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Show THE 16 Question: If I buy a short wave set, can I listen in on European sta- tions? 0. H. R. Answer : Subtle advertising and inferred information has led many to believe that short waves is the answer to all radio ills. . It is not the case. Short waves are showing promise of usefulness in broadcasting but the great number of short wave tions at present are code stations and are of no interest to the broadcast listener. Static and interference are present on short waves as on long Radio Continued from Page 13) So far as I have ben able to learn there is no better or more satisfactory antenna than a single straight wire (solid or stranded of the T or I type properly installed for the broadcast set. If properly put up a good straight wire antenna is no more unsightly than other freak forms often seen. Question:' Mr. E. W. S. asks: ean stations are picked up and the United States is local for a good short wave receiver, but the reception is often spoiled by distortion and fading. I would. suggest to the person like to dabble in short waves to get a straight battery set. Set noises, battery noises are very plain on short waves and even a slight hum from a B eliminator is often sufficient to completely obliterate the signal from a European station. It is also very important to have set, batteries and all completely shielded so that the signal will stay put who-woul- once it is tuned in. Whenever a set is installed it should be tested thoroughly by the service man and line voltage checked and the filiment voltage on all tubes adjusted so that excessive voltage cannot be impressed upon them. High line voltage ruins tubes quickly and music is distorted meanwhile. Consequent weakening and lowered filiment emission contributes to distortion with the result that music does not sound like it used : - -- to do so. to. by The word impedance. is defined as the opposition to the flow of electric current. It is usually expressed in ohms and represents the total opposition of a .circuit to an alternating current. By matching. impedances is meant the coupling of two or more circuits so that the greatest amount of work is done or energy transformed. In simple language it means that the load is balanced' to the moving force.' The matched impedance idea is not limited to electrical circuits alone but is usable' in mechanical circuits. Question: What is meant by thermionic? H. T. K. Answer: Answer: According to the Nema Handbook of Radio Standards, the definition reads Relating to electron emission under the influence of heat. Nearly all vacuum tubes used in radio circuits are classed as thermionic except the neon voltage regulator tubes, and a few other special purpose tubes. Heres one for your diary. Sign . c, lias begun to seep into some of the great minds of the countrythat most of the murders, shooting scrapes and gun accidents happen because someone has a revolver who. doesnt need it. As a matter of fact, a pocket gun is of very little use except to shoot a human being with, and who wants to do that? A gun is poor protection against a thug because -- the thug expects to get all the breaks and usually' does get them, and guns are not always safe things to have around the house for ornaments. It may seem radical, but we believe its more of a sin against society to buy, sell, transport or have in possession a pocket-gu- n .than a pocket flask. d . But if it hadnt been for guns we might not have prohibition., Cicero, who was questor in Sicily in 75 B. C., was reputed to be the first honest treasurer. Let us hope lie was not the last. Xi Did you ever notice how hard it is for a rather plump young woman to get past a candy store? They just naturally reach .for a sweet. - . Question: Mrs. P. H. W. writes: My set has gradually become weaker and the music does not sound like it used to. Can you explain? Answer Rack It Fading is even more pronounced in many cases. It is true, however, that Europ- Answer: Noisy reception is usu ally due to defective tubes, loose or corroded contacts in the receiver, defects in the power supply or atmospherics. If a receiver is noisy the antenna should be disconnected. If the noise stops nothing can be done except to trace for external trouble. "If it persist the tubes should be tested. If these test O. K., the power supply should be checked for voltage and current output. If this is normal, loose, wiring or apparatus in the house should be investigated. One peculiar case which recently came to my attention was that of a grinding, grating noise that sounded as if someone had suddenly, started up a huge motor or lifted the shield off the cottrel plant. The owner of the set began to look around to discover the cause and. after trying nearly everything he happened to turn off the table lamp. As he did so, the noise ceased as suddenly as it had come. When he attempted to turn the light on again, he discovered that it was burned out. On investigation it was discovered that the tiny arc which was formed by the broken filiment was responsible for the disturbance in the receiver. It is well to ground the frames of all electrical' apparatus, except those which it is ndt desirable or possible ie Sfltmg . ones. What makes noisy reception? Question: What is meant matched impedances? CITIZEN in the window of one of our leading Do your stores on April 9, 1929. Xmas shopping early. . An Exploded Romance She was the daughter of a match maker and so was sought by all the leading lights who could strike her acquaintance and haunt her fire side. But her favorite flame was a literary gent who worked in a powder magazine and knew his bombs (or bums). She felt that he should be fired by a loftier ambition, and that the spark of genius would someday lift him to untold heights, but when the blow-ocame and he was carried to the top of his profession she found herself unprepared for a match with, a man who had been so entirely car- ried away with success, and she went back to the match factory much put out over her blasted hopes, and blew up the old gent. When we got that one done the --better half said: Now see if vou f can write me that check. ff -- . Or- - See where there has been a merger of the two large ice cream plants with some Coast concern. I under- stand that our locat ice creamers readied the conclusion that we were due for a continuous winter all summer and for that reason passed the brick to outside capitalists. The season for the annual crop of daylight saving regulations is at hand. Most people who favor daylight saving, waste it anyhow. . -- |