ON ALL WAVELENGTHS

Evening Star, Issue 23373, 16 September 1939, Page 4

ON ALL WAVELENGTHS

TALKS PRINCIPALLY SOME FINE CLASSICAL CONCERTS VARIED 4YA SCHEDULES Little variation from the customary fare i$ included in the programmes sheduled to be broadcast from 4YA next week, although some interesting new talks will be presented. Highlights of the week will comprise Tschaikovsky and Mozart works to-morrow afternoon ; a talk on education In England on Monday; a winter course talk the following day; recorded features on Wednesday; an orchestral concert on Thursday; ‘ J ust a Job of Work’ on Friday; and the light ballad and orchestral concert on Saturday. . Following are the highlights of the programmes for the week:— TO-MORROW. 11 a.m.: Service from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. 2.30 p.m.: ‘ Symphony No. 3 ’ and ‘ Mass in F Major.’ 5: Children’s song service. _ 6.45: Service from Salvation Army Citadel. 8.30: ‘ Music from the Theatre.’ MONDAY. 7 a.m.: Morning drill. 10.50 a.m.: Talk to women, hy Margaret. 7.30: Talk:by an officer of the livestock division of the Department of Agriculture: ‘ Grass Staggers.’ • 7:40: Talk to Young Farmers’ Clubs. 8.40: 'Recorded talk by Miss F. Street, ‘ Education and Class Division in England.’ 9.5 :, Miscellaneous recordings. 10: Dance music. fjJESDAY. 10.50 a.m.; Talk to women, by Margaret. . 7.30 p.m.: Winter course talk by Mrs P. B. Thompson, ‘ The Film as an Art,’ ' :

8: Band concert. 8.28: ‘ Eb and Zeb.’ 9.5: ‘ Those We Love,' n story of the people. 9.34: ‘ Tales of the Silver Greyhound —The Unkind Country.’ 10: Music, mirth, and melody. WEDNESDAY. 10.50 a.ra.: Talk to women, by Margaret. Noon: South Dunedin community ting. 3.15 p.m.: ‘ Emergency Meals,’ a talk by the A.C.E. 7.30: ‘ Helpful Hints to Motorists.’ 8; ‘ Mittens.’ 8.15: ‘The Bold Bad Buccaneers.’ 8.28: ‘The Fourth Form at St. Percy’s.’ 8.40: Reserved. 9.5: ‘ Westward* Ho 1 ’ 9.18: ‘ Thrills.’ 9.31: ‘ Exploits of the Black MothMurder at the Police Ball.’ 10: Hour of modern dance music (recorded). THURSDAY. 10.50 a.m.: Talk to women by Margaret. 1.30 p.m.: Educational session. 7.30: Gardening talk. 8 ; Orchestral concert. 8.40: Recorded talk by Mr H. E. Carter, ‘ Plays and Prestige—On Tour With the, Old Yic in Europe.’ 9i8 ‘ Music from tho Theatre.’ 10: Music, mirth, and melody. , FRIDAY. 10.50 a.m.: Talk to women, by Margaret. 11: ‘ Cooking and Recipes,’ a talk by Miss I. Findlay. 12.15: p.m. Community sing from Strand Theatre. 3.15; ‘This Spring’s Fashions’ an A.C.E. talk. 8 : ‘ Dad and Dave from Snake Gully.’ 8.15 : ‘ Pinto Pete in Arizona.’ 8.30: ‘ The Rich Uncle from Fiji.’ 8,42; ‘Just a Job of Work—Shakespeare in the East End,’ by Christobcl Currie,; 9.20: Readings by Professor T. D. Adams. 10: Dance music by the SaVfly Orchestra. SATURDAY. jo 50 a.m.: Talk to women, by Margaret. 3 p.m.: (Commentary on Rugby football match. 4.45: Sports results. 7.30: ‘Our Leper Friends at Makogai,’ by P.. T. Twomey. 8; Light ballad and orchestral concert, with Valda M‘Curdy (sorprano), and Arthur J. Lungley (baritone). 9.5: Old-time dance programme. 10: Sports summary. Dance music.

