RADIO NOTES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 31, 31 October 1928, Page 7

RADIO NOTES

(By

“Aerial.”)

In reply to "N.D.” (Palmerston North), the wave-length of KGO, Oakland, California, is 384.4 metres. “Dyne” (Petone) asks: “Which is the better power valve to employ for long-dis-tance reception—llXl7l or UX112?” Owing to its greater amplification factor the UXII2 is more suitable for the purpose stated.

Mr. N. C. Winstanley (Picton) reports having followed the flight of the Southern Cross to Australia, using a scrcened-grid short-wave set, and picking up the morse messages direct from the aeroplane— VZGY. A friend, who was an expert morse reader, accompanied Mr. Winstanley in his lengthy vigil. Musical opinion forms the burden of a letter received from “Orlado” (Thorndon). He says: “Miss Scotney's singing of the ‘Blue Danube,’ in my opinion, demonstrates that she has a fresher, fuller, more flexible and sweeter voice than Galli-Curci. I wonder whether 2YA can give us more of Miss Scotncy's records.” No reports arc yet to hand from listeners who have logged WHXAL, employing 250,000 watts power—a Yankee station Mr. C. P. Grey (Shannon) has heard on a wavelength in proximity to that of 2YA, Wellington. One of the latter’s silent nights would be most suitable for local listeners to search for the big American. The variation in the dial readings mentioned by “R.S.H.” (Eltham) is due to the fact that each condenser is tuning a different circuit, and each circuit varies in its characteristics.

“Bach” (Brooklyn) writes:—“l propose to purchase a set which I can transfer to my ‘bach’ during the week-ends. Am advised that an ordinary set is preferable to a portable as I have a large motor-car for conveying it to the bach. Is this correct?” If “Bach” intends to purchase only one set, the ordinary multivalve set would suit him better under the circumstances. He should erect a first-class aerial at his bach and instal a good “earth.” A portable set is preferable when there is difficulty in transporting a larger set. "Tiffin” (Wellington Terrace) writes:— “Can any reasonable explanation be urged for the plethora of dance music broadcast during the afternoon sessions of 2YA. Many of my lady friends who have wireless sets have expressed their disgust to me at the cheap dance stuff which is sent out during the latter portion of the afternoon sessions. None of us dance to these items, and these dance compositions can only be enjoyed by dancing to them, for their musical quality is not agreeable to the ear.”

"Scotty” (Seatoun) writes:—“'While everyone Is praising the Sunday afternoon concerts by 2YA, Wellington, let me put in a good word for 3YA, Christchurch, which gave us a wonderful concert last Sunday afternoon. It is a pity some people cannot listen to 3YA without letting their valves squeal. This was an occasional drawback last Sunday afternoon.” “Constant” (Waikanae) asks, “Which of 2UE, Sydney, and 2KY, Sydney, do you receive the louder?” The former is received with three times the volume of the latter by “Aerial.” “Pug” (Newtown) comments as follows: “A school for ringside fight describers would make a whale of a difference in this sort of broadcasting. Those who attempt this work in New Zealand are extremely crude. They never seem to realise that listeners are endeavouring to visualise the various blow?. When the ringside announcer says, ‘A has just got home a good right,’ the listeners want to know where the right connected. Then, again, there ore far too many comments more or less irrelevant, to the fight, and'ejaculations of enthusiasm on the part of the announcer convey nothing to those at the listening end. We who listen to the ringside announcing from 2BL, Sydney, and 3LO, Melbourne, know too well how the Australians easily eclipse the New Zealanders.” The station heard by “W..T.H.” (Taita) Is operated by the Wanganui Radio Club. A letter to the honorary secretary will, no doubt, result in “W.J.H.” obtaining the particulars he desires. The peculiarity of "dead spots” in his condensers mentioned by “W.J.H.” is due to the wave-length of his aerial. A small variable condenser in series with his aerial would overcome the trouble. Last Wednesday evening’s “mystery night” programme by IYA, Auckland, made a decided lilt with Wellington listeners, judging by the many enthusiastic comments heard by the writer. The nature of the items more than the “mystery” aspect of the programme appealed to listeners. The records were judiciously selected and sufficiently varied to please a large proportion of listeners. The netual quality of the records themselves left nothing to be desired. •

