RADIO NOTES

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 129, 29 February 1928, Page 15

RADIO NOTES

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"A eall-sien which sounded like CNRV was heard by me just towards sundown last Thursday evening,” writes “Detector” (Hawke's Bay). “Is there a sta lion with that call?” 'The station GlxKv is located at Vancouver, and operates on 291 metres. ’Which .Japanese broadcast station am £ most likely to hear with my five-valve neutrodyne?“ asks “Jay Bee” (Jlataitai/ The Japanese station giving the best reception is probably JUAK, Tokio, on oZo metres. or just above SLO. Melbourne. Its wavelength is rather too near to that of 3LO. but the two can be separated ii the receiving aerial is not inclined to be over-long. “What is the wavelength of KFON, Long Beach, the Californian station so frequently heard in New Zealand?” quer ies “Calibrate” (Napier). KFON operates on 242 metres, and may be heard up till 8.30 p.m. at present. “It is my hope that 1 will increase the volume from long-distance stations by adding a power valve to my second stage of audio.” writes “Transformer” (Petone). -“Would you recommend this?’ The proposal has the writer’s endorse meat, but more B battery voltage should be applied to the power valve, which should also have a special O battery. With the power valve will be found printed instructions as to the amount of G battery potential to be applied to the power valve. A good plan would be to apply about 158 volts B battery to the power valve, and about 90 volts to the first audio valve. “Kindly advise me as to which are the four most popular valve circuits in New Zealand.” writes “Radion” (Thorndon). It is difficult to estimate without some chance of error which are the four most popular circuits in vogue in this country, but probably they are the neutro dyne, the Browning-Drake (also a form of neutrodyne), the tuned radio-freqnency and the super-heterodyne. The old threecoil regenerative circuit was easily the most popular about four years ago, and reflex circuits were numerous, but these circuits have steadily fallen off in numbers. the former probably owing to its inherent difficulty in tuning, and many of the home-built reflex sets were poor performers, not infrequently due to faulty construction. "Reception” (Feilding) writes:—“We have considerable variations in volume of 2YA. Wellingt.cn. but I have been oi a visit to the capital city and, at friend’s place, observed marked fluctua tions in 2YA at a distance of milo from the big station. Can the troubh he due to the monitoring?” Faulty mon itoring could account for the fluctua tions in volume. “Aerial” is not in a position to discover what is the cause. “Anode” (Hastings) writes aprpeciatively of the programme from 2YA. Wellington. last Saturday night. The station which “D.X.’’ (Palmerston North) reports as being almost on ton of SCL. Adelaide, is KZRM, Manila. Philippine Islands. As the winter comes on this station will improve in volume, and is available after the Adelaide station closes down. Much entertainment is now available

from the Australian stations, which are heard with £ood loudspeaker strength nightly. Until the termination of “daylight saving” early next Sunday morning, we, in New Zealand, continue to be two and a half hours ahead of Australia Thia involves very late sitting up for those who desire to take the fullest measure of entertainment from Australia. With the average four or five-valve receiving set. in a good locality, with a fair aerial system, about eight, or nine Australian stations come in with satisfactory loudspeaker volume after 11.00 pin., which after next Sunday will be 10.30 p.m. During the past week the average volume of the Australian stations as received by “Aerial” may be assessed as follows, takins 10 points as the maximum :—4QG, Brisbane, 10; 2BL, Sydney. 9; 2FC. Sydney 8J: 3LO. Melbourne. 8; 2GB, Sydney, 7; JAR, Melbourne. 61; 2UE, Sydney. 5; 7ZL, Hobart, 4; SCL. Adelaide, 3; 3UZ, Melbourne, 2. Some of the lesser lights were audible on the loudspeaker, hut this was only spasmodic. For quality of transmission and tone, taking 10 points as the maxi mum, the writer would assess the Australian stations as follows:—3LO. Mel bourne, and 2FO. Sydney, 10; 2BL, Syd ney. 9; 2GB. Sydney, and 3AR., Melbourne 8; SCL, Adelaide. 