Subject: [removed] Digest V01 #56
From: <[removed]@[removed]>
Date: 2/18/2001 3:10 PM

To: <[removed]@[removed];

    ------------------------------

                          The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                             Volume 01 : Issue 56
                        A Part of the [removed]!

                               Today's Topics:

     Radio Warm Up                        ["David H. Buswell" <dbuswell@rivnet]
     Bergen's work                        ["Art Shifrin" <goldens2@[removed]]
     Old-Time Radios                      ["Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@]
     Radio set warm-up times              [LeeMunsick@[removed]                 ]
     DirectTV and otr                     [Jer51473@[removed]                   ]
     Code-O-Graph Trivia                  ["Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@]
     NARA                                 [Scott Crowder-Vaughn <scrowder@tusc]
     Railroad Hour                        ["Ryan Hall" <thepezman@[removed];]

    ------------------------------

    Date: Sat, 17 Feb 2001 18:29:30 -0500
    From: "David H. Buswell" <dbuswell@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Radio Warm Up

    Steven Kallis discussed the often long wait time for old radios to "warm
    up."  Indeed, he's right and tuning took time as well.
    Just to show that Hollywood has never been at a loss to change reality into
    its version, I recently saw a retrospective on the life of Gloria Swanson.
    There was a clip from a long ago late 20s or early 30s film in which she was
    a newlywed being carried across the threshold by her new husband.  The room
    was dark and he carried her about as she turned on various lights. When they
    reached the console radio, Gloria recahed down, turned the knob and, voila,
    there was instantaneous music beautifully tuned in. So much for vacuum
    tubes!

    Dave

    PS:  What brand of radio used the green "magic eye" that indicated correct
    tuning?  My grandmother had one and for the life of me I can't remember what
    it was.  It sure fascinated a five year old, though.

    ------------------------------

    Date: Sat, 17 Feb 2001 20:46:35 -0500
    From: "Art Shifrin" <goldens2@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Bergen's work

    Hi Gang,

    I conditionally agree (or disagree) with the opinion that his work (I mean
    the writing, he wasn't a particularly good ventriloquist) was outstanding.
    His early network radio appearances on the Vallee (debuted 12/17/36)  and
    Chase & Sanborn shows were brilliant.  However, only a few years later he
    seemed to slip into a coast (meaning, no new, creative output) mode.  I
    consider his half hour NBC shows to be generally uninspired, insipid, boring
    and disappointing.

    Best,
    Shiffy
    check out my website: [removed]

    ------------------------------

    Date: Sat, 17 Feb 2001 20:46:14 -0500
    From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Old-Time Radios

    A Joseph Ross, speaking about my observations of OTR-era radios, noted,

> >     It's true that vacuum tube radios haven't been sold since the 1960s or

    so, but  radios with volume controls associated with the on-off switch?
    <<

    The point is that _some_ current radios have disassociated the on-off
    function from the volume function.  I nine AM (with FM as well) radios in
    the house, and only four have volume and on-off functions coupled.  So I
    can't assume every reader of these postings has the conventional
    arrangement.

    FWIW, there is renewed interest in "glass audio."  A company I used to
    work for is to this day manufacturing octal tube sockets and matching
    plugs.  I wouldn't be surprised at the return of tune radios.

    David Phaneuf, commenting that his family has an old radio, notes,

> >     One thing I don't know is the age of our radio.  It's at least as old

    as the early 60's when I can remember it being in my grandfather's house,
    but how much older than that, I cannot [removed];<

    Well, this may help.  Sometime in the mid-to-late 1950s, if memory
    serves, the U. S. Government set up a system called "CONELRAD,"  for
    Control Of ELectromagnetic RADiation.  The idea was that if broadcasts
    could be switched between different stations rapidly enough, bombers of
    attacking nations couldn't get a directional fix by homing in on a
    broadcasting radio station.  In the event of enemy attack, people were
    supposed to tune their AM radios to either 640 or 1240 KHz (Kilocycles,
    old-style) to get emergency information.  To facilitate this, radio dials
    of the period had two Civil-Defense-style triangles, one at the 640
    position; the other at the 1240.  If the radio doesn't have these
    CONELRAD markings, it's probably older.

    Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.

    ------------------------------

    Date: Sat, 17 Feb 2001 23:17:52 -0500
    From: LeeMunsick@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Radio set warm-up times

    How many of us have snorted when we are watching a motion picture or
    television program, and see the following:  A character from the 1950s or
    earlier walks over to a vintage radio set.  He snaps on the switch.  The
    radio dial immediately lights up and instantly program content comes spilling
    out?  Music!  Talking!

    Perhaps few people--regardless of age--realize that virtually all electronic
    devices today are never "off".  Think about it:  if your TV, CD player, and
    numerous other devices were really "off" when you think you turned them off,
    then how could they pick up the signal from the ubiquitous Remote which
    "turns them on"?

    They're always "On"!  Only the outward manifestation is off, namely picture
    on the TV, and sound on the remote-control radio or other audio system.  This
    is one reason why so many fires start within TV sets and other complex
    electronic devices.

