PHILIPS VALVE for Every Socket in Your Receiver Tueolice Mullard PIONEE RS in ELECT RONICS

VOL. 1 No. 4 OCTOBER, 1949

Registered at G.P.O., Sydney, tor transmission by post as a periodical, circulating throughout Australia and New Zealand.

There's a PHILIPS VALVE for every socket in your receiver tueoliCe Mullard PIONEE RS IN ELECT RONICS

The science and practice of electronics doubtless commenced with the first application of the thermionic electron tube — familiarly known as the "valve." The name of Mullard was closely associated with the early developments of the valve, and Mullard was one of the first in the world to manufacture valves commercially. During the first World War Mullard Valves were used extensively by the Services, particularly the Mullard Silica Transmitting Valves supplied to the Admiralty. Then, as now, Mullard Silica Valves were famous for their long life and high efficiency.

Early radio experimenters remember affectionately their first valve—carefully nursed and wrapped in cotton wool — which in a majority of cases was the famous Mullard "ORA." Those letters represented "Oscillates, Rectifies, Amplifies" — one valve type for all purposes. To-day the Mullard range of valves includes a highly-developed specialised type for every conceivable application in science, industry, defence, and entertainment.

In the television field, too, Mullard was (and remains) right out in front. The late John L. Baird is recognised as the "father" of practical television, and most of the special tubes and valves he required were developed and made by Mullard. From that beginning Mullard has become England's leading source of electronic tubes for television and special defence applications.

There is hardly a field of application for electronics with which the name of Mullard is not intimately associated. In all modesty, Mullard can truly claim the title "Pioneers in Electronics."

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2 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISIO N News - October, 1949 Thousands of Australians Laugh Their Way Through

'Much-Binding-in- the-Marsh'

The terrific moustache and pathetic expression belong to Sam Costa, one of the mainstays of the British Broadcasting Corporation's Popu- lar Variety programme, "Much-B1nding-in•the- Marsh." Costa's slogan, with which he makes his first appearance in "Much Binding" every week, is "Good morning, sir, was there

something?"'

This increasingly popular show is heard on Australian National Stations at 8 P.M. E.A.T. on Sundays.

— Photo by Courtesy of the B.B.C.

TELEVISION SHO W

"Alice in Wonderland"

Margaret Barton as Alice and Anthony Sharp as the White Knight in the British Broad- casting Corporation's television production et "Alice." Margaret's first part on the stage was when, at the age of twelve, she played a mouse in a production of "Alice" which was staged at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratford•on-Avon in 1938. This presentation was specially adapted by John Glyn-Jones from the play by Herbert M. Prentice.

by Cbub' ,y of the B.B.C.

October, 1949 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISIO N News" 3 The Code is Your Protection

ROLA TRANSFORMERS are coded so that you will obtain the type which will fully meet your requirements.

There are too many variables in the design of output transformers for impedance ratios to be used as the only guide to their selection. For example, a 5,000 Ohm transformer intended for use with a triode will have insufficient primary inductance to permit adequate low frequency response to be obtained when it is used with a pentode or tetrode whose characteristics also call for a 5,000 Ohm load. Each Rola transformer has been designed for a specific job. If you want the best from your set or amplifier and the Rola loudspeaker it uses then be sure to specify by code the Rola transformer you require. If you are in doubt about its code number consult your Rola dealer or send to the Rola distributor in your State for a free copy of Rola Techni- cal Bulletin No. 3, “ROLA TRANSFORMER CODES.” Remember, Rola transformers are coded because they're better and because we want you to get the full benefit of the engineering skill which has been put into their design and construction. ROLA ROLA CO. (AUST.) PTY. LTD., THE BOULEVARD, RICH MOND, VICTORIA, and at 116 CLARENCE ST., SYDNEY.

4 "AsstraIlan RADIO and TELEVISION News" October, 1949 AUSTRALIAN .v/ RADIO AND TELEVISION NEWS THE PROGRESSIVE NATIO NAL JOURNAL FOR EVERY lc opy

EDITED BY DON B. KNOCK

Proprietors : HAYNOCK PRESS PTY. LIMITED, Publishers Directors: A. E. HAY, F.R.S.A., MI R E., Business and Advertising D. EL KNOCK. MI R E., (Aust.) M.W.I.A., Editorial All Correspondence: Box 5177, General Post Office, Sydney Telegrams and Cables: "HATNOCK", Sydney Telephones: Editorial and General. FW 2443. Publishing and Advertising, JR 3212, Secretary, BW 1633 Victorian Representative: R. HAIG- M 1.11R, A.M. I . R. E. Melbourne Office: 29 Collins Place. 'Phone Cent. 1061 Telegraphic Address: "LITCHFILM", Melbourne Advertising Space Rates available on application

VOL. 1 No. 4 OCTOBER, 1949

IN THIS ISSUE THIS MONTH . . . Page

Editorial .. 7 Movie-Television . 8 Telenews 11 "Radiotical Ruminations" .. 12 Provincial Broadcaster-2RG, Griffith, N.S.W. 17 Wide Range Grid - Dip Oscillator .. . 22 Round the Turntable .. 28 "Trials of a Technical Journalist" .. 29 Practical Man's Corner .. 30 In Tune With the Trade .. 32 Readers' Floodlight .. 34 Short-Wave Section .. 35 Great Composer — Mozart .. 37 Home Workshop Notes .. 42 Amateur Radio Section .. 44 Exchange and Mart .. 50

Price per single copy one shilling. Subscription rate 12/- a year posted free to any address in Australia. 12/- Stg. to British Empire excepting Canada. Canada and U.SA. 2 dollars 50 for one year. All other countries I5/-. The Editor invites contributions on any topic covering radio, television, home interests and handicrafts in general. Con- structional articles are acceptable but these must be suitable for perusal by non-academic readers. Short stories and humourous articles will also be considered. If accepted, contributions will be paid for upon publication. A stamped addressed envelope MUST accompany all MSS for return if considered unsuitable. "Australian RADIO., and TELE- VISION News" is distributed through wholesale channels by Gordon & Gotch (Australasia) Limited. The publishers will permit the re-publication of Editorial matter only by written permission, otherwise the contents of this journal are strictly copyright.

THIS MO NTH'S COVER ILLUSTRATIO N:— On a sunny Australian day, an amateur radioman carries out adjustments to his "Cubical Quad" beam aerial for directional transmission on the "ten metre" band.

October, 1949 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISIO N News" 5 RELIANCE SKY KNIGHT 5 Valve W ORLD RANGE Radiogram CHASSIS UNIT

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6 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News" October, 1949 AUSTRALIAN AND READ AND RADIO A MAGAZINE ENJOY FOR EVERYBODY TELEVISION NEWS

Vol. 1, No. 4. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA. October, 1 949

Heads Bloody, But Radio and Youth I IFE does not consist only of success in business or Unbowed profession or trade or calling. Many a man who has made a success, and especially a temporary success N recent days a great fuss has been made by a section in these things has made an utter failure of life. And of the daily Press to the detriment in general of the a Itransmitting radio amateur. That the sheets concerned very often the reason is that school-years and the had a "good story" to seize gleefully upon was evident years immediately following them have not been fur- when the news broke about a young Maoriland delinquent nished with the right training. who endangered lives by misuse of radio equipment. As As a rule excessive night study does no visible harm has always been the case, the scapegoat at once became the "radio amateur," insinuations being made to the except in some cases to health during actual school years. effect that woe would betide any "amateur" responsible But the position is quite changed when a lad leaves when caught. The true-blue transmitting amateur is a school. He finds himself then at a loose end, and the man intensely jealous of his record—to him, the appli- more diligent he has been the more of a gap there is to cation of the word "amateur" to his hobby and fill. The hours which he should have devoted to the status is somethfrig sacrosant. That unthinking news culivation of hobbies were spent with school-books to hawks should dub any miscreant dabbler with radio which he will not return. In many cases the after-school apparatus as an "amateur" is in reality some- hours were spent quite profitably in sport; but the even- what of an insult to the amateur radio fraternity. ing hours were filled with lessons which have come to a• Because any young Tom, Dick or Harry has been able to sudden close. And then there is liable to be trouble; purchase and probably misuse ex-Service radio gear and trouble may come in a thousand different forms. for a mere song—that does not classify him as an intelligent transmitting licensee. It is no fault of amateur A great deal of the discontent of the world—discontent radio as a whole that Disposals sales have made avail- which may have such serious consequences—is due to able to anybody who cared to fork out the cash, equip- the fact of young lives being left empty. Give youth ment capable of being put on the air by individuals prob- something in which it can go on taking an interest; ably of moronic tendency. It so happens that a New something, if it can be found, of limitless possibilities in Zealand member of the maligned amateur radio fraternity rendered his country a great service by narrowing down the way of development. the search for the unlicensed masquerader who was The boy in the city and the boy in the country town endangering life and airways reputation. The culprit, can be provided with something equally interesting. a youth in his 'teens, was apprehended and faced the penalty of the law. Here in Australia the closing stages There is interest without limit in radio. Consider what of the episode were characteristically garnished by Press progress has been made in it in the past 20 years. fulmination to the effect that "should such a thing occur Imagine what progress may be made in the next 20 in this country, Civil Aviation, with Direction Finding years! It is true that not everyone is mechanically apparatus, would speedily run to earth any amateur minded. But interest in radio opens up far wider fields offender. Should any mentally deranged delinquent than that. It supplies the musically inclined with the embark ,upon action of the kind experienced across the possibilities of an education which they, could not have Tasman, the Press here may rest assured that Australian purchased 20 years ago for thousands of pounds. Doors licensed radio amateurs would be swiftly on the job to further study are opened for others by specialists to help lay hands on the person or persons. It could whom they could not have hoped to approach a few years even result in newspapers singing the praises of, matead ago. of damning the men who played no small part in pulling Australia out of the Service communications mud when Now, on the heels of radio comes television; and war came to us in 1939. Meanwhile, Australian amateurs here the interest is quickened by the sheer breath-taking take pride in the knowledge that it was one of their own novelty of this new communicative medium. Some time fraternity in New Zealand who was instrumental in pin- in the future youth will augment long distance radio by pointing the illicit station, after a week of frantic effort on the part of commercial services had resulted in check- vision; amateurs will not only speak with fellows in other mate, with the offender but a scant mile distant from the countries, but will sée each other at the same instant. airport. It is a long way off—but the possibilities are fascinating DON B. KNOCK. in the extreme.

October, 1949 ' Auittalian RADIO and TELEVISION News" 7 MOVIE-TELEVISION The following is an eye-witness account of a demonstration recently of large screen projected television in England. This aspect of television is likely to assume considerable importance as a medium of news-casting. The report, made by an observer for the British publication "Television," is somewhat of a glimpse into the near future.

• This is the Alexandra Palace (London) Television Control roam where the large screen theatre programme referred to in the accompanying description was monitored. Engineers (left) operate picture shading controls and supervise the technical quality of the picture appearing on the monitoring screens (centre). Equipment on the right handles the Sound side of the programme. —B.B.C. photograph. ARGE screen cinema television auditorium, one immediately noticed the lights were lowered and the L has been the main topic of con- a neat metal box, about four feet familiar television signal appeared on versation in those foreign little res- high and two feet wide, which stood the 16 by 12 feet screen. To the taurants around the purlieus of level with the front row of the stalls, home viewer this enormous magnifi- Wardour Street (London). At least about forty feet from the screen. cation seemed uncanny, but the de- twice it was reported that Mr. Rank's This housed the projecting appara- finition was so excellent that one al- Cinema Television Company had fixed tus, and in some theatres this may most forgot that this was television a date for a demonstration and his be fixed to the front of the balcony. and accepted it as one does a film in publicity men were kept busy deny- Inside the magic box is a high power the local movie theatre. ing a wide assortment of rumours. cathode ray tube giving a very bright One very severe critic complained At last a highly representative image about seven inches square, and that the definition round the edges crowd pushed its way into a dilapi- this is thrown on to the screen by a was not so sharp as in the case of a dated cinema at Bromley, which special large mirror system. This had been returned to the Rank Pion- unit was operated by remote control film; but the average movie fan eers after its wartime use as a food from a monitor panel at the back of would not have noticed it. Occasion- store. There were reporters, a sprink- the theatre in a small room which ally there was the usual interference, ling of BBC engineers with a slight- also housed the receiving apparatus. rather like "rain" on the old silent ly sceptical look in their eyes, and There was an expectant hush in films, but technicians are optimistic a small contingent of officials from the animated conversation that Alexandra Palace. On entering the buzzed through the auditorium as (Continued on page 9)

8 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISIO N News' October, 1949 MOVIE - TELEVISION (Continued from page 8) that this will be overcome very quickly when cine-television gets into its stride. AN excerpt from the Alexandra Palace programme was followed by a special studio presentation from the Sydenham laboratory of the Cinema Television company. This was a slight improvement technically, with reproduction that was almost faultless. In the front rows, Diagram ¿honing the operating principle of the Iconoscope. however, one could see the "lines" on the screen, but it is understood tor will be quite sufficient to handle An American editor says television that research is being pushed for- a show that comes over the air. is full of opportunity for young ward on a 625-line system, which These are the most obvious develop- people. In U.S.A. the average age should effect a considerable improvements, but the repercussions will of personnel engaged in television, ment. probably be endless. exclusive of engineers, is• about 28. The micro-wave system used for Other large companies, including Engineers average 31. the demonstration from Sydenham several well-known radio and tele- The editor reported: "The people (via the Crystal Palace) uses a beam vision manufacturers, are experi- in television are so young that they transmission, which not only rein- menting with large screen television, tell their ages willingly, correctly, forces the signal, but also ensures and there is likely to be some fairly and even proudly. Many of them that it is unlikely to be received by hectic competition for the equipping look as though they should be rush- more than a handful of amateurs of the various circuits and indepen- ing down school corridors in time to who are directly in line. Further- dent houses. At the moment, the film make a geometry class. As a matter more, these receivers would only pick tycoons incline to the view that they of fact, quite a few of them were do- up the pictures, for the sound track have nothing to fear from the entering that not so very long ago." would be transmitted by landline. It tainments offered by the BBC, which Claiming "a clean beat on the cov- is not surprising, therefore, to find they consider fall far below the erage of a three-alarm fire that that the experts are eagerly await- shows offered in their cinemas. They destroyed the First Baptist Church ing the opportunity to equip the half- appear to ignore the television aerials in Philadelphia" NBC says: dozen specially selected Rank cine- that are springing up everywhere, "About an hour after the fire broke mas, fully confident that their long and blind themselves to the fact that out in the basement of the church, the years of research will soon be justi- people do not pay from £50 to £350 television cameras were on the scene. fied. for a television set unless they are Within a few minutes, the cable had More than one observer at Brom- confident that they are going to get been cleared and the pictures of the ley was a trifle puzzled that studio value for money. fire were seen in cities up and down performance, rather than a film, the NBC East Coast Television Net- was transmitted from Sydenham. It work, including New York. The tele- would have been interesting to see if cast lasted for an hour and a quarter. the reproduction of film is any im- TELEVISION - W HAT IS One of the oldest congregations in the provement on that of the BBC. HAPPENING IN U.S.A. United States, the First Baptist Every single component in this Church was established in 1695." process is of British manufacture. LECTRICAL recorders are to be Lucky Strike Cigarettes are mak- There is, of course, an alternative to Eused to test audience reaction to ing short films in Hollywood of fa- this mirror system of projection. It television by the National Broadcast- mous short stories for television on involves an intermediate film pro- ing Company of America. 24 NBC stations. cess, in which the picture is recorded Known as the Schwerin System of The first was Guy de Maupassant's on celluloid, which is rapidly pre- programme-testing, the recorders famous tale "The Necklace." A story- pared for the usual type of film pro- "will be used not only to measure teller introduces the films. jector. This involves a slight delay, immediate individual and collective Another one was Robert Louis but has the advantage of providing audience reaction to programme con- Stevenson's "Sire de Maletroit's a film which can be repeated as often tent, but also to study such related Door," broadcast over here recently as required. factors as size of viewing screen, film in The Man in Black series on sound. Experts working on this are now versus live presentation, viewer Television is no longer referred to anxious to secure some data on the fatigue, and many other." as an "infant industry" in Chicago. subject of audience reactions. They The new device will not only main- Carleton D. Smith, director of NBC freely admit that they have plenty to tain a continuous record of each in- television there said recently: "The learn about television presentation, dividual's reaction to what he sees baby has graduated from diapers and the types of programmes that and hears, but will produce a group and is wearing pants." will appeal to the public. There may profile for immediate study by pro- He pointed out that "for the first also be a considerable difference in ducers and directors. time since the war we are entering the types of programme suitable for The questions it is hoped to an- a period of intense competition for large super-cinemas and small, news- swer by this method are: the consumer's dollar, and the back- reel theatres. Which camera techniques are most log of consumer demand is beginning If this micro-wave transmission to acceptable? to evaporate. The television industry theatres becomes established, what How long can scenes be held before will do much to create a new demand will be the effect on the film indus- liking diminishes? and undoubtedly will give employ- try? To begin with, millions of feet How long will an audience stay in ment to hundreds of thousands." of film will be saved if each theatre front of a set? •Madge Evans, remembered as a does not have to receive a copy of its Who sees daytime programmes, star of Hollywood films, is now star- evening's programme. Then there and what kind of show has greatest ring in Philco Television Playhouse wi:1 be a considerable reduction in appeal then? programmes on NBC. She recently labour, for it appears that one opera- Is film liked better than live shows? played lead in "Pride and Prejudice."

