RADIO NOTES

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 230, 26 June 1935, Page 6

RADIO NOTES

Running Commentaries on Sport EMPIRE BROADCASTS

(By

Etiieb.)

Listeners with sets capable of tuning to the short waves will be interested to know that in tile near future there _is to be a series of interesting running commentaries on sporting events cl worldwide Interest held in England. These commentaries in each case start at 4 p.m. New Zealand time. The first commentary ot interest takes place on Sunday, June 30. Captain 11. B. T. Wakelam will give a running commentary on the first day s play of the second cricket Lest between England and South Africa at Lord s Cricket Ground. A further commentary on this match will be given on Tuesday, July 2. and Wednesday, July 3. Tennis enthusiasts will probably appreciate the commentary to be given from the Kmpire station on the Wimbledon tennis tournament. The commentary will be given on Saturday. July 0, by Colonel Brand and Captain Wakelam.

Coming Events. On Sunday, June 30, station 2YA is giving a band programme from 8.30 p.m. onward until 9.5 p.m: At this lime the station will rebroadcast a studio presentation of “The Mary Celeste” from 3YA. This controversial sea mystery has been made the subject of a play by Du Garde Peach. It will be performed by Professor James Shelley and company. This play is yet another attempt to solve .what must be the most controversial sea problem investigated. Those who like Fritz Kreisler might well tune in to IYA on Sunday afternoon at 3.30 p.m. They will hear a recorded version of tin- Concerto in E Minor (Op. 04) played by this famous violinist and the Berlin State Opera Orchestra. Those with itching palms should pick up IYA on Monday, July, 1, .when they will hear something interesting connected with this complaint. The item that provides the information is timed to start at 8.33 p.m. At 9.5 p.m. on -Wednesday, July 3, 2YA is presenting a radio play by Francis Wilson, called “The Man Who Died Twice.” This play will be produced by Leo du Chateau and company. Gladys Mqncrieff is due to sing from IYA on July 4 in her first appearance under engagement to tlie Broadcasting Board. It is understood that among the songs she will sing are “Isn't it Romantic,” "Violets’ and “Love Me To-night.” Bridge.

Many contract, bridge players will be keenly interested in the matches being played in Australia. On Saturday next 3LO, Melbourne, and other Australian national stations will relay a description of a championship match between New South Wales and Victoria. At 9.25 p.m.. New Zealand time, the hand to be held in duplicate will be announced by 3LO, and at 10.15 p.m., New Zealand time, the championship match will begin. Listeners should have no difficulty in picking up 3LO at thode times. It is interesting to add in this connection that recently four sets of bridge hands, shuffled in Sydney, were dealt out to players 10,000 miles away in both North and South America, and " a spirited match ensued by shortwave. Messrs. Long and Lockton, “west” and “north" participants, played with partners at Barranquila, Colombia. Eggs-actly.

A good bird story comes from Newark, New Jersey. Engineers of station WOK discovered that when a meadow lark built its nest inside a discarded coil of wire, near the station, it found that the heat picked up by the wire from the 50-kilowatt transmitter was ample to hatch the eggs without any parental attention except when the station was silent. Other birtte in the neighbourhood - came to grief when they attempted to emulate the lark by winding .bits or wire around ■ nests’already built. When they used too much wire the result was cooked eggs, and when they used too little- the eggs were underdone.

Radio Drill. Although few sights are more impressive than a regiment of cavalry with their quivering lances, the American Army is going one better in equipping mounted troops with fli-pole aerials. These are to be used in forthcoming manoeuvres to enable commanding officers to issue words of command at great distances on ultrashort waves. No doubt regimental sergeant-majors will soon be equipped with button “mikes and 5-metr’e transmission packs so that thev can drill their battalions a mile away with a mild whisper, from the mess. America’s Record.

A record year for the American wireless industry is reported by “Radio Retailing,” in its■ statistical survey of the U.S. 'trade for 1934. .No fewer than 4,696.000 radio receivers were manufactur; ed in the United States last year, ot which 612,000 were exported abroad. The high figure of two-and-a-quarter million replacement sales is attributed to the fact tiiat many people, attracted by the prospect of all-wave reception, invested in new sets. It is estimated that 09 per cent, of American, families .now possess a receiver. . t . Over 65.000.000 valves were manufactured in U.S.A, last year. Radio Consultations.

A medical consulting room literally-at the disposal of the world is an idea winch is to be put into practice by the It a *L (in "Direzione Generale di Sanita.” Ihe proposal was recently put to Signor Mussolini, and the Duce immediately gave a warm assent, with the result that a unique medical institution will open in the near future. . The consulting room is to be situated in the studios of (lie Rome broadeasting station, although quite independent of the 'broadcasting organisation. There will be regular dav and night medical attendants, the best detors in Italy being available at all times. Urgent medical inquiries bv wireless from all parts of the world will be speedily considered, and the answers transmitted over the ether. An interesting technical arrangement is provided for transmitting replies on any wavelength specially requested by the inquiring transmitter. (Radio Programmes on Next Page.)