Listen In!

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 109, 10 May 1934, Page 7

Listen In!

U • WW ' U -----w-ww t i -ww {_J H NOTES AND PROGRAMMES «

(By

“Detector.”)

H.M.V. “CONCERT 7.” FIRST-CLASS SUPERHET TONAL QUALITY A FEATURE. Value for money is well exemplified in the latest His Master’s Voice table radio receiver, which gives truly amazing results considering the moderate price. Through the courtesy of Hr. Dallas Walker, manager of the radio department of Bennett’s Ltd., who are the local agents for His Master’s Voice radio, the writer had the pleasure of hearing one of the above models during the past week-end. There is no doubt that this new superhet “Concert Seven” (the name by which it is known) is one of the finest table receivers yet placed on the New Zealand market. The set is housed in a beautiful cabinet of fine figured walnut and in a style which though modern, will not date. The chassis is a real work of art and shows the work of a master hand and mind. It is a seven-valve superheterodyne circuit employing vari-able-mu valves, which eliminates cross modulation, feed-back, and background noises; this, combined with the latest improvements in radio, such as delayed automatic volume control which combats the hitherto unavoidable fading of long-distance programmes, and the static suppressor or quiet tuning device, makes one realise that this is real radio. This static or mush suppressor, which prevents amplification of any signal in the mush area, can be set by hand to a pre-determined position depending on the local conditions, and can be switched in and out as desired. The set is also fitted with three of the new unbreakable Catkin valves, which, in the near future, will, in the writer’s opinion, revolutionise radio. Duplex action tone control, which adjust the bass in one direction and treble in the other, with a central position for normal reproduction, is another feature. Results on Test. The mere fact that sixty stations were heard and definitely identified in a three-hour test of the “Concert Seven’’ is sufficient proof of the set’s merits. But that is not all! The way in which these stations were heard is important in days when listeners want good quality and entertainment value from as many stations as possible. It is on these latter points that this new set earns its laurels. My test was split up into two hours on one night and an hour the following night. During the first night atmospheric conditions were so bad rhat I had the utmost difficulty in identifying the thirty-odd stations heard.

On the second night, however, conditions were fairly good and in the course of an hour I had confirmed my log of the previous night and had raised the total to sixty stations. Several others, including seven Americans (not includKFI, KGO, and KPO) were heard but, because they were not identified by programme or announcement, they were not counted. I must admit that I spent nearly ten minutes getting the knack of tuning the set. Once this art has been accomplished the mere task of getting stations is very simple. One of the first stations tuned it was 2UE, Sydney. Here was a surprise. Panic prevailed in my room for a few moments in trying to get the volume down to listening strength. Quality -was really good, with no trace of background noise. Sensitivity.—Of the sixty stations identified, over fifty, at least, were heard at full loud-speaker strength. There was no “whispering” in the loud speaker on any signal. The output stage gave real punch. Selectivity.—Every station, with the exception of two, which were definitely overlapping other stations, were heard clear of its neighbour. One need say no more. Tone. —The tonal quality is another feature of this set —in fact the tone is amazing, every instrument, whether it be piano, organ, violin, cornet, bass, etc., is reproduced to absolute perfection. This in my opinion is the most outstanding feature of the “Concert.” In conclusion, the makers must indeed be congratulated on such a fine achievement. They have produced a set that sets a new standard of quality. Punch, power and quality are its main recommendations. Wrestling Again. The first wrestling contests* of the season were broadcast on Monday evening. The writer did not hear the match from Auckland, but from all accounts IYA was in one of its bad moods and faded every few minutes. The match in Wellington was not very exciting, from the listeners’ points of view, the announcer not knowing enough about the game. If Mr. G. Hutter had handled this broadcast it would have been a real thriller. American Stations. The American stations are now coming in reasonably well, the best being KFT, Los Angeles. WENT?, Chicago and KSL. Salt Lake City. Another American, KVOO next to 4YO has increased its power, and is really the best of the stations in the U.S.A. Unfortunately it closes down at 6 p.m. summer time. On the other side of 4YO is XENT, Mexico City, which is often on late. This station uses a power of 150 kilowatts, and is on somewhat the same lay as Dr. Brinkley’s XER. which incidentlv is closed down indefinitely.

