Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 40, 20 April 1928, Page 14

Our Mail Bag

| | An Eltham View. An Eltham Listener: I reat with interest many letters and comments ou the programme question, which as far as we listeners are coucerned is, of course, of great importance. We here feel the company is out to do its best for us, and this was iu evidence especially on Easter Monday from 2YA in the way 1t catered for "sports." I would like to pass a few remarks on tny ideas of the programmes, if not out of place. I do feel we have a little too much of the very high-brow class of music, the first and "second movemetts, etc. They invariably have very little in them approaching a "tune," which we all love. I much prefer opera selections or such pieces as ‘Valse. Triste," ete., that have a melody which can be followed, and which are not so long drawn out. I think Mr. Len Barnes one of the most versatile of your artists, and he entertains us in various ways splendidly. Mr. Haywood’s pieces are always a delight, and so are cornet solos, flute, clarionet, etc. Mr. Stanley Warwick’s "Monkey’s Paw" was splendid; we are looking forward to his play. Miss Anita Graham appeals to us, and so-do Miss Sawyer and Miss McGruer. ‘The Male Quartets are delightful,, and now that the piano is subdued for the "Boiled Owls," we‘can follow them bettem. The Rev. Lionel Fletcher on Faster Sunday was splendid-to him twnany thanks. Reception from 2YA has not heen nearly so good lately; it fades where it never did before. Can you account for this? Wishing you continued progress. "Satisfied Customers." Carborundum (Petone): After having carefully perused your last two or three numbers of the "Radio Record,’"’ I feel compelled to write a few lines re the discontent shown by a few Auckland listeners; I think. sir, the whole may be summarised into one word, jealousy. I am afraid it is the same old trouble, Auckland is always jealous of poor old Wellington; I guess, sir, that if IVA liad been established in Auckland nothing would have been said. As regards the gentleman (?) with the "pull’? who was yoing to do all the damage he could. Well, I am afraid it has only damaged himself. If he is not already heartily ashamed of himself he ought to be, as a good many other listeners are ashamed of him. I would suggest, Sir, that any Auckland growlers who are dissatisfied be given back their "thirty bobs." I am _ personally delighted with your programmes, especially now that you are cutting out that much-maligned trio. Really, we couid not stand "Handel" or "Caruso" lnimself if he broadcasted every night. I am well pleased with the ‘Radio Record," and look forward to it week by week. I would like the Broadcasting Company to feel that there are thousands of their customers wlio are well satisfied with their goods, who have not got the impudence to want to know all about the profit and loss account of the’ company. Now, Sir, for my own little grouse: You promised some long time back {in answer to a correspondent) that a Cictionary of some sort would be published explaining most of the technical words used itt radio; up to the present there has been "no appearance, your worship." [This work is in hand in connection with the preparatiott of a complete Radio Listeners’ Guide, which is now in the hands of the printer, and will be available in the course of some six or seven weeks, perliaps sooner. See announcement elsewhere. The dictionary af terms is, we believe, the most complete ever compiled, at any rate in this country, in povular form, and will be very useful. We hone to begin at any rate condensed publication in the "Recard" in the near future,-Iid.] Harmonics. _G.C.H, (Masterton) : Replying to Mr. ~§. R. Ellis’s (Okato) letter in your issue of April 6. remarking on his having logged 4YA on 230 metres. Whenever it is on the air T also am able to lug this station on this wavelength, or rather on about 231 inetres, and a few months back, when recep-