October, 1949 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News' AND NOW . . . a really comprehensive

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10 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News" October. 1940 NE W IMPROVEMENTS IN DESIGN Important television research which is going on in Britain is likely to evolve the means of simplifying the enews cathode ray tubes used in television sets. The main problem is to find a completely effective method of sealing TELEVISION and practical; dealing with garments together the metal and the glass. As women already possess instead of soon as this problem is solved it will Fashion Show Possibilities wildly inducing them to dash out to become practicable to make cathode purchase more. It won't do any harm Whether it be Myers in Melbourne, ray tubes mainly of metal and then to give hints on how to make old or David Jones' in Sydney, there is glass would only be used at the end clothes do and how to use the thread an air of delight with which women on which the image is shown. It is and needle to keep up with fashion contemplate the seemingly unattain- estimated that this would result in a changes—or perhaps such a session able attractions behind the plate reduction of about 20 per cent in the could be quite divorced from the glass. It is one of the feminine mys- price of television sets. Fashion Show and produced under teries; this allure of shop-window The type of receiver mainly used what the Navy calls a "Make and gazing wherein most, if not all, of in Britain to-day is the table model Mend." The future of TV literally the articles of apparel may be well which gives an image about seven bristles with possibilities, and not the beyond the purse of milady, not to inches wide and six inches deep. This least of these are the likes and dis- mention her husband. But window- size of picture can be comfortably likes of the women-folk. "VIDER" shopping is one of the delights of life viewed by up to twelve people. Sets in a metropolis, and lives there the are reasonable in cost compared with human, male or female, who doesn't prices ruling in other countries. indulge in it from time to time? In AMERICAN TELEVISION British television programmes, one CHANNELS The new Television station in proof the most popular features is the Reference is made frequently in cess of construction at Sutton Cold- overseas technical publications to the field near Birmingham will utilize various television channels in use power rating of 35 kilowatts for the in the United States of America, Vision transmitter and 12 kilowatts and the channel is invariably quoted, for the Sound channel. Normally, but not the frequency. For the this station will transmit the same benefit of our readers interested in programme as that radiated from the establishment of overseas stand- the London station at Alexandra ards and their possible effect on Palace. Australian practice the list given here indicates the complete range in Apart from the NBC network, the U.S.A.: year 1948 totalled in America 65 Television stations on the air in 42 TV Channel Channel Freq. Number Megacycles cities and 28 States. Programmes 1 44-50 went to an estimated 910,000 re- 2 54-60 ceivers and a population of 66,868,000. 3 60-66 Television is indeed on the march 4 66-72 and is likely, and indeed certain, to 5 76-82 assume vast proportions in the next 6 82-88 two decades. ,---- /------;>- ( 7 174-180 8 180-186 HIGHEST FREQUENCY? 9 186-192 10 192-198 Britain's Telecommunication Re- 11 198-204 search Establishment has demon- fashion parade, although one may 12 204-210 strated recently a velocity modula- doubt if the lady "viewer" is always 13 210-216 tion valve covering the frequency of happy about such tantalising displays 8-9 MILLIMETRES! This valve being brought right into the home. As mentioned in our Vol. 1 No. 3 operates with 2400 volts between No doubt an experienced hubby man- issue, the frequency range chosen cathode and resonator and with the ages somehow to switch the receiver for Australian National TV trans- reflector at 200 volts negative to the off just when hats and gowns are to mission includes 178-200 Mc/s. with cathode. One wonders if there is be displayed—with the hope perhaps amplitude modulation for vision and any limit to the frequencies we can of dodging financial ruin. frequency modulation for sound. reach ? If the show comes on during the afternoon when hubby is busy at the office making the "wherewithal," then he hasn't much chance of averting the A POWER AT THE HEARTHSIDE inevitable; and parts - up with the chequebook. No doubt the feminine "Television is not merely a scientific toy. It is producer responsible for running a potential social force . . . a permanent addition these afternoon shows at the London to the twentieth century- way of •civilised life. It TV studios had this in mind when she started the series. At any rate, will overshadow all other broadcasting problems it is a thought for those who some- in importance during the next few years. The day not so far ahead will plan tele- social obligations are great." —Sir William Haley, vision programmes for Australian Director-General of the British Broadcasting Cor- cities . . . the Fashion Show has de- finite possibilities. It needn't be car- poration. ried to extremes but can be sensible

October, 1949 -Australian RADIO and TELEVISION .N4-ws" il RADIOTICAL RUMINATIONS. yOU may know little or nothing of radio, technically speaking, but at some time or other you are sure to have heard unfamiliar terms bandied back and forth by radio amateurs; oft-times dubbed "Hams." Such refer- ences as 'bottle,' toob,"Dope' and 'Feeder' may convey an unwarranted impression that most "Hams" derive their income in chemists' shops, but such is not the case. Our irresponsible contributor, known merely as "RAT- BAG," has been doing a spot of investigating of these uncertain terms, with rather remarkable results. The editor accepts no responsibility for the de- finitions, but after all, what CAN one expect from, a Ratbag?

Accumulator: (A) a collection of material known as junk. (B) a collector of QSL cards. Artificial Aerial: Something that exists only in the imagination of the radio Fone Station Only: inspector. Means "I can't read Morse, so Acoustic Feedback: it's no use calling me on CW." Caustic remarks made by an Gremlin: amateur who has had his ears Ancient history (apparently). bashed by microphone whistles. "EARS BASHED" Ham: (See also Cross Talk). Dope: One who says HI in his sleep. B.C.L.: Generally inaccurate information Ham Band: Animal life of low order (accord- imparted by an amateur who Occupants of the saloon at the ing to "hams"). can't think of the next thing to local before a meeting. say; to an amateur who doesn't Ham Spirit: Bottle: want to hear it, anyway. Induces The bond of friendship binding See under Feeder. a feeling of sleepiness in both. together all who use the same Bug: Dear OB: crystal (or VFO group) fre- An instrument for multiplying Blime you again! qency. dots. DX: One of the most fervent of amateur religions. Experimenter: Person with large glasses (eye), a copy of a Radio Handbook, and one who thinks he knows all the answers. Er: The pause, or break sign, much WHAT S YOURS? used in radiotelephony (amateur version). Handle: Usually attached to a LID (dust- bin type). See also Lid. HI: Indicates something sent on CW, supposedly full of spontaneous humour. HI (on fone): Same as above, but that you are being funnier without realizing it. Lid: MULTIPLYING DOTS! See also Handle. O W: C.W.: The really influential reason for Continuous wave. So called be- continued activity on the air of cause it is broken up into dots the Ham. and dashes. Phonetics: Crystal: A method of conveying intelli- gence!! by telephony. Used ex- A small piece of ground glass. tensively by those unable to speak Cross Talk: normally. Example: CHARLIE See Acoustic Feedback. Usually QUEEN DOG X RAY. adopted by an annoyed amateur. "BREAK SIGN" R: Distortion: FB: Means "Received" to the extent A strange phenomenon usually Funny business. that at least two words have applicable to fishermen and Feeder: been copied correctly. stories about DX. See Bottle. (Continued on page 14)

12 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News" October, 1949 !.). Afeeeeeety iefaileler,tearkeke Wee deveteeent

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October, 1949 Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News — I 3 RADIOTICAL RU MINATIO NS QUEST ETER NAL by condensers, transformers, vernier dials, potentiometers and valves of (Continued from page 12) OMETIME it may have happened, Sthat, being out of bed in the small all descriptions, and, though previ- Repeater Station: hours of the morning, keeping a ously he may have got through life One who tells you all that you vigil, perchance, for some stay-out- with no more aids to handicraft than have already told him so as to late daughter or grandmother, you a hammer and a packet of nails, he ensure that you will know he has have, but with little hope of find- accumulates the varied paraphernalia received all you have told him ing any broadcasting station still of a young factory so that he may about all you know, and that erupting, turned on the dual waver string these contraptions together in . . . . oh, skip it! switch and slowly swept over the countless combinations and permuta- short wave range. If you have done tions. so, you probably have heard a sort His path is bestrewn with difficul- of monotonous shrill piping like a ties, but these make him the more lost soul with the toothache. Being determined. The materials and the conversant with talkies that depict myriad gadgets used in radio seem explorers sending out despairing last to have been designed with the sole messages on a radio set that makes object of discouraging their use. a noise like a siren, you immediately Anybody not a radio-addict who has recognise this for what it is—a telegraphic message—and you idly wish tried to cut a sheet of plastic or you could read Morse. And that is separate the parts of a 26 pin plug probably as far as you get. You will understand, however dimly, what spare no thought for the sender of I mean. Instead of being deterred that message, sitting up when all the by these obstacles, the individual last trams have gone to wherever with the radio virus in his blood "Surrounded by wires." they go, when wives have gone to greets them with a whoop of joy. bed and the fire (if it happens to be From crystal detectors he moves on Shack: winter) has gone out. to thermionic valves and super- A shed or similar building com- heterodynes, goes in for short waves, You hear him communing in some- and when mere listening palls, he pletely surrounded by wire. what halting Morse with some kin- takes up transmitting. This is the Theory: dred spirit in the next suburb or in final stage, and once it is attained Nobody's business. Addis Abbaba, and you never say there is no looking back. Give a to yourself, "Why does he do that?" WX: transmitting amateur 1000 years of You do not reflect that had it not A topic of conversation intro- been for stern-minded, devoted men life, and at the end of it you would duced after dah dit dit dit dah who scorned their beds and lived find him in his bath-chair endeavour- six times. laborious nights, their minds fixed ing to establish communication with on impedance, induction, rectification the satellites of Saturn or drawing and frequencies, the mechanism of a diagram of his latest beam radio would never have reached its antenna. present high pitch of audibility. You probably say to yourself that it would have been a darned good job if they hadn't. It is in such an zu IT atmosphere of indifference, if not of 4c4Tei oeve Fee positive hostility, that the amateurs w6Apf la FE, of radio pursue their dark researches. f Tj VIOZ 3e4.41 K11.05 To alter this undesirable condition G• of the public mind is thé purpose of SPI4Cei 0,Qe¡I f this screed. rÉ5 ZL3L/}

"To know all," said a philosopher whose name I forget, "is to forgive The TL. all." At the outset of my mission, which is to cast a searchlight on the YL : lives of home-set-constructors, short- Another excuse for continued wave experimenters and all that ilk, activity on the I am faced with the difficulty that YF: these nocturnal creatures cannot An OW in the early stages of speak more than a very few words radio widowhood. concerning their experiences and o adventures without resorting to a jargon that no outsider can follow, And what what of it? The radio ama- thus veiling with mystery their art teurs do nobody any harm; the and craft, as is the manner of doc- amount of mischief they keep them- tors and lawyers and professors of selves out of if placed end to end phrenology. But I have elicited would girdle the earth, and they something regarding the genesis of avoid boredom, the father of all radio amateury. I have questioned devils. Every now and then one of many experimenters, and in nearly them is able to add a little bit more every case I find that once a normal to the sum of knowledge, and if there human being has fiddled around with is any worthier aim than that avail- a few "Disposals" bits and pieces able to the ordinary unsaintly human he is never the same again. In no I haven't heard of it. time at all he is entirely surrounded —"VERITAX."

14 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISIO N News" October, 1949 W HAT IS A "WAVE-BAND"? The word "wave-band" has been A THOUGHT used for years by amateurs to de- signate the various "bands" in FOR which they are allowed to operate AN IDLE by the P.M.G. Instead of assign- ing each amateur a special wave- MOMENT length on which to transmit, all amateurs are allowed to transmit on certain wave-lengths between defi- "BAND - PASS" nitely specified limits. Thus, there exist certain amateur "bands." The general meaning of the word "wave band" is a range of wave-lengths CONTRIBUTED ARTICLES between certain limits. Wave-bands In cose some readers may get the wrong idea about "Australian RADIO and frequency bands both mean the and TELEVISION News," we wish to emphasise a point or two forthwith. This is same thing, although the present- not intended to be primarily o technical magazine, but it includes articles of a suitable day trend is toward the words "fre- technical type to cater for a large section of our readers. We do not intend that quency," or "frequency bands." because of technicalities the non-academic reader shall suffer; indeed, we have already If it is stated that a certain tuning stated plainly in an editorial in our first issue that mathematical epistles have no condenser with its coil covers the place in this magazine. There are other publications catering for such needs. Our "40-metre" band, it simply means first reader cosideration is that of the non-technical public—Mr. and Mrs. Everybody that the condenser covers a cer- and family—who look for a few pages of topical reading to suit simple tastes. To tain range in which the wave-length that end the editor welcomes contributions of varied scope. If you think you can of 40-metres is included. The ama- write articles of any kind; humorous, serious, partially technical or otherwise . . . then teur band in this vicinity is called send your effort along. Short paragraphs under pen-names dealing with any subject the "40-metre band"; it is close to associated with radio and television—these can provide interesting reading also. 40 metres and called by this name Contributions, which if accepted, will be paid for on publication; must be accompanied for the sake of simplicity. Similarly, by the sender's full nome and address, not of course, necessarily for publication. the "20-metre band" would refer to legible handwriting is in order, but double-spaced line typing is preferable. the a band of wave-lengths near 20- editor is too busy to guess at hieroglyphics. If also you ore adept with a pen and metres, and usually including this sketch pod, you might like to try your hand at one or two appropriate or laugh-raising wave-length. Such designations for drawings. Why not? SEND THEM IN. the various amateur bands, although 1 convenient, are admittedly rather 4 ... . *•• •11.• •••• *•• •• •• M *0• 04 ••••• •••• •all« M M IS.. .13••••••11•• •• •.i. indefinite. out reception of programmes from The BBC, a most human institu- SPOTTY RECEPTION overseas for almost twenty-four tion despite its size and importance, Listeners who have been experi- hours. did its best. It located the speaker, encing bad reception recently may It is difficult to convince many a member of the Chinese Section have ascribed the fault to many people that invisible sunspots are the of the Overseas Service called Mrs. things. The most likely cause is cause of bad reception. Those lis- Lucy Fang. She gives daily talks sunspots, which have been very teners who saw the offending spots to her compatriots all over the active recently. In early February find it easier to believe. world on things of interest to women people were able to see a number and events in Britain's world of the arts. Before joining the BBC, Mrs. of these spots with the naked eye. THE LOVELY VOICE There were three of them; two south Fang taught English at the Chinese of the sun's equator and one north "Her voice was soft, gentle and National University and starred in of it. The southern one, according low, an excellent thing in woman," films made in India, proving that said King Lear, as he mourned his to the Royal Observatory at Green- her face matched her voice. wich, was about forty times the youngest daughter, Cordelia. A The BBC's Danish Service invited area of a cross-section of the earth. modern instance of the appeal that Mrs. Fang to appear in their pro- This, although half the size of the a beautiful voice may exercise was gramme as a guest speaker, and in largest sunspot ever recorded, still shown recently when the Danish response to the youg Danes' request covers a remarkably large area. Section of the BBC's European Ser- for a greeting in Chinese, she spoke vice received a most unusual "fan" The sunspots are caused by whirl- to them and sent her best wishes, pools which form amongst the tur- letter. It came from two Danish which she then translated into Eng- bulent mass of hot, luminous gases bachelors, who wrote that in the last lish. Their every wish was grati- which compose the sun and, as lis- few days they had tuned-in on the fied, for Mrs. Fang also explained teners know to their cost, they give twenty-five metre band and had heard that why they had not been able rise to most serious disturbances in what they described as "the world's to find her again on their sets was the reception of short-wave trans- most charming female voice." It because the wavelength of the Chi- missions. These disturbances can be must have been an extraordinarily nese transmisions had recently been divided into two classes; the Del- beautiful voice, for though it spoke changed from twenty-five to thirty- linger fade-outs, short-lived and in Chinese, of which they under- one metres. violent, which affect transmissions stood no single word, yet they lis- in the day-lit parts of the world; tened for the whole of the pro- and ionospheric storms which, though gramme, which lasted. fifteen min- less violent than the Dellinger fade- utes. But they were not distressed, outs, persist sometimes for as long they wrote, for, longing to hear the as two or three days. Both kinds voice again, they hunted the short- of disturbances were caused by these wave band for some days and could latest sunspots, when reception of not find the owner of it. Would transmissions from many directions the BBC convey their most cordial was upset by Dellinger fade-outs. greetings to her and tell them how Ionospheric storms nearly blotted to find her again?

October, 1949 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News" "ALFIE." What is considered to "ANDY." He looked so miser- be—er, indelicate in broadcasting? able that I questioned him. "It's In the U.S.A. a big radio network me birthday," he said. "I'm ten." arranged a series of health talks by I suggested that a birthday should famous American doctors, all speak- be a happy event. "No bloomin' ing anonymously, of course: Doctor fear, mister," he replied dolorously. No. 1 arrived, as scheduled, at the "They all think a man's a kid. And studio. Mum's written to 4XX for a wire- "What is your subject to-night, less call. Bet I know what the doctor?" asked an important func- bloke'll say!" He screwed up his tionary. face and imitated a rather sancti- The doctor was blunt. "I am monious voice: "And naow 'ere's a about," he said, "to tell you a few "ME AND MY SHADO W" call for little Vicky . Vicky's things concerning syphilis." ten to-day. Marny harpay ree-turns, "But, doctor," cried the function- A stage show of a man who can Vickay, and we know you're a good ary, "you can't use that word on our leave his shadow behind has been little boy!" I never heard such con- creating a good deal of interest in network. It's a horrible word. Think centrated contempt as Vicky put into of our advertisers!" America. The performer sits down those three words. "And," he added "I'm thinking of 'em, all right," in front of a curtain, gets up while bitterly, "every kid in the school'll said the doctor. "I'm thinking of his shadow remains sitting, then be listen'-in ternight. Won't they 'em as I realise that you won't let shakes hands with it and then goes chiak me termorrow. Aw, a bloke me talk about a disease which kills off, leaving his shadow behind. ought to wag it." I felt rather some hundreds of thousands a year glad he, and not I. would have to while you, all the time, are putting The explanation is that the screen on which the shadow is cast is made face that barrage of mockery on the your smutty little vaudeville acts morrow. over the air." of a phosphorescent material. The Ridiculous, all of it; but there screen stores up the light which it have been similar instances here. receives from a powerful spotlight One of the songs by comedian Stan- and continues to glow after the light "Spehrmidaze": Radio-gramophone ley Holloway (recently in Aus- has been turned off. And so, when combinations, even those that auto- tralia) is a pleasant, humorous thing the performer stands or sits in front about Anne Boleyn: "With her head matically change records, six or more of the screen, all of it is "charged" tooked oonderneath her air-m, she on end, have one failing: the needle with light except the part obscured waaa-lks the Bloody Tower." A few has to be changed. A French inv- years ago it was sung—and sung and all of the screen glows except entor produced a device by which the very indifferently—from a Sydney t"Fe part which received no light. needles are fed up from below the station. The artist (obviously the Given a strong enough light, the motor board in a belt; as the pick- censor had been busy with him) sang screen will continue to glow for as up returns to the starting position about the Blooming Tower. long as 10 minutes. a needle is driven into a self-grip- They gave Stan a better break this ping chuck, and the old needle drops time. out.

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Australian RADIO and TELEVISIO N News" October. 1949 Australia 's NCIAL plZ.‘" VI Broadcasters

• The story of the smaller broadcasting services throughout Australia is interesting, linked as it is with local development and history of the various country com munities. Each rural station has its essentially localised associations, connected directly with the interests and welfare of the sur- STATION I rounding country. The success of the one is dependent upon the prosperity of the other, and by virtue of the commercial broadcasting systems, country listeners enjoy news and entertainment services additionally to the indis- 2RG. I pensable A.B.C. stations. The city-man knows very little about the service rendered by our provincial stations; they are to him but callsigns on a list. We tell him here, something about these stations, and for our overseas I GRIFFITH readers interested in knowing something about Australian country life, we give a glimpse of the steady and encouraging development in these lightly populated districts. Managers of country stations'throughout Australia 1 NEW SOUTH I are invited to forward details to the editor. WALES

ITUATED in the Murrumbidgee irrigation area of the State of SNew South Wales, the township of Griffith is the centre of the 254 miles square Wade Shire, and has a population of about 4500. Thirty years ago this community was little more than a sheep walk, but to-day it is a thriving district with a population of 12,000 within a radius of 12 miles of the township. The an- swer to any question about the growth of the population is the all- important one of irrigation. As is natural for an Australian country area of this kind, the establishment of a local broadcasting service was in keeping with the ideas of promin- ent citizens interested in progress, and on September 14th, 1936, there came into being the Griffith Broad- casting station, identified on the PdM.G. list as 2RG. At that time the power rating was 100 watts, but has since been doubled.

History of the Irrigation Area It is more than a century ago, in June, 1817, that ;John Oxley, the explorer, camped a few miles from what is now the town of Griffith. In the district his little party made the first attempt at horticulture, for the records in his diary refer to haVing planted peach and apricot e Attractively laid out, with shady trees is the shopping centre, Banna Avenue, of tile stones, and quince seeds, with the township of Griffith, New South Wales, on the world-famed Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. (Continued on page 18)

October, 1949 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISIO N News" 17 SAVE

A stately row of poplar trees growing along the banks of the irrigation canal at Griffith, N.S.W.

