RADIO AND ITS RECEIVERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 107, 27 July 1927, Page 14

RADIO AND ITS RECEIVERS

Conducted for THE SUN by C. M. Tayior, B.Sc., A.M.I.R.E

THE NEW ZEALAND “RADIO RECORD”

This new publication, issued by the New Zealand Broadcasting Company*, has just come to hand, and is being supplied free to all licensed listeners for the first two weeks, after that the subscription is 10s per annum, with a special reduction of 2s 6d if ordered immediately. The paper has as its objects the placing of the activities and plans of the company before its clients, the listeners, the publishing of the programmes for the week ahead, the making of a permanent record of the cream of the lectures delivered; let us hope in this respect the libel about the milkman and the pump will not be applicable; technical articles for learner and expert, and lastly, as a meeting-ground for the company and the listeners. Of these activities all should appeal to listeners, particularly the publishing of the programmes and the fact that the comments of the public are to be dealt with, and from the first issue the reports appear to be impartial, and this is essential if the paper published by the company is to fulfil this need. As to technical articles, the only useful technical articles are those which are of interest—a comparatively small number —and this small section is well supplied by journals from overseas and articles of constructional interest would appeal to a far larger community'. On the page devoted to the interests of listeners it is interesting to note the fact that the three dozen members who were present at the general meeting of the Wellington Radio Society were not in agreement with the executive in proposing a national board of control, and are content to wait for further developments. A LOCAL HANDBOOK Handbook No. 1, published by New Zealand Radio, giving details of the all-wave receiver has been sent to THE SUN for review. The letterpress and the general design is by Mr. Salt, M.Sc., of Auckland University College. The circuit is a three-coil with regeneration controlled by a throttle condenser and plug in coils of low loss design are used to extend the range. The whole is an attractive little production, but seems rather dear at the published price. DANGERS WHICH THREATEN RADIO Radio manufacturers make and sell sets and parts in America to the tune of half a billion dollars per annum, and the worlds’ total production must be well over the million pounds. This is the production of something which

HTHIS week’s valve goes to Mr. G. Rowe, 3 Garnett Road, Auckland. Send in your ideas and win a SUN Radio Competition valve. ri- rlx rr. rr. rj- 7 A 7,i 7* rli 'di

of and by itself has no intrinsic value. The service on which the industry rests is provided by the broadcasters. Two dangers threaten the radio field to-day. The first is that the public demand for quality’ and service will progress more rapidly than the ability of the stations to keep pace with it, while the second is that the listeners will become bored and surfeited with the programmes they are receiving before the broadcasters are aware of it. The future of radio in all its branches depends largely on the progress of broadcasting, and this progress in turn depends on the broadcaster’s understanding of the public’s demand. BROADCASTING 11 YEARS OLD On June 11, 1916, the Marconi Company at a public demonstration successfully transmitted the human voice and gramophone records from the company’s experimental station at Aldine, New Jersey, to the S.S. Bunker Hill, a distance of 60 miles. In 1917 the Radio Corporation of America was organised and took over the Marconi patent rights and amalgamation with the Federal Telephone Company’ laid the foundations of America’s huge radio industry’. A BRITISH SHORT-WAVE STATION A strong demand fostered by the successful transmission of PCJJ has had the effect of causing the British Broadcasting Corporation to establish a high-power short-wave station. Land has been procured at Daventry, the home of the high-power long-wave station for this purpose, and the new station is to be in operation before the end of the year. The engineers point out that a perfect service to the Dominions could not be guaranteed. The wave-length will be between 30 and 40 metres, and the situation of the station indicates relays from 3LO, which provides much of the service from the big station. BRITISH LISTENERS’ CHOICES The London “Daily Mail” conducted a ballot of the preferences of the listening public, and received the astonishing number of 1,285,083 replies. Such a vote gives an adequate expression of the general opinion. Variety and concert parties was an easy first, followed by’ light orchestral music and military bands. Readings and recitations was last, a good last, with 2,717 votes. WHAT THE BROADCAST ENGINEER SHOULD READ An American journal gives a comprehensive list of publications with which every broadcasting station engineer should be familiar. The list includes such works as Morecroft’s “Principles of Radio Communications.” Moullin’s “RTadio Frequency Measurements,” “The Proceedings of the Institute of Radio Engineers.” and many other of a similar

