RADIO

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18629, 5 December 1928, Page 16

RADIO

By

"AERIAL."

Reception Notes. Good, steady volume from 2YA, Wellington, last night. Clear, too. No sign of either fading or distortion during an hour (eight to nine) with this station. j.» •«{ There’s someone up St Albans way greatly interested in 4YA’s transmissions on Tuesday night. And he is a disconcertingly pestiferous Oswald as he uses just enough regeneration to cause a high-pitched whistle to emanate from his neighbours*’ ’phones or speakers. Although Dunedin was coming through at A 5 at times, it was “ surging ” violently. That, and the aforesaid howler, sufficed to turn one’s attention elsewhere after a few minutes of the transmission. M tv Vt IYA. Auckland, was good at A 5, with just a touch of static. The Auckland station shared honours with 2YA for volume and for quality of entertainment. A little fading noted on IYA at times. A curious feature of reception at “ Aerial’s ” station of 3ZC last night was that it was only after the aerial lead-in had been disconnected that steady and clear reproduction of this station's transmission could be obtained. With the aerial connected up, there was a continuous buzz, crackle and crash—sufficient to cause bad distortion. It was not that the “ roarer ” was on this time. ’Twas some other form of extraneous interference. And yet it was not audible on other transmissions. Very curious. Very good volume from 3ZC —quite A 5, and that with lead-in off. Just before trying the Australians at ten o’clock, put in a quarter of an hour with 2YA. Rather a surprise to note that the station faded quite a lot and frequently. Must have been due to a change in ethereal conditions. tz «*• Tested the Australians from 10.15. 2UE, Sydney, steady at A 4. Light static of the “ frying ” variety. A little fading now and then. A station, presumably 2KY, was a fair A 3 with louder noise from static. 2BL, Sydney, came through at A 4 at times, but fading was a frequent fault. Static —frypan stuff—made up a persistent background. 4QG, Brisbane, was at A 5. with several attendant Oswalds at A 7! Static was light. Not much fading noticed, volume not decreasing below A 4. K « X No sign of 3LO. Melbourne. 3AR, Melbourne, was at about Al. Not much static. 2FC, Sydney, was poor for that station—-a weak A 3. The loudest and steadiest transmission (next to 4QG's> was undoubtedly that from 7ZL, Hobart—A4. Had it not been for the noisy background of “ frypan ”:

static, the Hobart transmission would HI! have taken the palm for clarity and H! steadiness. M ! Having become rather tired of the 1, broadcast band, switched over to the H j short-waver and put; in an interesting Eghour- between 17 and 70 metres. Static 1 was rather heaw on 70. but was comI paratively light between 20 and 30 g metres. RFM was weak, so dropped H down into the crowded lane—and it s really is a crowded one these days—bell tween 20 and 35 metres. 3CM, Christi church, was going well with some musi--1 cal items. Note was a trifle rough. E 2AX. Palmerston.. North, was strong, g" but his modulation wasn't at all good. § 4NW, Queensland, was again busy, s Fairly good. The best transmission £ was that of 6AG. Perth, W.A. Before i he closed down at 11.20 p.m. (he an--1 nounced it as 7.20 p.m. W.A. time), he IF called Singapore and Java, giving the latest England v. Australian test cricket scores. He stated the game would probably conclude to-morrow (i.e., today), and that he would be on the air ° with final results at 6.30 and eleven o’clock, W.A. time, to-night.

