RADIO

Southland Times, Issue 21430, 26 June 1931, Page 11

RADIO

CURBENT TOPICS ITEMS OF TOPICAL INTEREST. (By "Dot-Dash.”) 4ZP’s increased schedule is welcome to most listeners and it becomes more than ever apparent that the local stations can be of most service by providing day sessions when no other broadcasts are available. The good service provided locally is probably responsible for the boom in radio business in Southland at the present time, despite the economic depression. New sets are being installed rapidly and the number of listeners in the province is climbing steadily, although in some cases the sale of a new receiver does not indicate a new listener as many possessors of battery and home-made sets are installing up-to-date equipment.

One southern listener recently raised a storm by writing to the Radio Record that he did not approve of the extension of 2YA’s daytime service as it encouraged too much listening being done in the home when the husband was at work. He probably wrote with his tongue in his cheek, however, as reception in Southland from 2YA during the middle of the day is not sufficiently attractive to induce any housewife to neglect her duties. A good recommendation to him would be to instal a good short-wave adaptor so that his wife could listen to English and American programmes while he was out earning the wherewithal to pay for the electricity and the frequent renewal of valves. » ♦ ♦ •

As the date of the expiry of the Radio Broadcasting Company’s contract approaches, more interest is being shown in the future of broadcasting in New Zealand. The Postmaster-General is still somewhat vague on the question of policy and with the session commencing listeners have no more information about this important matter than when Mr Donald made his unpopular announcement almost a year ago, although it is generally conceded that the proposals then announced have been subject to considerable modification in view of the serious economic situation. The company, apparently still somewhat apprehensive of losing the contract, has announced a drive for 100,000 licenses and a plan for the reorganization of the existing service, involving the establishment of relay stations in all the larger towns outside the four centres. The announcement states that it recognises the need for a local service in all parts of the country and the scheme is designed to meet the need.

The company’s plan, if carried ino effect, would certainly be a great improvement, but one ia entitled to ask whether that improvement would be sufficient to meet our needs in the future. In any case, the advance of radio has been so rapid and gives indications of being even more rapid in tho future, and the Government would not be justified in entering into another agreement for a comparatively long term. On the face of it, the company’s plan appears to indicate a continuation of the present service with possibly longer hours, the only alteration being a duplication of stations. That is certainly very necessary, but it cannot be said that listeners in the cities will be prepared to continue with a similar service to the present.

Revenue has increased very considerably during the past two years and now that 100,000 licenses, providing an income of £125,000 a year, are in sight, the time seems opportune to launch out on more ambitious lines in regard to programmes. The establishment of a really good permanent orchestra in Wellington would be of great benefit and if all the stations in the system were linked, the orchestra could be heard from all stations on different occasions. A repertory company could also be established and the production of plays tackled on business-like lines. Both ot these organizations could give public performances and thus reduce the costs to the broadcasting service. * * *

Expense will probably be used as the greatest argument against these proposals, but consideration must be given to the aspect of the savings effected m programme costs on the nights that are given oyer to presentations by the orchestra or players. Another point is that not more than two programmes are necessary each evening to suit most tastes—one classical or operatic and the other popular or dance—and thus more money would be available for each programme presented. Developments will be awaited with interest. *

In this column last week reference was made to the growing problem of interference, atmospheric and local, . which was doing so much to delay the progress of radio. The ink was scarcely dry on the notes before the writer received a most valuable little booklet entitled “The Elimination of Radio Interference,” from Philips Radio. This is just such a book as many of us have been wanting, particularly those of us whose technical knowledge is somewhat limited. The booklet is a typical example of the many attractive and instructive publications issued by Philips Radio and to all who receive it, it will probably prove to be most valuable. The problem of radio interference is a very wide

one, but the main issues are crystalized into a remarkably small space in this booklet; the matter it contains is easily comprehensible to all readers, and the solutions of the troubles are presented very clearly and appear in some cases to be ridiculously simple.

I do not know whether this booklet is available to all listeners, but a preface states: "The booklet is intended in the first place for use by manufacturers of interfering apparatus, such as electric motors, vacuum cleaners, etc., as well as by tramway companies and by all who take an active part in the solution of interference problems, e.g., government authorities, daily papers and technical journals, broadcasting companies and the radio industry.” It is to be hoped that it will have a wide circulation among those responsible for causing interference and that it will be made available for the general listener as means of eliminating interference at the receiving end are described. It would, no doubt, be asking too much of the publishers to distribute the book free, but if a charge sufficient to cover its cost were made, listeners should be eager to purchase the volume which can be unhesitatingly recommended. The writer proposes to publish extracts of particular interest to listener's at an early date. The conclusion of the preface appears to be most apt: “May this booklet be a means of rendering good, radio reception. possible to large numbers of radio listeners who have hitherto only had very poor reception or none at all.”