Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 17, 8 November 1929, Page 11

Our Mail Bag

Will correspondents please practice brevity, as heavy demands are now made on space, All letters must be signed and address given as proof of genuineness; noms de plume for publication are permitted. Address correspondence Hditor, "Radio Record," P.O. Box 1082, Wellington.

Power Interference. T HEARTILY endorse the remarks of "Bair Go" (Lyall Bay), re tramway ahd other electrical interference. My set is a 7-valve all-electric, and it is an impossibility to bring in any station- other than 2YA with even the slightest degree of satisfaction, until the trams cease running at about 11.45 p.m. I have often tried to get the other YA stations on a Wednesday night (with no visitors present, of course), but on account of the noise from the trams and several "howlers" very .close to me, reception, if I may call it such, is unbearable. A few weeks ago, while endeavouring to listen to 4YA some "howler" tuned his set also to this station, with such an unearthly shriek that my infant son, who was in the room at the time, was absolutely terrified. In all my six years as a radio: listener I have never heard anything to equal the electrical and "howling" interference in Lyall Bay every evening. Surely something can be done by the authorities to eliminate

even some Ot this interterence

Ma

jestic

(Lyall Bay).

Politics Over the Air. As a frequent visitor to the gallery of the House of Representatives, I ean vouch first hand for the necessity of political leaders broadcasting the views of their respective parties. Daily newspapers without exception are organs of propaganda, and only publish that which suits their political bias. Those who cannot attend the House must take what the, editors think is

"good for them," or go without. It shiuld be the right of everyone who desires to know the facts of politics to get them: direct from the leaders of

the Principal Poiutical’ partles.-

J.

M.

Late News Service. THE R.B.C. prides itself on the way it eaters for the farmer and backblock settlers, and rightly so. The ser-. vice is a godsend. A remark made by Mr. Ball (at the opening of 4YA) together with the wishes of all local listeners prompts me to suggest that the R.B.C. give, say, fifteen minutes at 9 p.m, for any news items of outstanding interest (a sort: of late edition coupled with the outstanding items given at 7 p.m.). At present, at approximately 9 p.m., you give weather forecast and station announcements, taking, say, four or five minutes, so I am sure this request is reasonable. Many farmers, and city people too, are out of doors at 7 p.m. during the summer-time and I am sure if granted this innovation would give wide satisfaction. Continued success to your company, and may the licenses keep

growing.-

L. D.

Waters

; (Tutaki).

Departures from Programmes. qT cgpnec ection with the relays by 2YA the wrestling match on the evening of October 28, and of the boxing match from the Wellington Town Hall on November 1, I suggest that arrangements be made to announce such events in the weekly programmes published in your paper. On two prévious occasions I wrote to the Broadcasting Company on this subject, but apparently the arrangements cannot be completed in time. I think that there may be some people with sets who, like myself, invite friends to hear a certain "programme at their homes, to find that it is cut short at 9 p.m. to relay a match. Last evening I was informed that permission was only granted to 2YA at 4 in the afternoon, but surely the wrestling and boxing authorities could be asked to give permission in time for insertion in the weekly programmes, even if it were a kind of "late news" announcement, as I realise that programmes are made up a few weeks ahead of the events,-

Programmes

(Wellington

[We sympathise with this writer, but the position is that some of the controlling authorities in events. of this nature hold the view that their "gate" might be affected if prior announcement were made; hence their objection to early arrangements.-Hd.] : Too Much Complacency. ONE would think, reading your paper, that broadcasting in New Zealand was now closely approaching perfection. Might I suggest that this is not altogether so? Here in Otago we have waited over three years for a modern broadcasting station. During all that time it has never been possible to rely on getting good reception in the evenings, as 8YA and 2YA are both subject to periodic distortion due to fading. However, we hoped that when the new 4YA opened, we would at last get reliable reception. Alas! We are situated only 45 miles from Dunedin, yet since the new station started there has not been one evening when reception

from 4YA was not either partly or else completely spoiled. by static. I presume that the station is operatigg now at full power. If so, then the power ahould be increased. -It is scarcely ereditable that the most modern station in New Zealand should have a power of only half-kilowatt. I have Just read an advertisement of an American station, WLW, whose outpuc is 50 kilowatts-100 times as much, I am aware that you will say that the R.B.O. cannot afford: to erect a big station like that with only 49,000 licenses, But surely a substantial increase in the number can only be expected to follow an improved service, not precede it? The quality of 4YA's transmission has certainly improved, but that is not much use when it 1sdrowned out by static, . I think, also, that the company is overdoing the relaying of programmes, The only justification of a relay is when there is gome special concert on, and then only if the relay is as good as the original in quality. Last week 4YA twice rejJayed ordinary evening programmes from Ohristchurch, I did not listen the first night, but last night the quality "was very bad, in fact so bad that it sounded like a rebroadcast. In conclusion, might I say a word of appreciation for the new octet at 3YA? Some music by them or by a trio occasionally would be a pleasant change in the din-

ner sessions.-

X

(Hillgrove).

A Letter of Appreciation. WE would like to thank those responsible for the splendid programme broadcast by the new 4YA station on their opening night. Its excellence could not be surpassed, The Dunedin Pipe Band deserve to be well praised for their opening skirl, which came through loudly and clearly. The speeches by the Postmaster-General and Mr. Ball, editor-announcer of the Broadcasting Company, were also well received, Wishing the XA’s the best of Inek. and honing to hear some more

nine-band: music shortlv _

Satisfied

(Westport)