MR. STOUTS LETTER

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 49, 29 June 1928, Page 16

MR. STOUTS LETTER

4 "Rély to i j I a very: much to read tii e last issue of the "Radio Récord" the uncalled for criticism of the ion tee cliot wane (of-which I haye ‘been chi pang oftee oe only & +j tributor) by "Mr. Ms Stout, because he was ‘acy enough to hear: Hoover's nomination ars to { that other repoxts ‘ot i ption are ‘ use his own expression, "the bunk, Ber _, After all, there is nothing very smart picking up 2XAF; plenty of us-do it every afternoon that they are on the air, and are at home to tune in. Of course, it is admitted that ft was an interesting event to hear, and Mr. Stout was lucky to have been on the job at the right time. As regards my contributions to the "Short-Ware Corner," it was never intended to be only a list of real good reception, but stations heard from time to time, reception conditions, and other items which. might interest other: shortwave listeners throughout New. Zealund, That these weekly notes hare been appreciated by a large number of readers is proved by the numerous letters which I have received from ll over the country, and one from Vancourver, asking questions in reference to identity of stations heard, and many items pecnliar to short-v uve reception. ‘The beginner also finds the notes handy to compare reception at different times which, of course, vary considerably. Never at any time has any claim been made by any contributor to be a champion listener, neither do I remember reading of any correspondent "attempting to elicit the sympathy of the community by exposing their abominations," I am surprised at the publication of these remarks without any comment, considering the time and trouble I have taken for nearly twelve months in writing up these notes from week to week, and in replying to the correspondence which is the natural outcome of anything interesting to short-wave listeners. Yo Say the least, it is not at all encour: aging. -I’. W. SELLENS. Remarks Unfortunate. N the *Radio Record" of June 22 ‘appeared a letter written by one Olaf E. Stout, some of whose remarks appear to be somewhat unfortunate. Mr. Stout’s letter is either an attempt to belittle Mr. Sellens’s endeavours to assist the short-wave listener, or a somewhat absurd means of obtaining a larger audience for a recital of Mr. | Stout’s own extremely remarkable performance. It is, to say the least of it, a trifle inconsistent for Mr. Stout to object so strongly to the publication of Mr. Sellens’s records of reception, and almost in the same dip of his pen to descend from his fine criticism to indulge in 2 much less complete, and much more self-congratulatory record. One miserable example of short-wave reception, and five long paragraphs about it! Dear me, Mr. Stout! Seriously, though, Mr. Sellens’s reception records are much appreciated by listeners. It is; an easy matter, given these lists, to: check up on performances of one’s receiver, and in addition one always knows what stations can be expected on short waves. I am by ‘no means alone in suggesting that Mr. Stout's attack on Mr. Sellens’s conduct of the short-wave corner will be very keenly resented by the many listeners who make use of his notes.W. Young, 30 Ascot Street, Wellingfor. .The Notes Appreciated. 7% read in last week's "Radio Record" of the wonderful S.W. re‘ception of the Republican Convention in Kansas City, America, broadcast by 2XAF, Schenectady, New York. Your describing this reception, made some unealled-for remarks regarding S.W. listeners who send reports for your S.W. corner. Summing it up, these so-called "dial twiddlers" are the ones that pave the way for those "individuils who sit back and throw the dirt. Just what happeus is ‘this: The "twiddler"’ will search the air for one of those mysterious 8.W. stations, anywhere from 10 metres to 100 metrés wave-length, log one, perhaps, on 93.7.metres, and send in the best possible report to the "Radio Record." Lazybones will have a look through the S.W. corner, says to himself, "Hullo, another §.W. station logged" (more bunk, I suppose) ; he looks for the time received, and notices it is 5 a.m. or 12.30 am.; lazybones will stretch himself, and say to himself, "No good to me"; it is too early or too late, as. the case may be, and goes to bed wishing more stations would increase their power, because picking up 2XAP nowadays is as easy as stealing wheat from a blind fowl. Perhaps we may hear of someone logging a 250-watt S.W. station, such’ as WLW, Cincinnatti (SXAL on: tests}, 52.05 metres, and send in a.full programme report, but, Of course, you must be an expert dial twiddler.to pick a station like this out, I think myself it is a boon Lo radio that there are a few of these so-called "dial twiddlers’. about, because most of the S.W. distant stations ask for reports on their transmissions, power, modulation, and so on. So carry on, twiddlers. Regarding the champion S.W. listener of. New Zealand, I do not know of anyone so far who claims that distinction, but may I suggest the medal or cup be presented to the rightful owner, and not a "dial twiddler." reading this, will feel cold or feel hot ‘L will, conclude, trusting no one, after }under" the collar.-One’ of: (the. "Dial iddjers:" a. Ew

2 Wditorial Cominient, "= -- or ate fe fase Tee he beard . ae ,fo. Rot, know of any subject ho: $whith occasions greater variety of! opinion’ than radio on practically all points, technical and otherwise, connected with it. For that. reason, ~ve have since the inception of the "Record" given readers very great latitude’ in the expression of their views and feelings both as regards criticism | of the Broadcasting .Company :and our: ‘selves and all matters connected with radio. In the case in question we. allowed Mr. Stout’s observations to _pass, recognising him to be entitled to his viewpoint, We did not take his comment as being personal but as reflecting a desire for "newsiness" in the short-wave notes, rather than undue formality. That the short-wave notes as given by Mr. Sellens regularly are greatly appreciated we already knew and are. pleased to have the eonfirmation in this issue of others. The value we see in them is a record ‘of newy stations (if any), an indication of the standard of reception and a | recular stimulus to others to go after short-wave reception by his record of resnits .secured. That his regular notes are of yalue is proved by correspondence not only from New. Zealand. listeners but from Vancouver, and we ourselres drew the attention of the short-wave section of the B.B.C; to the check available on transmissions by these weekly notes. He is certainly deserving of all thanks for his skill and patience. ...On the other hand, we did not take from Mr. Stout's letter any desire to acclaim his experience as an unusual feat in reception. The opportunity was there and the conditions right, and he had the pleasure of listening-in in New Zealand to an historic event and recorded it for the interest of others. Perhaps undue importance has been attached to a facetious form of expression.Editor.