Evening Star Newspaper, April 25, 1926, Page 35

& I FIFTEEN MINUTES OF RADIO EACH DAY BY JOSEPH CALCATERRA Noted Authority on Radio All Rights Reserved. Is There a Limit {o the Number of Receivers That Can Be Used? \ reader has written to me asking Whether there is a limit to the num- ber of receivi ts that can he used in the United States. He says that writer in one of the general maga- es “explains” that the reason for ihe poor reception during the past Winter has been due to the fact that there have heen so many sets in oper- ion that there wa not enough en: ergy from the broadcasting stations 4 allow enoush for all the receivers operate efficiently. Of all the darn fool statements I've eve: heard, that takes the cake, the booby prize, the leather medal and the brown derby. It's the cat's whiskers, the bee’s knees of all the prize bug- house fables. Perhaps some flapper n supply some more remarks that ave not in my vocabulary. To begin with, it must be under- stood that the actual power received a radio receiver's antenna Is so small that it can be measured only vith most delicate of struments. It must 3 1t radio receivers, even of the ¢ 1al detector type, operate on currents which cannot be measured except with the use of the most delicate of deli instruments. Phones will gi A response with only a few microam- veres flowing in the circuit, and, re member, a microampere is one-mil- iionth of an ampere. Why Stations Use High Power. But you will ask why is it that sta- tions have to use suc power, measured in such large fizures s kilowatts, if only a very smail cur- ent s required to operate the receiv- The answer to this is found in the fact that the energy transmitting se toward the operation ceive By far the greatest part energy is absorbed and dissipated by trees,” mountains, buildings, elect wiring and numberless other such things. : AROUND of radio re. of this HE was showing another woman some photograph proofs. And as each in turn was laid face up on the table a customer who was cafeteriaing next had a full and appalling view of the three sam ples A somewhat lumpy lady stretched on an Oriental couch, gazing at her self in a hand mirror. Lying on a tiger skin. so that the loveliness of her 4 face would con- trast_with that of the fang -toothed monster. Standing rakish- Iy impudent, hand on hip and a rose $in her mouth, a la Carmen. And then to see e woman her- se] S rdinary, say, as pork and heans, and with no hint of the vampiness characteristic of each pose—any fair-minded being might have heen excused for calling ler a threeply idiot, until a healthy chuckle upset that calculation. n't they the limit! The pho- tographer and I have had more fun out of these things, but—Bob_thinks ihey are fine! Yes, sir, when I asked * him to make a selection, he insisted he wanted one of each—says they make me look as if he was supporting me on the fat of the land—and you Vknow how I have to drudge for the two of us.” “Poor fellow, isn't be able to work yet?” ot a lick—doctor says he never will; been that way ever since he eame hack from the war. Still, he draws a little pension and we get along all vight with what I bring in. Of cour: he gets lonesome with all da pher- nice chap around the corner and used to go to 1he same school with Bob—that he wanted to have a picture of me for company, and for it to look like T was Jiving in clover, he made up the poses and—gosh!™ 1t seemed the only appropriate word for the occaslon, and after a bit more bubbling of self-derision on her part, snd thorough agreement, too real to Ve exactly assuring, from the other woman, the two got up and went their vays. And that was all there was to ¥ cept that it seemed to the woman who remained to finish her cream that—— If only the photographer could have pictured the tenderness of a woman who was willing to make a_foolish show of herself to please a helpless comrade, he could have produced a Dhotograph that no beauty in all Hol- Jvwood could have matched in charm. * k¥ ¥ FPHREE human birds of paradise were lunching in a palatial cubby hole the other afternoon. It was <ubby hole with vistas of marble walls and of near-onyx columns, each rising from a jungle of tubbed palms. From a jungle of taller foliage. that screened a white balcony, came the tinkle-tink of Hawailan music with 2 walil to it. and by one of the col- umns loomed a portentous being broken out in a rash of brass but tons that no mere major general dare <pire to, but which a hotel major- omo madly loves. The cubby hole, \which was really a sumptuous little obby, large enough for several tables, chanced to be limited at the time to the three birds of paradise, who were lunching with expensive ele: gance, while on the side was seated @ business young woman with a note hook and pencil who had been coach- ing them for some social ordeal for which they obviously were not men- tally equipped. She must have com- pleted her work, for the woman with ‘somewhat more contour than any Jady needs, raised her eyes in rellef Well, thank goodness, that's off ¢ mind for one day! And you are it’s pronounced ‘Mussyleeny.’ are you? Seems to me that ‘Mu liney’ comes more natural. You see, we don't study up foreigners out West, except emigrants that work for us—"" The two n Y su other ladles exchanged amused glances, as if to let each other know how superior they were. and one of them remarked: ““Oh, ‘Mussoleeni,’ of course! pardon me, Miss Eugeni u spoke of the Ttalian Alps. I have always understood that the were in Switzerland. Miss Eugenia accepted the eriti- cism with smiling patience and ex- Alps I see. My mistake! It is teally a good idea to brush up like this—coming from a quiet town into official life, one gets a bit twisted, don't you know— The third lady expressed her opin- jon with a shake of the head and nt on with her salad. The lady of contour continued “"These diplomatic functions call for more education than I really think is necessary, and if it wasn't for my lusband’s position I'd rather go to the movies. Still, there's always something going on, so I guess you will have ta keep with me until May A6, anyhow. ¢ classy date on ’ » Reproduction Prohibited. The following figures, prepared after extensive experimentation by the United States Bureau of S ards, will give you some idea of small amount of current required for the operation of radlo receivers. Those who want to check them up will find the statements on page 449 of the “Principles of Radlo Communication,” second edition, Radio Communication Pamphlet No. 40 of the Bureau of Standards. Remember that a micro- ampere is a millionth part of an am- pere. A current of 50 microamperes will operate an ordinary crystal de- tector recelver. A current of 10 micro- amperes is sufficient to operate a sen- sitive crystal detector circuit. A one- tube rece‘ver will operate on from .01 to | microampere, depending on the efficiency of the circult. Recelvers using radio and audio amplification will operate on currents much smaller than .01 microampere. Most Current Dissipated. 1t you will think of the current con- sumed by a receiver as being so small that only a millionth part of an am- pere s required to givé good results, vou will understand why it is that the addition of millions of receivers will | not affect good reception. The aver- | age five-tube recetver consumes about an ampere and a quarter of current from the storage battery. That en- ergy would be sufficient to supply mil Hons of receivers if it went direct to the receivers without being dissipated | by other objects. Since the amount h tremendous | of energy dissipated by these other ob- | current is induced in the wire; jects will remain the same, and since | | the amount of energy consumed even | by the addition of several milllon re- | e ers is so very small, the idea that adiated from | the use of more receivers will 80on |the current induced in the wi rial does not all go |make it impossible to receive programs | one side of the loop didn't counteract is absolutely false. | Don’t worry about the possibility of a shortage of energy to operate your receiver. There will never be such a thing even If every man, woman and | child in the United States gets a re ceiver. THE CITY that calls for art polish—do have some lunch, my dear— The others joined her in the hos- pitable invitation, but Miss Eugenia refused. And the mental manicure was over for the day. iR x MAN, nice and plain and grayish, X came into an office to bring a note to a woman he did not know. When he had explained his mission and was going, the woman asked, with pardonable interest “Did the jelly stain your shoes?” The man halted in bewilderment. The woman prompted: “In the street car that time—" Bewilderment gave way to a smile that was as near to being a real sun- beam as humanity has yet been able to accomplish, and he reached out a hand in fraternal greeting. “Why — er — why — sure! Several vears ago! Well, well, well! And how do you come to know about {t?” “Oh, 1 was anchored to the next strap and recognized you.” “Well, you sure have a good mem- ory for faces.” And he had to shake hands again. After that there was a little bubble of reminiscence, and when he went away the sunbeam was still on view. And the woman, with the day’s work off her mind, kept on remembering, about