Subject: [removed] Digest V2003 #256
From: "OldRadio Mailing Lists" <[removed]@[removed];
Date: 6/29/2003 1:47 PM
To: <[removed]@[removed];

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


                            The Old-Time Radio Digest!
                              Volume 2003 : Issue 256
                         A Part of the [removed]!
                                 ISSN: 1533-9289


                                 Today's Topics:

  tube radios vs. transistor radios     [ "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed] ]
  birthday wishes                       [ "Walden Hughes" <hughes1@[removed]; ]
  Re: Herb Shriner                      [ Rob Spencer <rfspencer@[removed]; ]
  Guide Dogs On Old Time Radio          [ "Kris Stone" <anaheim47@[removed] ]
  KHJ-TV                                [ George Aust <austhaus1@[removed] ]
  Re: Today in OTV history 6/27         [ "Russ Butler" <oldradio@[removed] ]
  Tube radios = better reception?       [ Bill Harris <radioguy@[removed] ]
  Olde Tyme Radio Network Schedule for  [ HERITAGE4@[removed] ]
  "Phonographs for the blind"           [ Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed] ]
  Re: Dealing with Librarians           [ Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed] ]
  Tubes vs. [removed]                [ "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed] ]
  Paul's signature                      [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
  Today in radio history                [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]
  The Seeing Eye Dogs                   [ "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@hotm ]
  Radio DX                              [ "Arte" <arte@[removed]; ]
  Safe Browsing on Internet             [ "WALT BAKER" <waltbaker@[removed]; ]
  Herb Shriner                          [ "A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@attorneyro ]
  Re: It's a joke son                   [ Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed] ]

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

Date: Sat, 28 Jun 2003 18:59:43 -0400
From: "Mark Kinsler" <kinsler33@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  tube radios vs. transistor radios

If you used to be able to receive distant AM radio stations and are now
unable to do so, the great likelihood is that your present radio is an
especially rotten one, or that something is wrong with its antenna, or that
you are now living in a location that's particularly disadvantageous.

  A lot of the stories about old-time (tube-type) car radios include
memories
  of hearing stations far away (especially at night) - a capability that we
  don't seem to have with today's "stock" radios.

I've had good luck.  Here in central Ohio, I can generally receive WCBS 880,
NYC, WBBM 780, Chicago, WLS 890 Chicago, WWL, New Orleans, WJR, Detroit,
WABC 770, NYC,  WBAP, Dallas, WBZ, Boston, and 3-letter stations from
Atlanta, Philadelphia (KYW, I guess), St Louis (KMOX has four letters,
though) and a few others, including stations presumably located in Canada
and Mexico.

  Assuming that it's true that you used to be able to pull in stations from
  hundreds of miles away under the right [removed] which I have
  experienced some years [removed]

That's the trick.  "The right conditions" vary a lot.  I'm equidistant from
NYC and Chicago, so some nights are New York nights and others are Chicago
nights.  And on some nights, we cannot get either city.

WCBS and WABC in NYC are at 880 and 770 respectively, while WLS and WBBM in
Chicago are 890 and 780, respectively.   So you can only get two of these on
any given night, because they're so closely spaced.

I have some questions about why:
  . Were "tube" radios more sensitive?

Not inherently.  However, since 'nobody listens to AM anymore' (and if you
disagree, try making money with an AM station) good AM radio sections have
been in little demand recently.

I think that most AM radio chips are pretty good if they're provided with a
decent 'front end.'  This is the circuitry that amplifies the signal from
the antenna and couples it to the main radio amplifier.  These 'front end'
components aren't supplied on the chip.  If they were, AM radios would
generally be a lot better.

It's also important to note that AM radio antennas have not particularly
improved over the years.  Ferrite loopstick antennas are far superior to the
old loop antennas (those loops of wire glued to the masonite radio back.)
However, the loopstick antenna must be tuned properly, and some are better
than others.

