RADIO NOTES

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 123, 22 February 1928, Page 7

RADIO NOTES

(By

"Aerial.")

The Broadcasting Company aclnext 1 a. notable success with their specml •-d Min night at 2YA. Wellington, last B.itu <>•>>• The programme was one o f t lt , yet transmitted tn New Zealand, li.ixing in view its suitability for the occasion the celebration ot the eighty‘J'.* niversury of Mr. Thomas Alva b birth. The gramophone record leann„ Mr. Edison’s address to New Zeal, ndcis was most interesting, and it woultl <Klight many listeners to hear it again. Replies to inquiries are being fqrwali - ed to "C.N.,8.” (Hawcra). 'inner laimerston North). "Earth (^. ew , JJ'! ,10 , u /,,\’’ “D.X." (Gisborne), "Tube (Mastciton), “Vciax” (Masterton). "Query (Marton i,

"Tuba” (Wanganui). "Reaction" (Napier) will vot nnu any advantage by adding reaction to ins set. The inventor of the circuit advises tne omission of reaction in his hook-up. "Panel” (Tliorndon) should vary the 11 battery potential on the plate ol Jus detector valve to ascertain which gives tho best results. There is much variation among valves of the same type anti make. . Although static has been intrusive during the past week, reception of the Australian stations has been excellent. Un some nights the trans-Tasman stations have been exceptionally loud, and their programmes must have afforded inuch enjoyment to those who have cared to sit up until the early hour.-: of the morning, the "daylight saving" act having placed New Zealand two and a hall hours ahead of Australia. 4QG, Brisbane, has shown improvement on some ■nights, the distortion almost disappearing entirely, and tho volume being greater than that of any other Australian station. 2BL, Sydney, has performed ad mirably, being a shade louder than ZrC, Sydney, which station, however, has excelled in clearness and tone. 3LO, Melbourne, is now consistently good alter 11 p.m., which is equivalent to 8.30 p.m. in the Victorian capital. JAR, Melbourne. comes in quite pleasingly utter 11.30 p.m., but 7ZL, Hobart, and SCL, Adelaide, continue to be weak. Such minor (Sydney stations as 2GB. which comes in best of these, the Trades Hall and Radio House, are subject to a fair amount of interference from static, as it is necessary to adjust one’s set to greater sensitivity to bring them- in sufficiently loud to give fair volume. The Manila station and the Japanese station show little sign of improvement yet, being scarcely audible on the loudspeaker at their very best. JOAK. Tokio. can be heard during a longer period than the others, but static has precluded any pleasure being derived from that station. Altogether, the long-distance stations, such as those at Manila and in Japan, cannot he expected to be worth endeavouring to pick up until the winter months commence. It is a notable circumstance that “howling” valves are incomparably more numerous on 2HL, Sydney, than on any other oversea station. The reason is difficult to explain. The Amateur Radio Society of Wellington has commenced a “drive" to add to its membership. In view of the past achievements and policy of lite society it certainly merits more adequate support from the general body of listeners. Much has yet to be done lor the benefit of listeners, but without a greater measure of support tho society will be srocly handicapped: Wellington listeners have as a body shown general apathy towards the society’s endeavours, and it is now up to them to remove (his reproach. The Amateur Radio Society of Wellington is about to embark on an intense campaign to lessen the amount of interference occasioned by “howling” valves. Tho co-operation of the radio “trade” and the Broadcasting Company is being solicited, and Mr. I’. Hilling, one of Wellington’s leading professional experts, has agreed to broadcast helpful hints calculated to reduce the "howling” valve nuisance. The scheme has been tried before, and some enthusiasts in Christchurch went even furhter. With a loop aerial they located owners of sets which were responsible for this form of interference. The offenders were given personal instruction in how to prevent oscillation, but the amazing thing about it was that the offenders were just as bad a n ight or two afterwards. In view of this and the experience in other countries tile writer is not very sanguine that any appreciable benefit will result from tho Wellington Society’s campaign. An equally serious source of interference is power line leakage, but this is far more easily suppressed than the “howling” valve nuisance. The main difficulty in tackling tlio power line leakage problem is the locating of the point where the trouble occurs. This has proved a most difficult undertaking in Wellington where experts have pursued the source of the trouble with a loop-aerial set carried in a motor-car. One can safely say that only on: concrete instance. occurred in Wellington where a leakage was definitely located, and cured, but there are evidently several places where these leakages occur, and a good deal of time and trouble will be necessary before this bugbear can be laid. As this is regularly accomplished in many large American cities the undertaking should not be impossible in and around Wellington. 