6AG also called Mr Stanton, Christchurch, thanking him for reports and sending him several messages. 6AG was heard at a good A 3 on ’phones and a fair A 4 on the loud speaker when the set was pushed to it. Two other ’phone artists were on the air, just above 6AG’s wave, but their modulation was very poor. The air was absolutely alive with code transmissions, and in two instances below 25 metres badly blanketed ’phone transmissions. If many more transmitters are admitted to the 20-35 metre band, one won’t be able to hear the band for noise! « » « From the Studios. This evening the chief attraction at IYA will be Madame Humphrey Stew'ard’s party, who will make their first appearance at this station. Madame Humphrey Steward is a soprano of note in Auckland. She will be assisted on this occasion by Miss Mavis Grevatt, lyrist, who is well-known in musical circles throughout the Dominion. Novelty items will be given by the Bohemian Duo, while humour will be provided by the Hebrew Two. Mr Arthur E. Wilson, organist at the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle, will provide a programme of organ music. Miss Doreen Logan, soprano, will assist Mr Wilson. K K X The first half of this evening’s entertainment' at 3YA will consist of a relav of the Christchurch Orchestral Society’s concert in the Municipal Concert Hall. This concert is usually one of the musical events of the year in Christchurch, and will be no exception on this occasion. The Rev B. Dudley, F.R.A.S.. will appear in the dual role of astronomical lecturer and entertainer this evening. “ The Milky Way,” that mysterious and indefinable band of stars and nebulae which spans the midnight sky, will be the subject of Mr Dudley’s address. Singing from this studio this evening will be Miss Nellie Lowe and Miss Hilda Hutt, Mr T. G. Rogers and Mr A. G. Thompson. x z< The 4YA Harmonists will feature on Dunedin’s programme this evening. Silent day for 2YA. sc ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES. “ Aerial ” will b« 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. “Static Free” Reception. 9 Mr 7. M. Bingham, Papanui, writes: “Dear ‘Aerial,’ —It is with interest that I read your remarks anent ‘static free' reception of 2BL in Saturday’s radio column, but I am afraid your estimate of the power required to give this result is rather modexate. The question of power necessary to give a signal of sufficient intensity to override static and power noises in purely one of field strength. There have been various assumptions as to what constitutes a ‘static free’ signal, but the figures now generally accepted are those of Dr Goldsmith, of the National Broadcasting Company. The following table based on a field strength of 10-15 millivolts per metre gives the ranges for such a signal at various powers: 5 watts 1 mile 50 watts 3 miles 500 watts 10 miles 5 kilowatts 30 miles 50 kilowatts 100 miles “ Although 2YA gives a very good signal in Christchurch, it could not really be said to be ‘ static free,’ and it will be seen that its theoretical service range is really only 30 miles. To give a permanently ‘ static free ’ signal here in Christchurch 2YA’s antenna power would have to be increased to 160 kilowatts and, on the same basis, assuming 2BL is 1200 miles away, 2BL would have to tickle the antenna to the tune of some 7200 kilowatts.” TODAYS PROGRAMMES. 7 7 ollowing are details of to-day’s programmes received from New Zealand broadcasting stations and 4QG Brisbane : IYA, Auckland (333 m.). 3 to 4.30 p.m.: Afternoon session. 6.0: Children’s session, conducted by Uncle Tom. 7.15: News and market reports; book review. 7.45: Lecture, Mr Norman Kerr, “Physical Culture.” 8.0: Chimes. 8.1: Royal Opera Orchestra, “Marche Militaire” (record). 8.5: Chorus, Madame Humphrey Steward’s Quartet, “The Cherubic Host.” 8.9: Soprano, Miss Ida Holmes, “The Jewel Song” (from “Faust”). 8.13: Violin solo, Fritz Kreisler, “Caprice Viennois” (record). 8.17: Novelties, Bohemian Duo, “Girl of My Dreams.” "Blue Ridge Mountain Home.” 8.24: Humour, Hebrew Two, “Happy Abe and Dismal Ike.” 8.32: Organ and vocal, Mr Arthur E. Wilson, “By the Sea,” “Gavotte Pastorale,” “Fear Not, O Israel, Thanksgiving Prelude—“ Now Thank We All Our God.” 8.52: Contralto, Miss Doris Gower, “Softly Awakes My Heart.” 8.55: New Light Symphony Orchestra, “Rustic Wedding Symphony” (record). 9.0: Weather forecast. 9.2: Harp solo. Miss Mavis Grevatt. “Rising of the Lark.” 9.11: Baritone. Mr John Bree, “ Yeoman’s Wedding Song,” “Lady Mine.” 9.18: New Light. Symphony Orchestra, “Malagtiena” (A Spanish Dance) (record). 9.22: Vocal duet, Mrs Arthur Wallis and Miss Doris Gower, “Still as the Night.” 9.26: Recital, Mr Thomas Harris, “The Bachelor’s Club.” 9.31: Organ and vocal. Mr A. E. Wilson, Miniature Suite, “Canzonetta,” “God’s Garden,” “Swedish Wedding March.” 9.51: j

Baritone, Mr John Bree, “The Fortune Hunter.” 9.55: Novelties, Bohemian Duo, “My Souvenir,” “Ain’t That a Grand and Glorious Feeling.” 10.2: Victor Salon Orchestra, “The World is Waiting for the Sunrise.” 10.6: Vocal duet, Misse# Sybil and Winnie Stevens, “Somewhere a Voice is Calling.” 10.10: Close down. 2YA, Wellington (420 m.). Silent day. 3YA, Christchurch (306 m.) 3 to 4.30 p.m.: Afternoon session. 6.0: Children’s session, conducted by Uncle Peter and Mother Hubbard. 7.15: News session. 7.30: Addington stock market reports. 8.0: Chimes. 8.1: National Symphony Orchestra. “Light Cavalry” (record). 8.10: Relay from Municipal Concert Hall of Christchurch Orchestral Society's concert. 9.0: Studio programme; weather forecast. 9.2: Talks on Astronomy, Rev B. Dudlev, F.R.A.S., “The Milky Way.” 9.17: New Queen’s Hall Light Orchestra, “Peer Gj-nt Suite” (record). 9.25: Miss Nellie Lowe and the Harmony Duo, “The Meeting of the Waters.” “How Many a Lonely Caravan,” “I’ll Sing to You.” 9.36: Saxophone, Rudy Wiedoeft, “Sax-o-Phun” (record). 9.40: Baritone, Mr A. G. Thompson, “Wanderer’s Night Song,” “At Gretna Fair.” 9.47: A personal experience, Rev B. Dudley, “I Get Splashed and Go to the Mercers.” 9.51: Soprano, Miss Hilda Hutt, “The Waking of Spring,” “Vorrei.” 9.59: Organ solo, G. T. Pattman. “Janette” (record). 10.2: Mr T. G. Rogers and the Dulcet Duo. “Roses of Picardy,” “Thy Beaming Eyes,” “Barcarolle.” Close down.

