RADIO

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 301, 19 December 1931, Page 29 (Supplement)

RADIO

(By

"AERIAL.")

London’s New Radio Studios Nearly Ready.

LOFTY WHITE WALLS. London will soon be calling from Portland Place, right in the heart of the West End of London, where lofty white walls attract the attention of the passerby. These lofty white walls are the framework of the new headquarters of the British Broadcasting Company— London’s radio studio. The building will be a composite structure, comprising an office block, theatre, concert halls and an elaborate electric power plant, all cleverly interconnected and fitted into one unique building, which will extend to eight floors above the ground and three floors underground. Its shape resembles a blunt-nosed flatiron. The main artery of the building is contained in a central tower, which is soundproof and completely cut off from light and air; it is rectangular in shape, and 2,000,000 bricks were used in its construction. There will be twenty-two studios, of which one will be the size of an average West End theatre, seating one thousand. Each will have its own small cabin fitted with a glass window between it and the studio for the broadcast engineer. These studios are all ventilated, being heated in winter and cooled in summer, by a plant for which 200 tons of special steel ducting have been manufactured. Work for the Holidays. The wireless enthusiast still looks forward to the holiday period as one in which not a little time is devoted to experiment as well as to the annual overhaul every set and installation should receive. Wireless receivers and the still necessary adjuncts—aerial and earth—have not yet reached that stage of perfection where any listener may have an outfit installed—much as one would purchase and move in a piano—and expect it to give efficient service over a period of years without any attention. Even the most up-to-date outfit requires a periodical overhaul and, where the listener is of that class who buy “ a radio ” and know nothing more about it than to switch it on and twiddle the controls, the services of a radio dealer’s staff should be obtained to do the necessary overhauling. The more or less expert listener prefers, however, to do this work himself and, to aid him in this, the following few hints may prove of use. If possible, take down the aerial poles, paint them and clean the aerial wire and insulators or, if the wire has been up some time, replace with new stuff. Pitted and corroded aerial wire should be replaced. If you have only one small egg insulator at the far end of your wire, insert a couple more;, it will improve matters, you will find, when faint LX signals have to be dealt with. Go over all guy wires. Better be sure now that all is O.K.—it’s too late when .that sou’-wester wrecks the show. Is your earth efficient? In any case, see that all connections are clean and tight. A. poor earth is worse than a poor aerial. The more efficient your earth the better reception you will enjoy. What about the lead-ins? Are lliey clean—free from spiders and allied

bugs? Make sure, again, that the aerial and earth wires actually are insulated properly from wood, brick and iron at the points where they enter the house. As for the receiver: Where possible take it out of the cabinet. Take it outside and give it a thorough dusting. Do this in any case. It is surprising what a lot of dust can collect in a set that you were certain was dust-proof. It is also surprising what a small quantity of dust it takes to upset a receiver altogether. Clean all valve sockets and between the vanes of variable condensers. A pipe-cleaner or a feather from the domestic chanticleer is just the thing for cleaning the vanes. Go over all terminals and nuts to make sure they are well and truly fast. Clean up valve legs by means of a piece of emery cloth. Dust off all fixed condensers, transformers, rheostats, etc., and give the grid leak a twiddle or two so as to clean the ends where they make contact with the holder. If you have a horn speaker, remove the horn and all the dead files, moths and spiders! A horn speaker is a popular cemetery for these insects. As for the batteries: If they need an “annual” overhaul you’re not of the clan. No honest-to-goodness radio fan dreams of permitting his “A” and “B” batteries to require an annual clean up. He does this at least once a month as a matter of course. Programmes for January. The local Listeners’ League having been somewhat perturbed at the possibility of any break in broadcasting programme continuity during the period that will elapse between the expiration of the R.B.C.’s contract and the assumption of control by the Broadcasting Board (yet to be appointed), wrote to the Postmaster-General on the subject recently. “ Aerial ” is advised that the league has now received a reply from the P.M.G. to the effect that listeners need have no cause for anxiety, as the broadcast programmes for January have been satisfactorily arranged. WEEK-END PROGRAMMES. FOR TO-NIGHT. 2YA, Wellington. 6.0: Dinner music session:—Orchestra, “ Beatrice and Benedict,” “ The Roses’ Bridal Procession.” Quintet, “ Minuetto.” Orchestra, “ Lettre a Armand,” “ A Rendezvous With Lehar.” Quartet, “ Intermezzo Russe.” Orchestra, “Dark Eyes,” “Si J’Etais Koi,” “The Marionette’s Guard Mounting.” Quartet, “ Octobre.” Orchestra, “ Kasbek.” Quintet, “Dolls’ Minuet.” 7.0: News, reports and sports results. 7.40: Talk, Mr J. W. Fergie, “The People’s Railways.” 8.0: Jack Hylton and Orchestra, “Melodious Memories.” 8.8: Baritone, Mr E. Short, “ The Toreador’s Song,” “In a Garden.” 8.14: 2YA Orchestra, “A Strauss Garland.” 5.24: Soubrette, Miss Margot Russell, “ For You,’’ “ The King’s Horses.” 8.30: Guitars, Berthold and Bent, “ Along the Road of Dreams,” “ Down the River of Golden Dreams.” 8.37: Mr Len Ashton (humour), “In Very Early Prehistoric Days.” 8.42: Orchestra, “Miniature Suite.” 8.52: Light Opera Company, “ Medley *;f Leslie Stuart’s Songs.” 9.0: Weather. 9.2: Guitars, “ Drowsy Waters,” “ It’s You I Love.” 9.10: Mr Short, “The