Further eulogies of the Sunday afternoon programmes put on by 2YA. Wellington, are to hand from “Treble” (Thorndon), “Valve” (Kelburn), and “Muth Enjoyed” (Newtown). A male patient in the Wellington Hospital, "Clynie,” writes appreciatively of all sessions, and specially mentions that of Sunday afternoon. Short-wave listeners can obtain splendid entertainment on Tuesday afternoons from 2XAD, Schenectady, New York State, as special programmes are then sponsored by General Motors.

The General Motors’ “family party" takes place every Monday at 9.30 p.m., Eastern U.S.A, standard time. Internationally famous artists are included in the programmes. Graham McNamee, who is conceded to be America’s foremost radio announcer, conducts the parties. Among tlie stars who have been heard at the "parties” are Mary Garden, Titta Buffo. Emilo De Gogorze. Rudolph Friml. Roas Raisa, Florence Easton. John Charles Thomas, Lawrence Tibbet, Leo Carillo, Louis Gravenre, Merle Alcock. Patrick Conway, and Edwin Franko Coldman. 2XAD operates on 21.96 metres with a power of 8000 watts. Reception of tlie Australian stations during the latter half of last week was most disappointing. The trans-Tasinnn stations were weak and static, especially last Saturday evening, was intense. The New Zealand main stations came in well. 3YA. Christchurch, has been excellent day and night, and IYA. Auckland, has been first class at night. 2YA, Wellington, has varied during tlie past week. On some occasions the gramophone items have not been as good in tone as formerly, but the studio numbers have Improved in tone beyond comparison Monday e.-ening brought a marked improvement in the strength of the Australian stations, although static was still bad. The Melbourne stations, however, were abnormally weak. On Monday evening the Japanese station JOHK was coming in louder than 4QG, Brisbane. A friend states that another Japanese station almost on the wavelength of 2GB, Sydney (316 metros) was coming through with surprising volume. This week 2YA. Wellington, has settled down to almost perfection in transmission from the studio, on relay and from the gramophone pick-up. Mr. Bingham has been in Wellington several days attending to 2YA. and the results of his good work are very apparent. Mr. F. W. Seilens, of Northland, succeeded recently in obtaining short-wave telephony from each one of the five continents of the world as follows:— Europe: PCJJ. Holland, and SSW. England. Africa: 7LO. Nairobi, Kenya. Asia: RFM. Siberia. America: 2XAD. Schenectady. Australia: 4HC. AU the above were received at loudspeaker strenglh. and the sot employed (ho following combinnlion of valves:—A442. Screen-grid: A 615. Defector; A 615, first stage, Audio; A 609, second stage, Audio. , A replv will ho posted to “.T.A.S. (Wellington) within a few days concerning his queries rcgnrdtng tlie electro-dynamic loudspeaker. . „ The relav bv 2YA, Wellington, of 2XAD, Schenectady. U.S.A., last Saturday afternoon. was not satisfactory. Tlie American short-wave station was weak and “gusty.’ Nevertheless, it was an interesting interlude for those who were listening. Tlie Yankee dance orchestras arc in a class of their own, and file short-wave relays from 2XAD afford us an opportunity of bearing one of tlie premier instrumental combinations of tlie United States.. Captain Hurley’s aeroplane Spirit of which is R recordbreaking attempt on a flight from Australia to England, is using tlie call letters VMZAC and a wavelength of 34 metres. Mr J A. Strong (Wellington) writes:— “From 5 40 to 5.50 this evening (Monday), just prior to 2YA’s children's session, I picked up a station winch seemed Io be broadcasting a cliurcli service (Roman Catholic. I think). Us setting was 4— which, according to niy/n'"’™ l ’'?.'’ '’"''nn to about. 250 metres (21A at Bu, 31 Aat <>o. and 2YA harmonic nt 18). As this was reeclved on Monday evening I nm rather puzzled as to tlie stations identify, and would lie pleased if you could enlighten me in this respect. By tlie way. they closed down at 5.50 or thereabouts without giving any can-sign-lust dropped right out. carrier and all. — Aerial is not able to identify tlie station.

