RADIO AND ITS RECEIVERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 907, 26 February 1930, Page 14

RADIO AND ITS RECEIVERS

Conducted for THE SUN by

COMMERCE BY MICROPHONE

SIMULTANEOUS ANNUAL MEETINGS TELEPHONE LINES USED Broadcasting is now so firmly established in Europe that it is not surprising to learn that the radio industry is in a very flourishing state. The total number of licence holders in Great Britain is rapidly reaching the

three million mark, and the British Broadcasting Corporation, which is now a national institution, is developing and expanding every day. All the British stations are linked with telephone cables to each other and to the chief cities of Europe, enabling them to broadcast to their listeners concerts from all over the continent. These “land-line" relays have hitherto only been adopted by the various broadcasting stations, but recently a British radio company utilised the Post Office telephone lines for a novel and effective relay to inaugurate their sales campaign for the coming season. The occasion was the trade luncheon given by the Mullard Wireless Service Co., Ltd., to the leading wholesalers throughout the British Isles. In order to permit as many factors as possible to take part, luncheons were given simultaneously in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Newcastle and Bristol. Unknown to their guests, the Mullard Wireless Service Company, in cooperation with Post Office ingineers, installed a microphone and the necessary amplifying equipment in London, where the main luncheon was to take place, and linked up with the six provincial cities by telephone cable. In each of the remaining cities loudspeaker equipment was installed, and the luncheons were so timed that all the guests: reached the coffee stage together. The chairman in London rose and proposed the toast to the King, and simultaneously his guests all over the country rose with him and drank to his Majesty's health. The speeches followed, and by means of the loudspeakers the provincial guests were able to hear of the company’s policy for the new season, as outlined by the chairman in London. Tlfb speeches had to he sent over nearly 2,000 miles of telephone line, and through a network of telephone exchanges and repeater stations. In spite of all these complications, the speeches were heard with perfect clarity. The designing of the amplifiers, their erection, installation and test-out with London was carired out in less than four days before the luncheon took place. This is probably a record in installing a relay system of such size, and reflects great credit on the engineers of the Mullard Company and of the General Post Office.

R. F. HAYCOCK.

RADIO RELATIONS

UNPAID “AUNTS” AND “UNCLES” WORK FOR LOVE OF CHILDREN Of the thousands of children—yes, and adults too—who listen every evening to the radio “aunts” and “uncles” from the New Zealand broadcasting stations, how many realise that these radio relations are giving their services free. Yet, with the exception of the broadcast company’s employees, who act as “uncles” and “aunts,” this service is being carried out by a band of child lovers who do not receive a penny for their services. That these radio relations are greatly appreciated is shown by the large number of children and adults who listen to them every evening from one station or another. Yet thi3 band of unpaid entertainers rarely receives even a letter of appreciation. It may be said, “Why do they do it,” or perhaps suggested that they get some kudos or something out of it, but the real reason is their wholehearted love of children. It may seem that an hour a night each week is not much to give up, but it does not rest at that, as much time has to be spent in searching for suitable material to broadcast. These “uncles” and "aunts” love the work, but they rather resent it being thought that they are “making a good thing out of it,” as one “uncle” was informed was the case. Possibly, greater appreciation and less criticism will greet their efforts when it is understood that they do not receive any payment for the work they do.