ON ALL WAVELENGTHS

Evening Star, Issue 22146, 28 September 1935, Page 4

ON ALL WAVELENGTHS

CORRESPONDENCE G.K.J., St. Kilda, 5.2. —Thank you for the information contained in your last letter. You seem to be having a good deal of success with your aerial. Another reader, who now uses one of the special spherical aerials, rang the writer the other day to say how well it was working. STRAY SPARKS The newest twist in British radio sets is the “ bedstead ” receiver. The sots are installed above the upper end of the bed, and the tuning knobs are placed so the owner can rest comfortably while listening. The sets are also connected with a clock operating in connection with the loudspeaker, so that it can be used as an alarm. * * * « Listeners who are following the Eb and Zeb series of recordings will have noted that this week’s instalment was not played until last night. This was on account of .the recording not being appropriate to the continuity of the programme on Tuesday, the night on which it would have normally been heard. Next week’s episode is scheduled for ‘presentation on Tuesday as usual. ♦ ♦ * * The overseas artists at present visiting Dunedin are to make further appearances at 4YA ns follow:—To-raor-row, Mr Raymond Beatty (bass-bari-tone), Miss Heather Kinnaird (contralto), and Mr Paul Vinagradoff (pianist); Monday, Miss Gladys Moncrieff (soprano), Mr Beatty, and Mr Fred Bluett (comedian); Tuesday, Mr John‘Robertson (cornetist); Wednesday, Miss Moncrieff. « • * ♦ # Some of the more important programmes from 4YO next week will be: —Sunday, ‘ From the Footlights,’ an entertainment by famous actors and actresses, interspersed with light musical offerings; Monday, ‘"Rhythm, Humour, and Sentiment,’ by popular artists; Wednesday, ‘Modern Russia,’ Symphonic Programme featuring Russian artists, followed by a French operatic bill; Saturday, a classical recital including several of the test selections for the pianoforte diploma examinations. ♦■■ * * ♦ On Wednesday evening 4YA will include in the programme a 8.8. C. recording entitled .( Chopin.’ This is a romantic play specially written for the microphone by Wilfred Rookeley and Christopher Martin. * In view of the rapid development of air lines, a means of communication with ’planes over routes now in operation has been established. The Qautas Imperial Airways ’planes travelling between Australia and Singapore, for instance, keep in touch by radio with one or other of the A.W.A. commercial stations. Distances oven which the aeroplanes have been in touch range up to 750 miles, and even over 1,000 miles. The significance of this contact is the assurance to the travelling public that travellers are never beyond the range of communication.

BEHIND THE SCENES MYSTERIES OF BROADCASTING SHOWN ‘B.B.C.—Tho Voice of Britain,’ the* long-awaited film unravelling many of tho mysteries of British broadcasting, received its first public presentation at H London theatre recently. Produced by the film unit of the British General Post Office under the direction of Mr John Grierson, with the official cooperation of tho 8.8. C., this new film will be generally released throughout the Empire shortly. ‘ B.B.C.—The Voice of Britain,’ has no plot and no stars, but the story of British broadcasting is depicted in such an arresting and intimate manner that interest in the film, which lasts for just over an hour, rarely Hags. Beginning with tho early morning service in Broadcasting Hous r o, London, tho whole course of broadcasting for one day is traced, until the film ends at midnight with tho opening of the daily Empire transmission to Canada. Many important broadcasters are seen at the microphone, including their Majesties the Eng and Queen, Mr Ramsay MacDonald, Mr Stanley Baldwin, Mr George Lansbury, Sir John Simon, Sir Josiah Stamp, and Mr J. B. Priestley, while Mr Bernard Shaw, in a brief “ shot ” at the microphone, cuts at broadcasting and broadcasters generally. Many listeners will no doubt be interested to see for the first time the 8.8. C. Dance Band, directed by Henry Hall, and the 8.8. C. Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Dr Adrian Boult. The film also takes listeners into the dramatic effects studio, where many of the mysteries of these interesting aspects of the broadcast programmes are humorously displayed. An intensely ‘dramatic episode depicts the broadcasting of an SOS message and its reception by one of the crew aboard a Scottish drifter at sea, for whom it is intended. ■ Rehearsals, vaudeville programmes, dramatic plays, the children’s hour. Empire broadcasting, foreign relays, several famous broadcasters; in fact, nearly all the more important activities of the 8.8. C. are represented in this; tho first official film of British broadcasting.

