Notes and Comments

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 46, 30 May 1930, Page 10

Notes and Comments

SWITCH

N a recent evening the writer heard a one-time popular vaudeville vocalist, Miss Stella Ranger, singing at one of the Australian broadcast stations. Several years ago Miss Ranger paid several visits to Wellington on a vaudeville circuit. "\FF-SIDE" (New Plymouth) writes asking what has become of the widely-reported invention of a staticeliminator devised by somebody in the South Island. "Switch" can only echo the query, "What has become of it?" AN all-electric set was submitted to "Switch" last week for examination as the owner was anxious to learn why it had not been performing up to standard on that night. As it happened, owing to exceptional weather conditions across the Tasman the Australian stations seemed to be blanketed. The New Zealand stations, on the other hand, were coming in with excellent yolume. The owner, being a beginner, was disposed to blame his set because it was weak on the Australian stations. The following evening, however, brought a vast improvement in reception, and the owner realised his previous mistake. "TYISC" (Newtown) has asked "Switch" why he did not envy the official who compiles the dinner music session, as expressed in the writer’s notes recently. The main difficulty is the limited amount of suitable music issued by the record manufacturers. The type of music is distinctive, and instrumental numbers are exclusively desirable. Then again dance music is not the class required. When it is necessary to arrange a different programme night after night the problem becomes a serious one. A LISTENER in an area of Wellington near Upper Willis Street informs "Switch" that he is pestered with interference from some electrical source in his vicinity. From .the listener’s description of the noise "Switch" suggests that the source is a

private violet ray apparatus, This type of apparatus can interfere with a sensitive set up to a distance of 200 yards, if the listener is reaching for outside stations. OCARCELY a night passes at the studio of 2YA, Wellington, without listeners ringing up to ascertain whether the station is on the air, when as a matter of fact transmission is in full swing. This would seem to indieate that trouble with receiving sets is fairly frequent. One listener suggested to "Switch" that the majority of those telephone inquiries come from owners of "home-made" erystal sets. — ROM what "Switch" can gather, the description of the British v. Wanganui football match was an -excellent example of good announcing. AS an exponent of verbatim description it would be hard to find the announcer’s equal. Unfortunately, at times, he raised his voice too high in pitch, and thus listeners found some of his comments somewhat blurred. AFTER listening to the broadcast description of the British v. Wanganui football match, "Switch" has some constructive criticism to offer on the subject of football descriptions. The score should be announced freAi

quently. Whenever possible the territory in which the ball is should be mentioned. It is of little use to say "the ball has gone out at the twenty five mark." . The announcer should always state whose "twenty-five" it is. Even when the ball has crossed the half-way line it should be stated in whose territory the ball is. It is also most important for the announcer not to raise his voice to a high pitch. A shrill voice becomes incoherent, while a deep-pitched: voice carries splendidly. HD convenience and efficiency of broadcasting as a means of dis seminating news was much appreciated hy the public of Wellington during the

relay of the description of the British vy. Wanganui football match at Wanganui. Crowds assembled around — the radio dealers’ doorways to listen to the description of the game from the loudspeakers. It was a splendid advertisement for Rugby and for radio. To counteract the pessimistic spirit rife in Australia, the Australian Broadeasting Company has arranged for gloom-lifting talks to be broadcast from their stations. Gloom is infecious, and many people become unnecessarily obsessed with fears for the future, a state of mind which is bad for trade in general. VISITORS to Wellington frequently call in to inspect the studios of 2YA. Mr. J. Davies, the station director, and members of his staff greet

callers cordially, and show them around. Listeners from distant places ; always express surprise at the spa-' ciousness of the premises and the artistic furnishings. N unusual item was contributed during the children’s session at 2YA, Wellington, on Thursday evening, May 22, when a young lady about 16 years of age performed a Lancashire clog dance before the microphone. A small boarded "floor" was placed about five feet from the microphone which was about five feet above the floor. The "cousin’s" smart stepping was heard clearly over the air. The writer has only once previously heard a clogdance broadcast, and on that occasion‘. it was from a Sydney station. " / FADING is a natural phenomenon which radio scientists have so far not been able to overcome. Any sta‘tion at a distance of over a hundred miles is liable to fade at night-time. This fading does not occur during daylight, and therefore Wellington listeners find reception of 8YA, Christchurch, just about perfect during the afternoons. Wednesday night, May 22, was somewhat freakish so far as reception in Wellington of 83YA was concerne‘l. The Christchurch station came in with tremendous volume, almost without the slightest trace of fading. A _ cold southerly was raging with heavy showers. ON’D worry your brains about trying to invent something new in wireless," was the advice given by Myr. _&. T. Fisk, managing director of Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd., in Melbourne, when presenting the prizes to the successful boy erystal setbuilders in the competition recently conducted. "Rather try to improve existing crystal receivers," he continued. "Try to make them more selective without the sacrifice of volume." a

HERes fun! In the past any listener who chose to vent his disapproval of a broadcasting item or of a whole broadcast programme, has been free to write to the Press or the broadcasting companies, or to tell his friends and to have it all his own way. The Sydney office of the Australiau Broadcasting Company has now instituted a counter-attack, and on Wednesday evenings Mr. Frank Hanson has a few minutes from 2IFC to reply to critiecism that has been received either a the studio or through the Mr, Hanson finds that for every listen er who complains that there is too much jazz, he can quote another who thinks there is not enough, and the person who wants more (or less) classical music is about balanced by the one who wants just the opposite. He has pointed out these things to listeners, and the session is certainly interesting. HEN the chief Commonwealth radio inspector returned to Melbourne recently from his visit to Rockhampton, Queensland, it was announced that the new station for Rockhampton would probably be in working order in six months’ time. Preparations are steadily progressing, and Christmas will see it on the air. This is one of the new stations Mr. Keith Thow, of Wellington, has gone to Australia to install. As it will have an _ aerial power of 2000 watts, it should be heard by many New Zealanders.