(Continued from page 17) known as Scenic Hill, with an ele- vation of 640 feet, within two miles. hope rather than the expectation A good view of the area can be had that they would grow and serve to from the "lookout" on this hill. commemorate the day and situation, Water stored in the Burrinjuck BUK should these desolate plains be ever Dam on the Murrumbidgee is re- visited again by civilised men, of leased during the irrigation season, which however, I think there is little and is diverted at Berembed into probability. It was not until the the main canal forming the primary latter half of the last century that delivery source to the area. Soil pastoral settlement took place. around Griffith is comprised of al- Before the advent of irrigation in luvial sand, clays, and gravels. 19112, the population comprised a Wade Shire, being an irrigation mere handful of station employees area, is not subject to soil erosion, . . . to-day 25,000 people are depen- but outside this there is a certain dent upon the settlement. There amount of erosion from wind action. Start shaving the civilised way—the BUK were no towns at all on what is now The climate is in general hot and way—no water—no blades—no soap—no the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, dry, and average annual rainfall and to-day, in addition to the large about 15 inches. Dryest months are mess. BUK Electric Dry Shaver gives towns of Griffith and Leeton there in summer and autumn, with pre- the fastest, smoothest shave of all. BUK'S are nine village settlements. None vailing winds . North, North-West, 60 se.f-sharpening cutting edges mow down the toughest beard. of these towns or villages lack the West, and South-West. Industries _ amenities of civilisation. are: rice, horticulture, grapes, wheat, sheep, vegetables, and rice mill, fruit To Attractions of Griffith cannery, fruit packing, fruit drying, pulping factories and wineries. The Breville Radio Pty. Ltd. The most striking feature which chief mineral is gypsum. 67 MISSENDEN ROAD, CAMPERDO WN impresses the newcomer to the town of Griffith is the fine plantation of Please send nie without obligation details Station Administration of the BUK Electric Dry Shaver. Kurrajongs which extend in a double row along the main street 2RG is owned and operated by Name for about a mile. They are prettily Area Newspapers Pty. Ltd.; the Managing Director being Dr. L. M. Address interspersed with garden beds, lawns, and parking spaces for motor Jones. The total full time staff num- cars. The height above sea-level is - bers six. The country covered by about 400 feet, and there is a hill, (Continued on page 19)

"Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News" October. 1949 rial establishment of Club rooms. (Continued from page 18) • 1111111111111111111111111111111111MUMM11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111M MUM These have been most attractively the 2RG service embraces Leeton, furnished and equipped at a cost of Narrandera, Temora, Hillston, Hay over £1,000. All moneys raised have and surrounding districts. The type been as a direct result of the efforts of programme includes Request of members. BOOK NEWS FROM Sessions, music for workers at The main room, a dining room 8.30 a.m., women's session between and lounge, has been prettily decor- 9.30 and 10 a.m., sporting results, ated, lounges attractively recovered, curtains and carpets provided, and TECHNICAL BOOK special Sunday evening features, floor painted. Radio Sunday School, and Country tgr MAGAZINE CO. Quiz. Considerable station activity Parcels For Britain has been asscrciated with Hospital work and recently a special broad- In the committee room members have packed and sent a large number cast was in connection with the of parcels of food for Britain. opening of new quarters for nurses. Material is in hand for the for- Keep abreast of the latest develop- An appeal over the air for contri- warding of a number of additional ments in RADIO by subscribing to butions to raise £600 for the equip- parcels. ping of the hospital with radio re- any of the following Magazines. ception equipment was fully success- Membership ful. Considerable use is made by the Membership of the club, which 2RG technical staff of a modern entitles members to use all facilities, wire recorder. A particularly valu- costs 2/- per annum. AMERICAN able feature for farmers is a bi- Associate members (men) may Per year weekly session from the C.S.I.R. also join for the same fee, but al- "C.Q." (The Radio Ama- giving important agricultural in- though not entitled to vote, they may teur's Journal) .. £1 6 0 formation. A remarkable feature of use all the club facilities and join in listen-ir reports which seems to ap- discussions at meetings. Audio Engineering 1 6 0 "Q.S.T." 1 13 6 Radio News .. 1 12 0 Radio Electronics (form- erly Radio Craft) .. . 1 9 6 • AUSTRALIAN AND ENGLISH Per year N.S.W. Country Wireless World .. 1 12 6 Broadcaster 2 R G Electronic Engineering . 1 12 6 serves the irrigation areas on the Mur- Wireless Engineer .. . 2 0 0 rumbidgee. Radio and Hobbies .. . 12 0 Australian Radio World . 16 0

e Australian Radio & Tele- vision News 12 0 Amateur Radio 6 0 Radio & Science .. 12 0

ply to many of the Australian in- Catering land broadcasters is that quite frequently excellent reception is ob- The club specialises in catering SEND YOUR ORDERS TO:— tained at far distant locations. Such for weddings and parties, and can reports have been received by 2RG accommodate 150 guests at any one T E C H NI C A L from places as far as New Zealand, time. BOOK Brisbane, Queensland, and parts of Tasmania. A musical feature regu- Male stewards are available to larly heard from 2RG is "Hit Parade serve liquid refreshments at wed- 8£ MAGAZINE CO. of the Week," compiled by local mu- dings or parties, while club members, sic distributors. wearing attractive uniform embroid- 295, 297, 299 Swanston Street, ered with 2RG on the pocket, act as 2RG Sunshine Club Opp. Old Melbourne Hospital waitresses. The station is rightly proud of the MELBOURNE, Cl. record of its "Sunshine Club," orig- The club, on many occasions has inated by Mrs. G. L. Denham, the been congratulated on its high stan- Cent. 2041 President, and an enthusiastic band dard of catering for functions of this of helpers. The session is on the air nature. for 15 minutes daily and has grown from a small beginning to the mate- (Continued on page 20)

October, 1949 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News" 19 (Continued from page 19) With the growth of population FRENCH FANCY RADIOS This innovation has proved ex- would come opportunities for the Latest type of invisible home radio tremely popular, and the club serves establishment of a University in the is embodied in a French design. It on an average 40 to 50 lunchs daily, Murrumbidgee Region, the establish- between 12 and 1.15 p.m. ment of well equipped Technical looks just like an ordinary table Colleges and provision for wider op- lamp, complete with frilly shade, but Points About Griffith portunities for adolescent and adult built into the pedestal is a 4 valve superhet tuner. The loudspeaker is The settlement was proclaimed a education and a widening of the concealed by the shade, and is just town about 29 years ago, and takes scope of secondary education to pro- below the lamp socket. The wire its name from the Hon. Arthur vide opportunities for all types in frame for the shade is the aerial. The Griffith who was Minister for Works the community. receiver is intended only for local re- at that time. Schooling for children It follows that in any progressive ception and a small single knob oper- is provided in the High, Primary, plans for the future development of ates pre-set tuners for a choice of Infants, and Convent. It is in the the Murrumbidgee area, the broad- five locals. There is nothing new Commonwealth Electorate of River- casting service will play, as radio about the idea of a table lamp radio, Ma and the State Electorate of Mur- does, in our every-day life anywhere but the complete invisibility makes rumbidgee. Churches are: Church to-day, a very important part. Sta- it doubly attractive. Many years ago of England, Roman Catholic, Pres- tion 2RG in itself, signifies the spirit an American radio manufacturer byterian, Methodist, Baptist, and of progress which so obviously con- produced a reading lamp-radio in Salvation Army. During the war cerns the lives of the citizens of which the downward glow of light the town of Griffith won six honour Griffith and district. was spread by the "bright emitter" pennants in connection with war valves themselves. As these were loans and more than 1500 young men consuming about 20 watts for 5 and women from the district enlisted valves, there should have been a fair in the Defence Forces. Annual value amount of reading light. of district production, including rice, A DUSTPA N, A PAIL AND A wheat, wool, fat lambs, and vege- SCRUBBING BRUSH tables is now in the vicinity of "Here's a little sidelight on London £2,000,000 and the progress made is life—the story of a Camberwell an object lesson on the value of ir- church which was short of cleaning THRILLER BROADCASTS rigation. materials. The Vicar, Canon Veazey, "B.A." While we look upon some forms of American entertainment as being specially made for morons, we seem to fail to take any action in Australia to prevent numerous radio stations beefing out blood-and- thunder broadcasts calculated to make children a race of neurotics or, at best, lazy-minded young animals The main irrigation who grow up to believe curses and canal near the town- screams as the basis of all drama. ship of Griffith, New Whether my children happen to South Wales. be below f.a.q. standards in human- ity, I don't know, but I do know that they take prising away from the gurgles of these drowning heroes and animal-grunting villains. It's about time something was done to prevent the air barrage of this sort of vocal violence.

Future Plans a great old London character who Any substantial new development has just retired, announced this shortage in his Parish Magazine. of the Murrumbidgee region is de- DROPPED BRICK DEPT. pendent upon an increased supply of Two or three days ago, a car drove irrigation water. The irrigation up to the door of his vicarage. Out There were a few typographical areas which now yield so much pri- stepped a messenger carrying a errors in our post coal-strike issue mary produce cannot be further ex- dustpan, a pail and a scrubbing of July-Aug.-Sept., '49, for which we tended under present conditions. The brush. It was a gift, said the mes- apologise. The advertiser's index on Snowy River Investigation Committee senger, from a lady who'd read the page 50 was a bit mussed up regard- —a Committee appointed by the Vicar's appeal in the Parish Maga- ing page indication; and H.M.V. N.S.W. Government to study and re- zine. The car, by the way, was from were inadvertently omitted. These port upon the proposals for making Buckingham Palace. The lady was things do happen in the best of the best use of the waters of the the Queen." publishing families, and in these in- Snowy River—has reported that it — Robert Reid talking in the BBC's stances, minor as they are, we un- is possible to divert half the flow of programme, "Across the Line." hesitatingly point the bone at that the Snowy into the Murrumbidgee recent black diamond upheaval. When we were able to carry on with the It is estimated that the River YOUR NEWSAGENT job we had to re-cast page make-up Diversion Scheme would settle at finds it difficult to order just the right least 50,000 people in the Murrum- number of copies each month. Help rather drastically. We hope it won't him by placing a regular order for happen here again. bidgee Valley with added wealth of "RADIO and TELEVISION News." £5,000,000 per year.

20 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISIO N News" October, 1949 STROMBERG-CARLSON

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X-Ray illustrations show basic difference in design which achieves the beautiful tone of E7 cr Stromberg-Carlson research technicians have proved conclusively that there is no substitute for speaker area. These X-Ray pictures show how they have achieved an amazing speaker area by employing a specially designed oval-shaped speaker (top illus.). The lower illustration shows the area of the speaker normally used in a mantel radio. Not only has "Ovaltone" so much greater speaker area than ordinary radios of similar size — which in itself represents a major step forward in radio reception — but in addition it is the special design of the speaker and the whole unit that makes this new model by Stromberg-Carlson a masterpiece of modern radio design — with 11 X-Ray illustration reveals outline of specially the richest tonal quality ever heard in mantel radio. designed "OV.4LTONE" speaker. IT HAS TO BE HEARD TO BE BELIEVED! HEAR IT! COMPARE IT! YOU'LL BE AMAZED! Your Stromberg-Carlson retailer is waiting to give you a demonstration (no obligation, of course), Go along and hear "Ovaltone" today. Insist on a demonstration, then compare it with ordinary mantel receivers—it's terrific! There isn't another mantel radio in existence with the beautiful tone of OVALTONE— exclusive to Strornberg-Carlson, featured in the new "Modernalre" 5-valve mantel, broadcast or dual wave. Four attractive new cabinet shades — New Ivory, Havana Brown, Sorrento Blue, Nile Green.

411) This illustration shows outline of ordinary err, speaker. Note extraordinary difference. OVALTONE £24-19-6 AVAILABLE FROM ALL LEADING RADIO STORES 9 r the Constructor A Wide Range Grid-Dip Oscillator The radio constructor of any category who likes making up gear wherein home-made inductances and capacities are involved, should not be without the easily-made piece of apparatus described here. There is nothing new or sensational about the G.D.O.; it was in use around the radio-service work bench 25 years ago. It is even more useful to-day than it was then, owing to the wider variety of applications.

Metal Box fl inch diameter winding form. It is suggested that this be made Other I.F. coil—same as above, but up from sheet aluminium, or better with 6 banks. still, that you delve around the radio Broadcast coil-70 turns No. 30 A useful design for a grid-dip oscillator, with enamelled, close-wound on 1-inch calibration chart In a frame on a sloping dealer who offers ex-I.F.F. unit front panel. covers at 6d. a pop. These covers diameter form. make a nice sized box and moreover, First short-wave coil — 30 turns No. 26 D.S.C. wound on 1 inch form HE action of an oscillator indi- they are made of Duralumin. Some are of very light gauge sheet steel spaced diameter of wire. cating grid current is to show and will serve equally well. Second short-wave coil-15 turns T a reduction in the amount of No. 18 bare wire, wound on air- current when power is absorbed from The Coils spaced diameter of wire and braced the grid circuit either inductively or The following coil details will pro- with celluloid ribs. Form 1 inch in capacitively. One can make up such vide for coverage of all frequencies diameter. from around 150 Kc/s to about 12 an oscillator very simply, resorting All coils centre-tapped for the Mc/s, and there should be overlap- to the handy plug-in coil method of cathode connection. ping of the ranges. changing the range; or better still, The coils should be placed at right- bandswitching. For the lower fre- Coil Table angles to each other, and in order quency ranges switching is appropri- Lowest frequency I.F. coil—bank to keep their fields as small as poss- ate, but where the higher and very wound, 12 banks, 36 turns per bank, ible, they are wound on small dia- higher frequencies are concerned, the making 432 turns No. 26 D.S.C. wire. meter formers. plug-in coil scheme is better. The circuit diagram shows what is involved in the arrangement; the oscillator being a Hartley (or cathode-tap) type, using almost any indirectly heated valve. Suitable valves for the purpose are types 6C5, 6J5, 76, 37, and in the 2.5 volt series, the 56 or 27. Don't forget also that there are many non-triode valves of all kinds that can be applied by connecting BF- pentodes and SG valves as triodes. Fundamentally a. number of coils are switched as shown, and the grid current read in the meter, which may be anything between 1 and 10 milliamperes. There is a*, midget coupling condenser, 20 mmfd, which is identified with a terminal marked "red" in the circuit. "Black" is the other terminal which is common to earth (meaning the metal chassis or structure of the unit). A standard 350 mmfd broadcast type variable condenser gang is used for the oscillator tuning capa- * This is a battery operated grid-dip oscillator designed to cover the useful short-wave city, and a single contact switch is ranges. It uses RCS plug-in coils. The valve is a 1.4 volt triode and power is from used to connect either one or both Eveready 742 (A battery) and 482 (45 volt) "MINI-MAX" dry batteries. sections of the gang. (Continued on page 23)

22 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News" October, 1949 (Continued from page 22) a variable resistor in series with the Connect the grid-dip oscillator to cathode temporarily. Vary this re- any 240- volt A.C. 50-60 cycle socket The Meter sistance until the meter deflects ap- and plug two test leads into the jacks The meter may be any one handy, proximately three-quarters on the on the front of the panel. These test reading from one to ten milliamperes, three lowest frequency bands. Note leads should be coloured for easy full scale. The value of the cathode this value! It will be the value of identification, as the black lead is al- resistor depends upon the meter and the total resistance in the cathode ways connected to the earthed side the anode voltage used. It is best to circuit. Then find the values needed of the inductance under test. Always use the minimum amount of coupling select a low voltage and use a for three-quarter deflection on the condenser. However, you might pass cathode resistor that gives about two high-frequency bands. Connect over the dip if minimum is always three-quarter scale reading on the the shorting switch so that there is three lowest frequency bands. On used, especially in cases where the appropriate resistance in the cathode the two high frequency bands, one R.F. resistance of the coil to be mea- section of the band switch shorts out circuit when turned to the high fre- sured is high and the dial is turned a portion of the cathode resistor in quency bands. rapidly. Therefore, to find the dip, order to maintain reading on these use say a quarter of the coupling bands, also. Avoiding False Dips condenser and with the dip once Next, you eliminate the false dips found, reduce the coupling to mini- Calibration Chart: The frame that caused by unused coils resonating mum. holds the calibration chart and pro- tecting glass or celluloid can be made with the coil in circuit. You will not Setting coupling condenser: Setting up easily. find any of these dips on the two of the coupling condenser affects cali- lowest frequency bands, so begin with bration, so when doing any compara- The earth pin-jack is black and is the broadcast coil and rotate the tun- tive work, do not move the coupling connected to the chassis when mea- ing condenser until you get a dip. condenser. suring coils in a receiver. The other Then temporarily earth with a piece pin-jack called the exploring lead is of wire, the grid or cathode of the coloured red. Uses for the Oscillators lower frequency coils until the dip Testing Transmitters vanishes. Connect this permanently The problem of "how many turns" Determining Cathode Resistors to the switch so that it is grounded is solved in a hurry by the use of the out when the switch is turned to the When the oscillator is built, the grid-dip oscillator. Always wind on broadcast coil. Treat the other high value of the cathode resistors must a few more turns than you estimate frequency bands in the same manner. first be determined. This value will will be needed, as it is easy to remove depend upon what meter you are On the highest frequency band it turns but difficult to do an artistic using, and to some extent upon the will probably be necessary to earth job of adding turns. All inductances condition of. the valve and power both the grid and cathode of the supply apparatus. Therefore, connect lowest frequency coil. (Continued on page 24)

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October, 1949 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News" 23 (Continued from page 23)

METER 20 MMF 56CS, (.)J MAX

RESISTORS DETERMINED BY EXPERIMENT — WV \M--,AA.IVAr— • S. V 2/1

o o ELKOMO C 1- 24-0 V •

6-3V 2 A- • VALUE OF CATHODE RESISTORS DETERMINED BY EXPERIMENT DRAwitict • RTV. O. RED BLACK

* Circuit diagram of the Grid-Dip Oscillator. The points of the three earthed switches are joined to coils giving false dips. and R.F. chokes used in transmitters just where. The Grid-Dip Oscillator variable or fixed capacity connected should have tests before and after will tell you when you have repaired across a coil, the higher the R.F. re- mounting and wiring. Grid-Dip Os- the trouble. sistance. The Grid-Dip Oscillator cillator tests will explain many a Measuring small capacities, both will demonstrate this strikingly. strange, stubborn case of refusal to fixed and variable: Small fixed con- (Continued on page 25) oscillate. Take the case of a partiallY densers are often not of the value shorted inductance. The R.F. resis- marked on the case. In cases where tance will be high and so you will it is desired to measure condensers only obtain a small dip and the short up to 500 mmf., their capacity may will make the amount of the induc- be accurately obtained by use of the tance as read by the meter much Grid-Dip Oscillator. Connect the smaller than one would expect. From condenser to be measured in parallel the shorted place to earth there will with a coil. Connect the Grid-Dip R-C-S be no dip at all. Oscillator to this combination and turn the dial until you get a dip. Testing Receivers Leave everything set; remove the 455 KC. NE W I.F. You may have a short-wave super- unknown condenser and in its place TRANSFORMERS heterodyne that lacks sensitivity. substitute a calibrated variable con- Connect the black lead of the Grid- denser. Rotate the dial of the cali- New I.F.171-172 series. I.F. Dip Oscillator to the chassis and brated condenser until you get a dip transformers are of revolu- and read the capacity of the unknown rapidly, one by one, touch the control tionary design using silver grids with the other lead. If the dial directly from the dial of the cali- mica condenser of the Grid-Dip Oscillator must be brated condenser. moulded in the adjusted auite a few degrees each Super-oscillator at "sum" or "differ- time—you are safe in assuming the ence" frequency: A super-heterodyne trolitul b a s e, set needs re-lining. (The oscillator in oscillator that is designed to work at making them ab- the super will dip at a higher fre- sum frequency may sometimes be in- solutely moisture quency than the R.F. and the I.F. correctly adjusted to difference fre- proof. and second detector grid will dip at quency. As such, it will work but im- I.F. frequency). R.F. trouble, such perfectly. There is a complicated Buy R.C.S. as shorted trimmers, "open" or "short- method of finding out if the oscillator —and get ed" R.F. chokes: A shorted trimmer is adjusted to sum or difference fre- the best! 13/- Ea. or coil will cause the receiver to be quency, but the Grid-Dip Oscillator completely dead. Few experimenters method is simplest and easiest. Just have ohm-meters that will detect the touch the control grid and find out! difference between the resistance of Measuring R.F. resistance and If your local dealer cannot the coil with or without shorted comparing coils for efficiency: To supply, write direct to trimmers. compare coils for their R.F. resis- Shorting condenser plates: The tance, measure them both without Grid-Dip Oscillator is useful for find- touching the Grid-Dip Oscillator con- ing out and repairing shorting controls. Everything else being the R.C.S RADIO densers in a gang. You need not un- same, the coil which causes the great- solder any wires and you can quickly est dip has the lowest R.F. resistance 174 CANTERBURY RD. tell which gang is responsible and and is the most efficient. The more CANTERBURY. NSW

24 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News" October, 1949 (Continued from page 24)

Test inductances, R.F. chokes and transformers before installing: As with transmitter construction, it is a good idea to test every coil before mounting it in a set, and after it is wired up and before you turn the power on. Often I.F. transformers are not marked. Much time can be saved by knowing their I.F. frequency. Use in building and testing aerials: Aerials with transmission lines may be home-constructed and experi- mented with. The coils of the coupling units may be matched with the Grid-Dip Oscillator. An ordinary aerial and ground can be connected to the output jacks of the Grid-Dip Oscillator in order to test efficiency. You should get a dip over the entire range of the Grid-Dip Oscillator. There will be less dip at the natural frequency of the aerial system. (The receiver should be disconnected when making this test). Poor aerial con- tacts will show up in an unsteady needle of the meter. Earthed aerials will be shown by this method.

