"Station WBT; Charlotte." A visit to a radio broadcasting station is a most interesting experience to a novice, and an interview with the manager is enlightening. The Anderson party from The Independent found this out on their recent visit to Charlotte.
"WBT" will always recall pleasant memories to this party, not only from the courtesies accorded them in the studio, but also for the knowledge which they gained in their first broadcasting experience.
In this station there are two large studios, furnished with a grand piano each, also an upright piano for the use of the orchestra, and a small number of chairs. The least conspicuous article of furniture is the most important, "the mike." One stands near the grand piano for the singers. It is adjusted so that the singer's mouth is directly in front of the microphone. The singer standing about a foot from the instrument, and singing just as he or she would in a parlor. Another microphone is suspended from the wall, this to be raised or lowered according to the stature of the speaker.
This is connected with a most intricate switch-board, with hundreds of tubes, judging from a glimpse into this "holy of holies", for no one is allowed in there except the engineer. The announcer has a switch connection with him, and there is a glass partition between them so they may communicate by signs.
Mr. Rodgers, the genial announcer, speaks in the lowest of tones, with his mouth almost in the tube, still speaking so distinctly that every word carries. There was one thing lacking on The Independent program, this announcer did not at any time say who was speaking. This gives a personal touch to know the announcer, and after awhile one feels that they are friends.
There is one thing that beginners should know, and which this beginner did not know, It is not necessary to raise the tone of your voice. Speak in the ordinary way, and it carries much better. If the tones are loud there are vibrations. Judge Bonham spoke in a conversational voice, and those who heard the program on Wednesday night, say that they heard every word he said.
Mrs. Aubrey Marshall and Sam Orr Tribble have such true voices that they also came over very clear. And Mrs. Alex Skelton, in the bright piano number by Lily Strickland, was a gem.
Some complained of static. There was a thunder storm just out of Charlotte early in the evening, and a transformer was burned out, so WBT could not send out anything for more than an hour on Wednesday evening. It was fixed barely in time for the Independent program. Perhaps that had something to do with the program not coming as clear as usual from this station, for it is one of the best that is heard in Anderson.
They are now planning to make this station equal to WLW in Cincinnati. And if these plans are fulfilled, it will be the largest station in the south. Good luck to WBT. Those who have had the experience of broadcasting over this station will always feel a proprietary interest.
Some one asked in the many questions asked and answered, about what it cost to broadcast. The answer was $400 an hour. So when listening to a program remember that this is an expensive form of entertainment which costs you nothing.
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