History of wireless telegraphy and broadcasting in Australia/Topical/Columns/Magic Spark NSW/Notes

5 Magic Spark Column - Transcriptions and notes Key article copies Non-chronological material 1910s 1910 1910 01 1910 02 1910 03 1910 04 1910 05 1910 06 1910 07 1910 08 1910 09 1910 10 1910 11 1910 12 1911 1911 01 1911 02 1911 03 1911 04 1911 05 1911 06 1911 07 1911 08 1911 09 1911 10 1911 11 1911 12 1912 1912 01 1912 02 1912 03 The earliest usage found to date of the phrase "Magic Spark" in reference to wireless THE MAGIC SPARK. DISPUTE AS TO PATENTS. Wireless companies at law. Application in equity. The suit of the Maritime Wireless Company (Shaw system), Ltd., v. the Australasian Wireless Co., Ltd., in respect of apparatus for use in wireless telegraphy, was mentioned to Mr. Acting-Justice Rich in Equity jurisdiction today. Mr. Flannery (instructed by Messrs. Collins and Mulholland) appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr. R. H. L. Innes (instructed by Messrs. Norton, Smith, and Co.) for the defendants. Plaintiffs set out in their statement of claim that for a long time prior to a certain publication by the defendant company they had engaged in New South Wales in the business of manufacturers and vendors of apparatus for use in wireless telegraphy. They had supplied apparatus to various purchasers, including the Commonwealth Government, by which it was being used in Melbourne. Their business, prior to the defendant company's publication, was steadily increasing, and they had made and expected to make large and increasing profits therefrom. On the 1st inst. the defendant company caused to be published in one of the Sydney papers a statement threatening legal proceedings against them for having by the manufacture of the apparatus in use at the Wireless Telegraph Station of the Commonwealth Government at Melbourne infringed certain alleged patent rights and patents of the defendants. Plaintiffs denied that they had infringed the defendants' patent rights or patents. Defendants, by their agents, had since the publication repeated the threat to plaintiffs and other persons, and claimed that their patent rights were No. 6840 and 7392, of 1906 of the Commonwealth patents. Defendants' threats had injured plaintiffs in their business. Defendants at the date of the publication were not the registered owners of letters patent or any Commonwealth or State patent relating to wireless telegraphy, or the apparatus used in wireless telegraphy. Plaintiffs feared that unless restrained by order of the court the defendants would continue to threaten them and the purchasers of the apparatus manufactured by them with legal proceedings for infringements of their alleged patent rights. Plaintiffs therefore prayed that defendants be restrained by injunction from making or continuing their threats of legal proceedings to them or their customers in respect of any alleged infringements of the Commonwealth letters, patent Nos. 6840 and 7392; and that an account be taken of the damages sustained by plaintiffs, by reason of the threats, and that defendants be ordered to pay the amount so found to them. On the 8th inst. his Honor granted an interim injunction against the defendants, with leave to plaintiffs to move to continue the injunction today. On the application of Mr. Innes, the matter was adjourned till Friday next, the injunction to continue in the meantime.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222006512 THE MAGIC SPARK. The Sun 534 New South Wales, Australia 15 March 1912 12 August 2023 8 (LATEST EDITION) National Library of Australia 1912 04 1912 05 1912 06 1912 07 1912 08 1912 09 1912 10 1912 11 1912 12 1913 1913 01 1913 02 1913 03 1913 04 1913 05 1913 06 1913 07 1913 08 1913 09 1913 10 1913 11 1913 12 1914 1914 01 1914 02 1914 03 1914 04 1914 05 1914 06 1914 07 1914 08 1914 09 1914 10 1914 11 1914 12 1915 1915 01 1915 02 1915 03 1915 04 1915 05 1915 06 1915 07 1915 08 1915 09 1915 10 1915 11 1915 12 1916 1916 01 1916 02 1916 03 1916 04 1916 05 1916 06 1916 07 1916 08 1916 09 1916 10 1916 11 1916 12 1917 1917 01 1917 02 1917 03 1917 04 1917 05 1917 06 1917 07 1917 08 1917 09 1917 10 1917 11 1917 12 1918 1918 01 1918 02 1918 03 1918 04 1918 05 1918 06 1918 07 1918 08 1918 09 1918 10 1918 11 1918 12 1919 1919 01 1919 02 1919 03 1919 04 1919 05 1919 06 1919 07 1919 08 1919 09 1919 10 1919 11 1919 12 1920s 1920 1920 01 1920 02 1920 03 1920 04 1920 05 1920 06 1920 07 1920 08 1920 09 1920 10 1920 11 1920 12 1921 1921 01 1921 02 1921 03 1921 04 1921 05 1921 06 1921 07 1921 08 1921 09 1921 10 1921 11 1921 12 1922 1922 01 1922 01 28 First "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of Saturday, 28 January 1922 under title "Radio News" though actual name not applied till the fourth column RADIO NEWS. PERSONAL AND PRACTICAL. Hints to Amateurs. BY DOT DASH. Wireless telegraphy has now reached that stage on the road to perfection where even the most disinterested person cannot help taking notice of its wonders. In commercial and business life, more especially in other parts of the world, wireless is firmly established as a means of rapid communication, and every day fresh uses are being found for it. No more is there any need for the settler or traveller in remote parts of the world to be isolated and without a means of communication, thanks to wireless. As a connection between ships at sea and with the shore the value of the invention is known to all. Only a few days ago the case of the schooner Helen B. Stirling was an example of its value in saving life at sea. The study of wireless telegraphy and telephony is a fascinating and absorbing hobby, and in Sydney there are hundreds of amateurs who have taken it up. Some have achieved wonderful results with small and comparatively cheap receiving sets, and by constant study have succeeded in making various improvements. One of the objects of these articles, which will appear every Saturday, will be to keep the amateur and his professional brother informed of the latest doings in the radio world. Radio Adventurer. An adventurous Australian is Mr L. N. Callaghan, a Sydney radiotelegraphist. Winning his sea-going certificate five years ago, he set out after that romance so often coupled with "How the wireless man saved the ship" sort of thing. He was ashore and standing by, when the Tasmanian Government decided to transform the steamer Melbourne from a "dumb" tramp into a speaking and listening ship, so that she could go in search of the missing schooner Amelia J. Mr. Callaghan was chosen as operator for the cruise, and day and night reported progress. The search lasted eleven days. From the Melbourne he went to New Guinea, with the Commonwealth scientific party, and for six months carried out communication from the launch Wattle, on the Fly River. It is possible, however, that his next voyage will be the most venturesome of all. The American millionaire, Albert Y. Gowen, needs an operator for his motor yacht Speejacks, and the possibilities are Mr. Callaghan will be the man. "Give me any old kind of a hook-up, and the Speejacks, or any other Jack, will do me for a trip," is how this young Australian looks at the risks of the sea. Wireless Telephone Concerts. One of the biggest moves yet undertaken for the encouragement of amateurs who experiment in wireless work will be launched within a few weeks. Amalgamated Wireless, Limited, of Sydney, is almost ready to commence sending out from Clarence-street nightly concert entertainments by a wireless telephone. The musical and vocal items will be played from a gramaphone into a transmitter, and over a distance of at least 100 miles, the sound will be heard just as distinct as if the record was being played within a few feet of the telephones receiving the music from Sydney. Not only will the man or woman operator enjoy these concerts by the ether wave. A special device is available for connection to the amateur's receiver which will amplify the sound, so that the whole household may participate in the novel entertainment. It should not be many days now before the loneliness of outback night life will be a thing of the past. Every night in the week a musical programme will be sent out broadcast. Valves and Distances It was with the advent of the valve receiver that it became possible to receive messages over great distances. The secret of a valve's sensitiveness lies in the relationship between its three elements — filament, grid, and plate. These are encased in a glass tube which is exhausted of air, the result being a vacuum very near perfect. It is a Marconi patent, now universally adopted. A few hundred miles used to be the maximum with a crystal detector. Now there is no limit to the distances over which messages may be picked up. Though the amateur will certainly find the valve more complicated than the crystal for a start, the valve is so much easier to keep in adjustment that the extra effort required to learn the connections is well worth the trouble. One thing is certain, if the amateur wants to get American, Japanese, or other distant stations, he must change over to the valve receiver. Latest in Lifeboats. To the Commonwealth liner Moreton Bay stands the credit of being the first vessel to enter Sydney Harbor with life boats fitted with wireless telegraph apparatus. Two of the boats have plants installed which would, in case of mishap, enable them to keep in constant communication with all wireless ships within a radius of 50 miles. The application of wireless to lifeboats is a further demonstration of the adaptability of this invention. A Frequent Fault. One of the most common mistakes made by amateurs is in the arrangement of the earthing system. The most usual method is to solder the earth wire from the receiver to some part of the water pipe system as near to the ground as possible. In the country districts, where waterpipes are not available, two or more metal sheets measuring 3ft by 2ft. are buried in moist soil, and connected direct to the receiver. The fault usually occurs when the connection is not soldered to the plates, or waterpipe. The result is that only imperfect contact is obtained. Another fault is that plates are buried in dry soil, which means bad conductivity to earth. Successful Students. Certificates of proficiency were awarded to the following at the last examination for seagoing operators at the Marconi School of Wireless, Sydney:— First class: R. G. Cosh, A. B. Sharland, F. R. Snape, J. Thompson, I. H. Tresa, and W. D. Wedgwood. Second class: T. C. Dienhoff and C. M. Linedale. To assist amateurs, the "Evening News" will supply any general information on wireless telegraphy or radio telephony in this column. Mr. L. N. Callaghan.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118882329 RADIO NEWS Evening News 17,041 New South Wales, Australia 28 January 1922 12 August 2023 2 National Library of Australia 1922 02 1922 02 04 Second "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of Saturday, 4 February 1922, still under title "Radio News" though actual name not applied till the fourth column RADIO NEWS. Personal and Practical. A SPEEDY OPERATOR. BY DOTDASH. MR. ROY MANCER who was on the Kyarra when she was torpedoed. Photo Caption. After five years at sea, during which time he received and transmitted 10,000 radio messages, Mr. Roy Mancer is ashore. He was operator on the Australian transport Kyarra, when she was torpedoed in the English Channel, and it was partly due to his extraordinary speed in transmitting that assistance was so quickly on the scene for the rescue work. In a recent test, Mr. Mancer sent and received a 100 word message at 45 words a minute, which must rank as one of the fastest transmissions in the Commonwealth. Asked to explain the secret of the development of such speed, Mr. Mancer said that with a flexible wrist, any operator should be able to attain such proficiency. "If the beginner gets the right idea at the commencement of his training, his road to success should be an easy one," is how Mr. Mancer views the making of an operator. "So much importance is now attached to the wrist work of a radio-telegraphist that in the Marconi School it is laid down as one of the first principles." Worth a Million. There is a prize of a million pounds to be won. It may fall to the lot of Marconi, or to a humble amateur. All that has to be done is to find a method of eliminating atmospheric electricity from radio receivers working on short wave lengths. It is the belief of many experts that this will be eventually accomplished by an improvement in the audio-frequency circuit. There is a possibility that telephone receivers may be rendered insensitive to any sound other than Morse signals. It is worth while all amateurs studying this problem, for the reward is great. Competition Results. The results of the wireless receiving competition conducted by the Wireless Institute under the direction ot Mr. Charles Maclurcan during December last were officially announced during the week. For six consecutive Sunday mornings telegraph and telephone messages were broadcasted from Mr. Maclurcan's station at Strathfield and picked up by more than a dozen competitors. There were 22 entrants, but only 13 actually received the messages, therefore, according to the rules, the judges, Messrs. Renshaw, Stowe and Maclurcan, only awarded prizes in the first and second sections as follows:— Section 1.— For the best complete log of the series:— First Prize (a De Forest intervalve audio-frequency transformer donated by Mr. Maclurcan): Mr. R. D. Charlesworth, 173 Parramatta-road, Haberfield. Second Prize (Open Order on Australelectric Co., value 35s, donated by the Wireless Institute): Mr. C. A. Gorman, West Botany-street, Arncliffe. Section 2.— For the longest distance received:— First Prize (a Room 2 61 receiving Valve, donated by Mr. Maclurcan): Mr. E. T. Vears, Grose-street, Leura. Second Prize (an Expanse Valve, donated by Australectric, Ltd.): Mr. G. E. H. Blanchard), Brown's-road, Church Point. Following are the marks obtained by the various competitors in the order of merit:— R. D. Charlesworth 563, C. A. Gorman 555, L. R. Hewett 540, R. P. Whitburn 521, J. H. A. Pike 477, R. F. Grosvenor 389, E. B. Crocker 331, H. R. S. Callan 307, W. J. Zech 244, G. E. Blanchard 174. E. T. Vears 128, E. R. Mawson 96, W. G. Best 49, T. R. Willmot 10, T. E. Dickenson 4. The maximum was 630. Time Signals. If you are living in the bush, and the family clock stops, leaving only the sun to give an idea of the time, wouldn't you like to hear Melbourne or even Japanese radio stations telling the world what the hour is? There is an amateur in Coogee who nightly adjusts his clocks by messages sent out from Funibashi, in Japan. He has to allow for the variation in the clocks of the two countries, but he says, it puts an end to the family disputes, as to whether supper is late. When coffee time comes and the kettle is resulting the heat of the fire, so that the last meal of the day is overdue, he just listens in, and the operator in Japan tells him the right time. This is one of the interesting sidelights of an experimenter's hobby. Crystal Adjustment. Every beginner has trouble with his crystal detector at some time or another. The usual type of detector consists of an adjustable metal cup, which contains a crystal, usually galena, silicon, or iron pyrites. Contact is made with these crystals by means of a needle point resting lightly on the surface, the needle and crystal being in series with the rest of the circuit. Not all the crystal is sensitive, however, and it becomes necessary to find a "point," which will bring in the signals. The only means of knowing that a sensitive region has been located is to test on actual signals. These may be produced artificially by means of a buzzer. One side of the buzzer interrupter is connected to earth, and the other side to a short length of wire placed in fairly close proximity to the leading in wire from the aerial. Oscillations are thus induced into the receiving circuit, and the surface of the crystal is then searched by means of the needle point, until the buzzer signals are heard strongest in the telephones. At 8.30 p.m. on each week-night, Sydney Radio Station (V.I.S.) sends out a weather forecast, which should serve as a final test of the sensitiveness of the receiver. If you don't get the weather note, change your crystal. For Those at Sea. The proposal to send out a musical and vocal programme from Amalgamated Wireless, Limited, to ships and amateurs' stations by means of the wireless telephone, promises to develop into a big thing. Since the announcement was made in this column, several leading vocalists have volunteered their services. The first lady to offer her assistance was Miss Nellie Kolle. Writing from Melbourne, she says: "It is the most unique thing in concerts I ever heard of." Arrangements for starting the concerts are well advanced. And Flora Didn't Hear. Flora-Flora-Flora! It was a land station calling the steamer Flora, a little vessel trading on the coast. The Flora had just been fitted, and her call signal was not known to all operators. A land station had a test message for her, and repeatedly called — Flora-Flora-Flora, but Flora did not answer. Every other ship within 1000 miles heard the Flora call, until one operator, with a sense of humor, could not resist putting his hand to the key, and tapping, "Speak, speak, speak to me Thora." But she remained unresponsive. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. For the benefit of amateurs, the "Evening News" will answer in this column any general inquiries concerning radio telegraphy. LITHFIELD (Glebe): Oscillations are electrical surges produced by a condenser discharge across a spark gap. The rate of oscillations for a 600 metre wave length is 500,000 per second. R. D. Bangay's "Elementary Principles" will give you all the information you require on circuits. C. J. S. (North Sydney): Send a list of the odds and ends you possess, and the cost of the missing parts will be supplied. Regarding the expense, you are reminded that it would be necessary to apply to the P.M.G.'s Department for a license before you start erecting your apparatus. This would cost you £2.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118880401 RADIO NEWS Evening News 17,047 New South Wales, Australia 4 February 1922 12 August 2023 2 National Library of Australia 1922 02 11 Third "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of Saturday, 11 February 1922 though actual name not applied till the fourth column RADIO NEWS. Personal and Practical. A POPULAR SECRETARY. BY DOTDASH. Mr. Phil Renshaw Secretary of the N.S.W. Wireless Institute. Photo Caption. Every amateur wireless man knows Mr. Phil Renshaw, the genial secretary to the Wireless Institute of New South Wales. Since 1910 he has been interested in the development of radio telegraphy, and he has watched the institute grow from an insignificant body, with a membership of 35, until today it is the governing centre of the amateurs. The list of experimenters is now in the vicinity of 500. Mr.Renshaw has a fine station, and on any night can pick up news from Carnarvon (Wales), Nauen (Germany), Eiffel Tower (France), and other European stations. "I am working solely for the attainment of greater efficiency by our amateurs," said Mr. Renshaw, when asked why he devoted all his spare time to the institute. "I recognize that a little receiving station in the home is a hobby with a tremendous educational value. "Then, again, to have a thousand or more lads with a knowledge of wireless principles must be a national asset." A Loss to the Science. Frank Geddes, a well known experimenter and a thorough good fellow, took off his 'phones for the last time during the week. His death at his home in Macpherson-street, Waverley, though not entirely unexpected, came as a great shock to his many friends in the wireless game and genuine expressions of regret were heard on every hand. The funeral, which took place at the Waverley Cemetery on Wednesday, provided proof of Frank's popularity. It was attended by a large number of wireless amateurs, some of whom acted as bearers, and a guard or honor to the coffin. Only 20 years of age, Frank started with wireless in the days when amateurs were few, and obstacles many. But he persisted, and in time had one of the finest amateur stations in the State at his home. His apparatus included a portable set, which be used on a launch; a single-valve set, a three valve set, and a two stage amplifier, for use with the latter. He was, with the permission of the authorities, on the verge of installing a most up-to-date radio telephone-sending set. The Waverley Amateur Wireless Club has suffered a distinct loss, for he was one of its leading lights, and an office-bearer. Frank was the only son of Mr. F. Geddes the well known retail butcher. Single Wire Aerial. If you see a steamer come into port carrying only one wire, stretched from mast to mast, don't jump to a conclusion that she has lost the other one in a storm. The single wire aerial is becoming the vogue, when used with the latest Marconi receivers. There are many good reasons for the adoption of the one-wire aerial. Most important is the fact that there is so much less strain on the wire, due to the absence of spreaders. The chances of carrying away are reduced to a minimum. In extreme latitudes, ice forms on the wires, and the added weight sometimes results in the wire breaking. This would hardly be possible with the new type aerial. The bosun, too, benefits by the change. He is the man responsible for the rigging of the aerial. When it is realised that an average ship's aerial is designed to withstand a strain of a ton and a-half, it is apparent that any reduction in its actual weight allows more margin for meeting an extra longitudinal strain. Stations You Hear. When the Sydney amateur sets up his first little receiving set — it would probably be a crystal one — the odds are that the first signals he will get will be from Pennant Hills. This station is one of the busiest in Australia, and his VIS call letters sent out before each message soon becomes familiar. Of course, when the experimenter advances and gets his valve set, he often has cause to view V.I.S. with his roaring signals in a different light. The valve set brings in the Melbourne Radio V.I.M., Adelaide V.I.A., Hobart V.I.H., Perth V.I.P., Brisbane V.I.B., Townsville V.I.T., Thursday Island V.I.I., to mention the principal Australian stations. Of those in New Zealand the amateur is most familiar with Awanui Station V.L.A. Wellington's call letters are V.L.W., The Bluff V.L.B., Chatham Island V.L.C., and Auckland V.L.D. The fortunate owner of a good set can hear Suva V.P.D., and the busy chap at Koko Head, Honolulu, K.L.A. Then, of course, there are the numerous ship stations, and when they are all working the amateur has plenty of calls to pick up. A Woman Operator. There is a surprise in store for some Sydney experimenters. Miss Nellie Kolle, who was the first woman to offer her services for the wireless telephone concerts, is seeking the names and addresses of amateurs who have a transmitting license. The reason is that she became proficient in operating before coming to Australia, and although there is a vast difference between the roll of a wireless man and a principal boy in pantomime, Miss Kolle claims to be able to transmit at 15 words a minute. Other girl members of her family are engaged in transmitting work on English telegraph lines. That is why Miss Kolle is going to work for the success of the wireless concerts in Sydney. An Ether Fandango. It takes a Spanish operator to transmit a real fandango, as many a man who listened in day and night in the war zone knows. It happened during the height of the U boat campaign that a Spanish vessel "stopped" a torpedo, and needed immediate help. The call tor assistance was, according to an Australian operator, the most wonderful thing ever. The Spaniard was apparently scared, and his S.O.S. was sent out to the time-beat of a fandango dance. He hit out dots and dashes in an endless stream, but eventually several ships were able to decipher his call. Getting an answer, the Spaniard "shut up," and waited for the rescue ship. At the end of two hours he had another spasm, and sent out, "Am taking in water faster. Come quick." This call was picked up by the operator who had wirelessed that his vessel was heading for the scene, and then all the others, who were listening in, heard him reply: "Am steaming all out, at eight knots; expect reach you in 23 hours." It was a harmless old tramp of the American flag, that was to be the rescuer, but in less than the 23 hours the Spaniard danced his last fandango. The ship foundered. Joined the Speejacks. The motor yacht Speejacks has left Sydney for the East, with Mr. Callaghan aboard as wireless operator. He is probably the first Australian radio man to go on a world tour with a millionaire. His friends at Wireless House, where he was trained by Mr. Vincent Gardiner, sent him a wireless, wishing him good luck in his adventure. Mr. Callaghan's reply was conveyed through the ether by a very few dots and dashes. It was, "Cheerio Good-bye-e." Insulate Your Aerial. Do you realise, Mr. Amateur, how important it is that you should thoroughly insulate your aerial? Don't be lazy, and hang the wire on to the spreaders. If you do, you will not have an effective aerial. What you must do is to insulate, and do it properly. Arrange between the ends of the wires, one or more insulators, preferably of the egg type. Then see that the down lead is insulated at the point where it passes through the window or wall, on its way to the receiver. This is best done by a "lead-in" insulator of the Expanse type. When the down lead passes close to a roof, before reaching the lead-in insulator. It becomes necessary to "strain away" the wires, to prevent them earthing. The practice is to attach insulated guy-ropes to the down leads, and to straing [sic, straining] the latter away from the building. Make it a golden rule to see that the insulators, even on the roughest night, do not run your signals to earth.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118879764 RADIO NEWS Evening News 17,053 New South Wales, Australia 11 February 1922 12 August 2023 2 National Library of Australia 1922 02 18 Fourth "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of Saturday, 18 February 1922 and for the first time under the long term "Magic Spark" title THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio News From Everywhere. PERSONAL AND PRACTICAL NOTES. BY DOTDASH. Mr. R. C. Marsden. Photo Caption. Friend and adviser to every amateur from the schoolboy upwards, Mr. R. C. Marsden is known to every wireless man through his kindly nature and cheerful disposition, to say nothing of his comprehensive knowledge of the science. He first started radio work in 1909, when his station was situated in Macleay-street, Potts Point. In those days there was no licensing of apparatus and he had a transmitting unit in his set. Two years later he went to England and carried out work connected with radio and general engineering at the Liverpool University for two years. During the war Mr. Marsden served with the artillery, and his battery had a C.W. transmitting and receiving set when in action on Vimy Ridge. Great trouble was experienced through the aerial being constantly shot away. This was finally avoided by putting the aerial in a tunnel 20ft under the ground, 100ft long, and capable of sheltering 50 men. By this means the battery was able to keep in touch with headquarters. Returning to Australia in 1919, Mr. Marsden resumed his hobby and built a special radio room at his home at Bellevue Hill. He specialises in the reception side of radio, and like most of the amateurs, is chasing the elusive static, the elimination of which is the ambition of every genuine experimenter. His station (call NO16) consists of three most up-to-date machines, within the scope allowed by the authorities. One side of his experimenting has been the study of the great possibilities of the accurate crystal receiver. During the past two years he has produced seven distinct types of receiving sets from which he gained a lot of practical information, and at the same time exploded a number of cut and dried theories. Jazzing to Wireless. Should you receive an invitation to a dance and find that at the hour fixed for the first jazz the orchestra has failed to arrive on the scene, don't for a moment think that the night is going to be a failure. Wireless has butted right into the dance business, and wrapped in all its mysteries will spray your dance hall with the best music ever written. It has not to be played in the same building, either. The "band" may be centred miles away from the scene of the dance, yet the music will be carried through the air, over and through buildings, by that mysterious ether wave, and will reach you, unmutilated, and as full of vigor, just as if it was being played a few yards from you. Do you know, too, that the music has not to be directed to any single hall? Once it goes from the transmitter it will be just as effective for a dance or a social evening in any and every town within 100 miles. Wireless enthusiasts will be advised through this column when Amalgamated Wireless, Limited, is ready to broadcast musical entertainments. To Form New Club. The many amateurs who recently attended the function at which Mr. Shaw, the operator of the lost Helen B. Sterling, was made a presentation, were so pleased at "getting together" that they intend to have another gathering. This will be held at the Persian Gardens, 220 Pitt-street, City, on Thursday next, at 8 p.m., when all experimenters are invited to be present. Mr. Marsden has consented to act as chairman. With a view to making the meetings a regular thing, the opportunity will be taken to ask those present to form a club. The name suggested is the Metropolitan Radio Club, and those interested in its promotion are of opinion that it will not clash in any way with exist-ing organisations. At Thursday's meeting portion of the time will he taken up by a musical programme, after which a paper on radio work will be read and other business brought forward. Oh, Mumma! Here is a story which goes to prove that "ignorance is bliss" even to a wireless operator. It happened just about the time the P.M.G.'s. Department issued a handbook for abbreviations on wireless working. A well-known Sydney man was in charge of the wireless of a coaster, and was in the habit of "calling up" all his friends, always giving the name of his ship in full, her speed, position, and a lot of other unnecessary details. While off Wilson's Promontory one day he was busy sending out his name and address, when VIM (Melbourne) picked up his signals. Official Melbourne was bewildered with the operator's disregard for the abbreviations, and rapidly called him with:— V.I.M. to —; Q.R.T. (stop transmitting), Q.R.N. (atmospherics are strong), Q.R.T., Q.R.T., Q.R.T. This fairly got the man on the ship, who replied:— to V.I.M.: "Oh mumma! What's all that stuff? Just wait till I dig out my P.M.G. till I savvy you." If you are going to put up an aerial make certain that your masts are secure enough to withstand a strong blow, otherwise you may regret it. Like most things which have to stand up to a wind, masts need a support, therefore, don't be content to merely stick a post a foot or two in the ground and chance it. Even a wireless mast appreciates thoroughness, and if you don't make a good job of it, down it will come, if for no other reason than to remind you that if a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well. In the early days of wireless lofty masts and towers were considered very essential for both receiving and transmitting wireless messages. It has been proved that high aerials for receiving purposes, are subject to considerable atmospheric disturbances. The ideal aerial for a small experimental station is about 40ft in height and 150 ft in length, the length being the necessary part. To erect a 40ft mast at a small cost, purchase two sections of Oregon timber each 22ft in length and 3in square. Join the two together by overlapping it with 3/8in hexagon head bolts and nuts, and washers under both head and nut. The top section should be rounded off. At the top of the mast place a flag truck or a piece of lead to prevent any rain running down the drain of the mast in order to prevent rot. Use No. 12 galvanised iron wire for stays, with one set at the top of the mast and the second at the base of the overlapping joint. To raise the mast join the halliard wires and pass through a pulley on top of a chimney stack or a high tree. Wireless Syllabus. The Wireless Institute syllabus for the year is:— February 28: Visit to ship station. March 14: Annual dinner. 28: Calibration of members' apparatus (Mr. E. A. Burbery). April 11: Annual general meeting; presidential address; election of officers. 25: Members' night, general discussion. May 9: Lecture by Mr. Bartholomew. 23: Lecture by Mr. J. W. S. Jones. June 13: General meeting; travelog by Mr. W. J. Zech. 27: Exhibition of apparatus (Australelectric, Ltd.). July 11: Lecture, "Electrons," Mr. J. F. Wilson. 25: Short papers by members. August 8: General meeting; visitors' night; special lecture. 23: Interference test at 12 words per minute. September 12: Debate on "Purchased v. Home-made Apparatus." 26: Discussion and questions on constructional details; chairman, Mr. H. A. Stowe. October 10: General meeting; lecture by Mr. P. Renshaw. 24: Members' night: general discussion. November 14: Open. 28th: Calibration of members' apparatus (Mr. E. A. Burbery). December 12: General meeting; visitors' night: special lecture. Personal Pars. Mr. H. A. de Dassel, who arrived in Sydney during the week as chief operator on the Largs Bay, left Sydney on the Clan McMaster and joined the new liner in London. He is a Sydney trained main. Three Australians — Messrs. C. W. Donne (chief), T. Britcher (second), and F. A. Noar (third) — are in charge of the wireless installation on the Moreton Bay. Mr. Donne is another of the brilliant operators coached by Mr. Vincent Gardiner at the Marconi School. Mr. H. Fullerton has signed off the Victoria for a holiday. His place is being filled by Mr Duggan, of the Tahiti. The vacancy on the Tahiti has been filled by Mr. E. M. Bain. Mr. Roy Mancer, whose experience on the transport Kyarra was recounted in this column, is now managing the Marconi School in Sydney. Tahiti Does Good Work. R.M S. Tahiti on her last trip to Sydney was in constant communication with San Francisco, over a distance of 3500 miles. Answers to Questions. C. J. C. (North Sydney): As we do not know what kind of apparatus you are using it is impossible to give you the connections. Any wireless man, or any of the shops selling apparatus would only be too pleased to tell you, or you can send us a list. The part you mention can be purchased for about 2s 6d. B. S. (Glebe Point): At your age it should not be hard for you to learn the code. The technical knowledge required for such a set as you would be starting with is practically nil. The cost or everything would be about £5 10s. "IONA SET" (Edgecliff): You certainly would not get any results with a loop aerial. The firm you hint at says that you could get the concerts on a crystal set at the distance, if you use a two-wire aerial 100 feet long and 30 feet high. No tikker would be required in the circuit. EXPERIMENTER (Marrickville): Funabashi, or Chosi, as the station is now, uses the call letters J.J.C. He sends out his time signals At 10 p.m. (Sydney time) on a wave length of 5000 metres. He is a spark station. R. C. M. (Edgecliff): No. 1 is a radio frequency amplying circuit. Signals are much louder providing there are no statics or induction. No. 2 is an audio frequency amplying circuit. Signals are much better than in the other circuit if there is statics or induction. The reason is that the radio frequency circuit amplifies statics much more than audio frequency circuits. You will overcome the insulating difficulty by putting in a grid condenser of .0002 M.F. Send in your questions. The "Evening News" will answer them in this column, which appears every Saturday. Is He Too Young? The following interesting letter has reached us:— "I have been reading the wireless column in the "News," and I want my father to buy me a small set. He thinks I am too young, as I am only eight and a half years. Please let me know if I am too young to have a small set; and will you tell me how much will it cost, as dad has promised to buy me one as soon as I am old enough. Will you please let me know where to get full particulars, because my uncle, who was in the wireless corps in the war, will help me with it if father buys it.— M.C. (Paddington)." The younger you are the better you learn, and the more time you have to learn. We are having full particulars sent you.