Views in Our Maul Bag

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 37, 30 March 1928, Page 16

Views in Our Maul Bag

North Taranaki Reception. J. R. Miller (Uruti): I have been putting off complaining regarding the Meception of the Radio Broadcasting Company’s stations for the past fortnight, in the hope that they might improve. In this week’s ‘‘Record" a letter appears, written by ‘Disgusted,"’ of Patea, who says the North ‘Tarawaki Radio Society are kicking up a row over nothing. Well, if ‘‘Disgusted" lived in this district he would not listen-in at all, as both 2YA and 8YA fade badlv all the time; 4YA is not foud enough to enjoy; while 1YA, which was previously the only station received here without fading ana distortion, is now fading badly and tertibly distorted. I have been listening to LYA_ since Its inception, and have never known it to fade before, so it is quite apparent that the transmission is at fault. On the other hand, I have never heard yet an evening’s pruogramme without fading. Now, Sir, the company has improv-_ ed the fare provided out of all sight during the past year, and I wish to congratulate them on this score; hut, of course, there is always scope for improvement in this direction. If the company spent more money in improving the quality of its transmissions, much more progress would be made in the number of licenses, as people will not (in North ‘Taranaki, anyway) buy sets until reception is better.

Mr, Harris promised the North Tataaki Radio Society that the fading problem would be investigated, and, if possible, relieved, but so far no such telief has occurred. My other cause of complaint is that the voice of the announcer, Mr, Ball, of 2YA, is much too deep to be easily comprehended on a cone type speaker, and is bad enongh on a horn type. I would like to congratulate Q@YA en the Symons-Iillwood Short Trio,

the Mellow Fellows, Mr. Billy Hart, Mr. Lad Haywood, Two Boiled Owls, and also many other artists whose items are presented. Silent Day Desired, Doug (Seatoun): While listening-in on Thursday, 22nd, after the Australian stations had closed down, I turned around the dials, and at 31-66 I got a very faint whistle, and could then hear music which was hardiy audible, so I turned round and at 20-66 heard another whistle. I tuned in very carefully and could hear jazzngand singing quite distinct. This was at 1.40 a.m. (28rd), and 1 listened until 1.45, but did not hear words I could understand, so I_ packed up. Now, could you tell me what stations they were? I have only a onevalye iMuilard PM3) set (home-made at a cost of £4 10s.), and hers are the stations I have heard :-20-66, at 1.30 a.m, (?); 31-66, at 1.80 a.m. (?); 60-70, B8YA; 64, whistle only; 6&8, LYA; 70, QBL, first choice; 75, 8LO, second choice; &0, 40G, very blurred; 83, 5CK, very faint; 85, 2YA; 87}, 21°C, third; 90, 4¥A; 98, 8AR, almost as good as 8LO after 12; 96, whistle only (tell me); 94, Wellington Morse station; 15 stations. There is one thing I would like to say. JY would be very sorry if Wellington did not have a silent day, as some correspondents wish, otherwise how would a lot of listeners in Wellington get other N.Z. stations? [Yes, write your inquiry to Megolim.-Iid.]

Salvation Army Music. H.C., Westport: Having taken the "Radio Record" since its inception and studied the weekly letters from the different towns asking what sort — of music to put on. Well, I would like to ask for a little more of the Salvation Army concerts, such as cornet solos. While asking for this I for one am quite satisfied with what we are receiving, but this might appeal to quite a lot of radio listeners if published, I have a six-valve set and

eee get real good, clear results here. Have very often to cut 2Y\ back, volume too strong; receive 4YA at good loudspeaker strength and only have 80 yolts B battery. Aussie stations yery strong at present. More Light Music Waated,

S.S., Wellington: I am writing you a few lines to know if the radio progranunes could not be brightened up a little, and I know a number of people who, like myself, would like to hear something different than what we have been getting lately. I would like in the first place to refer to the Musical ‘Trio, who are without doubt very clever musicians, but we get fed up with first and second movements and sonatas, ete., which are played week after week with regular monotony, and often wish this clever trio would play tunes which most persons are familiar with, such as Gilbert and Sullivan operas or musical comedy tunes, which would be a very welcome change from the dreary drawn-out pieces we have to listen to. Also some new artists would be very much appreciated, as we hear almost the same ones week after week, singing and playing the same old sougs and tunes. I may state that if a change is not made, fewer licenses will be taken out this year. Exchange of Views Wanted. BE. J. Crabbe (Napier): I was very pleased to see several answers in this week’s "Record" to my inquiry concerning the strange station on 2YA’s wavelength, and wish to thank these gentlemen, I see that one correspondent, Mr. S. R. Bilis, of Taranaki, has apparently mistaken my letter for one of Dr. Zielie’s, and is asking a few inquiries concerning my _ set, If Mr. Hillis would be kind enough to send his address to me, c/o P.O, Box 326, Napier, I would be pleased to correspond with him, and reception in Napier and Taranaki could be compared from time to time, ‘The station Mr, Tillis heard playing band music and fading badly on about 230 metres was undoubtedly KFON, the Piggly Wiggly Station, Long Beach, California,

Since last writing reception las improved, but static has been very bad during the last week. Last Sunday night was exceptionally good, although there were occasional loud bursts of static. © On this night I tuned in QUls, Sydney, at fine speaker strength. This is a fine result, as 2UK works on only 250 watts. I have received a chart from KEFON, containing pictures of their station, artists, ¢te. SDN and 5CY, Adelaide, as well as 8UZ, Melbourne, along with the usual Australian stations, were heard to advantage on nights when static was not so bad, Morse interferes with reception here, and boats have some nights kept up their transmission for more than an hour on end. Needless to say, listening was out of the question. Thanking you and wishing the "Record"? long life and every success.