RADIO NOTES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 49, 21 November 1928, Page 7

RADIO NOTES

(By

“Aerial.”)

Scientists abroad have from time to time noted that sunspots have coincided with severe terrestrial magnetic storms, and radio is considerably affected by these magnetic disturbances. Whether the gigantic Sunspot reported in the Press last week is affecting radio or not the fact was only too apparent last week that reception of the Australian stations was exceedingly weak, and some evenings it was Impossible to hear them with sufficient volume to make it worth while to tune them in.

The Radio Broadcasting Company made m thorough success of last Wednesday night’s broadcast o£ the New Zealand elections. Wellington’s big station, 2YA. sent the polling results, hour after hour, far and wide, with striking promptitude. The “Radio Record’ office in the "Dominion’’ building was converted into a temporary studio. 'Die technical arrangements were perfect, thanks to the able .organisation of Mr. Bingham, the company’s chief radio engineer, who was in constant attendance at the temporary studio, personally cheeking up the transmission. 'To his credit it must be recorded there was not one technical hitch throughout tlie lengthy transmission. Breakdowns are almost inevitable under such conditions, and it was the fate of 2FC, and 2BL, Sydney, to experience a breakdown shortly after midnight last Saturday night when relaying the Federal Election results from the central tallying room. Something went wrong on the relay line and both stations had to put on studio items until the trouble was cleared. So it will lie realised that Mr. Bingham did exceedingly well to maintain 2YA's service unbroken from the temporary studio. Three telephones were working almost continuously in the adjacent rooms receiving the election results for the whole of New Zealand, "feeding” the announcer (Mr. J. Ball) with progress reports us fast as they were ’phoned through. The temporary’ studio, nevertheless, was devoid of anything in the nature of commotion or confusion, the three or four assistants receiving the ’phone messages, writing them out on slips of paper which were handed to another assistant who passed them on to the announcer.

An excellent idea was put across by the announcer from the temporary "election I studio” of 2YA, which dealt with the | "poaching” evil. The announcer said: — "This is station 2YA operated by the Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand Limited, broadcasting on relay from tlie office of the ‘Radio Record’ in the ’Dominion’ building, Mercer Street, Wellington, the results of tlie polling at tlie Parliamentary General Election of 1928. hi all probability X am speaking to not less than a quarter of a million people. Will all those in this vast audience who are listening-in through duly licensed receiving sets please get ready to vote on a motion which it will be my privilege to broadcast immediately after the next election return has been announced? This will be the lirst occasion on which a popular vote has been taken in New Zealand by wireless.” After the announcement of an election result, the announcer proceeded: “Are you all ready for the motion? Then 1 will move ‘That all members of this vast audience who are listening-in through duly licensed’radio receiving sets hereby appeal to those who are using this service through unlicensed sots, to play the game by other listeners. In speaking to this motion 1 have only to say that all unlicensed listeners to whom this appeal is made are not observing the law of the land, and they are depriving every licensed listener of the better service which a compliance' with tlie law on their part would make possible Are you ready for tlie motion?” A lady's voice came over tlie air—“l have pleasure in seconding tlie motion.” The announcer resinned with: “You have heard tlie motion—ail those in favour signify the same in the usual way ? All those against? Without, a moment’s hesitation I assume that every licensed listener who heard the motion has registered an emphatic AY'E, and therefore I have pleasure in declaring tlie motion carried unanimously. Thank you.” Looking at tlie question impartially all must agree that those who listen in without a license are acting contrary to tlie interests of all licensed listeners and.also the radio traders. The more licenses there are the better the broadcasting service possible. "Poachers” are not only robbing (he Government and tlie Broadcasting Company, but are" also robbing the licensed listeners. There is still a good deal of “poaching” going on hi Wellington, and if these unlicensed listeners are informed on by radio’ acquaintances they have only themselves to blame. The license fee from now until the end of next .March is only fifteen shillings. The correct method of announcing election results is to call only the figures after the name of each candidate, and to avoid using the words "thousands, hundreds, etc.,” which only lead to confusion. For example, "Smith, four, two. live, six,” is much better than “Smith, four thousand, two hundred and fifty-six.” xYccountants, book-keepers, ete., call merely the figures when checking accounts. The method is clear, concise, and avoids confusion of thought. The proper plan was adopted ■by 3 YA, Christchurch, in giviug the election results last Wednesday' night, but' 2YA, Wellington, used the clumsier method. 2FC, Sydney, mid 2BL, Sydney, last Saturday night, In covering the Federal elections, followed the better method, giving tlie figures only and omitting the words “thousands, hundreds, etc.” Station 2YA. Wellington, enabled even crystal-set owners last Saturday night to hear tlie Siberian station RFM, Khabarovsk, the famous short wave station up in the East. Tlie rebroadcast by 2YA, Wellington, was almost perfect, anil the music from tlie 6000-miles-distant foreigner came through loudly and clearly. This rebroadcast was interesting to the majority of valve-set owners, as well as crystal-set owners, us RFM. being u short-wave station, is not available on ordinary broadcast receiving sets.

