Summary of World Radio

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 39, 12 April 1929, Unnumbered Page

Summary of World Radio

po ta J. H. OWEN, who was for many years president of the Wellington Amateur Radio Society, kas just returned from an extensive tour of Canada, France, an? the United Kingdom. Mr. Owen is very defiinitely a radio enthusiast, and either carried wit> him a portable set at various stages of the journey or secured temporary possession of a set wherever he was s° uated. He was thus able to devote many hours to listening to programmes both in Canada, United States, Great Britain and urope. Arrangements have been made for Mr. Owen to give a talk from 2YA on his radio experiences, but opportunity was taken by the "Radio Record" last week to secure an interview with Mr. Owen, in order to place before readers a summary of his experiences and views. Right from the outset of his trip, Mr. Owen, in order to place before readers bond of sympathy with others and an open sesame to friendships and contact. On the voyage to Vancouver’ on the "Aorangi" he enjoyed much benefit from an old-time friendship with the chief radio officer of the ship, Mr. Taylor, from whom Mr. Owen had earlier received instructions concerning one of his first sets. "No Comparison" in Methods. ROM Vancouver Mr. Owen crossed Canada, and proceeded to Britain. While in Toronto he was held up for three weeks by a bad cold. Hiring a set, however, he devoted the time to radio listening, and thus secured a very intimate knowledge of conditions on the air in that continent. This experience proved of definite value i1 enabling him to make a detailed comparison between the American system and the British system of radio broadcasting. Asked the specific question as to which system-the British or American--was the better from the listener’s point of view, Mr. Owen unhesitatingly an" emphatically replied that there was simply

no comparison-the British system developed by the B.B.C. was immeasurably superior in every way. "There," he said, "you have complete control of the air, and the corporation is able to devise and issue an informative and comprehensive set of programmes, which are a delight to listeners and render outstanding service in the cause of entertainment and education. The contrast with the American system is that America gives no unity of programmes whatsoever, and there is no coherent effort to render public service by the diffusion of news or definitely educative talk. Everything is sacrificed to the advertiser, and the e"ect upon the listener definitely is not good. . God help New Zealand and broadcasting if the Govern:zent ever allows any interference, in any shape or form, from the would-be advertiser or private stations. The result will only be a polluted atmosphere, such as obtains in Canada, the United States and to some extent in, Europe. I do not hesitate for a’ single moment to say that." Sidelights on Practice. GPEAKING in detail of the American and Canadian system as experienced by him Mr. Owen stated that, because of the need for advertising revenue and

business economy, the practice Was prevalent there of one transmitting station equipment being used ostensibly for two or three separate stations with individual call signs. These worked at different hours and on different wavelengths, so that so far 1s the public knew, there were three or more stations operating in the locality, but in point of actual fact, all used the one transmitting equipment. Each individual station would be primarily concerned with advertising the goods of the firms maintaining it. To limit its expenses, it would sell to other firms of a non-competitive character a certain proportion of their time, because obviously they had to have reyenue in order to continue operations. A typical method of operation might be cited in order that New Zealand listeners should understand just what advertising on the air meant. For instance, in Toronto one station would open up with the announcement that the ""Mad Hatters" would entertain listeners. Speaking with a strong Americau twang, the announcer would say, in hearty fashion, something like the following: "Say, folks, we have a real fine programme for you this afternoon. The Mad Hatter’s On chestra will entertain you for the next half hour. This or hestra is maintained by Mr. Armitage, the hatter on Blank Street, where they sell the very best hats that money e-n buy. Very likely you have seen his premises. In addition +o selling hats, however, the organisation maintains an orchestra, and that orchestra to-day will give you a real fine halfhour of music." Then the orchestra would perform-and frequently a very second-rate performance it would prove. At the conclusion of the half-hour, a further speech from the announcer would eulogise the hats. Thereafter would probably come a similar announcement from the manufacturers of someone’s starch, and so on. There was no national coherent effort to render uniform service to listeners. The air was -Continued on page 2.

Mr. J. H. Owen enthusiastically praises B.B.C. attainment, endorses unified control, and condemns advertising

