RADIO PAGE

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1926, Page 16

RADIO PAGE

B.C.L.")

(Conducted by

distant stations weak. SUMMER RECEFTIOxN CONDITIONS Summer reception conditions arc making themselves very evident of late with low static, and general weakness of all distant stations. Newcomers to the ranks of listeners arc very prone to blame their sets because they cannot get the Australian stations at the same volume that they were able to get them two mouhts or so ago. Many are trying to get increased volume by pushing reaction to the limit, and over it, as evidenced by the marked increase in howling of late and also the “blanketing” effect of nearly oscillating receivers.

The thanks of all New Plymouth listeners is due to the Borough Electrical Engineer Sir. lluggetL Mr. Milne and the staff under them for the very courteous manner in which they treat any notification of a line fault that is interfering with radio reception. It is only necessary to mention a specific fault to either of the above gentlemen and “B.C.L’s.” experience has been that it has been rectified at the earliest possible moment. I take this opportunity of conveying the thanks of all listeners to those responsible. 3YA Christchurch still continues to fade badly, and the quality of his transmissions has fallen off considerably. Another bad feature of our stations is the monotony of the class of items broadcast, especially recently, when some artists have appeared three or four times in a single night’s programme. Some excellent items are rendered on a recent evening by the Ponsonby Boys’ Band from the studio of IYA. Air. Arthur Ripley, the Auckland tenor, whom many of us have heard on local concert platforms, was on the air from IYA on Wednesday night. Hik items, as well as those of Mr. Allan McElivain, the comedian, were much appreciated. Station 2FC Sydney, is still much below expectations, the excessive generator hum and poor modulation having a noticeable effect on the broadcasts. The few howling valves heard on 2FG as compared with 2BL indicate the Tatter station is still the favourite with local listeners.

On Wednesday evening a most interesting lecture was given from IYA by Mr. G. C. Black, of ths staff of the Government Tourist Bureau, on the beauties of the Waitomo Caves. He mentioned that there is installed at the Hostel for the use of visitors a seven valve receiver.

TINKERING WITH PROGRAMMES. Many broadcast listeners attempt to retune their receiving sets when one programme number gives way to another. They notice a decline in volume, and immediately assume, that the sgt needs adjustment. If the tuning dials are not altered the rheostatis or volume control, or perhaps both, are tinkered with on the assumption that this is necessary. In almost every case there is no occasion for touching the receiver. The volume change is entirely due to conditions at- the broadcasting stations. Perhaps a soprano singer has just given way to a brass band. The operator in the control room of- the station takes care of the volume by adjusting the speech amplifier. A different adjustment is needed for a band from that for a soprano singer, and it may take a minute or so before the transmitter can be properly adjusted to suit the new conditions. Therefore, when a station seems to be suffering from an odd form of fading at the commencement of any new item, keep in mind the probable cause and leave your receiver alone. No attempt should be made at readjustment until a few minutes have elapsed, and in any case never by increasing regeneration in those types of receiving set which can radiate. It is also wise to remember that when a church service is being-- broadcast, that the conductor of the service is oftesi speaking to his congregation from various parts of the church and that it is very difficult to make the right amplifier adjustment necessary for good transmission.

CARE OF *‘A” BATTERIES. It is a peculiar fact that the accumulator, or, as it is more generally known, the “A” battery, receives the least attention and greatest abuse of any part of the radio equipment. After ail, it is one of the most expensive parts of the outfit, proportionately, and, like an expensive motor car, will quickly deteriorate if it is not given a little attention. Much of course_also depends upon the treatment given to it when one delivers the battery into a service station for re-charging. Unfortunately some service stations do not appear to be able to appreciate the faet that a radio storage battery is a little different to a motor car starting battery. Probably the safest course, if unable to recharge at home yourself, is to have your radio dealer do the re-charging for you. Space will not permit of detailing the essential differences between a radio storage battery and a motor car starting battery on this occasion, suffice it to say that when your “A” battery is being recharged remember that it requires a slow rate charge and not a high rate. Do not endeavour to get it “rushed” through, but allow ample time, and, although your patience may be some what tried, your reward for so doing will come later. Particularly does this apply to a new battery. With any correctly constructed radio" accumulator -which has, say, a capacity of 40 actual ampere-hours, or over, the charge rate need not exceed 3 to 3% amperes.