3ZC, Christchurch (250 m.) 10 to 11 a.m. daily, except Sunday: Domestic session, conducted by Miss Millicent Jennings. 12 noon to 1 p.m. daily, except Saturday and Sunday: News session and miscellaneous programme. sto 5.45 p.m. daily, except Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday: News session and miscellaneous programme. 4YA, Dunedin (463 m.) 7 p.m.: Chimes. 7.1: Request gramophone concert. 7.40: News session, Burnside stock sales report. 8.0: Chimes. 8.1: Ketelbey’s Concert Orchestra, “In a Fairy Realm” (records). 8.13: Quartets, 4YA Harmonists, “Hail, Smiling Morn,” “Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes.” 8.19: Violin solo, Miss Eva Judd, “Elegie.” 8.24: Tenor, Mr C. C. Scott, “The Sunlight Highway.” 8.27: Saxophone solo, Rudy Wiedoeft, “Minuet” (record). 8.31: Soprano, Miss Roma Buss. “Ye Banks and Braes.” 8.34: Scottish comedian, Will F\'ffe, “I Belong to Glasgow” (record). 8.38: Baritone, Mr F. M. Tuohy, “What the Red-haired Bosun Said.” 8.42: Recitals, Miss Madge Yates, “Hoodoo M’Figgin’s Christmas,” “The Old Stage Queen.” 8.50: Mezzo-soprano, Miss Mollie Andrews, “Hills of Donegal.” 8.53: 4YA Broadcasting Trio, “Spanish Dance No. 2.” 8.58: Weather forecast. 9.0: Quartet, 4YA Harmonists, “The Cat and the Fiddle.” 9.4: Pianoforte solo. Mrs Ernest Drake. “Mexican Serenade.” 9.9: Tenor. Mr C. C. Scott, “My Siveet.” 9.12: Band of H.M. Grenadier Guards, “In a Clock Store” (record). 9.16: Soprano, Miss Roma Buss, “Nightingale and the Rose.” 9.19: ’Cello solos. Mr P. J. Palmer, “Serenade,” “Morning Breezes.” 9.30: Baritone, Mr F. M. Tuohy, “Tops’l Halyards.” 9.33: Recital, Miss Madge Yates. 9.37: Mezzo-soprano, Miss Mollie Andrews, “I Wonder if Love is a Dream.” 9.40: 4YA Broadcasting Trio,

“Spanish Dances Nos. 1 and 4.” 9.50: Comedian with orchestra, Will Fyffe,

“Dr M’Gregor” (record). Fox-trots, Denza Dance Band, “Adoree,” “There’s Something About a Rose” (record). 10.0: Close down.

4QG, Brisbane (385 m.) 10.0 p.m.: From the Studio—Alt Featherstone and his Orchestra, foxtrots. “Bluebird, Sing Me a Song,” “My Virginia”; Will H. Lister, “The Guardian Angel”; A. N. Falk (baritone), “Invictus,” “My Old Shako”; orchestra, fox-trots, “Dixie’s Highway',” “Who’s That Knocking on My Door”; Edna Ryan (violinist), “Hindu Chant.” “Minuet”; orchestra, jazz-waltz, “Girl of My Dreams”; Loty’s Lecault (soprano), “Elizabeth’s Prayer,” “June Music”; orchestra, fox-trots. “Just a Whisper,” “Lovely Little Silhouette”; “Tecoma," garden talk, “Making Cut Flowers -Last”; orchestra, fox-trots, “Across the Street from Heaven,” “I’m Coming, Virginia”; the Aloha Novelty Trio, in selected Hawaiian numbers; Phyllis Verner (soprano), “The Song of Florian,” “Invitation”: orchestra, jazz-waltz, “Once Again"; fox-trots, “How Long Has This Been Going On,” “Mother Goose Parade.” 12.0 p.m.: “The Daily Mail” news, “The Courier” news, weather news. Three-quarters of an hour of dance music. Between items the following will be broadcast: — Muriel M’Hugh (soprano), “Sun Flakes,” “The puckoo.” 1.0 a.m.: Close down.