71; 2UE. Sydney, and 3UZ, Melbourne, 6 points; 7ZL, Hobart, 5; 4QG, Brisbane. 1 point. The tope of 2FC and 3LO is almost perfection when one takes into consideration the irregularities duo to fading, but 3LO, Melbourne. is almost uncanny in its steadiness. fading being seldom, brief, and only slight. The smaller stations suffer from a rather metallic tone. 2 BL. Sydney, is a consistently good performer, but suffers more noticeably from “swinging” of its wavelength than does 2FC and 3LO. The Brisbane station continues to be distorted, and only during brief intervals is it tolerable at all 7ZL. Ho hart, has plenty of wave, but the mn.-Jc is much fainter than the wave., Considering its rated power 3AR. Melbourne is one of the most efficient minor str tions in Australia. There is close competition between 2FC. Sydney, and 3LO. Melbourne for the quality of their programmes, and the talent of the performers. One can rely on hearing no mediocrities from either station, whether they are corned tans or grand opera vocalists. The an nouncing, except at the smaller Austral ian stations, is of a high standard, in enunciation, tone of voice, and selection of words. The Brisbane announcer has a slight flaw in his intonation, being in dined to “preachiness. ’ The announcer* at the minor stations are distinctly amateurish, excepting, of course. Mr. George Saunders (formerly of 2BL). who noxv presides over the microphone at 2GB. He is second to no announcer in the Commonwealth. Another exceedingly pleasing announcer is Mr. Cochrane at 2FC. Syd ney. Last Saturday evening everyone seemed anxious to know the latest about Bert Hinkler the intrepid airman, and New Zealand listeners sought word from the Australian broadcast stations. With onfailing enterprise, the news of FHnlHpr’s safe arrival at Ca mooweal was told from each of the principal Australian stations. The writer first heard the tidings f;om 4QG. Brisbane, and afterwards from 3LO. Melbourne. 3LO was also to the fore with two “catchy” songs acclaiming Hinkler. This recalls memories of some brilliant orchestral selections from 3LO, which Ria tion has now a strikingly fine studio concert orchestra. “Phone’’ (Lyall Pay) writes:—“Thanks are due to the Wellington Radio Society for their commendable move to reduce the ‘howling’ valve nuisance. Yet I agree with you that one c.nnnot reasonably an ticinate any appreciable relief , fvom the most intense campaign against this hideous nuisance. Take, for instance mv district where there must he about 50 chronic ‘howlers.’ Sunnose the nuisance is reduced by 10 ner cent., which leaves 45 active, ‘howlers.’ thn nrohlcm remains as to what we are to do with the •crrain ing 45 There are two listeners mv neighbourhood who persistently howl the whole evening without a break. The oniy wav to deal with them vecine -’ith somethin" like hnil’»i" oil in if.” Tn reply to “A 8.C.” /'Gisborne), the usual practice is to place the coils at opposite ends of the set. but the writer finds that his coils, ah hough only 8 inches apart nnerate efficiently and occasion no trouble. , Tn response to a recent query by 'Plebiscite” (Newtown), the last national hrnadcacf listeners’ plebiscite taken in Groat Britain was about six months ago It was conducted by the London “Daily Mail.” As the result of the canvass 1.285 083 replies were received. The tabulated vote was as follows:— Variety and concert parties 238.489 Light orchestral music 179.153 Military hands 164.613 Dance music Vf’S?? Talks, topical, sport and news ... 114.571 Symphony concerts 78.781 Solos, vocal and instrumental 72.658 Opera and oratorio 60.983 Outside broadcasts 51.755 Short plays and sketches 49.857 Talks scientific and informative .. 30.919 Glees, choruses, sea chanties 30,445 Chamber music 27,467 Revues 27.059 Long plays 17.576 Readings and recitations 2.717 Free votes not recorded 4,013 Total 1,285,083 The test can scarcely be deemed satisfactory. as it was not conducted on the one vote one licensee principle.