standard. This very ably supports the New Zealand listeners’ repeated request that a qualified man should be in charge of our stations. The publications mentioned all demand a highlytrained man in physics and electrical engineering to understand them, and to apply their principles. NEUTRALISATION High gain high frequency amplification is only possible by using a properly neutralised stage or stages of tuned radio frequency amplification. For efficiency, it is well for the set owner, especially the home constructor, to know the effects of improper neutralisation. The first and most obvious manifestation of incorrect adjustment is oscillation in one or more of the stages. This oscillation usually becomes more severe as the frequency is increased, i.e., as the wave-length is decreased. A second manifestation is poor quality due to unequal amplification in the various stages. To preserve good quality the amplifier must amplify without distortion a band of frequencies extending about 5,000 cycles above and 5,000 cycles below the carrier wave frequency, and this condition does not exist unless proper neutralisation is obtained.

Yet another effect, especially in a single dial control set with several stages of radio frequency amplification is loss of sensitivity.

The simplest way to carry out neutralisation is to render the valve concerned inactive as far as its filament supply is concerned. This may be done by a little cap of stiff paper wrapped round one of the filament legs and tied in place. Have the set tuned in to the strongest signals available, and plung in the treated valve. Signals will come through to the phones or loud speaker. Adjust the neutralisation device until the signals are either at a minimum or completely gone. Be sure this is so by moving the device until the signals reappear. Then go back and fix the silent point. Adjust the tuning condensers and see if the signals reappear. If so, readjust. Remove the paper and replace the valve. If the set is of the multi-valve type always start with the stage nearest to the detector valve. HINTS AND TIPS When winding inductances the problem of keeping the wire straight and with an even tension is easily solved by mounting six cotton reels on a board so that the reels may turn freely. The reels are mounted in a staggered or zig-zag pattern, •. * . and the wire passed round each one in turn and so an even pull may be obtained. A MULTIPLE CLIP OR CONNECTOR A spiral of closely-wound heavygauge wire is wound with its coils close together. This is mounted on a base board and connected to a terminal. Any wire or apparatus may be connected to the connector by merely slipping it between the coils which will grip it, making good contact. This device was seen in the window of a local dealer, Messrs. Tricity House, for a small sum all ready made up. PANEL BRACKETS A simple bracket may be made from a bicycle spoke. The spoke is cut to the required length and a loop formed at the cut end to take a small wood screw. Holes are drilled in the panel to take the head of the spoke, which is screwed home with a screw driver. GRID LEAK CLIPS Fountain pen clips make excellent grid leak clips if the round knob is cut off.

New Zealand broadcasting stations transmit as follow: TO-DAY'S PROGRAMMES IYA Auckland: 333 metres, 500 watts. 3 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., afternoon concert; 7.15 p.m. to 7.45 p.m., news and information; 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., relay of music from Prince Edward Theatre, Mr. Geo. Poore conductor; New Lynn Glee Club, “Soldiers' Chorus” from “Tannhauser” (Wagner); soprano solo, Mrs. Pollock, “Good-bye” (Tosti); monologue, Mrs. Hendry; duet, Mrs. Hendry and Mr. Morrish, “Whispering Hope;” piano solo, Miss D. Binns, “Andante—G Rondo;’’ Neiv Lynn Glee Club, “Old Virginny;’’ humorous selection, Mr. Roberts; quartette, Mesdames Young and Lewis, Messrs. Morrish and Edney, “Moonlight on the Lake;” contralto solo, Mrs. Marshall, “When the Heart is Young;” violin solos, Miss M. Richardson, “Liebeslied” (Kreisler) and “The Rosary” (Nevin); humorous song, Mr. Duncan; New Lynn Glee Club, “Old Mother Hubbard;” weather report and interval; relay from Prince Edward Theatre; monologue, Mrs. Hendry; New Lynn Glee Club, “O Who Will O’er the Downs;" duet, Mrs. Young and Mr. Morrish, “Lullaby Time;” piano solos, Miss D Binns, “Etude, Opus 10, No. 10” (Chopin) and “Nocturne, Opus 37, No. 1” (Chopin); quartette, Mesdames Young and Marshall, Messrs. Morrish and Colledge; contralto solo, Mrs. Marshall, “The Homeland of My Heart;” humour, Mr. Roberts; violin solos, Miss M. Richardson, “Farewell to Cucullain” and “La Traviata” (Verdi): New Lynn Glee Club, “John Peel:” soprano solo. Mrs. Young, “Hail! Caledonia!” baritone solo, Mr. Edney, “Chin of the Old Block:” New Lynn Glee Club, "Comrade-in-Arms.” * * * 2YA Wellington: 420 metres, 5,000 watts. Silent day.