TO-DAY’S PROGRAMMES

Following are to-day’s broadcast progrn2YA.S WELLINGTON (420 metres). 5.15 p.m.: Relay from Town Hall 01 p’ c first concert of the Wellington Sim phony Orchestra under the conUuctorshlp of Mr. Leon de Mauny. The concert will be under the patronage of Their Excellencies Sir Charles and Lady Fergusson. 8.15: God Save the King. 8.17: Overture, Wellington Symphony Orchestra, "Don Giovanni (Mozart). 8.23; Symphony, Wellington Symphony Or? chestra. “Symphony' in B Minor

(Tschaikowsky). 9.6: 'Weather forecast. 9.8: Bass-baritone solos, Peter Dawson, (a) "Don Juan’s Serenade (Ischaikowskv), (b) “The Erl King (Schu-

9.15: 'Relay from Town Hall of second part of concert by Wellington Symphony Orchestra. Pianoforte concerts. Madame Evelyn de Maunv and 'Wellington m ." phony Orchestra, "Concerto in A Minor for Piano and Orchestra (Grieg) • 9.42: Tone poem, Wellington Symphony Orchestra, “Finlandia ’ (Sibelius). 10.fi: God Save the King. . IYA, AUCKLAND (333 metres).—3 p.m.. Afternoon session, selected studio items. 4.0: Literary selection by the announcer. 4.8: Selected studio items. 4.25: Sports results. 4.30: Close down. 6.0: Childrens session, conducted by Uncle Tom. i.lo. Talk—Gargoyle, “Horse Sense and Motorcars.” 7.30: News and market reports. 8.0. Chimes. 8.1: Rhapsody, Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2” (Liszt) (H.M.V. Record D 1206) 8.9: Bass solo, Mr. Frank Sutherland. The Fortune Hunter” (Willeby). 8.13: Instrumental trio, Auckland Trio, “Trio ,n " Major” (Haydn). 8.22: Monologue, Mr. Alan McSkimmlng, “A Dickens Monologue (Simmons). 8.20: Baritone solos, Mr. Stanley Pritchard, (a) “My Blue Heaven (Donaldson); (b) “The Desert Song” (Hammerstein), 8.34: Violin solo. Miss Ina Losworth. “Gavotte” (Tschaikowsky). 8.3 s: Bass solo. Mr. Frank Sutherland, (a) The Devout Lover” (White), (b) “Time to Go (Sanderson). 8.42: Instrumental trio Auckland Trio. “Two French Dances (Bombic). 8.50: Recital and monologue, Mr. Alan McSkimming, (a) “Young Follow Mv Lad” (Service), (b) “Jest Her Way (Aitken). 8.58: Baritone solo. Mr. Stanley Pritchard. “The Wheeltapper’s Song (Charles). 9.1: Weatiier forecast. 9.3: Gramophone lecture-recital. Mr. Karl Atkinson 10.0: God Save the King. 3YA, CHRISTCHURCH (30(5 Metres).— 3 p.m.: Afternoon session—selected studio items. 4.30: Close down. 0.0: Children’s session, conducted by Uncle Peter and Mother Hullbard. 7.15: Addington Stock Market Reports. 7.30: News session. 80: Chimes. 8.1: Over ture—Philadelphia Orchestra. “Rienzi ■ Overture (Wagner) (H.M.V. Records ED3-4). 8.12: Song cycle: “On Jheluni River” ((Woodforde-Finden)) —a Kashmiri love story—with instrumental accompaniment by the Christchurch Broadcasting Trio. Cast: Aslioo,* Miss Hilda Hutt (soprano). Souhahna, Mr. A. G. Thompson (baritone), "Jheliini Boat Song.” Duet, "Song of the Bride,” soprano, “Will the Red Sun Never Set?” baritone, “Aslioo at Her Lattice,” soprano. “Only a Rose," baritone, “Kingfisher Blue," Duet. 8.27: Orchestral selection—lnternational Concert Orchestra. “In a Persian Market” (Ketelbey) (H.M.V. Record EB4). 