RADIO

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18466, 18 May 1928, Page 6

RADIO

By

“AERIAL.”

Notes and News. Both KFSD, San Diego, and KFOIST Long Beach, California, were audible occasionally early last evening, although very heavy bursts of static, a superhet, and a crowd of Oswalds combined to block everything except a moiety of the items and the announcements being heard. That southerly “buster” seems to be gathering its forces for an early visit

to this district, according to wireless indications last night. Static was lighter on IYA and 4QG than on 2BL. 2FC and 4YA, while both 2BL and 4YA suffered more from fading than did the stations to the north and west. 25 S2 SC Despite occasional sharp atmospheric shots, IYA provided fairly pleasant hearing. The programme was quiet, but entertaining. Listeners did not enjoy much of 4YA’s light programme, through ethereal noises and fading intervening, often at the most interesting moments. Good reception, of course, ruled in the cases of 3YA and 2YA. On Wellington all static noises could be eliminated by using the aerial switch in the “off” position and taking one stage of audio only into use. The Australian stations were fairly good during the early evening. 2FC was a trifle weaker than 2BL and 3AR exhibited the same characteristic in relation to 3LO. 4QG was “mushy.” It seems likely that atmospheric conditions rather than faulty modulation at that station should be blamed for the distorted signals one hears so frequently from Brisbane. Tuning in the Autralians at 10 p.m.. was met by a severe barrage of static 2BL, Sydney, was coming in at such good volume that, with the aerial switched off and all six valves in action, quite good loud-speaker reception, free except for the least occasional “plop” of static, was obtained. Listened in to a good variety programme for some time. As an experiment, left the aerial switch in the “off” position and tried the other Australian stations. Results 3LO, Melbourne: Quite good; as loud as 2BL, but slightly more static; clear and quiet enough for enjoyable reception. 4QG, Brisbane: Louder than either 2BL or 3LO, but speech and music badly distorted; scarcely a sign of static. 2FC, Sydney: Dandy! Clear and sweet; quite loud enough without having to force the volume control; no static noticeable, faded somewhat at times. 3AR, Melbourne: Weak and distorted. Could not hear any other Australian station at anything more than fair ’phone strength. « « To be able-to reproduce these distant transmissions successfully under the conditions mentioned necessitates: (1) The use of a detector valve that is quiet in operation, “Horace” had a Philips Miniwatt A 609 instead of the ultra-sensitive, but somewhat noisy, UX2OO-A; and (2) very careful and accurate tuning. Another aid to good results with aerial switched off lies in a high resistance loud-speaker. “Aerial” uses one of the old type 4000 ohm Brown ’speakers—horn type—large size. The coil windings have been burnt out several times, but that’s a detail! They were re-wound a couple of years ago to a resistance of something over 4000 ohms, using 465.w.g. enamelled wire and the old Brown call hold its own to-day with any. A filter' circuit would obviate the risk of a burn out. and one is occasionally used. If any listener happens to have a “dud” speaker in his junk box, it might pay (in results) to have the coils re-wound. Several local radio traders undertake this type of work. It is not an easy job for the amateur, as very important factors in regard to the polarity of the magnet and the direction in which the wire is put on require attention if any results at all are to be obtained. As regards the use of a switch as an •aid in eliminating static, it has been suggested that a very small fixed condenser will give the same results. It will not. Nor will an ordinary single pole double-throw switch answer. The One used by “Aerial” is of the Carter Jack type.

Supplied by the Studios. Some old favourites will appear on IYAJs programme this evening: "Carry th?. r to 9l d Y lrßinny '” “ Coma Into the Garden, Maud," “O That We Two Mayln K.” "Loves Old Sweet Y? S ' . „*- ar board Watch,” “Eileen and - " Ye Banks a nd Braes.” Besides these items, much humour will be introduced, the artists being Mr Tom Harris and the Hebrew Two Popular music will be supplied by the Internationals, both vocal and instrumental.

Special selections by the Studio Orchestra one item in particular, “The Voice of the Bells,” a vocal programme by the Celeste Quartette, and sparkling numbers by Miss Mildred Kenny's steel gantar trio, will comprise the programme at 2YA this evening. Excerpts from the comic opera, “Dorothy. Will comprise the vocal items to be sung by the Melodious Pour at 3YA this evening, when an entertainment of the popular type will be given. The items to be rendered will consist of solos and choruses. Other artists for this evening will be the Studio Trio, Theo. and Frances Gunther (concertina duets), Mr George Bennett (accordeon), Mr Ivan Perrin (piano novelties) and Miss Maiona Juriss (elocutioniste). A good hour’s entertainment, followed by dance music, will be broadcast from 4YA this evening. 1 here will be Rugby broadcasts from all stations to-morrow afternoon. A New Zealander at 2BL. Mr Rex Harrison, a popular baritone vocalist, well known to many Christ-

church people, and who is now engaged in business in Sydney, delighted a number of his friends here who were listen-ing-in to 2BL Inst Tuesday. He sang four songs, among them being “The Lute Player,” “Waiata Poi” and “Mine Enemy.” One of Mr Harrison’s Christ- i church friends ’phoned “Aerial” yesterday that the vocalist was heard to good effect, his songs coming through splendidly. Special Broadcast by PCJJ. Station PCJJ, Holland, will carry out a special overseas broadcast test to-morrow, Saturday, from 10.30 a.m. to e.SOf p.m., New Zealand time. The transmission will ~be made on 31.4 metres. The test is for the purpose of ascertaining the hours of best reception of PCJJ’s signals in New Zealand. The Philips Glowlamp Company (N.Z.), P.O. Box 1673, Wellington, will be pleased to receive reports and convey same to the Dutch station. Listeners should state the time PCJJ is first tuned in, period during which signals are listened to, details as to strength of signals (RlO good" loud-speaker strength, to R 0 no signals) and hours of best reception. Type of receiver and number of valves used should also be stated. ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES. “ Aerial ” will be glad to answer any questions pertaining to wireless, or give advice on the subject. Correspondents should give their names and addresses, not necessarily for publication. « To E.A.: The story of the discovery of the location of the “Roarer” appeared on page 4 of the five o’clock edition of the “Star” last night. Yes, all was quiet on the Potomac last evening, as far as I could judge listening-in to various stations between 6.30 and 10.50 p.m.—“Aerial.”