Report on 2YA.

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 10, 20 September 1929, Page 3

Report on 2YA.

Summary of Viezs

OME little time ago the Radio Branch of the Hlectrical Federation called for reports from listeners in yarious districts concerning Station 2YA. It was desired that these reports should cover all features in connection with the station, viz., reception of the transmission and the quality of the programmes put over. In response to that appeal, a number of reports were received by the Federation, covering the months of April, May, June and July. These reports have been summarised insofar as they emanate from the area definitely within the sphere of influence of Station 2YA. The summary shows some interesting features, which it will be instructive to outline under the different: heads, ; In relation to reception, it is interesting to note that different districts gine i different reports of the quality of reckaxsion at the same time. Yor instance, in June the Hutt Valley district reported that throughout that month fading was practically continu‘ous in that area, but throughout the balanee of the area served by 2YA the reports -on reception were that it. was excellent. A seasonal factor would also seem to dffect reception.. In. the autumn months, April and May, the country districts returned a fair num ber of unfavourable reports of the re ception of Station 2YA, but the same districts in the winter months gave cre dit for very good reception. In April and May, Wellington and suburbs, judging by ‘the,reports received, characterised reception as poor, but in the same months and for the same time Wairarapa recorded reception as good, Manawatu in the same month also re"Ported reception as fairly satisfactory. In the month of June the Wairarapa reception as being good, and Taranaki characterised the month as a particularly good month for the reception of both 1YA and 2YA. Hawke’s Bay also recorded reception as being good, apart from seyeral bouts of fading. The Blenheim area for this month recorded the reception as being particularly good. In July, without exception, all areas under review reported favourably upon reception. The Programmes. IT’ connection: with the programmes, a general note of appreciation characterises the reports received. In April and May some complaint was made regarding the orchestral numbers from 2YA, but appreciation was expressed of the inauguration of the Dinner Music Session. Complaints, however, regarding delays between the groups of items or tacet, were fairly general. s Bay reported the programmes s ing satisfactory and Wellington in June also commented favourably on the programmes. Wairarapa for this month

recorded objection to the frequent repetition of items by artists and the orchestra. Hawke’s Bay recorded the programmes as satisfactory. Taranaki also’ was satisfied according to the summary, but suggested that additional instrumental solos -and trios from members of the’ Studio Orchestra should be presented. A Special Trouble. A SPECIAL trouble is recorded as occurring in the Manawatu, centring upon Palmerston North. Local

interference is the main problem worrying listeners there. ‘This is held to be due in large part to experimental operation of home-made sets by boys and juveniles. One report states that this is provable by careful watching upon drill nights. The report states: "On regular nights in each week reception is clearer and better than others, due probably to the habits of certain listeners, particularly. boys who may be absent: from home attending drill on these evenings. When special attraction is provided by an Australian station ‘and is duly advertised. the reception is generally very mushy and distorted, but on these occasions the YA stations are received with exceptional clarity." Deduction is made from these facts that the mushiness of reception of Australian stations on this evening is due to the special attention being concentrated upon receiving those stations by operators of sets which may be under strain to receive the station.. Beeause of this concentration upon Ausralian stations the YA_ stations on those evenings are particularly clear. A Summary of Views. CONCISE summary prepared for the Electrical Federation of the July reports may be quoted in its entirety 15

News Session. — The manner in which the news is put over is favourably commented tipon at all points. Weather Reports.-Prior to the inauguration of these reports it was thought.that the weather report might be considerably eurtailed. The position disclosed, ‘however, shows that throughout the country districts the weuther report is of great value and is of interest to the majority of listeners. Dinner Session.From its inception the introduction .of dinner music proyed a great success, and the extension

of the service to all stations should, in view of the reports received, prove a profitable one. The opinion is expressed that the period between the groups of items should be considerably shortened, and exception is also taken to the announcing while items are in progress,

Programuies.-In the majority of instances exception is taken to the substitution of items other than those advertised and, judg ing from che statements received in this connection, it would appear that changes are frequent and in some cases apparently quite unnecessary. Radio Exhibition-Reports from’ all districts state that the special programmes in connection with the exhibition were enjoyed, and from the listeners’ angle it is apparent the show was a success. \ Announcing.-The remarks relating to the announcing are in all instances most complimentary to‘ the announcer, amd his work appears to give moze general satisfaction. than any item in the programme." .