THE WORLD'S STATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19860, 2 February 1928, Page 17

THE WORLD'S STATIONS.

WHERE THEY ARE PLACED. The United States of America has more radio stations than all the rest of the world combined, according to a recently compiled list, which shows that 685 stations are now operating in the United States as compared with 431 stations in 57 other countries. The American broadcasting stations are controlled by a large variety of interests and analysis shows that tbis applies to other countries taken as a whole, Stations in Great Britain, numbering 20, are controlled b\ an independent Government broadcasting commission. In the 57 countries mentioned above, Governments own and operate 77 stations; associations and institutions, 87 •. commercial and industrial establishments, 69; broadcasting companies 127; and private citizens, 33. Of the Government stations, two are municipal, sixteen provincial, and 59 national. Radio organisations are reported to operate 65 of the 87 stations in the organisation group, church organisations six, and educational institutions 5. As summed up, the division of stations by countries gives Canada 59; Cuba, 47; Russia, 38; Sweden, 30; Australia and Ciermany, each 24; Argentina, 22; GreatBritain, 20: France and Mexico, each 18; Spain, 15; Brazil. 12; Child, 9; Finland, 7; Switzerland. 6; and Austria, 5. There are four each in Belgium, Czecho-Slovakia, Uruguay, India, Netherlands, East Indies, and New Zealand; three each in Italy, Poland, China, Japan, and South Africa; two each in Denmark, Esthonia, Hungary, Irish Free State, Norway, Portugal, Bolivia and Algeria; and one each in Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Costa Rica, Haiti, Paraguay. Peru, Venezuela, Ceylon, Chosen, Kwangtung, Straits Settlements, Canary Islands, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia * . BROADCASTING HOURS. SUMMER TIME EFFECTS. A discussion is going on regarding the relationship of "summer time" and broadcast reception. Ifr is an unexpected condition that, whereas the voices of the "last ditch" opponents has hardly been heard since summer time came into operation, there is a numerous section of radio enthusiasts who, finding reception is poor in the summer evenings, declare that "Sidev Time" must go. This is an attitude which should not be encouraged, states "Grid-Bias" in the Wellington Evening Post, and in view of the great increase in the number of listeners during the past year it is advisable that one point should be made clear. The outburst against summer time is supported chiefly by the difficulty of hearing distant stations in daylight.- This peculiarity of wireless transmission is well known, and it cannot bo overcome. The remedy is obviously to have the time of transmission altered; and in New Zealand there are two ways of doing that: the country can revert to standard time, or the broadcasting hours can bo changed. Y\ r hich is the better ? To advocate the abolition of summer time merely to suit a small proportion of the minority who use wireless is an absurdity worse than the worst of the classic objections to summer time. The obviously sensible thing to do on all counts would be to alter the hours of the regular broadcasting programme, starting it at 8.30 during the currency of summer time, and either modifying the children's hour and the news session, correspondingly, or filling the gap with gramophone music. At present the news session, owing to the other occupations of the season, is largely wasted for many listeners. It might with profit be shifted to the period Bto 8.30 p.m.; nalf-an-hour of news is quite enough for most people. If the children's hour remained as at present, from 6 until 7 p.m;, there would be an hour's interval, and the writer, for one, would gladly see this hour filled with really good gramophone items, of which there is an ample supply? The opportunity is taken to repeat that the Broadcasting Company should abolish the "silent" days. No valid reason for the observance of this custom has so far been advanced, and the writer believes, that it is not only valueless to the company, but actually detrimental. NEWS FROM ALL PARTS. RADIO IN FIJI. On Sunday evening the writer heard WLW, the Ciossley radio station, Lincinatti' Ohio broadcasted on 52 metres. The station was first heard at 7 p.m. ana was still on the air at 9 p.m. The announcer remarked that the extended transmission was on account of WLW's birthday, and an interesting programme was provided. Licence has been granted to the East African Broadcasting Company to erect and operat 1 a high-power, short-wave station in Nairobi, Kenya. M. Chanvreau. a French engineer, has just made successful experiments with a new device with which he is able to direct by radio the movements of a power-boat at a considerable distance. It is thought that further development of the same principle will enable him to control the movements of a vessel at a distance as perfectly as though he were actually in it. The use of radio for signalling navigators has been adopted through the erection of a transmitting station on Round Island, in the Fiji group. It has a transmission power of 500-watts on a 1000-metre wavelength, and functions effectively over a radius of 150 miles. The surrounding waters abound in dangerous coral reefs and this radio signal station is intended by day and night to give warning and guidance to mariners. In Argentina popular interest in radio has increased to a veritable enthusiasm, with, of course, a corresponding increase of patrons At present nearly 160.000 persons hold receivers' licences. The majority possess crystal sets, though valve receivers are also much in favour. MELBOURNE TESTS. GREAT SUCCESS ACHIEVED. The proprietors of 3LO, Melbourne, will be gratified that their recent short-wave broadcasts are being clearly received in England by the British Broadcasting Corporation. which has hitherto been unable to pick up the transmissions for rebroadcasting purposes. For several months 3LO has been transmitting on about 32 metres every Monday morning from 4.30 to 6.30---7 to 9 a.m., Naw Zealand summer time. These transmissions have been picked up in New Zealand, Afiica, Asia, and manv countries in Europe. In spite of the fact that the transmission times are rather unsuitable they have also been heard in America. An interesting feature of the short-wave transmission has been the amount of interest it has created among Australian listeners. In many country districts it is said to ho more satisfactory than the transmission on 371 metres, lor although in Victoria the short-wave signals are much weaker than the ordinary signals they are frequently much less interrupted by atmospherics It has been suggested that as a means of encouraging short-wave reception 3LO may arrange a competition in which the short-wave transmitter' will be used. To assist listeners further in picking up transmissions on short waves 3LO will shortly issue a small booklet on the subject. As Australian broadcasters look upon New Zealand listeners as part of their regular audience copies of the booklet will no doubt be available to local listeners making application for it*