RADIO NOTES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 267, 7 August 1929, Page 7

RADIO NOTES

(By

"Aerial.”)

“Utraphoue” (Pctone) asks: “How many short-wave television stations are there in the United States?” The latest list to hand shows fourteen of these stations. 4 *Z.Y.” (Palmerston North) queries: “Is there a short-wave unit on the market, to render it possible to operate an a.e. set as a short-wave receiver?” “Aerial” has not heard of any of these units being on sale in New Zealand, but he has seen one or two advertised in the United States radio press. Agreeably audible crystal set loudspeaker reception of 2YA Wellington, is the regular experience of Mr. J. H. Owen, chairman of the Amateur Radio Society of Wellington. At the furthest end of a large sitting room, the loudspeaker, being placed in a corner, reproduced the description of the football match at Athletic Park last Saturday afternoon so that every word was distinguishable at the opposite end of the room. “Which is the better for obtaining the greatest volume with a crystal set —an aerial 90 feet in length, including the leadin, or one which is 140 feet in length including the lead-in?“ asks “Catwhisker” (Kilbirnie). The longer aerial is always advisable, providing the tuning equipment of the crystal set is adapted to a long aerial. The tone and volume of 2YA Wellington continues to give general satisfaction. In a case brought under the writer’s attention where reception of -YA was somewhat distorted, investigation showed that the listener’s C batteries were exhausted. To-morrow evening, commencing at 8 o’clock, station 2YA Wellington will broadcast a special programme to commemorate the second anniversary of the opening of the Wellington station. Arrangements have been made for a party of Maoris from Wanganui to present the programme, which will be in the nature of an historical resume, commencing with the coming of the Maoris to New Zealand, and concluding with musical and oratorical sketches depicting the Maoris under present-day conditions. Much interference has been experienced bv listeners residing in proximity to the city from the Morse transmission by the cruiser Dunedin while she has been in port at Wellington. Even during last Sunday afternoon’s transmission by 2YA Wellington, the warship’s Morse overwhelmed the music.

Last Saturday evening provided a feast of long-range reception for owners of multivalve sets. Although static was by no means somnolent, the long-distance stations came in at double their average volume. “Aerial” found that after 11 p.m. the Australian A class stations could be brought in at full loudspeaker volume. That is to say, the volume was as much as the average high-class loudspeaker could handle. The Australian B class stations were also surprisingly loud. For instance, 2GB Sydney, TUE Sydney, and 3UZ Melbourne, were almost as loud as the average early evening reception of IYA Auckland. It was truly a wonderful night, and with well over a dozen Australian stations coming In with good loudspeaker strength, one had an abuntlance of entertainment to choose from. While 3LO Melbourne was giving a vivid ringside description of an exciting wrestling match at the Stadium,- its sister station, 3AR put -out a relay, from His Majesty’s Theatre, of the “Show Boat.” The dialogue of humour and pathos was perfectly distinct, besides being loud, and the music was a treat to listen to. Some weeks ago “Aerial”, observed that 4QG Brisbane lengthened its wavelength a few metres. The reason is not apparent to the writer, but he found that it disentangled 4QG’a wave from that of a Japanese station. Late on Saturday night“ Aerial” searched for that particular Japanese station, and found it broadcasting a soprano vocal solo with piano the item possessing a distinctly Western character. The singer was a veritable prima donna, with an extensive range, and a voice of even quality. The language was' foreign —possibly Japanese. “Aerial” waited some time for the call letters of the station, but the announcer spoke in Japanese only. Indications seem to point to the station being ‘JOBK, at Osaka, on 355 metres, the wavelength originally allotted to 4QG Brisbane. This station is listed as employing only 1000 watts power, as compared with 10,000 watts of four other Japanese stations. A Japanese station heard all over New Zealand, on a slightly shorter wavelength, gives the call letters as though they were “JOHK.” In three different lists in the writer’s possession JOHK is shown to be on 390 metres and 39G metres. On the other hand, JOAK is listed as being on 375 in instance, and this wavelength would coincide with that of the station which seems to call JOHK. The Japanese method of pronunciation may account for “JOAK” being mistaken for “JOHK.” The matter has been argued over and over again by various listeners, and some still contend that the actual call is “JOHK.” “Aerial” has heard the majority of the Japanese stations from time to time, but has not heard the call “JOAK” from any of the other Japs., excepting some two years ago, when it was heard on an entirely different wavelength just below (in metres) that of 2BL Sydney. The Japanese stations may have had their wavelengths reallotted since then. The difficulty is that none of the Japanese stations gives their call letters so frequently as the one on 375 metres, which the writer has found sounds like “JOHK.” Can anyone definitely solve this problem?