NEWS and COMMENTS

by “HENRY”

RADIO'S “MAGIC EYE” DOES NOT IMPROVE SETS MERELY AN AID TO TUNING GAN BE FITTED TO ANY A.V.C. SET Although the “ magic tuning eye ” has been with us now for some years, there are many who still remain a bit hazy about its purpose. Often it is invested with an importance it does not deserve. The purchaser of a new set often has to decide whether he will buy one because it has a tuning eye, and pass over another because it has not. To make the possession of such an eye the main reason for acceptance or rejection of an otherwise good set, it is essential to know just why such an eye is used. Many people consider the tuning eye must, of its very presence, make the set a better one. This, strictly speaking, is not correct. The eye has no effect on the actual performance of the receiver. It is merely an indicating device, and should not have the slightest bearing on the sensitivity or selectivity of the set as a whole. AID TO TUNING. The real purpose of the magic eye is to help the operator when tuning-in stations. It tells instantly, and beyond all doubt, whether the receiver is accurately tuned or not. The modern receiver is quite selective, when it comes to splitting up the stations. It has to be, otherwise, with so many on the air, one programme would interfere with another. SELECTIVITY PROBLEM. Unfortunately, selectivity brings its own problems. The sharper the tuning the harder it is to adjust the tuning dial accurately “dead on ” the station, without being a little bit to one side or the other. Unless the modern set is tuned accurately, reproduction will suffer. You can easily demonstrate it for yourself by going to your set and tuning slowly over a station. MAKE THIS TEST. You will note how, _as the station begins to be heard, it is very scratchy and poor in quality, and is accompanied by a good amount of noise, which diminishes as you approach the centre ol the station’s carrier. If you listen very carefully, you will be able to hear the deterioration in tone even when slightly detuned from this point. ■ You will also realise how careful one must be particularly if unfamiliar with radio sets, in always finding the exact spot for perfect tune and best quality. THE EYE HELPS. Now this is where the magic eye comes into the picture. It is a device which has been developed to show definitely when the station is perfectly tuned in. The eye, when lit up, as it is all the time the set is working, shows a pattern glowing on a green-coloured “screen” in the end of the valve. Sometimes the pattern is like a disc with a section cut out—which section opens up or closes, according to whether the station is tuned in or not. Other _ types have a “ four-leaved ” pattern, in which the four become broader as the station is tuned in. The principle in both cases is the same. / WATCH PATTERN. When tuning In the set, the operator watches the pattern on the magic eye, and adjusts the dial until maximum deflection is shown in the pattern. This maximum point indicates that the station is giving you its strongest signal, as it will, of course, when correctly tuned in. The amount of deflection depends directly on the strength of the particular station. As all stations Are not received at the same strength, you will be able to get a higger deflection on the strongest. But the principle remains the same—you woulcl tune for the largest possible deflection in all cases. OPERATES FROM A.V.C. For our more technically-minded readers, we wwld mention that the eye operates by yirtue of its connection to the automatic volume control system, of the receiver. The A.V.C. system, in effect, places a varying bias on the controlled valves, which is greatest on the strongest station. The magic eye, being connected to tho A.V.C., throws a pattern which varies as this bias voltage varies. The pattern is obtained by means of a fluorescent screen which glows when subjected to an electron bombardment. In this, it is something like the screens which are used on cathode-ray tubes, and is specially coated to bring this about. The variation of the voltage applied to the valve varies tho characteristics of this electron stream, which thus bombards a greater or less amount of the total screen area. SET bIOT AFFECTED. The wiring of such an indicator, therefore, does not affect the performance of the set, as you will now readily, realise. The set would work just the same, with the magic eye, as it would without it. Conversely, any set which has no magic eye can generally be fitted with one, if it has A.V.C. in the first, place. It is merely a matter of correct installation.