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118872387 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17,059 New South Wales, Australia 18 February 1922 12 August 2023 2 National Library of Australia 1922 02 25 Fifth "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of Saturday, 25 February 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio News from Everywhere. PREPARING FOR THE WONDER CONCERTS. BY DOTDASH Mr. A. F. Vipan. Photo Caption. There are many wireless operators who have passed through thrilling adventures at sea, but it is doubtful whether any of the present day men have gone as near to death as Mr. Alton Vipan, now at Koo-we-rup station in Victoria. In 1917 he joined the steamer Aparima at Sydney for a voyage through the war zone to England. While steaming along the English Channel young Vipan hardly ever had the 'phone headpiece off, and it was his devotion to duty that nearly brought death to him. The Aparima was hit by a torpedo, which tore such a hole in her hull that she foundered in a few minutes. Vipan stuck to his post with his faithful assistant, wirelessing for help, and warning other vessels of the danger. Despite that the vessel was rapidly sinking, messages were sent and received until the emergency accumulators failed. Then the Aparima took a plunge, carrying to the bottom Vipan and his pal. By some miracle he broke open his cabin door below the water and was washed through the opening to the surface. He still had the 'phones on when the rescue ship picked him up. The assistant was drowned. All this young Australian ever says about this near-to-death adventure is that he was more lucky than his assistant. Time Signals. Have you started checking up the house clocks with the time signals from Eiffel Tower (FL) or Funabashi (JJC)? It Is one sure way of getting Greenwich time. This form of home hobby is attracting many new experimenters, and for their benefit this paragraph is written. Of course the "listener" must not expect time signals to be broadcasted in the same way as an ordinary traffic message. To send only a few words, giving the hour would be of no use to the men at sea, because by the time the message was tapped off the hour would be passed. Therefore, knowing that the clocks aboard ship, and in your home, too, must be accurate, for many varied reasons, a special method has been adopted. Take Funabashi, in Japan, for instance. At 8.59 p.m. (Central Japan standard time), Funabashi sends out dashes for 55 seconds, after which, a suspension of five seconds, is followed by a dash continuing for one second. If you get that dash you know you have the time. While waiting the Japanese stations get busy, and listen to the man at the Eiffel Tower station despatching the international time-signals. If your valves are oscillating at they should be at 8 p.m you might easily catch the time from France, and then later on check it with that sent from Japan. Cheap "B" Batteries. The leading experimenter, Mr. Charles Maclurcan, whose splendidly equipped station at Agnes-street, Strathfield, is the end of all wireless men, has been tackling the high cost of "B" batteries with great success. At a cost of about 10 shillings he has just completed an accumulator "B" battery of 60 volts, which is practically everlasting. It is charged from the 240 volt A.C. house lighting mains through a four-cell electrolytic rectifier, using only half of the A.C. cycle. One charge takes about 10 minutes, and is sufficient for about four hours' continuous working. The battery is made with 30 cells, each consisting of a glass test tube 6 inches by 1 inch. The plates are cut from sheet-lead 7 inches by 1 inch and are curved to fit the shape of the tube. A sheet glass separator is placed between the plates to keep them from short-circuiting. These separators may be cut from old photographic plates. The cell should be placed in some kind of rack made of wood, but before putting them into position it is advisable to melt a little paraffin wax and immerse it in the open end of each tube to a depth of about half an inch, to prevent the acid electroylte from "creeping." When all the tubes, plates, and separators hare been assembled in the holder, fill each tube to within an inch of the top with a weak solution of sulphuric acid and distilled water, specific gravity 1.200. The battery is now ready for charging. It should be charged and discharged several times before being put in commission to "form" the positive plates. To make the rectifier get four pint jam jars and fill with a saturated solution of borax and distilled water. In each jar immerse two plates, one of sheet-lead and one of sheet-aluminium. These plates may be 3 inches by 1½ inch. The four cells are connected in series with one wire of the lighting mains, and then on to the accumulator battery. The other wire of the main passes through a 100 volt 16 c.p. lamp, and then on to the other pole of the battery. The charging rate with the lamp in series is about four amps. For the first charge it does not matter which way the battery is connected as both plates in it are alike. But after the first charge it will be noticed that one plate in each cell has turned a dark chocolate color. This is then the positive plate, and the terminals of the battery should be plainly marked, and always connected the same way, as in the first charging. A drop or two of kerosene put into each cell, both battery and rectifier, prevents undue evaporation of the electrolyte. Out in the Never Never. Out in the Never Never country of New South Wales there are millions of acres of virgin land, calling to settlers; but the loneliness of life is too big a barrier for the city man, and he prefers taking his chances in the big towns. That there is not all the avenues of communication to keep the outback in hourly touch with the rest of the world is the one drawback to the emptying of the city's overflow population. Wireless is the means of solving that problem. Wherever man can live, so this magic ether wave will bring the news which is dailt sought by his brothers in the metropolis. Is there any reason why the telegraph operators in all the way-back towns should not receive daily messages from the city? Wireless enthusiasts say that such a scheme is practicable. Life out there would be made, at least tolerable if wireless was brought into use. The learning of the Morse code is easy enough, and the working of the receiving set can be mastered in a few hours. Then, again, those who are plucky enough to tackle life at the back of beyond could, with the same apparatus, spend the nights listening to musical and vocal items which will be sent out by that wonderful invention — the wireless telephone. Those ether waves are already hovering over the far western plains, loaded with the latest news from all parts of the world. Does anyone want to pick them up? There is a chance for the opening of those vast spaces if wireless is applied. Another Projected Club. The formation of the first military radio club is under consideration by the O.C. 1st Divisional Signal Section (Lieutentant O. F. Mingay). The objective is to create an active interest in radio work generally with reference to its military and amateur application. All members of the wireless section of the 1st Divisional Signals are requested to attend at the Engineers' Depot, Moore Park, on Monday evening next at 7:45, so that the question of a club can be finalised. Classes will be commenced immediately, so that amateurs may obtain instruction in all classes of radio work. Any other trainees of the 1st Division area who are interested, also ex-A.I.F. wireless men, will be welcome. Lieutenant Mingay, who is a member of the Wireless Institute, hopes that in the near future the Military Radio Club will become a section of the institute. He intends having the question of forming sections of the institute in the suburbs and country districts brought up at the next general meeting of members. Music by 'Phone. Are you guessing what wave length will be used to broadcast the wireless concerts and dance music? Many inquiries have been received seeking information on this point, but for obvious reasons the wave length cannot be disclosed just yet. It is not intended however, to spring the good news on the amateurs. This column will give the details of the necessary adjustments in ample time. Miss Nellie Kolle, a telegraphist, and principal boy in pantomime, will be in Sydney within a fortnight, to arrange the vocal programme for the opening concert. She writes:— "Tell the boys I'll soon have the best available talent on the list for the opening night. Won't it be great to sing at Wireless House, and be heard in the home of every experimenter within a radius of 100 miles? My theatrical friends think the idea just wonderful." As soon as Miss Kolle completes her programme. It will be printed first in this column. It is planned that the vocal items will start at 8 p.m., and run through to 10 pm. Bedstead Aerial. Don't worry if you find you have not enough money to purchase an aerial wire. If all your other parts are in good order, just carry them into your bedroom, and connect the receiver with the bedpost. You will get signals all right, for the ether wave is just as active there as in your garden. Just to find how hard it is to shut out the waves, lock the windows, and close the doors. You may go further and withdraw all the air in the room until you create a vacuum, and still the signals will be present. Should you make up your mind to put this extreme test in operation, be sure you get out of the room before the air is withdrawn. Only ether waves — not human beings —can live in a vacuum. Answers to Questions. A.E.W. (Bulli): (1) About 200 miles (2) On long wave lengths only. (3) Whether you will get the concerts depends on the location of your station. Are you surrounded by highlands? You must use proper telephones, of 2000 ohms resistance. Three-ply 22 gauge wire would be better for your aerial. M.M. (Epping): The total cost of the plant you mention should be well under £10. If you will send your full address we will return you full information as to where to get it, price, etc. Certainly it is possible for a woman to operate a receiving set. C.B. (Breeza): The Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia), Limited, 97 Clarence-street, City, will give you a correspondence course. You should become proficient in 12 months. Reader (Chatswood): (1) About 800 miles. (2) Pennant Hills does not send out time signals, but broadcasts a weather report each night (Sundays excepted) at 8.30 p.m. (3) The prices range from 25s to 37s. A good one is the V24 type which takes 28 volts on the plate, and five or six on the filament. B.S. (Glebe): Only too glad to send you the particulars. You should have them by now. BLESSED BY THE POPE. Do you know that Pope Benedict XV. was so impressed with wireless telegraphy that in February, 1916 he officially blessed the science, because of its services to mankind? Radio telegraphy has been the direct means of saving thousands of lives. MISS NELLIE KOLLE, who is organising the vocalists for the wireless concerts.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118881784 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17,065 New South Wales, Australia 25 February 1922 12 August 2023 2 National Library of Australia 1922 03 1922 03 04 Sixth "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of Saturday, 4 March 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio News for the Amateur. NEW CLUBS HELP SCIENCE ALONG. BY DOTDASH MR. HAROLD BUICK. Photo Caption. To be operator on a vessel laden with 3000 tons of high explosives and hear another vessel calling S.O.S. indicating the presence of a U boat, is not an event tending to make one comfortable. Yet that was the experience through which Mr. Harold E. Buik passed when he was on the Aorangi. It was the Falaba that had been hit. She was the first passenger ship torpedoed in the Great War. For the present Mr. Buik has come ashore, and is now chief instructor to the Marconi School in Sydney. He has had 12 years' experience as an operator, and has reached a high standard of proficiency in the theory of wireless. In fact, he is the Fleming of the Sydney Marconi School. Like many other men who take shore jobs, Mr. Buik is an ardent worker in the interests of amateurs, and holds office as president of the North Sydney Radio Club. New Clubs Formed. How wireless experimenting is going ahead may be judged by the enthusiastic gatherings to form clubs in the City and suburbs. This is all good for the enthusiast, for the more he gets together in organised bodies, the more will the authorities sit up and take notice when approached for the inevitable relaxation of restrictions. It has been suggested from some quarters that a large number of clubs will not enable the amateurs to present a united front to authority. But this is wrong, for a conference of delegates from the clubs could easily be arranged. In the meantime clubs are being formed and many are projected. It is a healthy sign, and amateurs would be well advised to join the club in their suburb or district, or get together and form one. We shall need all the organisation we can get when the time comes. A lusty infant is the Metropolitan Radio Club, formed recently by a gathering of over 70 persons. The present intention of this body is to have mixed social and wireless evenings, and the idea seems to be a popular one. Already the membership of the club is nearing the hundred mark, and names are still being entered in its register. The very small subscription is another popular feature. The following office-bearers were appointed by the meeting:— President, R. C. Marsden; secretary, A. Mitchell; treasurer, Miss F. V. Wallace; committee, W. G. Best, W. Bird, and P. Sewell. Another recently formed body is the North Sydney Radio Club. There are many amateurs on the "Shore," and their support is bound to make the club a success. Its officers are:— President, H. E. Buik; vice-president, C. McClure; treasurer. J. O'Brien; secretary, M. Rich; committee, C. Lisle, Parker, and R. Vautier. Particulars as to membership of the North Sydney Club may be obtained from the secretary, "Wimmera," Alfred-street, North Sydney. The Wireless Telephone. The telephone to be used for transmitting human voices for the wireless concerts at the end of this month is a wonderful apparatus enclosed in a cabinet about the size of a piano. Singing into a trumpet-like arrangement, the voice reaches the microphone, and then a powerful valve (type MT4) is actuated by the vibrations from the microphone. These vibrations in turn are sent on to the aerial and radiated by means of electric waves, which are identical in character to the vibrations set up in the microphone by the human voice. The receiving apparatus reverses this process. The aerial in your garden picks up these waves, which are rectified by receiving valves. It is in the telephones that the great transformation takes place. From the vibrations passed on by the valves the telephone reproduces the human voice. So that, although the voice at the other end has been carried through space for, say 100 miles, without being heard, it reaches your home just as perfect as it was spoken into the transmitter. Function of Detector. Do you know why your telephones cannot be connected direct to the aerial? This is a point often raised by beginners who are at all times looking for cheapness in costs of installations. The reason it cannot be done is that the electrical vibrations, when first picked up by the aerial, have too high a frequency for the human ear to detect. It becomes necessary, therefore, to rectify them, or to reduce the rate of vibration to an audible frequency. The human ear is most sensitive to a frequency of 900 vibrations a second. When it is remembered that the frequency, if the telephones were direct on to the aerial, would be 500,000, it will be readily seen that an enormous reduction has to be made before the signals can be read. A Condenser Hint. Mr. Chas. Maclurcan gives a hint to experimenters:— When making or purchasing a variable air condenser for the receiving set, it is of utmost importance to know the minimum as well as the maximum capacity, and to choose an instrument with as low a minimum as possible. Now that honeycomb coils and other like forms of concentrated inductances have become so popular, a number of coils can be saved provided the tuning condensers have a large difference between maximum and minimum capacity. For example:— Take a condenser having a maximum capacity of .001 m.f. and a minimum of .0001 m.f., shunting a honeycomb coil of 30,000,000 cms. inductance. The circuit will tune from 3300 metres wave-length to 10,320 metres. If, however, a condenser having the same maximum capacity but a minimum of .00002 is used, then this same coil will tune from 1460 metres up to 10,320 metres. Therefore, when constructing a variable condenser make sure that the plates separate at least quarter inches when in the minimum position. Wireless Compass. Wireless has been applied to another sphere tor the saving of life. A modernly-equipped vessel nowadays carries a wireless compass, which in the event of a failure in taking sights, enables the skipper to get his true bearings. The working of this compass is simple. Supposing two ships become "lost" in a fog, the operators would be able to keep the masters posted with the exact position of each, and so avoid the risk of collision. Then again a vessel entering port in thick weather can take her bearings from a land station, and in conjunction with the usual soundings would be ensured a safe passage. The Italian warship Libia, now in Sydney Harbor, carries a wireless compass. It is at present being overhauled by Amalgamated Wireless Limited. Radio Personalities. Every time you hear V.L.A. (Awanui, N.Z.). Just think kindly of the operator, Mr. Jack L. Davies, one of the most popular wireless men in Australasia. He provides amateurs in Sydney with a great amount of practice in receiving, and his excellent timing and spacing makes it easy to read his signals. During his career in New Zealand he has been officer in charge at Wellington (V.L.W.), Auckland (V.L.D.), Awarua (V.L.B.), and Chatham Islands (V.L.C.). When the New Zealand troops took possession of Apia (V.M.G.), Mr. Davies was officer in charge of the radio station there. The station at Apia is the connecting link from Samoa to the international telegraph system, via Awanui, or alternatively Suva. There are no cables at Samoa, so wireless does the job. Mr. Malcolm Perry, formerly secretary to the Wireless Institute (N.S.W. Division) is now handling the Experimental Wireless Department of Australectric, Limited. For many years an advanced student in radiotelegraph, and the possessor of the finest amateur serial in Australasia, Mr. Perry is ever ready to assist amateurs. Out of the ever changing register of ships and operators, the following were noticed this week. A. S. Smith, to the Canberra; D. T. Quinn, to the Cooma; F. Ouvrier to the Australglen; J. A. Guy to the Australmead; H. Fullerton, to the Makambo; W. Hill, to the Australbrook; H. L. Byrne, to the Koolonga; and V. M. Brooker, to the Bulls. Cheap "B" Batteries. Mr. C. Maclurcan, Strathfield, writes: — in printing the description of the accumulator "B" battery in your last Saturday's issue there was a slight error. The charging rate should be point 4 amps, instead of 4 amps., as printed. Enthusiast (Newtown): (a) We would suggest a complete crystal set. (b) About £5, excluding aerials, which should cost about 10s. (c) No course would be necessary. Your best plan would be to join an amateur Radio club, or get the full information from the place where you purchase a set. There are many good books on elementary radio telegraphy. (d) By mixing and talking with experimenters at a club, for instance. What little there is to learn for a start you would soon pick up. (e) The law is that you must have an experimenter's license. Application should be made to the Director of Radio Telegraphy, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. You should not approach the science with awe just because it is "wireless." J. B. (Ashfield): Your circuit looks all right, and the only reason for your trouble would seem to be your aerials. Have you made sure that they touch nothing when they sway in the wind? Have a look at the lead-in wire too, and tighten both. The solution should be made by dissolving as much borax as possible in the distilled water. K. W. (Quaker's Hill): We would advise you to start with a crystal set. With regard to the price we are sending you lists. There are many works on wireless telegraphy; any one giving the fundamental principles should be of use to you. The Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia), Limited, 97 Clarence-street, Sydney, will give you information about the school. You should become proficient in the time mentioned. The first article appeared in the "Evening News" of Saturday, January 28 last, and every Saturday since. Enthusiast (Sydney): You will have to apply for a license, and it will cost you, if granted, £2. Application should be made to the Director of Radio Telegraphy, Postmaster-General's Department, Melbourne. The distance from which you will receive messages depends on your set. Your aerials will be quite efficient if properly constructed and set up. In America the authorities encourage amateurs in radiotelegraphy. In Australia, hard and fast rules retard the experimenter. Result: America, 250,000 amateurs; Australia, 900. The set with which the wireless concerts are to be sent out. Photo Caption.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118860426 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17,071 New South Wales, Australia 4 March 1922 12 August 2023 2 National Library of Australia 1922 03 11 Seventh "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of Saturday, 11 March 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio News from Everywhere. A SYDNEY K.C. EXPERIMENTER. BY DOTDASH MR. VINCENT GARDINER Sales Manager for Amalgamated Wireless, Limited, who is also an expert in radiotelegraphy. Photo Caption. Few wireless operators in the Australian mercantile marine have had more practical experience than Mr. Vincent Gardiner, now sales manager for Amalgamated Wireless, Limited, of Sydney. He made his first voyage in the Allen Liner, Victorian (13,000 tons), as far back as 1911. For a year he was on the Atlantic run, and during that time passed through some terrifically bad weather. Once on the Lake Manitoba, one of the worst storms on record raged, and the liner was eight days overdue on a 10 days' voyage. Leaving the service of the Marconi International Company, Mr. Gardiner joined the Union Company's steamer Maunganui, and was operator of that vessel when she made her maiden voyage to Australia. Since then he has sailed in the Tahiti, Ulimaroa, Niagara, Paloona, Dorset, and Indarra. During his service at sea Mr. Gardiner travelled 186,000 miles, which, by the way, is the exact distance covered by an ether wave in a second. Coming ashore from the Indarra, he became instructor at the Marconi School in Sydney. Some of the school's most successful operators have to thank Mr. Gardiner for coaching them through to the "A" class ticket. Not only did this much-travelled operator learn the mysteries of wireless. At the British School of Telegraphy, in London, he took a complete course in land telegraphy, cablegraphy, and automatic Wheatstone operating. King's Counsel Experiments. Among wireless enthusiasts Mr. Frank Leverrier, K.C., is considered to be the first wireless experimenter in Australia. He commenced experiments away back in March, 1900, just 22 years ago. Those were the days when little was known about wireless, and text books were not available. An "Evening News" representative enjoyed a visit to his station, Waverley, and could not help being struck by Mr. Leverrier's original ideas. He makes and designs all his own ap-paratus. His first detectors consisted of oxidised steel points, balancing on polished sheet steel. With this he used to experiment, transmitting signals from his billiard-room to the workshop. As the years progressed, Mr. Leverrier operated with coherers, magnetic, electrolytic and crystal detectors, and is now busy constructing a six-valve resistance coupled set, using Marconi V.24 valves. Mr. Leverrier was the first president of the Wireless Institute, which he as-sisted in forming in March, 1910, and it is an honor to New South Wales that the first institute of its kind in the whole of the British Empire should be formed in this State. The King's Counsel has now joined forces with his son, Frank, and it was interesting hearing father and son discussing together the type of apparatus that might be used 10 years hence. A Radio Dinner. Once a year the Wireless Institute has a night out. It is a very proper night, however. The occasion is the annual dinner. This year it is to be held at the Pekin Cafe, and the night is next Tuesday. Representatives of all radio clubs will be present. Invitations have been sent to men prominent in the study of the science of wireless. The menu shows how lovers of wireless cling to technical terms. The bill of fare is:— Iron Cored Olives in Oil Condensers. Oscillating Oysters on Short Circuited Cells. Static Soup with Grid Leeks. Aerial Fish with Resistance Scales (adjustable Diaphragms necessary for Receiver). Poulet Roti Jambon de York Pommes Pailles. C.Q. Q.R.U. Watts this? Earthed Asparagus. Charlotte Russe on Contact Studs. Amalgamated Fruit. Terminal Coffee without X's. Sundries.— Cutout Champagne in Crystal Cups, Variable Beer, Knives and Forks free, Hook Ups 2 mfds extra. There is to be some speeches, too, the toast list being:— "The King;" "The Institute," proposed by Mr. Tatham, responded to by president; "Kindred Societies," proposed by Mr. Wilson, responded to by Mr. Marsden (Met. Radio Club), Mr. Bowman (Waverley Club), Mr. Buik (North Syd-ney Club); "Visitors," proposed by Mr. Perry; "Officers of the Institute," proposed by Mr. Flynn, responded to by Messrs. Renshaw and Stowe. Military Radio Club. Discussion centred in a proposition for forming one big Military Radio Club at the last meeting of that body. It is proposed to invite the wireless sections of the First, Second, and Cavalry Divisions to join up. The prospective membership is 140. In addition many trainees and ex-military wireless men may be expected to link up. Lieutenant Mingay wants it known that the movement was started with the idea of encouraging the use of radio by amateurs. The following are the objects suggested: — To increase by voluntary effort the efficiency of the military radio sections. To promote the knowledge of all members in the art and science of radio work. To promote classes. To establish a library. To assist, by mutual effort, every member to possess his own radio set. It is further aimed that classes be held on three or four nights each week for lectures and buzzer practice. A lecture will be delivered on Monday night at the Engineers' Depot, Moore Park. Concert Time. Wireless concert time is approaching. It can now be definitely stated that the apparatus which will be used to send out the concerts will be ready to undergo trials within 10 days, so that by about the end of the month the first programme should be transmitted. The wave length, the all-important factor to the amateur, who is going to listen in, is still a secret, but the veil will be lifted through this column next Saturday. In the meantime overhaul your aerial, clean the connections, test the 'phones, and be patient. Sensitive Receivers. In selecting telephones, the amateur should make sure of securing the most sensitive receiver. There are many makes on the market, but only one with an adjustable diaphragm. That is the product of the S. G. Brown Company, of London, and is recognised as the most sensitive of all. If you should be using Brown's, there are several points to remember. First of all place the 'phones on your head, and turn the milled-head screw to the right, until a metallic click is heard. Then turn the screw back about an eighth of an inch until a "breathing" sound is audible. You know then the adjustment is correct. Dignity and Impudence. Hillcrest, San Francisco, always was a particularly busy station, as every operator who has been on the Pacific Coast knows. One night, not long back, 'Frisco had been clearing all his coastwise traffic, and his sing-song spark seemed to breathe an air of "thank goodness" when midnight came with no ships calling. The operator then settled down to "work" the steamer Shinyo Maru, inward bound from Honolulu, about 1800 miles off. "Traffic" was being speedily handled, when K.P.H. (Hillcrest) was upset by a little coaster, which was right under his aerials, and couple of miles off, calling on K.P.H., KPH. To make matters worse, the coaster was making bad weather, and at times her signals stopped as she rolled. K.P.H. told him to keep quiet. Still the coaster came back with K.P.H., K.P.H. "Oh!" wirelessed K.P.H., "get out." But the man on the little craft would not be shaken off, so he again called up the big station. Then, K.P.H. proceeded to tell him, in the plainest American, what he thought, and finished up by pleading to the crew of the coaster to look to the aerials. "Get on the roof, you son of a gun; get on the roof," flashed from Hillcrest. Then an awful silence ensued. The operator on the small vessel had got the message right. The big station then began to let go the full force of the great 25 K.W. station right into the ears of the "little fellow," who was distant about two miles. The clanging of those signals in his telephones was more than he could stand, and he went into harbor without again calling anyone. Refused £1000 a Year Grant. There are some men who put science first and monetary considerations second. One is Professor Branley, the well-known French experimenter. He was recently asked to accept a grant of £1000 a year in recognition for what he has done in the interests of wireless telegraphy. The request was from the Chamber of Deputies (French Government). Just 30 years ago Branley devised the coherer, an appliance for detecting ether waves. He discovered that these waves had the power of affecting the electric conductivity of materials when in the state of a powder. Amplifier Hint. Mr. Charles Maclurcan, Strathfield, writes:— "Many experimenters are frequently disappointed with results when they make their first attempts with transformer coupled audio-frequency amplifiers. Often they state that signals are not as loud as with a single valve. "Let them try the simple expedient of reversing the filament battery, which may result in a surprising increase in signal strength. Remember always to place the filament resistance in the positive lead, and join the negative lead to the negative side of the "B" or high-tension battery." Good Old Stand-by. There is one piece of apparatus, that has always been a "lovable" pal to experimenters. It is the loose coupler. Starting, as all amateurs do, with the crystal, the loose coupler is a necessary part of the apparatus for accurate tuning, and, unlike many other appliances, has not to be discarded when, as you progress, you change over to tbe more up-to-date method of reception by the valves. The function of the coupler is to pro-vide variable coupling between the aerial and detector circuits. It also enables the perfection of tuning. In valve circuits it may also be used as a tickler coil. Experience has proved that it is advisable not to completely envelop the secondary coil with the first. The best results are obtained generally when the primary covers half, or even less, of the secondary. The wave length of the coupler can easily be increased by the addition of induction, and variable condensers. Questions Answered. To S. INGRAM (Brookvale): If you increase the length of your aerial another 50 feet and raise it 20 feet, the signals will come in much stronger. Solder your earth connections. You will increase the wave length by inserting inductance in the aerial circuit, and by connecting a condenser in parallel to the secondary inductance. You would get signals much stronger if you inserted another condenser in series with the aerial circuit, as more exact tuning would then be obtained. Galena is the best crystal to use. To "BEGINNER" (Rose Bay): You can obtain the apparatus from Amalgamated Wireless, Ltd., 97 Clarence-street, Sydney. The coat is about £10. Don't! If your licence is for a crystal receiver, don't use valves. The risk of detection is too great, and so is the penalty.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118863733 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17,077 New South Wales, Australia 11 March 1922 12 August 2023 2 National Library of Australia 1922 03 18 Eighth "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of Saturday, 18 March 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. RADIO NEWS FOR AMATEURS. Wave Length for Concerts. BY DOTDASH MR. E. A. BURBURY Acting technical superintendent Amalgamated Wireless, Limited, who tests all amateur apparatus. Photo Caption. Standing to the forefront of Australia's experts in wireless telegraphy is Mr. E. A. Burbury, acting technical superintendent of Amalgamated Wireless, Limited. He is the man behind the scenes who is the backbone of the movement to bring to success a great army of amateur experimenters. Every piece of apparatus that the amateur uses is tested by him before it goes on to the market, and that accounts for signals being received on the first attempt. In 1911 Mr. Burbury was an amateur experimenter in Tasmania. Two years later he joined the marine staff of Amalgamated Wireless, and from that year he made great advancement in the science of radiotelegraphy. While in China, in 1917, Mr. Burbury fitted up the troopship Hermelin, and then became operator on the vessel. For two years he was trading between the East and Mesopotamia. That job through, he went to the Marconi works in Chelmsford (Eng.), and studied the latest apparatus, so that he could assist in the manufacture of the parts in Australia. Last year he went to Victoria, and under his supervision Koo-we-rup station was established. All the experience gained in these years of practical study is now freely passed on to amateurs. Mr. Burbury is truly the amateur's best friend. Signals by Taste. Will the wonders of wireless ever cease? Something new is always turning up, and no one man in the whole world can say just where or when the limit of possibility is going to be reached. Even the days of the aerial for catching the mystery waves are numbered. The human tongue may take the place of the wires. Tests have been made to determine the feasibility of reception of wireless signals by the sense of taste. Preliminary experiments with low-potential direct current, 60-cycle alternating current, and buzzer signals, showed that by using electrodes placed on the tip of the tongue it was possible to receive signals when the audibility of the signals was greater than 500. The possible speed of reception is limited to a maximum of 10 words a minute, because of the characteristics of the taste organs. Results show that it is possible to receive signals in this way, but that the method is very much inferior to methods making use of the sense or hearing or of sight. Date of Concerts. The date of the first wireless concert will be announced in this column next Saturday. That the innovation will be appreciated by all amateurs is evident from the number of letters reaching this office, and seeking particulars. It has been arranged that the concerts will be sent out strong enough to be heard by amateurs up to 100 miles from the city, while as far as 300 miles should be spanned at sea. The dance is going to be the thing. Already requests have been made by amateurs, anxious to arrange a home dance, for the publication of the time of transmitting each item, so that the families may be ready. There is no need for such information, however, for the whole of the programme will be called by a human voice in every home. The man operating will first introduce the performer, give the title of the item, and then allow a minute or two for final adjustment. It is intended to intermingle vocal items with the dance music, on the first night, so that those who do not jazz may meet in the homes of the amateurs, and enjoy the novelty of listening to a singer who may be a hundred miles away. For a start, a programme to fill in an hour and a half will be prepared. Later on this will be added to, until the amateur will have two or three hours free music on three or four nights a week. Valves are expensive, yet to be without one is to put yourself out of range with the long-distance stations, where the good news comes from. The best advice that can be given to preserve valves is to take care. Fool proof devices have not yet been made for the prevention of burning out valve filaments, and the same may be said of an ordinary electric light. A resistance, in series with the filament of the valve is commonly used, but have you ever tried using filament fuses? These can be purchased in Sydney. "As It Should Be." It was in the young and palmy days of wireless. He had never attended a wireless school, for there weren't any, consequently his theory was what an operator would call "wonky." After spending a few months on a Telefunken set, he was transferred to a Marconi apparatus, and right there his troubles commenced. His first night on watch, he had occasion to call V.I.S. (Sydney), which in those days was P.O.S. The moment he pressed the key, he had the fright of his life. A deafening crack across the earth arrester did it. Never having heard such a row on his Telefunken set, he acquainted P.O.S. of the "discovery." P.O.S., like a good chap, told him to take off the top plate and clean it. He did. The result was a louder crack. P.O.S. thereupon said:— "Well, old man, I hear you O.K. so carry on to Cairns and report the trouble on arrival." "Right oh. Thanks," came as a reply. So he carried on. At a northern port he compared notes with other Marconi operators, and found that all of the ships sparked in the same place. So they mutually agreed that things were as they should be. Meanwhile P.O.S. was quite concerned, and made inquiries. Then he wirelessed the following message to his comrade: P.O.S. to —. "Say, old man, no need to report about that noise. It should spark there." —, to P.O.S.: "Thanks. Three other ships do the same, so it must spark there to work." P.O.S. to —: O.K., Q.R.U. — to P.O.S.: Thanks, G.Bi." Transmitting Licenses. If the Governments of Canada and America can see much good in issuing transmitting licenses to amateurs, why should Australians not be similarly treated? It cannot be said that the amateur in this country is less brainy than his fellow experimenters oversea, for results prove that even with the drastic restrictions in Australia, wonderful results are obtained. Out of the hundreds of amateurs in this State, only two have been able to get permission to instal a transmitting set. In other countries, where wireless has long been a tremendous factor in communication, thousands of experimenters may transmit. Of course, they are not allowed to use any standard wave-length, so that they never interfere with traffic work. The Canadian authorities give the amateur his choice of wave lengths. It must, however, be either 50 metres or 200 metres. The latter is as much as any experimenter wants, for in a recent test on a 200 metre wave length, an amateur sent a message across the Atlantic. When the Commonwealth Government eases up a bit on the present restrictions wireless will become a household word in Australia. Dry Cells Recharged. Do you know that dry cells can be recharged? Such is not generally known to the amateur, but it is, nevertheless, easy of accomplishment. During the war, dry cells were refreshed by injecting water through the gas vents into the depolarizer. The cells were also charged like accumulators, with some success. Should you decide to experiment on these lines, this is what you must do. First take the cell to pieces, clean it, patch up the zinc, if possible, and charge ten cells in series, by a current of 0.2 amp on a 24 volt circuit for 20 hours; the electrolyte is water to which ammonium chloride is added. Continued experiments, with 12,000 cells showed that a prolongation of twelve months, and even longer was obtained. The general opinion is that the electrolytic charging is probably responsible for not more than 10 per cent. of the success, since very good results are obtained where no means of electrolytic charging are available. Some telegraph stations during the war had to rely on cells regenerated by one of these methods. Military Association. The Military Radio Association has been formed. Headed by such keen workers as Colonel J. E. Fraser, D.S.O. (provisional president), and Mr. O. F. Mingay (secretary), it is sure to succeed. The first of a series of lectures dealt with military radio communication in Palestine and Syria, and was delivered by Major D. F. Farrow (chief signal instructor). It future lectures are as instructive as the opening one, the association should have "full houses" on every meeting night. The secretary can be communicated with either at the Returned Soldiers' League, 118 Pitt-street, or by telephone to Wahroonga 733. Questions Answered To Misses McCarthy (Randwick): Yes, you should soon become proficient in the reading of signals. If you have any difficulty with apparatus, write. To J. C. (Junee): Aerial arrangements are O.K., but you would get better results if you MYSTERY WAVE LENGTH: The wireless telephone concerts will be broadcasted on a 1100 metre wave length. Be ready. GUIDE FOR AMATEURS. To help amateurs the "Evening News," in its shipping news column, publishes daily the call signals of all vessels within wireless range.