The most distinct Australian station heard by “Aerial" with good loudspeaker strength was SCL Adelaide. This station augmented in volume after 11 p.m. The programme was of a varied and pleasing nature. At 1 a.m.. New Zealand time, it closed down with the chiming of 11 o’clock by the Adelaide G.P.O. clock. There was an uncommonly long interval between the chiming of the hour and the striking of the clock. - “Which are the three most desirable attributes of a receiving set, ■ apart from price?” asks “Prospect" (Kelburn). Probably fidelity of tone, sensitivity and selectivity are the most desirable. Fidelity Implies accurate reproduction of various tones and pitches. Sensitivity carries the effect of long-distance reception. Selectivity is more desirable when tiie receiving set is within a few miles of a transmitting station so that the unwanted local station can be eliminated in order to receive another Btation without Interference from the nearby station. Listeners located fairly close to, say, 2YA, Wellington, unless using a fairly short aerial will find the local station overlaps several degrees on the tuning dial, but oven some of the best sets cannot avoid this. The use of a short aerial generally results In weaker longdistance reception than when a long aerial Is employed. The technical staff of Amalgamated Wireless, Ltd., recently accomplished a world’s record by picking up transmission from Kingsford Smith's Southern Cross between 2.30 p.m. and 5 p.m. when the aeroplane was flying between Rome and London. A specially designed aerial and feeder were installed by the engineering staff of Amalgamated Wireless at La Perouse, near Sydney. The intercepted morse message reception constitutes a world’s record for aeroplane to ground communication. The route ot the signals was across Spain, the Atlantic Ocean, the northern part of South America, the Pacific Ocean, across New Zealand and the Tasman Sea, a total distance of about 15,000 land miles.

“Tone quality from a loudspeaker (says the San Francisco “Radio”) depends not only upon the sound reflecting and absorbing conditions of the room in which it is placed, but also upon the location of the listener. Even when all reflections of sound are eliminated, as in outdoor measurements, it is found that low notes are subject to a greater radiation to the side than are high notes. The higher the frequency the narrower the sound beam becomes. So a person who sits directly in front of a loudspeaker will hear a greater proportion ot high notes than will a person who sits

