RADIO AND ITS RECEIVERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 989, 4 June 1930, Page 6

RADIO AND ITS RECEIVERS

Conducted for THE SUN by R. F. HAYCOCK,

TEST CRICKET 2UW to Broadcast BALL BY BALL DESCRIPTION The biggest thing ever done in the world in the way of a sporting broadcast is being undertaken by the Sydney broadcasting station, 2UW, which has completed arrangements to give a three hours’ description nightly of each Test match in England, describing the play ball for ball. Actually the description will be half an hour or so behind the play, but it will .be given In the present tense, and Mr. Oswald Anderson, manager of 2UW, is confident that this feature of the programme will be thoroughly successful. The first test match will be played at Nottingham, starting on June 13 at 11.30, English summer time, which corresponds to 8.30 p.m. Sydney time and 10 p.m. New Zealand time. 2UW has arranged for Australian cricket experts in London to beam continuous messages describing the details of the play. These will be elaborated by the announcer in Sydney, and, commencing at 9 o’clock each night, the description will be broadcast until midnight. Mr. Anderson anticipates no difficulty in the 2UW announcer keeping up the talk without any breaks, though that certainty will be the hardest part of the Job, especially if there is ever any delay in the messages. SERVICE WILL COST £3,000 The cost of the service is said to be nearly £3,000, which is easily a record of the kind for any Australian station. As 2UW receives no revenue from the listeners’ licence fees, it was necessary to defray the expense in other ways, and six business houses were found willing to share the cost by "sponsoring” part of the programmes. These are Bebarfalds, Lewis Berger, G. A. Bond, Mick Simmons, Arthur P. Stewart (Akubra hats), and Tooths. 8.8.C.’S DESCRIPTION The British Broadcasting Corporation has arranged to radiate a ball by ball description of the test matches. This will be heard throughout Britain, and it will also be transmitted for long distance reception on a short wave from the Chelmsford station, SSW. This will be available for rebroadcasting in Australia, and 2UW has arranged with Amalgamated Wireless to pick up these descriptions, and provided they come through clearly enough this service will also be used by 2UW to supplement its description. Station 2UW is heard well by Auckland listeners who own powerful sets.

AMY JOHNSON FLIGHT PART WIRELESS PLAYED INTEREST IN AUSTRALIA In the history of aviation, no flight has thrilled people like that of the intrepid aviatrix, Amy Johnson, who flew solo from Croydon to Darwin in 19 days. Although she did not break the Hinkler record, which was her ambition, she came very close to it, and had it not been for a few days’ delay en route, in which her machine had to be repaired, she would have probably equalled the Hinkler record. Her courage and endurance have thrilled the world, and that she has blazed a new trail for women there is no question. Women throughout the world pay her homage for a brilliant feat that has been attempted by many and accomplished by few. Although Miss Johnson did not have her plane equipped with wireless, which made it impossible for us to keep in touch with the actual flight itself, wireless played a big part in letting the world know she had arrived safely at each daily destination. Two minutes after she reached Darwin the Australian Broadcasting Company announced that the lone girl flier had landed safely. Australians particularly had an intense interest in the flight, for their country was her goal. The people outback, who might perhaps have had to wait for a day Or two for the news to filter through, knew two minutes later that Miss Johnson had reached Australia. There is no hardship attached to living outback if one owns a wireless set. It brings the news of the world just as quickly to the man who lives in the backblocks as to the man who lives in the heart of the city. Wireless is the strong link in the citycountry chain. It opens out new vistas for the man on the land; it provides him with the same interest and amusement as his city brother. Is there anything he does not know as soon as the city dweller? Amy Johnson’s flight is just as real to the man outback as it is to the man in the city. Wireless is a great leveller. NEW RADIO GUIDE INFORMATIVE HANDBOOK The ordinary listener-in with little knowledge of the technique of radio, and the expert radio mechanic and experimenter, will welcome "The New Zealand Radio Guide and Call Book," just issued from the office of the Radio Record. It contains a host of valuable information, and as a book of reference should be on every radio fan’s bookshelf.

W.E.A. BROADCASTS TALKS FROM IYA Two series, of six talks each »n, be broadcast from. IYA by Mr x «/ Richmond, B.A. (director, of th* W’.E.A.), on alternate Thursdays between 7.40 and 8 p.m., beginning Many listeners must have felt, aft*, listening to a talk, that they ’wool* like to discuss various points ralaaa by the speaker. In view of this th W.E.A. Is prepared to assist in th* formation of wireless discussion groups. It will supply each group before hand with outline notes of the le tures, together with suggested Q n~ tions for discussion, so that er v member will be able to folio* Th subject-matter clearly and take in a discussion by the group p * rt All that is required is a good gronn. leader, good wireless reception and a silent and comfortable meeting place. Where group-listening i s n J! possible, it is quite effective if th members listen in their own home! and then meet later on for discussion The group-leader will be invited to keep in touch with the lecturer bv sending in reports and asking qn 2. tions or making criticisms and sug gestions on behalf of the group i* Individual members wish to send in written answers to any of the n ue . tions, the lecturer will also be glad to criticise them as far as he can. * charge of la a member for each series will be made, to cover cost of th e notes and correspondence Involved.