RADIO

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18786, 15 June 1929, Page 21 (Supplement)

RADIO

BY

“AERIAL.”

Notes and News. If space permit, there will be found elsewhere in this issue under the h Q aJ ing “Late Wireless”' some notes on reception last night. If conditions are reported to have been good and the wind is in the south-west, it will be fajrly safe to invite friends in to “hear the wireless” to-night or to-moi row evening. It is very aggravating to haVc a “listening-in party” on]} l- to find che ether up to.tricks and, instead of being able to reproduce the Australian stations, finding \-our loud speake* - recording musketry or heavy gunfire from up above instead of music. Another thing—and it is one that is only too often forgotten—if you ?ire having friends to listen in, see that your batteries are in good order One feels such an ass when one’s reee : ver expires half way or less through the evening. And one more: It is astonishing liow an operator simply will suffer from an attack of nerves when he tries to make his receiver perform before “company.” On other occas.ons. he has not the least difficulty in tuning in any station usually within range but as soon as he starts to show others what his set can do—weil —he just can 1 do it. If you experience this difficulty tune in 2YA or 3YA and let it go at that if you are unable to reduce your nerves to order. Or you may bear in mind what has been Written above and proraptlv recognise that you are suffering from “radio fright”—which may serve to dispel your “nerves” and enable you to operate the dials as nonchalantly (at the same time as carefully and as accurately) as you d<j in private-

Haveyou given your receiver, batteries, speaker, aerial" and earth an overhaul recently? This should be a regular task, once a month at least and well repavs one for the trouble. A pair of bellows (if there are any still to be found) or a bicycle pump will be founo useful to blow the dust that just will find its way into one’s receiver cab net A feather or a pipe-cleaner does ni ;ely to clean the dust from between the varies of variable condensers. A thin sash-brush is another handy adjunct ,to one’§_ tool-chest. W ith it valve seek ets, etc., can be cleaned and dusc removed from other baseboard-mom.ted components. Clean all terminals on wet “A” and “B” batteries and Si..ear them with petroleum jelly. Also keep the tops of batteries not only clean but dry as well. Clean, brighten and tighten up all wires—aerial, earth and batteries —where they join up with ter minals. Finally, turn the speaker 'if r horn) up side down and shake out the dead flies and moths that have selectee it as a cemetery. When everything ha. been cleaned up, carefully check over 'all battery leads to ensure against risK of wrong contacts and see that ah

valves are well seated home in their ‘ sockets, giving the grid leak a twirl in its clips to ensure clean contacts, before switching on. It is wonderful what a difference it sometimes makes in reception when the set has had a thorough “spring clean.” 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. Short Wave Aerial. “Leeston” asks: “I have been told that I do not require any special aerial for short wave reception. Is this correct ?” In reply: Many people are under the impression that something “extra spec ial” is required for successful recept'on of short wave broadcasts. As a matter of fact, though quite remarkable results have been obtained by using a short indoor aerial—and sometimes no aerial at all—a good reeciver gives best results when a not too long outdoor aerial is used. My own experience proves that a single wire about GOft long is as good as any. Naturally. I see that the aerial is raised as nearly vertical as possible as, when receiving short wave broadcasts, as when receiving ordinary broadcasts, the h’gh er the aerial the stronger are the signals. However, there is no need to erect a special aerial for short wave work. Use your ordinary aerial and either couple it to the grid coil of 3'our short wave detector by a small coil of two or three turns or by means of a midget variable condenser.—“ Aerial.”

J.B.R. writes: “I have practically decided to buy a . . . wireless receiver but I am in a quandary regarding a loud speaker. What do you conside** is the best loud speaker for my set?” In reply: Sorry, but even if I told you—or, rather, expressed an opinion—l’m afraid you wouldn’t be much ’’forrrader.” Choosing a loud speaker is like choosing a wife. Every man- —fortunately—has his own ideas on the subject. I suggest you ask your radio dealer to let you hear the set in operation one afternoon when he will be only too pleased to let you heat several types of speakers. If that dees not settle the question, you may be able to hear other types of speakers in operation at other places, and thus be,able to reach a decision. The whole point of this is that only you, yourself, can settle the question.—“Aerial.'' WEEK-END PROGRAMMES. or To-Day. Details of to-day’s programmes by he YA stations and by 3ZC appeared in last night's “Star.” Following ajre Aome notes from the R.B.C. headquar-

j ters anent this evening’s concerts. The variety programme at i YA this evening will include soprano solos by Mrs L. Parry and elocutionary items by Mr C. Paine. The popular Snappy Three will be heard in the latest ballads and jazz hits, while a new combination in the persons of “The Peripatetic Pair,” will contribute “Novel ties and Nonsense.” The Studio Orchestra will provide popular orchestral items and the programme will conclude with dance music until 11 p.m. 2YA’s vaudeville programme will be contributed to by the Melodie Four, Mrs Kennedy’s Steel Guitar Trio, and Mr ILenry Desmond (humour). Contralto solos will also be given by Miss Mona Carrick. The Melodie Four will sing as concerted items “Ice Cream,” “I Wish 1 Had My Old Girl Back’ Again,” and the popular waltz number, “Someday, Somewhere, We’ll Meet Again.” Mr Sam Duncan will sing “Then You’ll Remember Me” from “The Bohemian Girl,” and Mr R. S All wright “The Yeoman’s Wedding Song.” Mr Frank Bryant’s solo will be “Little Lady of the Moon,” and Mr W. W. Marshall’s resonant bass will be heard to advantage in Hermann Lohr’s rousing song, “Chorus Gentlemen.” Miss Mona Garrick’s items will be “True Till Death,” and “My Dear Soul.” Mr Henry Desmond has chosen for his items two Albert Chevalier

