RADIO

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18576, 26 September 1928, Page 16

RADIO

BT “AERIAL." Reception Last Night. What can have happened to 2YA? Commencing with the opening of the children’s session and. up to the time these words were penned (8.30 p.m.), 2YA’s transmission was as good in every way as any that listeners have heard since 2YA came on the air. No static, no fading, no distortion, fine volume, not one Oswald. In fact the actual transmission could not have been improved upon. Now, if only 2YA can keep it up! Waited, somewhat impatiently, for the Kolster-Columbia gramophone recital from 2YA—which was a bit late in starting. By the way, the only signs of distortion during the evening were at 8.58, 9.55 and 10.10, and only lasted for a minute or less on each occasion. The opening number of the recital — a band offering—was wonderfully well done. Tone was first class and there wasn’t the least sign that one was listening to a gramophone record. With the assistance of ideal wireless reception conditions and first class work by 2YA’s transmitter, this item was better than anything yet heard from any wireless station anywhere. Some praise, perhaps, but ’twas so. Was not so well pleased with several of the succeeding items. Sounded a trifle “fuzzy”—in marked contrast to the crystal-clear tone and pleasant resonance of the opening number—as if the Kolster had been “turned up” slightly over much. The numbers following showed an improvement. The concluding item—another band piece —was almost as good as the first. On the whole it was a musical treat. Pity that it was not rebroadcast by 3YA. Crystal set owners would have enjoyed the clear transmission. 52 52 52 A feature of last night’s reception of 2YA was the absolute silence—not a sign of a wireless receiver being in the room—in between items. Real, dandy, reception for once. « 52 Gave the dials a twirl or two after 2YA closed down. Terrific roar from 3ZC—sounded like six battery chargers going full blast at 20 amps each! Awful! Wasn’t the receiver, as the noise was absent under and above 3ZC’s wave. Must have been a fault in the transmitter. 52 22 52 Rather noisy dowp below 300 metres owing to presence of “frying” static. Heard a couple of stations on 260 and 280 metres. Not strong. 2GB came in well at first. Quieter up here but fading was severe. All the Oswalds in

St Albans yelled anathemas at 2BL, probably because its volume was not as good as usual. The row was too much to be put up with, so passed on, or rather back a trifle to test JOAK. Plenty talk. Weak. Some static. A little of JOAK goes a long way. 52 52 52 10.30 p.m. and 3LO could be heard ’way off in the dim and distant. Some fellow*, with a factory whistle on his receiver, squatted right on 3LO. Here's hoping he enjoyed a pleasant evening. 52 52 •** 4QG Brisbane was difficult to tune in—exceedingly sharp. Volume only fair. Not much static. Very clear even though it was weak. 10.40: Ha! 2Fo—the 2YA of Australia for the evening. Great volume, steady and clear as a bell. Only a trifle of static—not enough to annoy. Gave 3AR a turn. Pretty-good at first. Faded, then came back at good strength. Then off again. No static. No sign of SCL or 7ZL. Back to 2FC and stayed there till “lights out.” Is Your Aerial 0.K.? From correspondence and in conversation with several .listeners, there appears to be, still, some haziness on the subject of aerials. Here are a few points: For a crystal set or a valve set up to three valves: Good, high onewire aerial, 100-120 ft over-all length; far mast to be higher than that from which lead-in is taken. Two insulators are needed at far end. An inverted L type aerial is as good as any other. Aerial wire should, if possible, be of enamelled seven strand 22 s.w.g. copper wire. The lead-in should be a continuation of the aerial—same wire---right to set, through a porcelain or ebonite tube in the house wall. Aerial should be kept taut. Any object (house roof, shed, trees) under an aerial lessens its effective height. An aerial erected 10ft above the roof of a building 100 feet high has an effective height of 10ft only. Lead-in must not be brought back under the aerial- —carry it on at an obtuse angle to the, flat top. Keep lead-in wire at least 2ft away from walls, gutters, etc., until the point at which it enters the house —which should be as close to the receiver as can be managed: Do not expect the best results if your lead-in wanders in at the back door, upstairs and out to a front room. If you can’t have aerial and lead-in all one wire, be sure and solder (and solder well) all joints, binding same with Empire tape. 52 52 52 For receivers of from 4 valves upwards, a one-mast affair 45 to 60ft high is all that is necessary. Place it close to lead-in window. Aerial consists of the lead-in wire only, connected, through two insulators, with the top of the mast. The rule is: The more valves in the' receiver, the shorter you can have your aerial. Trouble-hunting. If your set develops noises proceed to track them home, thus: Is aerial and lead-in all right—properly connected to set? Is earth wire 0.K.? See that “A” and “B” battery clips are making good contact —give the clips a “wiggle” to make sure. If bare wire is used for connections to batteries, clean them and give them a touch of vaseline. Test to see if “B” battery is not run down. Look to speaker, also speaker cords. Give the cords a shake, to see if that aggravates the noise. If it does, the cords have a break in them. See if speaker unit cap is screwed home. Listen around for signs of loose contacts in electric light fittings. Turn lights off at the main. If noises cease, call in an electrician. If you have an electric pump, oven, etc., or a battery charger working, turn them off. That covers outside stuff.

