Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 10, 21 September 1928, Page 24

Our Mail Bag

Will correspondents please practice brevity, as heavy demands are now made on space. All letters must be signed and address given as proof of genuineness; noms de plume for publication are permitted. Address correspondence Editor, "Radio Record,’ P.O. Box 1032, Wellington.

The Flight Service. FEW lines to show my appreciation of the wonderful service put up by the Broadcasting Company during the history-making. flight. It was the goods, and I thank you and all concerned, My set is a two-valve working a cone speaker, and I have the following stations to the set’s and my eredit (I built it):--1YA, 2YA, 3YA, 4YA, 228, 2ZK, 2AQ, 321, 4Z1L, 4248, 2BL, 2FC, 2KY, 2GB, 2UH, 2UW, 3L0, SAR, 3UZ, 3BY, 4QG, . TZL, 5CL, JOAK, JOBK,. CGC. A, Larsen, 4Z4M.-

Kenneth

McKenzie

Masterton )_

I WOULD like to congratulate the company very heartily on the wonderful way the stations kept up the interest of listeners during the great Southern Cross flight. We would have liked to know the names of the records, but they were enjoyed just the same. It was all so’ wonderful. We are in the bush 40 miles from a railway, could even hear the noise of the *plane landing in Christchurch, and never for one minute did our interest lessen. We listened to the broadcasting of the other fatal flight, and I often thought it a wonderful performance for the announcer to keep the public interested as he did for so many hours. Mr. Kingsford Smith did not hear half the cheers that went up on his landing. There were some hearty ones here, and I have no doubt in very many places in New Zealand and

Australia.-

Douglas C.

Waldie

Wali-

totara).

A Thought for the Sick. Now that the Wellington Hospital is equipped with radio receiving sets may I ask if arrangements could be made with the station to take about one minute from the children’s hour in each session and wish those who are unfortunately there-both children and adults-a word of cheer. [ am sure this would..be very. much appreciated by the sick and maimed. It is probably only for: want of thought that. this has not been already done, as every night this can be heard from the Australian stations during the children’s cession. when either opening or sign-

OR." ing off. With best wishes.

Battery

The Racing. Ban. AS§ a wireless-owner, and also as the secretary of a racing ,club, although I do not in any. sense write in that capacity, I have read all the correspondence and comment on the question of broadcasting the description of races, with considerable interest, and must confess I have been surprised at the very bitter attitude adopted by "The Record" on the subject. Let, me say I have on occasion enjoyed the deseription of a race, as have members of my family. There is, however, the in-

controvertible fact that the broadcasting of race descriptions distracts from work and business in places and towns away from the course, the attention of hundreds of people who should be otherwise ovcupied. I see it constantly in my own town, even in my own office. It is the same everywhere, and I venture to say you know it as well as anyone else. The very fact that numbers congregate around wireless sets in hotels, clubs, ete., increases illegal betting, and interferes with work and business hundreds of miles away from the racecourse. There are not a great many people in New Zealand who have not the opportunity of attending at least one race meeting now and again, and in any case, the results and details are always broadcast in the evening, only two or three hours afterwards. Your latest correspondent, "Common Justice" speaks of "the numbers congreguting at hotels and other places where broadcasting is to be heard." That is just the point. By all meuns let people have a few days’ holiday at the races when they can, but I think any unbiased person must admit that it is no good to the country, the employers, or the people themselves, to be constantly wasting time every week listening to races over the wireless, and with their minds on the time of the next race in between times. One other point: Why did the Broadcasting Company suddenly cease announcing before the race, the positions at the post, and the order of favouritism’ Was it that this important information was being made too good use of by bookmakers’ supporters listening in? ‘Your last correspondent adds that the Racing Conference should do its best to make it possible for people to telegraph their investments te the secretary of a ciub holding a meeting. As all interested in racing know, the racing authorities have been fighting for this privilege for years, and it was included in the defeated Bill which was before Parliament last year.--Com-monsense, Sunday Evening Concerts. [* is with deep disgust I read your Sunday evening programme. I trust you do not intent to foist such music on the patient listener each Sunday. We have hitherto looked forward to the band concert as a means af relaxation for the busy farmer, fresh

from the cow-shed, and other tasks. After listening to the children’s service, and the church service, surely we have had sufficient religion to last us the week. How can a farmer in the back-blocks ask his neighbour, on their only day of semi-relaxation, to come in and hear such high-falutin’ stuff. Frankly, it goes over. our heads, and provides no amusement, but merely provokes a polite interest. No doubt, it appeals to the over-educated minds of the city dweller, who is in the fortunate position of being able to go outside and get his music to suit his taste if the radio doesn’t. It certainly does not appeal to us. Give us back our

band concerts.-

R.H.

