RADIO

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18545, 20 August 1928, Page 16

RADIO

BY

“AERIAL"

Reception Notes. The storm last week cleared the ether splendidly, with the result that listeners have enjoyed a period of almost static-free reception. All stations showed good form on Friday night, with the exception that light fading troubled all the distant transmissions. Put the short-.waver in commission for an hour on Saturday afternoon to listen to PCJJ. He wasn't over-strong at the best—only good ’phone strength. He called short-wave listeners in Australia and New Zealand, and asked for reports. Mentioned that he was operating on 31.4 metres. The concert items were clear, not strong, but with very little surging. It was so good up topside on Saturday night that “Horace” had a long and strenuous evening of it. There was very little static at any time and, until after eleven o’clock, every Oswald ceased from troubling and the ether was at rest. Good programmes were on the air in all directions, with the

result that those possessing receivers I capable of bringing in the “B” class Australians (who were all heard at splendid strength on the B.T. six) had the choice, from 6 p.m. until 1.15 a.m., of over a dozen transmissions. The Japs, of course, were as well to the fore as the Australians. But there was one cannot-be-too-sufficiently condemned fiend of an Oswald with a wail that wouldn't have disgraced the wildest Banshee who howled like a lost soul in—the place where they howl loudest—right on JOAK for twentyone minutes (took the trouble to time the gentleman) before he wobbled off. Didn't hear him again, thanks be, during the rest of the evening, but there were numerous little howlers out prowling after the Australians after 3YA had closed down. Few had much strength in their voices and, one by one, thejgave up the ghost so that, by midnight, peace descended and life was, once more, worth living. $s a a The Pacific Coast American stations are coming out of their winter sleep. Heard last night, several of them indicated they should soon be wide awake again and listeners be able to hear what’s doing on the other side of the Pacific. Started off with our old friend KFON, of Dong . Beach, California, shortly after 5.30 p.m. Strength was only fair loud-speaker then, but it improved gradually, attaining its best volume from ‘7.15 to 7.30. Three other Americans, on between 220 and 300 metres, were heard faintly, but not identified. *’* M Higher up the scale, 400 metres, heard a fairly good transmission (jazz items), but it died away without an announcement being heard. KGO Oakland, California, was also “fair” between 6.50 and 7.10. There was rather a lot of fading noted in every case, but scarcely any static. Listeners should hear the more powerful of these Pacific Coasters at good strength from about 6 to 7.30 every night, commencing from about the end of this month. j.j *.* Good volume from all New Zealand stations last night. 4YA’s relay of the church service was somewhat “mushy’ and showed occasional signs of light fading. IYA was in fine fettle every time it was tuned in. 2YA suffered considerably both from fading and distortion all evening. 3YA was, of course, good. Did not hear its rebroadcast of 2YA, but, as that station was so unsteady, that fact would be reflected in the rebroarlcast.

After 2YA closed down, tuned in 2BL. Very good volume. Only the least faint crackle from static. No Oswalds. A trifle of fading—not enough to worry about. The Jap JOAK was verv weak at ten o’clock. Passed on to 3LO. Great volume. A little static with it. Also a couple of little Oswalds. Some fading. Another fine ti'ansmission was that from 4QG Brisbane. Very steady. A light rain of static —two 2FC Sydney wasn’t too bright at 10.5. Not strong, although there w r as scarcely any static to

