Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 36, 18 March 1932, Page 10

Our Mail Bag

While we welcome the expressed views of fisteners on topics pertaining, to radio, we ask that these communications be kept to niinimum 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-pluime inay be used for publication,

The Good-night Man. THIS controversy regarding the r~ drawn out. "good night" reminds me of Mr. Albert Russell’s joke. . His typiste asked him why Mr. Drummond Would make a good lover, and the answer was that because he took a long time to say "good night." We are afraid that is not the case now, and hope that he will forget himself some time and let us again hear the famous "good night." We .congratulate the 2YAleans, for that class of programme is appreciated, and trust that the Radio Board will find ways and means of putting on more of

that class of programme.-

Music Lover

(Bunnytthorpe )

Closing Down Tune. (CONGRATULATIONS to the Board for introducing such well-chosen closing down melodies. The surprise items, too, have intrigued me, and Il eagerly await the next. I believe there has been a vast improvement in the programmes, and much unfair criticism has been levelled at the board, The Wednesday programmes from 2YA are

excellent:

-M.C.

(Wellington).

The High Horse. I HAVE been attacked by one or two who make a’ point of trying to sidetrack the question of personality by bringing in extraneous matters. "M.B." accuses me of courageousiy sniping from behind a nom de plume. I like that when he himself hides behind his initials, My name and address have gone to the right quarter, so what matters (good luck to Chas, A. Howard, Kaiwdrra). In reply to "Accountant, ° I am not in any way attempting to azeuse the officials of the practice of Bumbledum, as he terms it. He says

the announcers under the Broadcasting Company said just what they were ailowed to say. If they pleased what matter; the trouble now is that the new management will not allow them to say what they used to, This is just the point and the cause of all the discontent. I should like to reply to a statement he also makes regarding the an-nouncement-‘owned and operated by. ete." This certainly has nothing to do with personality, but to my way of thinking was quite indispensable. The town and country should certainly be included with that of the station when

the call 1s given

CW.G

(Hamilton).

Quarterly Licenses. NOTICE.a suggestion emanating from Mr. A. B. McDonagh, New Zealand Shortwave Club, re quarterly licenses, and think it one of the best Suggestions I have noticed for some time. I for one will not be able to take out a full license at the end of this month, and I could name about 10 others close handy in the same position, and there is no doubt that if it were made quarterly we would all renew them at the proper time. Hoping that Mr. McDonagh’s suggestion will be passed on to the board of control.-

W*S.

(Blenheim).

The Black Spot. I WISH all the grumblers had tuned in to 1YA at 9 p.m. on February 24, when Mr. J, M. Clark and company presented the two-act,\ comedy, "The Black Spot." Surely, then, they would have laughed at and enjoyed this delightful rendering of Mr. G. A. Thomas’s bright and clever English comedy. The players spoke naturally and distinctly, and the story was so fast moving that I am certain no one could complain in the least. If Mr. Thomas should see this, I hope he will at once take up his pen, and give a repeat order of this same type of entertainment.

C.

Russell

(Auckland) .

Listeners to Blame. We, the listeners, transmitters and experimenters are paying for the upkeep and the operation of all services rendered to us, and same should be operated and governed by listeners’ representatives voted in by them. I wonder how many of .the present board have wireless sets? I suppose they curse the very sight of them. I have read with interest all the letters and articles written by members and non-members of the-DX Club re (1) the announcers, (2) uncles and aunts, (3) "B" class stations, (4) advertisements, Re the announcers: The

YA announcers are perhaps a little stiff in opening and closing the broadeasts since the board took over, but. personally, a little thing like that never bothers me, although I might say tha! the privately owned stations have certainly more freedom, which is nice to hear. (2) The uncles and aunts [ think do a lot of good work, and the kiddies sure do look forward to their time, and if the uncles and aunts give their services free all the more credit to them and don’t think any stones should be thrown at them.

(3) The burning question of the hour -the "B" class stations. I would not like to see a single one of these stations go off the air. I don’t think there is one too many, but I do think that the listeners should emphaticaliy protest against the way the wavelengths: are allotted to them. I am sure they need a drastic overhaul by the board to stop the heterodyning Surely they could be separated much better. I think they give us a very good service, never mind what they make out of it. I eould itemise abont six stations that show the board’s stations some good points, and given the opportunity for relaying, etc., that the board’s stations have, the "B" stations would outshine them easily, and I can faithfully say that I only listen to the YA stations when I wish to listen to relays of ericket, football, races, Ninety Mile Beach, wrestling, or unless the "B" stations are off the air, which is very rare. J may be a crank in the eyes of some critics, but I like the light musie per medium of the record. It is a very hard question to decide whether they should receive remuneration from the board. This is a point that the listeners themselves alone should decide. I should say where they are operating solely for our pleasure that they be assisted. (4) Advertisements: I do not see any harm in this item if done in the proper way, as the Americans put it

over-they certainly have it down to a fine art. Regarding wireless on the whole, I really do not think that any one, at least in the Auckland district, has any cause to grumble, ‘There is no —

need to shut down at all any evening. I can always be satisfied with an evef- » ing’s entertainment from a "B" sta-tion-perhaps I am easily pleasedbut where music is concerned if it is jazz or comedy, comic or good songs, I am satisfied. .At present I am listening to 1ZJ, and for tone, operatioa, announcing, ete. I am sure I do noc want to turn to anything else’ until he signs off-and 1 am not interested in this station at all. I will conclude by holding to my opinion that the listeners should have the greatest say in the operation of the YA stations, and in a lesser degree with regard to the "B" class stations. 4 a:

