Hawke's Bay Notes

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 30, 8 February 1929, Unnumbered Page

Hawke's Bay Notes

(THE Hawke's Bay Radio Society held its usual monthly meeting on January 29, when, in spite of the hot night, there was a good attendance of members, and quite a number of important matters were discussed. As proof of the live activities of the society, reports on vgrioys movements were presented, these including a most successful Christmas tree and the installation of the equipment in the Hastings Memorial Hospital. This equipment, by the way, has proved a great: success. In fact, one of the staff told the writer that since the radio had arrived the patients who were experiencing its joys for the first time were not keen to leave the institution. A few nights ago the matron tuned in a Japanese station at good speaker strength, and everyone was delighted. "THE Radio Society held a very successful picnic outing on Sunday, January 27, and about 100 members and their friends had a great time in real Hawke’s Bay weather. After this venture it is pretty certain that an annual picnic will be a feature of the future. NOTHER move by the society to foster the social side is the holding of a ladies’ night on February 27. A great musical programme is being arranged, and for once at least static and interference will be forgotten in the joys of listening to the talent the society can produce. The move is full of promise, and it. should, be a good evening. At the last meeting of the society one of the moves suggested to the society was to inaugurate a battery service station for members, the idea being to get charging at a = cheaper rate, but members did not take kindly to the- proposal in view of the many obstacles which preface it. The subject was "tabled," however, till next meeting, to enable the sponsor of the idea to be present to give his views. ANOTHER matter discussed was that of local reception and a local broadcasting station. The secretary reported’ that there was every prospect of Mr. Ball, editor-announcer, visiting Hastings, and it was decided to hold over the discussion on the station until after Mr. Ball’s visit A special invitation was extended to Mr. Ball to make the trip.

"THERE has been a fair amount of. controversy here over 2YA’s_ experiment with master oscillator and crystal controls. There is a great ditference of opinion, but the most listeners seem to favour master oscillator, at least at night, although many hold that the erystal secores.for afternoon reception. The Radio Society members have undertaken to furnish the secretary with a report of their observations, and these will be forwarded to the Radio Broadcasting Company. RECEPTION here lately has not been: startling. There are still many complaints regarding distortion and fading frgm 2YA. No fault is apparently found with the Auckland and Christchurch stations, The "Aussies" have béen "in and out,’ and on 2 couple of nights during the past week, 2BL

has been up to its best form, coming through with great volume. 1YA, by the way, is being badly upset by the heterodyne of a "Yank." At the moment the writer has been listening to the Auckland station, but the Yank is causing distortion, for 3YA is as clear as a bell.