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118866375 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17,083 New South Wales, Australia 18 March 1922 12 August 2023 2 National Library of Australia 1922 03 25 Ninth "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of Saturday, 25 March 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. RADIO NEWS FOR AMATEURS. Programme for Wireless Concert. BY DOTDASH Did you catch those mysterious musical notes on Saturday night? The wireless concerts have not actually started, but the first trial has been held, and was a complete success. The wave used was as stated in this column, 1100 metres — but it will not be used again. In fixing the 1100 metres, it was thought that such would make it impossible to interfere with traffic work, but there was a slight interference, and if you have adjusted your apparatus on those lines, just alter it to work on 1250. Some of the advanced experimenters had wonderful results on the trial, notwithstanding the date had been kept secret. They knew the wave metre, however, and stood by night after night ready to catch anything that may be going. It came on Saturday night. That the concerts are going to be a success is undoubted, and reports show that the full programme used on trial night was heard up to 150 miles away from the city. Here are the results and opinions of some of those who were lucky:— Mr. Leverrier, K.C.: Good; signals roared in, friends entertained and pleased, concert a great success. E. T. Vears, Katoomba: Caruso record exceptionally fine. F. Marsden, Waverley: The singing of Mr. Cotterill was fine and clear. C. Maclurcan, Strathfield: Great success. The next programme, to be sent out Wednesday, will be:— 7.30 p m — First item, Band Selection, by the Coldstream Guards Band. Song, "Somewhere a Voice is Calling," by Hubert Eisdel. Vocal selection by Benin Segna from Il Trovatore. Song by Mr. R. G. Cotterill, "Mary." Vocal selection by Challapine, "The Death of Boris." Vocal selection by Lee Slezak, from the opera, "Il Trovatore." Vocal selection by Signor Caruso from "La Boheme." Band selection by the Coldstream Guards Band. Interval of five minutes. Vocal selection by John McCormack from "La Boheme." Song by Morgan Kingston, "I Hear You Calling Me." Vocal selection by Signor Caruso from "Pagliacci." Song by Mr. R. Cotterill, "Mother Machree." Song by Morgan Kingston,"Parted." God Save the King. Radio Club Busy. North Sydney Radio want to be the best equipped club in Australia. To merely receive messages is not enough for its members. Application has been made for permission to transmit, so that the members may become proficient in all that should be known by an operator. If the club succeeds in getting a license it may be the commencement of big things for the amateurs. As pointed out in this column last week, the Commonwealth Government is strictly opposed to the granting of transmitting licenses, but that has not deterred the club. The members have read all about the liberality of the Canadian and American Governments, and they know that in America over a quarter of a million amateurs nightly transmit. The granting of a transmitting license is the one thing that remains to be gained by the amateurs to bring the science in Australia up to the level of other countries. The brains are here, the opportunity is wanted. What Next? Here is the latest in time signals. In Paris watchmakers and jewellers have found that wireless time signals can be received with such accuracy that 1500 of them have installed small wireless outfits to catch the time sent from Eiffel Tower. They get the time at 10 o'clock, and right away check up the clocks. The installation is simplicity itself. The outfit, about 9 inches in diameter, is hung on a nail on the wall. Copper wire running down to the cellar, or along a water or gas pipe, serves as a ground wire while the removal of the bulb from an ordinary electric light, and the insertion of a contact plug take the place of antennae. The whole of this adjustment occupies but five minutes. Not only will this minature outfit bring in time signals. A recent test was made, and all the Press matter that went out from the Eiffel Tower station was brought into those 1500 jewellers' shops clear, clean, and easy to read. Oh, That Telephone! China has caught the habit — the wireless telephone habit. Professor C. H. Robertson, a noted American lecturer, says so. He recently completed a six months' demonstrating tour through China and Japan. On the first day of his experiment the Celestials at Shanghai were amazed at what he did. When they heard him enter into an intelligible conversation with some mysterious individual in empty space, they believed that some new devil had entered their midst. The news of this "wonder man" spread rapidly, and at one time he had an audience of 15,000 natives. Before he left the city his lectures on the wireless telephone had been listened to by an aggregate of 300,000 people. 'Frisco Shows the Way. It takes America to do things on a big scale. Other countries have been delving into the wireless 'phone business, and all out after records. Then San Francisco got busy. Special preparations were made tor the sending across land of a lengthy musical programme the aim being to give an entertainment to people 1000 miles away. This may seem an impossible area to span on the telephone, but it was accomplished. As far down as Edmonton, 1400 miles, every item on the programme was distinctly heard. The success over such a great distance is the envy of Sydney wireless men, and they look forward to the day when nightly concerts will be exchanged between West Australia and Sydney and other long-distant points of the Commonwealth. It can be done. All it needs is an inducement. Hint on Telephony. Mr. Charles Maclurcan, Strathfield, gives a hint to those using valves to receive the wireless telephone concerts. In order to receive telephony without distortion it is essential that the valve should not be oscillating. At the same time, if the signals are at all weak, the coupling of the reaction, or "tickler" coil must be as tight as possible. In short, the valve should be "just not" oscillating. It is most important that there should be no so-called "overlap" in the reactance coupling. That is, supposing you begin with the coupling loose, and the valve not oscillating, now tighten the coupling slowly till oscillation starts. Note the position of the coil then slowly loosen the coupling again. It there be no "overlap" then oscillation will cease when the coil is in exactly the same position as it was when oscillation commenced. This condition is what you should aim at and can only be brought about by correct design of reactance coil and by skilful adjustment of both "A" and "B" battery. When you have the apparatus thus functioning correctly a very desirable addition is a very small, variable condenser (say, two fixed and two movable plates, connected across the reactance coil. This will give a much finer adjustment than can be obtained by altering the coupling alone. Addition of capacity is equivalent to tightening the coupling. A Black Out. He was a new operator, and his ship was making an Australian port. He had traffic for the big station there, and got it through all right; but he struck trouble when the man on shore tapped out the reply. Here is the conversation:— Ship to Shore: "Increase your signals, cannot get you." The man on shore shoved up the power until he was within a little of his maximum; but still the ship could not get him. Again came a request: "Increase your signals." This fairly got the shore station. "I'm shoving it all in, and throwing 5 K.W. at you; all that I've got left to chuck at you are a few coils; and if you don't get me right now, out they go, too." That ended it. The rest was a black out, and nothing further was heard from that ship. Personals. Mr. George Williams, a popular assistant instructor at the Marconi schools, is having a run of bad luck. A week ago he was well and hearty. Today he is seriously ill with pneumonia, and is a patient at the Coast Hos-pital, Little Bay. Mr. N. W. Marshall, operator on the Urilla, has come ashore to take up Mr. Williams' duties at the school. One of Sydney's most popular wireless men, Mr. Vincent Gardiner, has broken down in health. He has gone out west to recuperate. More students at the Marconi School have succeeded in their examination for class certificates. The latest batch includes Messrs. B. N. Taylor, C. L. G. Cofey, C. L. Dawe, and L. E. Ashby. Mr. T. Alexander is now the first wire-less officer on the Bakara. He changed over from the Boorara. The Moira's operator is now Mr. E. T. Prentice. Before the Hobson's Bay left London three Australian wireless operators joined the ship for the voyage to Sydney. Mr. G. Maxwell took up Position No. 1, with Messrs. L. C. Farnsworth and G. T. Davies, as second and third operators respectively. Questions Answered. To Beginner (Bankstown): £10 will get you the necessary apparatus. Inquire at Amalgamated Wireless, 97 Clarence-street. To Miss Thompson ("Arcadia," Strathfield): By adding a variable condenser in your primary circuit, you will get the desired results. To J. H. Constable (Byron-street, Coogee): (1) Yes. (2) No. Your circuit is audio frequency. (3) No. To W. C. Pyne (Ranfurly-road, Double Bay): (1) Apply P.M.G.'s Department, Melbourne. (2) Will advise you through these columns as soon as full information is available. To A. T. Coghlan (Tasmania): (1) You can sit for examination if you are 18 years of age or more. (2) Examinations held frequently. (2) No difficulty in obtaining experimental license. To L. C. Donovan (Manly): The answer to your question last week was quite clear. It is quite evident that your inability to receive signals is the result of a dirty connection. SOMETHING TO DO. If every experimenter will write the Federal M.P. for his district, and urge that transmitting licences be granted to experimenters, the Government may relax existing restrictions. Try it, anyhow. MR. MALCOLM PERRY one of the keenest experimenters in the State, is now attached to the Experimental Wireless Department of Australectic, Limited. He was secretary to the Wireless Institute of Australia from 1911 to 1921, and is now treasurer. He commenced experimenting in radio telegraphy in 1905, when a demonstration was given before the headquarters in the science room at the Sydney Grammar School.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118871595 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17,089 New South Wales, Australia 25 March 1922 12 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 04 1922 04 01 Tenth "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of Saturday, 1 April 1922 MAGIC SPARK. Radio News for Amateurs. BIG THINGS MOVING. By DOT DASH The wireless amateur in Australia is a patient sufferer, hedged in by many unnecessary regulations and restrictions. The Government "stings" them for £2 per year for a receiving license, and when asked for permission to transmit, holds up its hands in horror, so to speak. But constant dripping will wear away a stone, and a drip in the form of the Wireless Institute has been steadily at work. There are now signs that the opposition is so worn that it may break at any moment. Big things are moving: the amateur may be assured of that, and those "in the know" say that six months will see many pleasant relaxations. It is probable that properly controlled transmission will be allowed; and receiving license fees reduced. The future is full of promise. Mr. Stowe. Photo Caption. Mr. H. H. Stowe has been experimenting since 1908, and his apparatus is good enough to pick up signals from all parts of the world. He is a foundation member of the Wireless Institute, and has played a prominent part in its progress. Mr. Stowe possesses a thorough knowledge of wireless theory, and his services are always at the disposal of fellow experimenters. Metropolitan Club. The general meeting of the Metropolitan Radio Club was held at the Persian Gardens Tea Rooms, Pitt-street, Sydney, last week, when about 70 enthusiasts turned up. The attendance would probably have been much higher, but a radio concert was being broadcast the same night, and many experimenters stayed at home to hear it. Those who attended the meeting, however, did not miss much. The ???? president, Mr. R. C. Marsden, sought permission from the authorities to take his single valve set. Willing hands strung a couple ???? the room, and soon ???? listening to the music ???? sent out from Wireless House, Clarence-street. After accepting the club's rules, the president read to a paper by Mr. P. Sewell on "Single-valve Circuits," and a lecture by Mr. F. Swinburne on "Honeycombe Coils." Musical items and a bit of good advice by the president (who stressed the necessity of experimenters getting receiving licenses) the gathering dispersed. The officers of the club are fully alive to their work, and members are promised something interesting at future meetings. The club's suggestion and question box is at Miss Wallace's wireless shop, 18 Royal Arcade. It it is desired that members make full use of it. The Concerts. Experimenters were provided with another treat on Wednesday night, in the form of a concert sent out by the Amalgamated Wireless from their Clarence-street premises. For an hour and a-half there was radiated a programme of good vocal and musical items. A feature of the evening was an address to the unseen audience by Mr. Phil Renshaw, secretary of the Wireless Institute. So far, the concerts are still in the experimental stages, and those running the entertainments are determined to get the best results obtainable, for the benefit of the amateur. One drawback to the successful sending out of concerts is the aerial on top of the wireless house. It is so situated that a deal of the energy radiated from it is absorbed by the iron roof of a nearby building. This point is engaging attention and something will be done in the near future. Meanwhile, good reports concerning the reception of the concerts continue to come to hand. Owing to various work having to be done to the sending apparatus, the next trial concert will not be sent out till next week, probably Wednesday. Institutes Gets a Home. The Wireless Institute of Australia (N.S.W. division) goes into a new home today. A portion of Queen's Chambers, Dalley-street, City, was secured, and it is the intention of the council of the Institute to make a comfortable meeting-place for members. There will be a library, and buzzer sets will be installed to give members practice. A series of elementary lecture, for the benefit of the younger members, will be started shortly. Another feature will be the installation of of a complete transmitting and receiving set, for which a license has already been applied. The Institute will then work with branches in other States, and members, who have transmitting sets. The divisions of the Institute in West Australia and Victoria already have transmitting apparatus, and the South Australian body has an application in for permission to send. Mr. P. Renshaw, hon. secretary of N.S.W. division, wishes members to remember that the Institute's technical committee is always ready to assist them. Inquiries sent to him will be promptly handed on. Crystal Detector Hints. Mr. Charles Maclurcan (Strathfield) gives a few hints to crystal detector users:— Avoid as far as possible touching the crystal with the bare fingers. The greasy deposit from the hand detracts from its sensitiveness. A crystal that has apparently lost its sensitiveness may often be revived by scrubbing it thoroughly with an old tooth brush dipped in benzine. Many crystals function quite well without a local battery, nevertheless, the addition of such a battery and potentiometer increases the sensitiveness of practically all crystals. As it is extremely important that the current from the battery should flow in a certain direction, the connections to it should be reversed during the reception of signals to find the correct polarity. The same effect may be obtained by simply turning the crystal about in its holder and leaving it where loudest signals are obtained. Military Association. The first general meeting of the Military Radio Association will be held on Monday next at the Engineers' Depot, Moore Park, when the constitution as passed by the sub-committee will be presented for adoption. The members will be asked to elect the following office-bearers: President, three vice-presidents, secretary, and six committeemen. Mr. O. F. Mingay, who is acting secretary of the association, states that class rooms have been set apart at the Engineers' Depot for the use of members. It is specially desired that any military man interested in radio work will attend the meeting on Monday, when the proposals for the future, including the arrangements for the installing of a club transmitting and receiving set, will be set out. Personal. Mr. Phil Renshaw, secretary to the Wireless Institute, is going to ???? for a holiday. The "man of the moment," Mr E. A. Burbury, of the Technical Department of Amalgamated Wireless, Ltd. is holidaying. Operators appointed during the past days to the ships shown against the respective names are:— A. F. Lawrence, Moeraki; J. B. Ponsonby, ????; H. F. Harman, Carina; V. E. Stark, Iron Monarch; E. McPherson, Kodonga?? Tuning for Concerts. "Inductance" (North Sydney) writes: The concerts are great and myself and many of my pals are getting them splendidly. I venture, however, to make a suggestion. It is this: That prior to all concerts, at a given time, five minutes of v's be sent out for tuning purposes. This was done on the first and subsequent occasion, and I can tell you it was a great boon to several of us who were not sure of our adjustments. Then again, the ranks of the amateurs are constantly being added to, and the v's would be of the greatest assistance to any one tuning in for the first time. Answers to Questions. A. P. (Harris Park): (1) The best results would be obtained by using one set of 'phones. (2) The range is rather long, but the aerial is good, and, providing you have a good crystal and the other apparatus is O.K., you should get the concerts all right. C. P. S. (Hurstville): You can fasten the aerial to the tree, providing you insulate it, and keep it well clear of the branches. Be careful to allow a bit of slack in the wire if the tree is likely to move in the wind. "Condenser" (Chatswood): (1) We know of no place where you can get a valve repaired. (2) The station you heard was most likely Townsville (V.I.T.). "Jazz Baby" (Paddington): (1) Your bases will serve you all right. (2) About 5s.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118860582 MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17,095 New South Wales, Australia 1 April 1922 12 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 04 08 Eleventh "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of Saturday, 8 April 1922 MAGIC SPARK. Radio News for Amateurs. BY DOT DASH As was pointed out last week, the amateur is a patient sufferer. In the past he has been considered an unmitigated humbug by most shades of popular opinion. Even up to the present the mind of officialdom has not become reconciled to the fact that the humbug days are gone for ever, as indeed they are, due to the wonderful developments which have been attained as a result of assiduous experimenting. "Interference" has been the objection to the granting of wide privileges to radio experimenters, who are at present handicapped by a sheaf of conditions which make it very difficult to carry out experimental work without evading the law. It will be interesting in this connection to note that there are somewhere in the vicinity of 5000 persons in the Commonwealth who are more or less directly interested in the conduct of experiments. Radio experiments have reached such a stage now that control is possible, and prevention or interference by sharp tuning due to the utilisation of valve reception is one of the most prominent features, and with the object of obtaining a maximum of research in this most enthralling science the authorities will be well advised to take up the matter very seriously, give wide privileges both for transmitting and receiving, and lay themselves out to encourage the progress of scientific Australia. We have the brains and the energy here, and with sympathetic treatment and a modified official attitude, Australia bids fair to lead the world in radio science. The Operators' Champion. Capt. S. Toombs. Photo Caption. A popular personality among wireless operators is Captain S. Toombs, ex-M.L.A. secretary of the Radio Telegraphists' Institute. He is a great advocate in the cause of the operators and recently presented their case before the federal Arbitration Court which granted them substantial increases in rates of pay. A member of a previous Parliament, Captain S. Toombs ?more contested one of the seats of the St. George electorate in the Labor interests, but was again defeated by Mr. Gosling. Mesopotamian Association. The third annual dinner of the Mesopotamian Wireless Association (1st Australian Wireless Signal Squadron and Cavalry Division, Signal Squadron, Mes. Ex. Force) will be held at the Cafe Omar, 68 Elizabeth-street, Sydney, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19. The secretary, Mr. E. Clancy, of 33 Church-street, Randwick, will appreciate an early notification from members of intention to attend. The Concerts. Many enthusiasts donned telephones and listened anxiously on 1250 metres on Wednesday evening last. They were disappointed, however, for the projected concert was not sent out. It was with considerable reluctance that the decision to postpone the entertainment was made, but as the more important programmes are to start shortly, it was thought best to give the apparatus a complete overhaul. There is a promise that a programme will be radiated on Monday night, starting at 7.30 p.m. Then the concerts will start in earnest after the Easter holidays are over, two for a certainty and probably three a week. During the trials one important conclusion was arrived at — that the human voice gives better results than gramaphone records when sent out on the ether wave. Therefore when the concerts start the human voice will render all the vocal items, and some fine programmes are being arranged. These, together with starting times, etc., will be published in this column from week to week. Listen for N.627. If you hear the call N.627 on 200 metres some Saturday night between 8 and 9.30 p.m., it will be the Concord Radio Club. Its members are some of the keenest experimenters in the State, and they are very enthusiastic about their transmitting set. Their pride is justified, for they made most of the apparatus themselves. Mr. G. R. Bruce Deer, of the Marconi School, is the club's president, and the secretarial duties are carried out by Mr. Austin Smith. The club would be pleased to work with any other clubs having transmitting licenses, and would also like amateurs receiving their traffic to write and report how the signals came in. Correspondence should be addressed to the club, "Quondong," La Mascotte-avenue, Concord. Military Radio Association. The first general meeting of the Military Radio Association, was held at the Engineers' Depot, Moore Park, during the week, Lieutenant-Colonel J. E. Fraser presiding. The meeting adopted the draft constitution submitted after considerable discussion. A feature of the constitution is the low subscription rate, 6s, and entrance fee. Each member will have the advantage of a library, classes of all degrees, and be able to operate wireless receiving and transmitting sets. Lectures and demonstration will also be arranged. Senior cadets under 18 years can join as associate members. The following office bearers were elected:— President, Lieutenant-Colonel J. E. Fraser; vice-presidents, Lieutenant-Colonel G. G. Gordon, Major C. W. C. Marr, Captains F. V. J. Tinkler, R. Clark, and K. Morice; hon. secretary, Mr. O. F. Mingay; hon. treasurer, Mr. Dewis; committee, Messrs. Fry, W. G. Dindale?, Sainsbury, Gregory, Schafer, and G. De Val Davis.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118867696 MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17101 New South Wales, Australia 8 April 1922 13 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 04 15 Twelfth "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of Saturday, 15 April 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. City Wireless Concerts. CAN BE HEARD OUT BACK. By DOT DASH Music by wireless is now being played in the homes of 100 experimenters. From the time the first programme was broadcasted there has been a steady improvement, until now the quality and tone of the programme sent out from Wireless House is better than anything yet attained in any part of Australasia. On Monday last, after a careful tuning up of the apparatus, two vocalists sang into the 'phone with remarkable success. Every home caught the songs. Some of the reports indicate that the human voice vibrates better than the machine record. The singers on Monday night were Miss Peggy Ford, a New Zealand contralto. Her voice is of high quality, and to her stands the distinction of being the first woman in Australia to sing by wireless. Mr. Robert G. Cotterill (tenor) was the other vocalist. He is well known to amateurs, having previously entertained them. There will be no more concerts till next Thursday night. This break is due to the intervention of the holidays. On the next night, however, the "best ever" programme will be 'phoned. The first item will go out at 7.30 p.m. sharp, the last at 9 o'clock. Next Programme. The programme for Thursday night will include two fairy stories for children. The addition of these items completes the bill, which will now include something of interest to all the family. The musical and vocal items will be:— 7.30 p.m.: "The Beautiful Ohio," band selection, Cornet solo, Mr. Miller. 7.45: Song, "Annie Lauri," Morgan Kingston. Song, "Because," R. G. Cotterill. 8.0: Song, "Quest o Quella," Caruso. Song, "When Song is Sweet," Miss Peggy Ford. 8.15: Song, "When My Ships Come Sailing Home," Peter Dawson. 8.30: General announcements, R. G. Cotterill. 8.35: Song. 8.45: Song, "The Bandoliero," Peter Dawson. Neapolitan song. 8.55: Song, Tosti's: "Goodbye." Caught the Music. Amateurs who have reported success in "picking up" music include:— Mr. Bartholomew, Neutral Bay; Mr. Allsop, Coogee; Mr. Sidey, Lindfield; Mr. Allworth, Strathfield; Mr. Barker, Burwood; Mr. Davis, Vaucluse; Mr. Hurl, Killara; Mr. Stowe, Chatswood; Mr. Trickett, Arncliffe. At Mortlake an amateur had his set working while some children were having an evening, and so loud did the music come in that the youngsters stopped their games and danced a fox trot. Country Wireless. "Get that pack horse ready, lash on the portable wireless telephone apparatus. We are going hundreds of miles into the bush, where there is nothing to hear but the chirping of the birds — not good enough for us." "Right, oh!" "Now that we have the apparatus we can keep in touch with the hourly doings in the big cities, and time won't drag." Such is not an actual conversation, but it will be within a few days. Made possible by the still further development and application of wireless, sets for bush use are being built at Amalgamated Wireless, Limited, Sydney. The portable set is just big enough for a pack horse, or a camel, and so adds another blessing to the man outback. Time is not far distant when that pack horse will be a sort of a concert stage to his owner. As wireless telephone concerts progress, so will the outfits, and at night even the lonely man outback will have to do nothing more than unpack his apparatus and listen in. Questions Answered. To L. C. DONOVAN (Manly): Don't hesitate to ask questions if in doubt. You are improving. Bad results improved since connections cleaned. Don't allow accumulator fully discharge. To K. JAMES (Summer Hill): The fundamental circuits of wireless transmitters and X-rays are similar; but the effects are widely divergent, due to the frequency. Captain Burt, 97 Clarence-street will be pleased to assist. To VIPAN (Albury): Your letter must have gone astray. Write to secretary, Victorian Wireless Institute, at the new address, 422 Chancery-lane, Melbourne. You should be able to receive wireless concerts from both Sydney and Melbourne. To W. WORRALL (Kiama): Thanks. The operator you refer to is Mr. Lionel Hooke. He joined Shackelton for a trip to the Antarctic regions in 1913. His home is in Melborne. "Cyclops" (Balmain): To get a license you must apply to the Postmaster-General's Department, Radio Section, Melbourne, and state whether you want to use a crystal or a valve. We know of no place where valves can be repaired. H. T. D. (North Sydney): Apply to the Postmaster-General's Department, Radio Section, Melbourne. The code is not supplied with the license, but it should not be hard for you to get a copy. The best way for you to learn it would be to join a Radio Club. V . A. (Burwood): The phones will be suitable for your set provided that they are in good working order. They are fairly delicate things, and easily put out of commission, so you should get somebody who knows something about wireless to test them. "Static" (Goulburn): The noise may be caused by several things, but we are inclined to think that it is atmospherics. You should get the concerts provided your set will tune to the wave length. Those Licenses. Have you written to your M.P. concerning the issue of transmitting licenses to experimenters. Just worry him a little. You may get big results. MISS PEGGY FORD. Photo Caption. The first woman to sing by wireless in Australia. She has received many requests from amateurs to repeat her performance.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118868951 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17106 New South Wales, Australia 15 April 1922 13 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 04 22 Thirteenth "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of Saturday, 22 April 1922 MAGIC SPARK. Radio News Budget. FEAST OF CONCERTS SOON. BY DOT DASH A popular personality among the radio fraternity just now is Mr. R. G. Cotterill, tenor, who sings to large audiences per medium of the radiophone. He holds the distinction of being the first man to sing by wireless in Australia. His voice, owing to its resonance and carrying power, is splendidly suited for the ether waves. Since he gave his first items many requests to repeat certain songs have been received. One of the most popular of his numbers seems to be "Mother Machree". THE CONCERTS. Still another successful radio concert was sent out from 97 Clarence-street, Sydney, on Thursday night. Reports received indicate that music was received in a satisfactory manner over large distances. A feast of telephony is promised for the near future, starting on Monday night, when a special Anzac concert will be sent. The programme will include the following songs by Mr. R. G. Cotterill: "Be near me," "Macushla," and "Till Dawn." Arrangements are being made for a prominent public man to give an Anzac speech by radiophone. Sacred concerts on Sunday nights will soon be keeping the enthusiasts busy, for they are now being organised. When the details have been decided upon they will be announced in this column. METROPOLITAN RADIO CLUB. The next general meeting of the Metropolitan Radio Club will be held on Wednesday next, at the Persian Gardens Tea Rooms, 220 Pitt-street, City, at 8 p.m. A special programme has been arranged by the committee, and it is hoped that members will roll up in full force. Lectures will be given on the construction and operation of apparatus, special attention being given to the subjects as they affect the beginner. Several important announcements will be made at the meeting. Arrangements have been made by the club whereby members may have their apparatus calibrated by wave meter, early next month. A series of lectures and experiments has been decided upon by the committee, and these will be published at an early date. Members are particularly requested to take full advantage at the club's suggestion and question box at No. 18 Royal Arcade. FILAMENT RESISTANCES. Mr. Chas. Maclurcan gives experimenters a little advice on the subject of filament resistances:— The average valve filament resistance is far too large and bulky, also the resistance is usually much higher than is required. It is often noticeable that only the last few turns of the resistance are used. Why then make your resistance of 8 or 10 ohms resistance when 2 or 3 ohms is quite sufficient? A simple filament resistance can be made by winding about 30 turns of No. 22 bare Eureka wire on a straight piece of 5-16 inch fibre rod 1½ inch long, making contact by a sliding spring clip. The clip can be so shaped that it may be easily sprung off, thus acting as a switch as well. It is as well here to warn valve users against the practice of burning filaments too brightly. A very small increase in the current means a very large decrease in the life of the filament. With a given valve the higher the "B" battery voltage the brighter the filament has to be burned, in order that the valve shall function on the correct part of the curve. For instance it was found, with a V24 valve functioning as a low frequency amplifier, that with a plate Potential of 24volts, only 4 volts were required for the filament, whereas when the plate Potential was increased to 80 volts then slightly over 5 volts were required for the filament. The amplification was of course greater in the latter case. Many experimenters, when spoken to on the subject, seemed to think that the higher the plate voltage the lower the filament voltage. But it isn't so. INSTITUTE'S NEXT MEETING. On account of Anzac Day, the next meeting of the Wireless Institute of Australia, N.S.W. Division, will be held on Wednesday next, April 26, instead of the 25th, at Queen's Chambers, Dalley street, City. During the evening, a committee of associate members will be formed, to take on the task of drawing up a syllabus of elementary lectures for adoption by the council. Mr. Malcolm Perry will speak for ten minutes on the difference between experimental and commercial working of stations; and Mr. Chas. Maclurcan is to describe and explain a radio frequency amplifier. All members and associate members are advised that the club room at Queen's Chambers is now available for their use, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily. The room has been furnished, and there is a temporary buzzer connected. AMATEUR SENDS A CONCERT. One of the most successful concerts of late was radiated on Wednesday night last by Mr. Chas. Maclurcan, from his up-to-date station at Strathfield. Having only just finished erecting a splendid transmitting aerial, Mr. Maclurcan was working with the Observatory to test its efficiency. A number of amateurs tuned up to the wave length, and enjoyed the speech and music. Scarcely had the current been switched off when Mr. Maclurcan's telephone began to ring, as several amateurs reported to him how they had received the concert. From all quarters came similar reports of good, clear speech and music. PERSONAL. Mr. Basil Cooke, well-known to radio experimenters, has retumed to Sydney, and is again devoting his time to the fascinating hobby. While holidaying at Mittagong, Mr. Malcolm Perry delighted a large number of residents with music by wireless. He used a single wire aerial. