RADIO NOTES

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 83, 2 January 1930, Page 7

RADIO NOTES

By

"AERIAL”

A Miniature Portable An approach to the long-heralded vestpocket radio receiver” is made in the miniature portable set recently patented in U.S.A. The invention is described as a ‘‘unitary and hand-portable radio receiving set, comprising a telephone receiver with its coil and diaphragm, a tuning coil disposed adjacent to the receiver coil, a fixed crystal detector, including a crystal and u detector contact co-operat-ing therewith and arranged at the axis or the tuning coil.”

New York Municipal Station. The City of New York conducts a municipal broadcasting station, WNYC. with a power of 500 watts, and a wavelength ot niu kilocycles. The station is operated under the Department of Plant and Structures.

Kinema and Wireless. A successful demonstration—the first of its kind—has been given in Barlin of the synchronisation of wireless with the Kinema tograpii. , . Two medical films which were shown in the auditorium of a medical school were explained as they were shown by a doctor speaking from the headquarters of the Telefunkengesellschaft. Perfect synchronisation was maintained'all through between the loudspeakers and the pictures on the b< The’transmission -was conducted from the Konigswusterhausen broadcasting station on 1250 metres.

Receiving Set In Church. York claims to be the first city in Ln„laud in which church services by wireless are a regular feature. The Precenter has installed a four-valve receiving set in the church, and it is intended to tune in the Sunday night services relayed from Dondon and the Thursday afternoon services broadcast from Westminster Abbey. It is hoped, by this means, to popularise church going, and to give the congregation tue very best of sermons.

Relay Stations for Australia. Amplifying liis statement at the opening of 3DB, Melbourne, recently, Mr. Lyons, Commonwealth Postmaster-General, in the House of Representatives subsequently, said that to ensure better wireless reception for country residents, tlie Federal Government had drawn up a tentative programme for constructing subsidiary relaying stations. He indicated that the relay station scheme was the Government's solution for improving country reception. The position at Bendigo, ho said, had been specially examined, but there was no means of giving real improvement until one or more of the subsidiary stations was in operation.

Greater Power in U.S.A. Within a few months several of the United States broadcast stations will be employing 25,000 watts power. The .New York “Radio World” says: “The trend in broadcasting is definitely towards the use of greater power. The maximum now allowed by the Government Radio Commission is 25,000 watts, with 25,000 watts additional for experimental purposes, but if this limit were not imposed stations of muclj, greatei power would be built quickly. The inducements to use more power are the greater service range and less interference from electrical disturbance natural and man-made.”

Co-ordinating Sydney Programmes. Commencing in the second week in December, the Australian Broadcasting Company brought into effect its scheme of coordinating the Sydney programmes upon lines similar to those recently established in Melbourne.

A permanent light orchestra and dance band have now been added to the staff, and with the use of these two combinations it is hoped to give considerable added variety to the programmes. On Mondays the evening presentation at 2FC will be carried out by the orchestra in co-operation with the production of a revue programme, while from 2BL a feature will be brass band music and talk. On Tuesdays at night time a full dance programme as hitherto will Le the feature of 2FC, while a mixed concert" programme incorporating sketches will be presented from 2BL. On Wednesdays 2FC’s programme at night time will embrace a classic presentation which will be arranged by well-known musicians, using the National Broadcastintg Orchestra up till 9.30. After this time song scenes and a lighter type of programme, and the last half-hour will be devoted to an Austradio recital of celebrity records. As a set-off against this more classic type of programme, 2BL each Wednesday nigiit will present a mixed revue, and the station dance band will be heard In symphonic numbers. A feature talk win also be included. On Thursdays the night programme from 2FC will feature a play, while from 2BL a pot pourri covering talks and' mixed items will run till 9 p.m., and from then till close down time at 10.30 the National Broadcasting Orchestra will supply the finishing items. On Fridays the night programme from 2FC will open with an organ recital and mixed concert items until 9 p.m., when a talk will be interpolated. Then a relay will follow from 3LO, Melbourne, from 9.15 to 10.15. The evening will conclude with items by a full dance band. On the same night 2BL will feature a ballad programme, accompanied by the National Broadcasting Orchestra, and at about 10 p.m. will give the usual Friday night sporting talk. On Saturday night 2FC will present a popular programme covering revues from the studio and outside performances, and will give dance items from 10.15 until 11.30 p.m. On that night 2BL will also supply a lighter type of programme. A short revue will run from 8 <

p'.fii. TO* 8/30, wifeii The usual sporting items will be presented until approximately u.uU. At 0.30 the full studio dance band will provide dance music until midnight. The star feature at 2FC and 2BL of each week will be the Sunday night presentation, when augmented orchestras, under the conductorship of guest conductors, such as Professor Bernard Heinze, Melbourne, Will Prior and his State Broadcasting Ensemble, Alfred Hill, of the State Conservatorium, and Howard Carr, with the National Broadcasting Orchestra. At occasional periods during the week days in each month, guest conductors will also be asked to present programmes with an augmented National Broadcasting Orchestra, when the tastes of lovers of the best music, will be provided for. Trends of American Sets.

