ON THE AIR

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 7 August 1926, Page 7

ON THE AIR

NOTES FOR LISTENERS-IN,

(Conducted by “Wave-Length.”)

In order that this column may render the maximum of service to wireless enthusiasts, “WaveLength ’ ’ invites correspondence from fellow listeners. Accounts of reception, new stations heard, items especially appreciated and the like, will make interesting and often helpful reading for others. Address “Wave-Length,” c/o Hawera Star, Hawera.

A sic.ii will be made oil Saturday, August, 21, with transmission, in. Christchurch on a wave-length of 4-.00 metres. Pho difference in length between, tho Auckland arid Christchurch stations wi’l enable listeners to tune in at either Auckland or Christchurch stations at liberty, and a sharp wave is assured so that interference will bo climiiia ted.

'There is only four metres difference between wave-lengths of 3LO MelIxiuriie and JOAK, Tokio. The latter station is responsible for the interference noted with 3LO reception. Several New Zealand amateurs haW heard the Jap .station by leaving the dials set for 3LO. when it closes down for the night. New Zealand’s new broadcasting service opens up a field of wonderful possibilities to the radio trade This week the proprietor of a big Christchurch restaurant told a Sun man that lie wa,s considering installing a powerful receiving set and loud .speaker on Ills premises, in. order that he would be able to providle bis patrons with a variety of first-rate entertainment for less than the cost of Alt orchestra. “It would,” he said, “induce nianv people to visit my restaurant for the novelty of listening to a radio concert.”

Using S>. five-valve Roberts receiver, incorporating one stage of radio frequence amplification, detector and th ree "stages of audio frequency amplineation, the last two stages of Avlucn are ’resistance coupled, Mr Js. '> • England, a well-known Christchurch amateur, heard the Californian station. KGO. relaying an orchestral programme bv a danc-e orchestra in San Francisco- on Sundav evening Last (leports the Sun). The conditions were favourable to long-distance reception, the atmosphere being devoid of static, while .howling valves were conspicuous by their absence. KGO closed- down at 1 p.m.. Pacific Coast time.

A couple of month® ago a. swing ot the tuning condenser brought howl® from radiating receivers at practically every degree, but now this interference hrs been reduced to a. minimum. In WeTington. howev’cr, the position as bad, and at times long-distance reception i.s almost an impossibility. To cope with the situation, the Post and Telegraph Department has circularised holders of licenses, drawing attention to the interference, and pointing out that those responsible! are liable to a penalty. Some idea of tho way the Australian listener-in is catered for may bo gathered‘from the fact that 21115, Sydu’oy, commences broadcasting at i a.m. every day in the week, excepting Sundav and. with a few short spells, continues until midnight. On, Sundays there ere morning, afternoon and evening transmissions. There is only one way of increasing the number of Mst-eners-m in New Zealand, and. that js by (a) powerful and well . modulated transmission: (b) good musical programmes. interesting lectures i*nd news bn He tins : (c) abundant transmission. The Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand should realise that it is of no use waiting for the number of licenses to inoreftse before putting on a service as suggested above ; the- only way is to attract the public and merit support. Any tendency to .skimp the hours of broadcasting by the. New Zealand stations shoukl bo rigidly arond.?d (sft.v.s “Aerial” in tho Dominion. Very elaborate a-rft being made by the Radio Broadcasting "Company of New Zealand to give the public the best possib'e entertainment and instruction. Thebe will be a permanent orchestra. and f.rtiste will lie retained. Market reports, results of «ports, weather fore’casits and time signals will he transmitted among other items. TbfjPC l wi’l .be educ ational talks, afternoon’ talks to women, early session talks to children, and entertainment fo-r adults in the evening. A specialty will he made of relaving all public functions. The Auckland station is the largest and most up to date in Australia or New Zealand. The studio covers a space of GOO square feet. It is the first compete all Western electric station in Australia or New Zealand. The total power rating will he 1500 watts. The program,mes and hours oi transmission are being arranged. The station will become nrticidate on August 7 Tt wi’l have the call sign IYA, and will broadcast on 240 metres. The studio is now comnk.iL. and the furnishings and drapings ane now being attended to, and the transmitting equipment is being instaed. The towers will ho finished in a few days. A Waitara amateur writes thus to the Dominion :—“I had rather a fffeak reception several nights last week. I have a two-valve set (home-made),, and •hi about 470 metres heard a whining voice (as of a howling valve jumping in), and then so mb amateur calling. He is 2ME, and used telephony when, asking for 2GQ. and several other :C<in'e. When the other party apparently answered the “howl” would come on, and then all woul dbe silent, with no apeparance of .a wave at all. In a emmle of minutes he would return unci sny'/l received voiir message O.Tv.’ and then call ‘Hullo. -2GO.’ or something else, repeating every sentence three times. Mv set is capab’e of receiving on 200 to 550 metres. I ishould ’.ike to know who this 2ME is.” “Aerial’s” reply is that amateur transmission is not carried on in ypithe-r Australia or New Zealand on so long :ii wavo-’eugth ns 470 metres. The -alls 2GO and 2.M.E appear in the United States' list a.s being allotted to amateur transmitters in New Jersey.