RADIO TOPICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19712, 11 August 1927, Page 15

RADIO TOPICS.

SOCAL PRIVATE STATION. POWER TO BE INCREASED. broadcasting arrangements BT THERMION*. , 'An increase in .the power of the local private broadcasting station IZQ is to take place at an early date. The station and studio are to be moved to the city and a power of 250 watts will be used. Arrangements are being made for the installation of relay lines to various places .of entertainment, and nearly all of the programme will be given from the studio fey local artists. SHORT-WAVE BROADCASTS. BRITISH AMATEUR'S PLANS. The cable announcement in yesterday's Herald that a British amateur transmitter, Mr. Gerald Marcuse, proposes to conduct short-wave broadcasts for the benefit of New Zealand listeners is welcome news. (Owners of short-wave receiving sets in JJew Zealand have lamented the fact that thev could not obtain direct reception of "British broadcasts. Recently, however, the British Government decided that authority should be given to the British Corporation to erect a short-wave transmitter to broadcast to the Dominions. / The engineers 6f the British Broadcasting Corporation will no doubt attack the problem with their customary energy and ability; but as their attitude in the past Ibas been that regular broadcasting- services should not be conducted until existing defects in short-wave transmissions have been overcome, it is extremely unlikely that- there will be any regular short-wave broadcasts from their station for some time to come. In the meantime its is gratifying that we shall not be deprived altogether of opportunity of hearing British broadcasts. - Mr. Marcuse is a leading British amateur wireless experimenter, and his voice has already been heard in New Zealand -when carrying out private telephonic communications with New Zealand amateurs. call sign is 2NM, and his initial] broadcasts will be awaited with interest. ] CRYSTAL VERSUS VALVE. RESULTS OF REFERENDUM. A remarkable change is taking place in Great Britain in the public inclination for crystal and valve reception, as shown by .the results of a referendum concluded recently by the Broadcasting Corporation. Whereas up to a year ago the proportion of. crystal users was estimated to be in the neighbourhood of 75 per cent., on the basis of the referendum figures it can now be calculated at about 50 per cent. This suggests a growing tendency on the part of listeners to spend less time in listening to the programmes of their 'local stations, and to "reach out" for dis- | tant stations. The purpose, of the referendum was j primarily to gam information on the standing of individual broadcasting stations in popular favour in connection with the projected scheme of alternative programmes. The results indicate that only . 10 per cent, of listeners to the Daventry '! high-power station are crystal users. London's proportion is about 50 per cent. In ether districts where main broadcasting stations are situated there are on the average about three valve-set users to each crystal-set. user. DUTCH STATION. POWER OF 240 KILOWATTS. The success of the Dutch short-wave broadcasting station, PC J J, has been mainly due to there being available a transmitter using 240 kilowatts of power. 3t is possible to use a power of 10U kilo•watts on one /valve. The experiments o 3?CJJ have been extended over a period of four vears, although it is only within the past few months that this station became world prominent on the air. ine laboratory transmitter was primarily constructed so that it could not interfere with commercial broadcasting while the preliminary tests were being made. The high-frequency oscillations of tne transmitter were not fed direct to the aerial, but into a "dummy" which completelv dissipated as heat the enormous energy used on the transmitter. Having fully demonstrated the practical use ot water-cooled valves and being sa is e that the station was capable of world transmission, the actual tests we J e commenced a few months ago. _hen fo ov. e ' special test programmes for Australia and New Zealand, which culminated in tne successful relaying.of 2LO, London, and ie German station at Langenberg on i ■ one night. These transmissions were, in turn, effectively relayed by 2BL Sjdney. Frequency control at PC J J is hv means of a quartz crystal, which produces a vibration at a frequency corresponding with a wave-length of 180 metres. 1 ns is then " stepped up " by means of in ermediate amplifiers, and when sufficien strength and clarity is secured the transmission is converted into a frequency corresponding with a wave-length ot ou. metres. This frequency-is further amplified by means of powerful, water-coo e "valves and led to the aerial. The aeria mast is onlv 60ft. high and a sing e aerial wire is used. The single wire radiates with equal power in all directions. and was found-to be more effective for world broadcasting than a multi-wirec aerial. AUSTRALIAN RADIO NEWS. STATE WIRELESS SCHEME. The Premier of New South Wales, Mr. Lang, stated at a recent conference of departmental heads that it was intended to establish a main broadcasting station in Sydney and relay stations at various centres throughout the State. This would enable all listeners to hear programmes broadcast with the simplest and cheapest receiving-sets. In addition to the use of wireless communication in the Police Health, and Education Departments, the Fire Brigades' Board, the Works and Railway Departments had found it nece.ssarv to establish services. Accordingly a contract had been placed for tne construction and installation of ninQ transmitting and receiving stations, including four portable stations. The report of the Royal Commission "which recently investigated Australian wireless problems will not be made public for some weeks, according to a statement by the Postmaster-General, Mr. Gibson. During the last visit to Sydney of the Union Steam Ship Company's Tahiti, the vessel was equipped with a special shortwavp wireless installation. Similar sets .wp.re recently fitted in the Makura and Aorangi, and when the Niagara returns to

