RADIO TOPICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19419, 30 August 1926, Page 15

RADIO TOPICS.

AJIERICAN BROADCAST. SPECIAL TEST TO-NiGHT. PROGRAMME FROM CHICAGO.

EY THERMION.

'A special broadcast - transmission for New Zealand will be given this evening from WBBM, Chicago, the station of the Atlas Investment Company. The wavo length of WBBM is 226 metres and the test will begin at 5.30 p.m., New Zealand time.

Owners of sensitive receiving sets capable of tuning to the wave length should have littlo difficulty in finding the station, as n number of listeners have been hearing it regularly in the past. The writer heard WBBM clearly in January, whilo listening with Mr. Norman Muuro, at Clevedon, and reception of American broadcasting stations should be still easier in our winter. Mr. Munro ■was able to make an almost complete log of the last test transmission from WBBM and, given reasonably good receiving conditions this evening, many other Nov? Zealand listeners should bo able to oblam similar results. * The test has been organised by Mr. Spencer Speedy, Pipi Bank, Herbcrtville, Hawke's Bay, and listeners receiving the programme from WBBM are requested to communicate with him. BADIO IN THE WAIKATO. Increasing interest in the possibilities of broadcasting as a source of home entertainment is being evidenced throughout New Zealand since the opening of Auckland's new station. In the Waikato the old IYA ■was, except on rare occasions, inaudible, but the new station can be heard loudly both iu the daytime and at night, so that an immediate and large increase in the numbers of listeners in the district is- expected.

It is to the farming community that broadcasting should make greatest appeal, but in New Zealand as well as in Australia only a very few listeners reside outside town areas. Why this should he so it is difficult to understand, since special information for farmers is broadcast from all stations, and modem receiving sets require no technical knowledge whatsoever for their operation. However, an endeavour is now being made in various: _ ways to interest sottlers in broadcasting, and it is to be hoped that the effort will be successful.

Aft Hamilton last week the writer had opportunities of listening-in, and it was found that excellent reception of Australian and New Zealand broadcasting stations was easily obtainable. It. has been considered that Hamilton is not well situated for receiving Auckland broadcasts, but nevertheless IYA can bo heard extremely well. The Australian stations are heard with amazing strength. There are not,, as yet, many receiving stations in Hamilton, so that reception is not greatly marred by howling valves. This is a contributing factor to the good receiving conditions. a NEW ZEALAND BROADCASTS. The power of tho Auckland station, IYA; has recently been increased, resulting in a decided increase of signal strength to distant listeners. The full power was used for the first time on Thursday ev.ening and tho technical excellence of the »transmissions was evident when listening to three delightful organ solos relayed and,broadcast on that evening. Southern writers comment on the fact that the excessive fading of lYA's signals in tho South is no longer apparent and the tone is admirable.

The Christchurch station, 3YA, is to commence , broadcasting' on Wednesday evening on a wave length of 400 metres. A temporary aerial system has been erected, utilising the masts from the broadcasting station at the Dunedin Exhibition, The steel masts, similar to those at. IYA, are to be erected later. The actual transmitting plant, too, is housed in temporary premises owing to the naw stuciio and transmitting room not being completed. The permanent installation is expected to be ready in November, when the official opening of 3YA will take place. The times of transmission from 3YA have not yet been made public. Commenting on Wellington broadcasts, a southern writer states: " What is now sorely needed is an up-to-date broadcast station at Wellington. It is a remarkable circumstauco that Wellington, the capital city, is without a modern station. The existing station is a positive reproach to the centre of administration of the Dominion. The transmission is weak and fluctuating, and the tone leaves much to be desired. It is incumbent upon all interested to approach the PostmasterGeneral and to request him to give the necessary notice in writing to the Broadcasting Company to erect a high-power, up-to-date station at Wellington." It will be remembered that the agree? menfc between the Postmaster-General and the Broadcasting Company states 'the Minister may, at his discretion, requiro the erection of stations at Wellington and Dunedin similar to those in Christchurch and Auckland. AUSTRALIAN IMPROVEMENTS. The Commonwealth Postmaster-General has agreed to sanction an increase in power of the Melbourne broadcasting station, 3AR. This station can now be heard in New Zealand, but reception of it is frequently marred by Morso interference, since it transmits on 480 metres. With an increase of power at 3AR and 7ZL, Hobart, there will be two more loud stations available to New Zealand listeners. The evening broadcast from 2BL, Sydney, commencing at 9.30 p.m.. New Zealand time, now opens in a novel manner. The announcer sings a tuneful Oitty stating that 2BL is calling and then follows this by giving an song a few topical news items.' It has always been a characteristic of Australian broadcasting stations to infuse as much novelty and variety into their programmes as possible. Without this, sustained interest in broadcasting would be impossible. Station 2BL has designed a special stamp which is sent to long-distanco listeners who notify that they heard the station. Many listeners make a hobby of collecting trophies of this kind, and the 2BL stamp will come as a welcome addition. Many American broadcasting stations have such a stamp arid the writer has been shown ono recently received by Mr. Norman Munro from IvI'SD, ban Diego, California. NEW AUSTRALIAN STATION. The new broadcasting station that is being built in Sydney for the Iheosophical Society is scheduled to be transmitting immediately. The society hopes to arrange programmes which will not only include talks on theosophy, but also good music, especially Australian music, talks on art, science, the drama, literature, current events, and so forth, as well as lecturettes by representatives of all social, political and religious movements which stand for Australia s uplilt and solidarity. Tho station will broadcast on four rights a week under the call-sign 2AH. Tho wavelength will bo below 300 metres, and as a power input of 1500 watts will bo used, the station should bo cufeily audible to New Zealanders. GENERAL NOTES./ Readers of Radio Topics are asked to noiico that in future they will appear in tho Herald each Monday.