World Radio (Continuation of Front Page.) crowded with a number of competing stations, and it was difficult to say just how far each individual station secured an audience. The authorities in Canada were investigating the B.B.C. method, in order to see whether a national scheme for improvemen* could be effectively put into operation. In the States no fee at all was charged, but in Canada a fee of one dollar wa" supposed to be collected. It seemed, however, to be more honoured in the breach than in the observance. Unquestionably, the system of national unified control was the only possible system and New Zealand should never entertain departing from it. Praise for B.B.C. ($OMING to the B.B.C., Mr. Owen said that it was impossible to refer to that organisation and service without speakng in superlatives. A wonderful, even marvellous, service was given. A spirit of great earnestness animated the officials of the Corporation in their enthusiastic endeavours to serve the public. They did not resent criticism or suggestions-in fact, the letters that were published in the "Radio Times" showed that it was recognised that all individuals were entitled to express their views on the programmes, and that expression was appreciated as a help in enabling the Corporation officials to assess the programmes and their appeal. The popularity of the service was very marked, listeners now totalling some 2,400,009. with numbers still growing. A system of simultaneous broadcast of contrasting programmes Was now

jn force. This meant that listeners practically all over the country, at any time, had the choice of two programmes, which were in marked contrast the one to the other. London was linked up with relay stations at various strategic points throughout the country. These provincial centres drew largely upon London programmes for the more outstanding items, but each maintained its local character by giving, at set times, local news, and utilising outstanding local talent. The network of relay stations was most remarkable, and the effect was that listeners in the area served by, say, Belfast could receive London programmes as relayed by Belfast with as much clarity as listeners in the suburbs of London would receive the programme of 2LO direct. He spent a little time on the Isle of Man, staying at a farmhouse. He arranged for the installation of a good receiving set, and regularly tuned in to Belfast or other stations. The inmates of that farmhouse, who had not previously experienced wireless, were 8so eaptivated that they would not all w him tu remove the set on his departure, but took it over. The standard of programmes maintained by the British Broadcasting Corporation was very marked. The aim was to make bre ceasting a definite instrument of national advancement and national service. The very best was given in the wa) of music, and moreover, a strong effort was made to make available the best lecturing talent of the country in artistic and educative talks. Outstanding Courtesy RMED with a letter of introduction from the Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand, Mr. Owen paid -_- ry = --_--

a visit to the headquarters of the British Broadcasting Corporation at Savoy Hill. He was given a very courteous reception, and afforded all facilities for making contact with the British system of broadcasting. A special privilege enjoyed by Mr. Owen was a half-hour interview with Captain Eckersley, the distinguished and able chief engineer of the Corporation. ‘he manner in which Mr. Owen was accorded this interview spoke volumes for the courteous consideration extended by the authorities to overseas visitors. On Mr. Owen being asked if he desired any special assistance, he intimated that he would like, if possible, an interview with Captain Eckersley. It was explained that the chief engineer was a particularly busy man and, in point of fact, was leaving for Geneva the next day to attend one of the numerous conferences on radio matters there held in connection with European broadcasting. The promise was made, however, that Captain Eckersley would be informed of Mr. Owen’s call and: his desire. By the first mail next morning, Mr. Owen received a special letter from Captain Eckersley stating that, although he was very busy, he would be glad to see Mr. Owen at 11.30 that morning. Mr. Owen was not slow to take advantage of the opportunity. Captain Eckersley, he found on acquaintance, to be most* charming and capable, and a very pleasant half-hour was spent. The captain was particularly interested in short-wave reception in New Zealand, and specially inquired Mr. Owen’s experiences in that direction. Mr. Owen was constrained to admit that his experience had been limited to occasional experiences at friends’ houses. Captain Eckersley mentioned that a good deal of criticism had been directed against the B.B.C. for not maintaining a regular short-wave broadcasting service for the rest of the world. The reason why this was not done was that considerable improvement had yet to be effected in the standard of receiving sets to

ensure satisfactory reception in all parts of the world. From the transmitting point of view it was contended perfection had been attained, but it was useless maintaining a service until satisfaction could be assured at the receiver, wherever situated. In the meantime, therefore, short-wave was an interesting stunt, but further progress was required to warrant uniform operation. Experimental transmission from 5SW would be continued, and doubtless the necessary improvement in receiving sets would follow. Asked about television, Captain Eckersley indicated quite clearly that in his view perfection in television would ultimately be attained, but that in the present state of development sufficient satisfaction could not be assured to warrant regular transmission. Mechanical difficulties had to be overcome by those who were pushin_ the science. The B.B.C., he indicated, was q--’.e sympathetic to this new phase of broadeasting, and stood ready, when the time was ripe, to render the necessary service. 7 Of special interest to Mr. Owen wa3 a visit to the station at Daventry. Two stations were really in existenc? there side by side, viz., 5XX Daventry, and 5GB, the latter being mainly for experimental work. The officials

at this station gave Mr. Owen a very warm welcome. It seemed that comparatively few visitors were received there these mainly beiug foreigners interested in the technical side. Hvery facility was giveh even to those to see and learn all that was available. "We have no. secrets," one of the officers said. "We are quite ready to show everyone everything that we have, in order that broadcasting may be advanced." Mr. Owen will, it is hoped, be able to give listeners in general further experiences at a latér date.