RADIO

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1932, Page 11

RADIO

RECEPTION IMPROVES STILL TOO MUCH NOISE. TROUBLE OF HE-TRODYNING. Although reception conditions have improved slightly they are far from good yet, not on the score of station strength, but tlLo noise level has been so high of late that on only a few nights lias it been possible to listen in comfort to anything but 2YB. On? New •Plymouth listener informed B.C.L. that if it, -were not for 2YB he would not renew his license. When conditions have been at all quiet the Australian stations have been coming in at tremendous strength, the two best performers being 2FC and SCK, -the new station at Crystal Brook, South Australia. This station, which is a replica of 200 Corowa, has an aerial power of 15 k.w. The number of stations on the Australian national network is 12, four in New South Wales and two each in Victoria, Queensland and Sodth Australia, and one each in Tasmania and Western Australia. In addition, there are 14 B stations in New South Wales and 23 in' the other States. Victoria has 13, Queensland 6, South Australia 4,. Western, Australia 3 and Tasmania 2.

This brings the total active stations to 54, and licenses have been granted for further stations yet. 2WG Wagga is due “on the air” any time now, •on a frequency of 990 k.c., which is 'uncomfortably close to 3YA and hetro'dyne trouble is bound to occur. IYA 'is still experiencing trouble with 4RK, 'while the hetrodynes lower down ,the ■dial are beyond a joke. Unless a halt 'is called soon the positio- will be such that it will have a serious effect on 'broadcasting and the trade. People will ■not renew their licenses or buy receiv‘ers when reception is accompanied by (hetrodyne whistles. It is to be hoped 'that the coverage commission wil. take 'note of this state of things so that the 'authorities may take steps for at least some mutual arrangement between New ■Zealand and Australia. It does not af'fect Australia to any great extent because in the main their stations are of 'far greater power than ours, and can ■drown out nearly all forms of interference in their service areas.

American stations are now. coming in 'fairly well and KFI can 'be picked up 'at an early hour, but their programmes ■are mostly jazz bands and sccin all the same.

The past radio year closed with, the ■record license figures of 75,3'51, the increase for the year of listeners’ Jicenscs ■being 12,1.45. The February increase alone was 558 for the month—truly remarkable when one considers the depressed state of business generally. Wellington district still holds premier place ■with 30,513 licenses, Auckland follows 'with 22,017, while Canterbury has 11,786 ■and Otago 9278. Dealers’ licenses are (held, by 1006 which, considering the 'amount of business possible in New 'Zealand, is far in excess of economic requirements, and there is every indication that in future these figures will 'be considerably reduced. AUSTRALIAN FIGURES. The number cf licenses in Australia increased by Ql6O in February, gains be'ing recorded in each State. Details are; New South Wales: .New issues, 3998; 'cancelled, 866; in force, 130,866; in'crease, 3132; ratio per 100 persons, 5.20. Victoria: New issues, 2277; cancelled, 589; in force, 136,211; increase, •1088; ratio per 100 persons, 7.57. Queensland: New issues, 769; cancelled, 203; in force, 27,341; iiicreafee, '566; ratio per 100 persons, 2.64.

South Australia: New issues, 804; 'cancelled, 315; in force, 33,049; increase, 489; ratio per 100 persons, 5.66. ■' Western Australia: New issues, 331; Cancelled, 108; in force, 11,209; increase, '223; ratio per 100 persons, 2.67. Tasmania: New issues, SIS; cancelled, 2'55; in force, 8819; increase, 63; ■ratio per 100 persons, 4.02. Commonwealth: New issues, 8497; cancelled, 2336; in force, 347,55'5; increase, 6161; ratio per 100 persons, 5.33. Note: 822 experimental licenses (an increase of one) are included in the figures.

According to the New Zealand Radio ■Times it is being advocated that, in future a charge be made for home demonstrations. If this comes into force, and ■there is a crying need for it, a number ■of people who have been “joy-riding” ■and having free radio for months on ■end will either have to buy a set or go without their nightly entertainment. ; ■A case is cited where a resident of Auckland has had no less than 32 receivers demonstrated in his home for various lengths of time and has not ■yet purchased a sot. In America it is the general practice not to demonstrate ■midget sets in the home but to sell them over the counter, the same as we ■buy a pound of butter. There is no doubt that dealers are being severely ■penalised by indiscriminate and lengthy 'periods of demonstration. In some cases 'there can be lifetie if any profit left 'for the dealer by the time the set is 'sold, while those dealers who have been 'also demonstrating to the same prospective buyer arc a great deal out of 'pocket. The blame for this state of things docs not lie with the public but ■with the dealers as a whole. In their keenness for business home demonstrations were started, and the thing has grown altogether out of hand. The public, quick to seize on something' for 'nothing, keeps on demanding longer periods of trial, while, of course, there is 'always the unscrupulous person _ who, 'wanting to give a, party, gets in an 'expensive combination set for the “occasion and sends it back next day.

