History of wireless telegraphy and broadcasting in Australia/Topical/Localities/Brisbane/Notes

1924 11
Developments towards 4QG and a Brisbane B class station, possible interim use of 4CM "Radio in Brisbane. Broadcasting Proposals 'A' and 'B' Class Stations. Another move in the direction of the inauguration of wireless telephony broadcasting in Brisbane was made last night when several traders and amateurs met at the T. and G. Building to discuss ways and means. It was announced at the meeting by Mr. Herbert, of the Trocadero, that he intended to establish and have a B class station in operation before Christmas. Mr. Read, of the Read Press, explained that he had called the conference because he with other wireless amateurs felt that something definite should be done, as early as possible to establish broadcasting in Brisbane. At the present time things were dead in Brisbane. There was a suggestion that the wireless traders of the city should co-operatively arrange for the operation of an existing station for two or three nights a week during the summer time, and until such times as conditions would permit of the successful reception of Sydney broadcasting. In this connection, 4CM station (Preston House), had been mentioned as one with which arrangements might be made. INFLUENCE OF STATIC. Mr. J. C. Price (Wireless House) said he thought they could not do better than make some arrangement with 4CM, if it were possible. The modulation of 4CM was excellent. He thought it would be to the advantage of the traders to make such a move. During wireless exhibition week, when demonstrations were given in Brisbane the trade received some impetus. Boys began to go in for crystal sets. But since then hardly a boy was to be seen about the traders' shops. It was mostly adults who were purchasing components. What was wanted was the transmission of local broadcasting during the summer months, because the interference from static was exceptionally bad, and would not permit of Sydney being brought in with any satisfactory measure of success, except on rare occasions. He had never known static to be so bad as it was this summer. It was the small traders in the south who had pioneered the way for broadcasting. They had started 2BL Sydney and made a success of it. He understood that station was now on the same footing as Farmers (2FC). Mr. Read said that it was now almost impossible to receive Sydney success-fully with three valves. A local station was needed. Incidentally, Mr. Read mentioned that it was intended to publish a wireless magazine in Brisbane. Mr. Price referred to the fact that each of the other capitals now had A class stations and several B class licenses had been granted recently for New South Wales. But so far Queensland had done nothing. Mr. Tom Elliott (operator of 4CM) suggested that an arrangement might be entered into whereby the traders would each contribute a sufficient amount of money weekly towards the cost of broadcasting from Preston House. The maximum number of nights a week he could give to the service would be three. He proposed to arrange to transmit concerts from the music halls and theatres by means of land lines, and perhaps a church service and band concert on Sunday nights. He could have the station operating within seven days should the traders come to an agreement among themselves to open it. He would operate on a low wave length, and therefore the interference from static would not be as great as if 4CM's old wave length of 800 metres were being used. Most of the traders present expressed their approval of an agreement being entered into with 4CM, but as a number of houses were not represented, a committee consisting of Messrs. J. H. Chandler, J. C. Price, C. L. McLaughlin, T. L. Read, and S. I. Knipe was appointed to interview the others and ascertain if they were agreeable to what had been proposed. A DEFINITE STATEMENT. At this stage, Mr. Herbert of the Trocadero arrived, and in reply to questions announced that he had made definite arrangements to establish a 'B' class broadcasting station which would, he expected, be operating before Christmas. He had taken steps to secure a license and an expert would be coming up from Sydney to instal the machine. He proposed to transmit dance music programmes six nights a week with vocal and instrumental items interspersed. If possible he might make arrangements with the council to also transmit on Sunday nights. In reply to further questions, Mr. Herbert said he would be agreeable to the broadcasting of orchestral music from the Trocadero by 4CM, pending the completion of his station, if the traders decided to go on with their proposal. One of the traders said that it might have been good policy on the part of Mr. Herbert to have obtained the co-operation of the traders in the inauguration of his 'B' class station. Mr. Herbert replied that it was still open to the traders to come in with him. It was open to them to take shares in the project. After further discussion, Mr. Herbert consented to allow his name to be added to the committee which will meet at the Trocadero on Sunday night. STATE 'A' CLASS STATION. There was another development yesterday in connection with the State Government's 'A' class station proposal. It was ascertained that tenders had been invited, and two had been received for the erection of a five kilowatt station. It is expected that the tenders will be considered when the Premier returns from Sydney, where he recently inspected existing stations and the works of the Amalgamated Wireless Company, which, it is understood, is one of the two tenderers. It is now generally thought that the Government will have nothing to do with a 'B' class station, and that if it cannot see its way to erect an 'A' class station it will not enter into the wireless business at all. The main object of the Government is to provide a service which will be accessible to the men out back and the rural district schools, and this service the 'B' class station would not provide. Furthermore, the Government would receive no revenue from a 'B' class station in respect of the license fees paid to the Federal Government."

