Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 6, 21 August 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 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, ;

Music and News. "WP, H. HARTNELL, Gonville, writes _'*" © stating that some five months ago he communicated with the Radio Broadeasting Company regarding change of dinner-hour music and news sessions at the various stations, so as to enable the listener to have uninterrupted music from 6 to 8 o’clock. In reply, the company expressed the viewpoint that the news session was primarily designed for the country listener, and that the most suitable time for the broadcast of that matter appeared to be from 7 to 8. Stock reports from 1YA, 3YA, and 4YA were co-ordinated, so that farmers in the various parts of the Dominion could receive news and latest market information without overlapping. It was therefore considered that any alterations to the existing schedule would not be desirable. Mr. Hartnell states that he does not hold with the company’s views on this €point, but mentions them for the inforation of men on the land. Mendelssohn Article, I SHOULD like to express my appreciation of the splendid article on Mendelssohn which appeared in your June number. Instead of unimportant, personal details it contained valuable information about the composer's work, especially in reference to the influences which permeated its trend.

H.D.

E.

The Most Urgent Need. Your correspondence columns of late have been interesting for the various views expressed and the variety of "tastes," and have given one some idea » of the tribulations of the R.B.C. in its ra endeavour to satisfy listeners. In the Far North 2YA is outstanding in quality and strength, and all the remarks concerning this station apply to 1YA, for after dark this latter is painful to listen to. Last Sunday night was the worst ever experienced: the evening service was mixed with records, and during the sermon a lady insisted on giving "birthdays." Suffice to say she talked the Archbishop out, so we plugged her out. The most urgent need of country listeners is more power on the YA stations. They should all be brought up to 2YA in strength, and thus give better results to the majority than relay stations. The New Zealand "B’s," of course, are in the main useless to us, as they are mostly mixed up with Australian B’s. Why all the fuss about advertising on B’s? One would think it was something new. It can’t be any worse than we get now, for only e other night we were asked to buy s¥ie "fish and chips" on our way home. If they adopt this style rather than the better class of Americans it will be their own funeral-and only dxers will listen to them. The R.B.C. should take immediate steps to increase the power of their stations to 5000 watts without wasting time to see what the Government will do, for it must be apparent that the people of New Zealand will not tolerate ayg’nore costly experiments. We know what we have now, and if the company will offer to’ increase the power and rearrange the sessions they will satisfy "the majority of listeners. As regards "quality," although I have only a three-valve set, my experience has taught.me that on a strong signal, if you want quality you must. use a super-power valve in the output stage

with its correct bias. Hailstorms between transmitter and receiver annear

to cause the most trouble.

A.E.

B.

(North Auckland).

A Plea for 1ZJ’s Return, I AMONG others have lost a good deal of interest in radio since 1ZJ7 has been closed down. This station’s — programmes were lively and humorous-the kind we need to cheer-us up these hard times. The 1YA programmes are excellent for those who like solemn and _ high-

class music, but one very seldom hears any humour. Their programmes have

little variety.

C.

Hoiland

(Penrose).

A County-side Summary. if HAVWD been greatly interested in the "subject of YA station programmes and B station broadcasting. In the course of my work I come into contact with a large number of local listeners-in, and they are practically all unanimous that the YA stations are not what they should he. The sccompanying seems to express their views on the matter: (1) That sponsored programmes of B stations should be permitted. (2) As an alternative, the yearly license of £1/10/- be divided-£1 to the A stations and 10/- to all B stations. (3) That every alternative Sunday 1YA and 8YA broadcast morning church service, 2YA and 4YA evening’service. The following week vise versa, The stations relaying morning service to supply _the evening programmes The other stations to close down at the conclusion of the church service. (4) That a census of lis-teners-in being taken on: © Whether the Government should take control, or that the lease of the Radio Broadcasting Company should be renewed ?. Personally, I think that if it were possible to give the YA stations more scope they could produce better programmes. The ‘international programmes from 2YA (I refer to the second series)’ have certainly lowered the high standard: set by that station previously. What I would like to see from the YA stations is for them to give one night every fortnight

to community singing. Just listen to 2FC to see how very popular this class of entertainment is when put over the air properly; I had the opportunity last Vednesday to listen-in to the community sing-song from 2YA, and I consider it absolutely poor. One more subject: Why don’t they and other YA stations follow the lead of 1YA and relay the wrestling contests? There can be no denying the popularity of these broadcasts. The country listeners appreciate these relays and are entitled to hear them when the opportunity offers. I think it will pay the Broadcasting Company to give attention to the listener who doesn’t want all the high-brow stuff put over by the 2YA orchestrina. Let there be a variety. and

radio licenses will inecresase.-

Harmon

ick

(Taumarunui).