Now, if noises still un traced, probe the “innards” of the receiver. Gave the grid leak a turn or two to make sure it is making contact with the clips. See all dust is removed from components —in between condenser plates, between valve and transformer terminals, etc. Clean valve legs and contact springs if sockets are of the “bayonet” type. In the newer type of socket, pull valves out and insert them again a couple of times to clean legs. (Do not catch hold of the glass bulb. You may pull it out of the base. Take a grip on the base when removing a valve). Turn off all batteries and, with a screw driver, or pair of pliers, tighten up ail terminals. Test all connecting wires to see if any are loose or have come away from their soldered connections. x x » If noises still persist: (1) Try another grid leak. (2) Try first stage audio. If all clear,- suspect, your last stage audio transformer—it is probably on the road to a burn out. Either take it out anil test it (if you can) or get your dealer to test it. If, on testing on first stage audio, noises are still audible, suspect first audio transformer. Test it by removing it from the set and testing the windings with a 4 \ volt battery and pair of 'phones or a voltmeter. If, after all these attempts have been made, the noises still persist, take your set to a radio shop and have it overhauled. From the Studios. A long and interesting programme has been arranged for this evening at IYA. In all, there will be 36 items, a number of them being specially selected gramophone records, vocal as well as instrumental. The artists for the evening will be Madame Mary Towsey, Miss Ina Scholium, Mr J. Simpson, Mr John Bree, Mr J. F. Montague and Ingall’s Hawaiian Orchestra. The vocal music of “The Maid of the Mountains” will be presented at 3YA this evening by the Radioljan Quartet. This production should be as enjoyable as have been previous musical plays staged at 3YA by the Radiolians. Supporting “The Maid of the Mountains” a miscellaneous concert will be presented, the artist including Mr Hiram Dunford, two of whose items will be from the works of Mr Will Lawson, the New Zealand writer. A “Wednesday night programme” from 4YA this evening. Silent day at 2YA. TODAY S PROGRAMMES. Following are details of to-day’s programmes received from New Zealand broadcasting stations and from 4QG, Brisbane, details of the concerts from 2BL. 2FC, 3LO and 3AR not having come to hand:IYA, Auckland (333 M.). 3 to 4.30 p.m.: Studio items: literary selection; sports results. 6: Children’s session, conducted by Uncle Tom. 7.15, Talk by Mr Norman Ke. r ~ ;x>n "Physical Culture.” 7.30: News and market

