RECEPTION IN GENERAL GOOD

Taranaki Daily News, 29 April 1929, Page 4

RECEPTION IN GENERAL GOOD

EXCELLENT REPORTS FROM AFAR. INTERFERENCE FROM MT. EGMONT. For the purpose of recording the re- . ception of 2YB in various parts of Taranaki, a special service of listening posts was organised by the Daily News. In each ease reports were obtained from a number of listeners in the locality, and these, together with several reports received by the North Taranaki Radio (Society, indicate that reception was very good everywhere except in South Taranaki, in the' region shaded by Mt. Egmont. Even in South Taranaki reception was generally speaking clear, tho chief defect being lack of volume. In New Plymouth many listeners found that the station was too strong for their sets, tuned in as they were for the other stations. Even with the ordinary aerials disconnected and ground wires in use, unselective sets which ■were not sharply tuned found that it waa difficult to exclude 2YB when trying to get other stations. This trouble, it is stated, will continue when 2YB is operating, unless the sets are made inore selective by sharper tuning. The first long distance report came from the general manager of the Radio Broadcasting Company (Mr. A. R. Harris) at. Sumner (Christchurch). He telegraphed the society as follows:—“Much regret being unable to be present tonight, but am much interested in lis-tening-in at Sumner to official opening. Mayor’s speech is cominj through splendidly. Portions of programme will be re-broadcast by 2YA and 3YA. Auspicious opening with excellent programme augurs well for future of 2YB. Please extend to Mayor, Mr. Payne and radio society heartiest congratulations from directors of Broadcasting Company.” AUCKLAND RECEIVES WELL. A listener from five miles outside Auckland reported: “Stronger and clearer than IYA,” and a resident of Raglan advised that he had had excellent reception on a one-valve set .with a loud speaker. Confirming a telegraphed report on Friday, a 1 * letter wa received from a Dargaville listener stating that lie had had good reception on a loud speaker. Reports of good and clear reception, with practically no static, were received from Wanganui. In Taranaki reception seems to have been good except in a fan-shaped area extending from Opunake on the west, round the south of Mt. Egmont to Stratford on the east. A large number of listening posts were established in the Stratford district, and practically all have the same report to makegood clarity but poor volume, with an improvement towards the end of the programme. Eight valve sets obtained disappointing results at the beginning of the programme, and an improvement towards the end. This is thought to be due to a change in atmospheric conditions, as no change was made in transmitting at tho broadcasting station. Some six valve sets in the Stratford area reported clear rmeption, but yery little volume, end five valve’ sets ■were in much the same position. Local interference was experienced, especially nt the commencement of the broadcast,' but it persisted to some extent right through. ( WEAK VOLUME AT HAWERA; t \ The concensus of opinion amongst be-' [tween 20 and 30 listeners in the Hawera district was that reception was clear at times, but always very faint, and bad fading occurred from , time to time. The last half-hour of the programme was received best, though at no time was the r option nearly as good as when 2YB was testing at Christchurch prior to being brought to •New Plymouth. This lends added weight to the theory of interference by Mt. [Egmont. At no time did the broadcast attain good strength near Hawera, the best results bci”’ obtained with six valve sets. Several listeners at Manaia reported (hearing the station, but reception waswcak and considerably marred by static. Opunake did not obtain very good results, but Oaonui, a few miles north of Opunake and evidently just out of the shaded area, was much more fortunate. Similarly on the other side of the jnountain, though Stratford, experienced tan indifferent reception Tariki was well

treated. Mr. W. Ward, an old Taranaki listener, reported having had perfect reception. .“Station coming in miles ahead of IYA,” he said, “and volume equal to 2YA, vzhich is usually good at Tariki.”

