RADIO

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19034, 1 April 1930, Page 6

RADIO

BY

NOTES AND NEWS.

Reception. Have had to depend on contributed reports regarding reception last night. Am advised that conditions were in favour of good reception of the YA stations on the air. There was some fading and distortion of 2YA’s signals, but the others were O.K: The outstanding items of 3YA’s programme were the tine baritone contributions by Mr Rex Harrison. “ Aerial's ” informant adds: “Mr Harrison certainly vindicated the claim made for him by the A.B.C. that he possesses an excellent radio voice.’*

Complaint was made of the number of Oswalds on the air last night. The fervent hope was expressed that their howls were but the result of a last attempt to get the most out of their sets before closing down permanently with the end of the radio year. No one will regret it if these Oswaldian gentry fail to renew their licenses for the year, 1930-31. Not very much static was audible when the Australians were tested between 11 pun. and midnight. Station 2FC’s was the loudest, clearest and steadiest transmission heard. The A.B.C. stations devote quite a lot of their time, during their evening concerts, to radio plays, dialogues, and so on. Not very interesting, as a rule—at least that's how it strikes one listener. To be a success, a radio play csills for such very pronounced difference in the voices of the actors that the listener will have no difficulty in identifying the characters. Very, very few such plays have been heard during the past three or four years. And, instead of broadcasters learning from experience, the tendency seems to be to multiply the actors in a play, resulting in such confusion that one now automatically turns off a station that puts on a radio play. Election Results. Station 3ZC will broadcast progress results, as they come to hand, this evening, of the by-election held in the city during the day. :: k « The Pentode Valve. In spite of all that has Jjeen written both in the technical and in the semitechnical Press, there still appears to be some doubt in the minds of many listeners as to the functions of the pentode valve and its value in a modern receiving set. Most people are aware that the pentode is a power amplifier or “ output ” valve; that is to say, it is the valve the plate circuit of which supplies the power for operating the speaker. Now wherein lies the difference between the performanc of a pentode and that of a normal three-elec-trode output valve? In the first place it must be understood that to “ control ” a three-electrode valve of the super-power class, that is to say, to permit it to give its full output, it is necessary to apply to its grid a fairly large alternating signal voltage. Because the voltage swing in the plate circuit of the average detector valve available for application to the grid of the following valve is of the order of a volt or so only, it is necessary, if a three-electrode output valve is to be used, to interpose at least one stage of low frequency amplification between the detector and the output stage. By means of its special construction, however, the pentode valve will give its full output for a much smaller signal voltage than that required by a threeelectrode valve of equivalent output rating. This means that less low-fre-quency amplification is necessary between the detector and the output valve. As a matter of fact, in many domestic sets where only the strong signals from the local stations are required, a pentode can immediately follow the detector without intermediate low frequency amplification. The value of the pentode in this connection will be appreciated from the statement that the Mullard P.M. “ Pen tones,” for instance, have amplification factors ranging up to 82, as compared with about 4 to 6 for normal super-power triodes. At the same time, it must be remembered that a pentode should not be substituted for a super power valve in receivers which already give full loud-

" AERIAL. "

speaker strength, for in such cases the pentode would undoubtedly be overloaded. If it is desired to use a pentode in such a set, it is advisable to incorporate some form of volume control or to add a switching arrangement whereby the intermediate low frequency stage can be cut out when strong signals are being received. Such an arrangement, of course, makes available a further degree of amplification which' will be of considerable help when receiving weak signals from distant stations.

