NOTES.

Shannon News, 31 December 1929, Page 4

NOTES.

Long-distance reception upon simple sets is not so much a question of the 5 circuit employed as of location, tho', skill of the operator, and of various other local conditions. 2ZP Palmerston North will probably .increase its power early, m the New Vear, nh«l may also increase its hours of transmission. ,; " The Australian Broadcasting » Co-, ever anxious to introduce fresh ideas ,and atmosphere into its programmes, relayed a programme from Holland on November 22 at 10.45 p.m. Much to the amusement of those on-duty, the principal song which came through w;as *' Sonny Boy.'' The same night a relay for fifteen minutes was made by die Manila station., Earlier in the evening 2FC relayed, successfully 3LO, and an-endeavour was made finish up with a relay with SSW London, but. conditions were unfavourable. . , *f* *J* •£• "♦* **^ Station WEAP New York has a powerful transmitter and signals start from its Long Island site with a power of 50,000 watts. So great, however, is the fading, said to be induced by New York's gigantic steel-framed skyscrapers that the signals reach Manhattan, only 22 miles distant, with the power reduced to 5000 watts only. Station WOE, which is situated right on the outskirts of the city, reaches many nearby listeners better than WEAP, though its power is only 5000 watts. This is a striking indication of how radio transmissions are affected by surrounding conductors and blanketing obstructions in their innumerable varieties, both as regards transmission and reception. # # ■#' # * Passengers, across the harbour to Devonport by the Perry steamer Makora will,Up entertained in future"by radio. Experiments have proved, very satisfactory, and may result in the scheme being "extended to other boats run by the Devonport Steam Perry Company. The afternoon and evening concerts will be received from station IYA on a crystal set in the captain's cabin, and an amplifying and loud-speaking system will distribute the music throughout the upper deck and cabins. The string trio which entertained passengers in past two years has been disbanded, but there is a possibility of other musicians playing on the boats •during, the early 'afternoons if 'the radio receiving system is not extended. The appartus was installed on the Makora when she was in dry dock last, week. * # # * '* To show what congestion there is .on the broadcast band in America, it may be mentioned that two high-power, stations often have to share the same Wave-length, although they are close enough together; to interfere if both transmit at the same time. Thus the available hours have to be divided up between them. An example is that of WBAL-, Baltimore, and WTCL, Hartford, Connecticut. These stations dare not even let their carrier waves go on' the air simultaneously, or there would be a shrill heterodyne whistle in most/ of the receivers tuned to them. _Jf both had programme- items running there would also be cross-talk. . The; remedy is found in timing the programmes with synchronised clocks, and in an .arrangement whereby neither station starts until the other's carrierwave is off the air after the last item. ; In the ease of the Baltimore station, this is done by an ingenious remote control device operated by the announcers in the studios, which are 20 miles distant from the transmitting plant.