3YA Christchurch : 306 metres, 500 watts. 3 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., afternoon concert; 6.30 p.m., children’s session, by Uncle Jack; 7.15 p.m., Addington Stock Market reports and news and reports; 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., relay of orchestral selections from Strand Picture Theatre Orchestra, under direction of Mr. Harry Ellwood; bass solos, Mr. Charles Hawkins, (a) “The Deep, Cold Sea,” (b) “Nancy Lee;’’ mezzo soprano solo. Miss Daisy E. Pearce, “A Memory;” ’cello solos, Miss Charlotte Carter, (a) “The Heart Bowed Down” from “Bohemian Girl” (Balfe), (b) “Minuet” (Squire); tenor solo, Mr. T. G. Rogers, “The Holy City;” mezzo contralto solos, Miss Eileen Noble, (a) “Voci di Donna” from “La Gioconda” (Ponchielli). (b) “Fairy Tales of Ireland; Rev. B. Dudley, F.R.A.S., talk on “Comets;” piano solo. Miss E. Lancaster, first movement, “Pathetique Sonata” (Beethoven); bass solo. Mr. Charles Hawkins, “The Midshipmite;” comic recitation, Mr. J. R. Lester. "The Girl on the Stairs;” relay from Strand Theatre: mezzo soprano solo. Miss Daisy Pearce, “The Song of Thanksgiving;” tenor solo. Mr. T. G. Rogers. ‘‘Soft and Pure” from opera “Martha” (Flotow); ’cello solo, Miss Charlotte Carter, “Berceuse de Jocelyn” (Godard); mezzo contralto solos, Miss Eileen Noble, (a) “I Sometimes Think” from “Persian Garden” (Lehmann), (b) “Turn Ye to Me;” bass solo, Mr. Charles Hawkins, “Bells of the Sea;” piano solos. Miss E. Lancaster, (a) “Intermezzo” from “Othello” (Coleridge-Taylor), (b) “Mazurka” (Chopin): mezzo soprano solo, Miss Daisy Pearce, “The Singers;” tenor solo, Mr. T. G. Rogers, “The Dove” (Rogers): comic recitation. Mr. J. R. Lester, “One of the Awkward Squad:” * * * 4-YA Dunedin: 463 metres, 250 watts. Silent day. TO-MORROW IYA Auckland: 333 metres, 500 watts. 3 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., afternoon concert: 7.15 p.m. to 7.45 p.m., news session; 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., quartette. Lyric Four, “Mother Goose Medley;” humour, Mr. Alan McElwain: trio. Miss Alma McGruer, Mr. Arthur Ripley, and Mr. Ernest Thomas, marriage scene from “Romeo and Juliet” (Gounod); tenor solo, Mr. Herbert Richards, “The Devout Lover;” violin solo, Miss Margaret Stoddart. “Chanson;” quartette, Lyric Four, “Fireside Melodies;” soprano solo, Miss Alma McGruer; bass solo, Mr. Ernest Thomas, “Myself When Young;” trio. Miss Alma MoGruer, Mr. Ripley and Mr. Thomas, “Holv Angels” (Gounod): humour. Mr. McElwain: nuartette, Lyriio Four. “Volga Boat Song;” violin solo, Miss Margaret Stoddart: tenor solo, Mr. Ripley, “Molly Pawn” (MacMurrough): duet, Messrs. Richards and Thomas: soprano solo, Miss Alma MoGruer; nuartette. Lyric Four. “Afton Water” (Hume): relay of music f rom Rialto Theatre Orchestra, under Mr. Henry Engell. * * * 2YA Wellinaton: 420 metres, 5,000 watts. 