Summary of World Radio Systems from the N.Z. Angle

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 4, 10 August 1928, Page 3

Summary of World Radio Systems

from the N.Z.

Angle

The official report presented to Parliament by the Chief Telegraph ‘Engineer, Mr. A. Gibbs, embodying the observations made on a number of important questions while on a visit to overseas countries, carries a full analysis of the broadcasting position, which is of interest and value to listeners. This report endorses the soundness of the system ef operation and control which has heen established in this country.

aE report, in. dealing with . broadcasting. from a statistical angle, plas -- Attached lie#eto is a schedule giving certain data and some unique comparisons with respect to broadcasting developments in a number of English-speaking: countries, where broadcasting: has undergone most rapid development. The figures should prove of value in demonstrating from various angles the position oi New Zealand: broadcasting in relation to other countries. To those able to analyse the same they shouid furnish data for much useful specula~tion. Such subjects, for example, as _the effect of population-density and ’ distribution, license fees, and signal intensity upon development may, within certain limits, be deduced. British and American Systems. RHE standard of broadcasting existing in the United Kingdom has now reached a high plane, the aim being to so serve the country with broadeasting-stations of suitable power that reception will be possible to almost the entire population by means of a ‘crystal type of receiver. The organisation of broadcasting in the United Kingdom is broadly similar to what obtains in New Zealand,

with the exception that the‘ original broadcasting company,’ composed of various manufacturing firms, has now given place to a representative Broadcasting Commission appointed by the G-yernment, and having full powers » @arry out the policy of broadeastin¥ein- the interests of the public. ‘i ‘tastes are being catered for, and 2 high quality of service is being maintained. By use of land relay lines a considerable amount of simultaneous broadcasting is done from the different stations throughout the

country. Such a scheme goes a long way to minimising interference from radiating receivers; and, with the large revenue and the variety and hich class of talent available, a very satisfactory standard of broadcasting service has been attained and is assured. | The conditions in New Zealand are relatively much more difficult. The smaller population. means a smaller revenue, and has involved the necessity of a higher licence fee. The larger and more-sparsely-settled area would make it a much more costly problem to furnish equivalent signal

strength in all parts of the country, the configuration of which is such that only a small portion of the radi-’ ated energy is available over the landmasses of New Zealand. If anything like the same uniform standard is to be obtained it is clear that the problem must be attacked from a somewhat different angle. 7 : N the United States the policy in | relation to broadcasting is an entirely different one. Little restriction. has been placed upon the growth

of broadcasting stations, and it recently became necessary to appoint a Commission to exercise a regulatory control over broadcasting stations with a view to minimising mutual interference. This Commission has already done good work in ‘reducing the number of stations-until recently about seven hundred--and the interference already. referred to. No fee is paid by the listener. Programmes are provided largely by commercial firms seeking the goodwill of the public by the provision_of programmes of entertainment which

constitute what is known as indirect advertising. On the commercial side the British and American systems are therefore entirely opposed in principle; but, as each is providing a ratio broadcasting service giving a very great measure of satisfaction to the public at large, it would appear that New Zealand could benefit by absorbing into its future policy the best and most appropriate elements of each. As far as could be judged at this stage, it wonld appear that develop-

ments in the United Kingdom will be along the lines of forming a chain‘of high-power broadcasting stations throughout the country, each link consisting of two stations, located remote from centres of population, and transmitting simultaneously different classes of programmes on different wavelengths. Such a system would have many ideal features, enabling the great majority of the population to select, with equal, facility, one of two different prosrammes from its local centre, and without the drawback of one being ‘overpowered by the other. General Observations. BROADCASTING stations in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada were visited, and the policy and practice of broadcasting in all its aspects. discussed with authorities responsible for technical design and operation and for the pro-~ vision of programmes. In New York two broadcasting stations, each of 50 kilowatts output, and embodying radically different principles of design, ‘were seen in operation, and relevant data obtained. | At the Hague, Holland, a limited use was being made of subscribers’ lines and telephones for the reception

of broadcast programmes. The arrangements were such that, upon the receipt of a call from another subseriber, the telephone reverted automatically to its normal use. A special subscription was charged for this service. In the United States, electric light and power wires were also being used to some extent for’ a similar purpose. These developments have not yet made a great im~ pression upon the practice of broadcast reception. The Interference Problem. HERE seemed to be unanimous opinion among administrative officers responsible for the oversight of wireless broadcasting that the primary responsibility of the governing administration is to keep the course clear for the listener to the local broadcasting station rather than to eater for the inevitable but transitory stage of "long-distance hunting.’ The listener who habitually ¢Continued on next page.)