P.

May Have Been 5CL. j\ IGHT I say to your correspondent, ©. Hodson, of Wairoa, that I picked up station 5CL, Adelaide, on the date and time mentioned, the items on the air being a boxing contest. I heard about five of the last rounds, and clearly heard the winner, "Marcus,’ announced, and almost immediately I heard the announcer say 5CL Adelaide operating on 395 metres.-

G.

Gay

(Wellington).

The First Television Transmission. if TUNED in short-wave station 2X AK this afternoon, and heard the play "The Queen’s Messenger" transmitted. It was announced that it was the first television transmission, and was by the General Hlectric Company. Reception was excellent, 100 per cent. readable, and very steady, at good loudspeaker strength. My S.W. receiver is a three-valve radio record, af mv own construction. Good wishes

to New Zealand "Radio Record."

J.

Durrant

(Ohaw).

Appreciated. I no small way do J express my appreciation of the services rendered by Radio Broadcasting. All I can say is that 1 am perfectly satisfied with the programmes from the four stations. T must say that I have taken a keen interest in the rebroadcasts of boxing, football. and also the landing of the

Southern Cross in Christchurch.

Six

Valves

(Oamaru).

"Homo" and the King’s English. N your last issue you publish a letter by "Homo." I’m sure "Homo" must be a woman, aS no man worthy of the name would pass such catty remarks. if the announcer... makes "Homo" squirm, why doesn’t she tune in somewhere else where she will hear some voices-rich and full. In the opinion of quite a number, if votes were taken on the most. popular announcer, Mr. Drummond, of 2YA, would top the poll. He does not speak in a dull, monotonous voice, but is "alive" and ‘"‘interested." His rendering of the King’s English is. the rendering understood by at least 90 per cent. of the. listeners-in in this. -country. Contintie with the sood work,. Mr: Announcer of 2YA.-

M.

P.

(Napier).

° _ SHOULD like to voice my opinion, , and, I think, the opinion of the! + majority of listeners, in opposition to "Homo’s" remarks on 2YA’s announcer. I may’ state-that I consider this an: nouncer to be one of the best I have heard over the air, either in land or from overseas stations. Il assume that the majority of listeners prefer an announcer whose voice may be heard clearly and distinctly, and also imparts a pleasing radio: personality. Undoubtedly "Homo" would: rather have an announcer who adheres strictly to the "King’s Hnglish," even if his voice were utterly unsuited for broadeasting purposes; I suppose "Homo" could understand this class of announcer, but, unfortunately, all listeners’ re not educated up to this high standard, and would rather have 2¥.A's announcer just as heis. , ‘Perhaps if "Homo’ gave a practical demonstration of the King’s Hnglish, combined with radio personality, some evening, he might convey to the listeners the idea of a perfect announcer. I am sure many of the listeners (including myself) would be only too pleased to forward to him much valuable eriticism and many useful hints if he attempted such. I say, carry on good old 2YA announcer,. and please the easy-going majority and not a few

fanatical faddists:

Practical

Puke-

kohe).

AY I, through your excellent little paper, express my deep appreciation of the pleasure I have received through listening to the announcer of 2YA. I was amazed at the letters which have appeared in your paper and the local Press in regard to this. When I heard that he was coming back to 2YA after an absence, I was delighted; --y as I had enjoyed his announcing for — about eighteen months prior to his departure. I may say that I have travelled extensively, .and I think I may claim to have some knowledge of. the human voice! in. fact, I have-made a study of the subject. I have never met the gentleman in question, and have therefore no cause to champion him, but as I have honestly enjoyed him, I feel compelled to express another side of the ‘question. What we need is less destructive and more constructive

eriticism_

~( Miss)

D.

