Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 15, 28 October 1927, Page 13

Our Mail Bag

The "Record" Crystal Set. A. V. Pierce (Pencarrow Head Lighthouse) writes that he has constructed the efficient crystal set as in the ‘Record" of August 12. "I made a couple of these sets in the manner described in your paper with great ease, using ordinary nails in place of brass screws. The only articles I purchased were the 20-gauge wire and the crystal detector (carborundum cartridge type), and with a pair of ’phones and also the londspeaker connected together the tone clarity and volume is unsurpassed and surprising to me, I tune in 2YA to be easily and plainly heard some 12 feet from the speaker with ‘phones attached, but, better still, without the %hhanee and AVA on Pnhonec alone. T

think this set a marvel to work a loudspeaker. The height of my aerial is about 30 feet, and using Electron wire 125 feet in length, the earth being 18gauge plain: wire soldered to a kerosene tin buried just under the surface and filled with ashes and soil. Church of England Services Wanted. P, Williamson (Whangamata): There seems to be a certain amount of discussion going on at present regarding the broadcasting of church services. I do not profess to be a religious being by any means, but I do think that more Church of England — services should be broadcast, After all, the Church of England is the national church, and thas an individuality of its own that appeals to all Anglicans. For the last three weeks, with four New Zealand stations operating, there has not been one Church of England service relayed, By all means try and study the different denominations, but surely a service from the church of our own country, the Church of England, should be available from at least one station every Sunday. F H. Garner (Tiakitahuna): Relays of the Anglican services from the four broadcasting stations have been few and far between as compared with those of other denominations. I think Y am safe in saving that at least half or even more of the total number of listeners-in are members of the Church of England, yet the minority are better treated, especially in the case cf one church which enjoys the privilege of practically a weekly broadcast. Abcut ence a month either Christchurch or Auckland oblige, but what about 2YA? In the last instance two churches hold the monopoly. Why? As for the weekly programmes and after-church relays they are generally very good. Ail lecturettes, even from the editor-announc-er, should be before 8 p.m. {It is wrong to assume that the comparatiye absence of Anglican services is due to the Broadcasting Company. A more satisfactory roster is in the process of being evolvyed.-Ed.] Views on Programmes. K.H.P. (Murchison): I read the ‘‘Reeord" with great interest, and have lately noticed in letters to the Editor the varied programmes desired by listeners-in. It would be ,impossible to please everybody, but T think the great majority can be pleased. One cannot expect very much entertainment for 30s, a year. It is well understood that the broadcasting management do the best they can as things

‘Sa A Ra are. Let me suggest that in place of paying 30s. a year, listeners-in should pay what ever it costs for a good programme. By the way, I know a lot of respectable people (this word being used by "Tjistener"’) who can and do enjoy noisy concerts, good songs and hymour of the Mr. R Walpole ‘‘Monty on Health’ variety on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, and find it very uplifting indeed. Some listeners like the church services: they are getting them. No one as yet has made any suggestions to stop them. Now let me suggest to "Miramar" and "‘T,istener" that the switch off when the church service is over. Then they will not have any noisy concerts mixed up with the items they prefer. ‘Then myself and othets can tune in and receive the items we prefer. We may even induce the Broadcasting Company to extend the programme a liitle, I have

a aid particular attention to the popuarity of the concerts held in Wellington and Christchurch on Sundays, in many cases artists singing comical songs or humorous recitations have been called back three times and- the audience still ‘calling for more. I would hate to think that all those eople are not respectable because they ike concerts on Sundays. It would be great if all we listeners paid some good artists overtime to sing and play for us on Sunday, this being the only day the average person in the country has the time to listen in. However, some like church, some don’t, We must have it for those who do. Most. love sport: we’ve got to have it for the majority. More humour would be much appreciated any day. To discard some of the "I love you and my heart is breaking’ variety of songs would please more than it would disappoint. And to put on more like the

Petone Black and White artists would suit the majority. I for one am willing to pay more for better items, Calls them ‘"Cry-Babies." "Well Satisfied’? (Wellington) :-I should like to say a few words in praise of the efforts of staff and entertainers of 2YA to please Mr and Mrs RadioHan and family. I have, like hundreds of other members of the general public, near and far, enjoyed very much these nightly programmes. ‘I think the majority of listeuers-in will agree that for all round entertainment, uot forgetting the educational aspect as well, 2YA is well worth the small expenditure of 74d. per week, cost of privilege to listen-in. Where else will one obtain so much amusement and instruction in return for such a trivial outlay? It is absolutely astonishing how some people will moan and groan when certain items don’t quite meet with their approval. Surely one does not expect every entertainer to be a world’s’ star. Are these cry-babies stars themselves, perhaps only in the ability to grumble. In my humble opinion, 2YA gets a good share of some very fine artists. T contend that 2YA, being only a. few months old, as it were, the general tone of its performances compare very favourably with other stations old enough to be its grandfather. For a small city such as Wellington to be able to pioduce such a variety of real good tal-nt night after night speaks~ volumes for the culture and ability of its entertainers. Credit is also due to the two announcers at 2YA, far superior to quite u good few T have heard from other stations, inside and outside of the Dominion. To other listeners-in I respectfully submit that Wellincton mav be justly prond of its powerful broadcasting station. For the huge sum of lid. per day, we get from five to six hours daily, enough entertainment that not so very long ago would have cost us pounds. Now, thanks to wireless, we can enjoy these musical treats in the comfort and privacv of our own homes. If there are any broadcasting defects, well, then, it must only be a matter of a short while when these things. whatever they are, will be rectified, and young and vigorous AYA will be able to toe the line on a level with breadcasting stations overseas. May I make two suggestions? The first is that the Barnard piano player be us-d a little more instead of Yramophone records Piano music, whether by hand or mechanically played, sounds verv pleas ing on the head-nhones or Joudspeaker; also I really think that the organ in the studio should be mede more use of, esnecially in the latter part of the even ing. It certainly possesses a very soothing effect before going to bed, apart from its artistic value. The second suggestion is in reference to lonv distance crystal sets. ‘There maust be very many people residing within a radius of, sav, one hund-ed miles of 2YA who cannot afford the necessary equipment to bring in long distance on a crystal set. Therefore, not being able to afford even a one-valve ' amplifier, they abandon the whole thing. In other countries they have pure and simvle crystal set circuits that bring in 5000 watt stations with ease, from a distatice of 109 miles or thereabouts, at an outlav of onlv a few shillings more than the initial cost of a good — crystal set What I respectfully suegest is that there be published in the ‘‘Redio Record" a suitable ervstal circuit, eas--ilv understandable, that will meet the. particular recuirements just referred to. It would not onlv hring pleasure to people away in small country places, backblocks, etc., but wonld add a substantial number of delighted fans to the | radio list. . | {Our ervstal long distance competi-. tion, of which the awards were made last week, showed regular crystal recention of 2YA up to a distance of 875miles, Auckland and Christchurch both | vot Wellington on crvstals regularly. | Many country folk might advantage-_ ously be in on crystal, particularly the young folk.-Ed.] Good Two:valve Work. Polar I'win (Palmerston).-Being a humble beginner with a "tolerated rather than approved"? two-valve set, T hesitate to challenge the statement of "M.J.R.E." in this week’s ‘Record’ that "less than three valves is definitely

