DISTANCES OF RECEPTION – WHAT MAY BE EXPECTED – FACTORS TO CONSIDER
From the Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 3232, 29 June 1928, Page 6.
How far will this set receive? At what strength from the speaker will this set get the Aussies? These are questions that are asked the radio dealer almost every day.
They are difficult questions to answer, even approximately, as there are so many factors involved. Some of the conditions on which the distance of reception depend are: (1) The power output of the transmitting station. (2) The sensitiveness of your receiving set. (3) The type, size, height and insulation of your aerial. (5) Atmospheric conditions. (6) The nature of the surrounding country. (7) Surrounding buildings (tall buildings in the vicinity often seriously interfere with reception, especially if they are considerably higher than your aerial and of metal construction).
There is so much variation in these factors that it is difficult even approximately to predict the performance of a set. However, the following conservative estimates will give an idea of what may be expected from the various types of sets. Under good conditions these estimates will often be greatly exceeded.
Crystal Sets. — Reception of local “broadcasting stations a maximum distance of 15 to 35 miles away, according to conditions, with sufficient strength to operate several pairs of headphones. A loud speaker cannot be operated unless audio amplification is used.
Single Valve Sets. — Reception of local stations 8 to 15 miles away, with sufficient strength to operate a loud speaker. Under good conditions, reception of stations within a radius of 1,000 miles, with sufficient strength to function a pair of headphones satisfactorily.
Two-Valve Sots. — Reception of stations within a radius of 300 miles, with enough strength to work a loud speaker. With weather conditions perfect, stations at the great distance of 1200 miles are often received at excellent speaker strength. Reception of stations up to 6,000 miles distant, with enough volume to function a pair of headphones satisfactorily.
Three-Valve Sets.-—Reception of stations several hundred miles distant at excellent loud speaker strength. With weather conditions good loud speaker reception of stations 1,500 miles distant from the receiving set. When headphones are in use, stations up to 6,000 miles are received at excellent strength.
Sets of More than Three Valves. – With the ordinary standard 5-valve set that is sold by any radio dealer, good loud speaker reception of stations up to 1,500 miles distant is assured. When conditions are really good, loud speakers function perfectly on stations 6000 miles distant. When the operator desires to do a little D.X. (long distance) reception with phones plugged in, stations of 8,000 miles distance can be heard quite distinctly.
