Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 51, 6 July 1928, Page 15

Our Mail Bag

Stations Near 2¥A. I HAVE been an interested reader of "The Record" since its first pubHeation, and look forward to it each week, especially the "Mail Bag." Last "syeek I read of "Youthful Enthusiast’s" inquiry of a station on 1YA’s setting, also another on 2YA’s setting. This week I read an answer to these inquiries, both stations being American, I also have heard two stations near 1¥A and 2YA’s setting, but they could not be these stations, as I have only a variable condensor erystal set and twostage amplifier. I am not sure on which nights I received these two stations, but it was in the first week in June; both were received about 7.50 p.m., but I did not put them in my book of receptions. I would be very pleased if anybody could give me an idea of these stations. I would also like to know who has the best list of stations, also the number of stations received on a erystal-set and two-stage amplifier. My list is N.Z,.: 1YA, 2YA, 3YA, 8ZC, and AYA. Australia: 3L0, 3AR, 2FC, 2BL, 2GB, and 4QG-11 stations, The first time I heard "Aussie" was on March 19, when I heard a man announcing that "Hustling Hinkler’ was to speak from that station (83LO Melbourne). Hoping some reader will be able to help me as to the identity of the two sta-

tions I have mentioned.

E. W.

Powell

Christchureh.

Station Near KFON, OULD any listeners please inform ine as to the identity of a station below KFON? I picked a station up at 2 o’clock a.m. Sunday morning playing Wurlitzer organ, also piano, but eould not get name owing to static. Wellington programmes are coming through good. Fine orchestra. The station "Youthful Enthusiast" heard on 236 metres was probably KFON, and the other station on 95 was probably.

Iobart ou 535 metres:

B.

Wenlock, |

Waitati.

[KFON is listed as 242 metres, and Hobart as 516. There are several Californian stations just below KFONKFPR on 232 and KELW on 229. The Radio Listeners’ Guide (2s. 9d., post free), or from dealers at 2s. 6d., has a comprehensive list of oversea sta-tions.-Ed.] .Campaign Against Howlers.. . ye is satisfactory to note that the radio inspector for Wellington is taking active steps to investigate the different complaints regarding interference, "Howling valves" and other forms of interference have at times made reception extremely bad. Probably the Lyall Bay area is suffering most from "bowlers," and it behoves every set owner at Lyall BayKilbirnie district to investigate the matter for himself, and ascertain at onee if his set is in order. There are times fhen the noise is positively deafening, and now that the inspector’s van is "on the road" it. ‘would be as well if listeners took this hint and left no stone unturned to make sure their receiver does not howl; and if owners of one and two-valve sets, also owners of sets that were supposed to be neutralised, would take a hint, they would not take any risk of severe financial punishment from the Court through breaking the regulations, but would see to it that their sets are not used if capable of causing interference, "until overhauled. A receiver may hare been guaranteed perfectly. neutralised, but may have become deneutralised through various causes; and, again, the owner of a one or two-valve set should not expect to be able to bring in distant stations without causing interference. Like mo-tor-cars, receivers haye their limitations; just as a car has its limitations on "top gear." Then, again, several "home made" sets are causing trouble from "howling valves’; there is no doubt that Lyall Bay suffers terribly from "howling valves,’ and each and every set owner should investigate the matter immediately, as I understand the radio inspector will, if offenders are caught, treat such a breach of regulations as very serious. One and two-valve sets, also homemade sets, built up by novices, should not be used for distant stations; the most that they can be expected to do under reasonable conditions is to bring in the local station. Listeners owe it to themselves to iry to eradicate this

growing evil as quickly as nessible.-

R.

Leslie

Jones

Quality in Transmission. ‘AS the owner of the first transnitting station in New Zealand some eight or nine years ago, when radio in _ this country was quite in its infancy-I am referring to the amateur station owned by the International Electric Co. of Wellington, transmitting from Court--enay Place-I have had many a growl on the deficiencies of our super-power station 2¥A. Reception in Palmerston North from this station has been exceptionally poor-in fact, as a radio dealer I have avoided demonstrating on 2YA because of the poor modulation of that station, Station 2YA has, doubtlessly, been hearing good reports about station 2ZI°, Palmerston NorthManawatu Radio Club, an amateur station. operating here-and as you no dvuubt know, this station aims at clarity ~--both of music and speech. This station is getting known all over New Zealand, and Australia, too, as the only New Zealand station that sends out undistorted music,

This, however, is working around the | point that I intend reaching. This is}. to give you a word of praise-the first that I have felt like giving since 2YA’s inception. It is with regard to two concerts broadcast on Friday, June 22, and Saturday, June 23. These two transmissions were absolutely splendid -splendid in all respects and quite the best put over by 2YA since its opening last July. Alas, on the following nights the station was up to its old tricks again and station 2YA was "mushy." Regarding the programmes sent out: The quality of these is indeed high, aud the 2YA orchestra a fine combination, but what is the use of good programmes with a station that causes one to wonder whether murder is being committed in the studio as the performers sometimes seem to be in danger of choking-not only our performers, but, whisper it gently, even our worthy announcer? Well, Mr. Editor, I have had my say and feel much better, I’ve said nothing very important, so I feel that I ought to apologise for taking up some portion of your valu- |

able time _

George R.

