Notes of Topical Interest

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 30, 7 February 1930, Unnumbered Page

Notes of Topical Interest

(By

Switch

PPHERE has been much criticism in ‘ Australia of the broadcast service ef the new Australian Broadcasting Co., but the proof of merit may be gauged by the listeners’ barometer, the license statistics. A loss of 311 licenses compared with the previous month’s total-the first decline since the introduction of broadcasting-is shown by the Commonwealth’s total of 310,002 registered wireless listener's for Deeember. In previous returns, diffexgnt State totals have fluctuated, but there has always been a steady improvement. Now, this is a definite sign which may be interpreted in various ways, but "Switch" reads in it a sure indication that broadcast listening in Australia is not increasing in popularity asit should do, for in every country where there is anything like a satisfactory service there is always a marked increase in the number of listeners from month to month. No one, either, could seriously contend that Australia has reached "saturation point." A WELLINGTON trader informed "Switch" recently that he had lately sold a couple of multi-valve allelectric receiving sets for operation without an outdoor aerial. The buyers had listened-in at various homes, and they stated that they were quite seusted to receive only 2YA, Wellingtort. Static and extraneous noises, they argued, only spoil the truly musical éffect of "outside" stations. Besides this, the musical programmes, children’s sessions, lecturettes, news service from 2YA was all that was desirable. ON a@ recent sight when 2FC, Sydney, was broadcasting part of Maurice Chevalier’s talkie, "The Love Parade," from the Prince Edward Theatre, Sydney, Amalgamated Wireless also transmitted the programme through the short wave high-powered station 2ME. Before the programme had been on the air many minutes a radio message was received throuzh Amalgamated Wireless that Commander Byrd and his companions in the Antarctic were listening. After the : interval, Mr. Albert Cazabon informed _the audience that Commander Byrd and party were among the audience. ‘He for cheers for the explorers, , whi re warmly given, and the au}dience sang: "For they are jolly good fellows." All this was duly broad- . cast back to Antarctica. Later in the evening Commander Byrd radioed to . Amalgamated Wireless that the pro‘gramme had been greatly enjoyed. "The Love Parade," he stated, was the first sound picture to reach the Antarctic. ONE should be thankful that we New Zealanders do not have to submit to propaganda, especially political, from our broadeast stations. The Russian Soviet is installing a 75,000-watt ‘breadcast station in the immediate ‘neighbourhood of Moscow for the main "purpose of broadcasting Soviet propaganda! One can imagine the tumult of protests if such a station were located near one of the New Zealand — centres. Very many licenses would he allowed to lapsé as a result of such an outrage.

\JHRHEE of the "B" class New Zealand stations have been heard by Wellington listeners lately. They are 2ZM, Gisborne, 4Z1., Dunedin, and the Invercargill station. Although these stations were at times fairly loud they suffered from fading, which caused 4 break in the continuity of reception. Fading will always be an obstacle to low-pressure transmission until sone revolutionary invention is made. In New Zealand fading is most pronounceed in vast areas, due to topographical and other influences more obscure. "BLIND spots" in broadcast reception are not by any means rare in New Zealand, as in other countries, and they are one of the difficulties confronting the Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand. "Switch" knows of definite though restricted areas in the Dominion in which even good old faithful 2YA, Wellington, is practically unreceivable. There are. other areas in which distortion is almost continuous. The remarkable feature of the phenomenon is that in distances more remote than these unfavourable areas broadcast reception of the samé station is well-nigh perfect. Tests by experts have established these facts, and there is evidence of similar conditions in other countries. NHE wedding of "Aunt Gwen" will remain long in the memory of thousands of listeners, both young and old. At the pro-Cathedral fully a thousand juveniles assembled to see "Aunt Gwen" in her becoming bridal array. The actual ceremony came over the air with astounding clarity, and the words solemnly spoken by Archdeacon Innes-Jones, and the replies by the bride and bridegroom were distinctly heard through many a loudspeaker and pair of headphones. It was all so wonderful, and listeners felt it a privilege to hear the first broadcast in New Zealand, of an actual marriage ceremony. Then there were the speeches at the reception given afterwards at the home of the bride’s parents, and not the least effective of these was that of Mr. J. Davies, the genial director of 2YA, Wellington. N Australian exchange says:--"South Australian listeners are already enjoying the advantage of having their station 5CL, Adelaide, linked up with the National Broadcasting services. The system of relays has been extended, and every effort is being made to provide attractive programmes. ‘The A.B.C. has now announced its policy regarding the Queensland station 4QG, Brisbane, ‘which it takes over from the State Government at the end of January. The hours of transmission are to be extended considerably. There will be new features which should be appreciated by listeners. Descriptions of horse races, whilst running, will be resumed under the new management, and generally Queensland will have a service at least equal to those provided in the southern States. The fact that there has been a steady decrease in the number of licenses in the north is the best evidence that a change of control was desirable." in New Zealand the remarkable coutinuous increase in the number of listeners from month to month is uudeniable proof of the merit of the Dominion broadcasting service.