RADIO NOTES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 225, 19 June 1929, Page 7

RADIO NOTES

(By

“Aerial.")

"3LF.D.” (Lyall Bay) asks, "Do the Melbourne and Sydney *A’ class broadcast stations give football relays every Saturday afternoon?” In each of the cities named there are two “A” class stations and one station of each city broadcasts on relay a football match every Saturday afternoon throughout the Beason. "Skipper” Francis, baritone vocalist, who swam the Bristol Channel some years ago, and was seen In vaudeville in Wellington, Is at present contributing songs at broadcast station 3LO, Melbourne. After leaving New Zealand Mr. Francis accepted an engagement as paid swimming instructor at Cape Town. He made a “hit” with his song, composed by himself, “Australia Will Be There,” which he sang in Australia during the war. “Anode” (Pahiatua) cannot expect good tone unless he employs a "C” battery for biasing his audio valves. A marked improvement would be obtained by using a “power” valve In the second audio stage, but the correct voltage must always be applied by a “C” battery otherwise the tone will suffer. The seml-permanent crystal detector employed by "Inverted L” (Kelburn) has lost Its sensitivity through possibly turning the point of contact without relieving the pressure when making readjustments of the crystal. Most of these semi-permanent crystals cannot be turned until the tension at the point of contact is released, but the crystal mentioned by “Inverted L” does not permit of the tension or pressure being relieved. The fading and distortion described by “New Man” (Palmerston North) is incurable, being one of the defects of longdistance reception, and generally is no fault of the broadcast station.

“C. One” (Hataitai) comments rather lengthily on the steady reduction of the howling-valve nuisance, comparing the greatly-improved conditions. In that respect, with those of twelve months ago. He concludes “One ‘howler’ in this region, however, makes night hideous on Wednesdays, when 2YA, Wellington, is silent. I would like him to take the hint.” “Does the corrosion on my aerial wire reduce the efficiency of my set for longer lance reception?” queries "High F.” f pier). A few years ago Sir Oliver l.udge, the great English scientist, published an Illustrated article in a New York radio magazine, which went to show that according to theory a corroded aerial wire set up considerable resistance to highfrequency currents, and thus impaired long-distance reception. More recently the United States Government Bureau of Standards applied extensive tests to Sir Oliver Lodge’s theory, and found It Impossible to discover any discrepancy between longdistance reception on a heavily-corroded aerial and a bright new aerial. The enamel on aerial wire serves to prolong the life of aerial wire which in time becomes mechanically weaker through corrosion. “Static” (Oriental Bay) need not erect his counterpoise earth under his aerial as Is generally recommended. If he employs a heavily-insulated wire for the counterpoise earth he can run it on the floor around the edge of the walls of his room. Long-distance reception will always be much inferior with a counterpoise earth as compared with the usual outdoor earth or water-pipe earth. “S. and A.” (City) has made a mistake In permitting his “A” storage battery to become more than two-thirds discharged. Such practice greatly reduces the life of the battery. With the use of a hydrometer it is an easy matter to check up the amount of current discharged from a battery. A hydrometer is an essential part of the equipment of all owners of storage batteries.

In the all-electric set mentioned by “A.C-lte” (Thorndon), volume is increased or reduced by the manipulation of a resistance between the earth and aerial. When the volume Is to be reduced a knob is turned which permits an escape of some of the radio-frequency energy to earth before reaching the first valve. The a.c. valves burn at a constant filament voltage of a little less than 23 volts, which cannot be varied except by line fluctuations. “A.K.” (Johnsonville) can operate as many receiving sets in his home as ho chooses, with only one license. It is incumbent on him, nevertheless, to notify the district radio Inspector, G.P.0., when lie uses more sets'than the one stated when he obtained his license,’and he must describe the type of circuit briefly, such as short-wave regenerative, inductively coupled to the aerial, neutrodyne, BrowningDrake, tuned radio-frequency, superheterodyne, etc.

