Listen In!

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 91, 17 April 1929, Page 10

Listen In!

T NOTES AND PROGRAMMES V

(By

"Detector")

War in the Air. Reception conditions last Friday night were absolutely impossible. There ’ was one continuous barrage of static operating on any station between 200 and S(H) metres. No Australian station could be heard for more than a couple of seconds, while 2YA, Wellington was not worth while wasting ••juice" over. Conditions improved slightly on Saturday night, but were far from good. Football Relays. Saturday, April 27, will see 2YA’s initial football broadcast for this season. There are plenty of listeners wh* do not know that many of the New Zealand broadcasts continue till 11 o’clock at night. Light 11 o’clock broadcasts are scheduled for this week, and several others will not conclude before 10.20 p.m. What is Static? The New York Science and Invention states: “Static is an atmospheric electrical discharge. Radio waves are also of an electrical nature, but the static elect rival disturbances supcr-impose themselves on the radio receiving system at unexpected moments. There is nothing so Jar which will filter this static charge out and yet permit the current to pass along the antenna. Static can be grounded the same as any other radio wave. It passes along the wire directly to ground or water. Static will pass through a vacuum as easily as a radio wave and perhaps even more .. I.ci-mise the discharge is frequently -.. -mg.■! ; but in spite of this, a . ;o num lube placed in series with the I ground and the antenna will only ground heavy static charges, but will I not prevent those static charges from I making an audible sound in the loudspeaker of the radio set.” 1 New plant has been ordered for 4YA s.j that the Duinedin station will soon •i>e on a par as regards equipment, with AYA and IYA. From the beginning of 'next month 4YA will be on the air levcry evening except Thursday. This ' extension will not be greatly appreciated in the North Island until the new equipment is in use. After the unsettled state of the ether 'which was experienced during the latter part of last week, it was a pleasant surprise to find the trans-Tasnian stations at such fine strength and so free from static as obtained when the rounds were made on Sunday night. It will come as very welcome news lo all listeners to hear that, commencing on Monday, April 29, he muchI looked for dinner music session will be 'inaugurated at 2 YA, Wellington. I In connection with the search for the Southern Cross the instructions broadcast last week by 2BL on how to rig up a temporary transmitter seem rather superfluous when it is realised they were intended for Air McWilliams, one of the most experienced radio men in Australia and New Zealand. Radio sets for repair and overhaul come into "Wanganui daily from Palmerston, Marton, Huntcrville, Palea, and Hawera. D. A. Morrison and Co. maintain one of the- most efficient radio service departments in the North Island.* The following information has been received from the Philips Glowlamps < N.Z.) Co., Ltd., Wellington:—Station I’llf will be transmitting to-day, tomorrow and Friday from 12.30 a.m. to 2.30 a.m.. New Zealand time. Reports of reception of PHI will be welcomed by the Wellington branch. There has been a terrible lot of Morse interference on the wavelengths of 3AR Melbourne and 7ZL, Hobart, of late. Thursday night last the writer happened to tunc in a Jap on about 375 metres —JOHN, he said—and heard an unusual item from this Oriental broadcastef —a vocal item by several woi-.’en ringing, most melodiously and in uni- : son ,a song that was not at all in the | ordinary Japanese style. It was more (like a hymn than anything else and it was well done, too. Volume was about the same as 4QG, Brisbane. On Thursday evening last the ether showed signs of clearing up, but it Avas 'till over-rowdy for pleasant results. I’hc Australians were not audible until and that was only a whisper on the speaker. Later in the evening all stations showed good strength hut static was coining through in short 'harp bursts. Receiving licenses are still being rc-I'-eived at a good rate. Returns of license totals cannot be expected for a 'ittle while, but they will be read with .merest when they do appear. The electric set will assuredly be the popular purchase this year in New Zea- • ini. Numerous types are now availible from dealers, but the demand is present in excess of the supply, ami importers are eagerly awaiting shipments now on the water. Probably the most efficient and up-to-date radio service station in the; North Island is run by D. A. Morrison and Co., Wanganui. Their service de- i partment is equipped with the very latest testing instruments and equipment and a staff of highly skilled radio mechanics are constantly employed.* The large number who listened in to Australian stations for particulars of the missing airmen, must have been grattified at the splendid way in which the radio messages from the air liner Canberra were given from 2FC. On the sth of last month the 8.8. C. made a test of the Baird television apparatus. No reports of the result are yet to hand. It is stated that the movement to' erect a station at Invercargill has] lapsed for want of support. Southland is unfortunate in being a bad area for 1 long distance reception, and local en- I thusiasts hoped to find a remedy in set-1 ting up a plant of their own. as is

