RADIO MEN CONFER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 683, 7 June 1929, Page 14

RADIO MEN CONFER

AMATEUR ASSOCIATION’S GOOD YEAR BYRD EXPEDITION SIGNALS “The experiment will extend over a period of one year, and as it is considered by the board to be an important one, we are to be congratulated on the fact that we have been asked to assist.” THUS said the general secretary, Mr. S. G. Waite, in his report at the fourth convention of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Association of Amateur Radio Transmitters, held in the Farmers’ Trading Company’s tea-rooms last evening. Mr. Waite explained that arrangements had been made with the Radio Research Board for the establishment of four standard receivers in New Zealand to keep the log record of the Byrd Expedition signals, for the purpose of obtaining data on signals proceeding in a northerly direction. Mr. Waite said that the Xew Zealand Amateur Radio Transmitters’ Association was now representative of New Zealand as a whole, as conditions had been consolidated by the formation of a Canterbury branch. At present there were 45 members in Wellington, five in Canterbury, 13 in Otago and 73 in Auckland, making a total of 139 throughout the Dominion. At the end of the financial year the association’s bank account showed a credit balance of £9 2s, which the general secretary considered quiet good, as expenses had been heavier than usual. It was hoped that by the end of the year, or by the beginning of 1930, the association would have enough money to be able to afford a substantial prize for a competition of a high order. He had written to America asking for advice and co-operation. The publication of the magazine, “Break-In,” had also been instrumental in consolidating the position in New Zealand. The association had applied to the International Amateur Radio Union for membership as representing New Zealand, and there were optimistic hopes that it would be accepted. “The association is going to rank high among radio transmitting clubs of the world,” Mr. Waite concluded. The chairman, Mr. W. J. Sexton, also briefly addressed the meeting, paying a tribute to the two members of the association, Messrs. J. H. L. Trenwith and Noel Curtis, who liad established communication with the disabled mission steamer Southern Cross.

A unique item on the programme was a “liars’ contest,” with its prize in thQ form of a burlesque telegraph key. This item went to show that radio men, like fishermen, can “spin 'em.”

A topical burlesque was given by the “Raspberry Duo,” Messrs. E. Whitley and E. Trenwith. Several other items concluded the programme. The following toasts were honoured: “The King,” “Absent Friends and Visitors,” proposed by M,r. S. G. Waite; “The New Zealand Amateur Radio Transmitters’ Association,” Mr. H. B Arthur; “The Ladies,” Mr. J. Steel; “Listeners’ Section,” Mr. R. White; “Broadcast Listeners,” Mr. W. Wadham. For the benefit of beginners a Morse class will be broadcast on an 80 metres wave-length, starting on June 21, and for their further encouragement a listeners’ section has also been formed, and these younger members will eventually become qualified transmitters.