Wellington listeners have requested the Postmaster-General to endeavour to put down the howling valvo menace and additional radio inspectors aro to be appointed in Wellington and Christchurch.

Similar action is required in Auckland. The present conditions of interference are doing much to hinder the development of broadcasting. The position is daily becoming worse and prospective listeners are urged to buy only non-radiating types of receiving set. Such set will give* better results in every way than the older types. Attempts to receive stations beyond the capabilities of the receiving set should be avoided. For instance, it would bo a sheer waste of time to endeavour to hear tonight's American tests on a singlevalve regenerative receiver.

In an English village of 96 occupied houses, there are 56 with a radio installation.

While most of the industries in England were hard hit by the strike, it is an interesting fact that 'over a million radio receivers were sold in the brief period of a week.

On Wednesday evening there was relayed over a distance of 300 miles to 2FC, Sydney, the programme of the Royal Scotch Kilties from Dubbo. The broadcast, however, was not a success. In Radio Topics last week it was mentioned that an English wireless journal had stated that 5-valve receiving sets complete with loud speaker and accessories were obtainable in New Zealand for the sum of £4. A country correspondent has written ) to inquirs whether this is really so. Of course such sets are not obtainable now, nor will they ever bo. It has often been asked whether less broadcasting affects the theatre, and it is generally recognised that theatrical entertainments aro stimulated rather than affected bv broadcasting competition. However, there are exceptions. During a recent visit to South Australia, Miss Ella Shields, an English comedienne, was playing at the town of Kadina. All went well until a loudspeaker some distance across the road from the theatre announced that an orchestra from 3LO, Melbourne, wenild play "Roll 'em, Girls," a foi-trot medodv. So loud and clear was the tone that all windows and doors ha<3 to be closed to keep out the competing entertainment. The strangest part of it all was that Miss Shields had intended to include the same item in her programme that night, but had to abandon it after t eing forestalled by the broadcasting. STATIONS WE HEAR. TIMES OF EVENING SESSIONS. There are a number of Australian and Now Zealand broadcasting stations which may bo heard locally by possessors of valve receiving sets with good strength in telephones on one and two-valve sets and with a loud speaker where more than two valves are used. A list of theso commercial stations is given below, together with the ordinary transmitting details and approximate New Zealand times of commencement of the evening sessions.

The. power given is the output power, a rough estimate being made in cases where tho input power only is known. Broadcasts from Auckland commence at 6.15 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays arid at 7.15 p.m. on tho other evening*. There are no broadcasts from IYA on Monday. Transmissions are *given in the afternoons from 3 to 4.30 p.m. Wellington docs not broadcast on Mondays and Wednesdays. f The times of transmission from 3YA, Christchurch, have not yet been announced. There are no broadcasts from Dunedin on Thursdays, and the commencing time on Tuesday and Saturday is 7.45 p.m. All the above stations broadcast ' a church service on Sunday evening,, usually followed by a studio concert. The Australian church services can be heard in Auckland from 8.3D p.m. RADIO PROGRAMMES, THIS WEEK'S BROADCASTS. The Auckland Radio Broadcasting Station' IYA will, as usual, cot be operating to-day. The following programme has been arranged for the week, commencing to-morrow:— <- Tuesday.—3 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., instrumental session; 6.30 p.m. to 7 p.m., children's session; 7.15 p.m. to 7.45 p.m., information service; 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., concert. The concert programme is: Miss Ida Holmes, soprano, in the songs " May Morning " (.uenza), "Lullaby" (Brahms), " Poor Wandering One " (Sullivan) : Miss Jessie Smith contralto, " Cradle Me Low " (Phillips), "The Harvester's Night -Song " . (Richardson), "The Ballad " (King); Mr. Dickson, baritone, " Bedouin Love Song," "Ober'on in Fairyland " (Slater), " Mandalay " (Willeby); Mr. T. H. Jones, violin selections; Mr; Zimmer, cornet solo selections, item,by Saxophone Four; Griffiths Due in humour.

, Wednosday.—3 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., instrumental p.m., information service; 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., concert. Thursday.-r-3 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., instrumental session;'7.ls p.m. to 7.45 p.m.,, information service; 8 p.m. to 10 p.m,> concert.

Friday. —3 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., instrumental session; 6.30 p.m. to 7 p.m., children's session; 7.15 p.m. to 7.45 p.m., information service; 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., concert.

Saturday,—3 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., instrumental session;' 7.15 p.m. to 7.45 p.m., information service; 8 p.m, to 9 p.m,, concert; 9 p.m. to II p.m., dance music. Sunday.—Relay from a Sunday evening church service.

The programmes are always subject to alteration.

Two Auckland stations will be broadcasting this evening as follows:~ 12 B, wave length 275 metres, power 50 watts: 7 p.m. to 7.45 p.m., bedtime stories; 8 p.m. to 10.30 p.m., musical programme. 12Q, wavo length 330 metres, power 50 watts; 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., musical programme.

Station. Call. WavePowftr. Time. sign, lenjrth m. W*tts. From Sydney 4 » 2FC 1100' 5000 7.30 p.m. Sydney .. Melbourne , 2BL 853 5000 7.30 p.m. 3LO 371 5000 7.80 p.m. Brisbane ., 4QGr 385 6000 8 p.m. Adelaide , 5CL 395 1500 0 p.m. Auckland 1YA 420 BOO 6.15 p.m. Wellington 2YK 295 40 7.SO p.m. Chrietchurc.h 8YA 400 BOO Dunedin 4YA 380 200 7 p.m.