The value of the magic eye is more or less the measure of your ability to tune a set accurately without it. The average radio-minded man can tell from the sound of the transmission whether the set is mistimed or not. But, of course, many members of the household may not have the same approach to tuning, and it is for them that the magic eye was developed._ Let us say. therefore, that it is a refinement which some manufacturers

HISTORY BEING WRITTEN UNIQUE WAR COMMENTARIES AMERICANS TO THE FORE BUT RISK OF GARBLED CONCEPTIONS Of late the value of short wave radio has become indelibly impressed on the minds of listeners throughout the world. This can be directly attributed first to the war of nerves carried on in Europe, and then its crisis. Also short wave radio gave the listening -public an opportunity of hearing directly what peoples overseas think of situations and other races. A fortnight ago the American, National Broadcasting Company began a 24-hour service, with typical broadcasts. On 49, 31, 19, and 16 metres stations could be heard at excellent strength in a most unique service of news, released by calling various European capitals, where special representatives gave their impressions of the situations as they then were. President Roosevelt claimed that “ the Americans were the best-informed people in the world,” in his speech broadcast from Daventry, which has been a popular source of news, but it would be wise perhaps, for listeners to preserve an open mind on the matter transmitted to the world by the national United States “ hook-up.” Though its news service might be unique, and generally authentic, it cannot be said to be official, and any haphazard conception of the situation should ‘be subjected to rigid scrutiny before acceptance. Now, more than at any other time, tho radio listener has to use his head as well as his set. BITTER COMMENT. Some bitter comment and criticism has been directed from Berlin stations against England, as well, of course, as against Poland. • Having heard some of these outbursts in “ news ” services from Berlin, Britishers must have felt an added pride in their race when . they listened to the calm and dignified news broadcasts from the heart of their Empire. Quoting Mr Chamberlain’s remark that the international position t was becoming worse, t}ie Berlin announcer added; “ And England is to blame for this!” Then later: “The German people will not forget England, who tried to force them to their knees.” SARCASTIC REFERENCES. Listeners were likewise informed that to ; avoid a “heated” discussion, the adjournment of the House of Lords was secured. President Roosevelt was referred to on another occasion sarcastically as the “Champion of Peace.” He was also referred to as “ following his old habit of making suggestions.” ■ Lengthy news suggestions are being heard daily from various European stations, and by quick and skilful handling of the radio dials listeners can in a brief space of time ascertain the reactions of a large portion of the world. Naturally, in the minds of the interested radio listeners, there will be created garbled impressions . through the variety of information issued by independent radio stations. Probably the wisest course to be adopted is to rely on Daventry for the official information, and preserve an open mind on the matter disseminated from other sources. As radio fare it is unique —particularly from America—but too much spoils the flavour, and the tendency is for the listener to be misled finally through his own anxiety to hear the most in the shortest space of time. Radio history is being written to-day, but official news should be the aim of the discriminating listener.

HOW A.B.C. ARTISTS ARE GRADED

CHOICE OF ITEMS Every radio listener knows that the programmes submitted for his entertainment are the subject of more or less careful selection by a programme director or committee. But there is a great deal more to it than that. There are many interesting aspects about which the listener knows little or nothing. For instance, there are the programmes of the visiting celebrity artists. Do the artists themselves choose the songs they are to sing or the items they or their orchestras are to play ? The answer—in Australia at least—is “ Only indirectly.” Long before celebrity artists reach Australia their programmes are submitted to the A.8.C.. whose officers then make a selection to meet the special needs of the A.B.C. and its listeners. In some instances the programmes submitted by the artist may be taken without alteration, but in many instances the right of selection is exercised. The commission is endeavouring to keep its performances on a higher plane than that maintained by the average entrepreneur. It takes the best artists to Australia, and its aim is to see that these artists give their best to listeners and students.”

employ, and some do not, largely according to the price of the set. Naturally, it costs more to make a set with the eye, because it must ho paid for. If you find it a well-worth-while accessory, then, maybe, you will consider it a good selling or buying point when purchasing a now receiver. But don’t approach this burning question with the idea that the magic eye somehow gives you better reception. It simply assists you to easier tuning.