Forrest

, Forrest- }

Crosley

Radio Co. Ltd.

"Megohm Appreciated. HAVE been a reader of your paper for some time-almost from its first appearance, and the contents have always been a source of great interest, The reading by me of the _ letters placed under the heading of "Our Mail Bag" has made me desirious of adding a little coutribution. _ In my opinion, no words could -be found to sufficiently praise the articles under the heading of "Mainly about Construction," by "Megohm.’ Whatever source these articles come from, I do not know, but if from an individual, he can be described only as an inexhaustible reservoir of radio knowledge, stinting nothing to impart some of it to his less expert fellows. I have constructed some apparatus according fo his specifications, and know of many others who haye done likewise with other various radio circuits and equipment, described in his articles, and if plans and specifications are reasonably adhered to, the results to say the least, have left nothing to be desired. I have not seen much direct commendation of ‘"Megohm" and his articles, but I am certain that IE am voicing the gratitude of very. numerous constructors, when I ex-. press my profound thanks, and pray | that we may neyer open the "Radio. Record" to find the old familiar head--ir: is no more. Wishing prosperity to your paper and everything con--nected with radio, suecess (except

squealers) _

-I am,

Constructor

A Gramophone Night. Ax I suggest a novel programme which has been discussed aad thought out by our "listeners’ circle" in this suburb? Most people have a gramophone, and can boast of one or two special records, which they are proud of. Now, if there were a competition for the best gramophone record put on the air, on a special evening ‘set aside for this competition 3£ gramophone records only, these people could bring their "special favourite" and let others hear their selection. The public could then ryote (per coupon in R|., where a perforated half-sheet for voting coupons would be a good idea), and determine the most popular record. , Now, if there were a prize of half 1 dozen records for the most yotes, and quarter of a dozen records for second prize, this, and the satisfaction of letting others hear their fayourite, would be enough inducement; and the only cost to the R.B.C. for an eyening’s entertainment of high-class artists and orchestras. "Ihe voting coupons would make interesting reading, and wouid give a good guide to the class of reeords needed for the afternoon ses-} sions, admitted to be the best programme, but missed by the most of us., Thirty records (one side only), could: be played in two hours, and if there were many more than was needed, they could be held over, and it could be made a fortnightly evening. High class music and nursery rhymes made into quartets may he yery nice, but when heard every night, become wearisome. Of all the reeords put on in the‘afternoon, I have not heard a "Billy Williams," and I should imagine that laugh would "go over’ good. It would be a better proposition for listeners if the records were bought, than have the same -old fox-trots that are put on and tried to be made popular. Have you ever) thought of this? Why is 2YA like the Wellington Hotels just before ths Great War?-Because they haye never been guilty of staying open a minute after 10 o’clock, whereas Auckland und Christchurch are not particular to 20

minutes overtime.

Seatoun Listeners

Some Suggestions.. MAY I add my word of praise to * your most interesting weekly, the "Radio Record." It is both a joy and an instruction to read it, and I, { for one, would not be without it, When reading the mail bag section, I notice that a number of listeners condemn the progranmes put on’ the air by the B.C.C. This, in my opinion, is very unjust, as I have listened to programmes in Australia, which are not even up to the standard of our New Zealand programmes, The concerts in 2¥A on Sunday nights are an absolute treat, and worth 30s. 2

year on thelr own, £I also read of a number of critics complaining of the poor transmission of the New Zealand statiens. My advice to the most of them would be to look to their sets instend of complaining of distortion, ete. of the stations. For my part, I have tried various sets until I got one to suit my tastes. In regard to DX hunting (an interesting hobby}, I have picked up 28 stations in all with my present set, a five-valye three-dial control set. The log is as follows: 9 New Zealand, 11 Austral. ians, 8 Japanese, 5 American stations, and, of course, am not finished yet. I would, if I may, suggest to the B.C... that they put on as many banjo, . mandolin, and other solos as possible, as I find they come through best of all. Also that they try to continue their programmes from the children’s: session till closing down at 10 o'clock | without a break. "rhis, I think, would | ‘give the announcer more time to get the information session. it is now, he has often to go over some items yery briefiy and too quickly to give the listener a chance to understand them. Yours in sympathy,