WHAT IS STATIC? NO. 8. The biggest atmospheric actually measured by the English investigators was, they state, a mere matter of luck or rashness. But it may be interesting to record that an atmospheric actually drawn by Dr Watt at Khartoum during a spectacular thunderstorm produced a peak voltage of 250 volts in the aerial. While that same thunderstorm enabled Dr Watt and his companion to make some very interesting observations on the nature of lightning discharges, they regretted, they add in their report, that it had not since been possible to obtain more observations of the same kind. So much, then, for the shape of static. The next section of our subject concerns the counting of atmospherics —the number of “ blasts,” as it were, per second or per minute. We cannot do better than quote the report of Dr R. A. Watson Watt of the British Radio Research Committee on the subject. He writes as follows: “It may s<em ‘.a little exaggerated,’ as the French put it, to devote a whole section to the counting of atmospherics. Surely a pair of head-phones, a fiveshilling watch, a little patience, and this job is done! We used to think so, although of course we recognised that the sensitivity of the receiver came into the problem, as of first importance. Quite a lot of useful information was obtained while we still held this delusion : for example, we found that the number of atmospherics per minute heard in a standard receiver varied in an astonishingly regular fashion in the course of the day and the and. that there was a very intimate connection between the number so counted and the altitude of the sun over the horizon of the receiving-station.” (To be continued.) TO-DAY'S PROGRAMMES. Following are details of to-day’s programmes to be broadcast by New Zealand radio stations:IYA, Auckland (333 metres). ! 3 p.m.: Afternoon session. 5: Children’s session. 6: Dinner session. 7: News and market reports. 7.15: Talk, Mr Geo. Campbell, “Motoring.” 7.40: Talk, Rev Angus MacDonald, “ The Sacred Ibis of the Egyptians.” 8: Chimes. This programme will be interrupted by a relay of “ talkie ” items from the Majestic Theatre. IYA Orchestral Octet, “ Nell Gwynn ” (German). 8.9: Baritone, Mr William Gemmel], “ Come, Open Wide Your Window,” ‘ Village Blacksmith.” 8.16: Band of the Garde Republicaine, “ Carmen ” entr’acte, .No. 1 (Bizet). 8.20: One-act Slay, Auckland Comedy Players, “ The Liss ” 8.45: IYA Orchestral Octet, two dances from “ Prince Igor ” (Borodins). 8.53: Soprano, Miss Loli Solomon, “ Vio Che Sapete,” “ Porgi Amor.” 9: Weather forecast. 9.2: IYA Orchestral Octet,

“ Fantasia ” on “ William Tell ” (Ros-sini-Kruger). 9.12: Baritone, Mr William Gemmell, “ Lend Me Your Aid.” 9.16: Band of the Garde Republicaine, “ Carmen ’’ entr’acte, No. 2 (Bizet). 9.20: One-act play, Auckland Comedy Players, “ A Little Dinner.” IYA Orchestral Octet, “ Chanson Indoue” (Rim-sky-Korsakov). Soprano, Miss Lola Solomon, “ The Dancing Lesson.” The Salisbury Singers,” Early One Morning," “ When for the World’s Repose.” 9.52: IYA Orchestral Octet, selection from “Tiptoes” (Gershwin). 10.2: Close. 2YA, Wellington (416 metres).

