RADIO

Taranaki Daily News, 30 January 1931, Page 2

RADIO

COPYRIGHT DEMANDS. SERIOUS BLOW TO B STATIONS. WHAT WILL LISTENERS DO? The copyright situation has again come to the fore. This time prohibitive, demands have been made on all the B class stations for matter broadcast by them. Th© position is such that the majority of the B class stations have been forced off the air by the Australian Performing Rights Association, who claim they own 98 per cent, of all copyrights. Granting for the time being that such is the case, why should it demand from the B class stations, who do not participate in the license fees paid by listeners, payment as royalty when it already receives 6 per cent, of the amount paid to the R.B.C. for the privilege of allowing it to broadcast items for which it holds the copyright? Undoubtedly many licenses are due to the work of the B stations and that therefore the percentage of license fees is smaller in proportion, so in effect the association is asking to be paid twice for the same service. That the B class stations have a definite place in the radio circle of this country is admitted, and it is to be hoped that the Govenirpent will take steps to put an end to this get-rich-quick scheme. The funds available for our broadcast service are small enough as it is. Many of the better known B class stations have already closed and others are ceasing operation every day. Are listeners going to stand, by and see this going on or are they going to get behind the affected stations and demand instant redress of an obvious wrong? SPECIAL RECORDINGS. ? A further development along the lines of the special broadest of overseas programme recordings, ’which are proving so popular in the place of the “silent night” at 2YA, Wellington, is at present being experimented with by the British Broadcasting Corporation. The Wednesday programmes at 2YA are provided by special discs, about 2ft in diameter, on which are recorded programmes by leading American radio stations. The records are similar to those used, in the sound reproduction of talking pictures. The British system now being experimented on by the Broadcasting Corporation is a development of the PoulscnTelegraphone, which was invented nearly 20 years ago, but has not hitherto been developed to a practical stage. By means of the apparatus, a record can be taken of any particular broadcast, so that it can be reproduced later at the same station or by any other station. Commenting on the announcement from England, of the experiments, the Sydney Morning Herald says it will now be possible for an ordinary programme to be recorded, in London in tips evening, and then rebroadcast the following morning by the short-wave station for reception in Australia during the evening. The difference In time between London and Sydney is the greatest difficulty the 8.8. C. has to contend with in broadcasting Empire programmes for reception in Australia and New. Zealand, Another advantage of this system will be that the “record” of the special broadcast could be shipped from London to Sydney and put “on the air” in Australia in the ordinary way by the A or B stations—-whichever secured the rights for the reproduction. A fine steel Wire is used instead of the ordinary phonograph record. On this wire speech or music is recorded by magnifying variations which are stated to be permanent. The music or speech reproduces quite well. Hence there is a possibility that in the near future Australian listeners wili have the privilege of hearing a reproduction of important broadcasts put “on the air” by the 8.8. C., which has set an example to the rest of the world in showing how first-class programmes should be prepared and transmitted. When that time comes Australian listeners will have a reliable standard by which to judge the quality of the broadcasts ordinarily transmitted from A stations. ABREAST OF- THE TIMES. Following its policy of keeping abreast of the times in technical development, the R.B.C. has recently reconstructed the transmitter at 3YA to crystal control, which has the effect of keeping the carrier frequency absolutely stable. 3YA has in the past been noted for the technical perfection of its transmissions, and the alterations effected will still more enhance those qualities. In addition to the transmitter alterations, extensive alterations have been effected in the studio. The walls have been covered with special sheets of soft plaster, specially developed for its acoustic properties and used extensively for covering the walls of studios where talking pictures are recorded. In this way alj unwanted echo effects are eliminated and the transmissions made as near perfect and natural as is humanly possible. The company is to be congratulated on its progressive policy and it serves to show that despite criticism it has the listeners’ interests at heart all the time. s

Reception conditions have been good during the past week and all stations have been received well. Programmes have been well up to standard. Short wave stations hae been good and considerable interest is being taken in this 'branch of ixidio. New Zealand amateur transmitters are using the earphone to a great extent at present on 80 metres, and most nights may be heard “chewing the rag.” On a recent Friday night the following amateurs were. carrying out phone tests: ICI Paeroa, 2BY Wanganui, IBL Hamilton, 2DN Stratford, 2DM Gisborne, 2CB New Plymouth. These amateurs aro getting some great results and are well worth, tuning in. Judging from recent publications the English manufacturers are at last beginning to wake up and are turning out receivers that incorporate modern ideas. They are doing away with the old box with its breadboard layout and are adopting the metal chassis with wiring and components out of sight, and are doing away with the multitude of controls used on past models. Their sets have naturally to 'be more complicated owing to the fact that they are required to tune over a very wide band of wavelengths, as many of the European broadcasters use wavelengths of several thousand metres. Most of the English stations, however, are on the broadcast band as we know it.

