RADIO AND ITS RECEIVERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 581, 6 February 1929, Page 14

RADIO AND ITS RECEIVERS

Conducted for THE SUN by

R. F. HAYCOCK.

NEW AMERICAN STARTS

KNX ON THE AIR ONE OF THE LARGEST IN U.S.A. Paramount Pictures have now entered officially into the radio world with the opening of their huge station recently, which is situated in the studio grounds at Los Angeles. KNX, as the new station is called, is owned and controlled jointly by Paramount Pictures and the Los Angeles “Evening Express” Co. This new station, which is reported to be one of the largest in America, has an exclusive wavelength, and a power of 5,000 watts, will feature regularly talks and items by popular motion picture stars. The initial programme, which celebrated the opening of the station, went over the air on November 11, and is claimed to be one of the best ever heard in America. Paramount’s part of the programme was carried out with Charles “Buddy” Rogers acting ns master of ceremonies. Rogers introduced to the radio audience a group of Paramount players well known throughout the film world. Leading the list of picture artists was Nancy Carroll, who sang three songs which she recently featured in talkie pictures. * Rogers then sang his own composition, “Someone to Love,” which will be featured as the song of his new picture by the same name. Baclanova, versatile Russian actress, sang a cycle of three Russian songs, followed by an English encore. Neil Hamilton was the next artist before the microphones. He presented a xylophone novelty, accompanied by Mischa Auer at the piano. In a duet with his collaborator, Jack Bennett, “Buddy” Rogers presented an unusual piano number. James Hall, former musical comedy favourite, sang “Mime All Mime” as the next number on the programme.

Nancy Carroll teamed with Rogers in the singing of “If You Were the Only Boy in the World,” and this number was followed by “Buddy’s” rendition of a trombone solo as the concluding feature of Paramount’s share of the entertainment. Several radio listeners-in in Australia have reported picking up KNX and hearing the opening programme and other programmes from stars on many other occasions, but no one in New Zealand has reported tuning in this new station.

Mr. Reg. Kelly, of Paramount Pictures, Wellington, is anxious: to hear from local radio enthusiasts who have

SUMMER-TIME RECEPTION

HOW TO CATCH “YANKS”

KEEP THE “EARTH” WET Wireless enthusiasts operating multivalve sets have found this time of the year bad for oversea reception of stations west of New Zealand. On the other hand, turning east, our American cousins come in splendidly. A Takapuna listener writes: “Of late I have had four or five American stations on the speaker, audible 30yds away from my house and as clear as a bell. In operating a large set for D.X. work patience plays a big part and knowing just how much high tension supply to use. For clarity and results I find using a minimum of high tension brings results. Another point worth trying is a 3, 4 or 5-meg grid leak. This boosts up your detector valve and saves current.

Last, but by no means least, keep the earth wet. Throw a bucket of water on your earth connection every time you use your set.

Recently I happened to be feeling round the dials for the Americar station K.N.X., hut found it very " oak. I thought perhaps there was not enough high tension, so increased it. It was still no better. I had a look outside at my aerial and casually looked down at my earth connection. I found the soil around it very dry, so I emptied a bucket of water over it and within three minutes K.N.X. was' roaring in.

This shows how important the earth is for obtaining results. Give the Yanks a turn; you will be surprised at wbat you hear.

LOUD-SPEAKER RESULTS

TRY DIFFERENT POSITIONS To get the best results from a loud speaker, it should be shifted about the room and even the entire home. Furthermore, the volume should be regulated according to the size and the nature of the room. A large room can take more volume than a small room, while a sparsely furnished room will take less than a well-furnished and heavily draped room. It is well to remember that the loud-speaker is not necessarily chained alongside the receiver. Move it about with an extension cord or wiring, so as to be able to get the

NEW STATION

NEW PLYMOUTH TO BROADCAST OPENING IN NEAR FUTURE The radio broadcasting station about to be established in New Plymouth should be ready to take the air about the end ot February, or in March, says the ‘‘Taranaki News.” A combined meeting o£ sub-centres of the North Taranaki Radio Society dealing with matters in • connection with the new station was held lately, Mr. E. J. L. Payne presiding over an attendance of fourteen. Donations of materials were received from the following, with thanks expressed to the donors: New Plymouth Sash and Door Company, Ltd., and F. H. Jellyman, conduits, and sundry materials from A. and T. Burt, Ltd., and T. ( Ballinger and Co., Ltd., and others.

A financial statement and a cheque for £ls 15s 8d were received from the Regimental Band, as a result of the recent concert in Pukekura Park. Thanks were expressed for the very real assistance given by the band. The question of the band and the society combining to give a concert on a grand scale was mentioned and discussed at length, but it was felt that expenses would be high and this was not the time of the year when the public would respond sufficiently to ensure an adequate profit. The matter was shelved for the time being. The concert will probably be held about the end of February. The technical committee reported that it was ready to commence work, and had already made preparations. Other committees also reported the progress made. So far, it was stated, the agreement from the Radio Br6adcasting Company had not been received, while permission to erect a mast on King’s Building is still being awaited. Members of the technical committee are to visit the south in the near future and will attend a try-out of the equipment being assembled and tested by the company. WHAT WAVE-LENGTH The question of wave-length was discussed, members being keen to ensure that the one allotted was one which was not likely to interfere with other stations. The secretary was instructed to write to the Post and Telegraph Department. on the matter. The wave-length previously allotted to New Plymouth was 285 metres, but this has since been given to Palmerston North. Some of those present were of the opinion that a wave-length of over 400 metres would be best for New Plymouth. The finance committee intends to embark on a further campaign to raise funds and solicit donations, a number of which have been promised.

on the Borough Council in support of the society’s request for a subsidy. The Palmerston North Borough Council, it was stated, subsidised the station in that town to the extent of £SO, and the society hopes to receive a similar sum in New Plymouth. Considerable discussion took place regarding a proposal to standardise a crystal receiving outfit which could be installed for a few pounds. Dealers present considered that they could iustal outfits suitable for receiving the local station at a low cost.