like this: Jelly on the table is a story too old to talk about. This was a new one about jelly on russet shoes. It seemed to be excellent jelly, and there was no doubt whatever as to the fineness of the shoe: Everything was strictly first class. The man who wore the shoes stood on a car platform—crowded inside— when the jelly got on. To be severely rensible, two women boarded the car, each carrying a bulgy something wrapped in paper napkins, and one of them carrying in addition a handle- less bowl—the jell; u understand. The man moved aside to give the women a chance to wedge inside. The one ahead was lucky enough to anchor herself against a Gibraltarish gentleman who didn’t mind. But the other one—oh, the poor woman stumbled, and her bowl fell, smash! on the russet shoes—oh, the poor, voor man! While he was trving to stamp his feet free of the wobbly mess, so as not to splash passengers next—a literal fam—the man kept assuring the woman that it didn't matter—Lord ‘ove him for the fib'—and the woman who was plastered comfortably against her human rock passed’ out a pink- flowered paper napkin to him with a social matter - of - courseness which would have been a credit to Mrs. Lecks that time in the Pacific Ocean. Remember Mrs. Lecks? The victim did the best he could by the napkin, and when that was used up and flung in the street another passenger came across with a page of The Evening Star. A reason goes with everything if vou take the trouble to rummage for it, though in this case the man didn't have to hunt. The woman sobbed out the cause of the disaster as freely as she had bestowed it. She and her friend had been to a silver tea, and as there were few in attendance and a lot of refreshments were left over, they thought they would help out by taking home some cake and jelly. The cake was in the { napkins. Tt didn't seem necessary to locate the jelly. The man, generously touched by the grief and mortification of the woman, insisted all over that it didn’t matter in the least, while a good-natured soul eased in a remark that accidents will happen, and that was all the woman at the desk could recall, ex- cept that she really did want to know it jelly stains russet shoes—and here the one who could have told her had gone away without saying. it flock of badge-labeled tourists swarmed into a street car. An old farmer-man, in command of the | party, kept guard next to the con- ductor, so that he could remind him every two seconds that they wanted to light at Union Station. The conductor smiled boyish under- standings, and when the time came stopped in obedience to orders. Where- upon the old farmer-man, in the voice of one accustomed to calling across the open, shouted ou “Come along, honey; it's time to light. Every tourist-woman rose to the en- dearment, but When the swarm was on the flag- ging and assorted into pairs, male and female, each, it was made appar- | ent that the withery little stooping ' one in a bonnet instead of a hat was officially entitled to the call. By right of language, of course, “honey” belongs entirely to bees and to the beloved brown mammy now in the land of Used-to-Be, but—— As the oldish, hard-working couple, December turned human, locked arms and crossed over to thea entrance to the station, the word somshow seemed to suit. No Borzs About It. From the Bostem Transeript. “See here, Jim, I've got a bone to pick with vou.” ot with me; l'in a y . THE SUNDAY STAR, \VASHII\'G’[‘()N, D. John Smith and His Radio BY FREDERICK C. RUSSELL Car owners throughout the world have followed John Smith in his dally motoring—and have benefited thereby. He also is a radio fan, and s willing that his fellow fans should be amused and profit by his evening experiences. Smith has a faculty for “finding out things, it will pay radio devotees to follo No. 61.—Looping the Loop. Smith found that a loop did not work very well as the wave intercept- ing system for his particular set, but that did not discourage him at all. He was glad of the opportunity to acquaint himself with the principles of loop operation. It wasn’t that the loop didn’t plck up the radio energy, but that it did not pick up enough for good opera- tion with his particular kind of set. There positively was no,1dvantage in scrapping the regular antenna-ground method he had been using. What interested Smith most about the loop was that it could pick up the energy from the air without the use of a ground connection. This, he was to find, resulted from the characteristic way in which a loop can intercept the electro-magnetic and pressure electro- static waves sufficiently to start a current flow. Here he had to go