RADIO NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 73, 21 February 1930, Page 3

RADIO NOTES

MISCELLANEOUS. (By “Transformer. ’) America is discarding the use of the word “loud-speaker” in connection with radio the correct word now .-eing 'onunciator.” The capacity between the grid and plate of a 201 A type tube is about nine microfarads (.000009 m.f.j, and it is through such a small capacity that feed-lack and oscillation may occur. The constructor who experiences some difficulty when soldering his assemblies may find a solution of his difficulties in an ingenious form of tape solder. Tins new wrinkle is rrfade up of a thin sheet of fluxed solder folded upon itself three times, so that the strip is half an inch wide. It is obtainable in two. forms; one is a metal spool of solder (rosmbling a roll of adhesive tape) and holding 60 inches of solder, and the other package contains a number of five inch strips.

The ohjcct of the adjusting screw on a horn b»jdspeakcr is to vary the distance between the permanent magnet and the diaphragm in order (hat the maximum sensitivity can be obtained The 8.8. C. has built a room at the Brixton experimental station for the sole {nn-pose of measuring sound. This room las no windows or tiroplaco and is abso_ lutcly square. Heavy felt and curtains of cotton waste drape the walls and ceiling. It is understood that a beam wireless station is to he erected in the new Vatican city, and that on great occasions the Pope himself will broadcast to the world. The Romain Catholic Community is taking a great deal of interest in this new depaiture.

A SIMPLE PORTABLE WIRELESS SET. (From Science and. Arts). In a new wireless set that was shown for the first time at the Autumn Radio Exhibition in London an entirely different system of control is embodied from that used in hitherto existing apparatus. The outstanding feature of the circuit is the placing ot the frame aerial across the tuning condenser, thus making frame-tap ping to obtain reaction unnecessary ; hence the tuning is simplified and there is much greater selectivity. Tuning is effected by turning a key -which is inserted when re ceptioti is desired. This key Jocks and unlocks the whole system of operation Apart from the loud-speaker and the batteries, no other devices arc needed. This simplicity allows of a great decrease in weight and size, with a decrease in price compared with other portable seta. Ilia result of five years’ research, this new portable wireless set was tesjed" eighteen months before being put on the market. An interesting novel feature is the unusual stability of the H.T. battery. In ordinary sets even a drop of 25 per cent, in the high-tension battery causes the set to show signs of being unstable through internal resistance, as is generally known. This does not happen in the set being described. Owing to the small cost of upkeep, the new set can be used for several years for less than the cost of a battery eliminator, while the user is not compelled to keep it in a position where “mains” current is available. It is clairiied by the inventor that bis two valve set gives a volume equal to that of the average four valve portable, and that it can be regulated for tone and quality with a much lower demand on the high tension battery. He also claims that his one valve set will bo as big a boom as an alternative to the crystal receiver as it costs only a few shillings a year to maintain, and there is no danger of interference by vibration as there generally is in the crystal receiver. Furthermore, the one valve set is said to give better reproduction than a crystal set, with a very big re&erve of power. HINTS ON OPERATION FOR THE SHORT-WAVE BEGINNER. When the set goes in and out of oscillation with a loud “squawk,” experiment with various grid leaks until you find the proper valve which will allow the receiver to go into oscillation smoothly. Obstinate cases can be'cured, generally, by reducing the detector plate voltage. When wiring the receiver always connect.the rotor (movable) plates of the tuning and regeneration condensers to the filament return of the stage. Power units of both “A” and “B” types are not recommended for use with short wave-receivers. A good “B” power unit is entirely satisfactory when used with a broadcast receiver, for the simple reason that should a slight A.C. ripple be present in- the speaker it will not bo noticed because of the volume of the reproduced signals. However, listening to very weak signals with the headphones is another matter. In this case A.C. ripples which were almost inaudible in the speaker are now deafening roars in the ’phones. II should be remembered also that the broadcast receiver is, or should be operated below the point of oscillation; this is quite a factor in keeping the A.C. ripple down to a minimum. In usinp a short-wave receiver, as tho regeneration control is advanced the ripple is amplified in direct proportion to the signal. An efficient vernier dial must be used on the tuning condenser of a short wave receiver. This refinement is not essential on the regeneration condenser; but tuning on the high frequencies is to critical that often signals are passed over without tho operator being aware of their presenco. This statement, also, emphasises the necessity of slow and deliberate tuning, when a mere slight pressure on the knob of tho dial may bring in a station.

It should be remembered that shortwave receivers can he logged—not quite* as easily as the stabilised broadcast wave receivers, but with a fair degree of reliable* ity. After a station lias been tuned in to the point where it is loudest, turn the regeneraton dial to as low as point as it can be brought without losing , the signal. When this has been reached, adjust the tuning condenser until the signal is at its loudest. At this dial reading the station may be logged with some assurance pf returing to it when desired with a minimum of “juggling.”

TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMME. Radio programmes for to-night are afi follow: — « IYA AUCKLAND (333 metres; 900 kilocycles).—s.o: Children’s session. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and market reports. 8.0: Chimes. Relay of concert from Lewis Eady Hall. 8.30: Instrumental, Studio Trio, “Scherzo from Trio, Op. 50.” 8.36: Lecture-recital, Mrs Daisy Basham, assisted by Miss Millicent O’Grady and Mr Len Barnes: “Schubert.” 8.51: ’Cello, Miss Molly Wright, “Harlequin.” 8.59: Evening weather forecast and announcements. 9.1: Instrumental, Studio Trio, “Gavotte, Louis XIII.” 9.23: Instrumental, Studio Trio. “Scenes from the Musical Picture Book.” 9.30: Mr Karl Atkinson, gramophone lec-ture-recital. 10.0: God Save the King. 2YA WELLINGTON (416.7 metres; 720 kilocycles). —5.0: Children’s session. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0 News session, market reports and sports results. 7.40: Lecturetto, Mr R. Howard Taylor, “Foot Health.” 8.0: Chimes. 8.1: 2YA Orchestrina, “The Bohemian Girl.” 8.13: Soprano, Miss Marjorie Bennie, “Mignon’s Song.” 8.17: Baritone, Mr L. Bent, “Eri Tu,” from “Masked Ball.” 8.21: 2YA Orchestrina, “Hansel and Grctel.” 8.33: Entertainers, Mr and Mrs Albert Russell, (a) “Yawning”; (b) “Shadows”; (c) “Green Hills of My New Zealand.” 8.45: Contralto, Miss Mary Bald, “Caro Mio Ben.” 8.49: Tenor, Mr Charles Edwards, “On with the Motley,” from “Pagliacci.” 8.53: 2YA Orchestrina, “Wcrther.” 9.3: Weather report and announcements. 9.5: Soprano, Miss Marjorie Bennie, “Ave Maria” from “Cavallcria Rusticana.” 9.9: Pianoforte, Mies Adelaide Long, “Reverie” (Chaminade). 9.16: Baritone, Mr L. Bent, “One Alone.” 9.20: Gramophone record. 9.28: Entertainers. Mr and Mrs Albert Russell, (a) “Twenty Thousand Scotchmen”; (b) “Pretty Poll.” 9.36: Contralto, Miss Mary Bald, “In Questa Tomba.” 9.40: Gramophone record. 9.44: Tenor, Mr Charles Edwards, “Ah! Moon of My Delight.” 9.48: Gramophone record. 9.56: 2YA Orchestrina, “Soiree d’Ete.” 10.4: Close down. 3YA CHRISTCHURCH (306 metres; SBO kilocycles).—s.o: Children’s session. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News session. 8.0: Gramophone record. 8.9: Valencia Quartet, “It was the Time of Roses.” Soprano, Miss Lucy Fullwood, “The Splendour of the Morn.” 8.12: Cornet, Mr Norman G. Goffin, “Zanette.” 8.18: Baritone, Mr E. J. Johnson, “There’s a Lund.” 8.21: ’Cello, Mr Harold Beck, (a) “Chant d’Amour”j (b)

