RADIO

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18641, 19 December 1928, Page 16

RADIO

; mi!::a!ll!l!!!llllll!i;i!llllllll!l!llll!!!llll!!!lli!|:!!||;ii|!|!t!|||!|!!||il!l||||||!![!t|||!|||| | AUDIBILITY SCALE. | i| A 1: Barely audible on ’phones. § S g| Speech indistinct. M ) s A2: Audible on ’phones. Speech = j || clear and distinct. jj H A 3: Loud on ’phones. Weak on g f= loud-speaker. Speech indistinct. §| H A 4: Too loud on ’phones. Good g = on loud-speaker. Speech clear and g distinct. M H A 5: Loud on loud-speaker. || g Speech clearly heard all over a §§ H large room. §| §1 A 6: Very loud on loud-speaker, ff g Speech heard clearly all over the H H house. |j g A 7: Loud enough on loud-speaker |§ g for speech to be heard clearly a g Hf hundred yards away. p a^llllirillIlllillllilllIlllillllIll!lllil!lllliIlillll!illlllilllillli!!lllll!!iUI!ll)l!SI[SiiliiU

Reception Notes. Plenty of varietj r from 3ZC last, night. Transmission was quite good and modulation was better than has been noted from this station for some time. By the way, that “Hallelujah” thing—the “Tramp’s Song”—is funny, even if it is ridiculous. The sort, of song a fellow might sing in his bath or listen to “over the wireless.” but would jib at rendering in a drawing-rocin! From the number of times it was asked for (by ’phone) last night it must be a popular number. This “Hallelujah” song seems to be enjoying as good a run as “Yes, We Have No Bananas” and “In Our Little Garden Subub” did several years ago. SC 5$ *♦s IYA, Auckland, suffered somewhat from fading trouble, but static was not as severe as on Tuesday night. Did not hear 4YA—as a matter of fact, quite forgot to tune Dunedin in until too late. Was busv elsewhere. Tapped 2YA several times during the evening. The transmission was O.K. No fading, no distortion, no static. J.J j.j Tried to hear something of the Radio Eisteddfod from 2BL at 10.15, but it was hopeless. 2BL was very weak 2FC wasn’t much better, while 3LO. 4QG, 3AR and 7ZL were inaudible. Not much static about. After 3ZC closed down gave the Australians another turn. At 11.30, station 2BL was heard at better volume—a good A 4 but static was more troublesome, and fading was frequent and severe. Plenty of Oswalds out on the tiles. Good volume from 2FC—a nice As—with not much static. Item by the Apollo Club —part song for male voices—was well done and came across clearly and well. Faded just a trifle. 3LO and 4QG were very weak, with 3AR and 7ZL practically inaudible. K X X “Music” and Music. There was a time—and not so very long ago—when all gramophone music was contemptuously referred to by

“high" and near-“high brows" as “that canned stuff," and, certainly, with the great number of imperfect reproducing machines one heard it was little wonder that gramophone music was despised by so many people. Since the advent, however, of wireless and the adaptation of wireless methods of reproduction coupled either with the electro-dynamic loud-speaker or the more favoured (for broadcast purposes) electric “pick-up," the gramophone has emerged to take a place in serious competition with the artist himself or herself, in popular favour. Especially is this so in regard to broadcasting. Records are being put on the air in increasing numbers by all stations—and quite rightly so—and in so realistic a manner that, without prior announcement of the fact that it was a record, he would be a smart man—a very smart man—who would be able to say that it was not the actual singer in person w’ho was before the microphone. Quite apart from all questions of cost—fee for singer as against cost of a record—a company running several stations (such as those by the N.Z.8.C.) could pass its records round until they had been played sufficiently, after which there would still be a sale for them. And they could give listeners not only the best music the best artists of the world have been capable of recording, but they could provide a variety of entertainment such as no group of artists in a New Zealand city will be capable of furnishing until our cities are very much larger than they are likely to be for another hundred years—by which time we’ll all be dead, and it won’t matter! And this thing could be carried further. Stations could have their own recording studios where the best of local talent could be recorded (under conditions, too, that would be —or could be made—ideal for the recording artist) and these records also could be passed round. The possibilities in this direction open up a vista