Mr. Gray, of Awakino, was well pleased with his results, and the Mayor of Waitara (Mr. E. A. George) took the trouble to advise the station on Saturday night that his reception' was very good, and donated a guinea to the society’s funds. Okato reported that the broadcast was coming through with all the volume they could use and the results, would have been entirely satisfactory" but for a local “howler” who gave considerable trouble in the early part of the evening. Midhirst reported having heard well in daylight on Anzac Day. Crystal sets in the vicinity of New Plymouth, providing they were properly adjusted, experienced excellent results, though outside a radius of five or six miles they found difficulty. ' . ■Several listeners reported exceptional clarity of reception with a remarkable absence of static, although when they tuned in on other stations static was unusually troublesome. Observations made by those listeningin at New Plymouth agree that the reproduction was equal to that received from other New Zealand stations at the same time'. Valve-set owners around the town found the volume, too ’ fierce at first, but when the outside aerials were changed for inside aerials, the sets were soon tuned in to remarkable clarity and tone, without any signs of static.

Reed and treble-string instruments played during the opening programme came through clear and sweet, but the bass instruments did not seem to reproduce so well. This is said to be due to the fact that the drums and bass instruments were placed too near the microphone. PROGRAMME COMMENCES KEEN PUBLIC INTEREST SHOWN.. GLIMPSE INTO STATION STUDIO. In New Plymouth itself the keenest public interest was manifested in the opening of the new broadcasting station. The half-hour prior to the. commencement of the programme was charged with the excitement of anticipation, and while between 30 and 40 specially invited guests were gathering expectantly at the studio, hundreds of other people were twirling their discs, and tuning in a dozen, times during the last anxious wait. The last few minutes were full of possibilities. Ominous rumblings and hummings emanated from loud speak-, era, and the air seemed charged with a potent force about to burst upon the world. Punctually to the second the storm broke. A medley of chimes that might have come from the biggest Big Ben in the world but in reality were from a studio clock borrowed for the occasion leapt out of the loud speakers, and everybody made a frantic £reak to cut down the volume by shortening aerials and other methods. In most cases calm was restored by the time the official opening announcement had been made, and the mayor having delivered his inaugural address, the concert proceeded, punctuated now and then.- with addresses appropriate to the occasion. AN IMPROMPTU ITEM.. The quality of the programme submitted was a high one, and .-listeners for the most part were more than pleased with what they heard. If there was one thing more than another that tickled the public fancy it was an impromptu item introduced in the early stages. “You will now hear the Taranaki National Anthem,” or words to that effect, came soberly from the announcer, and into everyone’s surprised ears came the joyful jangle of a cowbell. Other items not on the official broadcast were the broadcast of the first sports item —the result of the Dewar Shield ten-a-side Rugby competition at Pukekura Park—the expected landing of two aeroplanes at the Bell Block aerodrome yesterday. Public interest amongst non-owners of wireless sets was evident in the large crowd that assembled in Devon Street to listen to the loud speakers outside the broadcasting station, and the several smaller crowds grouped

around loud speakers in various parts of the town. It was certainly a novel experience to wander in the quiet of the night along a back, street and hear the familiar voice of. the member for the district declaiming from a dozen houses at once, or tn listen to the wellknown voice of a friend floating sweetly in song from out t of a dozen doorways. -,;1 ■ In the studio of the station;the keen appreciation amongst ;the guests of all that was going on was apparent in the applause after each item and the very careful way in which silence wa otherwise observed. How important this was from the listeners’ point of view may be guaged from.: the .fact that the ticking of tho station clock formed a soothing and very audible accompaniment during the early, portion of the programme. ‘ . SCENE IN TRANSMITTING ROOM. The scene in the transmitting room on the top floor would probably have surprised the average listener and upset the ideas conjured up by him of the transmitting room of a radio broadcasting station. There was no conglomeration of wires; no intricate system of coils or buzzing machinery; no begrimed, sweating overalled operators —but merely a small wooden table on which stood a small oblong box, a loud speaker, and three -electric buttons. At a chair in front.df the table sat the neatly dressed, operator for the evening, Mr. W. P. .Hpggins, one of the Radio Broadcasting.'..Company’s engineers and builder of th© original 2YB transmitting plant.,.,. The small oblong box was the amplifier .and mixer. Two or three dials on this machine were all the operator was required to handle. A twirl here, a twirl there, and ho was satisfied that the . musical programme was being transmitted to ensure the best reception conditions. Should an instrument be too loud or too soft a twirl of the mixer dial saw the tone softened or loadened .as required. PULSING HEART OF 2YB. On the left of the operator was the ; pulsing heart of 2YB, the transmitter. ; No final adjustments, were necessary, for , the machine was in perfect order. A glance now and then, at the numerous i indicators sufficed and the operator was ; satisfied that 2YB’e heart was fune- i tioning to perfection. Now and then the telephone rang. “Is that 2YB, New Plymouth 2’5 someone asked. “Yes.” “It’s the Mayor of Waitara, Mr. E. A. George, speaking. On behalf of the citizens of Waitara I wish to congratulate the North Taranaki Radio Company on its enterprise. The reception of its initial programme in Waitara is perfect, and you can inform the secretary that I intend to donate £1 Is to its funds.” Then Mr. W. Ward, Tariki, one of Taranaki’s oldest experimenters and an official listener of the Broadcasting Company, rang up and extended congratulations from Tariki. The reception was perfect, he reported, and the station was “coming in- miles ahead of IYA.”

