WIRELESS NEWS

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19505, 29 December 1928, Page 8

WIRELESS NEWS

<B7 LISTENEE.)

The general run of amateurs do not

•worry much about the elimination of background noises in their short-wave sets; yet in a local station set they spoil the clarity of reception, while in the case of long-distance sets they make searching next to impossible. The sources of these noises are many, but a component that is often guilty is tho grid leak. A good grid leak, of course, has a constant and definite value of resistance, but those which are not good, seem to vary their resistance, at fairly low frequency—hence the noise. As a rule, grid leaks are satisfactory, but now and again one meets a faulty sample. If one is troubled by noises it is well to test this component at once. The simplest way, of course, is to try a substitute, but if a spare one is not at hand, short-circuit the old one with a, piece of wire. If the noises cease there will be no need for further search. AN OVERHAUL. TAKE CARE OF YOUR SET. After a spell of bad weather such as we had last week, it would be well worth while for every radio fan to give his set a thorough overhaul and clean.

Dust will probably have accumulated in little parts of' the set, and moisture, which can do a great deal of harm, will quite likely be found .in all manner of places. No matter if it is a short wave or broadcast set, a good overhaul, and an overhaul that can be made by the most ignorant of set owners, would do a power of good, and improve reception greatly.

First undo all the battery connexions. But take care that you know where to replace the leads, for a fault may cost you a new set of valves. The set should be placed on a low table where it will be within easy reach for all adjustments.

Using great care, take a small rag and" clean such parts as are exposed, the tops of transformers, coil holders and other obvious components. A pipe cleaner serves for cleaning variable condcuscrs. Dust has a bad habit of settling between the plates of these condensers, but, a pipe cleaner and a little care will soon mend matters. Look to your valves and see (hat. contact; is being made bet ween the pens and the sockets —a scraping noise in the loud speaker is a likely sign of bad contacts. Use your rag again to cleau sticky terminals, and a knife will remove any signs of corrosion in them. Mow take a bicycle pump,; and with' the connexion removed, blow hard into tho set. This will remove tho dust, and is a most excellent way of doing it. Batteries should be looked over, the top of Ihe A battery is sure, after damp weather, to have a great deal of moisture upon the terminals and connecting bars. AVipc all this- off, and also remove any.signs of corrosion, for. objectionable noises in the speaker only 100 oi'teu can. be tracml to this cause. The .B batteries, too, should have tlio dust removed from the tops. Jt would be a good idea to add a little distilled water to the accumulator. A fter the set is' once more in its cabinet and wired to the batteries a great improvement is sure to be noticed, not only in volume, but in clarity of tone and selectivity, for dust and moisturo have a "damping" (so called in technical radio) effect, which does much to spoil reception. A NEW SHORT-WAVER. LISTEN FOR ST. HELENA. A high-powered short wave broadcasting station is soon to be erected at St. Helena, in the North Atlantic Ocean. This news has been gleaned from a ship's operator now in port. The organisers of the station stato that they hope to have it on the air about March or April. A power of 10 kilowatts will be used as a start, and all tho apparatus will be supplied by the English Marconi Company. It is hoped that with the help of the operator mentioned above, whose ship will be in New Zealand waters for some time, tests can be carried out which will make the station widely known. Belays will be made of English broadcasting stations, principally. 2LO, and in New Zealand the reception should be better than that from SSW. The island of St. Helena is rocky and barren, with a very high mountain in the centre. On this mountain will be erected the aerial. This certainly should be an ideal position. The aerial will be a one-mast affair, and the transmitter will be housed just beneath it. On the other side of the island, at the foot of the hill, will be the studio, and about a mile away tho relay station. This will consist of an extremely powerful receiver and apparatus to retransmit the music to the studio. Static is very bad in the North Atlantic, however, and this may affect the relaying. PRACTICAL HINTS. Even the best crystals in time become insensitive and appear useless. When this happens the usual custom ■is for amateurs to discard them. This is unnecessary, however, for by chipping pieces off the crystal a new and sensitive surface will be exposed. A few pennyworth of distilled water, obtainable at any garage, is sufficient to pop up an L.T. battery during the whole of the season. When you spot acid from your accumulator ou the carpet, ordinary washing soda, baking powder, ammonia, or even soap flakes, if applied immediately and plentifully until gassing ceases, and the acid neutralises, will save damage. The carpet should be washed thoroughly afterwards though. Where interference is troublesome it is very often a decided advantage to shorter, the aerial by twenty feet or so, especially if it is a fairly long one. I Always undo the H.T, positive leads | before altering anything at all in your ! set. Failure to do this may cost you j a new set of valves.