The New IYA. The Broadcasting Board has accepted a tender at £BOOO for the erection of the new IYA station near Henderson, on the main North Auckland Road. The site is on the coast, and is bounded on the inland side by swamp, so that a first-class earth should be obtainable. A 10,000 watt transmitter and a 500foot steel lattice mast are being manufactured in Australia. It is promised that the new station, as well as the new studio in Auckland, will be ready before the end of the year. No Change in Personnel. The Advisory Council of the New Zealand Broadcasting Board has been reappointed without change in personnel from last year. The Advisory Council co-operates with the Broadcasting Board in, as its name indicates, an advisory capacity. Most of the men who are members of it were connected with radio stations or with organisations of listeners before the board was formed, and are well qualified, one or two of them especially so on ’the technical side, to give helpful advice to the board. It is questionable, however, if they have as much opportunity to use their influence as their talents merit. Last year the council held only three meetings, though the annual report of the board says that ‘‘helpful recommendations’’ were made. Licenses Still Increase. 4 Receiving licenses in the Dominion increased by 24,573, from 93,211 to 117,784, last year, as against an advance of about 20,000 last year and 12,000 in the previous 12 months. The increase in March was 2370, compared with 2958 in February and 1960 in March, 1933. Of the 117,784 receiving licenses 34,926 are in the Auckland radio district, the other totals being:— Wellington, 46,276; Canterbury, 20,969; Otago, 15,613. The largest percentage of increase in the year was in Canterbury, this being undoubtedly due to the new transmitter at 3YA, Christchurch, giving that station considerably greater range. The grand total of licenses connected with radio in the Dominion on March 31 was 120,093. Besides the 117,784 paid receiving licenses, there were 1179 dealers’ permits, 79G for transmitters, three experimental, none special, 302 free and 29 broadcasting.

Dealers’ permits show an increase of 18 for the month, but a reduction of 178 for the year. Auckland and Wellington, which recently have been jockeying for the lead in dealers’ permits are now equal with 399 each. The number of free licenses has increased from 272 to 302 and those for broadcasting have decreased from 31 to 29. 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.* TO-DAY’S PROGRAMMES Following are the programmes of Australian and New Zealand stations scheduled for today. In the case of Australian stations Australian time is given in each instance, which is 1% hours behind that of New Zealand : IYA. AUCKLAND. <650 Kilocycles). 7.0: Breakfast session. 8.30: Close down. 10.0: Devotional service. 10.15: Selected recordings. 12.0: Lunch music. 2.0: Selected