Call of the Wild,” “ The Fishermen of England.” 9.16: Orchestra, “Dance of the Tea Dolls,” “Japanese Carnival.” 9.26: Mr Ashton, “Like the Big Pots Do,” “ I Think of You, Dear.” 9.32: Xylophone, Franz Kruger, “La Kraquette,” “Tell Fantasia.” 9.38: Miss Russell, “ Let’s Get Friendly,” “ One Little Raindrop.” 9.4 4: Orchestra, fantasia on “In a Persian Garden”; dance novelties. 3 0.0: Dance music until 11.0 3YA, diristchuixli. 6.0: Dinner music session:—Orchestra, “Egyptian March,” “The Gipsy Princess.” Quartet, “Un Peu d’Arnour.” Orchestra, “ Lake of Como.” Quintet, “ Vision,” “ Types Tziganes.” Orchestra, “ Orpheus and Eurydice ” Ballet Music,” " First Love.” Quartet, “ Serenata d’Amalfi,” “Spring’s Awakening,” “Chant d’Amour,” “ Serenata.” 7.0: News, etc. 7.45: Talk, Mr W. G. Wright, “Fur-producing Rabbits.” 7.30: Sports results. 8.0: Relay of programme from 4YA, Dunedin:—Marek Weber’s Orchestra, “Vienna by Night.” 8.9: Choruses, The Melodists, “ Good News,” “ Charmaine." 8.16: Mouth Organ, Mr E. Murphy, “Popular Selection.” 8.21: Humour, Miss E. M. Holland, “ Mrs Mahferty.” 8.26: Banjo, Stokes Quartet, “High School March,” “Just a Memory.” 8.33: Bass, Mr R.‘ B. Macdonald, “Blue Dragoons.” The Melodists, “Sally of My Dreams.” 8.40: Cornet, R. Arnold Grier, “ The Lost Chord,” “ Softly Awakes My Heart.” 8.46: Banjo Quartet, “The Darkies’ Patrol,” “ Magnolia,” “In Honeyland.” 8.56: The Melodists, “Girl of My Dreams.” 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.2: Shilkret’s Orchestra and Salon Group, “ Stephen Foster’s Melodies.” 9.10: A one-act. radio sketch by “The Enniskillen Entertainers”: ’ Patsy Flanagan s Party ” (O’Donoghue). 10.0: Dance music from 3YA until 11 p.m. FOR SUNDAY. 2YA, Wellington (416 m 3: Gramophone recordings. 6: Children’s song service (children’s choir from the Taranaki Street Methodist Church). 7: St John's Presbyterian Church. Preacher, Rev P. R. Blanchard. 8.15 (approx.): Relay of concert by the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Band from the De Luxe Theatre. Community singing of Christmas Carols led by Vocal Octet, accompanied by the band and Wurlitzer organ. Leading soloists and elocutionist. At the piano, Mr Frank Crow tlier. Close. 3YA, Christchurch (306m.—98Qk.). 3: Relay from Christchurch Hospital grounds—Christmas appeal by the Christchurch Rotary Club. The following musical combinations will assist: The Royal Christchurch Musical Society, Woolston Brass Band, Derry's Military Band, Christchurch Municipal Band, Band of Ist Canterbury Regiment. 5.30: Children’s song service by Anglican Sunday schools. 6.15: Chimes. 6.30: Selected recordings. 7: Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Avonside. Preacher, Rev O. Fitz Gerald. Christmas Canta-ia. “ The Holy Child,” will be rendered by the choir during the service. 8.15. “The Messiah,” by the Edgeware Road Methodist Church Choir, accompanied by orchestra. Choir, “ And the Glory of the Lord.” Bass, Rev E. B. Chambers, “But Who May Abide,” “ For He is Like a Refiner’s Fire.” Contralto, Mrs K. Andrews and chorus, “ Behold a Virgin,” “ O, Thou That Tellest.” Mr E. J. Johnson (baritone), “ For Behold Darkness Shall Cover the Earth,” “ The People that Walked in Darkness.” choir, “For Unto Us a Child is Born.” Orchestral, “ The Pastoral Symphony." Miss J. Duff (soprano), “ There Were the Shepherds,” “And Lo! The Angel of the Lord,” “ And the Angels Said,” “And Suddenly.” Choir, “Glory to God.” Soprano, Miss J. Duff, “ Rejoice Greatly.” Mrs E. Canveron, ” Then Shall the Eyes,” “He Shall Feed His Flock.” Miss A. Lucas, “Come Unto Him.” Miss H. Smith, “He Was Despised.” Choir, “ All We Like Sheep,” “ Lift Up Your Heads.” Bass, Rev E. B. Chambers, “Why do the Nations?” Choir, “ Hallelujah Chorus.” Soprano, Mrs E. Cameron, “ I Know That My Redeemer Liveth.” Choir, “ Worthy is the Lamb.” Close. FOR MONDAY. 