Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 3, 31 July 1931, Page 8

Our Mail Bag

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

_ "Popular" Programmes Wanted. ‘AS a listener of over six years’ standing I would like to give my views on some points, B class advertising: This ig not likely to do much harm if limited to sponsored programmes. In any case, it ig no concern of the listener, as he pays nothing toward the upkeep of these stations. Government control: In my opinion this would be the worst thing at could happen, as it is a well-known jfact that anything controlled by the Govigrmment is smothered in red tape. Pro‘amines: This is where my real kick mes in. When is the Broadcasting Company going to give listeners what they want instead of what the Broadeasting Company thinks they should want, as is undoubtedly the case at present? The announcer at 1YA gives the show away regularly every Wriday evening when he announces the programme as being of the "popular type." The word "popular" as I understand it means something which is acceptable to the majority. This being the case, why only one of these programmes per week? We get far too many vocal items and far too much classical music. ‘Screen Grid" in your issue of July 17 sums up the situation perfectly. Another bad point is the useless repetition of market reports; take 1YA on Wednesday nights, for example. Westfield reports are given from three firms, and are practically identical. He then goes on to give overseas reports, very often from half a dozen sources, also identical, This is a sheer waste of time which could very well be taken up with more news

or lectures.-

George R.

Munro

(Oleve-

don).

Coniined to 2s. HAVE for some time past been reading different views about 2YA’s programmes and the Orchestrina. I think there could well be room for an improvement, as we get the same class of stuff night after night. It may be good and it may be bad; we: cannot tell as we are so sick of it we do not know. Now the Sunday night concerts are always worth hearing. We get a little variety in it. Why not be like Aussie, mix the programmes up a bit and by doing that everybody is being pleased? We well know what suits one does not another, and I think that is the only way the public can be pleased. I think, too, the Sunday afternoon programme should be divided, one hour sacred and the other hour mixed (if not all sacred). Many people do

not want bands and Orchestrina music on Sundays, and if it is put up for two hours a week it would not hurt anybody. The Wednesday night programme could also well be cut out, as it ig sheer rubbish. Some may say, why not turn to some other station? Well, I am one of the many unfortunate listeners here in Wanganui_ that is plagued with electrical disturbances and have to sit and listen to 2YA or close up. If 2YA was anything like Aussie or Auckland, Christchurch, or Dunedin, one could listen with pleasure. I trust instead of building relay stations the Government will make all the stations the same power as Wellington, that we might all be able to listen-in to them.-

Snider

Wandering Vvaves. CANNOT something be done about the wavelength of some of the B stations around the 260m. mark? We hear from one station "Hymn No. 1931," and then we hear, "Yes, we have no bananas" or something worse Why can’t the B stations do a little advertising? Surely the Government aren’t going to take over the A atations-the present system is bad

enough..

E.A.

B.

"Screen Grid" Taken to Task. HAYE read with interest several letters that have appeared lately re B class stations, and think that "Screen Grid" has been rather hard on the YA stations.

"Sereen Grid’ does not state what part of the country he lives in; perhaps if he lived in Dunedin he might not be so willing to listen to the B programmes ?nstead of the A. Am not going to pick out any particular B station, but there are one or two stations here who, for the number of hours a week they broadcast have not a sufficient supply of records, and one hearg the same items week after week, wth an occasional new one thrown in. Re advertising, I am not against it, providing it is kept within certain limits. "Sereen Grid" states that if one does not like the advertising he can switch to the other stations. I might say the same applies to him. If he doesn’t like the YA programmes, he can tune in to the B station. As long as one gets his 30/- worth a year it doesn’t very much matter from whence it comes. If "Screen Grid" examines the programmes in the "Radio Record" dated July 17, he will find he has made a bad mistake in stating that there are too many vocal items on them. I have gone over the programmes for the four stations for the whole week, and on only four occasions do the vocal items exceed the instrumental or band items, and then only by one. Have spoken to several friends lately, and they are of the same opinion as myself-that the YA stations are putting on as good a programme as they can with the talent available. "Screen Grid" says that more humour should be included, and if it is not available they should put on records. He then goes on to complain about not having a dance band for the dance programme, which I think is rather contradictory. I am not a "highbrow" listener, "Screen Grid," but an ordinary one, and a very ordinary one at that. In conclusion, may I congratulate 2YA on the enterprise shown in broadcasting the description of the huge fire there last night. also the way in which Mr. Drum-

mond described it.