'The position witli regard to “howling” valves is far less hopeful, especially as experience in other parts of the world offers no encouragement for success in even appreciably reducing the trouble. Broadcasting authorities abroad appear to agree that the solution of the difficulty is the Increase in power of tlio broadcast station. Listeners in Wellington tuning in 3YA, Christchurch, and IYA, Auckland, are subjected to considerable interference front “howling” valves, but the nuisance is far more pronounced when the Australian stations are tuned in. There has been some talk of increasing the power of the Australian stations, and if tliis happy state of affairs does come to pass there will lie a considerable diminution in the "howling” valve trouble. Radio traders are just as much concerned-as the Wellington Society in the difficulty to lie contended with, for there have been many cases where sales have been lost through demonstrations being made hideous by the chorus of “howlers.” No one can disregard the fact that purchasers of costly receiving sets invariably desire to listen to the Australian programmes, and not a few in country districts are anxious to emulate the feats if mane who regularly tune in some American stations. This vogue for pursuing the Yankees lias become so pronounced in the inland and smaller coastal towns that the “howling” valve nuisance Ims become an obstacle to reception in some places. At one time the idea gained ground that imported neutrodyne receiving seis could not occasion interference. On the contrary, the standard imported neutrodyne and Browning-Drake (which is another form of neutrodyne) can lie just as troublesome as the most flagrant creator of “howls,” if the neutralising condensers are not properly adjusted. Owing to mass production the inherent characteristics of some valves of the same type vary sufficiently to necessitate a neutrodyne being re-balanced it a change of valves is made. A neutrodyne may be correctly balanced nt the factory, but when it is sold in New Zealand other valves are inserted in it, and this may necessitate a readjustment of the neutralising condensers to prevent the set being a source of annoyance through adding its quota to th chorues of "howling” valves. Traders then should take the precaution of testing out all neutrodyne sets with the actual valves to be used by the purchaser, before giving delivery, and if the set unduly energises the aerial the neutralising condensers should be readjusted to prevent this occurring. . Unfortunately some novices will persist in changing their valves about, and tints upsetting the balance of their neutrodynes. The trader can only warn Ills customers against this, and after that his responsibility ceases. However, lie is responsible for seeing that the set leaves his hands in a condition which will preclude its becoming a nuisance to his client's neighbouring listeners. It would be helpful, too, if the trader when passing a neutrodyne over to a sub-agent who is not tin expert, would send the valves with the set witli which it has been tested. The majority of radio traders probably take all these precautions, lint there are some importers who are not sufficiently familiar with radio to adopt these measures. If lectures are to be broadcast on the subject of "howling” valves, advice on the method of ascertaining whether a neutrodyne is correctly balanced and tho method of balancing a neutrodyne would be acceptable to many. There are. however, sets witli circuits other than the neutrodync which, if unskilfully operated, are lusty “howlers,” and they are decidedly numerous. They and the many one-valve sets are the most numerous offenders. For tills reason "Aerial" is disim-lined to believe Hint any very noticeable improvement can be wrought by the antl-howllng valve campaign, although relief may be obtained In a few Isolated areas where two or three unbalanced neutrodynes are the chief disturbers. "K. 11. (Wellington) has not forwarded his address. His locality may have something to do with the noises heard. The writer is unable to identify the station heard by “G.K.C.” : Wellington), but it may have been a broadcast or gramophone music from a certain Norwegian steamer outward bound r.om New Zealand. TO-DAY’S PROGRAMMES. Following nre to-day’s broadcast programmes : — . „ IYA, AUCKLAND (333 metres).—3 p.m.: Afternoon session, selected studio items. 40- Literary selection by (lie announcer. 4.30: Close down. H.O: Children's hoar, conducted by Uncle Tom. 7.15: News and reports. 8.0: Chimes. 8.1: March, Auck-