The very definite trends in the development of the American radio receivers are indicated from the receivers on display at the recent New York Radio World’s Fair. Screen-grid valves for the radio frequency amplifier; high-powered output valves in the audio amplifier; and the moving-eoil speaker. Notwithstanding the greater amplification that the screen-grid valves can provide, the number of valves used has not shown any definite decrease. Instead of the three and four-valve set with which three or four years ago were thought to be

“last word” in results, we find seven, eight, and nine-valve receivers predominating, even though three or four of these valves are. of the screen-grid type. Out of 132 sets classified 13 of them had six valves, 65 had seven valves, 35 had eight valves, and 20 had nine or more valves. The

“seven tube” set still maintains its popularity, not particularly as a “distancegetter,” but merely as the average type of household music-box.

Byrd Expedition Radio Tests. Immediately following the musical numbers and messages constituting the regular programme of broadcasting to the Byrd Expedition at Little America, which was transmitted recently by KDKA, Pittsburgh, listeners heard a long-drawn-out “buzz,” which was maintained 'for five minutes. This buzz constituted the first of a highly important series of tests in which the-radio experts of KDKA are cooperating with those of the Byrd Expedition. ,

The object of these tests is to secure a better understanding of one of radio’s most mysterious phenomena—“blind spots,” or “dead areas.” As most radio listeners are aware, there are many small areas -where certain broadcasting stations can be heard only with difficulty, If at all. although the same stations come in clearly, all around these areas. While some of these “dead spots are caused by peculiarities of land configuration, others cannot be explained away so easily, and many scientists now believe that the trouble Is chiefly due to the so-called "Heaviside layer.” The ’’Heaviside layer,” according to theory, is a stratum, possibly magnetic in character, which surrounds the earth. Radio waves cannot pass through it, but are reflected back to earth by it, just as light rays reflected by a mirror. In some places, waves thus reflected are the ones chiefly received, and this applies especially to long-distance broadcasting; at other places, the waves sent out directly by the transmitter are the ones that convey the messages; but in certain places both sets of waves are received together, and it Is due- to the Interference of these two sets that dead spots, and possibly fading, are thought to be caused. Tests indicate that the Heaviside layer encircles the earth at an average distance Of oM miles, but there is some reason to think that at either the North Pole or the South Pole, or both, this layer approaches close to the earth or perhaps actually touches It Definite confirmation or refutation of this theory is the object of these tests. These tests are not merely in the interests of pure science, but also of defence measures as dead spots occur at sea as well as on land, and naturally interfere with naval operations, so that it is most important to secure as much information on the subject as possible.

Ingenious Hotel Radio System. A unique and Ingenious arrangement for supplying rooms with radio reception has been installed in the Hotel Lincoln, in New York City. Reception of the programmes is accomplished in the first place with six master receiving sets placed on top of'the building, at a point where interference from the motors in the building is at a minimum. These receivers operate from the one aerial, but are .tuned to six different stations. The output of each set Is carried separately by wire to a monitor table, at which an operator controls the volume of reception from each station. From this table the received signals are carried to six radio-frequency oscillators, in shielded compartments. The output or each oscillator is modulated by the signals from one of the stations being received, and the modulated radio-frequency is then transmitted into the steel frame of the building. 'ln other words, the received programmes are each re-transmuted into the building on a different waveleligth. Reception in the rooms is accomplished with receiving sets, which respond only to the new wavelengths. From reports, it would seem that even this extraordinary arrangement is a success.

