Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 14, 21 October 1927, Page 13

Our Mail Bag

Sunday Afternoon Appreciated. G.C.H. (Masterton): As one who has ‘Sagitated’"? for a Sunday afternoon session, [ would like to express my appreciation of.the church service relayed by SYA yesterday afternoon | Reception was perfect, and the session was much enjoyed. There has been a_ noticeable increase inthe volume of 4YA lately, and continuing at this rate this station should soon reach the standard of the other New Zealand stations Just a word of congratulation to the announcer of 3YA on his having broken away from the rigid ‘‘sameness" of New Zealand broadcasting by introducing a musical prologue to the evening session. This innovation 1s to be warmly commended, as it is refreshing to hear something original from a New Zealand station. The writer makes a practice of tuning in 2B, at 9.30 p.m. to hear’ their **Topical Chorus,’ and will now make a point also of tuning in 3YA at 8 p.in. Church Services. Radio Fan: You have asked for. our ‘opinion re broadcasting church services, and I can only say before I came to the country to live I did not belong to any of the denominations that are broadcasting, yet we always find something good on Sunday evenings. If one service is not quite clear, or just what we prefer we can always switch on somewhere else. ‘Though we have only had the set some months, we have quite a lot listening-in, and often making a big effort to come, and almost all people who never attend the church in tne district. It is seldom anyone speaks during the service, and it is never encouraged. The time of the service suits us splendidly We always enjoy "Uncle Sam." Our only trouble is the hymns Might I suggest we have a special book or hymn sheet; many do not know the hymns, and it is so much nicer if we can all join in the singing. I do not think anyone living in town can realise at all what it means to some of us who have hardlv heard anvthing helpful for years to have the Sunday services, and I do pfay they may be continued. A Box for the Collection. Mrs. R. T. Waters (Johnsonville): I have been reading the letter written by Mr. Watkinson in this week’s "Radio Record" in the "Church and Broadcasting." 1 think if we are true Christians we might ask, "What would Jesus have said if He were on earth?" The answer would be, ‘‘Go preach the Gosnell." Now comes the all-iinportant

side-the financial side. May I suggest that as each license is issued a box be given suitable for the church, sealed with either a number or his or her name and address of the licensee written on, to be given up when the license is renewed, stating the amount that was in the last year’s box on the renewed box so many people would give a gift after listening to a service which they have enjoyed, and it would then make it a "free-will offering," which is what gifts to the church should be. Let us as Christians prav for the continuing of the services beine broadeast--ask the celerey to think of the invalids and those on the farms and away in the backblocks. . Sunday Afternoon Session Wanted. G. C. Coleman (Nelson): Now that Q@VA and the "Radio Record" are well established, and various listeners-in and subscribers have said their little piece, I would like to add my little bit. Both the Broadcast Company and the "Record" deserve heartiest congratulations for their efforts at keeping listeners etitertained In my opinion the programmes put over by the company, are first-class. 1YA and 3YA are inclined to fade somewhat, but 2YA on mv set (five-valye) comes in perfectly. There is only one thing I would like to see altered, and that is a gramophone concert from 2YA on Sunday afternoon. Taranaki and 2YA. ELD. (Awatuna): I see a good deal in your paper as regards 2YA fading in different parts of New Zealand. I would like to sav that 2YA Is easily our strongest station, although by reports it fades around New Plymouth. { live only a few miles away and only 4 miles from the foot of Mt. Fegniont, and I have never noticed any trace of fading. I think some of the folks that complain about your programimes should put a station of their own up and then they would see what a hard _ job it is to_ please everybody. Could you say which broadcasting station in ‘Australia broadcasts the boxing tournaments on Saturday night? [We know of no Australian station that regularly broadcasts the boxing | on Saturday nights. 8LO, Melbourne, broadcasts wrestling on Saturday nights.] | Congratulations on Island Match. W. Lawson (Tantukn): I would like to congratulate your announcer on the _ splendid description he gave of the jnter-Island football match last Saturday. ‘There was not a dull moment from the start to the finish of the game. One could practically see the match poing on, as he knew the players so well. His side talk was also very good, especially the quiet way he congratulated his Canterbury friends when South Islaud was in the lead and at the same time giving his Auckland friend a rub. Am pleased to know that he was able to carry on after smoking that cigar that a friend or an enemy gave him. The reception was also very good from 2YA. Reaction to Church Service, ¥.0. (Waian), dealing with lumorous items, says: Could not some of Harry Lauder’s songs be put on? I don’t think the public would object to hearing gramophone records at night, too, The "Casey"? and ‘Uncle Josh" records, perhaps would provide the desired humour-something with a laugh in it. Yam not in favour of humorous items after church service on Sunday. Although there are some who like it. On Sunday, Mh, we heard a splendid