    Another is that lightning and power surges often seek out the very same
    complex devices.  After a wild summer lightning storm years back, several of
    us caught the tell-tale odor of electrical insulation burning in our home.
    We were unable to find the source, even when I called in the fire chief.
    While I asked he not do so, he rolled the trucks even 'though I told him
    there was no fire.  I heard the sirens as we spoke.

    We had men on the roof, peering down the chimney, crawling all over the
    house.  We never found the cause, aired out the house, and were cautioned to
    be extra-alert and call the fire department again at the slightest
    re-occurence.  We figured a surge had melted wiring somewhere, and the
    resulting arc welded the wire back together again.  Didn't figure it out
    until a week or more later when I noticed the little smoke-sensor lights were
    out on the fire alarm detectors in our stairwell and a hallway.

    I went to the control panel to see why, opened the door and observed a melted
    mass of wiring, resistors, and condensers!  Call the alarm company!  I was
    informed we were very lucky; the system had a 100% warranty due to expire in
    four days.  We had our entire system replaced without cost!

    Moral:  should you smell evidence of a fire, electrical burnout or the like,
    check every circuit, every light, and especially any electronic devices such
    as TV, PC, etc.

    Lee Munsick    "That volunteer fireman guy"

    "That Godfrey Guy"

    ------------------------------

    Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2001 10:59:58 -0500
    From: Jer51473@[removed]
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  DirectTV and otr

      They sure have the capability and would like to see them try it. their
    basic program includes many channels of cd music (no picture). They could
    easily devote one channel to otr. As it now stands each of dozens of channels
    continuously play one type of music (jazz, pop, country, blues, etc.).
    Wouldnt it be great if they used one channel for otr? DishNetwork has the
    same setup and actually has even more music channels. Any thoughts on this
    possibility?

    ------------------------------

    Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2001 15:11:46 -0500
    From: "Stephen A Kallis, Jr." <skallisjr@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  Code-O-Graph Trivia

    Ovaltine practically pioneered the idea of "decoders" on OTR shows.
    Starting with the 1935 Round Decoder Pin, the Radio Orphan Annie Secret
    Society issued cryptological items through the close of the show. (Though
    Ovaltine dropped sponsorship for the 1941 season, Quaker Puffed Wheat
    Sparkies issued two cardstock-based "decoders.)
    The Secret Squadron Code-O-Graphs were the most well-known cryptological
    items of OTR. Just for fun, I'm supplying a little trivia on these items.

    If you like, I can send a description of every Code-O-Graph. However,
    I'll provide a little Code-O-Graph trivia, just for fun.
    * Only three Code-O-Graphs did not use letter-number combinations for
    their cipher settings: 1941, 1942, and 1948.
    * Only one Code-O-Graph was all metal: the 1941 model. The 1942 was
    _almost_ all metal, but it included a tiny photo of as pilot (which was
    supposed to be replaced with a photo of the owner). The 1945 and 1946
    units had plastic rotors (dials), the 1947 was all plastic (rotor and a
    body in the shape of a whistle). The back of the 1948 and the gears of
    the 1949 models were plastic.
    * The 1945 model was the only metal-body unit that didn't incorporate
    brass. Copper was a critical material, so the body was made of stamped
    sheet steel coated with gilt paint. It is thus the only Code-O-Graph body
    that can be lifted by a magnet (the steel mirror of the back of the 1948
    model can also be lifted, but the back comes off easily).
    * The 1948 Code-O-Graph used the most different materials: brass,
    aluminum, steel, and plastic.
    * There were no 1943 and 1944 Code-O-Graphs. The materials shortage was
    such that most premiums during this wartime period (save those previously
    manufactured) would have to be made of paper or cloth. The 1942 model was
    overproduced, and was distributed to new listeners during these years.
    Stephen A. Kallis, Jr.

    ------------------------------

    Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2001 15:11:44 -0500
    From: Scott Crowder-Vaughn <scrowder@[removed];
    To: [removed]@[removed]
    Subject:  NARA

    Several years ago, I was a member of the North American Radio Archives.
    Does this organization still exist?

    My reason for asking this: I am teaching a class to high school students
    about old radio.  I am interested in obtaining some scripts of original
    programming.  About 16-17 years ago, I remember NARA having a lending
    library and I was hoping to access it again.  Perhaps there are other
    sources for radio scripts that I am not aware [removed]

    As always, thanks for your responses.
    God will not have his work made manifest by cowards.

    					Emerson

    ------------------------------

    Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2001 15:12:01 -0500
    From: "Ryan Hall" <thepezman@[removed];
    To: <[removed]@[removed];
    Subject:  Railroad Hour

    I know someone who is looking for a certain episode from the OTR show
    Railroad Hour hosted my Gordon MacRae, This particular episode was broadcast
    on 6 March 1950 and had Kenny Baker as a guest. If anyone has this episode
    in whatever format, please let me know. [removed]

    --------------------------------
    End of [removed] Digest V01 Issue #56
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