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. "Insulator" (Concord): Your aerial is certainly very small, and we do not think you will get any better results till you enlarge it. Try 40ft. C. W. B. (Chatswood): Both circuits are good, and your best plan would be to try them both. "Spark Gap" (Balmain): There is no harm in you applying for a sending license. We would strongly advise you not to get the apparatus before permission has been granted. G. G. (Kogarah): Try the advertisers on this page; you are pretty sure to get them. The dimensions you send are correct. Good Work in the West. Our Orange correspondent writes:— Several friends of Mr. Walter T. Faulkner, an amateur of Orange, enjoyed the concerts sent out by radio from Sydney during the past few nights. The singing and speaking were very clear. Mr. Faulkner used only a few yards of light wire suspended from his window as an aerial. During the past nine months he has been very successful. Most of his apparatus he made himself, and he is now working on a large aerial which will give far better results. Mr Cotterill. Photo Caption.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118871520 MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17112 New South Wales, Australia 22 April 1922 13 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 04 29 Fourteenth "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of Saturday, 29 April 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Amateur Radio News. A TECHNICAL ENTHUSIAST. BY DOT DASH Mr. Sewell. Photo Caption. Among the Sydney experimenters with sound technical knowledge of radio work is Mr. Percy Sewell. With a crystal set, and a 250ft aerial, he first started his experimenting in 1914. Then came the war, and the consequent restrictions on radio work. The practical side was thus lost for the time being to Mr. Sewell, as others, but he devoted his spare time to hard study of the theory of wireless. Thus when receiving was again allowed, he was well equipped with knowledge. He started with another crystal outfit, but later went on to the valve, and he has now a two-valve set that brings him in signals from all over the world. His experiments have also been in the direction of loop-aerials and direction finders, with very good results. Mr. Sewell is an enthusiastic worker in the amateur cause, and when the Metropolitan Radio Club was formed recently, he was elected unanimously to a seat on the committee, and later filled one of the vacancies on the club's technical subcommittee. He is also a member of the Wireless Institute of Australia. METROPOLITAN CLUB. The Metropolitan Radio Club held another well-attended meeting of members at the Persian Gardens Tea Rooms, Pitt-street, City, on Wednesday evening. With the object of keeping alive the interest of both advanced members and beginners, the committee decided to have papers read that would be helpful to all. Thus at this meeting the president gave an absorbing lecture on the construction and maintenance of a crystal set. When he had finished, many of those present were ready with questions, and the lecturer was kept busy for a quarter of an hour answering them. Something of the difficulties experienced in broadcasting the radio concerts was touched upon by Mr. Malcolm Perry. He said that the concerts were not what they wanted yet, but a new aerial was being erected in the city, and it is hoped that when this is in use amateurs will obtain far better results. "Valve control" was the subject of an interesting paper read by Mr. P. Sewell. He gave many useful hints, and stressed the necessity for amateurs knowing how to control their valves in order that they might not cause interference and annoy others. Instrumental musical items helped to pass a pleasant evening. It was announced that the club is organising a public exhibition of wireless apparatus, prizes to be awarded in various classes. Full details will be made available by the committee in the near future, and printed in this column. MAKE A NOISE, AMATEURS "Since the restrictions placed on wireless experimenters are so severe, and seeing that the license fee is beyond all reason, I would suggest that the wireless column of your paper should deal more fully with the experimenters' position," writes Lionel A. I. Robson. "I fail to see the necessity for such a heavy license fee. An initial charge of say ten shillings, would, I think, cover all expenses concerned with the issuing of the official license. Why should experimenters be made a source of revenue, when they have assisted greatly in making wireless what it is today? "It would be interesting to hear the opinions of some of our Ms.P. on the subject. By making a lot of noise, it is possible that the experimenter may better his position, and with the assistance afforded by the "Evening News," what can prevent it?" The campaign for the betterment of the amateur's lot is going along nicely. Far more is being done than is blazoned forth to the world. Still, it will all help if amateurs keep the ball rolling. MILITARY RADIO ASSOCIATION. The first committee meeting of the Military Radio Association was held at the Engineer Depot on Monday evening. Major C. W. C. Marr, D.S.O., M.C. presiding. In opening the meeting, Major Marr (who had considerable experience as a wireless engineer in the Mesopotamia campaign, when he commanded the Anzac Wireless Squadron) dwelt on the urgent necessity for such an organisation as this, considering the important value of radio to military operations. The scope for the activity of this association was considerable. He intimated that the Minister for Defence (Mr. Massy Greene) has recognised the necessity to encourage as much as possible voluntary effort of this kind. A class committee has been formed or Messrs. Fry, Dewis, Rainsbury, and Tindale, who will formulate a programme of classes and lectures immediately. At the general meeting on Monday night next a social committee will be formed, and arrangements put in hand for a social and dance to be held in the near future. THOSE RHEOSTATS. Mr. P. Sewell has something to say:— Regarding what was said in last Saturday's column by Mr. Maclurcan on "Filament Rheostats," I would like to point out that a high resistance rheostat — that is, one of the order of 8 or 10 ohms — increases the life of valves. If the current is switched off while the filament is burning brightly the sudden big fall in temperature will crystalise the filament, when a slight jolt or jar will break it. But if first dulled right out the filament will remain in a good, pliable condition. It will interest many experimenters to know that, by placing a "by-pass" condenser across 'phones and "B" battery, they can increase the strength of signals, and also bring in stations that could not be heard before. It using more than one valve, the condenser (which should be about .01 mfds. capacity) should be placed across the "B" battery, and primary of transformer connected to the detecting valve. Among the visitors to Sydney at the present time is Mr. G. W. Exton, who has a fine station at Lismore. He is also known for his experiments with X-rays, and in radio motion picture making. Mr. J. G. Reed, an experimenter of the New South Wales Division of the Wireless Institute of Australia, is on a visit to Sydney from Melbourne, where he now resides. He visited the members of the institute at last night's meeting, and told them how things were going in Victoria. Another Victorian visitor to Sydney is Mr. A. R. Grant, hon. secretary of the Y.M.C.A. Radio Club, Bendigo. There is a possibility of Mr. Grant remaining in Sydney. Mr. P. Sewell will deliver the first of the series of elementary lectures to interested members of the Wireless Institute on Tuesday night next. His subject will be "Magnetism." ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. "STATIC" (Goulburn): Your trouble seems to be your aerial. This should be 3/22 copper wire (downlead included), galvanised iron wire is never used on a professional job. The cost of the wire mentioned is about 7s 6d a hundred feet. When yon have replaced the galvanised wire we should be pleased to hear how you get on. R. H. S. (Dulwich Hill): It would seem as if your set is faulty. Pennant Hills always works on the commercial wave length of 600 metres. The concert was not sent out on the night you mention. G. R. C. (Auburn): Thanks for the suggestion, but space will not permit of it being done in all cases. Whenever a question of interest is received an endeavor will be made to act on it. T. J. S. (Kogarah): The item you mention was sent by the "News" correspondent at Orange, and he did not give a description of the apparatus used or the actual length of aerial. If Mr. Faulkner, of Orange, will send a description of his set we will print it for your information. We will bear in mind the "bedstead aerial" reference.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118868128 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17118 New South Wales, Australia 29 April 1922 13 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 05 1922 05 06 Fifteenth "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of Saturday, 6 May 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio News for Amateurs. A LADY EXPERIMENTER. BY DOT DASH This incident happened not many hundreds of miles from Sydney, when the wireless telephone was not so much to the fore as it is now. For one voyage a certain small steamer was equipped with a radiophone that the operator might conduct some tests. These went fine, and in due course the vessel put into a port where there was a rather lonely land station. At this station was an operator and his wife who entertained the ship man, and discussed the radiophone tests with him. The lady was a wireless enthusiast, by the way, and an operator of some skill. In due course the ship sailed, and "Spark," in a slack moment, wirelessed his shore pal to know whether he would like something sent out by the 'phone. "Fire away," came back the answer from the shore. The ship's operator picked up the mouthpiece, and spoke a real sea greeting, plentifully besprinkled with certain adjectives. He wondered why the acknowledgment was so brief and formal till he returned to port and heard that the shore operator's wife was listening in at the time! FOR THE BEGINNER. Some sensible and useful hints to beginners in radio work were given by Mr. R. C. Marsden, president of the Metropolitan Radio Club, at the last meeting of members, when he read a paper on the construction and maintenance of a crystal set. The paper was an excellent one, inasmuch as it was entirely devoid of all technical terms, and the veriest novice could follow it. The lecturer described the making of a loose coupler and stressed a most important point in this connection. It was this: When the amateur starts on his coupler he may think of winding one that will receive on wave lengths up to about 2000 metres. This is a mistake, as there are very few stations within the range of a crystal set that work on more than 600. Thus the beginner who thinks he is doing well by winding a big coupler is only losing efficiency in dead-end effect. Another important thing, said Mr. Marsden, was the earthing arrangement. He advised the amateur not to be content to fix the earth wire to a water pipe, but to put in a little spare time digging a hole about 6ft deep, near the operating room. Into this put a fair-sized coil of old galvanised fencing wire, lifting portion of it to the surface to form a kind of spiral. Fill in the hole with the wire in this position, and solder the earth wire to the end. The ground around the spot should be kept damp if not naturally so. Mr. P. Sewell writes:— When installing a wireless, outfit care should be taken to see that the earthing system is giving the best results. When I installed my set the gas pipe gave the best results, the water pipe was bad, and an earth plate struck a medium between the two. The gas pipe gave bad results when used in conjunction with either of the others, but best results were obtained by using the earth plate and water pipe in conjunction. It is very important that the earth lead should be as short as possible, and it must not run parallel to the inlead. If it does, even though they may be 15ft or more apart, signals will be choked out. RETIRING CLUBS. There must be something wrong with the radio clubs in the Sydney suburbs, for they are hiding their lights under bushels. There are dozens of beginners in the radio game just now, and they are all anxious to find things out. It should be the duty of the clubs to take these beginners under their wings, thereby strengthening the ranks of the experimenters and incidentally, benefitting the clubs themselves. But no; the policy of most of the clubs seems to be one of conservatism and complete retirement. What is wanted, apparently, is some live wires in executive positions, who will keep the interest of the members alive and gather in the new members. If your club holds a meeting send in a nice little report for this column, and let the fraternity know what you are doing. Take a leaf from the books of such organisations as the Wireless Institute, the Metropolitan Club, and the Military Radio Association, and liven things up. RADIOGRAMS. Members of the Metropolitan Radio Club are notified that their next general meeting will be held at the Persian Gardens Tea Rooms, Pitt-street, City, on Wednesday, May 17, at 8 p.m. Interesting papers will be read and discussed, and it is probable that the details of the forthcoming public exhibition of apparatus, under the auspices of the club, will be announced. The Wireless Institutes' next general meeting is on Tuesday evening at Queen's Chambers, Dalley-street, City. During the evening there will be a debate on "Results Obtained Commercially and Experimentally, in lieu of a lecture by Mr. Bartholomew, which him been temporarily deferred. Now then you Jazz enthusiasts here is a chance for you. The Military Radio Association is to hold a dance in the Drill Hall at the Engineers Depot, Moore Park, on June 7. Tickets may be had from Mr. O. F. Mingay, Kuringai Chase-road, Turramurra. Mr. Chas. Maclurcan, of Strathfield, is now experimenting in telephony on Sunday evenings, when he works with the Observatory on a wave length of 1400 metres. He is anxious to know how far his music and speech carries, and would be pleased to hear from anybody, ship operators especially, who hear it from any distance. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. P. W. D. (Dulwich Hill): You should get results with a valve, but we do not think your aerial is big enough for efficient crystal work. "Condenser" (Botany): The condenser you explain should prove satisfactory. Anyhow it has the advantage of being cheap. If you make it, let us know how it works. "Aerial" (Bathurst): No. Pennant Hills (V.I.S.) is handling all the commercial traffic now. SHOW YOUR WORK. Now then, you enthusiastic "home-made" apparatus amateurs, you will soon have a chance to publicly display your work. The Metropolitan Radio Club is arranging a public exhibition of wireless gear, and somebody will win prizes. What are you going to show? Watch this column for details of the exhibition.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118870949 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17124 New South Wales, Australia 6 May 1922 13 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 05 13 Sixteenth "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of Saturday, 13 May 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio News for Amateurs. A LADY EXPERIMENTER. BY DOT DASH One of the few women radio enthusiasts in Australia is Miss F. V. Wallace, known to almost every experimenter in this State. Miss Wallace, with rare grit and determination, decided early in her life to tackle a profession usually monopolised by the "male creature," and she worked hard to achieve success. Thus following on a six years' course at the Sydney Technical College, she gained her diploma of electrical engineering. Going into business, Miss Wallace carried out electrical contracts for some time, and then she became interested in radio work. Now she is one of the most enthusiastic experimenters. Her electrical and wireless apparatus shop in the Royal Arcade is generally crowded with amateurs, who meet there to talk things over to their mutual benefit. Miss Wallace, by the way, is treasurer of the Metropolitan Radio Club, and a member of the Wireless Institute. INSTITUTE'S ELEMENTARY LECTURES. With a view to helping its less advanced members, the Wireless Institute has arranged a programme of elementary lectures, spread over six months, starting from Tuesday evening next. The complete syllabus is as follows:— May 16, "Nature and Sources of Electricity," Mr. Sewell; May 30, "Voltaic and Dynamic Electricity," Mr. Kirkby; June 20, "Primary and Secondary Cells, including rudimentary principles of production of Electricity," Mr. Best; July 4, "Conductors and Insulators," Mr. Holton; July 18, "Resistance and Conductivity," Mr. Challenger; August 1, "Electrical and Mechanical Energy," Mr. Best; August 15, "The Effects of Current," Mr. Kirkby; August 29, "Magnetism," Mr. Holton; September 19, "Electro Magnetic Induction," Mr. Sewell; October 3, "Calculation of Capacity and Inductance," Mr. Challenger; October 17, "Calculation of Wave Length," Mr. Sewell. At the conclusion of this series a fresh one will be commenced. It should be kept in mind that the advanced syllabus previously published is being adhered to, the arrangement being that advanced and elementary lectures alternate. SMART PIECE OF WORK Those who went to the Victoria Park Racecourse last Saturday to see the Aerial Derby witnessed some smart work by the military party comprising men of the 1st Cavalry and 1st and 2nd Infantry Divisional Signal Corps, who wirelessed the results of the various events to the "Evening News." There were many guesses as to what was going on when a "News" lorry, loaded with machinery, drove along the course and stopped in front of the paddock reserve. But the spectators were not kept long in doubt. Uniformed men speedily unloaded the lorry and within ten minutes from the time of starting had erected an aerial, connected up the apparatus, and were ready for business. The little Douglas engine which furnished the sending power rattled away merrily, and the violet sparks leaping in the rotary gap spelt out the tidings of Captain Nigel Love's double victory. During the afternoon one of the high tension lends on the set broke, but was repaired in five minutes under what were practically active service conditions. Most of the party, by the way, are members of the newly-formed Military Radio Association. THE CONCERTS. The radio concerts are now being sent out from 97 Clarence-street on Monday and Thursday of each week, and according to reports an increasing number of enthusiasts is enjoying every programme. Monday's concert, which will start at 7.30 p.m., and run through till 9, will include a cornet solo and a selection by a vocal quartette. Gramophone music is being eliminated as much as possible, as results have proved that the human voice carries better. In a couple of weeks' time amateurs will notice a vast difference in the concerts, for the transmitting set is being shifted to the company's new premises in Knox-street, City. Here there will be a splendid aerial to replace the present one in Clarence-street, which has not given satisfaction. For those who do not already know, it may be mentioned that the concert wave length is 1250 metres. WESTERN SUBURBS ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the Western Suburbs Amateur Wireless Association was held on Wednesday, when several interesting subjects were dealt with. A lecture by Mr. Geo. R. Challeger on "Aerials and Earths," proved of great interest. He stressed the importance of insulating an aerial thoroughly, and also the fact that an aerial, no matter how good, was useless without an efficient earth. Mr. A. B. Slight also delivered a lecture on "Magnetic Induction," demonstrating very effectively with honeycomb coils and variometers. He also brought out the principle of transformers and their ratios. Mr. R. S. Burman, an ex-A.I.F. man of the 4th Divisional Wireless, gave an address on pancake coils used by him at the war, and spoke of German high frequency alternators. Concerning the par in this column last Saturday, W. S. A. W. A. gives an assurance that they are not asleep. Although their transmitting set is not yet finished, the club receiver is doing excellent work. All communications should be addressed to the hon. secretary, Mr. E. Wood, Badham-street, Park Hill, Granville. PLAY THE GAME. The leading experimenters of the City are unanimous in their appeal to amateurs to "Play the game." It has become known of late that some irresponsible person is transmitting, and on a wavelength somewhere near 600 metres. This sort of thing is no good. In addition to causing interference to commercial traffic, the practice is going to do harm to the amateurs as a body. The authorities seem to be "up against" experimenting enough as it is, and any such gross infringement of the regulations will only strengthen their hands when approached for a relaxation of the restrictions. It may not be generally known that influences are at work on behalf of the amateurs for a reduction of license fees, and the granting of transmitting licences. If these people are to succeed we must see that they are given every assistance. Therefore if you know of anyone who is transmitting tell him to stop, and if be doesn't report him. NORTH SYDNEY CLUB, The next meeting of the North Sydney Radio Club will be held on Tuesday evening next. A paper on wireless telephony will be read by the vice-president, Mr. C. McClure, and probably a practical demonstration given. All members are requested to attend and help to make the meeting a success. A picnic is also being organised by the club to take the form of an ocean trip on the afternoon of Saturday, May 20. Particulars may be obtained from the secretary. RADIO PERSONALITIES. Mr. G. W. Exton, one of the best-known experimenters on the North Coast, returned to Lismore today. While in Sydney he joined the Wireless Institute, and was so impressed with the possibilities of concerted experimental work that he has undertaken to form a section of the Institute at Lismore. Mr. E. T. Fisk, president of the Wireless Institute (N. S. W.) sailed for England on the steamer Sophocles. He is on a business trip connected with the establishment of direct wireless communication between Great Britain, Canada, and Australia. He expects to return about October. The next general meeting of the Metropolitan Radio Club will be held at the Persian Gardens Tea Rooms, Pitt-street City, on Wednesday next, at 8 p.m. Some important announcements will be made and interesting lectures have been arranged.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118864681 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17130 New South Wales, Australia 13 May 1922 13 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 05 20 Seventeenth "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of Saturday, 20 May 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio News for Amateurs. A SOLDIER EXPERIMENTER. BY DOT DASH Lieut. R. H. Sainsbury. Photo Caption. A radio enthusiast, with a thorough knowledge of the science, especially from a military viewpoint, is Lieutenant R. H. Sainsbury, who commands the wireless troop of the First Cavalry Divisional Signal Corps. He first commenced experimenting about 12 years ago, having dabbled in elementary electricity practically since his early school days. From the beginning of 1912, until the outbreak of war, he had a station of his own construction. Requiring a little more knowledge of wireless work from a commercial standpoint, he went through a complete course of theoretical and practical training at the Amalgamated Wireless, Limited, during the middle of 1915. Mr. Sainsbury's idea was to become an operator on a transport at this time, but early in January, 1916, he received word that a wireless troop was being formed for service abroad, and he enlisted in this unit, eventually landing in Mesopotamia. The second attempt at the recapture of Kut-el-Amara was made in December, 1916, this time successful, and the troops pushed on, and eventually captured Baghdad, March 11, 1917. During these operations the wireless did invaluable work, most of the urgent traffic being conducted by this medium, as the movement of the troops during the retreat of the Turks was too rapid to allow regular land lines to be constructed. In November, 1917, Mr. Sainsbury with three other operators, was ordered to join the Russian partisan force which was then encamped about 70 miles from Baghdad, on the Persian side. Here they worked the wireless traffic between the Russians and British troops. They participated in the capture of Kizie-Robat, and then set out with the Russians for Persia. After many adventures, they eventually arrived at Kermanshah, an important Persian centre. Later, the Russians decided to push on through Persia into Russia, and left the four adventurers at Kermanshah. Thanks to the work of the British Consul and a resilient missionary of the American Board of Missions they managed till the British troops eventually got through. He returned to Baghdad in September, 1918, and arrived in Sydney in April, 1919, after over three years' service. Mr. Sainsbury is a member of the Committee of the Military Radio Association and an enthusiastic worker in the amateur cause. MUSIC IN THE AIR. There was plenty of music in the air during the week, and those with the necessary apparatus were able to tap it on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings. Some of the entertainments were broadcasted by Mr. Chas. Maclurcan, from his station at Strathfield, and very good entertainments they were from a radio point of view. This again calls to mind the ease with which settlers in the lonely parts of the bush can get entertainment. With comparatively cheap apparatus the concerts may be picked up in the backblocks, bringing the country folk in close touch with the outside world and giving them the entertainment that those in the bush now lack. Mr. L. V. G. Todd at Tamworth, was able to enjoy the music sent out by Mr. Maclurcan, who by the way, is only using 9 watts power. In a letter to the sender Mr. Todd said that when he first picked up the music he thought it was from Melbourne, till he heard a voice saying, "Chas. Maclurcan, Strathfield, speaking." The air line, Sydney to Tamworth, is about 200 miles, and as this was covered by Mr. Maclurcan's apparatus in daylight, the feat, taking into consideration the power used, must be something of a record. METROPOLITAN CLUB. The increasing growth of the Metropolitan Radio Club was demonstrated on Wednesday evening last, when about 90 members attended the general meeting. The president, Mr. R. C. Marsden, gave an interesting talk on single valve sets, the lecturette being particularly enjoyable, especially to the less advanced members, because of it being free from intricate theoretical passages. A lecture on "Aerials" was also given by Mr. Wallace Best. He spoke of his experiences with various types, and discussed their merits. The various classes for the forthcoming Radio exhibition under the club's auspices were announced by the president. They are:— (1) Smallest working set. (2) Best single valve set (wave length 300 to 2000 metres). (3) Best multi-valve set, any circuit. (4) Best single part of home-made apparatus. (5) Best comic working set. (6) Best commercial set (valve or crystal). The date of the exhibition has not yet been fixed, the object being to give amateurs plenty of time to prepare their exhibits. The next general meeting of the club will be held at the Persian Gardens Tea Rooms, Pitt-street, City, on the evening of Wednesday, June 7. A LADY OPERATOR. Miss F. G. Watson. Photo Caption. In Sydney at the present time is a becoming young woman whose knowledge of radio work and commercial operating is above that of many men who have been at the game for years. She is Miss Florence Jeffrey Watson. At an early age she took a fancy to wireless work, and entered the North British Wireless School, Ltd., Dundee, Scotland. Such was her capacity for learning that she gained the British Postmaster-General's first-class wireless operator's certificate at the age of 18. At the suggestion of the London examiner, Miss Watson offered her services to the Navy (it was during the war), and within a fortnight from gaining her certificate her services were accepted. She took up the duties of operator at the important station at Fishguard, South Wales. Miss Watson holds the distinction of being the first and youngest woman operator to serve the Navy in this profession. She came to Australia 17 months ago, and has been employed in wireless work here. FORTHCOMING RADIO DANCE. A meeting of the committee of the New South Wales Military Radio Association was held on Monday evening last at the Engineers' Depot. Lieutenant-Colonel J. E. Fraser, D.S.O., presided. The progress of the radio dance arrangements was reported, and it was announced that Mr. Maclurcan had kindly consented to send out the dance music from his up-to-date station at Strathfield. The music records are to be lent by Pathephone, Limited. The radio music will be supplied for at least one hour during the dance (on Wednesday, June 7, at the Engineers' Hall, Moore Park-road). Tickets are obtainable from the secretary, Mr. O. F. Mingay, Telephone Test Room, G.P.O., 3s double, and 2s single. A committee was appointed to further inspect some radio gear for an up-to-date transmitting station for the club. This equipment will be installed as soon as possible. A special general meeting has been called for Monday week (May 20) in lieu of the ordinary meeting falling on King's Birthday. All members and intending members are specially asked to attend. The secretary wishes to convey to all members of the M.R. Association, and also the "Evening News," his appreciation and thanks for the work performed in making such a success of the wireless reporting of the recent Aerial Derby. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. J. B. G. (Drummoyne): From what you tell us we are inclined to think that it was Melbourne you heard. No concert was being sent out from Sydney on that evening. Beginner (Newtown): It is a matter of opinion, but we should advise you to start on a loose coupler. If you have any trouble in constructing it let us know. Crystal (Goulburn): We are sending you the full particulars. Yes, with proper apparatus you should certainly be able to hear the concerts, both from Sydney and Melbourne. V. K. Q. (Paddington): We refer you to the firms advertising in these columns. Send in your questions, amateurs, they will be answered in these columns. HOW ABOUT THIS? One of Sydney's well known experimenters listening in the other night on 600 metres, was able to copy the radio station at Basra, Persian Gulf. The amateur was using two valves, as his aerials are rather on the small side.