Evening star., 1925-08-02
QUALITY DEMANDED
BY RADIO BUYERS
Homemade Sets in Minority.
Survey Shows PoiSe Is
Minor Consideration.
BY CARL III. BUTMAN.


It is variously estimated that there
are between three and five million
radio receivers in operation in this
country furnishing entertainment and
instruction to from three to four
members in a family. Probably three
million are manufacturer sets, the
rest being assembled parts or home
made sets. Why were these manu-
factured receivers bought?
In general the question is answer
ed by an owner interviewed in Brook
lyn, who said: Radio is the best
amusement we ever had. Sometimes
we get tired of it, but it is only a
night or two before we tune in again.
We can't let it alone" Once a set Is
installed and tried out, it seems uni
yersal that it is in operation nearly
every night.
Many Owned Sets.
A recent survey of several sections
of the country, chiefly east OF the
Mississippi. shows some very inter
esting facts. Two-thirdS of the people
interviewed owned sets, nearly ~ per
cent of them being men. Ages varied
from under 20 TO II years, the great
est number being owned by people
aged between q and 80 years.
Out of one group comprising 304
nQn-ownerS, SO per cent believed that
initial prices were too high, while "a
per cent were waiting for a perfect"
set: others gave various reasons,
some believing reception in the neigh
borhood was poor or that the use of
an outside aerial was prohibited.
Evidently there is a great field as yet
uneXplored by radio sales agents,
where little explanation or a demon
stration would create ready sales.
AS to who in the home wanted the
set installed; it appears that out of a
large number of people seen over
IS per cent were the husbands or the
heads Of the house; wives came sec
ond with a percentage of 2l, while
children'S desire represented 20 per
cent. Out of 200 homes investigated,
66 per cent were operating their first
sets, the remaining third had owned
sets previously. Some families had
owned as many as nine sets-in fact,
over per cent of those interrogated-
while 45 per cent were using their
second sets and 81 per cent their third
receivers. One home was found to
have six sets on hand, five others had
boasted of two or more.
Thought 1t Best.
The chief reason for buying a par
ticular receiver was that the pur-
chasers thought it the best make,
that is. As per cent of them bought
for this reason, while II per cent
bought on the advice of friends, and
II per cent because of low prices.
SCI me were influenced by advertise
ments, but others benefited by demon
strations in their homes.
Prices have a great influence, and
yet, out of 1855 owners asked the
question, "a per cent did not know the
price paid for the sets, while II per
cent bought because the cost was low.
The initial cost varied from 81 to $3.50,
he average consumer paying around
800.
Many plan to buy better sets. An in
dication as to the cost of the next set
10 be bought shows an increase over
the average prices paid of about $50.
These prices, naturally, are higher
than the average cost Of home con-
struction or assembly, which was
avera ged at $40. 1t is indicated quite
definitely that most present owners
are willing and expect to pay more
for their next sets, which shows that
they are inclined to buy a little better
set next time. Some 40 per cent ex-
pect to pay between $3.50 and 5000 for
new sets AS to types Of sets de-
sired, 1t appears that about 2S per
cent of nearly a thousand prospective
purchasers desire neutrodynes, while
% per cent prefer super-heterodynes.
Appearance Considered.
Appearances Of the radio receiving
apparatus as a whole are now being
considered which makes for increas-
ing neatnesS in the living rooms OF
prospective buyers; 43 per cent than
to purchase their next and perhaps
final set as a piece of furniture. That
is, a cabinet containing all the ap-
paratus and batteries, which seems to
show a tendency toward pernanency
and more attractive living rooms.
Many indicated that they wanted
something appropriate to fit in with
their furnishings, as complete unit,
which they anticipate as the future
popular style.
out of ,2S0 homes investigated. in
one census, nearly 36 per cent had
fve-tube sets in operation, per cent
used more than five tubes and 10 per
cent operated three tubes. Crystal
sets and one-tube sets accounted for
& per cent each. OF the homemade
apparatus discovered 25 per cent were
three tube affairs and Is per cent one
tube sets. q.
The percentage of loudspeakers
used, out of more than twelve hun
dred sets tabulated, was &c, the use
of loudspeakers increasing, of course.
ss the size of the apparatus increased.
Almost all the five-tube sets, for ex-
ample, We're connected to loudspeak-
ers, while only 35 per cent of the
total number operated from two tubes.
OF loudspeaker types, 50 per cent were
horns and a little over Z per cent were
monograph attachments, the balance
being built-in or cabinet speakers.
Men Run Sets.
Wet A batteries seem the most pop
ulsr; all told, so per cent of more than
thousand users preferring this type.
On the other hand. three-fourths of
the owners asked the question said
C6Cy used dry B batteries. The av-
Cys.,s fan appears to prefer an out
GEE. aerial, or, to be exact, S5 per
C.l.. Of those interviewed, the balance
esaIAl>g inside or loop aerials. One per
safat employed special plugs and used
eacs electric light wires.
Who runs the set was answered
is3 4s5 cases out of 644 as the man
"a tne nome, OF percentage OF II,
whereas women handled per cent
Of the sets and children per cent.
The chief feature sought in sets seems
10 be simplicity of operation, nearly
66 per cent insisting on this quality,
although Sc sought the best tone and
As per cent good volume. Distance
was given as the prime requisite by
Al per cent and selectivity by AZ.
Appearance came last in this investi-
cation. only % per cent of the fans
seeming to be Influenced by this
factor.
Fans are partial to the particular