BITS ABOUT BROADCASTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 169, 18 June 1936, Page 3

BITS ABOUT BROADCASTS.

THE TELEVISION SITUATION. (By “Microphone.”) More lias Seen written in recent months concerning the future of television than since this radio development came into prominence at all, and research engineers and radio journalists have combed the available information with certain definite results. , It lias been made a difficult task because of the secrecy with which the various research operations are being carried out—indeed it is stated by Mr A. G. Hull, the Australian, that even the rival concerns are largely ignorant of the developments by their competitors. But a collation of the information available does definitely point to there being in operation in the United States and England television services about September next. It bad been expected that . in New York there would be transmissions in the metropolitan area, by now, but there is nothing definite to indicate that this is so. But the latest American list of call-signs records that there are no fewer than 26 experimental stations, ranging in power from 50 to 1000 watts, now in operation with television in the States. These operate on 2000-2100 kilocyclesand 2750-2850 kilocycles. In New York a t-ansmitter atop the Empire State Building is testing with a receiver a mile away in the Radio City Building, while 500 receivers have been distributed about the city for tests. These are of four different designs and are operated by trained observers for the purpose of selecting the most suitable type for development. It is also repnr'fd .by an American publication that one firm lias distributed 2500 to 3000 receivers for similar purposes. The third-floor studios of Radio City arc stated to have boon rewired for television, and authority has been given to construct a special coaxial cable between New York and Philadelphia. Meantime, prog ess has been made at Home and on the Continent. Paris commenced operations last November, operating from the Eiffel Tower on 8 metres. In Berlin close secrecy is observed and only Nazis arc admitted to weekly programmes. The Paris transmissions are picked up a couple of miles distant, totind being sent on 430 metres, daily from 4to 5 p.m. it is stated that there is severe il cl-cr, presaging a great deal more exp'lamenting. In Berlin tra usin’: sious take place at night and adnmsion is only to accredited citizms by Ticl.et. Air Hull reports in Wneless Weekly that flicker was very bad (when he managed to observe one lran.-inns- ion) and that the appur ivis was by no means perfect. In Britain very definite pn-giess is being made, and the 8.8 C. nave chosen two lady announcers, veil) most face the television ‘miern.jboi <' with blue lips, purple eyes, and yellow inefs to appear “natural” at the iccp'vnig end. A communication rc"e’vid irom the 8.8. C. only wst wc.k staieu: “Good progress is Rung uind- 1 , we learn, at the 8.8. C. television station at the Alexandra Palace. Several appointments to the production staff have now been announced.” At present two distinct systems are being developed—Baird and Marconi E.A1.1., and Air Hull, who saw both in operation, considered the latter superior, being equal to what lie saw in America. Incidentally, be had a successful test carried out with a watch, in tyliich the time could be distinguished to a second. Statements issued have variously placed the start of the 8.8. C. services .as February, Alav, July, and .September or October. It is proposed that the two services quoted will operate week about, and the aerial lias been erected at Alexandra Palace. In the beginning, there will be three daily sessions of one hour each, from 3 to 4 n.m. from 6.15 to 7.15 p.m., and from 9.30 to 10.30 p.m. The early programmes will be experimental, but pure entertainment will predominate, the initial intention being to supply a cabaret type of variety lor an hour each day, spread over at least two sessions. The whole of each session will he as varied and as representative as possible. A special orchestra is to be employed. Its members will be m a red uiuform with black facings, a combination which will result in the appearance of white unirorms with black facings. The transmitting processes as at present arranged are responsible for this transformation, which means that careful attention must be paid to colours. Values are likely to be reversed. For example, light blue and red would appear on the receiving screen respectively as black and white. The Alexandra Palace equipment is onlv expected to have a useful range of 'from 25 to 30 miles and no relay scheme lias yet been proposed. Distant and oversea reception will be entirely out of the question. Because two different and competing systems are to be used, everything is duplicated except the transmitting aerial. For indoor seeues special artificial lighting lias been arranged, but suitable areas have been prepared outside the building for daylight transmissions. The programmes will consist or Ixuli direct vision and intermediate film items. The latter system can he made to operate with a delay of less than a minute, but is also likely to be employed to transmit topical items taken as they occur and sent out in the first available transmission after they happen. Because of the complexity and expense of the viewing apparatus, it is expected that for a time reception will be confined to a relatively few points such as big shops and like concerns which can set aside the requisite space. Further progress will obviously depend largely upon the type of programme that is sent out. There is an excellent opportunity lor this new art to establish itself firmly if permission can be obtained for the Coronation of King Edward VIII to be handled and if the necessary technical arrangements can be made. [lie suggestion has been seriously considered and it would not be surprising if it were carried out.

