Notes and Comments

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 54, 25 July 1930, Page 13

Notes and Comments

By

SWITCH

LATELY 4QG, Brisbane, has changed its wavelength, which is a little longer than previously. Unfortunately 4QG is now right on a harmonic of some powerful morse transmitter which pounds away for lengthy periods and chops up the music from the Brisbane station so that it is not possible to tolerate it at all. To add to the trouble, 4QG is now right on top of a Japanese station, -and the position so far as the Brisbane station is concerned is hopeless. . * * Bg A FEW nights ago the writer discoyered 1YA, Auckland, being seriously interfered with by a powerful American station. Conditions were favourable for long-distance reception, and’ the American was coming in with exceptional strength. The American has been heard by several listeners in various parts of New Zealand, and "Switch" has noticed its presence on previous occasions, but not with sufficient strength to occasion any interference with Auckland.

"THE way the American radio sets have captured the New Zealand market has always been a subject of surprise to the writer, in view of the fact that the British manufacturers are turning out sets second to none in the world. Even to-day, after seven years of .broadcasting, Britain was represented by only one A.C. set, atithe Wellington Radio Exhibition, suitable for long-distance loudspeaker reception. The sole representative of Britain in that class was a superbly-made threevalve set with one power screen-grid radio frequency valve, a detector, and one stage of transformer-coupled audio.

"THE receiving sets on show at the Wellington Radio BExhibition, with perhaps one or two exceptions, showed minor improvements on last year’s models, and in some cases a radical change was noticeable. One prominent maker has not adopted the screen-grid valve for radio-frequency amplification, but uses a s.g. valve for detection, and is a very fine distancegetter. It would appear, however, that the makers have now settled down to a standard type, and prospective buyers need not postpone purchasing with the idea that there will be any radical changes in the visible future.

HE high duty on the cabinets of American sets has resulted in some equipments being imported minus the cabinets, which are now being manufactured in New Zealand. The writer was shown a number of Dominion-made cabinets on view at the Wellington Radio Exhibition, in which were fitted high-grade American receiving sets and loudspeakers. These cabinets were superbly made and finished, and reflected the greatest credit on the New Zealand makers. % se e THE Wellington Radio Bxhibition gave the general public a fine opportunity of becoming familiar with ’ the latest in wireless equipment. Each stall was thronged every evening, and at times it was impossible to get with-

in talking distance of the attendants. On all sides were heard most favourable remarks of the tonal qualities of the sets and loudspeakers being demonstrated. The old days of unbearable distortion and limited frequency ranges of reproduction are gone forever.

"QIWITCH" overheard a well-known city business man remark to his wife at the Wellington Radio Dxhibi-

tion, "I never knew until to-night how simple it is to operate a radio set." The A.C. set has, without doubt, captured the general public with its simplicity. The single tuning control and volume knob seemed like 2 mere dream a very few years ago, and the vision of an A:C. set appeared to be impos: sible of realisation except in the dim. distant future. And now.those dreams have come true! . = * us Maori performers from Wanganui deserve the utmost praise for their enjoyable entertainments at the 2YA studios and at the Wellington Radio Show, where they proved a tremendous attraction. Every evening at the Town Hall the seating accommodation in the gallery was taxed to its utmost capacity, and each item by the Maoris was applauded to the echo, The Maoris themselves were a happy family of young people, and they were overwhelmed with the demonstrative marks of appreciation of their efforts.

"Tun song "Haere tonu ra," as sung by Mr. G. Waldren, of the Wanganui Maori performers, who broadcast from 2YA, was sung with a spirit which several prominent pakeha vocalists might well emulate. Mr. Waldren contrived to infuse the true spirit of the song into his dramatic interpretation of it. "The singer, without a doubt, showed how this item should be done," .said a well-known ‘lady vocalist to "Switch," after hearing Mr. Waldren.

Me. J. M. BINGHAM, the Broadcasting Company’s chief radio engineer, was in Wellington during the first few days of the Radio Show, on his way back from Auckland to Christchurch. He was exceedingly busy at Wellington carefully checking up all equipment in connection with the broadcast from the studios, and particularly that of the Maori performers’ broadeasts. Mr. Bingham spent much time,

also, checking up on tests of rehearsals while here. The outsider has no idea of the many questions of detail involvoa in the technical side of broadeastng, * * * AN A.C. shortwave receiving set was on view at the Wellington Radio Exhibition, and was in use at the radio transmitters’ stall. "Switch" learns that the set performed most efliciently, and its musical reproduction had perfect tonal qualities. It is only a matter of a few months or so when a good demand will set in for A.C. shortwave sets, if their efficiency can be widely proven. ,

THD most costly "buy" at the Radio Hxhibition was a combined radio set and electric gramophone with. an automatic mechanism which changed 15 records without human attention. This elaborate affair was listed at £250. It was the centre of -much interest. . * Eg * PROMINENT radio traders informed "Switch" that the Radio Dxhibition resulted in several immediate sales, and one big importer said, he had run short of supplies, so heavy had been the demand for his sets. One line that has been selling well is. the small A.C. set for local reception. It requires no aerial or earth, and can fit into a brief bag. A follower of racing told "Switch" that he had one solely for the purpose of obtaining racing results from 2YA when he was at his office. He keeps a multivalve set’ at home. .