Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 13, 12 October 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 1082, Wellington.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS F.A.G. (Bulls): The speaker is not capable of handling the volume. Such speakers ag Crosley, 16inch, the large Amplion, or Philips would be suitable. N. H. Bennett (Feilding): A special coil would be necessary to receive short-wave signals in conjunction with a erystal. Your best course is to consult a reliable dealer. T. Angell (Pukehoa): 3YA is on the air every Sunday night. commencing with the children’s song service and concluding at about 9.80 p.m. The latter part of the programme is devoted to gramophone or studio musie, but advantage is taken of all material available for broadcasting. J. McDonald (Wellington): The station you picked up was Auckland. as your programme coincides with that sent out by that station on the day mentioned. Enough Said, Dunedin: The figures given by you.in relation to the broadcast of church services are, in the main, correct, except that the Methodist Church was relayed 6 times, and not 5. Your analysis deals with only a limited period, and as such gives an

unfair view of the position. If you had taken the two months of August and September, the Anglican church would have had three more broadcasts, the Presbyterian one more, the Congregational one more, and _ the Church of Christ no more. During the period you mention, the Church of Christ had an extra . service as a re-arrangement of dates hhad been made. at the request of one of the other denominations, which had a special service. With the object of avoiding individual conflict, the Radio Broadcasting Company has arranged for Church Committees to operate in the different centres and arrange the rota of church services to be broadcast. At Auckland, the rota is as follows: Chureh of England, 12 broadcasts per annum; Pres- _ byterian, 11; Methodist, 9; Baptist, 6; Congregational, 6; Church of Christ, 4. It is hoped that the Committees at the other

centres will adopt this rota also, as, while it recognises the larger denominations and gives them preference, at the same time it does not swamp the smaller denominations. At Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, at present, those denominations which are broadcasting’ regularly take turn and turn about. Before the appointment of Church Service Committees, the Company made no distinction between denominations, but offered its facilities alike to all, and if any denomination ‘was not broadcast it was due to the fact that they did not take advantage of the facilities offered. The Old Time Dances. | TINHIERE has been quite a crop of letters in the "Record" recently criticising Station 2YA-both favourably and adversely. Some have deplored the lack of constructive criti¢ism, but very few really helpful sug-

gestions have come forward. Last Thursday evening I was listen-ing-in to a collaboration of 2Bl and 5CL, and IL am confident that if 2YA were to initiate some such scheme, it would "take" like wildfire throughout the length and breadth of the land, and go a long way towards refuting the charges of "dry rot." It seems that arrangements hal been made previously for parties and dances to be convened that night ail over Australia, and an "Old Time" dance programme, interspersed with an "Old Time Song" community sing, Was broadcast by the two. stations mentioned, It was quite delightful to hear the announcer calling: "All ready, Broken Willy’ "All ready, Castlemaine?" ete., and adding a little personal word ef greeting to each. The M.C. at the studio would then describe the "figure" to be danced, and the music commenced. Such music! The real old melodies which refuse to die! There must have been thousands and thousands of couples dancing in Australia that night, with the blood of thirty years agone coursing through their veins, to say nothing of the countless listeners-in with unshed tears of happy memory not far away, drinking it all in-and the long-drawn sigh of utter yearning as the spell was broken! It is quite idle to argue that there is no demand for the old "stuff." In these days of ultra-modern jazz and syncopation, one glance around at the faces of all-both young and oldwhen an old-time waltz melody is heard, would convince the most sceptical of how an "old-time" programme would be received. By the way, the next "old-timer" to be broadcast by 2B and 5CL is set for October 23, and if the powers that be at 2YA would only listen-in on that night, we should not be long in haying a similar delectable treat inaugurated in New Zealand.

Backblox

Sunday Services, APPRECIATE the church services, which are broadcasted. The Non-¥ Conformist services: suit the air best: they seem more homely, for after all, that is where we listen-in. The most popular preacher who. is literafty rushed to be listened to, is Rev* F. Harry, of Wellington. All sects are pleased to hear him, for he seems so real and his messages are always suitable for listeners. Sometimes [f think you should give listeners a Dit more of him, but know that all classes of services have to be catered for. Mr. Harry’s appeal to listeners of all denominations is because of 2 great broad-mindedness and that every word is so very real, and that great friendly or brotherly feeling. I have not met Mr. Harry, but feel that those who have are greatly privileged The failure to announce the performers’ names at 2YA is a failure, and cause listeners the trouble: to hunt for pro-

grammes. Really, it is 2YA’s job.-

F.

A.

Holland

Race Results, HE Broadcasting Coy. stated that they were going to broadcast racing results promptly, or from the vicinity of courses. My non-wireless friends say it is all bluff, as instance Avondale and Pakuranga. What does the company say ?-"Interested." [No promise was ever made to broadcast all race meetings. At best the company desired to broadeast the main meetings in -which much public interest was displayed. Results of other meetings are given as early as possible.