3 p.m.: Afternoon session. 5: Children’s session. 6: Dinner music. H.M. Grenadier Guards Band, “ New Sullivan Selection.” Court Symphony Orchestra, “Destiny” waltz (Baynes). 6.15: Columbia Symphony Orchestra, “ Idilio ” (Lack). New Queen’s Hall Light Orchestra, “Petite Suite de Concert” (1) (Coleridge-Taylor). 6.30: New Queen's Hall Light Orchestra, “ Petite Suite de Concert” (2) (Coleridge-Taylor). Wurlitzer organ solo, Terence Casey, “ I’m Lonely” (Coates). 6.45: H.M. Grenadier Guards Band, “ Nell Gwynn Dances ” (German). Columbia Symphony Orchestra, *' Spring Song.” Symphony Orchestra, “Morgan Blatter” (Strauss). 7: News session. 7.40: Lecturette, “For the Man on the Land.” 8: 2YA Salon Orchestra, “ Stradella ” (Flotow). 5.9: Soprano, Mrs Amy Dunn, “Who Knows,” “The Cuckoo Clock.” 8.15: Relaj’*, Symons-Ellwood-Short trio rectial. “ First Movement of the Archduke Trio” (Beethoven). 8.25: Baritone, Mr L. J. Bryan, “ I’ve Got a Motto,” “ Just as Father Used to Do.” 8.32: Songs, Miss Lily Charles, “ Roses in June,” “ Painting the Clouds With Sunshine.” 8.37: 2YA Salon Orchestra, ** Coppella Ballet” (Delibes). 8.45: Humour, Mr Doug Stark. “The Engineer.” 8.51: Soprano, Mrs Amy Dunn, “An Open Secret.” 8.55: 2YA Salon Orchestra. “Song of the Clock” (Burchell). 9.2: Weathep report. 9.3: Lecturette, Dr D. E. Platts-Mills, ‘ The New Zealand Obstetrical Endowment Fund.” 9.10: Baritone, Mr L. J. Bryan. “ Cceleur de Rose.” 9.14: Songs, Miss Lily Charles, “ Love is a Dreamer,” “ Smiling Irish Eyes.” 9.20: Relay, Symons-Ellwood-Short trio recital, “ First Movement Quintet in C Minor ” (Dohnanyi). 9.30: Humour, Mr Doug Stark, “The Postie.” 9.35: Dance programme. Fox trots, “ Walking With Susie.” “Old-Fashioned Ladv.” “A Garden in the Rain,” “That’s You, Baby.” Waltz, “Blue Hawaii. 9.51: Tenor solo, Allen M’Quhae, “ Mother Machree ” (Young). Fox trots, “Dream Mother,” “I Never Guesed.” 10: Comedian. Sandv MacFarlane. “My Highland Rose.” Fox trots. “My Cairo Love,” “Lady of the Morning.” Waltz. “ Bye and Bye Sweetheart.” 10.12: Accordion solo, GallaRini. “ Sicily of Mine.” Fox trots. . Dove Me. or Leave Me,” “ The Things That Were Made for Love.” 10 21* Comedian, Dick Robertson, “ I Kiss Your Hand. Madame.” Fox trot. “That’s What T Call Heaven.” Waltz, “ Dear When I Met You.” 10.30: Piano, Lee Sims, “Caressing You.” Fox trots. “My Sin.” “Rampart Street Blues.” 10.39: Comedian, Sandy MacFarlane, “Will You Como to Bonnie Scotland?” Fox trots, “ Kansas City Kitty,” “ T Get the Blues When It Rains.” Waltz, “Underneath the Russian Moon.” 10.51: Pianoforte solo. Lee Sims. “If T Had You ” (Shaniro). Old-time orchestra, “ Old Joe Clark,” “ Golden Slippers." 11: Close. 3YA, Christchurch. Silent day'3ZC, Christchurch (360 metres). 2.30: Afternoon concert session; “Merry Wives of Windsor,” American Symphony Orchestra: “Legende de la Sauge,” Mario Laurenti (baritone) ; “ Hungarian Dance,” Helen Ware (violin); “Voice of the Mountain Land,” Arthur Middleton (bass); “ March of the Mannikins,” Ray Perkins (piano); “ Les Filles de Cadiz,” Alice Verlet (soprano): “A Gay Gossoon,” Vess Ossman (banjo); “The Prince of Pilsen,” New York Light Opera Company; “Cliasse aux Papilzor.s,” Wipert A. Moor (flute); “Miserere,” Creatore’s Band. 4.30: Close down. 6: Children’s hour. 7: Wireless and Morse session. 7.30: Talk, Mrs M. Houston, “ The Danger of Assuming all Growths on Feet to be Corns”; followed at 7.45 by news session. 8: Evening concert session: “ Kasbek,” Gipsy Orchestra; “The Valley of Laughter,” Anna Case (soprano); “ Traumerei,” Albert Spalding (violin); “ She is Far From the Land,” Thomas Chalmers (baritone); “ Poinsetta ” walty, Franz Falkenburg (piano); “ Maringy Tango,” Spanish Orchestra; “ Juliet’s Waltz Song,” Lucrezia Bori ( soprano) ; “ Hungarian Rhapsody,” Lauri Kennedy (’cello): “Erl King,” Arthur xVliddleton (bass); “Anitra -Dance ” and “At the Brook,” Chernivasky Trio; “Shepherd Love,” Claudio Muzio (soprano): “ Witch Dance,” Vasa Prihoda (violin); “Five Hundred Thousand Devils.” Otto Goritz (baritone); “ Liebestraum.” Frederick Kinsley (organ) ; “ The Radiance in Your Eyes*” Marie Rappold; “ Valse Vanite,” Rudy Weidoeft (saxophone); “The Evening Star,” Thomas Chalmers (baritone): “ Little Log Cabin of Dreams ” and, “Ramona.” Louis Kaufman (violin); ' Sliding Sid,” New York Military

