Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 43, 11 May 1928, Page 14

Our Mail Bag

Applause for "Jane." H. EB. Morse, Kurori; Last evening the wife and I listened-in to Mr. Stanley Warwick and company in the comedy "Jane" and we thoroughly enjoyed the performance, I€ must be very hard for the artists giving of their best to such a silent and undemonstrative audience. We had quite a job to restrain ourselves from clapping and stamping our feet, and wish to thank you: and the company for a very enjoyable evening’s entertainment. Wishing you all the best of good luck, More Applause for "Jane." L. Ferguson (Palmerston North),I am writing to express my appreciation of the concert broadcast by the Wellington station on Thursday night last, May 3, I have a personal interest in "Jane," as I took part in it] when it was played in Palmerston North in December. On Thursday night, the whole play was exceptionally clear, and proved a most delightful change from the usual musical and elocutionary programme. Silent Nights. D.A.G., Christchurch: -Might I mention a matter which must trouble all Auckland city and Christchurch listeners with average valve sets? On Wednesday nights the only New Zealand stations on the air are 1YA and 8YA, with wavelengths very close to each other. ‘The result is that the average valve set listener cannot cut out the local station and listen-in to the other New Zealand station. Therefore on Wednesday nights all Auckland city 4 Christchurch set listeners have only one New Zealand station to listen to. Could not the silent night of either 1YA or 3YA be altered and a station with a wavelength more removed substituted? More Hymns Wanted,

Geo. Rankin, Dannevirke: I wish to express t-y appreciation of the programmes the company is now putting on the air. Week nights are good and must give pleasure to young and old. But what about Sunday nights? Do you think it would be too much to ask the company for one station out of the four to give us one hour of sacred hymns and solos? If they could do so I am sure it would give great pleasure to many as to me. It seems out of place after a good sermon, with the singing of some of our children’s hymns, to hear some of the jazz which is put on, Now, Sir, if we had one station we could tune in to it would still leave’ the other three for the other vocal and instrumental music. Wishing the Broadcasting Company every success, Sunday Afternoon for Farmers. K. G Rouse (Murchison): Just a line to convey thanks for the excellent performance of "Jane," given on the 3rd by a very able company, under the direction of Mr. Stanley Warwick. The reception was ideal, and every syllable was clear and distinct. (Quite uo number of listeners-in locally would like to hear a Sunday afternoon concert given from 2YA, even if it is only a selected gramophone concert, the main reason being a farming district, und Sunday is practically the ouly day one can listen-in during the afternoon. The various pro-

grammes "put on the air’ should be ainple to satisfy all tastes, and the class of music rendered by the various musical trios, and the new orchestra at 2YA has been of a very high standard. Hoping that 2YA will be able to put something on on Sunday afternoon to satisfy the farming community. {This will be done as from May 13.--Eid.] A Taranaki Listener,

-yalyve set, and ean honestly say that J U. G. Davey (Opunake),---Whilst not intending to take part in any discussion relative to 2Y¥A’s reception in Taranaki, may I be permitted to give my experience and opinion. First of all, I live just 88 miles by road from New Plymouth, have a Federal 52¥A’s reception has been all that is desired, all of which can be verified if necessary. Just recently 2YA has been a little below the usual, but if my memory serves me correctly, your station has been making some experiments to suit New Plymouth's conditions. If that is so, I wished you had just carried on, Now, as regards programmes, I don’t pose as a Severe windy critic; for one reason, you cannot, I admit, please everybody. Sometimes the trio, good as they ure, have given us country folk, in my opinion, a little too much of high-class music, but I just see that has been altered by the introduction of an orchestra, which is quite a treat to sit and listen to. But (eapital B) will it please? Now, I have a suggestion to make, which will, I think, be a slight improvement, and consideration to upcountry childven, When you put the Children’s Mour on the air, and the birthdays are read over, could you give all the country ones first. The reason for ny suggestion is that little | ones, whose parents possess & radio set, desire to come and hear their little friend’s names called, aud as some of them come a distance, it makes if a bit late, if the name or names is left rather Iat«, for living in the country is quite different to just hopping out and catching a tram. Whilst I’m in the writing spirit, may I draw your attention to the fact that some of your items, ¢ic., are somewhat marred by the tooting of motor horns of passing motor-cars, Could. you, alleviate that nuisance a little?

