Notes and Comments

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 52, 12 July 1929, Page 4

Notes and Comments

(By

Switch

. al — Not since broadcasting has been put on a systematic basis in New Zealand has such a successful and interesting short-wave rebroadcast been accomplished as that of the first All Black v. New South Wales football match on the Sydney Cricket Ground. Public interest was aroused to the highest pitch, and in dozens of homes in and around Wellington visitors were present to listenin. The success which attended the rebroadcast of 2ME, Sydney, by 2YA, Wellington, yet again illustrated very forc- ’ ibly to the general public the advantage of having a receiving set, be it ever so humble, for even the owners: of crystal sets could hear the announcer in Sydney. At one home in Wellington a lady football enthusiast who was listening: in for the first time when 2YA, Wellington, was rebroadcasting the description of the All Blacks v. New South Wales football match, exclaimed "Just fancy playing in the pitch dark. I suppose they have got the electric lights turned on!" And it was night dark in Wellington during the latter stages of the game, but the lady was not aware of the hour and a half: difference in time between Sydney and Wellington. " 8S." (Matamata) sends particulars * and a diagram of a new type of indoor antenna taken from the "Radio News." It requires 254 feet of bellwire (usually 20’s). Doubt will perhaps exist among some radio technicians as to whether the claim that the new indoor antenna is more efficient than an aerial can be substantiated by actual tests. As the material required for the device is inexpensive it is well worth trying.. There are two collars of cardboard, and the bell-wire is sold in 300 feet coils, which are obtainable in Wellington at 5s. 9d., including postage. (THOSE who were making their first acquaintance with short-wave reception when 2YA Wellington was rebroadcasting the football match description by 2M Sydney, were in many instances puzzled over the frequent though slight fluctuations in volume. These "gusts" are a charactéristic of short-wave réception, and were in no way due to the transmission of 2YA Wellington, as suggested to "Switch" by quite a number of unsophisticated people. The peculiarity is merely accelerated fading which comes in much longer cycles on the ordinary broadcasting wavelengths. Science has not yet prescribed any practical cure for i A WELLINGTON radio writer reeeived a letter from a correspondent who wanted to know whether there is any means of listening in without hayving to obtain a license! It is difficult to understand the mentality of a person who candidly admits that he wants to evade the law. At huge expense the Radio Broadcasting Company is. furnishing a liberal and up-to-date broadcast service which is well worth the annual 30s, license fee. Yet there is an individual who confesses he wants to listen in without paying his license fee. ‘THERE are indications that broadcast listening will be indulged in more than ever by yachtsmen who leave Wellington for the Marlborough Sounds during their summer holidays. This is an’ instance where the kattery set has an advantage over the new all-electric type. Those yachtsmen who propose. taking their sets to the Sounds must obtain pérmission, first, from the district radio inspector, unless they are desirous of running the risk of a prosecution for using their sets at a place other than stated on: théir application for a license. No extra fee for the requisite permission is charged by the Department,