RECEPTION EXCELLENT

NEW POWERFUL CANADIAN BEST EVENING AMERICANS LISTED AUSTRALIAN 4fiS AT HIGH VOLUME The past two week-ends have been good for reception of radio stations on the standard broadcast band (540-1,600 kilocycles). Last week-end some trouble was experienced from static between sunset and midnight on Saturday, but otherwise conditions were practically perfect. A new station to appear on the radio horizon is a powerful Canadian —CBK, Saskatoon, Central Canada, operating on 540 ks, with 50,000 watts power. CBK can be heard between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., and a fortnight ago was also heard at 11 p.m. Some of the best “ evening ” Americans at present being heard between 6 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. are:— KFSD, San Diego, California (600 kc). KGW, Portland, Oregon (C2okc). KFI, Los Angeles, Californa (640 kc). XELO, Tijuana, Mexico (670 kc). KPO, San Francisco, California (680 kc). KOA, Denver, Colorado (830 kc). WENR. Chicago, Illinois (870 kc). XEW, Mexico City, Mexico (890 kc). KHJ, Los Angeles, California (900 kc). KPRC, Houston, Texas (920 kc). KFWB, Hollywood, California (950 kc). XEAW, Reynosa, Mexico (9Gokc). KJR, Seattle, Washington (970k0). XEAC, Tijuana, Mexico (980 kc). KFVD, Los Angeles, California (l.OOOkc). KRLD, Dallas, Texas (1,040ke). KNX, Hollywood, California (I.OSOkc). WBT, Charlotte, North Carolina (I.OSOkc). KMOX, St. Louis, Missouri (I.ODOkc). CBR, Vancouver, Canada (l,]ookc). KWKH, Shreveport, Louisiana (UOOkc). KVOO, Tulsa. Oklahoma (1,140 kc). WOAI, San Antonio, Texas (1,190 kc). KFAC, Los Angeles, California (I.SOOkc). KOY, Phoanix, Arizona (1,390 kc). KSTP, St. Paul, Minnesota (1.460 kc). KOMA, Oklahoma City (1,480 kc). _ KFBK, Sacramento, California (1,490 kc). WCKY, Covington, Kentucky (1.490 kc). KITE, Kansas City, Missouri (1,530 kc). KPMC, Bakersfield, California (l.floOko). Of the above KFI, XELO, WENR, XEW. XEAW, KJR, XEAC, KFVD, KRLD. WBT, KMOX, WOAI, and KOY are especially recommended, being * received -week-end after weekend at real entertainment strength. XEAW. on 960 kc, is usually the “ first in ” of all the Americans, and features much Mexican music. WCKY has “ come to light ” again on 1.490 kc. with a new 50.000-watt transmitter. KJR. on 970 kc, features organ music. AUSTRALIANS. It is difficult to single- out any of the dozens of perfectly-received Australians as being “ better than another.” However, 2LT, Lithgow, New South Wales, is now on the air with 200 watts power on l,oßokc, closing at 11.30 p.m. 4QS is testing on 760 kc at terrific volume. EASTERNERS. KZEG. Manila, Philippine Islands, on 780 kc, ZBW, Hongkong, China, on 845 kc, Radio Saigon, French Indochina on l,oookc, and numerous Japanese stations are being heard between 1 a.m. and 2 a.ra. at good volume. RADIO LOG BOOK . OLD CZECH STATION The old Czech station in Prague, on 19.70 metres, was heard recently in Australia. The listener says he was tricked by a station at 7.30 p.m. with a strong signal on about 19.68 metres, but from which no announcement came. The programme was like that of KGEI. , AERIAL BATTLES A fierce aerial battle is being waged in Northern Africa. The German propaganda stations broadcast “ news ” sessions designed to create trouble in France’s possessions, and the tale is taken np by Italian stations. The French transmitter in Morocco is used 'to reply to the “enemy,” and a hot verbal fight takes place daily. AVIATION TALKS Gv'ound engineering radio talks addressed to those desirous of entering this profitable side of aviation are given each Sunday night over 2UE (950k0, 316ra) by T. G. Rush, manager of the College of Civil Aviation. Quite a number of people look upon the pilot as the only governing factor in keeping a plane aloft, and the qualifications for ground engineering licenses being a little obscure to the lay mind, this radio talk clears up quite a number of points. 'The aviation session is broadcast by 2UE each Sunday, at 7.45 p.m. HELPING THE HENS American poultry farmers know thenhen psychology, and they are using radio to promote happy industry in the coops. Give a hen a contented mind, and she’ll lay the foundations of a fortune ; but she must he humoured, or she will be about as helpful as a china nest egg—this is their theory. At one farm in the heart of Chicago are 6,000 hens, one in each pen, throughout a six-story building. A wireless set was installed and loud speakers were attached to every section of the building. The farmer claimed that the music gave the hens peace of mind and increased production greatly. “ There seemed to be plenty of eggs there, and the hens were clucking contentedly. Hons are very nervous, birds,” said a visitor. “If there was no music and a broom or a tin happened to fall on the concrete floor they would got a shock. That would affect production. So the farmer provides the music as the last word in hen comfort.”■

