RADIO PAGE

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1926, Page 22

RADIO PAGE

(Conducted by

“B.C.L.”)

A RETURN FOR FEES. , APPOINTMENT OF MR. PRENTICE. That the New Zealand Broadcasting Company is, making an honest endeavour to give listeners the best in return for the fees paid, is apparent from the recent appointment to an advisory position of Mr. J. M. Prentice. Mr. Prentice arrived by the Aorangl early in the and spoke from IYA ou Wednesday night. The following comment on his ability by a Sydney radio weekly will interest local listeners:—“Uncle Jack Prentice, one of the most popular announcers in Australia, has .been engaged as chief announcer to the chair of four stations operated by the Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand. In his new position he will be probably the highest-paid announcer in the Southern Hemisphere. “Uncle Jack's resignation will cofte as a shock to the wireless public who have regarded him as one ot tno permanent fixtures in the wireless world. By his energy and ability, lie has made himself a power in the radio world, and his unfailing good spirits and courtesy have endeared him to thousands of boys and girls in the radio family. His personal contributions to the programmes as a lecturer on foreign affairs, as a raconteur of travelogues, or as a teller of great love stories, have emphasised his conspicuous ability. It is certain that Mr. Prentice will be a force for good in the radio world of New Zealand. Coming into broadcasting just over two years ago, he has seen the growth and development of 2BL from the position of relative insignificance to the position it now* holds. He has contributed in a marked fashion to its • efficiency.” A SEEKER OF NOVELTIES. “Many of the innovations introduced into Australian broadcasting were suggested by Mr. Prentice; his ability in inaugurating the ‘talking-back’ possibilities of radio by replying over the air to telephoned questions broadcast simultaneously, gave him an immediate position of importance on programmes, and a reputation in the wireless world. His various regular lecture-features, dealing with literature, music, philosophy and psychology, were all of a very iiigh order, and it will be exceedingly difficult to replace him by one individual who can command the same attention over a long period. “Of course, it is possible that with the experience gained in New Zealand, Mr. Prentice will ere long be prevailed upon to return to Australia. It may be that the present departure is the result of that wanderlust which has already carried him to most of the habitable parts of the world.”

Listeners welcome Mr. Prentice to the Dominion and look to the broadcasting company to provide every facility for the execution of ideas that will improve the existing broadcasting service. SUMMER RADIO. Two questions that, lie dormant in the minds of most listeners are whether radio is a desirable type of summer entertainment and whether radio entertainment in summer is a possibility. The summer is looked upon as a time of vacation agjl pleasure, but it should not be overlooked that the addition to a summer home or camp of an instrument that makes it possible to obtain the varied entertainment provided by radio 'is a most desirable adjunct. Listeners who remain in the city J;ave just as great use for radio entertainment on their verandahs as they had in their living rooms in winter. The country listener will find that the power of the stations at Auckland and Christchurch will help to overcome summer static. The increased efficiency of the modern receiving set will also improve reception.

The answer to the second question, whether satisfactory reception is possible in summer is certainly “Yes." Certainly summer reception from the point of view’ of long distance may not be so good as in winter, but the question of distance is frequently overstressed. The thrill of reaching out into the far distances is one that wears off and if good performances are provided nearer homo there should be no urge for distant listening. Within short ranges of a broadcasting station a portable receiver could be a source of pleasure to picnic and camping parties. For the former a really portable set would bo required, weighing not more than 15 pounds. Many of the present-day portable sets weigh as much as 60 pounds and can only be called portable in the sense that they are self-contained. Designers of receiving sets should endeavour to produce an easily portable receiving set which will give loud speaker reproduction of IYA, using a self-contained loop aerial at a distance, of say 30 miles and reception of Australian stations when connected to au ordinary aerial system. This would certainly popularise summer reception. HOWLING VALVES. WHAT AN INSPECTOR FOUND. A Christchurch writer asserts that in one week radio dealers in the Southern city lost £2OO worth of receiving sets merely through howling valves. It is stated that a full-time radio inspector is being appointed to each centre with the sole duty of tracking unlicensed listeners and offenders with radiating sets, and it is suggested that these inspectors should be equipped with direction-find-ing sets. The latter suggestion has been made frequently, but is, of course valueless. Correct direction-finding observations cannot be made in the proximity of trees, and other earthed objects, while at least three simultaneous bearings would have to be made to locate an offender. If simultaneous observations are net possible it would lie necessary for the inspector to take a bearing followed by another from a point at some distance away. During the time taken for these measurements the offender would probably have tuned to another station or be silent altogether. Foi other reasons, too, those who have had experience with direction-finding ap-

