Notes and Comments

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 6, 22 August 1930, Page 9

Notes and Comments

Bv

SWITCH

ON 4 recent night "Switch" listened to an animal and bird imitator performing at the Japanese station, JOHK, Sendai, which transmits on a wavelength slightly shorter than that of 4QG, Brisbane. The entertainer, judging by ‘his remarks, which were interpreted for the writer by a Japanese visitor, was somewhat of a comedian. He gave some very clever imitations of the whistling of various birds, and the mourful note of the eurlew was particularly well done. His imitations of a cat and a puppy were very realistic. By the way, listeners are frequently disappointed when they cannot pick up the Japan--ese stations. This is caused, however, by the latter’s frequent observance of intervals in their programmes. * .* * ¥ ON a recent Sunday evening, shortly after 5 o’clock, the writer picked up a Lyall Bay amateur transmitter talk- _ ing on ’phone to another transmitter in Wanganui. "Switch" was using an ordinary broadcast a.c. receiver, and got the conversation on about 200 metres. "Switch’s" home is over two miles in a direct line from the Lyall Bay man, and this seems to show how easy it, must be for one living in their vicinity to pick up, on the proadecast band, some amateur transmissions. * * e HE proposed challenge yacht race ~~ from Melbourne across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand would lose a tremendous amount of public interest if the yachts did not carry radio transmitters. The Melbourne yacht earried a transmitter last season in the race across Bass Strait to Tasmania. The yachts, by means of short-wave transmitters, could keep the world posted on their progress, positions, and the kind of weather they were experiencing. The YA stations would be able to pass the news along at prearranged periods. The question of safety to which a radio transmitter would contribute cannot be overlooked.

" a i SoM nights ago the writer picked up ~ 22Z¥, Palmerston North, broadcasting gramophone records at a very late hour. The Manawatu station appeared to have shortened its wavelength considerdbly. The tone was generally good, but: there were brief cycles of fading, though not intense. * % * A FAMILIAR question has come to hand from "T.N.G." (Petone). He "asks whether a T aerial is better for broadcast reception than an inverted L ‘ gerial, The latter is universally proclaimed as the more suitable for proadeast reception.

"QWITCH" has received authentic news of 2FC, Sydney, being received with fair loudspeaker volume on a four-valve portable receiving set located at Papanui, Christchurch. The set was used without an aerial or earth connection. This must be conceded to be a good performance for a little portable set, which, it may he mentioned, was of English manufacture. . ze * = TE one wants to be provided with a mirth-making programme, he has only to tune in the Sydney broadcasts eanive 4

\ se --_ a 2 of the Monday night community singing in the Ashfield Town Hall. The master of ceremonies is a born comedian, and his witticisms are responsible for roars of laughter. Judging by his remarks, he receives many letters from New Zealand listeners. A commendable idea is the additional

help of the Ashfield Band, which provides a break in the community singing. « : s RS. GLINTON-HUNT’S — concert party contributed a delightful programme from 2YA recently. The items, comprising choruses, part songs, duets, and solos, were judiciously selected, and "€vitch" learns that the studios received several telephoned requests for encores. The party comprised fifteen ladies who had practised under the paton of Mrs. Clinton-Hunt, a lady who has a fine conception of musical art and appreciation of public taste. The items were uncommon and delight‘fully tuneful. = nn «x

N uncommon item was recently broadeast by 38LO, Melbourne, when an Australian "snake charmer" gave an address on the secrets of his profession. His talk aboundec in interest, and he revealed several mysteries which were not known to many who had lived for many years in the .baekblocks. The average backblocks Australian settler does not trouble to study snakes, his ritual providing only for the speedy dispatch of same. * * * "AHIRLEY" (Miramar) writes suggesting that the ages of all juvenile performers at the children’s sessions should be announced. "This," she .says, "would add greatly to the appreciation of the efforts of these clever little entertainers. Our children contend that the kiddies broadcasting are

much older than I believe them to be. Anyhow, if their ages were announced in every case an additional interest and pleasure would be derived from the children’s sessions." * * * HAT there are still a few who.prefer to build their own sets is evidenced by a Wellington radio dealer who disclosed to "Switch" his sales of minor parts over the past six months. The chief demand, however, would appear to come from builders of shortwave sets. Some owners of a.c, broadcast receiving sets seem. to prefer a small battery-model short-wave set as against the more costly a.c. short-wave receiver. x x "THANKS to 2YA, the news of the Invereargill by-election was promptly radiated all over the Dominion. It. is on special occasions like this when broadcasting proves its incomparable utility as a desseminator of news. This was borne out by the number of people throughout the Dominion who listened to the broadcast description of the fourth test match. In various towns scores of people were grouped around loudspeakers placed conveniently for the publie to hear the running description of the game.

baal N_ ex-hospital patient informed "Switch" that he is convinced the broadeast description of the fourth Test match, to which ‘he listened while lying on his back, did: more to put him on-his feet than all the medical treatment and kind attention of the nurses. He said: "from the moment I heard the cheering -when the teams,took the field until the final whistle I completely forgot that I was lying in'a hospital, and for hours afterward I felt a joyous thrill as I went over in my mind every moment of the game so graphically described by Mr. Lamberg. Good-luck to him, to 2YA, to the: Broadcasting Co., to the Rugby Union and to both teams!" * . = s . HE general opinion expressed to "Switch" concerning the broadcast description of the Fourth Test was that it was the best yet heard over the air in New Zealand. Mr. Lamberg certainly excelled himself, and the writer, who was unable to wit-° ness the epic struggle, heard the broadcast description with the profoundest appreciation for the man in front of the microphone.