RADIO

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18547, 22 August 1928, Page 16

RADIO

BY “AERIAL.” i Notes and News. Although ethereal conditions permitted, very clear and steady reception of all New Zealand stations on the air last night up to 10 o'clock, matters were not so satisfactory when the time came to listen to the evening broadcasts by the Australian stations. There wasn't a sign of static during the evening until after 10.45, and then it was. of the lightest—an occasional .crack at long intervals. But all the Australians seemed to be badl}' “blanketed" as well as suffering frequently from severe, fading spells; there was much difficulty in bringing in any of them at more than fair loud-speaker strength. Would not be surprised to hear that listeners, noting the clearness of the ether, suspected either that something had gone wrong with their sets, or that their batteries were run down. Neither was to blame, of course. The “blanket" was a result of an atmospheric disturbance, presaging another change in the weather conditions, developing, probably, within fortyeight hours from last night. ss Before closing down for the night, gave the dials another twirl—just to see how transmissions were coming over—at 11.15. Results: Four stations below 300 metres. All at fair to medium loud-speaker strength. As they were niggardly with their call signs, passed on. Static down there was present in a light but fairly continuous rain. 2GB Sydney wasn't bad. Fairly steady. SDN Parkside: Very weak. JOAK, 345 metres: Not so good. Under the “blanket.” 2BL Sydney: Steady. Good volume. Just the least crackle from static. Tuned in another Jap between 2BL and 3LO—a very feeble brother. Loud crackle from static. 3LO Melbourne: Good, but sounded in need of nourishment. A rattle from static at times. The Jap to be found just before reaching 4QG had attracted several Oswalds —probably because he showed up better than his confrere on 345 metres. 4QG Brisbane: Quite good. No static. Very steady. SCL: Very poor. 2FC Sydney: Under the same old “blanket.” A trifle of static. Bad fading. 3AR Melbourne: Nice volume. Very clear and. steady. No static. Some Morse. 7ZL Hobart: Very, very poor. Heavy Morse. No static. And so to bed,-after a not too satisfactory evening with “the wireless." More About Oscillation. .One of the principal problems which confronts any radio fan who wishes to get maximum amplification and effici ency out of a tuned radio frequency circuit is that of undesirable regeneration and oscillation, says the radio editor of the “ New' York Herald-Tri-bune." There are three major causes for this condition. The first is electromagnetic feedback between the plate and grid coils. The second is the interstage coupling resulting from the common resistance of the batteries or eliminator resistance in the plate circuits of the valves. The third and most important source of feedback is the inter-electrode capacity of the valve resulting from the capacity effect present between the grid ancj plate elements. The first cause can be eliminated by shielding each stage effectively with heavy metal shields. The second can be eliminated by using a shunt plate feed type of circuit in the plate circuits of the valves. One of the simplest and most effective methods of eliminating the undesirable effects of the grid to plate capacity of a

valve is to. insert a grid suppressor in the grid lead of the valve, between the tuned portion of the circuit (consisting of the tuning condenser and coil) and the grid terminal of the valve socket.. The suppressors are particularly suitable for this purpose because of the non-inductive chjiracter of the winding used in making them and because of their extremely low capacity. The ordinary type of resistance, having a comparatively high value of inductance and capacity, is worse than useless for such use. Contrary to general opinion, the use of suppressors in this manner does not involve any “ losser ” effects or broadening of tuning, because the resistance is not in the tuned condenser and coil portion of the grid circuit. An outstanding example of the value of the use of this method of controlling regeneration is found in the 'LC-28 receiver recently brought out by Laurence M. Cockada3’. Jn this receiver a 500-ohm suppressor is used in the grid lead of the first R.F. valve, a 600-ohm suppressor is used in the grid lead of the second R .F. valve, and a 700-ohm suppressor is used in the third stage. One of the remarkable features of the receiver is the fact that while the amplification obtained runs up as high as ten per stage, no trouble whatsoever is encountered from undesirable oscillation. It might also be mentioned that the extraordinary selectivity of the rceeiver dispels any doubts regarding any possible bad effects which might result from the use of the suppressors. Radio Thirty Years Ago.