back to some of the first principles in electricity. In the simple electric generator a loop, or cofl, is made to rotate within an ele tromagnetic field. This induces a | current in the loop which, in turn, is led out into power lines. The radio loop is somewhat the same, except that when a station is being received it remains stationary while the elec- tro-magnetic waves pass across it. A of the loop just as in the case of the genera. tor. What Smith couldn't having reached this point. wa understand, why ring at or neutralize that induced at the other, thus stopping all current flow at the end of the wiring. This was clarified instantly when he learned that exactly this situation occurs when a loop aerial is turned at right angles to the incoming wave. In other words, if the flat side of the loop is turned squarely against the wave there will be no current flow at the terminal and therefore no recep- tion. Maximum Current Flow. “This point is ve fine, as I will show you presentl I explained to | him. “The main thing to remember | is that the maximum current flow at | the end of the wire is created when | the loop is pointing directly at the | wave coming from the broadeasting | station. If you keep this fn mind I am sure the rest will be simple."” Smith’'s eyes brightened as he| caught the idea that if the wiring on | one side of the loop were nearer to | 0 ¢ im in The Sunday Star each week. the station than the other the near side would have a current induced into it first. That was his way of dis- covering the time element in_loop theory, the key to the whole subject. “I am beginning to see that there is a difference In the time current is in- duced in the near and far sides of the loop when it Is pointing toward the station,” he said, “but, tell me, why doesn’t the very position of the loop.| enable the radio waves to induce cur- rents in the two sides of the loop in opposite directions?” “That s because the loop is not large enough,” I explained. “If the loop were so big that its near side was in the crest of the wave and its i side In the trough, current would flow in a counter direction, when in. duced in the wiring of the opposite sides. Such a loop would be too un- weildly to handle and quite impossible for home use. What we are up agalnst, then, is a situation in which the two sides of the loop are almost in one plane with the induced cur rents practically opposing each other instead of flowing the way we would Note that 1 said ‘practically.’ There is just one little opening of- fered by the loop arrangement and that is what we grasp in an effort to make it practicable for use in radio recelving. You've already guessed it. It's the clement of time. ‘Where Waves Strike. “Radio waves strike the near side of the loop first. This offers just enough variation in the current in duction to prevent complete neutral ization. At tne end of the loop wiring we find that there is a current flow. It is very slight, of course, but enough to provide something for our highly sensitive tuning and amplifying ap | paratus to work on.” Smith paused a moment to marvel over the fact that though the electro. magnetic field that strikes the loop travels at the rate of 186,300 miles per second, the speed of light, the mo- ment the loop is turned toward the station the difference in time of induc. {tion upon each of the two loop sides s sufficient to start a current flowing He also caught the idea that the loop arrangement was one primarily of induction, whereas the antenna. ground affalr was a condenser effect It was just another way of catching the reason why a ground is necessary in a regular antenna-ground system. Next Week, No. 62—Make New Friends. (Copsrighi by the Ullman Feature Service.) RADIO GOSSIP AND NEWS Radio broadcasting schedules throughout the Eastern section of the country will be juggled today to conform with aylight saving time now in force in a number of cities, including New York, Boston, Hart ford, Chicago, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Providence and Portland, Me. | The change caused considerable | confusion at WEAF, due to the fact that a number of the stations which link up with it for the advertising | features are not operating on da light saving time. All of the WEA attractions to which WCAP sub. scribes will be broadcast an hour earlfer than usual throughout the Summer. Beginning this evening the Capitol Theater program will be broadcast by WCAP at 6:20 o'clock and the At- water Kent concert at 8:15. The A & P. Gypsies will be heard from 8 to 9 o'clock tomorrow night, while the weekly opera of the W and | Opera Co. will come on the air at 9 o'clock. The