reports. 8: Chimes. 8.1: Orchestral, 44 Der Freischutz ” Overture. 8.9: Madame Towsey’s Quartet, “ Gique.” 8.13: Tenor, Mr J. Simpson, “Easter Flowers,” “ Dream Cottage.” 8.20: Organ solo, “The Desert Song” (Romberg). 8.23: Contralto, Miss Ina Scholium. “Lucia.” 8.27: Ingall’s Hawaiian Orchestra, “ Maori Melodies,” 44 Kohala March.” 8.34: Baritone, Mr John Bree, “To Mary.” 838: Band, “The Whistler and His Dog.” 8.41: Elocutionary, Mr J. F. Montague, “ Charles Dickens.” 8.47: Violin, “ Spring Song ” (Mendelssohn). 8.50: Soprano, Madame Mary Towsey, “A Memory.” 8.54: Vocal duet, Messrs Simpson and Black, “ Song of the. Sword.” 8.58: Dance orchestra, 44 What Would Be Sweeter than You?” 9.1: Weather forecast. 9.3: Tenor, Mr J. M’Dougall, “Like Stars Above.” 9.7: Ingall’s Hawaiian Orchestra, “ Drowsy Waters,” 4 4 Wreath for Princess.” 9.14: Vocal duet, Madame Towsey and Mr J. Bree, “At Love’s Beginning.” 9.18: Wurlitzer organ, “Dreaming the Waltz Away” (Whiteman). 9 21: Bass, Mr Duncan Black, 44 Corporal’s Ditty,” “ The Blacksmith.” 9.28: Orchestral, 44 Castles in the Air.” 9.32: Humour and elocutionary, Mr J. F. Montague, 41 Cremation of Sandy M’Gee”; selection from Shakespeare. 9.44: Vocal duet, Messrs John Bree and J. M’Dougall, 44 The Sailor Sighs.” 9.44: Violin, 44 The Old Refrain ” (Kreisler). 9.47: Mezzo-soprano, Mrs Gordon Hillyer, 44 The Pixie Piper.” 9-51: Ingall’s Hawaiian Orchestra, 44 Hilo March,” 44 Aloha Land.” 9.58: Baritone, Mr John Bree, “The Fortune Hunter.” 10.2: Organ solo,. “Among My Souvenirs.” 10.5: Vocal duet, Messrs Simpson and Black, “ Path of the Faithful.” 10.9: Band, 44 Warbler’s Serenade.’* 10.12: Madame Mary Towsey’s Quartet, ‘‘Just AWearyin’ for You.” 10.16: Orchestral, “Invitation to the Waltz.” 10.20: Close. 2YA, Wellington (420 M.). Silent da}’. 3YA, Christchurch (306 M.). 3 to 430 p.m.: Studio items. 6: Children’s session, conducted by Uncle Peter and Mother Hubbard. 7.15: Addington stock market reports. 730: News session. 8: Chimes. Relay from Strand Picture Theatre. Vocal excerpts from “ The Maid of the Mountains.” 8.10: Studio pianiste and Radiolian Quartet, “Friends Have to Part.” 8.16: Pianoforte solo, Miss Aileen Warren. 8.24: Mr W. J. Richards and Radiolians, “Live for Today.” 8.25: Steel guitar, Frank Ferera, “ Waters of Waikiki,” Columbia record- 8.32: Soprano, Mrs Claris Shaw, “Love Will Find a Way.” 834: Instrumental, Christchurch Broadcasting Trio. 5.43: The Radiolians, 44 Though Curs May Quail.” 8.47: Cornet, Mr Jas. Compton, “At Sunset” (Cole), Columbia record. 831: Dramatic recital, Mr Hiram Dunford, “ Becalmed.” 838: Radiolians and Mr W. J. Richards, “ We’re Gathered Here.” 9.2: Weather forecast. 9.4: Black Diamonds Band, 44 Maid of the Mountains,” Part 1, Zonophone record. 9.9: Mr W. J. Richards, Mrs Claris Shaw and Mr Gregory Russell, “ Friendship and Love.” 9.16: Steel guitar solo, Frank Ferera, “ Isle of Oahu,” Columbia record. 9.20: The Radiolians, “Save Us,” “Over There, Over Here.” 9.26: Instrumental, Christchurch Broadcasting Trio. 9.35: Radiolian Male Duo, “ Dirty Work.” 938: Black Diamonds Band. “ Maid of the Mountains,” Part 2, Zonophone record. 9.43: Radiolians, “ Fisher Folk,” “A Paradise for Two.” 930: Philosophy and humour, Mr Hiram Dunford, “ The Rear Rank,” 44 Some Worry/' 9.56: Radiolian Duo, “Husbands and Wives.” Close. 4YA, Dunedin (463 M.). 7 p.m.c Chimes. 7.1: Request gramophone concert. 7.40: News session, Burnside market report. 8: Chimes. 8.1: Dunedin Banjo Trio, 44 Roll.’Em Girls,” “ I Never Knew How Wonderful You Were,” “Till the End of the World With You,” “ Only Me Knows Why.” 8.12: Popular song hits. Miss Thelma Blackman, “ Looking at the World Through Rose-coloured Glasses,” “ Blue.” 8.19: Piano-accordion, Mr E. Heaney* ‘“Liberty Bell March.” 8.23: Humorous Scottish song, Mr Buster Brown, “ It’s Like Being at Hame.” 8.27; Humorous sketch. Miss Sheila Neilson and Mr J. B. M’Connell. selected. 837: Relay from the Octagon Theatre. 8.50: Mezzo-soprano, Miss Betty Roberts, “ Caring for the Rose,”

