RADIO NOTES

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 53, 27 November 1923, Page 11

RADIO NOTES

Stamped addressed envelopes with inquiries having been received by “Aerial,” replies are being posted today to “E.L.N.,” “Constant,” “Knob,” “Volt,” “Wisdom,” “Antenna,” “Listener,” “Had,” “Grid,” “Post,” and “Oxide.” “Cordite” wishes to know whether advertising matter can be broadcast by wireless in Now Zealand. This is not permitted by the regulations. In reply to “Elementary,” fh< current to light the filament of the lowtemperature valve mentioned by him is supplied from a dry cell (1J volt) of the typo used for ringing electric bells. They cost about 3s. each, and with nightly use should last many months. A few days ago “Aerial” made a trip up country and was struck with the number of aerials to be seen from the train. One circumstance which country folk seem to forget is the desirability of height for their aerials. Some fairly good masts were seen, but many aerials were attached to them several feet from the top, instead of advantage b;ing taken of the full height of the pole. Some of the masts seemed to have been stricken with rickets ancl were as twisted as Harry Lauder’s walking stick. The aerials generally were not pulled tightly enough. It should be known that a swinging nerial is apt to affect the tuning of the set. Double aerials were frequently seen. For broadcast concert reception ths single wire, (preferably stranded) is the most desirable. In reply to “lonic,” a radio-fre-quency transformer has an air core. An audio-frequency transformer is fitted with an iron core. It is possible to have several stages of radio-frequency without distortion of music, but audmfrequency should not go further than three stages at the very most, ns i.ho iron-cored transformers have a st'.ong tendency to distort.

“Is the Armstrong ‘feed-back’ cir cuit, which is so popular, without some defects?” asks “Ratio.” It s nuig nised that it is extremely difficult to keep the circuit “stable” so that r; will stay at the maximum amplification point. With practice, however, the circuit can be well controlled by not forcing it to near tb.o maximum amplification point.

Mr. Herbert J. .Stewart, of Mistlands, Murchison, South Island, sends proof that on his three-valve .set, using WDII tubes, he received music (gramophone) transmitted by Mr. L. V. G. Todd, of Tamworth, New South Wales. The distance is about 1500 miles. Mr. Todd’s code call is 2GR, and he writes confirming Mr. Stewart’s reception.

From P. G. Von Hartitzsch, “Aerial” has received letters writton by a radio enthusiast at Dannevirke, describing how, with two stages of audio-frequency, ho has picked up concerts from Los Angeles, California. Two pairs of ’phones were used, and the music was heard clearly, though the announcer’s speech was not distinct enough to render the call letters recognisable. His words “Los Angeles, California,” were quite audible.' The station closed down at 7.15 p.m. Another Californian station was also heard, and the clapping after each item was distinctly audible. These stations have been heard by that gentleman for fully twelve months.

During last week some exceptionally fine transmission has . been performed by Mr. F. J. O’Neill’s concert broadcast station 4YA, Dunedin. In response to telegrams from Mr. O’Neill. “Aerial” listened-in on Thursday, and Saturday evening, and was astonished at the loudness and clearness of the concert items. For reception a threevalye set, with two stages of audiofrequency were used together with a pair of phones and a Brown concerttype loud speaker. On Thursday evening a bagpipe item from Dunedin came in so loudly that a friend distant half a mile awav from the receiving set was able to listen to it by means of the ordinary land-lino telephone. “Aerial,” found that by moving his primary tuning coil well away from the secondary, and placing the “tickler” about an inch from the secondary, he was able to tune out the Wellington broadcast concert completely. His secondary condenser tuning dial road about 53 and the primary condenser about 29. On Saturday evening the Dunedin concert was even louder, the cornet solo, pianoforte duets, ancl most of vocal solos being extraordinarily loud and clear. The Auckland and the. Wanganui concerts on Saturday evening were also received splendidly. Anyone with a throevalve set, using the correct voltage on the plate with a good aerial and careful tuning should get most of the. hew Zealand concerts nowadays, if he is located about the Wellington district. The Dominion Radio Company, Ltd., featured three high-class programmes from their broadcast station on The 'Dominion Newspaper Company’s buildings last week. Among the performers on Tuesday and Thursday evenings were Misses Darby and Pinchen (mandolin exponents), Mr Sutcliffe (trombone soloist), Mrs. McKenzie, Mrs. Jorgensen, and Mr* Withers (vocal soloists). On Sunday Mr. Ward (xylonophonist), Messrs. Mayall, Shaddick and Marshall, Mrs. McCleland (vocalists), ancl Mr. McKay (pianist) gave most pleasing items. The Dominion Radio Company, Ltd., is maintaining a very high musical standard, and reports to hand state that the transmission is received excellently throughout New Zealand. The Dominion Company will furnish another series of enjoyable program/aes this week, the nights of transmission being to-night, Thursday, and Sunday. “Uncle -Jasper,” whose bed-time stories arc related before each concert, is new a well-established favourite.