PARTS LIST 1 Metal case. 1 Vernier Dial. 1 switch (six-gang, 5-points). The newest 1• Milliammeter, from one to ten Mitt full-scale. 2 small knobs. 1 S.P.S.T. Jack switch. and best mantel radio 1 2-gang variable condenser, 350 mmf. per section. 1 20 mmf. maximum midget variable condenser (for coupling). • Improved performance — new circuits. 1 .25 mf. fixed condenser. 2 insulated tip-jacks—one black, one red. Valve sockets. • Better tone — new loudspeakers. 5 inductances (built following instructions given in the table). A.C. cord and plug. • Greater convenience — on/off power switch OD 3 cathode resistors (Value determined experi- mentally; see text). set and built in aerial. 2 power-pack resistors, 10 watts each, if 10 milliampere meter is used. 2 8 mf. electrolytic condensers. • MODEL in ivory 0 18-7-0 1 midget power transformer. • 1 6C5 valve. 520 m in walnut Zd 17-17-0 1 5Y30 rectifier valve.

Authorised Radiola Distributors in all parts of the Commonwealth will gladly arrange demonstrations "Himate": A purist friend fell for the high-fidelity instruments being vended in his neighborhood, and I was invited to the bench to assist in the initial valve-warming. On gramophone records chosen at ran- RADIOLA dom the set performed admirably, but could show no points to the THE WORLD'S FINEST BROADCAST RECEIVER double push-pull triodes that lit up, MANUFACTURED AND GUARANTEED BY in friendly fashion, upon a dusty AMALGA MATED WIRELESS (AUSTRALASIA) LTD. old chassis away over in the corner. They, hoary at that, proved them- AUSTR ALIA'S NATIO N AL WI RELESS OR G A NIS ATIO N selves veterans at tossing out tone 47 YORK ST., SYDNEY • 167 QUEEN ST., MELBOURNE and "whang." I've just finished calculations so that he can have the old X-core speaker rewound as a standard electro-magnet-filter-choke. In future when I pull the gramo. switch on my old faithful, 45's in push-pull, I'll be more reverent about it.

October, 1949 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISIO N News" 25 e LEFT— Outdoor occasions are excellent material for television features and should be particularlY popular in Australia when the time comes. The scene here is part of the River Thames near Lon- don, where, by courtesy of the Thamesis Club, viewers were able to see some of the races at a recent regatta. A camera of the BBC Television Outside Broadcast unit lu seen closing in on a 14 foot International Class Dinghy.

26 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News" October, 1949 71)214,43 .m1.1/1(11,2(1

o ABOVE —A scene during the 1948 Olympic Games in London, showing two of the new C.P.S. Emitron cameras being pre - pared for televising events from the Empire Swimming Pool.

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11111111111111111111/11111111111111111111111/11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 ,111 111111 1111 111 11111 11111,1111111111,1111111111111111111111111111111111111 . 111111111

* RIGHT —Cheerful Charlie Chester, a bright star of BBC sound broadcasting, begins his television performance with a bang. Chester, now on,e of the top names in radio, had a struggle to make the grade, arriving at his present position of eminence via yodelling comnetitions in his youth, touring with accordion or guitar, playing in a dance band, cabaret and variety.

October, 1949 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISIO N News" 27 have great appeal for Mozart lovers. These are THE IMPRESARIO and IDOMENEO. All the freshness of the English countryside is evoked by Sir Thomas Beecham; foremost interpreter of Delius, as he conducts the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in that master's BRIGG FAIR. This delightful rhapsody is recorded by H.M.V. on DB.6452/3 under the auspices of the Delius Trust. A gifted young Polish violinist, Ida Haendel, records her first major work for the Listening Dog Label on C.7733/5. She gives a memorable performange of Max Bruch's CONCERTO NO. 1 IN G MINOR, OP. 26, with Rafael Kubelik conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra. Un- confirmed reports have it that this dynamic son of Jan Kubelik may become permanent conductor of the Melbourne Orchestra, an appointment which would be of enormous value to music in Australia. Ballet has become one of the keenest delights of our theatre-goers, and in H.M.V. C.3707/8 we have the first release of a suite which is a graceful addition to the ballet library. This is Lecocq's MA M'ZELLE ANGOT, and the Royal Opera House Orchestra of Covent Garden imparts to it all the glamour of the footlights. Around the turntable recently we find a Col. LX.1123. These are EIN MADCREN Opera fans who enjoyed the production of predominance of serious music, but judging by ODER WEIBACHEN from "The Magic Flute," Giordano's "Andrea Chenier" by the Italian and NON PIT ANDRAI from the sparkling the ever-increasing number of hit musicals company this year will be able to recapture the now running on Broadway—and scheduled for "Marriage of Figaro." flavour of this romantic work as Joan Ham- Australian seasons, we can expect an influx The rich music of Old Russia is faithfully mond sings the dramatic aria, LA MA M MA reproduced by H.M.V. on C.7722/5. Here we of lighter music fairly soon. MORTA, on H.M.V. C.3720. She appears again have the long awaited new recording of Tchal- One top-ranking American musical, however, with the Philharmonia Orchestra on the reverse kovsky's SERENADE IN C, Op. 48, and the is represented in our lists, and that's "Up in side singing SOLA PERDUTA ABBANDONATA final side of this set Is Liadov's BERCEUSE, Central Park," Both on the stage and in from Puccini's "Manon Lescaut." one of a group of Russian folk songs. The movies, this musical has added further star- They say that the stately walk of the pea- Philadelphia String Orchestra is conducted oy glitter to the name of composer Romberg, and cock inspired the steps of the pavane, an Issay Dobrowen. on H.M.V.'s EA.3819 Jeanette McDonald and ancient Court dance. It waited for Ravel to Louis Kentner, English pianist who leapt to her new partner, Robert Merrill, make a translate the grave formality of this old fame playing "Warsaw Concerto" in the record- charming pair as they sing CLOSE AS PAGES musical form into a work of solemn beauty, ing of the original sound-track from the film IN A BOOK and CAROUSEL IN THE PARK. and one can't find adequate praise for this "Suicide Squadron," gives an impressive inter- Sharply contrasted is that musical outlaw, new recording of his PAVANE FOR A DEAD pretation of the well-known Chopin POLO- Maestro Spike Jones, who bobs up to say PRINCESS (II.M.V. DB.6699) which the cele- NAISE IN A FLAT. He makes this Col. I KISS YOUR HAND, MADA ME in his own brated Boston Symphony Orchestra performs DX.1502 well worth the attention of every special debunking manner. On the reverse side under the baton of Serge Koussevitzky. of EA.3817 he promptly douses MY OLD collector of fine piano music. So familiar has Greig's PIANO CONCERTO In direct contrast come two lighter discs FLAME, a torch number made popular several which must conclude our diary for the month IN A MINOR become that it is often referred years ago by Mae West and Duke Ellington. of June. Ann' Frind —star of that perennial to nowadays simply as "The Grieg." Arthur Columbia's D0.3282 brackets an equally Rubinstein, brilliantly supported by Eugene best-seller, "Nuns' Chorus" —together with awaited overseas hit, MY COUSIN LOUELLA, Walther Ludwig and Wilhelm Strieng, sings Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, per- with a current romantic release, EVERYBODY PAGANINI POTPOURRI, a selection of Lehar forms it magnificently for H.M.V. on LOVES SOMEBODY. Seeing that the vocalist DB.904/6, and takes his place with Backhaus, melodies which will find instant popularity. is Frank Sinatra we can foresee that this disc You'll hear this gay piece of theatreland on Friedman, Molseiwitsch, and other exponents won't linger long on the counter of the music of this most melodious concerto. 1046. The other record is a Colum- stores. bia label (DX.1527), a 12-inch double-sided Dinah Shore uses the velvet touch on ever- feast of Andre Kostelanetz and his Orchestra green best-seller, BLUEBIRD OF HAPPINESS, in Latin-style numbers. Traditional tunes g0 and on turning over to the other side of Col. to make up MEXICANA, while MALAGUENA D0.3280, we hear har do SAY IT EVERY DAY, from "Suite Andalusia" backs this disc, prov- the first release of a pleasant, romantic number. ing—If proof were needed—why Kostleanetz is Another Big Time voice is heard on H.M.V. one of the biggest names on record to-day. EA.3818—Perry Como with two numbers that are best sellers both in England and U.S.A. They are BECAUSE, the love song everybody SUBSCRIBE NO W! iqnows, and HAUNTED HEART, which is featured in the musical production, "Inside For 12/- a year you get U.S.A." Como makes this as much his own song as he did with "Prisoner of Love." "RADIO and TELEVISION" Visions of Mississippi riverboats and New MAILED DIRECT. Orleans barrel-houses are conjured up by an outstanding hot jazz coupling by Graeme Bell and his Australian Jazz Band for Parlophone's A.7725. You'll hear Dixie idiom in the groove as they rock into SHABBY GAL RAG and OLD MAN'S BEARD. CORABELLE and GONNA GET A GIRL are two humorous numbers put over by composer- vocalist Hoagy Carmichael on Decca Y.6148 in IUMIIWE his own inimitable style. Time was when Hoagy was known mainly as the composer of "Stardust" —fame enough for most people— The noted conductor, Sir Malcolm Sargent, The CAPTAIN but discs such as his recent release are win- with the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, AERIAL UNIT equals ning him an entirely new following. lends his fine musicianship to yet another a 50ft. high aerial, gives First among Imported English Records this favourite work. This is Haydn's SYMPHONY tone, volume, sensitivity, month is an interesting offering of two Debussy NO. 94 IN G MAJOR —THE SURPRISE, a more stations, freedom from pieces played on Columbia LB.64 by French standard best-seller, and this version comes on lightning. Reduces static, pianist, Robert Casadesus. Both are from the three discs, DX8313/5 from Columbia. fits inside your set. Does second book of Debussy preludes, GENERAL Boyd Neel, who had such a pronounced suc- away with poles and guy LAVINE and LA TERRASSE DES AUDIENCES cess in Australia, is well represented on the wires. Broadcast or short- DU CLAIRE DE LUNE. Decca label. His String Orchestra waxes in wave reception. Installed in From the same studio, on LB.73, comes a impeccable style a further issue of the famous a minute—nothing to get out of order. melodious bracket from the visiting Viennese "Brandenburg" series by Bach, the BRAN- PRICE ONLY 5/9. soprano, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. W HEN DENB URG CONCERTO NO. 3 IN G MAJOR REG. POST FREE —NO C.O.D. DAISES PIED is grouped with WHERE THE on K.1619. With the National Symphony Money Refunded If Not Satisfied BEE SUCKS, and they are backed with Mozart's Orchestra he conducts three Mozart scores: WARNUNG. IL SERAGLIO —OVERTURE, one of the most REG CO O K E Celebrated Mozart works serve to introduce popular overtures in opera, is numbered K.1323, P.O. Box 9 (V), GERRINGONG, N.S.W. an outstanding new baritone in Erich Kunz on whilst on K.1410 two further overtures will

28 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISIO N News" October, 1949 TRIALS OF A RADIO-TECH. "five-minute expert." The seeker of by earthed grids or shorted tuning advice has probably been in the hands condensers. JOURNALIST of such a know-all, and has either Short-wave receivers provide pit- HEN one has for many years been side-tracked or otherwise dis- falls for the unwary that don't yawn NX7 answered radio questions, appointed. Go-getting crooks have before the constructor of the average singly, collectively and in bulk, one nothing on some of these "experts" broadcast receiver. It is compara- should know something about people, in the matter of causing loss and tively easy to put together a broad- if not a little about radio! trouble, and sooner or later one is cast receiver with the aid of tech- What is the use of printing re- asked to clean up the mess they nical directions and a circuit dia- quests to "write on one side of the have left. gram, and in nine cases out of ten paper," "write legibly," "sign your Then there is the aggressive type it works from the time it is switched name and address," or "enclose of correspondent—the man who has on. Short-wave receiver construction stamped and addressed envelope for "made your such-and-such receiver is another matter. The greatest direct reply"? Some do, but a lot and can't get any sense out of it," source of trouble here is long, don't, and it's no use protesting. etc. After weeks, and perhaps straggling wiring in tuned circuits. Questions! Pathetic, weird, entreat- months, of letters both ways, one Crankiness and hopeless perform- ing, compelling and even sarcastic; is constrained to take the bull by ance are the punishments for slop- they all come, and they have to be the horns and make a personal in- piness in short-wave receiver build- taken in the spirit in which they spection of the receiver. Usually ing. If a broadcast model must be were sent. it is then discovered that anything reasonably well put together to give and everything was used rather than good results, a thousand times more the components specified and recom- care must be taken with the short- mended, and the attempt has pro- wave job, however humble its cate- duced something entirely different gory. A lot of reasons exist just from the original. This type of why this or that should or should correspondent often assumes the in- not be done, and as the average radio jured attitude of "You designed it, constructor is remarkably patient so you are responsible." Another and something of a sticker, he finds type of constructor is the man with them all out at last. His multi- a beautiful sense of mechanical engi- farious problems have a wistful neering. He makes a splendid struc- appeal to the experienced man who tural job of his apparatus, but his elects to try to solve them. Fas- electrical knowledge is nil. A com- cinating game, this radio! What bination of mechanical and electrical next ? Television ? Getting nearer, aptitude is rare. Often a receiver much nearer, day by day, and with is presented for inspection and eluci- it a whole set of new problems, snags dation of faults, and turns out to be and delights for the radio hobbyist. the last word as a piece of metal- work but prevented from functioning —"QUEREX."

Train now for Telerision! Because it is in man to try to fashion things with his own hands, the home-constructor, when radio came along, saw the descriptive A complete correspondence course in BASIC TELE- article, and began to conquer the technicalities of the new science. He VISION is now available in Australia. This course started doing it en masse around has been prepared in England by E.M.I. Institutes 1920, and he is still doing it in this year of grace. That he will go on Ltd. It is written by the engineers and scientists who doing it despite the fact that he can invented, developed and supplied the E.M.I. Elec- buy fairly inexpensive "ready-mades" is certain, and prognostications that tronic high definition Television Transmission System the radio constructor will disappear to the British Broadcasting Corporation. from the map are ridiculous. Whilst politicians and militarists rattle the sabre radio amateur plods along in A thorough knowledge of Radio is essential for the enjoyment of his hobby. Youth has more desire to make something intending students of television. Courses in Prep- than to destroy, and radio (amateur aratory Mathematics & Physics, and in Basic Radio version) is a great uniter of nations. One can glean from correspondence are available for those not already qualified. the sacrifices that have been made to acquire the parts to make this or that radio creation; the laborious Write now for prospectus and full details . . . sketching of the diagram which it is hoped will suit some old components on hand, sometimes work- able, but often likely to ruin cher- L AI... (AUST.) PTY. LTD. ished valves. One of the biggest 2 Parramatta Road, HOMEBUSH, N.S.W. handicaps in dispensing advice intended to put the supplicant on the R64/49 right tracks is the influence of the

October, 1949 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News" 29 PRACTICAL MAN'S CORNER

• HEADPHONE REPAIR ' STRIPPING MTZ WIRE When headphones become defec- Do you have trouble stripping in- tive, almost always' one of the coils sulation from Litz wire and the fine is found to be open. This coil can wires commonly used on pick-ups be shorted out, allowing the current and headphones? If so, try passing to pass through the other coil. The a lighted match slowly under the phones are less sensitive, but still usable till replacements can be ob- end of the wire. This will char the tained. insulation sufficiently to permit it to be pulled off. Use care so that the fine wires will neither char nor melt. CONDENSER TESTS Some people think that all condensers should have the highest possible insulation resistance and that a leaky condenser is of no use what- VALVE PULLER ever. This is not necessarily true, A sewing-machine screw driver is because there are positions in the the basis of this novel valve re- set where you can make excellent mover. To make it, hold about g-in. use of a leaky condenser, provided of the screw driver blade in a vice the leakage is not too great. Of and bend it sharply 45 degrees. course, if a condenser is leaking Slip the bent end of the screw badly it is scarcely acting as a con- ''''t ,-„,;-3: - - - •e-,- -77.-5,,,,-' 2 driver blade between the base of the denser at all, and you may get all ',... e: valve and its holder. A little lever- kinds of noises and crackles set up .- • - - - — ..._ -:.,,... . =-.:f age on the handle will force the by it. , valve out easily. A condenser in the grid circuit should have a high insulation re- METER READINGS sistance, but a condenser which is A problem was recently put for- used in a filter circuit may be none ward by a reader who was testing the worse for a slight leak. On the a receiver with a multi-purpose meter other hand, if you are using a con- and who could not decide upon the denser in a resistance amplifier for reading obtained. It appeared that coupling purposes you should take the meter had a series of voltage care that it is quite satisfactory, ranges, obtained with a selector otherwise you may get noises, and -switch, and when on a high voltage range he obtained a reading of just the working of the amplifier be interfered with. over 100 volts. To make quite certain what the reading was, he used the next lower range which read slightly more than 100 volts, and

This is a prac- Place the paint he then found that the reading was BA SS COMPENSATION tical sugges- of the scissors only slightly above 60 volts. He tion for those A small iron-cored coil in the voice- in the hole, as who so me- thought the meter was out of order, coil leads of a speaker provides a but this was not so. On the high times have shown —then a very effective form of bass com- difficulty in voltage range the total current flow- half turn and pensation. The inductive reactance getting a nut the job is done. ing through the meter would be less to start. than on the lower range, owing to .of the coil increases with the fre- the higher resistance of the meter, quency, thus decreasing voice-coil and thus this would be the more accu- current at high frequencies while rate reading. The voltage being passing lower notes. The inductance tested was probably the screen volt- may consist of a small filter choke age, where the additional drain of iron-cored r.f. choke, or other in- the low resistance meter would con- ductance having values between 100 siderably modify the voltage actually mh and 5 henries. Experiment with applied to the circuit. different values for best results.

