THE WIRELESS WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19700, 29 January 1926, Page 12

THE WIRELESS WORLD.

By Magna Vox. During the past week the Exhibition radio station VLDN has been making steady progress, and there are many newminor improvements in the programmes and the way they are conducted. Correspondence for and against has been published every day, but it may now be said that the position of the station, its capabilities, and the quality of its programmes are now definitely defined in the eyes of listeners throughout the Dominion. Included in many reports to the station are references to the fact that the broadcasting in the early part o£ each evening is inferior to that given from 9 p.m. onwards. This may perhaps be explained by the long twilight at this time of the year. Any amateur knows that transmissions are better after dark, and at the present time the station does not settle down until dark. It may also be mentioned that all who have lectured from YLDN lately express admiration for the equipment of the studio, particularly the concert studio, with its carefully padded walls. SUPPORTING VLDN. The latest number of the Canterbury Radio Journal, which has been received by the writer, has some interesting' comments on the position at VLDN. After referring to several achievements m the past, the editorial continues: — “We have asked the Broadcasting Company why they do not publish programmes and announce their items ? Other complaints we hear concern the long waits between pieces, and a marked reverberation and echo in the hails. On making inquiries we find all these matters are entirely beyond the control of the Broadcasting Company. The programmes are subject to the rigid control of the Exhibition authorities; the explanation of the reverberation is drat the buildings are only of temporary construction and not designed with regard to acoustic effects. We are told that the artists are not preforming primarily for radio, which is to them only a secondary consideration. The location of the band is dependent upon the state of the weather. The Exhibition Station is at the disadvantage of being located in a valley, between nigh hills, a position, of course, not conducive to good broadcasting. Considering the station was installed in a few weeks, and has only been in operation for some ten weeks, one must in common fairness admit that the results are very creditable. " An earlier start with the installation apparently would have had little effect, as many of the troubles could only have appeared alter operations commenced. “The mind of the public in regard to broadcasting has rapidly changed from what might bo called the subhmest innocence to the wildest dreams, seeming now to expect impossible and impracticable results. It is only those who appreciate the limitations of radio, the effect of atmospherics and the chances of troubles in local sets who can form a reasonable estimate of what to expect. DAYLIGHT CONVERSATION. A recent communication from England states that Mr Gerald Marcuse succeeded in maintaining good daylight communication on a wave length of 45 between his home in Surrey and the U.b.b. Seattle, at anchor in Wellington Harbour, New Zealand. The conversation w-as heard at the same time in Buenos Ayres. Subsequently Mr Marcuse overheard a conversation between the Seattle and ships of the Macmillan Polar Expedition now in Greenland. Mr Marcuse was using valves made at the Osram Works, Hammersmith, in his short-wave transmitter. BROADCASTING IN INDIA. Before his recent departure for India, Major J. E. Monins, a director of Burndept Wireless (Ltd.), made some interesting statement in connection with a British scheme for providing a chain of broadcasting stations in that country. He suggested that India and Ceylon will be equipped with 10 stations within the next five years. “Behind the scheme are four famous English wireless companies, he said. “Indian capital will also be interested. Application for the requisite licenses has been made to the Indian Government. , “The language difficulty appears to provide a great obstacle to a wide broadcasting scheme in India, but broadcasting knows” no lingual barrier. Each item broadcast may have to be translated into 32 different languages.” A USEFUL CLASS OF VALVE. The rapidly increasing popularity of Osram dull emitter valves has somewhat thrown Into the background a class of valve whose sterling qualities and low Initial cost render it a very attractive proposition to those users who are compelled to study every penny of the expense of building or re-equlpplng their wireless set. This is the Osram “R" type valve, of which there are two varieties, the “R sv” for use with 6-volt accumulators, and “R” for 4-volt accumulators. The latter of the two is the original receiving valve, designed for the Army, used during the war, and still an excellent valve in its present form, with all the most np-to-date improvements. For users with 4v. accumulators, who will not lay out the cost of, say, a D.E.3 type, the “R” type Is the best and safest to recommend. Whether as a detector, H.F. amplified, or L.F. amplifier, the “R" type Osram valve can be depended upon to give as good service in that position as any other bright emitter valve with a4v filament. The “K 5” is an even more interesting proposition. Its chief characteristic is unique in bright emitting valves, though now widely adopted in dull emitters—the sto 6 volt filament. This, and its constructoin, provide it with many advantages over the 4v bright emitter—better characteristics, less liability to burn out on 6v accumulators, does not need such a high resistance In circuit. Again, the “H 5” type Osram valve will function in any position in the set as well as, or better than, any other bright emitting valve. There are thousands of users still using bright emitter va j ves _some on account of price, some through prejudice, and some though Ignorance. There are numerous reasons why a user will prefer bright valves. A recent caller at the head offices of the General Electric Co. (Ltd.) asked if he could be supplied with a dull-emitter valve with a filament which “lit up brightly.” Whilst it was explained very carefully the difficulty of manufacturing such a valve, and suggested that he should purchase a D.E.3. he replied that he must have a valve which “lit up”— he had a head-phone set only, and his wife wouldn’t allow the baby to wear headphones, and the baby cried and spoilt the concert if the valves did not light! Even in this the third year of broadcasting there is very considerable ignorance about wireloss matters. AN INFANT OF SCIENCE. ITS DEVELOPMENT IN NEW ZEALAND. At this time of day practically everybody has heard of the wonders of wireless telephony, that infant of science whose growth is almost phenomenal. By its aid practically an entire nation may be reached instantly. Here, in Now- Zealand, it is not easy 'to realise what an important factor of' everyday life broadcasting is destined to bo; yet it will shortly bo playing a big part, for participation by all. In America., much injury has been done to the new activity by the big trading stores owning stations and using the service for advertising purposes (says “Radiophone” in the Lyttelton Times). England, orofiting by this experience, wisely prohibited advertising, and enjoys an enviable reputation for the all-round excellency of the programmes emanating from its series of stations, tho number of which increases steadily as occasion demands. There Is—literally—an army of license-holders, whose requirements have called forth a wonder fully vigorous new industry for the manufacture of receiving sets and spare parts. \ Ion!’- daily service is provided, catering for all 3 young and old, rich and poor, farmers ’ students, invalids, _ merchants, pleasure-seekers, cultured minds, in fact 0V of Now Zealand broadcasting? Until a few months ago it was almost dead. Apart from a few enthusiastic amateurs, merely a handful of independent stations wore operating. These have given way to the newly-formed Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand (Ltd.), and the fascinating problem is now being effectively handled. The latest in plant and equipment Has already been ordered and w'’l shortly be delivered for Auckland and PVirb.tchu'-ch stations. In all. four new stations are to be erected, staffed by skilled managers, operators, etc. Presently attractive and comprehensive programmes will bo the order of the day. Meanwhile, tho new company hag practicillv transformed the broadcasting service of the Dominion Although having only the old stations and plant at its disposal to begin with, it is effecting marked improvements as rapidly as can reasonably be expected. Tho Broadcasting Gompany » to a large extent concentrating- on the

requirements of the future. The majority of listeners-in .have evidently been surprised aid delighted. The chorus of praise is unmistakably growing stronger, reflecting credit, not only on the company, but also on the Government; departments concerned with this matter.