J.R.

F.

(Dunedin). ,

Future of Broadcasting. Now that the future of broadcasting is exercising the minds of listeners, probably every listener has a different theory concerning the best course for the Government to pursue. In my opinion, Mr. Nimmo’s suggestion, as given in the "Radio Record" of 17/7/81, is easily the best yet brought forward. The only point I am not quite sure of is about the £10,000 subsidy being sufficient for B class stations. This would be only 10 per cent. of the revenue from listeners, ete. Would not at least 32 1-3 per cent. be a more fair division, judging by the services given by the B class stations? The weak point in the A class stations’ service is the lack of broadcasting until p.m. Certainly 2YA has extended its hours, but this station does not give efficient daytime service for the whole of New Zealand. A similar extension of service for the other three YA stations would, I think, be greatly appre ciated by listeners. Regarding advertising, America is always held up as the "horrible example."

But surely the comparison is not very apt. Compare the power of the United States stations with.that of the New Yealand B’s. It is not hard to get away from a B station. If they all ranged from 500 watts to 5 k.w. the proposition would be different. In conclusion I haye a kick and a bouquet for the "Radio Record." I have noticed some rather contradictory statements. When 2YA extended its hours you stated that this station had a daylight range covering the whole of New Zealand. In the case of the average receiver this statement is quite incorrect, On the other hand you published reports concerning unsatisfactory reception of 2YA even at night. Also your attitude regarding the B stations has been very one-sided. Now here is the bouquet. You have been very candid in publishing letters condemning your attitude on the above subject, and also you seem to have abandoned your view that the B stations should receive no part of the listeners’ fees. Wishing you every success.-Northlander. Xx [Our correspondent does not allow for) the essential difference between day ani night transmission. At night the Heaviside Layer gets in its fine work and creates definite distortional areas. In regard to subsidising B stations, our. attitude has been governed by the facts of the situation. Hitherto there has been no balance available, and the decision as to whether a balance will be available in the future can be determined only after a financial examination of revenue and expenditure. On that point we have simply reserved our judgment till the facts are available. Our contention always has been that New Zealand can support only one co-ordinated service, and we hold the view that Mr. Nimmo hag in ¢ftect adopted that atti-. tude. His proposal in reality is that the major service should co-operate with existing stations where possible instead

of erecting fresh relay stations.-

~Bd.]

Views from Invercargill. your issue of July 17. Mr. R. H. Nimmo gives his views concerning the (

7 future of "B" class stations, and suggests that the sum of £10,000 be set aside from the revenue derived from listeners for tne purpose of subsidising these stations, A better way, I consider, would be to ilaerease the annual license fee by, say, 3/-, and have listeners understand that this amount is added to their 30/- for the express: purpose of maintaining efficientlyoperated "B" stations. These are fulfilling a very useful service throughout the country, and cannot be allowed to go out of existence through lack of revenue, or through any Mussolini tactics. Nor can ‘advertising over the air as a source of revenue for these stations, be tolerated any degree whatsoever. Weak-powered "RB" stations, however, should either be made to increase their aerial output power, or be forced to close down The ether is cramped enough already; in fact, the heterodyning position is becoming decidedly serious, and still the number of new broadcasting stations continue to inerease, It is strange that no station takes A wavelength between 2YA and 2¥C. There is room for three or four stations tween 660 and 720 kilocycles. Regarding the future of broadcasting in New Zealand, I think that the present license of the R.B.C, should be extended in preference to Government control. cannot agree with the proposed system of relay stations. Land lines always seem to be most unsatisfactory. Only this afternoon I was listening-in to a relay from 2YA to 3YA, rebroadcast through 3YA to 4ZP, Invercargill, of the Ranfurly Shield match between Wellington and Southland, and the noise from the land line, combined ‘ with interruptions, was sufficiently bad to make one grind one’s teeth. I was properly fed up with the transmission by the time the final whistle sounded. If this is a sample (and former relays have been as bad) of what listeners have in store with the system of inter-connected relay stations, then Heaven help the future of the radio trade in thig Dominion. No, this is intolerable. The correct thing to do, as I pointed out In a letter several weeks ago, is to increase the power of 1YA, 3YA, and 4YA to 2000 watts, so that they can be heard well anywhere in New Zealand. This extra power will tend also to cut down noises caused by atmospherics. Subsidiary "B" class stations in selected situations sufficiently far from a YA station, must then be reconstructed so that each has a power of 1000 watts, which | will give them a wide range even on nights when fading and static are bad. This I consider to be the ideal system, much to be preferred to relay stations, with landline noises, ete., which are sufficient to kill the enthusiasm of any prospective lis-

