RADIO NOTES

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 57, 1 December 1926, Page 7

RADIO NOTES

(By

It is gathered that the PostmasterGeneral has given the Radio Broadcasting Company the necessary six months' notice to erect and operate an up-to-date high-powered broadcasting station in Wellington. Commencing to-morrow the broadcast programmes of the New Zealand stations, and those of the Australian stations, which are available, will be published daily in Tnn Dominion. In reply to "Three-coil” (Newtown): Your three-coil regenerative set tan have its range considerably increased by adding one stage of tuned radio frequency. This can be accomplished without ’ any alteration to the wiring of the set. „ , Mr. J. M. Prentice, late of 2BL, Sydney. gave his initial address in New Zealand from IYA, Auckland, on Wednesday evening of last week. His remarks were pleasing, and every work was deafly heard by many listeners in Wellington. Mr. Prentice should prove a valuable acquisition to his new employers, the Radio Broadcasting Co. or New Zealand. An all-round improvement in programme organisation will, no doubt, be introduced under the able guidance of Mr. Prentice. “Navy” (Palea) ’ reports having received the special programme for New Zealand, broadcasted last Wednesday evening bv KTAB. Oakland, Califoinia. “Navy" states that, the reception was weak,' and fading was very much in evidence. He forwards a skeleton log of the transmission which he picked up at 9.23 p.m. "Navy" closed down at ifl.lo p.m.. as static was annoying and the strength of KTA B was not improving. „ TT "Licensee” (Thorndon) writes:— Here is an aspect of the case which I have not yet seen presented in print. The 1. and T. Department charge ns the most costly license fee in the British Empi re, and what does the Department do to clear the ether so that we can use it? The authorities charge motor-car owners a license fee and they make roads for the motorists in return. We radio licensees around the city are subjected to most intense induction interference on occasions, and are prevented from enjoying the broadcasting by IYA, Auckland.' and 3YA, Christchurch, a privilege for which we pav handsomely. It is up to the Department to clear the ether for us; it is the bounden duty of the Department to do this. Much of the stray electrical interference in this city can be cured Lately a friend of mine complained to the Department of most persistent electrical interference from a well-known source in Kelburn. Did the Department reply that its officers would interview the responsible parties and see | what could be done to remedy the trouble? No. a cool reply was sent to my friend advising him to do what he could himself, io have the trouble remedied! We hear a lot about unlicensed listeners ("poachers”), but when the Department evinces such little interest ill the welfare of those who pay their license fees one can scarcely condemn those who evade payment.” Mr. J. Hunter (Papakihau, Porangahau) reports hearing someone broadcasting on a recent Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock using the call "JMBK.” This station was on (op of 3VA he would approeinte a report on the identity of the stranger. The operator merely called ’ Hulloal several times and then shut down. The Japanese broadcast station at Osaka, JOBK. transmits on about 15 metres below the Christchurch station. In reply to "B.H. (Potone), the wave-lengths of the various stations are approximately; 2YK, 290 metres; IYA, 424; 3YA, 400; 4YA, 390; 2FC, 442; 3AR, 484 ; 4QG, 395. It will be noted that the above wave-lengths arc not identical with the published figures, but are from careful observation and checking with a wave-meter by Mr. H. R- Halloinn, Wellington. ' „ The trouble described by M.C- (Lke tahuna) may be duo to a faulty B battery The B batteries should be,tested with’ a voltmeter. The noise may also be occasioned by a loose contact: s<oroewhere in the set. The battery connection ends should be cleaned with liquid ammonia to remove corrosion, which would also cause the noise mentmnei Mr T W. Cato (Takapunn, Hawkes Bay) writes: "1 thought it might interest you Io let you know that <n Sunday evening (November 7) at MO I tuned in Chicago on my 5-vahe Neutrodyne sot and «M a ’ n «\. vel 7 atl . results The music (mostly fox-tiots) came >'n quite clearly and cry steady This is the third occasion on which 1 have picked up Chicago during the past six weeks. I also tuned in KGO. 11 is music was tip-top and was quite loud onoiv'h for the loudspeaker. 1 lost Mm about 8.30 p.m. Chicago uppears to be operating every Sunday night from 6to about 7.30 (our time) My three dial readings were HI., the statton announced was cither WBBM oi 'WPPM,’ not.sure which it was. (It was WBBM—"Aerial.”) f have been explorin'' the air for some time fast with a 5-valve set nnd have no trouble _ ill nicking up all the Australasian stations and a fair number °_f Amerieari stations. inclndine KPO, KGO. nnd WBBM (?). I can usually bring in Japan (.TOAK). when conditions are favourable, nt about 11 p.m.. but it is quite a work of art to squeeze Melbourne cut, (hough it can be done. 1 have now tuned in 30 stations and I regret to »ay that the Wellington station is the dud ot the lot. anti 1 don’t bother to tune

“Aerial.”)