Mr. W. Terrill, Waitara, extended congratulations over the telephone and stated that 1 the tuning was exceptionally sharp and all items were being received very clearly. The power was as strong a s IYA. Mr. Terrill also requested the Melody Four to repeat ’“Gone Are The Days.” This could not be done, but the quartette have promised to repeat the item when they are again “on the air.” ’Phone messages recording success were also received from Messrs. A. J. Puppe and R. Day, of New Plymouth. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EVENT OFFICIAL SPEECHES BROADCAST. THE MAYOR'S CONGRATULATIONS. The station was officially opened by the Mayor of New Plymouth (Mr. H. V. S. Griffiths), who commented on the significance of the occasion and congratulated. the province on the establishment of its first broadcasting station. “This week will go down into history as a memorable one for Taranaki,” said Mr. Griffiths. With the completion of the hangar at the aerodrome on Saturday last, aeroplanes flying gracefully over the town during the week, and with the opening of this broadcasting station to-night, New Plymouth can now claim to be firmly established “on the air,” and with the added stimulus given to enthusiasts by the -possession of their own broadcasting station, “the air sense,” in this community, will continue to develop and expand rapidly in the near future.

“The establishment of 2YB is a further evidence, if such is needed, of the solid progress being made in New Plymouth, one of the most prosperous and progressive towns in this Dominion. We are justly proud of Taranaki, the garden province of New Zealand, likewise with its capital town New Plymouth, nestling under the slopes of Mt. Egmont and unsurpassed for its beauties and attractions, and these have been again added to by the opening of this- station to-night.” On behalf of the citizens Mr. Griffiths expressed the thanks of the community to Mr. Payne, station director and president of the North Taranaki Radio Society, and those associated with him, for their vision, energy and enthusiasm in brining the station into existence. He extended a welcome to Mr. John Ball, tho editor-announcer of the Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand, Limited, and asked him to thank the company for the generous way it had responded to the request of the Taranaki society for the essential equipment of the station. Thanks were also extended to Mr. Bingham (the company’s chief engineer) and Mr. Huggins (assistant engineer), who supervised the final touches to the erection of the plant. “The splendid opening programme provided for to-night’s broadcast is an evidence that abundant local talent is available to maintain a high standard of efficiency,” said Mr. Griffiths in conclusion. “May the station fulfil the brightest anticipations of the promoters, supply the varied needs of listeners-in, both in town and country, and shed happiness to all hearers. May the fast declining ‘family circle,’ round the fireside, in the homes of the people, be reestablished by the opening of this station, and may this studio radiote pleasure, progress and prosperity “within the community it serves.” ADDRESS BY MR. S. G. SMITH, M.P. “This occasion. is really epoch-mark-ing in the history of radio in this district,” said Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., who had been asked by the Postmaster-Gen-ci’al (Hon. J. B. Donald) to represent'