t.O one side. Another factor (1 ’"^ IC " ru m tone quality is the listener s .^ i( a speaker. If too close, eer am frequ. ■ u may not be beard, due to the interlcri iiee between waves which arrive in d e rent phases from different parts of pbragm. It is readily possdile to so p a A line loudspeaker n such a 1 osltio ■ a room that it will give poorer on qua 'J than an inferior speaker which is better placed.” TO-DAY’S PROGRAMMES Following are the broadcast programmes for 10-uay (Wednesday, August i). IYA, AUCKLAND (UUO kilocycles).-ACI-Afternoon sessiuii-Seleeted A 0: Literary selection by the 4.8: Studio items. 4.2 a: Sports rubU s baud. 1.30: Close down. 0.0: cbiid rt_ na session, conducted by Unclt i./°u.', lnv ’ 0 £ News session. 8.0: Chimes. , 8.1: “‘•■iay ot recital by Auckland Piano btudeuts Association from Lewis Eady Hall. J.3JJ. vocal duet, Miss Sarah Stacpoole and Mr. Irank Sutherland, "Arise, O Suu’ i80J');.,,".,/, - March, Band of H.M. Grenadier Guards, •‘Martial Moments” (arr. Winter) (record). 9.42: Soprano solos. Miss Sarah Stacpoole, (a) “The Lass with the Helicatei Air (Arne), (b) “Little Brown Owl Brahe) 9.49: Baritone solos, Mr. Frank ’ (a) “Charabanc Joe” (Charles), (b) J-Ut. Drum-Major” (Newton). 9.36: American Legion Band, “lowa Corn bong (arr. Beeston); march. American Legion Band, “The Conqueror” (Teike) (recoru). 10.2: Vocal duet, Miss S. Stacpoole and Mr. F. Sutherland, “Creole Swing bong (Denza). 10.6: Close down. 2YA, WELLINGTON (720 kilocycles).— 3YA, CHRISTCHURCH (980 kilocycles). —3.0: Afternoon session—Selected Mmiio items. 4.22: Sports results to hand. 4.au. Close down. 6.0: Children’s session, conducted by Mother Hubbard and U. nc * e Frank. 7.0: News session. 7.30: Addington stock market reports. 8.0: Chimes. 8.1: Presentation of final instalment or the opera “Cannon” (Bizet) (Act 4) (Columbia records 9539-41) (introductory remarks by Mr. W. H. Dixon, Professor of Singing). 8.35: Vocal quartet, Melodious Four, Nursery Rhymes, (a) “If All tne Seas were One Sea,” (b) “T’Other Little Tune” (Davies). Soprano solo, Miss Frances Hamerton, “Ah, Lo So” (Mozart). 8.41: Pianoforte solo, Miss Merle Miller, “Ballade” (Grieg). 8.46: Tenor solo, Mr. Russell Sumuer, “The Harper” (Schubert). 8.49: Recitals, Mrs. Margaret Williams, (a) “The Glow Worm" (Herbert), (b) “The Oyster” (MS.). 8.53: Orchestral, Royal Opera Orchestra, “Pracludium” (record). 8.5(1: Vocal duet, Melodious Duo, “A Lake and a Fairy Boat” (Lehmann). 8.59: Weather report. 9.4: Instrumental, Bohemian Quintet, “Five Interludes” from “The Beggars’ Opera” (Gay). 9.13: Vocal quartet, followed liy baritone solos, Melodious Four and Mr. T. D. Williams, (a) “Dame Durden” (Harrington), (b) “A Wanderer’s Soug,” (c) “A Sailor’s Prayer” (Keel). 9.19: Contralto solos, Miss Belle R'enaut, “Woodland Thoughts” (Fray, (b) “Lullaby” (Scott). 9.23: Pianoforte solo, Miss Merle Miller, “Ballade” (Debussy). 9.27: Tenor solo, Mr. Russell Sumner, “Maori Flute” (D’Oreen). , 9.30: Soprano solos, Miss Frances Hamerton, (a) “Swing Song” (Sanderson), (b) “Falling Blossom" (Sawyer). 9-33: Piccolo duet, Jean and Pierre Gennin, “Rippling Streams” (GenDin) (record). 9.36: Instrumental. Bohemian Quintet, (a) “Andante Cantabile” (Tschaikowsky), (b) "Gavotte” (Rameau). 9.46: Vocal duet, Melotte Duo, "Suit of Russet Brown” (Rowley). 9.49: Baritone solo, followed by vocal quartet, Mr. T. p. Williams and Melodious Four, “True Till Death” (Scott Gatty, “Spring Song” <Pinsutl). 9.52: Orchestral, Royal Opera Orchestra, "Berceuse” (Jarnefeldt) (record). 9.55: Recital, Mrs. Margaret Williams, “A Young Girl’s Impressions of Hamlet” (Anon.). 10.0: Contralto solo, followed by vocal quartets, Miss Belle Renaut and Melodious Four, (a) “Ships of Arcady” (Head), (b) Two Nursery Ithymcs, (1) “Thomas and Annis” (Davies), (b) "Paternoster” (Davies). 10.6: Close down. 4YA, DUNEDIN (650 kilocycles).— 3.0: Town Hall chimes. 