If your set develops the habit of emitting a loud howl, try moving the loud speaker some- little distance from it. This will probably mend matters. Dirty solder need not be thrown away. If it is placed in a suitable Hat lid over u gas ring, the scum i-an be scraped off, and the solder poured on to a cold surface, such as a slab of stone, where it will set immediately. If you mean to use old or indifferent fixed condensers in vonr set, do not try using them as'coupling condensers, for the slightest fault in a component in this position will result in distortion.

Notes From Far and Near

BROADCASTING. TO-DAY'S PROGRAMMES. 3YA, CIIRISTCHURCH. (306 Metres.) 3 p.m.: Afternoon session, selected studio items. 4.25: Sports results. 6: Children's session, conducted by Chuckle and Aunt Pat. 7.15: News' session. 7.30: Sports results. 8: Chimes. 8.1: Kebroadcast of 2YA, Wellington. 10: Dance programme. 3ZC, CHEISTCHUECH. (250 Metres.) Station 3ZO (Home Recreations, Ltd.), bioudcaats as follows: 10 to 11 a.m. daily, except Sunday: Domestic sefsiun, conducted by Misß Millicent Jennings. 12 noon to 1 p.m. daily, except Saturday and Sunday: .News session and miscellaneous programme. sto 5.45 p.m. daily, except Tuesday, Saturday, and Sueday; News session and miscellaneous programme. At the morning session some fine contralto solos will bo given by a visiting singer with Miss Nancy Hume at the piano. Mr W. T. Dobbic, the well-known flautist, will play several solo 3. There. will be a short fashion talk as well as the usual cookery section. 2V'A, WELLINGTON. (420 Metres.) ' 3 p.m.: Chimes of the G'.i'.O..clock. 3.1: Selected gramophone items. 4.30- and 4.55: Sporting results lo baud. 0: Children's hour, conducted by Aunt (jwen, assisted by Cousins Betty and Molly.' '7: News session, market reports, and sports results. 8: Chimes of tbe G.P.O. clock. 8.1: Overture, the orchestra, "The Bartered Bride" (Sinetana). 8.11: Quartet, Melodic Four, "The Owl and the Pussy Cat" (de Koven). 8.15: Bass solo, Mr W. W. Marshall, "Drinking" (traditional).. 8.19: : Humour,; Mr A. E. Sargent, "A Fine Old English Gentleman" (Newton) (by request). 8.23: Soprano solo, Mavis Bennett, "Pretty Mocking Bird" (Bishop) (H.M.V. C 1377). 8.28: Xylophone solo, with orchestral accompaniment, Mr L. W. Probert, "Dance of the Toy Regiment" (Shilkret and Green). 8.34: Tenor solo, Mr Sam Duncan, "Molly Bawn" (Trish). 8.38: Steel guitar solo, David Kaili, "Honolulu March" (Parlophone A24G4); novelty piano solo. "Do That Heebie Jeebic" (Parlophone A 2488). 8.4G: Quartet, Melodie Four, "Johnnie Schmoker'' (Dix) (by request). 8.51 : Instrumental, the orchestra, repeat item. 8.59: Baritone solo, Mr R. S. Allwright, "The Village Blacksmith" (Werner). 9.3: Weather report and. announcements. 9.4: Cinema organ solo, Eddie Horton, "The Adorable Outcast" (Hayes) (Parlophone V 557) 98: Tenor solo, Mr Frank Bryant, "The Bold Unbiddable Child" (Stanford). 