“La Danza.” 8.27; Soprano, Miss Lucy Fullwood, “The Pipes of Pan.” 8.34: Humour, Mr George Titchener, “I’m So Spiteful When I’m Wild.” 8.39: Instrumental, Christchurch Trio, (a) “Intermezzo (Mathnis); (b) “Humoresque” (Wider). 8.49: Miss Mary Taylor, “The Glory of the Sea.” Tenor, Mr T. G. Rogers, “Alice, Where Art Thou?” 8.56: Cornet, Mr Norman G. Goffin, “Wendourec.” 9.1: Weather report and announcements. 9.3: Valencia Quartet, “The Dear Little Shamrock.” 9.1: ’Cello, Mr Harold Beck, “Dance of the Gnomes.” 9.11: Humour, Mr George Titchener, “Would You Mind Passing the Salt?” 9.20: Instrumental, Christchurch Trio, (a) “In the Woodland”; (b) “La Coquette.” 9.30: Tenor, Mr T. G. Rogers, “Good Company.” Valencia Quartet, “O Hush Thee, My Baby.” 9.34 to 11.0: Gramophone dance music. 4YA DUNEDIN (463 metres; 650 kilocycles).—s.o: Children’s session. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News session. 8.0: Chimes. Gramophone record. 3.9: Soprano, Miss Molly Vickers, “My Rose.” 8.13: Celeste Quintet, (a) “Commedietta”; (b) “Coronation March.” 8.23: Recital, Miss Anita Winkcl, “Two Irish Poems.” 8.29: Baritone, Mr William Ruffel, (a) “Captain Mac”; (b) “Sylvia.” 8.37: Instrumental, Celeste Trio, “Trio in C Minor Ist Movement.” 8.46: Grnmophone record. 8.50: Bass. Air IV. B. Lambert, “The King Goes Forth to War.” 8.54: Instrumental, Celeste Quintet, (a) “Valse Triste”; (b) “Dans La Foret.” 9.2: Weather report. 9.4: Contralto, Miss Madge Clague, 1, “Sunday”: 2, “The Forge”; 3, “The Sandman,” 9.15: ’Cello, Miss Marjorie Smith, (a) “The Preislicd” from “Die Meistcrnsigcrs”; (b) “A Memory.” 9.21: Recitals, Miss Anita Winkcl, “More Irish Poems.” 9.26: Baritone, Air William Ruffel!, “The Windmill.” 9.31: Instrumental, Celeste Quintet, “Three Waltzes by Cnrse.” 9.41: Soprano, Aliss Alolly Vickers, (a) “Oh, No. John”; (b) “Salaam.” 9.48 j Piano, Mrs C. Drake, “Afoonlight.” 9.53: Bass, Air W. B. Lambert, (a) “Spanish Gold”; (b) “The Carpet.” 9.59: Instrumental, Celeste Quintet, “Turkish Alarch” from “The Ruins of Athens.” God Save the King. 2FC SYDNEY (451 metres; 680 kilocycles).—3.o: Afternoon session. 5.45: Children’s session. 6.45: News, etc. 8.0: Studio Orchestra. 8.5: Beatrice White, contralto. 8.8: A 1 Hammett, saxophone. 8.11: Orchestral novelty. 8.16: Beatrice White. 8.19: Dulcie Blair, violinist. 8.22: A 1 Hammett. 8.26: Orchestra. 8.30: Beatrice White. 3.37: Ai Hammett. 8.44: Orchestra. 8.50: Tho Sunshine Players in a nautical skit. 9.15: Coburg City Band. 9.25: Violet Jackson, soprano. 9.32: Band. 9.35: Syd. Hollister, comedian. 9.40: Band. 9.50: Rita Hilton, entertuiner. 9.55: Tom Downie, tenor. 10.2: Band. 10.15: Announcements. 10.20: Dance band. 11.30: National Anthem.

2BL SYDNEY (353 metres; 850 kijocycles).—3.o: Afternoon session. 6.15: Dinner music. 7.0: News, etc. 8.0: The Dulwich Hill Band. 8.5: Noleen Duo, vocal. 8.8: Palmistra, piano. 8.11: Band. 8.21: Roger Jones, baritone. 8.24: Palmistra. 8.27: Noleen Duo. 8.34: Band. 8.48: “Aloments with Alark Twain,” by E. J. Flemming. 8.58: A.B.C. Instrumental Quartet. 9.6: Anne Luciano, soprano. 9.9: Band. 9.19: Ethel and James Kendall, entertainers. 9.29: Alurielle Lang, ’cellist. 9.34: Noleen Duo. 9.37: Palmistra. 9.40: Ethel and James Kendall. 9.50: Band. 10.5: Claude Corbett, “Sporting.” 10.25: Late news. 10.30: National Anthem.

2GB SYDNEY (316 metres; 950 kilocycles).—s.3o; Children’s session. 8.0 to 11.30: Concert programme. 3LO AIELBOURNE (371 metres; 300 kilocycles).—3.o: Radio matinee. 5.45: Children’s session. 6.40: News session. 8.0: Orchestra. gipsy music. 8.30: A detective story, “A Thief’s Romance.” 9.0: Reminiscences of vaudeville. 9.15: Coburg City Band. 10.40: Dance music. 3AR AIELBOURNE (484 metres; 620 kilocycles).—3.o: Afternoon session. 5.15: Dinner music.-7.0: News, etc. 8.0: A.I.F. recollections. 8.15: Community singing. 10.20: Late news.

4QG BRISBANE (385 metres; 760 kilocycles).—3.o: Afternoon session. 6.30: Children’s hour. 7.30 : News, etc. 8.0: George AVard and Company in a radio revue entitled “Scotch Broth.” 9.15: National Broadcasting Orchestra. 9.21: Harry Humphreys, Dickens reading. 9.30: “The Moonlight Sonata.” 10.0: News service. 10.15: Dance band. Note.—New Zealand summer time is two hours ahead of eastern Australian time.