The 2008 AWA Conference
Theme: International Radio
by Geoffrey Bourne and Chris Bacon
Contest Coordinators
The theme of this year's conference and contest is International Radio, or radio from other nations. A great many books and TV programs exist on the development of radio technology, manufacturing, and broadcasting in the United States. There are other equally good works on the history of radio in England and Europe. But radio always was and is a worldwide phenomena, and even the smallest nations have a radio history waiting to be revealed. It is our hope to bring some of the radio-related stories, histories, and artifacts from far away places to the forefront this year.
In some nations, the stories are ones of tight government control over transmitters and sometimes receivers as well. But in other nations, entire industries sprang up to build radios and provide programming adapted for markets entirely different from those in the U.S. Where domestic radio production was not feasible, export models from the U.S., Europe, and Japan were usually available. Export radios are themselves an interesting subject for study because they are sometimes significantly different than the products made by the same companies for their home markets.
Another aspect of international radio is the programming that was presented. While broadcasting in the U.S. has always been on a commercial basis, most other countries have--or until recently had--controlled broadcasting, either directly by their governments or through quasi governmental agencies. Until recently, nearly every nation that considered itself advanced was broadcasting its points of view to listeners in other nations within reach of short wave. While language, time, and distance make much of this programming inaccessible to us today, there are still opportunities to create interesting displays. For example, a map of the world showing which nations have commercial broadcasting, direct government controlled broadcasting, or quasi-governmental systems could be interesting, especially if it showed the changes over the last 20 years or so.
Our Theme Equipment Categories will be organized by continent and age this year. Any radio-related artifacts may be entered in these categories, such as receivers, transmitters, tubes, parts, and test equipment. The equipment may be "consumer," commercial, military, amateur, or homebrew. The only requirement is that the items must be connected to the continent in which they are entered because they were made there, sold there, or used there. A separate category will be set aside for advertising, programming, and other displays.
1. AMERICAS (CANADA, MEXICO, CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA)
A. Pre 1900 to 1920
B. 1920 to 1940
C. World War 2
D. Postwar
2. EUROPE
A. Pre 1900 to 1920
B. 1920 to 1940
C. World War 2
D. Postwar
3. ASIA
A. Pre 1900 to 1920
B. 1920 to 1940
C. World War 2
D. Postwar
4. AFRICA
A. Pre 1900 to 1920
B. 1920 to 1940
C. World War 2
D. Postwar
5. AUSTRAILIA
A. Pre 1900 to 1920
B. 1920 to 1940
C. World War 2
D. Postwar
•THEME DISPLAY CATEGORIES•
• Americas (except U.S.) • Europe • Asia
• Africa • Australia • Everywhere Else
• THE STANDARD RECEIVER CATEGORIES •
6. PASSIVE RECEIVERS
Any detecting device, not including vacuum tubes or solid state amplifying devices whose purpose is to convert radio energy into intelligible signals.
7. 1920s SUPERHET RECEIVERS
Any 1920s receiver that employees the superheterodyne circuit can be entered here.
8. 1920s TUNED RF RECEIVERS
Any set using such tubes as a Moorehead, Myers, Weagent, tubular Audion, etc., including foreign sets.
9. 1920s REGENERATIVE AND REFLEXED RECEIVERS
Many manufacturers employed different circuits to improve the receiving capabilities of there radios. The regen and reflex are one of many circuits that were used. Bring in a fine example of this type of radio.
10. 1930s AND 1940s CATHEDRALS, TOMBSTONES AND CONSOLES
These are probably the best known of the antique radios. Just about everyone remembers someone in their family having one. So bring in that Philco 90 or any other cathedral, tombstone or console radio. We will split the category if enough entries show up.
11. RADIOS IN DISGUISE
Entries here can range from an end-table radio to a lamp radio. There are many different styles and variations. Some fine examples would be a Porto bar radio, Melody Cruiser ship radio, or any radio made to look like something else.
12. PORTABLE RADIOS
Any battery-operated portable radio may be entered in this category. We may split the category into decades so a transistor set does not compete with a 1920s tube set. So bring in an early portable radio from the 20s to a Zenith Transoceanic from the 50s or 60s.
13. SPEAKERS
A. HORN Any sound reproduction device can be entered here as long as it employs a horn or bell for sound amplification.
B. CONE When radio sets obtained greater power output levels the magnetic speaker unit was designed with large surface areas for better sound reproduction. There are many fine examples of this type of speaker, i.e. Tower Adventurer, Western Electric, or . . .
14. TEST EQUIPMENT
There were many makers of test gear. A short list would include Supreme, Superior, Hickok, Weston, Read-Rite, General Radio, Simpson, Rider, RCA, and too many others to list. So surprise us, bring in the unusual or the common. Last year, some 1930's German test equipment showed up.
15. TUBES
In this category you can display a single tube or a collection. There should be a common theme for your display, such as historical significance, technological breakthrough, etc. The display should tell a story.
16. TELEVISION
A. MECHANICAL Bring in a scanning disk or a mirror screw set. It can be original or a modern replica.
B. ELECTRONIC Enter any television set. Can be black and white or color. Kit or factory.
• THE AMATEUR RADIO CATEGORIES •
17. SPARK TRANSMITTERS AND ARTIFACTS
Do not hesitate to enter a major piece of spark equipment if you think it is rare or historically significant.
18. VACUUM TUBE TRANSMITTERS AND RECEIVERS
A. HOMEBREW
B. COMMERCIAL
Some of the sets for this class are old, some not so old, most home-built. While the predominant entries have been amateur-constructed, commercial equipment is welcome. This year we are going to split the category in two.
• THE CRAFTSMAN CATEGORIES •
19. RESTORATION OF APPEARANCE
The purpose of this category is to display examples of rebuilding and refinishing the cabinets and containers that were used to house radio receivers. There is no requirement for a particular kind or size of set to be entered. A description of the work done will be considered an important part of the entry. The critical element is the appearance of the radio, including woodwork, escutcheons, dials, knobs and other visual details.
20. RESTORATION OF OPERATION
This is the category for those craftsmen who artfully substitute modern components for old failures. The new electrolytic in the old can is an excellent example. Another is the transistorized tube. Perhaps the replacement of pot-metal parts by silver-gray-colored epoxy castings has been accomplished by one of us. If so, please bring in the set that incorporates that restoration. An entry should be accompanied by documentation showing the basis of the update that preserves the quality of the original.
19. NEW OR REBUILT
We encourage entries that show the conference attendees how substitutions and reconstructions would provide vital parts or pieces. We also encourage craftsmen who had made an old function come alive again to bring their work for review. Do you remember the reconstructed Federal receiver that was entered several years ago and the operating Marconi coherer detector from the year before last? We want to continue that tradition so bring in your retrospective designs and reconstructions. There is no requirement for particular devices or circuits.
20. OPEN CATEGORY
Every year someone shows up with an entry that does not fit on of the categories. This is the place to enter your item.
• THE CONTEST AWARDS •
In addition to the prizes ranking winners in each contest category, there are five special prizes to be awarded to outstanding entries as follows:
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