0 12- Humour Mr A. K. Sargent. "Under the Cimimslanccs" (Spurr). 9.18: Vocal solo, with piano and clarinet, Sidney Burthall, "Cliarmainc" (Rupee) (Parlophone A 2259). 'I ".I- Novelties, the orchestra, (a) "Naila' (l,an"<o (10 "J" a t'' ol * St""" (Orth). il.3.l:"Contralto solo. Essie Ackland. ',' t,o ye s Old Sweet Son!:" (Molmy) (H.M.V. CI4IO n:is- Quartet. Mcb.din Four. "The. Goslings (Rrid"c) 9 42: Instrumental, the orchestra, popular 'foxtrot novelties. 9.52: Dance in " MC ' 4YA. DUNEDIN. (403 Metres.) 7j.'i: News session. 8: Town Hall chimes. 81- Relay of orchestral music from Octagon Theatre Orchestra, under tho conductofship of' Monsieur Henri do Rose, Milß. Bar. 8.11: Popular song hits, Miss Mona Melville (a) "Riviera Rose" (Nicholls), (b) "Leonora" (Abrahams). 8.18: Hawaiian selection, Quecnio and David Kaili, "Hawaiian March" (Kllis), Parlophouo record A 2372. 8.22: Humorous Scottish song, Mr Buster Brown, "Aye, Wakin' o" (Lauder). 8.20: Humorous sketch, Major F. 11. Lampcn and Mrs Lanipen. 8.3G: Humorous songs at piano. Miss Eileen Cooper, (a) "Being" (Forwood), "Ellen" (Roll). 8.42: Relay of orchestral music from the Octagon Theatre. 8.57: Topular song. Mr ,T. B. McConnoll, "When You Played the Organ" (Donaldson). 9: Weather forecast. 0.2: Band novelty, National Military Band, "Christchurch fliinics" (:irr. Hare). Zonophouci record 5119. 9.1(1: .Popular song hit, Miss Mona Melville, "Close in Your Arms" (Nicholls). 9.14: Cinema organ solo, Eddie Horton. "The Adorable Outcast" (Hayes), Parlnpliono record A 2557. 9.18: Humorous Scottish songs, Mr Bugler Brown, (a) "Jean McNeil" (Lauder), (b) "North. South, East, and West." (Lauder). 9.25: Humorous skot<-h, Major and Mrs Lampcn. 9.35: Song at piano, Miss Eileen Cooper, "These Men" (Arptliorp). 9.39: Vibrophono solo. Rudy Star Three. "Diane" (Rapee), Parlophone record A 2548; instrumental trio, "Mo and My Shadow" (Rose), Parlophono record A 2405. 9.47: Humorous songs and patter, Mr .T. B. McConnell, (a) "Thinking"' (Morgans), (10 "The Music in Mother's Eyes" (Sheard). 9.54: Medley. Savoy Orphean*, "Round the World Medley" (nrr. Somers), H.M.V. record C 1223. IYA, AUCKLAND. (333 Metres.) 12 noon: Results of Auckland Trotting Club's Meeting, interspersed with musical items from the studio. 6 p.m.: Children's hour, conducted by Cinderella. 7.15:. News items. 8: Chimes. S.l: Medley, Savoy Orpheans, "Round tho World Medley" (arrSoiners), (H.M.V. record 01223). 8.9: Baritone solos, Mr Leu Keven, (a) "Border Ballad" (Cowan), (b) "In Summertime on Brudou" (Peel). 8.16: Instrumental trio, Auckland Trio, "Cavalliera Rusticana" (Mascagni). 8.20: Elocutionary, Mr F. W. Barker, "Sick of the Palsy." 8.33: Relay of entr'acte from Majestic Theatre Orchestra, under tho direction of Mr AVhiteford Waugh. 8.43: Tenor solos, Mr Will Harris, (a) "A Town in tho Old Country Down" (Sanders), (b) "Sincerity" (Clurkc). 