RADIO NOTES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 73, 19 December 1928, Page 7

RADIO NOTES

(By

"Aerial.”)

"Neutrodyne" (Scatoun) asks: “How can I ascertain whether my valves are causing howling in neighbours’ sets?” The simplest procedure is to touch with a moistened finger the aerial where it is fastened to the set. If a decided click is heard in the loudspeaker when the finger is placed on the aerial and again when it is removed, it may be taken as a fact that the valves are reradiating, and apt to cause Innterference with other listeners. "trab” (NewtoWn) writes: “Whatever may have been the standard in the past the ringside description of the Charlie Purdy and Harry Stone fight, broadcast by 2BL Sydney, last Saturday night, was wretchedly done. The describer at the microphone allowed his feelings to run away with.him, and at times he shouted like a street urchin. His running description was most disjointed and difficult to follow at times. There were far too many ejaculations and too much superfluous chatter. The last Wellington fight was far better handled by 2YA, although previous attempts were not up to the standard required.” “Btass Pounder” (Wellington) writes: —“A circular which has come into my hands would lead one to believe that the Australian “B” class broadcast stations receive payment from the Commonwealth Government to cover running expenses. Is this a fact?” The Australian “B” class stations do not receive any payment at all from the Commonwealth dr any other Australian Government, nor have they at any time received such financial aid from the authorities.

"Can I obtain better results from using a cat’s Whisker of a metal other than copper?” asks “Galena” (Hataitai). A fine silver wire is generally considered to give better results than either a copper or brass wire used in conjunction with galena, which is the most popular type of crystal in use. “To-night,” writes "Visitor (city), “while listening in at an acquaintance's house I heard the announcer at IYA, Auckland, describe briefly what sort of weather obtained in the northern city today (Sunday). As my family were going yachtihg in Auckland to-day I Was gratified to learn that the weather w«s fine. I think this description of the day's weather should be broadcast from all NeW Zealand stations, and when closing down at night the announcers might do worse than describe what the weather is then like:” “5.0.5." (Kelburn) writes: “When charging my wet ‘B’ batteries, not more than 48 volts at a time, my colloid rectifier becomes overheated after four or five hours. What remedy do you suggest? It Is detrimental to the solution in the colloid rectifier to permit it to become overheated. The best plan is to stand the rectifier in a bowl of cold water with the water slightly above the height of the liquid In the rectifier. After four or five hours the water in the bowl «o’' ld changed so as to keep the rectifier surrounded by cOld water. “Bobby Boy” (ThOrndon) need not worry about the plus and minus cords of his headphones when using a crystal set, as no harm can come to the magnets no matter which way they are Connected. When a valve set is operated care should be taken to connect the green (or minus) cord to the plate connection Of the last valve and the red (or plus) cord to that part of the circuit which goes to the plus terminal of the B battery. • In reply to “Acid” (Oriental Bay), it is not desirable to add acid to a wet A battery when the liquid requires replenishing to keep it at least a quarter of an meh above the plates inside the battery, unless it has been spilled. The acid does not evaporate; it is the mater which goes off in gas. Therefore merely fill up the battery With distilled water, and never use tap-water, which may ruin the battery. "Argent” (Masterton) cannot improve matters by adding a new dry B battery to his worn-out B batteries. The exhausted B batteries spoil reception by peculiar crackling sounds not unlike heavy static, and for that reason alone should be discarded, A new B battery coupled: to old batteries will suffer rapid deterioration through the old batteries draining it. “Socket” (Petone) will find the 201 A type valve an excellent detector, but it will require front 38 to 45 volts B battery current, tlfc! amount bing gauged by experiment, although 22J volts will as a rule prove satisfactory. The English manufacturers turn out special-purpose valves, and printed instructions as to the necessary voltage accompany each valve. A correspondent, “New Man” (city), reports that he has loosened the glass bulb of his detector valve, and asks how this can be remedied. A hole should be bored underneath the base of the valve and in the centre. Sealing wax melted in a spoon should then be poured into the hole until the base has filled up. Care should be exercised in pushing valves into their sockets or pulling them out, and the fingers Should grip the base and not the glass bulb.

Just why some tuned radio frequency receiving sets receive better on some wavelengths than others is the burden of a query forwarded by “S.N.G,” (Dannevirke). The Usual two or more stages radlo-fre-quency-amplifier set with one control is “peaked” very carefully in the neighbourhood of 300 or 350 metres. Hence within this portion of their tuning range the successive radio-frequency stages ate ill exact resonance, but they get slightly out of resonance above and below It. It is practically impossible to build a set with colls and variable condensers which can be successfully “ganged” on one control, and will be exact resonance for the tvhole tuning range. One or two makers have embodied special devices in their sets that overcome this difficulty which exists in average single-control factory-made set. Another reason why many of this type of sets have a “peak” Is that the ratio of inductance to capacity around about 300 metres is best suited to the input characteristics of tlie standard American valves. Many listeners, therefore, find reception better from 2BL, Sydney, on 353 metres than from 2FC, Sydney, on 442 metres.