tener.

Electrad

(In gill) .

Do Not Weaken YA Service. wits regam to Mr. Nimmo’s suggestion to subsidise "B" grade stations in the four main centres and other selected country places. This appears to me quite unnecessary, and in my opinion serves no purpose. It is to be sincerely lybped that should this approach any that a suggestion that listeners-in ill rigorously oppose it, as fees diverted to other channels must of necessity affect the quality of YA programmes, which even now at times could stand much improvement, It has frequently occurred to me that the Broadcasting Company could with advantage bring the power of 1YA, 3YA and 4YA up to something approaching 2YA, and thus do away with either relay stations suggested or any possible claim that ‘B" grade stations are rendering the listening public a service. Primarily these’ stations are: put into operation: to advertise radio gramophone businesses, ete. On the whole they are not listened to to any great extent, and during the ' past four or five years I have not listened to more than three or four complete programmes. This is the case with most listeners. Itt is pleasing to note that immediately there does not appear to be any danger of Government control, and that private enterprise will continue, which is, it must

be admitted, the only efficient way of conducting such a service, I am sorry to take up so much space, but I could really say quite a lot more about the matter of "B" grade stations. One has only to go down to lower wave lengths on a powerful machine, and verily I believe the Tower of Babel has © heen. and ig being, reproduced in our |

days.-

B Flat

More Pep for Dinner. S a listener-in to 2YA principally, I would like to make a suggestion- _ one that has been voiced by many people in my hearing. Why not give us a wrighter dinner hour programme? That 4s not the time to concentrate on 1st and 2nd movements. The dance programme commences at 10.80. How many of the country "listeners-in" sit up for that. 2YA could very well take a lesson from the smaller stations, who give us excellent programmes when they are on the airbright, snappy, and short items.-

Patient Listener-in

Too Many Stations. HAVING read several "Mailbag" letters on programmes and advertising, I would like to add a further grievance, and that is there are far too many stations being granted license to operate between 1350 kilocycles, 222m., and 1050 kiloeycles, 295 metres. It is practically impossible to listen to a station between these frequencies without the accompanying howl caused by another station. I think the time has arrived when the authorities in New Zealand and Australia took up the reins and allotted wavelengths, hours of transmission, ete. ; and saw to it that there was no deviation, such as under the camouflage of "testing." Do those who are saying they have no objection to advertising realise that once advertising is allowed it won’t bea long before they will be squealing for it to be stopped? You can depend on it that once the "B" stations take it up the YA’s will soon follow suit. I don’t want to listen to anyone’s adverts, and won’t listen either. I bought my radio so I could enjoy music and talent. If advertising is granted I will go back to the gramophone. Re programmes, I am sure the R.B.C. are trying to cater as much for listeners, and themselves, as possible. I would like to hear more dance bands, and would suggest that such a combination be engaged at each YA station so we could have a real dance night once a week. Then what about community singing? Surely each station could devote one night a month to

a programme of this nature.