NEWS and COMMENTS

by .“HENRY*’

AMATEURS AND THEIR HOBBY Since these notes last appeared, Mr Duthio and Mr Goughian have each delivered a lecture. Mr Duthio gave an account of his experiences on Deception Island while a member of the Ellsworth Expedition, and Mr 'Coughlari very lucidly described the various sound recording systems used in the talkies. Mr Collett’s weekly lectures have been of great help to all, and never fail to draw a good attedance. At the September meeting of tho N.Z.A.R.T., Otago branch, Mr Harris (ZL4CA) was selected Otago’s nominee for the post of president of the N.Z.A.R.T. for next year. Mr Choules (ZL4GP) was elected president of the Otago branch. The principal discussions were tho advisability of allowing Wellington to retain headquarters tor another year, and the P. and T. Department’s restriction of amateur power to a maximum of 100 watts input to tho final stage. It was agreed that the department’s reasons for making this restriction were not sound. A full report of tho work of tho amateurs forming the Napier branch of the Radio Emergency Corps, in tho search for the late Mr Hamish Armstrong, has now appeared. This unit of tho corps did excellent work handling dozens of messages, some over 100 words, between the different search parties and headquarters. Some of the operators were at the key from morning till late at night. “ FONE ” CIRCLE REVIVED. There is a revival of interest in “ fonc” again. 4GP, 4FW, 4FK, 4AS, 4CF, 4AR, and 4GZ have been tho most active. The Sunday morning “ tone ” circle has been revived. Many Dunedin amateurs have probably heard ZL4DGV fone, and wondered at the perfect quality and strength of it. 4I)G is using a Collins transmitter, with a 203 A in the final and a crystal microphone. It is generally R max. in Dunedin, It is no exaggeration to say that tho quality of 4DG is better than most broadcast stations. The next contest for the Morse Cup will probably take place at the next montlily meeting. It will probably take tho form of a test in copying a Press station, such as KTJP, or some station to be selected by Mr Harris. COMPETITION OFFER, A Sydney jeweller has offered a silver cup to the successful New Zealand and Australian “ ham ” to cross the Tasman on 5 metres. Mr Marius Reilly, of 2UW, Sydney, is broadcasting all details on 2UW’s all night service. Anyone interested in this contest should send details of their schedules to Mr Marius Reilly, 2UW, Sydney, Box 241 D, G.P.0., Sydney, N.S.W. The cups are well worth winning. In New South Wales tho contest is geting wonderful support. Tho contest is open to every “ham” in Australia and New Zealand. PROGRESS AT NEW STATION LENGTHY TASK OF WIRING EQUIPMENT All the transmitting panels and their associate equipment have been installed in tho transmitting hall at the new station at Higholiff, and to the uninformed caller it would appear that the station is now complete; but actually the transmitter is far from being ready to “ take the air.” Tho wiring of the equipment—one of the most intricate and lengthy tasks .necessary before the station is ready—ha's yet to be done. Tho contracting manufacturer’s installation engineer arrived in town at the beginning of the week to supervise the actual installation of the new station, and, judging by the length of time it took to wire the similar transmitter at Auckland, it will be several weeks before the new 4YA is ready for testing. The laying of the earthing system, which will consist of lengths of buried copper wire extending to practically all points of the compass, lias already started, and should be finished in the course of a day or two. The auxiliary power plant to be used in case of a complete breakdown in tho electric power supply to the station is now ready for use, and is reported to have worked perfectly when given its first test recently. This plant, by the way, will bo capable of generating at least 14 kilowatts.

A POWERFUL B TO OPERATE IN NEW SOUTH WALES The most powerful B class broadcasting station in New South Wales is about to bo established at Orange on tho Central Tablelands, about 140 miles by airline from Sydney. This station, which will be owned and controlled by Country Broadcasting Services Limited, has been organised by tho Graziers’ Association and other country interests. It is expected to bo in operation by tho end of October. The transmitter will have a power of 2,000 watts unmodulated in the aerial. 3GZ, as the station will be known, will have a range extending over the greater part of the State. The programmes will be designed for general entertainment, and the whole influence of tho station will be directed to furthering rural interests. Authoritative reports ou wool, stock, and general markets and intormation particularly bearing ou country life will be a feature of tho station. Warren Penny, 2UE announcer, recently went fishing 20 miles outside Sydney Heads, and grew so excited about a fine “ catch ” that be overbalanced and took a header into the sea. To make matters worse, tho launch broke down. But what hurts Warren most of all is the fact that when he arrived at the studio late for a rehearsal no one would believe it was anything else but a fisherman’s yarn.