of entertainment for listeners such as many of them hope for, but. so far, see little chance of attaining. The gramophone has “arrived," in a wireless sense, and has come to stay. That fact must be recognised soon. The sooner the better. « » About Grid Leaks. Have been experimenting some with grid leaks lately. For weak, distant transmissions it is an assistance to good reception to use a higher value leak than for IYA or 4YA, while for 2YA and 3YA the 2-meg. leak cannot be improved on. IYA seems to w’ork most satisfactorily with 3-megs., 2BL and 2FC (at present) with from 4 to 5-megs., while the others show up best with the full 5-megs. A reliable “Turn-It" is the most convenient as one can adjust it to suit each station. Came across another excellent type of leak the other day, brought back by a visitor to Melbourne. It gives a range of from .25 to 8 megs, and is of the panel-mounted type. It’s quite simple in construction. Two terminals about 2 inches apart, seated down on a carbon or Indian-ink-saturated strip about 3-inch wide. On this strip are two metal springs, 3 an inch wide, each nearly half-moon shape (better still, like two buggy-springs set one on the other with their ends meeting) and pierced with a screw, nuts and knob so that the springs may be compressed in order that the bottom one may be forced down on the carbon strip. When fully forced down the bottom spring has about i-inch space between each end and the terminal. The leak is, of necessity, smooth in operation and, as the adjusting screw permits of fine gradations of contact, it should meet all requirements—especially for the short wave enthusiast. If the contact plates (the springs) are made a full hall'-moon in shape the resistance could be raised to 10 or 12 megohms. Another tip about grid leaks: If you find your receiver developing noises, suspect vour grid leak. It may have broken down (some, of the early makes were very liable to do this) or the contact pointy and the end springs may have become dirty. Turn the leak back and forth several times in its seating so as to clean the contacts. If that does not clear up the noise, try another leak. r: k k From the Studios. The great Shakespearean tragedy, “ Macbeth." will be produced at IYA this evening by Mr J. F. Montague and his company of players. There is an excellent cast of characters. “ Macbeth ” was but recently broadcast in England. A miscellaneous programme, which will include several operatic numbers, will be presented this evening. The vocalists will be Miss Hilda Hutt, Miss Nellie Lowe, Mr T. F. Rogers, and Mr A. G. Thompson. The studio orchestra. under Mr Harold Beck, will play “ Raymond," Schubert’s “ Unfinished Symphony,” “ Serenata,” by Jacobs, and Tschaikowsky’s “ Valse of the Flowers." The Rev B. Dudley, F.R.A.S., lecturer on popular astronomy, will give a talk at 3YA this evening on telescopes and observations. Silent day at 2YA. Hermann Lohr’s song cj’cle, “The Little Sunbonnet," will be featured by 4YA this evening. 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. # # “ B " Battery Trouble. To C.D., Avonside: Will submit your letter to H.H.E. and will publish it and his reply together.—“ Aerial." To 11.H.E.: Please see above. Can you call in to-morrow some time—not later than 3.15 p.m.?—“Aerial.”

An “ Earthing ” Problem. “Stumped" writes: “I w'ould be glad of your advice on a curious happening that seems to point to a defect somewhere in my earthing system. The other evening, while my set was in operation, I had occasion to shift my ‘A’ battery slightly and, in the course of doing so, caught hold of the negative terminal of the ‘A’ battery, to which (following advice published by you some months ago) my earth wire is connected. As soon as my hand touched the negative the signal strength from my receiver very nearly doubled in intensity! Can you explain ? I should mention that my earth wire consists of stranded 7-22 wire connected to the earth terminal of the set and with the other end of the wire soldered to a lead sinker (about 131 b weight). This I have let down a deep well close to the set. The sinker

rests on the bottom of the well. That should make a good enough earth, shouldn’t it?"