Anti-Ad

vertise

Duplications Condemned. I WISH to join in the conflict between the B station enthusiasts and their opponents. i have not heard any objectionable matter in the way of advertising from any B station as yet, but am in the habit of listening more to our local stations, of which we have a goodly number, than to the A stations, which, although they provide a good service, have many shortcomings. There is one thing that particularly puzzles me, and that is-why are all the four YA stations broadcasting the same class of matter at the same time? Would it not be far more acceptable *for, say, Auckland and Christchurch to have dinner music 6-7 p.m., and Wellington and Dunedin news and reports during that time, following on with music from 7-8 p.m.? This could be alternative among the various stations so that at least one station in each island could be giving music between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. At present there is a gap of an hour or more if 2YA shuts down the dinner music at 6.50, as they have been doing often lately, before one can tune-in in a musical programme from any A station. In my own experience, and doubtless my view is shared by others, we could quite easily dispense with most of the news given in the news and reports sessions, as there are not many country districts nowadays which do not get. a newspaper the same day as it is published, Any-

way, how about the A ‘stations making en affort to vive us some variety between

6 and 8 p.m.?-

Ricky

"B" Stations Received. ALL criticism regarding radio in general is perhaps helpful. Being one of the first broadcast listeners in New Zealand, a little more would not be amiss, The main topic just now seems to be the "B" class stations. In your leading article in. this week’s "Radio Record" it ig stated that there are approximately 20 "B" class stations in operation in New Zealand. In my opinion this is far too many for a small country like New Zealand. These stations could be graded into two classes (the good and the bad) ; this comes from the fact of a check up of all "B" stations of late, and 40 per cent. of the above stations could be classed as really good stations-that is as

regards modulation, programmes, etc. we all know, all stations are allotted given frequency. There are "B" clasé stations which do not stay on the frep quency allotted to them. This meané the offending station is perhaps parked on the wave of another station. The out come is a jumble up of speech and musi¢ every station has a wave meter, or sho j have, to hold his wave in check. The offending station is not doing justice to himself or the other fellow. Bach station is allotted certain hours for broadcasting, and certain "B" class stations always seem to be on a_ test. programme; records which are played are on the downward grade in many cases. To play a well-worn record on test does not give the official listener a 100 per cent. test for modulation, because distor tion is bound to creep in. ‘ A few of the "B" class stations are operated on two wavelengths, a frequency (Concluded on page 28

Our Mailbag

(Continued from page 9.) allotted to them between 200 and 550 metres, and also worked on the amateur band of 80 metres. This is perhaps a bad practice, because tests are made on 80 metres and prove to be 100 per cent., but on changing the transmitter over to, say, 270 metres everything is not O.K. Therefore, it would be wise to always work on the one frequency; a lot could be said on this frequency changing, but a little is perhaps enough. The YA stations give us a good allround service, but it must be expected to have someone grumbling about programmes, fading, distortion, etc. Mr. Nimmo’s suggestion that the central "B" class stations should be co-ordinated and worked in co-operation with the main YA station is a sound proposition in more ways than one, meaning it would overgome unnecessary expense of erecting relay stations, as proposed by the R.B.C. some time ago. It would help Hsteners where reception was not of the best from a YA. station direct, also doing a good service to allotted "B" class stations in @ position to relay those that have rendered good service in the past.-A., B. and ©. (Wellington). More Music and Variety. I WOULD like to add my endorsement to the views of "Cromdale," "Screen Grid," and others. ‘The Radio Broadeasting Company could certainly copy the Australian Broadcasting Company in many things to its benefit. "Cromdale" names one. If you do not want the mews reports there is always music to be had. One of the main faults with the vocal items is that the accompaniment is nearly always too loud. On Monday night it was delightful to listen to, the piano being just right. It was a background to the voice instead of vice versa.-Moi Whare. Unjust Criticisms. I CANNOT understand the unjust eriticisms of some people, of our local 1YA and south stations. It seems a world of people with complaints. I heard the same said of the fine and beautiful programmes of the British Broadcasting Company in London while on a visit there ijn 1926. I heard the "Nightingale Song" broadcast from Oxted, Surrey, and some said "It was not loud enough." I hope the Government does not meddle with the present broadcast arrangements. Private control, as at present built up, is better, Our LYA is very even and steady, and is a credit both on the programme and broadcasting. On my short-wave set I get some of the Yank abominable advertising, We want radio pure.-kK. Service. Hard to Understand, NW reading this week’s "Our Mail Bag," it is certainly hard to know just what the listeners do want. for there are so many good arguments both for and against advertising through B stations, and one wonders if some of the correspondents are really unbiased. The letter of George Fraser’s in the "Record," July 10, while giving his personal views, is far from being constructive criticism, and almost borders on personal garecasm, for his "dig" at Mr. Hillis was surely uncalled for, and I can assure Mr. Fraser that not only the smaller but also practically every American station takes full liberty with the advertising privileges allowed them, and what Mr. Brooks Gifford says is the universal feeling in the States and not "utter Bunum, Personally, I have no fault to find with any of the programmes, for if I do not want what one station is putting over I can tune in to any of the others. and always remember that there are a lot of listeners who are enjoying the programme that does not apneal to me. If one stops to consider the number of bours the Radio Broadcasting Company