2YA, Wellington (416 m 720 k.). lo:Gramophon'e recordings. 11.12: Lecturette, “Cooking.” 11.37: Lecturette, “ Health Hints or First Aid.” 12: Lunchhour music. 2: Selected recordings. 3.30 and 4.30: Sporting results. 5: Children. 6: Dinner music session—Orchestra, “Academic Festival.” Overture, “From Foreign Parts”—ltaly, Germany, “Lilac Time ” Selection, “ Schwanda the Bagpipe Player,” “ Schatz Waltz,” “Mosaic” Potpourri, “The Land of Smiles ” Selection, ” From Foreign Parts”—Spain, Hungary. “Moonlight on the Alster.” 7: News, reports and sports results. 7.40: L’ecturette, Mr H. C. South, “ Books—Grave and Gay.” 8: Paul Godwin’s Orchestra, “Geisha.” Presentation by Mr Keith Grant and Company of the Japanese Musical play, The Geisha.” Act I—Opening chorus, “Happy Japan.” Solos—“ Dear Little Jappy-Jap-J appv,” “The Amorous Goldfish.” Duet—“ The Kissing.” Solo and chorus—“ Chon Kina.” Duet—“ Pearl of the Radiant Sea.” 8.33: 2YA Orchestrina, “ Les Contes d’Hoffmann.” 8.42: Act 2—“ T,hto Geisha.” Chorus—“ Day Born of Love.” Solo—“ Star of My Soul.” Chorus of Geisha Girls—“ With Splendour Auspicious.” Solo and Chorus —“Chin Chin Chinaman.” Solo—“ The Jewel of Asia.” Solo and Chorus—“ The Interfering Parrot.” Solo and Chorus, “ Love, Love, Softly You Call.” Finale, “Before Our Eyes.” 9.12: Monologue John Barrymore, “Gloucester’s Soliloquy” (from “King Henry IV., Act 2, scene 2). 9.16: Orchestrina, “Genevieve de Brabant.” 9.26: Lecture—recital by Mr Karl Atkinson, “The Indispensable Piano.” 10: Dance music programme until 11 p.m. 3YA, Christchurch (306 m—980 k.). 12: Lunch hour music. 2: Gramophone recital. 4.50: Sports results. 5: Children. ( 6: Dinnter music session—Orchestra, Zampa ” Overture, "Dynamiden ” Waltz, “ O Sole Mio,” “ Kaiser Waltz,” “ The Tea House of a Hundred Steps,” “Be Embraced, Ye Millions,” “Aida” Selection, “Hungarian Rhapsody ” No. 2, “Narcissus,” “Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival," “ Souvenir ” Valse Boston, “Gopak.” 7: News and reports. 7.30: Miss W. Haward, M.A., “The Beginning of English Banking.” S: Programme by Band of Ist Canterbury Regiment and 3YA artists. Band, “La Militairte,” “Viscount Nel--814: Baritone, Mr Clive Hindle, I Heard You Singing,” “The Village Blacksmith.” 8.19: Hilo Hawaiian Orchestra, “My Hula Love.” 5.22: Soprano, Miss Loyis M’Kinley, “ Sewing Sons," What a Wonderful World it Would Be.” 8.27: Band, “Torchlight.” 8.31: Humour, Mr George Titchener, “I Had * kittle Garden,” “The Girl on the Stairs. 8.38: Christchurch Broadcasting Trio, “ Second Valse,” “ The Old Refrain.” 8.45: Bass. Mr R. S. H Buchanan, “Mendin’ Roadways.” S.4S: The Singing Teachers’ Society, “ Lav Down Arms, Brothers,” “Brothers, Your Hands.” 8.54: Band, “Juliana.” 92Weather forecast and station notices. “Blue Sky and -White Road, The Ragged Vagabond.” 9.5: Light Opera Company, “ Songs of Wales.” 9.12: Polka, Bandsman W. Unwin Althea.” 9.16: Miss M’Kinley, The Greatest Wish In The World ” “When The Dew I s Falling.” 9.2 i: Violin, Jascha Heifetz, “On Winirs of Song.” 9.25: Mr Titchener, “ Th*e Crossing. Sweeper's Story.” 9.31: Band, Higher Grade.” 9.35: Mr Buchanan .9°’ ’ V Come To Th « Gookhous© Door.” 9.41: Broadcasting Trio, Intermezzo, “ Romance,” “ Saltarello. 9.50: Light Opera Company, Songs of England.” 9.54: Band, “Bohemian Girl.” 10.4: Close.