ON ALL WAVELENGTHS

Evening Star, Issue 23729, 9 November 1940, Page 4

ON ALL WAVELENGTHS

By * HENRY ’

News and Comments

THE BLATTHERPHONE

STEEL TAPE REBROADCASTS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN DISCS CAN BE USED INDEFINITELY A system whereby sound can be recorded on a steel tape has been in use in England by the 8.8. C. for a number of years. The method used for putting sound on to a steel tape was invented by Louis Blattnor in 1931. One of the many advantages of this system is that the tape can be used as many times as required. The principle upon which the Blattnerphone—named after its inventor—works depends upon the fact that steel tape, when passed between two electromagnets, will be magnified in accordance with the frequencies of the current that is passing through the electromagnets. The sound waves that are made by a crowd, or by people talking, are changed into electric frequencies by the microphone. These frequency changes are fed to the electro-magnets, which, in turn, place the current on_ the steel tape in the form of magnetism. To reproduce the sound that has been recorded, the tape has only to be fed back through electro-magnets with constant current. This current will be varied in accordance with the magnetism on the tape. The current is then amplified in the usual way and turned into sound waves. If it was not for the price and the complication of the apparatus it would be possible for it to be installed in houses, and one would be able to listen to lengthy symphonies without the inconvenience of changing records. It is because of the cost that only big organisations like the 8.8. C. are able to use this system. The tape that is used is made of a special steel alloy -which is very expensive; because of the expense it is necessary to “clean” the tone after it has served its purpose. To elean the tape it is passed through a powerful magnet of constant strength so that all the variations are “ -wiped out.” Unfortunately, because it has not the high frequency response suitable for recorded music or song, the Blattnernhone is used only for speech and other low frecniency recordings. Where music or singing is involved, the usual form of recording for yebroadcasts is used—wax discs, which are very cheap. In the B.BC. the IJlattnerphone has been used quite extensively for race meetings.

RADIO LOG BOOK

A suggestion has been made by some American women that all broadcasting should cease, with stations remaining silent until peace returns to the world. Unless Adolph agrees, the proposal seems to be a bit futile.

Canada is considering a proposal to install a high-powered short wave station for the radiation of Dominion news. Australia has one already, but its output is only two kilowatts, and it is often blanketed by powerful German and other foreign transmitters.

The black-out of German radio stations at night is evidence that it is feared that the wireless beams will act as guides for British bombs in bad weather.

One had believed the pillowphono was years old, but apparently not. A “ soft speaker ” which, when placed under a pillow, is audible to no one but the user, was a feature at the Leipzig Fair. Manufacturers exhibited it as a hospital aid, but German newspapers declared that disloyal people might use it for secret listening to foreign propaganda. The Reich claims the pillowphone as a new invention, but America was selling it in 1935 or earlier.

. A Michigan legislator has introduced into the United States House of 'Representatives a resolution proposing that August 26 be set aside each year as “ National Radio Day.” It would authorise the President to issue a proclamation designating the day qnd would call for flag display and appropriate ceremonies. A successful broadcasting day (unofficial, however) was held in August of this year.

Four secret “ British ” radio stations tiro being operated in German-controlled Europe. The ?\a7,is now possess more than 500 transmitters, but the majority of these have been closed down. Out of the 500, a few can easily bo spared to address the British people. Each of the four adopts a different method of approach, or, more correctly, seeks to approach different people. One station purports to he rim by a “ Christian Peace Movement,” and claims to be directing religions opinion in the direction of immediate peace. Hitler as a Christian sounds a trifle incongruous. The “ New British Broadcasting Station ” aspires to convince listeners that it represents the views of ‘‘ middle class ” Englishmen. Then there is' the Workers Challenge Station,” whose script writers appear to believe that the British worker is a particularly coarse and brutal fellow. All they have succeeded in doing is to disgust those who have heard their broadcasts. Goehhols may have the right technique for impressing Germans, but ho misunderstand/'. the. English. Another line is adopted by Radio Caledonia, apparently located in France, which paints a gloomy word picture for the wealthy, who are appealed to to stop the war and thus save what is left of their possessions. All these “ secret ” stations are ostensibly peace-makers, but Lord

Hee-Haw and his colleagues continue in their usual provocative way.