~DXT4A_

The Questionnaire. I NOTH with pleasure the Broadcasting Board’s plans to issue a ques-

tionnaire to listeners, It is not yet known if the questionnaire makes any reference to announcers being permitted to exercise personality over the air. Being the possessor of a local recepti set, I am referring more to Mr. Drummond, of 2YA, and his famous "Goo-00-00d night." I have read with interest the views of correspondents, and it has occurred to me that listeners will now have.a grand opportunity of expressing their opinions to the Broadcasting Board as to whether they wish for the return of

the "Goo-00-00d night" or not. I would suggest that each listener when returning the "questionnaire write on the back thereof "I amin favour (or I am not, as the case may be) of the return of Mr. Drummond’s "Goo-00-00d

night

Suggestion

(Island Bay).

6 Class Station Frequencies. ON one recent evening a certain B class station in Dunedin came on the air to relay a dance. Although there was another station on its fraquency that did not prevent them from coming on the air, and they broadcast on another frequency, on which they came through better than on the regular one. Could not something be done with regard to changing some of the New Zealand B stations’ frequencies? Yon see in this particular case both stations were able to operate at the same time without intruding upon each other. This should be popular with all dxers, because Auckland and North Island people could listen to the Dunedin B’s without the programme being marred, and the Dunedin people could listen to the stations in the North Island on 1080 kc. without attempting to get past their local stations. Could not a deputation be sent in to the Post

and Telegraph Department.-

H. J.

Looker

(Dunedin).

Lowbrows v. Highbrows. T AM more than pleased to see/by the "Radio Record" that’ the Broadeasting Board is issuing % questionnaire to licensees, and I sincerely hope everyone will do their duty and fill in and return their paper. Remember, if you are not satisfied at present here is the chance you have --

been waiting for, and if you are satisfied as things are there is the chance of a change of service. I have been one of the ‘unsatisfied listeners, but if the Broadcasting ‘Board abide by the majority I will have to submit. This should step all. programme warfare when finalised. The next war will be "Lowbrows" y. -"‘Highbrows." Do your duty, "Lowbrows," the writing is on the wall for the classics.-

B, W

(Stratford).

4YA Heterodyned. AS§ I am a regular subscriber to the "Radio Record" I would like some space to alr my views. Reception is fairly good here, and all New Zeajand stations come in well. A fault that could be remedied while the committee is at it. 4YA, a 500-watt etation, is clashing with KI, and you eannot get clear reception of 4YA because KFI is coming in just as well. The solution would be to shift 4¥A’s frequency to, say, 660 k.c, This change would vastiy improve the clarMy of reception. Do other listeners of powerful sets get this interference

too?-

" Fconomic"

(Oamaru).

Heterodyne Interference. HAs any other dx listener noticed the station heterodyning 2YA? Up here it is most annoying during the dinner music session and until 7.30. My set can separate KFI and 4YA, but I cannot cut out the howl from 2YA, Other set owners have noticed the howl too. Music can be heard and it seems to be an American. Could 9VYA aAron to. sav. 705 ke. to enable

u9 to get cleer reception?

-DX12HB

(Havelock North). Satisfied With Board. F "Six Valve," Christchurch is worrying himself to know who "Wk" are, I should like to state that I allude ‘to my household of 5 persons, and "WE" say again that "WH" are quite satisfied with the Broadcasting Board, and still think the programmes have improved 50 per cent. I should think that a person with 6 valves would get away from N.Z. stations if the fare is not acceptable. In conclusion, "Six Valve" talks about pulling together, "WH" will be on the opposite

end ofthe rope to him-

"Traveller"

(Hitham).

Reception in N.Z. OUR correspondent, Geo, Lamb, of Inglewood, says some very hard things re reception in this district, but unfortunately his statements concerning the reception of all the stations after dark are quite true. It is practically impossible to listen to any programme from any N.Z, station after dark. I should say radio dealers have a very lean time in Taranaki. I belidve the only solution to our difficulties..is ‘a powerful relay station, and no doubt in a short time there would be a great increase ‘in the number of licenses in Taranaki. It is about time a change was made in our Sunday programmes. My experience of the non-churchgoer is that he is a very tolerant person, but surely one station in each island could eater for him by putting on something different from the dull church services. I feel sure the majority of licenseholders are non-churchgoers, and would appreciate a change. -I also consider music should be available all day Sunday. as this is the day when prac:

tHeally all folk are at home-

CW.8_

(Inglewood) .