30 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News" October, 1949 USEFUL NAME PLATES # CONCERNING DOUBLET MICROFARADS Neat name plates for home-made ANTENNAE A farad is the unit of capacity, but and experimental equipment may be Many an experimenter and ser- as it is too large for ordinary use, the made by typing or lettering the titles viceman has installed .the most ex- millionth part, or microfarad (mfd.), on small strips of white paper or pensive type of commercial doublet is used as the practical unit, and this thin white cardboard and securing in an effort to reduce the noise level, again is divided into a millionth part, them to the panel by means of trans- and to increase the signal input. or micro-microfarad (mmfd.), use- parent tape. The titles are type- Sometimes they have even made up ful for stating small capacities. For written on paper strips 3-8-in, wide, elaborately spaced double-doublets ease in translating the latter into the and bound to the panel with i-in. only to find that after they were former, a few leading capacities are cellophane tape. The tape is cut to hooked up to the set, that they did given:— a length sufficient to give about not work as well as a single wire. Mfd. Mmfd.. Mfd. Mmfd. 1-16-in, overlap also at the top and The fault lies not with the doublet, .001 = 1000 .00008 = 80 bottom of the title plate. In mount- but with the match between the .0005 = 500 .00005 =• 50 ing, the strip is first fastened to the antenna and the set. .0003 = 300 .000025 = 25 panel with a thin spreading of .00015= 150 .00001 = 10 rubber cement, then covered with .0001 = 100 transparent tape and rubbed briskly to complete the fastening operation and to remove any wrinkles. The DIRECT MAIL CORRESPONDENCE tape gives a glossy protective covering which prevents soiling. Many readers have written to the editor asking for personal attention Other pleasing effects may be ob- to problems, technical and otherwise, tained by hand-lettering the titles by direct mail. It is necessary to The first thing is to determine in black India ink, by printing them stress that a stamped and addressed with a small letter press, or by let- what the input-to-the-receiver impedance is. Next a doublet must be envelope MUST be enclosed with tering them with a lettering guide, such requests and that in any case used that will match that input. We such as used by draughtsmen. some delay may be occasioned owing know of at least one receiver that to demands on editorial time. Cor- has an impedance of only 200 ohms. respondence from readers is welcomed It is wholly useless to match a 600 but readers are asked not to make ohm doublet to it, since there will requests for whole technical articles, SYMMETRY IN LAYOUT not be the maximum transfer of complete with circuits and data all Many constructors who try to de- energy. to themselves. Please keep techni- sign their own receivers fall into the Always match the doublet to the cal questions brief and to the point trap of arranging all parts symmetri- set, and make the doublet so that it to facilitate a quick reply. cally, or at least in some kind of will match. Formulae are available order. This can introduce difficulty, in most handbooks. although wiring may be simplified. For instance, chokes and transformers when placed in line may cause the windings on the components to be inductively coupled. If a case of The "YORK" hum is found and smoothing does not produce any effect, one of the transformers or chokes should be provided with fairly long flexible FOUNDATION KIT leads and the holding-down bolts re- A Boon to moved from the component. It should then be turned at various the small angles and, if necessary, tilted up on one or other of its corners. It may be found that only when this Manufacturer latter procedure is adopted is .in- Comprising— duction removed, and with it, the Cabinet (as illustrated). introduction of hum. Chassis, Dial Assembly and Scale, Special AER- Ose Coil, Rola 5C Speaker, Rola 8/60 Choke, S/Carlson 2-Gang INSTABILITY AND DECOUPLING H Condenser, Circuit Diagram, Complete Parts Decoupling components are often List, Simple step-by- added to a receiver without remov- step Instructions, "How to Build it." ing instability. In such cases it should be remembered that the • efficiency of the decoupling circuit may be modified in two ways. It Price on application 'THE YORK" Foundation Kit as it reaches you, packed is possible to increase the values Write, phone or call in of both condenser and resistance, for special quantity prices. stout carton, with Circuit and full instructions. or merely to increase the value of either component. In many cases an increase in the capacity of the condenser up to 8 mfds. will be found LOCH ,S„GEA.RATBER LTD. all that is necessary, the increase in value of the resistance lowering THE WELDON ELECTRIC SUPPLY CO. efficiency due to the reduction of T[0) 4 6-4 8 YORK STREET, SYDNEY H.T. on the valve. TELENRAMS."LESAB' STONEY 8X4221 (10 LINES)

October, 1949 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News" 31 fig./wet/kg, gido PHILIPS F.M. RADIO- permit. Like the well-known folded dipole it greatly simplifies and improves the impedance TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT FOR matching to the feeder line. SA. HARBOUR TRUST The mobile stations, transmitters type 1622, A radio telephone communication system operate on 82.26 mc/s and have an aerial employing V.H.F. frequency modulation is power of 20 watts, delivered by a type 815 being constructed by Philips Electrical valve, the low power stages using the Miniwatt Industries for the S.A. Harbour Trust to pro- miniature all-glass valves. Working on a de- % ide more efficient working of the harbour viation of plus 15 lic/s the audio frequency facilities controlled by the Trust. A fleet of input is less than minus 25 V.G. and the 14 tugs and launches is being fitted with audio frequency range transmitted is from radio and these vessels operate in three areas, 300-3000 cycles, as is usual in voice communi- Port Adelaide, Outer Harbour, and Port Pide. cation systems. Automatic modulation control Those at Port Adelaide and Outer Harbour is effected by a diode-pentode valve and pro- will work with the Port Adelaide base station vides against excessive deviation. and a second base station is provided for Port The power consumption of the transmitter, Pine, with inter-communication facilities be - on 12 volt supply, is 2 A. On stand-by and tween the two. 9 A. on transmit. For 6 V. operation these The mobile stations will use the Philips type currents are doubled. 1622/1623 transmitter-receiver units which ara The receiver type 1623 is a double conver- the same as those used in land vehicles, sion superheterodyne using the same crystal powered from the ships' batteries, which, in oscillator for the first and second mixers so this ease, are 12 volts. that oscillator drift difficulties are removed. The 1622/1623 is a remarkably compact in- The Miniwatt all-glass miniature valves pro- stallation. which, including selective calling vide excellent performance without excessive equipment, measures only 16%" r 11%." x 6%," battery consumption. The sensitivity is 1 and weighs 45 lbs. When selective calling is microvolt for a noise reduction of 20 db., which, not used the dimensions are still smaller, with 15 Kc/s deviation, gives a signal to 16%" x 9%" r 6%." and weighing 39 lbs. The noise ratio of 20 db. The action of the transmitter and receiver are mounted side by limiters is assisted by automatic gain control side in a single steel case, with the vibrator applied to the high frequency, and first inter- power unit at the rear end of the transmitter mediate amplifiers. chassis. An electronic squelch system provides for e Mr. Frank Leddy, Governing Director of A single cable connects the set to the control complete silencing of the receiver in the ab- Philips Electrical Industries of Australia panel and a coaxial feeder is taken from the set sence of a signal and is adjustable for functioning between 1 and 5 microvolts. Pty. Ltd. to the aerial. The control panel and microphone take up very little space and may be mounted The power output of the receiver, unless AUSTRALIAN TELEVISION wherever convenient. The loudspeaker, likewise specially required to be higher, is 0.8 watt. SHOULD BE WORLD'S BEST can be stowed in the most convenient position which with modern loudspeakers provides more or may be mounted, without its protective than adequate volume without excessivve bat- "The standards adopted by the Australian housing, behind the loudspeaker grille where tery drain. In cases where loudspeaker opera- Government for television transmission in this this is provided in the vehicle. tion is not desired an output of 10 ram. can country will give a television service at least The aerial is usually mounted on the roof be provided for the energising of a handset equal if not better than anything in the world or cabin top and may be either spring based receiver, with a consequent reduction in cur- when it is introduced in about two years or of the "knock-down" type. Cars mostly rnt consumption. time," said Mr. F. N. Leddy, Governing use the single quarterwave whip aerial, but in The receiver cureent consumption on 12 Director of Philips Electrical Industries the case of the Harbour Trust vessels the volts is 3.3 A. rec-ntly. "folded unipole" is being fitted, as this type The transmitter and receiver are operated Mr. Leddy said that the Philips organisation of radiator has superior characteristics and is from the control panel which provides all the already had in existence equipment for the to be preferred wherever physical conditions ncessary controls and indicators. transmission and reception of television in conformity with Australian standards. His Company had developed a television demonstration unit complete with studio facilities, which would operate through a range of standards including those adopted by Austra- lia. This equipment is already being used in official television experiments in the Argentine, in Denmark and in many other European countries. In 1948 the Philips organisation recommended a set of television standards for adoption in countries not then using television, which provided for either 567, 605 or 625 line dcfinition with negative modulation and an F.M. sound channel. In 1949 European and e Designed and manu- English television manufacturers Including Philips jointly recommended a European factured in the standard of 625 lines. Hendon, S.A., fac- The Australian standards followed these tories of the Philips recommendations fairly closely. The Australian bandwidth of 7 megacycles however provides Co., this VHF FM for greater resolution and contrast and hence equipment repre- a better picture than the 6 megacycles band- sents the latest 'for width of the recommended European standard, the 4 megacycles bandwidth used in America ultra-modern point- and the 3 megacycles bandwidth in England. to-point radio com- The use of F.M. for the sound channel is munication. an important factor. Viewed in relation to the provision of a first-class television service, its use is unquestionable. It means however, that Australian television receivers will not be suitable for reception of normal broadcast programmes without making separate and necessarily more expensive provision for the additional A.M. radio receiver. In practice therefore it will be found preferable and at least as economic to have entirely separate television and radio receivers so that any member of a family not interested in any particular television programme may at the same time listen to the radio.

32 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News" October, 1949 The base stations of 200 W. aerial power operating on 77.18 mc/s make use of th type 1606 250 W. base transmitter, which, including in its cabinet the base receiver, occupies a emir space of 24" x i'0" and stands 5'10" high. The exciter stage of the transmitter consists of a type 1622 transmitter with A.C. mains power supply and drives the power amplifier using two QB3/300 tetrode valves in push-pull. The high tension for the power stage is derived from 866A rectifier valves and the power drawn from the 240 V. mains is 175 W. on standby and 800 W. on transmit. The base station receiver is a type 1623 unit with A.C. power supply and its power consumption is 50 W. The 1606 equipment is designed for local or remote operation. In the latter case the line may be of any length providing that the loop resistance does not exceed 1000 ohms. Several types of aerial are provided for base stations such as the ground plane or stacked dipole arrays, but in the case of Port Pine • The Aegis Company solves a loudspeaker extension problem for the home the normal orani-direction arrangement had with this useful control unit. to be departed from and a special array will be erected with directive properties in certain directions. The system is, of course, verti- AEGIS EXTENSION SPEAKER AEGIS KC 5 TUNING UNIT cally polarised. This is an all-wave tuning unit, developed All the base station functions are carried CONTROL SYSTEM out from a control consolette to which ex- After months of research, Aegis Manufactur- for the Custom Built Console of the modern lounge. The unit is actually the entire "Front tension telephone sets may bu connected so ing Company has perfected an Extension End" of a radio receiver, completely assembled that officers in several locations can communi- Speaker Cabinet and Control. System that and wired, accurately calibrated in megacycles cate over the system. The selective calling revolutionises the fitment of Extension and aligned. For those keen on listening to mechanism is operated from the consolette Speakers. Overseas Broadcasts direct from their origin, along with the other central control functions Coinciding with the release of the Extension and all the necessary apparatus is built into plus hundreds of amateur radio operators talk- Speaker Cabinet, is the Control Box, which ing to one another all over the world, small the cabinet. embraces a Speaker Transformer connected ships at sea, aircraft, police, and standard to a switch, Output Terminals, and an Input broadcast interstate, we recommend the KC.5 Lead fitted with a Plug and Socket, the Idea Tuning on the Shortwave Bands is as easy as being to remove the output tube, insert the tuning the Broadcast, due to three outstanding plug, refit the valve, and so be in a position features: (1) 29:1 Ratio Dial Drive, (2) to have in operation th 3 Receiver as was, the Flywheel-spin Tuning Shaft, (3) Eiectrical %tension Speaker operating separatelty or Band-spreading. Once a Station is logged on the Extension Speaker and the Receiver this beautifully clear dial, it appears at the Speaker operating together. same position next time. The photograph shows the Cabinet and the Below are some of the SPECIAL FEATURES small remote control mechanism. Strikes and of the AEGIS KC.5 :- other factors taken into account, this equipment will be ready for release in time for the 1. Complete coverage of all popular bands Christmas trade. obtained with FIVE SWITCH POSITIONS. (550-1630 Rc), (3.4-4.05 Mc), (5.8-7.5 Prices are :— Mc), (9.4-12.3 Mc), 13.9-18.2 Mc). PLASTIC CABINET WITH 6" ROLA SPEAKER 2. Bands indicated on dial include 16, 19, (Less Output Transformer): 20, 25, 31, 40, 49, 80 Metres, and Standard Black or Walnut Broadcast. Distributor 3. Multi-coloured, full vision, illuminated Trade 39/10 Plus 10% S.T. dial. Retail 65/9 Inc. Sales Tax Cream Urea 4. Band change switch operates Automatic The Philips selective calling system provides Band Indicator on dial face. for individual calling (complete privacy) or Distributor 5. Provision for "Magic Eye" tuning indi- group calling, which latter includes calling all Trade 41/3 Plus 10% S.T. cator. stations simultaneously. In this way, while Retail 68/- Inc. Sales Tax normally only the station desired receives the 6. Positively no back lash on dial drive. call, when emergencies arise and a number PLASTIC CABINET ALONE: 7. Special Perspex dial pointer prevents of stations are to be concentrated at a given Black or Walnut incorrect logging. Distributor spot in the least time, the group or general 8. All coils possess high quality, adjustable, Trade 18/- Plus 10% S.T. call greatly expedites the traffic. iron-dust cores. Retail .. 29/9 Inc. Sales Tax hie system which Is worked by tones and Cream Urea 9. Trimmers have high "Q" factor. the use of only six audio frequency tones Distributor 10. Best quality Moulded Mica, Ceramic, and accommodates a fleet of 186 mobile stations. Trade .. .. 19/4 Plus 10% S.T. Paper Condensers incorporate in circuit. As accessories to the selective calling equip- Retail .. 32/- Inc. Sales Tax 11. I.R.C. Resistors used throughout. ment in the mobile stations a "busy lamp" 12. Stabilised Voltage Control on Screens of and "memory lamp" are fitted. The busy SWITCH BOX (Including Output Transformer): Both R.F. and Converter valves. lamp informs the mobile operator when the Distributor 13. R.F. Stage on all wave bands. system is busy with another call and the Trade . .. 30/3 Plus 10% S.T. 14. Something New and Exclusive in Dial memory lamp shows when a call has been Retail . 52/6 Inc. Sales Tax Escutcheons. made to him in his absence, should he have been called away for any purpose when the 15. A.W.A. three-gang ruing Condenser floated call from the central station was made. on Rubber. Apart from the small increase in dimen- 16. Whole unit may be mounted on four rub- sions of the mobile equipment the selective ber grommets when attached to chassis. calling apparatus involves an additional battery OVERSEAS CONTRACT 17. All associated resistors and by-pass con- consumption of only 4 watts and a weight of TO AUSTRALIA densers included, complete. six pounds. 18. Any number of valves and control circuits Tenders to supply and install radio equip- can be built around this unit to give the ment for the seven new ships of the Union desired results. (We recommend two I.F. Steamship Company of New Zealand and the stages using Aegis 120 and 121 IS. radio refit of two others has been awarded to Transformers). Aegis Manufacturing Co., 208 Little Lens- Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Limited. dale Street, Melbourne, C.1., is now In a 19. Only Five Connections to make, to feed position to deliver immediately a Communica- This tender was competed for against lead- into any 455 He. I.F. channel. tion Cabinet, Front Panel and Chassis to suit ing overseas radio organisations. 20. Gold Letter Station Transfers for all their AEGIS liC4 Tuning Assembly. Readers The ships concerned consist of live vessels Australian stations supplied. will recall that this unit was suggested for under construction in Scotland and two to be Address enquiries to Aegis Manufacturing the Dual I.E. Receiver in our June, 1949 issue. built at the New South Wales State Dockyards, Company, 208 Little Lonsdale Street, Mel- The price structure is as follows: Newcastle. The vessels to be refitted with bourne, 0.1. Trade ..86/6 Plus 10% S.T. A.W.A. equipment are the "Kopua" and the Retail .. . 130/- Inc. Sales Tax "Waitaki." (Continued on page 41)

October, 1949 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISIO N News" 33 . • •

OUR FIRST SUBSCRIBER (since augmented by a formidable list), Mr. Cliff Lloyd, 79 Victoria Street, Lewisham, N.S.W., doesn't regret being first in the field. He says . . • "thanks for a very excellent 'bob's' worth. It is indeed something very different to the usual run of things. The attractive illustrations give a relief from looking at photos of valves and condensers all the time. Such topical illustrations are news in themselves. As I write this my wife is reading carefully through the magazine, and that really is something when she has not evinced any interest in radio previously. Another point is the fine standard of advertising, which does justice to those business people who utilise the space. . . . I am looking forward keenly to the forthcoming issues. . . (We blush with modesty at your bounteous plaudits Mr. Lloyd, and take this opportunity to tell you and thousands of our readers that we deeply regret the recent break in our publication dates. To use an overworked but very true cliche . . . "circumstances arose, over which we had no control." It was no joke to establish "R & TV News" and then Brush Discharge find that the perverseness of human nature and the intolerance of a section of the community hit us below the belt. Being young A THOUGHT FOR AN IDLE MO MENT and healthy, we did not fall for the count, but got going again with more enthusiasm than ever. Your remarks about "It & TV News" being "different" emphasise the very point we have stressed from the start . . . we have `111.111111 "englIallir,, no intention of being imitators . . . and our claim to be a progressive National magazine l: COVER DESIGN no idle suggestion. We have noted with interest that our ideas have been covertly copied As we expected, several readers in one direction and of course that is accepted and some advertisers have asked why as sincere flattery.—Editor), we have depicted the glamorous young lady on our re-designed Cover. We asked Sydney artist Lincoln Hamilton to knock us up something CECIL BORNE (Vit2AIK), recently of West Wyalong, N.S.W., writes:— indicative of "The Spirit of Tele- "Just a line or two of congratulation on the vision" and intimated that it should l very high standard of 'R & TV News.' You have a feminine theme. Not at all tilait11[[ have managed to set out in dignified terms all bad, is it? We DID hear a practical the various sections and I am sure that all radio technician say however, that the discerning readers will appreciate just that A hotel, certainly one of Sydney's fact. There has always been a tendency for lady should have been saying "MISTER 'ham' and other hobby magazines to descend —here's your CATHODRAYTUBE." leading hotels, but different to to a level that becomes a jargon, but you have every other in many things. The managed to attain the level of high literary Wentworth, for instance, has ever merit. Good luck . . ." been noted for its quiet, restful (Whilst we are in the publishing business atmosphere. Another thing, too. and dealing with amateur radio and other while away from the noise and kindred subjects, jargon (as distinct from bustle, you are nevertheless con- humorous repartes) is something that will not veniently situated to everywhere. be permitted to see print. We blow that many A' Milestone in Service and cuisine are unexcelled. may not agree with us . . . but We do NOT like the continued reference to radio amateurs as "hams." It is a term which jars imme- Valve Production diately on the non-understanding layman, and means something quite different in the pro Amalgamated Wireless Valve Company THE WENTWORTH fsssional theatrical world. It is even con - has just produced the one-millionth minia- sidered unfortunate that we are virtually doomed to reference to owners and operatois ture type valve in the factory at Ashfield, Ut (----Sy of private or citizen radio stations as N.S.W. This indicates the high degree of "amateurs." The "Amateur Hour" in radio, progress and manufacturing technique now 'Phone BW 1361 (10 'lines) does, for example, mean something very different indeed to the activities of radio amateurs. attained in Australian radio valve production. C. D. Maclurcan, Managing Director The one wouldn't know t'other. Thank-you for the good wishes, Cecil.—Editor).