8 p.m., band selection. Wellington City Citadel Silver Band. “Gems from Mozart:” pianoforte, Bandsman K. Thurkettlr. A.T.C.L., “Concert Paraphrase” (Verdi, arr. Liszt): Lyric Quartette, (a) “As Mountains Roll,” (b) “Go, Ask Papa:” cornet solo, Bandsman N. Goffin, “Because*:” tenor solo, Harry Phinps, “Ailsa Mine:” band selection. "Wellington Citv Citadel Silver Band. “Norwegian March:” bass solo. W. Binet Brown. “The Drum-Major” (Newton); ennhonium solo, Bandsman Allison. “The Village Blacksmith;” Lyric Quartette, (a) “Two Roses.” (h) “Pussy in the Well:” band selection. Wellington Citv Citadel Silver Band, “Songs of Britain;” tenor solo. G. M. Howe. “Like Stars Above” (Smiire): dulcimer selection. Bandsman Whvte, “Scotch Airs;” band selection, Wellington Gitv Citadel Silver. Band. “Discipleshin:“ t ,-v-ric Quartette. ( a ) “Calm is the Sea” (h»hir*ns). (b) “Tamlcv .Tim:” bass solo. Will Goudie. “Old Barty” (Grant): Pianoforte solo. Bandsman IC. Thurkettle, “Bennetual Motion-” har'T selection. Wellington City Citadel Silver Band, gems from Mendelssohn’s “St. Paul's.” * * * 3Y A Christchurch : 306 metres, 500 watts. 3_ p.m. to 4.30 p.m., afternoon concert, 7.15 p.m., news and reports; 7.30 p.m., lecturette, arranged by Canterbury Progress League, “Domestic Orchards and Their Control,” by Mr. D. Hogg; 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., relay of orchestral selections f: om Crystal Palace Picture Theatre Orchestra, under direction of Mr. A. J. Bunz; baritone solos, Mr. F. Penfold, (a) “My Old Shako” (Trotere), (b) “The Devout Lover” (M. V. White); tenor solos, Mr. Gregory Russell, (a) “The English Rose” (German), (b) “Come, My Life’s Delight;” contralto solo. Miss Mildred Russell, “Che Faro” (Gluck); clarinet solo, Mr. Lionel Boulton, “Thistle Down;” soprano solos. Miss Blanche Atkinson, (a) “The Night Nursery.’.’ (b) “The Smoking Room;” vocal duet, Miss Mildred Russell and Mr. Gregory Russell, “Farewell to Summer;” flute solo, Mr. Ronald Boulton, “Caprice;” relay from Crystal Palace; bass solo, Mr. F. Penfold, “The Free Road” (Haydn Wood); soprano solos, Miss Blanche Atkinson, (a) “All Night Long I’m Dreaming” (Schumann), (b) “Dedication:” clarinet and flute duet, Messrs. Lionel and Ronald Boulton, “Serenade:” tenor solos, Mr. Gregorv Russell, (a) “At the Mid-hour of Night,” (b) “Inter Nos;” contralto solos, Miss Mildred Russell, (a) “Silent Noon.” (b) “Night:” clarinet and flute duet, Messrs Lionel and Ronald Boulton, “Lucia;” relay from Crystal Palace. + * * 4YA Dunedin: 463 metres, 250 watts. 3 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., afternoon concert; 7 p.m., request gramophone concert; 8 p.m., studio concert and relay from Empire Theatre of orchestra under Mr. Chas. Parnell; 8.45 p.m., address on the “History of Motor-Cars” by “Gargoyle;” 10 p.m., close down.

