Editorial Notes

Radio Record, Volume VI, Issue 1, 15 July 1932, Page 4

Editorial Notes

eee Wellington, Friday, July 15, 1932.

(CAPTAIN ECKERSLEY, for-. merly chief engineer of the British Broadcasting Corporation, is now in Australia and has made certain references to the system of broadcasting in that country. He is surprised, it is stated, that Australia has forsaken the long waves (above 1000 metres) for the medium ones, which it is claimed are not nearly so efficient from the point of view of national broadcasting. It would be a wise move to adopt longwave broadcasting, declared the captain, though it would necessitate a gradual transition. Big issues are involved. Australia and New Zealand have developed along American lines, both as regards broadcasting and receiving, and to introduce the English system at this late hour would mean setting in motion a long series of changes. But if long ‘waves would be more efficient for broadcasting purposes, the sooner the schemes are put in hand the better. | PT =

FAERE and in Australia the superheterodyne set is favoured, while in England and the Continent this design is not popular. The superheterodyne could quite easily | be used for reception of long-wave broadcasting, but for some reason or other it has not been used to any extent. The sets now in use could be converted for long-wave operation in much the same way as they are used to-day for the reception of short waves-by adapters and converters-so that the introduction of the system would not render useless the sets now in operation. Dual wave broadcasting complicates matters and tends to make sets dearer, and the home constructor would find that coil con-

struction would occasion him sotne difficulty. Probably many excellent lines of British parts would find their way here. It seems,’when all things are considered, that, were the New Zealand and Australian stations to change over to long wave, there might be a general change over to British methods and probably to British goods, though the American standards would not be useless.

FUVEN supposing that the long waves are better for local coverage, it is not surprising that they have not been adopted in the States. In that country broadcasting started on the medium waves, and as more and more listeners and stations were added, the need for wide coverage was not so acute. For one station to make the change would mean simply that it would not be listened to, and it is not surprising that the longwave station has not appeared. Now it has gone rather too far. Hun-

dreds of stations cater for the American radio public, and each receiver generally has the choice of several "local" programmes. Why, then, worry about maximum coverage efficiency? In England and other countries where broadcasting is unified, and it is desirable to restrict the number of stations, the maximum efficiency has to be obtained, and listeners are more or less compelled to bring their radio sets into line-for their own good. At the moment it is impossible to say whether the long-wave station would be desirable or not. The Coverage Commission went into that question, and its report will indicate its opinion in this direction. In the meantime Captain Eckersley’s remarks are of more than passing interest.

‘THE formation of a New Zealatid Radio Institute denotes another step forward in wireless history. The grouping together of experts is highly desirable, and such groups are found in almost every calling. Their function is generally that of raising the status of their members, the elimination vf unethical practices, and the dissemination of ideas. Radio institutes are to be found in most countries where radio is established, and association with them is considered generally to establish the identity of the technician. It is im-

perative, therefore, that the Institute , should not open its doors to any bu thoroughly-qualified men. It is like‘wise imperative that such an institute be not parochial. Admittedly it must start at some point, with one mati or group of men, but if it is to be of real service and to have real standing it must expand beyond the confines of the town of origin The foundation of such a society should not be a sign for the formation of similar societies in other towns, for if this were to happeri the public could recognise none,