The Standard Telephones Co. have been testing out a 50-watti broadcasting outfit at their Wellington establishment recently. When broadcasting on 172 metres the station could not be picked up by several owners of imported American sets, as their tuning range was limited to 200 metres. However, those who were able to hear the transmitter on that wavelength reported remarkable volume and very fine tone. The Palmerston North broadcast station picked up the transmission and rebroadcapt it successfully. The equipment is for a client’ of the Standard Telephones Co. During the latter half of last week Wellingtonlans have not been able to obtain anything like good loudspeaker reception from any of the Australian stations until about 11 p.m. , Reception has then Increased in volume with noticeable rapidity. Static was not a troublesome factor, being exceptionally mild. This week, in contrast, Commenced with a decided increase in static, but a corresponding improvement in reception of the Australian stations. On Monday evening static at times somewhat spoilt reception from across the Tasman, but late at night the ratio of signal strength increased comfortably above the noise of the atmospherics. A refreshing and delightful change was provided on Monday evening of last week when the ladles’ singing circle of the Pioneer Club gave a truly excellent studio concert at 2YA, Wellington. New talent is not readily available, and when it is obtained listeners are appreciative of it. Messrs. Philips Lamps, Ltd., forward a new schedule for their short-wave broadcast station, PCJ.T. Holland, as follows:— Friday, from 6 a.m. till 8 a.m.; IL a.m. till 3 p.m. Saturday, from 6 a.m. till 8 a.m.: 12 noon till 0 p.m.

As in America, radio will play a most Important part in the conduct of a regular aeroplane service between Australia and New Zealand, which is mooted by Kingsford Smith and Ulm. A radio "beacon” on each side of the Tasman would prove as valuable as a lighthouse to shipping. During the week-end the new broadcasting, station, 2ZQ, Masterton, was operating, broadcasting gramophone records. The station, which is owned by N. R. Cunningham and Co., has a power of 50 watts. TO-DAY’S PROGRAMMES Following are the broadcast programmes for to-dav (Wednesday. December 19) :— IYA, AUCKLAND (333 metres)—3 p.m.: Afternoon session—Selected studio items. 4.0: Literary selection by the Announcer. 4.8: Selected studio items. 4.25: Sports results. 4.30: Close down. 0.0: Children's session conducted by Uncle Tom. 7.15- News session—market reports and sports results. 7.45: Talk—Mr. Norman Kerr, “Physical Culture.” 8.0: Chimes. 8.1: Special studio presentation of Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth.” by Mr. J. F. Montague atid Company. Cast: Miss Daphne Knight (Lady Macbeth), Miss Melzle Johnston, Miss Eva Andrews, Miss Myrtle Earner, Miss Phyllis Torpy, Messrs. J. F. Montague.. J. M, Clark. Montague Steel,. Alan Gladfield, J. N. Gordon, E. H. Goodson, George Dudley, Reeves Pilkington. Harrison Bell. Culford Bell. "Macbeth” Part 1. Entr’acte—Auckland Trio. “Macbeth” Part 2. Entr’acte—Auckland Trio. “Macbeth” Part 3. 10.0: Close down.