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118863991 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17136 New South Wales, Australia 20 May 1922 13 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 05 27 Eighteenth "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of Saturday, 27 May 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio News for Amateurs. ENTHUSIASM FOR EXHIBITION. BY DOT DASH Among the Sydney radio experimenters doing good work is Mr. Wallace G. Best, who has an up-to-date station at Rose Bay. He became interested in the science some years ago, and wisely tackled the theoretical side, and mastered it thoroughly. After conducting laboratory experiments, he graduated to a working set, and for some time used crystals with splendid results. Some months ago, when Mr. Chas. Maclurcan conducted a reception competition on behalf of the Wireless Institute. Mr. Best received the speech broadcasted from his station at Strathfield on a crystal. In his report on the results, Mr. Maclurcan said that Mr. Best's feat was deserving of special mention. Mr. Best has the interests of experimenters at heart, and with the object of helping the less advanced along he has undertaken the task of giving some of the elementary lectures of the series now being started by the institute. He is a committeeman of the Metropolitan Radio Club — the largest wireless body in New South Wales. DANCING TO RADIO MUSIC. If all goes well, Sydney people will soon have the unique opportunity of dancing to music played many miles away and intercepted by radio. This will be on Wednesday, June 7, when the N.S.W. Military Radio Association is holding a dance at the Engineers' Depot, Moore Park. The association has been granted permission by the authorities to carry out the stunt, and Mr Maclurcan has consented to send out the music from his station at Strathfield. At the receiving end a multi-valve set will be used to get plenty of amplification, and it is hoped that a magnavox can be secured for the evening. This will be the first time this has been done in Australia, by the way. Of course there will be a very material jazz orchestra in the hall in case of a breakdown, and to supply the music for some of the dances. There is to be a general meeting of the association at the Engineers' Depot on Monday, when an alteration in the constitution will be proposed, and several committee elected. With the object of purchasing gear for a modern transmitting station at headquarters, the committee of the association has opened an appeal for £20. Members are asked to loan anything they can afford toward the fund. TO SHOW THE PUBLIC. The general public is shortly to be given an opportunity of seeing what the experimenters of this State can do. The forthcoming radio exhibition under the auspices of the Metropolitan Club has already been promised the support of a large number of enthusiasts, and many are busily engaged in preparing sets and apparatus for display. Prizes are to be given for the best apparatus in certain classes. The judging of all complete sets will be on their working efficiency, together with good workmanship in construction, and other details. The exhibition will probably be open for a couple of days, and during that time it is hoped to have receiving sets in operation, that visitors may be able to hear telegraphic and telephonic signals. As this will be the first public exhibition of its kind in the Commonwealth, the committee of the club is appealing to members to make it a big success. Many people still regard the amateur with a certain amount of suspicion, and this is a great chance for him to show what he can do. The various classes for the exhibits were published in this column last Saturday. The date of the exhibition will be announced shortly. A ship operator, who had given much though to the subject during his watches at sea, when there was "nothing doing," gives the amateur and the authorities something to think about:— Has the wireless amateur demonstrated his usefulness to the community? In Australia, at least, this question must be answered in the negative. His activities consist mainly of listening to commercial messages passing to and from ships, or between foreign countries. Sometimes, to the delight of his family and associates, he tunes a wireless telephone broadcasting a musical programme. Of course there is always the possibility of some important discovery being made in the science, but this is unlikely and could not be taken into consideration when dealing with the majority of amateurs. How can his usefulness be extended? Given a little intelligent co-operation by a sympathetic Government, he could, at least justify his existence. A large portion of wireless enthusiasts live outside the metropolis. I have come across wireless aerials in all sorts of unlooked for places, when travelling through the State. One of the problems of the country is the lack of communications. The Commonwealth maintain a weather bureau but the forecasts are practically only useful to the city resident, and the maritime industry, the latter solely through the agency of wireless. A little consideration will show what a boon it would be to the farmers to get the forecasts speedily. All that is necessary is for the Government to arrange for the transmitting stations in each State, and broadcast the daily forecast and any storm warnings. The country amateur could receive them and pass them around his immediate neighborhood. Of course there are not enough amateurs throughout the country districts to take full advantage of the scheme, but then the Government's policy seems to have been to hinder, instead of help, the amateur. Press market reports, and entertainments could follow at a later stage, if the response warranted it. All this has been done in the United States, and with what a tremendous response it has met! A NOTE ON AERIALS. For the benefit of those who are in doubt about their aerials, L. R. (Leichhardt), writes:— There seems to be a number of experimenters who are not quite clear on certain points relating to the ordinary inverted "L" and "T" aerials. It is held by some that the addition of wires to these aerials greatly affects the natural wave length. To support this they argue, that on adding wires to their aerial, it was found, that less inductance was required to tune to a certain wave length. This of course cannot be denied; but it is not due to any increase in the wave length of the aerial. What actually happens is this:— When a wire is added, the total capacity is increased, but the total inductance is decreased; hence the natural wave length is practically unchanged. With the greater capacity, however, less inductance is required for a certain wave length, as can be proved by calculation. Capacity is desirable from a transmitting standpoint, but is not essential to good receiving, and, therefore, results obtained from a one, or two-wire aerial generally equal those from one with four wires. At the last meeting of the Western Suburbs Amateur Wireless Association Mr. F. B. Wade, formerly operator of H.M.T. Suevic (M.J.C.) related some of his experiences of wireless telegraphy during the war. Comparison was made between the sets used by different stations. Althoughhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118871035 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17142 New South Wales, Australia 27 May 1922 13 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 06 1922 06 03 Nineteenth "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of Saturday, 3 June 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio News for Amateurs. GOOD WORK BY EXPERIMENTER. BY DOT DASH Mr. Maclurcan. Photo Caption. Recognised by all as the leading experimenter in New South Wales — if not in Australia — Mr. Charles Maclurcan has been doing some wonderful work of late. His down-to-the-minute station at Strathfield is known to all experimenters, who are unanimous in their praise of the music radiated from it. Only a few days ago Mr. Maclurcan established what is thought to be a world's record for low power transmission. His continuous wave work from Strathfield was heard in Melbourne, good readable signals, and only nine watts was used. This power, by-the-way, is just about the strength used for the rear lamp of a motor car. But Mr. Maclurcan has gone one better. He was experimenting one night recently with the Sydney Observatory, using the same power and sending radio telephony. A day or so later he was informed that a steamer's operator had heard the music when his vessel was off Gabo, a distance of about 300 miles. It is generally recognised that a speech will carry by wireless only a third the distance that continuous wave telegraphy signals will, therefore Mr. Maclurcan should be able to do about 1000 miles on the low power! And there are still those who ask what the experimenter is doing for the science. METRO CLUB'S SYLLABUS. The committee of the Metropolitan Radio Club has adopted a syllabus of lectures that will hold the attention of members till the end of the year. An important feature is the series of elementary lectures for the benefit of beginners, and others who think they can derive benefits from them. The talks of this series will be given at general meetings by Mr. W. G. Best and Mr. F. Swinburne alternately. The clubs' complete syllabus of lectures is as follows:— June 28: Mr. Garrod, subject to be chosen; Mr. Best, "D.C. Motors and Generators." July 19: Mr. Swinburne, first elementary lecture; Mr. Marsden, "Counterpoise v. Earth." August 9: Mr. Best, second elementary lecture; Mr. Lowell, "Valve Amplifiers." August 30: Mr. Swinburne, third elementary lecture, open for invited lecturer. September 20: Mr. Best, fourth elementary lecturer; Mr. Marsden, "Local Potentials on Crystals." October 11: Members' night. November 1: Mr. Swinburne, fifth elementary lecture; Mr. Sewell, "Reception of C. W. November 22: Mr. Best, sixth elementary lecture, open for invited lecturer. The next general meeting of members will be at the Persian Gardens Tea Rooms, Pitt-street, City, on Wednesday next, at 7.45 p.m. Mr. Lane is to lecture, and Miss F. V. Wallace will talk on "Primary Batteries." There will be musical items, and the president will make an important announcement concerning the club's forthcoming public radio exhibition. A neat badge has been struck for the club and it is expected, will be ready for sale to members at the meeting. AUSTRALIAN STATIONS. New experimenters are making their appearance in the radio field every day, and from several of them we have received requests to publish the call letters of the principal land stations of the Commonwealth. They were given in this column some months ago, but for the benefit of the newcomers we now repeat them:— Adelaide Radio V.I.A., Brisbane V.I.C., Broome V.I.O., Cooktown V.I.C., Darwin V.I.D., Esperance V.I.E., Flinders Island V.I.L., Geraldtown V.I.N., Hobart V.I.H., King Island V.Z.E., Macquarie Island V.I.Q., Melbourne V.I.M., Mount Gambier V.I.Y., Perth V.I.P., Rockhampton V.I.R., Roebourne V.I.Z., Sydney V.I.S., Thursday Island V.I.I., Townsville V.I.T., Wyndham V.I.W., Woodlark Island V.I.F. Of the near land stations outside the Commonwealth experimenters mostly hear Awanui, the call letters of which are V.L.A. Those of the Auckland station are V.L.B. Mr. W. G. Best. Photo Caption. A well-known Sydney experimenter, who was mentioned in this column last Saturday. He has just been appointed to the Technical Committee of the Metropolitan Radio Club. A PUBLIC MEETING. A committee of the Wireless Institute met on Thursday night, and finalised the arrangements for the public meeting to be held shortly. The meeting was thought to be necessary to give everybody interested in the science an opportunity of finding out the objects and aims of the various experimenters' organisations. It will also be pointed out that unison is strength, and a scheme will be put forward to link up the various bodies for any occasions on which the authorities have to be approached. In all probability the authorities will be severely criticised for the continuance of the harsh restrictions on experimenters. RADIOGRAMS. Mr. R. D. Charlesworth, who was once president of the Waverley Radio Club, has been appointed assistant hon. secretary to the N.S.W. Division of the Wireless Institute. On June 17 Mr. Phil Renshaw, hon. secretary of the Institute, will leave for a trip to Rabaul. He will be away till about July 12. Recently the Institute sent a radio to Mr. Fisk, the president, who is on his way to England, wishing him bon voyage. A reply has now been received thanking members for the message and sending best wishes to all. Mr. Aubrey Elyard, an experimenter of Nowra, was in Sydney during the week. The Institute's next meeting is on Tuesday, June 13. On that night the lecture on the syllabus will be replaced by one by Mr. Robert Hill, on "The Vacuum Tube As An Amplifier." There will be demonstrations with various types of valves, as well as high and low frequency transformers. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. E.B. (Armidale): (1) The concerts are rather indefinite at present, as the transmitting apparatus is being moved to a new site. When this is done the evenings will be announced in this column. (2) This question is one we are unable to answer unless you let us know how many wires are in the aerial. (3) The calls are printed in this column. H. W. McQ. (Punchbowl): We think your second lot of apparatus would be the best. Be sure you thoroughly understand the principals of the set before you put it together or you are courting failure. W. D. G. (Rockdale): (1) For crystal work height and a fair length are essential. With 100 feet length 30 feet height at each end would give best results. (2) It would be better if you used 6 feet spreaders. (3) Oregon of the size you mention should do, but you must stay your masts well.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118849563 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17148 New South Wales, Australia 3 June 1922 13 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 06 10 Twentieth "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of Saturday, 10 June 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio News for Amateurs. OUR YOUNGEST EXPERIMENTER. BY DOT DASH Mr. Jack Davis. Photo Caption. The youngest experimenter in New South Wales is Jack Davis, aged 14, a Sydney Grammar School lad, who has an up-to-date station at Rose Bay. Nearly two years ago he obtained a Government crystal license and started experimenting with a crystal set, meanwhile studying the theoretical side of the science. His progress was rapid, and in a few months he applied for and was granted a license to use a valve. Practically all the apparatus he uses was made by himself, including a loud speaker. With a single valve and honeycomb coils, Jack has done some fine long-distance work, copying most of the American stations. He can read the code at the rate of 18 words a minute. Of all the Sydney experimenters, Jack was the only one who picked up the S.O.S. call from the sinking schooner Helen B. Stirling. A 21 VALVE SET. Has any amateur ever used a 21 valve set? The Wireless Officer of an overseas steamer in the London-Australia trade has, and he says that operating it was no joke. The set was in one of the direction finding stations on the east coast of Great Britain during the war. These stations were of the utmost value to the naval authorities, for they picked up the wireless signals from the German warships and aircraft, recognising them by the Telefunken note — and were able to locate them by means of two and three point bearings. One day the Germans woke up to the dodge, and thereafter used their buzzers, which could only be heard for a few miles, for important communications. Here the 21 valve set was called in to use and by means of it our operators were able to read the whispering buzzer notes of the enemy ships far away. But it also amplified the statics! The set came to be known to the operators as the "Bow Bells," for if anything was struck in the vicinity so that the set was shaken ever so slightly, the valves would oscillate, each with a different note. Because of this the relieving operators had to enter the room with their boots off, and, during the two hours on duty at the instrument, keep practically motionless. "Bow Bells," however, has its redeeming features. It required very little work to keep it in order, and inter-valve trouble was unknown. WIRELESS PATENTS. We have received the following from the Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia), Limited:— "It will come as no surprise to those familiar with amateur wireless matters to learn that on February 17 last an order was made in London by Mr Justice Russell restraining F. O. Read and Co. Ltd., from infringing certain of the Marconi Company's patents. "F O. Read and Co., Ltd., were further ordered upon oath to destroy all infringing material and to pay the Marconi Company damages and costs. As a sequel, the offending company is now in liquidation, and it was recently stated by one of the principal shareholders that he would lose personally about £8000, and other shareholders would suffer similar serious losses, against which they could only set off revenue receipts of about £1500 received from the business since its inception in 1919. "It would, therefore, appear to be only a matter of business prudence for dealers in amateur and other wireless apparatus to assure themselves that they are always fully protected with regard to the very important question of patents. CLUB REPORTS. THE WESTERN SUBURBS AMATEUR WIRELESS ASSOCIATION held a meeting last week, at which there was a good display of members' apparatus. Mr. Sleight gave a lecture on simple crystal circuits, explaining the fundamental principles of radio reception. Mr. Challenger also continued a lecture given at the previous meeting on "Magnetic Induction." Communications re the club should be addressed to E. Woods, Park Hill, Granville. THE METROPOLITAN RADIO CLUB held its fourth general meeting at the Persian Gardens Tea Rooms on Wednesday, when about 40 members attended. Mr. Lane, Wireless Officer of the steamer Zealandia, gave an interesting talk on loud speakers in radio reception, and demonstrated on a Magnavox kindly lent by the Aeolian Company. Miss F. V. Wallace, the club's treasurer, lectured on "Primary Batteries." The necessity of experimenters sticking together to secure the relaxation of the irritating official restrictions was stressed by Mr. R. C. Marsden, president, who also gave further particulars of the forthcoming public radio exhibition under the auspices of the club. The meeting decided that the club apply for a valve receiving license to allow of a set being used at meetings for demonstration purposes. THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE will hold its next general meeting on Tuesday evening at the rooms in Dalley-street, City. The star item will be Mr. R. Hill's lecture on "The Vacuum Tube as an Amplifier." At the following meeting on June 27 Mr. W. J. Zech, an ex ship operator, will give a travelogue, illustrated by lantern elides. THE MILITARY RADIO ASSOCIATION was unfortunate in not getting the wireless music sent out by Mr. Maclurcan for its dance on Wednesday but it could not be helped. The atmospherics, or X's, that caused the trouble are still a problem for those at the very top of the tree in the science, and there can be no blame on the tireless workers who did so much in preparing the apparatus. By a queer trick of fate, everything went splendidly on the trials. However, the musicians in the hall did their bit, and the evening, from the dancing and social point of view, was a great success. RADIOGRAMS. Mr Percy Sewell, a Sydney experimenter and a member of the committee of the Metropolitan Radio Club, has gone up to the Dorrigo on business. He expects to be away for some months. Among the visitors at the Metropolitan Radio Club's last meeting was Mr. Chas. A. Weller, wireless officer of the P. and O. R.M.S. Malwa, now at Sydney. Realising that there is a social side of radio experimenting, the committee of the Metropolitan Club has appointed one of its number — Mr. Bird — to the position of musical director. He will have the none-too-easy task of arranging the musical items for between lectures at the club's general meetings. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. "Aerials" (Waverley): Before establishing your station you must obtain a license from the P.M.G.'s Department. If you write to the Radio Branch of the Department, Melbourne, they will furnish all particulars. S. N. O. (Leichhardt): With good 'phone you should get the concerts on the set. We would advise you to use the No. 2 circuit, which would be improved by using a variable condenser in shunt between aerial and earth. G. P. J. (Balmain): We could not identify the station unless you let us know the wave length you were listening in on. Correspondents requesting answers to questions are reminded that they must give their full names and addresses. Answers will be published under a pen-name or initials.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118848192 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17154 New South Wales, Australia 10 June 1922 13 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 06 17 21st "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of Saturday, 17 June 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio News for Amateurs. AN OPERATOR-EXPERIMENTER. BY DOT DASH W. Bird. Photo Caption. A tireless worker in the cause of experimenters is Mr. W. Bird, a committeeman and musical director of the Metropolitan Radio Club. He first became interested in the science in the days before the war and so fond of it did he become, that the year 1916 found him a student at the Marconi School. In the beginning of the following year he passed his examination and was appointed to the Amalgamated Wireless, Limited, subsequently joining the steamer Waikawa as an operator. This vessel was later commissioned by the Imperial authorities as a transport plying between Canada and France. On her second trip she was torpedoed by a submarine off the coast of England and the operator sent out the S.O.S. Within three minutes there was an answer from a warship and the crew were rescued without loss of life. Prior to this the Waikawa had been attacked twice, once in the Irish Sea on which occasion she was chased about 60 miles, and the other time off Southampton in the middle of a convoy. Mr. Bird returned to Sydney by the Miltiades and subsequently served on the steamers Manuka, Waitomo, and Morialta. At the end of the war he left the sea. NEW VALVES. A new valve put on the market within the last week or so by Amalgamated Wireless, Limited, is the "Q.X.," which has been designed to take the place of the old "Q" type. The new valve can be used as a radio frequency amplifier, although it was designed for a rectifier. Normally the filament takes five volts, though it will work equally as well on four or anything between. The plate requires 24 volts, but actual experiment has shown that the valve will take up to 100 volts. During the week Mr. Maclurcan tried out the new valve, and he is highly satisfied with it. He states that it is very stable in action. It is his intention to use two of the valves, one as a detector and the other as a radio frequency amplifier. The "Q.X." looks just like a "V24," but the grid is closer in mesh, and larger. Mr. Maclurcan is also testing a four-electrode valve, the latest thing out. It is supposed to give the same strength of signals as a three-valve set consisting of a detector, a radio frequency amplifier, and an audio frequency amplifier. This valve is about twice the size of a "V24", and has two grids, a plate, and a filament. FOR ALL EXPERIMENTERS. The public radio exhibition under the auspices of the Metropolitan Radio Club will be held toward the end or July, and from all indications it will be a great success. There seems to be an impression abroad that only members or the club will be allowed to enter sets and apparatus for competition in the various classes. This is not so. All bona-fide amateurs may compete, and the organisers hope that everybody in a position to do so will avail themselves of the opportunity, for this will be the first public exhibition of its kind in the Commonwealth. IN THE CLUBS. THE MILITARY RADIO ASSOCIATION is conducting a series of lectures in the science, beginning with electricity and magnetism, and going up to the final stages of telegraphy and telephony. Lieut. R. Fry, an experimenter of considerable experience is the lecturer. The association's transmitting station is in course of construction and when it is ready it is the intention of the committee to have interesting lectures broadcasted. The committee will meet on Monday at the Engineers' Depot, Moore Park, when the question of another Radio dance will be finalised. All members of the association desirous of entering competitive sets for the forthcoming exhibition of the Metropolitan Radio Club are requested to notify the sectary of the association. Lieut. Mingay, as soon as possible. It is the intention of the military organisation to co-operate in every way with the originator of the scheme with a view to making the exhibition a big success. THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE held its general meeting on Tuesday last, when there was a good roll up to hear Mr. Robert Hill give his lecture, "The Vacuum Tube as an Amplifier." The lecturer dealt with the various circuits, illustrating them by means of diagrams. The next elementary lecture of the Institute will be given on Tuesday night, when Mr. Best is to speak on primary and secondary cells, including the rudimentary principle of the production of electricity. Negotiations are in progress for the Institute to hold a concert in the Little Theatre, early in August, when the Cheero Girls, headed by Mrs. Bennett White, will give an entertainment. THE METROPOLITAN RADIO CLUB'S next general meeting will be held at the Persian Gardens Tea Rooms, Pitt-street, City, on Wednesday week, June 28. Mr. Garrod is to give a lecture and Mr. Best will talk on D. C. motors and generators. The committee asks members to note that the club's technical section is now prepared to calibrate their instruments. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. P. B. (Lindfield): Thanks for the suggestion. The apparatus could be made, simply, of course, at small cost. We hope to be able to give the necessary instructions next week. "Electron" (Hurstville): (1) Your 'phones probably need rewinding. (2) No definite rule can be laid down on that point, your best way would be to get the right adjustment by experiment. T. S. T. (Bankstown): Such gear is usually sold in lots to the public. We can give you no dates at present, but they are usually announced in the advertisement columns of the daily Press. GOOD RECEPTION. Here is a good piece of work by a Sydney man. Using a three valve set of his own construction, he was able to hear Melbourne sending out music on the 2k.w. set. The experimenter was using a loop aerial in his room, and the music came in loud enough to be heard some feet away from the earphones. Mr. Maclurcan was at the time experimenting with the Sydney Observatory, and with only a slight adjustment the listener was able to take his choice of music and song.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118852122 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17160 New South Wales, Australia 17 June 1922 13 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 06 24 22nd "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of 24 June 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio News and Notes. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? BY DOT DASH "What have I done towards helping along our cause." This is a question that every genuine experimenter should ask himself. Now is the time to get busy. Each individual amateur should map out his own little campaign, in addition to uniting with his fellows for the attack on those in control of the irritating restrictions. Every experimenter should write to his Federal member pointing out the reform necessary, for it is only by educating the legislators that the concessions can be obtained. It is only a matter of time before the concessions will be granted, as the science is attracting fresh enthusiasts every day. Powerful clubs and associations are springing up, and when these are united the demand will be so strong that the Government will realise that they cannot be ignored any longer. In the meantime, let the amateurs' slogan be "Organisation and agitation!" WHAT ABOUT THIS? An important gathering of the National Radio Conference was held in America this month, when matters of the greatest importance to amateurs were discussed. The object of the convention was to give recommendations to Congressmen who will have the task of framing new radio laws for presentation to Congress. The amateur committee of the conference suggested the following recommendations:— 1. That the status of the amateur be established by law. 2. That the limit of wave length band allocated to the amateur be specified in the law. 3. That the wave length band allocated to the amateur be from 150 to 275 metres. 4. That the Secretary of Commerce subdivide the amateur allocations into small wave length bands for the various classes of amateur transmitting apparatus at his discretion, but in the following order of wave lengths, starting at the shortest:— Spark, interrupted or modulated, continuous wave telegraphy, telephony, continuous wave telegraphy. 5. That the amateur continue under the jurisdiction of the Department of Commerce. 6. That for the purpose of self policing among amateurs, Amateur Deputy Radio Inspectors be created, selected from the amateurs in each locality. The duties of such amateur inspectors will be to co-operate with the District Radio Inspector in maintaining the observance of communication laws and regulations of the United States, and the observance of such local co-operative measures as are decided upon in each community for the minimising of interference between the various groups of the public interested in radio. These amateur inspectors are to be vested with whatever authority necessary in the opinion of the District Radio Inspector. It is the hope of every amateur in Australia that such conditions will exist here in the near future. GOOD COUNTRY WORK. Mr. Maclurcan has lately been giving country experimenters a chance to show what they can do in the way of radio telephony reception. It speaks well for both sender and receivers that splendid results have been obtained. Among those who have picked up the music and speech broadcasted from Strathfield are Messrs Shaw (Goondiwindi), Warden (Mungindi), Todd (Tamworth), Falkner (Orange), Channon (Inverell), and Nichols (Goulburn). Mr Warden's performances have been particularly fine. He is about 400 miles from the sending end, yet on a single valve he is able to hear every note of the music. So much has he enjoyed the novel entertainment that he wrote to Mr Maclurcan asking him to repeat certain of the items he liked best. For those who do not already know it, Mr. Maclurcan experiments regularly each Sunday night between 7.30 and 8.30 with the Sydney Observatory. His wave length is 1400 metres. MAKE A LOUD SPEAKER. We have received several letters of late asking how to construct a cheap loud speaker. The following instructions are reprinted from a recent issue of the "Radio News" — A few pieces of gas fixtures, a receiver, and a large funnel are all that is needed to make the loud speaker shown in the illustration. "Purchase three U-shaped pieces of gas fitting, also one small piece (straight) 4in in length and one straight piece 6in in length. Next get a large tin funnel ???? (flat) piece of brass ???? sweated on to the end of piece (1) shown in the drawings at (B). Two holes are drilled through this brass piece and through the cap of the telephone receiver (C), and the brass piece is made fast to the receiver cap by two screws and nuts (8), (8), see Fig. C. All joints are sweated together and wiped to make the piping air tight. "This little instrument works very well and after being polished looks like a factory job. It throws weak signals out into the room at greater volumes than most instruments of this type do. It also helps the builder to save some of his hard-earned cash. Make your own. THE CLUBS. The Wireless Institute has completed arrangements for an entertainment by the Cheero Girls at the Little Theatre on August 2. The Governor, Sir Walter Davidson, and Dame Margaret have consented to be present. At the next general meeting of the Institute on Tuesday Mr. W. J. Zech will deliver a travelogue, illustrating it with lantern slides. Members have been looking forward to this lecture for some time, as it has been postponed on several occasions on account of the non-arrival of some special photos, from England. The Metropolitan Radio Club will hold its next general meeting at the Persian Garden Tea Rooms, Pitt-street, City, at 8 p.m. on Wednesday. The lecturers will be Mr. Garrod, who will talk on valves, and Mr. Best, whose subject is "D.C. Motors and Generators." The committee has decided to give buzzer practice to those who desire it for half an hour before the meeting opens. The arrangements for the radio exhibition under the club's auspices are well forward, and entrance forms will be available in a day or two. It has been decided that the apparatus entered shall be allotted a number by the committee, and exhibited and judged under it. THE MILITARY RADIO ASSOCIATION is arranging another radio dance. The committee was to have finalised things on Monday last, but the meeting was postponed till next Thursday. The electrical committee is now fixing up a syllabus of elementary and advanced lectures. The first of the latter class will be given at the general meeting of members at the Engineers' Depot, Moore Park, on Monday, July 3, by Mr. W. Veech, who has chosen for his subject "Vacuum Tubes and their application to High Frequency (Radio) Amplification." An invitation is extended to members of other radio bodies to be present at this lecture, for the association intends to make a feature of keeping an "open house" at certain of its meetings. It is hoped that this will be one of the means of bringing experimenters together. The Waverley Amateur Wireless Club has had a transmitting license for some time, but no serious work in this direction has yet been done. Amateurs should hear from the club next week, however, for they will be broadcasting C.W. and telephony on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 7.45 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. The club's call is N.249 and the wave length will be 200 metres. Later the club will be installing a 5 watt. THE TECHNICAL CORNER. "What is an electron? Briefly, we may state that the electron is the smallest subdivision of matter which mankind recognises carrying the smallest known charge of negative electricity" — from Burcher's "Vacuum Tubes in Wireless Communication." The same authority says: "(1) Currents of frequency above 10,000 cycles per second are termed currents of radio frequency. (2) Currents of frequency below 10,000 cycles per second are termed currents of audio frequency."http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118859001 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17166 New South Wales, Australia 24 June 1922 13 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 07 1922 07 01 23rd "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of 1 July 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio News and Notes. AN EXPERT ENTHUSIAST. BY DOT DASH J. H. Dewis. Photo Caption. In the front rank of the experimenters of this State is Mr. J. H. Dewis, chief assistant in the engineering department of Australectic Limited. He first gave time to the science 12 years ago, and early in 1915 joined the Amalgamated Wireless, Limited. Going through most of the departments, including workshops, drafting and designing offices, and ???? room, in addition to taking the operating course at the Marconi School and the electrical engineering course at the Technical College (passed with first-class honors) gave him a thorough knowledge of the science. During the war he was busy on the manufacture of radio equipment and its installation on board hospital ships, transports, and vessels of the mercantile marine. On the formation of Australectric, Limited, about two years ago, he was transferred from the Amalgamated Wireless. Mr. Dewis is interested in military wireless, being attached to the radio section of the Second Division. He is treasurer of the Military Radio Association and a member of the technical committee, and also belongs to the Wireless Institute. BUILDER USES IT. John H. McClatchy, one of the largest operative builders in Philadelphia is the first man in the United States to apply the radio telephone in home construction. In 900,000 worth of new homes now under construction in the suburbs of Philadelphia he is installing complete sets (says an American paper). Recently Mr McClatchy became interested in wireless and in the radio telephone. He obtained figures regarding the number of persons in the city installing the radio telephone, and was astonished to learn of the widespread interest. As Philadelphia is within easy car distance of New York and Pittsburgh, and in view of the fact that the city itself has become a broadcasting centre, the builder realised what a favorite position it occupied to hear "all the news and music in the air." The McClatchy houses all will be equipped, but whether each house will have its individual aerials has not been determined. There are some objections to this plan as a definite scheme of wiring must be adopted, not to injure the lines of the dwelling. It is possible that one large aerial may be erected near a group of McClatchy houses and then wires extended into each house. It is contended that the expense is small when placed in numbers, and can easily be ???? "It means we all will have to do it," said another builder. "Take two houses of an even price, the one having a radio telephone will sell." ORGANISATION AND AGITATION. "Electron" has a word of praise:— Congratulations on your ???? in last Saturday's column under the above heading. You express in sentiments I have been advocating for an immediate conference of delegates from all radio organisations and I cannot understand why it has not been called. All progressive individuals must realise that unity is strength, and provided that strength is used in the right directions ???? follow. In New South Wales we have the Wireless Institute, the oldest established body of its kind in the world. There are also clubs and associations springing up in the city and suburbs. It must be admitted that the Institute has done all the spade work and experimenters should thank it for and concessions they enjoy today. But why should the Institute continue to act as the official mouthpiece of all Amateurs and the clubs of recent origin reap the benefits? We often hear complaints about the restrictions placed on our activities, but to repeat your statement. "What have they done towards helping along our cause?" It is essential, if we are to succeed, that a Central Radio Council be formed in this State. Who will make the next move." NEWS OF THE CLUBS. THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE has completed final arrangements for the Cheero Girls concert at the Little Theatre on August 2. The proceeds are to be earmarked for defraying the cost of necessary scientific apparatus, and the furnishing of the clubrooms. Tickets (5/- plus tax) may be obtained from the Assistant Secretary, Box 3120, G.P.O. The mass meeting of all experiments (sic) has been definitely fixed for August 31. A preliminary meeting to arrange details of procedure is to be called for Friday, August 4 at the Institute's Rooms, Dalley-street, City. The third competition is to commence shortly. Members and associate members will be given full particulars in a few days. THE METROPOLITAN RADIO CLUB held the most successful meeting since its inception on Wednesday at the Persian Gardens Tea Rooms, when close on 100 members and friends attended. An instructive lecture on valves was given by Mr. Garrod, and Mr. Best talked on D.C. Motors and Generators. Excellent musical items were supplied by visitors during the evening. The prepident, Mr. R. C. Marsden, announced that several requests to postpone the public radio exhibition had been received, and as it was the wish of the club that everybody should have ample time to prepare exhibits, it would be put back till the end of August. Entrance forms are now ready for intending exhibitors. The committee are corresponding with a Goulburn experimenter, who is taking an active part in the formation of a branch of the Metropolitan Club in that district. THE WESTERN SUBURBS AMATEUR WIRELESS ASSOCIATION'S last two meetings have been devoted to the construction of apparatus. When the members last met they dealt with special business, including the club's transmitter and the forthcoming annual entertainment. Several experimenters brought along apparatus for display. A vote of thanks to Mr. Maclurcan was carried for his having entertained detachments of members at his station. Mr. Slight gave a talk on valve reception. At the next meeting Mr. Challenger