Radio Review

Evening Star, Issue 20256, 17 August 1929, Page 8

Radio Review

—[By “HENRY

Flashes from Everywhere.

SOMETHING NEW FOR 4YA. Several new ideas have been suggested to tin. writer to pass on to 4YA lor that station to present something in the programmes .to. divert from the beaten track. Here is one suggestion : Let about four or; live good speakers radge themselves round the microphone and speak specially-written dialogue as in a (play), giving the impression to listeners that they are a family in a house talking over the affairs of the day. This was tried out in one English town, and, according to reports, was well received by the majority of listeiiers, who 'iked the introduction of the home atmosphere into the programmes. Now there seems to be too much of a sameness in the programmes at present put on the air. Would it not be possible to engage about fifteen players who are members of one of the city’s orchestras to form a small orchestra of their own to give a programme of light and heavy music? By light.the writer dubs not mean jazz; that can be supplied by means of gramophone records. Last Sunday night’s concert from 2FC by an orchestra and a Wurlitzer organ suggested a class of music that in all probability would go well with the listeners here. Such pieces as ‘ The Blue Danube ’ waltz, selections from the works of Dlibes, ‘ Down South,’ and similar numbers were played, and they were enjoyed by many people. Then there were solo items by members of the orchestra—piano, violin, flute, harp, and organ. An occasional song was included in the programme, and was quite acceptably. Even if 4YA could arrange lor such a concert to be broadcast only once a month it would be a change from the brass band recitals on Tuesday nights. , Remember, 4YA, that “variety is the spice of life.” BROADCASTING ESSENTIALS. When the New South Wales Broadcasting Company resigned control of 2FC and 2BL it issued an article pointing out ii few of the essentials desirable in°a broadcasting artist. Extracts from the. article are given here; — “ The fault with many singing teachers to-day is that they teach something about placing the voice for resonant carrying quality, but fail to make their pupils proficient in its control. Microphone technique calls for exceptionally good diction, an articulation that should have, but has not, characterised much concert singing in the past. “ Intelligence is a rare possession lor an artist who wishes to bo successful on the air. A constant stream of new has to be learned and sung if a singer is to satisfy the voracious and never-ending programmes. Personality must be possessed in some degree for the; most successful singer over the air, as on the platform, is the one able to convey to the listener the true charm of the work which he or she is performing through the medium of the voice alone. “ One other quality is essential, however, and this is experience. Faults of amateurishness are equally apparent to the intelligent listener on the air as in the concert hall. Broadcasting experience is gradually acquired from the time when the artist is accepted at the microphone at an audition, and subsequently given a first trial under broadcasting conditions, right up to the apjiearanice in important evening programmes. . “it is obvious, therefore, that it broadcasting is to be successful there must spring up a number of new ‘ stars ’—artists who by their unique equipment lor the new art establish themselves as efficient broadcasters, yet whose essentially intimate performances would not necessarily get over the footlights.”

motor the remedy lies in effecting such modifications to the neighbour’s equipment as will -permit of the elimination of commutator hum.

In the case of ultra violet ray and X-ray interference the writer knows of no suggestion to offer for the curing of this type of interference. _ The ultra violet ray apparatus particularly is a virile type of interference which needs very special attention. There is another form of interference which is probably the most difficult to trace, and vet which is quite common in households supplied with electric service, either A.C. or D.C. This is caused by arcing due to a bad contact at a switch or at a fuse terminal. Interference of this nature frequently takes the form of a continuous frying or bubbling in the receiver. If the listener is _ perfectly satisfied that this noise is in no way duo to a defect in the receiver or its associated battery supply it is suggested that an inspection be made of switches in the house. When the cover of a switch is removed it .may be found that the contact spring has become weak through continual use, and the contact arm may have consequently become strained and be making imperfect contact. A very slight arcing between the jaws of the switch and the contact arm may be the cause of considerable interference. If this trouble is traced to a source of this description the switch should be removed and repaired, and its contents thoroughly cleaned with fine-gauge emery cloth. Should this noise persist without its being traced to the switch, an examination of the fuse boxes may reveal the fault, fn r i house fuses a very fine gauge wire is used to protect the mains against short circuit. On occasions an accident to a lamp may blow these fuses, and as they are frequently repaired by candle light it is just possible that a piece of thin wire is replaced without the terminals being screwed down tightly enough to make permanent contact. Should this be the case, when the house load is thrown on this imperfect connection it will probably generate heat: the fuse wire becomes blackened, and the imperfection of the contact is aggravated. This frequently results in the wire becoming red hot at the point under the terminal, where it should be making good contact.

Bayonet sockets on lamp holders occasionally give trouble of the same description. In some of the older types of lamp holders the spring presstne bayonet point down either becomes fatigued or sticks altogether. This may result in an imperfect contact between the faulty bayonet point and the contact patch on the lamp. Minute sparking or arcing, which is more in the nature of a loose connection, may also result in crackling noises or frying noises in a sensitive radio receiver. The plug which fits an electric iron, owing to the heat generated by the iron itself, will often become quite hot, the contact clips in the plug blacken, and make an imperfect contact of high resistance, which may spark or are. and cause frightful noises during ironing operations. This is a matter which can be easily remedied by careful attention to the iron fittings from time to time.

