Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1941-02-27

gradually QflIleQ lIlCO lHe eIlteT-
tainment field, are announcers,
or radio publicity men. Then
there was the avid fan who car
ed nothing for the technical
form of radio but only in dis
tances and the logging of new
stations-and who has never
lost interest-graduating to the
A and B eliminator, the New
comb Holly speaker, the early
holster, Freshman Masterpiece,
and Atwater Kent receiver with
its many dials and intricate tun-
ing devices-and who today can
set in an easy chair, touch a
button and enjoy music and en-
tertainment from the four cor
ners of the earth emanating
from the modern stream-lined
powerful automatic set in the
opposite corner of the room.
During those early times of
trial and error in the radio world
was born the radio service man
of today-the man who can delve
into the mysteries of the largest
sets and eliminate the "bugs"
the fading, the screeches, howls
and cackling. 1t is to those
men in general and one curly
headed individual in particular
that this article endeavors to
pay tribute.
Walter Mcconnell lived at II
East Shields street in that first
era of radio reception. He was
one of the hundreds who gather
ed about him the gadgets with
which many hours of time were
whiled away and which held for
him an ever increasing interest.
While he was attending New
ark High school the battery ra-
dio set began to boom-radios
were sold by the hundreds in
Newark-and no one who pos
sessed a set but did not have
their accompanying troubles.
The high school lad, Walter
Mcconnell, realized the future
in the radio service field. Along
with a commercial course and
other high school subjects, he
delved into the mysteries of ply
sizes, experimental with electric
ity and radio during his spare
moments. Upon graduation he
secured employment with the
Licking Radio store, not now in
existence, but at that time To-
Gated at 33 N. Fourth street,
now occupied by the automobile
license bureau. Robert Funda-
berg, now deceased, was the
proprietor who gave Walter his
first opportunity for practical
experience in the work he loved
and which he was to make his
life's vocation.
Now grown to mans stature,
Mr.. Mcconnell continued his ex-
peri1nents, his studying, and
gradually gathering together
tools necessary to the radio
service man and the knowledge
of their use.
sWhen the depression hit and
he found himself out of a job
he was ready to set up busi-
ness for himself, and did so in
an old shed in the back yard
of the home of his parents in II
East Shields street.
Giving prompt and efficient
service, ever with ready smile,
his business grew, his calls in
creased. Walter gave personal
attention to every job, every call,
and still does.
The business outgrew the
quarters and in 1888 he con-
structed a service shop on the
site of the old which today
houses one of the most modern
and complete radio service de-
partments in this part of the
country. -
Shown in the accompanying
picture is an interior view of
the workbench, the panel board
with the many intricate instru-
ments neatly installed. Also
can be seen Walter Mcconnell,
the radio technician and expert,
the service man, who is still
trying to satisfy that Unsuitable
curiosity, which as boy, led
him into an interesting and prof
table business career.
Continually studying and keep
ing abreast of new develop
ments in the radio world Walter
is always among the first to
purchase the latest instruments
for testing radios. In the panel
alone shown in the picture he
has over thousand dollars
worth of radio testing equip
ment.
Technical names for some of
them are the "Rider Chanalyst"
(for some reason, says Walter,
they end everything in 'yst') /.
This instrument makes it poss-
ible to follow the radio signal
through from the antenna to
the speaker, thereby locating
any trouble. The machine is
consistent in tracing intermit-
tant reception troubles. (Rise
and fall Of tone-to the lay.
mani.