Much to my surprise some years ago, I found that a good many AM-FM component
receivers didn't have internal AM antennas at all, and many still do not.
Instead, a loop or loopstick antenna is supplied separately.  You're
supposed to connect this antenna to the "AM Ext Antenna" and "ground"
terminals.  If you don't, your AM reception will be, uh, marginal at best.
FM antennas have always been external, and I think most people understand
these, but AM antennas are pretty much a mystery.

  . Were there more high-power stations broadcasting at night than there are
now?

I don't think so.  The broadcast map probably hasn't changed in eons.

  . Did more local stations go off the air at night than do so now, thus
    allowing easier reception of distant stations on the same frequency?

Maybe.  The licenses have stayed pretty much the same, though I think some
of the 'clear channel' licenses have been altered so that some powerful
stations are no longer 'protected' from night-time interference by local
stations.

  . Were there fewer radio stations, *period*, so it was easier to find
    distant stations to listen to?

I think there are probably _fewer_, the AM radio business being what it is.

Be sure to check the antenna on your radio.

M Kinsler
512 E Mulberry St. Lancaster, Ohio USA 43130 740-687-6368
[removed]~mkinsler1

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

Date: Sat, 28 Jun 2003 19:45:48 -0400
From: "Walden Hughes" <hughes1@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  birthday wishes

Hi Everybody,

if any one would like to wish John Milton Kennedy a birthday greeting please
send him to me.  He was the announcer for Lux Radio Theater from 1942 to
1952.  He just celebrated his 91 birthday and we made the offer last night
to our listener on Yesterday USA and if any one recorded the first 30
minutes of my show last night could you drop me an email.  My tape record
did not pick up some the broadcast and I could use your help,

take care

Walden Hughes.

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

Date: Sat, 28 Jun 2003 20:02:10 -0400
From: Rob Spencer <rfspencer@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Re: Herb Shriner

I've come in the middle of this thread, but have seen no mention of Kin
Shriner, who I believe is Wil's brother.  He has played Scotty Baldwin
on General Hospital for a long time (I have no idea whether he's still
on there).

Rob Spencer

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

Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 15:30:17 -0400
From: "Kris Stone" <anaheim47@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Guide Dogs On Old Time Radio

According to John Gassman there were at least two two instances where guide
dogs were used.  It was the same story which aired twice on the Cavalcade of
America.  The episodes were both entitled "The Seeing Eye" and aired on
12/2/36 and 11/7/37 respectively.

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

Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 15:30:32 -0400
From: George Aust <austhaus1@[removed];
To: OTR Digest <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  KHJ-TV

Mark Cuccia asked about Queen For a Day and what stations and networks
it was on at various times.
Unfortunately I can't help him on this.  In fact the only bit of
information I can contribute will probably just confuse matters more.
There was no KHJ-TV in 1948-50!  This was channel 9 in Los Angeles and
it was
Earl C. Anthony's KFI-TV  during that period.  I can't be sure when it
became KHJ, but a guess would be 1950-51.

George Aust

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

Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 15:31:13 -0400
From: "Russ Butler" <oldradio@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Re:  Today in OTV history 6/27

1958 - After nearly three years on NBC, Matinee Theatre was seen for the
final time. And a good thing, too. Critics called the show one of the
most successful failures in theatrical history.

Joe
<<<<> Anyone know much about it?>>>

Hi Joe - Thanks for all the great OTV "memories".  The NBC Matinee Theatre
was a live dramatic show, not a movie.  Black and white, and I think it
became
a "Living Color" production in its last year(s).  It was not a soap opera,
but
an attempt to bring primetime dramatic scripts to an afternoon [removed]
It could have been produced at NBC Chicago in The Merchandise Mart studios.
They did the Kraft Theatre, color commercials inserts there for the NBC
network.
("Take two pounds of that good Velveeta cheese [removed]"

I have a 45rpm record of the "Matinee" theme, maybe it's by Nelson Riddle.
I'll take a look in the box.

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

Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 15:31:33 -0400
From: Bill Harris <radioguy@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Tube radios = better reception?

Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed]; wonders:

. Were "tube" radios more sensitive?

