Are "B" Stations Necessary?

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 45, 20 May 1932, Page 1

Are "B" Stations Necessary?

Affirmative Views Under Present Conditions |

The competition inaugurated by our contributor "Spark"? on the question "Are B Stations Neces« sary?" drew a comprehensive range of views from j, readers. The winner, clear-cut, was Mr. John A, Jack, of Palmerston, Otago, who gave quite the best summary of the casa as it stands at present, Most of the competitors were quite clear-sighted in their recog nition lof the special problems of the situation, and all indicate eagerness as to the nature of the report to be made hy the Coverage Commission. For the benefit of readers we publish. a selection of other entries, as well as that of the winner. ‘-

loa "Vitally Essential’ R. ERIC W.. WATSON, Christchurch secretary of the New Zealand DX Club, writes: I would say decidedly "Yes." The advantages are numerous. Take the case of the listener with a two or three-valve local receiver, which are quite popular among those who prefer "music’’ to "noise." What a boon are the "B" stations’ programmes! One can, if the mood decides, have music from breakfast-time to 11 p.m. merely by changing from one to another. The "free" service supplements the restricted "YA" service and fills in many a "silént" hour. Then there are other aspects. The "B" station, due to the absence of "red tape" in programme organisation, can broadcast talks, music, appeals for aid, and other like subjects, not to mention rebroadcasts of foreign radio stations at short notice, and items of local interest, not possibly for the "YA’s." The question of coverage is a very serious problem. Under the present conditions "B" stations are vitally essential to many outlying districts where reception of "YA’s" is impossible or faulty. (There is perhaps the insignificant feature of "wariety" in the "B" programmes. Such small features as electric chiming clocks, experimental 16in. gramophone records, etc. Valuable experiments are being carried out by the station engineers, and schemes which may revolutionise radio design are possible at any day. Radio enthusiasts are more enthusiastic over "B" stations than the "YA’s" for, in most casts, they are the peak of radio efficiency. With the co-operation of listeners, "B" stations are kept at such a standard of efficiency that, though they may be only of 100 watts power, they succeed in many instances in making the local "YA" look "silly." They have the equipment, of course ; everything is modern, and so an efficient service is given free to the public at, in most cases, a loss. It would be a great public loss should these

stations cease operating, not to mention the los; to the station operator. How, then, aré they to be subsidised, which they truly deserve, except perhaps in cases where a large num ber of "B’s" are in the one town? Listeners’. await the "coverage report" with great interest’ and, if all else should fail, I would prefer the "B’s" to resort to restricted advertising rathet than go off the air. After all, we don’t havg to listen to them! Advertising on the scale of the Australian "B" stations is not suggeste but restricted advertising for our "B’s" should be resorted to before we undergo such a publi¢ loss. "The Silent Day" Mess BARBARA A. KERR! expresses herself thust Taking into consideration the prevailing cons ditions, a certain number of "B" class stationg are necessary at present. Until the time comes when the population of New Zealand warrants the erection of "A" stations in all the large centres-and that day is far distant-"B" sta« tions will be able to assist the larger ones id fulfilling the existing needs for wireless enters tainment and educational talks. It is true that the "A" stations alone should be able to fulfil our every radio need, but crystal-set owners around Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin are not so well provided for as those who live near 2YA. To an invalid with a small set the "B" stations must be an inestimable boon. Without them the hours until 3 p.m. would be long indeed, And what of the "silent day"? We would be sorry to hear that the most) important "B" stations were closing down, for their varied programmes are fine. The short devotional service at the beginning of each new, day is a help and comfort to many a sad an suffering listener. From a luxury, these sem vices have now come to be regarded as an every-day necessity by many. Still, in some of the sponsored programmes it does seein ag if some were sailing (Continued om page