On Saturday evening Mr. O’Neill was heard announcing from his broadcast station 4YA, Dunedin, that some amateur transmitter was operating right on the concert wave-length. Tais, ho said, was spoiling reception by local listoners-iu. The amateur guilt? of this practice is liable to a heavy fine, and, apart from tho breach ot the regulations, the culprit showed an entire lack of courtesy and consideration towards those who were endeavouring to hear the. very fine programme being transmitted by Mr. O’Neill. The Dunedin broadcast station, 410, has now definitely shut down, and the complete transmitting plant is on the market. Mr. Arundel has offered ilto the citizens of Dunedin, and has suggested that 200 subscriptions <-i £5 each be. obtained, so that each of the 200 subscribers would lie a partowner of the plant, and it would then b' in their hands to arrange the running of the station. Mr. Aiundell states that up to the present £JUi has been subscribed towards taking over the station, and guarantees of annual subscriptions to a total of £l-j<) had been received.

Mr. George Blake, of “Blakctown.” Greymouth, has just recently installed a five-watt transmitter, and he is anxious to ascertain how far distant he can get with it. His call letters are 3AD, and he transmits most nights at about 8 p.m.. and again after tho bioadcasting stations have signed off. His wave-length is 140 metres. Not having any borough electric supply whore he is situated, Mr. Blake has had to make up a battery of 2.50 Lo Clancho cells, which supplies about 400 volts to tho plate, of the power

valve. These cells are very small, being made out of medicine bottles ent down —rather an extensive and tedious undertaking. Mr. Blake, however, is a very ardent amateur. The following hint may prove useful to owners of crystal outfits:- A great number of crystal sets are fitted with ■‘cat whiskers” far too thick to £ivo good results when used wita tho oidinary type of crystal. >' rth a great many of these “cat Muskeis, the wire is of copper or brass, noth very oxidisable metals. It is necessary that the Pf’ 111 ?'. contact with the crystal always be clean and bright. Hie oxidising of the “cat. whiskers will form an insulating covering on the tip of the wire, which will bo detrimental to good results. Io avoid this a gold wire “cat whisker could bo used. Such wires can be procured at very reasonable cost. Besides being of a finer gauge than.the wire usually fitted to crysta e , the gold wire is of a non-oxidisab nature, and this ensures. a good point on crvstal for long periods.

The proposed inauguration of an up-to-date scheme for the provision o high-powergd broadcast station in e< of the four New Zealand centres, as outlined by the Minister recently, has occasioned much interest among radio people. The suggested compulsory payment of £1 per year by each owner of a receiving set meets with general approval. It'is only under such an arrangement that concert and general news broadcasting can bo placed on a satisfactory basis. At present the trade, which own the various stations, are unable to afford to give a first-class broadcast service gratis. The performers under the existing . scheme give their services free, but this cannot continue indefinitely. A movement is afoot in Wellington to call a conference ot interested parties to go into the proposals of the Minister. .The movement should bo started forthwith, as it would take many months to erect the. necessary equipment and organise the scheme.