are broadcasting weekly, a minimum of 209 hours, with programmes as as it is surely possible to obtain, what"more can listeners want for their 30/- annually; or from one station, 2YA, they are getting 77 hours of varied entertainment for the sum of 7d., and yet we find ther are some who are still not satisfied. but am thankful to say they are in the noisy minority. . This afternoon, not a follower of New Zealand’s national game, I tuned in to 2YB, 1YA, 2YA-all Rugby; 3YA I eould not get owing to interference on their band, hut found what I was hoping for, a description of a Soccer match between High School Old Boys and Seacliff, from 4YA. This provided my after noon’s entertainment, A word of advice to others: "Do not expect the Radio Broadcasting Company to put over just what you like; remember you are only one of over 100,000 licensed listeners."-4D.X.1T, American Methods. BY [ WAS interested to. read Mr. Fraser’s letter about the present stir that is going on about advertising over the air. The writer is well known as a ‘listener to American stations, and finds the advertising menace is very rife among the privately-owned stations. One very seldom hears advertiging over the big companies, such as the National Broadcasting Co. and the Columbia chain. The advertising from these stations are very limited. I recently was listening to a privatelyowned station in Oklahoma City, and they were advertising an electric clock after every item. This is the evil that is upsetting the American programmes. Let us carry on as we are, and don't allow this advertising to creep in. I am strongly against Government cone trol of our YA stations. Let the Government- handle the political sine pe Broadcasting Company will do the fast and improve the programme wit!’ the proposed chain of stations over New Zealand.-S. Ellis (Okato). No Harm. PERSONALLY I see no harm in the B stations announcing the name of the firm sponsoring their programmes. Your correspondent, Leslie Jones, says too much talk is tiring and unnerving. How would he like to listen all Sunday afternoon io someone in the Auckland own Hall talking about Christian Science, or the whole evening to one of 1YA’s alleged comedy plays? No, Sir, the dinner sessions are food, but the only evening session worth istening to is what 2YA puts over. I have an A.C. set, capable of giving me the choice of about twenty stations, but ¥ was content to listen to 1ZQ six nights out of seven, wntil the Postmaster-Gene-ral’s high-handed tactics were responsible for closing it down for doing what the other Anckland B stations always have done, and are still doing. I have been a listener for six years, and I doh’t think the improvement in YA programmes has been commensurate with the "increased revenue handled by the R.B.C. Let those yearning to listen to YA stations tune in to them, but for goodness sake, hands off the B stations- Alfred Whiteman. More Talks Desired. I PERSONALLY would welcome more lectures and other oral numbers, and cannot agree with those who condemn the overseas programmes. To me they are acceptable as humour suitable to the times. I sincerely hope that trausmission is not taken over by the Government. I believe it possible so to popularise "listening-in" as to be able to reduce the license fee to £1, and this is a consume mation achievable the isore easily by’ a company than by the Government, With its notorious mismanagement. Another suggestion I would like to offer is that the Sunday night services be cut off at the Benediction, to save the infliction of a long retiring voluntary, and permit of listeners getting the opening items of the ensuing concerta.-"Epthusiast."