Thirty years ago this month radio telegraphy was officially adopted as a public means of communication when Lord Kelvin paid Senatore Marconi one shilling for the transmission of the first paid message (states a London message of June 24). This historic message was sent by Lord Kelvin, who at that time, with Lady Kelvin and Lord Tennyson, was visiting Senatore Marconi s experimental wireless station at Needles, Isle of Wight. In order to show his appreciation of the work the inventor of radio had accomplished and to illustrate his belief in its commercial future, Lord Kelvin insisted upon paying one shilling each for wireless telegrams he sent to Sir George Stokes, at Cambridge, to Lord Rayleigh and Mr W. 11. Preece, in London, and to Dr M'Lean, his chief assistant in the physical laboratory of the University of Glasgow. The message from Lord Kelvin to Sir George Stokes was as follows:

“This is sent, commercially paid, at Alum Bay, for transmission through ether. One shilling to Bournemouth and thence by postal telegraph, 15 pence, to Cambridge.” During the thirty years which have elapsed since this incident at the Isle of Wight wireless telegraphy has achieved all and more than Lord Kelvin could have foreseen, and to-day there is hardly a corner of the world which cannot be reached by wireless communication in which wireless does not take its part in daily communication routine.

Beats Trout Fishing! Heart failure might be the reaction of the average radio fan if his set suddenly went silent and a faint voice’ announced “This is Australia, “states a message of June 10 from Bloomsburg. Pa., U.S.A. G. Edward El well jr., of Bloomsburg did not collapse when he had this experience and, moreover, he obtained confirmation that the programme actually was from Australia. A day or two later he listened to a second Australian station and received confirmation subsequently from that. His set is an ordinary stock model, but its sensitiveness over long distances has been the marvel of amateurs and experts, many of whom have come to Bloomsburg to examine it. They found nothing unusual either in construction or hook-up to account for its remarkable performance. Ten stations on foreign continents have been logged by Mr El well, with Mexico City heard and with confirmation received from every

station. Stations on every continent except Africa have been heard and so far as Mr Elwell knows there are no broadcast stations there of sufficient power to be heard in the United States. The Australian stations were heard about 5 a .in. Eastern standard time and were located in Melbourne and Sydney. He has received confirmation of programmes from Alaska and Tokio, Japan ; twice from Hamburg, Germany; a 500 watt station in Paris, two from Madrid, London and Newcastle, England, and Lima, Peru. Altogether, Mr Elwell has logged 533 stations, which include those from forty-three states. Among the American stations are a five-watt station in Massachusetts, a ten-watt station in lowa, a station of similar power in Mississippi and thirty-watt stations in Michigan and Havana. He established what may be a unique performance when, for more than 100 consecutive nights, he tuned in on the same station on the Pacific Coast.

THE SHORT WAVER’S LOG. LIST No. 5. Following is the latest available list of stations operating on the short waves, from 1 metre to 151.8 metres: 82.0 NRRG—Winter Park, Fla. 83.0 RDW— Moscow, USS R. 84.0 NKF—Bellevue, D.C. 54.5 NERM—U.S.S. "Los Angeles” < Dirigible). 85.0 9XD—Radio Club of Zurich Switzerland. 87.41 WHF- —Williamsport, Md. 90.0 6XO—Kahuku, Hawaii. 90.86 WOB—Connellsville, Pa. 92.0 2YT—Poldhu, England. 94.0 2YT —Poldhu, England. 95.0 KEL—Bolinas, Calif. 96.0 BXS—E. Pittsburgh, Pa. 96.41 WJV, Philadelphia, Pa. 97.66 WKZ—Cumberland, Md. 98.3 WGl—Alpena, Mich. 99 0 KET—Bolinas, Calif. 99.9 WEP—Cape Charles, Ya. 100.0 2Xl—Schenectady, N.Y. 100.0 SOJ —Brazilian S.S. “Jacquarao.” 101.3 WSY—Darlington, Md. 104.1 6XAU —Los Angeles, Calif. 105.0 9XAB—Omaha, Nebr. 105.0 6XBR—Los Angeles, Calif. 105.0 IXY—Tilton, N IT. 105.2 WEl—Norfolk. Ya. 105.2 7XC—Seattle, Washington. 1059 6XAN—Los Angeles, Calif. 105.9 7XAB—Spokane, Washington. (Portable. ) 1060 2XE—(phone)—Richmond Hill, N.Y. 106.0 6XAZ—(phone)—San Diego, Cal. ( Portable.) 106.6 6XBII-Alma (Holy City), Cal. 107.1 6XA—Los Angeles, Calif. 107.1 KIU (phone) Guadeloupe California. 108.2 6XAK—Eureka, Calif. I 108.2 6XBA— Los Angeles, Cal. 1 08 2 GXAL—Los Angeles, Calif.

