2ZM, GISBORNE

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 52, 13 July 1928, Page 4

2ZM, GISBORNE

os A POPULAR LOCAL EFFORT TO BROADCAST BIG TIGHT TPE recent broadcast from the above station aroused much interest among listeners-in, many being aware that Mr. BP. Stevens, the operator, once controlled the justly famous 2YM, an amateur station often logged on the Pacifie Coast. and heard on several ovcasions, in remote Alaska. Mr. Stevens first took out a transmitting license in 1923, and, in common with most operators of that day, devoted much effort to establishing records in long-distance transmission. ‘To-day, however, he is little concerned with the strength of bis reception outside New Zealand ; indeed, his main purpose in again "taking the air,’ is to stimulate interest in radio during the "off" period by providing good radio entertainment in his immediate district, for it must be admitted that during the spring and summer months in Poverty Bay, radio reception from distant stations is often more of a purgatory than a pleasure, a fact which means a serious decline in the sale of sets and accessories, The station will be in full werking order by the middle of August, when seven points of relay will have been arranged, including the eoncerts given by the Gisborne Savage Club, whose orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Mainland Foster, has received the greatest praise from visiting musicians of note. The relay points are the local Opera House (the first relay being Miss Ethne Paltridge’s dance recital on the 26th of this month), the two kinema houses, and four dance halls, There will also be occasional studio eoncerts, for which much local talent is offering. Meanwhile, 2ZM has inaugurated a children’s hour, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday evenings only, and many ‘letters and telegrams of a laudatory nature have poured into the studio as a result. The session is conducted by Aunt Judy and Uncle Buster, both well-known in amateur theatricals, and as Aunt Judy is a journalist, a good deal of original matter is presented, the bedtime stories in particular adding to the lady’s popularity. It may be of interest to state here that, as fav as is known, 24M, when 2YA, was the first station to broadeast Shakespeare. The performance was given some months before the Shakespearean night at 2L0, when famous English actors and actresses gave extracts from the more popular plays, Tue Gisborne performer was the Aunt Judy of the children’s hour. At present a detailed description of the equipment at 2ZM is not available, but the operator hopes to supply a technical account of his set, when he has perfected his plans. He is now working on 260 metres, using aerial power of approximately 50 watts, which he proposes to inerease shortly, It is now advised that 2ZM will broadcast from an indepandent American source a2 complete xgund-by-round report of the Heeney-Tunney fight. Heeney’s parents, who reside in Gisborne, will also speak from the station on the occasion of the fight. | -Modestine,