This review can be closed in no better manner than quoting a Special Service message to this column from America : “Television will not replace radio broadcasting, but will supplement it. Undoubtedly it will prove a novelty to view from one’s armchair athletic, soc-. ial and political events. Yet the keen concentration which the onlooker must pay to the television screen,is tiring after a. certain length of time. It is unlike listening to a speech or music which can be absorbed with very little or no effort. Therefore, a few hours of ‘looking in’ should be sufficient for the average person.”

LINING UP THE NATIONS. Since last Wednesday listeners have experienced splendid reception on short-waves, and the nations have been lined up as easily as Australia is heard on the broadcast band. A surprise broadcast on Thursday morning was the famous I’C'J Eindhoven, Holland, operating at full speaker strength on 31.28 metres, according to Afr Edward Startz, the announcer. Recordings were played, and the station signed off at 7.30 a.m. A check has been kept, but it has not been heard again. It gives excellent reception. Also at good strength each morning is 12RO Rome, operating on 25.40 metres. A woman announcer officiates. London, on Transmission 4 for Africa and the East, also provides good morn-

ing entertainment here, being scheduled from 4.45 to 10.30 a.m., New Zea- | land time. Three of the following waves are used: GSI, 19.60 metres; GSO, 19.?6 metres; GSI>, 25.53 metres; or GSB, 31.55 metres. An excellent afternoon station is EAQ Madrid, which operates with 20,000 watts, on 30.43 metres. On Sunday afternoon it was at good speaker strength on news in Spanish and records before signing off at 2 p.m. HBO Geneva (Radio Nations) is not so strong as previously, but on Monday night at 5 o’clock was quite good, on 26.35 metres, with the weekly talk for Australia and New Zealand. On Monday next it will again transmit at 5 p.m., but on June 29 the transmission will take place at 4.30 if this is suit- ! able for New Zealand. I The 40-metre band is “lively.” with 'cnumerous South Americans and Aus- j tralians.' Attention is again drawn to the good transmissions on 41.1 metres on Sunday evenings after 9 o’clock of ' VK2DL Canterbury, with records. The 20-metre band is very poor, though on i a recent night at 11.35 AVSBEE was j at good strength working VK2XS. > Apparently W2XAF Schenectady— j which has been giving maximum j speaker reception before it signs off i at 4.30 p.m. on 31.48 metres—at tunes operates simultaneously with AV2XAD on 19.56 metres, in relaying WGY. j This was the case on Sunday afternoon, I though not on Monday. The latter station gives comparatively poor reception. . On the broadcast band 2GZ, the new station near Orange (N.S.W.), has been t giving fine reception. It operates on | 302 metres, 990 kilocycles, with 2000 ; watts, the most powerful B station in j the State. • I It is reported that ZJV Suva has been giving good reception in the early | evening, on 327 metres. It operates j with 500 watts. , A new station for Perth is stated to j have been completed, and is likely to j operate shortly. It will be known as ] OME and will share the time and wave (31.28 metres) with 2ME Sydney. lIVIS Khabarovsk, U.S.S.R., on 70.21 metres, gives maximum speaker , strength each night now from 9.30, when it comes on the air. It uses 20,000 watts. IMPORTANT CHANGES. Apparently there aro important changes pending in the United States. In a special two-way test between AV2XAF Schenectady and VK2ME Sydney at 11 p.m. on Mon- g day night it was stated that I tween June 15 and June.3o 'W2XAE g and W2XAI) will operate simultane- g ously (see above). The power of the I former is 28,000 watts and the la.t- I ter 20.000 watts. It was stated by g the American announcer that, on I July 1 there are likely to be impor- I tant changes in stations, including ( new call-signs. I