SEARCHERS OF THE ETHER ITEMS FOR THE OXERS BACK TO EASTERN STANDARD TIME. On the broadcast band little Siange can be noticed since last week. Between 5.30 and 7.30 p.m. Americans are very good, and there are usually several'on late “specials” until 8.30 p.m. The listener must explore the dial for these, as notice of programmes seldom reaches hero in time for publication. Eastern Coast stations will revert to standard time this week, and so be heard one hour later in the evenings. It also has an effect on the “ midnight ” stations, which will be found to disappear for a period of about six weeks. STRANGE JAPANESE STATIONS. A number of strange Japanese stations has perhaps been heard, by readers. When definite information as to call and location is received the details will be. published. All the Easterns are holding up in volume, and many items logged from supposed Americans have turned out to be Chinese stations on English recordings. LOCAL COMPETITIONS. Competitions at the last’meeting of the local branch of the N.Z.DX.R.A. resulted:— Junior.—America, Mr E. V. Grey, WBOQ; East, Mr J. Ruthsav, KZRM: Australia, Mr E. Grey, 3YB[ VK, Mr A. Greenaway, 3FL. Senior.—-North America, Mr E. Nevin, XEMO; South America, Mr H. Pithie, LU7; East, Mr J. Sharp, JOKK; Australia, Mr,H. Pithie, 4WK. VK, Mr A. Stanton, 4EA. Best for meeting, LU7 (l,400w). SPECIAL PROGRAMMES. October 2.—HSUI, 880 kc, 6-8 p.m. October S.—WRVA, l,llokc, 6 p.m. onwards. October 6.—VK4EA, 1,310 kc, 1-2.30 a.m. (as last week). Also the American frequency checks on October 1 until 7. SHORT-WAVE WANDERINGS. While a fall-off in daylight reception is being experienced, more signals are being heard after dark, and quite a number of programmes are being received each evening. Moscow on Wednesdays and Sundays is good; Paris, in ll,Bßokc, at 7;30 p.m. is at fair strength' with rapid surge; Berlin is fair to good, arid Daventry is excellent. Japan can be heard now using JVN on 10,660 kc and JVT on 6,750 kc, this latter transmitter being the stronger this week. Hongkong is putting out a good signal at 11 o’clock, and several Java stations are also in operation around 27 and 29 metres, with European programmes. From midnight onward up to a dozen stations can be heard at good entertainment strength. After daybreak reception goes off somewhat until at 8 o’clock little of interest is heard apart from Daventry and the Americans. Late afternoon reception of South and Central Americans is still possible, the 40-metre amateurs being active until 6.30 .p.m. Another stratosphere ascent is being planned, and, as before, relays of descriptions of the preparations for the flight -will be broadcast from Rapid City. Keep watch for WBXL on : 6,425 kc, working witli WIOXFN. The Cuban on 6,130 kc is COCD, “ La ,Voz del Aire,” Vedado, Havana. It closes at 4.30 p.m. It appreciates and verities reports. HJIABE, on 6,115 kc, using the slogan “La Voz de les Laboratories Fuontes,” at Cartagena, Colombia, commenced a regular weekly session for Australia during July. The session commences at 9.30 p.m, A further change in call sign is reported, this time from Canada, -where VE9GW will in future be known as CRCX. Here' is the schedule at present being observed by the German stations-; DJA-N, 5.5-6.45 p.m., New Zealand, Australia, and South America. DJN-B, 8.15-11.45 p.m., New Zealand, Australia, and South America. DJA-B-Q, 12.30 a.m.-4 a.m., East Asia. DJD-C, 4.30-9 a.m., Africa. DJD-N, 9.35 a.m.-3.15 p.m.. North ami Central America. DJC, 2-3-15 p.m., North America. DJA, 9.35 a.m.-1.45 p.m., South America. DJE, 12.30-4 a.m., experimental to South America. SILVER JUBILEE YEAR BIG DEVELOPMENTS EXPECTED It is interesting sometimes to speculate on what broadcasting will be like when it achieves its silver jubilee 12J years from now, says an overseas writer. In the 12J years that have passed since 2LO, the original London station, first made its voice heard, developments have been rapid. The number of stations in all countries has increased by leaps and bounds; continuous programmes lasting for 12 hours or more have replaced the old system of giving us nothing much during the day and three or four hours of good entertainment in the evening; the high-powered stations of yesteryear would be regarded as midgets to-day; relaying has' been developed to such a point that one man can now speak to the entire civilised world, the quality of transmission has been improved out of all recognition. To many people wireless broadcasting seems now to have reached such a state of perfection that there is little more to be done. But shall we not see in the second half of broadcasting’s first 25 years developments just as great as those of the first half?

Hongkong ZBW recently entered the short-wave field, nnd has been transmitting twice weekly on a wave length of 34.3 metres (S^fiOkc),,