aoa — useful ‘only for headphone reception." Maybe I am, as he says, "in an extremely sensitive spot," but I do get ‘‘programmes" (not "merely signals’’) not only from 1YA, 2YA, and 3YA, but also from at least four Australian stations very frequently on my londspeaker Moreover, 1 get 2YA consistently from 3 p.m. onwards on the londspeaker, and the reception of the North v. South and Possibles v. Probables Rugby matches was perfect and much appreciated. Of course my speaker is a small one, and the volume is likewise small, but this has the advantage that the objectionable noises heard on larger speakers are likewise sinall. However, it is quite loud enough for any of the four rooms in which I have earth wires! Of the Australian stations I usually tune in to 2FC and 2BL, which frequently come through quite as loudly as OVA. I have also had 8LO and 40G,

and (I hope "M.I.R.1."? won’t doubt my word!) about a fortnight ago I had 2UE, Sydney, for quite a time perfectly on the loudspeaker. Incidentally,.3YA comes in as loudly as 2YA, with 1YA close up, but 4YA is a washout (and nearly as bad on the ’phones). So much for tle loudspeaker reception. ; On the ’phones I get all the principal N.Z, stations (bar 4YA) perfectly, practically all the time. I also got a station at Auckland on Monday (I think) 2ZB (?), very clearly, Of the Australian stations I get about eight or ten fairly consistently, the reception being very good. A small station I hear very frequently is 2KY, Sydney, which comes in at 13 on the dial, I can honestly say

the headphone reception of 15 odd Aussie and N.Z. stations is perfect, I nse dull emitter valve with three volts (two dry cells) for the A battery, The outfit cost me less than £18, and I can assure "M.I.R.E." I’m getting my money's worth, As regards three-valve sets, I heard perfect reception recently from four or five Aussie stations on a large-size speaker and the set is still going strong. Regarding the controversy on the progtamme from 2YA, seeing that you have to cater for all and sundry, I think the programme pretty good, my only "srouch’"? being that your announcer gives us stale news from the morning papers between 7 and 8 p.m.! I might add that I have noticed very little fading of late-the reception on the whole being fairly good. In conclusion (for ‘‘M.I.R.E.’s’’ benefit), I don’t annoy my neighbours and my set doesn’t squeal every time T tune in a fresh station, Programmes Appreciated, Radio (Picton).-I must once again write you a few lines of appreciation for the very excellent items being brvadcast from the New Zealand stations, the general working of them, and the excellent manner in which the ‘"Record" is being conducted, I have noticed a considerable improvement in the tone of the three main stations, and the volume from 1YA and 8YA has increased immensely, no alterations being made to the aerial. The two cornet solos from 2¥A and the band concert from 8YA last night came through absolutely wonderful, the immense volume and perfect clarity from the latter were astounding, The final cornet solo from 2¥A, ‘The Holy City," wag a revelation. Why can’t we have inore of that class of item, and also more of the old songs? I am sure more than half the listeners prefer the old songs to the new ones. Even the National Anthem is an interesting item on its own if played tight through; many of us here join in, but it 1s not long enough to enjoy properly. Could we not have it played tight through, sir, from at least one station each night? I’m sure it could take the place of an item at any time. And as for the old songs, I don’t think we get half enough of them. Take, for instance, the Irish night at’ 1YA recently. Nothing could have been more beautiful. Again allow me to thank the B.C. for the very great pleasure their really fine programmes afford me, St. Gerard’s Broadcast. C.R.I,. (Kano).--My husband and I feel we really must congratulate the Broadcasting Company on the broadcasting of St Gerard’s Chureh ast night. Reception was excellent, fading very slight. We sincerely lope the ‘Catholic Church will be on the air more frequently now in New Zealand, as Australian church services dre so late for New Zealand. Our set is a‘four-valye, and we find New Zealand broadcasting most satisfactory, We haye listened-in to football matches and races with great success. While on the subject I. might}. mention that we thoroughly enjoy the Sunday night concerts, aud hope they will be continued,