RADIO . AND ITS RECEIVERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1049, 13 August 1930, Page 8

RADIO . AND ITS RECEIVERS

Conducted for THE SUN oy

R. F. HAYCOCK

BRITISH BROADCASTS POWERFUL SHORT-WAVE TRANSMITTER It was good to hear from London by cable this week that the British Broadcasting Corporation is to erect a short-wave station powerful enough to reach the further parts of the Empire. The announcement that listeners overseas may be asked to pay a fee of 5s a year, however, may not be regarded with the same delight. Broadly speaking, of course,, those who receive the benefit of the service should contribute toward it, but it would be exceedingly difficult to collect such a fee. Owners of crystal sets would obejet to paying it, and so would everyone else who did not possess a short-wave receiver. Yet, how could the authorities say who had a short-wave receiver. It is true that when applying for a licence one has to specify the type of set used, but once a licence has been issued there is nothing to stop a licensed listener owning 20 receivers if he wants them, including a shortwave set. Supposing' the additional fee was placed on the price of a short-wave receiver, this would not meet the bill, as many, in fact the majority, of shortwave receivers are home-made. At the present time a listener’s house is licensed and not his set, and even if the regulations -were altered and the set was licensed instead of the station, difficulties would still arise. If every set was licensed it would mean enormous expense in inspectingevery licence-holders house, and there would be much talk of the privacy of the home not being respected. Look at the position as you may, it is difficult to see how such a fee cau be collected, and the only reasonable solution seems to be to make the payment a voluntary one. Owners of short-wave receivers who were assured of receiving first class concerts from England from a powerful transmitter, would not mind contributing 5s a year for it. In the meantime, short-wave enthusiasts will await with interest further details of a most interesting proposal. HOWLING VALVES NUISANCE IN AUCKLAND RUGBY BROADCAST SPOILED When the Test match at Wellington last Saturday was being broadcast from 2YA, it was evident that many Auckland listeners were endeavouring to reach out to hear the Wellington station. As a result, the air was full of howlers, and those using big sets had to suffer the most terrible din from oscillating sets. It was a pity IYA did not relay the match and enable those with crystal and low-powered sets to hear the description of the game. As it was, those who had powerful sets had their enjoyment spoiled by the howlers. On occasions like these, the radio inspector might have a profitable afternoon if he went round with suitable apparatus for locating oscillating receivers. RADIO ON PLANES VALUE AS MEANS OF GUIDING Testimony has recently been borne to the value of radio as a means of guiding aircraft, states the “Sydney Morning Herald.” The utility of wireless in this connection is well recognised in England, Europe and the United States of America, and the case of the British airship RIOO remaining over the English Channel all night without .being in sight of laud has directed attention to the relation between various forms of wireless communication and air travel. The commander of the RIOO reported that he knew exactly where he was at'all times, having constantly taken crossbearings by wireless. Thus it was a simple matter to calculate his position. There is a strong body of opinion in Australian radio circles that the airways of Australia should be made safer by means of radio. On.at least three occasions during the historic flights of the Southern Cross radio beacons would have been of great value to the navigator of the machine in enabling him to learn the exact position of the airplane during storms. Radio experts are of opinion that for transcontinental aircraft, air beacons should be established at such places as Broken Hill, Alice Springs, and Longreach. With direction-finding gear on these planes the air beacons would enable airmen to fly in safety between Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane and the Northern Territory. Other radio beacons could be established at points to serve traffic between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. There are three principal methods by which aircraft in flight cau be assisted by radio, all of which might be used with advantage to develop Australia’s airways. These methods are: (1) The use of a transmitter and receiving set on a plane, by means of which an airmail can signal to ground stations. The latter, being fitted with direction-finding apparatus, can in a few minutes plot the precise position and acquaint the aviators. (2) A station can send out two signals at an angle of about 90 degrees. These are received by the pilot. Provided that they blend at equal strength he knows that he is travelling straight for the signal; otherwise he must veer either to the right or the left according as the signals come in strong or weak. (3) A plane can carry directionfinding apparatus by means of which it can fly straight to a given station, either a broadcasting station or a wireless beacon. The experience of other countries has shown the value of wireless in the navigation of aircraft, and by. means of one or more of the methods indicated experts could, readily work out a practical scheme for Australia.