Taranaki Keception, "South Taranaki" (Stratford).-I noticed a letter in last week's ‘‘Radio Record" written by Mr. Payne, of New Plymouth. Now, Mr. Hditor, most of the noise about faulty trans mitting comes from North ‘laranaki, Why? Because we are perfectly satis« fied with the Broadcasting Company. I_have personally listened-in to three different receiving sets at different times in New Plymouth, and I could not find anything to complain abont. I feel that there must be something behind all this New Plymouth agitation, and a friend let the ‘‘cat out of the bag." Ue informed me that some of the New Plymouth tans considered that the Broadcasting Company should establish a relay station in that town, because would put New Plymouth on the "map," aud the only way to pet this would be to make a noise about faulty transmission, and thus induce the Broadcasting Company to accede te their demands. Well, Mr, Editor, let us hope, for the good of broadcasting in New Zealand, that the Broadcasting Company will not be so silly as to entertain the proposal. For my part I would much prefer two good super stations Than a lot of half-pye mush room ones. Fair Play. "Well Wisher"’ (Stratford).-I have been closely following the correspon~ deuce regarding the quality of the pro grammes transmitted from the New Zealand stations, and from what I can gather from same, most of the coms plaints come from those who apparent« ly have just recently purchased receiv ing sets. For myself, Mr. Ijditor, I Jook upon myself as a new-chum at the game. I built my first receiving set in 1920, and we were glad to get any music or speech that was offering, and we appreciated what good or bad things were in the air at that time, and we did mot rush the newspapers with our complaints. I have watched the progress of broadcasting since that year, and can honestly say that the Broadcasting Company deserves our very best thanks for the splendid programmes they are "putting across the air.’ What on earth are our Auck« Jand radions squealing about, imsisting that the Broadcasting Company be made to publish their balance-sheet ?, What does it matter if the company ate doing well out of the business, as long xa thev are "giving us the goods"? For my own part, if the programme from a particular station 1s not to my liking, {I switch on to something that does suit me Surely there is no trouble in doing this? If vour radio correspondents are honest they will admit that there ** a great diversity of opinion, even among there friends, on the merits of any particular prorramme. That being so, how on earth ean ‘lie same people ever hope for the Broadcasting Company to please eVety listener-in? Let me, 1m conclusion, urge the Rroadcasting Company to continue the splendid pra grammes they are transmitting nights ly, and leave the "yronsers’’ to squabble among themselves. Lets be fair to the company and give them at least credit for tie ex®*Ilent service they, are rendering to the public. New Zealand Preferred, S. Hill (Dunedin): I have just been glancing through this week’s "Radio Record.’ I must congratulate you on snch an excellent paper. The first 'thing I look for is the "Mail Bag’-

these columms usually afford me much amusement, I say they amuse me be cause I thoroughly enjoy reading Ict« ters from listeners airing their views. Now listen, I have been a radio fan for four years or more, and I can tell you that I have never once been really ‘dissatisfied with the programmes. course, I adinit some stations aren’t always brilliant, but, taking them all round, they are easily worth 380s. a year; I have read a letter from this week’s Mail Bag, written by ‘Programme’? (IIunterville}). I second his letter, in fact, I'd like to know him. YT have a set that can and does bring in the Australian stations on a small indoor aerial with more volume than {Continued on Page 15.)