paratus will realise the futility of endeavouring to check oscillating interference in this way. TO-NIGHT’S BROADCAST. IYA AUCKLAND. 3 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., concert; 7.15 p.m. to 7.45 p.m., news, reports, etc. 8 p.m., relay from His Majesty’s Theatre, Humphrey Bishop Musical Comedy Company, dance programme afterwards. 3YA CHRISTCHURCH. C. 30 p.m. to 7 p.m., children’s session, Uncle Jack; 7.15 p.m. to 7.45 p.m., news, reports, etc; 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., Studio concert and relay of dance programme of old-time music from the Caledonian Hall. 2YK WELLINGTON. 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., radio dance night, relay of dance programme by Bird’s Orchestra. 4YA DUNEDIN.—SiIent Day. 3LO MELBOURNE. 8.50 p.m., Mr. R. Rawson, Esperanto; 9.10 p.m., Dr. Leach; 9.30 p.m., concert arranged by Mr. Alberto Zelman, transmitted from Upwey; 11.31 p.m., our great thought, 3LO Melody Masters; 1.10 a.m., God Save the King. 4QG BRISBANE. 8 p.m., Violin Recital programme by Mr. Luis Amadeo Pares, will be relayed from his studio, “The Hall of the Muses,” Little Roma Street. 2BL SYDNEY’. 7.15 p.m., Uncle George and the kiddies; 8.10 p.m., Pavilion Dinner Orchestra; 9.15 p.m., results of sporting fixtures, including racing, coursing, bowls, tennis, swimming, sailing, athletics, by courtesy of the Sun; 9 p.m., country news, etc. 9.30 p.m. to 12.30 a.m.: G.P.O. Clock and Chimes, Broadcasters’ Topical Chorus, Ambassadors' Quartet, Mr. William Everard (tenor), Miss Dorie Ward (soprano), Mr. W. E. Lewis (baritone), Mrs. L. Kirwan (songs at the piano), King’s Mandolin Orchestra, Molly Raynor and John Rutherford (humorous sketch); duet, Miss Dorrie W’ard and Mr. W. E. Lewis; Ambassadors’ . Dance Band, G.P.O. Clock Chimes. SUNDAY'S BROADCAST. 4QG BRISBANE. 9 to 10 p.m., complete evening service relayed from St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Cathedral; 10 p.m., concert by the Greater Brisbane Municipal Concert Band. 2BL SYDNEY.

8.30 p.m., service, Petersham Baptist Church; 10 p.m. to 11.45 p.m., concert, including Miss Helena Stewart (soprano), Mr. A. T. Monks (tenor), Mr. Bryce Carter (’cellist), Broadcasters’ Trio, G.P.O. Clock, and close down. 3LO MELBOURNE. 8.30 p.m., service from Scots’ Church, preacher, Dr. McLean; 10 p.m. to 11.30 p.m., Brunswick City Band, overture, “Bohemian Girl”; Heidelberg and District Musical Society; Harold Rodgers, pianist, series of request numbers, overture, “William Tell”; Signor d’Allesandro, tenor, “Dai Campi,” “Mofistofolo”; Harold Rodgers, “Melody in F,” “Andante in G”; Signor d’Allesandro, tenor, “Maria Mari,” “Marechiare”; Brunswick City Band (by request), “Prelude”; Brunswick City Band, “The Children of the Regiment”; “Argus” and “Herald” news service, British official wireless news, weather forecast, announcements; God Save the King.