Now that a Wireless Commission is considering the rights and alleged wrongs of various wireless interests in Australia, it might, perhaps, as a side issue, review the possibility of establishing a school for ignorant beginners who desire to build their own sets.

I feel very keenly in the matter, because I have built a wireless set of my own. Or, rather, I think I have, although it has been called various other names by people who have seen it. But flippant comment has not dimmed my enthusiasm for a new and great science.

Members of my household who, unlike myself, are not prepared to suffer a little in the cause of science, have been sarcastic and even impatient in their attitude toward my new hobby.

But what are a few agonising howls, piercing shrieks, or low, unearthly moans in the middle of the night when - who knows? - a great discovery may be lurking just around the corner.

I will not claim that my set is what might be termed thoroughly efficient at the present moment. But I have obtained results. Surprising results.

The other night, as a sort of undertone to a howl of agony, I distinctly heard the strains of a saxaphone.

I am inclined to think that I must have picked up an American station, because I understand Australian broadcasters rarely employ the saxaphone, jazz, or any other low-brow tactics to insult their listeners who, of course, are all or nearly all scientists like myself and of the intelligensia.

However, I shall endeavour to verify this when I have clearly heard an Australian station.

At present, my set seems to be having some trouble with its aperiodic vacuum low loss transformer coupling. The fault, of course, may be in the differential, where the impedance on the alternating micro-crankshaft may be short-circuiting the hetrodyne piston rod.

Again, it has occurred to me that the shorter waves may be coming in a bit too far and damping the primaries of the inductor side of the gear case. And, as everybody knows, damp primaries are - well, damp primaries.

I forgot to explain that my set is a four-valve, or, as the Americans say, a four-toob machine.

The word "toob," let me explain, is derived from the Shakespearian line, "Toob be or not toob be." In this case of home-built sets it is generally not.

Unfortunately, an inquiring mind, a limited purse, and electrical appliances do not work well together. I invariably and irresistibly long to know what will happen if I put this wire into that terminal. Something always does happen. Which makes the game so very fascinating, but rather expensive.

But, so far, I have blown out only thirteen valves in any one day, though this is not entirely my fault, but the fault of the manufacturer. I do not believe there is a single valve on the market that will stand up to, say, 20 or 30 volts on the filament.

This is disgraceful, and needs searching inquiry. And if this Wireless Commission is really wireless: if there are no wires to be pulled by the various interests concerned, I do hope that it will devote a good part of its time to devise means to assist earnest amateurs whose lack of knowledge is more than made up for by enthusiasm.

I earnestly hope, also, that the honorable commission does not get short-circuited.

"Den"
Sun, 17 February 1927, p7