34 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News" October, 1949 COMPACT RECEIVING have 170 turns, for 80 metres 60 short-wave broadcasting is obvious to DOUBLETS turns, for 40 metres 30 turns, and anybody with a grain of understand- Particularly for short waves, the for 20 metres 15 turns. It will be ing; 'but I disagree with Mr. Milne doublet form of aerial with twisted found that in the short-wave ranges in his off-hand treatment of SW or transposed feeder line is recog- a doublet so constructed for 80 broadcasting in general. Surely we nised as being highly efficient at the metres will work well on the har- are not asked in this part of the monics. A good feeder line can be resonant frequency of the aerial Empire to regard the excellent made from 18-gauge V.I.R. cable itself. It also has the great advant- British short-wave broadcasting ser- age of possessing good noise-reduc- twisted together, • and if a tuned vice as being in the category he ing qualities if the aerial portion coupling is used to the receiver, so emphasises? That goes also for the itself is located well away from the much the better. radio-inductive interference field. "Voice of America" programmes from This can often be arranged, and Uncle Sam's domain. the length of a twisted-pair feeder SHORT-WAVE LISTENERS' line makes little or no difference. CLUB For the short-wave broadcasting In a letter to the Editor, Mr. SUBSCRIBE NOW! channels taking in 19, 25 and 31 Gordon J. S. Hepburn. of 10 Mc- For 12/- a year you get metres, the physical dimensions of Gregor St., Croydon, N.S.W., raises a doublet are modest, as also for use the subject of a club for SWL's. "RADIO and TELEVISION" MAILED DIRECT in the amateur experimental bands; He suggests that the many readers but, when it is desired to conduct who are undoubtedly interested in experiments with a doublet aerial the formation of such a club should intended for broadcast reception on get into touch with them. Whilst the 200 to _ 550-metre range, the it will not be possible for the staff space required is inconvenient for of "Australian RADIO & TELE- RADIO EXCHANGE anybody but country people with VISION News" to take, at this stage, plenty of available room. An idea any executive part, because of busi- 261 William St., ness pressure in producing this Cnr. D'hurst Rd., SYDNEY Cods magazine, appropriate space will FA7455 certainly be made available. If a group of readers get together and form such a club, the Editor will provide space for the publication of Ask to hear an Eddystone! news- and notes. What about it, you For short wave reception any- keen short-wave listeners? where at any time and under any condition, the Eddystone "Hopalong." In the April 1949 "504" and the "640" Communi- issue of the journal of the Radio cations Receivers are without Society of Great Britain, A. O. Milne equal in Australia to-day. (G2MI) condemns interloping broad- Write, 'phone or call for fur- casters in the amateur 7 Mc/s band ther particulars, prices, pur- but gives the SWL short shrift at chase terms, etc. the same time. Says he . . . . "who Good short wave receivers listens to their blatherings (the trans- taken as part payment or as mitting stations)? Broadcast inter- To Receiver deposits. ests will no doubt produce formidable listener figures if asked to do so, We specialise in the sale and exchange of good Communica- is pictured for use in city and after all they must to justify their tions Receivers. suburban areas wherein the advant- jobs, but personally we have never ages of the doublet are obtained, yet found anyone who listens con- Let us know your requirements but in a very small amount of space. sistently to short-wave broadcasting. and we will do our best to A wooden cross-piece is fitted to We still stick to our original con- supply. the top of a pole, the higher the servative estimate one listener per better, carrying two coils of 16- kilowatt! Short-wave broadcasting gauge copper wire on 3-in, diameter is probably the greatest waste of time forms. The wire should be cotton- and energy in the world to-day, and RADIO EXCHANGE covered and the coils, when wound, most likely to cause International ill- soaked in paraffin wax. For the will." The blathering and spread- 261 William St. FA7455 broadcast range each coil should ing of by certain sources of

October, 1949 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News" 35 o Mor

By Appointment Suppliers of Gramophones, Records, Radio and Television Apparatus to His Majesty the King.

l ace%

RADIO RECORDS TELEVISION

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''Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News - October, 1949 STORIES OF THE GREAT COMPOSERS

THE LIFE OF MOZART

By RON BRADER

OLFGANG A M A D E U S til he composed an Oratorio. He was MOZART was born on Janu- very soon released. W ary 27, 1756. On that day commenced the life of a FIRST SUCCESSES man, now famous, who was destined to become one of the greatest of com- At the age of 12 years, Mozart posers. Yet this life, which began produced his first Opera, "The Pre- so brightly was "bound in shallows tended Simpleton," with a score 614 and in miseries" and was extin- pages in length, but its performance guished after only thirty-five years was obstructed by the jealousy of the existence. All music lovers are Viennese musicians. It was not long familiar with the extraordinary before Leopold, still fearing a wan- genius which was revealed in his ing of his genius, took him to Italy, childhood; this need not be elabor- the home of music, where he made a ated upon here. His young ear was great impression. It was here that so sensitive that he fainted when his memory retained the whole of hearing a trumpet, yet this instru- Allegri's "Misere" and he wrote it ment often featured in novel com- out note perfect after having heard binations of instruments, in the it but once. On the return journey music he wrote later in life. Mozart was admitted into the Phil- harmonic Societies of Bologna and Verona at the age of 14, and his MISUNDERSTOOD TALENT Opera "Mithridates, King of His father, Leopold, made the Pontus," was given twenty perform- great error of attributing his musi- ances. The letters of Mozart at this cal talent to youthful precocity, and time reveal his acute dramatic sense soon had him touring the courts of and power of understanding charac- WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Vienna, Paris, and London in a ro- ter, which contributed so much to mantic atmosphere of praise, the greatness of his Operas. Up to "Don Giovanni" in which the com- Princes, and patronage, which pro- this stage his music had not been poser was assisted by the famous duced presents of swords, snuff- truly his own, and had followed librettist Da Ponte, but even these boxes and golden canes in abun- existing convention and style, but the secured no 'permanent employment dance, but nothing much in the advent of manhood revealed Mozart's way of money. Only his visit to music in its maturity. The year for him. England was really lucrative; when 1776 is abundant with Masses, The history of Mozart's last years he received 24 guineas from George Divertimenti, and music for the or- is one of illness, extreme poverty the Third and 50 guineas from the gan and piano. and disheartening setbacks, but Queen in return for six sonatas. His more so of tragedy as a result of the skill in improvisation and his talent circumstances which hastened his MATRIMONY AND CAREER made him immensely popular. So premature death. He was on his great was his initial success, that Mozart soon became tired of Salz- death-bed when news came of the upon his return to his home town of burg and left on another journey. At huge success of "The Magic Flute," Salzburg "Wolferl" was shut up in Mannheim he fell in love with and of financial assistance. He died a room by the Archbishop, who did Aloysia Weber, who, unfortunately, on December 5, 1791. Unfortunately, not believe all that was said about did not reciprocate his ardent devo- Mozart had often displayed some of him, and refused to release him un- tion. His kind but domineering father the less admirable characteristics of disapproved of this and caused his Salzburg, but this is more than ob- son kindly but firmly to break the scured by his fine character which apron strings which allowed him no remained steady in the face of the independence. Another visit to Paris adulation which was poured on him was quite unremunerative and he rein boyhood. Such was the man whose turned sadly to Salzburg. Aloysia music can transport people to rejected him and he married her Heaven, both by the magnificence of sister Constanze. In 1781 "Idomeneo" a Mass or an Opera, or by the sim- was composed for the Munich Car- plicity and beauty of "Eine Kleine nival and like most of his produc- Nachtmusic." Perhaps the greatest tions was successful but brought tragedy of his life was that his little reward. In the following year genius was still fertile when he died, he dedicated six fine string quartets since he produced three famous sym- to Haydn, whom he admired so phonies in six weeks, all full of the much. Haydn's style was the basis precision and alacrity of his style. for Mozart's creations, but it was Who -knows to what heights the sym- not long before the pupil became the phony would have climbed had Master. In the years 1786 and 1787 Mozart lived to die a normal death. Vienna witnessed the performance It remained for Beethoven to take of "The Marriage of Figaro" and up where he left off.

October, 1949 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISIO N News" 37 38 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION New; •' October, 1949 SHORT-WAVE STATION LIST (Continued)

FretecY Broadcasting time, E.S.T. (U.S.A.) Country City Call Band Meters Mc (Daily unless otherwise stated)

England London GRG 25 11.580 Near East beam 1.00 to 4.00 am.; Middle East, noon to 2.45 p.m. England London GVW 25 11.700 African beam. 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. England London GSD 25 11.750 South American beam, 5.15 to 10.15 p.m.; Africa, 1.00 to 4.00 a.m.; 5.00 to 11.15 a.m. 11.30 a.na. to 4.30 p.m. England London GSN 25 11.826 Pacifie beam, 1.45 to 6.00 ama. England London GSE 25 11.868 African beam, 11.15 to 2.45 p.m.; South America, 4.00 to 10.15. p.m.; Mediterranean, 5.00 a.m. to 3.45 p.m. England London BVX 23 11.930 North America, 6.15 to 8.00 am., 2.30 to 5.15 min.; Pacifie, midnight to 4.00 a.m.; India, 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. England London GRV 25 12.040 Australian beam; 1.45 to 6.00 a.m. England London 25 12.095 Near East, noon to 1.15 p.m.; Italy, 6.00 a.m. to 1.15 p.m. England London GSF 19 15.140 Australia, 7.45 to 10.00 a.m.. Near East, 1.45 a.m. to 1.15 pan.. India, 7.45 to 11.15 am. England I.ondon OSO 19 15.180 Pacifie beam, 6.00 to 8.00 am.-' South America, 12.15 to 3.45 p.m.; India, 2.00 to 4.00 a.m. England London GSI 19 15.260 African beam, 11.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. England London GWR 19 15.300 South American beam, 6.00 to 7.15 p.m. England London GSP 19 15.310 North American beam, 7.15 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.; Africa, 2.00 to 4.00 a.m. England London GWD 19 15.420 Pacifie beam, 4.45 to 6.00 a.m. England London OWE 19 15.435 Middle East beam, 1.00 to 4.00 a.m.; 5.00 to 11.15 amt. England London GRD 19 15.450 African beam, 11.30 a.m. to 2.15 p.m. England London GVQ 16 17.730 Near East beam, 7.30 to 11.15 a.m. England London. GSV 14 17.810 Australia, 6.00 to 10.00 a.m.; Africa, 5.00 to 11.15 a.m. ; India, 3.00 to 10.00 a.m. England London GRP 16 17.870 African beam. 11.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. England London GVO 16 18.080 South American beam, 7.00 to 8.00 ama.; 10.00 to 11.15 a.m.; 12.45 to 1.45 p.m. England London GSA 13 21.470 Africa, 7.45 to 11.00 am. England London GYR il 21.675 India beam, 5.00 to 7.30 p.m. Fiji Islands Suva VPD2 49 6.100 1.00 to 3.00 a.m. Fiji Islands Suva VPD2 49 6.130 Sundays, 1.55 to 5.30 a.m.; Tuesday, 4.00 to 5.00 a.m.; Sunday to Thursday, 4.10 to 5.00 Pm.: 8.00 to 9.30 a.m. France Paris 31 9.520 6.00 to 7.00 p.m. ; 10.30 to 11..15 p.m. France Paris 20 14.950 Calls NBC and (MIS with press reports. France Paris MCD 19 15.905 Station Paris calls CBS and NBC for press reports and relay broadcasts from Europe. French W. Africa Brazzaville FZI 01 8.440 off at 7.45 p.m. French W. Africa Brazzaville FZI 25 11.785 late afternoons. French W. Africa Brazzaville FZI 25 11.970 noon to 8.50 p.m.; 1.00 to 2.30 a.m. Gold Coast Accra ZOY 49 6.00 heard occasionally at midnight. Greece Athens SVM 31 9.930 heard 2.00 to 7.00 p.m. Gaudeloupe Pointe-a-Pitre FG8AH 41 7.440 7.00 to 8.30 p.m. Guatemala Guatemala City TG2 49 6.220 7.00 p.m. to midnight. Guatemala Guatemala City TGWB 49 6.465 9.00 to 10.00 a.m. ; 7.30 p.m. to 2.00 am.; Sundays, lel noon to 6.30 p.m.; 8.00 p.m. to 1.00 a.m. Guatemala Guatemala City TGWA 31 9.685 Sundays, evenings. Guatemala Guatemala City TGWA 19 15.170 daytime transmissions. Hatti Port-au- Prince HH2S 50 5.955 7.00 to 10.30 p.m. Haiti Port-au-Prince HH3W 31 10.130 1.00 to 5.00 p.na.; 7.00 to 11.30 p.m. Hawaii IIonolulu KRHO 11 9.650 Philippine beam noon to 3.00 p.m. Hawaii Honolulu KRHO 19 15.250 Chinese beam ,6.45 to 7.15 p.m. Hawaii Kahuhu KEQ 41 7.370 heard at 3.00 p.m. Honduras La Ceiba HRD2 49 6.235 8.30 to 11.00 pan. Honduras San Pedro Sula IIRP1 49 6.357 7.00 to 8.30 am.; 7.30 to 11.30 mua. Honduras Tagucigalpa MIN 50 5.875 9.00 to 11.00 a.m.; 7.00 p.m. to midnight. Hongkong Hongkong JZIIA. 31 9.465 7.00 to 9.30 a.m. Hungary Budapest HAT4 31 9.125 Iceland Roykjavik TEJ 25 12.235 Saturdays, 10.00 to 10..30 p.m. India Calcutta VUD27 41 7.290 India Delhi VUD7 49 6.190 12.15 to 2.45 p.m.; 8.30 to 10.00 p.m. ; 11.55 p.m. to 12.30 am.; 9.00 to 10.00 a.m.; 11.00 a.m, to noon. India Delhi VUD8 41 7.275 7.00 to 10 a.m.; 12.15 to 4.00 p.m.; 9 to 9.30 p.m.; 9.35 to 10.00 p.m. India Delhi VUD5 41 7.305 9.00 to 10.00 a.m.; 12.15 to 4.30 p.m. India Delhi VUD4 31 9.590 9.00 to 11.50 p.m.; 2.00 to 5.00 ama.; 6.30 to 8.00 am.; 8.45 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. Ireland Athone 31 9.595 5.10 to 5.30 p.m. Italy Allied Ildotrs. APH 39 8.960 Italy Allied Armies APH 16 17.820 heard mornings with press reports for New York. Japan Tokio JZH4 49 6.130 8.00 to 9.30 a.m. Japan Tokio SLY 4à 6.190 9.00 to 10.40 a.m.; 11.00 a.m. to 2.40 p.m. Japan Tokio JVW 41 7.257 heard at 2.00 p.m. Japan Tokio JZI 31 9.535 heard at 2r.00 and 11.30 p.m. and 3.00 a.m. Japan Tokio JVW3 25 11.725 heard at 2.00 p.m. Japan Tokio JZJ 25 11.800 heard at 1.45 p.m. Japan Tokio JVU3 25 11.897 6.15 to 8.15 p.m. Japan Tokio 19 15.105 heard at 8.30 p.m. (This list of stations will be continued until complete)

October, 1949 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISIO N News" 39 .%•2 .AUF S K A U IA N WOMAN'S MIRROR

IS THE FRIENDLY MAGAZINE

Written wholly by its readers, it has an intimate, get-together manner as though one woman in her home talked things over with another in hers, with no professional adviser telling either what to do.

ON SALE EVERY WEDNESDAY PRICE 3D.

CONTENTS (every issue) : Serial Novel, Short Story, Between Ourselves, Feature Articles (not fewer than eight), Knitting Design, Crochet Design, Needlecraft Design, Mothercraft Section, Service and Information, Kitchencraft and Readers' Tested Recipes, Patterns, Pictorial Adventure Page, Health and or Beauty Talk, Garden Section, Children's Section with Pictorial Strips, Household Hints, Smiles Column.

REGULAR FEATURES: Vocations of Women, World Affairs, Women in History, Real-life Love Stories, Women in Australasian History, Soft Toys, Kiddie Quips, Printed Linens, Mainly About Men, Real-life Sketch.

PUBLISHED BY THE BULLETIN NEWSPAPER CO. PTY., LTD.

40 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION Notes" October, 1949 (Continued from page 33) NE W EQUIPMENT FOR 2GB Embodied in this design are the following:— Pick-up: Lightweight type providing wide fre- Station 2GB has recently taken delivery of quency response with minimum record and AUSTRALIAN TELEVISION two imported recording units from E.M.I. needle wear. (Australia) Pty. Limited. The E.M.I. Magnetic Tape Recorder bas Automechanism. Latest type handling up to ten A Marconi Coy. 625 line television system 12 in. or 10 in. records (unmixed). operating to an Australian built receiver was been specially designed and made in England demonstrated recently to pressmen at the for use in broadcasting stations and film Duo-diffusion sound-reproducing system. This studios. Amalgamated Wireless Laboratories. These incorporates an ellipsoidal speaker, a keenly The broadcasting station is now able to units displayed television images of extremely sensitive, energised, high flux density moving record an artist, a play, or an entire pro- high quality. It was explained that the con - coil speaker with elliptical cone giving wide gramme, onto a spool of sensitized plastic struction of the picture was based on a 625 angle sound distribution of all frequencies tape, and, since no processing is required, it line definition as compared with British stan- between 50/7000 cycles, aided by an additional may be broadcast immediately. Each spool dard of 405 lines, and the American standard plays for about twenty-one minutes, and one 6 in. speaker unit to extend the frequency of 525 lines. Mr. L. A. Hooke, Managing reel may be synchronised to another to give range. Director of Amalgamated Wireless, pointed out that war intensified radar research had pro- perfect continuity. The mechanism records and Metal Grille. A sound transparent grill which plays back, and, should a recorded tape be vided many refinements and economies for tele- minimises the absorption of sound waves vision, many of which could not be adopted no longer wanted, it may be placed in the radiated from the loudspeaker, so that all the in existing pre-war systems without completely unit and re-recorded because an erasing de- natural crispness and tone of speech and music scrapping equipment and all receivers. vice is incorporated to "wipe" the tape. A is retained. spool may thus be used over and over again; Australia therefore was in an extremely up to 1,000 times, thc manufacturers claim, Dials: Large, edge-lit calibrated dial scale. fortunate position to select the finest system without appreciable loss. The fact that a Cabinet: Avallagle in polished walnut, alter- at present available, one embodying every spool is only 1114 inches in diameter, may be native finishes in mahogany or silver ash to post-war refinement. stored without fear of breakage, and will not special order only. deteriorate with age, makes this style of re- Range: 10-5/51 metres. 540/1600 Kc/s. Mr. Hooke went on to say that practical cording of particular advantage to a broad- Mains Supply: 200 to 250 volts. 50 c.P.s. television based on the latest of research data casting station. Dimensions: 31 in. high, 36 in. wide, 18 in. available could not be accomplished for at deep. least two years and then could not be regarded as a substitute for radio, for until methods The Price is 115 guineas, and this model is were found to balance the large programme "PERSONAL PARAGRAPHS" available for immediate delivery. costs, television might be restricted to the Mr. L. Bence, Chief Chemist of General Dry hours when the entire family could view it. Batteries Pty. Ltd., in which the shares are In England after 13 years of television the held jointly by Electronic Industries Limited, service was restricted to one hour In the and General Dry Batteries Inc., of America, afternoon and approximately two hours in the has returned from the United States where he evening. spent some time in the various plants of the Good luck to popular Dick Huey of "H.M.V." American Company investigating new develop- who is away on a visit to the Old Country. He ments in battery production. will, for a year, be studying modern techniques During his stay arrangements were con- at Electrical and Musical Industries Engineer- cluded for further equipment to be supplied to ing Development Ltd., one of the many com- General Dry Batter's Pty. Ltd., and this is panies in the E.M.I. group. Dick Huey had expected to reach Melbourne shortly. Its instal- an important Army job during the war years lation should boost production sufficiently to as Director of Radar equipment. Mrs. Huey enable the company to market its product in has accompanied him to England. States other than Victoria. Its present output is absorbed almost wholly by Commonwealth and State Government Departments and by Victorian trade requirements. Mr. Bence was accompanied from America by Mr. J. Vidmar, Chief Engineer of the Dubuq (Iowa) plant of General Dry Batteries Inc. Mr. Vidmar will remain in Australia for some months. He is one of America's outstanding battery production experts. Mr. O. Oppenheim, Technical Manager of the Engineering Division of Electronic Industries Limited, has returned by air from America where he investigated latest developments in the production of electronic and telecommunication equipment. The Company maintains as far as possible continuous personal touch with • The extreme sensitivity of the image Orthicon associated overseas companies in this rapidly television camera tube is demonstrated in expanding field. this actual photograph. It was taken as the subject struck a match, which provided the only illuminant. The equipment responsible H.M.V. AUTORADIOGRA M is A.W.A's R.C.A.-Marconi and this "shot" was taken direct from a TV receiver screen An attractive new model from the H.M.V. QUALITY factory is the E.43A (The "Ernest Fisk). in the Ashfield (N.S.W.) laboratory. The features are: extra tonal fidelity—wide Definition is 625 lines. diffusion of sound—superlative reproduction cf radio and records and simplicity of tuning. TRANSFORMERS These will make a tremendous appeal to the most critical listener. and THOSE HAR MONICS The progressive amateur keeps himself well posted with suitable literature concerning the hobby, and to that end we recommend that METAL-WORK for the expenditure of but 5/- the six copies per year of A.W. Valve Co's ever-popular "Radiotronics" is cash well invested. The M a n ufact ure d current issue, No. 137 to hand, carries an article by John Reinartz, on "Reducing the by Harmonic Power Output of Amateur Trans- mitters." This is particularly interesting to all for the problem of harmonic suppression is with most of us, and looms mistily larger in TR I MA X 1;ex/inners the years of Television to come. Relnartz analyses the cause and cure very effectively. 011151(IN OF CLIFF E. BUNTING PTY. LTD. Being an RCA engineer and a pioneer of short- wave radio communication, he is still as much 29-35 FLEMINGTON ROOD, of an amateur at heart as he was in the old NORTH MELBOURNE ..VIG. 1XAM-1QP days of 1024 onwards. For the benefit of those who don't know, Reinartz was the first American amateur to work on 20 metres; firstly trans-Continental, and then trans-Ocean.

