ON ALL WAVELENGTHS

Evening Star, Issue 20996, 9 January 1932, Page 4

ON ALL WAVELENGTHS

By /

NOTES AND COMMENTS /

N.Z.A.R.T. CONVENTION During the holidays the most important meeting of wireless amateurs in iS'ow Zealand was held at Christchurch, when the annual convention of the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters was attended by over sixty delegates from all parts of the dominion, making the gathering a record one for the association.The annual report adopted at the convention stated that the past year had been the most successful period in the short history of the association. In every phase of its life and activity the New Zealand Association had made substantial progress, and those who had assisted in the work of headquarters during 1931 know that progress to have been sound. The membership had more than doubled in the past year. The percentage of transmitting members showed a considerable increase, and a fairly accurate estimate was that 90 per cent, of the active amateurs in Now Zealand were now members of the association. At the 1930 convention the fate of the association’s magazine, ‘ Break-In,’ had hung in the balance. Many of the delegates had thought that the cost was too great for a small association. The excellent and untiring efforts of the editors had shown that the offiical magazine was indispensable. The ten issues of ‘ Break-In ’ in 1930 had been made up of 92 pages, while the twelve issues of 1931 contained 216 pages. The magazine had been sent to amateurs and kindred associations in almost every country. Vory satisfactory work had been done by the Guard Scheme, which had been inaugurated so that the amateurs would know more of the handling of messages and the routing of traffic. In the main centres every evening a station had kept a schedule with the headquarters and a considerable quantity of domestic traffic, including matter for ‘ Break-In,’ had been expeditiously handled by forty experienced operators. The valuable privilege of reporting upon applications for higher frequency permits had been accorded to headquarters by the Post and Telegraph Department during the year, and in future the association might by this, means make 40 metro and 20 metre permits a reward for virtue rather than a matter of mere routine. During the year four new branches of the association had been formed, and all other branches had developed energy and enthusiasm that had previously been lacking. Thanks to the branch officials for their prompt attention to all requests and communications were recorded, and eulogistic reference was made to the work of the various headquarters officials, and the editors of ‘ Break-In,’ to whom, it was stated, was largely due the progress made during the year. A credit of £3B on tho year’s working was shown. The convention was continued for two days, ana the entertainments included a “hamfest,” a drive round the city, a visit to the broadcasting station, 3YA, and to the homes of some of the local amateurs, and a picnic at Diamond Harbour. CHURCH MUSIC BROADCASTS Discussing the question of supplying really good music to small churches without choirs, the Rev. E. E. Malden writes in the ‘ Church News ’ as follows ; “ Some day we hope the church will have its own wireless station and every small place which finds it difficult to raise a choir will then bo able to tune in to a certain choir for its music. Meanwhile at Leithfield and Balcairn we are trying an experiment which so far has proved quite a success. Armed with an electric gramophone and a good supply of hymn records sung by some of the best choirs in England, we are now able to turn on a choir at a moment’s notice; but since a gramophone by itself might prove too feeble we have a" radio-amplifier with a dynamic speaker attached to it, by which means we can have it as loud or as soft as we like; tho whole outfit, which was built specially for us by a local expert, can 1)6 easily taken in the back of a car and fitted up in churcli. in a few minutes. “ Canticles are the only weak spot in the service. So far we have been unable to get any sung to sufficiently simple chants for the congregation to join in also; this no doubt is a weakness, because people do like to sing themselves, no matter how beautifully it may be rendered by the choir of St. George’s, Windsor, or Rochester Cathedral. "■ “ The main thing is that we have a choir that really functions and leads the singing, and which is not dependent on the weather for its size or efficiency —also we are able to put on good voluntaries, and anthems will no longer be heard only when we go to town.”

MORNING BROADCASTS AGAIN Two further letters from listeners are set out below because the writers both make the point that their opinions are given for the benefit of 4ZW. One or two letters have already been published in this column, and as the correspondents seem to be of directly different opinions, there is every probability of an argument developing if the correspondence continues, so Irom to-day the chopper must drop. Dear “ Henry,” Your correspondents, “Ardent Listener,” and “ Bobby,” are at all events, agreed on one point, namely that bright, cheerful music over the air is desirable during the morning session. With this I heartily concur. “ Bobby ” says she thinks 4ZW has realised the need for brightness, and has tried to act accordingly, but J cannot imagine how anyone can associate the dismal howling of certain American performers with brightness and cheerfulness. While 4ZW has certainly put over a number of quite good selections, it has also inflicted on listeners many records the chief function of which seems to be to make one thoroughly miserable. I agree with “ Ardent Listener’s ” contention that the birthday record broadcast by this station is entirely unsuitable for children of tender years. The sentiment of the song is mournful to a degree, and might well be the valedictory speech of the disappointed lover who contemplates leaving this vale of tears by the agency of his own hand. The recounting of this forlorn swain’s woes can scarcely be termed the ideal way of conveying greetings even to an adult, let alone a small child. As 4ZW has repeatedly asked for comments, I am assuming that it will not be averse to this expression of my opinion concerning certain features of the service.—l am, etc., Comment.