3.1: Selected gramophone items. 4.25: Sports results to hand. 4.30: Close down. 6.0: Children's session conducted by Aunt Anita. 8.0: Town Hall chimes. 8.1: Orchestral, New Light Symphony Orchestra, “In a Clock Store” (Orth) (record). 8.5: Soprano solos, Miss Thelma Blackman, (a) “I’m Sorry, Sally” (Fiorito), (b) “Hallelujah” (Allan). 8.12: One-act play, The Winkel-Lampen Radio Players, “Op-O-Me-Thumb” (Fenn). Cast: Madame Jeanne Marie Napoleon de Gallifet Didier, Mrs. Clem Galloway, Rose Jordan, Celeste, Amanda Aflllck, Horace Greensmith. Scene: ■Working-room at Madame Didier's Laundry at Soho. Time: Saturday evening before August Bank Holiday. 8.42: Baritone solos, Mr. W. Ruffcll, (a) “Nightfall at Sea” (Phillips), (b) "Serenata” (Toselli). 8.49: Descriptive novelty, New Light Symphony Orchestra, “A Hunt in the Black Forest” (Volker) (record). 8.53: Scottish comedian, Mr. Buster Brown, (a) “Foo the Noo” (Lauder), (b) “The Waggle o’ the Kilt” (Lauder). 9.0: Weather report. 9.2: Soprano solos, Miss Thelma Blackman, (a) “My Blackbirds are Bluebirds Now” (Friend), (b) “Rag Doll” (Brown). 9.9: One-act play, The Winkel-Lampen Radio Players. “Calais to Dover” (Jennings). Cast: Captain Pengellan. Major F. H. Lampen: His Aunt Clare, Miss Molly Baker: Mrs. Bilberry, Miss Tui Northe.v; Amy (her daughter), Miss Elsie McPeak; Lady Olivia Armitage, Miss Anita Winkel. Scene: Passageway on a Channel steamer. 9.21: Baritone solo, Mr. W. Ruffell, “The Windmill” (Nelson). 9.25: Italian foxtrot, La Nuovo Orchestra, “DI Napoli” (Romani) (record). 9.28: Scottish song, Mr. Buster Brown, “She is My Rosie” (Lauder). 9.33: Gramophone Dance Programme: Bass-baritone solo, Peter Dawson, “Captain Harry Morgan” (Bantock); foxtrot with vocal refrain, Arcadians Dnnce Orchestra, “Fascinating Eyes” (Snyder): foxtrot, .Tack Pettis and his Pets. “A Bag of Blue” (Goering); waltz, Arcadians Dance Orchestra, “Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life” (Herbert). 9.42: Baritone solo, Noel Coward, “Try to Learn to Love” (Coward); foxtrot, Ambrose and His Orchestra, “Try to Learn to Love” (Cowar foxtrot. Jack Pettis and His Pets, 'ininn Hop” (Goering). 9.51: Humour. Leonard Henry, “The Tale of the Talkies” (Henry); foxtrot, Arcadians Dance Orchestra, “Our Canary” (Butler) : foxtrot. Ambrose and Ills Orchestra, “Dance. Little Lady” (Cow-, ard) ; foxtrot, Arcadians Dance Orchestra. “Dreaming of To-morrow” .(Pole). 10.3: Baritone solo, Noel Coward, “Dance, Little Lady" (Coward); foxtrot with vocal refrain, George Olsen nnd His Music, “Old Man Sunshine” (Dixon): foxtrot with vocal refrain, Park Central Orchestra, “Then Came the Dawn” (Rubin); waltz. The Troubadours, “Diane” (Rupee). 10.15: Wurlltzer organ solos, Leslie .Tames, (al “Just Imagine” (De Sylva), (b) “Lily of Laguna” (Stuart) ; foxtrot, Arcadians Dance- Orchestra. “The Man I Love’ (Gershwin): foxtrot with vocal refrain. “Sentimental Baby" (Palmer); dance orchestra. foxtrot, “A Room with a View (Coward). 10.30: Humour. Leonard Henry. “General Post” (Henry) : Community Lancers, Bert Firman’s Dance Orchestra, Figures 1,2, 3. 4, and 5. 10.42: Baritone solo, Maurice Elwin, “Don’t Keep Mo tn the Dark. Brlgliteyos” (Wendling): foxtrot. Nat Shilkret’s Orchestra. “Nagasaki’ : (Dixon) foxtrot with vocnl chorus. George Olson’s Music, “Doin’the Racoon” (Kluges). 10.51: Baritone solo, Maurice Elwin, “The First Kiss” (Dublin), foxtrot with vocnl refrain. Statler Pennsylvanians. “It. Goos

Like This” (Caesar); waltz, Nat Shilkret’s Orchestra, “Till We Meet Again” (Egan). 11.0: Close down. 2FC. SYDNEY (442 metres).—B p.m. till 10.30 p.m. 2BL, SYDNEY (349 metres).—B p.m. till If P-n>. .... 2GB, SYDNEY (316 metres).—7 p.m. till 10 p.m. 3LO, MELBOURNE (371 metres).—B p.m. till midnight. v „ 3AR, MELBOURNE (481 metres).—B p.m. till 11 p.m. , . (Note.—New Zealand time is an hour and a-half ahead of Eastern Australian time.)