him at the ceremony. “It is fitting,” continued Mr. Smith, “that this town, being the capital of a great province which is more closely settled jn the rural areas than any other province in New Zealand or Australia, should have a broadcasting station of its own. And if the same enthusiasm, interest and energy is displayed in carrying on 2YB as has ■ already been shown in bringing about its installation, then there is no doubt of its success-in the future.” In wishing the society every success, Mr. Smith said: “They have shown a public spiritedness worthy of a good cause, and their efforts and work arc entitled to every possible assistance and co-operation of the people of New Plymouth and Taranaki in order to ensure that further successes may be reached.” The speaker then broadcast the following message from the Postmaster-Gen-eral:-—! “As Postmaster-General I desire to congratulate the North Taranaki Radio Society and the Radio Broadcasting Company on their enterprise in establishing station 2 Y r ß in order to secure to residents of Taranaki a reliable and efficient broadcasting service. “The Government of New Zealand recognises the important place that’ wireless broadcasting occupies in the life of the community, not only for pleasure but also as a means of supplying to people in backblocks weather reports, market reports and other information regarding topics of the day. Radio and the telephone have removed much of the isolation of rural life. “It is the desire of the Government to afford this modern adjunct of civilisation every facility to achieve the widest popularity. When the Radio Broadcasting Company commenced operations in 1925 there were approximately 3000 receiving licenses. At March 31, 1927, the number had increased to 18.162. In 1928, it was 39.315, and this year it is 44.810. Compared with other countries New Zealand suffers considerable disadvantages from a broadcasting point of view, as our population is neither large nor concentrated, and many stations are required to give good reception everywhere. „ “I hope that licenses will continue to increase and enable improved facilities to be given to many places which at present do not enjoy first-class reception. At present our revenue is less than £67,000, as compared with £377,000 for Australia and £1,342,000 for the United Kingdom. In the circumstances, the broadcasting company’s service must be regarded as remarkably satisfactory. I trust that the new station 2YB will give the result that is expected in better radio service to the people of Taranaki, and I again congratulate them on having brought their efforts to a successful conclusion.” GOOD WISHES FROM COMPANY. “This is indeed an auspicious occasion, said Mr. John Ball, editor-announcer of the Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand, Ltd. “As representative of the company I feel it a privilege to be afforded this opportunity of conveying to you all, and especially to the band of radio amateurs whose enthusiastic enterprise has made possible the establishment of a broadcasting station in New Plymouth, sincere and hearty greetings and good wishes. Such enthusiasm is indeed a great community asset, and. I am sure you will agree with me that its objective in this instance is deserving of the widest possible public support. “I am commissioned by Mr. A. R. Harris, the company’s general manager, to express, on his behalf and on behalf of his co-directors, his and. their hearty congratulations to the officers and members of the North Taranaki Radio Society on the success that has attended their efforts, and the company’s best wishes for the successful operation of station 2YB. They desire me to say that the society’s solicitation of the company’s co-operation is deeply appreciated by them, realising as they do that the development of a-truly national and thoroughly efficient broadcast service is only possible by a strict adherence to the principles of unified control.” A WORD OF CAUTION. After making an important pronouncement regarding the future policy of the company, which is reported elsewhere in this issue, Mr. Ball offered some words of caution regarding the future operation of station 2YB and the stations submitted. “Just a few words,” he said, “to the officers and members of the North Taranaki Radio Society. You have got station 2YB. What are you going to do with it 2 Make the most of it, no doubt. But how 2 As Shakespeare says, “Ah, there’s the rub,” for there is just the danger that in making the most o? it in accordance with the inspiration of a too abundant enthusiasm you may strain, to the breaking point its limited capabilities. Discreetly operated in conformity with the facilities at your command it will unquestionably prove a boon to your community, and these few words are uttered tn the hope that they may induce you to nurse that boon with the utmost care.

