Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 3, 5 August 1927, Unnumbered Page

Our Mail Bag

From the huge, even overwheiming, mail- that has de scended upon wus since our birth, it is possible now to select only a few typical pas: sages. A number. of letters have been received containing Suggestions which require con: sideration and investigation before reply. Such matters are being. goue into, and _ replies will be sent or published in due’ course, ; "I am quite sure the ‘Radio Record’ will be appreciatcd by all listeners-in, The new station exceeds our expecta-

tions_

W.

K.

Milton:

"The ‘Radio Record’? is just what was required to complete the pleasure of radio in our country homes, We can now look up the programmes and

pick out what we require.’’-

G.W.

H.

Waikou.

"The 2YA station's programme re- ceived by Iuy loudspeaker wras very distinct, and reccntion excellent. >)

S.

M.

Ruapaka.

"T think the ‘Radio Record’ fills the bill admirahly for the man awav back."

J.W.

B.

Cleuzarnock, Colyton.

"Please accept congratulations on first issue-only oue thing wrong-to fill in coupon would mean destroying a very interesting picture on the back.’

R.P.

H.

Papatetoe_

"We here in Rongotea much appreciated the clarity of reception on Saturday last. The speeches were particnlarly good, both in matter and volume. Turning from 2YA to 2I'°C (Sydney), the relay of the opening was received with good loudspeaker strength, and very distinct. _ We also heard the report of the ‘flasl’ relayed from Syd-

M) ney.

W.S.

T.

Rongotea.

"2YA comes through here in good volume-fades ont somewhat. Piano comes through too loud-drowns the

voices of singers at times.,’’:

A.

H.

Mocraki:

"Thank you for the souvenir number, which proves at once both instructive and interesting. Please enter me

as a subscriber.’’-

E.

C.

Mew Ply- |

mouth.

"This paper, I think, will, if it main-

tains its inauguration standard, be very acceptable in every radio home 2YA fades considerably with us here, which means that with my 6-valver I tle’ As 2YK hed this little habit, I am beginning to think the ‘topography have to keep my hand ‘on the throtof the intervening land probably -has something to de with this, though the Wairarapa-Hawke’s Bay aatch came tlirouel jjowithout oo. 3 variation

A.J.T.

W.

Sefton, North Canterbury.

"I consider your new weekly has been badly needed in New Zealand for quite a while. Conld you oblige me with two extra conies of vour souvenir

number ??’-

D.S.

L.

Spreydon.

"Splendid reception of openine on

our o-valye.’’-

J.S.

M.

Otaki.

"Tinclosed please find sub. Haying a fine paper such as this is I

think, a great step forward."

S.

S.

Chorlton.

"We think the ‘Record’ is a good idea. Carry on with the good work, and make the. publication interesting. We, and, as far as I-can gather, most listeners, prefer band and orchestral music. Cornet solos, flute and piccolo, are also welcome, being very audible." |

M.

S.

New Plymouth.

"Reception of 2YA is all that is desired down here, coming through perfectly. Programmes good and much enjoyed. On the opening night I tuned in at 8 o’clock aud everything came through perfectlyv-not a "word was

Isscd tlie wole erenin

R.

B.

Edendale.

"The ‘Record’ fills a long-felt want. Situated as I am here, I do not get the daily papers until the following

day.’ >

H.

L.

Reefton.

"The contents of your weekly paper are of interest to any radio enthusiast, while the. publication -of programmes a week ahead is well worth

the simall amount involved.?.

W.

W.

Masterton.

"Tt is a splendid idea printing the programmes ahead. There are also some interesting articles included »-

L.M.

W.

Whangarei.

West Coast Reception. "The ‘Radio Record’ is a yaluable guide to the various programmes, ete. I think it is a much felt want in New Zealand. I expect you will be gathering in all your critics’ opinions in regard to the new Wellington station, 2YA. Listening to the opening address, the band item, Mr. Coates’s speech, Miss Sawyer’s song, and Mr, Nosworthy’s speech were all very good. Then fading came in very badly. ‘he set I use is a 5-valye neufrodyne. Last night the church seryice was very bad, and would not come through clear until 8.15; after that it came through nicely, Christchurch, at present is. about the best of the four stations, especially the afternoon cession’

P.

McG.