The Winning Letter HE winning letter reads :-- The problem of the "B" stations is one that has exercised the minds of big and small alike in the radio industry for some time. While there is no doubt that these stations are filling @ long-felt want. there is also.no doubt that they could do so much more satisfactorily and efficiently if assisted or replaced by the "A". service. No one ‘will deny that these "B" stations would give a much better service ' 4f rum under one manogemeni, as they would then- be effectively distributed; their numbers reduced, and their power increased. A service comprised solely of the broadcasting of records, while giving us good music; is not the sole delight we desire our receiver to bestow upon us. We want something more, something the "B" stations cannot gwe while they are clustered in the cities broadcasting a surfeit of jazz. As an alterative service to the "A" stations, one in each city would give crystal set owners more value for their 30/-, but at present the four main centres are the only hospitable havens for the crystal set owner. Sponsored programmes are not at ali nauseating if the sponsor’s wares are mentioned only at each end, and a certain number of stations operating on these lines could give an acceptable service if strategically located. . The four "A" stations do not give a sufficiently extensive service to warrant the elimination of the "B’s." In three of the four main centres there is the gaping blank called "silent day," while in many country districts the only programme that can be relied upon is that of the local "B." Thus, summing up, I think that a number of "B" stations situated where their services would be most appreciated, drawing a revenue from so many sponsored programmes: a week and so much subsidy, giving periodic relays of the "A" stations and of events of national interest and of sufficient power to give a programme to those who desired it during the many hours when the three small "Y.A.’s" are silent, would satisfy the listeners of the Donvinion.

Are "B" Stations ~ Necessary P ---

(Continued from page 1) too near the wind. When the te sults of the Listeners’ Questiovnaire are considered and acted upon, the need for B stations will not be so great. While we think they are necessary at present, we do not conwider that they should receive any of the license fees since there is still so much room for improvement in the A stations. It would not be a fair deal to pay the public’s money to privatelyowned companies, while the Government veeds all it can get to improve the existing stations in the four largest centres, Although 2YA.is by bo means perfect, yet. it has set a standard that the other YA’s must soob attain. Greater power, all-day programmes, and a general improvement will remove the most urgent need for B class stations. Small sets are rare in the outer rural areas, so it makes little difference to pbackblocks folk whether B stations are on the air or vot, but for the sake of those with small sets in cities and towns where reception is subject to interference and (listortion We Say: "Yes, B class stations are necessary."

Would be Greatly Missed ME. CECIL H. VY. STEERE, Marton, makes a strong plea for the alternative services: The growth and deyelopment of radio in New Zealand has iu many ways been assisted by the oper: ations uf B class stations. In my opinion they are necessary for the. full enjoyment and appreciation of radio brovdeasting. At preseut the YA statioux are giving excellent service, and the Broadcasting Board is to be commended for a big improvemeut in the service. Despite divided opinions on the question, 1 have no hesitation in saying that the programmes put over the air to-day are better than ever they were before. But at. the same fime

such a thing as variety is a factor to be considered. I do not think it possible for four main stations, operating in yarious parts of the Domiuion, to give that variety so essential to the success of any undertaking. By reasou of their numbers, B stations offer a wider range of selectivity than the average listener would have if the number of stutions wus restricted. 1 enjoy my wireless more than any other means of obtaining pleasure. 1 would far rather spend a quiet evening at home with the wireless than go out and putronise a talking picture. We are all human. We have a variety of strange tastes, likes, and dislikes, and it is impossible for every item to appea! Whev a programme does not give me any enjoyment. I merely turn the dial until I come to something that does. Thanks to B stations this is possible Without them I feel as though I would be lost. J am indebted to a small station which renders a breakfast session each morving and supplies me with the correct time. On Sunday mornings, when our main YA station is off the air, another, small station gives a delightful programme of recordings. The work of this latter station, 2Z0, Palmerston North, is greatly appreciated in this locality, And then, again, there are times. when the main station is occupied in talks, children’s sessions, or news reports. . These- last three are essential if all listeners are to be catered

for: but at the same time those who prefer something else must listen to them or switch off their sets-unless there is a B station to supply tbat indispensable variety and change of programme. New Zealand listeners should con gratulate themselves on the high standard of efficiency maintained by B class statious. One bas only to tune into sume of the smaller Australian stations to find this out. If not sickened by extremely dull advertisements. one will be uppalled by the poor quality of their announcers. Our own country is ‘free from anything like that, and in view of the facts, our B stations are worthy of the highest praise. Let the board in its wisdom deerce whit it cousiders best for the future of New Zealand B’s, and if not possible to finance some of the deserving cases, in view of economic conditions, I sincerely hope our small stations will be allowed to carry on, even if certain restrictious are considered necessary.