A BUSHMAN'S TRIBUTE TO 3LO. ’Tis just two years since 3LO with wireless came my wav And for the worth it’s shown to me I bless its natal day So here’s long lij e to 3LO the -best friend I have met To help me in my daily work, my worries to forget. ho more the time need bother me, when w'ateh and clock* have stopped For wireless waves keep passing on the hours I’ve forgot No more need wee’th with outstretch-

ed arm forbid my access there Where science keen and art supreme have stored their treasures rare I have had a feast of music, old masters by the score And heard tho stars of Opera, with the well deserved encore And listened in with bated breath, when Thye and Clapham met In a bout of strength and counterpoise, which no sportsman will forget. I have heard the pleasant service on Sunday afternoon And felt with many others such a service was a boon Again when falls the eventide, I hear the service sweet By radio from that stately church, beside the busy street Sometimes beside on oceans wide, league or leagues away My travelling friends their ears will lend to 3LO each day So life goes rolling on apace, when 10, one night behold One V. U. Brown -with good renown, his tales of old unfold So well did he portray the past, the gloried days of old When peer and peasant side by side, joined in the search for gold That I felt I was back on the old bush track, with the men I used to know With a horse and a pack to the great out-back where men would a roving go-TO-NIGHT'S BROADCAST. IYA AUCKLAND. 3 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., afternoon concert; 7.15 p.m. to 7.4*5 p.m., news and reports; 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., chimes; pianoforte solo, waltz No. 3, Miss Hoffman; baritone solo, “Smugglers’ Song,” Mr. Laurie Stewart; cornet solo, “Jocelyn,” Mr. Hoffman; contralto solo, “Love’s Whisper,” Miss M. Williamson; violin solo, “Nocturne,” Miss B, Rankin; baritone solo, “Tulip time in Holland,” Mr. L. Stuart; piano solo, “Les Sylvens,” Miss Hoffman; contralto solo, “Invitation,” Miss Al. Williamson; cornet solo, “Because,” Air. Hoffman; contralto solo, “Aly Dear Soul,” Aliss Williamson; violin solo, “Cradle Song,” Aliss B. Rankin; cornet solo, “Cavatina,” Air. Hoffman; relay, dance selections. 3YA CHRISTCHURCH. 6.30 p.m. to 7 p.m., children’s session; 7.16 p.m. to 7.45 p.m., news and reports; 8 p.m. to 0 p.m., studio concert; 9 p.m. to 10. p.m., relay of Dance music. 4YA DUNEDIN, AND 2YK WELLINGTON. Silent day. 3LO MELBOURNE. 8.50 p.m., Frederick Chapman, health talk; 9.10 p.m. Dr. Leach; from 9.30 p.m., Mr. Zelman at Upwey.

2BL SYDNEY. 8.10 p.m., Pavilion Dinner Orchestra under the direction of Air. C. Morrison; 8.35 p.m., results of all sporting information including racing, coursing, bowls, tennis, swimming, sailing, athletics by courtesy of the Sun; 9.30 p.m., the night programme will commence with a Scottish concert by the Campsie District Scottish Association, and will feature the following artists and numbers, Scottish pipe selections, Bessie Sheath in soprano solos, Amy Ostinga (contralto), Charles Veavers( baritone), Stanley Catlett (tenor), and Steward and Lorraine (musical entertainers); 10.30 p.m., concert from the studio including, Bringa, Aliss Dorrie Ward and Mr. W. E. Lewis, Bessie Cooke (contralto). 4QG BRISBANE. 9.30 p.m., orchestra, “Barcarole,” the Instrumental Trio; contralto solo, “Still As the Night,” Aliss Irene Elphinstone; elocutionary number, Air. Roy Woodward; tenor solo, “Alacushla,” Air. Jack Lord; violin solo, “Adoration,” Air. O. Riss; “Serenade,” the instrumental trio; baritone solo, “Invictus,” Mr. A. N. Falk; elocutionary number, Air. Roy Woodward; soprano solo, “Come to the Fair,” Airs. Percy Knott; ’cello solo, “Consolation,” Aliss Al. Warren; vocal quartette, “Sweetest Love, I Did Not Go,” the Quartette; 10.35 p.m. from Lennon’s Hotel, dance music by the Ajax Novelty Band, between dance items the following will be broadcast from the studio, tenor solos, (a) “Jolly Old Cavalier,” (b) “I Hear You Calling Ale,” Mr. C. W. May, elocutionary numbers, (a) “Lost,” (b) “Country J.P,” Air. 11. Humphries; 11.30 p.m., from the studio, the Sunday Alail news service.

SUNDAY'S BROADCAST. 3LO AIELBOURNE. 8.30 p.m., Welsh Church Service; from 10 p.m. to 11.30 p.m., Beelong City Band; Signor D’Allisandro, tenor; Alelbourne Flute Quartet; Elsie Davies, soprano; news etc. 2BL SYDNEY. 8.30 p.m., service broadcast from Alanly Presbyterian Church; from 10 p.m., studio concert including, Aliss Alargaret Alazenbarb (dramatic artist), Air. Les Herford (baritone), Alias Hilda Walker (soprano), Aliss Edna Lister (contralto), and Mr. Norman Wright (tenor). 4QG BRISBANE. 8.30 p.m., the complete evening service Will be relayed from the Wharf Street Congregational Church. At the conclusion of the church service, the concert provided by the Greater Brisbane Alunieipal Concert Band (conductor Air. E. Jackson), will be relayed from Wickham Park, band concert; 11 p.m., close down.