songs; “What’s the Good of Hennyfink?” and “Who’ll Buy?” The orchestra will render items in keeping with the programme. The whole of 2YA’s programme will be rebroadcast by 3YA and relayed to 4YA.

From Australia To-night. 2BL, Sydney (353 metres)—9.3o p.m. to 1 a.m.: Concert session featuring items by the Troubadours. 2FC, Sydney (442 metres)—9.3o p.m. to 1 a.m.: From the Conservatorium, a dramatic production by Harold Walch. 3LO, Melbourne (371 metres)—7.ls p.m.: Children. 8.25: Markets, etc. 9.30: Ballet music from His Majesty’s (Mdme. Pavlova’s orchestra). 11.20: The Stadium event, Eric Welch. 11.35: Record feature. 11.40: The Jedal Trio. 12.5 to 1 a.m.: Dance music. 3AR, Melbourne (484 metres)—7.3o p.m.: Gramophone recital. 9.15: All sporting results. 10.0: Station orchestra, followed by items from Bert Ray. the French brothers, the “James Girls.” and Pavlova music from His Majesty’s Close at midnight. 4QG, Brisbane (385 metres)—7.ls p.m.: News. 8.0: Children. 8.30: Sporting results. 9.30: From the. Savoy. 9.40 to 11.30 p.m-: A “programme of aroses”—vocal and instrumental—including (in the following order) “Image of the Rose,” “When You Look in the Heart of a Rose,” “Roses of Picardy,” “Moonlight and Roses,” “The Lovely Rose,” “The Nightingale and the Rose,” “A Red Rose Bud,” “Love Sends a Little Gift of Roses,” “Go, Lovely Rose,” “The Rosebud,” “Rosa,”

“Roses,” “Rose in the Bud,” “The Two Roses,” “Love’s Garden of Roses,” “The English Rose,” “A Bowl of Roses,” “Lay my Head beneath a Rose,” and “Rose of My Heart.” FOR SUNDAY. IYA, Auckland (333 Metres). 3 to 4.30 p.m.: Afternoon session. 8.0: Children’s session, conducted by Uncle Leo. 6.55: Relay of service from Pitt .Street Methodist Church: Preach er: Rev L. B. Dalby. 5.30 (approx.): Relay from Whangarei of concert by the Whangarei Band. 10.0: Close down. 2YA, Wellington (420 Metres). 8 p.m.: Relay from Town Hall of Citizens’ Thanksgiving Service for the recovery of Ilis Majesty the King from his long and serious illness. (Ilis Worship the Mayor, Mr Geo. A. Troup, presiding. Organist, Mr Bernard Page). 6.0: Children’s song service, conducted by Uncle George. 7.0: Relay of service from St Thomas’ Anglican Church, Wellington South: Preacher: Rev C. V. Rooke. 8.15 (approx.) : Relay from His Majesty’s Theatre, of recital by the Wellington Municipal Tramways’ Band. Close down. 3YA, Christchurch (306 Metres). 3 to 4.30 p.m.: Afternoon session. 5.30: Children's song service. Relay of special Thanksgiving Service from St Barnabas Church (Anglican), Fendalton: 6.15: Chimes of the church bells (Bellringer, Mr G. Clayden). 6.30: Thanksgiving service: Preacher: Rev H. S. Leach. 7.45: Gramophone recital. 8.15: Rebroadcast of 2YA, Wellington. Close down. 4YA, Dunedin (463 Metres). 11.0 a.m.: Relay of Thanksgiving Service from St Paul’s Cathedral: Preacher: Canon Nevill. 3.0 p.m.: Town Hall chimes. 3.1: Afternoon ses. sion—Selected gramophone items. 4.30: Close down. 5.30: Children’s song service, conducted by Big B nether Bill. 6.30: Relay of Thanksgiving Service from Moray Place Congregational Church: Preacher: Rev A. Mead. 8.5: Relay from His Majesty’s Theatre cf concert by the St Kilda Band, 9.15: Close down: Australian Stations. 2BL, Sydney (353 metres)—Following the church service relay, about 10 p.m.. the station will broadcast a studio concert. 10.20: Gerald Walenn violinist. 2FC, Sydney (442.metres)—This sta tion’s after-service concert, commencing about 10 p.m., will feature items (10.12) bv Sidney Burchall, baritone. 4QG, Brisbane (385 metres)—S p.m.: Children. 9.0: The complete evenitig service will be relayed from All Saints Church of England' Wickham Terrace. This will be followed by the relay of the band concert at Wickham Park Close down at 11 p.m.