service from the Town Mall, Auckland. The Rev. L. Mletcher hit straight from the shoulder and the singing _was splendid too. Hitherto I have not objected to concerts after service; but after that one I felt that it would he sacrilege to liste to a band concert or humorous itenis; but happening to stay connected with 1YA, I heard the aniiouncer put on a tenor song from the Messiah, and the Hallelujah Chorus Did they feel it too? I may say I have not heard a sermon for 35 years, being, as several of your correspondents are, deaf; but with the *phones I can hear every word, except, of course, when it fades. Reception Better, W. J. Ormandy (I‘airlic): Just a line to congratulate you on your weekly paper. Wireless without your weekly would not be complete. I also wish | to express my thanks for the variety of items put on the air by 2YA. There is just one thing, to my mind, that spoils your own orchestra’s reception, and that is, that the ’cello or bass violin are too close to the microphone, at least that is‘ what it appears to me as the music is flattened, especially in the forte passages. Reception from 2YA has improved lately, fading not being nearly so noticeable. I have a five tube neutrodyne set and I only use 4 tubes and 2YA can be heard clearly one hundred yards away, | Reception Experiences, P, Williamson (Whangamata): In your issue of September 30, I was interested to read a letter from Mr. Robt, Davidson, of ‘auraroa, regarding reception from 1YA. I am situated about the same distance from Auckland as your correspondent, being 62 miles in a straight line, but am on the Hast Coast. I work with a Polar Twin 2 valve receiver and find that, as a rule, reception at night time fron 1YA is most unsatisfactory, and as @ consequence seldom work with that station, SYA, on the contrary, gives splendid reception as a rule, and so would 2YA were it not for fading, I may mention that in daylight, however, 1YA gives me much better reception than any other station, and it would he interesting to know if this is the case with others similarly situ

YE RE RR ated. My experience seems to bear [ out very forcibly what was mentioned in the article on fading on the front page of the ‘‘Radio Record" of September 30. Good Crystal Work, W. Allen (Helensville South) : I picked up a home-fnade crystal set (coil only) ‘from an old gumdigger who died up here, and on trying it out on October 16 was surprised to receive Auckland 1YA, Wellington 2YA, and 2FC, Sydney, quite distinctly with two pairs ’phones attached. Next evening, October 7, we tuned in also and got Auckland, who closed down, and Wellington; then ran on a bit Jater, and heard them close down, and I then picked up 2FC, Svdney, with two pairs *phones, and we also put on a large uma

i) +) ame) at Zz ie Ge) Clarion loudspeaker, on which we had 80ft. flex attached, which also came out at about ear-phone strength, and listened in to ‘'The Chocolate Soldier,’" which was being broadcast by that station, I may say I have a good earth and a good aeriai 65ft. high, and for earth I have a solid copper plate 80lb. and 100ft. aerial. I may say it was ideal receiving weather, but it was not a case of picking it up from other sets, as I could tune out Auckland and Wellington and get Sydney, or vice yersa, from half-past nine on, I think this might be interesting regarding crystal set reception for distarice, Australia on Crystal, Mrs. I’. HK. (Otahuhu): My son, age 12 years, has just made a new crystal set at the cost of 3s. 6d. The coil is wound on a phonograph record and continued on the box. Tast Sunday evening we heard 1YA close down, than 2¥A. At 10.30 and up to 11 we got very clear cliurch music, especially the Psalms. Do you think it could possibly be an Australian station? We used the tapping just a few rings further on than 2YA. [¥es; no other New Zealand station would be operating then. See crystal particle for similar reception of Aus-tralia.~-éd.]

