Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 45, 20 May 1932, Page 6

Our Mail Bag

Improvements in Programmes. MA4x I add a word of praise to the Radio Board for the many improvements they have made in the programmes. I am at present listening to the revue "Wagga-Woof," which I think is one of the best items I have heard broadcast for the past twelve months. If the Board carries on as it has done in the past, I am sure it will continue to hold all the old licensees and maintain the big increase in listeners’ licenses which has taken place within

the past twelve months,-

J.W.

C.

(Iast-

ingS )

py these times of continual destructive criticism, I would like to yoice my appreciation of a recent 2YA variety programme, "Cabaret Musicale," by Hdwin Dennis and his party. It was one of the most entertaining programmes I’ve listened to. The humour was clever and clean, and the variety of musical melodies excellent. The opening chorus and "Mary Jane" are quite new to me. Would you please inform me of the composer and publisher of the latter? . The introduction of the carillon bells in the middle of the above programme was rather lu\Nicrous, but doubtless a slip of this kind could easily be eradicated in the future.

Vaudeville

(Carterton).

[The numbers you mention were both composed by Edwin Dennis and have not yet been published.-Ed.] Grand Organ Music.

S a listener since broadcasting first began in New Zealand I would like to endorse the remarks of A.A.H. (Otakiri) in a recent issue of the ‘"Record" re more grand organ music. One remembers with pleasure the recitals given from 1YA by Mr. A. EX. Wilson. and surely there are instruments in the Capital City suitable for broadcasting, and also organists capable of giving us occasional varied programmes. At present if one desires organ music, it is necessary to tune into the Sydney stations, where almost weekly recitals are given, the most enjoyable being by G. Vern Barnett, and occasionally by Lilian Frost. The organ brackets are interspersed by vocal and instrumental items from the studio, the whole programmes being a treat to listen to. No one wishes to hold up the Australian stations as perfect, but in this one field the New Zealand stations are sadly behind. There are multitudes of tuneful organ compositions and transeriptions besides those of the master which could do with an airing per medium of the grand organ, so wake up 2YA and give the "king of instruments"

1 a fair deal-

N.I.

L.

(Palmerston

| North).

What is Wanted, HAVE contacted a number of listen- ’ ers in this district, and without exception their opinion is that at least , two powerful new stations should be ' built, one in each island. "By powerful, I mean stations of at least 10,000 watts, for one has only to look at the powers of stations in other countries to realise how weak the present sta"ons are, Ninety per cent. of listeners isten to nothing else but the local station, and if this could be received per-

fectly there would be very few complaints. In our opinion the worst thing that could be done would be to build numerous small relay stations because of the restricted range. There are now far too many ‘‘B" stations, and the nett result is bad heterodyning, whistles and squeals, and general interference, Aithough this is a good district for dx, the New Zealand stations are very unreliable, 2YA being freer from static, ete., though fading and distortion is very bad generally. 2ZW is the best ‘B" station, from which speech is much clearer than from 2YA,. Music bas more echo, but the station is usually spoiled by other stations heterodyning. I believe different wavelengths shovid be tried, and it is possible that big improvements might be made in this direction. Districts who want relay stations would probably be better served if these powerful stations were built. Generally the programmes aye an improvement, hut they are spoiled by in-

efficient broadcasting stations.-

J. H.

McI.

{Le bons Bay).

The Heterodyning Trouble.

GOMETHING should be done pretty quickly about ‘this heterodyning trouble. During the past few months the Americans, particularly K¥FI, have ° been very strong, and it is a pleasure now to get something out of the terrible jumble of "B’s,’ Americans and Australians that are on the © air. Usually 4YA’s announcer talks through music from a Los Angeles hotel, which is all very nice up to a point, but when the two start to whistle I close down, Then there is the case of WGN and 2Y¥A. I know there are a good number of people who consider there 1s no interference, but I would like to get them over here during the period between dark and 7.30 and they would soon change their mind. There is a Whistle all the time, and listening is difficult, if not impossible. On Sunday particularly this station is a nuisance. I have frequently had to listen with all ears to a sermon which is being throttled by jazz. You know there is a limit to this American goug clashing dnd we do get tired of it sometimes. After all, it doesn’t g9 too well with a sermon, , The Coverage Commission may \be interested to know the state of affdirs in this district. 1YA is about as reliable as the Americans, which isn’t saying much. 2YA is perfect in the daytime, but is often not fit to listen to in the evening. Sometimes for days on eud we cannot listen-in to this station. When we get 8YA station anything like well it is usually worth listening to. 4YA is about the same as 8YA, but then there is KFI to upset things. We cannot listen to 2YA very often, and have to listen to these two weaker stations. 2ZW is pretty bad after dark, but very sweet in the daylight. I am very glad the board has cut out the "International" (why not call them American and be done with it?) prograimmes, I think that, on > Whole, progrimmes have shown an in-provement.-DX22N]W (Tasman). *