SCL Adelaide—Just audible. 3AR Melbourne —Very good. Static louder. Also an Oswald with prolonged whine. Could just hear 7ZL Hobart coming out of a fading fit when it was absorbed in the row raised by a Morse code station. On the way back to the lower waves stopped at 2FC at 10.25. Volume very much better. Stayed there for the rest of the evening listening to a good programme. On the whole—a fine night. News from Berlin. Mr A. D. Baggs, who left Christchurch on Saturday morning on transfer to Nelson, where he is taking oyer the dtities of district telegraph engineer, and who, as listeners know, is very interested in short-wave work, recently received an interesting letter from an ex-Argentinian, now in Berlin, who also is a short-wave enthusiast. He is a Mr B. Vermeheren, and writes from Hermsdorf, a suburb of Berlin. The following extracts from his letter will be read with much interest. “ I have heard 2XAF, 2XAD and KDKA better and stronger in the Argentine than in Germany. It is not clear why reception on short-wave phone here is so much worse* than at Olivos, a suburb ten miles from Buenos Avres, as, in both places—here and tb ere _L there’s about the same number of likelv sources of interference—an e.l. suburban railway, telegraph lines and cables and so on. Even the A.C. supply is the same. t American, Dutch and English shortwave broadcasts were all heard at good strength at Olivos, while the only American station I can get here at any reasonable strength is 2XAF. PCJJ generally is 4 mushy.’ Once or twice lie has "been heard at loud speaker strength, but only when he has continued his programme until S a.m. “ One of the best heard here lately was Gerald Marcuse’s station, 2NM. He has had extraordinary difficulties in getting his license renewed. He uses a power of one kilowatt only, and 1 have listened to his transmissions for hours on. end at a strength of R 9-10 with excellent modulation —much better than PCJJ. “ SSW is not heard well here. I’ve had 3LO twice, but owing to bad static and general conditions, only weak signals have been received. ■. . . Although we are right into July . . atmospheric conditions are bad.” Mr Vermeheren would like to hear from some New Zealand “ hams.” He mentions that a German amateur transmitter, a Mr Klotz. of station ek4ABC, of Heidelberg, who operates a Mesny crystal-controlled transmitter (he omits to give the vital information, namely, the wave length used), would like to open up communications with New Zealand short-wave stations. Studio Notes. In response to requests. a pro gramme of “ Songs of Yesterday ” wil. be presented by the Ariel Singers al 2YA - this evening. Such numbers at “ Tom Bowling,” “The Last Rose ol Summer,” ‘Maying,” “Anchored,’ etc., should revive memories in oldei listeners-in. Associated with the Arie Singers in this popular programme wil be Mr A. Stanley Warwick, elocution is*, fhe Studio Trio (instrumental' and Mr H. Temple White at the orgar of the Taranaki Street Methodis - Church. Besides Mr Walter Brunsden, basst prof undo, whose “ A Hundred Fatb oms Deep” and “In Cellar Cool” ar» certain to be two very popular items

other artists appearing this evening at 3YA will be Miss Dorothy Salter (mezzo-soprano), Miss Frances Hamerton and Mr A. R. Thompson. The band which will supply the instrumental music of the programme will be Mr Derry’s popular organisation, which will present a splendidly diversified programme. Elocutionary items will be given on Monday by Miss Mavis Kinsella. Silent day for IYA and 4YA. Short Wiave Report. “ Insulator ” kindly supplies the following report: “Short waves during the past week have looked up, and an all-round improvement is noticeable. On Monday, August 13, 3LO on their weekly transmission on 32 metres were very strong. Another station heard in the evening on records, but not identified. Tuesday yielded only 5SW T with musical items in the morning at fair ’phone strength. On Wednesday mbrning, PCJJ was very loud, no ripple being noticeable. SBW was also very good—a comedy sketch being in progress at 7.20 a.m. 95 per cent of the words being intelligible. In the evening 2AB, Wanganui, and 280, Wellington, were heard. JHBB, Japan, on 35 metres, was heard at 8 p.m. with a talk, but could not be heard later in the evening. On listening on Tliursday morning, a terrific interference spoiled reception. This interference was noticeable only on the 20 metre band, and had disappeared on listening again at 12.30 p.m. In consequence, SSW was not heard that morning. 280, WeJlington, and 3CM, Christchurch, were heard in the evening. SSW and PCJJ came through at great volume on Friday morning—the best they have been heard for some time now. A number of stations were heard on Saturday, SSW being very good in the morning KDKA was rather on the weak side at 2 p.m., with orchestral music on 26.5 metres. 2XAD was tuned in at very good strength at 2 p.m.—rather unusual, as they do not usually have much kick until 2.45 p.m. IAJ, Whagarei, and 2BA, Wellington, were heard having a chat at 2.50 p.m. Between 3 and 3.30 p.m., 2XAD was at great strengtn, the loudest ever heard from this station—the usual t jazz stuff from 4 Henry Bussey and his recording or chestra, from Reilly’s Lake House Lake Lovely, Saratoga Springs, New York/ as the announcer reminded us! “ Immediately thejr closed, PCJJ was tuned in, and. as was the case witl 2XAD, volume was tremendous, beinj quite loud up till they closed at 6.3‘ p.m. Later in the evening 3CT, 3C\ and 3CL. all Christchurch 4 hams,’ wen heard. IFT, Auckland. was heart working 181. At 11.50 p.m., the 4 mvs tery ’ station was heard again oi about 42 metres. A talk took up abou seven minutes, and then the singing o