Band. 9.30: Dance session. 10.15: Close down. 4YA, Dunedin (461 metres). 3 p.m.: Afternoon session. 5: Children’s hour. 6: Dinner music. 7: News session. Talk, Mr R. W. Marshall, “Tourist Resorts.” 8.1: The Kaikorai Band, “ Machine Gun Guards ” (Marchel), “A Spring Day.” 8.8: Soprano, Mrs D. Carty, “My Ain Folk.” 8.12: Jack Hylton’s orchestra, “ Good Old Songs,” part 1. 8.16: Recital, Miss N. Warren, “ Aunty Doleful’s Visit,” “ The Hindoo’s Paradise.” 8.22: Band, “The Valkyrie” (Wagner). 8.32: Baritone, Mr R. Martindale, “ Simon the Cellarer,” “The Wolf.” 8.38: Kanes’ Hawaiians, “ Drowsy Waters,” “ Hilo Hawaiian March.” 8.44: Mezzo-soprano, Miss Helen Roy, “ To Tell Thee How I Love.” 8.47: Band. “Phyllis is My only Joy” (Hobbs), “Half and Half” (Morrison). Male Quartet, the Rounders, “ Singin’ in the Rain.” 8.54: Organ, Jesse Crawford, “Serenade” (Romberg).* 9: Weather report. 9.2: Soprano. Mrs D. Carty, “Come Sing to Me,” “Where the Hills of Ben Lomond.” 9.9: Jack Hylton’s orchestra, “Good Old Song.” 9.15: Musical monologue, Miss N. Warren, “ Bredon Hills. 9.20: Band, “Venetian Carnival” (Douglas), “Creation Hymn” (Beethoven). 9.30: Baritone. Mr R. Martindale, “ Roll On, Thou Deep and Dark Blue Ocean.” 9.34: Organ. Jesse Crawford, “ Indian Love Call.” The Rounders, “Deep Night.” 9 40Band, “ Waves of the Danube ” (Ivanovici). 9.47: Mezzo-soprano, Miss Helen Roy, “Sunday,” “Serenade.” 9.53* Light Opera Company, “ The New Moon.” 9.57: Band, “Dunedin City” (T J. Kirk-Burnnand). 10: Close. FOR WEDNESDAY. 3ZC, Christchurch (250 metres). 10.0 a.m.: Women’s session. “Wedding of the Winds Waltzes”, American Symphony v.Orchestra. 10.5: Tested recipes—Apple roll, coconut jumbles, honey dropcakes. 10.25: “Larghetto”, Carl Fleseh (violin); “Captain Mac”, Arthur Middleton (bass); “The World is Waiting for. the Sunrise”, Frederick Kinslej' (organ); “Marriage Bells”, John Burckhardt (bells); “Dear Land of Home”, Anna Case (soprano); “Spirit of America”, New York Military Band; “On the High Alps”, Venetian Instrumental Quartet; “Slavonic Dance”, Carl Fleseh (violin); “Dear Heart of Mine”, Arthur Middleton (bass); “Poor Butterfly”. Frederick Kinsley (organ); “First Heart Throbs”, John Burckhardt (bells): “Villanelle”, Anna Case (soprano); “Naval Reserve”, New York Military Band. 11. SO: Close down. 12 noon to 1.30: News and luncheon music session. 3.0 p.m.: Afternoon concert session on short wave: “Merry Wives of Windsor”, American Symphony Orchestra; “Legende de la Sauge”. Mario Laurenti (baritone); “Hungarian Dance”, Helen Ware (violin); “Voice of the Mountain Land”, Arthur Middleton (bass); “March of the Mannikins”. Ray Perkins (piano);

“Les Filles des Cadix”, Alice Verlet (soprano!; “A Gay Gossoon”, Vess Ossman (banjo); “The Prince of Pilsen”, New York Military Band: “Ohasse aux Fapillons”, Wepert Moor (flute); “Miserere”, Great ore’s Band. 4.30: Close