Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-23
Radio Fan Has
Varied Assortment
Radio Apparatus

Tho Maine Central Magazine was
introduced to the employees Of the
railroad for tho first time this month
and It certainly IS a fine little maya
zinc The editor, Oscar A. Shapard,
wall known in New England journal
istlc circles deserves much credit
for the excellent publication which
ia devoted to the interests OF the
Maine Central family.
In the January issue there was an
item that is of especial interest to
WateryilIe readers. 1t Is headed, six
Radio Sets in His bedroom" and a
picture entitled. "Gordan Berry
Electrical Wizard Is set into the
story The item is as follows: When
a stranger enters the room of Cor
dan Berry in the Railroad Y. NJ. G. A.
at Watervillc. he Is in doubt whether
hs has stumbled into bed chamber
or an electrical shop. But he does
not know that 1T Is one of the most
cusously fascinating places he has
ever seen.
The drab iron bcdstead in sharp
contrast to the bright red Of Il Ma
yajo blanket. sent by a relative from
Mexico and draped on the wall above.
suggests II chamber. but the sug-
gestion ends here. Near the foot of
the bed Is u power ampliflcr; boxes
Of electrical apparatus are piled high
on q shelf above the single window;
receivers drape the window curtains:
other boxes of apparatus are strewn
about the floor: there are coils. of
wire and various devices hopelessly
confusing to n layman. And then,
finally there are six radio sets, two
completed and four in the making:
for Nj. Berry Is in the electrical de-
partment of tho Maine Central shops
at Watervllle and the construction
Of radio sets In spare time is his
hobby.
He came to Waterville 10 months
ago from Newton, Mass. His fellow
workers think him an electrical gen.
ius. Certainly he has given them.
especially those who drop into the
Railroad Y. NJ. G. A., a vast amount
of pleasure; for he Is generous with
his radio concerts. and there are few
so clear and uninterrupted In this
part of Maine. The corridors lead
ing to his tiny room and the office
below are filled with eager listeners.
And II Is on record that sometimes
when he has left his window open on
clear nights the music has been
plainly heard in Tower b., nearly
Il nile away.
He has been known to adjust one
OF his sets and leave the building.
the concert continuing. nevertheless.
until the station to which the set
was attuned has stopped broadcast
Ing, Night after night. in fact, pro-
grams from the chief stations are
heard without the loss of u spoken
word or a note of music.
I've made forty 3-tube SETS" said
Mr. Berry TO the reporter of the
Maine Central Magazine. II like the
WORK. it's n hobby. guess: l can
take set into a house wired for
e'eetrlcity and give a concert with
out depending upon any outside aer-
line.
In making 3-tube set I buy
ABOUT wa worth of material. How 1t
works when completed depends on
, ,ue way II is wired up. Any num-
yer OF persons can make sets from
me same diagram; but the results
are very different, and knowing the
ret
, les | can give a concert from the
hiSt number to the last without in
,,s'terence' or Interruption. How?
wen. II more radio enthusiasts really
anew how to tune their sets, there
would be no interference. either from
themselves or others. \ great many
'urn their detector tube too high and
:. spills over" resulting in a sQueal
.ihe The wall of a lost soul. When
'nere isn't so much tilament current
.ue result Is clearer music, lest dis
."rton and no interference either to
VIZ operator or others. provided the
sr,uieak is OF the right capacity.
believe We are coming to nom
'esenerative sets which can be tuned
~ without earphones, through the
'o,uoSneaker. without causing I'M
peasant noises"
i"rhaps this may sound technical
AN.
hut Gordan Berry's manner was
~ animation as he spoke. and as
le pointed out various objects In the
,urious little room. One of them was
.n ordinary Victrola. from which the
producer had been removed. Il
INe some of my radio concerts
trough that" said Mr.. Berry 1T
"akeS perfect sounding box"
one thing is certain. His concerts
'se becoming famous in that part
~ Waterville. Not only are the Y.
W. =. A. corridors filled while they
nc going on. but many gather out