8.31: Recital to music—Arthur Chesney. "‘The Green Eye of the Yellow God.” (Zonophone Record EE9O). 8.35: Instrumental trio— Christchurch Broadcasting Trio, “Andantino and Allegretto” (Reinecke). 8.44: Mezzo-soprano solo, Mrs. W. L. Cooke, '“Entreat Mo Not to Leave Thee” (Gounod). 8.48: Pianoforte solos—Miss Aiieen Warren, (a) “A.D. 1620” (from “Sea Pieces”) (MacDowell); (b) “Valse Plquante” (Peel). 8.55: Tenor solo—Mr. W. J. Treworn, “Flower Song” (from “Carmen”) (Bizet). ; 9.0: Weather forecast. 9.2: Talk—Rev. W. ; Whyte, M.A., of Jammalamadugu—“South- | ern India and its Peoples." 9.17: Orchos- i tral—Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra-- I “Nutcracker Suite" (Tschaikowsky) (al : “Arab Dance”; (b) “Chinese Dance." ami | “Dance of the Flutes” (H.M.V, Record ; D 1215). 9.25: Baritone solo, followed by soprano solo—Mr. A. G. Thompson and I Miss Hilda Hutt, (a) “Eyes that Used to I Gaze in Mine” (Lohr): (b) "The Blue Alsatian Mountains” (Adams). 9.33: Orchestra with chorus —Bayreuth Festival Orchestra. “Parsifal—the Grail Scene,” Act 1 (Wagner) (Columbia Record L 2008). 9.41: Mezzo-soprano solos—Mrs. W. L. Cooke, “Ono Fino Day” (from “Madame Butterfly”) (Puccini) ; (b) “Happy Summer Song” (Kahn). 9.46: Instrumental trios— Christchurch Broadcasting Trio— (a) “Card Song and Sequidilla” (from “Carmen”) (Bizet): (b) “'Waltz Song” from "Faust” (Gounod). 9.54: Tenor solos —Mr. W. J. Treworn; (a) “On Witli tlie Motley” (Leoncavallo); (b) “My Gift to You" (Cadman). 9.58: Orchestral—Columbia Symphony Orchestra, “March of the Toys” (Herbert) (Columbia Record 02651). 10.2: God Save the King. 4YA, DUNEDIN (403 Metres).—7 p.m. to 10.18: News, studio concert, theatre relay, and gramophone items. 2ZF, PALMERSTON NORTH (285 metres).—6.ls p.m. till 7.0: Children’s session, 7 till 9: Musical session. 3ZC, CHRISTCHURCH (250 metres).— Noon till 1 p.m.: News and concert session. 2BL, SYDNEY (349 metres).—B.o p.m.: G.P.O. clock and chimes. 2BL Topical Chorus. 8.3: The Four Kellys, instrumentalists: (a) “Americus Overture” (Voelker) ; (b) "In a Chinese Temple Garden" (Kettleby). 8.13: Mr. Norman Janson, baritone. 8.20: Sketch by Mr. Ellis Price and Mrs. Dobrinsky. entitled, “The Debutante" (Ellis Price), 8.30: The Four Kellys; “Oh. Doris” (Kahn) ; (b) "Midnight Bells (Kriesler): (c) Medley of old airs. 8.42: Weather report and forecast by courtesy of Government Meteorologist. 8.43: Carlton and Shaw, entertainers. 8.o3: fialk on “General Sporting." by Mr. Claude Corbett 9.8: Mr. Norman Janson. 9.1 u: Mr. Ellis Price: “Thirsty Work." 9.21: The Four Kellys: (a) "There s One Little Girl Who Loves Me" (Kalin): (b) Cant You Hear Me Say I Love You’ (Brown). (<) "Mv Ohio Home” (Kahn and Donaldson). 