Radio Round the World

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 4, 7 August 1931, Unnumbered Page

Radio Round the World

‘A'IN overseas contemporary, "The Indian Radio Times," announces that correspondents should not expect prompt replies if they do not quote their license numbers. This is much more tactful than saying that pirates must wait. * * * REUESTS have been received that the public be permitted to visit the studio whilst broadcasting is in progress, but. in America it has been discovered that the clothing of spectators absorbs sound and upsets the balance of orchestral performances. % ae % HREE specially-equipped directionfinding stations have been brought into use by the Paris authorities to detect unlicensed transmitters. Cross earings enable any station to be immediately identified. The same system is being used for detecting oscillations from badly-handled receivers. + * F4 RANCE’s enterprise in the matter of short-wave broadcasting to her colonies has not passed unnoticed in Italy, and it is hardly surprising that the Italians are now determined to connect up. with their colonies by. means of the short-wave link. . Unfortunately atmospheric conditions are apparently unfavourable for direct communication petween Italy and her colonies in Africa, and it is now realised that if the inhabitants of Eritrea and Somaililand are to keep in.close touch with the Motherland, special "relay posts" will be necessary. It is reported that a group of Government engineers are already on their way to Asmara (Britrea) to construct an experimental relay station.

N recognition of the achievement of Marchese Marconi in operating from his yacht "Elettra," lying off Genoa, relays in Sydney which switched on the lights at the Exhibition, the freedom of the City of Genoa has been conferred upon the great inventor. The official ceremony was relayed by the northern Italian stations on May. 24. The ladies of Genoa have presented a flag to the yacht "lettra’ in commemoration of the event. e = % bd y M RAIMU, a well-known Paris. actor, * jas earned a new reputation;as a breaker’ of microphones. It appeaz's that his voice is so rich and resoiant that the delicate microphone mniembranes are unable to withstant it. French technicians are considering the development of a tougher instrument. that shall be thoroughly Raimu-proof. *% Po * " HATEVER its success in..other directions, the Soviet Five Year Plan appears to be unable to cope ‘with its own standard of radio set production. According to a newly-issned survey for the Two Years’ period ended ‘in

October last, only 1,267,000 radio receivers were in use in Russia, compared with the 2,500,000 which had been planned. Nor is production yet overtaking arrears, for, according to the latest figures, only about 65 per cent. of the 150,000 sets to be added between October 1 and January 1 were actually delivered. * BS BY ALL receiving sets are taxed in "~" Polaund-the same amount being paid for valye and crystal sets. Collection of the tax is made monthly. and is used for the general betterment. of radio. Wireless transmissions are making rapid progress, and the installation of several high-powered transmitters enables even crystal set owners all over the country to enjoy ' programmes. These are carefully selected. and frequently consist of transmissions of plays and operas, the quality of the performances being excellent. Great care is taken over the compilation of programmes, and no item is ever given twice from the same station. For crytal set owners "Radio Polski’ relays

foreign stations, an amenity greatly appreciated by this large portion of the listening .community. * bad * FTER a period of stagnation, the world’s largest receiving station is about to get busy. This is the constant frequency monitoring station of the United States Department of Commerce at Nebraska, established for the purpose of "policing" the American ether waves. The station has been standing idle owing to a lack of qualified staff, but eight district radio inspectors haye now been detailed to eavesdrop on American transmissions, The station is said to be able to pick up anything worth hearing in any part of the world. * * * "MY experience is that because 2 -. radio many people are. led. to take an interest in religion and attend worship at church,’ said Canon D. J. Garland, before the Brisbane Diocesan Synod recently. -The Synod ap‘pointed a committee to ‘inquire into the possibilities of radio, with a view to utilising it to the utmost in helping the Church to carry out its ministry to the people in remote districts, as well as to those unable to attend churches for other reasons.