Sjdney that vessel also will be equipped, 1 thus making the four transpacific mail steamers completely modern in the wireless communication services. The shortwave sets have been assembled compactly, and do not take up much space in the wireless cabin, but they are so efficient that the ships now equipped will be able to maintain communication with Sydney right across the Pacific. Although officials of 3LO, Melbourne, are disinclined to make any statements in the matter, it is known that efforts are being made to arrange for Dame Nellie Melba to broadcast from that station, and as she has already broadcast from 4QG, Brisbane, it is thought likely she will also be heard broadcasting in Melbourne. It is interesting to recall that Dame Melba permitted her farewell opera performance to be broadcast from 3LO on the day that station was opened. NEWS FROM ALL TARTS. TRANSATLANTIC TELEPHONY. Crystal reception of 2YA, Wellington, is said to be easily obtainable in Christchurch, and as a result a remarkable increase in tho sales of crystal sets is reported. > Thursday night of each week is set aside by SCL, Adelaide, as a novelty programme. A special Chinese night will be held shortly. Recently listeners were taken for an imaginary trip to the moon in i rocket, and to add to the effect a gigantic rocket was released over the city. i An interesting announcement was made that many iisteners to a recent transmission from PCJJ had reported an echo effect. No echo was present in the studio, said the announcer, and it was thought the effect might be due to the fact that signals were travelling once or twice round the earth. An average of three calls a day from England is being maintained on the transAtlantic telephony service to America, according to a recent statement of the British Postmaster-General. From the American side there is a daily average of four calls. Asked whether there had not been a very considerable loss on the service, the Postmaster-General said, "No, the working expenses are covered." A noisy short-wave reeciver is an abomination, and no pains should be spared to remove the causes of this trouble. They may most easily be traced by putting the set into oscillation with aerial and earth removed. Faulty condenser bearings should always be suspected ; a pig-tail connection to the moving plates is generally preferable to a rubbing contact. The accumulation of dust between condenser vanes is often responsible for noises. The set should be mounted in a case, while dust may be removed with the aid of a bicycle pump or a Bunsen gas flame. WIRELESS PROGRAMMES. THIS EVENING'S BROADCASTS Details of programmes to be sent' out by New Zealand and Australian broadcasting stations this evening are as follows : Auckland, IYA (333 metres). —7.15 p.m., news service; 7.30 p.m., talk on "The Garden," by Mr. E. H. Skeates; 8 p.m., selections by Aeolian Orchestra; Mr. Walter Brough, baritone, songs; Miss I. Thompson, contralto, songs. Wellington, 2YA (420 metres). —7.15 p.m., news service; 7.30 p.m., talk on "Esperanto," by Mr. W. King; 8 p.m., relay of chimes of Wellington Post Office clock; relay of orchestral music from Paramount Theatre; selections by First, Battalion, Wellington _ Regiment Band; Mr. E. W. Robbins, tenor, songs: Mr. G. Neal. bass, songs; Lieut. J. B. Shardlow, comet solos; Mrs. D. A. Herbert, contralto, songs; Mrs. M. Taylor, soprano, songs; Bandsman W. Matson, trombone solo. Christchurch, 3YA (306 metres). —11.30 a.m., relay of description of Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting at Riccarton; 7. lb p.m., news service; 7.30 p.m., lecture on "Pig Production and Feeding," by Mr M. J. Scott, under auspices of Canterbury Progress League; 8 p.m., relay of orchestral music from Liberty Picture Theatre; Mr. F. E. W. Cossins, bass, songs,; Miss M. Miller, soprano, songs; Mr. S. E. Munday, clarinet solos: Mr. G. M.. Fawcett, tenor, songs; Mr. P. H. Davey, piano solo»; Miss D. Sharp, contralto, songs; Miss C. Carter, 'cello solos; talk on "Youth Movement," by Mr. Donald Grant. M.A. ; Misses D. and K. Sharp, vocal duet. Dunedin, 4YA (463 metres). —7 p.m.. request gramophone recital; 8 p.m., studio concert by pupils of Madame Marjorie Cadman; relay of orchestral music from Empire picture theatre. Sydney, 2FC (442 metres). —7.15 p.m., talks to children by 'Hello Man"; serial story for elder children; dinner music: 8.30 p.m., news service; 9.30 p.m., concert programme, including dance music; vocal and instrumental items. Sydney, 2BL (353 metres). —7.15 p.m., talks to children by ''Uncle George"; 8 30 p.m., news service, including talk on "Metric Progress in Australia," by Mr. Markham; 9.30 p.m.. concert programme, including items by Broadcasters' Topical Chorus; selections by Marrickville Salvation Army Band; vocal and" instrumental items; dance music. Melbourne, 3LO (371 metres). —7.15 p.m., entertainment for children; 8 p.m., news service; 8.45 p.m., talk on Kohinoor diamonds bv Mr. H. E. F. Lampe; 9 p.m., talk on "The Australians at Lone Pine," by Mr. J. Howlett Ross; 9.15 p.m., talk by Miss Harriet Bennett, leading lady in musical comedy, "Rose Marie"; 9.30 p.m., concert programme, including songs by Elsa Stralia, soprano; vocal and instrumental items; dance music. ITEMS OF INTEREST. Special efforts are being made by the Christchurch station this week to ensure that listeners throughout the Dominion will be able to pick up descriptions of the Christchurch racing carnival. The description of the progress of the Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting will be rebroadcast by the powerful Wellington station to-day. The Aeolian Orchestra, which will play selections at the Auckland station this evening, comprises 53 players, and is the second largest combination of its kind in Auckland. The classics are well represented in the programme 1o be given while the popular taste will be entered for in the "Raymond" overture and selections from "The Mikado." The band of the First Battalion, Wellington Regiment, will be heard from the Wellington station this evening in full strength and solo numbers. The conductor, Lieut. J. B. Shardlow, is a brilliant cornetist, while Bandsman W. Matson is a proved exponent of the trombone. A fine entertainment will be sent out' by the Dunedin station this evening. The pupils of Madame Marjorie Cadman will provide vocal'and instrumental items. The Melbourne station, 3LO, has engaged Elsa Stralia, the Australian soprano, to give a number of songs from the station. She will be on the air this evening.