AMATEURS LEAD THE WAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 865, 8 January 1930, Page 14

AMATEURS LEAD THE WAY

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS (Continued from last week.) RECEPTION IN ENGLAND On September 17, Mr. Slade of 4AG was the proud recipient of a report of his signals all the way from England. Following this, greater efforts at twoway work were made, and on the next day, September IS, 1924, Mr. Bell, 4AA. worked 2SZ London. Other stations followed, Mr. Shiel, 4AK of Dunedin, incidentally established the world's record for long distance communication by working a station in France situated only a tew miles from his antipodes. While in England Mr. Orbell visited amateur stations which were in communication with New Zealahd. This was most appropriate, as the achievement of communication between England and New Zealand had been greatly hastened by his work on tho Port Curtis. The long distance work above referred to was by far the greatest distances ever linked by radio. It was sufficient to identify New ZealanJ amateurs as among the most successful in the world. These events mark 1924 as the outstanding year in all the .history of international amateur radio. During 1925, following local regulations, large numbers of American amateurs started transmitting on the wave-lengths of 40 and 20 metres, in addition to the already popular band near 80 metres. The large numbers of American stations and the keenness of the operators have always provided an attractive target for amateur transmitters of other countries, which accounts for these wavelengths becoming popular all over the world. For the following four years most of the long distance work was performed on the 40 and 20 bands. For the greater part of this period the 40 band was the most popular although latterly the 20 band provided some excellent and consistent results, particularly as more of the foreign stations explored that region. The New Zealand Government licensed transmitters here, to operate on 37 and 32 metres, and it is probable that the latter wavelength provided be@t all round operating channels so far enjoyed by the amateur operator. On this wave excellent long distance work was consistently performed, and dozens of New Zealand stations communicated with every part of the globe with its aid. It also provided good daytime results for local and Australian work-

ing, and allowed a good character of signal to be emitted with the ordinary self-excited type of transmitter. In connection with the achievement of world wide communication, it is interesting to note the stubbornness with which Africa has yielded to attempts at communication, from New Zealand. Although other distant continents were easily communicated with from 1924 onwards, it was not until early in 1927 credit of obtaining the first contact that the first two-way work was accomplished with South Africa. This belongs to Miss Bell, of 4AA, who, in the autumn of 1927 established communication after persistent efforts during the hours just before sunrise. Early work with South Africa was also performed by Mr. Black, 2BX, of Wellington. Contact with Africa is still difficult and all successes so far have demonstrated that the time must be well chosen. VISITOR FROM AMERICA 1925 is principally marked by the visit to New Zealand of the American lleet, notable in amateur radio as conveying here Mr. Schnell, then of the American Radio Relay League, engaged on short wave experiments on board the U.S.S. Seattle. “NRRL” became an identity on 40 metres and did much to popularise that band. The visit of the 'fleet also helped to familiarise us with the American point of view and to remind us of our indebtedness to the American amateurs for their example of initiative and progress in radio matters. It may not be out of place here to reaffirm the regard of New Zealand amateurs for the great American Radio Relay League whose efficiency and singleness of purpose continue to inspire our respect and admiration and whose excellent organ, “QST,” sets a standard for amateur endeavour the world over. At this juncture it is opportune to review the growth of an organisation for the advancement and protection of amateur radio interests in New Zealand. It was early recognised that an association devoted to the transmitting amateur would be a decided acquisition, and about 1924 Mr. Strong of 4AG endeavoured to arouse interest throughout the country with the object of forming an association. De-

spite persistent efforts success was not forthcoming and the project was abandoned. The next effort in this direction was taken in Auckland in 1926. A meeting of Auckland amateurs decided to take the initiative and form an association. Previous inquiry in other distrists showed that amateurs throughout the country would welcome action by somebody, and the Auckland meeting decided to form an association, the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters, to represent the amateur fraternity of the whole of New Zealand. A provisional constitution was drawn up, and applications for membership invited. The constitution was later confirmed, one of the clauses providing for the annual election of association headquarters by ballot. For three years Auckland has been the headquarters, but possibly another centre will shortly assume the responsibility and distinction of directing the activities of the N.Z.A.R.T. The action of the Auckland amateurs in forming a national association was the subject of some criticism at first, but time • has justified their action, and it is very doubtful if the present representative organisation could have grown so quickly without bold action at the start. The association is now firmly established, and is truly representative of amateur interests in New Zealand. Activities have included representation to the Government on several matters, the publishing of a small news bulletin, “Break-In,” amateur representation at radio exhibitions, and educational lectures. The N.Z.A.R.T. has also assumed a place among other national associations in the International Amateur Radio Union. A very bright future lies ahead for organised amateur radio. In 1927 a periodical contest for a shield presented for low-power transmitting competitions by Mr. R. L. Sangster was commenced by the N.Z.A.R.T. This and subsequent competitions have resulted in some excellent work in this direction. As stated above, the region of 32 metres continued in popularity during the years 1926 to 1928, 80 metres being used for local work and 20 to a limited extent for long distance work. Few outstanding achievements mark this period, but improvement in apparatus and in the number of amateurs were continuous. At the beginning of 1926 perhaps 20 were operating with sufficiently high efficiency to bridge the Pacific, but in 1928 scores had overcome that hurdle. A better understanding of the many technical principles involved became more general with consequent improvement in the standard of operation. The achievement of working all continents became fairly common by 1928. In conclusion, an apology is of-

fered for the many omissions from this brief summary. It has been found quite impossible adequately to record the many events in the development of New Zealand amateur radio. Even those which have been mentioned call to mind a host more, all impqrtant, but which Cbuld not be included in an article twice this length. The period which has here been dealt with, eight years, is so short in time, but that it is long in events no one can deny. One hesitates to contemplate the writing of even a summary similar to this two or three years hence! AUSTRALIAN BROADCAST According to cable advice, New York’s efforts last week to pick up an Australian broadcast for retransmission in America were unsuccessful. The National Broadcasting Company announced that the receiving stations were unable even to detect the Australian carrier wave. Commencing tomorrow, the Australian Broadcasting Company is going to introduce into its programmes a “Weekly Personality Interview.” Any outstanding figures of the week or important visitor from overseas will be invited to station 2FC, and a tenminute interview on current topics will ensue. The first interview will have as the central figure Dr. Otto Peltzer, the world-famous German athlete.