RADIO NOTES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 72, 18 December 1935, Page 16

RADIO NOTES

Empire Programme On Christmas Day

ALL THE DOMINIONS TO CO-OPERATE

(By

Ether.)

The 8.8.0. announces that it is hoped on Christmas Day to broadcast another programme -throughout the Empire. On this, occasion the theme will be Xhi» Great Family.” The title is derived from his Majesty’s message, which was broadcast to the Empire last Christmas Day, and will identify the home celebrations of Christmas both in the United Kingdom and in the Empire overseas. It is hoped that typical homes scattered throughout the Empire will be linked together in order that an exchange of greetings may be effected. AH the Dominions and India have now accepted the invitation of the 8.8.0. to co-operate in this programme. Contnbutions will be heard from Canada, South Africa India, Australia and New Zealand. Each home or family taking part in the broadcast will act as a direct representative of their respective countries. Colonial representation in the programme will also be effected by reference to family ties with some of the homes actually participating in the programme. Contributions to thp programme from the Home country will be drawn from England, Scotland, Ix-elaxid. and Wales. It is hoped that his Majesty will again broadcast a message to the Empire at the conclusion of this programme at approximately 3 p.m., G.M.T. Should he do so, he will be introduced by a child in New Zealand, who has stayed up late especially to hear his Majesty. It.is felt that this introduction would be particularly appropriate in view of the special message directed by his Majesty to the children of the Empire which was broadcast on Jubilee Day. , “Thia Great Family” will be broadcast at 2.30 a.m., N.Z. time, December 26.

Coming Events. The large number of football enthusiasts who got up in the small hours to listen to the last test match will be able to do so again on Sunday, December —, at 2 5 a.m. A running commentary ot the All Blacks versus Wales will be relayed from the football ground at Cardiff. This transmission will be picked up by the New Zealand stations and rebroadcast on their respective wavelengths. It is understood that this interlude in the sleep of New Zealanders will end at about 4 a.m. Those who prefer to sleep should, however, make a point of waking up between 9 and 10 a.m., Sunday morning, to receive, at half-hourly intervals, a summary, of the play. As a matter of fact, a third opportunity will be given to late sleepers, for they will be able to hear a rebroadcast at 8.30 p.m. As regards other coming events, those who may want to hear George Ellwood, the New Zealander, playing his cello, should tune to 4YA on Monday, December 23. He is due to play several items, starting at 8.21 p.m. An interesting item from 3YA on Tuesday, December 24, consists of a continuity programme dealing with the theatre in New Zealand. This item starts at 8 p.m., after the chimes. “Ten a Penny,” a 8.8.0. recorded programme, will be well worth timing to at 4YA on the same day, and at the same time. Listeners must take their choice. On Christmas Day, in addition to the normal programmes, which includes summaries of cricket and selected recordings, there will be a transmission of the bells of York Minster from 2YA at 7 pan. The big event of the year will take place in the early hours of December 26 at 2.30 a.m., when the Empire wUI receive its special Christmas fare from the Home Country. This\ programme opens with carollers singing, ’God Bless the Ruler of this House,” and it is hoped will include a special message spoken by the King. The transmission will probably end about 3 a.m. Women for. Children. The Manchester Education Committee, which makes a good deal of use of the broadcasts to schools, states in a recent report that young children have considerable difficulty in understanding the wireless talks when the speaker is a man, but can follow With ease when a woman is before the microphone. The report goes on to say that children complain that men’s voices are rough, harsh, or too deep. Australia. Looks In.

It is understood that arrangements have recently beeil made whereby the Australian Radio Manufacturers’ Patents Association has been granted exclusive rights for the construction and operation or television apparatus under Baird patents. The association, of which the majority of manufacturers in the Commonwealth, are members, intends to start experimental transmissions in Sydney and Mel-, bourne as soon as.possible. Amateur Tests.

Readers who recall the famous amateur trans-Atlantic testa of 1922-23 will be interested to hear that a comparative series of tests, following closely Ihe lines of those of twelve years ago, is being held this week. From December la to 22 British and American amateurs are making special attemps to communicate on the 80-metre band. As both telephony and morse will be used shortwave listeners should find the 80-metre channel very intriguing during this period.