I The Boxing Ban. Objections by certain sporting bodies to broadcasting is assuming serious 1 proportions. Recently the Wellington Boxing Association decided to bar all future bouts under its jurisdiction, and if this action is followed by the Boxing Associtions in other big centres another gap in popular wireless programmes will be recorded. It would appear that at the present rate of progress the wireloss pro- , grammes in the near future will be conlined to studio concerts. Race Meeting Broadcasts. The efforts of the New Zealand Broadcasting Company to cater for the sporting community and for a big percentage of wireless license-holders by broadcasting race results and, when possible, a description of the various events as they are run, has earned the sympathy and appreciation of a large circle of radio fans throughout the Dominion. Although the descriptions of the running are not too satisfactory under the conditions prevailing, where the announcer has had to view the meeting from afar with the aid of powerful binoculars, like the small boy viewing the big circus through a hole in the tent canvas, the efforts of the broadcasting authorities have been greatly appreciated. Gravel Earths. An earth-plate buried in gravelly scil is often the unsuspected source of weak or inefficient reception. In the first place, the contact between the plate and the earth will, in such circumstances, be made through a large .number of “points.” This means a 'relatively high resistance, with corresponding damping and loss in selectivity. In the second place, gravelly soil is naturally porous, so that rainwater percolates through, leaving the actual earthing-point dry, which is again unfavourable aerial circuit. It is possible that many so-called “blind” spots, or areas of poor reception, owe 1 ir bad reputation to a gravel soil. Whenever practicable, it will pay to dig down until the earth-plate or t be makes contact with the clay sub-soil. TO-DAY’S PROGRAMMES IYA. AUCKLAND. (333 Metres) 3 p.m.: Afternoon session—selected studio i items. 4.0: Literary selection by the Announcer. 4.8: Studio items. 4.25: Sports results. 4.30: Close down. 6.0: Children’s session, conducted by Uncle Tom. 7.15: News and market reports. 8.0: Chimes. 8.1: Vocal duet Miss B. Smith and Mr J. Simpson, "The Touch of A Woman’s Hand.’’ 8.5: Baritone solo—Mr Clinton Williams, "The Vagrant.” 8.9: Soprano solo—Miss Alma McGruer, "Mother. You Know the Story.” 8.13: Organ and vocal- Mr Arthur E. Wilson and Mr Clinton Williams, (a) "Concerto No. 12," (b) “Salute d’ Amour,” (c) Bantone solo. "Repaing,’ (d) "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” 8.33: Tenor solo—Mr James Simpson, "Ah! Moon of my Delight.” 8.37: Presentation of the opera "Rigoletto” (second instalment). 9.17: Weather report. 9.20: Bass solos—Mr Duncan Black, (a) “The Lute Player,” "My Son.” 9.28: Organ and vocal—Mr A. E. Wilson and Mr Clinton Williams, "Thanksgiving,” (b) "Prayer and Cradle Song,” (d) "Minuet” from “Clock Symphony.” 9.48: Contralto solos—Miss Bryl Smith, (a) "Grey Hills,” (b) "Like to the Damask Rose.” 9.56: Vocal duct —Miss McGruer and Mr Black, "When Song is Sweet.” 10.0: Close down. BYA, CHRISTCHURCH. (306 Meires). 3.0 p.m.: Afternoon session—Selected gramophone items. 4.25: Sports results to hand. 4.30: Close down. 6.0: Children's session conducted by "Mother Hubbard.” 7.15: News session. 7.30: Addington stock market reorts. 8.0: Chimes. 8.1: Presentation of opera "Rigoletto,” Act 1, Scene 1, and part Scene 2, with introductory remarks by Mr W. H. Dixon, Professor of Singing. 8.29: Soprano solo —Miss Lilian Hanham, “My Heart Flies Homing.” 8.33: Pianoforte solo— Mr Sydney Francis Hoben, (a) “Caprice in E,” (b) "Mandolinata,” (<?) "Hark, Hark, the Lark.” 8.43: Tenor song—Mr H. Blakeley. "An Evening Song.” 8.47: Entertainer— Will Gardner, "A Little Bit of Heaven.” 8.50: Instrumental quintette—The Bohemian Quintette, (a) "At the Theatre,” (h) "Evening in the Forest,” (c) "A Country Dance.” 9.1: Weather report. 9.8: Orchestral—Picadilly Orchestra, "Waltz Dream.” 9.14: Mixed vocal quartette—Salon Quartette, "An Evening Pastorale.” Contralto solo—Miss Dulcie Mitchell, "Softly Awakes My Heart.” 9.22: Orchestral —New Light Symphony Orchestra, "Glow Worm Idyll.” 9.26: Baritone solo— Mr J. Graham Young, "The Bedouin Love Song.” 9.30: Tenor and contralto duet—Salona Duo, "Yes! I will Rest, for my Soul is Weary.” 9.34: Chorus—Victor Chorus, "Anvil Chorus.” 9.37: Instrumental quintette— Bohemian Quintette, (a) "Overture to Dioclesian,” (10 "Minuet.” 9.45: Tenor solo—Mr H. Blakeley, "Soul of the Spring.” Soprano solos—Miss Lilian Hanham, (a) "A Little Twilight Song,” (b) "Springtime.” 9.49: Orchestral—Royal Opera Orchestra, (a) "Sylvia Ballet” (The Huntress), (b) "Sylvia Ballet” (Intermezzo and Valse Lente). 9.57: Baritone solo—Mr J. Graham Young, "’The Deathless Army.” Soprano and baritone duet —Salon Duo, "In a Little Old Garden.” 10.5: Instrumental quinette—Bohemian Quintette, "Vienna Life.” 10.15: Contralto solo—Miss Dulcie Mitchell, "Angus MacDonald.” Mixed vocal quartette—Saloon Quartette, "Cradle Song.” 10.22: Close down. 4YA, DUNEDIN. (463 Metres). 7 p.m.: Town Hall chimes. 7.1: Request [gramophone concert. 7.40: News session. |8.0: Town Hall chimes. 8.1: OrchestralI Kauffman’s Orchestra, "The Gipsy Baron.” [8.9: Humorous sketch- Miss Anita Winkel land Major F. H. Lampen. 8.19: Presentation of excerpts from "The Dancing Mistress,” by the Serenaders' Quartette:—Cast: 'Soprano, Miss Florence Sumner; contralto, Miss Dorothy Allan; tenor, Mr W. Harrison; baritone, Mr R. B. Macdonald. 8.30: Entr’acte—lnternational Concert Orfchestra, "Sari Waltz.” 8.40: Excerpts from "The Dancing Mistress.” 8.50: Entr’acte—Salon Orchestra, "Glow Worm Idyll.” 9.0: Weather report. 9.2: Waltz International Concert Orchestra, "The Merry Widow.” 9.6: Humorous sketch —Miss Anita Winkel and Major F. H. Lampen. Ji. 16: Ex(«rpts from “The Dancing Mistress. 9.31: "Columbia” dance programme: March—ll.M. Grenadier Guards Band, "Twist and Twirl. fox-trot with vocal chorus— Denza Dance Band. "Dance of the Blue Danube. Fox-trot—Biltmore Hotel Orchestra, "Sweet Sue- Just You.” Fox-trot with vocal refrain—Paul Whiteman’s Orchestra. "Just a Sweetheart.” 9.4<i: Further Columbia dance records till 10 o’clock. 4QG. BRISBANE. (385 Metres). 6.30 Bedtime stories conducted bj’ “Little Miss Brisbane." 7.0: News in brief. 7.5: Stock Exchange news. 7.6: Metal quotations. 7.7: Market reports and Fenwick's stock report. 7.30: Wi <»'ier information. 7.40: Announcemenis. T. 43: Standard time signals. 7.45: Lecturetto—"A Dairy Subject,” Mr R. R. Keats (Queensland Agricultural High School and College.) 8.0: Aif Featherstone and his Dance Orchestra Fox-trots, "By the Sapphire Sea,” |"Egyj>tian Rose.” 8.10: Jean Naylor (contralto) "A Summer Night,” "Advice.” 8.20: jAlf Featherston and his Dance Orchestra—-jFox-trots, "Just Because You’re You,” "My • Mammy Knows.” 8.3(); Stanley Tamblyn l(F>ass) "The Blacksmith,” "The Gallants of [England.” 8.35: Alf Featherson and his Dance Orchestra Jazz waltz—“ Chiquita.” 5.40: Dihbe and Dab Ton minutes’ melody (and patter. 8.50: Aif Featherstone and hid

