Radio Notes

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 54, 27 November 1929, Page 7

Radio Notes

By •

"AERIAL”

“Aunt Dot” in Sydney. Mias Dorothy Vautier (formerly “Aunt Dot” of the children's sessions at 2YA Wellington) is now conducting the juvenile sessions at 2UE Sydney, the Catholic station, and also delivers women’s talks during the dav sessions of 2UE. Since her arrival In Sydney several months ago "Aunt Dot" has contributed on many occasions at the “A” class stations. Russian Tenor at 2BL Sydney. To be leader of the Don Cossack Choir and possessor of a tenor voice that has earnt him praise from no less a personage titan King George, is the pleasant lot that has fallen to Sonia Chostiakoff, wellknown Russian tenor, who will be heard from 2BL Sydney to-night. M. Chostiakoff first came into prominence as the leader of the Don Cossack Choir when it made a visit to Australia and New Zealand some vears ago. Becoming enamoured of Australia, Sonia Chostiakoff decided to stay there, and has since appeared with success in many picture theatres throughout Australia, and also over the air from the “A” class stations. He makes a speciality of Russian folk songs. He will broadcast to-night in conjunction with the Sydney Madrigal Society’s concert from the Conservatorium.

Answers to Correspondents. “Porcelain” (Lower Hutt) should substitute a 30-ohm rheostat for the one now in use. The low-temperature valve will require the higher value rheostat, otherwise damage would result to the filament.. The square bus-wire makes a good job. Spirits of salts should not be used for soldering, as it tends to cause corrosion, which creates resistance. Resin-cored solder is best for the purpose. The station heard by Leak (Kilbirnie) was 3DB Melbourne. Unless more than one letter can be supplied for the American station it is impossible to identify it, especially as the approximate wavelength is not stated. Over-heating of a fixed condenser is apt to alter its electrical value, and this is evidently what happened in the case mentioned by "Solderer” (Palmerston North). His condenser is of an obsolte type. The later type have lugs which dissipate a good deal of the heat caused through soldering. The writer cannot recommend the type of aerial mentioned by "Sub" (Wanganui). “Aerial" has tested one of these rather exhaustively, and found that it had a most restricted range. They are suitable only for local reception. The noise complained of by "Speaker” (City) is evidence that the moving coil is touching the core. An expert would readjust the loudspeaker for a small charge. Tlie recommendation submitted by

“Fan” (Lyall Bay) had already been placed before the director of 2YA Wellington. The lady is listed to sing again at tin early date. The scratching sound, mentioned by "Crystal" (Wellington South), is probably due to a broken headphone cord. These cords do not last indefinitely. New cords can be purchased locally. In reply to "Wheel” (Kelburn), portable radio receiving sets of various types suitable for operating in a motor-car are on sale locally. They have a loudspeaker combined, and operate without an aerial other than the small: one embodied in the set.

Apparently the station heard by "Vox” (Gisborne) was KOA, Denver, Colorado. This station employs 12,500 watts power, and operates on a wavelength of 830 kilocycles, which is approximately the wavelength given by “Vox.” The second station mentioned was JOAK, Tokio. The letters "a.c," which has puzzled “Seeker” (City), stand for “alternating current.” All a,c, sets require no batteries whatever, but are operated by plugging in to the heating point of the usual household electrical system. An outdoor aerial is advisable for long-distance reception, and an "earth” wire soldered at one end to a water-pipe is connected, at the other end, to the set.. "G.T.3" (Miramar) need not harbour any misgivings as to the longevity of the a.c. “heater” type valves , now being sold. If these valves do not liaye a reasonable life the trouble is due to too much voltage supplied to the filament. This may be caused by too high a voltage in the mains on the breakdown of a transformer in the

"a.c.” pack in the set. Many American makers are now using the "heater” type valves throughout, excepting in the final audio stage, which is fitted with a “power” valve.

• Schematically the diagram forwarded by "Sotto” (Karori) is correct. Possibly the mistake has occurred in wiring-up the set. Somewhat difficult to locate, these errors are not infrequent. The set should be shown to an expert for checking up. “Wager” (Island Bay) wants to know what distance across- land must radio wave from New York broadcast stations traverse before reaching the Paitific if heard in New Zealand. The distance would be about 245.0 miles.