~~Ea.}

riow WoO xou Know? [N your paper of a few weeks back you guve a very prominent place to a letter from a Picton correspondent who stated that "more than half of the listeners-in worked their sets until the batteries were run down or some other silly thing, then blamed the Broadcasting Company for the result," or words to that effect. As there are between 35,000 and 40,000 sets operating, I would like to know how he found this out! "First to Hear Southern Cross" was also wrong as Mr. James is fifteen miles back from the shores she came over and many of the settlers heremyself included-heard her engines hefore she left the sea. After reading above you will be a bit surprised to hear that my opinion of your announcer is that he compares very favourably with all others around, and I for one would not like to meet a "nerfect man," or hear him either.Harry Scrimgeour. — P.S.-Thanks for the All Black football results. No announcer could have put them on the air better than yours at 2YA. . _{It is open to the Picton correspondent to retort that he has as much warrant (or more) for his statement as those who write exniainine what "the

public" want !-

~Ed.]

_A New High-Power Station. NOTHER high-powered American station has come on the air inthe person of WHXAL, Dayton, Ohia,°428 — metres. This, the announcer stated, is the new broadcasting station of the Crosley Radio Corporation, the loea;/ tion being given as above. The writér logged WHXAL on the 8rd instant ut 648 p.m. and listened to the last twenty minutes of the transmission, which was received with wonderful vola

ume, the items being easily heard in an adjoining room. Speech was clearly heard on the speaker, and except for Fone fade, reception was clear and steady throughout. There was an entire absence of the "surging" which frequently accompanies the reception of distant stations. The station was _ tuned-in again. on the 4th instant at 5.52 p.m., but 2YA came on the air soon afterwards and "swamped" WHXAL. From the map I judge this station to be as far, if not further, away from New Zealand as station SXF (WENR), Chicago, reported recently. | During the past fortnight or so I have logged three other stations which I have not seen reported by other listeners, viz., KGER, Long Beach, California; KFBL, Everett, Washington: and IXX, Auckland. KGER is rated as 100 watts and KFBL as 50 watts, but I should imagine the power of both has been increased. In August last I mentioned having received verifications of my reception of JOHK and JOAK. Since then I have had a ecard from JOFK, on which appears a photograph of the station and also the studio, the latter being a large new building of fine appearance. A letter has also been received from JOIK, enclosing the programmes for two days in August, one copy being printed in Japanese and another in English. My letter was the second to be received by this station from New

Zealand.-

Guy C.

Holmes

(Masterton. )

Reception of 2YA on Middle Distance. WOULD like to endorse the remarks of "Q.R.K." regarding the mushiness, ete., of 2YA. Like him, I have two aerials of approximately the same height and length, except that’ the smaller one is indoors. Both aerials are controlled by switches for immeY diate change-over according to reception conditions. I am quite convinced that 2YA invariably sends out perfectly, and that the real trouble is that the station is too strong for what i would term middle distance reception. To counteract this, listeners should experiment with different lengths and height of aerials according to locality of receiving set. My best reception of 2YA has always been on the small aerial day or night, and at times I have had good volume and reception from a 10ft. aerial strung across the room. Of course, there are many reasons for bad reception of a strong station, among the most common being worn-out valves, bad earths, low B batteries with high grid bias, and last but by no means least poor sets and speakers. While on the job I would like to congratulate the R.B.C. on this afternoon’s relay from Blenheim. The reception was perfect, and considering the

nature of the relay there was very little interference at all... I am sure Mr. Ball excelled himself, for his description of the landing of the Southern Cross was all that could be desired, and even he was excited. For those who could not be there the broadcast was the next best thing; and if the company can give us the departure in like manner, all I can say is thank you very much.-L. Rapley, Puponga. Distortion on 2YA. I HAVE a complaint to make about 2YA’s mush and distortion. About a fortnight ago, although 1YA, 3YA, 2BL, 2FC,.etc.,. came in well, I got fed up with wireless, as it was, and decided to rectify matters if I could. The following are details of what I did. Bought a new transformer, new "B" batteries (90 volts at £2), a new grid condenser. I then rewound my coil and rewired my set (a 2-valvye regenerative), spacing all components well. Correct grid-bias was also installed. I have 4 valves (different types of the same make), all with good emission. The results on speaker or ‘phones on 2YA wer2 just the samebut other main stations in New Zealand were good. Your experts say that our "perfect" station is perfect; but I beg to differ. If you or your experts can prove that 2YA is not at fault I will scrap my set and start

stamp-collecting for a change.

Radio

Fan

(Masterton).