land Artillery Band, “The Twentieth Century” (Ord Hume). 5.9: Baritone solo. .Mr. F. Sutherland, “1 Am a Roamer (Mendelssohn). S.ll: Overture. Auckland Artillery Band, “Light Cavalry” (Suppe). 8.25: Soprano solo, Miss Phyllis Ilazoil, "Stride La Vampa,” from ”11 Trovatore (Verdi). 8.30: Selection. Auckland Artillery Band. "Classic Gems" (Rimmer) 8.39: Vocal duet, the Hazcll-Sut lierland Dim, “Venetian Song” (Tosti). 0.44: Brass quartet, Messrs. Davies, Hogg. Roe, and Edgar. “Remembrance" (Round). Selection, Am-kiand Artillery Band, "’1 lie Pipers Wedding” (Thayne). 0.10: Wea tiler forecast. 0.12: Baritone solo. .Mr. I'. Sutherland, "Give a Man a Horse lie Can Ride" (Head). 0.17: Selection. Auckland Artillery 8.-ind, "The Arcadians" (Monck ton). 0.27*. Soprano solo, Miss Phyllu Ilazeil, "Still is the Night" (Bohm). 0.31: Selection, Auckland Artillery Band, "P'rates ot Penzance” (Sullivan). J. 40: Gavotte, Auckland Artillery Band, * Les Cloches des St. Malo” (Rimmer). 0.48: Vocal duet, Ilazell-Sutlierland Duo. “O, Divine Redeemer” (Gounod). 0.53: March, Auckland Artillery Band, “Sons of the Brave” (Bidgood). 10.0: A thought. 10.2: God Save the King. 2YA, WELLINGTON (420 metres).— Silent.

