RADIO

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18451, 30 April 1928, Page 16

RADIO

BY

“AERIAL.”

TODAY’S PROGRAMMES. Following arc details of to-day's programmes received from New Zealand and Australian broadcasting stations:IYA, Auckland. Silent day. 2YA, Wellington (420 m.). 3 to 5 p.m.: Chimes, gramophone items. 6.0: Children (Uncles Toby and Jeff, and Thorndon Normal School).

,7.0: News session. 7.40: Lecturette. , Rev J. R. Blanchard, 8.A., ‘‘Watering j an Australian Desert.'’ S.O: Chimes. S.l : Overture, “Rosamund.” 8.5: Mezzo-contralto, Miss Ngaire Coster, “Lullaby,” “Hedge Roses.” 8.10: Saxophone, Mr A. 11. Wright. 8.15: Tenor, Mr Roy Hill, “Adelaide.” 8.20: Ellwood-Short Trio. 8.30: Bass. Mr J. M. Caldwell, “ The Organ Grinder,” “ I Mill Not Grieve.” 8.36: Flute, Mr L. W. Roth well, “ Ave Maria.” 8.41: The Ariel Singers, “ Oh! Give An Answer, Maiden Fairest.” 5.45: Miss Ava Symons and Mr Gordon Short. 8.55: Soprano, Miss Jeanette Briggs, “ Solveig's Song.” 5.59: Elocution, Mr Stanley Warwick, “My Motor-car.” 9.4: Cornet, Mr H. J. Dutton, “ The Minstrel Boy.” 9.9: Weather report. 9.10: Mezzo-con-tralto. Miss Ngaire Coster. “ I Love Thee,” “Secrecy.” 9.16: Saxophone, Mr A. H. Wright, “ \'alse Vanitie.” 9.21: Tenor, Mr Roy Hill, “ The Wanderer’s Song.” “ More Sweet and Pure and Holy,” “Her Voice.” 9.29: Symons-Ellwood-Short Trio. 9.39: Soprano Miss Jeanette Briggs, “ Lay Thy Cheek Against Mine Own,” “ How Stili the Grove,” “ Love Finds Out the Way.” 9.48: Cornet, Mr H. J. Dutton, “A Perfect Day.” 9.53: elocution, Mr Stanley Warwick, “ Mr Tigg meets Mr Pinch.” 9.58: Flute, Mr L. W. Rotnwell. “Serenade.” 10.3: Ariel Singers, “ How Soft, Yon Murmuring Stream.” 3YA, Christchurch (306 m.).

3 p.m.: Afternoon concert session 4.25: Sports results. 6.0: Children (Uncle Jack and Aunt Edna). 7.15: News session. 8.0: Chimes. Relay from Strand Picture Theatre. Studio concert by Christchurch Municipal Band, assisted by the Beckenham Male Quartet and Mr Jack Darragh. 5.15: Beckenham Male Quartet. “ Nursery Rhvine Medley.” 8.19: The Band, “ B.B.” 5.27: Tenor, Mr E. R. Pitman, “ The Rest of the Day’s Your Own.” 8.31: The Band, “Melodious Gems.” 8.43: Beckenham Male Quartet, “ Lullaby.” 8.47: Soprano, Mrs Leslie Scrimshaw, “ Golden Dancing Days.” 8.51: The Band, “Bradford.” 5.56: Mr Jack Darragh, “ When Tosti Raised his Bowler Hat.” 9.0: Weather report. 9.1: Relay from Strand Theatre. 9.10: Messrs E. R. Pitman and K. G. Archer, “ The Skippers of St Ives.” 9.14: Th« Band, “Patience.” 9.24: Beckenham Male Quartet, “Old Farmer Buck.” 9.28: The Band, “Sliding Jim.” 9.36: Soprano, Mrs Leslie Scrimshaw. “ Solveig’s Song.” “ Chanson de Florian.” 9.39: The Band, “ Rauparaha.” 9.44: Beckenham Male Quartat. “ Amazon.” 9.51: Mr Jack Darragh, “ Guy de Yere Attempts a Toast.” 9.54: Beckenham Male Quartet, “Topical Chorus.” 9.58: The Band, “ The Voice of the Guns" (Alford). 4YA, Dunfedin (463 m.). Silent day. 2FC, Sydney (442 m.). 7.10 p.m.: Chimes. 7.15: The “Hello Man” talks to the children. 8.30: Dinner music. 8.52: Description of the 2FC new studios. 9.10: The Southern Choral Society, “ The Show,” “ Can Ye Sew Cushions,” “O Hush Thee.” 9.20: Edgar Warwick and Eileen Dawn, radio sketch. 9.30: From the carillon tower of the Sydney University, the first public recital on the University War Memorial Carillon, by Bryan Barker. 9.45: From the studio, the Southern Choral Society, “ Just a Cottage Small,” “ The Bells of St Mary’s,”