October, 1949 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISIO N News" 41 Mar Ho ur W OPES1-101D A Section For The Handicrafter

the commencement of the "copy" will the rivets which fasten the thin strips be visible. As the lecture is delivered of wood to form the handle. This the top roller handle is rotated and should be about five inches 'long. thus the "copy" keeps pace with the Before riveting together, harden the reader. The advantage of this de- cutting part of the blade and temper vice should be immediately apparent to a brown colour. Sharpen on an —no loose sheets, no turning over, oilstone, using a slip for the inside. and the top of the page will be always the matter to be dealt with. Lighting may be arranged simply as shown in the sketch of the finished A SIMPLE SIGN FLASHER desk, with two lamps screened from OME craftsmen frequently find the view of the audience by means of occasion to use a simple, yet a black metal shade. Radio Clubs and effective, sign flasher. The one Institutions should find a ready use shown here is easy to make, yet very for such an easily made accessory. positive in action. Its cost is nil. — E. M'c. Anyone who possesses an elementary knowledge of electricity knows that the simplest flasher utilises the principle of the expansion of metals under the application of heat in the making and breaking of an electrical circuit. As the current flows through Details of Construction. the resistance wires, it heats the aluminium strip, causing it to ex- pand. Note that the ends of this A LECTURER'S strip are fixed with screws. There- READING DEVICE fore, the strip in expanding by heat supplied through the resistance wire HIS simple accessory can be of The Finished Desk T material assistance to readers of arches until it touches the adjusted Papers, Lecturers, Preachers and contact point. The light then flashes others. It consists mainly of a tri- Gouge From Hacksaw Blade to full intensity, for then the current flows through the metal to the angular box of timber, somewhat re- A tool which is worth a place in sembling portion of a writing desk lamps. The metal then cools, con- any woodworker's kit can be made but of smaller dimensions. It con- tracts, and breaks the circuit. The from an old hacksaw blade. It is tains two wooden rollers which re- current then flows through the re- especially useful for getting in awk- volve on pivots, one being placed near sistance wire with resultant dimming the top of the desk and the other toward places such as the inside of a of the lamps. model motor boat hull. The blade wards the base. The rollers are slit The flasher may be so adjusted at similarly to those in a roll-film is softened, after which the teeth are the contact point that any reason- camera so that the end of a sheet of able interval between flashes may be paper may be passed through and obtained. This flasher is designed folded down. The top roller carries to operate two sixty-watt lamps. a small handle which projects to the outside of the desk. The desk board The few supplies for this flasher is cut away to expose the space be- may be obtained from any electrical tween the rollers, or it may be re- dealer. The base strip is a non- placed by glass. The lecture or ad- ductor of electrical current and any dress is typed on a sheet of paper A Useful Woodworking Tool. non-conductor materials may be about 3 feet long and 6 inches or so used. First saw out the base and finish it smooth. Then cut the alu- wide. One side only is used and a ground off and a cutting edge ground fair margin left at both top and bot- minium strip with a pair of tin snips in the centre. It is then bent round tom. The ends are inserted in the and finish the edges of this smooth roller slots, pulled through and a suitable bolt and a strip of hard- with file and emery cloth. Next cut folded back. The bottom roller is then wood inserted between the ends. Two rotated until the paper is taut, when holes are then drilled through for (Continued on next page)

42 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News" October, 1949 ej Sie N FLASHER e2a ara-Covntersunk

/3 1-T BASE /Required

-•"1 11-_i

e28 Drill Punch /nark /2 ALU M/N(1N STRIP -e5 oral) Gouge

Dr/7/4 /Sep ke 8-32 Sur

•-tÀ- " k- .11 r

7Lip 8-32 /numb al-moth-5cm., 1-/o/e cot in asbestos for contact Wire BRACKET Ire-p

Iron I-Reguireel

WIRING PLAN ASSE MBL ED F.44.51--/Cf?

the piece of strap iron for the bracket and form it to shape in a vyce, after drilling the holes. Locate, centre punch and drill all holes, as shown in the drawing, in the strip, strap iron and base. Then tap and countersink all holes as shown. Wrap a piece of asbestos around the aluminium strip, and then wind on the resistance wire evenly and firmly. Each turn is roughly about 1-8 inch from the preceding one. A No. 30 resistance wire is recommended. The parts are now ready for assembly. Do this job carefully. Cut a small hole in the asbestos at the punch mark at the centre of the "ENGINE TURNED" FINISH aluminium strip. This is the contact One of the most pleasing appear- place, and the result will not be at point. ances for the finishing of a metal all pleasing. The logical methods are surface is that known (especially to use either a bench drill press, Connect the flasher with a 240- in the North of England) as "engine preferably motor driven, or a lathe. volt line and test it out. The wiring turning." It is merely the over- The press is the handiest. The writer diagram on the sketch shows the lapping effect of concentric circles uses a brass i-inch bolt, with the connections. This follows the usual or discs obtained by a rotary abra- head first turned flat. To this flat plan known to even elementary elec- sive motion. The illustration shows surface is cemented, by the use of trigal students. how an aluminium panel for a small "Bostik," a disc of leather. This Adjust the contact screw until the radio receiver can be thus treated, is charged frequently with a mix- and this is a much better idea than ture of oil and emery powder. A flashes of the lamps occur at the leaving a polished surface of the better method still is to smear the intervals desired. metal to collect unsightly finger surface of the metal to be treated marks and scratches. Frequently I with a film of oil and to sprinkle have seen advice, evidently from the emery thereon. Keep the over- people who cannot have much prac- lapping circles as uniform and tical experience, that this process is straight as possible. Wash off with "easily" done with a cork coated with petrol or Kero, dry, and coat oil and emery powder, held in the lightly with clear thin lacquer. The chuck of a hand-drill. Without a same treatment applies to steel or rigid support for the rotating chuck, brass. the cork will wander all over the —The Editor.

October, 1949 "Amtrallan RADIO and TELEVISION News" 43 AMATEUR - RADIO

1 I SECTION

RE-BIRTH OF A STATION • Illustrated here is the very modern amateur radio station of a man long versed in the lore of amateur radio, Charles D. Maclurcan, VK2CM, of Neutral Bay, Sydney. The station has a considerable sentimental value for the reason that this equipment was designed and installed, just prior to his untimely death, by the late H. K. Love, VK3KU, Mel- bourne. Mr. Maclurcan purchased this equipment in memory of his late friend, and after having completed many design details and modifications, put it into action recently. The console arrangement :ncludes a special AR7 receiver in the centre, with modulator above. To the right are the power input circuits, all controlled through a Variac voltage regulator. The RF controls for the trans_ mitters, covering 80, 20, 10 and 6 metres, are at the left above a KS9'er and 6 metre Converter. The finish is chromium, with plastic covered operating table. All portions are readily accessible for re- moval and examination. It is o far cry from the original A2CM gear of the early 1920's to this de-luxe outfit.

"Ironicus." Bad enough that in the

Metropolitan area of Sydney VK2's 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 have for months been plunged oft- "Jonno." That ad. in the classi- times into darkness by power black- MERITORIO US SERVICE fied section of "R. & TV. News" out, but much more drastic has been first issue for BC221's at £25 really the aftermath of the coal strike. The North Eastern coastal region of is something in the way of money Powers-that-be didn't impose ay N.S.W. has recently been beset by grievous well spent. Function of the BC221 drafted restriction on amateur >sta- tragedy, wrought by the forces of Nature. is that of a high standard frequency tion operation throughout the strike, Vast floods devastated the Maitland and meter which is infallible in what it but intimated that peak periods Kempsey areas in rapid succession, with says. The amateur having one of should be respected. That was done, tragic loss of human life, stock, and property. these in the shack need have no and came the end of the strike. Communications are vital in such emergency fears about uncertain frequency With it came a sudden excess of and great credit is due to the many amateur checks where VFO control and re- zeal on the part of the electricity radio stations whose operators kept the ceiver calibration is concerned. Any- Diploma Boys, who talked the Com- flow of verbal and telegraphic traffic un- way, even if you don't use it in the missioner into ban on utilisation of function for which it was designed, power by VK's between 7 a.m. and ceasingly on the move. the BC221 makes a first-rate VFO. 8 p.m. It didn't help composure of Voluntarily and unselfishly they filled a That, however, seems to be rather a thought either to have a "Great dire need, and stuck the job of mercy out waste of good gear! Daily" splash ill-informed blah to to the end, although in several instances the effect that VK2's in and fatigued to the extreme. No more meri- around Sydney use un "25.000 torious service was performed in time of (twenty-five thousand) Kilowatts." war, and this publication offers sincere An old amateur sat pounding a key, Published reference to "amateur "What a very slow business said he, short-wave broadcasters in the Elec- praise to fellow radio amateurs for a diffi- If I had a good mike, tricity press notices didn't make sense cult job well and truly done. either. These occurrences stress only I could say what I like, too plainly that it is all a question To my friends where-ere they may of privileges, not rights. be."

44 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION Neuf' October. 1949 AMATEUR

THE BRASSPOUNDER AND THE GUZINKA

By S.H. I sat down and brooded over the "How about your double impe- weight of knowledge that must dance condenser?" I asked with a FREELY confess that I am no weigh down the editor's brain, when frown. 1 radio technician. I frankly admit there was a sharp knock at the door "I don't quite see—" be began, that I don't know a super-generator and he blew in. Not the editor, oh but I bore him down with a barrage from a frying-pan. And I make this no! It was a Ham, which, I under- of scientific and other terms. avowal without shame. If it comes stand, means an enthusiastic radio- "Of course you don't" I said, "and to that, none of us know very much fiend with an amateur status, but that's just the trouble. I can tell you aboi,it anything. "Behold, we know possessing a plus mentality. what's wrong in two little words: not anything!" as the poet sings. He looked at me, and I at him. You see, it's what we call a febri- Impressed, doubtless, by my august fuge. The pineal glands having be- Take the average motorist, for ex- yet pleasing presence, he mistook me come morbidly excited by the peri- ample, the dignified and lordly own- for the Editor, and after bowing low toneum ducts, a contractility has er-driver. He pours water into one three times he sat down on the chair ensued between the cellular tissues end of his machine, and petrol into to which I courteously waved him. of the icavernose membrane. This the other. In another inlet he pours "Yes?" I said, in my best bedside not unnaturally has produced spas- lubricating oil. Then he gives the manner. modic oscillation of the conductive tyres a vicious kick to ascertain coupling of the Westinghouse brake, whether they are pumped up suffici- A THOUGHT FOR AN IDLE combined with ossification of the hip- ently. climbs into the driver's seat, pocampus and the pericardium." and drives off with a cigarette be- MOMENT Then I glared at him interrogatively. tween his teeth, quite pleased with "Oh —er—yes—quite," he burbled, himself and the world. But what, I half rising. ask you, does he know of what goes "Sit down," I commanded. He on under the bonnet, where all those promptly did, and I went on: "So mysterious gadgets operate? Not a you see, it is obvious that the thing! freieslebenite of the mu/turn in parvo, Again, you open your mouth and and the lurcation of the pro bono push food into it. This you swallow publico, must desulphurise the ne because appetite compels you. But plus ultra. Again, supposing that my what do you or I know about the diagnosis is correct, the detorsion of interior processes of our own inti- the flagellata and the diatose Guzinka mate, personal domestic economy? must be lialaceous. You understand The delicate internal mechanism me?" may be fraught with beauty — but "Perfectly," he said, with a tear in what do we know about it? Alas! his eye. few of us have any inside informa- Just then the Editor came in and tion. introduced me. My visitor was a distinguished Some time back an eminent ana- radio expert. An authority on lots tomist showed me actual sections of of things. He is electrical engineer- a larynx taken from a human body. in-charge for a sister State. I shuddered. Anyhow, I think I interested him "How horrible!" I said. tremendously. "Horrible?" he echoed indignantly. "On the contrary, they are surpris- ingly beautiful." Baffled Speaker! N.S.W. Division of W.I.A. has bene- It all depends on the point of view, fited by the appointment of a par- of course. But I have erred and "Look here," he said earnestly, ticularly keen young enthusiast as strayed a bit from radio and its "there's something wrong with my Hon. Secretary in the person of wonders. dielectric flux density on the grid- George Cameron (VK2GC). George filament capacitance—of course, it takes over a tough job, as do all One day I was sitting in a room may be the elastance of the induc- men who give their services gratis presided over by the Editor of tive reactance." in their own time. It is no bed of RADIO • and TELEVISION News. I may be a little out in these terms, roses to handle the monthly corres- He was out for the moment, but I because I set them down from mem- pondence alone for upwards of 700 was asked, would I wait. ory. I am proud to state that I rose members, and "R. Sz TV." extends I waited. to the emergency. wishes for good luck to VK2GC.

October, 1949 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News" 45 "EM MATOC." The old "five metre HONEST REPORTING band" is now, for British amateurs, Truth in reporting on character- relegated to the pages of history. tisties of communication exchanges On March 31 last, the band was between amateur stations is some- finally withdrawn by the Post Office times as absent as Truth in Adver- authorities. "Five" had a long and tising. Not so prevalent among the interesting career in G-land. . . . I CW users; it is oft-times strikingly can remember G2WV of West Hamp- in evidence between phone stations. stead in 1924 with a formidable Consider the station that calls CQ looking quarter KW oscillator using to the accompaniment of "shrapnel" a T250 on "Five." The "gridleak"' for 20 Ke/s or more either side of consisted of a pair of wires in water the carrier. A colleague answers the which bubbled somewhat and turned call and blissfully ignores the greenish in colour. It is a fact that mess so painfully obvious to this then UHF portion of the fre- others. He goes into raptures about quency spectrum was, 25 years ago, the "beautiful signal" that is "oodles given to amateurs to "waste their of deebees over Ess Nine." Why is time on" . . . . they "couldn't do It that so many amateur operators much harm down there." But as are loth, or possibly afraid, of telling time moved along they did a lot of another that he is splattering and good. They weren't satisfied with chopping the band to pieces for other squegger receivers, mod. ose. TX's fellows ? Surely no reasonably- and simple vertical dipoles, but pro- minded person would object. A cam- gressed to crystal-control, multi- paign for implicit truth in Signal element beams and superhet re- reporting is needed, for most of the ceivers. With these things came splatter on our busy 14 and 7 Mc/s regular long-distance working . . . bands is unintentional. Honest' re- it was sensational just before the porting isn't at all a bad habit to outbreak of war in 1939 when a acquire and can work only for the Liverpool amateur worked two-way benefit of all.—Ed. • We told you about G3BUU in our June, with an Italian (the latter "under 1949 issue. Here is Dennis with his XYL, cover" in Musso's Italy). Now the Madeleine. Who SAYS DX and wives old band has been handed to com- don't mix? mercial interests for Television purposes, and the G-boys are immersed in 144 and 420 Mc/s. They are doing From our Victorian correspondent good work in those regions and there —a few VK3 "gen." notes. seems to be increasing attraction to VK3A WH (Bendigo): Tried hard 420 Mc/s because of the compact nature of antenna arrays. to separate I.F. windings; they stick hard and fast, Watty. OM: Con- grats. on your FB 'phone signal. VK3ARS (Trentham): Work 'em while you rebuild, is Pix's motto. New RX and VFO under way, yet plenty of time for ragchew on CW or 'phone. Keep up that "whistle," Pix. Stop Press: VFO sounds nice and dandy. Very useful, eh? VK3D W (Woodend): — ! Noth- ing heard since the sweet soprano voice. How come, Doug.? VK3BI (Ballarat): Nifty-looking little Xmtr for all frequencies in process of having modulation applied. Bert's super-modulation plays havoc • Two smiling VK2's are, right, Gordon with "S" meters. Notice anyone? Kempton, VK2CI, and Geoff Partridge, VK3UG (Rye): Puts out a terrific VK2VU, of Newcastle and Singleton, 'phone signal on 40. The real ama- N.S.W., respectively. That looks like a teur spirit. Leaves a nice warm fire graflex camera, Gordon? to attend Radio Club at Balcombe in the coldest weather. VK3HG (Coleraine): Working

plenty of DX on 40. Nice fist Neil • That Quiz Picture—on page 31 of our Vol. • Some time ago, we had occasion to come and a pleasure to copy. I, No. 3. Taken the day Sydney Bridge under the flashing pencil of that top- opened in March, 1932, Personnel were VK3JH (Caulfield): After being on the editor of "It & TV" and F. E. Buckell, ranker cartoonist, Frith. This is how DC mains for years now on AC, then of B.G.E. This "Walking Broadcaster" John sees the editor, VK2NO. Oh well but not a pip out of you, John. How described events in Manly over 211w and —it MUST be so. come? Gear get mislaid in transit? other B/C stations.

