The Listeners’ Corner

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 40, 17 February 1937, Page 16 (Supplement)

The Listeners’ Corner

THE WORLD IS YOURS (Contributed, under the auspices of the Manawatu branch N.Z. DX Club, by C. W. Schwabe?). The radio listener of to-day has the world at his fingertips -when he sits down for an evening’s broadcast entertainment. Modern eugineering advances in both transmission and reception plus the ingenuity of broadcasters in making available eouutless innovations in programme fare, have resulted in an elaborate permanent schedule for the listener-in. Broadcast entertainment has shown great progress. The programme magnates of the nation-wide networks and independent statious are constantly on the alert for ideas and talents that would enhance their broadcast schedules. Sponsors and advertising agencies, in efforts to outdo competitors, are ■ spending fabulous sums bn big-name talent lor their commercial offerings. It all means a big break for the listener who has an elaborate array of domestic programme available every time he throws the “on” switch oi‘ his receiver. With the growing popularity of short waves, the public has responded to the foreign broadcasters’ efforts by purchasing all-wavo sets. Thus, in addition to the brilliant programme array of tho domestic broadcasters, listeners have available novel programmes in English and foreign languages from all parts of the world. The chimes of Big Ben in London come in as satisfactory as the music of Pau.’ Whiteman in New York. And more and more nations, recognising the value ot short-waves in the spreading of - international good-will, are promoting powerful high-frequency units to send . the best presentations to foreign lands Tho thrill of listening in on police-calls transmitted to patrol-cars in various American cities is an additional programme phase of all-wavo listening. Amateur, aircraft, marine and aviation stations can also be heard. Radio is au integral part of equipment with all sorts of scientific expeditious. Short waves remain the only contact with civilisation when intrepid adventurers blaze new trails into strauge places. Admiral Byrd maintained a regular short-wave communication with the civilised world from his base at Little America on the frozen waste of Antartica. In recent balloon penetrations of the stratosphere it was short-wave radio that alone permitted the anxious populance to follow the progress of the dangerous ascents. The thrills of all such transmissions are available to the present-day listener. Radio, indeed, occupies a more important place in the social scheme than ever before. General Items Broadcast DX has not been too favourable of late owing to interferences and static. The early evening American stations have been heard and on Wednesday night KIT was neard at good speaker strength from 8 p.m. At 8.30 p.m. KGO was heard describing a wrestling match. KNX the air giving out details of the air liner that crashed into the harbour. It is understood that the Australian station 3WR has changed hands and its call is now 3RS. The S.S. Awatea ZMBU has been heard a a lot lately. TJie wirter reports hearing a musical experimental programme on Sunday mornings and at evening the radio telephone at approximately 6.7 p.m. and sometimes at 10 p.m. ZMBJ can be heard from approximately 10 a.m. to 32,30 p.m. Sundays. A very fine acknowledgement card is to be the reward of reporting«ZMßJ and is signed by the operator Mr Jones. Aerial Systems The question is often asked as to which is the best aerial to use. for reception. Actualy there is no “best” aerial as conditions vary so much in different localities that a system that gives splendid reception in one place can be useless in another. The most efficient system is not necessarily the one which gives the loudest signals. Many are mislead on this account when experimenting with aerials. The aim should be to find the greatest strength of desired signal relative to undesired signals, noises, etc. As a general rule the higher and longer the aerial the greater will be the pick-up from all sources. In localities free from electrical interference and situated at a fafr distance from powerful broadcast stations, an aerial of several hundred feet

can often be used to advantage. An aerial of the description is very directional; it will give best results when running in the direction of the stations desired. The Beverage aerial is of this type and is a favourite where space permits. The aerial can be from 5 to 20 feet from the ground running in the desired direction for up to 1000 feet. The far end of the wire is connected to the ground through a resistance of approx. 600 ohms. As far as it is practicable it should run in a straight line from end to end. It will bo necessary to provide supports at various points throughout the length and at each point some form of insulation must be provided. With the increase in power of the main broadcasting stations many listeners within the shock area of these stations will have to consider the effect of a powerful local sigrial interferring with distant reception. It is quite possible for a local signal to so load the first valve in a reciver that weajc signals are unable to get- through although tho local station is not audible in the speaker. In these cases the aerial should be made as short as possible compatible with a reasonable signal from the weaker stations. Where the receiver is of the T.R.F. type and interference is experienced from the local station, a nowave trap can be used to advantage. With a superhet, however, where the set has reasonable selectivity in itself, a wave trap defeats its own object by reducing the volume of the degired signal. The earth itself will vary with different local conditions. The drier the ground tho greater will be the required surface of metal in contact with it. A single length of water pipe 4 or 5 feet long is satisfactory in really wet ground, but with a less favourable ground a multiple pipe earth or some large metal object buried well in the ground and making contact with a good area is desirable. It should be located as close to the set as possible and the lead should be run directly to it making a good electrical connection. Club Affairs The monthly meeting of the Manawatu branch of the New Zealand DX Club w r as held at the chairmanss (Mr J. P. Cowleshaw) residence there being a fair attendance. A welcome was accorded to Mr Stempson, a new member. The business was of a light nature and was soon dispensed with. Members reported a fair month’s DX and despite the fact that conditions have not been favourable some very good verifications were to hand. Owing to the absence of members the month’s competitions were easily judged. The result, are as follows: Seniors.—G. Dq-lefield, WJBK, 1, ■ Flogdall, WFBR, 2, Morgan, WMBC 3. j Intermediate.—W. Clemves KWYO, i 1, Morgan, WWJ, and Flogdall WBEN, J 2. Junior.—Flogdall, WJAR, only entry. VK’s.—G. Dalefiold, VK4EC, 1, Flogdall, VIvSBY, 2. Shore Wave.—Flogdall, HPSJ Panama, 1, Morgan, ZMBJ S.S. Awatea 2. Mr Morgan is the first member in the local branch to have reported verification of the Awatea. Last month’s S.W. results.—R. Lacey FHH, Flogdall W2XAF.