RADIO LOG BOOK

Evening Star, Issue 23681, 14 September 1940, Page 4

RADIO LOG BOOK

Broadcasters in tlie United States have committed themselves to spend 2,000,000d0l for new and more powerful equipment to increase their scope in international radio. The step will be taken because U.S.-originated programmes have proved so popular in South America. International short wave programmes may be sponsored, but with limitations on commercial announcements. The types of programmes most popular in South America are news, educational talks, fashion notes, and Hollywood gossip.

Of the many famous orchestras heard on recordings perhaps the most popular is the London Philharmonic. It was pleasing, therefore, to be told by J. B. Priestley that it is still performing in the capital, and that it completed a recital to a full house although sirens were warning people to seek air raid shelters. Goebbels on his Gestapo-driven airmen may inspire fear in Britishers, but they cannot make them register it.

Japan has several high-powered, transmitters which radiate news and propaganda, but it is a one-way traffic. Before a Japanese citizen is allowed to listen to foreign short wave stations he has to obtain a special permit.

There is a clamant call in Britain now for brighter and more melodious programmes—which does not mean jazz. Tho chairman of tthe London County Council asks why more hands are not parading and playing patriotic music. The War Office has closed up Kneller Hall, its military band school, and only tho Guards and a few other regimental bands are playing, and radio is accused of failing to fill the gap.

“ Scramby-Amby,” a new type of audience participation programme in which contestants try to straighten out scrambled words, has made its United States debut. _ln “ Scramby-Amby ” audience participants are each given two scrambled words in the course of a programme. They are aided in their attempt to “unscramble” the words by a series of clues of four types — musical, rhyme, classification, and descriptive. The contestant is given a prize when be identifies a word, depending on bow many chics he requires before getting the "answer.