Answers to Correspondents. In. reply to “Wave" (Wanganui), the A.W.A. coastal receiving station is at La Perouse which is to tlie south of the, Sydnev heads and at the eastern extremity of Botany Bay. This is the station which communicates with shipping. , “Prospect” (Kelburn) will find that the filament voltage of valves in a.c. sets is not adjustable, being set by the makers. If the household mains supply too high a voltage a resistance can be inserted between the set and the wall plug to take up the excess voltage. Tlie household mains should be carefully tested for voltage by an expert to ascertain whether Prospect's” surmise is correct, and to construct the exact resistance required, if it is necesS °" r Top Damp” (Masterton) should note that dampness on the top of a wet battery permits a leakage. The tops of all accumulators, whether “A" or “B, should be wiped dry every day. The onlv advice to be tendered Distorted” (Kilbirnle) is to experiment with different "B” battery voltages on his new detector valve. It should be understood that owing to mass production there are slight variations in the characteristics of valves of the same make and types. Although one valve operates efficiently with a plate voltage of 22}, another valve of exactly the same make and type may require a difference of several volts to obtain satisfactory results. “Harsh” (City) describes a grating noise and loss of signal strength when he turns his tuning condenser. Apparently the vanes of the condenser are touching each other. The services of an expert should be obtained to clear the trouble. “Aerial” would advise “S.G.” (City) to shorten his aerial by half to increase the selectivity of his screen-grid valve set. The extreme sensitivity of the set will far more than compensate for the loss of strength due to the shorter aerial. “A.C.H.” (Thorndon) should have his “A” battery well charged before he goes away on ills three weeks’ holiday, as, owing to the natural leakage of the battery, it would run down even without use, and it is harmful to let a battery stand in a discharged condition.

50.000 Watts for KGO, Oakland. Station KGO, Oakland, an across-the-bay suburb of San Francisco, was one of the first American broadcast stations heard in New Zealand about six years ago. News comes from America that an application for authority to employ tlie maximum broadcasting power of 50,006 watts has been tiled with the Federal Radio Commission l>y KGO. The station, owned by the General Electric Company, but recently turned over to the National Broadcasting Company for programme management, now employs 7500 watts. In its application the station requested authority to change its location from Oakland to n point near Belmont, California, and to install new equipment designed to a 50,000-watt output.

Pictures 12,000 Mlles by Radio. On October 15 Amalgamated Wireless transmitted by radio the first photos from Sydney to London, establishing a new world’s record for distance. The pictures were received by the British Post Oflice and Wireless Pictures. Limited, and prints were posted to Sydney. The first picture sent was a portrait of Mr. E. T. Fisk, managing director of AAV.A., the second was that of Mr., Scullin, Primo Minister of Australia. and the third Mr. Romany MacDonald. Prime Minister of England. Despite atmospheric difficulties to bo overcome. the pictures proved quite clear and distinct. Tims is added another achievement to Australia’s record of wireless progress The distance of 12.000 miles covered in the transmission of these pictures is nearly four times the greatest distance previously bridged. TO-DAY’S PROGRAMMES Following are the broadcast programmes for to-dny (Thursday, .Tanunry 2): — 2YA. 'WELLINGTON (-120 METRES). 3.0: Chimes. 3.1: Selected studio Items. 3.30: Lecturette, Miss Flora Cormack, “Care of the Skin and Eyes.” 3.40: Studio items. 5.0: Children's session conducted by Aunt Gwen. ■ 6.0: Dinner session: Orchestre SyinphonIque do Paris, “L’Arlesieune Suite (Bizet):

(1) Prelude, (2) Entr'acte, (3) Choeurg. 0.12: Tacet. 0.15: Selection, Columbia Symphony Orchestra, "Faust” (Gounod); violin, Toscha Seidel, "Chanson Arabe” (Rimsky-Korsa-kov). 0.27: Tacet. 0.30: Orchestra Symphonlque de Paris, “L’Arleslenne": (1) La Cuisine de Castelet, (2) Minuetto, (3) Le Carillon, (4) Adagietto (Bizet). 0.42: Tacet. 0.45: Orchestre Symphonlque de Paris, "L’Arleslenne—Farandole” (Bizet); Band de Garde Republicaine France, “Carmen — Entr'acte” (Bizet). 0.50: Tacet. 7.0: News session, market reports and sports results. . „ 7.40: Lecturette, Hare Hongi, “Maori Pronunciation.” 8.0: Chimes. Novelty programme by the “Radiolite Concert Party”; overture, “Pique Dame” (Suppe) (record). 8.9: Opening chorus, "Itadiolites.” 8.12: Baritone, "Jack's the Boy” (“The Geisha” —Jones). 8.16: Violin, “Romance” (d’Ambrosio). . 8.21: Sketch, "Reggie Makes a Complaint” (Peach). 8.31: Balalaik Orchestra, "Fantasy on ‘Song of India' ” (Rimsky-Korsakov) (record). , „ 8.35: Tenor, “Bonnie Mary of Argyle (traditional). 8.39: Selection, Orchestra, “.Love’s Garden of Roses” (Haydn Wood). 8.43: The Soubrette in something fresh. 8.46: Violin solo, The Violinist, “Indian Love Call” (“Rose Marie”—Friml). 8.50: Humour, Entertainer at the Piano, “Otherwise She’s Mother’s Kind of Girl” (MS.). 8.55: Soprano, “The Dancing Lesson (Ducelle). . 8.58: Orchestral selection, Good Old Songs” (record).