recordings. 2.30: Classical hour. 3.15: Sporting results to hand. 3.30: Talk. 3.40: Light musical programme. 4.30: Special weather forecast for farmers and sports results to hand. 5.0: Children’s hour, conducted by Uncle Bob. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reporta. 7.20: Talk, under the auspices of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, by Mr. George Clark. 7.40: W.E.A. Session. 8.0: Chimes. Norah Whineray and C. F. Burnett, comedy sketch. 8.12: Stanley Holloway. 8.2: North and Coy., descriptive sketch. 8.26: “The Ceremony of the Keys.” 8.32: Recordings: Agnes Bartho- , lomew. 8.38: Jimmy O'Dea and Harry O’Donovan, comedy duologue. 8.44: Norah Whineray and C. F. Burnett, comedy sketch. 8.54: Recordings: Watson and Cohen, comic dialogue. 9.0: Weather report and notices. 9.2: Talk: Member of the British Medical Association. 9.20: Recordings, The British Symphony Orchestra. 9.24: Elsie Suddaby, soprano. 9.30: Artur Schnk.be! and The London Philharmonic Orchestra. 10.0; Music, Mirth and Melody. 10.30: Dance music. 11.0: Close down. IYX—Auckland. 5.0: Light musical programme. 6.0: Close down. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: Alternative concert programme. 10.0: Close down. 2YA, WELLINGTON. (570 Kilocycles). 7.0 to 8.30: Breakfast session. 10.0: Chimes. Selected recordings. 10.30: Devotional service. 2.0: Classical hour. 3.0: Sports results. Talk. 3.15: Light musical programme. 4.0: Spoils results- 5.0: Children’s hour. 6.0: Dinner music, 7.0: News and reports. 7.40: W.E.A. Session, Mr L. C. King. 8.0: Chimes. Members of Wellington Ladies’ Instrumental Septette. 8.25: Recording: Herbert Janssen, baritone. 8.33: Wellington Ladies’ Instrumental Septette. 8.40: Talk, Mr., J. S. Keith. 9.0: Weather report and notices. 9.2: Clement May and Company present a one-act comedy, “Elegant Edward.” 9.30: Recordings. 10.0: Favourites —Old and new. 11.0: Close down. 2YC, WELLINGTON (840 Kilocycles.) 5.0: Light musical programme. 6.0: Close down. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: Alternative concert programme. 10.0: Close down. 3YA. CHRISTCHURCH (720 Kilocyck-s). 7.0: Breakfast session. 8.30: Close down. 10.0: Devotional service. 10.15: Selected recordings. 12.0: Lunch music. 2.0: Selected recordings. 2.30: Talk. 3.0: Classical music. 4.0: Light musical programme. 4.30: Sports results. 5.0: Children’s hour. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 7.35: Talk— Mr. A. H. Flay. 8.0: Chimes. Albert W. Ketelbey’s Concert Orchestra. 8.10: Light Opera Company. 8.18: Wilhelm Backhaus, piano. 8.26: Louis Graveure, baritone. 8.30: Alfred Campoli and his Salon Orchestra. 8.38: Richard Tauber. 8.44: Reserved. 9.0: Weather forecast and station notices. 9.3: Talk—Mr. L. R. R. Denny, M.A. 9.20: Frank Westfield’s Orchestra. 9.26: Lawrence Tibbett, baritone. 9.32: Jesse Crawford, organ. 9.3>T: Kichard Crooks, tenor. 9.44: Wayne King and his Orchestra. 9.47: Reserved. 10.0: Music, Mirth and Melody. 10.30: Dance music. 11.0: Close down. BYL—Christchurch. 5.0: Light musical programme. C.O: Close down. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: Alternative concert programme. 10.0: Close down. 4YA, DUNEDIN. (790 Kilocycles). 7.0: Breakfast session. 8.30: Close down. 10.0: Selected recordings. 10.15: Devotional service. 12.0: Lunch music. 2.0: Selected recordings. 3.30: Classical music. 3.45: Sports results. 4.30: Light musical programme; special weather forecast for farmers. 4.45: Sports results. 5.0: Children’s session. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 8.0: Chimes. Recordings, Orchestra Moscotte. 8.7: Mr. Arthur J. Lungley .baritone. 8.21: Recordings. Tossy Spivakowsky, violin. 8.27: Don Cossacks. 8.30: Evelyn Shephard, soprano. 8.44: Recordings, Tossy Spivakowsky. 8.50: Recordings—Richard Tauber, tenor. 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.2: Talk—Miss Phoebe Clark. 9.20: Dance music. 11.0: Close down. 4YO Dunedin. 5.0: Light musical programme. 60: Close down. 7.0: After dinner music. 8.0: Alternative concert programme. 10.0: Close down. 4QG, BRISBANE. (760 Kilecycles). 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 musie. 11.0: Close down. 2BL, SYDNEY. (353 Metres). 6.15: Dance music. 7.5: Country session. 7.20: Recorded music. 8.0: Studio concert programme. 2FC, SYDNEY. (451 Metres). 5.45 p.m.: Children’s session. 6.45: Reeorded muaie session. 7.24: Sporting and new*. 8.0: Studio Concert Programme.