Dear “Henry,”—l would like to say a few words through the medium of your columns in reply to “ Dalmore Resident’s ” and “ Bobby’s ” letters. They strike me as being rather futile, as they both agree to one particular point 1 mentioned in my former letter. That is the necessity for bright and cheerful music in the early morning. Now, they must both realise that when 4ZW was on the air at that time the music was neither bright nor cheerful—certainly an occasional decently pleasing record found its way into the programmes, but it was so lonely that it did not stay. Now, I also am a busy housewife, and like to perform _my household tasks accompanied by mirthful and joyous music; but I flatly contradict both your correspondents assertion that we had such records from 4ZW. 4ZL has the early morning session, and although the programme is a trifle heavy, it is infinitely preferable to those woeful wails of the cheap American artists. I noticed that 4ZW immediately after my first letter appeared, went back to the old and objectionable style of announcing: “ Where the good programmes originate ” rather an unjust reflection on the other stations, besides being in very bad taste. Trusting 4ZW will take my remarks in the spirit in which they are intended.— I am, etc., Ardent Listener. EUROPEANS HEARD It will be remembered that it was reported in this column some time back that Messrs J. L. Lethbridge and If. S. North had logged several European stations with a battery set operated at Tarras. Verifications were sent for, and several are now to hamb each confirming the report of reception. Some of the stations have taken the trouble to send photographs of the stations, and others enclose copies of the programmes that were heard. The verifications received so far are from Danzig and Nurnburg, both written in German which has been _ translated here, Beromuenster, Leipzig, Huisen (Holland), Sottcus, and Bordeaux. The last five are written in English which is perfectly good, although the phrasing is perhaps a little crude in places. As an instance, a paragraph from one letter is given. " Your notices on the items listened to confirm the identity of them with the programme sent by Sottens on the specified days and hours.” In addition to these verifications, eleven Australians have written confirming reception at Tarras between 8 and 11 a.m. One has yet to reply. Some of the European replies were to letters written at the end of September, and as there were over thirty sent, in all probability more will come to hand shortly, although it is understood that some of the stations, particularly those in England, reply to correspondents over the air. If readers wish, copies of some of the letters could be printed in these notes.

ANOTHER AUSTRALIAN B STATION The number of Australian B class stations has again been increased with the opening of 2MS. The wave-length is 232 metres, and the tranmitter, which is being operated on behalf of the Catholic Broadcasting Company, is crystal controlled. With I '3 watts antenna power the signals should carry well. Those religious broadcasts previously put over the air by 2UE will now be transmitted from the new station. High-class programmes will be the routine during week days, and Komar Catholic church services will be relayed on Sundays. THE BOARD'S OBJECTIVE The Broadcasting Board, which is now functioning in Now Zealand in place of the Broadcasting Company, in its first official statement over the air, said that it was fully seized with its responsibilities and that it would do its utmost to fulfil its functions in a manner satisfactory to everyone. It would endeavour to proceed along progressive lines with the idea of providing tlje best possible service, and it would always have before it the idea of building up a broadcasting service that would be a credit to the dominion. It would be appreciated that the board had not had an opportunity of investigating details, and that it was not possible at this juncture to touch on policy matters. The board believed that the organisation taken over from the Radio Broadcasting Company was an efficient one, and it was not proposed to disturb it meanwhile. As far as programmes were concerned, while a few minor changes had been made, the board had concentrated on ensuring that a smooth service would be provided throughout January. An Advisory Council to the board had been appointed, and until the advice of that body was available, no noteworthy changes would be made. The members of the board expressed the hope that as time goes on, the board’s efforts in the interests of broadcasting would meet with the approbation of listeners. DON'T WORK OLD VALVES Many times the writer has heard of reception ruined by the use of worn-out valves. Some listeners imagine that a valve is not done until its filament refuses to light. This is not so. The average valve is designed for a working life of a thousand hours, which means one year, if you use your set on an average for three hours a day. Some valves do not last so long; some may give good service for very much longer. If, though, your valves have been in use for more than about eighteen months, you will be well advised to have them tested either by an expert friend, or at a wireless shop. Lack of selectivity, a poor degree of sensitiveness, and faulty quality in reproduction may all arise through worn-out valves.