“Down Vauxhall Way.” 9.55: Studio orchestra. 10.5: Charles Lawrence, entertainer. 10.10: Mrs Graham Burgin, soprano. “ Nightingales of Lincoln's Inn.” 10.15: Lionel Lawson, violinist. 10.19: Edgar Warwick and Eileen Dawn, radio sketch. 10.26: Mr Graham Burgin, baritone, “ The Arrow and the Song.” 10.30: Studio orchestra. 10.43: The Southern Choral Society (Melbourne), “Tramp o’er Moss and Fell,” “ Strike, Strike the Lyre.” “ Oft in the Stilly Night.” 10.52: Lawrence Godfrey Smith, piano solos. 11.2: The Sydney Flute Club. 11.12: Duets, Mr and Mrs Graham Burgin, “ Spirit of the Wood,” “A Summer Night.” 11.20: Ewart Chappie, organ solo. 11.24: Charles Lawrence. 11.30: Studio orchestra. 11.40: The Southern Choral Society, “Go Down. Moses,” “Buy my Strawberries.” 11.47: The Sydney Flute Club. 12.1: The Ambassadors’ dance orchestra and studio items, until 1.15 a.m.

3LO, Melbourne (371 m.). 7.30 p.m.: Children, dinner music, news, etc.: 9.0: Dr C. Gordon M’Adam, “Scouting”; 9.15: W. A. M. Blackett, “The. Architectural Exhibition”; 9.30: S. A. Cock, “Citrus Culture”; 9.46: The Gvpsy Players; 9.56: Elsternwick Male Choir; 10.3: Gypsy Players; 10.13: male choir; 10.20: Gypsy Players; 10.30: Mina Heseleva; 10 37: Henri Penn, piano recital of Chopin's works; 10.59: Ernest Sage; 11.6: Station orchestra; 11.13: Rupert llaze.ll and Elsie Day; 11.25: Station orchestra; 11.50: Mina Heseleva: 11.57: station orchestra; 12.7: Gordon .lames: 12.14: Station orchestra; 12.24: Gordon James: 12.31 to 1.10 a.m.: dance music by “The Vagabonds.” 4QG, Brisbane (385 m.). 9.30 to 11.30 p.m.: “The Call of the West”; studio concert. :: :: Nctes and News. Saturday night started off rather disappointingly but a little patience and a long session with the receiver brought reward. Static was disconcertingly heavy until well after 10 o’clock, when it died down gradually until, from about 11 onwards, the ether cleared considerably and the Australian stations were heard at first-class strength. Once again there was bad local interference, off and on, from shortly after 7 p.m. until close on 9, when the machine was switched off. Unfortunately for the plans made to track down the offender, an interruption caused their postponement on Saturday evening. s A few notes on reception of the stations heard on Saturday evening may be of some use to listeners who are a trifle doubtful about the state of their batteries, etc. IYA: Very good volume. A little fading. Static heavy. 4YA: Not quite as loud as IYA. Plenty static. 2YA and 3YA: Excellent in every way. Programmes also good—-

what was heard of them. 2BL: Bad at first. Much static and volume poor—even allowing for fading spells. 2FC: Very good volume and little fading. Static heavy until after 11 when reception showed a wonderful improvement. At 11.15 2FC came through clearly and well. Fine programme. 3LO, 3AR. 4QG, SCL, 7ZL, 3UE, and 2GB: All came in at very good strength after 11 p.m., with static heavy at first then decreasing as in the case of 2FC.

There are some high-powered Oswalds up St Albans way, On Sunday afternoon—between 3 and 5 o’clock—an old man Oswald operated a siren that would not have disgraced a battleship in distress. He howled and wailed most distressingly'- until one listener near him wished him anything but many happy returns. There was a faint transmitter —’way off on the ethereal horizon —on somewhere about 260 metres, sending out a programme of music. This father of an Oswald picked it—he would, of course—and “ Aerial ” hadn’t the ghost of a chance to find out the call sign of the visitor. Most annoying.

The writer of these notes has often advised readers to test their receivers several times each evening to ascertain if they are oscillating—that is, sending out squeals and howls that are picked up by listeners anything up to a mile or more away from the offender. The test is a simple one and it is repeated again, coupled with the request to all listeners that they will apply the test every evening, especially when they are endeavouring to tune in a distant station. It is most unfair that one’s pleasure should be spoiled—as it so often is—by howls and wails that have no business to be on the air. The trouble is caused by one of several ways of operating a receiver. The rheostats may be turned on too far; the volume control may also be turned on too much ; in the case of a moving primary coil, it may be coupled too tightly to the secondary; in the case of a receiver with a “ tickler ” coil—that is, a small coil on a spindle moving within a larger coil, the secondary—this “ tickler ” coil may be turned so far as to cause the valve to oscillate; in the case of a “ fixed ” regenerative coil, where regeneration is effected by means of a variable condenser, this condenser may be set so far over the oscillation point as to cause violent oscillation. Each one of these is liable to cause trouble to others, therefore, as you wish for pleasant reception yourself, handle your receiver with care, ever bearing in mind that you may be a “ howler.” It is realised that 99 per cent of the Oswalds “ Aerial ” so often rails at are quite unconscious they are offending—hence this appeal to all owners of valve sets to test—and test persistently—until absolutely certain the wireless receiver can be operated as it ought to be —in peace and quietness in your neighbours’ sets. One last point: The more you oscillate the less you will hear. To test for oscillation: Wet a finger, touch with it the aerial- lead-in (it must be the bare wire close to the set). Listen carefully. Y r ou will hear a slight “ plonk ” or “ pluck ” from your ’phones or the loudspeaker. That is no guide. Now note: If, when you remove your wet finger from the bare wire, you hear another decided “ plonk ” or “ pluck ” in the ’phones or ’speaker, YOUR SET IS OSCILLATING and }'Ou should take instant steps to stop it. Will listeners —all owners of valve sets—please cooperate in an endeavour to keep the ether quiet?