Some Praise for Performers, B.T.W. (Christcharch) : Friday night was the most wonderful night ever I heard. I got Sydney at 9.30, New Zealand time, without aerial, very loud and clear---never got it before at that time. I heard. the clock strike eight and a imouthorgan band very clear. Wellington and Christchurch were on the air, and all the Australian stations followed later, extraordinarily lond and clear, 3YA programmes were good all three nights. Sunday, too much static, but still good. 2YA is always good, but it was extraordinarily good all three nights. The studio orchestra excelled themselves on Friday night. Allan’s Orchestra on Saturday was grand. Mr, Jack Roworth in ‘The Blacksmith’s Good-bye’? was a song of songs-not only a catchy, taking song, but clearly and evenly sung. "Songs at the Piano,’ by Mr. Billy Hart, were beautifully rendered-even-ly sung, words clearly spoken and accompaniment to the tick. ‘oo much cannot be said about these two singers; they are born radio singers and have got the secret of singing to the microphone, As usual, there is always a fly in the ointment. 3YA on Sunday was not over-good-too much bubbling and interferences I had to go to 2YA direct. The Wellington Municipal Tramway. Band was simply a treat, or rather a musical banquet: the items were well chosen and splendidly rendered. I am living over again the old days amongst the Yorkshire and Lancashire bands. It was 50 per cent. better than relay through and I want 3YA to be the best in New Zealand for the sake of my crystal pals. ‘‘Weather Forecast," C. Ij. Conn (Wairoa); As you are aware, we farmers rise very early in the morning, and naturally like to get to bed early, and 9 p.m. is rather late for us to wait for the forecast sometimes. We attach great importance to the forecast, which will be invaluable at shearing time, and I would ‘suggest that you issue it earlier, if ‘possible, say when the children’s ses‘sions open, and at alternate times on the different stations, for instance, say, p.m. from 1YA, 6.30 p.m, from 2YA, 7 p.m, from 8YA, or at times cofivenient to fit in, It is important that the forecast shonld be broadcast at the times allocated so that we wonld not.

miss it. This suggestion may mean the saving of the lives of thousands of shorn sheep at shearing time oping you can see your way to arrange this. {It necessarily takes some time for the meteorological office to prepare its forecasts, and these reach the station on the average about 8.45 (sometimes a little earlier), so that there is not much margin before 9 o’clock. Dr. Kidson, the officer in charge, is desirous of giv-

ing the fullest possible service, and hag consented to make forecasts available on Saturdays and Sundays. ‘The possie bility of an earlier announcement wilh be gone into.-Ed.] The Dunedin Statior. S. T. (Dunedin) writes #1 connection with Mr. A, R. Harris’s stateineut res , garding radio matters in Dunedin and Otago, and denies that good broadcast ing has been given from Dunedin. Als though situated only 50 miles away and not troubled by fading, reception here is so poor that we practically never listen to Dunedin, which should be our best station. This is not because of © the flack of volume so much as poor quality, musical items having no mugical value at all. It is most disappoints ing to learn that that plant is not to be renewed, but simply the power raised to 500 watts. I think that Dunedin and Otago are entitled to a modern broadcasting station, similar to 3YA and LYA, especially after having waited so long. Mr Harris’s reference to the excellent service here at the time of the Exhib& tion is absurd. It may not have been the fault of the company, but everyone knows that the Exhibition broadcasting was very poor and did more harm to radio than good. The broadcasting company will spoil its excellent record of service in the other three stations if it does not install a modern plant ad Dunedin now. , [An excellent service was given dur ing the Exhibition, but only a few hun dred people in Otago availed themselves of it. It was not the service, but the response of the public that was disappointing, and fully justified the company in directing its attention to Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington. Some new plant is being obtained fot the Dunedin station, and the power will be brought up to that of 1YA and 3YA, so that Otago will be as well served ag are the other provinces. Already the time-table has hecn extended to include Saturday evenings, and concerts supplied by some of the hest talent i Dunedin are broadcast.-Ed.]

Two-Valver in Derence, Cc. T. (Dunedin) : I have been reading the comments on "Howlers" for some time now, and I feel like saying aloud to the "growlers" that they don’t know all a 2-valve set can do. I read lately, in a good radio journal, that "all ree ceiving sets are low power transmitters," and, if not properly equipped and manipulate], they are quite capable of causing interference to neighbours. A test from Station 4YA to 2-valve set owners was as follows, if you want té know whether your set is ‘howling’ or not, touch the aerial terminal with the finger, and if it plops, the set is howling and causing annoyance. What test do the larger sets require, seeing all are low power transmitters? M. I. R. KB. does well to qualify his statements re 3-valye sets and under. I wonder how many of the ‘growlers’"? have possessed a 2-valve set. I’ve had 40G, 2BL, 8L0, and 5CL all on 3 Q-valve 3-coil regenerative set. No straining after these stations, and somé evenings they were vety brisk indeedy a pleasure to listen to on the phones. Occasionally 40G and 8LO were good loudspeaker strength, clear and distinct. { don’t say we never had distortion, but whisper, some large sets can_ have that, too. ‘They can also squeal and howl on a "grand scale,’’ too, some« times. The Government advises a net tralised staze of radio frequency added to the 2-valve regenerative sets. It is worth while, if an extra audio stage 18 added at the same time to give volumes _

kn ioe eee ae in el eed AMERICANISED. A Californian writes to 3YA as follows:- "¥ would be tickled pink if I could have a studio picture of 3YA, It helps to get other DX fans all worlked up. "The may who plays the big pipe organ for 3Y¥A is the one that puts your station up here with a mean wallop!"