Our Mail Bag

(Continued.) is needed, and yet I am quite contented with New Zealand programmes. I really can’t see what some listeners have to grumble about However, I suppose there are and always will be a few who want more for their money. Still, 1 don’t see that they can get much more for a penny a night. Wishing your paper every success Perhaps a Jap. A. Ireland (Taradate).-1l see in the *‘Radio Record" for April 27° Mr. Hannan wanting to know the name of a station. The station about one and a half degrees below 2BL, is possibly JOAK, Japan. I heard this station last Tuesday testing for the new Station at Tekio, coming through at good. joudspeaker strength, and very clear, Nearly all the announcements were in English , YA, Nlinois. ‘

W. Terrill (Waitara): Having seen one or two inquiries in the "Record" this week re a station on 2ZF’s wavelength, may I state this station is 9XF, Mlinois, situated at Downer’s Grove, 24 miles south-west of Chicago, | and for the last week or two has been | testing on the mentioned wave-length on a power of 50.000 watts, and also which comes through here at speaker strength equal to 3YA. Also, in answer to ©. J. Nordstrand, the station he referred to is very likely} JOAK, Japan, which is operating on a new wave-length, being practically ; on 2BL, on a power of 10.000 watts. "I Swore I was in China." J. W. Ashford (Wellington) : While listening-in last night or rather, the early hours of this morning, after a‘ good night’s entertainment from New Zealand and Australian stations, I° was about to close down when peculiar chant-like music drifted in a fraction below 2BL’s wave-length. The latter station had just closed down, the time being 12.30 to 1 a.m., so I] tuned the stranger up and by the music and lingo coming over I swore I was in China. The.items were fairly lengthy, and the announcer was a most excitable and noisy individual. Conid not understand a word that was spoken, and he was still at it when I closed down at 1.20 a.m. I intended writing you to see if any reader of the "Radio Record" had logged him when I happened, a few minutes ago, to glance over the Mail Bag portion . of this week's issue, and dropped right on to an inquiry headed "Who's the Stranger’ from Mr. C. J. Nordastrand, Onerahi. He evidently got | the same station according to his letter, for he described him perfectly, | picking him up close to 2BL. Perhaps some other readers can enlighten us. It would be interesting to know just how far away our friend is. My set is a portable 4-valve operating at the ] time on a 25ft. vertical aerial. In closing, accept our appreciation of 2YA’s improving "menu," especially that of last evening, the three act comedy "Jane," which came through splendidly. Who is the Champion Listener? S. R. Ellis {Okato)-Who is the champion five-valve listener of New Zealand; that is, the most stations logged with a five-valve set. 1 would like to know how many listeners can beat any logging with nine New Zea- | land, fourteen Australian, three American, two Japanese, and C. R. Larson whaling ship, with a _ total of twenty-nine? I would like fisteners to write to ‘Our Mail Bag" the record of stations logged by them. ‘There is a listener in Waitara (Taranaki) who has logged somewhere in the vicinity of sixty stations, to his great credit, but he must be workine on more than five valves. Also Heard by Gihexs. R. Taylor (Havelock North}: With reference to queries in this week’s "Record" from B. Wenlock, and E, Green, re identity of U.S.A. Station OXF. I had this station coming in on a five-valve last Sunday from 7 p.m. to 10.80 p.m., on the speaker with volume equal to 2YA. This is no exnggeration, but a fact. Station is at Downes Grove, Illinois, and announcements made were that station was situated 24 miles south-west of Chicago, and was testing on a power of 50,000 watts, 288 metres. Reports from all over the States were received, and read out during the test, and amongst items played was the "Indian | Love Call," from "Rose Marie," "All Alone," "Lucky Days," ete. The station was only half a degree on the dial below 2ZF, and wanted careful adjustment, but when tuned in no trace of 2ZF could be heard-in fact, the musie was so loud it drowned out the Palmerston station. I use two earth connections, and find that it makes the set more selective. W., O. Tilsley (Tahuna): In your last issue Mr. B. Wenlock (Waitati) and Mr. BE. Green (Mount Biggs, Feilding) were requiring information as to what station was transmitting on about the same wavelength as 2ZF, Palmerston North. Well, Sir, I have succeeded in logging this station. It is OXI, Mlinois, America, testing on 60,000 watts. I first got this station at 7 o’clock, and it was broadcasting till &30, New Zealand time. It was coming in at good loudspeaker strength, with little fading-statie at times. The set which I have is a fivyevalve, DX, Rotorua: In last week's issue of the "Record" two correspondents were anxious to identify several stations. The station Mr. BP. Green has been hearing is OXF, Illinois, testing | on 50,000 watts. I have heard this station at good speaker strength seyeral Sunday evenings, He mentions that KSL is the station usually blotted out by 8¥A, In this lovality and using a five-valye receiver, I never have any difficulty in separating KS and 38YA, The former works on 802.8

