Auckland Notes

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 7, 31 August 1928, Page 9

Auckland Notes

(By |

Listener

HE main topie of radio conversation just now is the forthcoming "Mystery Night," which, if judged solely by the amount of enthusiasm it is ereating among listeners, is well worth while as a novelty. This week’s "Record," containing the long and varied programme to be submitted, has been eagerly scanned, and already the "suessers" have allotted quite a number of items to performers or to the studio gramophone. There wiil be keen competition for the valuable prize offered, and one may predict that within the range of 1YA no one will want to tune anything but our own _ station while the "mystery evening’ is in progress.

HE screened grid valve has been occupying the interest of many home constructors in this district, with varying results, if one is to judge from many comments heard. On the whole, however, those who have tried -it out well, and followed exactly the directions regarding shielding, are well satisfied with the results they are obtaining. A-number of local dealers are manufacturing sets incorporating the latest valves, and for these they find a good demand. It is noticeable, too, that American manufacturers are beginning to place on the New Zealand market their latest sets which incorporate the wonderful "222."

HE company which was running vaudeville at the Embassy Theatre. having gone into liquidation, no more relays from that source are now forthcoming. Listeners regret the ocecurrence, for several most enjoyable items were procured through the courtesy of the proprietors of the Hmbassy. The "Majestic? management, though, are always ready to consider radio folk, recognising that in doing so their own theatre is benefiting. Consequently, from time to time we have excellent specialty turns relayed. A COUPLE of years ago, if a station transmitted what the Americans call "canned music," there would be u ceneral complaint from listeners under the mistaken idea that they were beinz: defrauded of the legitimate expectations from the station. To-day this feeling has undergone a complete ehange. Regular use is made of records in evening sessions, and not a complaint is voiced. On the other hand, warmest appreciation is regularly expressed. Two factors contribute to this. One is that, with the latest methods of recording and reproduction, a good radio set gives a much better quality to a disc than does the

ordinary gramophone itself, and the listener suffers no disturbance through having to wind up, or change records. Another lies in the fact that the best and latest records are used in our studios, and they are presented frequently with explanatory remarks that make them the more appreciated. It was thought at one time that radio would kill the gramophone business; now it is recognised that radio is booming it. (THE short-wave broadcast from Sydney of the wedding of Toti dal Monte was received in the city at good strength on Thursday morning, but there was a disconcerting dynamo hum in the transmission that marred the clarity of the reception. At the beginning of the week the Australian stations were coming in with remarkable volume and distinctness, but conditions changed for the worse on Wednesday night, even Wellington being ruined:by strident bursts of static. ATIENTION is now being focused upon the itrans-Tasman flight, which is expected to eventuate next week-end (since delayed). The broadeasting of this achievement will give a big fillip to listening throughout the Dominion. The writer knows of five persons who have been led to take out licenses through the attraction which this feat in aviation will offer.