In forecasting possible changes in 'programme policy, the 8.8. C. intimates that still greater variety will be given 'during this -year. Music of all

including opera, will take more of the time space at tile expense of drama. Although drama is specially written for •the 8.8. C. it needs the supplementation ■of television to be thoroughly effective, ■and this branch of science~is as yet only ■in the development stage. This change is thought necessary for Britain to retain its ascendancy in European programmes. b Action is to be taken against a North Island dealer by the Fublic Works Department for a breach of the wiring regulations, when installing a radio set. A flexible wire was lengthened by soldering two pieces together, and taking this from one room to another by passing it through a hole drilled'in the wall. ■The department is determined that this -reprehensible practice, which was at one .time fairly common, shall cease, and ■in recalling the recent fatalities from faulty wiring, all will agree that the regulations should be strictly observed. It is gratifying to see that the auth■orities are at last taking action in this ■inatter, as far too big a percentage of radio installations are both unworkmanlike and a danger to life and property.

TO-DAY’S PROGRAMMES NEW ZEALAND STATIONS. . IYA Auckland. Afternoon session: 3.0, selected recordings and literary selection; 4.30, sports results and close down; 5.0, children’s hour; 6.0, dinner music; 7.0; news and market reports; 7.30, sports talk. Evening session: 8.0, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra; 8.9, baritone, H. Barry Coney; trio, The Moore Sisters; Beniamino Gigli; 8.30, pianoforte recital by Gordon Bryan; National Symphony Orchestra; 8.50, soprano, Sylvia Dobbs; 9.0, evening weather forecast and announcements; talk, Arthur Ross, “The Origin of Popular Superstitions and Customs”; 9.17, trio, The Moore Sisters, ‘“Largo” (Handel); ’cello, ‘‘Serenade” (Pierne); trio, Negro Spirituals; recording, Beniamino Gigli; 9.32, pianoforte recital by Gordon Bryan; Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra; 9.49, contralto, Phyllis Gribbin; Band of H.M. Grenadier Guards; 10.2, close down. 2YA Wellington.

Morning session: 10.0, selected recordings; 11.12, lecturette, “Fashions.” Afternoon session: 12.0, lunch music; 2.0, selected recordings; 3.30' and 4.30, sports results; 4.55, close down; 5.0, children’s hour; 6.0, dinner music; 7.0, news and reports; 7.40, lecturette, Mrs. A. L. Long,' “Bridge.” ' Evening session: 8.30, overture, 2YA Orchestrina (conductor, Signor A. P. Truda); baritone, Claude Moss, Three Mexican Songs; selection, 2YA Orchestrina; soprano, Christina Ormiston; 9.0, Weather report and station notices; baritone, Claude Moss; selection, 2YA Orchestrina; soprano, .Christina Ormiston; 9.22, Valse Lente, 2YA Orchestrina;’9.3o, dance programme; 11.0, close down, 3YA Christchurch. Afternoon session: 3.0, gramophone recital; 4.30, sports results and close down; 5.0, children’s hour; 6.0, dinner music; 7.0, news* and reports. Evening session: 8.0, British Isles programme; 9.0, weather forecast and station notices; 9.2, Scottish selection, Studio Orchestra; baritone, Percy Caithness; Harry Lauder, violin and piano, Norman and Margaret Middleton; mezzo-contralto, Mrs. Winifred Andrews; 9.30, Frank Munn, tenor; selection, Studio Orchestra; tenor, L. C. Qiiaiie; Angela Baddeley and L. Du Gai’do Peach; ensemble; 10.0, recording, waltz, International Concert Orchestra; 10.4, close down. 4YA Dunedin. Afternoon session: 3.0, selected recordings; 4.30, sports results and close down; 5.0, children’s hour; 6.0, dinner music; 7.0, news and reports; 7.40, Rugby talk, R. McKenzie, “Rugby Prospects and the Season’s Players.” Evening session: 8.0, Band of H.M. Grenadier Guards; 8.8, tenor, li. W. Dunbar; popular melodics, Arthur G. Frost and His Symphonic Dance Band; humour, H. McL. Eggers; 8.32, accordion, Flanagan Brothers; soprano, Mae Matheson; popular melodies, The Dance Band; recording, Frank Luther and Carson Robinson; Waltz, The Dance Band; 9.0, weather report and station notices; recording, Male Chorus; popular melodies, The Dance Band; ventriloquial humour, H. McL. Eggers; The Happiness Boys; waltz, The Dance Band; 9.35, tenor, R. W. Dunbar; popular melodies, The. Dance Band; soprano, Mae Matheson; Band of H.M. Grenadier Guards; 10.0, close down.