In replv: Yes, it’s curious in a way. I could account for the increased volume better if you had happened to hold something—a metal pipe, for instance—that was properly earthed when you touched the negative of your “A" battery, as that would have provided your set with an “ earth ” the existing system fails to do. Did you ever hear that the purer water is the better insulator it is? That's whj r your “ well-earth ” is useless—instead of having put in an earth you have actually insulated your set from the ground. Before your “ well-earth ” can be a satisfactory earth connection the water in the well must be impregnated with salt—as salt as sea-water, in tact! You will obtain better results by attaching your earth wire to a six or seven feet length of 2-inch galvanised iron pipe (make it a soldered connection) and then driving the pipe down until the top is nearly Rush with the ground. Make the lead from pipe to set as short as possible and insulate the wire all the way from pipe to set. If the ground is at all dry you should loosen the earth round the top of the pipe and give it a good soaking with water every week or two during dry weather. You can improve this “ earth ” by adding about lib of common salt to a bucket of water, and using the solution to soak the surrounding ground. Pour some down the pipe, also. One bucket of the solution every month during the summer will keep this “ earth ” in firstclass order. By the way, keep your earth wire well away from 3 r our aerial lejid-in until they approach together on their respective terminals on the receiver. Better still, carry on as you are doing—attach the earth wire - to the negative of your “A" battery.— “Aerial.”

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.: Afternoon session. 6.0: Children’s session, conducted by Uncle Tom. 7.15: News session—market reports and sports results. 7.45:. Talk, Mr Norman Kerr, “ Physical Culture.” 8.0: Chimes. 8.1: Special studio presentation of Shakespeare’s play, “ Macbeth,” by Mr J. F. Montague and Company. 10.0: 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 Brother Bill. 7.15: Addington stock market reports. 7.30: News session. 8.0: Chimes. 8.1: National Military Band, “ The Gladiator’s Farewell ” (record) ; 8-4: Tenor, Mr T. G. Rogers, “There is a Valley,” “ O Vision Entrancing.” 8.11: Pianoforte solo, Miss Maud IC. Stout; 8.16: Contralto, Miss Nellie Lowe, “The Enchantress,” “ The Dream Canoe.” 8.23: Studio Orchestra, “ Raymond ” Overture. 8.31: Recital, Rev B. Dudley, “ Old Boggles, the Crossing Sweeper.” 8.36: Dulcet Quartet, “The Message.” 8.40: Studio Orchestra, “Unfinished Symphony.” 8.49: Soprano, Miss Hilda Hutt, “O, Dry those Tears,” “Valse Song” (from “Romeo and Juliet”). 8.56: Weather forecast. 8.58: Talk, Rev B. Dudley, “ Astronomv— Telescopes and Observations.” 9.13: Soprano and tenor duet, Harmony Duo, “ Howell! Howell! Dost Thou Loiter!” 9.17: Pianoforte solo, Miss Maud Iv. Stout. 9.21: Baritone, Mr A. G. Thompson, “ Prologue,” “ Drink to Me Only.” 9.28: Dulcet Quartet, “ The Curfew.” 9.32: Studio Orchestra, “Serenata” (Jacobs), “Valse of the Flowers.” 9.40: Grand opera, special presentation of “The cords). 10.12: Close down. 4YA, Dunedin (463 M.).

7 p.m.: Chimes. 7.1: Request gramophone concert. 7.40: News session— Burnside stock sales report. 8.0: Chimes. Presentation of the song cycle, “The Little Sun Bonnet,” by the 4YA Harmonists, with instrumental accompaniment by the Broadcasting Trio. 8.1: Quartet, “The Little Sun Bonnet”; soprano, “Little Print Bonnet”; mez-zo-soprano and tenor duet, “Where Violets Grow”; baritone, “Little Molly Mary ”; quartet, “ A Lady Came to Our Town”; tenor solo and quartet, “ Somewhere-Town ” ; soprano and baritone duet, “ The Rose and the Nightingale"; mezzo-soprano, “If I had a Dolly"; quartet, “So Glad of Heart.” 8.30: Berlin State Opera Orchestra, “Battle Sj'mphony ” (record); 8.38: Mezzo-soprano, Miss Mollie Andrews, “Charming Chloe.” 8.41: 4YA Broadcasting Trio, “Valse in B Flat” (Godard). 8.47: Tenor, Mr H. A. Johnston,