Satisfied Indeed

The Station Orchestra, TPHERE are two questions which at the present time are paramount in the minds of most of the listeners to 2YA. First are the programmes by the orchestra, such as were promised; second, is the orchestra giving service commensurate to the cost thereof? In connection with the first it was understood that classical music was: not to predominate, but rather light opera and jazz and dance music. There was also a promise of dinner music, ‘With the children’s session commencing half an hour earlier. Taking the programmes for the week ending June 30, | the orchestra plays 94 minutes of classical, 40 minutes of light opera, and 30 minutes of request. As fully one-third of the request items are classical, we have practically twothirds classical against one-third light opera and dance musie. In addition to this, we get the Symons-Eliwood Frio, and a great number of other Classical and semi-classical items. I think that the majority of the listeners enjoy the best music well played, but there is no doubt that a surfeit of Classical is just as bad as a surfeit of ‘jazz, and I think that the majority of the listeners-in would like to see the positions reversed, say, one-third classical and two-thirds light opera and dance and jazz items. In connection with the seeond question, I have no idea what the orchestra is costing the company, but would point out that for the week ending June 30 it is only on the air for 164 minutes, or roughly 22 hours. The orchestra is undoubtedly a first-class one, and the artists must be paid a reasonable salary, but when it is considered. that the picture orchestras play as long as this every night in the week, it does not appear that the company is getting sufficient service from the orchestra commensurate to the cost thereof, Dinner music for 30 minutes, and also a greater amount of dance and jazz items would no doubt help to bring up the average of the class of musie that appeals to the popular taste. It might be interesting to compare the ‘orehestra’s performances with that of the 3LQ Syneo-Symphonists,

who were on the air on the average of. 600 minutes per week, 38 different occasions and playing well over 200: items. Now Victoria (3L0) has always had and still has more Hstenersin than the whole of the rest of Ans-. tralia, and broadcasts programmes in which comedy items and light musie predominate. This shows that although the average listener can enjoy. classical musie well rendered, if the license figures are to be maintained and increased it can only be Gone by. retaining the listeners’ interest with: programmes containing a majority of. comedy, jazz, light opera and novelty items. If 3LO is taken as a eriterion of popular taste (and the figures go" to show that this is $0) a comparison | of any week's evening programme: shows that 2Y¥A is undoubtedly not: catering for the public taste. : The figures for the licenses in Aus-! tralia may be of interest :- : = Victoria eesocteeeece 136,481 | | New South Wales .. 75,869 | Queensland ...... 24,920 | South Australia ..., 329,452 | West Australia .... 3,780 Tasmania veeceees 2,838 | Total for vest of | Australia ....., £126,859 P.S.-I would like to see other listeners’ views expressed in the. "Record," , Yours, ete,

WANGANUI

Battle of Giants. OULD there be 2 possible chance of 2¥A picking up the great fight for New Zealand boxing fans on shortwave and rebroadcast for listeners? All New Zealand people have got their thoughts on our champion, ‘Tom Heeney, who is climbing the iadder fast. 2YA made a very good rebroadcast of the landing of the South-: ern Cross, and if conditions are zgootthey should not have much difficulty }

in rebroadcasting the great fight; and ‘many listeners will back me up in this letter hoping that 2YA will attempt

‘something in the matter,-

S.

Eilis

Okato.

[We think our correspondent may rest assured ‘that everything possible will be done to satisfy the desires of listeners on this point. There has recently been installed at Mt. Victoria a short-wave receiving set for the ré« ception of overseas transmissions. 1% ‘is hoped this will prove useful on the forthcoming occasion.-Hd.j Auckland’s Fight Appreciated. I MUST congratulate the announces at the fight broadcast from Auck land on Friday evening, between Hay, and Casey, for the mo.: excellent run. ning- descriptions he gave of the fight I listen to most of the Sydney fights; and have also heard most of those broadeast in New Zealan’. but the above is the first I have heard broads east from 1YA. Last nighi’s ‘announces was easily the best I have heard on tha air in New Zealand, and I wouid like to see the Broadcasting Company, if they are broadcasting any important fights from Wellington, obtain his services as announcer, I think the spori~ ing broadcasts are appreciated by thd ammejority of listeners and there will be no objection raised provided we do not receive too much of them. Persons aliy, I could easily stand a fight oncd a week, but the other people may nob ‘like it ag often as this, However, with the four stations in New Zealand it sheuld be possible to broadcast a sports ing item at least once a fortnight from each station, as part of the evening }'7 0+

gramme:

F.J.

H.

wanganui.