the Dutch National Anthem and an old song, ‘Red, White and Blue.’ brought them to a close at 12.4 a.m. Not a very long programme to-night from this station. 3CM and 3CT were heard on Sunday morning. KDKA was very strong in contrast to yesterday, and 2XAF could be heard quite well at. 1.30 p.m. 2HB, New South Wales, working 2SM at 2.10 p.m. on about 32 metres. 2XAF later on till 3.30 p.m.. 4RD, Queensland, with records at 5.30 p.m., and 380, Victoria, at 6:50 p.m.. talking to some other 4 ham,’ alt went to swell the total. New stations heard the last week were IAJ, 3CT, 2HB and 4RD, making my total seventy stations. SDX. South Australia, or rather SDonX, as he announces, on 32 metres, at 10 p.m., finished^the^day.” ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES. “Aerial" will be glad to answer any question pertaining to wireless, or give advice on the subject. Correspondents should give their names and addresses, not necessarily for publication. To “ Insulator ”: —Many thanks. Appears above. Will be very glad to have regular reports.—“ Aerial.” TO-DAY’S PROGRAMMES. Following are details of programmes received from New Zealand and Australian broadcasting stations, with the exception of those from 2BL and 2FC, Sydney, which have not yet arrived:—• IYA, Auckland. ! Silent day. 2YA, Wellington (420 m.). \ 3to 5 p.m.: Chimes, gramophone items, sports results. 6.0: Children’s ‘ session—Aunt Gwen and Uncle Jeff, assisted by pupils of Mr Stanley War- ’ wick. 7.0: News session. 7.40: Lecturette —Mr F. J. Cave (technical expert of Shell Petroleum, Australia), 44 The j Tractor.” 8.0: Chimes. All vocal items . on this programme rendered by the Ariel Singers will be songs which were r popular 25 to 30 years ago. 8.1: The ; Orchestra, 44 The Barber of Seville.” 8.9: r Ariel Singers, 44 Sleep, Gentle Lady.” _ 8.12: Instrumental, Studio Trio. 8.22: Recitals, Mr A. Stanley Warwick. “ They Never Quarrelled,” “ The Way of Wooing.” 8.30: Baritone, Mr John * Prouse, 44 Honour and Arms,” “ I Will ' Not Grieve,” 44 My Fairest Child,” “There’s a Land.” 5.42: Violin solo , (with orchestral accompaniment), Miss

' Ava Symons, “ Kol Nidrei.” 8.46: SoS . prano, Miss Jeanette Briggs, “ Waiting.” j 8.49: Relay of organ solos by Mr H. Temple White, “Melody in F” (Rubinstein), “Marche Solennelle ” (Mailly). = 8.59: Weather forecast. 9.1: Bass, Air r J. M. Caldwell, “Anchored.” 9.5: The . Orchestra, request number. 9.13: Vocal . duet, Miss Jeanette Briggs and Mr Roy Hill,' 44 Maying.” 9.16: Recital, Mr A. Stanley Warwick, 44 On Being Asked the Way.” 9.23: Mezzo-contralto, Mi&s r Ngaire Coster, “ The Last Rose of Sume mer.” 9.26: Tenor, Mr Roy Hill, “Tom r Bowling,” 44 My Pretty Jane.” 9.32: i The Orchestra, 44 Legende,” “ Aubade a Printiniaire.” 9.42: Vocal duet, Misses r J. Briggs and N. Coster, “ O, Wert i, Thou in the Cauld Blast?” 9.45: Bass, 4 Mr J. M. Caldwell, “The Old Brigade.” h 9.49: The Orchestra. “ Chopinania, Part 2” (Friml). 10.1: Close. 3YA, Christchurch (306 m.). 1 1 3 to 4.30 p.m.: Afternoon session. 11 4.25: Sports results. 6.0: Children’s * session. 7.15: News session. 7.30: Talk ® on “ Books,” Mr E. J. Bell. 8.0: Chimes. Programme by Derry's Mili tary Band and assisting artists. 8.1 : Band, “Tent City,” 44 C-harmaine.” 8.11: p Bass. Mr Walter Brunsden, “ A Hundred Fathoms Deep,” “ In Cellar Cool ’ 8.17: Contralto, Miss Dorothy Salter, * Evening Song,” “ The Valley’ and the Hill.” 8.22: Bjpnd. Reminiscences of Wales." 8.34: Soprano, Miss Frances I-lamerton, 44 Johneen,” “ Skylark and , 0 Nightingale.” 8.39: Tenor, Mr A. R. Thompson, •“ An Evening wSong.” 8.43: , e Recital, Miss Mavis Kinsella, “ ’Tisn t’ .g V orth It. 8.4/ : Band, “ Ke Sa. Ko ”

