New Radio Stations To Operate Soon

Chronicle (Levin), 12 October 1949, Page 3

New Radio Stations To Operate Soon

WELLINGTON, Oet. 11. Pour new transmitters are to be brought into operation by tbe New Zealand Broadcasting Service within tbe next few weeks. On Saturday Station 2XG Gisborne will have ita present .25 kilowatt transmitter replaced by oue of 2 kilowatts. This wiil bring the station on an equal footing with other" "I" stations estabiished at Timaru, Hamilton and Whangarei. The "X" stations are a series planned to serve the needs of local communities. On October 18 Nelson 's existing .03 kilowatt transmitter will also be replaced by one of 2 kilowatts. The first broadcast with the new equipment will be of a c'oncert in a Nelson theatre by the National Orchestra. Wanganui 's new station 2XA is to open on October 22 with a power of 2 kilowatts. Good reception is expected to prevail in coastal towns from Hawera in the north to Wellington in the south. Taihape, Nelson and Motueka may also get 'worthwhile reception. The Wanganui station wiil be the first of the "X" stations to have incorporated in its studios a stage and auditorium for audience participation. About 10 days- later the service hopes to increase the power of Palmerston North 's 2ZA from .25 to 2 kilowatts. The power of the New Plymouth station is likely to be incr-eased to 2 kilowatts before the end of the year.^ The Minister of Broadcasting will open the new staiton at Wanganui and also the replacement of the installation at Gisborne. Mr Eric Lawrence, formerly of the head office of the commercial division of the Broadcasting Service, has been appointed station manager at Wanganui. Mr T. F. A. Shankland, formerly programme organiser at 2ZB, Wellington, has been appointed station manager at Gisborne. —