Behind programmes is the man who sits in the control room attached to each broadcasting studio, and who attends to the switching of programmes from ono relay' to another, as required. The work of the officer in charge of the control room is very important. Ho it is who controls the volume of tho broadcast and builds it up or tones it down as required. When concerts are broadcast a second man sits alongside the control officer. A competent musician, he advises the control officer as how best to deal with the problems with which he may bo confronted, ami, more often than not, be comes armed with a complete score of the works to bo played. In'England it has been suggested that all control room officers should bo musicians, but that is an ideal not yet achieved.

A United States mobile unit has completed a series of instantaneous transcriptions of the first army manoeuvres held in Upper New York, near Ogdensburg. The series was made 750 miles from Cincinnati. The recordings were given nightly upon receipt, when the most interesting features were described. In a bulletin of tho public relations division of tho army was this comment: “With the ability to dash to any scene of action the mobile unit makes it possible for millions of listeners to hear the realism of military operations. Among the recordings were exciting accounts of dive-bomb-ing; army engineers a pontoon bridge under gunfire; roaring attacks by fleets of tanks; and actual demonstrations of the v mechanised streamlined division’s capabilities, with the motto, 1 Not a Alan Marches.’ ’ From the army’s standpoint, it was said, the test was gratifying in that it showed the important part radio mobile units can play when operating irf coniunction with the army in a national emergency.

The Columbia Broadcasting Company is celebrating tho tenth birthday of its Church of the Air. This is based on “ religions freedom,” speakers enjoying Full freedom of expression so long as they do not attack other faiths. Practically all the recognised religions bodies in United States take their turn in providing speakers, among the denominations taking part being Episcopal, Baptist, Christian Scientist, Congregational, Disciples of Christ, Jewish, Lutheran, Methodist. Mormon, Presbyterian, and Reformed and Roman Catholic.

HERE AND THERE

Heard from various stations: — “ There are thousands of men in Sydney seeking unemployment.” “The Spanish Armada was laid in the dust and England was saved from invasion.” “ ‘ The Whistler and His Dog ’—Hitler and Mussolini.” “ 1 don’t know what is coming over the present degeneration of Australians.”

“ The difference between the flags of France and Holland is that the French stripes go up but the Dutch stripes go down.” “ Don’t forget Monday—the monster ladies’ social at the Town Hall.”

- “The victim' was gangster employed on the railway line.” “ You are now to hear the Mozart Concerto in E Minns.” “ The Germans are removing copper, nickel, and other foodstuffs from occupied areas.”