[We would refer our Masterton correspondent to the letter from Mr. Rapley, of Puponga. The distance of the two points from 2YA is approximately equal and the same reception factors may obtain. A suggestion may be made to this Masterton correspondent that the R.F. valve be cut out on the local station. ]

A Performer in Defence. FEEL constrained to reply to D.M.B.’s eriticism in your issue of the 5th, particularly to part of his letter referring to me. Firstly, may I ask what presentable music has been written especially for the mandolin. It is obvious that when one plays approximately 120 pieces over a period without unduly repeating items, one must play melodies not always suited to the instrument, the temperament of the player, and/or the’ taste of all listeners-in. By request I played the "Miserere Scene" from "Il Trovatore,"’ well knowing that it was a duet, but converted it into a solo to oblige and for the reason that I cannot play two melodies at once. It is not all fun playing before the microphone, as in my experience it was as bad as having one’s tooth drawn, and there is such a thing as mike-fright. Maybe not having had tuition either in the mandolin or mandola is the reason for this. At any rate, I have never claimed to be an "artist," leastways a musical one. I am nevertheless young and wise enough to value honest criticism towards my musical education, which

makes for mental refinement.-

Lad

Haywood

(Lyall Bay).

Points from Wanganui. MAY I ask a little space in your columns to "air" a couple of small grievances of mine-and I know that they are not mine alone. Firstly, why not let us have a return to the announcement of the artist’s name _ for items at 2YA? If this encroaches into

the programme too much, why not omit the: composer’s name? If a piece is so striking as to require a listener to want to know the name of the composef, there is always the invaluable "Record" to look to, and I think most listeners would prefer it this way. [Copyright restrictions prevent this.-Ed.] Secondly, why, oh why, can’t we have a return to the old Friday night programmes, Saturday nights’ programmes are still quite good-a proper mixture. F¥riday’s used to be the same, but, alas, nowadays they are not up to the old standard. Now, having got that lot "off my chest,’ we’ll have the bouquets! And the first goes to that splendid quartet, the Melodie Four. 2YA comes in here splendidly-never a fade, no "mush," though for a month, ended a week or so ago, they had a fearful blast in some of their higher notes-in fact, it spoiled that wonderful orchestra. It sounded like-and everyone who has had any experience with telephone repairs and maintenance will understand what I mean-a "packed" transmitter, or too much battery in it. However, it is over now, so I’m not growling. Just by the way, it never occurred on a record. 3YA, 1YA, and 4YA all fade here, some nights very little, some nights very badly. 4YA sometimes is a real surprise box; they come in with a volume’some nights that eclipses both 1YA and 8YA. A word of appreciation

is due to the Broadcasting Company for the Tasman flight, and subsequent related broadcasts. I sat up all night listening to them, and after a day’s work before it, and then a day’s work after it, I didn’t hear the next night’s programme! The short-wave rebroadcasts are interesting, but they should be put on only when conditions are good, as otherwise they may do more harm thau good. Those gentlemen who grouse about the announcer deserve all they get, but I must say I like to hear Mr. Ball’s voice, and I consider he was a first-class announcer, and his talks on "Imperial Affairs’ would be acceptable were they continued. Where’s our "dinner music" rabbit ducked to? And also a word or two in appreciation of the Aunt and Uncles who run our children’s sessions. They are great, and that one little hour of gladness is appreciated not alone by the kiddies! Another question: Has the proposal to broadcast the champion band of New Zealand faded? Or is it still on the ecards? [Still on the cards.-Ed.] The last bouquet, but most certainly not the least, is that due to the "Record" -the listeners’ paper-and since it has been issued in the magazine form it is even more valuable than before, as it is easier to handle now and easier to store and to refer to. Well, Sir, I trust that I have not occupied too much of your space with my various ramblings, and wishing your valuable journal every success, and all other listeners plenty

of first-class reception.-

Pick-up

(Wanganui. )

Dance Musie. AY I suggest, through the medium of your columns, that the Radio Broadcasting Company considers whether it would not be advisable to restrict their dance music sessions at all four stations to music-gramophone or orchestra, if available-from the studio. Some of the jazz bands relayed are absolutely not worth listening to, and those that are are’ invariably spoiled by the racket of the dancers. The noise with the relayed dance music

at Wellington was so horrible last Saturday evening that the announcer wisely returned to the studio for gramophone items, which we appreciated. We dance here a lot, but always have to shut off radio relayed from dance halls, and turn to our own gramophone, playing one record twice for each dance. I remember one very excellent short session of dance music from 2YA. I think it was by the’ Glad

Idlers.-

G.

Steel

(Dunedin).

1ZB Auckland. FEEL I. must answer "G.F. (Dunedin)’s’’ letter as to station 2KY. He will find it to be 1ZB Auckland (the Gloria Gramophone Co.), on a wavelength of 275 metres. This station is on the air every Monday evening to fill the gap of 1YA’s silent night. Also, I will draw "G.F. (Dunedin)’s " attention that there is also 1ZQ Auckland (255 metres), owned by Keith’s Radio Shack. J hove this helps the inquirer.

S.

Ellis

(Okato).

Who is the Stranger. ON Wednesday, October 3, I logged a station on 500 metres, at 10.30, on dance music. This station is between 3AR and 7TZL-a very blurry station. Could it be this new Wanganui station testing? I hope some listener had more success in bringing in thie station. as T have heard him twice

aS alear= now. ean’t locate him at all.-

S.

Ellis

(Okato).