Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 35, 13 March 1931, Page 9

Our Mail Bag

While we welcome the expressed views of listeners on topics pertaining to radio, we ask that these communications be kept to minimum length, as heavy demands are made upon space. Mere reiteration of arguments cannot be accepted & on publication, and we-cannot take responsibility for views expressed. Address \ communications to the Editor, and sign all correspondence, though a nom-de-plume might be used for publication.

Amateur Transmitters. N. reading last week’s "Radio Record" I noticed that in an article headed "Transmitting from Na"pier" the Western Dlectric Company claim that the majority of the credit for the wonderful work done by the radio "Hams" during the terrible disaster recently in Hawke’s Bay is due to their Mr. Cooper, who was dispatched by their firm to Napier. (I presume he took a W.H. transmitter, as nothing elso would be capable of doing the work.) ‘This article I have read with disgust beyond words, After reading "With Towns Crashed in Ruins" ("Radio Record," February 13), and after . hearing on my own S.W. receiver the S wonderful work that was done in the first 24 hours of the disaster by the "Hams" in Napier, Hastings, Wairoa and Gisborne, I can only .say that they deserve praise beyond words, and the majority of the éredit is theirs, Possibly W.H. Co. think New ZealJand "Hams" and experimenters don’t know the technical and practical side of radio science, but allow me to inform them that some of the greatest work in the world has been done by ‘New Zealand "Hams" in the past years, and that those boys in Hawke’s Bay have done only what a New Zealander could do. lLet’s have fair play.

T. W.

Ward

(Tariki),

Open-air Dance Broadcast. I HAVE just been listening to the = fourth "International’ proEvamme from 2YA and thought it was Yexcellent; Anyone who considers the American accent in the different recordings harmful and unpleasant to listen to should either buy a new speaker or. else dismantle their sets altogether. ~ I would also like to praise the open-air dance programme put over the air by 3YA on Monday last. The band music came through beautifully, and any person hearing it must have longed to be there to join in the danc-

ing.

T. M.

McKinnon

(Kurow )

Remarks Too Sweeping. Micat I be permitted to comment on the remarks of Mr. Jno. Bishop and Mr. Reg. Morgan? Both » these gentlemen are correct, but their remarks are too sweeping. We musicians know the fine qualifications of Mr. Bishop, and endorse his remarks to a degree, but he would be more correct if he referred to some broadcast items, and to "tosh" as being more correct in some instances. Of this there is no doubt, but at the same time ar-

tists of the calibre of Leon de Mauny, W. Haydock, Claude Tanner, and many others appearing nightly (and too numerous to mention), are always worthy of the highest praise. I am sure ‘they are not intended to be included in: Mr. Bishop’s remarks, The great point to remember is that a "recording" of "tosh" or anything else, is infinitely superior to poor artists, because in the former, items are always well performed, otherwise reeords are not released. As a case in point, "tosh" is included, with some other excellent items, in the much-dis-cussed 2YA Wednesday programmes, but the quality of she broadcast cannot be adversely commented on. My receiver (9-valye, 4-screen grid) gives excellent reception. Nevertheless, some of the recent New Zealand numbers have been terrible, more noticeable by comparison with recordings of the same type which have appeared on the same programme. Instances could be quoted, but that is for the station directors (or whoever responsible) to find out, and suggest they listen in over the air some night, as the microphone is more critical than the human ear, and over the air faults are more easily detected. Two of the southern stations are the biggest offenders, and when including dance bands I do not refer to Mr. Morgan’s, as this gentleman (judging by reception) certainly knows his business, but I would have liked him to have heard another jazz band recently when one of the brass instruments was nearly a quarter tone sharp. This, in addition to the unmusical performance. Many band players are afflicted with "ear" (or lack of it), and this where the listeners suffer. Listen to band "recordings," and the difference is obMusician" (Gisborne).