“Brian of Glenaar.” 8.50: Recitals, Miss Madge Yates, “ Out at Mons,” “The Ballad of Splendid Wine.” 8.58: Weather forecast. 9.0: Dajos Bela Orchestra, “ Eldgaffeln ” (record). 9.4: Soprano, Miss Mae Matheson, “ The Star.” 9.7: Violin solo, Miss Eva Judd. 9.12: Baritone, Mr F. M. Tuolty, “Whatever is, is Best.” 9.15: Pianoforte solo, Miss Aileen Young. 9.19: Mezzo-soprano, Miss Mollie Andrews, “Beyond the Dawn.” 9.22: Tenor, Mr 11. A. Johnston, “ Farewell to Summer.” 9.29: ’Cello solos, Mr P. J. Palmer. 9.39: Recital, Miss Madge Yates, “At the Dentist’s.” 9.44: Soprano, Miss Mae Matheson, “Blackbird’s Song.” 9.47: Wurlitzer organ solo, Eddie Horton, “Ramona” (record). 9.51: Baritone, Mr F. Tuohy, “On the Road to Mandalay.” 9.55: Dajos Bela Orchestra, “Electric Girl” (record): Dajos Bela Orchestra, “I Love You” (record). 10.3: Close down.

2BL, Sydney (353 M.). 10 p.m.—G.P.O. clock and chimes. Winners in the radio Eisteddfod. Tonight listeners will have an opportunity of hearing the successful competitors in the recent radio Eisteddfod; winning debating team, cornet solo, popular vocalist, pianoforte solo (under sixteen years), winning duet, radio sketch, best original Australian song, comedian, radio revue, violin solo (under sixteen .years), entertainer. 11.20: Poppy Plant and Peg Page in a pot pourri of popular melody. 11.30: Graham and Manning, entertainers—duet, “ Over and Over Again,” “ In Our Little Canoe.” Dorothy Manning, duet, “ Honolulu.” 11.40: A sports talk by Claude Corbett. 11.55: Poppy Plant and Peg Page in a pot pourri of popular melody. 12.5: Graham and Manning, entertainers, “ I’m Tickled .to Death, I’m Single duet, “If you Lived in the Moon.” 12.15 p.m.: Art Leonard in the newest song hits. 12.37: The Savoyans’ Band until 1.30 a.m.

2FC, Sydney (442 M.). Q 40 um.: Programme announcements; popular music. 9 50: /WJ' sions on the international cricket, b\ M. A Noble. 10 p.m : The Light Music Four “ Autumn Manoeuvres, Jorsalfar.” 10.20: “ The Mellow Pellows.” 10.30: Studio production ot uscar Wilde’s comedy, “ The Importance of Being Earnest.” 11.30: Weather report and forecast. The Light Music Four, “ Grand Pas Espagnole. 1 be Flving Dutchman.” 11.45: ‘-The Mellow Fellows” 11.66: Lucille Bruntnell. “ An Old-fashioned Christmas in Eng land; Pathos and Optimism of the London Embankment.” 12.5: The Light Music Four. 12.15: “The Mellow Pellows.’’ 12.30: Roaming the Ether: the New South Wales Broadcasting Company has presented a novelty each Wednesday .night for the last five weeks,-when listeners have had an opportunity of visiting various countries bv wireless. To-night we will transmit a short programme from 2XA, Schenectady. 12.40: Close down. 3LO, Melbourne (371 M.). 1 9.5 p.m.: Stock, station and market

reports, etc. 10 p.m. to 1.40 a.m.: An orchestral programme by the Metropolitan Orchestra, assisted b>' Ida Walker (contralto) and Senia Chossiakoff (tenor); piano recital (11 p.m.) by Viva Holgate Carter; “Mulligan’s Musketeers”; news; dance session. 3AR, Melbourne (484 M.). The principal item on to-night’s programme is a studio presentation of the musical comedy. “ A Runaway Girl,” from 10.30 to midnight. Concert session starts at 10 p.m., and closes at 12.30 4QG, Brisbane (385 M.). 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.: Programme of dance music with items from the studio during dance intervals.