Short Wave Helping Empire Friendship

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 36, 22 March 1929, Page 32

Short Wave Helping Empire Friendship

‘ Short Wave Helping

R. J. O. H. TRIPP, Gien-Cary Station, Hakataramea, writes the following interesting letter :- Another link in Empire friendsh*‘p is being forged daily, due to the ac ent of short-wave receiver. Short-whave reception has come to stay, and ; the "man in the street" is just waking up to the fact; especially as all the chief stations have regular times of transmission. Personally I think that 5SW and PCJ are the most pleasant to listen to, especially as they both come in during breakfast. For instance at 7 a.m. this m "ning Big Ben, in London, boomed from the loudspeaker, then 55SW gave two most interesting talks, followed by some music. They then switched over to Liverpool Cathedral, from whence we had a fine organ recital. Immediately after this we were taken to Glasgow, which was broadcasting "Madame Butterfly," acted by the Carl Rosa Opera Company from ‘Theatre Royal. All this was at full loudspeaker, strength to start with, although the volume gradually decreases as daylight increases. I think that to hear 58W, Chelmsford, is in itself well worth while paying the price of a set and license. Of course, to anyone hailing from England, 5SW has an added interest. Another point in favour of the new short-long wave receivers is their economical running costs. A four-valve receiver at four volts low-tension uses only one-quarter the power of the ayverage five-valve broadcast receiver. This is-a great saving to those in the back country, where charging facilities are few and far between, as the A battery holds its charge nearly four times as long as with the average five-valver. I also find that for short-wave reception the ground wire is better left is-, connected. The only point that does not at fi st appeal to the novice, is that a certéin amount of skill is required in tuning in to short-wave stations, however, a week’s practice should be sufficient to overcome the difficulty. I hope that before long it will become a habit for many New Zealanders to listen to London from 7 a.m, onwards. As a people, New Zealanders are not narrow-minded, but their isolation from the rest of the world does not tend to quicken interest in world affairs, the papers being practically the only (Continued on page 31.)

(Continued from page 32.) medium of information. Now, however, we have the personal touch of actually hearing talks and debates on vital Huropean and world questions. And those talks which concern British internal and external affairs cannot help but give a closer feeling of interest in the modern problems of Great Britain. The individual outlook on life is thus broadened in an easy and pleasant manner. ‘Then again, to those music-lovers who have always wanted to hear the best music performed by the world’s most noted musicians, the short-wave receiyer offers the nearest approach to reafity. For instance, on Tuesday afternoons from 3.30 to 5 p.m. one can hear the very highest musical talent from WGY, Schenectady, New York, relayed through W2XAF. Bven the dance music enthusiast will get a thrill. The other morning I heard about six new fox-trots and waltzes that have not yet got out to New Zealand. Hoping that all short-wavers will have the best of results this winter.