tion here of 4Y¥A was not too guod, I frequently tuned in the harmonic wave in preference to the normal setting and got better reception. Mr. Ellis may be interested to learn that when 4Y. was transmitting on a wavelength of 880 metres, and again later whien ot. 485 metres, I was then also able to log in on the larmonic wave. Another station I find possessing a harmonic is 31,0, Melbourne, atid on about 185 metres is loud enough to listen to. (my dial setting is 6 for the harmontic). I cannot understand Mr. Ellis logging 4YA on 85 metres, as the station’s fourth harmonic would be approximately 924 metres, I would be pleased to hear if any listener has brought in any stations other than the two mentioned on their first harmonic-not possessing a shortwave set the harmonics would of course have to be on the broadcast band to interest me. As regards KFON, Mr. Ellis will find this station by tuning in on 241.8 metres up till 8.30 each evening. KFON has not heen transmitting on 230.6 metres sitice Junz last, Short-waye Enthusiasm. S. Saunders (Wellington) in reconnting a long list of receptions throughout Haster (too late for publication last week) ¢tates that on Monday, April 9, 8L0, Melbourne, came in at good strength. He received it at first with the aerial switched off. The announcer said they get about 200 letters from all parts of the world a week, written in different languages, for which they had an interpreter. He had received letters from two pritices, also from several of the notability. He stated that short-wave telephony was only in its experimental stages yet, and they were trying their best to make it a success. Not very long ago the amateur enthusiast would sit up all night to get spark morse from a nearby ship. He would be pleased to receive letters on their transmission, and each letter would be answered by the first mail. Yoo Much Trio. G.C.C. (Nelson): After reading with considerable interest your page in this week’s . "Record" of correspondents’ views of programmes, I felt 1 would like to add my quota, With regard to programmes, 1 would like to congrattJate the Broadcasting Company On the programmes put on the air, and consider they gre the creain of taleut available in this country, with one exception, and that applies to the three main stations. I refer to the three trios on the air nightly, with their third and fourth movements, D minors, Eb romances, aid Bb finals. As _ soloists these artists cannot be beaten, but as trios they are a ‘‘washout,’’ in my Opinion. If these trios must be put on the air, aud I admit there are some listeners who prefer that class of stuff, why give them 40 minutes (average) of an already short programme, when listeners get an average of only five minutes occasionally of artists like Mrs. Stallard, Miss Hamerton, Miss Hlaine Moody and party, Mr. Lad Haywood, and many others equally good? If, as we honestly believe, the company is out for the good of the listener, may I suggest that you publish a voting coupon in your valuable paper to enable every listener to express an opinion on the class of items he or she prefers. {I‘rankly, we have shirked this for two reasons: (1) Because of the work involved, and that is pretty heavy; and (2) because exhaustive yotes in Britain and America are available, and as the law of ayerages operates fairly eifectiyely, the tastes recorded there are almost sure to apply here. If there is a keen desire for a vote we will be prepared te conduct one.---]id.] Some Attractive Suggestions. Waihi: Last issue received to-day containing letters om programmes and lack of variety. Almost every complaint eomes from valve set owners as near as I can judge. ‘This seems remarkable, as these people have the choice of three programmes each night, as against the crystal set owners’ one programme, aud surely if their sets are eflicient any reasonable person with the night’s programmes before him can choose a concert to suit his own taste. Personally, my fayourite items are instrumental-

hanjo, guitar, cornet, mandolin, etc, By subscribing to the ‘‘Radio Record" J ami enabled each night to select what items in each programme I prefer, and as they are as a rule fairly on time, I am enabled to choose a good evening's entertainment, At the same time I must admit that there is a sameness about the programmes which would become irksome if I were confined to a crystal set and one station. For the Lenefit of all listeners I would suggest that the transmission of gramophone records would add a great deal to the attractiveness of programmes. With the new method of recording these are a treat, giving as they do a wide selection of the world’s best artists, and, in addition, almost without exception, they broadcast much clearer and with an absence of background noises which is often noticeable in studio items, No exception is taken in England and America to "canned" music (in fact, by the latest papers it seems a greater use than ever is being made of tecords), in spite of the fact that they have an unlimited number of artists: to call on as against our small number. I would suggest, therefore, that as lack of variety and not the ability of perfermers is the chief cause of complaint, that three er four records wisely selected in relation to the rest of the progranuve would he thankfully received. Seyeral times I have heard records during an evening programme, and have so far not seen a single complaint in. letters, Further, while not suggesting that annonucers should descend to cheap wit, they could adopt a more breezy and pleasant manner of delivery without sacrificing their dienitv. ‘To Yisten to SY Vs anneuneer and then hear the

