Radio Round the World

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

Radio Round the World

SPECIAL stamps are now on gale throughout Denmark in support of a fund to provide -wireless sets for the sick and aged. ‘ * . 8 * HE charge for one-hour of broadcasting time on stations covering the whole of the United States is. approximately £2000. . _*., x + * : T is reported that the cancellation stamps in use. at a number of German post offices now. bear the exhortation, "Werdet Rundfunkteilnehmer!" ie., "Become a broadcast participator !" a * > JUNGLAND’S -_ new __ trans-Atlantic liner, the "Britannic," is fitted with a Marconi valve installation and direction-finder. A new development in. marine. radio.is:the two-valve reeeiver which covers .the entire commercial: waveband from 15 to 20,000 metres. Hitherto two receivers have always been fitted. " "¥ « NO less than 60 per cent. of the American National Broadcasting Company’s transmitting time is occupied

by "sponsored" programmes. The remaining 40 per cent. is retained: in order that the company may balance the entertainment side with news, educational talks, religious services, and other: items which do not lend them‘selves to trade publicity. » * bd "TH municipality’ of Bockeulm, a small town in Germany, has set an excellent example to the rest of the world by introducing special measures to prevent electrical interference with wireless reception. In a decree just issued, the use of all high-tension ap-

paratus is forbidden unless it bears the Government stamp signifying that no undesirable radiations are produced. . a tt * "THE uncomfortable conviction that only 25 per cent. of the broadcast listeners in Italy are duly licensed has led the Italian broadcasting authorities to plan a wholesale "comb -out" by means of a radio census. All householders and tenants will be required to send in returns stating whether a set is in use and giving particulars of make and type. a s PCRING the recent terrible fire at the Ohio State Prison hurried arrangements were made to enable a negro convict to broadcast an account of an eye-witness. From a news value point of: view only,’ the broadcasting authorities are to be commended, but their coldbloodness in countenancing such a broadcast cannot be too strongly condemned. . _& e: ‘A NOVEL broadcast was attempted recently in Germany when a rifle meeting was relayed. The microphones were placed near the target so that listeners first of all heard the whining of the bullet, then its impact, and last of all the explosion which ejected it. In addition, listeners were "shot." This was accomplished by sacrificing an old microphone, which at the end of the transmission was made the target. — ‘

--- LTHOUGH television is as yet in the experimental stage, the Baird felevision Company, in co-operation." with the B.B.O. on July 14, produced’ the first television drama. This well broadcast from Brookman’s Park and listeners were able to see as well as hear the radio version of "The Man With a Flower ‘in His Mouth." This was by far the most interesting television experiment attempted to date, Just how the play succeeded we shall not hear until the next English mail. « a * (CONFLICT seems inevitable in connection with the Paris Annual Radio DPxhibition. Last year two rival shows were held, one by the official manufacturers’ association, and the other by independent firms. ‘The arrangement was mutually destrv4tive, however, and, this year arrang Rents were made for an all-embracing international. show,under one roof. It was reported recently, however, that warfare has been renewed, this time on the question of the alleged excessive stand rentals demanded, It appears possible that the Parisians may again enjoy two shows. Ed ww * "THE much-discussed French broadcasting Bill which provides for long overdue improvements in France's inefficient broadcast services has again been temporarily shelved. As a result, a, resolution condemning the dilatory methods of the French Government in this matter has been passed by the French Radio Manufacturers’ Association.. ‘The assembly considered that "the present Government has hitherto shown itself incapable of establishing the necessary wireless statute; it if thus allowing an industry to perish and is sacrificing for the benefit of the foreigner the most efficient instrument for the diffusion of French thought and art.’ The projected Bill seeks to ter‘minate the existing chaos in the Frenca ether by regularising the ownership of stations and introducing a measure of State control.