108.2 6XAF—Los Angeles, Calif. 108.2 KNRC—:Santa Monica, Calif. 108.2. KFQZ Hollywood, Calif. 109.0 2XK—Schenectady, X.Y. 109.0—IXY Tilton, N.II. 109.4 KGGQ—Calif. (Portable). 113.0 KGFZ—S.S. “Yoreda." 113.6 KNl—Wilmington, Calif. 114.9 KGU—Culver City, Calif. 115.0 KGDC—S.S. “Manana.” 115.3 WORD—S.S. “Radio." 118.0 WFU—Miami Beach, Fla. 124.9 WSY—Miami, Fla. 127.6 KYF—Seattle, Wash. 129.8—KGLL—S.S. “ lolanthe.” 130.0 WWFA—S.S. “ Seal." 130.4 SXA—Airplane (Ford Mtr. Co.) 132.7 WBC—Highland Park, Mich. 133.62 KGET, KGEY, KGFR, KGFS. KGFT—all portable. 136.9 WCJ —Hazelton, Pa. 136.9 WHG—Allentown, Pa. 136 9 WLF—Wilsonville, Pa. 144.8 KVU—San Diego, Calif. 146.6 KFV-KYY—Los Angeles, Calif. 151.8 3XQ—Mountain Lakes, X.J.

TO-DAY’S PROGRAMMES. Following are details of to-day’s programmes received from New Zealand and Australian broadcasting stations: IYA, Auckland (333 m.). 3 to 4.30 p.m.: Studio items. Literary selection. Sports results. 6.0: Children's session, Uncle Tom. 7.15: Talk by Gargoyle on “Lubrication." 7.30: Market news and reports. 8.0: Chimes. 8.1: Relay of Auckland Municipal Band concert in “Military Band Selections,” assisted by the Ilazell-Sutherland Duo, who will perform the following items from the studio: Contralto, Miss Phyllis Ilazell, “Longing for You,” “I Only Know.” Baritone, Mr Frank Sutherland, “A Castilian Lament," “The Bachelors of Devon." Yocal duets, Hazell-Sutherland Duo, “Won't You Buy?” from "The Girl Behind the Counter,” “Come, Sing to Me." 10.0: Close. 2YA, Wellington. Silent day. 3YA, Christchurch (306 m.). 3 to 4.30 p.m.: Studio items. Sports results. 6.0: Children’s session, Uncle Peter and Mother Hubbard. 7.15: Addington stock market reports. 8.0: Chimes. 8.1: Overture, Relay from Strand Theatre. 8.7: Tenor, Mr T. G. Rogers, “Come into the Garden, Maud," “Bombardier." 815: Violin, Miss Irene Morris, “Berceuse" (Cui). 8.19: Recital, Rev B. Dudley, “How I Came to Order a Pig.” 8.24: Dulcet Quartet, “The Soldiers’ Chorus." 8.29: Clarionet, Mr Edward Gregg, “Beneath Thy Window.” 5.34: Contralto, Miss Nellie Lowe, "Hills of Donegal,” “Fallen Roses.” 8.42: Bohemian Quintet, “Waltz,” “Gavotte.” 8.50: Lecturette on astronomy, Rev B. Dudley F.RA.S., “Sunspots and the World Weather.” 9.5: Weather forecast. 9.6: Overture. 9.12: Baritone, Mr A. G. Thompson. “Give a Rouse\" “Boat Song." 9.19: Violin, Miss Irene Morris, "Allegretto” (Boccherini-Kreisler). 9.24: Soprano and contralto duet, Misses Hilda Hutt and Nellie Lowe, “Angelus.” 9.29: Bohemian Quintet, “At the Theatre," "Evening in the Forest,” “Fiddler’s Fancy." 9.41: Soprano, Miss Hilda Hutt, “Mother, You Know the Story," from “Cavalleria Rusticana,” “L'Etc." 9.48: Clarionet, Mr Edward Gregg, “Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes.” 9.55: Dulcet Quartet, "Three Fishers Went Sailing." 4YA, Dunedin (463 m.).