2YA, WELLINGTON (420 metres)— Silent. K „ 3 YA, CHRISTCHURCH (300 metres)—3 p.m.: Afternoon session—Selected studio items. 4.30: Close, down. 6.0: Childrens session, conducted by Brother Bill. 7.lj>: Addington stock market reports. 7.3 U. News session. 8.0: Chimes. 8.1: . 9'j® r ‘ Hire —National Military Band, The Gladiator’s Farewell” (Blankenburg) (Zonophone Record 5102). 8.4.: Tenor solos—Mr. T. G. Rogers, (a) “There is a Valley” (Bates); (11) “O Vision Entrancing” (Thomas). 8.11: Pianoforte solo— Miss Maud K. Stout. (’Romance in D Hat Major” (Sibelius). 8.16: Contralto solos— Miss Nellie Lowe, (a) "The Enchantress, (Hatton); (b) "The Dream Canoe (Squire). 8.23: Orchestra—Studio Orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr. Harold Beek, “Ravmond” Overture (Thomas). 8.31: Recital—Rev. B. Dudley, “Old Boggles, the Crossing Sweeper” (MS). 8.36: Vocal quartet. Dulect Quartet, “The Message” (Caldicott). 8.40: OrchestralStudio Orchestra. “Unfinished Symphony (Schubert). 8.49: Soprano solos —Miss Hilda Hutt, (a) “O, Dry Those Tears (Wei Riego); (b) “Valse Song” (from Romeo and Juliet”) (Gounod). 8.56: Weather forecast. 8:58: Talk —Rev. B. Dudley, “Astronomy — Telescopes and Observations” 9.13: Soprano and tenor duet — Harmony Duo, "Howell! Howell! Dost Thou Loiter?” (Parry). 9.17 :ITanoforte solo—Miss Maud K. Stout, “Polonaise in E Minor” (Maedowell). 9.21: Baritone solos —Mr. A. G. Thompson, (a) "Prologue” (from “I Pagliaccl”) (Leoncavallo); (b) “Drink to Me Only” (Quilter). 9.28: Vocal quartet—Dulcet Quartet. "The Curfew” (Thompson). 9.32: Orchestral — Studio Orchestra, (a) “Seranata” (Jacobs); (b) “Valse of the Flowers” (Tschaikowsky). 9.40: Grand opera—Special presentation of “The Valkyrie” (Wagner), Act 2 (H.M.V. Records D1323/7). Soprano and Baritone with Orchestra Wotan Bids Brunnhllde Shield Siegmund in Flight.” Soprano and baritone With orchestra — “Wotan tells Brunnhllde of the Ring.” Soprano and baritone with orchestra — “Wotan orders Brunnhllde not to Shield Siegmund.” Soprano find tenor with orchestra—“ Siegmund and Sieglinde Reach the Mountain Pass.” Soprailo and tenor with orchestra—Slegelinde is Tormented with Dread.” Soprano and tenor with Siegmund." Soprano and tenor with orchestra —“Bruunhilde Appears Before Siegmund.” Soprano and tenor with orchestra —“Siegmund Refuses to Follow Brhnnhilde to Walhalla.” Soprano and tenor with orchestra— ‘Brunnhllde Promises to Aid Siegmund.” 10.12: Close down.

4YA, DUNEDIN (463 metres)—7 p.m.: Town Hall chimes. 7.1: Request gramophone concert. 7.40: News session—Bumside stock sales report. 8.0: Town Hall chimes. Presentation of the song cycle “The Little Sun Bonnet” (Hermann Lohr) by the 4YA Harmonists, with Instrumental accompaniment by the Broadcasting Trio. 8.1: Quartet —“Thee Little Slih Bonnet.” Soprano solo—“ Little Print Boiinet.” Mez-son-soprano and tenor duet—“ Where Violets Grow.” Baritone solo—" Little Molly Mary.” Quartet, "A Lady Came to Our Towfl.” Tenor solo and quartet, "Some-where-Town.” Soprano and baritone duet —“The Rose and the Nightingale.” Mezzosoprano solo, “If I Had a Dolly.” Quartet, “So Glad of Heart." 8.30: Orchestral—Berlin State Opera Orchestra, “Battle Symphony” (Beethovene) (Parlopbone Record E 10555). 8.38: Mezzo-soprano solo—Miss Mollie Andrews, “Charming Chloe,” (German). 8.41: Instrumental trio—4YA Broadcasting Trio, “Valse in B Flat” (Goddard). 8.47: Tenor solo —Mr. H. A. Johnston, “Brian of Glenaar” (Graham). 8.50: Recitals—Miss Madge Yates, (a) “Out at Mons”; (b) “The Ballad of Splendid Wine.” 8.58: Weather forecast. 9.0: Light orchestral—Dajos Bela Orchestra, “Eldgaffelu” (Landen) (Parlophone Record A 4009). 9.4: Soprano solo— Miss Mae Matheson. “The Star” (Rogers). 9.7: Violin solo—Miss Eva Judd, "Romance” (Wlenawski). 9.12: Baritone solo—Mr, F. Mi Tuohy, “Whatever is, is Best” (Lohr). 9.15: Pianoforte solo—Miss Aileen Young, “Abendmusik" (Schumann). 9.19: Mezzo-soprano solo—Miss Mollie Andrews, “Beyond the Dawn" (Sanderson). 9.22: Tenor solo—Mr. 11. A. Johnson, “Farewell to Summer” (Johnston). 9.29: 'Cello solos—Mr. P. J. Palmer, (a) ‘Ell’entanz” (Jenkinson); (b) “Llebestraume” (Liszt).9.39: ' Recital—Miss Madge Y’ates, “At the Dentist’s" (Leacock). 9.44: Soprano solo—Miss Mae Matheson, “Blackbird's Song” (Scott).- 9.47: Wlirlltzer organ solo—Eddie Horton, “Ramona" (Gil-bert-Wyne) (Parlophbne Record A 2558). 9.51: Baritone solo—Mr.. F. M. Tuohy, “On the Road to Mandalay’.’ (Speaks). 9.55: Light orchestra—Dajos Bela Orchestra, “Electric Girl” (Helmburgh-Holmes) (Parlophone Record A 4009). Waltz—Dajos Bela Orchestra, “I Love You" (Waldteufel), (Parlophone Record E 10569). 10.3: Close down.. 2zr, Palmerston north (285 metres). —6.15 p.m. till 7: Children's session. 7 till 9: Concert programme. 3ZC, CHRISTCHURCH (250 metres).— Noon till 1 p.m.: News and concert session.