stiff and correct. bald announcement from other stations will giye you an idea of how the personality of the an--nouncer makes one’s fayourite station. I feel that I have known 3YA’s nnnoutcer for years, and it is always pleasant to tune in and hear his pleasant method. This may be a small matter, but it is these little. things which go to make up the programme, and ati announcer’s voice can become just as monotonous as other items In your summary of times occupied by various items, you state that atinouncing takes sixty ininutes or one-twelfth of the time, Why not give the understudy a chance ? Tu conclusion, I think that the great est cause of complaints is that the tiev= elty and mystery of wireless reception has worn off, even home constructors and experimenters, owing to cost of conipotients, being confined to sets already built. To keep their interest, novelty items must be kept up, A few suggestions: Relavs of overseas stalions, mouth organ solos, relays of championship boxing bouts, Sydney Stadium, guessing competitions (one I recently heard was striking objects, bells, travs, blowing horn, working holt of rifle, etc., winning guesser receiving a valve or small prize), harp solos (never heard one for years), playing competitions (limit competitions, known by numbers, to say six; Jet each play same item for two minutes and invite listeners to vote for winner, who will receive a prize). With amateurs only it slioul! not be difficult to stage a different Kind of instrument each: week, violin, banic, piano, mandolin, cornet, etc . with little expense for advertising, and otily takinv abont 20 minutes one night a week. The performances may not he high class, and most of us are not competent to judge, but even so most listeners feem good sritics and would have a g@ at plecing them. An Outside View of Auckland, ‘H.DE., Tokomaru Bay: I consider your paper a very valuable little journal, and heartily endorse all vour remarks concerning the uncalled-for and adverse criticism which has been appearing in some. of the Auckland papers. It is, however, impossible to please some people, and it appears to me that the ‘‘Auckland Listeners’ League’ are like children, and reall don’t knov what they want. We can "tune in’ all the New Zealand stations here (and most of the Anstralian ones), and consider the programmes excellent, and realise that the management have to cater for all tastes-not an isolated few. Wishing your journal and company every success. An Inquiry. "A Listener" (Wellington): A Msten-er-in on Wednesday, March 28, picked up on a spider-web double coil, as described in the "Radio Record," and with the aid of some home-made crystal, heard a station calling, "Hello! Hello!" repeated several times, The caller then said: "Have you seen our new self-starter, Jack? When are you coming to sce us, Jack?" The reception was good, but was slightly troubled by morse. The call was received about 9.15 and continued until 10 o’clock, then faded away. Can,any advice be given as to the whereabouts of this station through your paper? Analysis of Criticism, G. C. H. (Masterton): Touching on the "burning question": of the quality of the programimes submitted by the Radio Broadcasting Co., while not being perhaps absolutely satisfied myself with the programmes presented, I haye no sympathy with those who write to the "Record" and the newspapers in such a disparaging manner in regard to same, most of the letters being absurdly lacking in common sense, and, in my opinion, containing unwarranted criticism. Unfortunately the great majority oi letters appearing in the "Record" and elsewhere contain quite unjustified complaints; all too few of the thousands ef appreciative listeners make known their appreciation in print. I have come to the conclusion that the majority of those writing letters of adverse criticism are listeners who haye had their licenses only for a short time. It can hardly be that listeners of longer standing would he so absolutely lacking in judgmest. as it must be very apparent to them thas there has been a tremendous improvement in the programmes during the past seven months or so, and that further improvement is taking place. What

|} would perhaps bring the growlers ta their senses would be for the stations to close down now and again for, say, a week at a time; and then they would really appreciate what they are receiving every afternoon and evening for such a small cost. What of this Easter? Why, with extra transmissions of church seryices and sporting fixtures, listeners are recéiving a veritable feast of entertainment. . Buck up, all you growlers who read this, and look at the matter from a conimon-sense viewpoint. "Hard Up's" (Roxburgh) letter in the "Record" af April 6 contains a lot of sense, Try to be impartial in your views atid tastes, and keep your unjust criticisms to yourselves, Learn to appreciate the programmes that are given now and you will get a lot more enjoyment for your 30s, per annum than before. Remember, "Blessed is he that expecteth little, for he shall receive much." Pick Your Own Menu, Music (Wellington): I would like through the columns of your ,valual,'paper to thank the manager of tl. Radio Broadcasting Company for f. courteous reply to a request I ma‘ for a repeat of some pieces of mi. that had been played by the Symon:-Hillwood-Short ‘Trio from 2YA, Other information asked for was al-» willingly given, and the manager w: also kind- enough to advise me by hk ter nearly a month ahead when two «~ the request items would be replayed, & | action which I greatly appreciate, as i+ (Continued Next Page.)