“W.W.8.” (Petone) writes:—“Listening to the description of the football match last Saturday between ’Varsity and Athletic, relayed by 2YA Wellington, I was impressed with the absence o£ the “broadcasting sense” on the part of the man at the microphone. I noticed that the announcer never mentioned to .which team a player belonged once the game had started. Like probably, many hundreds of other listeners, I am not familiar with the names of the various players, and even though the names of the teams may be given before play commenced, it is impossible to memorise them. The announcer also frequently omitted to say in which team's ’twenty-five' the play .was, and this was particularly confusing owing to play changing frequently from one end of the ground to the other. An announcer should endeavour to remember that listeners are not looking on at the match. On one occasion on Saturday the announcer kept us waiting for too long in suspense as to the result at an attempt to kick a goal. It is a simple matter to call out ‘goal’ or ‘no goal’ immediately the result is apparent, without prefacing it with a rambling descriptive statement regarding the kick. That could follow the decision.”

The taking over of the “A” class broadcasting stations In Australia by the Com-, monwealth Government has advanced another stage in the letting of tenders for the erection of two new broadcasting stations of much greater power than the existing stations. Within a few weeks New Zealand listeners-will be hearing the new stations testing out. Just where, the new stations will be located is not disclosed, but possibly they will be placed near Melbourne and Sydney, respectively. The existing stations in those cities are of less than one-third the power of 2YA Wellington, and considering the overland area the Australian stations are required to cover it is remarkable that their power has not been Increased long ago. Eventually broadcasting in Australia will probably be carried out by super-power stations of not less than 50,000 watts, as in some parts of the United States, with, powerful relay stations dotted about inland districts. Seemingly the new high-power Australian stations will soon afford New Zealand listeners much better reception of the Australian programmes. ,

Long-distance reception In the city last week was a good deal below average efficiency. The Australian stations were "gusty,” being occasionally very fair and a moment later exceedingly weak. Unsettled atmospheric conditions may have been responsible,for these vagaries'. It transpires that Fullers’ Theatres, Ltd., Union Theatres, Ltd.,' and Messrs. J. Albert and Son (Sydney) are the successful tenderers for the supply of programmes to the Commonwealth Government for the new broadcasting arrangement by which all the Australian “A” class stations will be operated by the Government. Mr. S. Doyle, chairman of the new company, made the following statement to the Sydney “Wireless Weekly”:— •"We don’t intend to attack broadcasting In any other manner than one which will place it on a high and elevated plane. On the present number of licensed listenersin, it will be impossible for the programmes w.e have in mind to be a financial success. We believe that with the co-operation of the Government and the wireless trade, we shall be able rapidly to increase, and ultimately to double, the number of license holders. We feel that our methods will win the goodwill of all Usteners-in; and intend to ask them and the trade to realise that the more people they can interest in becoming listeners-in, the bigger and better will become the programmes.

"This is possible because profits are strictly limited by constitution of our company, and the terms of our tender. Ninety per cent, of revenue received by us from additional licenses will be put into programme improvement. We are completely optimistic of getting the whole-hearted co-operation of everyone associated with broadcasting in our endeavours to place it on a national plane." Mr. Doyle stated that Mr. George Saunders (Uncle George, of 2GB) will be associated with the new company. The only Interests represented in the Australian Broadcasting Company are: Union Theatres, Limited; Fullers Theatres, Limited; and J. Albert and Son.

TO-DAY’S- PROGRAMMES Following are the broadcast pro grammes for to-day (Wednesday, June 19):— IYA, AUCKLAND (333 metres).—l2,3(l p.m.: Relay of community singing from Town Hall. 1.30: Close down. 3.0: Afternoon session, selected studio items 4.0: Literary selection by the announcer 4.8: ’Studio items. 4.25: Sports results to hand. 4.30: Close down. 6.0: Children’s session, conducted by Uncle George. 7.0: News and market reports. 7.40; Talk,