8.50: Instrumen- | tal sextet, "To a Water Lilv" (MacDowell), (H.M.V. record 82690). Band novelty, "Weymouth Chimes" (arr. Hare), (Zonophono 5119). 8.58: Weather report and announcements. 9: Instrumental trio, Auckland Trio, "Little Modern Suite" (Rosse). 9.10: Baritone solo, Mr Len Keven, "Tho Fishermen of England" (Phillips). 9.14: Marimba Orchestra, "When It's Love Time in Hawaii" (Heagney), (Zonophoue record 3852). 9.18: Elocutionary, Mr F. W. Barker, (a) "A Frenchman on 'Macßeth'," (b) "At Thirty-five" (Service). 9.25: 'Cello .solo, Miss Molly Wright, "Gavotte" (Popper). 9.29: Tenor solo, Mr Will Harris, "So Tired" (Little-Sizomore). 9.33: March, U.S. Navy Band, "All Hands" (Benler), (Zonophoue record EEIOS). 9.37: Dance programme. 2FC, SYDNEY. (412 Metres.) 7.10 p.'m.: Programme announcements. 7.15: Pianoforte reproduction. 7.52: Cricket scores, Third Test Match, England v. Australia, played at Melbourne. 8: "Big Ben"; tho Charles Lawrence Revue Company, including: Wendling and Molloy, radio melodymakers; Reno Rich, violinist; "The Two Old Cronies." During the evening, description of (lie events in progress will be taken 'from the Speedway Royal. Between 10.30 and 11.30, dance music from the Wentworth, interspersed with the newest song hits by Lcn Maurice. 2BL, SYDNEY. (333 Metres.) 8 p.m.: G.P.O. clock and chimes; radio Eisteddfod. Items by successful competitors in the recent Radio Eisteddfod, conducted by the New South Wales Broadcasting Company, Limited. A popular studio programme. Polos by Howell Brydrn, baritone, and dance music from Bennie's Orchestra, interspersed with "Sun" news. SUNDAY. 3\'A, CHRISTCHURCH. (300 Metres.) 3 p.m.:. Gramophone recital of selected items. 5.30: Children's song service, conducted by Uncl6 David. 7: Relay of service from Knox Presbyterian Church; preacher, Rev. T. W. Armour; organist and choirmaster, Mr Billington. 8.15 (approx.): After-church, concert from studio. Overture—Berlin ■ State Opera Orchestra, "The Magic Flute" (Mozart), H.M.V. record K464. 8.23: Tenor solo—Mr H. Blakeley, "Be Thou Faithful Unto Death" (Mendelssohn). 8.25: 'Cello solo—Pablo Casals, "Prize Song" (from "The Mistersingers of Nuremberg"), (Waener), H.M.V. record DBIOI-2). 8.3-2: Bass solo—Mr E. J. Johnson, "Biow, Blew, Thou Winter Wind" (Sargeant). 8.37: Orchestral-Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" (Bach), H.M.V. record D 1428 8.55: Tenor solo—Mr H. Blakeley, "Molly Bawn" ilrish Melody), (traditional). 5.55: Grand organ solos—(a) "The Lost Chord" (Sullivanl ; (b) "Largo" (Handel), H.M.V. record CM!. 9.7: Bass solo—Mr E. J. Johnson, "Abide With Me" (Liddle). 9.11: Choral with orchestra—Chorus and London Symphony Orchestra, "Nunc Dimitlis" (H M.V. record D 1347). 9.19: Tenor and bass duetMessrs H. Blakelev and E. J. Johnson, "The Day i»- Done" (Lohr). 9.23: OrchestralNational Symnhoiiy Orchestra, "Orpheuu in Hades" (Offenbach), Zonophono record EFI6.