SUNDAY’S PROGRAMMES

Rcbroadcasts of London news and recordings of broadcasts are given b> national stations at 6,7, and 8.45 a.m., and at 1.15, 6.15, and 11 ji.m. At 9 p.m. an N.U.S. newsreel will be broadcast Close at 11.30. 4YA (790 kc), Dunedin. 6 a.in.: Recordings. 10: Weather report for aviators (again at 1). 11: Anglican service from St. Paul’s Cathedral. 12.15: Concert celebrities. 2; ‘ Lavender and Lace.’ 2.30; Classical music. 3.50: ‘ The First Great Churchill.’ 5; Big Brother Bill’s song service. 6.30: Service from First Church. 7.45: After-church music. 8.15: Organ recital from Town Hall. 8.45: Reserved. 9.28: Studio recital by Ignaz Friedman (pianist). Monday.—6.so, 10, and 1: Weather report for aviators. 11: Armistice Day service relayed from Cenotaph. 11.10; A talk to women. 11,20: Recordings. 3.30: Sports results. 4YO (l,140ko), Dunedin. 6 p.m.; Recordings. 6.20 (approx - .): Topical war talk. 8.15: ‘Wandering With the West Wind.’ 8.45: Reserved. 9: Recital programme. 10: Close' down. 4YZ (680 kc), Invercargill. 11 a.m.: Recordings. 6.45 p.m.; ‘Music at Your Fireside.’ 7: Church service. 8; Gleanings from far and wide. 8.20; ‘ Tales of the Silver Greyhound.’ 9.25: ‘ Ravcnshoe.’ 9.37; Band music. 9.55; Slumber session. 10.10: Close down. 3YA (720 kc), Christchurch. 6 a.m.: Recordings. 11: Presbyterian service. 12.15: Recordings. 2.45:-,‘For the Music Lover.’ 4: Billy Mayerl’s music. 5; Children’s service. 5.45: livening reverie. 7: Anglican service. 8.15: Recording. 8.30; London Philharmonic Orchestra. 8.37: Oscar Natzke (bass). 9.28: ,T. D. Ritchie (baritone) and Ailsa Crompton (soprano). 9.54: Alex. Borowsky (pianist). 2YA (570 kc), Wellington. 6 a.m.: Recordings. 9.15; Recital by Wellington Salvation Army Band. 9.46; Recordings. 11: Anglican service. 12.15: Recordings, _ 2.46: ‘ln Quires and Places Where They Sing.’ 3: ‘ Norway and Scotland,’ talk by Compton M'Kenzio. 3.34; Musical comedy and light opera. 4: ‘Mummers and Troubadors of France.’ 4.35; Songs of Wales. 5: Children’s service. 5.45: Favourite melodies. 7; Congregational service. 8 : Grand opera—' Lucia di Lammermoor.’ IYA (650 kc). Auckland. 6 a.m.; Recordings. 11 : Methodist service. 12.15: ‘Musical Musings.’ 3.54: ‘ln Less Serious Mood.’ 5: Children’s service. 5.45: ‘As the Day Declines.’ 7: Presbyterian service. 8.30: Leeds Festival Choir, presenting ‘ Choral Dance No. 17,’ from ‘Prince Igor.’ 9,28; Carlo Drago-Hrzic (baritone). 9.36; Sergei Rachmaninoff and Philadelphia Orchestra. < SHORT WAVE PROGRAMMES London (19.60 m, 19.66 m. 25.53 m, 25.29 m, 31.55 m). 6.45 p.m.: 8.8. C. Theatre Orchestra. 7.30; Feature, ‘These Men Were Free,’ No. 1. 8.15: Weekly programme summary. 8.30: News commentary by George Slocorabe. 8.45; Musical contrasts (piano), 9: Talk. 9.15: Sunday service from Renfrew Old Church, Scotland, conducted by Rev. J. F. Marshall. ,VLR. Melbourne. Daily.—2s.36m. 8.30 a.m. to 10.10 a.m.; 25.32 m, 10.15 a.m. to 7.15 p.m.; 31.52 m, 7.30 p.m. to 1 a.m. JZK (19.79 m), JZJ (25.42), Tokio. Daily, 11 p.m. to 1.30 a.m. News in English. News in English from foreign short wave stations can be heard as under (these hours are the same each day, and this list should bo kept as reference for week-day use): — 8 a.m.; Moscow, 31.51 m. 9.30: Moscow, 31.51 m. 2.30: Moscow’, 31.51 m, 25m. 3: New York, 31.02 m: Pittsburg, 25.27m;Schenectady, 31.41 m: Philadelphia, 31.28 m., 4.30; Boston, ,31.26 m. 4.55: Philadelphia,’ 31.28 m. 5.55: Pittsburg, 31.28 m; Boston, 31.26 m. 6; San Francisco, 31.02. 6.55: New York, 48.62 m. 7.30: Tokio, 19.8ra. 8: Moscow, 10.76 m. 11.15: Ankara, 19.74 m. Midnight: Cincinnati, 31,28 m, 25.27 m.