Despite the fact that the special recordings of American programmes have been presented only once some listeners have expressed their disapproval in no measured terms of the accent, etc. This is highly amusing as numbers of listeners, in all probability the critics included, spend hours straining their receivers to their utmost to get a whisper of

these same programmes —there is no pleasing some people! Station WOW, Nebraska, United States, is numbered among the outstanding successes of American broadcasting. The station normally transmits at a power of skw, and on a frequency of 590 kilocycles. For the transmission of its purely entertainment items, such as, for instance, orchestral music, radio plays, concerted numbers, and so forth, station WOW employs what it calls its “crystal stage-studio.” This apartment consists of a well-lit stage, which is the studio proper, and a small auditorium to which the public are admitted. A sheet of crystal glass takes the place of the stage curtain ami thus separates the radio performers and the studio audience, the latter hearing the items not directly, but through the medium of loud, speakers placed in suitable positions in the auditorium. The announcer locates himself not . in the stage-studio, nor in the auditorium, but in a separate little booth between studio and transmitting room, Australian trade statistics, so far as they are available for the- past year, indicate that over 80,000 receiving sets were supplied to new users during 1930, These, figures do not include the number of persons who exchanged small or obsolete receivers for newer all-electric models. Last year was a prosperous one in the Australian radio industry. In spite of the existing depression the leaders of the trade in Sydney arc making provision for extending their factories during the current year, as it is expected the demand for new model receivers will be well sustained. It is not anticipated that there will be any big variation in the models of radio receivers built in Australia for another year at least. The designs of the Aus-tralian-built receivers are being kept more or less a secret until the opening of the Radio and. Electric Exhibition in Sydney in about three months. Critics of the British Broadcasting Company were themselves recently criticised, when Sir John Reith, the company’s director, remarked:: “Critics we will always have with us. There are some critics who—and it is a common phenomenon in all linos of activity—themselves unable to do so, are always ready to teach. There are other critics the ferocity and absurdity of whose criticism proclaims an ulterior motive in that criticism, or also incapacity in their judgments. “But there are still others,” he continued. “These people bring to the consideration of the multifarious and vexed problems of broadcasting a sympathetic mind with an appreciation of the likes and dislikes of other and as a result come to the 8.8. C. with criticism which is reasoned and reasonable and constructive. Such criticism, *■ unlike the rest, is heard, and, more than that, is sought.”

TO DAY’S PROGRAMMES NEW ZEALAND STATIONS. IYA, Auckland. Afternoon session.—3.o, selected gramophone items; 3.30, literary selection, and further gramophone recordings; 5.0. children’s-session; 7.0, news and market reports. Evening session.—-S p.m., chimes; selection, Plaza Theatre Orchestra; soprano, Mice Sylvia Dobbs; novelty, vocal and instrumental, Frank Wade and His Melody Boys; 8.32, a recording on the Regal cinema organ; soprano, Miss Sylvia Dobbs; novelty, voc'al and instrumental, Frank Wade and His Melody Boys; instrumental, J. H. Squire’s Celeste Octet; evening weather forecast and announcements; 9.1, presentation of the one-act play, ‘‘Pros and Cons,” by Mr. J. W. Bailey and Company; 10.1, God Save the King. 2YA, Wellington.

Afternoon session.—3 p.m., selected gramophone recordings; 3.30 and 4.30, sporting results to hand; 5.0, children’s session; 6.0, dinner music session; 7.0, news session, market reports and sports results.

Evening session.—B.o, chimes. Note: This programme is subject to interruption to permit of a relay of a sound film feature from the Majestic- Theatre. Overture, 2YA Orchestrina (Conductor Signor A. P. Truda); popular songs at the piano, Mr. J. J. Standen; elocution, Miss Zena Jupp; selection, Orchestrina; bird and animal imitations, Mr. Will Vermont; novelties, 2'YA Orchestrina; Jack Farrell and His Banjo Quintet; weafher report and. station notices; march; popular songs at the piano, Mr. J. J. Standen; selection, Orchestrina; elocution, Miss Zena Jupp; ballet, Orchestrina; dance programme; 11.0, God Save the King. 3YA, Christchurch.

Afternoon session. —-3 p.m., gramophone recital; 4.25, sports results; 5.0, children’s hour; 6.0, dinner music session; 7.0, news session. Evening session.—B.o, chimes. Overture, Court Symphony Orchestra; Valencia Quartet; tenor, Mr. T. G. Rogers; English concertina duets, Theo, and Frances Gunther; soprano, Miss Lucy 'Fullwood; bass, Mr. E. J. Johnson; violin, Miss Irene Morris; 8.30, contralto, Miss Jean Johnson; saxophone, Rudy Wiedoeft; humour, Mr. George Titehener; instrumental, Broadcasting 'Trio; chorus, Zono Light Opera Company; 9.0, weather forecast and station notices; selection, 'Symphony Orchestra; Valencia Quartet; tenor, Mr. T. G. Rogers; violin, Miss Irene Morris; soprano, Miss Lucy Full wood; English concertina duets with piano, Theo, and 'Frances Gunther; bass, Mr. E. J. Johnson; selection, La Scala Orchestra; 9.3’2, contralto, Miss Jean Johnson; humour, Mr. George Titchener; instrumental, Broadcasting Trio; soprano and contralto, Valetta Duo; Valencia Quartet, “The Long Day Closes” (Sullivan); 10.0, march, American Legion Band; 10-3, God Save the King. 4YA, Dunedin.

Afternoon session.—-3.0, selected recordings; 5.0, children's session; 6.0, dinner music session; 7.0. news session. Evening session.—B.o, chimes. Selection, Paul Whiteman and His Concert Orchestra; Scotch humour, Mr. James A. Patterson; waltz, Mr. C. D. Dagg’s Band; common sehottische, Band; 8.35, ■soprano, Miss Dorothy M. Sligo; d’Alberts, Mr. C. D. Dagg’s Band; 9.0, weather report; organ, Reginald Foort; baritone, Mr. Frank Benton; mazurka, Dagg’s Band; 9.35, tenor, Mr. H. Prowse; Mandolin Concert Society;, waltz, Dagg’s Band; 10.1, God Save the King.