4é "Australian RADIO and TELEVISIO N News" October, 1949 Amateur Television in Holland ZL's CAN USE TELEVISION VK2ML. Recently in Melbourne. Did you see "Chloe", Mac? The following information regard- The NZART magazine "Break-In" ing commercial and amateur tele- says that ZL's now have 430 to 442 VK3BI. Playing around with modu- vision in Holland is of interest by and 1250 to 1280 MC for experi- lation when not busy with bush- reason of the contrasting attitude mental television. fire network. of the Postmaster-General's Depart- ment to the would-be Australian VK3ALM. Is the new car the television experimenter. Recently an reason for the silence, Lloyd? Australian applicant for an experi- VK3BC, Melbourne. Bert uses a mental TV licence met with a flat little phone to get a QS0 on 40. refusal. It is not so long ago that Keep the CW in reserve though OM! Winston Churchill said, "We must Nice quality phone . . . what do beware of trying to build a society you use, Bert? in which nobody counts for anything EXCEPT A POLITICIAN OR AN VH2PI, A.C.T. Les has at last OFFICIAL." Holland does not deserted the ships and gone all BC; appear to be a bureaucrat - ridden also settled down to the 5th Age country where television is con- . . . . congrats OM. Any snow cerned. brought your antenna down yet? Philips, of Eindhoven, are trans- VK3DG, Numurkah. How are con- mitting sound (callsign PAG3) on ditions, Dick? You are certainly 67.75 and vision on 63.25 Mc/s, with pushing out a nice signal for that powers of 3 and 9 kW respectively, QRP . . . let's hear from you more On Mondays and Saturdays low often. power tests are carried out between 0900 and 1100, with normal radia- tion on Monday from 1300 to 1600 and programmes from 1915 to 2100 "Vic Eddy." Among our very com- on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Satur- prehensive list of amateur subscrib- days. The service was resumed on ers to R & TV News there comes to February 10, and the system employs light a very old hand with a new 567 lines and 25 frames per second. call in the shape of Maurice Ander- The Groningen amateur group, son VK3AMA, ex-A5MA. At present PAOBE, GN, USA, WL and ZX, the construction of a new shack keeps transmit vision on 145 and sound on him off the air. Old hands will re- 144 Mc/s, with a power of 250 watts call in the 1926 period that Maurice in each case; 202 lines, 25 frames A composite picture of the station of did some yeoman work under arduous are used on the vision transmission. VK3HW Ballarat, Victoria, well known on conditions on the old barque "E. R. Tests are made for irregular periods 20 metre 'phone. Sterling." He used home-made gear from Monday to Friday, and a proof essentially prehistoric calibre and gramme is radiated on Saturdays kept his sigs on the air through a from 1900 to 2130, and on Sundays very devil of a prolonged wind- from 0900 to 1100. All times are Observations From Our jammer storm. The barque kept G.M.T., and the call is PAOZX. The Victorian Correspondent afloat, although the elements around vision transmitter at PAOZX con- the Horn nearly decreed otherwise. sists of an oscillator on 145 Mc/s, VK5PB puts in a very fine phone Later, Maurice was active for some using a cavity tuned circuit, a buffer signal from Narracoorte. How years in the Flying Doctor service. stage, a 50 watt push-pull driver, are the 813 finals . . . all finished and two tuned Philips QB 2.5/200's yet ? capable of handling 500 watts in the VK5JW. John, with 5 watts CW, cer- P.A. On a previous 50 watt trans- "Querex." Now settled in Sydney, tainly puts out a hefty signal. mitter range of 30 miles was obtained ostensibly for keeps, is ex-R.A.A.F. Keep it up, OM. with a converted British Gee indi- Radar F 0 Les Page, erstwhile cator unit modified for use as a VK3BH. Nice to hear you on CW VK4LP, VK2YQ, and of late VK3BS. receiver, but the new transmitter is for a change, Chas. Do you want Les is a keen VHF man and will be expected to do much better. Gron- to give your tower away? an acquisition to those regions ingen is nearly 400 miles from around the Harbour City. Those who VIC3AA W. Ex-VK5, now at Ballarat. London. worked on "Ten" immediately after Has all mod. cons. at his con- the late war will recall VK4LP at venience. Ask him about his the Loran station up on Graham "Hadit." 'Tis easy for an unsus- shack, masts, etc. On CW and Moore island off Northern Australia. pecting amateur to fall into a `blue' phone. Les was recently appointed Radio with the bureaucratic mind of official- Service Manager to H.M.V., Sydney. dom should he unthinkingly agree to VK5LO. Fixed portable VK3. Be- lieve you are now back in VK5 a request from another amateur to "please telephone so-and-so for me." and hard at work. Miss your Can't be done lads—you might think solid signals, Don. that the powers that be might ap- VK3MH. Why all the indoor an- "Spasebo," VK2ARS was heard preciate even 3d revenue acquired tennae, Mart? Heard you are telling VK2CL that he had worked from that phone call—but no Sir. It using a 33 ft. SWF Windom in a Russian station, and was "advised come under the dreadful 'crime' of the bedroom. Correct? to be careful or he might be ap- 3rd party traffic — and it wouldn't pointed a comrade." The same even- matter should life and death be in- VK3D W. So you do get on the air ing, Les, VK2CL worked 8 U.S.S.R. volved—you will be quoted paras and again, Doug., from the new clauses and threatened with all kinds location. You are putting out amateurs in a row. Alright Les — of things. Wonderful thing this a good phone signal from that what does that make you, a com- DeMOCICracy. B/C antenna. missar?

October, 1949 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News" 47 AN ANTENNA MATCHING UNIT By P.B.A. A zei T HE so-called "Collins" method of T antenna coupling has, in the 0 I2T4' past, met with a great deal of popu- OCc' ) lar favour among the amateur fra- it ternity, and rightly so, offering as it does, a most efficient method of im- — 34 6j4-. pedance matching between the amplifier tank and the antenna system. Accordingly, for those who wish to combine this type of antenna coupling in any HE transmitter, the unit is described. The essential components of the Collins system are two variable condensers and an inductance, provided with a shunting loop to permit variation of the amount of inductance in the circuit. The few parts required Hoà, c . enables us to dispense with a chassis 4- altogether for this unit, mounting the condensers and inductance directly to the panel. The 350 MMFD condensers are rigidly supported to the panel by supporting screws to the end plate. Inasmuch as the rotors of both condensers are grounded, no in- "Dingus." Heard a VK3 on 20 "WINDGEN." VKlADS refers, sulation need be provided between phone referring to an "end-fed dipole among other things, to 80 m.p.h. condensers and panel. or Zepp as some people call it." The gales on Macquarie Island, and sea- The inductance itself is a simple term "dipole" should surely be self- elephants 25 feet long. Some years copper tubing coil of the same type explanatory — meaning TWO poles, ago I saw a rather fanciful article as the tank coils in common use, and or two HALVES —which indicates a in an American Science magazine, supported from the panel on a stand- SPLIT antenna fed in the centre. together with conceptions of artistry, off insulator. The flexible piece of The "Zepp" (and there is no such depicting an underground city at copper braid constituting the shunt- animal as a centre-fed Zepp) is an ing loop terminates in an alligator end-fed folded system. And by that Antarctica, lit and powered electri- clip at one end, and on a stand-off I don't mean a FOLDED DIPOLE — cally by huge wind motors and gen- insulator at the other. The entire Oh! what's the use? erators on massive towers. It antenna unit may be mounted direct- shouldn't be beyond the bounds of ly on a 19in. x 5iin. x 1/8 in. relay "PHE W." Wonder how many Aus- possibility, unless the ice-laden tem- rack panel of aluminium. Do not tralians listened spellbound, as I did, perature at gale force would make use steel, as we desire to avoid mag- to a verbal exchange on 20-metre generator and wind-motor mainten- netic effects in this unit. phone between a W zero and a W6 ance a difficult problem. An under- The RF ammeter of the thermo- around 1930 hrs., May 2, 1949? The ground habitat on a large scale couple type, while not an absolute discussion was about ARRL policy, might be feasible; there was plenty essential to the builder who is re- the FCC and a phone-C W wrangle. stricted in his available funds, is a The W zero happened to be a of experience gleaned during the re- most desirable adjunct to the tuning Director of ARRL, and the bloke in cent war in building huge under- and adjusting of the antenna circuit, California was doing a spot of snip- ground workshops and quarters in and should be provided by all means ing at something. the Old Country and in Axis Europe. wherever possible. Select a scale range of about 25 per cent more current than the maximum capabilities of the transmitter with which it is • to be used. A feed-through insulator, with the long portion of the shank on the A group of smiling panel face, makes a very convenient New South Welshmen method of connecting the antenna in the Coalfields area, lead to the unit. taken on th!e occa- Various modifications of the Collins sion of a visit by coupling device to permit of taking W.I.A. N.S.W. Div. full advantage of its superiority in councillors. They are, connection with two wire feeders, L to R:— VK's 21(2, push-pull tank circuits etc., will be 2TC, 2VL, 2Y0 and found in the Handbooks and this 2ZH. design can readily be modified to suit the particular arrangement it is de- • sired to use. Information on tuning and adjusting this system will also be found in the same source.

48 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News" October, 1949 "BACKLASH." Listened to Will Holt on British Industry, through the B.B.C., during which talk he said that 'if he had the money he would send a ship around the world with representative children's toys, also children with them in their various National costumes. By such means the younger people of the world would get to know each other better!" A laudable idea, but I know of another one, realised by some, but hamstrung by International greed and red-tape. It is that the transmitting radio amateurs of the world should be given every freedom for encouragement of exchange of private communication between countries. After all, the hobby attracts mainly younger people, and it is to youth that the world must turn for the future. Instead of amateur radio having appropriate frequency channels for even reasonably uncon- gested. International working, every conference of Communicat i o n Moguls that happens along lops a bit more of the already emasculated amateur bands. Perhaps some day in the distant future . . . a future we shall not enjoy . . . men with more brains than their forerunners exhibit, will provide youth with unhampered communication facilities . . . . in the

A peep into radio history. This equipment comprised what was probably the first mobile/ interests of the world as a whole. As maritime station working ship to shore with British amateurs. The callsign was GOV % and things are now . . . . well; both the the same vessel, the "Aorangl," still has the call. GDVB was operated by Bert Hay (VK2AGW) house painter and the Pontine Marsh in 1925/27 and was often heard working Australian amateurs in that period. The gear was of bullfrog were only a little more course, quite independent of the regular ship's installation and batted alone on the old "32 metre band" nicely with a quarter KW. drastic . . . they suppressed amateur radio completely, except for a few brave under-cover souls.

"Brasso." Welcome visitor to the (3D VK2 metropolis has been Ivan Miller, VK3EG. Ivan was once VK2EG, and when he changed over to VK3 was "Quintex." Poor Show lads. When active in DX Contests pre-war from the W.I.A's N.S.W. Division pro- Tallangatta, Victoria, where his an- posed a get-together in the Bold Bad tenna systems stretched with seem- Wicked City of Country VK's in the ing miles of wire up hill and down form of a Convention, a check-up on dale. Now, in Caulfield, Melbourne, the proposed attendees from points he still gets a goodly slice of CW DX inland showed the shattering total of Seven. Did the Outback Boys think but exhibits a wistful nostalgia fo/ that the City Slickers would be too those wide open spaces. If you hook much in evidence or what? One fac- up with VK3EG you will have to be tor contributing to the apparent lack on the speedy side on copying, for of enthusiasm is reputed to be that Ivan doesn't dawdle on that bug of City members didn't rush forward his. with offers of accommodation. With flats and homes overcrowded in the Metropolis, no doubt that IS a bit of a problem. The really obvious point about it all is the difference in the modus vivandi of the "ham" of to-day. Two decades ago the suggestion of a Convention of any kind would have brought droves of VK's from far and wide but the tendency That's all it costs to have now seems to be more toward indi- "R & TV" sent you—post free AN IDEA FOR THE LATE BIRD vidualism. There is need for ama- —for 12 months. teurs to get to know each other bet- A portable, and o cm-operative amateur ter in the flesh as well as merely by ,44)44P4D444.0....0.44.€4.9.04, station are the accessories voice or morse-fist.

October, 1949 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION Newt" 49 READER'S EXCHANGE AND MART

Classified Small Trade Advertisements. Classified Small Private Advertisements. 5d. per word. Minimum charge 12/6d. No series discounts. Charge 2%d. per word. Single numerals, groups, and combina- Charges payable with order. tions of figures and letters count as one word. Replies to This section is available to members of the radio (and other) advertisements can be addressed to a Box number c/o, this office. industry for the insertion of advertisements not normally com- In this case allow four words for Box address and remit 6d. prehensive enough for display in the advertising pages of this extra to cover cost of handling and postage of replies. Please journal. Only bona fide trade advertisements accepted. use block letters only.

RADIO -An intelligent youth, interested NOTE. Where a direct reply is re- quested to a Box Number advertisement, in radio and educated to at least it is advisable for the enquirer to intermediate standard. Is required for INDEX include a stamped and addressed en- our Service Department. Selected velope. This will be passed on to the youth will be given thorough practical TO ADVERTISERS advertiser concerned and will ensure train.ing and must be prepared to prompt reply. undergo private study of the theory of electronics. Apply by letter only, giving full details of education, etc., Page FOR SALE -English H.T. Transformer Aegis Mfg. Co. .. 52 to Service Manager. "His Master's 2000-1500-0-1500-2000 volts at 500 Voice" Radio, 2 Parramatta Road. Amalgamated Wireless .. 25 milliamperes (never been used). Can Homebush, N.S.W. A.W. Valve Co. .. .. 13 be inspected by appointment. Perfect. Beard Watson & Co. .. • • 16 £10/10/- (less than cost). Box 407, Bloch and Gerber .. . .. 31 PRIVATE: - "R & TV News," P.O. Box 5177, Breville Radio .. .. 18 Sydney. BOOST 'UP those 14 Mc/s signals with Eclipse Radio .. 51 this TPTG TF50 preselector, de- E.M.I. (Aust.) Pty. Ltd. 22 signed for 14 and 21 Mc/s bands. Eveready Batteries .. 23 Socket connector for external power EX R.A.F. phone and CW Transmitter Gramophone Co. .. 36, 52 Type T1154 for sale. New and un- at 6 y AC or DC and 250 y DC. Mullard (Aust.) .. .. 2 Coaxial connection to receiver. A used, in steel case and with wooden Philips Elec. Industries I, 10 properly tuned Job . . . not an un- transit case. Requires 6 volt LT sup- RCS Radio .. 24 certain 'broadbander.' £3 CWO. ply and 1250 volts at 200 Ma. Two AR3, c/o "R & TV News," Box 5177, Radio Exchange .. .. 35 PT15 valves in final stags. Complete Reg Cooke .. 2'3 G.P.O., Sydney. with detailed official blue-print. Reliance Radio .. 6 Accept £15. No offers. R.P., c/o "R Rola Co. (Aust.) .. 4 & TV News," Box 5177, Sydney Stromberg Carlson Radio .. .. 21 G.P.O. CAMERA -small type mirror reflex. Technical Book and Mag. Co. it Takes 120 film, speeds Time, Bulb, Trimax Tra -sformers .. 41 100, 50, and 25th secs. F 4.5 lens. Wentworth Hotel ., 34 TENTH EDITION "Radio" Handbook,* German high grade make, tripod, at- Woman's Mirror . .. 40 1946, surplus copy, 12/6 CWO. R. tachments. £28. No. AR6, c/o "It & TV." Brader, c/o Box 5177, G.P.O., Sydney.

FOR SALE -COM MUNICATIONS RE- CEIVER, 11 Tube, 10, 20, 40, and B/C Bands Bandswitching. £20. Australian R A DI O Box CR., c/o "R & TV News." nnd TELE VISIO N News EXCHANGE OR SELL 12 inch Amplion Dynamic speaker, 2500 ohm field and pentode output transformer; unused SUBSCRIBER'S ORDER FORM in original carton. Also Pdilips B eliminator with rectifier. Have also one Philips trickle charger but no rectifier valve. What offers. No. To the Publishers, A1112. "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News," Box 5177, G.P.O., Sydney, N.S.W., Australia FOR SALE - Modulation Transformer for Collins ART13 transmitter. This is Please send me "Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News" new, and matches Class B 811's to a single 813. Price £5, plus postage. R.F.W. No. AR10, clo Box every month for twelve months, for which I enclose remittance to the 5177, G.P.O., Sydney. value of MODULATION TRANSFORMER designed for suppressor application, NAME suitable for use with 6P6 or 902 valves. High grade make. £2/10/-. ADDRESS M. Brown, Box AR15, "It & TV."

COUNTRY BATTERY SET users. That replacement valve you need may be (Please write in block letters) here. All 2 volt types, 2 Mullard PM202, 1 Kenrad 1B5, lAWV 19, 1 If remitting by cheque, please add exchange. Osram VP21, 2 Philips KF3 (P I2/- Sterling to N.Z. and the British Empire in general, excluding Canada. base), 1 RCA 116G, 1 Milliard (A) 12/- Post free to any address within Australia. PM1DG, 1 Osram B21, 2 RCA 199, 1 Muliard PM2DX, 1 Cossor 220B, Canada and U.S.A. 2 dollars, 50 cents. 1 RCA 32, 1 Mullard PM22, 1 Osram QP 21 (double pentode), 2 Mullard SUBSCRIPTION ORDERS MAY BE PLACED WITH YOUR LOCAL NEWSAGENT. PM22A, 1 RCA 11115G, 1 Mullard PM2BA, 2 Kenrad 106, 6 Sylvania OCTOBER, 1949 15 (2 y Did. heated SG valve). Price 5/- each CWO. H. P. Anstey, AR1, c/o "R & TV."

90 "Australian RADIO and TELEVISIO N News" October, 1949 otee‘taG° se°

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October, 1949 —Australian RADIO and TELEVISION News. 52 "Australian RADIO and • TELEVISION News" October, 1949

Here's the pick-up you've wanted, and it was worth waiting for! The Connoisseur appeals as much for its technical excellence as its superbly faithful reproduction—which tests will prove to be unsurpassed. Needle chatter is reduced to the point of inaudibility, while there is nô dis- pi tortion of treble or bass notes, giving flawless fidelity in reproduction. The pick-up head, which is only about half the size of its competitors, is an indication of the fine degree of accuracy built into it. Every part is subjected to the severest tests before being assembled into the neatest pick-up on the market.

TEC H NICAL DATA The pick-up coil is of high impedance, being 1;300 Ohms at 1,000 CPS. The output direct from pick-up is .1 volt from a standard recording of The miniature head, shown in 12 db up on the zero reference level 1 cm/sec. RMS velociey. X-ray form, is a fascinating With our special coupling transformer the voltage across the secondary piece of precision engineering. will be 'approximately .5 volts. At double pianissimo or double forte there is no distress, and at FREQUE NCY RESPONSE full amplification on a three- stage amplifier there is no dis- Taking 1,000 CPS for our reference level the output falls steadily and tortion of bass or treble notes. at 8,500 CPS the loss is 5 db at 12,000 CPS, the cut is 9 db down. . Every pick-up is tested for a The respiese from 1,000 CPS down to 50 CPS remains level, Bass correct response curve. Test resonance, which gives a steady lift from the 50 CPS mark and is one for yourself. approximately 4 db's, occurs at 25 CPS. ...and the "Connoisseur" Gramophone Motor... At long last! A gramophone motor to match the performance of the famous Connoisseur Pick-up. Here are the speci- fications: 200-250 volts AC, 50 cycles. Ai• Rim drive with speed variation. No gov- ernors and no gearings. Heavy non- ferrous turntable . . . dead true fly wheel action. Motor runs in needle point self adjusting bearing. Plastic i-in. Motor Board. Pressure on drive wheel released when not in use. J. H. MAGRATH & CO. AGENCY DIVISION IVL;LROUR NE VICTORIA

Wholly set up and printed In Australia by mo. Evans & Son, Printing Co., 486-488 Kent St., Sidney