Car-Portable Radio A SHORT time ago The Ever Ready Co. (Great
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Britain) Ltd. introduced the Sky Tourer, an improved and restyled version of its car-portable radio. As this type of radio—one that can be used in a vehicle or outside it as a portable—is probably most applicable to commercial-vehicle use, an example was obtained for testing under the generally noisier conditions in commercial-vehicle cabs, particularly with diesel engines.
The set has now been tried in a wide range of vehicles, from light vans up to a Thames Trader diesel-engined tractive unit and was found to give a very good performance. Taking examples from the vehicles in which the Sky Tourer was tested, in the light vans there was, as expected, no problem. Station selectivity, tone and general performance were of a high standard and there was found to be an ample reserve of power before the sound became distorted.
A more severe test was on a Thames Trader tractive unit operated by Everley Brothers, of Hayes, Middx. The noise level in the cab was fairly high, but even so the volume could be increased to allow the radio to be heard, without distortion, above the engine noise. Mr. Barney Everley, who is a keen and knowledgeable radio "amateur ", commented favourably
on the performance of the set, particularly o n the absence of 10.*° " hash " at the volume setting volume setting required. He said that it was better than any other radio he had heard in a commercial vehicle.
The most severe test was with a diesel-engined van, not only because the noise emitted by the engine was relatively high but also because the pitch was high and the sound echoed round the cab and body. Even on this vehicle there was no distortion or " hash " with the radio adjusted to be heard above the noise, although it was difficult to hear speech even with full volume.
When used as a portable the Sky Tourer employs its own aerial, speaker and internal battery, which gives about 75 hours of service. The radio measures 7 in. by 7 in. by 2 in. and for use in a vehicle it is inserted in a container mounted inside the cab. As it is pressed home the receiver engages with contacts at the bottom of the container, connecting the set to an external aerial, a 6-in. by 4-in, elliptical speaker (supplied with the radio) and to the vehicle battery. Depressing a push button on the facia completes the changeover. A special solenoid-operated lock is supplied to prevent the unauthorized removal of the receiver.
In its portable form the Sky Tourer has an output of 540 milliwatts and 1 watt undlstorted as a car radio, The tuning scale is black and is illuminated when used as a car radio.
Makers: The Ever Ready Co. (Great Braain) Ltd., Hercules Place, Holloway, London, Ni.
Price (retail, including purchase tax): Receiver with battery £17 lbs. 9d,, container £2 10%. 3d., speaker £1 3s. 4d„ lock 10s. 8d. Total £22 Is.