PROGRAMME TIT-BITS AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. FEATURES Two new artists will be introduced to IYA listeners this evening. Miss Irma Kitchin, and Mr. Duncan Black, son of the well-known Auckland basso, who lias so often been heard from IYA. The Auckland Artillery Band, under the direction of Mr. Wynne Smith, will provide the instrumental portion of this programme. The programme from 3YA is entitled “Songs and Stories from Operas,” to be presented under the •direction of Mr. W. H. 'Dixon, professor of singing, who will himself make all the explanatory comments. A variety programme will be broadcast by 4YA. A special concert programme will be given from 2FC tonight. From 2BL, “Radiograps,” presented by Will Cotterill’s “Famous Four,” should provide a novel diversion in radio entertainment. Dance music will be a feature of the programme from 4QG. THURSDAY EVENING Acceding to many requests, IYA has this evening arranged a special oldtime evening. Mr. Reg. Morgan and his orchestra will give a programme which will include many of the numbers which were sung by the older listeners in their younger days. The concluding portion of the programme, which will consist of old-time dance music, will also be supplied by the orchestra. 2YA’s programing will be provided by the Wellington Commercial Travellers' and Warehousemen's Association’s orchestra and concert party. The programme from 3YA will be presented by the Canterbury Repertory Theatre Society. Included in this entertainment will be orchestral numbers, voorl solos by Mrs. W. B. Harris and Miss G. Ferguson, with short plays and recitals by members of the society. Listeners to 2FC will welcome the appearance of the Sydney Male Choir. Their opening item, "Soldiers’ Chorus” (from “Faust”) will commence at 9.30 (Xew Zealand time). 2BL will present R. C. Sherriff’s drama, “Journey's End,” from the Little Theatre. The programme from 4QG will consist of a light type of music, and should make an appeal to all classes of listeners. FRIDAY EVENING This being the anniversary of the birthday of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, the great composer, two lecturerecitals A ill be given from IYA by Mrs. Daisy Basham, whose work in this sphere is always much appreciated. The whole of the instrumental selections to be played by the IYA Orchestral Octet will be compositions by Coleridge-Taylor. Mainly operatic will be 2YA’s programme, the artists including Miss Jessie Smith (contralto), late of Melbourne, Mrs. Amy Dunn (soprano), Mr. Chas. Edwards (tenor) and Mr. John Horrack (baritone). The evening’s popular programme from 3YA, which will be followed by a dance music session, will be contributed by Miss Eileen Lord (soprano), Mr. Robt. W. Rote (bass), the Mascots (sketch artists). Miss Lily Kinsella (recitations at the piano), Mr. Les. Grummitt (improvisations of popular airs on the piano), Mr. Harold Beck (’cellist), and the Christchurch Broadcasting Trio. The vocalists for 4YA’s concert will be Miss Daphne Pearce (soprano), Miss Constance Poole (contralto), Mr. Geo. Crawford (tenor), and Mr. Dudley Poole (baritone). Jack Gregory, the ex-international cricketer, will give his impressions of Australia’s chances in the fifth Te3t match, from 2FC, at 10.10 p.m. (Xew Zealand time). The concert programme includes bright items by the Mellow Fellows. An organ recital by Lilian Frost will open the programme from 2BL. In addition to a fine studio concert, some of the main musical numbers will be relayed by 4QG from Wintergarden Theatre. SATURDAY EVENING The Auckland Municipal Choir, under the conductorship of Mr. Maughan Barnett, will give another of its enjoyable concerts from the Auckland Town Hall this evening, it will be broadcast by IYA. Tbe week-end programme at 2Y\A will comprise much variety, the contributing artists being Miss Hannah Whelan (soprano). Mrs. Lurlie Dargaville (contralto).' Mr. Harry Phipps (tenor), Mr. W. E. Elliott (singer of popular songs), the Golden Hula Quintet (Hawaiian music) and the 2YA Salon .Orchestra. Humorous talks will be given by Mr. Harry Painter. The studio concert from 3YA will be an "old-time” entertainment, which will be a delight to listeners-in of ail generations. Choruses to be sung will include many old favourites. The 2FC Follies in a melange of mirth and melody will be heard from 2FC, commencing at 9.30 (New Zealand time). 2BL will broadcast a popular programme, including items by Wendling and Molloy novelty instrumentalists. After a short concert from the studio, 4QG will broadcast a. mock battle arranged by the Royal National Association as the final feature of the Royal Show. SUNDAY EVENING The evening church services to be broadcast tomorrow evening will be: IYA. —Strand Methodist Mission, preacher, Rev. T. Olds. 2YA.-—St.. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, preacher, Rev. R. .1. Howie. 3YA. —Holy Trinity Church of England, Avonside, preacher, Rev. O. Fitzgerald. 4YA.—-Trinity Methodist Church, preacher, Rev. Mr. Bellhouse.