The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-01-03
SOMERSET RADIO FANS
COLUMN

(By r. N. I. r. Warren P. Sprague)
During the past holiday period it
has been the special privilege of
radio receivers throughout this sec
ton to have listened to some excel
lent broadcasting programs. Every
one appreciates these very good con-
certs and wonderful entertainments.
At the same time, one does not con-
slider so much the artist who Is many
miles away giving his best to enter
tain us. The only means of appre-
citation which the artist or entertain
err receives is by the written or tele-
phone communication, sent to the sta
ton or artist. Nightly, as we listen
on a radio receiver, we take 1t as a
matter of course to hear the finest of
Americas entertainers. 1t is but a
small matter to send letter of ap-
probation; it is but small matter
to spend a small part of our time for
something which the broadcasting
station or artist get as their compen-
sation for the good work which they
do.
There are many who talk about the
noise and interference Of receivers,
not only here, but in all parts of the
country. At the present time one
can buy any set which gives him COM
plete satisfaction. There Is no law
against how to 'spend as we see fit.
But il one should take into consider
alton carefulness as they operate a
receiver there will be no law ever put
through to Danish any good receiver
on the market today Still 1t will
be proper at this time, knowing as
we do that we are getting more and
more radio receivers locally, to bring
to the attention of operators of re-
ceiving sets something which a care
full study will eliminate. I note it
especially under this heading as
Control of Regeneration"
In vacuum tube receiving circuits
employing regeneration, some means
is generally provided for controlling
this action. If the circuit Is ad
justed to a point where it's action is
too great, head phone signals will be
disordered by oscillations set up in
the detector tube itself. When this
happens, it is merely necessary to
alter the position of the regeneration
control member.
Regeneration, when properly en-
ployed has the effect of amplifying
incoming signals many times and the
best results may be obtained by
bringing the Regeneration control up
to point just before oscillation
starts, or by bringing it to an oscil-
liating point and then reducing 1t
slightly The point of oscillation
may be recognized by a peculiar con-
tinuous mushy sound in the telephone
receivers and a sharp click may be
heard when oscillation starts or
stops. Too great degree of regen-
Grafton also has the effect of pro-
ducing whistling noises. The regen-
erative feature in receiving sets when
properly employed is of great value,
but improperly employed. 1t is not
conductive to the best operation.
Great care should therefore be taken
in employing regeneration otherwise
radio head phone speech and music
may become disordered.
Also, at this time, 1t will be valu-
able news for the radio receivers to
note the following, "Don'ts" as va
cum tube precautions:
Don't handle vacuum tubes roughly
or elements may be injured.
Don't burn vacuum tube fiilaments
above rated amperage and voltage.
Don't rely solely on an ammeter
for proper current consumption--fila-
ments should be burned at constant
voltage rather than constant amper-
age.
Don't insert vacuum tubes in sock
cts unless absolutely certain rheo-
stats are turned off or at the proper
setting for normal operation.
Don't make the drastic error of
the plate battery to the
filament terminals-watch all battery
Don't use more than one standard
block plate battery 22.5 volts on the
plate Of raditron detector tube Uv200.
Don't use more than from sixty to
ninety volts on the plates Of raditron
amplifier tubes wv 201A--60 volts
will be found quite sufficient.
Don't underestimate the value OF