Evening star., 1925-12-08
SERVICE ON RADIO
|. SETSHELD NEEDED G ] ]
Millions of Owners Found
Unable to Repair DAM
aged Receivers.

OPCu, SuIIlCloHI anu
high class radio information, news and
entertainment for years to come, 1t is
perhaps time that some one gave at.
tention In systematic way of caring
for or servicing the millions of receiv.
Ing sets in operation. While many
fans are amateur electricians or at
least expert in handling and repairing
their receivers, millions Of them are
almost helpless-let us Say-behind
the panel. The only thing some lis.
teDers know Is that their sets don't
work we'll or cease to function. Then
they try to get some one to fix them
up. There Is undoubtedly q necessity
for receiving set service.
Radio editors, dealers and Depart.
ment of Commerce officials bear out
the writer in that thousands Of letters
and phone or personal calls are made
each week either asking for advice or
assistance in fixing sets. A few man
ufacturers and local dealers cooperate
with their purchasers to certain ex.
tent. but the Department of Commerce
is unable to aid in this respect. It's
inspectors are far too busy to be
greatly concerned with receivers; with
all the transmitters on the air, which
they have to inspect and watch.
Sees Source of Income.
A radio supervisor suggests that a
national servicing organization is now
needed. He even offers to join such
all enterprise, believing it would be
both blessing to the fans and a
source of great income to the pro.
Jectors. He suggests that membership
Oh the part of the fans would require
a payment of only so cents a year,
which would entitle them to a years
service on a set. 1t would insure its
being kept in first-class condition; in.
cidentally. it might eliminate a num-
Der Of squealing receivers
Estimating that in PHILADELPHIA
alone there are a million receiving
sets, the supervisor foresees a fortune
In this business, If ii is properly or
ganized and operated. Radio officials
from all parts of the country join In
testify1ng to its needs and practica.
bility.
The inspection Of receiving sets. by
any branch of the Government, is
neither provided for in appropriations
nor permitted, for that matter. Mem,
bers of Congress have even frowned
upon the mention of such inspection
deemtng 1t an indication or forerunner
or licensing such as is practiced in
Europe. But every one knows il il
the Government idea to keep radio
free. Government receiving set in
spection and service to the fans. how
ever, 1t has beeN pointed out, would
be SO beneficial that it might become
permissible IL funds for such work
were available.
Money Is Lacking.
However. such is not the case: there
is no money for it, and no champion
of the radio public in Congress seems
bold enough to recommend legislation
establishing such service. Naturally
1t would entail great additional work
on the part of the small field force OF
radio inspectors.
If such a service was organized
how would we pay? One system OF
collecting Government fee suggested
was payment by the use of a special
stamp procurable at all post offices for
about 90 cents to cover the estimated
annual fees.
This plan would, of course, require
congressional action and might be
held too advanced. or not practical
There are many individuals. neverthe
less, who advocate IL; either as ar
added activity of the radio section OF
through the organization of a private
organization backed by the radio in
dustry and the fans: which would. OF
course, require no Government sane
ton.
There Is, Of course, a third solution
that Is, that the manufacturers al
maintain service stations in the prin
cipal cities. or combine interests an6
operate JOINT service stations. One
part manufacturer who tried out free
servicing in several cities Is said tc
have gained a most popular and prof
table following.
From Los Angeles comes the peril
nent thought-after all. it is not wha,
you hear, but how clearly you hear
that really counts in radio.