TO-DAY’S PROGRAMMES Following are to-day's broadcast programmes:— li'A, AUCKLAND (333 metres). —3 p.m.: Afternoon session, selected studio items 1.0: Literary select on by the announcer 1.30: Close down. 0.0: Children’s hour. Uncle Tom. Song, Cousin .lesmoml. “.Inst Round Hie Corner" (Von Tilzcr). Talk on ireek mythology, by Uncle Tom. Sung ,'onsin Connie, "Only n River Running Uy" (Hopkins). Letters and birthdays Recitation, Cousin .Muriel. “The Wedding Present." Song, Cousin Connie, "Hills ol Donegal” (Sanderson). Uncle Tom, story lime. 7.15: News and reports. 7.15: Talk m "Physical Culture,'' by Mr. Norman Kerr. S.O: Chimes. 8.1: Relay of Mitniei ial Band concert from .Albert Park (Band mister, Mr. Christopher Smit.li), assisted iy the Hnzell-Sutlicfland Duo, who will ntersperse the band programme with the Allowing items:—Contralto solos, Miss Phyllis ILazell, (a) "High on the Sleepy Hlfls” (Loughborough); (b) "A Brown >iid Singing" (Wood). Bass solos, Mr Frank Sutherland, (a) "Tim Gladiator" Adams); (b) "Drutnadoon" (Sanderson) Vocal duets, the Hazel!.Sut herland Duo, a) "The Day is Done” (Lohr); (b) "Come

’Aerial.”)

Sing to Me’’ (Thompson). 10.0: A thought, i 10.2: God Save the King. 2YA, WELLINGTON (420 metres).— Silent. 3YA, CIiniSTCIIL’KCII (30(5 metres).— 3 p.m.: Afternoon session, selected studio items. 4.30: Close down. 6.0: Childrens hour, Uncle Peter and Mother Hubbard and a merry band of scholars from the Someriield School. 7.15: Addington stock market reports. 7.30: News and reports 8.0. Relay of orchestral selections from Grand Picture Theatre Orchestra, under the conduetorship of Mrs. K. Black. 8.15: Vocal quartet, the Aeolian Quartet. “Basso Prof undo” (Bliss). 8.18: Scen.i from "Carmen,” Mrs. Claris Shaw and Mr. Gregory Russell, “Castanet Song.’’ “Flower Song." 8.33: ’Cello solo, Mr. Harold Heck, "Berceuse” (Jarnfeldt). 8.37: Contralto solo. Miss Mildred Russell, “The Fairy Lough" (Stanford). 8.40: Instrumental trio, Christchurch Broadcasting Trio. “Allegro from Trio in I) Minor" (Jurgensen). 8.4(5: Soprano and tenor duet, Mrs. Claris Shaw and Mr. Gregory Russell, "Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms” (arr. Stephenson). 8.50: Flute solo, .Mr. W. Hay, “Alla Mazurka” (Rudd Carte). 8.54: Humorous recital, Mr. A. 11. Todd, “Slow, Ain't It?" 8.59: Weather forecast. 9.0: Relay of orchestral selections from Grand Picture Theatre. 9.15: Baritone solo, Mr. W. J. Richards, “Loving Smile of Sister Kimi,’’ from “Faust” (Gounod). 9.19: 'Cello solo, Mr. Harold Beck, “Minnetto” (Mozart). 9.23: Tenor solos, Mr. Gregory Russell, (a) “The Fuchsia Tree" (Quilter); (b) “A Boat Song,” from “Yes. Uncle" (Ayer). 9.28: Contralto and baritone duet. Miss Mildred Russell and Mr. W. J. Richards, “Arise, O Sun” (Day). 9.31: Humorous recitations, Mr. A. 11. Todd, (a) “The Country J.P.’ (Balscheck) ; (b) “Shell Shock” (Jackson). 9.37: Soprano solo with chorus, Mrs. Claris Shaw and Aeolian Quartet, “Somebody," from “San Toy” (Jones). 9.40: Instrumental trio, Christchurch Broadcasting Troi, (a) “Salve Dinora” (Gounod) ; (b) “Toreador’s Song," from "Carmen” (Bizet). 