Not necessarily, tube auto radios were sensitive as they nearly
always employed a tuned radio frequency amplifier as the first
stage of the radio. Modern solid state radios can be made just as
sensitive or more so and the noise figure can be much better with
solid state than tubes.

. Were there more high-power stations broadcasting at night than there are
now?
. Did more local stations go off the air at night than do so now, thus
allowing easier reception of distant stations on the same frequency?

Many local stations did sign off at midnight, thus uncluttering
the band which would allow distant high power stations to be more
easily heard. Today, with so many stations being owned and
operated by large conglomerates, the stations are automated and
run 24/7.

. Were there fewer radio stations, *period*, so it was easier to find
distant stations to listen to?

According to Sterling and Kittross there were 831 AM stations on
the air in 1941, 2,669 by 1955, and over 4,000 by 1977. I don't
know what the current figures are, but I am sure it can be dug out
of the FCC web site.

Bill H.

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

Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 15:31:43 -0400
From: HERITAGE4@[removed]
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Olde Tyme Radio Network Schedule for week
 starting: June 29th

Here are the shows you can hear during the next 7 days at:
[removed]    -  in streaming audio   24/7

SAME TIME, SAME STATION with Jerry Haendiges
1. RESULTS, INCORPORATED    12/16/44  "The Case of the Bloody
Gillettes"   - crime darama stars Lloyd Nolan with Claire Trevor.
2. WALK SOFTLY, PETER TROY   9/22/64   from S. African Springbok
Radio.   "Pandora's Boxer"
3. MAXWELL HOUSE COFFEE TIME    "The Frances Langford Show"
6/19/47   "Family Picnic"
4. THE ADVENTURES of FRANK RACE     8/14/49   stars Tom Collins
and Tony Barrett    in "The Adventure of the Talking Bullet"

HERITAGE RADIO THEATRE with Tom Heathwood
1. QUICK AS A FLASH    MBS   3/23/47   Host: Ken Roberts - Quiz
Bret Morrison visits and plays "The Shadow"
2. STRAIGHT ARROW     MBS    5/6/48   First show of the series -
Howard Culver plays the title role in "Stage From Calvaydos"
3. THE COLGATE SPORTS NEWREEL with BILL STERN     NBC
Pgm. #554 - 6/16/50   - Guest:  actress Shelley Winters.
4. BOB & RAY EXTRA -  with Bob Elliott & Ray Goulding.

Enjoy --   Tom & Jerry

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

Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 15:31:56 -0400
From: Herb Harrison <herbop@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  "Phonographs for the blind"

I did a Google search and found this statement [removed]

 From a press release, May 2002 from 'American Foundation for the Blind' at
[removed]:

"Talking Books provides recorded literature to 750,000 blind, visually
impaired, and physically disabled Americans. The program, which originated
in 1933 with AFB's invention of the long-playing phonograph record, is
administered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped (NLS) of the Library of Congress."

Hope this helps.
Herb Harrison

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

Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 15:33:00 -0400
From: Elizabeth McLeod <lizmcl@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Re: Dealing with Librarians

On 6/28/03 7:04 PM OldRadio Mailing Lists wrote:

As for providing a female liberrian, er, librarian with a box of candy,
I've found that a family-size bag of M&M's will do the job just as nicely.
There's no need to spend your reearch money on a Whitman's Sampler, or a
package courtesy of Ms. Farmer or Mr. Stover.  Let's move on from this point
lest we be accused of sexism.

On the other hand, don't think they can't *tell* if you're cheaping out.
Anything short of Ghiradelli or Godiva, and you might as well hang a sign
around your neck that says "I'm A Piker." (Me, I prefer caramels. And not
those cheap ones in the polybag from the supermarket, either.)

But in all seriousness, the best way to get access to what you need is to
simply treat the staff with respect.

Don't *demand* anything.

*Request.*

Let the staff feel that they're *helping* you, that they're doing you a
favor by providing the materials you need -- if you march in with an "I
want this and this and this" kind of attitude, there's a good chance
you'll tick someone off. Better to *ask* for the materials: "Could I see
this and this and this?"