2YA, WELLINGTON. (120 Metres.) 3 to 4.30 p.m.: Afternoon concert. 6: Children's song- service, conducted by Uncle George, assisted by the Island Bay Baptist Sunday School Choir. 7: Relay, of evening service of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church; preacher, Rev. K. J. Howie, B.A.J organist and choirmaster, Mr Frank Thomas. 8.15: Studio concert. Orchestral—Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, "Carnival Eomain (Bcrloiz), H.M.V. record D 1363; tenor soloMr Chas. "VVilliarna, "Do Wo Believe" (St. Qucntin); choral—Glasgow Orpheus Choir, (a) "Dimlit Woods" (Brahms); (b) 'Great God of Love" (Pearsall), H.M.V. record E482; duet—Mis3 Florence Stevens and Mr Cnas. Williams, "Love Divine" (Stainer); orches-tral-Victor Symphony Orchestra, "Dance of the Hours" (Ponchielli), Zonophone EM2; soprano solo—Miss Florence Stevens, Fear Not Ye, 0 Israel" (Buck); duet-Feruand Ansscau and Marcel Journet, "I Am Escaraillo," from "Carmen' (Bizet), HJ.V. record DB109S; violin solo—Miscna lulman, "Sympbonie Eapagnole," On. 21, 4th Movement (Lalo), H.M.V. D 8224; tenor Mr Clias. Williams, "0 Flower Dwin* (Wood); choral-Sheffield Choir, (a) As Pants the Hart" (Spohr), (b> ''Break Forth Into Joy" (Barnby), Columbia 026b4; soprano solo-Miss Florence Stevens "A Dream of Home" (Arditi); pianoforte eolo—Alfred Cortot, "La Cathedralo. Engloutie (Debussy). HMV D 8679; duet—Miss Florence Stevens and 'Mr Chas. Williams, "Calm Silent T\i<rht" (Goetz); instrumental—Creatore a Band "Grand March and Finale," Act 2, "Aida" (Verdi), H.M.V. C 1339. 4YA, DUNEDIN. (463 Metres.) <T3O nm.: Children's song service, conducted by Big Brother Bill. 6.30: Relay of 6 crvice from the MeOwdist Central Mission; preacher, Eev. W. Walker. 8: Gramophone recital. AUCKLAND. (333 Metres.) k T, ni • Children's session, conducted by Uncle' Leo. 6.55:* Relay of Divine service from St. Andrew's Presbyterian- Church; Treacher, Rev. George Budd; organist Dr. KeUl McDougall. 8.30: Soprano solo-Miss Ida Holmes, "Ave Maria" (Gounod) 8.34: Organ-Four Indian Love Lyrics, (a) "Temple Bells"- (b) "Less Than the Dust"; (c) Simiri Song";■(* I'TiH forde-Finden). Columbia record 05696 8.42 Contralto solo-Mrs A. Wall.s Andl G«d Shall Wine Away All Tea"' (Suflwari. 8.46: Baritona «010-Mr rough,. "It (Mendelssohn). 8.52: Instrument tfic_"Trio No. 1 in B Flat-Al-legro Moderate." Columbia record 04138. q° Soprano eolo-Miss Ida Holmes. "Come Unto Him" (Handel). 9.4: Orchestral: Raters March from of Faust." Columbia record 04155. 9.8: Oonfra to solo-Mrs A. Wollis, "The Lord » Mv Light" (Allitsen). 9.12: Band-"March Loraine" Columbia record 02681. 9.16: Baritone solos-Mr Walter Brough (a> Lord Cod of Abraham," from "Elijah (Mendelsohn)- <h) "The Diver" fCorelli). 9.22: Violin-"Humoresque." ,< Columbia record 0950 C 9.26: Orchestral, "Dance of tno Syiplics." Columbia record 04155.