fmetres-a separation from 8YA by about three metres. ‘Che siation blot-. ted out by 3YA is KOMO (‘Washing-. ton). on 305.0 metres or 14 of a metre lower than 3YA. I often hear KOMOon Sunday and Tuesday evenings. Re Mx. ©. J. Nordstrand’s queries, I think the foreign station he heard was JOAK, Japan. This station works near. 2BL’s wave, and as Mr. Nordstrand evidently uses a long total length of ' antenna his tuning will be a_ little broad. This will run JOAK and 2BL together. If Mx, Nordstrand is sure it was South Africa and not South Australia he heard, I think he has happened upon a lucky patch of ether. I haye been a listener for some.years in different. parts of New Zealand, and have a long log of stations, but have never heard © * 2YA’S Variety. E. J. M., Reikoraugi: Through the | columns of your paper I would like to thank 2YA for the many enjorable: evenings we have spert listenine-in to the excellent concerts put over the air by that station. The other stations have good programmes also, but I prefer 2YA because there is more veriety I also congratulate them on va‘ning the services of such a fine orchestra as. we listened to last evening We have now some beautiful music to look forward to Anring the winter months.

Appreciation of 2YA. "Interested,"? Hataitai, Wellington: 1 write to express my appreciation of the programme put "on the air" by 2YA on Tuesday, May 1 = Surelv this comprehensive programme shou'd meet the demands of alj tastes and this class of entertainment continuing, I’m sure the rather severe criticisms. appearing in the ‘Radio Record" wil? be a thin | of the past The orchestra is truly splendid, and in their selections of May 1 were variation in rlenty. I have noted that in the criticisms most of~ the writers have either demanded hi-h. Iv classical music or jazz, but what of the countless compositions hetween | these two extremes? Such items as given by the new studio orchestra in .the opening programme {la Prlome," | ‘Peer Gynt," etc.) are brieht, tuneful and melodions, and ocustte cater for all. , More Appr ciation.

"More ‘han Satisfied," Kilbirnie, Weilington: 1 have becu a wireless fan since 2YA upened, my efiorts beng confined to a humbie, honie-made crystal set. I have also been a subscriver to your well-read and instructive journal for quite a while, and cousider it time I said my "bit" about the 2YA station end its programmnics. Unlike some of the listeners-1u, I lave not had a musical education, Lut nevertheless I appreciate, good music, well played, just as any normal, intellectual person should From 8YA’s opening night till now I Goubt whether I have missed more than One programme each week, so naturally the many criticisms levelled against the company and its programmes have interested me quite a jot. I consider that the programines from 2YA are great; not that I rave over everv single item The talent employed for songs, clocution, orchestral items, and lecturettes is equal to the talent employed in any other station in the world in proportion to the vpovrnlation (just over 300,009). The Symonds-litlwood-Short trio were three wonderful artists, and whilst I did not listen to all their items, I never missed one of their solos if T could help it. I do not know anv of the trio personally, but I sincerelv trust that they are not readers of the ‘‘Radin Record"’-so that they would not read the stupid criticisins levelled avrainst them, written 1n most cases bv stupid, unthinking persons. Such artists as Stanley Warwick, en Barnes, Jeanette Briegs, Doug. Stark. Walno'e, and Co. and others far too numeros to mention, would get zreat big hendlines an anv concert provraime, and they world certainly deserve it. The children’s sessions are lovelv. Anv parent who world not wet a cot, just far fhe riddies

and their session, world be hard. In conclusion, Sir, I weuld like to ask the Gundreds-perhaps Y should sav thou-sands--of other satislicd listeners to drop a line to vour paper and voice their appreciation of the artists and the programmes generally, and so help to crowd ont the selfish ones who want all jazz or all hich-brow, or what not. Trusting the commanv keeps on improying and givine ns the same class of entertainment for 30s. ver vear, and that the msleontents will he more reaconalle. Above vl. thev shovtd trv not to reach such a low state as that which exists among a certain few in the sarthare city,