“Prong" (Oriental Bay) has obtained full service from his radio valves if they have been in operation for "over 1500 hours." They should now be substituted with new valves. A good plan is to scratch tlie .date when first used on the bases of the hew valves, so that their period of use can be more accurately estimated. If “Racket” (Thorndon) admits that his loudspeaker is causing annoyance to. his neighbours, he should reduce the volume to reasonable proportions. The legal position should not enter into the matter. The golden rule should be observed if radio is to retain its popularity. Tlie type of valve named by “Outside" (Petone) has the effect of broadening the tuning, but for those located at a considerable distance from any broadcast station it is invaluable for increasing the range of a set. The majority of American-built sets now employ this valve. The conditions prevailing last Thursday night, as described by “Terminal” (Seatoiin), are endorsed by "Aerial.” Reception at this season is always more or less unreliable. “S.H.D.” (City) should remove all traces of corrosion from his battery terminals. Corrosion causes electrical resistance, but it can be removed easily by wiping it with a cloth well moistened with household ammonia. Vaseline thinly applied to the battery terminals will prevent corrosion. The 45-volt dry B battery which shows only 35 volts should be discarded, as it is practically exhausted. . „ , T _ , The trouble described by T.E.S. (Kelburn) is undoubtedly located in the power pack. It should be tested by a radio engineer, who will repair it. The winding seems to have short circuited.- Use only tiie valves recommended by the vendors. Vibrations of not more than 10,000 per second are termed audio frequencies, but "Sport” (Thorndon) is correct in assuming that many people can hear notes of a much higher frequency, which is equivalent to a higher pitch. In reply to the second query, the greater the. percentage of modulation of a carrier wave from a broadcast station the louder tlie reception at a distance. If “A.C.” (City) desires to ascertain the wave-length of a broadcasting station by the position of the station on his dial marked with kilocycles, he should divide the kilocycles into 300,000,000. It will be necessary to add three noughts to the number of kilocycles to reduce them to cycles before dividing them into 300 millions. “T.C." (Napier) can procure 6-volt valves of the make, stated. The English valves were formerly difficult to procure to suit 6-volt batteries, but that is some years ago. The station heard by “Tex” (Berhampore) is 2GB, Sydney, the Theosophical station. The difficulties mentioned by “Tex” are due to atmospheric causes beyond control. Fading varies considerably on different nights. “Neutral" (Kelburn) is like many other owners of first-class receiving sets in Wellington. Only a privileged few are able to' hear any American stations, and this is due in many instances to obscure peculiarities of the locality of their aerials, and also to skill and perseverance in tuning. As ,a speaker stated recently at the Christchurch Radio Exhibition, the radio receiving set of to-day is well nigh perfect. The best sets have a maximum of sensitivity, almost perfection in tone, and simplicity in tuning. "Oak” (Ngaio) should not delay purchasing now, as any improvements of tlie future will be unimportant. The improvement most needed is greater power of distant broadcasting stations! and tlie Australian transmitters, in the not far distant future, will have their power Increased. In reply to “Interference" (Lyall Bay), a listener who has not taken tlie trouble to ascertain whether his valve is oscillating is liable to a conviction for creating interference. From time to time the method