Millerton,

When the Police Became Interested. As indicating the intense interest in broadcasting, the following letter, from & provincial trader, speaks volumes :- "We managed to be ready for the description of the ‘trentham races, and placed the loudspeaker just outside the door. During the afternoon it was quite evident that the raciug results are of outstanding interest to the general public, for the crowd tliat gathered spread from our entrance down to a ueighbouring shop, and tight ont to the tram tracks. We made thie most of our opportunity by distributing literature and sorting out prospects. ‘The police also became interested, but from another aspect. ‘{hey informed us that we were causitig an obstruction to traffic, and threatened proceedings. We accordingly packed as many listeners as possible in the shop, and took care to keep the footpath clear for pedestrians. We anticipate a definite increase of business from the result of the sporting broadcasts." A Boon to the Backblocks, J.B.: "I was very glad to hear by radio of the publication of the ‘Radio Record.’ _ I live fifty miles from Blenheim, and only get my mails twice a week-often only once, as we have to go eight miles for it, and it is not always convenient. . . . I am very deaf, so deaf that, though I have often been to the Tlouse of Representatives, I have never heard a speech delivered, so it was a greater treat {o me than to the average man to hear them, The ‘unparalleled miracle of wireless,’ as the Mayor of Wellington called it, is a very great boon to deaf people like myself, much greater than I can find words to adequately express, and I do feel so very grateful to all concern-ed-all who have helped to bring it to its present state of perfection." Times of Items, . : Sir,-I_ have seen a copy of the "Radio Record," although at the time of writing my complimentary copy has not reached me, although I have been a licensed listener since the inception of broadcasting. I imust congratulate ou cn your first issue, and consider it just the thing that was watited. I see you ask for constructive criticism,

and would like to make a suggestion regarding the programmes, that would make them more useful. I suggest the approximate time should be put against cach item, as is-done in Australia and England. It would then be possible for any listener to construct a programme to suit him from the various statious, say, somewhat on the following lines :- 8 p.m.: Auckland, Orchestral items. 53 Christchurch. Soprano singer. 8.10: Wellington, Recitation. 8.15: Dunedin. Band selection. 8.20: Wellington. Humorous item. 8.25: Auckland. Instrumental trio. 8.303 Christchurch. Baritone singer. And so on throughout the evening. Of course, exact times could not: be given, but approximate times would suflice for one to work out a programme at which one could not complain, because -one would have arranged it himself. Several listeners to whom I have mentioned this idea think it a good one, and I trust the Broadcasting Company will see its way clear to adopt it. . Wishing your periodical every suc-cess.-Yours faithfully, :

R. F.

HAYCOCK

A Local Trouble. Sir,-I am one of the hundreds of crystal set users, and live twenty miles north of 3YA_ station, I think ‘the concerts put out are very good, ' but with less vocal items and more of the band items, such as are put out ‘from 3YA on Monday, they would be better. But it is not to criticise the ‘concerts that I write: this letter. There is a goodly number of crystal users: in Raugiora, and we all pay our 30s.‘ per year to hear concerts. ,. Our grievance is that we cant hear them!: Our town boasts three amateur -broadcdasting . stations-3AI, SAJ. and 8AU. These, or, at least, one of them), are on the air nearly every evening, and interfere very seriously with reception. The effect in, say, a vocal item can be produced thus: Sing lustily, and at the same time clap your hand over you mouth, on and off. You just try it, and you will wonder I have not written this letter before. At other times they converse per microphones with the human voice. ‘This also produces a hideous effect. Now, Sir, these radio nuisances are doing a thing which I consider serious. A good instance of the ridiculousness of it is this: The Government charge motorisis £2 Qs. 6d. per year for license. ‘This goes for use on roads, etc. Now, they might let people put fences across the roads and block them up. We pay our 30s., and we cannot get the goods." The morse from tle aforesaid stations spoils programmes more than fading, poor transmission, static, aud howling valves all put together. I tiope something will be done to ensure our re ceiving what we pay for.-I am,: ete.,

ROBERT G.

LOGAN

Plenty of Hints Needed. "This paper is what has been wanted for some time past especially to country listeners, and I sincerely hope it gets a wide circulation as it deserves, and as time goes on that it becomes more and more desired and interesting, Space given to hints on installing, tuning, and care of receivitio sets should not be spared, as ‘here is yet a lot that amateurs want {to know.-

E.C.

L.

The Portage.

What About Howlers? Siy,--It may interest you to kttow that the test of 2YA in broadcasting the Ranfurly Shield match at Masterton was all received by me clearly. There was some annoyance from "howlers’"? until 1LYA opened, and accasional fading was overcome by advancing the volume control. Congratulations to the announcer, whio gave a splendid running eccount. Are any active steps being taken to deal with "howlers’? J am told it is possible to receive a ‘icense for practically any type of circuit, and that a "snper-hel" is licensed to be used with an indoot aerial only, and {hen connected to an outdoor one, with disastrous results to neighbouring licensees. Some information with regard to "lowlers"’ would be of great interest to listeners in general, as they are a frightful pest, and nitch nore atinovines than static.-I am, etc.,

NEUTRODYNE.

: Congratulations! Congratulations, 8YA, for your excellent programine broadcast on Saturday, July 23. Eyery item was excellent, and anybody who could find fault with same does not deserve to own a radio set, The monuth-organ solos and Ffawaiian music, also the datice music, was the best I lave yet heard over the radio. -~I am, ete.,

GIVE US MORE OF THIS MUSIC

Hnnterville_