"RADIO TOPICS. Is Broadcasting Coming? The Proposals Discussed. By 'LISTENER' Written for 'The Telegraph.' The hopes of amateurs that broadcasting will be commenced in Brisbane at an early date have been raised by two or three announcements which have been made during the past few days. In the first place there was the Government intimation that two tenders had been received for the erection of a State-owned and operated 'A' class broadcasting station in Brisbane, and these would be considered by the Premier on his return from Sydney. In the second place there was the conference of traders, and the completion of an arrangement whereby 4CM (Preston House) will commence next Sunday night what is hoped to be the first of a regular series of broadcast programmes; and, lastly, there was the interesting announcement by Mr. Herbert, of the Trocadero Dansant, that he intended to establish a 'B' class broadcasting station, which would be operated, six, and perhaps seven nights a week. There is still a possibility that the Government will go ahead with its proposal, in which case amateurs will expect that a service similar to those provided by Sydney and Melbourne stations, will be available to tune into both day and night. It seems definite that the listeners' old friend, 4CM, will again be heard in the air more often than of yore, and if the Trocadero station is gone on with, Queensland, and Brisbane enthusiasts in particular, will have cause for real satisfaction at least because of the provision of at least some small facilities for entertainment in their own homes, both in the city and the country. Amateurs in Queensland are now paying broadcast listeners' fees equal to those charged in other States where 'A' class Government fee-subsidised stations exist, but they are receiving no service in return for their money, excepting in the case of those who own multi-valve sets. This inequitable impost has given rise to much dissatisfaction which, of course, would be dissipated were a first class station established here. It would be interesting to know if the Government intends to pay the 30s. per licensee for the broadcasting companies collected in Queensland to the Sydney 'A' class stations in the event of no such station being erected here because a few are able to make use of the southern services. Or, on the other hand, whether it will pay the whole of the extra money collected since the fees were increased to the State station should it be erected some months hence. In the latter case the average listener may, in return for his money, receive only a few months' broadcasting service. Wireless as a hobby, is quite expensive enough without the imposition of unnecessarily high license fees when the service for which they were designed does not exist. The collection of a high fee for something the payee may, and may not receive during a subsequent period of 12 months is a piece of business which would hardly commend itself to anybody but a Government department. Wireless amateurs, however, are an optimistic lot; they are always hoping for and to achieve something better. Therefore they are paying the very much increased fees, and renewing their licenses in the expectation of obtaining enjoyment from broadcasting in addition to the pleasure which is to be had from trying out various circuits, and in tuning in successfully the local amateur transmitting stations, If a lull in static inference permits the three and four valve set owner to bring in Sydney stations, the Federal Government is no more entitled to take credit than it is to impose and collect a 35s. 'broadcasting listener's fee.' But be this as it may, it is also interesting to know that, according to official reports, the number of licensees is increasing every week in Queensland. The new amateurs, however, contain only a sprinkling of young people. Under present conditions, the hobby is too expensive for them. They could meet the old license fee of 10s., but the new fee of 35s. is ever so much harder to pay. Furthermore, pocket money is not large enough for valve sets and inexpensive crystal sets are at present of little use in Brisbane. Many lads may be seen these days looking in the windows of the wireless stores, but few are found inside the shops purchasing components and sets. It is unfortunate that such a state of affairs exists. But if 4CM again gets going, even if it is only during two or three nights a week, there will be something to listen to on crystal sets and interest among the lads will be stimulated with beneficial results both to themselves and the wireless trade. MADE IN AUSTRALIA. Although a considerable quantity of wireless apparatus is still being imported into Australia from England and America, many components are now being satisfactorily manufactured in Australia. The amalgamated Wireless Company of Australia have for some time being making high-class instruments and an all Australian firm has now commenced the manufacture in Victoria of all descriptions of wireless parts. There seems to be no good reason why most, if not all, of the articles required by Australian amateurs, should not be made at home at a cost which will enable them to be sold at prices equal to, if not lower, than the imported article. 3LO MELBOURNE. Following complaints regarding the quality of the transmission from 3LO, the new Melbourne's broadcasting station, the engineers for the company operating the station have been concentrating their efforts in the direction of removing the causes which have given rise to the dissatisfaction among Victorian amateurs who necessarily have to pay fees towards the cost of the programmes. It has been noticeable that as a result of the investigations of the experts there has been considerable improvement in the transmissions during the past week or so, but there is still plenty of room for further improvement, especially in regard to studio items. INTERESTING ITEMS. The number of wireless sets at present in use in Sweden is estimated at 25,000 or one for every 250 of the inhabitants of the country. When President Coolidge accepted renomination, more than 25,000,000 people heard him by wireless. About 10,000,000 Americans listened regularly to the proceedings of the big political conventions. Mr. T. Greenland Davis Chief Inspector of Mines, South Wales (England) advocates the general use of wireless in mines. He declares that wireless provides a means of maintaining and establishing communication with miners isolated by explosion or inrush of water. There are 3,000,000 homes in America in which radio is installed. The music of some of the services of Notre Dame, Paris, is being broadcast for the use of other churches. This is proving a great boon because of the difficulty in securing efficient choirs for the smaller churches. Careful synchronisation of services is necessary. CHURCH IN THE HOME. Arrangements may be made by 4CM to regularly transmit church services on Sunday nights. The Perth station, 6WF, transmits services every Sunday night. The boundaries of wireless broadcasting embrace all creeds, and there are many wireless users who do not go churchwards, and others who perhaps are ill or bed-ridden, and the reception of a church service, with its attendant homily or sermon, is something that can be an inspiration. USE OF LAND LINES. Mr. Tom Elliott's announcement at last Friday night's meeting of Brisbane traders, that he could arrange for excellent programmes to be broadcast from the concert halls is a reminder that whenever anything is desired to be broadcast it is a simple matter to carry the message over land lines (the regular telephone lines) to the station. The chief disadvantage which this carries over long distances is the fact that the lines pick up extraneous noises, which are amplified with the music, and, in turn, broadcast. Only for this it would be a comparatively easy matter to erect a small substation in the country and transmit exactly the same programme as was being broadcast in the city. The alternative, of course, is to relay the transmission — receive it and rebroadcast it, and this, perhaps, will be done in the future."