of ascertaining whether a valve is Ing has been published. method is to tap the jrrial ter ml "“ a moistened finger. If mere is a proiioune ed click from the I “ uds P eak ] er H ,p valve Is finger is applied and removed, tin. definitely oscillating and creati ng interter cnee. A complaint should be for"* l r ', . , * the District Radio Inspector, I. anti i. Department, Wellington. . ~ “Solder” (Lower Hutt) should note tlat the longer and higher the aerial tlic feniallcr the aerial coil required in the tl,cu “k--closed. Circuit No. 1 is preferabk to the other two, but it is advisable to purchase a kit comprising tlie condensers, tnais, ana coils. “Solder” should not be discouraged by his neighbour’s poor reception or the Australian stations of late. Tins is merely a passing i phase and an improvement as the season progresses is likely. During the major portion of the year good loudspeaker reception is obtainable from* four or nve Australian stations with the circuits mentioned. Radio for New York Gaol. New York State is equipping every cell of the new model prison at Attica with radio sets. Convicts will be allowed to listen-in as a reward for good behaviour (an American exchange says). The idea of a warden warning a fractious prisoner, “Now be a good boy, or 111 turn off your radio,” may seem comical. However. Dr. Raymond Keib, State Commissioner of Correction, assures us there is nothing humorous about it. Radio makes better prisoners, he says. Tlie convicts enjoy the radio, ana any-, thing which lightens the prison tedium is something really worth behaving to get. There are no loudspeakers in the prison. Each cell has a set of ear phones, which can be connected or disconnected at will bv the warden from a central receiving set. ‘One theory is that the world must revenge itself upon criminals by denying them the simplest of comforts. Another is that kindness to convicts can be made to pay dividends. If radio makes better prisoners and better men, let’s have more of it in prisons. TO-DAY’S PROGRAMMES. Following are the broadcast programmes for to-dav (Wednesday, November -7): — 2YA, WELLINGTON (420 metres).— IYA, AUCKLAND (333 metres).—3.o: Afternoon session, selected studio items. 4.U: Literary selection by the announcer. 4.8: Studio items. 4.25: Sports results to hand. 5.0: Children’s session conducted by Uncle Tom. 6.0: Dinner session. 7.0: News and market reports. 7.40: Talk, Madame Mabel Milne. “Health and Diet. 8.0: 8.1: Selection, IYA Orchestra. Ihe Dollar Princess” (Fall). 8.11: Bass, Mr L. Green, “Nirvana” (Adams). S.lo. Band selection, Vesella’s Italian Band, Rigoletto” Quartet (Verdi). 8.19: Soprano, Mrs. Jean Le Pettit, (a) "Darkness” (Hurlestone), (b) "Slumber Song (Mayhew) 8.2 G: Instrumental, IYA Orchestral Octet, "Norwegian Rhapsody’ No. 1 (Svendsing). 8.35: Pianoforte and vocal numbers, "Eric and Jack,” (a) Sues h tinny that Way” (Moret); (b> “Think of Me Thinking of You” (Abbott). 8.43: Cornet, Herbert Clarke, “Stars in a Velvety Sky (Clarke), (record). 8.45; Comedian, Tom (Lewis), (record). 8.49; Violin, Mr. Paul Lewis, "His First After-dinner Speech Bretnall, “Hymn to the Sun (RimskyKorsakov). 8.53: Bass, Mr. E. Green, (a) “Anchored” (Watson), (b) lhe Blind Ploughman” (Clarke). 9.0: Weather report. 9.2: Instrumental, HA Orchestral Octet, “Post in the Forest” (Schaeffer). 9.12: Vocal quartet, Masket Shrine Quartet, “Absent” (Metcalfe), (record). 9.16: Whistler, Margaret McKee, Bird Imitations” record). 9.18: Violin, Miss Ina Bosworth, "Concerto, Second Movement Bruch), (record). 9.23: Soprano, Mrs. Jean Let Pettit, "Song of the Cruise (Leon). 9.27- Comedian, Tom Lewis, Oldtime Minstrel Scene” (Lewis), (record). 9.30: Pianoforte and vocal numbers, Eric and Jack,” (a) "My Mother’s Eyes (Baer , (b) “It All Depends on You" (Jackson). 