POSSIBLE USE OF RADIO

Chronicle (Levin), 19 December 1946, Page 6

POSSIBLE USE OF RADIO

REPORT TO POWER BOARD ON AVAILABLE SETS The possible use of radio communication sets by the Horowhenua .dJlectric Power Board was drawn attention to by the engineer (Mr. J. F. Bryce) in a report to a meeting of the board on Wednesday. He said the sets were being oft'ered for sale to power boards by the War Assets Realisation Board, and were suitable for communication between trucks and a fixcd station. The sets would require certain modifications to comply with Post and Telegraph Depwtment regulations. They were being sold for £20 each, which represented a small fraction of the oiaginal cost. Outlining their usefulness, Mr. Bryce said that the northern sectioL of the board's area was poorly served by telephonic communication, and considerable difficulty was experienced after 5 p.m. in communicating with the substation. They would also be of considerable value where lines were being patrolled to locate faults. Much speedier results woulcl be obtained if radio communication was available between the patrol vehicle and the sub-station. At the recent regional conference in Palmerston North a demonstration had been conducted between a fixed' set and a moving vehicle. The vehicle was fitted with one of" the army mobile sets", but the fixed set, which wras erected in tlie Municipal Buildings, was a larger and more expensive set costing £350. The communication between the moving vehicle and the fixed station was perfectly loud and clear, but no very great distance was covered, and the value of the demonstration was lost insofar as use was made of a large poweriul set, instead of demonstrating two army sets. The Manawatu - Oroua Board had acquired two army sets for experimental purposes, and he was endeavouring to obtain further information regarding their rangc and cost of modification. The chairman, Mr. G. A. Mouki, said he agreed with Mr. Bryce that more information was necessary. He undcrstood from Press reports that many boards were not satisfied with the perfonnance of the sets.