New-York tribune., 1922-12-03
What Controls
Long Distance
Reception?
Answer Concerns One of I'm
known Phenomena Which
Govern the Art of Radio
Transmission, Reception
Some Stories Exaggerated
Cannot Guarantee Distance;
Hearing Far-Off Stations
Is Matter Of Chance Only

How great a distance will such and
such a radio receiver covert This
seems 10 be question which Is
puzzling many fans. especially In con-
neetion with the reports Of exception
ally long distances heard by those who
boast about the remarkable results
they have obtained from their reeeiv-
erS
The answer to this question is by
no means easy. II depends upon so
many variable factors that u Is IN fact
almost impossible 20 answer. IL does
not concern the receiving apparatus
alone, but depends 20 a greater extent
upon the transmitting station.
As a general principle, every radio
station has a normal range and g
variable range. The latter is more ap-
parent 90 night than during daytime.
In practical radio circles q set Is rated
according 90 is normal average day
time results, but even In this eonsid-
Grafton must be given 10 the power
used at the transmitting station.
License System Bad
The trouble with our present system
Of granting licenses TO radio stations
TO broadcast concert and news pro-
grams Is that they are all called broad
casting stations, irrespective OF the
amount OF power used or the efficiency
of the transmitting apparatus. IL Is
apparent that a broadcast station
using only hYe-watt tubes cannot pos
sibly cover the same distance as q
station using 2b0-watt tubes. There
IA M doubt In my mind but that the
latter type should be the minimum
requirement for a broadcast license.
In this connection, however, the hands
Of the Secretary Of Commerce are tied
because of the failure Of Congress to
pass the White bill, designed 70 regu-
late broadcasting generally and give
the Secretary Of Commerce broader
regulatory powers. =,
While come very remarkable dis
tances have been covered by individual
receiving sets. all Of the reports heard
about distance work should be taken
with a grain Of salt until an actual
denomination has been given you.
Don't be tempted 10 throw your own
receiver IN the junk pile Just because
YOU have not been able 10 duplicate the
results that others boast about. II you
are In doubt about the wisdom OF this,
ask the acquaintance who,boatts 70 you
about having heard across the eont-
nent 20 take you 10 his receiving SCI
and turn II on 20 that you can near
the transeontinental station. Mention
anv one OF the distant stations ne
boasts about, ard ask him to orng "
ln right away for you, and see nov
veil he succeeds. That will be meas
urs Of the ability Of his set
Deslre for Distance strong
There also Is a lot Of loose talk abou;
h.ing able 20 tune out powerful local
statiens % AZ will and listen 70 distant
stations working on practically the
ssr,e wave lengths. In the Language
- TIE day. at can't be done" II ~
can then my eighteen years expert,
sncs IN practical wireless work Is al
wrong and I have been sadly wasting
time. 4, 90
..s,,rs those fans who have become dis
aupointed and disgusted because their
own sets (which they considered pretty
oood) will not do the same things when
every one about them seems 70 be DO
inc. Don't forget THAT 1t IS human ma
ture 70 exARgerate, and also that II 10
equally human 20 be disSatisned VITA
what one has, and to eovet that when
ones neighbor has.
The desire 70 hear the distant eta-
tions is. quite natural enough, and IN
fact, II Is the occasional realization OF
this desire that IS the very thing which
gives radio its charm. Bear tis one
thing In mind, however--the average
powerful broadeasting station cannot
cover more than $50 miles in daylight.
That is the effective range Of stations
such 40 WIZ, wGY, WV, WsB and
KDKA
When such stations as these are
heard over greater distances at night
time Il is due TO a phenomenon which
We do not understand, but which we
have experienced ever since wireless
was first put to practical use. Many
ingenious theories have been pro-
pounded 10 explain IL. but after all
they are just theories. The point IS
that YOU can never tell when you are
going 20 hear q long-distance station.
Such a station may come in for just a
moment and fade away Immediately. /
and, on the other hand, may be heard
for a whole evening, provided there is
no interference.