7 p.m.: Chimes. 7.1: Gramophone concert. 7.40: News session, Burnside stock report. 8.0: Chimes. 8.1: Relay from Octagon Theatre. 8.10: Miss Vanda Duncan, "My Idea of Heaven.” "Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue.” 8.17: Marimba, Mr 11. Dalziel, “Billy Possum Rag," “Silver Sands of Waikiki." 8.23: Mr Billy Gay, “Usen't You Use to be My Sweetheart.” 8.27: Jazz piano, Mr T. V. Anson, “Birth of the Blues.” 8.31: Humorous sketch. Miss Billie Lorraine and Major F. 11. Lampen, “The Little One." 8.40: Miss Jacqueline Burke, “Just a Memory," “There’s a Cradle in 1 Caroline." 8.47: Piano-accordion, Mr E. Heaney, “London Waltz,” “Light Cavalry Overture." 8.54: Miss Billie Lorraine, “For My Sweetheart,” “Meadow Lark.” 9.1: Weather forecast. 9.3: Relay from the Octagon Theatre. 9 12- Miss Vanda Duncan, “Brown Eyes. Why Are You Blue?” 9.16: Jazz piano, Mr T. V. Anson, “Nothin’.” 9.24: Mr Billy Gay, “I Told Them All About You," "Take Your Finger Out of Your Mouth." 9.32: Humorous sketch, Major F. H. Lampen. 9.40: Miss Jacqueline Burke, “Monsey." 9.45: Piano-accord-ion and marimba duets, Messrs Heaney and Dalziel, "Our Bungalow of Dreams,” “Great Little Army." 9.52: Relay from the Octagon Theatre. 10.0: Close down.

2BL, Sydney (353 m.). 9.30 p.m. to 1 a.m.: G.P.O. clock and chimes. Topical chorus. The Rose Bay Winter Garden Theatre Symphony Orchestra. Mr Raymond Beatty (baritone) “A Pleading." “Don Juan’s Serenade." Mr Bryce Carter ( cellist). Miss Bertha Waters (soprano), “Solveig’s Song." Mr Charles Lawrence, entertainer at the piano. The Ashfield District Band. Weather report and forecast. Mr Claude Corbett, sporting editor, will talk on general sporting. The Ashfield District Band. INIr Raymond Beatty. “Her Portrait," “The Wanderer's Song." The Rose Bay Winter Garden Orchestra. Miss Bertha Waters, "Rosebuds," “Such a li’l fellow." Mr Bryce Carter: “Old Swedish Air,” “Minuet.” Mr Charles Lawrence. The Rose Bay Orchestra. Romano’s Restaurant Dance Orchestra. 2FC, Sydney (442 m.).

Note—Between 9.15 p.m. and 9.50 p.m.. approximately, a description will be given of St Mary’s Cathedral, and items rendered by the Eucharistic Choir. 9.12 p.m. to 12.30 p.m.: Captain Fred. Aarons. Birth of John Forrest, afterwards Lord Forrest IW.A.). 11. W. Varna and Company will present the popular play: “The Squaw Man.” The New South Wales Broadcasting Company’s Orchestra. Late weather forecast’Gladys Verona (soprano). “Shadow Song" from “Din ora h," “Solveig’s Song." The Broadcasting Company’s Orchestra. Bryson Taylor (tenor). Broadcasting Company's Orchestra. Laurence Macaulay (baritone). The Broadcasting Coippany’s Orchestra. Gladys Veron# (soprano), “Dove Sono,” “Villanelle." Biyson Taylor (tenor). The Broadcasting Company’s Orchestra. Late weather forecast. Laurence Macaulay (baritone). Studio music. The Ambassadors’ Dance Orchestra.

31*0, Melbourne (371 m.). 8.45 p.m.: Lectures. 9.31: Station orchestra. 9.40: Guy Moore (tenor) “Avo Maria," “The Garden of Your Heart."

0 47- Ilelga Brcnnecke (’cello). 9.54: Orchestra. 10.0: Elsv Trowcek Isoprano), “Come Again.” “Phillis wj* a Faire Maide.” 10.7: Orchestra. 10. lo: “Salve Caput Cruentatum” by the C.onservatorium Ladies’ Choir. 11.0: Orchestra 11.10: Elsv Treweek, Ballade, “King of Thule,” “Jewel Song" from “Faust.” 11.17: Ilelga Brennecke. 11.22: Orchestra. 11.40 p.m. to 1.10 a m. The Futurists, etc., and dance music. 3AR, Melbourne (484 m.). 6.30 to 9.25 p.m.: Studio concert. 9.30 to 10: News, etc. 10.1 to 12.30 a.m.: Transmission of concert from the Shire Hall, Benalla. 4QG, Brisbane (385 m.). 9.30 to 11.30 p.m.: Programme of dance music.