will lecture on the control of vacuum tubes. The forthcoming public exhibition under the auspices of the Metropolitan Club is interesting members, several of whom are working on apparatus. THE NORTH SYDNEY RADIO CLUB, which has been established for about four months, has not been much before the public. Nevertheless the members have not been idle. They have an 80ft aerial and a crystal set, but are somewhat handicapped by the rent of the club room. In order to strengthen the finances a variety concert is to be given by Mr. Ray Vantier and the "Follies of Pleasure" on August 2 at St. James' Hall, Phillip-street, City. Tickets are now on sale. THE MILITARY RADIO ASSOCIATION'S next meeting will be held at the Engineers' Depot, Moore Park, on Monday night, when Mr. Veech will give a lecture. All radio enthusiasts will be welcome at this meeting. THE TECHNICAL CORNER. Burcher in his work on Vacuum Tubes, says: "Selectivity in wireless receiving apparatus, that is, descrimination between stations, is secured, (1) by loose coupling of the primary and secondary circuits; (2) by the use of large values of inductance at the base of the aerial for a given wave length; (3) by judicious use of the shunt secondary condenser. "In general, wireless telephone conversations are transmitted by radio frequency wave motion termed the "carrier wave." This carrier wave is modulated at an audio frequency and a microphone transmitter such as employed in land line telephony. Thus, any undamped wave transmitter, and any type of oscillation detector, giving a quantitative response may be employed, provided a magnetic telephone is the current translater."http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118851209 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17172 New South Wales, Australia 1 July 1922 13 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 07 08 24th "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of 8 July 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio News and Notes. A SIGNALS EXPERT. BY DOT DASH One of the most energetic workers in the cause of the experimenter in this State is Lieutenant O. F. Mingay, hon. secretary of the Military Radio Association. He is an expert on all signals, and was connected with the military service in 1913. He enlisted for active service in 1915, and sailed for the front the same year with the 5th Field Artillery Brigade Signals. After going through the Pozieres fighting he was transferred to the 2nd Divisional Signal Engineers in January, 1917. On the cessation of hostilities Lieut. Mingay had charge of the reconstruction of the Charleroi (Belgium) civil telephone exchange, which carried 3000 working lines. For this work he received a letter of appreciation from the Chief Engineer of the Belgian Administration and was mentioned in despatches. Later he went to England and had six months experience with the British Post Office Engineering Branch. Lieut. Mingay is now O.C. First Division Wireless Section. It was under his supervision that the reporting of the last Aerial Derby to the "Evening News" office by wireless was successfully carried out. MORETON BAY'S GOOD WORK. A radio has been received by Amalgamated Wireless, Limited, Sydney, from the senior wireless officer of the liner Moreton Bay, stating that the vessel, then two days west of Colombo, bound for Suez, was still in direct communication with Perth radio. The distance is approximately 3500 miles, and represents record working for a ship trading between Australia and the United Kingdom, via Suez. The Moreton Bay carries an Australian-made set, which was shipped by the Amalgamated Wireless to the United Kingdom, and fitted before the vessel left the builder's hands. The Moreton Bay carries an Austraceiver wholly designed and manufactured by the company. Credit is due to the operators in the Moreton Bay and the Perth Radio Station for their skilful handling of the apparatus. A TRANSFORMER TROUBLE. Mr. Maclurcan (Strathfield) overcomes trouble — Last week one of my inter-valve audio frequency transformers refused duty — the ???? trouble ???? primary winding. I say ???? because this makes the fourth that has behaved in this manner, and no doubt other experimenters have had the same trouble. I tried the following scheme to carry on, and also to make use of the remaining secondary winding. I may say the result was not a success, the signals, if anything, were louder than before. With all batteries switched off, connect Primary 1 to Secondary 1, also Primary 2 to Secondary 2. Then connect a small fixed condenser 0.001 M F D in the grid circuit of the amplifying valve and another like it in the lead from the lower secondary to ???? Then with on and ???? EXPERIMENTERS' GLOSSARY. Aerial: The system of conductors designed to radiate or absorb electromagnetic waves. Aerial Circuit: The circuit comprising the aerial conductors, the earth conductors, and all inductances and condensers connected between them. Aerial Resistance: The resistance which, multiplied by the square of the R.M.S. current in the aerials, equals the total energy dissipated by the aerial. It is the sum of the ohmic resistance of the aerial and its radiation resistance. Aether (or Ether): The medium assumed by electromagnetic theory in order to explain the translation of energy at finite speed by electromagnetic waves. Alternating Current: One which reverses its direction periodically with time. Alternator: A rotating machine which transforms mechanical energy into electrical energy, producing at its terminals one or more alternating E.M.F.'s (single phase or polyphase). Amplitude: The maximum value of current or voltage attained during any half period of an alternating current or voltage is called the amplitude during that half period. Amplification (Magnification): The ratio of the useful effect obtained by the employment of the amplifier to the useful effect obtained without that instrument. Amplifier or Magnifying Relay: One which modifies the effect of a local source of energy in accordance with the variations of received signals, and in general produces a larger indication than could be had from the incoming energy alone. MR. MACLURCAN'S CONCERTS. Mr. Maclurcan tells us that there will be no transmission from his station from July 9 till July 30. If any country experimenters heard the music or speech on Sunday last Mr. Maclurcan will be pleased if they will write and let him know how they compared with previous signals. It was raining hard all through the transmission, and the radiation current had fallen to about half the usual, so the comparison will be interesting and instructive. THE PUBLIC EXHIBITION. The committee of the Metropolitan Radio Club is leaving nothing to chance concerning the forthcoming public exhibition of radio apparatus. "Too long has the experimenter been looked upon as a crank by some sections of the general public," said Mr. Marsden, president of the club, "and it is up to us to show the people what we can do. This is the first exhibition of its kind in Australia, and I hope it will not be the last." It is the intention of the club to secure premises for the exhibition in the heart of the city, and to keep the display open on a Friday and Saturday toward the end of August. An soon as negotiations concerning the premises are completed, the dates will be announced. In the meantime many experimenters are busy making and tuning up apparatus for competition and display. Several gifts towards the prize fund have already been received by the club. The competitions are open to all bona fide experimenters. CLUB NEWS. THE Wireless Institute will hold its next general meeting at the club rooms, Dally-street, City, on Tuesday evening. Members will contribute short papers, and Mr. J. G. Reed will lecture on "Radio Measurements for Experimenters." This lecture is in lieu of the one on "Electrons," which was to have been given by Mr. J. F. Wilson, who is at present away from Sydney. The institute's third competition will be held shortly. First and second prizes, given by Mr. C. P. Bartholomew, will be awarded for the best exhibit of apparatus made or assembled wholly or in part by the competitor. The Military Radio Association's last meeting was held on Monday, when Mr. W. Veech gave an interesting lecture on "Vacuum Tubes and their application to High Frequency Amplification." The weather prevented the attendance from being up to expectations. The absentees missed a treat, for Mr. Veech's talk was one of the most interesting and instructive ever heard in Sydney. On Monday Lieut. R. Fry will continue his series of lectures. THE Metropolitan Radio Club holds its next general meeting on Wednesday week, at the Persian Garden Tea Rooms, Pitt-street, City. Lectures to interest all grades of experimenters have been arranged. All financial members are to be given membership cards, which will be required to be produced at the general meetings. These cards are now being printed, and when ready may be had on application to the treasurer, 18 Royal Arcade, or at the next meeting. If they desire them members will be given tickets which will admit visitors to meetings. STATION FOR NEWCASTLE. The Newcastle Chamber of Commerce has been informed that a wireless station may be established at Newcastle in the near future, telegraphs our correspondent.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118847309 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17178 New South Wales, Australia 8 July 1922 13 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 07 15 25th "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of 15 July 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio Notes and News. FOR THE OUT BACK. BY DOT DASH. Will the wireless telephone solve the country labor problem, and check the drift to the cities? Is the day coming when the farmer, his sons and daughters, and farm laborers will feel compensated for absence from the bright lights and diversions of urban life, through the ability to turn a switch and instantly be in contact with musical comedy, opera, or various forms of spoken entertainment? The day is not far distant when every country home will have its aerial, and members of every household will have the day of lonely toil brightened by anticipation of enjoying in the evening the same things for which they formerly envied their city cousins. Not alone in the way of amusement will the receiving set be useful to the farmer, however. The broadcasted weather reports will be of inestimable value to him in his work. TALK BY PARCEL POST. It is not often that a man's voice is returned to him by parcel post; but such was the experience of an operator at a Pittsburg (America) radio telephone broadcasting station. He was on duty one evening, and, in addition to announcing the programme of music, gave out the news and a talk by the radio 'phone. At the same time an amateur in Hespeler, Ontario, 225 miles north of Pittsburg, was listening in. So well was he received the Pittsburg music that he placed a dictaphone in front of his loud speaker, and registered part of the concert on a record. This record he sent to the broadcasting station, as evidence of the manner in which its items were received by distant amateurs. The Pittsburg operator was one of the most interested of those who listened to the dictaphone record. A "BABY GRAND." THE VEST POCKET RECEIVER. Photo Caption. To meet the requirements or motorists, campers, pedestrians, and invalids, an enterprising American firm has just put on to the market in that country a vest pocket receiving set. The set, which has been christened the "Baby Grand," is only three and three-quarter inches long and two and five-eights inches wide. It includes a crystal detector, tuning inductances, a condenser, and the usual terminals; and needs only telephones and aerial and earth wires. AMATEUR'S GLOSSARY. Anode: (a) In an electrolytic cell — the conductor through the surface of which the current enters the liquid. (b) In primary cell — the metal (usually zinc) through which the current enters the electrolyte. (c) The terminal by which the current enters a cell or other apparatus, such as a vacuum tube, etc. Aperiodic Circuit: A circuit whose resistance is large enough to prevent natural oscillations occurring, and which, therefore, has no definite time period. Arc: A luminous discharge of electricity through a gas in which the material of one or both the electrodes is volatised and takes part in the conduction of the current, whether continuous or alternating. Arrester, Earth: A spark gap with a small gap and large sparking surfaces; used to protect receiving apparatus from powerful discharges. Asynchronous: A term applied to an A.C. generator or motor, the speed of which has no fixed relation to the frequency of the current. Atmospheric Absorption: That portion of the total loss of radiated energy due to atmospheric conductivity, reflection, and refraction. Atmospherics: Disturbances produced in the receiving circuits, caused by electrical action in the atmosphere or in the earth's surface. They are also known as "X's," "strays," and "static." Attenuation: The progressive diminution of intensity as a disturbance advances through a medium. Audibility (minimum): The condition in which there is present in the antenna the least power required for an audible indication in the receiving telephones, with the particular apparatus employed. Audibility Factor: The ratio of the telephone current producing the receiving signals to that producing the least audible signal at the given audio frequency. Automatic Receiver: A receiver that records signals so they can be translated at any convenient time after reception. Automatic Transmitter: A Transmitter that has the usual operating key replaced by any mechanical telegraph sender, such as a Wheatstone transmitter. MR. MACLURCAN HONORED. Mr. Chas. Maclurcan, the well-known experimenter, has received the following letter from Mr. Mingay, hon. secretary of the Military Radio Association: "I have much pleasure in informing you that the following resolution was carried unanimously by the committee: "That a letter of appreciation be sent to Mr. Maclurcan, in respect of his valuable assistance in connecting with the Radio demonstration at our recent dance, and further that he be asked to agree to his election as the first honorary member of this association. "The committee agree that you are worthy of praise and commendation, and our only regret is that it did not function at the receiving end. "We sincerely trust that your good work on behalf of the amateurs and experimenters will long continue. CLUB NOTES. THE Metropolitan Radio Club will hold its next general meeting on Wednesday at the Persian Garden Tea Rooms, Pitt-street, City. The meeting starts at 8 p.m., but for half an hour before that time there will be buzzer practice for those who care to avail themselves of it. The lecturers for the evening will be Mr. F. Swinburne, who will give the first of the series of the elementary talks, and Mr. R. C. Marsden, whose subject will be "Construction and Design of Panel Sets." For the purpose of demonstration Mr. Marsden will have his multi-valve set, built for the forthcoming exhibition, at the meeting. Members are reminded that membership cards are now available. These must be produced at the meeting. Visitors cards are also ready for those members who desire to bring friends. ANOTHER NEW CLUB is to be formed. There are many experimenters in the near Illawarra Suburbs and they think it is time that they had a club. Several enthusiasts took up the work of getting the project going, and there is every prospect of success attending the efforts. The inaugural meeting of the Illawarra Radio Club (as it is proposed to name it) will be held at the Carlton School of Arts (near the Railway Station) next Thursday, at 8 p.m. The business of the evening will be a general discussion on the proposals to be submitted to the meeting, and the election of the first officers of the club. All local amateurs are invited, and it is hoped there will be a good attendance. THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE had a well-attended meeting on Tuesday, when Mr. Geo. Cotton gave an interesting paper on the reproduction of static and signal impulses in graphical form on sensitised paper. Mr. H. R. Gregory talked briefly on variometics and explained the various methods of construction. A lecture on "Radio Measurements for Experimenters" was delivered by Mr. J. G. Reed. He dealt with methods of measuring aerial inductance and capacity, mutual inductance, and distributed capacity and its effects. The next general meeting will be on July 25.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118852505 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17184 New South Wales, Australia 15 July 1922 13 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 07 22 26th "Magic Spark" column (first part) in Sydney's "Evening News," of 22 July 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio Notes and News. BROADCASTING IN BRITAIN. BY DOT DASH The British Postmaster-General, in a recent statement to the House of Commons, on wireless broadcasting, said that a representative of the Post office, who was recently in the United States, reported that there were 750,000 receiving stations open in that country. There had also been a considerable increase in the United States in the number of transmitting stations, and the result has been chaos. Britain had avoided that difficulty, and he hoped that the proposal he was going to make would enable those interested in the science to have a reasonable service. He had decided to allow the establishment of a limited number of radio-telephone broadcasting stations. The country would be divided roughly into areas, and one or more broadcasting stations would be allowed in each. Permission for these stations would only be granted to British firms who were bona fide manufacturers of wireless apparatus. The normal hours for broadcasting would be from 5 to 11 p.m., except on Sundays, when there would be no limit. He also proposed that the obtaining of permits for the reception of the messages should be greatly ???? in the future it would be possible for anyone desiring to instal a receiving set to apply to any post office, and ???? permit for 10/-. MELBOURNE CONCERTS. A correspondent, writing from Melbourne, gives an account of the wireless concert broadcasted by the Amalgamated Wireless, Limited, from their temporary? Station. This set was fully 10 miles from the transmitter, and on one valve he received the telephony so loud as to be almost ???? The programme opened with gramaphone selections, after which announcements were made on behalf of the Victorian Division of the Wireless Institute. It was stated that this division has now 90 members. Then followed vocal items by Miss Daisy McKinnon and Mr. McPherson, and instrumental selections by Miss Cole and Mr. Basil Fitchett. As an illustration that the radiophone loses nothing, the correspondent mentions that after the items had been announced the voice could be heart distinctly, in a stage whisper, saying, "Right you are," to the waiting artists. These concerts have been received from 1000 to 1100 miles away on a single valve. AMATEURS' GLOSSARY. Balancing Aerial: An aerial used in duplex wireless telegraphy. It fills a purpose similar to that of the artificial line in duplex wire telegraphy. Battery: A primary or secondary cell, for producing electric current, or a collection of such units. Beat: When two oscillations of slightly different frequencies are impressed on an electrical circuit, that periodically help and oppose each other. The result is an oscillation whose successive half periods gradually increase and decrease in amplitude with a frequency equal to the difference between the two impressed frequencies. Brush Discharge: A discharge, having a feathery form, and consistently of an intermittent partial discharge, which takes place from a conductor when the potential difference exceeds a certain limit, but is not high enough to cause the formation of a true spark or arc. It is always accompanied by a hissing or cracking sound. When such a discharge is being given off by a conductor, the latter is said to be "brushing." Buzzer: A small mechanism (usually electromagnetic) used for rapidly making and breaking an electric circuit. When connected in series with part of an oscillation electric, it continually impulses the circuit, thereby producing oscillations, which are convenient for testing purposes. Capacity: That property of a material system, by virtue of which it is capable of storing energy electrostatically. The capacity of a system is dependent on its geometrical dimensions, its position relative to other conductors, and the dielectric constants of the surrounding media. Capacity is measured by the ratio of the quantity of electricity stored to the potential difference, at which it is stored. A distinctive property of a capacity is that it permits the passage of electrical energy through it only in the form of displacement currents. Cathode (a): In an electrolytic cell: The conductor through the surface of which the current leaves the electrolyte. (b) In a primary cell: The conductor (generally carbon) through which the current leaves the electrolyte. (c) The electrode by which the current leaves a cell or other apparatus, such as a vacuum tube. Characteristic Curve: A curve showing the variation of a property of a material or a piece of apparatus, when submitted to a changing influence, which produces that variation. The characteristic curve of an arc or crystal shows the relation between the current produced and potential required to produce the current. Choking Coil: A coil with so great a self-induction that its impedance depends chiefly on the self-induction rather than upon the resistance. Circuit, Closed Oscillating: A circuit in which the capacity and inductance are localised substantially in different places, and which has very small power of radiating electromagnetic waves. Coherer: A kind of detector. An imperfect contact or collection of such contacts so arranged that when under the influence of an alternating potential it coheres and allows current from a local battery to pass and make some kind of signal. Code: A system of conventional characters designed to represent letters by dots and dashes. The international Morse Code is official. Condenser: A material system possessing electrostatic capacity. Two con-http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118855759 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17190 New South Wales, Australia 22 July 1922 13 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 26th "Magic Spark" column (second part) in Sydney's "Evening News," of 22 July 1922 TWO USEFUL CIRCUITS. A typical hook up for three honeycombe coils and valve detector. It is the regenerative circuit. The coupling is critical, and gives a high amplification. With tight coupling undamped waves may be received. A circuit in which the primary of the loose coupler is used as plate inductance, by means of a switch it can be connected between the "B" battery and the plate, allowing the reception of undamped waves.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118855757 TWO USEFUL CIRCUITS. Evening News 17190 New South Wales, Australia 22 July 1922 13 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 26th "Magic Spark" column (third part) in Sydney's "Evening News," of 22 July 1922 ducting surfaces separated by a dielectric. A MEXICAN STATION. A contributor, writing to the "Radio News" (U.S.A.) tells of an odd set that he saw when visiting station X.A.J., Tampico, in Mexico. The set is a conglomeration of various makes of apparatus. A unique feature is the "variometer" type of aerial tuning inductance, made of hay-baling wire. Also the antique style of quenched gap, which allows the spark to be observed jumping between the plates, within the gap. The receiver consists of a miniature loose coupler, which would go in an overcoat pocket, and a galena detector, with Brandes telephones. The normal range of this 2 K.W. station is about 300 miles at night, static permitting. Its traffic is mostly shore work, with X.A.L. Tuxpan, but the station is open to ship work during idle hours. It is quite efficient and handles volumes of business, although so crude in its make up. FORM SUBURBAN CLUBS. W. D. G. (Rockdale) writes:— Having regard to the increasing popularity of wireless and the growing ranks of amateurs around Sydney, it seems to me that we could do with more local amateur radio clubs, as a means of bringing together the amateurs in their own districts and helping them along. While some of our metropolitan districts are well catered for in this respect, others are not. I refer particularly to St. George — covering an area, say, from Arncliffe to Oatley, and neighboring localities. There are a large number of experimenters in this area, and if a radio club were formed with headquarters centred at, say Kogarah, I have no doubt it would receive the full support of all concerned. Many are no doubt already members of city clubs, but I feel sure that a local club or association would be welcomed. The idea is worthy of consideration by all local enthusiasts, and it would be pleasing to see them get together with the above object in view. CLUB NOTES. THE METROPOLITAN RADIO CLUB meeting on Wednesday, at the Persian Garden Tea Rooms, was the largest gathering of radio enthusiasts ever seen in Sydney. There were about 150 members and visitors present. The president, Mr. R. C. Marsden, lectured on the design and construction of panel sets. He had his three valve set for the purpose of demonstration, and this was subsequently heard working, the signals being amplified by a magnavox, lent by the Aeolian Company. Mr. Swinburne gave the first of the series of elementary lectures, with demonstrations of static electricity. H. Selby and Co., loaned the apparatus for this purpose. During the evening musical items were given by Mr. Charles Berliner and pupils from the studio of Mr. Leon Berliner. THE MILITARY RADIO ASSOCIATION has lost a good servant in Mr. O. F. Mingay, who has resigned his office as secretary. A committee meeting was held on Monday, the president, Lieut.-Colonel Fraser, in the chair. Mr. Mingay tendered his resignation on account of pressure of other business. The president paid tribute to the good work that Mr. Mingay had done during the inauguration of the association. His remarks were endorsed by Lieut.-Colonel Gordon, Mr. Fry, and Mr. Dewis. Lieut. H. Greenberg was elected secretary. His address is 169 Cowper-street, Waverley. Messrs. Mingay and Dewis were elected delegates to the coming inter-association radio conference. Mr. Fry will give the fourth of his series of lectures on the elementary principles of electricity on Monday, at 7.45 p.m. at the Engineers' Depot. THE WAVERLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB transmitted C.W. telegraphy and telephony on 200 metres on June 27, 28, and 29. This was received well in the vicinity of the Waverley station, but members would like to know if any other amateurs picked them up on those nights. The club's call is N249. At the last meeting Mr. L. Davidson lectured on condensers. This was the first of a series of lectures aranged for the benefit of new members.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118855761 POULTRY GOSSIP Evening News 17190 New South Wales, Australia 22 July 1922 13 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 07 29 27th "Magic Spark" column (first part) in Sydney's "Evening News," of 29 July 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio Notes and News. GET A LICENSE. BY DOT DASH A word in season to all interested in radio. If you own a wireless receiving set get a licence. There is no doubt that there are some unlicensed sets in Sydney, and in every principal city of the Commonwealth for that matter, and their existence is doing the amateur cause a deal of harm. Every genuine experimenter abides by the law, and it is not right that he should be blamed for the wrongdoing of a few. Not only that, but the risk is big. The authorities know more than most people think, and no matter how small the unlicensed aerial they will find it in time. There is a big penalty too. It cannot be said that there have been no warnings. The Wireless Institute has strong views on the subject, and Mr. Marsden, president of the Metropolitan Radio Club, makes it a point to warn the members at almost every meeting. Presidents of other clubs might take a hint from these bodies and put it to their members. MR. MACLURCAN'S CONCERTS. Experimenters will be pleased to learn that Mr. Chas. Maclurcan will be back from Kosciusko tomorrow. He will lose no time in getting to his hobby, for he intends continuing his concerts from tomorrow night. With his usual good nature Mr. Maclurcan says he will be pleased in future concerts to broadcast any gramaphone record desired by experimenters, and if he has not got it he will try to secure it for the night. Also, if any experimenter has a record he would like played he can let Mr. Maclurcan have it. It will be necessary to inform him before Thursday in each week. AMATEURS GLOSSARY. Conduction Current: A transfer of electrical energy guided by a conducting medium. Convection Current: A transfer of electrical energy by separate charged particles, unguided by any material medium. Continuous Waves: The term applied to waves radiated from an aerial in which oscillations are maintained. Continuous waves may have successive half periods of equal amplitude, or the amplitude may vary within small limits without detriment to their use for wireless telegraphy. Converter, Rotary: A machine for converting electrical energy of one form of current to electrical energy of another form. Such as from alternating current to continuous or vice versa. Coupling: The connection between two circuits enabling energy to be transferred from one to the other. The connection may be by magnetic linkage, electrostatic linkage, direct connection, or any combination of these. Critical Resistance: That resistance which is just sufficient to prevent free oscillations in an electrical circuit. Crystal Detector: A detector which uses the rectifying properties of the contact between a crystal and a metal surface or between two crystals. Cymometer: A "wave measurer." Current: The time rate of transfer of electrical quantity. Damping: The diminution of energy in an electrical circuit resulting from loss of energy. THE NEW CLUB. At a meeting at the Carlton School of Arts the Illawarra Radio Club was formed:— The following office-bearers were elected:— President, C. D. Cuthbert; vice-presidents, L. R. Hewett and A. E. A. Atkinson; hon. secretary, W. D. Graham; hon. treasurer, J. W. Mann; business committee, C. Binns, S. Atkinson, and W. J. Smith; technical committee, C. Borthwick, E. G. Bailey, F. H. Kirkby, and C. A. Gorman. Messrs. Hewett and Atkinson were also appointed club delegates to the approaching interclub radio conference. The main aim of this club is to bring into association all wireless amateurs in the Illawarra suburbs (of whom there are a considerable number) and others interested, for their mutual benefit. It has been decided as a temporary arrangement to hold meetings in the Carlton School of Arts every alternate Thursday. Meantime the committee is formulating club rules, considering the question of club-room accommodation, and arranging general working details and future proceedings of the club. The next meeting of the club has been fixed for Thursday, August 3, at 8 p.m. The secretary's address is 44 Cameron-street, Rockdale. WE CAN DO IT. An illustration of a miniature receiving set now being manufactured commercially in the United States was publicised in this column recently. The set here shown was constructed by Mr. C. McClure, of the North Sydney Radio Club. It can be easily carried in the pocket. The set comprises inductance, detector, and telephone condenser, and it can be tuned up to 600 metres. Some good results have been obtained with it, both from ship and land stations. IN THE CLUBS. THE METROPOLITAN RADIO CLUB'S next meeting will be held on Wednesday evening, August 9. The place of meeting will be announced in this column next Saturday. The club's committee is at present busy looking for a home for the forthcoming public radio exhibition. The task is not an easy one as buildings in a central position with facilities for an aerial are not numerous. Within a few days, however, it is hoped to be able to make an announcement as to the date and place. THE WIRELESS INSTITUTE's next meeting will be on Tuesday next, when Mr. Wallace Best will give one of the series of elementary lecture on electrical and mechanical energy on August 8, there will be a general meeting and visitors' night, when a special lecture will be given. The concert, which was to have been given at the Little Theatre, in aid of the Institute's funds, has been abandoned owing to difficulties in arrangement. THE NORTH SYDNEY RADIO CLUB will hold an important meeting at the club house, Alfred and High streets, today, at 3 p.m. The final arrangements will be made for the concert in aid of the club's funds, to be held at St. James' Hall, Phillip-street, City, on August 2. THE MILITARY RADIO ASSOCIATION'S next general meeting will be held on Monday, August 7. Owing to the inclement weather last Monday, Mr. Fry's fourth lecture on the elementary principles of electricity was postponed until Monday next. On Wednesday evening next, at 7.45, Mr. Dewis will give the first of his series of lectures on generation, transformers, and transmission of alternating currents. The lectures in each case will be at the Engineers' depot, Moore Park. THE WAVERLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB held a meeting recently, when it was announced by the Secretary that the club had been granted a 1000 metres wave length for transmitting telephony. Experimenters will be given full benefit of the club's transmissions as soon as the necessary apparatus is obtained from England. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. Q. X. (Leichhardt): The valve you mention is a detector. Use four volts on the filament and anything from 30 to 45 on the plate. "Aerial" (Mascot): Six foot spreaders would be better for your purpose, but as you can get such good length, why not try a single wire? A POCKET SET MADE BY A LOCAL AMATEUR. Photo Caption.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118858048 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17196 New South Wales, Australia 29 July 1922 13 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 27th "Magic Spark" column (second part) in Sydney's "Evening News," of 29 July 1922 A RECORD-MAKING SET. Photo Caption. Mr. Chas. Maclurcan's station at Strathfield. It is with this set that he sends out telephony and does such splendid low power transmission work.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118858046 A RECORD-MAKING SET Evening News 17196 New South Wales, Australia 29 July 1922 13 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 08 1922 08 05 28th "Magic Spark" column (first part) in Sydney's "Evening News," of 5 August 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio Notes and News. LOOKING AHEAD. BY DOT DASH The Melbourne Conference, the Prime Minister's statement in Parliament, and the general stir in official circles, may be taken as good omens by the experimenter. If, as Mr. Hughes has promised, transmitting is to be allowed. It will find many enthusiasts, who wish to avail themselves of the privilege, unprepared. For years they have been concentrating on the reception side of the science, and naturally the finer points of transmission, both practical and theoretical, have been somewhat neglected. As is only right, the authorities will demand some sort of test of an amateur, before granting him permission to send, so it is as well to brush up your theory. In order that there shall be no interference, it is the duty of those who intend to transmit to be absolutely familiar with the apparatus. CONCERT PROGRAMME. Following is the programme for Mr. Maclurcan's concert tomorrow evening. The records are all Pathe's, being among the latest to reach this country, but not yet available to the public. The entertainment starts at 7.30:— "Coral Sea," fox trot. "Good Bye," (Tosti), Mlle. Yvonne Gall "My Isle of Golden Dreams," Hawaiian guitar. Nursery rhymes. "Wind Among the Trees," flute solo. "Avalon," Ernest Hare, baritone. "Spring Song" (Mendlesohn), piano solo. "Hawaiian Twilight," Hawaiian guitar. "La Traviata," Claudia Muzio soprano. "Hop, Skip, and Jump," fox trot. "Old Mother Goose," bedtime fairy story. "God Save the King." BOMBED BY VANDALS. The Wireless Station at Clifden, in Ireland, which was bombed and burned by the Republicans, was erected by Marconi, for transatlantic communication, the corresponding station on the American side being situated at Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The stations were first opened for limited Anglo-Canadian wireless traffic on October 17, 1907, and millions of words, in Press and private messages, have been since transmitted. The aerial system at the Clifden Station is supported on wooden masts, varying in height from 180 to 220ft, and is about 2500ft long, with an average breadth of about 1200ft. The approximate total length of wire used in its construction was 78,000ft. The station buildings comprise an engine and boiler house, a condenser house, and a residence for the operators. The total engine-power originally installed was 1100 h.p. During the latter part of 1920 the original spark apparatus was replaced by the modern valve system, the same change being effected at the Nova Scotia Station. The receiving apparatus of the Clifden Station is installed at Letterfrack, 12 miles from Clifden, the two points being connected by underground cables. AMATEUR'S GLOSSARY. Damping Factor (of a simple circuit): The ratio of the effective resistance of that circuit to twice the effective inductance (the reciprocal of a tune). This term applies only to circuits capable of carrying free alternating currents. Decrement, Logarithmic: Is equal to the natural logarithm of the ratio of the amplitude of two successive half-periods. (Note.