Dance Orchestra—One-steps: “Mos-Kee-Toe,” "Uz-Te-Zcr.” 9.25: Dons Mclnnes (soprano) —"Pale Moon,” "Gondola.” 9.35: Alf Featherstone and his Dance Orchestra—One-steps, "I Found the End of the Rainbow,” "Somewhere in Erin.” 9.45: Harry Humphreys in a humorous sketch—" Mum, Dad and the Kid Visit the Zoo.” 9.55: Alf Featherstone and his Dance Orchestra—Jazz waltz, "Lolita.” 10.0: The Daily Mail news; the Courier news; weather news. 10.15: Dorothea Hives (elocutionist) —A group of Australian verse: "Moonrise,” "The Gippsland Girl,” "The Women of the West.” 10.20: Alf Featherstone and bis Dance Orchestra—Forty minutes’ dance music. 11.0: Close down. AUSTRALIAN STATIONS. 2FC, Sydney (442 metres). —7.45 p.m., children’s session ; 8.30, news, markets and sports; 9.10, dinner music; 9.45, selected items ; 9.53, popular music ; 10.0, evening programme ; 12 (midnight) dance music from the Ambassadors. 2BL, Sydney (353 metres). —7.45 p.m., children’s session ; 8.30. news and sports; .10, market reports; 9.25, studio items and advertising talks; 10.0, selected concert programme ; 12 (midnight) dance music from the Wentworth. 3LO, Melbourne (371 metres). —8.5 p.m. children’s session ; 9.5, news, markets and sports; 9.50, lecturette; 10.0, selected programme of vocal and instrumental items; 12 (midnight) dance music. 3AR, Melbourne (484 metres).—B p.m., gramophone records ; 9.50, sports results, news, etc; 10.0, lecturettes; 10.30, selected concert pro-