Notes and Comments

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 13, 23 November 1928, Page 30

Notes and Comments

By

Switch

R. PRESTON B. BILLING’S lecturette and demonstration of an a.e. receiving set at the recent meeting of the Wellington Radio Society proved a revelation to the majority of those present. It is generally conceded that the radio set which requires no batteries, but merely plugs into the electrie lighting mains, is the set which will replace all others except in rural districts where there is no electric lighting supply. LL American a.c. sets have to be specially constructed for the New Zealand market, as the standard electrical supply in this country is 280 volts 50 cycles, whereas in the United States the standard is 110 volts 60 cycles. A makeshift expedient in the shape of an exterior transformer’ to adapt the New Zealand supply to that of the American standard is not satisfactory. (CAREFUL importers are inducing American a.c. set manufacturers to make their "sets suitable for New Zealand conditions. Some manufacturers will not undertake to do this unless a guaranteed demand is forthcoming, as the cost of deviating from their standard is not worth while without a guaranteed demand. ‘THOSE private individuals who think they can do better by importing their own a.c. sets should be eareful to have these sets with the

transformers specially wound for the New Zealand voltage. The writer has seen one set imported by a private individual, which, being wound for the American voltage, required the addition of an exterior transformer. Although the latter was specially built by an expert, it created an obtrusive hum which mars reception to some ex: tent. HERE are still one or two Wellington amateur transmitters who persist in operatin~ during broadcasting hours and creating interference. At the recent meeting of the Wellington Radio Society a member mentioned that he was experiencing a good deal of interference from some _ nearby transmitter during broadcasting hours. Of course the said transmitter may not be licensed. and as a complaint is being lodged with the P. and T. Department, this matter should be cleared up at an early date. STRIKING effect of the recent broadeasting on election night was observed as late as midnight when, viewed from any eminence around Wellington hundreds of houses which are usually in darkness were seen to be lighted up. This was con-

vineing evidence of the popularity of broadeast listening. T is understood that at the next meeting of the Wellington Radio Society a lecture on crystal sets, aerials and earths -will be included in the schedule. This should prove popular not only among juniors but also with grown-ups, for it is remarkable how many crystal sets are in use around Wellington. Unfortunately the majority of aerials used with crystal sets are crudely installed and some "earths" are not worthy of that name. Many beginners believe any old thing will do quite well as an aerial for a erystal set, while, on the contrary a first-class aerial is more necessary for that type of receiver than for a valve set for local reception. PERFECT arrangements were made for the broadcasting of the election results by 2YA, Wellington, and listeners are loud in their praises of the efforts of the Broadcasting Company on that. occasion. The writer was privileged to be present for a while in the improvised studio installed for the occasion in the "Radio Reeord" office. Mr. Bingham, chief radio engineer, was continually on watch insuring perfect transmission and prepared for any unforseen eventuality which might have caused a_ hitch. Thanks to the elaborate preparations and thorough workmanlike installation everything passed off without the trace of a hitch. It was a fine exposition of "thoroughness." PROPOSAL has been submitted to "Switch" that shortly after the New ear the Wellington Society should hold a "social" evening to which all listeners in and around the city should be invited. Tickets could be sold to defray expenses, and no doubt, it is urged, there would be a liberal response. The evening could be conducted on informal lines, and as several of the leading radio experts could be invited to attend many problems which are perplexing listeners could be solved. A few musical items by radio, a few informal, and, above all, brief speeches would combine to make the evening most enjoyable. "THE portable receiving set is again attracting attention now that the summer has arrived, and Wellington dealers report an increasing interest in this handy type of receiver. The majority of "prospects" state that they

require a portable merely for their sea-side "baches" and for local.recep- , tion only. Some state that they feel . cut off from the outside world when they go for the week-end to the seaside, after being accustomed to listen-ing-in at home. : One big importing concern in , \i¢Ilington is finding a regular den*ind for portable receiving sets for’ use by power board electrical engineers to 1locate power-line leakages. These portables have loop aerials concealed in the hinged door of the sets, and, as is well-known, a loop aerial being directional in effect by carrying the portable set from one point to another, it is not a difficult matter in many instances to take bearings which will point to the exact spot where the power-line leakages occur. [_ISTENERS on Wednesday evening, November 7, who tuned in 3YA, Christchurch, were treated to probably the finest ringside broadeast of a boxing contest yet heard in New Zealand. "Switch," who did a good deal of boxing in other days, has specialised in checking up ringside descriptions of fights, and without hesitation he declares that the description of the Johnny Leckie-Norman Radford contest at Christchurch was easily the best he has heard from a New Zealand station. "QWITCH," at the moment of writing, is unaware of the identity of the gentleman who gave the ringside description of the Leckie-Radford fight. The describer gave practically a "verbatim" report; that is to say, virtually every blow was described, and there were no dull moments in the contest. The describer rattled out his words in almost breathless succession, but his enunciation was clear and his phrases were succinct-’ no superfluous remarks. He told us with extraordinary ‘celerity the type of blow, where it landed and the visible results, if any. His description was not marred with such fatuous exclamations as "Ah, Ah!" which convey nothing to the listeners. THEN, also, the describer of the contest did not display the slightest prejudice, nor let his personal inclinations influence his enthusiasm in mentioning the success or failure of any of the blows by either Leckie or Radford. His description ran . steadily throughout like a kinematograph film, giving credit where it was due with unfailing impartiality. Witnesses of . the fight cndorse the ringside describer’s account of the contest in the minutest particular. All this goes to show that this sort of thing can be done as well in New Zealand as in Australia. It is only a matter of obtaining the services of the right man.