Salon Orchestra. M4x I express my thanks to the Salon Orchestra and its distinguished musical director, Mr. M. T. Dixon, for its excellent broadcasts from 2YA? This combination of artists is admittedly the finest orchestra at the YA stations, and its versatility is remarkable. What I admire about the Salon Orchestra is that it does not confine itself solely to one class of music. It is also to be commended for including among its features the music of New Zealand composers. The Salon Orchestra has a large number of grateful listeners-in in the south who appreciate the excellent items "put over." Broadcasts by this combination are. to mv mind. the most nonular fea-

tures from 2YA-

O.

K.

(Timaru) .

The Right to Criticise, I NOTICE in the last "Record" that *J.R.F." takes me to task for my criticisms. So far as actual listening is concerned I have not really any complaints because, thank goodness, I ean tune in to the better-class stations in Australia. But I do not see why the "B" class stations should have their rights so restricted. Very few are bound to listen to them, so why not let them ge their own sweet way? The adyertising does not interest me in the slightest, yet I realise that these "B". class stations serve a very useful purpose in assisting to keep the "A" stations up to the mark. "J.R.F." mentions that I need not listen to the YA stations. I quite realise that, but these stations take most of my 380/-, and I have a right therefore to criticise the spending of same. If the YA programmes are as good as possible with the "talent" available, then do away with the "talent" and put on properly selected records, The Sunday afternoon programme of records I must say is good, so why not have, say, one evening a week with a similar programme? I advise "J.R.F." to listen-in to 260 or 2BL any evening to realise more fully what is wrong with YA programmes. I should perhaps, at this stage, say that in my opinion 2YA programmes are by far the poorest. Regarding my reference to humour, I indicated that if actual humourists are -not available (one has to be something: out of the ordinary to be a humourist these chard times), then put on selected humorous records. I did not indicate that records would be preferable. ‘Therefore I hardly think my reference to a dance band was contradictory. Surely the latter are plentiful enough. One more word regarding announcers, if only 2YA’s would drop his "Go-o-o-o-d-night," he would probably head 3YA’s announcer

for excellence.-

Screen-Grid

(DX4T).

The Fading Area. iD H.M.J., a correspondent in the King * Country, writes expressing appreciation of a recent relay of 2YA through 2ZK, Palmerston North. This was heard by him much more clearly than is 2YA generally received direct. There was no fading or distortion whatever. Usually 2YA, Wellington, fades alittle with him, and on this point he quotes the following from a radio encyclopaedia = "There is a certain distance from a broadcasting station where fading is worst for that station. This distance generally runs between 125 and 1%5 (Concluded on page 28.)

LLL TTL OI OLLI OI OLLI OLLIE Our Mailbag {Oontinued from page 9.) miles, The. signals from that station will be received better at greater distances and also at less distances." The: correspondent thinks that this paragraph will interest others similarly situated. The News Sessions. I HBARTILY disagree with "Hos" in his suggestion re improvement of programmes, Firstly, let us take the news and reports session, There are hundreds of country listeners who only receive the daily papers once or twice weekly, Surely these people must appreciate this session. If "Hos" finds this session objectionable he can tune in a "B" station; there are many of them who broadcast musie during this hour. I agree with "Ricky" and others concerning YA stations broadcasting the same class of matter simultaneously, Some alterations are surely needed. Although not a "jazz king," I don’t understand why "jazz lovers’ should have to wait until the close of the evening session before this musie is put over. Surely one station nightly should begin with an hourly session of dance music. It is quite time the Broadcasting Company altered this obvious mistake -DX17MC. Alternative Power Wanted. Bora the Broadcasting Company and the Government have mooted proposals for relay stations at various points, apparently quite forgetting the heterodyne whistles. Only last week 1YA had to shift its wave as a result of interference from an Australian station. The system low-powered relay stations has been thrown out in Bngland in favour of a few high-powered transmitters. It has been pointed out the high-powered 2YA has not served the Dominion as intended, but then no one with much experience would have expected a station with an output of only 5 k.w. to give satisfaction over the whole country. The position would be entirely different if the other three stations were increased to 5 kw, Although 2YA would not be any better here, we would probably be quite adequately served by one of the others. SYA, for instance, is the best of the stations here, and judging from present volume a tenfold increase in power would possibly serve our district O.K. Another scheme would be to reconstruct the stations for 100 per cent. modulation, which would increase the efficiency fourfold. Still another alternative would be dual transmission from one station at least. One has only to learn: of the striking manner in which the low-powered amateur stations cover the whole Dominion with telephony to get some idea of the boon which would be conferred on listeners with an: alternative high-power short-wave station. The efficiency of our YA. stations also suffers through their being erected, in most cases, right in the towns. Above all, listeners should do everything to . keep the service out of the hands of the Government. Many reasons can be given for that statement, but it will suffice to point out that the temptation to raid the funds for taxation purposes would be great, and in point of fact the English Government derives a handgome income from that portion of lis-

weners licenses Which they retain.-

Civi8