notes and Comments

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 36, 20 March 1931, Page 10

notes and Comments

B

SWITCH

"QWITCH" has a good word to say for the new Gisborne B class station, which has been coming in loudly and clearly during the past week or 80. The modulation is excellent and volume surprising, considering that the station is 250 miles from Wellington, and separated from it by several ranges, Te ow * HH French announcer at one of the Saigon (Indo-China) shortwave broadcast stations is extremely polite The other night, or rather, early in the morning, "Switch" was listening to a Saigon station when the announcer remarked at the conclusion of his "turn," , "Au revoir, ma’mselles; au revoir, mesdames; au revoir, m’sieurs." He then beat a gong, and relinquished the microphone in favour of an Indo-Chinese announcer, whose French had a distinct Oriental accent. Native music was then put on the air. ae * * ITH regard to this station, the French announcer stated in perfectly clear Hnglish, before going off duty, that the time was then "seventeen minutes- to nine o’clock. "Switch" glanced at his watch, and was astonished to find that it was then about 25 minutes to 2 in the morning, New Zealand time, ‘This short-wave listening is certainly intriguing, and to one engaged in listening to music in far-off lands, time seems to have wings. The Saigon station put. on many delightful gramophone records of French instrumental and vocal music. * ae + THE Indo-Chinese music broadcast by ~~ the station mentioned above is typically Oriental. The orchestra appears to comprise a Chinese fiddle, flute and guitar. There is one decided drawback, and that is the fact that the musicians do not appear to know when as

to stop. The various selections seem interminable, and after ten minutes’ performance of one item one becomes bored with their monotony. The tempo of the native music is generally presto, but with a marked rhythm. * * * ‘HE foregoing reference to reception across land, with its implication that radio waves do not carry so well over land as over water, brings to mind a statement by an American journal to the following effect: It has been proven that when a number of listeners in the game area are tuned in to the same station, reception volume is increased in the case of each listener, Tests were made with reception from a certain station at a point over water and at various points on land. It was found that where receiving aerials were more numerous, reception was loudest. * % * FEW of our New Zealand "hams" observe very late sittings, and long after midnight lately "Switch" has

heard them talking on ’phone, between gramophone items. One Wellington amateur transmitter is most persistent in his desire to perfect his short-wave transmission of gramophone _ records, and he is loyally assisted by a country colleague who checks up the former’s transmission. It is not unusual for these two to be on the air long after lam. "Switch’s" tribute to the excellence of the said ham’s gramophone transmission is tenderéd with all due humility. * = * FORTNIGHT ago last Sunday -Witch" was listening to a Wellington amateur talking on ’phone to a Hastings "ham," when the former ejaculated that there was an earth-

quake in progress. "Switch" had not felt the ’quake, but he looked up and saw the electric globe swinging, ’ * [HH vagaries of the ether have accounted for an unusual amount of fading on the part of 2FC, Sydney, lately. 2FC for a long while had been above reproach in that respect, but recently it has suffered much fading and consequent distortion. These conditions may account for the recent complaint from Southland that 2YA, Wellington, had developed unusual fading. * * * L_JSTENERS who seek their enter- ., tainment from across the Tasman could not fail to have noticed the marked improvement in reception dur-

ing the past week. The Australian stations have been coming through with an all-round increase in volume, Perhaps the most improved stations have been 8AR, 3UZ, and 3DB, Melbourne, and 2NC, Newcastle. All Australian stations, however, have increased in volume. For instance, TZL, Hobart, the other night relayed a theatrical play, and one could hear every word from the stage. * bd * [the metropolitan and suburban area of Sydney there is roughly one radio set to.every two households. The country people in New South Wales, however, have not responded in anything like the same proportion as the city folk. It has been pointed out, on the other hand, that city residents, owing to their proximity to the main 1 broadeast stations, are able to use inexpensive receivers such as crystal and one and two-valve sets. Pa % x * ° A DESCRIPTION of the civie reception by the Lord Mayor of Sydney to Lord and Lady Baden-Powell will be broadcast from the Sydney Cricket Ground by 2FC Sydney, at 11.30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18. This will be equivalent to 1 pm, New Zealand time. Some New Zealand listeners who are favourably located will be able to hear the broadcast. * tK Beg N old-time nigger minstrel show, complete with two corner men and an interlocutor, will be broacast by 2FC, Sydney, on Thursday evening, March 19. The minstrels will be directed by Wal Rockley, an "old-timer" who has been producing these shows for. a number of years, and has taken part in practically every minstrel show in. America. He commenced his career with Billy Emerson, the world-famed minstrel of many years ago, and was associated in Australia with Frank Clark’s "Silk Stocking Minstrels." The company will include Ward Lear, a burntcork comedian who has toured the New Zealand vaudeville circuit several times; Walter George, also well-known in New Zealand. Will Raynor, Sheldon Green, and George Martin. * * e A BAND which was given an enthusiastic reception in New Zealand some years ago, the Newcastle Steeiworks Band, conducted by Mr. H. E. Kerry, will contribute several numbers from 2NC, Newcastle, on Saturday. night, March 21, It will be remembered that this band toured England and was successful in winning the £2000 trophy in the Manchester Bell Vive Champion Brass Band Contest. * * * NH of the most attractive programmes yet heard from Australia by the writer was picked.up from 8AR, Melbourne, last week. A number of items was given by the Prahran Band, which some time ago achieved fame by winning the championship of Australia. This combination has lost none of its brilliancy, and it was a pleasurable experience to listen to its programme. The transmission from 3AR ‘Melbourne was rich in tonal qualities. * * * (COMMUNITY singing in Hobart has been heard lately from 7ZL. The singing, however, cannot compare with the standard of the. more practised efforts of the good people who attend the Ashfield Town Hall, Sydney, on Monday nights. The conductor at Hobart cannot compare with that prince of jesters, Mr. Charles Lawrence, who officiates at the Sydney community singing.