Mr. Norman Kerr, .Physical nrehestre 8.0: Chimes. 8.1: o rch ® s , t I ra ’’ I ,?snti A n— Symphonique de Paris, Ballet Egyp t, ® a Allegro” (Luiginl) (record). ,8.5. Presentation of three-act play, Biro id Hand” (John Drinkwater) by the Auckland Little Theatre Society, und® r V*® direction of Mr. Kenneth Brambton. Act I (the scene Is a summer evening in a country Inn. Bird In Hand, bar P a £ l °’f, r ’ *P the English Midlands). The a ° dl ° rd j Thomas Greenleaf, his wife, AJ ic ®’ .?“{{ their daughter Joan, are flalßh , l °A n 7„?, ‘ tea. Entr’acte, Orchestre SymPboniqut de Paris, “Ballet Egyptien—Allegretto (Luiginl) (record). Act 2: Bedroom No. 3 at the Bird iu Hand, an hour later. In one bed Is Beverley, propped up by Pi*lows. Entr’acte, Orchestre Symphonique de Paris, "Ballet Egyptien—Andante and Finale” (Luiginl) (record). Act 3. ihe bar parlour again, the next niornjng fore breakfast, which is laid on the tabk —the sun streams in through the window, which Is bright with flowers. 9-45- selected gramophone Items. 10.0. close down.

2YA, WELLINGTON (420 metres).— Silent.

3YA, CHRISTCHURCH (306 metres).— 3 p.m.: Afternoon session, selected gramophone items. 4.25: Sports re ®y}, t ?___ t ,° hand. 4.30: Close down. 6.0: c^ 1 ’ d F ea s session, conducted by Mother Hubbard and Uncle Frank. 7.0: News session. 7.15: Talk, Mr. Fredk. Morse, ‘Roses—The Best Varieties to Grow.” 7.30. Addtngton stock market reports. 8.0. Chimes. 8.1: Presentation of the opera, Tristan and Isolda” Act 3 (Wagner); first ’nstalment (record). 8.33: .Overture Berlin State Opera. Orchestra, "Martha (Flotow) record. 8.41: Tenor aolo >,„ rl H. Blakeley, “Rose Marie (Fr 1ml). 8.45: Vocal quartet, Salon. Quartet, O Rose Marie I Love You” (Frlml). 8.49. Orchestral Studio Orchestra, under the conduetorship of Mr. Harold Beck, (a) "Adagietto Religioso” ( B °hm)».— W “Minuet” (Purcel); (c) “Caprice’ (Moszkowskl). 9.1: Weather report. 9.6 Vocal duet, Miss Lilian Hanham and Mr. H. Blakeley, “Indian Love Call ( K ° Be Marie” (Frlml). 9.11: Vocal au“ r t et , Salon Quartet, “Pretty Things ( Rose Marie”) (Frlml). 9.16: Violin solo, -Krelsler, "Indian Love Call” Jji?' cord). 9.20: Vocal duet, Miss Dulcie Mitchell and Mr. J. Graham Young, Why Shouldn’t We?” (Frlml). Salon quartet, Miss Dulcie Mitchell and Salon Quartet. “Totem Tom Tom (Frlml). 9.28. Orchestral, Studio Orchestra, (a) Carmen , Overture (Bizet); (b) “Toreador s Sonp (Bizet). 9.38: Vocal trio, Salon Trio, “Only a Kiss” (Frlml). 9.42: Soprano with 7 quartet. Miss Lilian Hanham and Salon Quartet, "Door of My (Frlml) 9.47: Flute quartet, London Flute Quartet, “Carnival of Venice (arr. Stainer) (record). 9.51: c p ontralt % l a ?, t < ’l Miss Dulcie Mitchell, A Summer Night (Gorin 1 ’ Thomas). 9.56: Orchestral, Studio'’Orchestra, “Sally” selection (Kern). 10.6: Close down.