Atwater Kent program tonight | will be provided by a select chorus of | 60 voices from the membership of the Schola_Cantorum, an organiza tlon which began in 1909 as the Mac. Dowell Chorus and which in 191 adopted the present name and has since malintained {its position a foremost exponent of a cappella singing. The complete chorus num bers 200 mixed voices. The society derived its name from a historic source. The ancient Schola Cantorum was a_group of highly trained singers in Rome and constant- ly sang the best choral music avail- able. Its ideals and its name were famillar throughout Iurope for cen turfes. It has been the aim of the | New York organization to establish | mammoth choral group maintaining to the highest degree the excellent stand ard of choral bodles of all kinds. Flotow's outstanding success, | “Martha,” will be the opera sung to morrow night by the W F Grand Opera Co. This tabloid opera gem been heard on two or three previous occasions by the radio audience through WEAF. It was sung last on January 25. New Detector Tube Announced. A new detector tube, UX-200-A, which is described as supersensitiv non-critical and economical in opera: tion, and designed to increase the re. ception range of the average type of broadcast_receiver, 1§ being manufac- tured and will soon be placed on the market, according to Elmer E. Bucher of the Radio Corporation of America. Mr. Bucher said that the tube may be used in any existing receiver oj erating on a six-volt storage battery, and will provide increased sensitivity as well as output volume with no changes or critical adjustments of any kind. So far as physical dimensions and base are concerned the new detector tube is similar to the UX-200 and UX-201-A tubes. It has a character- | Judde Pebfy | testing | tric and Manufacturing Co. 000000¢ istic appearance, however, ferent from any other tube. Instead of a plain or silvered bulb, the UX:-200-A has smoky due to a specia quite dif. Radio Committee Meets. The newly organized radio advisory committee of the Bureay of Standards held its first meeting #it the recently to outline a program of radio and development work for the Government and the radio in dustry. The personnel of the committee in cluded the fo nine expert nstitute of Rac A. zeltine; Prof. Robert S. Kruse, Radio Relay League; G. Lewis, Na tio ciation of Broadeasters O. B. Blackwell, American Telephone and Telegraph Co.; Dr. A. N. Gold smith, Radio Corporation of Amer. ica; E. M. Kinney, General Electric Co.; F. Conrad, Westinghouse Elec- nd R. H Munufacturers adio section. an inspection American Man: of m, Associated trical Supplies, This committee made of the radio laboratory and a study of the work in progress. It also met with the director and members of the staff concerned with radio work. The work of the bureau’s radio laborato: | comprises projects under the follow. ing headings dards, general provement of ments, researcl metho of mex 1o work for Maintenance of stan research for the im lio, testing of in on standards urement, vernment 3 Radio Troubles Will Be Over If You Will Call at the STAR RADIO (0. 409 11th St. Franklin 8848 Reasonable rates in repairs, In- stailing, batlerles, ete. e 0000009000000 09 N O Radio Batteries Recharged—Rental Loaned Called for and Delivered RISTIG’S, 1352 H St. N.E. Lincoln 148 e s g \‘. 009600000 i 23t NIV %! VENMAMUMMNENININDY, 4 &ifla‘flmdfi’fifi%fifi-fi%}fifi%fii’&%fi&%fi byf: "manc Only then will you learn why Canningham Radio Tubes have won the confidence of an ever- growing army of radio listeners— Ten years of ceaseless effort has gone into the up-building of an Invisible Integrity that is the sure foundation of this confidence. 1In the Orange and Blue Carton C, APRIL_ 25, 1926— PART 1. ments and certain non-research projects such as reference and in- formation service, the promotion and co-ordination of radio research in other institutions and participation in the work of varfous radio and standardizing organizations. Few Farmers Have Radio Sets. Radio receiving sets were operated on 284,068 farms, or 4.5 per cent of the farms in the United States, on January 1, 1925, according to the fig ures just announced by the Depart ment of Commerce. Although the figures are over a year old they are the latest available.. They show in- teresting comparisons with statistics on farms having tractors; the num ber of them reported on the same date was 474,694, or 7 per cent of all farms. The largest number of receivers on farms in any State was in Illinois, where 27,434 were listed; New York State stood second was third, with fourth, with 15917. Nevada brought up the » ing only,154 radio