Notes and Comments

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 34, 7 March 1930, Page 7

Notes and Comments

by

SWITCH

THE relay by 2YA, Wellington, of ‘the all-talking picture, "The Hollyrood Revue," from the Western Blectric Co.’s private audition theatre on Thursday night of last week was easily the best talking picture relay yet heard from 2YA. The dialogue was crisp, and free from the characteristic hollowness which is associated with some of the relays one hears. The talk itself was smart, and therefore entertaining. The vocal and instrumental music was thoroughly enjoyable.

Mvcse curiosity has been evinced by listeners as to the dancing in the talking picture, "The Hollywood Revue," which came across so successfully from 2YA, Wellington. Without a doubt the dancing in the’ latest Ameriean talking films sets a new standard for this art, and "Switch" understands that it is of the very highest order in "The Hollywood Revue." At least, listeners could hear the brisk clatter of the clogs keeping time with irresistible music. NE must concede that the humour in the talking picture, "The Hollywood Revue," was most entertaining, and listeners had many a laugh at the clever dialogue. One of the best "hits" was the balcony scene in "Romeo and Juliet," enacted with up-to-date American dialogue. The "Lon Chaney Song" was a smart item, which picture enthusiasts in particular relished greatly. ROADCASTING is row so firmly established in Europe that it is not surprising to learn that the radio industry is in a flourishing state. The total number of license holders in Great Britain is rapidly reaching the three million mark, and the’ British Broadcastivg Corporation is expanding every day. All the British stations are linked with telephone cables to one another and to the chief cities of Europe, enabling them to broadcast to their listeners concerts from all over the continent. It is impossible to foretell with any degree of accuracy what arother ten years will mean to broad. casting.

ERD’S a good suggestion, made by a Melbourne listener, for owners of crystal sets equipped with a catwhisker. He says: "Quite a numbet of crystal set owners think that it is necessary to have a buzzer to test their crystals. If the electric light is laid on to their house all that is necessary is to flick the switch on and off. A click will be heard when you have a sensitive spot, and when you touch the switch a loud hum (if alternating current) will be heard. This test will also show if valve sets are in order."

NEW "B" class station has commenced transmitting in Newcastle, N.S.W., under the call sign 2HD. operated by the Air-sales Broadcasting Yompany. The station is situated at Sandgate, seven miles from Newcastle, but the studios are in that city. The new station works on a wavelength of 221 metres (1360 k.c.), and is equipped with a 500-watt radio frequency amplifier panel. The transmitting ap-

paratus is stated to have cost £2000. Possibly this is the station "Switch" has heard lately. WELLINGTON City radio trader told "Switch" last week that his establishment had just completed a splendid five months’ business despite the proverbial slackness of the summer season. He related that there is still a heavy demand’ for component parts, especially power transformers for audio amplifiers. Battery sets still have a very fair market, he said. ECENTLY "Switch" heard the openair community singing, accompanied by a band, in Ashfield Park, near

Sydney, relayed by 2BL, Sydney. The voices of juveniles seemed to domitute | the singing, which, however, was well done. The Ashfield band was located in the rotunda, which has somewhat of a history. It was first crected in Centennial Park thirty years ago, when the Commonwealth was initinted. It was used on that occasion fer formal proceedings in which the pre ent king, then Duke of York, took purt. The rotunda was subsequently soid to the Ashfield Council and removed to Ashfield Park. NEw ZEALANDERS will, before many months have elapsed, have another Australian "A" class stition to tune in. The Commonwealth Post-master-General recently announced that. arrangements are being pnshed nhead to erect a broadcast station at Rockhampton, which is on the constline of Queensland, north of Brisb:ne. He said that the new station would be equipped with a more modern plant than that of the existing Australian "A" class stations. HE best of the New Zealand B class _ stations heard lately by "Switch" are 2ZM, Gisborne, and 4ZL, Dunedin. These are consistently the best, with a shade in favour of the Gisborne station. The other B class stations are heard more or less regularly, but in the writer’s experience they are sorely afflicted with fading.

Erecting an Efficient Aerial WE regret that owing to pressure: on space this feature has had to be withheld till next weel:.