"J. 11. (Martinborough) writes:—"l am writing to you to express my appreciation of your column in the •Dominion.’ 1 read with mucli interest the various notes and questions and my only regret is that the column is not larger. You may be interested to know 1 received the Japanese station JOGK (wavelength just shorter than that of 4QG) about 7.50 p.m. on the evening of Wednesday last before it was properly dark. This was on the speaker. Is tills a record for that particular station? My set is a 6-valve model with wet A and drv B.’s. On tlie same evening I also got tlie stations WHXAL, San Francisco,. and KFON, Lougbench, at fair 'speaker strength. Last evening I was surprised to hear European band music from JOGK (Japan), as all 1 had previously heard from that station was weird feminine voices singing to the accompaniment of a twanging oue-stringed instrument. Tlie announcer, in giving the name of the station, appears to say JOAGK. Have any correspondents noticed the same thing? (This is regularly observed by “Aerial.”) I am much puzzled over a mystery station on a wave-length just shorter than Hint of JOGK. tlie voices are European and just too weak to catch the name. I am puzzled with many of these ‘mystery’ stations, as I eall them, all over the dial. I only get these early in the evening. Are they likely to be Americans?” Very probably the “mystery” stations heard by “J.H.” are in tlie United States. In reply to “Listener" (I’ahiatua), KNX, Hollywood, California, lias previously been reported to have changed its wave-length to about 285 metres.

“Noel” (Killiirnie), “Te Tahi” (Palmerston North), mid “If.J." (Mastertoil), write asking whether tlie Australian stations have been exceptionally weak lately. The latter two have suspected trouble in their sets, they state. The Australian stations have been far below average audibility of late, and this week they continue to he weak. A number of local listeners have telephoned “Aerial” to ascertain tlie true position witli regard to trans-Tasinan reception, mid they have been greatly relieved to learn that poor reception of tlie Australian stations has been general. . Aii up-to-date blind man in Wellington is using audio amplification transformers, and ’radio valves to boost up and improve the tone of his gramophone, lie also employs a high-class radio loudspeaker for his grainophone. Tlie latter can be heard any day in the city streets. Following are tlie broadcast programmes for to-day (Wednesday, November 21):— IYA, AUCKLAND (333 Metres).—3.o p.m.: Afternoon session—Selected studio