Early evening reception last night was an improvement on that of Saturday, but the improvement was not such as to give the results we should be getting at this time of the year. Static was comparatively heavy round about eight o’clock, but this did not prevent the Australian stations—especially 2FC—from exhibiting great volume. Was listening to 3YA until eight, so missed hearing that noise. On testing out the Australian stations, however, it came in with a roar, disappearing almost exactly on the stroke of eight. That was a very fine session 3YA put on during the children’s hour last night. The }*oung folks from the Salvation Army showed that they are as good instrumentalists as they are vocalists. A very enjoyable service. Listeners had another visit from the “ roarer ” round about nine o’clock last night. Worse than ever. It must be killed—one way or another. From 8.52 until 9.3, it roared in all over the dials. Wicked. Did not stay very long with the Australians. Static was too heavy—drumlire stuff. 2FC and 2BL were the onljstations that could be listened to. The others were drowned out. Both Auckland and Dunedin had « bad time of it. 2YA Wellington faded very badly : —as crystal-set owners must have noticed when listening to 8YA v s rebroadcast of 2YA. :: ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES. “ Aerial ” will be glad to ajoswer any question pertaining to wireless, or give advice on the subject. Correspondents should give their names and addresses, not necessarily for publication. That Noise. To W.N.C.: Thank you for the suggestion. Will carry out a test this evening, if the noise starts up and I can arrange for the use of the superhet. again.—“ Aerial.” Good Short-Wave Work. “ Insulator ” writes, under date April 25:—“1 am enclosing my log-book to show you how successful I have been since I managed to get my S.W. set functioning properly on Good Friday. A glance through it from April 6 onwards should convince anyone that there is enough to be heard away down on the short waves. I have been away for a week—this accounts for no notes in the log for that period. To-day I heard PCJJ at strong ’phone strength, but as I had no speaker I could not try it on one. SSW was as strong as PCJJ until 7 a.m., when it appeared to weaken. 2XAF was very loud after

5 p.m.. and 2ME came in like thunder. I had PC JJ until 7.35, when it closed down- -that is, for three SSW until it. closed down at 10.30 four hours. SSW was very good from 9 to 10.30 a.m. The overlapping houi of the two stations SSW and PCJJ — that is. from 6.30 to 7.30-1 filled in by picking out the best items from each station and listening to them —going backwards and forwards from on£ to the other. I held 2XAF for an hour] and a half, so my set has been doing overtime to-day. However, a look

through my log-book will show you how the land lies now. The only station I really want to pick up now is RCBB at Buenos Aires, South America. Several chaps have had it, but I have never struck it yet. But there may be better luck ahead. Y ou will see there are no notes—in the log of reception of RFM lately as I have no coil at present to go up to 70 metres. Am winding one during the week-end. The strength obtained is not bad (from SSW and PCJJ) considering that only dry-cell valves are used.” In a postscript “Insulator” adds: —“Late arrivals to-day are 7CW Hobart and 2RT Goulbourn, N.S.W.” A further p.s. on April 26: —“Arrivals this morning—2ME Sydney, extremely loud; SSW Chelmsford- very loud and clear.” Comment: Very glad to have the op portunity of perusing vour log. Most interesting. For the benefit of others interested in short-wave reception it may be mentioned that “ Insulator ” has logged recepion from short-wave stations in; Christchurch, Rangiora. Wanganui,-Timaru. Taihape. Gore. Ashburton. and Hamilton, New Zealand; New York, Holland, Rocky Point

(N.Y .), Japan, Schenectadv (NY’ ) Goulbourn (N.S.W.), Chelmsford “f 1 ' Brisbane (Q.), Adelaide (S.A.), Hobart (Tas.l. Khobarovsk (U.SSR) Perth (WA ) . Strathheld (N.S.W.), Pittsburg (U.S.A.) and stations in South Australia. A very good bag. indeed. Sorry that space does not permit Publication of extracts from the log. Some of it makes fine reading. Am posting book to von today.—“ Aerial." A 60,000 Watter. *’* *'* .T. Rees, North Beach, writes this morning:—“9XF (or Ml, 60000 watts about 295 metres, very strong last night. Signed off at 9.50. Static bad 1 lould not catch full address. ' Great bakes Broadcasting Co.. - Grove Illinois, twenty-four miles south west of Chicago.' '•