desires to reproduce 4 long-distance station while the local station is operating must take full advantage of the developments in the art in relation to selectivity and filtering of unwanted signals. The listener most likely to produce interference to the long-distance enthusiast is usually equipped with a receiving set which is incapable of cutting out the neighbouring station while it is in operation, and is not likely, therefore, to invade the field of the long-distance listener during the local hours of service. , In this connection it was interesting to learn that in the early days of broadcasting a considerable demand existed in the larger cities of the United States for the observance of silent nights by the local stations. With the progress of the broadcasting art this demand has now practically ceased to exist, and listeners are largely unanimous in desiring one

that the local station shall give, as far as possible, a continuous service.’ They have outgrown the desire to chase long-distance stations wWita their variability and greater susceptibility to interference from static and ‘electric light and power sources. In fact, there is in many cases little temptation to seek after distant stations under the same administration, as it not infrequently. happens that the same programme is being simultaneously broadcast from all statious. av. admitted that the above arguments, while discouraging to long-distance reception, assume that everything vyossible should be done to create local programmes. of a satisfying nature. | Dominion Practice Approved. T will interest New Zealand listeners to know that British manufacfurers are more seriously applying themselves towards the production of -T)

neutralised sets embodying radio-fre- — quency as well as audio-frequency — amplification and having a minimum of controls. The subject of the New Zealand regulations in relation to the prohibition of the worst forms of ‘"‘interfering" sets came up for frank and free discussion. When the nature of the New Zealand restrictions was fully explained and understood, I was vratified to find an almost unanimous approval of the attitude taken by the Department in this connection. I learned that many of those with whom the subject was discussed had strongly advocated a similar procedure in the early days of British broadcasting, but, due to:a variety. of influences that happily do not obtain in New Zealand, their ideas, although partially realised for a time, had subsequently to be abandoned. I am satisfied that we have been proceeding on sound lines in endeavouring to keep the ether as clear as practicable of unnecessary interference from "transmitting receiving sets,’ and that the benefits of such action will be considerable. a ' A great deal of useful work has been done by the Canadian Radiv Administration in detecting causes of interference to broadcast reception arising from electric light and power lines and machinery connected thereto. Properly-equipped testing-vans locate these sources of trouble, power companies and private individuals co-

operating in the employment of approved remedial measures. Bulletins have also been prepared by this progressive Radio Department dealing with the various cases met with in practice. : , It was the general opinion in all places visited that the elusive "‘how!ing valve’ does not lend itself to equally satisfactory treatment along similar lines. The remedy andoubtedly lies in prevention rather than cure. Quality of Broadcast Reception. HOSE who are chiefly interested in high-grade reproduction of broadcast programmes are inclined to the view that the principal weaknesses of broadcasting to-day lies in the use of unsuitable receivers employing amplifying units of too limit-, ed a capacity, and badly-designed loudspeakers. The better class of manufacturers has of late been pay_ing great attention to these features, which they claim to have satisfactorily met, with, however, a resultant high development cost and comparatively higher sales cost. It needs to be emphasised that satisfactory quality of reproduction is obtainable only by the use of properly-designed receiving sets, amplifiers, and loudspeakers. The broadcast transmitter itself has made wonderful strides during the last few years. A welldesigned transmitter properly manipulated leaves little to be desired in its ability to modulate with complete faithfulness the "carrier wave." The improvement most urgently required is in the design of the complete receiver and reproducer, and in the appreciation by the public of the fact that, while results of a kind can be obtained with the simplest of apparatus, only well-designed receivers wiil reproduce with a high degree of faithfulness, and with results satisfying to a musical ear, the complex sound-

waves emitted from a well-designed broadcasting transmitter. | Absorption, Distortion and Fading" HERE is no doubt that the condlin tions governing recéption are mzeh more favourable in New Zealand #2 in more densely-settled communiti+S» where, in certain regions, considéety able absorption and distortion are ex-™ perienced.. These effects are due to interference from tall buildings which have ‘a definite relation to broadcast frequencies. There is also the advantage that in New Zealand there are comparatively fewer sources of electrical disturbances, which in some locations are a serious hindrance to broadcast reception. — VHE peculiar fading effects experienced when listening to remote broadeasting stations at night were discussed with specialists who have devoted much time and thought to, the problem. At the present state of the art there is no practicable remedy for such evils in cases where. they . arise from variations in the upper atmosphere. The available means of determining definitely whether such} causes are atmospheric or instrumental were inquired into, and valuable suggestions obtained. In addition, literature was supplied dealing with the the most recent investigations into this perplexing phevomenon.. a |

*Average.

Australia Canada New , Zealand British Isles e ¢. United States of America . 150 140 3,000 5,500 ee ee" hl 000 0V0 000 000 1. 6,0 9 48 114 ~ bd an) ro 000 000 0 i en Sen eee 000 000 4 | Country. Radio Sets in Tse. Total Population. Radio Sets per 100 of Population. Radio Sets per 160 of Population, based on N.Z. Development (2.7|. per cent.) and Relative Population Densities (Col. 6). nn a ey at Area of Populated Territory in Sq. Ailes Population Density per Square Mile, Radio Sets per Square Mile of Populated Territory. Radio Sets per Square Mile based on N.Z. Development (0.4 per cent.) and Relative Population (Col, 6). Densities Telephones per 106 of Population. Percentage Ratio of Radio-set Development to Telephone. License Fee, (1) (4) ) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (i1)

_-- i) , + . | Average Power in ‘Country. ue Antenna Power Watts. per 1,000 License Fee. Square Miles. ne &s. d. -New- ‘Zealand ee re ee an 6,900 | 69.0 110 «0 Australia Z 'e ee wwe 21 8,690 8.6 1 8 O* Canada’ ee orn ie * 48 21,500 17.2 0-4 2 British Isles és @0 21 36,000 300 010 90 68. 1o.9) , United ° ‘Bates of America. we 700 510, 000