2FC, SYDNEY (442 metres).—6.4s p.m.: Weather and shipping news. 6.50: Late sporting news. 7 p.m.: “Big Ben”; Late news service. 7.10: The 2FC Dinner Quartet, conducted by Horace Keats: (a) “Let a .Smile be Your Umbrella" (Fain); (b) "Ninna-Nannft” (Michell); (c) “Scene de Ballet” (Luiginl) ; (d) “The Vagabond King” (Friml) ; (e) "Der Rosenknvalier” (Strauss); (f) “My Angel” (Kapee). 7.40: Programme announcements. 7.45: Popular music. 7.50: Impressions on the International Cricket, by M. A, Noble. 8 p.in.: “Big Ben”; The Light Music Four: (a) Selection, “Autumn Manoeuvres” (Kalman) ; (b) Suite, "Sigurd Jorsalfar” (Grieg). 8.20: “The Mellow Fellows.” 8.30: Studio production of Oscar Wilde'B comedy, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” by the H, W. Varna Company. Cast: John Worthing, J.P., H. W. Varna; Algernon Moncrleff, William Hume; Rev. Canon Chasuble, Henry de Witte: Lane (butler), D. A. Sharp; Merriman, Tim Ferry; Lady Bracknell, Pat Barton; The Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax, Muriel Conner; Cecily Cardew, Gwen Lascelles; Miss Prism (governess), Miss Broadfoot. Act I—Algernon Moncrieff’s Flat, The Albany, Half Moon Street, W. Act 2—Garden of the Manon House, Jack Worthings. Act 3—Drawing Room at the same Manon House. Time— Present—London. 9.30: Weather report and forecast; The Light Music Four: (a) "Grand Pas Espagnole” (Glazounov); (b) Selection, “The Flying Dutchman” (Wagner). 9.45: “The Mellow Follows.” 9.55: Lucille Bruntnell, “An Old-fashioned Christmas In England. Pathos and optimism of the London Embankment.”

2BL, SYDNEY (349 metres).—B p.m. G.P.O. clock and chimes. Winners in the Radio Eisteddfod. To-night listeners will have an opportunity of hearing the successful competitors in the following sections of the recent. Radio Eisteddfod, conducted by the New South Wales Broadcasting Company, Ltd. Section 25—Winning debating team. Section 20~*Cornet solo. Section 27—Popular vocalist. Section 15—Pianoforte solo (under 1G years). Section 13—Winning duet. Section 23— Radio sketch. Section 31—Best original Australian song. Section 28 —Comedian. Section 29—Radio revue. Section 17—Violin solo (under 1G years). Section 30— Entertainer. 9.20: Poppy Plant and ,Peg Page In a pot pourri of popular melody. 9.30: Graham and Manning, entertainers: (a) Duet, “Over and Over Again” (Bennett) ; (b) “In Our Little Canoe” (Edwards), Dorothy Manning; (c) Duet, “Honolulu” (Hay). 0.40: A sports talk by Claude Corbett. 9.55: Poppy Plant and Peg Page In a pot pourri of popular melody. 10.5: Graham and Manning, entertainers: (a) “I’m Tickled to Death I'm Single” (Gideon); (b) Duet, “If You Lived in the Moon” (Lawrence). 10.15: The Savoyans’ Dance Band. 10.30: Art Leonard in the newest song hits. 10.37: The Savoyans’ Dance Band. 10.57: Resume of following day’s programme and announcements. 10.9: The Savoyans' Dance Band, with popular choruses by Art Leonard. 11.30: National Anthem. Close down.

2GB, SYDNEY (310 metres).—7.ls p.m. till 10.30 p.m. 3LO, MELBOURNE (371 metres).—B p.m. till, 11.40 p.m. ' 3AR, MELBOURNE (484 metres).—B pun. till 11 p.m. 4QG, BRISBANE (385 metres).—B p.m. till 10 p.m. Note.—New Zealand time is two hours ahead of eastern Australian time.