“ Birds of Spring.” 8.59: Dolce Duo, “ How Lovely is the Face.” 9.3: Weather forecast'. 9.5: Overture. 99: Tenor, Mr A. R. Thompson, “ Nell O’Neill,” 44 I Arise from Dreams of Thee.” 9.16: Soprano, Miss Frances Hamerton. “Sometimes I Feel.” 44 Go Down, Mosts.” 9.20: Band. “ A Southern Wedding.” 9.32: Mezzo-con-tralto, Miss Dorothy Salter, “ A Soit Day,” “The Second Minuet.” 9.39: Recitals, Miss Mavis Kinsella, “ Little Moccasins.” 44 She Powders Her Nose.” 9 44: Dolce Duo, “ Laurinda and Clorinda.” 9.59: Band, 44 Forgive Me,” “ Social Life.” Close. 4YAi Dunedin. Silent day. 3LO, Melbourne (371 m.). 8.43 p.m.: Birthday Greetings. 8.45: “A Talk to Boy Scouts.” 9.0: E. C. H. Taylor, on 44 School Life and School Sport.” 9.16: P. Ryan, Inspector of Agriculture, on “ Maize Culture—Preparation for Seeding.” 9.30: Programme announcements. 9.31: First act of 44 Hit the Deck.” Transmission from His Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne. Musical numbers—l: Overture. 2: “ Join the Navy.” Annie Croft and Chorus Gentlemen 3: “What’s a Kiss Among Friends?” Rowena Ronald, Zillah Carter. Frank Leighton, Chorus and Ballet. 4: 44 Harboui of My Heart,” Annie Croft and Lance Fairfax. 5: “ Shore Leave,” Ladies of the Ballet and Chorus Gentlemen. 6: 44 Lucky Bird,” May Beatty. 7; “ Looloo,” An

nie Croft and Chorus Gentlemen. S: “ Nothing could be Sweeter,” Rowena Ronald. 9: “Sometimes I’m Happy.” Annie Croft and Lance Fairfax. 10: Finale—Annie Croft and entire company. From the Studio —11.10: The Station Orchestra. “ Petite Suite de Concert.” 11.20: Althouse and M’Callum. 11.30: The Station Orchestra, ‘ Paraphrase of Melody in F ” (Rubinstein), “ Valse Op. 64” (Chopin). 11.40: Guy Moore (tenor), “The Hawk,” “A Regret.” 11.47: “Argus” news service. 11.57: “The Futurists,” “Melodious Mirth.” 12.7: Guv Moore. “O Flower of all the World.” “Pleading.” 12.35: The Radi-o-aces in dance music until 1.10 a.m. 3AR, Melbourne (484 m.). 6.30 p.m. to 9.55 p.m.: Studio items, news, stock reports, etc. 10 p.m. to 12.30 a.m.: Night session. Artists - Vladimir Elin (baritone). Joe Brennan and Ida Newton (in “Frivolous Fripperies”), Ethel Heaney (soprano), the Moana Lua Duo (Spanish and Hawaiian guitars), and the Studio Band. Included in the programme wil] be a one-act play (11.7 p.m.) entitled “ The Fortune Teller.” 4QG, Brisbane (386 m.). 9.30 p.m.: A recital by Miss Gladys Frost (piano) and Miss Lena Hammond (contralto). 10.30 to midnight: A radio play entitled 44 The Love Charm,” a musical play with a cast <rf six characters and chorus.