STATIONS. GREAT
BRITAIN.
Backworth, GCBZ; Badenia, GB-
ZD; Badagry, YEC; Bahadur; XTK;
Bahia Castillo, GBSC; Baldina,
XXE; Balderton, GDQC; Ballarat,
GFBL; Balfe, GCQB; Ballena, GC-
YF; Ballycotton, GFLW; Balmoral,
GFQP; Ballygally Head, GBRK;
Balranald, GFBM; Balmoral Castle,
MPW; Baltabor, GDLB; Baltamar,
GDXK; Baltannic, GDWM.
Baltic, MBC; Baltriger, GDXC;
Baluchistan, LXK; Balzac, GC-
SZ; Bamora, MST; Bampton, LSQ;
Bampton Castle, YBF; Banca,
MFS; Banchory, ZQS; Bandon,
GDVL; Bandra, MCH; Banffshire,
GVM; Bangala, GAC; Bankdaic,
ENF; Bankura, GCH; Baradine,
GFBN; Barala, GCM; Barbadian,
GBQM: Bardic, BEM; Barima,
ZNB; Barjora, GCT; Barlby, BTT;
Barmoor, EZL; Baroda, GDL;
Ilaron Ailsa, XES.
Baron Ardrossan MWW; Bar-
on Berwick MSS; Baron Blantyre
XLN;, Baron Cathcart ZRI; Bar-
on Cawdor GBTZ; Baron Douglas
ODD;,Baron Elcho ZPP; Baron-
esa ZQA; Baron Fairlie LUZ;
Baron Garioch GBNC; Baron Inch-
cape BAU; Baron Jedburgh MGD;
Baron Kelvin EOT; Baron Minto
YEK; Baron Napier MJS; Baron
Polwarth BRB; Baron Renfrew
ZOQ; Baron Sempill ZFP; Bar-
otse ZPR; Barpeta MPR; Bassa
YYJ.
Barrabool GFBP; Barranca MLL;
Bassan ZMJ; Barrymore GBDT;
Bassano YQA; Balta GBST; Bat-
anga YEB; Bathurst GBMP; Bats-
ford ZXL; Bavarian ZTU; Bayano
GMK; Bayford BEL; Baychimo
GDWK; Bay cross ZYZ; Baygola
ZXW; Baydouglas ETU; Baygow-
an ZVY; Baylula BAF; Bayhowel
lATW; Baymano YHX; Bayman-
ter BAD; Baymingo YHP; Bayra-
mento YCW; Baysarnia YNW;
Baysarua EQO; Baytigern ESP;
Bawerdun ZXX; Beacon Grange
GCQL; Belgic ZXC; Bearwood
GFCD; Bearerton XTO; Becken-
ham EWU; Beechleaf EZG;
Beechpark GCBR; Beechwood
YAE.
Belgian GCNM; Belgravian
OEK; Belize BEO; Bellerby
ESY; Bellerophon GTD; Bellfield
YDZ; Bellglade BKR; Belltown
ZCD; Beltana MKR; Bembridge
YKX; Bempton GDMB; Benalder
ENS; Bcnalla GBJ; Benarty YLT;
Benavon EJD; Benclench ZZA;
Bendigo GFBQ; Bendoran YEM;
Bendu ZME; Benedict ZKY; Bene-
factor MOE; Bengloe YVA; Ben-
guela ZMQ; Benin ZMR; Ben-
ia wers YJS; Benledi YLU.
Benlomond LTC; Benmohr
BDO; Ben Nevis GYX; Benrinnes
EKC; Benne ZMFj Benvenpe
EPQ; Benwood YCA; Ben Voilich
GCFB; Berbice GIF; Bereby
YDC; Berkut GBTR; Bermuda
GBUJ; Bernini XFE; Berriedale
LUI; Berrima YWR; Berwick-
shire YZS; Berwindvale GCQX;
Betwa BUZ; Bliamo GWAJ Bhara-
ta GAD; Biela YNC; Biafra YGF;
Biarritz EZN; Bisley YCB; Dide-
ford BOA; Bilbster BUC; Binficld
GBMV; Bithina YJX; Bittern
GBXQ; Blackheath EWW; Black-
hill BCC; Black Prince YJB;
Black Sea GDLW; Blackwell
ZLC; Blair more BOB; Bogota
yAC; Bloemfontein GBN; Bod-
nant YQO; Bohemian MEL; Bo-
kana YCQ; Bolingbroke BGE;
Bolivian GCNB; Bolton Abbey
GBRV; Bolton Castle MAQ; Boma
GBSV; Bompata GFCV; Bonheur
GCTS; Bonny XIN; Borda MFQ;
Borde GFMR; Borderer GCL;
Borderland MUM; Borelis GCWM;
Borodino ODT; Borulus GFJN;
Boscombe Chine XEG; Bosnian
OEL.
Boston City GDSB; Boswell
BMK; Bourkadra YGB; Boulama
YMJ; Bourne GBCS; Bourne-
mouth ZJD; Boutry YCZ;Boveric
YNY; Bovic GDO; Boverton XHK;
Boyne ZUY; Bremen GBJK; Bra-
bandier EUM; Bradavon XLG;
Bradburn ETY; Bradclyde YRB;
Bradford City GBCL; Braunfels
BPG; Braemar Castle GCQZ;
Bray wood GDTK; Brambleleaf
ZZQ; Brant County GBYT; Brand-
enberg GBSF; Bratton Castle
YAN; Branksome Hall GBFQ;
Brazilier OET; Breconian YEW;
Brenden BEK.
Brescia ESS; Breslan GFCN;
Brier GDYL; Bretanier EXP;
Bretwalder GBJR; Breynton
LSZ; BriaCrleaf EYA; Briarwood
ZGD; Brighton BNF; Brighton
MOV; Bristol City GDML; Brit-
annia GCRB; Britannia GAP;
British Admiral ZYY; British
Baron EYU; British Beacon BOU;
British Birch EYD; British Coast
GDTC; British Colonel GFDB;
British Duke EYY; British Earl
EYS; British Emperor ZLK; Brit-
ish Empress ZYZ.
British Ensign ZYV; British
Fern EZE; British Holly EZL;
British Isles ZYW; British Knight
EYN- British Lantern BON; Brit-
ish Light BOD; British Major
BLN; British Maple EYB; British
Marquis EYW; British Marshall
YJJ; British Peer EYM; British
Princess ZYT; British Rose EQC;
British Sailor OFK;- British- Sol-
dier YQR; British Sovereign ZYU;
British Star BOI; British Tommy
GFQL; British Transport ZDT;
British Vine EPK; British Vis-
count GFDY; Briton MQJ;
Broadmayne EXX; Brocktown
GCXJ; Bronte GCPZ; Broads-
worth ESE; Brookvale BRB.