Day

At the request of many of my friends . ‘might I respectfully suggest that your paper, "Radio Record," ceases to publish "eriticisms’" from -clients apparently suffering from _ the blues? "tHomo"'in your last issue attacks the announcer at 2YA and objects to his good-night, meanwhile squirming at his Ynglish. Radio is popular-in this area and reception: from 2YA is generally’ excellent. ‘ -Many owners of sets and other less fortunate friends have remarked on the pleasant voice from 2YA, and especially the’ famous "Good-night." Might ‘we suggest to "Homo" through your "Mailbag" that he disposes of his set and purchases: liver pills with proceeds, so assisting himself to refrain from criticising a gentleman who j carrying out his duties in a capabfe

and pleasant manner.

James G.

Heath

Motueka )

|. NOTE: replies: from. "Masterton," H."" oJ. Findlay, "Fernleaf,"-and :R."S.: W. Hunt. What made these :correspondents think the cap of my: criticism fitted the announcer of 2¥A?."-I never

we 4 : . . any nor —

Awas I specific in any way...

Homo.

{We. have. curtailed. Homo’s tetter as we: do-not:think: it desirable: this: correspondenee should develop along -certainp'pes- Ed] ; Foreign Stations. (SOUED you kindly enlighten me on ‘ the . following points:-What, is Bombay’s- call sign?. At. 3° a.m.,- September 10, I heard’ that station-the clock striking 9 o’clock; followed by "Bombay calling,’ and a forecast of Indian weather conditions. The wavelength was about 370 metres, just be-side-8LO. At the same time I picked up two other. stations, one on 406 metres, which I took to‘be KZRM, and which was not coming in too clearly, and one on about 468 metres, somewhat like the Jap. stations, at good loudspeaker strength. In the latter a lady was giving a monologue or singing with something like a piece of tin rattling at frequent intervals, which .I took to be applause from the audience, but which might have been an accompaniment. There was also an instrument resembling bagpipes played badly out of tune. Bombay came in at good loudspeaker strength, and very steady

while I was on him.-

J.

(Hokitika. )

[7BY, Bombay, is given as operating on 357.1 metres. It is fairly often heard in New Zealand, likewise the Calcutta station TCA, on 370.4 metres. List of Jap. stations was published last week on p. 11, and KZRM works on 406 metres.-Ed] A Model Programme. | SHOULD like to "second the motion" of your correspondent "J.K.," Yor ‘Frentham, in his protest against ‘performers who have a lease of the 2YA studio, and are inflicted upon the long-suffering listener-in with unfailing regularity. Much more use could be made of the many excellent instrumentalists of which the orchestra is composed, and their musical efforts

would be: greatly appreciated.-

J.H.

T.

Brooklyn

_ Area of Distortion. — if WAS interested to read a letter in your issue of August 31 from Mr. Y. C. Holmes, of Masterton, regarding Station WENR, Chicago. I may mention that on the evening of August 19 I also picked up this station very clearly .on only a 2-valve dry cell operated receiver. Both speech and musie were very distinct. I have noticed some letters in the ‘‘Record" complaining of distorted reception from 2YA. at night, though it is clear in the day-time. In this district: a similar result is obtained from 1YA. On Sunday night (2nd inst.) it was interesting to receive the rebroadcast of 1YA from 8YA, which came through very clearly, yet on tuning in to the same programme from 1YA direct, the signals were, as usual,. very distorted. Apparently a distance of about 60 miles from a . broadcasting . station causes these results. I am situated on the Hast Coast of the North Island (Hay of Plenty), the distance from Auekland in.a straight line being 62 miles. Another point of interest is j that the Dunedin station 4ZL can be "heard clearly here, whereas reception from 4YA is poor... By the way, I sincerely hope that the voice of Mr. Ball will sometimes be heard again from 2YA.- His .weekly lectures . on. -Imperial affairs were always most interesting. Let us hope they will be