3YA, CHRISTCHURCH (300 metres).— 3 p.m.: Afternoon concert, selected studio items. -1.30: Close down. 0.0: Children’s hour. Uncle Peter and Mother Hubbard. Bed-time stories, songs, and birthday greetings. 7.15: Addington stock market reports. 7.30: News and reports. 8.0: Chimes. Relay of orchestral selections from Grand Picture Theatre Orchestra, under the conductorship of Mrs. K. Black. Travelogue of Scotland. Studio concert by Mr. A. G. Thompson's Dulcet Quartet, with dialogue leading up to and introducing eacli locality referred to in programme. 8.15: Baritone solos, Mr. A. G. Thompson, (a) L’Bing to Me the Auld Scotch Songs” (Sivan); (1>) "A Hundred Pipers” (Nairne). 5.22: Scottisli bagpipes, Mr. Angus MacKintosli, (a) "The Blue Bonnets Are Over the Border” (traditional) : (b) “Tlie Campbells Are Coming.” 8.2 G: Voeal quartet, the Dulcet Quartet, .“Annie Laurie” (MaeKenzie). 8.29: Instrumental trio, Christchurch Broadcasting Trio, “First Movement from D Minor Trio” (Mendelssohn). 8.39: Soprano solos, Miss Mary Shaw, A.R.C.M., (a) "Bonnie Banks of Locli Lomond”: (1>) "Jessie, the Flower of Dumblane” (MaeKenzie). 8.47: ’Cello solo. Mr. Harold Beck, "Call the Yowes to the Knowes.” 8.52: Tenor solos, f Mr. T. G. Rogers, (n) “Mary of Argyle”; (b) “Thou Bonnie Wood of Craigclen” (MaeKenzie). 8.59: Weather forecast. 9.0: Scottish bagpipes, Mr. Angus MaeKintosh, (a) "My Ain Wee Hoose”; (li) “Duntroon”; (c) "Gillie Callum.” 9.1): Contralto solo, Miss Nellie Lowe, "Flora MacDonald’s Lament” (MaeKenzie). 9.12: Instrumental trios, Christchurch Broadcasting Trio, (a) “Afton Water”; (b) “Flowers of the Forest"; (c) "Ye Banks and Braes.” 9.23: Baritone solo. Mr. A. G. Thompson, “Minnei’s Song” (Wallace). 9.28: ReeiZil, Mr. Campbell Brown, "Saunders McGlaskin.” 9.35: Tenor solo, Mr. T. G. Rogers, “McGregor’s Gathering” (MacKcnzie). 9.42: 'Cello solo, Mr. Harold Beck, "Turn Ye to Me." 9.49: Contralto solos, Miss Nellie Lowe, (a) “Piper o’ Dundee”; (li) "Afton Water” (MaeKenzie). 9.5(1: Scottisli bagpipes, Mr. Angus MaeKintosh, "Bonnie Dundee.” 10.0: Recital, Mr. Campbell Brown, "A Gold Scotch Nicht” (Ogilvie). God Save the King. 4YA, DUNEDIN (4113 metres).—Silent. 2FC, SYDNEY (442 metres).—7.22 p.m.: Weather and shipping news. 7.211: “Evening News" late news service. 7.30: Programme announcements. 7.32: Eileen Boyd (contralto), (a) “Beyond the Dawn” (Sanderson); (b) “Praise” (Coates). 7.40: “In tho Barber's Chair.” 7.52: David Craven (baritone), (a) “Sea Gipsy’.’ (Head); (1>) “Time to Go” (Sanderson)'. 8.0: Broadcast from the Haymarket Theatre, Sydney, operatic orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Stanley Porter. 8.17: Hubert Carter (tenor), (a) “Where the Wild Fowl Call” (Kuhn); (b) “Eleanor” (ColeridgeTaylor) ; (c) “The Little Gray Dove" (Saar); (d) “Lie Still, Little Robin” (Johnson). 8.27: Lionel Lawson, violin solo, "Romance in G” (Beethoven). 8.32: Eileen Boyd (contralto), (a) "Dear Heart of Mine” (Anderson); (b) "Baby Feet Go Pit-a-putter” (Kahn). 8.10: The Daymarket Operatic Orchestra. 5.50: Hubert Carter (tenor), (a) “Onaway Awake, Beloved" (Coleridge-Taylor) : (b) Rccit. and aria “O Paradiso” (Meyerbeer). 8.57: Birthday talk. 8.58: Lionel Lawton, violin solo, “Polonaise in A” (Wieniawski). 9.5: David Craven (baritone), (a) "Song and a Dream” (Adrian) ; (b) "Caroli” (Freire). 9.13: H. W. Varna will present liy arrangement witli J. C. Williamson, Ltd., Anthony Hope’s romantic play, “The Prisoner of Zenda.” This has been dramatised by Edward Rose and arranged for broadcasting by Mr. Varna. 9.48: Incidental music to tho second part of “Tho Prisoner of Zenda.” 9.50: "Prisoner of Zenda,” Part 2, Scene 1, “Hall in tlie Castle Tarlenheim.” 10.10: Incidental music. 10.12: “Prisoner of Zenda,” Part 2. Scene 21, “Dungeon in Castle Zenda.” 10.24: The Haymarket Operatie Orchestra (conductor, Stanley Porter). 10.32: From the studio, Len Maurice, popular choruses. 10.35: Dance item conducted by Mr. Len Maurice. 10.42: Popular chorus. 10.50: Dance number. 10.58: Late news and announcements. 11.0: “Big Ben.” National Anthem. Close down. 2BL, SYDNEY (353 metres). —8 p.m.: G.P.O. eloek and chimes. S.l: Recital broadcast from E. F. Wilk’s Concert Salon. 9.0: G.P.O. clock and chimes. Tlie Canterbury District Band (bandmaster, Mr., Stan Nicholls), broadcast from Baker’s Hall, Campsie. 9.20: Win and Windle (English entertainers). 9.30: The Canterbury District Band. 9.50: Win and Windle. 10. U: G.P.O. clock and chimes. Broadcasters' all sports expert will talk on general sporting. 10.15: Resume of following day’s programme and weather report. 10.18: Romano’s Restaurant Dance Orchestra, under tlie direction of Mr. Merv Lyons. 11.30: G.P.O. clock and chimes. National Anthem. 2GB, SYDNEY (31(1 metres).—o.3o p.m.: Music. 7.0: The Joys of Wireless, by George Taylor. 7.20: Music. 7.30: Address by Heath Burdock. 7.45: Music. 8.0: Opening chorus. 8.2: Instrumental trio— Dan Scully, Murielle Lang, Ada Brook. 8.15: Address by Dr. P. K. Roest. 8.30: Songs by Sam 11. Harris. 8.37: 'Cello solos by Murielle Lang. 8.45: Three songs for voice, violin ’cello and pianoforte, sung by Eva Croft. 8.51: Violin solo by Dan Scully. 9.0: Talk by Dr. du Maurier. 9.20: Songs by Sam H. Harris. 9.27: Instrumental trio—Dan Scully, Murielle Lang, Ada Brook. 9.40: Serial story, “Forty Years on the Pacific,” by Frank Coffee. 9.50: Songs by Eva Croft. 10.0: Close down.