recelvers. g=°=°=°=O=°=O=O=0!0=°=°=°=°=°=°=°m NACHMAN FURNITURE CO. 8th and Pa. Ave. S.E. Large Folding Steam- er Chair; vas and broad” avms D125 Cash or Easy Credit Terms Nicely Oak-finish- ed High-back Wood Dining Chair. . . $1-35 Cash or Easy Credit Terms FO-0——o-0—0-———0 ) _—— O ——— - () ) (O —— ) ——— - —— - —— {1 «effect_any heavy can- What TomorrowMeans toYou ©Y MARY BLAKE. Taurus. Tomorrow’s planetary aspects are not aging, although they can- not be diagnosed as distinetly adverse. It would not be expedient to attempt to initfate any fresh enterprise, or to adical changes. A con sclentious discharge of ordinary daily duties and customary obligations will lead to the best results of the day. In the evening, and after usual working hours, there will be noticeable a mark- ed improvement in conditions, and there will be sensed a_stron of optimism and good cheer. This can be used to advantage in soclal or fam imenities. The day cannot be con lered a very propitious opportunity for travel nor should any financial commitments be made Children born tomorrow will, accord- ing to sex, vary in physical conditions. Where a boy promises to be Justy and encou; 8th and E Sts. N.W. LR I - NN Full-size Khaki Ham- mock Swings, with adjust- : $9.7 5 able chains. . Standards, $4.50 Extra Zash or Easy Credit Terms Full-size Metal Beds, of the Rome Quality; 2-inch continuocus posts, metal cane panels Cash or Easy feeling | T s strong in infancy, a girl will be weak i ailing. Most of the girl's difficul- | ties can be overcome by careful nutri- | tion and an abundance of fresh air. She will not, at any time, however, enjoy the same exuberant health as the boy. In character and disposition they will both be very similar. They will be imitative to an exceptional degree; quick to learn, but not anxious to do so. They will possess retentive memories, and if their reading be directed along the right channels, this will make up, in some measure, for their indifference to specialized studies If tomorrow s your birthday, you are mentally well equipped and possess imany strong characteristic forcefulness is not altogethe: ing, as you are just as aggressive when you are in the wrong, as when vou are in the right. You are very impatient of criticism and are not dis- posed, at any time, to heed the advice or counsel of others. You want, and generally get, your own way in every- thing. If vou possessed clearer vision and keener judgment, this would be of great advantage to you. As it is, you frequently have cause to regret Store 8th and Penna. Ave. S. E. Will Stay Open Saturday Night Until 9 o’Clock—Northwest Store Closes at 6 Every article we advertise is an exact drawing of goods on sale— A fair comparison will convince you that this Handsome Three-piece Living Room Suite, covered in genuine jacquard, is greatly underpriced Cash or Easy Credit Terms—No Extra Added Charge for C; 16-inch All Ball-bear- ing Lawn Mower with durable hard- $8.50 wood handle Cash or Easy Credit Terms $11.50 Credit Terms Elegant Hand-woven Three-piece Fiber Suite; 54-inch settee, two movable cushions, large arm chair, rocker, table and lamp Cash or Easy Credit Terms OTICE! =°=°=Og°=°=0=°=0!0=0=0=0=0 - WE SELL ON MARYLAND . Your| a bless. | redit TERMS IN WASHINGTON— 39 your actions and often give others the opportunity of saying “I told you so0."” Your friends are few, as not many are willing to stand for your domineer- ing mannerisms. Those friends that you have, however, are loyal and sincere. Well known persons born on that date are: Benjamin F. Tracy, lawyer; Charles F. Browne (“Artemus Ward"), humorist; James P. Kipball, geologist Srminnie A. Smith, scientist; Harvey Fisk, financier, and Henry Morgan theau, ambassador (Coyright. Where Orchids Are Pests Orchids, so prized by the flower con noisseur and in almost all sections the United States comparatively ex pensive, are little short of costly pests in some parts of Porto Rico. In island there are two species that have proved destructive to the citrus gros growing like weeds and entangli their enormous roots over the branch es of the citrus trees with a strangula tion effect. 1926.) = ————C -0 ———— = ———— [ =0 ——— ) (] Mahogany-finish Sad- dle Seat b $3.95 Windsor Rocker. . Cash or Easy Credit Lar,e-size Sotid Oak Compartment Styie Re- frigerators, with white enamel inside linings. . Cash or Easy Credit Terms O O O = 0 O 00 0 R 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 E———J 0 L 0 I————=3 030 A neat design and strongly constructed rose painted white with n ornamental cen- oS8 wide 91,39 Cash or_Easy Credit Terms EASY CREDIT OR VIRGINIA ———— = [ L] i o [.] g «Il! i fl ! fl :