“Hiawatha’s Melody of Love.” 8.57: Saxophone, Mr J. M’Caw, “ Saxema.” 9: Weather forecast. 9.3: Humorous songs, Mr Chris Harlie, “ You Tell Her I Stutter,” “ Fearless M’Girkin.” 9.8: Dunedin Banjo Trio, “ Kentucky’s Way of Saying Good Morning,” “ After Dark,” “ Bam Bam Bammy Shore.” 9.18: Popular song hit. Miss Thelma Blackman, “Under the Moon.” 9.23: Piano-accordion, Mr E. Heaney, 44 Auld Robin Gray ” and reels, 44 Woodland Flowers.” 9.28: Humorous Scottish songs, Mr Buster Brown, “ Inverary,” “ The Wedding o’ Lauchie M’Graw.” 9.35: Humorous sketch, Miss Sheila Neilson and Mr J. B. M'Connell, selected. 9.45: Mezzo-soprano, Miss Betty Roberts, “By the Camp Fire.” 9.48: Saxophone, Mr J. M’Caw, “ Turkish .Towel Rag,” “Honolulu Moon.” 9.54: Humorous song, Mr Chris Harlie, 44 S’ Too Old.” 9.57: Relay of orchestral music from the Octagon Theatre. 10.2: Close down.

4QG, Brisbane (385 M.). 930 p.m.: March, “Quarter Column”; cornet solo, “The Nightingale,” the Federal Band; soprano, “Somewhere.” Miss Thelma Champion; selection, “Lilac Time”; suite, “ Ensueno Seductor,” the Federal Band: soprano, “Song of a Nightingale,” Miss Thelma Champion; fox trots, “Just Like a Thief,” “Sam the Accordeon Man”; march, 44 Defiance,” the Federal Band. 10 p.m.: A programme of music by Alf Featherstone and his Studio Syncopators, including:—Rhythmic paraphrase, “ June,” “ Paradise and You fox trots, “ There Must Be a Silver Lining,” “ What are You Waiting for, Mary”; jazz waltz, “Sing Me a Song of Hawaii”; fox trots, “Stepping on the Ivories,” “ High Hat,” “ Dear, on a Night Like This,” “Me and My Shadow ”; one-steps, “ T Found the End of the Rainbow," “ Me-ow ”; jazz waltz, “ A Dream of You ”: fox trots, “Sweet Little You,” “Can’t You'Hear Me Say I Love You?” Between dances the following items will be broadcast—Soprano. “ Farewell Song,” “Secret Languages,” Mrs R. G.. Allen; tenor, " Mary,” “ Farewell,” Mr John Steele; contralto, “ The Rowan Tree," “ The Arrow and the Song,” Miss Ella Howie. 11.30 p.m.: The “Daily Mail” news; special news bulletin for distant listeners, supplied by courtesy, of the “ Queenslander ”; weather news. Close down.