items. 4.0. Literary selection J>y B' o A? nouneer. 4.8: Selected studio items. Sports results. 4.30: Close rjnelo Children’s session, conducted I D Tom. 7.15: News nM sports results. i.4j>. Lmh ri.jmes. Kerr, “Physical Culture." 8.0. U' llu "g. 8.1: Announcement of L?" 1 , 1 ’ 1 ’ I ,tn “Poet Item No. 1: Symphony Orcliest and Peasant” Overture (buppel ffiol bill Record 02018). 8.11: Item, No- q - ; Comic opera (vocal), Memor es ~ "The .Student Prince’ (Rombcr ß ) 1 Innibia Record 02511). 8.1.): Item AO- •>• Pianoforte solo, "Lieneslraunie (Columbia 02508). 8.19: Item Grand opera “Credo’ (from Otcl (Verdi) (Columbia 041ib). b —l,',./ 5: Saxophone solo, ’\alse (Wiedoeft) (Columbia 0117 b). 8 - b ; l ,tl „ No. 6: Song (comic), "Im J 4 (Fyffe) (Columbia 961). 8.30: Iten . • 7: Light orchestra, •■.March ot the 1 ojb (Herbert) (Columbia 02b.i1). No. 8: Soprano solo (with flute j “I've Seen tlie Swallows ’Acquit)) (Columbia 0413 i). 8 ; ,!S ; 1 pt!.. No. 9: Orchestra and chorus, In a 1 sian Market" (Ketelbeyl (Columbia 4) 8.45: Item No. 10:Violin solo. Hungarian Dance No. 1” (Brahms-Joachim) (Lolu>»ilia 09504). 8.49: Item No. 11: Lar’toi c solo, ■'.Slumber on My Little Llpsj Sweet heart" (Herbert) (Columbia 0208.1). Item No. 12: Hawaiian marimba orchestra, •■Three O’clock in the .Morning (Kopiedo) (Columbia 02085). 8.57: Item No. 13Grand opera (solo), “Largo Al X'llC- I tot ti m,” from “The Burlier ot I (Rossini) (Columbia 04173). 9.1: Weather i forecast. 9.2: Item No. 14: Comic opera ; (orchestral), selection from “The Gondo- ; liers" (Sullivan) (Columbia 979). .4.0: , Item No. 15: Revue (duet), gems from “Oh! Kay” (Gershwin). (Columbia ] 02572). 'J.IO: Item No. 10: Jazz orchestra, "Get Out and Get Under The Moon (Shay, Tobias, Jerome) (Columbia ■ DiOOl). 9.14: Item No. 17: Military band, "Martial Moments” (arr. Winter) (Columbia 9010). 9.18 Announiceiuent of competition. Repeat concert. 10.33: Close down. 2YA, WELLINGTON (420 metres)— Silent. 3YA, CHRISTCHURCH (306 metres)— 3.0 p.m.: Afternoon session—Selected studio items. 4.30: Close down. I**’• Children's session, conducted by Uncle Peter. 7.15: Addington stock market reports. 7.30: News . session. 8.0: Chimes. “Schubert” Centenary Programme. 81: Lecture —Mr. T. Vernon Griffiths, M.A. (Mus. Bae.), "Schubert —His Life ami Work.” 8.16: Overture, New Queens Hall Orchestra, "Unlluished Symphony” (Schubert) (Columbia Records 1.1791 2 and 3). 8.35: Contralto solo—Miss Dulcie Mitchell, "To Music” (Schubert). 8.43: Pianoforte solo—Miss Dorothy Davies, “Impromptu in A Flat” (Op. 142, No. 2) (Schubert). 8.48: Tenor solos, Harold Prescott, (a) "Serenade” (Schubert); (b) “Ave Marla” (Schubert). 8.55: Weather forecast. 8.57: Instrumental trio, Christchurch Broadcasting Trio, "Allegro Moderate” (from "Trio Op. 99") (Schubert). 9.9: Soprano solo—Miss Lillian Hanhani, “Hymn to the Almighty” (Schubert). 9.13: String quartet—Budapest String Quartet, 2nd. Movement (Andante con Moto) from "Quartet in D Minor” (Death and tlie Maiden) (Schubert) (11.M.V. Records D 1424 and D 1425); (This movement takes tlie form of an “Air and Variatalons.” Tlie air is borrowed from one ot’ Schubert's own songs, “Death and tlie .Maiden” (Tod und das Madehen), and it is to this movement that tlie work owes its name). 9.25: Baritone solo, Mr. Fred C. Pinfold, "Tlie Erl King” (.Schubert). 9.30: Orchestra —Halle Orchestra. “Rosaniundc Overture" (Schubert), (Columbia 04056). 9.37: Contralto solos—Miss Dulcie Mitchell, (a) “Evening Boat Song” (Schubert); (li) “Wild Rose” (Schubert). 9.43: Pianoforte solo, Miss Dorothy Davies, “Inipromptu in A Flat” (Op. 90 No. 4) (Schubert). 9.47: Tenor solo. Mr. Harold Prescott. “Who is Sylvia?” (Schubert). 9.51: ’Cello solo, Mr. Harold Beck, “Cradle Song” (Schubert). 9.55: Soprano solos—Miss Lillian Hanhain, (a) "Hark, Hark,, the Lurk” (Schubert); (ti) “Whither" (Schubert). 10,1: Instrumental trio —Christchurch Broadcasting Trio, “Rondo” (from 4tli Movement of Trio, Op. 99) (Schubert). 10.10: Bass solo—Mr. F. Penfold. "Tlie Wanderer” (Schubert). 10.14: Orchestral—Royal Opera Orcliest ra, "Marche Militaire” (Schubert) 111. it. V. Record C 1279). 10.18: Close down. •IYA, DUNEDIN (463 ile(res) —3.0 p.m.: Town Hall chimes. 3.1: Gramophone items. 3.15: Talk on "Fashions” by .Miss Buccleucli of tlie D.S.A. Ltd. 3.30: Relay or afternoon-tea music from tlie Savoy. 3.45: Studio items. 4.0: Relay of music from the Savoy. 4.15: Gramophone items. 4.30: Close down, 6.0: Town Hall cliimes. (1.1: Children’s session conducted by Aunt Sheila and Big Brother Bill. 7.15: News session. 8.0: Town Hall cliimes. Competition programme—B.l: Announcement of competition. 8.3: Item No. I—Symphony Orchestra, “Poet and Peasant,” overture (Suppe) (Columbia Record 02618). 8.11: Item No. 2—Comic opera (vocal), “Memories” from “Tlie Student Prince" (Romberg) (Columbia 02511). 8.15: Item No. 3—Pianoforte solo, “Llebestrauine” (Liszt) (Columbia 02568). 8.19: Item No. 4—Grand opera, “Credo” from “Otello” (Verdi) (Columbia 04176). 8.23: Item No. s—Saxophone solo, “Valsc Mazanetta" (Wiedoeft) (Columbia 01176). 8216: Item No. o—Soug (comic), “I'm 94 To-day” (Fyffe) (Columbia 9(11). 8.30: Item No. 7—Light orchestra, "March of tlie Toys” (Herbert) (Columbia (12651). 8.34: Item No. B—Soprano8—Soprano solo (with flute obligato), "I've Seen (lie Swallows Pass” (Dell ’Aequa) (Columbia 04137). 8.38: Item No. ti—Orchestra and chorus, “In a Persian Market” (Kctelbey) (Columbia 02689). 8.45: Item No. 10—Violin solo, “Hungarian Dance No. 1” (Brahms-Joachim) (Columbia 09504). 8.49; Item No. 11—Baritone solo. “Slumber On, My Little Gipsy Sweetheart" (Herbert) (Columbia 02574). 8.53: Item No. 12—Hawaiian marimba orchestra, "Three O’clock In the Morning” (Robledo) (Columbia 02685). 8.57: Item No. 13—Grand opera (solo), "Largo Al Factotum" from “The Barber of Seville” (Rossini) (Columbia 04173). 9.1: Weather forecast. 9.2: Item No. 14—Comic opera (orchestral), selection from “The Gondoliers" (Sullivan) (Columbia 979). 9.6: Item No. 15—Revue (duet), gems from “Oh I Kav" (Gershwin) (Columbia 02572). 9.10: Item No. 16—Jazz orchestra. “Get Out. and Get Under the Moon” (Shay, Tobias, Jerome) (Columbia 07001). 9.14: Item No. 17—Military Band, “Martial Moments” (Arrg. Winter) (Columbia 9065). 9.18: Announcement of the competition. Repeat concert. 10.33: Close down.