— Some investigators take the ratio of amplitude of successive half-periods in the same direction). Decremeter: An instrument for measuring the logarithmic decrement. Detector: That portion of the receiving apparatus which serves to transform the energy of the high-frequency oscillation into a form suitable for actuating an indicator. Dielectric: Any medium which will only allow of electric conduction to a small or negligible extent. Dielectric Constant (or Specific Inductive capacity) of a Medium: The ratio of the capacity of a condenser, having that medium as a dielectric to the capacity of a condenser having a vacuum dielectric, but otherwise identical. (The dielectric constant of air is substantially unity, and therefore for all practical purposes air may be used in place of the vacuum in the comparison condenser). Dielectric Hysteresis: That lagging property of a dielectric, which is measured by the energy lost when the rising and falling (displacement current) — (voltage) characteristics (dynamic) are not identical. Diffraction: The deviation of the direction of propagation of a wave from the normal to the wave front at the point where the waves pass the edge of an obstruction. The amount of diffraction depends on the wavelength, and increases with increase of wavelength. Diplex Telegraphy: The simultaneous transmission, or the simultaneous reception, of two messages at the same station. Direct Coupling: When one circuit is linked to another in such a way that a portion of the one forms part of the other, they are said to be direct coupled. An example is provided in the auto-jigger in which a portion of the inductance is common to two circuits. Direction Finder, Wireless: A receiving instrument which, in combination with a special aerial system, enables the direction of the transmitting station to be determined. Disc Discharger, Asynchronous: A disc discharger, the speed of which has no fixed relation to the frequency of the current charging the condenser, which it discharges. ROUND THE CLUBS. The Metropolitan Radio Club's general meeting set down for next Wednesday, has been postponed for a week. The change, which was made necessary by a difficulty as to a suitable meeting-place, will not affect the subsequent fixtures. The place of meeting, and the evening's programme, will be published in this column next Saturday. The North Sydney Club's funds should benefit considerably as the result of the successful concert in St. James' Hill, Phillip-street, on Wednesday evening. A splendid programme was given by Mr. Roy Vantier and the "Follies of Pleasure." The Military Radio Association's next general meeting will be at 8 p.m. on Monday at the Engineers' Depot, Moore Park. The technical committee have arranged for an extensive series of lectures for the coming quarter. The secretary wishes to emphasise the value of these lectures to every member, as all subjects pertaining to Radio work, both practical and theoretical, are dealt with. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. Oldar (Banksia): At present, no. But Mr. Maclurcan broadcasts telephony from his Strathfield station every Sunday evening, at 7.30. Wave length, 1400 metres. Beginner (Auburn): If your set is properly put togother you should get Adelaide, Brisbane, and even Awanui (New Zealand) and ships at sea. As to the radio concerts, it is doubtful if you could get up to the wave length on your tuning coil. However, it should be easy for you to remedy this. We would advise you to test out the several crystals, and see which will suit the set best. W.S.S. (Mascot): We are writing to you, giving the particulars you require. S. H. (Campsie): Your letter received. The enclosures are interesting, and we thank you for the trouble.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118854185 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17202 New South Wales, Australia 5 August 1922 18 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 28th "Magic Spark" column (second part) in Sydney's "Evening News," of 5 August 1922 AN UP-TO-DATE AERIAL. Photo Caption. Showing the arrangement of the aerials at Mr. Maclurcan's station at Strathfield.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118854216 AN UP-TO-DATE AERIAL Evening News 17202 New South Wales, Australia 5 August 1922 18 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 08 12 29th "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of 12 August 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio Notes and News. EXPERIMENTERS CONFER." BY DOT-DASH An important conference of club delegates was held recently, when representatives of the following bodies met:— Wireless Institute, Metropolitan Radio Club, Military Radio Association, Waverley Wireless Club, Western Suburbs Wireless Association and Illawarra Radio Club. Mr. P. Renshaw was appointed president. It was decided that the proposed mass meeting be abandoned. The meeting then settled down and discussed ways and means of forming an association to be called "The N.S.W. Association of Radio Societies." It was suggested that clubs having over 10 licensed experimenters and up to 25 have one delegate on the association, while those bodies with over 25 have two. To provide funds for carrying on the proposed association it was decided that clubs contribute 2/- for each member. The meeting was adjourned for a month to enable delegates to report to their members and get instructions. CONCERT PROGRAMME Mr. Maclurcan has arranged a varied programme for his radio concert on tomorrow evening. The entertainment, which will commence at 7.30, will be made up of the following items:— "Say It With Music," fox trot. "La Forza del Destino," Claudia Muzio, soprano. "Mahaina Malamalama," Hawaiian guitar. Nursery rhymes. "Bird Raptures," whistling solo. "Vainement me bien aines," Mr. Vaquet, tenor. "Maiden's Wish," (Chopin-Lizst), piano solo. "I Call You Sunshine," fox trot. "Little White House," selections, "The Night Nursery," and "The Smoking Room," Edgar Coyle, baritone. "Sweet Lei Lehua," Hawaiian guitar. "L'Infanta," banjo selection. Soldiers' Chorus from "Faust" (by request). "God Save the King." AMATEURS' GLOSSARY. Disc Discharger, Synchronous: A disc discharger, usually directly coupled to the alternator supplying power to the condenser. It may discharge the condenser, one, two, three, or more times during a half-period; or every one, two, or more half periods. The usual practice is to discharge once every half-period, at the moment when the condenser potential is a maximum, and the alternator current zero. Discharger: That piece of apparatus in the primary oscillating circuit at which the spark takes place. Duplex Telegraphy: The transmission of a message and the reception of a message simultaneously at the same station. Displacement Current: The electrical condition within a dielectric region of varying electric stress. It produces the same external electric and magnetic effects as the equivalent conduction current. Earth Connection, or "Earth": The connection to the earth which, in most systems, forms the lower extremity of the Aerial System. It usually takes the form or a system of metal plates or wires, or a combination of both, more or less, deeply buried in the ground. Eddy Currents: Those induced in conducting masses by external varying magnetic fields, the location of these currents being primarily determined by the position of the fields, and not by the configuration of the conducting mass (That is, the conducting mass is not specially arranged to provide perfectly well-defined circuits). Such parasitic currents are also called Foucault currents. Electric Potential is defined as the work done in carrying a unit charge of electricity from infinity to the point considered. Electric Stress: The cause of the electrically strained condition in the medium between two regions which are at different potentials. Electromagnetic Wave: A progressive disturbance characterised by the existence of the wave front of electric and magnetic forces, acting in directions which are perpendicular to each other and to the direction of propagation of the wave. Electromotive Force: The force which tends to displace electricity, and is equal to the difference of potential between the points considered. Forced Alternating Current: That produced by an isolated electrical displacement in a circuit having capacity, inductance and less than the critical resistance. Frequency: A term used in connection with any form of rhythmical motion or rhythmical change, denoting the number of complete movements or changes in a given time — usually a second. Frequency Meter: An instrument which indicates frequency. INTERESTING CIRCUIT. Mr. Maclurcan writes:— During my recent tests with New Zealand a Melbourne experimenter received my C.W. and speech, in the Victorian capital, on an aerial only 10ft high and 30ft long, using two valves and the circuit shown here. This circuit is interesting, and worth trying. It combines both radio and audio frequency amplification, as well as rectification. GOOD HINTS. "Wireless Weekly," in its second issue contains a deal of information that should be appreciated by readers of this column. As the pioneer of newspaper space to wireless, we are always pleased to see a publication specialising in the science, especially when it contains such useful hints on home-made apparatus, the latest news of amateur doings, and station call lists. ROUND THE CLUBS. THE ILLAWARRA RADIO CLUB held its second meeting at the Carlton School of Arts last week, when club rules were adopted. An address was given by Mr. R. C. Marsden, president or the M.R.C., who touched on matters of importance to amateurs, particularly the probable outcome of the present negotiations with the Government. He also stressed the need for a united association of "radio bodies for the control of amateur wireless. The speaker was accorded a vote of thanks for his interesting address. It is proposed at future meetings to introduce lectures and demonstrations. Members may also avail themselves of buzzer practice from 7.30 to 8 on meeting nights. The next meeting will be held at Carlton School of Arts on Thursday next, at 8 p.m. THE CONCORD RADIO CLUB is sending C.W. and telephony on a 200-metre wave length at 8 p.m. each Saturday. The members ask that any experimenter hearing the transmission will report it to the secretary, "Quondong," La Mascot Avenue, Concord. THE MILITARY RADIO ASSOCIATION held a general meeting last Monday evening, when the report of the two delegates who attended the inter-association conference, was discussed. There will be an extraordinary general meeting on Monday, August 21, to deal with matters of paramount importance to the future of the association. Mr. Fry will continue his lectures on elementary principles of electricity on Monday evening, and on Wednesday Mr. Dewis will repeat his first lecture on alternating currents. Captain Clark is to give a lantern lecture on Wednesday, August 23. The Metropolitan Radio Club's postponed general meeting will be held at the Kardomah Cafe, 106 King-street, near Pitt-street, City, on Wednesday, at 7.30 p.m. It is desired that all members make a special effort to attend, as important business has been set down for discussion, including the instruction to the delegates to the inter-club conference. There will also be as interesting lecture.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118848740 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17208 New South Wales, Australia 12 August 1922 19 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 08 19 30th "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of 19 August 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Notes and News. MR MACLURCAN AGAIN. BY DOT DASH. By courtesy of the Amalgamated Wireless (Aust.), Ltd., Mr. Maclurcan has been conducting a test with Mr. Dixon wireless operator on the steamer Montoro. During this week, Mr. Dixon telegraphed that he was leaving Thursday Island for Darwin and to send as per arrangement. Mr. Maclurcan did so, and has just received a telegram stating that the c. w. signals were heard at Darwin, a distance of approximately 2100 miles. Mr. Dixon was using a single expanse "B" valve, with the ship's standard equipment. The message was unreadable, on account of severe static disturbance, but was sufficiently strong to enable Mr. Dixon to be assured that he heard Mr. Maclurcan, and could have read him had the conditions been more normal. It should be borne in mind that this distance of 2100 miles is wholly overland, which makes the result all the more satisfactory. The power used at the transmitting end was only 8.25 watts. To the wireless man this speaks volumes, but to the uninitiated it might be pointed out that a single 16 candle power electric light uses 20 watts, so they can draw their own conclusions. FOR TOMORROW NIGHT. Mr. Maclurcan's concert programme, arranged for tomorrow night, is as follows. The first item will be at 7.30, and after there will be an interval for code practice in C.W. and buzzer:— Fox trot, "Ilo." Hawaiian Guitar, "My Land of Memory." Soprano, "Madam Butterfly," Claudia Muzio. Piano, "Fifth Mazurka in A" (Godard). Xylophone, "Snowdrops." 8 p.m., code practice in C.W. and buzzer. Foxtrot, "Canadian Capers." Tenor, "La Boheme," Constantino. Hawaiian Guitar, "Hawaiian Nights Waltz." Cello, "Romance Sans Paroles" Joseph Hoffman. "God Save the King" BOOM STRIKES ENGLAND. The boom in amateur radio has crossed the Atlantic from America and invaded England with a vengance. The recent relaxation of restrictions by the British Postmaster-General, precipitated a rush for apparatus with which to tap the music and speech from the ether. Naturally there was a demand by the amateurs for literature on the absorbing subject, and to fill this two weekly publications have made their appearance. We have received copies of the first issue. They are "Popular Wireless" (produced by The Amalgamated Press, Ltd., London), and "Amateur Wireless" (published by Cassell and Co., Ltd., London). Both publications deal with the subject of radio for the amateur in an understandable way, and are well set up and illustrated. AMATEUR GLOSSARY. Fundamental Frequency: The lowest frequency to which an electrical circuit will resonate. Group Frequency: The number of distinguishable alternating current groups occurring per second in an electrical group. Note I.: The group referred to above is, in general, mainly a free alternating current, which is substantially damped to extinction before the beginning of the following group or train. Note II.: The pitch of the note in the receiving station is, in general, determined by the group frequency at the transmitting station. Note III.: The term "Group Frequency" replaces the term "Spark Frequency." Harmonic Frequency: The harmonics of any particular frequency are generally understood to be all higher frequencies, which are odd or even multiples of the said frequency. An electrical oscillator, which has uniformly distributed inductance and capacity (a straight wire nearly fulfils these conditions) will resonate to any odd or even multiple of its fundamental frequency, according to whether one end is earthed or not. If the inductance and capacity are not uniformly distributed, the circuit may resonate to a number of frequencies higher than its fundamental, but these higher frequencies will not necessarily bear any whole multiple relation to the fundamental frequencies. Heterodyne: A receiver for continuous waves, using the principle of reaction between locally generated oscillations and the received oscillations, in order to produce beats. High Frequency Resistance: The resistance offered by a conductor to the passage of high-frequency currents. It is always greater than the resistance for direct current because of the unequal current distribution over a section of the conductor when carrying high-frequency currents. Impedance: Total opposition to current flow in a circuit in which the current is varying, and is numerically equal to the square root of the sum of the square of the ohmic resistance and the total reactance of the circuit. RADIO OR WIRELESS? What is the difference in the meanings of the two words "radio" and "wireless?" Radio is wireless — up to a point, but the latter word applies to so many other kinds of free communication that the former word was coined to describe more accurately the particular activity of the broadcasting stations as they function today. Radio applies specifically to electric communications by means of ether waves (says "Popular Wireless," London). The novice may have been under the impression that all wireless messages were conveyed by ether waves. That is not so. Electric discharges may be conducted through water or through the earth, and even through light waves. Ether waves can be employed for a similar purpose. Telegraphic communication has been established between a moving train and the telegraph wires running alongside the track by simply placing thin metal sheets on the roof of the train. Also communication has been established between balloons fitted with a covering of tinfoil. All these methods may be called by the name of wireless. Radio may also be so termed, but it was its specific meaning as well. IN THE CLUBS Military Radio Association.— Members are again reminded that the extraordinary general meeting will be held on Monday evening. There are a number of important matters to be discussed, and every member is requested to be present. A list of lectures for the coming quarter has been sent to each member, and as it includes talks by well-known Sydney radio men, it is expected that every member will attend them. The Wireless Institute will hold its next general meeting on Tuesday, when the principal business of the evening will be an interference test of 12 words a minute. Members and amateurs generaly will be pleased to hear that the secretary, Mr. Phil Renshaw, is making satisfactory progress on his recovery from serious illness. The Metropolitan Radio Club held a general meeting at the Kardomah Cafe, King-street, on Wednesday, when a large attendance of members discussed the proposal to form a clubs' association for New South Wales. The club's delegates, Mr. Marsden (president) and Mr. Best, gave an outline of what had been done at the recent inter-club conference, and asked for instructions as to their course of procedure when the delegates met again. The principal suggestion was that the clubs should not pay more than a shilling a member capitation fee to the proposed association. Mr. Palmer gave an instructive lecture on batteries.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118859823 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News New South Wales, Australia 19 August 1922 19 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 08 26 31st "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of 26 August 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio Notes and News. NEW REGULATIONS. BY DOT DASH. The new wireless regulations now being drafted, will be ready for circulation shortly, and it is understood they will contain much that will affect the experimenter. One of the most important items will be the reduction of the present license fee of £2 a year. Exactly what the new fee will be has not been officially disclosed but the Melbourne correspondent of the "Evening News" believes it will be £1. Among the many rumors circulating in Sydney is a persistent one to the effect that it will be much lower. Ten shillings is freely mentioned. This, of course, would be for a valve receiving set, and whether it will be the same for a crystal outfit is another question for speculation. It is known that there was a strong move to allow crystal sets to be licensed at a merely nominal fee to cover the cost of stationery, but whether this has borne fruit or not remains a secret of the authorities. The amateurs all over Australia are eagerly awaiting the regulations, which will surely give a fresh impetus to the science. THE WONDER MUSIC. Mr. Maclurcan has arranged another fine programme for tomorrow night. The concert will commence at 7.30, and the following items will be played on Pathe records:— "Sweet Love," Fox Trot. "Three Little Pigs," bedtime story (after which the little ones can go to bed). "La Paloma," Hawaiian Guitar. "Il Secreto di Suzanne," Claudia Muzio. "Prelude in C Sharp Minor" (Rachmaninoff), piano solo. "The Little Rascal," xylophone solo. 8 p.m., code practice, C.W., and buzzer. "Swannee Rose," one step. "Hawaiian Paradise," Hawaiian guitar. "Parsiflage," banjo solo. "Kashmiri Song," from the "Indian Love Lyrics," baritone. "The Whistling Yarn," G.H. Snazelle. "The Cricket Club of Red Nose Flat," recitation. "God Save the King." Mr Maclurcan asks that if any fading is noticed on the higher notes in the vocal records that it be reported to him. EXPLORING THE ETHER. I had an idea during a recent afternoon, writes a Sydney experimenter, and decided to explore the ether on all wave lengths. It was a most interesting period, for I found many things I did not think were there. Starting below 200 metres, I heard a feeble buzzer, laboriously grinding out the code. Whether my hopes that the wrongdoer would severely shock himself with his own spark coil were realised or not, I cannot say, but I noted the occurrence for report. Up on 600 metres there were desultory spasms of commercial work, and the whistle of a badly-controlled valve. Just over the 1000 metre mark I found the carrier wave of telephony, and soon tuned into an impromptu concert. Higher and higher I went, and lo! another carrier wave shreikked at something over .2000. Static spluttered and crackled, and the speech in this case, which I suspect, emanated from Garden Island, was marred thereby. With three valves going, I managed to get a few of the long-distance stations, and dropped down to 600 metres and Pennant Hills after an interesting afternoon. GO-AHEAD GERMANS. From long and systematic experiments, the German Post Office has come to the conclusion that radio telephony is the simplest and cheapest means of distributing news from a central point. The Post Office administration his entered into an agreement with a news distributing agency for the circulation of market prices of stocks, prices of material, and so on (says "Scientific American"). Subscribers to the service pay 4000 marks per annum to the Post Office for installation and maintenance, and a subscription for the news services to the Press agency. Reception of news services which are not subscribed for is partially prevented by changing the figures, which have to be decoded by the subscribers entitled to the particular service. The apparatus consists of a single-wire antenna, loop antenna not being used since they involve expensive amplifying receivers. A single vacuum tube receiver is supplied, supplemented where necessary by two stages of audio-frequency amplification, while filament and plate currents are taken from the electric lighting circuit through suitable resistance. All apparatus is enclosed in sealed cases, inspection windows being provided, so that the condition of the tubes may be readily ascertained. AMATEUR'S GLOSSARY Inductance: That property of a material system by virtue of which it is capable of storing energy electromagnetically. The inductance of a system is dependent upon its geometrical dimensions and the permeability of the surrounding media. In hysteresis free circuits inductance is measured by the ratio of the conductor to the square of the current in that conductor, for stationary conditions. In any circuit it may be measured by interlinkage passing through the system. An alternative method involves the measurement of the counter electromotive force at the terminals of the given conductor, when the current through the conductor changes at the rate of one unit of current per second. In hysteresis-free circuits these three methods of measurement yield identical results. Induction Coil: A piece of apparatus which makes use of the phenomena of induction to transform an intermittent current of comparatively low voltage to an intermittent current of high voltage. Inductive Coupling: Two circuits so arranged that some of the lines of force from one pass through the other circuit, are inductively coupled. Interference: The interaction of two alternating currents, or of electromagnetic waves under condition such that they oppose each other. Interference (in reception): The introduction of undesired signals, either from other stations or from atmospherics, into a receiver which is engaged in the reception of a message; often referred to as "jamming." Ionisation of a gas: The breaking away from the molecules of the ions contained in them, thus rendering the gas conductive. Jigger: The transformer used in coupled circuits. The primary and secondary form part of the primary and secondary circuits respectively. If the transformer part of the winding common to both primary and secondary, it is called an auto-jigger. Keys (manipulating operating): A switch arranged for easy manual operation. EXHIBITION DATE FIXED. The public exhibition of radio apparatus, under the auspices of the Metropolitan Radio Club, which has been repeatedly postponed, owing to suitable accommodation not being available, will definitely be held on Friday, September 22, and Saturday 23. The exhibition will be housed in the Congregational Hall, Pitt-street, next to the Criterion Theatre. The committee desire that all amateurs wishing to enter apparatus fill in an entrance form, which may be obtained from the club's officers, and send it in with the entrance fee, as soon as possible. Special lectures and demonstrations on wireless telegraphy are being arranged for the entertainment and education of the visitors. IN THE CLUBS THE ILLAWARRA RADIO CLUB'S last meeting was a busy one. Mr. C. Borthwick gave an interesting talk on the fundamental principles of wireless, and gave a simple demonstration of the transmission of electric waves, by means of a spark coil and two loops. The club's delegates (Messrs. Hewett and Atkinson) reported the result of the recent meeting of club delegates. The club decided to throw in its lot with the proposed association provided the capitation was limited to 2/- per member. The next meeting will be held at the Carlton School of Arts on August 31 at 8 p.m. Buzzer practice from 7.30 p.m. The Metropolitan Radio Club's next general meeting will be on Wednesday next at the Laurel Cafe, Royal Arcade, at 7.30 p.m. The star item of the evening will be a lecture by Mr. Colville, of Queensland on Amateur Transmission. The officials will make some announcements of importance to members. The Military Radio Association held an extraordinary general meeting last Monday evening, when the report of the delegate to the recent conference was discussed at length. The delegates were requested to convey the meeting's decision to the resumed conference on Friday ??. At a committee meeting held on the same evening it was decided to hold another dance at the Engineers' Depot. A dance committee was formed and will meet on Tuesday evening next.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118850868 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17220 New South Wales, Australia 26 August 1922 19 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 09 1922 09 02 32nd "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of 2 September 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio Notes and News. FORTHCOMING EXHIBITION. BY DOT DASH Many experimenters are now busy preparing exhibits for the forthcoming public exhibition, under the auspices of the Metropolitan Radio Club, and from all appearances the show should be a huge success. It will be the first exhibition of its kind in Australasia. Mr. Chas. Maclurcan has consented to judge the exhibits in conjunction with Mr. Basil Cooke and Mr. J. Reed. The club committee is arranging lectures and demonstrations for the entertainment of visitors, and permission is to be sought to receive radio music, which will be amplified in the hall by a loud speaker. The show will be in the Congregational Hall, next to the Criterion Theatre, Pitt-street, Sydney, on Friday, September 22, and Saturday 23. The judging will be carried out on the morning of the first day, and the official opening in the evening. TOMORROWS MUSIC. When you sit down and tune up to 1400 metres tomorrow, at 7.30 p.m., there will be a fine programme of music and song starting. Mr. Maclurcan has arranged a varied entertainment, comprising the following items:— Fox Trot, "The Side Walk." Hawaiian Guitar, "Leila." Soprano, "Old Folks at Home," Yvonne Gall. Piano, "Polish Dance," Scharwenka. Code Practice, C.W. and Buzzer. Baritone, "When I Looked In Your Wonderful Eyes," Earnest Howe. Hawaiian Guitar, "Shadows." Fox Trot, "Molly on a Trolly." ?Cello, "Nocturne No. 2." Chopin. Recitation, "German at the Telephone." One Step, "Oh By Jingo." ON FRENCH LINERS. A recent issue of "Radioelectricite" contains a description of the radio equipment aboard the steamships Paris and Lafayette of the French Line. On both steamers a 5-kilowatt vacuum tube transmitter has been installed with a wave range of between 2000 and 9000 meters. A 5-kilowatt motor-generator set is employed to produce the plate high-tension current for four oscillating tubes, while the low-voltage current for the filaments of these tubes is obtained from the same machine. Both vessels are equipped with radio compasses or radiogoniometers. A distance of over 2000 miles has been covered by the transmitter of the Paris. AMATEURS' GLOSSARY. Line of Force: A curve described in an electric or magnetic field, such that the direction of the electric or magnetic force, at any point of that curve, is a tangent to the curve. Magnetic Field Intensity: The number of lines of force per unit area. Magnetic Force, at a Point: The force acting on a unit magnetic pole placed at that point. It is numerically equal to the field intensity in a medium of unit permeability. Magnetic Hysteresis: That property of a magnetic medium, which is measured by the energy losses when the rising and falling (magnetomotive force — induction). i.e. (H-B), dynamic characterics are not identical. Magnetomotive Force: A force tending to produce a magnetic flux. Magnetic Detector (Marconi's).— A detector of oscillations depending on the effect of these on the hysteresis of iron. Microphone: A variable resistance, usually in the form of an electrical contact, whose resistance is varied with, and in a proportional manner, to the movement or pressure of one part. Thus, if the movement or pressure is produced by sound waves acting on a diaphram, which is connected to the moving member of the microphone an electrical current will be produced in the circuit containing the microphone, and a battery, whose amplitude varies in a similar manner to the movement of the diaphram. Mutual Inductance of two circuits, each on the other, is that portion of the in-ductance of one due to the magnetic field common to both. Note on tone tuning: A receiver is tuned to the note of the transmitter, when a circuit or part of the indicator, is designed to resonate to the spark frequency. Oscillograph: An apparatus for observing or recording quickly varying currents or potential differences. Period, Periodic Time: Any varying quantity which repeats its values regularly at equal time intervals, is said to periodic, and the time interval of one repetition is called the periodic time or period. Permeability of a Medium: The ratio of the magnetic flux density, produced in that medium, by a given magnetomotive force to the magnetic flux density produced by the same magnetomotive force in vacuum (or, for practical purposes, in air). TIRELESS WORKER. Mr. O. F. Mingay, one of the most energetic workers in the cause of the experimenter, has been elected to the committee of the Metropolitan Radio Club. He was one of the principal movers in forming the Military Radio Association, and, until pressure of work forced him to resign, held the position of hon. secretary. 'PHONE IN EUROPE. The radio station on the Rundemandon, a mountain towering 2500 feet over the city of Bergen, Norway, is being modernised and equipped with more powerful equipment, as well as radio telephone apparatus. As the new equipment has a radius of 1800 miles, it is believed that direct communication with American radio stations will be possible under good conditions. Radio telephones with a 500-mile radius are also to be installed and communication established with England and continental Europe. IN THE CLUBS. The Metropolitan Radio Club held another well attended meeting at the Laurel Cafe, Royal Arcade, on Wednesday night. The principal item or the evening was a lecture by Mr. Colville, of Queensland, on "Amateur Transmission." The talk was much appreciated by the experimenters, many of whom intend to go in for transmitting when the authorities allow it. The Wireless Institute's annual general meeting, called for September 12, has been postponed for a week. Members will therefore assemble on September 19. The rooms of the Institute in Queen's Chambers, Dalley-street, City, are to be given up, so the meeting will be held in the Royal Society's Rooms, Phillip-street. Experimenters will be pleased to hear that the hon. secretary. Mr. Phil Renshaw, is making good progress on his recovery from his serious illness. The Military Radio Association will hold a general meeting on Monday at 8 p.m. All members are requested to be present, as certain phases of the constitution are to be discussed. The North Sydney Radio Club held a meeting on Tuesday night, when the question of apparatus for the club was discussed. It was decided to concentrate on a valve receiver at present, the transmitting apparatus to follow when the receiver has been completed. The next meeting of the club will be held at the club house (corner High and Alfred streets), on Tuesday, September 5. Members and all interested are asked to be present. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. "Oldar" (Banksia): Mr. Maclurcan sends out his concerts on a wave length of 1400 metres. To get him, you would have to have an inductance that would tune to this wave length. The most efficient change ??? would be to make a loose coupler of sufficient size to bring in the music. S. Clifford (Redfern): Your information re the station you heard is too vague for us to state definitively which it is. "Aero-Beginner" (Linden): The best thing you can do is to use a telephone transformer. This will make your telephones equally ???? more efficient than those of a higher resistance. Mr. Maclurcan (Photo Caption); Mr. Mingay (Photo Caption)http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118831161 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News New South Wales, Australia 2 September 1922 19 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 09 09 33rd "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of 9 September 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio Notes and News. AMBITIOUS SCHEME. BY DOT DASH An experiment, which will be watched with interest by amateurs all the world over, is to be carried out by Australian experimenters. It is intended, with the co-operation of amateurs in California, to endeavor to receive signals sent out from America in Australia. The scheme originated in Victoria among members of the branch of the Wireless Institute there. A special body, known as the Trans-Pacific Test Committee, has been appointed, and Mr. H. K. Love is chairman. The Americans have agreed to send out the signals, and the committee is now busy seeking the co-operation of amateurs all over Australia. The power used on the transmitting side will be 1 k.w., and, or course, continuous wave signals will be sent. The wave length will be between 250 and ??? metres. If everything goes well, it is hoped to begin the tests in December, and continue them for six months. THE WONDER MUSIC. Mr. Maclurcan has arranged another fine concert for tomorrow night. The programme, which will be commenced at 7.30 p.m., on a wave length of 1400 metres, comprises the following items:— Fox Trot, "Say it with Music." Violin Solo, "Humoresque," Dvorak. Tenor, "Mother Macree," Chas. Harrison. Hawaiian Guitar, "Kawaka." Code Practice. Whistling, "Listen to the Mocking Bird." Fox Trot, "Fluffy Ruffles." Hawaiian Guitar, "Wailana Waltz." Piano, "Rhapsody No. 13," Liszt. Soprano, "My old Kentucky Home," Yvonne Gall. Recitation, selected. CONCERT SERVICE. At the annual meeting of Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia), Limited, during the week, the chairman said that the company was preparing to establish a Radio Concert Service. This would mean that residents and settlers in all parts of Australia would be able to receive in their homes daily vocal and instrumental entertainments. It was also hoped to arrange with the principal newspapers for their news to be made available to people in isolated districts. Weather forecasts and market quotations would be similarly broadcasted. The whole equipment could be manufactured in Australia, giving entertainment to many. N.S.W. ASSOCIATION. At the second meeting of delegates of radio clubs and associations, last week, the proposal to form a New South Wales Association was advanced another step. The following clubs were represented — Wireless Institute, Waverley, Illawarra, Metropolitan, and Western Suburbs. The Military Radio Association's delegates intimated that the association had decided not to co-operate for the present. A question which caused a deal of discussion was that of the capitation fee. The Metropolitan Club stood out for 1/-a member, but Waverley and Western Suburbs wanted 2/-. It was finally resolved that the latter sum stand. Following were the remaining decisions:— That the capitation fee be levied on all club members. That 15 members, 17 years old and over, five of whom must be licensed constitute a club. This entitles the club to one delegate, and 50 members and over, two representatives. That all new clubs wishing to join the association be charged pro rata on a monthly basis. That delegates agree that all clubs associated undertake to refrain from commenting upon or taking any action ?????? club administration, other than through the association. That the meeting adjourn till Thursday, September 28, when delegates must be authorised to proceed with the formation of the association. AMATEUR'S GLOSSARY. Phase: (a) In an operation which recurs harmonically the stage or state to which the operation has proceeded. (b) In an operation which recurs harmonically the fraction of the whole period which has elapsed, measured from the same fixed origin. Phase Difference: The difference of phase (usually reckoned in time or in angle) between two periodic quantities which vary harmonically. Each of the circuits of a polyphase apparatus sometimes called a phase. Plain Aerial: An early form of transmitter, in which the spark gap was placed directly in series with aerial and earth — so that the only condenser in which the energy of the transmitter could be stored was the capacity of the aerial to earth. The term is also applied to the receiving aerial when the detector is placed directly in series with the receiving aerial and earth. Polarisation: ???? A wave is said to be plane polarised when its electric and magnetic displacements are propagated in the same plane. When the plane of the electric and magnetic displacement rotates uniformly with time, the waves are said to be circularly elliptically polarised. Such waves result from the compounding of two plane polarised waves having the same frequency and line of propagation but different relative phases and polarised in different planes. Potentiometer: An instrument for adjusting at will the potential between any two points of a circuit. An instrument for measuring potential differences. Power: The amount of work done in unit time. Quenched Spark: A spark, whose duration is shortened by conditions at the discharger, designed to rapidly increase the resistance of the spark gap, is said to be "quenched." Radiation Resistance: The resistance multiplied by the square of the R.M.S. current in the aerial equals the energy lost by the aerial in radiation. IN THE CLUBS. The Metropolitan Radio Club's committee is busily engaged finalising arrangements for the forthcoming public exhibition. Intending exhibitors are requested to send in their entrance forms, which may be obtained from the secretary, as soon as possible. All apparatus exhibited is to be insured, so entrants must put the value of the apparatus on the entrance form. The Illawarra Radio Club held a meeting recently when two lectures were given. Mr. E. G. Bailey spoke on "Aerials and Tuning Circuits" and Mr. F. H. Kirkby dealt with "Crystal Receivers." The following lectures have been arranged for the next three meetings:— September 14, "Constructional Details of Receiving Apparatus," Mr. Gorman; September 28, members' night, display of apparatus and general discussion; October 12, "Elementary Valve Work, " Mr. Hewett. The secretary would like to hear from any intending members and others interested. His address is 44 Cameron-street, Rockdale. The Military Radio Association has decided to hold a dance on October 25 at the Engineer's Depot, Moore Park. Tickets are obtainable from the Secretary at the Depot, or from Mr. Dewis, Wireless House, Clarence-street. There will be a lecture on Wednesday next by Mr. Maclurcan. All members are requested to be present.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118822734 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17232 New South Wales, Australia 9 September 1922 19 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 09 16 34th "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of 16 September 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio Notes and News. MR. MACLURCAN AGAIN. BY DOT DASH Another record has been established in low-power transmission by Mr. Charles Maclurcan of Strathfield. It will be remembered that Mr Maclurcan recently succeeded in sending messages to the steamer Montoro, north of Darwin, a distance of over 2000 miles, using a power of under 9 watts. The significance of this performance may be realised when, according to the July American "Wireless Age", the latest English record is: Speech 84 miles, and telegraph 200 miles, with 28 watts input. Mr. Maclurcan's latest experiment was to find out the lowest power necessary to establish daylight communication with Melbourne and Mungindi (near the Queensland border). With this object in view arrangements were made with Mr R. A. Hull, Melbourne, Mr. H. A. Warden, Mungindi, and Mr. L. V. S. Todd, Tamworth, to "listen in" on Friday, September 8, at 7.30 p.m, and on Sunday, September 10, at noon. A secret code letter was used for each change of power, and three changes were made each day, as follows: Friday, full power 8.5 watts, medium 6 watts, low 3.2 watts; Sunday, full 8.7 watts, medium 6.2 watts, low 3.8 watts. All receiving stations reported all the code letters both days. Mr. Warden and Mr. Todd also clearly heard the speech and music on the lowest power. This performance quite eclipses Mr. Maclurcan's previous records, and stands alone as the most remarkable radio feat ever accomplished. AUDIBILITY. The human ear is only capable of responding to a certain range of note frequencies. This range has been given as from 30,000 to 40,000. The figures represent the extreme limits of audibility. There are notes which can be emitted from organ pipes at so low a pitch as to be inaudible. At the other end of the scale there are notes (emitted by animals) the pitch of which is so high that human beings cannot hear them. The highest note that can be heard by a person depends largely on that person's age and natural sensitiveness of hearing. It is usually in the neighborhood of about 14,000. For practical purpose we can assume the highest effective note that can be heard, has a frequency of 3000 per second. The most useful note is the one given by a frequency of about 1000. A telephone receiver responds most efficiently to this frequency, higher frequencies not giving such loud signals. TOMORROW'S CONCERT. The following Pathe records will be played by Mr. Maclurcan for his radio concert tomorrow. The entertainment will start at 7.30 pm, wave length 1400 metres.— Fox trot — "Humming." Duet — "Change your name to Linder Lee." Hawaiian guitar — "Honolulu Bay." Soprano — "Musetta's Song," ("La Boheme"), Rosina Buckman Piano solo — "Rustles of Spring." Code practice — C.U. and Buzzer Hawaiian guitar — "Silver Sands of Love." Violin solo — "Sonata," Paganini. Tenor — Song from "Rigoletto." Fox trot — "I Want My Mammy." Recitation — Selected "God Save the King." THE EXHIBITION. Mr. R. C. Marsden, president of the Metropolitan Radio Club, writes:— Friday and Saturday, September 22 and 23, are the dates for the Radio Exhibition, in the Congregational Hall next to the Criterion Theatre, Pitt-street, Sydney. It is the first exhibition of its kind in Australia. The idea of the exhibition originated in the Metropolitan Radio Club, and the committee has decided to show the public what the experimenter is capable of doing. If Fate is kind, it is proposed to treat the public to radio music, broadcasted from an amateur station. The will be a variety of apparatus on view, from the humble crystal set to the multi-valve set, also comic sets and commercial exhibits. During the sessions there will be short and snappy addresses to the public on radio in simple language. There will be two sessions daily, from 2 p.m. till 5 p.m., and from 7 p.m. till 10 p.m. AMATEURS' GLOSSARY Rectifier: An apparatus for converting alternating or oscillating currents into continuous current, or into pulses unidirectional current. Reflection of Electromagnetic Waves: (1) When a wave impinges on a conductor its electric and magnetic energy is expended in the production of electrical oscillations therein. The oscillations expend their energy in radiating waves and in heating the conductor. Part of the energy of the original wave therefore appears in the form of a wave of the same wave length radiated from the conductor, and this wave is called a reflected wave. When the dimensions of the conducting surface are large compared with the wave length, the laws of reflection of electromagnetic waves are in general the same as for light. (2) When waves are being guided by a conductor, such as a wire, which has a certain inductance and capacity per unit length, any abrupt change in the value of these constants (such as are produced by inserting an inductance coil, or occur at the end of the wire), causes the production of alternating potentials. These result in a wave, which travels along the wire in the opposite direction. This second wave is also called a reflected wave. Refraction: The change in the direction of a wave propagation when passing from one medium to another. Relay: An apparatus by means of which a current, too small to perform a required work is made to control a larger and adequate current. Resistance: The measure of that property of a conductor by the action of which electrical energy is transformed into heat in that conductor. It is numerically equal to the rate of the heat energy liberated per second, measured in watts, to the square of the current in the circuit, for stationary conditions; it is also equal to the ratio of the applied electromotive force in the resulting current, both being constant. IN THE CLUBS The Metropolitan Radio Club's next general meeting will be held at the Laurel Cafe, Royal Arcade, city, on Wednesday next at 8 p.m. The business of the evening will include a lecture by Mr. O. F. Mingay. With a view to dealing more effectively with the club's ever-increasing membership, the committee is working on a scheme of reorganisation which will be submitted to members at an early date. The Western Suburbs Amateur Wireless Association held a meeting on Wednesday at the clubroom, Auburn. Mr. G. R. Challenger lectured on "Radio Frequency Transformers." He made the lecture simple, explaining the manufacture and working of the transformer in such a manner that his hearers fully grasped its subject. Lectures for the next meeting, on September 27, will be "Condenser," by Mr. A. Pickering; and "Elementary Principals of Crystal Reception," by Mr. R. S. Burman. A Goulburn Branch of the Metropolitan Radio Club has been formed in that city. The following office-bearers were elected: — President, Mr. W. Drescher; vice-presidents, Messrs. Claydon and E. Burke; committee, Messrs. Macdonald, L. Nicholls, and L. Williams; secretary, Mr. G. Culham; treasurer, Mr. D. McLean. To F. Monteath (Bondi): Write to the Director of Radio Telegraphy, Prime minister's Department, Melbourne, for an application for a license.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118825887 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17238 New South Wales, Australia 16 September 1922 19 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 09 23 35th "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of 23 September 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio Notes and News. MR. MARSDEN'S WORK. BY DOT DASH The many visitors to the first Australian Radio Exhibition in the Congregational Hall, Pitt-street, Sydney, little realised the vast amount of work entailed in organising such a unique display. The committee of the Metropolitan Radio Club, under whose auspices the exhibition is being held, has devoted a good deal of time to the work of organisation, but nobody has worked harder than the president, Mr. R. C. Marsden. Always a staunch advocate of the rights of the wireless experimenter, Mr. Marsden, when he accepted the presidency of the club, conceived the idea of showing the public what the amateur could do in the way of building up his own apparatus. So it came about that the exhibition was decided on. The interest taken in the show by the general public, proves that Mr. Marsden was not wrong when he asserted that the science would be furthered by such an exhibition. CONCERT PROGRAMME. Mr. Maclurcan's concert tomorrow evening will commence at 7.30, as usual, on a wave length of 1400 metres. The following records will be played:— Fox Trot, "Rosie." Hawaiian guitar, "Oahu." Soprano, "They Call Me Mimi," Rosina Buckman. Cello, "Nocturne No. 2" (Chopin). Piano Solo, "Lieberstraum" (Liszt). Code practice, C.W. and Buzzer. Orchestra, "Bal Masque." Fox Trot, "La Veeda." Tenor, "An Evening Song," Cheetham. Hawaiian Guitar, "Dreamy Hawaii." Recitation, selected. God Save the King! TRANSMITTING LICENSE Mr. E. T. Vears, the Leura experimenter, has been granted a transmitting license by the authorities. He is, it is understood, installing a c.w. set, and will be able to work with Sydney amateurs. On the reception side Mr. Vears has been most successful with his up-to-date apparatus, picking up the stations of the world. INSTITUTE OFFICERS The annual general meeting of the Wireless Institute of Australia (N.S.W. Division) was held last Tuesday evening. After the annual report had been submitted to the council:— Messrs. P. Renshaw, C. D. Maclurcan, C. P. Bartholomew, H. A. Stowe, H. R. Gregory, R. D. Charlesworth, and S. C. Perry. EXPERIMENTERS' GLOSSARY Resonance: A circuit will resonate to an impressed frequency when the reciprocal of 2 pi times the square root of the product of inductance and capacity is equal to the impressed frequency and provided that its resistance is less than the critical resistance. Under conditions of resonance the amplitudes of successive half-periods of the resultant current gradually increase to a maximum which is dependent only on the impressed electromotive force, and the resistance of the circuit. Resonance Curve: A curve showing the relation between the current induced in an oscillatory circuit and the inducing frequency. Root Mean Square Value: R.M.S. value of an alternating or oscillating current or voltage, is the value given by the square root of the mean of the squares of the successive values throughout the half period. Selectivity: The power of a receiving system to discriminate between a number of simultaneous signals. Self Inductance, of a Circuit: That portion of the inductance which is due to the magnetic field, produced by the current in that circuit. Shock Excitation: A name given to the method of exciting oscillations in the aerial circuit by a sudden and very short transference of energy from another circuit. Skin Effect, of Varying Currents: The non-uniform current density through the cross section of the conductor. It is greatest at the surface and least at the centre. Spark: An electrical discharge across a gap. It may consist of one discharge in either direction, but generally consists of a number of rapid oscillatory discharges. RADIOPHONE PROGRESS The development of the radio telephone during the past few years is illustrated in the following paragraph from "Radio Broadcast" (America):— In November, 1907 the United States Navy installed 26 sets of radio telephones upon as many battleships, torpedo-boat destroyers, and auxiliaries, prior to their famous round-the-world cruise. The specifications at that time called for five-mile transmission for inter-fleet work. Some of those instruments, crude though they were compared with the present type, maintained communicationsfor forty and fifty miles. Today — such is the progress in this new art — the American Navy calls for instruments capable of a hundred mile conversation between warships and nearly as many miles between sea-planes and ship stations. In another year, it is safe to forecast the requirements will be twice as rigorous as these, but the equipment of the science will keep pace. IN THE CLUBS. THE METROPOLITAN RADIO CLUB held a general meeting on Wednesday night, at the Laurel Cafe, Royal Arcade, when there was a good attendance. The principal business of the evening was a lecture by Mr. O. F. Mingay, on "Interference in Radio Work," and the president, Mr. R. C. Marsden, gave a talk on "Radio Frequency Transformers." The report of the delegate to the last inter-club conference, to form the New South Wales Association, was adopted, and power was given to the club's representatives to act at the next meeting. At the last meeting of THE ILLAWARRA RADIO CLUB a lecture on "Constructional Details of Receiving Apparatus" was delivered by Mr. C. A. Gorman, who dealt with the design and construction of leading coils, lose couplers, variometers, condensers, transformers, potentiometers, rheostats, etc. The delegates reported the result of last inter-club meeting, and were instructed to go ahead with the formation of the proposed Association of Clubs, on the lines laid down. Mr. J. McNeill, has placed a room at his residence at the disposal of the club. The next meeting will be held there on September 26, at 8 p.m. The address is No. 75 Montgomery-street, East Kogarah. This meeting is to be a members' night, with a display of apparatus, discussion and questions. Members are asked to bring along apparatus. At the MILITARY RADIO ASSOCIATION Mr. Maclurcan lectured to members and visitors from other clubs. Much instructive information was imparted with reference to radio telephony circuits and practice. Mr. Maclurcan also explained the need for research work among wave lengths of 200 metres and under for amateurs. A meeting of the social committee was held on the same evening and further arrangements for the Radio Dance on October 25 were discussed. The tickets are now available from either the secretary, Engineers' Depot, Moore Park, or from Mr. Dewis, Wireless House, 97 Clarence-street. Arrangements have been made for the erection of a transmitting and receiving station, and the work is already in hand. On Wednesday evening last Mr. R. Hill gave a lecture on valves and valve practice. There will be a lecture on October 4 at 8 p.m. by Mr. Basil Cooke on loop aerials. Mr. Marsden. (Photo Caption).http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118820796 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17244 New South Wales, Australia 23 September 1922 19 August 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 09 30 36th "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of 30 September 1922 Bad scan on Trove, little readable, but infinitely better copy provided by SLNSW - thanks Renee THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio Notes and News. PROPOSED ASSOCIATION. BY DOT DASH The clubs' delegates to form the proposed N.S.W. Association met again on Thursday night. Mr. Stowe was elected chairman. He announced that the Wireless Institute would not join the proposed association immediately, but would await the decision of the new council. The Institute, however, was in full accord with the principles of the scheme. He held that the Association could not be formed immediately, but exception was taken to this by the Metropolitan Club delegates. On behalf of the Institute it was suggested that the Association take over the registration of that body and that the affiliated clubs become branches of the Association. There was considerable discussion as to the immediate formation of the Association, the Metropolitan and Illawarra Clubs delegates being for, and those of the Institute, Waverley, and Western Suburbs against. After heated argument the Waverley delegates moved: "That this Association affiliates with the Institute, under the broad lines suggested by Mr. Stowe." This was subsequently altered to" "That the Association take over the Articles of Association of the Institute, subject to arrangement to be decided on between this meeting of delegates and Institute council," and carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned till Thursday, October 5, when the parties will meet, and if matters are favourable the association will be formed and a council elected. THE EXHIBITION. The recent public exhibition under the auspices of the Metropolitan Radio Club was a great success, and the club's funds will benefit considerably. The fact that the average citizen is keen to learn something about radio was revealed by the large number of visitors at each session. The amateur competitive exhibits revealed splendid workmanship, and the judges, Messrs. Maclurcan, Reed, and Stowe, had no easy task in selecting the best. Following are the prizewinners:— Smallest crystal set, Mr. R. P. Addison. Smallest valve set, Mr. E. B. Crocker. Best single vale set, Mr. E. B. Crocker. Best multi valve set, Mr. A. E. Grigg. Best single piece of apparatus, Mr. R. R. Wilshire (honeycomb coil panel). Special prize, Mr. C. R. McKenzie (shell loud speaker). Best complete crystal set, Mr. J. Watson, highly commended, Mr. O. H. Silver. Most novel idea incorporated in any exhibit, Mr. A. E. Grigg (Radio Frequency Transformer Selector). During the sessions on the second day the visitors were treated to concerts by Radio. Amalgamated Wireless, Limited, who were sending to a station located at the University for the fete, and this music came in splendidly at the exhibition. The prizes will be presented at the next general meeting of the Metropolitan Club, at the Laurel Cafe, Royal Arcade on Wednesday week. AMATEURS GLOSSARY. Specific Inductive Capacity: The S. I. C. of a medium is the ratio of the capacity of a condenser, having the medium as a dielectric, to its capacity with air as a dielectric. Syntony and syntonisation: The adjustment of one circuit to another, or of one transmitter taken as a whole to one receiver taken as a whole, in such a way that their time periods are the same, and waves of a different time period produce little or no effect on the system. Ticker: A rapid make and break device used in conjunction with a resonant circuit and a pair of telephones as a receiver, for continuous waves. It discharges the condenser of the resonant circuit at every make. The speed of the make-and-break device has no relation to the wave frequency. Tone Wheel: A high-speed commutator used as a receiver for continuous waves. It is run at a speed slightly different from the synchronous speed for the wave frequency, and in effect converts the high frequency current into a current at audible frequency. Train of Waves: The waves produced by one discharge of the primary condenser. Transformer: A stationary induction apparatus for transferring energy from one circuit to another, by the medium magnetic energy. It may or may not transform the current into another current at different potential. Tuner: An apparatus made in a convenient form, which, in conjunction with a detector, provides all necessary circuits, and adjustments for selective tuning. Valve, Fleming: A detector for oscillation. It depends on the rectifying properties of the ionised space between a hot filament, a cold electro, in an exhausted vessel. Wavelength: Twice the distance (taken in the line of propagation of the wave) between two successive points of zero disturbance. The wavelength is numerically equal to the velocity of the waves divided by the frequency. Wave-Meter: A frequency meter calibrated to read wave lengths. ANOTHER COUNTRY CLUB. At a meeting of wireless amateurs of Tamworth, it was decided to form a radio club. A temporary committee, comprising Messrs. Todd, Frazer, and Paterson, was appointed to draft rules for approval at the next meeting. NEW ZEALAND'S WAY. The possibility of thorough development of a "broadcast" system of wireless telephony in New Zealand is brought measurably closer by the recent announcement of the Government's proposals, says a Dominion newspaper. The scheme shows evidence of very careful thought, and while it offers substantial encouragement to amateurs and business firms interested in wireless telephony, allowing a greater power for transmission than in England, there are effectual safeguards against creation of the chaotic state of affairs experienced in the United States. There the "broadcasting" stations were allowed to increase and multiply far too freely, the result being confusion, congestion, mutual interference and "jamming," to remedy which special legislation had to be evoked. Profiting by this lesson the New Zealand authorities propose that the timetables for the chosen centres will be arranged by the Telegraph Department, the object being that only one "broadcasting" station will operate in any one centre at a time. TOMORROW'S CONCERT. The following items will comprise Mr. Maclurcan's radio concert tomorrow evening. The music will start at 7.30, on a wavelength of 1400 metres:— Fox Trot, "I Want Me Mammy." Hawaiian Guitar, "My Isle of Golden Dreams." Soprano, "Good Bye" (Tosti), Yvonne Gall. Piano Solo, "Study Op. 10 No. 1" (Chopin). Operatic, "Pilgrims' Chorus" (Tanhauser). Code practice, C.W. and Buzzer. Flute Solo, "Offertoire Op. 12" (Doujon). Xylophone, "Snowdrops." Hawaiian Guitar, "My Land of Memory." Baritone, "Toreador Song" from "Carmen." Waltz, "Mississippi Cradle Waltz." Recitation, Selected. God Save the King.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118822100 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17250 New South Wales, Australia 30 September 1922 17 October 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 10 1922 10 07 38th "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of 7 October 1922 THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio Notes and News. MR. MALONE SPEAKS. BY DOT DASH The annual dinner of the Victorian Branch of the Wireless Institute of Australia, was held during the week. The guests of the evening were Mr. J. Malone, Controller of Wireless Telegraphy for the Commonwealth; Colonel Williams, representing the Army Signalling Corps; Commander Creswell, representing the Navy; Mr. L. Hooke, of Amalgamated Wireless (Aust.), Ltd., and Radio Inspector Martin. Referring to the control of amateur stations, Mr. Malone said that the new regulations have been prepared, but had not yet been approved. They would be available to the public in about a week. In the preparation of the regulations, close attention had been given to the conditions obtaining in other countries. The vexed question of licence fees was receiving attention, and a reduction in the present fee (£2 a year) would be made. The Institute could do a great deal to help the Government to "police" the ether. He suggested that the amateurs should appoint one of their number to act as an honorary radio inspector. Colonol Williams said that he looked to the Institute to provide operators in any future wars in which the Empire might be involved. Wireless would be the most important method of signalling in the next war. ASSOCIATION FORMED. The New South Wales Clubs' Association has been formed. Delegates from the various Sydney clubs met on Thursday, when the first question considered was that of taking over the Wireless Institute's incorporation. The meeting turned this down. Another proposal was that the present council of the Institute resign, and the delegates all join the Institute and submit their names for ballot for the council, which would then be the supreme body in New South Wales. This was also rejected. The meeting then decided to form the association, which will be known as the Radio Association of Australia N.S.W. Division. The following officers were elected, pro tem:— President: Mr. Hewitt (Illawarra Radio Club). Secretary: Mr. O. F. Mingay (Metropolitan Radio Club). Treasurer: Mr. A. Atkinson (Illawarra Radio Club). Committee: Mr. R. C. Marsden (Metropolitan Club), Mr. W. Best (Metropolitan Club (Goulburn Branch). It is intended to move for divisions of the association in all the capital cities. The next meeting will be held on Monday week, when the constitution drawn up by the committee will be considered. A telegram has been sent to Mr. Malone, Controller of Radio Telegraphy informing him of the decision of the council. ABOUT AN AERIAL. "That application for permission to stretch two wires across a lane at rear of property in Alison-road for the purpose of a wireless outfit be not granted." This recommendation to the Works committee caused Ald. ????, M.L.A. to wax ???? at Randwick ???? during the week. "I'm rather astonished," he said. "Every encouragement is being given to amateurs to perfect themselves. It is difficult to understand what grounds we have for refusing." Ald. Baker: We don't want to allow them to occupy the streets. Why it might be struck by lightning an cause an immense conflagration among the fences. "A youth's hobby," replied Ald. Goldstein. "It is an extremely harsh view to take of it." Ald. Dunningham: Why didn't they do it without asking questions? The application was refused. Ald. Goldstein: This is a kill-joy institution. It is evident that the Randwick aldermen have never made a study of wireless. Alderman Baker's suggestion that the aerial "might be struck by lightning" will bring a smile to the face of every experimenter. BENDING A WAVE. A number of interesting experiments have been carried out in Washington, U.S.A., to discover to what extent a wireless signal might be turned out of its course, and it was found that electric cables, steel structures, rivers, trees and stone and iron monuments, would all affect the direction of wireless waves. This was found out in a very simple way. Signals were sent out from a transmitting station, and their strength was measured at different points with a direction-finding receiver, says a London newspaper. It was found that a large concrete bridge bent the rays fourteen degrees out of their course, while the Washington monument turned them as much as eighty degrees out — or, in other words, almost bent them at a right angle. Monuments, buildings, and bridges readily act as wireless reflectors; the waves meet them, and glance off again at an angle. Most curious, perhaps, was the discovery that a thing like a monument itself acts as a sort of aerial, and by a tune of its own, depending on its height or size and the particular material of which it is made. It will sometimes happen that the tune of an obstruction like this will be about the same as the tune or wave length of the wireless signals, and when this occurs the reflection is the greatest. Thus, if the receiving station were near a large building, it might pick up signals far more readily from a wireless station round the corner, as it were, than from one in a direct line with it. It is a very interesting and important discovery, and may lead to some striking developments in wireless. ANOTHER NEW CLUB. Another radio club is in progress of formation, in the Sydney suburbs. This one is at Leichhardt, and is to be called the "Leichhardt and District Radio Society." There has been a preliminary meeting, when Mr. W. J. Zech was appointed hon. secretary pro. tem. The meeting to get the club going will be held at No. 3 Annesley-street, Leichhardt, on Tuesday, October 10 at 8 p.m., when all amateurs of the surrounding districts are invited to attend. The promoters have been fortunate in securing a room for lectures, etc. Any further particulars may be obtained from Mr. Zech, 145 Booth-street, Annandale. UNIVERSITY DEMONSTRATION. At a largely attended meeting of the Institution of Engineers of Australia (junior and students section) at the Melbourne University during the week, a demonstration was given of the capabilities of the Thermionic valve for reception purposes. Arrangements had been made by the Amalgamated Wireless Limited for a concert to be broadcasted from the Domain, and this was heard clearly by the audience in all parts of the room. ROUND THE CLUBS. THE METROPOLITAN RADIO CLUB will hold its next general meeting on Wednesday at 7.45 p.m., in the Laurel Cafe, Royal Arcade, City. The principal business of the evening will be the presentation of prizes won at the recent exhibition, and prizewinners are asked to make a special effort to be present. The report and balance-sheet of the exhibition will be submitted to members for adoption. Mr. Swinburne is to lecture on circuits, and Mr. W. Best will also give a talk. THE ILLAWARRA RADIO CLUB'S last meeting was held at Mr. McNeill's residence, 175 Montgomery-street, Kogarah. After formal business had been disposed of members entered upon a general discussion as to the club's present position. Its proposed future activities, and means of augmenting the funds. Having secured a permanent place of meeting it is proposed as soon as practicable to apply for a license and have a set working in the club room. The next meeting will be held at the above address on October 12, when a lecture on "Elementary Valve Work" will be given by Mr. Hewitt.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118829896 THE MAGIC SPARK Evening News 17256 New South Wales, Australia 7 October 1922 8 September 2023 7 National Library of Australia 1922 10 14 39th "Magic Spark" column in Sydney's "Evening News," of 14 October 1922 Bad scan on Trove, little readable, but infinitely better copy provided by SLNSW - thanks Maria THE MAGIC SPARK. Radio Notes and News. THOSE REGULATIONS. BY DOT DASH. The delay in the issuing of the new Radio Regulations is causing annoyance among experimenters and others interested in the science. They should have been made public weeks ago, but were hung up for some reason best known to the authorities in Melbourne. Very few licenses are being applied for at present, as many are waiting to get the benefit of the reduced fees which are provided for in the new regulations. The latest, according to the Melbourne correspondent of the "Evening News," is that they will be available on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the newly formed N.S.W. Division of the Radio Society of Australia, which represents practically the whole of the experimenters in the State has not been idle. When the regulations did not come to light during the week, the secretary sent telegraphs of protest to the authorities and the Prime Minister. TOMORROWS CONCERT The absence of Mr. Maclurcan's concert programme from this column last week caused his telephone to work overtime on Sunday. He got thoroughly tired of answering the question: "Are you going to give us a concert tonight?" However there was a concert and will continue to be one every Sunday at 7.30 p.m. till further notice. Pressure of business has prevented Mr. Maclurcan compiling the programme for days ahead. During the week Mr. Maclurcan had made considerable alterations in his transmitting set, and he would like all experimenters to take careful notes and report comparative results to him. SOME TELEPHONY? During a lecture on Radio and the Eclipse, at the Metropolitan Radio Club's meeting on Wednesday, Mr. Swinburne, who accompanied the Royal Astronomical Society's party to Stanthorpe, to receive wireless time signals for the observers, told an amusing story. The wireless receiving outfit attracted much attention, and there were many who desired to "listen in." Among those was a woman from New York. At the time she came along the radio men were reading Morse messages from the New York Central Station, and she was very excited when told that she could hear something being sent out from her native land. The visitor adjusted the 'phones, listened for a while, remarked that it was "very wonderful," and went away looking rather disappointed. Later the woman was discussing the experience with one of the scientists. "You heard New York?" he asked. "Well," she replied, I am sure I heard the traffic in the streets quite plainly, but I was disappointed that I did not hear them talking." NEW CIRCUIT. The circuit given here is being used by advanced amateurs in England with considerable success. It gives simultaneous high and low frequency amplification, and although looking rather involved, makes for very good results. RADIO DOCTOR. Considerable interest has been aroused by the newspaper accounts of a case when a ship's doctor treated by wireless a patient hundreds of miles away (writes a cargo steamer officer in a London newspaper.) Yet this method of prescribing is by no means a novelty in these days when nearly all ships are fitted with wir