it in now. It makes as, m« r n .y. noises as an old 'Tin Lizzie I ktsteneis in certainly do not get their moneys worth. Your weekly notes ere very interesting.” , cTn Mr. A. Andrew, announcer at vhu, Melbourne, and Mr. A, S. Cochrane, announcer at 2FC, Sydney, exchanged positions recently. , , ~ . , , The Sydney “'Wireless Weekly lately stated:" "IYA is the first of four new stations to be conducted, under a system similar to that of the 8.8. C, in England. Duplicate stations are to no erected at Christchurch, Dunedin, and Wellington.” Evidently, notwithstanding all the "gush" we hear of reception of 3YA, Christchurch, in Australia, the leading Australian wireless journal is not aware that the now Christchurch station has been on the air for some months now. „ T "Universal” (Waitara) writes: 1 would be obliged if you would put me in touch with anybody possessing a receiver named 'Universal Plio 6.’ I am an owner of one, and knowing there are few, if any, in Now Zealand I would like to exchange some information.”. Replies may be addressed to "Aerial.' "A.8.C." (New Plymouth) asks what voltage is required for a, C battery when his 201 A audio amplifying , valves carry a plate voltage of 96. The C battery should be of 4-J volts. "Long Reach” (Blenheim) forwards a number of queries as to the efficiency or various receiving circuits. Of the list submitted, the Browning-Drake is the best four-valve circuit now in vogue. If the most efficient parts are employed, and the set is well constructed, the Browning-Drake circuit will give excen- . tionallv fine results. .. "Magneto” (Masterton) asks: Should I connect the plus of mv loud-speaker plug to the negative of the Ibud-sneak-er?” The loud-speaker connection should be plus to plus and minus to minus. Many loud-speakers are spoilt (demagnetised) through connecting them the wrong way to the receiving set. The magnets in the loud-speaker can be remagnetised, but this work is best given to an export. , , r „ The approach and departure of the recent- southerly gale, with, its unseasonable chilliness, were coincident witn extremely unfavourable conditions tor long-distance reception. On Saturday night the Australian stations were astonishingly weak, but on Sunday nignt they were incomparably worse. An improvement was perceptible on Monday night, but reception from acros» the Tasman was still most unsatisfactory. The station that seemed to be most affected was 3T.0. Melbourne, which has not come through at all well for over | a week past, and on Sunday n]Btht was practically inaudible even with good multivalve sets. A strange buzzing sound with frequent breaks like Morse code appears to have interfered '"’th listener over a wide area on Sunday night. The origin could have been easily located if proper equipment and a motor-car had been used. “Radio” (Gisborne) urges that tne wave-lengths of the New Zealand stations should be revised. He suggests the following :-4Y A, 320 metres; IYA 290; 3YA, 260 ; 2YK. 230; or 4YA, 320: IYA, 300; 3YA, 280; 2YK, 260. Ho writes: At present one picks up a great deal o,t Morse, which ruins many good items. Following orc tbo programmes to no transmitted to-day bv the New Zealand stations :— IYA, Auckland.—3 p.m. to 4.J0 p.m.i Afternoon concert. 7.15 p.m. to <-45 p.m.: News and reports, etc. S p.m. to 10 P.m.: Chimes. Relay of orchestral selections from the Rialto 1 heat re, direction of Mr. Henry Engell. Hass solo, “Drake Goos West" (Sanderson), Mr. J. Lonergan: violin solo, selected, Mr. C. Stuart'; mezzo-soprano solo, ‘Lolita’’ (Strachey); Miss O. Clarke; orchestral. "Garden Gate,” Bendall’s Collegians; tenor soto, "Wonderful World af Romance" /Haydon), Mr. Squirrel!; violin solo, selected, Mr. G. Stuart; orchestral, "Lonely,” Bendall’s Collegians; mezzo-soprano, ‘‘Rose in the Bud,” Miss 0. Clarke; orchestral. “Silvery," Bendall’s Collegians; violin solo, selected, Mr. C. Stuart; bass solo, "Bandolero,’" Mr. J. Lonergan; orchestral, "Ropers Baud,” Bendall’s Collegians, mezzo-soprano solo. “Lilacs” (Wright). Miss O. Clarke; orchestral, “Sing Katy,” Bendall’s Collegians; tenor solo, “To You, Dear.” Mr. Squirrell; lecture, "25 Years as Rugby Referee,” Mr. W. Meredith: orchestra, “Some Little Bird,” Bendall’s Collegians; relay Of orchestral selections, from the Rialto Vheatro. . „„ BYA. Christchurch.—3 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.: Afternoon concert: 6.30 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Children’s session, Uncle Jack. 7.1.5 p.m. to 7.45 p.m.: News and reports etc. 8. p.m. to 10 n.m.: Studio concert bv the following artists: — Mr. Pltcaithlev (violin); Mrs. H. Sharp, (soprano); Mr. G. M. Fawcett (vocalist); Mr. Rogers (pianoforte): Mr. H. f-harp (cornet): Mr. Stan. Kirk’s Band. Relay of orchestral selections from Everybody’s Theatre (direction Mr. W. J. Bellingham, F.S.M.). JYA, Dunedin and 2YK. —Silent. The Sferavox reproduces.with remark- ) able clarity, is free from distortion, and so constructed that no matter if the terminals are connected the wrong way the maemets cannot become demagnetised. £5 55., of all leading radio dealers. N.Z. reps., Brown and Bureau Ltd., Wellington.—Advt.