ACROSS THE TASMAN Australian broadcasts t stations transmit as follow: TO-DAY 2SL Sydney: 353 metres, 5,000 watts. 5.45 p.m., clock and chimes; Uncle Bass and the kiddies; 6.30 p.m., studio concert; 7.15 p.m., news from the “Sun;" 7.30 p.m., talk by a member of the St. John Ambulance Brigade; S p.m. to 11 p.m., studio programme including Broadcasters’ Topical Chorus, relay of the Canterbury District Band, Miss M. Sullivan (soprano), Babs Duggan and Norman Ba*rringrton in one of their vaudeville acts. Miss B. Scott (child impersonator), Prof. R. Woodhouse (tenor), a talk on “Boxing" by the all sports expert, and a relay of Cec. Morrison and his Gloomchasers Jazz Band from the Bondi Casino, with “Sun" news in the intervals. • * • 4QG Brisbane: 385 metres, 5,000 watts. 6.30 p.m., “Daily Standard" news; announcements; 6.15 p.m., lecturette, “Queensland and the Next War," by MiGilbert Taylor, secretary Queensland Preference Deague; 6.30 p.m., the children's hour, stories by “Bittle Miss Brisbane;" 7.40 p.m., lecturette, “Horticultural Topics,” by Mr. J. W. Howie; 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., one step, “Down in Bom Bombay," the Federal Band; soprano solo, “Slave Song," Mrs. D. Hunter; lancers, \ “Old Time Melodies,” the Federal Band; ; tenor solo, Signor Corti; overture, “Vici tory," the Federal Band; “An Evening | Lullaby," the Lyric Male Party; cornet solo, “Killarney,” Mr. W. H. Davis; contralto solo, “A Request;” Mrs. Charles Willey; intermezzo, “Stepping Stones," the Federal Band; soprano solo, “My Land of Dreams," Mrs. L. Hunter; fox trot, “Bye-bye Blackbird,” the Federal Band; Oriental characterisation, “In a Persian Market,” the studio orchestra; “A Mistake," the Lyric Male Quartette: harp solo, “Nocturne," Mrs. Corrigan; a thought for to-night. Will H. Lister; a Dickens reading, “Jo the Crossing Sweeper" from “Bleak House,” (a) Jo at the Inquest, (b) Jo and Lady Deadlock, (c) Death of Jo, Mr. H. Humphreys; tenor solo, Signor Corti; valse, “Lune le Miel,” the studio orchestra; contralto solo, “Land of Hope and Glory," Mrs Charles Willey; harp solo, “Believe Me if All Those Endearing Charms,” Mrs. Corrigan; “Aloha Oe,” the Lyric Male Quartete; march, “The Happy Warrior," the studio orchestra.