4YA, DUNEDIN (463 metres).—3 p.m.: Town Hall chimes. 3.1: Selected gramophone Items. 4.25: Sports results. 4.30. Close down. 6.0: Town . Hall G.l: Children’s session, conducted by Aunt Anita. 7.0: News s,® 8 ® 1 ®"-. M; Town Hall chimes. Special Waterloo evening. 8.1: A short resume by the announcer of events leading to the Battle of Waterloo. 8.13: Overture, “1812 Overture (Tschalkowsky). 8.21: Trumpet call, Company Sergeant-Major T. J. Kirk; Burnand, “The Trumpeter’ (Dlx). 8.3-. Bass solo, “The Two Grenadiers (Scbii; bert). 8.36: One-act play, Waterloo (Sir A. Conan Doyle). Vocal quartet, The Marseillaise.” Cast: Nora Brewster, Miss Anita Wlnkri; Corporal Gregory Brewster, Major F. H. Lampen; oergeaut Arch. McDonald, Mr. 1 1 . M. Fuohy, Colonel James Midwinter, Mr. Allan Young. Scene: A front room in a small house in Woolwich. Time,. June of the vear 1881. A.D. 9.9': Baritone solo, ‘The Veteran’s Song” (Adams). 9.13: March, “Pomp and Circumstance” (Elgar). Al 7. Solo and chorus, (a) “The Deathless Army” (Trotere); (b) ’ Rule Britannia. 9 24: Trumpet calls, Company SergeantMajor T. J. Kirk-Burnand, “The Last Post” and “Reveille.” 8 ’ 28 ,i, H ' s Master s Voice dance programme: Fox-trot with vocal refrain , Aaronson’s Commanders, “My Scandinavian Gal” (Tobias) (record). Fox-trot, with vocal refrain, Shilkret s Orchestra. “My Tonia” (De Sylva) (record). Fox-trot, with vocal refrain, Hamp’s Kentucky Serenaders, “What D’Ya Say?” (Brown) (record). 9.37: Tenor solo, Franklyn Baur, “Marie” (Berlin) (record). Waltz with vocal refrain, The Troubadours, “Live and Love” (Klages) (record). Wurlitzer organ solo, Jessu Crawford, “Me and the Man in the Moon” (Leslie) (record). Foxtrot with vocal refrain, Nat Shilkret’s Orchestra, “I Still Keep Dreaming of You (Davis) (record). 9.49: Bass solo with chorus, Paul Robeson, “Plantation Songs (record). Hawaiian, Kolomoku’s Honoluluans, “Aloha-oe” (Lililiokaiani) (record). Fox-trot with vocal refrain, Shilkret’s Orchestra, “Cross Roads” (Klages) (record). 10.0: Relay from the Ritz of music bv the orchestra under the direction of Mr. A. Pettit, 10.10: Orchestral, London Orchestra, "On With the Show (Nicholls) (record). Wurlitzer organ solo, Reginald Foort, “Worryin’ ” (Fairman) (record). 10.19: Tenor solos, Waiter Glynne, (a) “Jeunesse” (Barry); (b) “I Love the Moou” (Rubens) (record). Fox-trot. Rhythm Band, “There are Eyes” (Keyes) (record). Fox-trot, with vocal refrain, (Rhythmic Eight, “Saskatchewan” (Gilbert) (record). Fox-trot with vocal refrain, New Mayfair Dance Orchestra, “Why is the Bacon so Tough?” (Prenticej (record). 10.33: Male quartet, Masters Lough and Mallett and Messrs. Dixon and Hastwell, ‘‘Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes” (arr. Ball) (record). Saxophone duet, Rudy Wiedoeft and Arnold Brilhart. “The Swallow” (record). Fox-trot with vocal refrain, Aaronson’s Commanders, “I’ll Get By as London as I Have You” (Turk) (record). Waltz with vocal refrain, The Troubadour, “Dolores” (Grossman) (record). 10.48: Accordion with banjo, P. Frosinl, “Silver Moon” Waltz (Frosinl) (record). Fox-trot witli vocal refrain, McEnelly's Orchestra, “Sleep, Baby, Sleep” (Tucker) (record). Waltz with vocal refrain, The Troubadours. “Love Dreams” (Harris) (record)i Fox-trot with vocal refrain. Geo. Olson’s Music, “Sonny Boy” (record). 11.0: Close down. 2FC, SYDNEY (442 metres).—B p.m. till 11.45 p.m.

2BL, SYDNEY (349 metres).—B p.m. till 11.30 p.m.

2GB, SYDNEY (316 metres).—7 p.m. till 10 p.m. r

3LO, MELBOURNE (371 metres).—B p.m. till midnight. 3AR, MELBOURNE (484 metres).—B p.m'. till 11 p.m.

(Note.—New Zealand time Is an hour and a half ahead of Eastern Australian time.