RADIO IN ENGLAND

ONE ITEM FROM SEVEN STATIONS Representatives from many countries in Europe—members of the Union Internationale de Radiophonie, the wireless parliament started years ago at the instigation of the 8.8. C. to discuss broadcasting in all its aspects—have been in England studying the production methods of the and comparing them with those of their own country, says the “Daily Mail.” The side of the British work at which they have looked most closely is the dramatic and art side, and most of all the wonderful control board for dramatic productions. In this control board as many as seven independent studios may be linked up on one production. Seated in control the producer warns each studio by a flickering light when it must come in, brings in perhaps a band to accompany the actors in another studio, starts the effects room and tunes all three so that the listener hears each in due proportion; then, a sudden quick movement, and all three are “faded out” to bring in another studio. This control board is considered to have no equal in the world. Later in the year it is expected that a commission from Canada will arrive to study British methods. An official of the 8.8. C., who was in Canada during the summer, said: “The whole broadcasting scheme of Canada is to be overhauled. It is not successful at the moment, and they will probably adopt a mixture between the English and American styles; that is, allow advertising for revenue purposes, but also have the tax on licences as in England.”

WHEN VOLUME DECREASES

Give the “A” battery a good charge when a sudden decrease in volume is experienced. Test the “B” batteries with a voltmeter. Operate the set for about fifteen minutes, and while the set is turned on apply the voltmeter to the “B” batteries. If they are rested after the set is idle for a period, the batteries will recuperate and show a descriptive reading. When the batteries are all in good working order, look for a defective valve. If the valves have been in operation for more than a year, it is

AERIALISMS During the last week or so 2ME, Sydney, has been testing on short wave with Berlin. The tests were received well by many Auckland listeners. Battery acid accidentally spilled on a rug or clothing can be checked from eating a hole by moistening the spot immediately witli a little water and then sprinkling baking soda over it. The careless handling of valves may not only break the glass bulb, but displace the elements. They should never be jerked out of sockets or thrown about. The most popular aerial is a single wire, about 75ft long, including the lead-in. This type does not give as much volume as a larger one, but is more selective. The first thing to do when the receiver is working poorly is to test the batteries. There may be corrosion forming on the clips. Batteries should be fresh or well charged.

It pays best to purchase the large sizes of B batteries, where several valves are in use, for as a rule the battery of double niilliampere capacity will last more than twice the time of the smaller one on the same work, as the larger the battery the less will the strain of a given demand be felt.

A frame aerial is generally unsatisfactory when used in conjunction with a crystal set. If a good out-door aerial is not practicable, you should use an indoor aerial of the type which hangs under the ceiling. Failing that, a long wire wound round the picture rail will give better results than a frame aerial

Blace the receiver on pieces of sponge rubber if the equipment is located in a place where there is considerable vibration from passing cars, trains or heavy motor trucks. Continuous vibration sometimes causes the elements of the valves to become loosened so that they become quite microphonic after a while, and also to loosen certain connections in the set.

wea kness will show up after tbe last five minutes of good reception. I his comes by sudden weakening of throutput. During idleness, batteries recover some of their spent energy with the result that as the set is starte<| reception will be better than would be normal for batteries in a semi-dis-charged condition.

The loss of good reception of any set can sometimes be traced to dirtv or corroded prongs which fail to estabi l ®" contact with the spring contacts of the valve socket. The prongs can be easily cleaned with a piece of sandpaper or emery cloth.

ti-,? h T£J d P ersist ent hum occur in the AC set, where three stages of amplification are employed, the last of the three valves will be, in manv cases, found to be responsible for this condition. A separate grid return for this last valve through a low resistance potentiometer will often eliminate the trouble. hen testing an AC operated rc-

and ground, it is well to intercl the connections. Sometimes su; results may be obtained by thi versal. In many cases best resul obtained by disconnecting the altogether and connecting the g lead to the aerial binding post.

In constructing a set where s ing is used care must be take preventing a short circuit. In cases the shield is connected t A negative through the conde All leads passing through the should have sufficient insulatio that rubbing against the ■ shield not cause a short.

Distant reception is largely a ter of patience and skill in ti Do not expect to pick up Japa rectly you get your new set Even skilled operators find it ta little while to get used to a ne^

The Auckland Comedy Playeri in good form last week. On »v € day evening they presented two amusing sketches, “Disgrace • They Write a Play.” They wer the sort of snappy amusing item are suitable for broadcasting, ai performers put them across th l well. Anything longer than sketches seerps to drag, and it be hoped that the players wl member this when presenting r plays.

Pleasing performers over tU» during their stay in Auckland Mr. and Mrs. N. Day (Madame Melvin), of Tauranga. Their were greatly appreciated by 1»* and it is a pity that the fact ol living so far from Auckland pr< their being heard regularly Auckland. However, Mr. Day school teacher, and perhaps ID secure their services again if Mi Mrs. Day come to Auckland n school holidays at Easter.