“My advice to you, if I may be permitted to offer it, is to take the long view, to always remember that those talented people upon whom you must rely to provide you with acceptable programmes are limited in number and that to work the willing horse to death is a suicidal policy. Better, I think you will agree, to give your listeners two good broadcasts a week than to run the dual risk of wearying them by too frequent and inevitable repetition, and of wearing out the enthusiasm of your willing helpers. So long as 2YB in its present form remains an active unit in our broadcast system, so long may it enjoy an unbroken reign of popularity and prosperity.” PRESIDENT EXPRESSES PLEASURE Expressing the pride of the society at having such a splendid, modern equipment as 2YB possesses, Mr. E. Payne, president of the North Taranaki Radio Society, thanked the broadcasting company for its co-operation, and said that the society, realising that it had undertaken a very big venture in 2YB, knew that it must seek and obtain' the full and whole-hearted support of the entire province. Thanks were extended to all who had given financial assistance to the society, to Messrs. Collier and Co. for the free use of their splendid building, to Messrs. Ball, Griffiths and Smith for attending and broadcasting such encouraging sentiments, to the Postmas-ter-General for his message, and to the artists for contributing their items, especially tho Hawera Savage Club, who had journeyed from Hawera in order To show South Taranaki’s appreciation and

desire to co-operate. More financial assistance was yet needed, said Mr. Payne, in order to extend the station’s activities to the resultant benefit of the province.

Referring to the pronouncement made by Mr. Ball of his company’s future policy regarding the establishment of district relay stations,. Mr. Payne said that the announcement marked another mile-stone in the history of radio broadcasting in New Zealand, and would undoubtedly be received with the greatest pleasure by the districts intimately concerned. He wished to extend Taranaki's congratulations to those districts. “Many gratifying reports of the reception of 2YB have been received,” said Mr. Payne in conclusion. “They show that we have appreciative hearers as far away as Dargaville in the north and Christchurch in the south.. We are grateful to all who have sent in reports, and .regret that we cannot acknowledge each one individually. From to-night forward, 2YB will be ‘at home’ to all Taranaki. We would like you to feel that this station is your station, and we trust that in the very near future it will be a constant and very welcome guest at every fireside in town and country.” PROGRAMME FOR TO-NIGHT. 2YB will again be on the air to-night, when a concert programme will be broadcast from 8 to 10 p.m. On Wednesday night the broadcast will commence at 7.30 p.m. For half an hour there will be given sports results to hand, news and information. The concert programme will commence at 8 o’cluck. During the evening results of municipal and local body elections will be given as they come to hand. * To-night’s programme, commencing at 8 o’clock, will be as follows:— 1 — Orchestral selection, Invitation to the Waltz. . . 2 — Soprano solo, “Wondering Why.” Mrs. C. Clarke. 3— Violin solo, “Ave Maria.” <. 4— -Humorous recital, “On Bananas.” Mr. Jack Jbll. 5 — Orchestral selection, “Lilac Time.” 6 — Tenor solo, “Arise O Sun.” Mr. Frank Cleland. 7 — Fox trots, “Nothin’” and “Let's Misbehave.” 8 — Organ solo, “In a Persian Market.” 9— Baritone solo, “Friend O’~Mine,” Mr. L. Higginson. 10 — Instrumental octette, Prelude in£ Sharp Minor. 11 — Soprano solo, “Here in the Quiet Hills.” Mrs. C. Clarke. 12— Orchestra, Marche Militaire. 13 — Humorous recital, Hints on Health. Mr. Jack Joll. 14 — Band inarch, Dress Parade. 15 — Tenor solo, “All Hail Thou Dwelling.” Mr. Frank Cleland. 16— Violin solo, “Souvenir.” 17— Orchestral selection, Hungarian Rhapsody. 18 — Baritone solo, “I Did Not Know.” Mr. L. Higginson. 19 — Band selection, The Warblers’ Serenade.

20 —Fox trots, “The Cat’s Whiskers” and “Dirty Hands Dirty Face.” God Save the King.