SUNDAY’S PROGRAMMES

4YA (790 kc), Dunedin. 9 a.m.: Chimes. Recordings. 10: Weather report for aviators. Recordings. 11: Service, relayed from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church; preacher, Rev. H. J. Ryburn; organist, Colin Oliver. 12.15: Recordings. 6: Children’s sqng service, conducted by Big Brother Bill. 6.15: Recordings. 6.45: Salvation Army service, relayed from the Salvation Army Citadel; preacher, Major D. Duggan; conductor, A. Millard. 8; Selected recordings. 8.30: Music from the Theatre: ‘La Boheme,’ Puccini’s well-loved opera. 10.14: Close down.

Monday.—6.so a.m.: Weather report for aviators. 7; Physical exercises. 7.10 : Breakfast session. 10 : Weather report for aviators. Recordings. 10.15: Devotional service. 10.50: Talk to women by Margaret. 12: Lunch music. 1: Weather report for aviators. Weather forecast. 2: Recordings. 3.30: Classical music. 4: Weather report and special frost forecast. 4YO (1,140 kc), Dunedin. 6 p.m.: Recordings. 8.30 ; ‘ Wandering With the West Wind.’ 9: Stephen Foster melodies. 9.32: 8.8. C. recorded programme, ‘ The Village Concert.’ 10: Close down. 3YA (720 kc), Chrijstchurch. 9 a.ra.: Recordings. 11: Roman Catholic service, relayed from St, Mary’s Church. 12.15: Recordings. 5.30: Children’s song service. 6.15: Recordings. 6.30: Methodist service, relayed from Rugby Street Church; preacher, Rev. W. A. Burley. 8: Recordings. 8.30: Boston Promenade Orchestra. 8.42: Gerhard Husch (baritone). 8.52: Symphony Orchestra. 9 : Weather forecast and station notices. 9.5: ‘ The Strange Story of Louis de Rougement,’ produced by the National Broadcasting Service. 10: Close down.

2YA (570 kc), Wellington. 9 a.m.: Recordings. 10: Weather report for aviators. 11: Presbyterian Church service, relayed from St. John’s Church, Willis street. 12.15 (approx.): Recordings. 1: Weather report for aviators. Recordings. 6: Children’s song service, assisted by 2YA_ Children’s Song Service Choir. 7: Service, relayed from Trinity Methodist Church, Wellington South: preacher, Rev. Walter Parker. 8.15 (approx.); Recordings. 8.30: The Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra. 8.38: Chorus and orchestra of the Theatre National de L’Opera, Paris. 8.46: Philadelphia Symphony A* »% »*« »T« *?« * T « *T* A* A,»% A, g, A, A, ».% RADIO PERSONALITY PASSES. New Zealand radio listeners will regret to hear that the famous Australian comedy team of “ Win and Windle,” whioh visited New Zealand early this year, has been broken through the death of Mrs Norah Win. She and her husband, Jack, were well known here and in their homeland as both radio and stage entertainers. Orchestra. 8.50: Lawrence Tibbett (baritone). 8.54: The State Opera Orchestra. 9: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Gladys Monorieff in selected items from musical comedy successes. Gil Dech at the piano. 9,20: The orchestra of the Berlin State Opera House. 9.28: George Baker, Alice Lilley, Nellie Walker, and Dan Jones (playlet). 9.34: Keith Faulkner (baritone). 9.40; Orchestre Raymonde. 9.46: 8.8. C. Revue Chorus. 9.50; Walter Glynne (tenor). 9.53: The 8.8. C. Theatre Orchestra. 10: Close down.

