Programmes Consistently "Samey"

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 32, 22 February 1929, Page 8

Programmes Consistently "Samey"

Wellington Amateurs Offer Suggestions

OWING to the holidays, full notification had not been given of the general meeting of the Wellington Amateur Radio Society, so that at the appointed hour the number in attendance was little more than twenty, including ladies and some of the younger folk. Mr. Byron Brown (president), in opening the meeting, said that he felt the meeting was going to be interesting, particularly in view of the present controversy regarding "B" class stations. He had no intention, at the moment, of venturing an opinion, but indicated that that topic was one to be considered during the evening. The regular business of the society was then proceeded with. A letter was received from the secretary of the General Post Office in reply to a complaint regarding interference to broadcast listeners by the H.M.S. Dunedin while she was in port. The department, in recognising that the Dunedin had been responsible for much interference, explained that it was eaused through a harmonic of the 600 metre wavelength used by the ship. As she was now out of port, the interference wnanid he no longer felt.

BOE" xuwaI""l tt tt It was remarked that the letter was unsatisfactory, but on the recommendation of one member, it was decided to be kept on the table for reference when the Dunedin should come back to port again, "At least," it was said, "it is an admission, and will be kept as a ‘rod in pickle.’ " A lotter was read from the Rev. Er-

nest Weeks, and through the courtesy of the society we publish this letter under a separate heading. An apology from Mr. Ball, who was in Auckland, was received. This ended the regular business of the society, and in opening the discussion Mr. Brown remarked that developments were taking place rapidly which were going to have a far-reach-ing effect on broadcasting in New Zealand. "At the present moment," he continued, "all revenue is going to the Broadcasting Company. They have the right of the air for nothing, and as the revenue is increasing, the company is receiving at least £1300 a week." He maintained that it did not eost the Broadeasting Company this amount to run the stations. In eoncluding, he remarked that something should be done to fill up the gap left by the broadcasting stations, and so the discussion in "B" class stations was opened. For some considerable time the discussion waxed and waned. The question as to whether the Radio Broadcasting Company had the right to advertise was raised. It was contended on one side that they had the right, and on another that they did not have the right (reference to a past issue of the "Radio Record" would show that the Broadcasting Company has the right to devote five minutes in every hour to advertising). At this stage the discussion became a deadlock, and it could not go on until the exact position was fully understood. One speaker suggested that if the Radio Broadcasting Company had the right to advertise and used it, directing the revenue received from this source into the filling of the gaps,

a very much finer service could be maintained than if private "B" class stations were allowed the right. The Sameness of Programmes. A SPEAKER who had just come in, and had evidently been listening to the very fine rebroadcast of a Russian shortwave station, urged that the society communicate with the Company suggesting that in view of the sameness of the programmes, some effort be made by means of relaying and rebroadecasting to brighten them up. "Many would wait up," he contended, "tijl all hours of the morning if they could hear a foreign station coming over well." ‘The trans-Tasman flight was quoted as an example. Other speakers contended that this would be an excellent suggestion, but it was opposed by one speaker, who stated that 2YA was giving a better service than anyone else. He very much questioned the introduction of "fireworks broadcasting," explaining that reception from the shortwave, or indeed from any overseas stations at this time of the year, could be little more than crashes of static, howling noises, and intermittent fading. "We want a change, certainly," he said, "but that change will best be brought about by relays, not rebroadcasts." It was pointed out, too, that the question of rebroadcasting some of the Australian stations had already been suggested, but that the right to do this had been refused to the Broadcasting Company.

In wording a motion, it was agreed that "In view of the consistent ‘sameyness’ of the programmes" (that phrase was very much quoted and discussed that evening, but was so decidedly deseriptive in the opinion of the meeting that no argument could alter the terminology) "2YA should be urged to introduce relays and rebroadcasts." The argument for relays and rebroadcasts was continued at some length, some speakers maintaining that rebroadeasts were a success; others, that they were not. Very fine rebroadcasts were referred to, and as far as relays went, nothing could be finer than the Wanganui relay, and an urge was made that more of these fine diversions should be introduced. Summing up, one speaker remarked that we were not getting a service commensurate to the income, Reference was made to gramophone records, the very fine quality put over by 2YA being applauded. In concluding the discussion on "samey" programmes, it was urged that a royal commission be appointed to consider the condition of broadcasting in New Zealand. That speaker added that the public had the right to know the full position of broadcasting. The speaker for the evening was then introduced. His lecture will appear next week.