A southern writer says:—“An ideal broadcasting service would provide a variety of entertainment and instruction that would satisfy all tastes, and you would listen to only that part of the programme that was of interest to you. The first aim would require to be punctuality; you should be able to tune in at a particular time any evening and know just what class of entertainment you would receive, and, of course, a regular schedule of transmissions would be required. Ths next objective would be variety of entertainment, and the musical director should arrange his performances so that there would be nothing monotonous in the programme to anyone. The. third desirable featqro would be classification of performers and itgnis, and the arrangement of a schedule so that we would nqt bo compelled to listen to any one class of item for any length of time. For instance, too much drama is just as bad as too much comedy, and a judicious blending of artists should provide great enjoyment.

A fourth important sphere of activity is the broadcasting of locturettes and talks by people who know what they are talking about. Not simply lectures, but advice about matters of local and public interest; and here is presented an opportunity for some of our local orators to pass on their knowledge and experience. Following the above conclusions, a programme could be arranged as follows: 6 p.m. —-News summary (this w< uld include late announcements of local and general interest, sporting results, and correct time). 6.15 p.m.—Market reports (latest sale prices for fruit, grain, poiluce, stock, etc., as well as general market reports from the various firms engaged in marketing these lines). 6.45 p.m —Weather forecast and weather bureau information tor farmers.

7 p.m. —News summary, as nt 6 p.m., and sporting result;-!. 7.15-7.3o.—Selected musical Thvo or three nights weekly this schedule could be extended as below: 7.30-7.45 p.m.—Children’s st.iry.

7.45-8 p.m. —Announcement re transmissions, alteration in schedule, future, programmes, and transmissions from other centres.

8-9 p.m. —Concert programme. 9 p.m.—Lectures or instructional talks on subjects of general interest, such as gardening, cooking, homo advice, health. 9.30-10 p.m. —Danco music and orchestral selections. 10 p.m.—iLate news and sporting results.

A truly charitable act has been done in installing radio on. Oabras Island, where 36 lepers are confined. In complete isolation from the rest of the world they lived, knowing little or nothing of the pleasures of a free yian’s existence. Tho radio set, which has been installed at the cost of an anonymous donor, and contributors from New York, has done much to vary th« monotony of their humdrum existence. Tlie lepers can hear concerts, plays, and lectures at the same time as the people in the audiences in the leading Gnited States cities. Radio sets have bceu used in hospitals, &nd help to alleviate the hardships of the patients and keep their minds off their ills, which is a great help towards recoveiy. The lepers are very enthusiastic over their new toy. which brings sweetness and light into their lives. Concerts were broadcast fiom Wei lington every evening hist week, excepting Saturday. Wellington Broadcasters, Ltd., transmitted tho eciieerr. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. The concert on Monday evening was contributed ly Miss I loronce Denney, Mr- and Mrs. Macdonald, and Mr. kr-ink Andrews. The accompaniments were by Mrs. Charles Macdonald, of Blenheim On Wednesday evening the. items were given by Miss Maud Elderton, Messrs. E. Swain, Irwin, Jones, and Hood. All except the last-mentioned arc students of Madame Ottley, of Wellington, who presided at tho piano. Ou I 1 riday evening the contributors were Misses Gwen Esau, Gwvnith Bees, A. Rubenstein. Messrs. AV. McKeon, J. E. Stokes and Davies. Tho two Rees sisters, who sang Welsh duets, were only children, and proved accomplished entertainers.

An Invercargill correspondent writes: “Mr. Arthur Jordan, of 4AD. Invercargill, is sending out on. about Ml watts this week. I was down at his place last Wednesday week, and heard Sydney on speech and music. the same night,be got Denyer, America, on speech and music, using an Auditron valve. Ills aerial is on the same lines as the Dominion’s, but is only 65 feet from the ground.” “Why are the smaller valves, not such good amplifiers as the larger?” queries “Capacity.” _ Generally the size of the elements inside the valve determine its power of amplification. Tho larger the elements the. greater the magnification of the valve. Other factors are the distance between plate and filament, grid and filament, typo of grid, voltage on plate, and amount of vacuum. Ono of the finest amplifiers is the now IV 201 A valve, sold everywhere. It should be. used with 90 volts on the plate, for amplifying purposes. A few of the. smaller valves are also good amplifiers.