Notes and Comments

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 50, 27 June 1930, Page 13

Notes and Comments

By/

SWITCH

"N, D.C." (Rllerslie) writes to mention various vagaries of the minor New Zealand and Australian broadcast stations with regard to their wavelengths. "Switch" egn confirm his statements with regard to the clashing in wavelengths and occasional changes in wavelengths. In reply to queries by "N.D.C.," 2ZH, Napier, is listed on 238 metres, and 2YB, New Plymouth, on 248 metres. Interference between various minor stations is most pronounced on some evenings, and it is difficult to explain why some of. these stations change their frequencies. * * * HE radio wholesalers and retailers are co-operating to hold a big Radio Show on the most comprehensive ‘vand attractive scale in the Melbourne _ Zown Hall, from July 18 to 25. A feature of the show is to be the lay-out of the stalls, which are being designed by a firm of architects, and will be of uniform appearance. At 3 p.m. on the opening day of the show, the Lord Mayor of London (Sir Wm. Waterlow), by means of beam wireless, will switch on an illuminated sign in the Melbourne Town Hall, declaring the show open. At 8 p.m. three different series of lights in the hall will he switched on by wireless-one each bv the Mayors of Montreal, Suva and Wellington. This reminds one that the Wellington Radio Exhibition is coming along soon. * * @ AN agreeable surprise was experienced by listeners to 2YA, Wellington, the other evening when an impromptu appearance at the studios was made by Madame Alicia Muma, operatic mezzo-soprano vocalist, who ‘sang three charming new songs. In addition to being gifted with a voice of exceptional quality Madame disptayed exquisite art in her contributions. In the United States Madame Muma has appeared with the Columbia Grand Opera Co., the Los Angeles, San Francisco Grand Opera Co., and other big organisations. She was born in Toronto, Canada, and was trained in Paris by Madame Regina de Sales and Bugene Priod. "Switch" learns that Madame Muma possesses a most attractive personality and has a fine stage presence. * x s OW, if there is one type of person who is generally objectionable it is the "cissy," whether male or female, and one is forced to the conclusion that the correspondent who recently carped ‘at Mr, Clive Drummond’s "good-night" Veet 2YA, Wellington, belongs to that species. While "Kelburn" may dislike "Mr. Drummond’s characteristic "goodnight," "Switch" has heard innumerable complimentary remarks upon it. As to the accidental slip when the "prison" was mentioned by the announcer of 2YA, referred to by "Matilda" (which, by the way, is the name of ' "Switch’s" cat), this was read from the original "copy" which was thrust into Mr. Drummond’s hand at the last moment. It is easy for a fast reader to fall into an accidental trap, and once a word is spoken it is too late to expunge it. Mr. Drummond is generally known for his freedom from anything sayouring of affectation. ; * a * ‘WHILE on the subject of carping criticism, "Switch" would recommend ' "Kelburn" and "Matilda" to read Hazlitt’s incomparable essay, "On the Spirit of Obligations." This ‘: a veritable literary jewel, acclaimed by great

writers, past and present. "Matilda," after proclaiming her sympathy with the announcer of 2YA in the difficult task of his vocation, sets about attacking him in-unkindly spirit. It is unkind to draw public attention to an obvious slip-merely one in millions of words used by the announcer each year. Hazlitt, who understood the inner workings of man’s mentality, says: "In all these pretended demonstrations of an over-anxiety for our welfare, we. may detect a great deal of spite and illnature lurking under the disguise of a friendly and officious zeal. It is wonderful how much love of mischief and rankling spleen lies at the bottom of the human heart, ete., and "The exer-

cise of their bile seems to be the sole employment and gratification of some people." * *

HE Melbourne "Listener In" says: "To gave the expense of separated studios for 2FC and 2BL, Sydney, a piece is being cut from 2FC studio to accommodate 2BL, Things will be: very crowded when all the artists for the two stations put over their items from the Market Street studio, but no doubt they will manage. For four months the postal department has had men working on the removal, They are now shifting the switchboard and monitoring panel to the new studio. But the time spent and the number of men engaged is appalling. Jobs which the old 2BL staff used to tackle with a man and a boy now engages the attention of half a dozen ‘engin-

eers’ with their coats off, and nearly as many more ‘officers’ with coats on who ‘inspect’? and supervise. The -weeks have slipped away into months and still the postmen play about with the | job." ‘ ue * = VERY week "Switch" meets with beginners Who have extremely erude ideas concerning the "earth." Three novices have had to be persuaded recently that merely wrapping a wire round a water-pipe was a poor and almost useless method of making an earth connection. The wire should be soldered to the water-pipe, or else fastened firmly to it with a patent clip, but the water-pipe should be cleaned till it is bright before the clip is applied. x * HE essential points of a good earth connection are, firstly, that thoroughly good contact should be obtained with the ground, and, secondly, that the connecting lead between the "earth" and the receiving set should be as short and direct as possible and consist of fairly stout wire or stranded conductor, ie, having low electrical resistance. Both conditions are met when a connection can be. made to the incoming water-pipe by means of. a reasonably short copper wire, say of 14 S.W.G. Gas pipes should not be

used as an "earth," as this method is prohibited by the Fire Underwriters’ Association and the insulating material in the joints makes a most inefficient earth. ‘ * A CORRESPONDENT has asked the writer as to the qualities of one of the latest American A.C. power valves, and asks whether he should substitute one of these valves for his present power valve. As the newet valve has characteristics quite different to the older type, it is not possible to use it. The older valve has a greater amplification factor, and has splendid tone.

CORRESPONDENT from Wesatport informs me that, since the Railway Department installed an electric crane at the wharf, owners of "allelectric" sets have been having a very bad time. Nerve-shattering noises come from the trams in Upper Cuba Street lately, also a mysterious disturbance which ceases after 10 p.m. * * * ~ ISTENERS in Eastbourne are complaining of intense interference from power-line leakages. The writer is told that the seaside suburb is sorely afflicted with this trouble, and many nights it’ is not possible to receive any "outside" stations at all. Among various theories of the cause of this trouble is that the power-line insulators become encrusted with salt owing to proximity to the sea, thus permitting leakage from the hightension lines which drowns radio reception. * % * pat HANNA, formerly a Wellington signwriter, and a champion diver, who has been conducting a theatrical enterprise known as "The Diggers" for some years, recently broadcast from station 83LO, Melbourne, with his company of entertainers. Pat Hanna won many diving prizes at the Te Aro baths in the pre-war golden days.