Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 36, 21 March 1930, Page 9

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 Editor, "Radio Record," P.O. Box 1082, Wellington.

Dance Music. WweHyr are the best items from the YA stations (dance music, etc.) given too late to be appreciated? Whea one has to arise at 6 o’clock every morning he ¢annot be up until 11 p.m. Couldn’t some dance’ musie be given about 7 pm, to 9 p.m.? I’m sure chis proposal would meet with general favour.-"Pro Bono Radio Co." (New Lynn). Power Interference. RE the power line interference ‘at , Hastbourne, the question seems to be: Can anything be done to cure interference by a high-tension power line? In this district over a wide band along the Coleridge main power line to the south decent radio reception is made: impossible, and the radio inspector, after having the line inspected, reported to the effect that there were no defects ‘to cause interference with wireless, but that interference was inevitable in proximity to the line. The consequence is that in, this area the gramophone is fast taking the place of wireless, and dozens of licenses are lost. As at Hastbourne, anyone going along the line on a damp evening'sees a light at nearly every insulator, and a loud "frying" is heard: Practically all devices, such as low aerials, indoor aerjals, counterpoises, and frame aerials have been tried, but the frying still gets there, and renders reception nearly impossible.-‘‘Aerial" (Temuka). Friday v. Thursday Programme. (CAN you explain why Wednesday is the silent night for Wellington when Friday would obviously be more suitable in every way? The majority of people in Wellington are on that night (Friday) either working at their places of business or taking advantage of the late night for shopping. Dozens of people have discussed this point with me. Another thing which has always puzzled me is why one of the best programmes is given on Friday, and certainly a very poor one usually, on Thursday. As a reader of your paper I shall watch with much -interest for a reply to this letter-‘Radio Fan" (Kaiwarra). ‘Talking-Pieture Broadcasts. READ with much amusement the letter of K. Swiney (Northland) in this week’s "Record," in which he states his views on the broadcasting of "cheap and nasty forms of American ‘music’" in no uncertain terms. Perhaps he would like to stop the import of all such trash either in music, record or sound picture form, and stick to the good old stuff that made grandad happy. I, for one (and I am far from

being alone) have nothing against the’ American accent-it is unique, and goes extremely well with their jazz music, which, as everyone knows, came to stay’ years ago (the efforts of a few notwithstanding). I will admit there are sound films not suitable for broadeasting, but anything in the musical comedy line, or with good theme songs (representing a large percentage of pictures) come over well, and are really good entertainment. I suppose he would like the dance programmes stopped, too. No, Sir, the old egg about the "Yankee twang," much exploited with the advent of the speaking picture, blew up long ago, and our thanks are due to the Broadcasting Company for giving those of us,away from the towns a chance of hearing the latest songs and dance hits per medium of the radio."Attaboy" (Okato). Programmes! Programmes! WHEN will the Broadcasting Company realise that it is in their inuterests to do all they can for we who depend for our livelihood on radio. We are supposed to receive consideration, and to this end receive continual assurance from the company that our interests are being considered-but are they? No; we are totally ignored. When we want to demonstrate and have convinced our clientele that they need radio, we are not supported with a decent programme-or there «are power leaks to interfere. This week I have lost two sales through this cause -last week one, next week I suppose three. The offending concert-I give it thut name for want of another-was the relay from Witham. I had gone to a great deal of trouble and expense in placing a good radio set in a home and arranged to demonstrate on this night. Gadzooks, when we tuned in at 8 p.m., what did we hear?-a continuous

roar. "Is this 2YA?" "Yes, that is the star effort the great 2YA." "Take it away." But I persisted, explaining that it was probably a noisy line and the concert would justify the initial noise. So it was tolerated till it cleared slightly and all waited in expectation for the up-country relay. ‘Then it burst upon us-bands seeing who could perfectly murder respectable selectivas. Oh, it was awful. I took the set away, one good sale "gone west.’ Now, sir, eould you honestly think I could have done otherwise under those galiing conditions. Later I went to demonstrate another, and what this time? Power noises, 35relenting from three o’clock. The same tale, "Take it away." I have had enough of trying ‘to sell radio, henveforth gramophones or the wharf.Yours in the soup. "Coal Shoveller" (Wellington). 4YA’s Transmission. FAIL to see why "Disgusted" should complain about 4YA. I can tune it in- almost any night, as clear as a bell. I can’t find anything wrong with the transmission. The only trouble I experience is occasional bad fading, but that is not the fault of the station. Of late I have been troubled with static, and an electrical disturbance of a slight intensity. I am living over 100 miles north of Wellington.-‘Satisfied" (Mangaweka. ) Line Interference. WAS more than pleased to note that you gaye prominence to correspondence in regard to power-line inter‘ference. I can substantiate the complaint against the Hutt Power Board’s lines. Some three or four months ago the interference was so bad in my locality that I sought the assistance of the district radio inspector. I provided him with the names and addresses of

others who were complaining. As a result three sizzling sparks were de finitely located on the Main Hutt Road between Petone station and the Hutt Road ramp. Efforts to have the lines attended to have proved fruitless, and in dry weather it is practically useless endeavouring to tune-in stations other than Wellington. I have a costly sevenvalve set, and in view of the frequent interference, I might just as well own a crystal set. One wonders whether representations from the Public Works Department would have the desired effect, and I suggest that action be taken in that direction -‘"‘Hutt Road" (Petone).