Page:March 1916 QST.djvu/18

MARCH, 1916 QST

The article on audion bulbs in this issue, written by Mr. A. B. Cole, the Sales Manager of the DeForest Radio Telegraph & Telephone Company is recommended to every wireless operator whether amateur or commercial. Of all instruments and devices used in radio work, the audion bulb is by far the most difficult to learn how to handle. Probably 90% of the amateurs of the country do not know how to get the best results from an audion bulb nor how to keep the bulb in best working condition. The information given in Mr. Cole's article is the first time that all of the latest details known about the audion have been put together in one article in such form that the amateur can understand it. We predict an immense improvement in receiving ability throughout the country as a result of the amateurs in the League reading this article of Mr. Cole's.

The audion bulb is regarded by the amateur in general as one of the expensive luxuries. In talking with many amateur station owners, it seems that the impression prevails that not only does a bulb and its accompanying set cost quite a bit, but it costs a lot to replenish burned out bulbs. An ordinary bulb was represented by $3.00 and the "X" bulb with its greater sensitiveness at $5.00, if we remember the prices correctly. It was the usual history of every friend who had purchased an audion that he burned his bulb out in the first few weeks and this had to be renewed. It seemed an expensive thing to keep up.

We venture to predict that with the added light on this vitally important receiving device, which Mr. Cole's article sheds, that the cost of upkeep on account of burned out bulbs, will be much reduced and that in time many more amateurs will feel that they can afford an audion. In most every one of the especially good League Relay stations, which we have illustrated in QST, the audion bulb figures as the receiving device. Some amateurs make use of the audion as a means for receiving continuous wave signals, and this, if practical, will add still further to the importance of the audion in the amateur minds. We understand, however, that up to this time, the DeForest Company do not approve of the use of the audion for this purpose. In the meantime, let every one of us whether he owns an audion or not read carefully Mr. Cole's article and then put it aside for further consideration later on. It is worth keeping.

We really seem to be getting there on the Trunk Line matter. The number of letters received from amateur station owners throughout the country since Mr. Maxim's article was printed in last month's issue, and the plan he outlines in this month's article, indicate clearly that in the near future we shall have regular working divisions the same as a railroad organization.

The idea of this subdivision and local control of each Trunk Line is especially promising because of the fact that it divides up the labor. There is so much to do that a lot of people must be identified in the job in order to carry it on. Establishing local stations at San Francisco, Chicago and some point near New York is distinctly the next thing for us to do. Let every one of us who actually operates and who is qualified to vote, send in his pick for the best local headquarters in the cities mentioned. Don't delay, and we can get the scheme into working form before the static begins next season. Never mind the remonstrance from our overworked Secretary. A few more thousands of letters in his mail will never be noticed in the pile.

As we go to press with this issue Mr. Kirwan's country wide, relay test has just been pulled off. At this writing, we have practically no information as to how far the message got, and how badly it became garbled. We do know however, that there is every indication that an extremely fine record was made, and we expect to see this confirmed later. Mr. Kirwan, 9XE of Davenport, Iowa, who originated the relay, is one of the League members and he has promised to send in to QST, all the dope as soon as he receives it himself. When it is printed it will be of great interest and assistance to the rest of us.

There will be some unexpected developments, in the matter of long distance work. For example, we have already ascertained that Mr. Readio, 1ON in Springfield, Mass. heard 9XE, when he first started the message out in Davenport, Iowa. and that he