9.45: Baritone solo, Mr. W. J. Richards, "The Windmill" (Nelson). 9.52: Flute solo. Mr. W. Hay. “Romance" (Durand). 9.56: Vocal quartet, the Aeolian Quartet, “Me and My Shadow” (Joison). God Save the King. 4 YA, DUNEDIN (463 metres) .—Silent. 2FC, SYDNEY (442 metres). —6.30 p.m.: Dinner music. 7.0: “Big Ben.” Late qiorting news. 7.10: Dnigety's market reports (wool, wheat and stock). 7.18: Fruit and vegetable markets, P.D.S. poultry markets. 7.22: Weather and shipping news. 7.20: "Evening News’’ late news service. 7.20: Broadcast from the Lyceum Hall, items from the Methodist Church Home Mission Society, chorus, ministerial choir (50 voices). 7.25: Chairman's address, Mr. G. W. Cocks. 7.35: Chorus, ministerial choir. 7.40: Address, Hou, D. 11. Drummond, M.L.A., Minister for Education. 8.5: Chorus, ministerial choir. 8.10: Broadcast from the Haymarket Theatre, Sydney, orchestra under (lie baton of Mr. Stanley Porter. 8.25: From tlie studio, In the Barber’s Chair. 8.3(5: Gwladys Fimister (soprano). 8.43: Lionel Lawson, violin solos. 8.50: Grand opera excerpts by Signor Übaldo Russo (baritone) and Linda Bradford (soprano), from Verdi’s opera, "Aida,” the story told by Signor Folli. 9.5: Weather intelligence: the Haymarket Tliatre. vocal act. 9.28: From the studio, Gwladys Fimister (soprano) 9.3(5: The story of “Aida,” told by Signor Folli with vocal excerpts by Übaldo Russo and Linda Bradford. 9.52: The Haymarket Operatic Orchestra. 10.0: “Aida,” final session. 10.15: The Haymarket Operatie Orchestra: to-morrow's programme: late weather forecast. 10.30: Dance session interspersed witli vocal choruses by Leu Maurice. 11.0: “Big Ben.’’ National Anthem. Close down. 2BL, SYDNEY (353 metres).—B p.m.: G.P.O. clock and chimes. 8.1: First act of “The Film Giri,” broadcast from the Empire Theatre, Quay Street, Sydney. 9.0: G.P.O. clock and chimes. The Canterbury District Band (bandmaster, Mr. Stan Nicholls), broadcast from Baker’s Hall, Campsie. I).10: Win and Windle (entertainers). 9.30: The Canterbury District Band. 9.40: Win and Windle. 10.0: Broadcasters’ all sports expert will talk on general sporting. 10.15: Resume of following day’s programme. Weather report and forecast by courtesy of Mr. C. J. Mares, Government Meteorologist. 10.20: Romano’s Restaurant Dance Orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Merv Lyons. During intervals between dances "Sun” news will be broadcast. 11.30: G.P.O. clock and chimes. National Anthem. 2GB, SYDNEY (310 metres). —7.15 p.m. till 10 p.m., concert, items and addresses. 3LO, .MELBOURNE (371 metres).—B.ls p.m.: From the studio, birthday greetings and programme announcements. 8.16: Transmission from Yen. Presentation of prize, in connection with tile ideal town competition. Speaker, Mr. Theodore Fink. From the studio—B.4s: Tasina Tiernan (’cello), selected. 8.50: The Cambrian Glee Party, "God Bless the Prince of Wales” (Richards); “Codiad yr Hedydd” (Hie rising of the lark). 8.57: Iris Turner (soprano), "Y Deryn Pur” (The Gentle Bird); “Bugcilior Gwenydd Gwyn” (from the Songs of Wales). 