tYA (650 kc), Auckland. 9 a.m.; Recordings. 11; Anglican service, relayed from St. Mark’s Church; preacher. Rev. Percy Houghton. 12.15: Recordings. 6: Children’s song service. 7: Service, relayed from the West Street Church of Christ; preacher, Pastor William Campbell. 8.15: Recordings. 8.30: Debroy Somers Band. 9.39 j Pearl Owen (mezzo-contralto). 8.45: Edith Lorand and her Viennese Orchestra, 8.51: Walter Brough (baritone). 8.57: The Ferde Grofe Orchestra. 9: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: ‘What Is Good Music?’ introducing J. Frederick Staton, Mus. Doc., F.R.C.D., conductor of the Sheffield Philharmonic Society’s Choir. 9.30; Light Symphony Orchestra. 9.38: Pearl Owen (mezzo-contralto). 9.44: Ferde Grofe Orchestra. 9.50; Walter Brough (baritone). 9.56: Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra. 10: Close down. SHORT WAVE PROGRAMMES (New Zealand standard times are given.) Empire Stations (19.66 m, 25.53 m, 31.55 m), Daventry. 6 p.m.; ‘ Prairie Harvest,’ the story of the Canadian wheat harvest. 6.40; ißolls, and Empire service, from St. Paul’s Cathedral. London. Address by the Right Rev. P. de Lahilliere, D.D.* Dean of Westminster. 7.25: The news and newsletter. 7.45: Charles Ernesco Quintet, with Mervyn Saunders. 8.15: Saturday sport. 8.20: Close down. VLR (31.32 m), Melbourne). 9.30 a.m.: News. 9.40: Sporting session. 9.50: Recorded music. 10.30: Brass band. 11: ‘ln Quires and Places Where They Sing.’ 11.30: News. _ 12: ‘ Singers of Renown.’ 12.30: Divine service. 1.45: Recorded music. 2: Gordon Ireland’s recorded feature. 2.30: Music. 3: Close down. 4.30: Armchair chat. 4.50: ‘World Celebrities.’ 6; Chamber music. 7: Children’s play. 7.30: ‘ Music of England.’ 8: ‘ Adventures in Music.’ 8.30: Talk. 8.50: News. 9: Salon Orchestra. 9.30: Play. 11: Talk on international affairs. 11. Musical interlude. 11.50: Readings from the Bible. Midnight; Close down. VK2ME (31.28 m), Sydney. 5 p.m.; Chimes and announcements. 5.5: Organ melodies. 5.30: Descriptive orchestral studies. C: Talk. 6.15: Song bracket by Raymond Newell. 6.30: Dance programme. 7 : Close down. 9 : Chimes and announcements. 9.5: Musical recollections. 9.30: World’s best orchestras (annotated). 10: News. 10.15: {The Boswell Sisters. 10.30: ‘ Music of the Ballet.’ 11: Talk. 11.15: Pianoforte and violin interlude. 11.30: River songs and melodies. Midnight: Talk. 0.15: Soprano bracket by Marta Eggerth. 0.30; Light orchestral concert. 1: Close down. MONDAY VLR (31.32 m), Melbourne. 8 a.m.: Weather, news, and market reports. 8.40: Morning specialties. IJ. Devotional service. 11.45: Close. 1.30: Broadcast to schools. 1.50: Stock Exchange reports. 2.35: Musical programme and descriptions of the Woodend races. 7: Young people’s session. VK2ME (31.28 m), Sydney. 2 a.m.: Announcements. 2.5: Organ music. 2.30: Talk. 2.45: Vocal variety. 3: ‘Landscape in Music.’ 3.15: News. 3.30: Continuing ‘ Landscape in Music,’ 4: Close down.