Listens In!
■x NOTES AND PROGRAMMES
(By
‘Detector
As Christmas Eve will be celebrated on Saturday this year; the programmes from all New Zealand stations will be of a bright and popular nature, in keeping with the season. The Official Opening. Reception of 3YA, Christchurch in Wanganui on the opening night last week was anything but satisfactory. The signals were very erratic and. at times could hardly be heard. Distortion also affected reception. This was not what was expected from this new station, as the preliminary tests were excellent. The New 3YA. The comment of one listener: —‘‘The new 3YA is well worth the money, even if it cost twice as much” —appears to epitomise South Island opinion concerning the new transmitter at Gcbbie’s Pass, says a southern paper. 2YA’s Harmonic. The first harmonic of 2YA, Wellington, which is heard just above 3YA’s old wavelength, is almost as strong as the transmission on the proper frequency. This is not satisfactory, for the harmonic badly interferes with reception of 2GB, Sydney. This will be more pronounced in the winter, when this annoying interloper will affect more than one station. i Machine-made Static. Steps are to be taken to give the P. and T. officials legislative authority to enforce the elimination of machinemade static. The announcement of this brings New Zealand into line with the Continental countries in which radio reception has received great attention from State authorities. Dunedin Amateur’s Feat. To a Dunedin amateur, Mr. G. G. Samson, who owns and operates station ZL4AI, has fallen the honour of winning the 1933 senior transmitting content for the British Empire Radio Union challenge trophy, which, although inaugurated only three years ago, already ranks among the most important competitions in amateur radio circles throughout the world. Christmas Programmes. There is a spirit of gaiety and confidence in the air this Christmas that has been happily reflected in the radio programmes to be presented from the national stations in New Zealand and Australia during the next week. Christmas is a time of memories, and there are concerts scheduled which will stir the senses and take the mind flying back to the days that are gone —glad days, sad days, never-to-be-forgotten days. There are other programmes that will make you feel glad to be alive, make you feel that the coming year is going to be an extra special one ami that you’re going to put an extra special leg forward to keep in line with it. Radio Repair Service. Make use of our Radio Repair Service. Radio is our specialty, therefore bring your repairs to the firm who specialise in this work. All and any classes of sets repaired. Valves may be the cause of poor reception, so bring them in. and we will test them free.— D. A. Morrison and Co., Avenue.* [ Alternative Programmes. I Following the visit of the board’s general manager to Christchurch and Dunedin, arrangements have been made for alternative programmes in those centres. Details regarding their nature are expected to be published shortly. Interference By Morse. The upper reaches of the broadcast band suffer badly at times through Morse interference from ships’ transmitters. With the shifting of 2YA to higher up the band broadcasts from that station are likely to be continually affected. Christmas Day Sessions. The Christmas Day sessions from all the YA stations will commence at 9 a.m. with appropriate recordings. At 10.30 a.m. IYA will relay a special Christmas morning service by the combined Auckland churches. 2YA will observe its usual day sessions, appropriate Christmas recordings featuring in the various sessions. Front 3YA bright popular music will be broadcast during the day. and at 2 p.m. the station will broadcast on relay from Lancaster Park, a commentary on the play in the Plunket Shield cricket match. From 4YA the r.sual day sessions will be observed, ‘ ‘ Robinson Crusoe. ’ ’ 1 he outstanding programme for the holidays would appear to be 3YA’s studio presentation of the “potted” pantomime, “Robinson Crusoe.” pro sented by a strong cast of well-known radio artists, on Tuesday evening. i An Auckland Opinion. A correspondent to the Auckland Star writes to‘Phonos’ as follows: “in your last notes you mentioned that you had received IYA’s harmonic and asked if any readers had had the same trouble. I have had the same trouble with IYA, IYX and IZM, a thorough nuisance, too, as they are as strong as though tuned into the station. The wave-length changes have made a ‘proper muck’ of things. KFI and 2FC are completely blotted out, 1 YX periodically overlapping 2BL, and 2YA now only about one third of volume. The last mentioned is received with an annoying hiss ami intermittent Morse, apparently ships. 