2FC Sydney: 442 metres, 5,000 watts. 5.45 p.m., talks to children by “Hello Man;” serial story for elder children; dinner music; 7 p.m., news service: 8 p.m., concert programme, including vocal and instrumental items; orchestral relay; dance music. TO-MORROW 2BL Sydney: 353 metres, 5,000 watts. 5.45 p.m., clock and chimes; Uncle George and the kiddies; 6 p.m., pupils of Miss Monica Scully; 6.30 p.m., studio programme; 7.15 p.m., news from the “Sun;" 7.30 p.m., talk on the need of money for the Sydney University by Mr. R. Markham, 8.E.; 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., evening concert including Broadcasters’ Topical Chorus, relay of the Marricksville Salvation Army Band, Mr. -D. Graham (Scottish comedian), Mr. G. Hanlon (piano), Madame P. Howe (soprano), Mr. F. Ryan (comedian), the Ahad Duo (guitars), Mr. S. Hollister (comedian), and Cec Morrison and his Gloomchasers Jazz Band relayed from the Bondi Casino, with “Sun” news in the intervals.

4QG Brisbane: 355 metres, 5,000 watts. 6 p.m., “Daily Standard" news announcements; 6.15 p.m., lecturette, “Australian hardwoods,” by Mr. Frank Walker; 6.30 p.m., thechildren’s session, stories by “The Sandman;" 7.45 p.m., lecturette, “Glimpses of Rural Australia," by Mr. J. F. F. Reid; 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., “Frolic of the Fairies," the Gaiety Theatre Orchestra; soprano solo, “Come Back Villette," Mrs. Thelma Champion; cornet solo, “The Lost Chord” (Sullivan), Mr. Peter Vallely; tenor solo, “A String of Pearls," Mr. George Williamson; duet, “Maying," Miss Vera and Miss Mabel Parker; selected numbers, the 4QG Hawaiians; contralto solo, “The Ballad Monger,” Mrs. M. Spanjer; waltz, “Jolly Dutchman,” the Gaiety Theatre Orchestra; soprano solo, “Little Town in Ould County Down," Miss Eileen Heagerty; march, “Tht Rajah,” the Gaiety Theatre Orchestra; soprano solo, “The Love Dream,” Mrs. Thelma Champion; cornet solo, “May Morning," Mr. Peter Vallely; tenor solo, “Sweet Early Violets," Mr. George Williamson; the 4QG Hawaiians; contralto solo, “Gather Ye Rosebuds," Mrs. M. Spanjer; fox trot, “The Ghost of Ukulele,” the Gaiety Theatre Orchestra; soprano solo, “Wondering Why,” Miss Eileen Heagerty; vocal duet, “I Love You Truly," Miss Vera and Miss Mabel Parker; the 4QG Hawaiians; “Little Soubrette," the Gaiety Theatre Orchestra.

NOTES The broadcast from the General Electric Company’s New York station last evening was not received clearly in Takapuna on two valves. The transmission was weaker than on former occasions, and could not be received off oscillation point, so items and speech heard were too blurred to be recognisable. No other report of local reception is to hand. The broadcast of the boxing match from Dunedin last night came through with really good strength. It seems as though 4YA is using increased power, but no official statement to this effect has been made. Reception of the Australian stations last night was good, static being almost entirely absent. All five of the larger broadcasters had plenty of power. Christchurch is keeping up to the usual standard, but there are -widespread complaints of fading of the new' 2YA. On the other hand, in some localities no fading is apparent. A listener-in reports that IYA was so broadly tuned last night that the transmission could be heard on the Dunedin wave length. Tests carried out with a wave meter show that IYA is tuned over 30 metres on each side of its correct position. This has the effect of blotting out •3YA on 306 metres and 2BL on 353 metres. Wellington, however, is within 2J degrees of the correct wave length. Through a fuse blowing out, IYA was off the air for a few' minutes shortly after 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon. The fuse was soon replaced, but for some time the transmission was rather erratic. By the news session in the evening everything was running smoothly again.

U.S.A. BROADCAST STATIONS A number of listeners are turning their attention to American broadcasts The following larger stations will therefore prove of Interest: KDKA. East Pittsburg, Po,. 305».l metres, variable high power. KFAB.—Lincoln. Neb.. 540.7 metres LOOO watts. . Los An S»les. Calif.. 468 5 metres 4.000 watts. KFKX. — Hustings. 258.3 metres. 5.01K' watts. BpO—Oakland. Calif.. 361.2 metres 4.000 watts KMOX —-Kirkwood. Mo.. 280 2 metres 1.500 watts. , BOA —Denver. Colo.. 332 4 metres 5.000 watts. BY W —Chicago. 635.4 metres. 3.500 watts. WB AL. Baltimore. 246 metres. 5.000 watts. WBAP.—Texas, 476 metres, 1,500 watts —Springfield. 331 metres. 2.000 watts. WCBD.—Zion, 344.6 metres, 5,000 waits WCCD.-Mlnn., 416.4 metres, 5.000 watts. WCX.—Pontiac. 516.9 metres. 5.00'J watts. watts A^ — NeW York * 4915 metres. 5.00 V WELSH.—Chicago. 370 metres. 2,u*iv watts. VVOHP.— Detroit. 270 metres. 1.500 watts. 5.<™ 3 wa7t£ CheneC,ady - NT - 37a 5 — lowa . metres, 000 watts W HT.—Deerfield, 238 metres, 3,500 watts.