9.6: Weather report. 9.5: Vocal duet, “Tenor and Baritone (Lane Wilson). 9.12: Violin solo, “Le Souvenir” (Dancla). 9.17: Sketch, “Love or Lucre” (Peach). 9 29: Instrumental novelty, “Sleepy Valley” (Dowling) (record). 9.32: Entertainer at piano, “You Mustn’t Do It After Eight o'Clock” (MS.). 9.38: Violin and piano. Pianist and Violinist, “Medley of Popular Hits.” 9.49: The Soubrette will entertain. 9.53: Soprano and baritone duet, “Song of Love” (Schubert). 9.57: Selection, Columbia Symphony Orchestra, “March of the Bojaren” (Halvorsen) (record).

10.2: Close down. IYA, AUCKLAND (333 metres).—ll.4s: Relav of results of Auckland Racing Club s meeting at Ellerslie, Interspersed with studio items. 5.0: Children’s session conducted by “Peter Pan.” 6.0: Dinner session: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, (a) “Liebeslled” (Kreisler), (b) “Serenade (Moszkowski), (c) “Aubade” (Auber); Band of H.M. Coldstream Guards, In a Persian Market” (Ketelbey). 6.12: Tacet. 6.15: Concerted, Light Opera Company, gems fromm “Rose Marie” (Friml); Marek Weber’s Orchestra, "Tosca” Potpourri arrgd. Tavan). 6.27: Tacet. 6.30; Victor Symphony Orchestra, “Queen of Sheba (Gounod); International Concert Orchestra, (a) “Sari” waltz (Kalman), (b) “The Waltz Dream” (Strauss). 6.42: Tacet. 6 45: Violin, Fritz Kreisler, “Tango (Albenlz, arrgd. Kreisler); organ, Reginald Foort, “A Brown Bird Singing” (Haydn Wood) ; International Novelty Orchestra, “Y Como Le Va?” (Valverde); Band of H.M. Coldstream Guards, “Raymond Overture” (Thomas). 6.57: Tacet. 7.0: News session and market reports. 8.0: Chimes. 8.1: Selection, Reg. Morgan’s Orchestra, “Canary Cottage” (Friml). 8.8: Contralto, Miss Kav Christie, (a) “The Little Silver Ring” (Chaminade), (b) “Good Morning, Brother Sunshine” (Lehmann). 8.14: Entertainer, Mr. T. T. Garland, Humour. 8.19: Violin solo, Mr. G. A. Fowler, “Molly on the Shore” (Graiijger). 8.24: Vocal trio, Snappy Three, (a) “Honey” (Simons), (b) "Breakaway” (Conrad). 8.30: Instrumental, Reg. Morgan’s Orchestra, (a) 'On With the Dance” (Donaldson), (b) “The Toymaker’s Dream” (Golden). 8.37: Xyloplione solo, Mr. Reg. Morgan, "Danny Boy (arrgd. Bridge). 8.40: Intermezzo, Reg. Morgan’s Orchestra. “Legend of a Rose’ (Reynauld). 8.48: Song nt piano, Mr. Reg. Morgan, “The Desert Song” (Romberg). 8.52: Trumpet solo, Mr. R. Sprowl, “Les Folles" (Deppen). 8.56: Contralto, Miss Kay Christie, “Down Here” (Brahme). 9.0: Weather report. 9.2: Instrumental, Reg. Morgan’s Orchestra, (a) “The Merry Widow” (Lehar). (b) “The Breakaway” (Conrad). 9.9: Humour. Mr. T. T. Garland, “A Fireside Chat.” 9.15: Piano medley,

