Wireless For All And Sundry.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18043, 31 December 1926, Page 12

Wireless For All And Sundry.

NOTES ON PROGRAMMES BOTH NEAR AND FAR

BY “AERIAL.’’ Following are details of wireless broadcast programmes received from the New Zealand Broadcasting ComStny and from 2BL, Sydney, and 3LO, elbourne, for the New Year holiday period. FOR TO-DAY. IYA, Auckland —Day session: description of races. 6.30 p.m. to 7.0 ?.m., children’s session. 7 15 p.m. to 45 p.m., news and reports; motor notes by Mr George Campbell. 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.2 Chimes; relay of orchestral selections; contralto solos, “Homeland” and “To a Miniature, Miss B. Smith; 'celio solos, Mr V. R. Thom, tsnor solos. “Evening Song Blu; oentholl and ' Berceuse de Joeel>n. Vr D. M'Minn; violin solos. BJtca •mile (Woltage) and " Bohemian Cir. (imbroslo), Mr Eric Miller. elocution■rv. Miss E. Murdoch; grand organ recital of seasonal music by Mr 1. &• ' W, 2YK, r WeUington—3 p.m. to 4 30 p.m-, afternoon concert including relay of dance selections by Manuel Hymans Exhibition Band from the N Akin's Cabaret; 7 p.m. to 8 r *" Session. Aunt Jo and Tjncle Bill. 8 pan to 10 p.m.t studio concert of latest and records and relay of Manuel Bvman’s Exhibition Bafid from the New Adelphi Cabaret. to 4 30 3YA, Christchurch —3 p m_ to 4.3 U ■cm- Afternoon concert 0.10 p.m. £ 71S om special childrens session Pranged bv Uncle Jack-stories and *rrangeo studio conmusic. 8 p.m. to F “:..: TS ,I Proeert and grand organ recital. J ro pilnofSe solos. Mr ft.it Viol“ -solos. Miss Norton; soprano solos Miss M. Nelson; duet. Miss Nei ■on and Mr C. Colville; pianoforte solo Mr R C A. Tones; soprano solo Mrs Ineesby: baritone solo, Mr Colville VioUn solo. Miss Norton; soprano solo, Miss Nelson: grand organ recital from « p.m. by Mr Robert Lake. * 4YA, Dunedin—3 p.m. to 4.30 afternoon concert; 7 pm., child™:' session. Aunt Dianas sister; 7.30 pm, siews and reports, etc.; 8 pm. to 10 p.m., studio concert relay of d»r.ce programme from the Savoy aba ™t b > Hr Em. Beechan and his Savoy Dance TaßL^Sydney—9 30 pm.. G.P.O.clock and chimes; Broadcasters topical Chorus; Miss Mary Neal (mezzo-con-tralto): Mr Macreadv Wilson (basso); Mr Douglas Graham (Scottish comedian); Mr Roger Jones (baritone); the senior sporting expert of the Sun will talk on the prospects of Saturday s racing: resume of following day s proframme: weather report and forecast; iroadcasters’ Trio; Miss Phyllis Atkinson (mezzo-soprano) ; sketch by Miss Mav Nancarrow and partner; Mr Roger Tones; Miss Mary Neal; Mr Douglas Graham; Miss Marjorie Skill (soprano); Broadcasters’ Trio; Mr Macready vyil£on; Miss May Nancarrow (elocutionist); Mr Norman Wright (tenor); Miss Phyllis Atkinson: Mr Billy Dick (songs at the piano); Broadcasters Trio: Miss Marjorie Skill; Mr Norman Wright; Miss Phyllis Atkinson; Mr Billy Dick; Mr Norman Wright: Broadcasters’ Trio; Al. Hammett and the Ambassadors Dance Band broadcast from the ballroom of the Ambassadors. During the intervals between dances, news reports by courtesy of the “ Sun ” newspaper will be broadcast. 3LO. Melbourne—B.so, lecture: 9.10 p.m., theatrical talk; 9.30 p.m., 3LO Melodv Masters, assisted by Rupert Hazel and Elsie Day, Pat. M’Lean, Renn Miller and Mascot Ralston. FOR SATURDAY. IYA. Auckland—Day session: Relay description of races; 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., relay of dance programme, particulars to be announced later. 2YK, Wellington—B p.m. to 11 p.m., relay of dance programme from the Columbian Cabaret by Bird’s Columbian Solo Six Orchestra. 3YA, Christchurch—B p.m. to 11 p.m., studio and relay dance programme. 4YA, Dunedin —Silent day. 2BL, Sydney—9.3o p.m. until 130, a.m., G.P.O. clock and chimes; Broadcasters’ Topical Chorus; the Ambassadors instrumental Salon Quartet; Mr Peter Sutherland (basso); Miss Hilda Walker (soprano); Mr ' Will Cherry (imitation of birds, etc.); resume of following day’s programme; weather report and forecast; Miss Amy Ostinga (contralto); Mr Stanley R. Catlett (tenor); Mr Herbert Hinchcliffe (baritone) ; duet, Miss Amy Ostinga and Mr Peter Sutherland; Miss Hilda Walker; Mr Will Cherry; duet, Messrs S. R. Catlett and H. Hinchcliffe; Mr Peter Sutherland; Miss Amy Ostinga; Mr Stanley R. Catlett; Mr Herbert Hinchcliffe; Al. Hammett and the Ambassadors Dance Band broadcast from the ballroom of the Ambassadors. During the intervals between dances, news reports by courtesy of the “ Sun ” newspaper will be broadcast. G.P.O. clock and chimes. *• 3LO, Melbourne—9.3o to 1.10 am., Coburg City Band: Renn Miller, baritone; Tonovox Quartet; Reginald