9.35: Carlton and Shaw. 9.4,»: Radio Eisteddfod: A number of semi-finalists v. HI be beard, drawn from the various sections.. 1055‘ Resume of following days programme H.m Romano's Restaurant Dance Orchestra. During b”; tween dances. “Sun news will be bro cast 1136: National Anthem. CB OFC SYDNEY (442 metres)—fi.4.> p.m.. Weather and shipping news. 6.48: Kujrl>y wireless news. 6.50: Late sporting ne .. 7n. n ( , c Ben. Late news service. 7.10. The 2FC Dinner Quartet, conducted by Horace Keats, (a) "Tn Bagdad" (Leigh) (bl “A Kiss in the Dark” (Herbert) , (c) “Serenata Napolitana” (Becee); (<D Marie” (Friml): (e) “One Hour staffe): (f) “Oh! Maybe its You (BerUn). 7 40- Programme announcements. Pianoforte selection. 8.O.: Big B en - J''’ NSW Broadcasting Company s Orchestra. Conductor. Willie , ,’1"'" Mitchel, tenor, (a) ‘Life J.L 1 A lor)- (li) “Terences Farewell (Duuerini. qoo.' 'c|, P NSW. Broadcasting Company s Orchestra. 8.37: John Mitchell, tenor, (n) “Carnicla” (De Curtis): (b) “That is All ((’lark). 8.45: The N'.S.W. Broadcasting Company’s Orchestra. 9.0: Big Beu. Pilling's Concert Hall: “Estey Organ r clfal bv Arnold Mote, interspersed will vocal items by Richard Barry, basso (a) “Sea Fever” (John Ireland): (b) -'JP*' 1 " fall nt. Sea” (Montague Phillips); (e) I lie Windmill" (Nelson): (d) “Jane” (Barker!. 10.1): Big Ben. Prom tlie studio, talk. Lucille Uruntnell. "Impression of State Functions in London.” 10.12: Dance music. 10.27: To-morrow’s programme and announcements. 10.30: National Anthem. Close down. s „ - 31,0, MELBOURNE (371 metres). — 8.1 p.m : The Station Orchestra: Selection, “Hansel and Gretel” (Humperdinck); “Dance of Death" (Danse Macnbre’ — SaintSaens). 8.10: Richard Weleliard. tenor—"Fnerv Song” (Boughton): selected. 8.1 (j Joseph Barrille, flute — "Water Sprites (Hosmer). 8.22: Tlie Station Orchestra “Dance of tlie Sugar-Plum Fairy.” from the "Nutcracker Suite” suite, “In Fairyland” (Hosmer). 8.32: Vi - liam Tainsli. 8.47: Rielmrd Weleliard. tenor. 8.54: Tlie Station Orchestra. 9.4. Professor R. J. A. Berry. M.D., F.R.f .K, F.R.S.. University of Melbourne— Life. Manners, and Customs in Li'l Ole New York" Tlie Works of Beethoven. 9.1 J: The Russian Imperial Trio—Arved Norlt, violin: John Berzinsky. ’cello; Tin’ 1 rm. 9.35: Charles Ulivi. baritone. 941: lie Station Orchestra. 9.51: Myrtle 11 alsgott, contralto. 9.58: The Station Orchestra. 10.8: “Argus" news service. British official wireless news from Rugby. Meteorological information. 10.18: Charles T’-Bvi. baritone. 10.39: The Station Orchestra. 10>i3: Inc Radi-o-Aees. "Good-Night Waltz (Bibo). 11.30- God Save the King.

3AR, MELBOURNE (484 metres). — 8.45 p.m. till 11 p.m. , _ 4QG BRISBANE (385 metres)—B.o P-' nto ll.fi: Concert items and news. Note.— Now Zealand time is two hours ahead of eastern Australian time.