continued at an early date.-

Philip

Williamson

Re Broadenste, ir ee ee Holland paint. to the wonderful strides made. in short-wave reception in the last year or so. As the owner of a multi-valve set, I have been tempted to branch out into the fold of shortwave listeners, but. have now paused to ask the question whether the howling that went on on the short-wave band during the past week is the usual accompaniment to short-wave listeningin. Compared with the howling transmitted by 2YA, the stations at Auckland and Christchurch were fairly free of this bane. Is it that 1YA and 3YA, being located in city areas, are rather removed from this nuisance, and that there is a nest of howlers located in the vicinity of 2YA’s short-wave receiver? Saturday’s re-broadeast by 3YA of 4YA on the occasion of the New Zealand vy. New South Wales second Test was a happy thought. The Dunedin station was coming through at very fair speaker strength, and was making quite a good jcb of it, but the re-broadcast by 3YA must have been appreciated by those listeners who were enterprising enough to ascertain how really enterprising the Broadcast-

ing Company can be.-

Hutt

Valley

What a Miscellany. HAT a mixture of censure and appreciation your mailbag contains ~--certainly what pleases some _ displeases others. One does not like certain items, another certain stations, some think the programmes too limited. and in the last issue the announcers are criticised. Ah, well, no pleasing everyone, but I should say I am sorry I missed the 2YA announcement that Mr. Coates attended a dog-fight and a "five-minute talk,’ followed-dear, dear, I am so fond of dogs, too. Personally, I think "Listening-in" (Rangataua) must have radio dreams to put the matter mildlv. Away from neigh-

bours, with only a weekly mail service, I am always tuning in to 2YA because the announcer gives such a splendid summing-up of the world’s news. These unfortunate people who find fault can switch on to another programme without disturbing the audience; no need to be a martyr, for the world is wide in radio. What TI really have written for is to express my appreciation for, the splendid programmes given by all the YA stations. Only a person who has had any experience in organising and working up a concert can realise what time and care is spent in preparing programmes. ‘To the Broadcasting Company many thanks. By the way, how is it that I get very little static (elevation over 1000 feet), yet down in the low country it is very bad? It has been suggested that I am in a pocket or airbag. Is this possible? I find 2YA gives perfect reception here; 1YA, SYA and 4YA good, but not so good as 2YA. I also think 2YA Instrumental Trio and or-

chestra second to none.-

King Country

Listener.

Effect of Location. ENJOY every hour. of radio, and f think that if some of the town listeners, who do most of the criticism, were to come out te the country for 2 while, they would also appreciate radio a little more than they do, as I think the Broadcasting Company are

doing their level best to satisfy every listener. I think the programmes from all four stations are of a very high Standard. Wishing you the best of syecess: From a satisfied: listener.-

C.G.

R.

(Mariri).

The Once Over. ) UST a few lines to give my opinion of your stations. Auckland and Christchurch are by far the best, next comes Dunedin; very fair. ° Wellington ‘is only worth listening to in the afternoon; in the evenings the station has no power, and is also very rough most of the time. Most of those whom I have mentioned 2YA to say it is the worst station we have. A few months ago this station was fair, but has recently become very poor. The programmes are very good and I would like to congratulate the company on the stand they have taken with regard to the broadcasting of the races. The "Radio Record" is an excellent paper and is just what B.C.L.’s want. . Hoping for an improvement from 2YA

shortly.-

H. R.

Robinson

tner-

ham).

Broadeast of Eucharistic Congress. i\' AY I, through your columns, congratulate, and at the same time, thank the Broadcasting Company for the very fine performance put up in connection with the re-broadcasting of the proceedings of the 29th Hucharistic Congress held at Sydney during last week. A re-broadcast of every wren _-_----- ll ---

function of importance was attempted, and, although not completely successful .in the case:.of the. morning -ceremonies, which; by the: ‘Way, were. openair functions and not as:.suitable for signal strength as those. held indoors, still serious attempts were made, and efforts were not relaxed until. after from half an hour to one hour’s endeavour. It: was unfortunate -for crystal set and small valve set owners that it was not possible to continue the re-broadeast of Sunday’s wonderful procession and Solemn Benediction right up to its termination with the stirring address of the Papal Legate. Iiowever, by the time 2YA had to change over, 2BL. was coming through of multi-v alve sets who transferred to that station were rewarded with a most vivid description of the most solemn moments of the whole congress. New Zealand Catholics shared with their co-religionists of Australia the position of hosts for this congress, and for those who were unable to attend the action of the Broadcasting Company in enabling them to attend in enirit. at least. is to be commended.

is fully appreciated.

Catholic

Layman