And, of course, "pleases" and "thank you's" and smiles go a long way.

It's also important to make sure you leave the files you consult just as
you found them -- don't mess up the sequence of papers, don't leave them
in a jumbled pile when you're done. If you're working with microfilm,
*ask* the librarian what you should do with the reels when you're
finished. Some libraries have a designated spot for them, others simply
ask you to stack them on top of the storage cabinet. *Don't* attempt to
refile the reels unless they specifically tell you to do so. And make
sure that when you're finished you box the reels up neatly -- securing
them using the rubber band or the protective paper wrap provided.

Handle fragile materials very gently -- and if archival gloves are
required, *use them.* This is *not* optional.

In short, be polite, follow the rules, know what you need when you walk
in the door, and don't make a mess. If you give the libriarians more work
than they need -- if you don't have complete information on what you're
after when you walk up to the desk, if they have to clean up after you
when you're done, don't think they won't remember you next time. And not
in a good way.

Elizabeth

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

Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 15:33:08 -0400
From: "[removed]" <[removed]@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Tubes vs. [removed]

In issue 255, Frank Phillips asserted:

I think tube radios give better sound, but that may be due to other factors,
such as larger speakers.

I've heard a lot of guitar players make this argument regarding amplifiers as
well (tube amps sound better than transistor).  The argument goes something
like: "Tube amps have a warmer sound."  I'd like to see people take the Pepsi
challenge on this one.  You know, a double blind study where the subject
listens to one amp/radio vs another amp/radio using the same speaker and see
if they can consistently pick out the tube one.

I don't know, maybe you can tell the difference blindfolded, but the only
time I've ever seen someone say which one sounds better is when they've
already seen what kind it is.

-chris holm

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

Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 15:33:40 -0400
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Paul's signature

Ben Ohmart wrote:
It looks enough like Paul's signature to certainly Possibly be genuine. He
did answer fan mail now and then, so it's more than likely his work.
However, his kind of
signature looks like it could also be easy to forge. Sorry for the
inconclusive answer.
But it's very possible. And I know. I'm writing the book on Frees.

Dan, if Ben says it looks like Paul Frees' autograph, then I'd take it.
Personal observation: Paul Frees was no Marlon Brando or Marilyn Monroe.
There's really no big money in forging a signature of Paul Frees.  Brando,
yes.  Frees, no.  Hope this puts your conscience to rest.  It's a treasure
in itself.
Martin

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

Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 15:33:55 -0400
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Today in radio history

   From Those Were The Days --

6/29

1932 - Vic and Sade debuted on the NBC Blue network this day.

1947 - Radio's show with a heart made its debut. Strike It Rich became a
favorite on CBS. Todd Russell was the original host. Warren Hull took
over a few years later.

1951 - Bill Stern did his last 15-minute program of sports features for
NBC. Stern had been with NBC for 14 years. He later moved to the Mutual
Broadcasting System to finish out an illustrious sportscasting career.

6/30

1921 - Documents were signed forming the Radio Corporation of America,
better known as RCA. RCA soon rivaled its main competitor, General
Electric (GE).

   Joe

--
Visit my homepage: [removed]

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

Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 15:34:20 -0400
From: "Martin Grams, Jr." <mmargrajr@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  The Seeing Eye Dogs

While we're on the subject of seeing eye dogs portrayed on radio, (there
were tons of blind detectives on radio, incidentally).  I remembered this
episode and have been meaning to post it on the digest but I didn't have a
copy of the Cavalcade book in hand till this morning.  There was an episode
of THE CAVALCADE OF AMERICA that was completely dedicated to the seeing eye
dogs.

EPISODE #59  "THE SEEING EYE"  Broadcast on December 2, 1936
Script first written on November 18, 1936 and revised on November 23 and 30,
1936.
Written for Cavalcade by Ruth Adams Knight.
Frank Singiser is the announcer.
Craig Stevens is the commercial announcer.
Produced by Arthur Pryor and directed by Kenneth Webb.
Music composed and conducted by Donald Voorhees and his Orchestra.
The opening song was "A Fine Romance" from Jerome Kern's film "Swingtime."
Story:  The first school for blind people was established in Paris in 1784.
The first such school in the United States, the New England Institution for
the Education of the Blind (now the Perkins School for the Blind) opened in
Boston in 1832.  On one historical day, a stranger came along with the idea
of using German Shepher dogs to assist leading the blind.  But how to train
the dogs was a problem, and thus began this story.