Our Mail Bag

(Contiuned from Page 14.) ellables me to fit this night in. I consider the programmes from 2YA are generally very good. We are not compelled nor are we expected to swallow all the items provided on the menu"‘prograimmie.’’? We do not do so when we go to a restaurant for a meal. When we go to a restaurant for a meal we consult the menu and pick out certain articles of food that we fancy, and those we do not care about we do not have, but we do not abuse the management for having provided something we do not like, he Broadcasting Company is in somewhat the same position as the restaurant keeper, having to provide a bill of fare to suit a varicty of tastes, and if listeners will insist on trying to digest everything on the menu, if it agrees with them or not, they should not blame the company if they suffer _ from musical indigestion, or, in other words, get "fed up," I would like to add a word of appreciation on tle enterprise of the company in again securing the right to broadcast the Sunday night concerts by.

3 Se, } the P.N.S. and W.M.T. Bands from YYA on alternate Sunday nights. Although I usually attend these concerts niyself, the broadcasting of them is a boon to country listeners. The formation of an orchestra in place of and including the Studio Trio is a good move, and is being eagerly awaited for by many listeners. Mrs, Kenny’s Mandolin Band is also worthy of a bit of notice. ‘The programme put over by this band on Saturday night last (aster Saturday) was not only it keeping with the season, but amply demonstrated that this instrument in the hands of a good player is capable of putting over what we might call medium heavgs-weight music, equally as well as the light jazzy prograuune this party put over some six weeks ago, ‘This combination, with its high pitched firsts and deeper seconds, playing in splendid time to the rhythmlike strumming of the ukulele, should go a long way to popularise the radio with all classes of listeners if they are given the opportunity. I would like to add my weight to 2.M.U.C.H.," ‘Reeord,’? 13-4-28, re Sunday afternoon concerts fron. 2YA during the winter months, and also agree that good class gramophone records would be very suitable,

In conclusion I must thanle vou for so much of your yaluable space, and wish your paper and the Radio Broad-_ casting Company all possible success | and good wishes. | The Programmes | Satisfied (Wellington): I should like to answer through your columus a letter written by one who signs himself N.S. Francis. I am now referring to his criticisin of 2YA’s concert programmes, I am pleased to say that. 1 cannot altogether agree with the complaints outlined by this gentleman, whose musical intellect seems somewhat lacking. Yaking into consideration the amount of foolish complaints the authorities of 2¥A must receive, I think their patience must be soniewhat tried. When one considers the complaints put forward hy Mr. Francis, one is reminded of an Oxiphone belching forth noise, that is, a bulf bellowing in a paddock. Trusting that listeners will endeavour to aid broadcasting hy helpful criticism, and not twaddle that may retard the effort of those who are endeayouring to make it a success, Inquiries Answered, BH. J. Crabbe (Napier): I notice a couple of inquiries in this week’s issue of the ‘Record,’ A Wellington listen-,

--. a er reports having heard a station on a fairly low wave-length after the Australian stations had closed down, I think that he will find that it was 3DB, Melbourne. ‘This station is operated by the Druleigh Business College on a wave-length of 255 metres and power of 500 watts. ast Thursday night (April 5) I sat. up very late to see if there was anything after the Aussies’ had closed down, 8DB was the only _ station heard, and he was going until about 2.15 a,m., corresponding to 12.45 Australian time, No other stations were heard, although I listened periodically until dawn as a trial to see what might be picked up. In the second query a reader from Ettrick reports a station on about 230 metres giving a speech session at 7.30 pm. I think this will be found to be the first harmonie of 4¥A, Dunedin (463 metres). ‘This harmonic can alwavs be heard when 4¥A is on the air, a few points below KFON, Static has been a nightmare to Napier listeners for the last month with practically no clear night, ‘There is plenty of volume in all stations, but static on most nights has put listening out’ ot the question,

A new member to the broadcasting band is 24Q, Tailiape, who has been heard testing on various waves from 280 to 310 metres on one or two evenings recently. Ee comes in with plenty of kick. It is very pleasing to note that 2YA is shortly going to have a fine studio, orchestra. Can any reader tell me the identity,. of a slation, presumably an American, on about 310 metres. I have heard him faintly between 5.30 p.m. and 6: p.m., but as soon as 38YA, Christchurch, this station is, of course, blotted! out. ‘It is not an Australian. I will; have a good go at him on 3YA/’s silent night, 2\Q will be found on 320) metres when he gets going properly.