Bradley, violin recital: Coburg City Band; Elsie Davies soprano;, one-act play; Coburg City Band; Moana Lua Duo; Renn Miller, baritone; Coburg City, Band; Tonovox Quartet; news; Rupert Hazel! and Elsie Day; Moana Lua Duo; Elsie Davies, soprano; news; Rupert Hazell and Elsie Day; Mtafcurg Citv Band; 3LO Melodv Mas* PMfcuntil 1.10 a.m. FOR SUNDAY. IYA. Auckland—6.4s p.m., relay of evening service from St Mary's Church of England Cathedral, preacher, the Rev (’anon Percival James; 8.15. grand organ, choral and vocal items will be broadcast from the church. 2YK, Wellington—6.so p.m., relay of evening service from Vivian Street Baptist Churchy preacher, the Rev F. E. Harry; 8.15 p.m.. relay from His Majesty's Theatre of the Wellington Municipal Tramways Band recital and concert under the direction of Air Harry Berry. 3YA, Christchurch—6.4s p.m., relay of evening service from St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, preacher, the Rev Norman Webster; 8.15 N p.m., grand organ, choral and vocal items will be broadcast from the church. 4YA, Dunedin—6.3o p.m.. relay of evening service from the First Church of Otago,' preacher. Dr E. N. Merrington; 8 p.m., relay from St Kilda band rotunda (weather permitting) of concert by the St Kilda Band. 2BL. Sydney—6.3o p.m.: Organ recital. 7.15: Children s service, conducted by Uncle George. 8.30: Service broadcast from Petersham Baptist Church. 10 p.m. to 11.50 p.m., from the studio: Boardcasters’ Trio; the Lyric Male Quartet; Miss Heather Kinnaird (contralto); resume of following day’s programme ; weather report and forecast; Mr Bryce Carter (’cello solo); Mr David Smith (baritone) ; Miss Elia Goodman (soprano) ; Broadcasters’ Trio; the Lyric Male Quartet; Miss Heather Kinnaird; Mr Bryce Carter; Mr David Smith: Miss Ella Goodman; Broadcasters' Trio. Notes, N«ws and dominants. The small boy and his whistle enjoyed himself before the microphone during the intervals between items by the Woolston Band last night. For one thing, he served to assure crystal users that their catswhiskers were still on the spot when the music was not coming through. About that copper ball addition to the aerial; Removed it last night and did not find it lessened signals to any appreciable extent. Afraid we have not hit on the right way to use it. From illustrations in American magazines, it appears that the ball must be placed on the top of the aerial mast with an, apparently, large size fixed condenser at the bottom of the ball, the lead-in being taken from one side of the ball. A reviewer of this type of aerial states that the ball is ten inches in diameter. One effect of the ball used by the writer was that, with it in use, it was not as easy a matter as before its use to cut out 3YA and tune in IYA. Evidently the addition of the ball (it was about six inches in diameter) served to broaden the tuning of the set. just as would an extra long aerial. From this it would appear that the ball should prove a useful addition to crystal set users who have short aerials.

Quite a number of aerials in and around the city now sport one or more copper balls. One aerial was noticed with three strung up! Has the owner yet been questioned, I wonder, regarding a pawnbroker’s license? “Aerial” will be glad to. hear from any reader who has tried this copper ball stunt whether he has noticed anv improvement or any other feature in reception since its use. While on the subject of aerials, I noticed a very elaborate two-mast aerial system not a mile from the Square the other day. The masts and guying were really workmanlike, but—and it is a great but—the guy wires did not have a single insulator. This is a serious defect. Wherever wires are used as stays for an aerial mast, they should have a fair-sized insulator, one to each guy, inserted about half way between the mast and the guy post or fastening. The guj-s or stays, if of wire, act as miniature aerials, and, if not insulated from the ground, serve to conduct an appreciable quantity of the available incoming energy to earth, thus robbing the aerial wire. A word, also, to those using trees in lieu of aerial masts. You have probably found several undesirable features about these tree-masts. The aerial swings wildly in a high wind with the result that signals wax and wane unduly. Also, perhaps, the aerial has come adrift in a storm owing to the rope or wire breaking, or, if tightened up in dry weather, the rope breaks when rain falls. Try this tip. Fasten a short wooden rod on the tree where your aerial is fastened. On the end of the rod secure a pully. Shortening the aerial wire by a couple of feet or so, if necessary, fix an insulator on the end of the aerial wipe and then a thin rope to the insulator. Take this rope through the pulley on the rod, arrange for a clear drop to the ground for the rope and to the end of it fix a weight just sufficient to keep your aerial wire taut. Then it may rain, blow or hail, the tree may bend any old way, but the weight will keep your aerial tight and taut and there will be an improvement in signals and no anxious thoughts or uncomfortable gropings out in the dark and rain to ‘ fix things ” if and when a storm comes!

And now we come to the end of a perfect day—in other words, a fairly good year! In wishing all readers of the “ Star’s ” wireless notes the compliments of the season. “ Aerial ” wishes to express his appreciation of letters and contributions from many wireless enthusiasts and hopes that all listeners will find, in the year soon to be with us, greater pleasure in the art, better reception all round and finer concerts. To the Broadcasting Company “Aerial,” on behalf of the “ Star’s ” wireless readers, wishes them the compliments of the season and as large an audience in 1927 as will make the company’s collective heart light and cheerful.