Far as I recall, this broadcast does exist in recorded form so it shouldn't
be difficult to find for anyone wanting to listen to it.  Reference:
Information above taken from the book, THE HISTORY OF THE CAVALCADE OF
AMERICA by Martin Grams.

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

Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 15:34:40 -0400
From: "Arte" <arte@[removed];
To: "otr digest" <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Radio DX

Her Harrison asked some questions about long distance (DX) reception:

Were "tube" radios more sensitive?

Vacuum tube radios have a much better signal-to-noise ratio than transistors
enabling reception of much weaker stations.

Were there more high-power stations broadcasting at night than there are
now?
Did more local stations go off the air at night than do so now, thus
allowing easier reception of distant stations on the same frequency?

There are actually more high-powered stations today than back then, but very
few local stations sign off at night nowadays
compared to way-back-when.

Were there fewer radio stations, *period*, so it was easier to find
distant stations to listen to?

This goes without saying, so I won't.

Growing up in Illinois, I would listen regularly to WBZ, KAAY, WONE, WCCO,
KOA, KMOX, WFAA/WBAP,
WHO, WWVA, WLW, and occasionly pick up WCBS, KDKA, KSFO, WYLO, and once got
KFI Los Angeles and WXLL Big Delta, Alaska.
I have "QSL" confirmation cards or letters from most of them.

Which brings up another question: What year did the FCC start the "W's east
& K's west of the Mississippi" rule?
Many of the stations listed above are exceptions to this rule. How many
others are there?

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

Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 15:35:04 -0400
From: "WALT BAKER" <waltbaker@[removed];
To: <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Safe Browsing on Internet
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: from multipart/alternative
X-Converted-To-Plain-Text: Alternative section used was text/plain

In "[removed] Digest V2003 #230"
many people were worried about viruses.

I HIGHLY recommend 'MOZILLA' browser and email and Etc.
The Netscape browser is made from Mozilla which is a free source program.
However, since it is "free-source", Mozilla has not been ruined by
Netscapes' owner AOL.
Therfore, you may surf the web, send & receive email, add hundreds of skins
(including several radio skins).
 Mozilla also stops MOST - 'though not all - pop-up windows without an
add-in program.
AND almost none of the hackers/virus makers will attack a "free-source"
program.

Have fun and remember 'The Shadows Knows' - Walt Baker

  *** This message was altered by the server, and may not appear ***
  ***                  as the sender intended.                   ***

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

Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 15:35:34 -0400
From: "A. Joseph Ross" <lawyer@[removed];
To: [removed]@[removed]
Subject:  Herb Shriner

Date: Sat, 28 Jun 2003 18:37:20 -0400
From: "Tim Lones" <timl2002@[removed];

The Best part of the show was Herb interacting with the contestants
very similar to Groucho on You bet Your Life.

I remember thinking at the time that it was similar in concept to You Bet
Your Life -- it also
had the contestants appearing in pairs.  I think the opening referred to it
as "the comedy quiz
show" and Herb Shriner started with a short monolog.

--
A. Joseph Ross, [removed]                           [removed]
 15 Court Square, Suite 210                 lawyer@[removed]
Boston, MA 02108-2503           	         [removed]

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

Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 15:35:19 -0400
From: Joe Mackey <joemackey108@[removed];
To: otr-net <[removed]@[removed];
Subject:  Re: It's a joke son

   With the discussion on this film, it's available, free for the
viewing at [removed].  Just insert the title in the
search box (the url's too long to post here).  The quality is fair.  Its
been a while since I viewed it last.
   Joe

---
Visit my homepage: [removed]

--------------------------------
End of [removed] Digest V2003 Issue #256
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