9.4: Owen Griffith (tenor), "V fam ai Baban” (from the Songs of Wales); "Cartref” (R. S. Hughes). 9.11: Station Orchestra, “Songs of Wales.” 9.16: Cambrian Glee Party, "Dyddiau Dyn Sydd Fel Glaswelltyn” (Thomas Davies); "Tros y Garog” (from The Songs of Wales). 9.23: Mia Morgan (contralto), “Hen Gadair freichl.au f.v Mam” (W. J. Jones) ; “Ar hyd y Nos” (from the Songs of Wales). 11.30: Eric Jones (bass), “.Mentra Gwen” (Ceiriog); "O Could I Express in Song” (Malaskin). 9.37: Station Orchestra, march, “Mon of Harlech." 11.42: Cambrian

Glee Party, “Morddva Rliuddlan” (from the Songs of Wales). 9.45: Rev. T. Dickson, “Australia First.” 10.0: “Jacko” and "Little Miss Kookaburra.” Again tonight we have pleasure in introducing “Jacko,” who, with Miss Kookaburra, will have pleasure in giving you "Three Hearty Laughs.” 10.5: The station orchestra. “Two Hungarian Dances.” 10.12: Stanley J. Allen (tenor), “Adrift”: “Out of tlie Darkness.” 10.19: “Argus” news service; meteorological information; British official wireless news from Rugby; announcements. 10.29: .Molly Mackay (soprano), “Lullaby” (Cyril Scott); “The Heart Worships” (Gustav Holst). Ifl.l’b’: The station orchestra. “Ballet Russe” (Luigini). 10.46: Stanley J. Alien. “Salve Dinora” (Faust): “Di tu se Fidele.” 10.53: Our great thought. Dance music—lo.s(s: The Vagaonds—“Golden Gate” (Leslie) ; "Isle of Dreams” (Knight): “I'll Follow Your Footsteps” (Lang): “I Ain’t Got Nobody"; “When I Am With You” (Conley); “There’s Just One of You”; "Consolation” (Gunskin); “Lantern of Love” (Peck); “Dance of the Tinker Toys”: “Moonlight” (Dixon): "Me and My Shadow”: "Russian Lullaby” (Berlin); “Pleading” (Jones); selected. 11.40: God Save the. King. 4QG, BRISBANE (355 metres).—Part I, Grammar School function. Tlie toasts and speeches at the foundation day dinner at Ihe Brisbane Grammar Schoo! will be relayed, and also the presentation by the trustees of the Old Boys’ Association to the retiring headmaster. Mr. Bousficld, M.A. S p.m.: From the Brisbane Grammar School, foundation day speeches. Part 11, studio concert. 8.45: From the studio, fantasia, “Gems from the Overtures” (arr Makie-Boyer), the Studio Orchestra (conductor, Mr. All' Featherstone) ; contralto solos, (a) “When You’re Away" (Sander son), (bj “The Leaves and the Wind' (Leoni), Mrs. Charles Willey. 9.0: Metro polltan weather forecast. Dickens reading, “Fagin's information causes Bill Sikes to murder Nancy” (from “Oliver Twist”), Mr. H. Humphreys: valse, "Ensneno Sedator” (Rosas), the Studio Orchestra: bass solos. (a) “The Mighty Deep" (Judge), (b) “Glorious Devon” (German) Mr. J. Newton: violin solo. “Rezinka” (Drdla). Mrs. C. Williams (accompanied by Studio Orchestra): ■ .irit< m solos, (a) “Mifanwy” (Foster), (b) “Muleteer of Malaga” (Trotere). Mr. Fred Homer; selection. “Opera Bouquet” (Bidgood). I lie Studio Orchestra: march, “Spanish Soldiering.” the Studio Orchestra 10.0: “The Dally Mail” news: weather news. Close down. Note.—New Zealand time is two and a half hours ahead of eastern Australian lime.