9.38: Violin, Mr. Paul Bretnall, (a) Romance in F” (Beethoven), (b) Legende (Wieniawski). 9.45: \ ocal quartet, ket Shrine Quartet, “Standing in the Need of Prayer” (Burleigh), (record). 9.48: Contralto. Marie Morrisey. “Long, Long Ago” (traditional), (record). J.ul:: Instrumental, IYA Orchestral Octet, M altz de Ballet” (Drigo). 19.0: Close down. 3YA, CHRISTCHURCH (306 metres).— 3 p.m.: Afternoon session, selected studio items. 4.25: Sports results to hand. 5.0: Children’s session, conducted .by Mother Hubbard and Uncle Frank. 0.0: Dinner session. 7.0: News session. 7.30. Addington stock market reports. SO- Chimes. 8.1: Studio Instrumental Octet, under the conductorship of Mr. Harold Beck, “La Source Ballet” (Delibes) ; (1) Scarfe Dance, (2) Love Scene, (3) Dance Cireassienne. 8.9: Vocal quartet, Salon Quartet, “With My Flock as Walked I”, (traditional, arr. from sixteenth century English air) ; soprano, Miss Corrie Aslln, “Mia Piccarella” i (“Salvator Rosa”) (Gnomes). 8.15: Wuriltzer organ, Reginald Foort, “The Riff ,Song (“The Desert Song”) (Romberg) (record). 8.18: Tenor, Mr. 11. Blakeley, “Love in Her Eyes Sits Playing” (Handel). Soprano and baritone duet, Salon Duo, "Still as the Night" (Goetze). 8.25: Studio Instrumental Octet, (a) “March and Habanera’ (“Carmen”) (Bizet); (b) "Toreador Song (“Carmen”) (Bizet). 8.35: Contralto, Miss Dulcie Mitchell, “O Mio Fernando’ (“La Favorita” (Donizetti). 8.37: Grand organ anil cornet, R. Arnold Grier, “Softly Awakes My Heart” (“Samson and Delilah”) (Saint-Saens). B.4o:,Recital, Mrs. Margaret Williams, “The Glory of the Garden” (Kipling). 8.45: Studio Instrumental Octet, “Gilbert and Sullivan Operas" selection (Sullivan). 5.57: Baritone, Mr. J. Graham Young, “Go Not, Happy Day’ (Somervell). 9.0: Weather report. 9.2: Studio Instrumental Octet, (a) “Barcarolle” (“Tales of Hoffman”) (Offenbach); (b) “Gavotte” (“Mignon”) (Thomas). 9.8: Soprano, Miss Corrie Asiin, (a) “The Woodpecker” (Nevin); (b) “The Cuckoo (Martin Shaw). 9.11: Violin and kinema organ, Charles Williams, “Intermezzo” (“Cavalleria Rustfcana” (Mascagni), (record). 9.15: Tenor, Mr. 11. Blakeley, (a) “She is Far from the Land" (Lambert); (b) “I Know of Two Bright Eyes" (Clutsam). 9.21: Contralto and tenor duet, Salon Duo, “Nocturne” (Denza). 9.25: Studio Instrumental Octet, (a) “Laguna Lullaby” (Hope); (b) “Serenade” (Ern). 9.31: Contralto, Miss Dulcie Mitchell, “My 'Dear Soul” (Sanderson). 9.35: Selection, lI.M. Coldstream Guards, “lolanthe" (record). 9.38: Recital, Mrs. Margaret Williams, “The Story of Pierrot” (I’elliser). 9.43: Selection, H.M. Coldstream Guards. “Pirates of Penzance” (Sullivan). 9.46: Baritone, Mr. J. Graham Young, “Ave Maria” (Cooper). Vocal quartet, Salon Quartet, “How Calmly the Evening” (Coldicott). 9.52: Selection, 'Weber’s Orchestra, “Faust” (Gounod, arr. 'Weber). 10.0: Close down.

4YA DUNEDIN (463 metres).—3.o: Town Hall chimes. 3.1: Selected gramophone items. 4.25: Sports results to hand. 5.0: Town Hall chimes. 5.1: Children's session, conducted by Aunt Anita. 6.0: Dinner session. 7.0: News session. S.O: Town Hall chimes. .8.1: Overture, Raie da Costa Ensemble, selection from “Funny Face” (Gershwin), (record). 8.9: Special popular programme by “The Merrymakers” Concert Party, under the direction of Mr. Allan Young. 9.0: Weather report. 9.2: Continuation of entertainment by “The Merrymakers." 9.30: Gramophone dance programme. U.O: Close down.

' 2FC, SYDNEY (451 metres).—B p.m. till 11 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. ■ 3LO, MELBOURNE (371 metres).-8 p.m. till 11.30 p.m. 3AR, MELBOURNE (484 metres).—B p.m. till 11 p.m. 4QG, BRISBANE (385 metres).—7 p.m. till 10 p.m. Note. —New Zealand time is two hours ahead of eastern Australian time.