Miss Beryl Poultqn, “Medley.” 9.18: Vocal trio, Snappy Three, (a) "Walking With Susie” (Conrad), (b) “Blue Night” (Rollins). 9.26: Violin, Mr. G. A. Fowler, "Danse Espagnola” (Sarasate). 9.81: Programme of dance music by Reg. Morgan and his orchestra, commencing with "Building a Nest for Mary” (Greer), “Cherrlo, Cherry Lips” (Dixon). 11.0: Close down. 3YA, CHRISTCHURCH (306 metres).— 11.30 a.m.: Results of Canterbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting at Addington, interspersed with selected gramophone items. 5.0: Children’s session, conducted by Uncle John. 6.0: Dinner session: March —American Legion Band, "The Conqueror” (Telke); Selection—Savoy Orpheans, “Lido Lady” (Rodgers). 6.12: Tacet. 6.15: New Light Symphony Orchestra, "Rustic Wedding Symphony” (Goldmark) ; Victor Olak Sextet, “To a Water Lily” (Macdowell); New Light Symphony Orchestra, "Spanish Dance” (Moszkowski); Wurlitzer organ—Reginald Foort, "Just Like a Darby and Joan” (Gilbert). 6.29: Tacet. 6.30': .Jack Hylton’s Orchestra, "The Selfish Giant” (Coates); Victor Olaf Sextet, (a) “To a Wild Rose,” (b) "In Autumn” (Macdowell); Violin and Wurlitzer organ—De Groot and Terence Casey, "Parted” (Tosti). 6.44: Tacet. 6.45: Victor Symphony Orchestra, "Dance of the Hours” (Ponchinelll); Wurlitzer organ— Reginald Foort, “Love Lies’’ (Kellard) ; March —American Legion Band, “lowa Corn Song” (arrgd. Beeston). 6.58: Tacet. 70 • News and information session. 8.0: Chimes; Overture—Royal Opera Orchestra, "1812” (Tschaikowßky (Record). 8.13: Vocal quartet—Grand Opera Quartet, "Shepherdess and Beau Brocade” (Montague Phillips). 8.17: Mezzo-eontralto, Miss Mavis. Spiller, "The Diver” (McMillen). 8.20: Pianoforter-Miss Florence Hamerton, (a) “Longing” (Mendelssohn), (b) "Study No. 2” (Mendelssohn). 8.25: Bass —Mr. James Filer, "My Lodgings is the Cellar Here” (Old German). 8.29: Royal Opera Orchestra —“Marche Hongroise’ (Berlioz) (Record)’ 8.33: Tenor—Mr. Ernest Rogers, “The Spirit Flower” (Tipton). 5.37: Violin —Mr. Arthur Gordon, “Romanza Andaluza” (Sarasate). 8-4 3 ’- So ‘ prano and mezzo-contralto duet —Grand Opera Duo, “Sunbeam’’ (Landon Ronald). 8 47: Recital—Miss Dorothy Jenkin, “The French Peasant” (Anon). 8.52: Organ— Reginald Goos-Custard, "The Question (Wolstenholme) (Record). 8.55: BassMr James Filer, “The Wanderer” (Schubert). 9.0: Weather report. 9.2: Selection—Detroit Symphony Orchestra, * Spanish Rhapsody” (Chabrier) (Record). 9.8: Soprano—Madame Gower-Burns, "Hush, Little One” (Bevignani). 9.12: Pianoforte—3iiss Frances Hamerton, (a) l<antasie No. 3,” (b) "Fantasia No. 1” (Mendelssohn). 9.18: Tenor and bass duet— Grand Opera Male Duo, "Love and War (Cooke). 9.22: Organ—Reginald GoosCustard, "The Answer” (Wolstenholme) (Record). 9.25: Mezzo-soprano—Miss Mavis Spiller, (a) “Eleanore” (ColeridgeTaylor), (b) “Yesterday and To-day (Spross). 9.32: Violin—Mr. Arthur Gordon, (a) “Berceuse” (Cui), (b) "Viennese Melodie” (Kreisler). 9.38-: Tenor—Mr. Ernest Rogers, (a) “To Daisies” (Quilter), (b) “Like Stars Above” (Quilter). 9.43: Recital—Miss Dorothy Jenkin, “The Thousandeth Man” (Kipling). 9.48: Instrumental trio—Kreisler, Kreisler, and Hauchlesen, “Marche Miniature Viennoise (Kreisler) (Record). 9.51: Soprano— Madame Gower-Burns, “Mia Piccarella” (Gomes). 9.55: Vocal quartet—Grand Opera Quartet, “Fly, Singing Bird, Fly” (Elgar). 9.59: New Light Symphony Orchestra, "La Poupee Valsante” (Poldini) (Record). 10.3: Close down. 4YA, DUNEDIN—SiIent. 2FC, SYDNEY (452 metres).—B p.m. till 11.30 p.m. 2BL. SYDNEY (359 metres).—B p.m. till 11 p.m. 2GB, SYDNEY (316 metres).—B p.m. till 10.30 p.m. 3LO, MELBOURNE (371 metres).—7 p.m. till 11.30 p.m. 3AR, MELBOURNE (484 metres).—B p.m. till 10 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.)