2ZF, PALMERSTON NORTH (285 metres). —6.15 p.m. till 7 p.m.: Children’s session. 7.0 till 9.0: Musical programme. 3ZC, CHRISTCHURCH (250 metres).— Noon till 1 p.m.: Nows and concert session. 2FC, SYDNEY (442 metres).—B p.m. till 11.30 p.m. 2BL, SYDNEY (349), metres—B p.m. till 11.15 p.m. 2GB, SYDNEY (316 metres).—B p.m. till 10 p.m. 3LO, MELBOURNE (371 metres).—B p.m. till 11.30 p.m. 3AR, MELBOURNE (484 metres).—B p.m. till 11 p.m. 4QG, BRISBANE (385 metres).—B p.m.: From tlie studio: All’. Featherstone and his Orchestra — Fox-trot, “Egyptian Koso" (Snyder); fox-trot, “Songs of India” (Whiteman). 8.10: Ethel Wilmer (contralto)—“To Music” (Schubert), “Open Thy Blue Eyes” (Massenet). 8.18: Alt. Featherstone and his Orchestra—Fox-trot, "Roses (Britt), fox-trot; “All I Want is You’ (Davies). 8.26: Lilian Corrigan (harpiste) —"Nocturne” (Hasselmans). 8.3 J: Alf. Featherstone and liis Orchestra — Jazzwaltz, "Together” (Berlin). 8.45: “Teconia’ will deliver another gardening talk in connection with 4QG's [lower scheme. His subject will be “Some Hints on Watering. 8.55: Mabel Malouf (soprano) —“Qne Fine Day.” front “Mdaine Butterfly” (Puccini); “Spring” (Henschel). 9.0: Metropolitan weatiier forecast. Movements of lighthouse steamers. 9.5: Alf. Featherstone and Ins Orchestra — Fox-trot, “Blue Days” (Holt); fox-trot. “Nobody Loves Me” - (Brown). 0.15: Lilian Corrigan (harpiste)—"Kate O'Shane” (Linlev). 9.20: Alf. Featherstone and Ins Orchestra—Rhythmic paraphrase, "Russian Phantasy” (arr. Lnnge); ioxtrot, “Romany Love” (Zaniocnik). 9.30: Kao Mabie Duo —“Wailana.” “Fijian I* arewell." "Walu Luliluli.” 9.38: Alf. Featherstone and his Orchestra —Fox-trot, “When You’re witli Somebody Else” (Baer); *oxtrot, “Sunshine” (Berlin) ; jazz-waltz, “Shalimar” (Nicholls). 10.0: Late news, weather news. 10.15: Alf. Featherstone and his Orchestra—Three-quarters of an hour’s dance music. 11.0: Close down. (NOTE.—New Zealand time is two hours ahead of Eastern Australian time.)