Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 35, 16 March 1928, Page 12

Our Mail Bag

"Carping Suggestions." R.M.QO. jAuckland): The remarks in the last "Record" re above call for some comment, On behalf of « number of valve set owners I would like to state we do net envy Wellington its 5000-watt station, as we find it quite difficult enough to cut out TYA as it is, and I venture to say the majority of Auckland listeners (ineladiug crystal set owners) ate satisfied with the local power. When it comes to programmes ‘ere

we surcly have the right to criticise, aud mty first adverse criticism of any bruadcasts is that I did not consider the much-boomed Iidison night so good as many of the excellent Wellington programmes ‘The Maori pageant was certainly interesting, but from a musical viewpoint I have heard Maori melodies sung much better by pakehas. With regard to the power of 2YA, I have tricd experiments between 9 and 10 p.m. on Mondays for several months past by operating a single control set Without changing the volume control on 2YA and 8YA. The result has been that SYA nearly always comes in as loud as 2YA, and often with greater strength, Would it not be interesting to request listeners to send in the results of similar trials, and if my results are found to be fairly general, the Broadcasting Company might consider exchanging the Wellington plant with Christchurch, when it should have some ] chance of getting into touch with all parts of New Zealand] in daytime in the event of a national crisis. Would it be possible for the lower Christchurch wavelength to account for its greater comparative strength ? Critics "Jolly Hard Up." N. C. Winstanley (Dicton): I note with disgust soine of the complaints from listeners, particularly in regard to mistakes in pronunciation, I would like to ask them if it is possible to find anyone perfect in that direction anyway, and if that is all they can find to complain about they are jolly hard up. Perhaps that new receiver they got is not going too well. In a previous issue of your paper, when replying to correspondence, you invited reports in regard to 2YA’s transmissions. Speaking’ for myself, I get all the good music and entertainment I want from 2YA; mostly it is not only well rendered, but put over by the station well. You have some very fine artists in Wellington, and you put on some very good prograinmes. | The Stations Compared. E.C.P. (Ngaruawahia): I am sorry to find, since arriving here, that my old friend 2¥A is fading very badly. 8YA also fades, but not as much as 2YA. YA, although only about 55 miles away, fades very badly and has a very bad scratchy noise, in fact, it is the worst station on the air. 4YA, which I could hardly get at ‘Trentham, comes in here very nice and clear, But give me 2YA as I had her at Trent1am, Reply to "Cheap Critics’? Venom fron: Auckland. H. C. Farmer (Mount Albert). -On reading March 2 ‘Radio Record," I found an article headed "Cheap Critics,’? which describes Auckland as very dissatisfied with the relays of the "Pageant’ and ‘‘dison’s’’ programmes. The Maori pageant was miles ahead of the Edison’s, but I think the people in Wellington should know a little about the conditions of 2YA as received here. 2YA is described in Auckland as "the deadly station,’’? on account of its fading peculiarities, There were one or two titles of music which we missed during the "Pageant," and then at times the music fades from anything up to two minutes at very frequent periods. I did not fill in a record of fading some time ago, but'on Sunday, February 26, I tuned to QYA at 8,40

p-m. to 8.50 p.m., and heard 2YA for three minutes only. This was done on a six-valve set capable of getting 29°C. at dusk here seven days a week. I am not condemning the ‘‘Pageant,’’ very much vice versa, but we could not follow speeches or anything else. Then the Kdison pregramime is described with ‘bigotry’? in Auckland’s Press. I think the ‘Radio Record"? has just overstepped now, as what is worse and more aggravating than missing half an interesting item. Is there any wonder for disgruntle when 1YA could not get 2YA till 8.30 p.m., and remained silent until then? Now in reference to "cutting out a station" I maintain that if relays cannot be done from the start they should not be attempted. Aucklanders have just cause to complain when things like this occur. Now it gives vou the impression that Aucklanders do not like anything from 2YA, TI am now speaking on behalf of a good many whiett I say that the ialent is more varied and better than 1YA, generally speaking. As for jealousy, that 2YA is "biggest and hest,’’ that is just the question in a nutshell, as it should be "biggest hut worst" (up here, anyhow). Aucklanders recognise that scope and capital is limited, but with the power of 2YA we naturally expect to get overhauled in numbers as so many cheap yet efficient sets can be installed at a greater range. Gilbert and Sullivan. An Admirer of G. and S.: Being an admirer of your paper, I take a great interest in the correspondent column of it, and notice a lot of comment ot "highbrow and lowbrow" music that is played at each station. I think I am right in believing that there was -a composer by the name of Sullivan who composed the music for the worldfamous operas. Why not some of his works, such as selections from ‘Yeoman of the Guard," etc. ‘here are six or seven to pick from, and let’s have a bit of good English music-light and uneful, also popular.