1 have a 7-valve super 'het. and it is pretty tough when reception is restricted to local stations only—if you are lucky enough to get them. It seems as though the changes were made to cut out all stations outside New Zealand. What was wrong with the old wave-lengths? If changing was necessary surely there are plenty of places on the dial without crowding out popular overseas stations. I have not. met anybody who is satisfied with the latest shuffle and I’in afraid this will be. re tb eted in April next if the board does not take ht'<‘d tn the alreadv numerous protest- and i.mko sati>f n <-t<>rv a.lju-.i
The “Best” Position. There are many opinions on different phases of the change in wavelengths—whether the changes have been for better or for worse. But out of it all one fact emerges with startling clarity—31A has about the best position on the dial with its new’ wavelength. ' ‘Worth the License Fee” When such events as the arrival of the Faith in Australia at New Plymouth and the civic welcome to Admiral Byrd and his companions are available to owners of radio receivers, it is amazing to think that there are houses as yet not equipped with wireless. Even the little transmission that was made for rebroadcasting in the U.S.A, was worth the license fee. It is to be hoped the speeches were clearly heard in America, particularly that of the Postmaster-Gen-eral, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, who said everything he could in the few moments allotted. Holiday Sporting Events. Monday, Dec. 25 — 3YA broadcast commentary on Plunket Shield Cricket, Canterbury v. Otago, at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dee. 26. Relay from Ellerslie Racecourse of a running commentary of the Auckland Racing Club’s summer meeting, at 11.30 la.m., by IYA. 3YA broadcast commentary of Plunket. Shield cricket, 11 a.m. 4YA—During the afternoon descriptions of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s summer meeting will be relayed. Also descriptions of events held in connection with the Maeandrew Bay regatta. Wednesday. Dee. 27. IYA—Relay from Alexandra Park of a running commentary of the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting, .11.30 a.m. 3 YA- —Broadcast commentary on Plunket Shield cricket, 12.0. 4YA—Descriptions of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s summer meeting. Thursday, Dec. 28. IYA—Relay of races at. Ellerslie, 11.30 a.m. Christinas Features. There is a Christmas atmosphere, about the latest issue of the Radio Record that should make it acceptable reading for the holidays. A special article deals with the Christinas features from the New Zealand national stations and the leading Australian ones; listeners will find it. handy for keeping in touch with Iho seasonal broadcasts later in the week. An Anomalous Position. “The New Zealand air is Io be kept clear of advertising” was the salient feature of a recent statement on the Government’s broadcasting policy made in the House by the Postmaster-General (Hon. A. Hamilton). That is a consummation devoutly to be wished, but it will not be reached merely by the suppression of sponsored programmes by B stations, and until a more correct, appreciation is shown of what constitutes advertising. If the Postmaster-General (or his advisers, as the official head of the department may know little about radio) is in earnest, he can begin by blacking out 'announcements’ by Government departments, which are unadulterated advertising, and having cleansed himself from his radio unrighteousness he will be able to begin with better grace the salvation of other wireless sinners. A stream of free publicity has been radiated from the board’s stations, 3YA and 2YA being particular offenders. The weekly ‘rai’way report’ is pure advertisement, as are ‘talks’ read to work up interest on behalf of wrestling and other monfymaking fixtures. Announcements regarding entertainments, appeals, and a dozen other things are free publicity, just as much as was a ‘lost notice’ concerning Dante’s terrier. A few days ago 2YA emitted an advertisement for a provincial racing club, giving the hour and date of closing of entries, the secretary’s name and address, the tele- 1 graph and telephone hours, and the fact that the track was alleged to be in perfect order. There was not one word in the announcement that was not advertisement, and yer only a few weeks ago IZR was closed down because it tacked the business of a firm on to the introduction to a sponsored session!’’ A New Schedule. The Record reports having had a preview of a new schedule prepared by the programme staff at the head office of the board. This schedule, it is prophesied, will he an endeavour to please all listeners. Jr may. The listening public has far loss confidence in the board’s programme staff than in its technicians. The board would be well I advised to call in sound expert advice upon its programmes before it launches anything new; in other words, to follow the same procedure as it adopted when it. appointed a. coverage commission. If it wants to give listeners a welcome New Year’s gift, give them a trained programme director, with a free hand! TO DAY’S PROGRAMMES Following are the programmes of Australian and New Zealand stations scheduled for today. In the case of Australian station* Australian time is given in each instance, which is 2 hours behind that of New Zealand: IYA. AUCKLAND. (650 Kilocycles). 5.0: Children's hour. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 8.0: Selection, Studio Orchestra. 8.8: Recordings, Richard Crooks, tenor. 8.16: Madame Cora Melvin and Mr. Norman Day. vocal duet. 8.2.'!: Recordings, Peter Bornstein, violin. 8.32: The Orchestra. 8.40: Recording, Mischa Levitzki. 8 48: Mi Norman Day, baritone. 8.51: Recording. Cedric Sharpe. 8.54: Recording, Massed Military Band. 9.0: Weather forecast and station notices. !».2: Talk. Mr. Arthur E. Wilson. 9.30: Recording. De Groot, violin, David Bor, piano, Reginald Obey, 'cello. 9.33: Madame Cora Melvin and Mr. Norman Day. 9.40: Recording, Wanda Landowska. 9.46: Mr. Norman Day, baritone. 9.49: Recording, Dino Jonesco. 8.5?: The Orchestra 10.0- Close down. IYX, Auckland.—BBo kilocycles. • : Musi' al i' anime. 6.0: ('!•>.-<• down \ iter-dinner mu.-i< . So- Alternative |C- nccrt programme. Close down.
2YA. WELLINGTON. (570 Kilocycles). 7.30: Breakfast session. 8.30: Close down. 10.0: Selected recordings. 10.30: Devotional service. 11.30: Lecturette. 12.0: Lunch music. 2.0: Selected recordings. 3.30 and 4.30: Special weather report and sports results. 5.0: Children’s hour 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 7.40: Talk, "The Overseas League.” 8.0: Frank Crowther’s Novelty Orchestra. 8.10: The Melodic Five. 8.16: Old Viennese Dance, Frank Crowther’s Novelty Orchestra. 8.25: Bass solo, Mr W. W. Marshall. 8.40: Lecturette, Mr. A. Gibbs, M.LE.E. 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.2: A special dramatisation of Charles Dickens’ famous story, "A Christmas Carol.” Arranged and Produced by Mr. Clement May. Incidental music by Frank Crowther’s Novelty Orchestra. 9.40: Melody Five. 9.55: Waltz. Frank Crowther’s Novelty Orchestra. 10.0: Close down. 2YA Auxiliary—2YC, 810 kilocycles. 5.0. Musical programme. 6.0: Close down. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: Alternative concert programme. 10.0: Close down. 3YA. CHRISTCHURCH. (720 Kilocycles.) 5.0: Children's hour. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 7.35; Talk, under the auspices of Canterbury Agricultural College. 8.0: Concert programme of specially selected recordings. 9.0: Weather forecast and station notices. 9.2: Talk. Dr. James Hight, "Christmas Through the Ages.” 9.17; Selected recordings. 10.0: Close down. 4 YA. DUNEDIN. (790 Kilocycles). n.O: Children s hour. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0; News and reports. 8.0: Special programme: “Christmas Music." The Dunedin Glee Singers. 9.3: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Talk, Rev. Hugh Graham. 9.20: I Continuation of programme by the Dunedin Glee Singers. 9.30: Dance music. 11.0: Close down. 4QG, BRISBANE. (760 Kilocycles). 6 p.m.: Music; shipping news. etc. 6.15: Children's session. 6.45: Music and weather reports. 7.0: Studio music. 7.23: News service. 7.45: General sporting information. 8.0: Studio programme. 10.30: Dance music. *11.0: Close down. 2BL. SYDNEY. (353 Metres). 6.15: Dance music. 7.5: Country session. 7.20: Recorded music. 8.0: Studio concert progra mmu. 2FC. SYDNEY. 1451 Metres). 5.45 p.tn.: Children’s session. 6.45: Recorded music session. 7.20: Sporting and news. 8.0: Studio concert programme.
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Bibliographic details
Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 301, 21 December 1933, Page 10
Word Count
2,102Listens In! Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 301, 21 December 1933, Page 10
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