A BROADCASTING LITANY. The following broadcasting litany was composed by a correspondent of the * Wireless Weekly’:— From mezzo-sopranos who sing ‘ Land of Hope and Glory.’ From male elocutionists who reproduce ‘ The Green Fly on the Little Yellow Dog.’ From female elocutionists who emit ' ’Twat Only a Red, Red Rose.’ From' baritonewho sing ‘The Floral Dance.’ From philosophers who laugh at their own (alleged) humour. From the following gramophone records- ‘The Wembley Tattoo,’ ‘ln a Clock Store," ‘ The Whistler and His Dog.’ From clergymen who are aware (all too aware) of their unseen audience. From items by the Wooprah Citizens’ Municipal Band. From ‘ Silver Threads Among the Gold ’ in any or whatever form whatsoever played, hummed, or only mentioned— Good Lord, deliver us.

INTERFERENCE IN THE COUNTRY Listeners in the country and in the town will more than likely be annoyed with interference arising from any of the undermentioned causes. Take notice of the surroundings with a view to learning from what source the interference is emanating. It will probably be found that a disturbance is being produced by a neighbour’s electric lighting plant, by an electric motor or pump, or in some cases from an X-ray or ultra violet ray plant. In the case of the electric generator or

n Heavy " will be pleased to answer any questions through this column relating to the fascinating hobby. •onrespoadent must sign his asme aad address (not necessarily foff publkatioa). items will b® vtlcenadL

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT. Mr A. R. Harris, general manager of the Radio Broadcasting Company, stated this week that Mr S. J. Hayden, who has been relieving at 4xA during the installation of the new studios in the ‘ Evening Star ’ building, has returned to Christchurch now that the work is nearing completion, and Mr John Mackenzie, who was born in this city, assumed control of 4YA on Thursday. BRITISH BROADCASTING CRITICISED. COMPLAINTS FROM NEW ZEALAND. The ‘ Daily News ’ has received numerous letters from dominion readers confirming its charge that the British Broadcasting Corporation is backward in developing Empire broadcasting. A New Zealand correspondent forwards the broadcasting times of the Schenectady station wnich show that transmission is for forty-nine hours a week, as compared with twenty-nine hours from Chelmsford SSW. He adds: “The worst feature is the complete shutting down of SSW on Saturdays and Sundays, which compels Australia and New Zealand to rely on the United States and Holland. There does nor seem to be a true Empire spirit in the British Broadcasting Corporation.’ STRAY SPARKS. It is stated that since the opening of 2YB, New Plymouth, at least fiftythree crystal sets have been licensed, in the borough, and it is thought that many more will be brought to light when the radio inspector finds them. Before 2YB took the air crystal sets were unknown in Taranaki.

Stations JOBK and JOCK, Japan, roughly estimate the number of pirates in Tokio and Osaka to be 150,000 and 60,000 respectively, and it is thought that the number of free listeners throughout the country will to.tal easily 500,000. The writer has been informed by the resident medical officer of the Pleasant Valley Sanatorium that the wireless set installed at the sanatorium through the efforts of the Rev. V. G. Bryan Xing is working well, and is greatly appreciated by the patients.

It has been announced by the new Australian Broadcasting Company that no advertising, either direct or indirect, will be broadcast from any of the stations under the new regime.

German scientists have been working on the problem of the development or ultra-short wave lengths of three metres and less. They have continued their work for some considerable time now, and they are of the opinion that wave lengths as low as 12in will be developed for practical use. The broadcast of the Maori pageant toward, die end of last week by all the New Zealand stations was yery enjoyable, and departed from the usual class of programme put on the air by the Broadcasting Company. The hakas, songs, and vftriou habits of the Maoris were excellently illustrated by the company of Natives in the Wellington studio Judging by the message received by the company from Commander Byrd in the Antarctica, he and his men found a great deal of pleasure in listening to the pageant when it was repeated on the Friday night for the explorers’ benefit.

It seems that a certain section of the listening public in Dunedin is beginning to find fault with the new 4YA already. The type of transmitter to be installed in the Evening Star ’ building, it is said, is now out of date, and some of the listener., appear to be worrying over this Let it be said that it is as yet toe early to condemn the new sta-tion-time enough when it has been on the au for a week. Anyway, if the transmil . does the required work, what does it matter if it is out of date?

It is not generally known that when communication was set up between the Southern Cross, flying between Rome and London, on July 10 last,with Amalgamated Wireless at the company’s La Porouf station, a world’s record was madf as far as aeroplane-to-ground communication was concerned

Every Tuesdy night now, from 8 o’clock to midnight, Station 2FO is providing a complete dance programme, the idea - hem to enable persons to hold dances in their own homes or in public halls. This is to be continued for two months, and the programme is to be supplied by » twelve-piece dance band.

Ott August 29 the “ Town Topics ” will broadcast a budget of sketches, musical stems, and topical jokes through the microphone at 3LO. Some of the New Zealand stations could perhaps put on a similar entertainment some timt in the future. Quits a number of people in th§ town have been asking the writer as to how the new transmitter for. Station 4ZB is progressing. Well, the main panel anu tne sub-panel for carrying the valve bases hare been completed, and a fair amount of wiring done. The association is now waiting the arrival of one or two pieces of equipment, and if these come at an early date *s is hoped to have the station on the air towards the end of next week carrying out tests. REPLIES TO, CORRESPONDENTS. “ Ray Dio” (St, Kilda). —It is quite probable that the rectifier transformer is of the double-wound type, and in that case there is no need to take any precautions. ‘‘J.H.” (Palmerston South). —Glad to hear that you have been having quite good results with the set you made up from information given in these columns. Reception would probably be improved if you decreased the length of your aerial.