3LO, MELBOURNE (371 metros).—B.2o p.m.: Studio presentation of “The Belle of New York” (musical numbers only). "A Musical Comedy in Two Acts.” Music by Gustave Kerker, words by Hugh Morton. 9.45: Mr. E. Turnbull (State president R.5.5.1.L.A.) will speak on “Diggers’ Anzac Eve Reunion.” Handel's birthday. 10.0: Alberto Marini (tenor), “Otnbra mni fui” (Handel); selected (Handel). 10J0: The Station Orchestra, "Largo" (Handel); selected (Handel). 10.17: Henry Trompf (baritone), “To the Forest” (Tscliaikowsky) ; “A Song of Sleep” (Lord Henry Somerset). Interlude. 10.23: News service: meteorological information; British official wireless news from Rugby; Island steamer movements. 10.33: Alberto Marini (tenor), “Spirifo Gcntil” (Donizetti); selected. 10.40: 'Die Station Orchestra, “Eastern Romance” (Haines). 10.47: Henry Trompf (baritone), “An Old English Love Song” (Allltson) : “The Minstrel Boy”—air, The Moveen. 10.54: The Vagabonds, "Gorgeous” (Davis-Akst): “Shepherd of tlie Hills” (Nicholls). 11.0: Our great thought: “To travel hopefully is better than to arrive, and tlie true success Is labour.” 11.1: The Vagabonds—“ Pleading” (Jones); “Russian Lullaby” (Berlin); “Me and My Shadow”: “Moonlight” (Dixon); “Dance of the Tinker Toys”; “Lantern of Love” (Peck and Wenrick)); “Consolation” (Gunski); “There's Just. One of You”; "When I Am With You" (Conley); “I Ain’t Got Nobody”; "I’ll Follow Your Footsteps” (Carl Lang) ; “Isle of Dreams” (Knight): "Golden Gate” (Leslie). 11.40: God Save tlie King. 4QG, BRISBANE (355 metres).—A jazz night: A programme of dance music by Alt Featherstone and his Studio Syncopators. 8 p.m.: Topical chorus. 8.5: Dance music, including: "Just a Bird's Eye View” (Donaldson): “Black Bottom” (Henderson): “We Said Good-bye” (Moroff); “Just Because You’re You” (Turk):) “My Tumble Down Cottage of Dreams" (Leslie): "Colette" (Kahn): "By tlio Sapphire Sen" (Snyder) : "That Night in Ar.-iby” (Snyder) : “It Made You Happy When You Made Me Cry” (Donaldson) ; "oil, What a Pal Was Whoozis” (Kahn); "Oil, What a Marvellous Girl” (Olsen) ; “Oriental Moonlight" (Seaman) : “Tf All Depends on You” (De Sylva) ; "Just An Ivy-Coveri'd Shack” (Davidson) : “Song of India" (Whiteman): “Egyptian Rose” (Snyder); rhythmic paraphrase, "II Trovatore” (Lange). Between dances file following will be broadcast: Baritone solos, (a) "Off to Philadelphia” (Hayes), (b) "A Jovial Monk Am I” (Audran). Mr. Ernest Harper: humour and mirth by “Tlie Mahoney Duo”; humorous sketch, “The ExPrima Donna" bv “Mum” and "The Skid.” .10.0: “Tlie Daily Mail” news; weather news. Close down. Note. —New Zealand time is two and a half hours ahead of eastern Australian time.