Sportsmen Well Catered For

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 12, 16 November 1928, Page 6

Sportsmen Well Catered For

Re-broadcast of Melbourn Cup

LTHOUGH the racing ban is still operating in New Zealand, and denying so much enjoyment to the everincreasing numbers of racing enthusiasts, yet the R.B.C. does its best to meet the unwelcome situation. Not alone are the company in trying to satisfy their listeners. Wide cooperation, involving prominent sporting authorities and the members of the radio trade enables listeners to get a reasonably good service under the restrictions. Where possible, the ban has been "dodged, " and a running description given, but to this there are serious limitations. During the Canterbury Carniv al an excellent service was rendered listeners in all parts of New Zealand, and the details of the races were not long in coming over the air when once they were obtained

TAUESDAY last, a great effort was made to relay the running description from 2ME, Sydney. of the Melbourne Cup. This race is the greatest event of the year to racing enthusiasts of the Southern Hemisphere. Naturally there is no ban to contend with in Australia, and the announcer, from his point of vantage was able to give a great description of the event. The thanks of listeners are due to "Mack," of Mack's Radio, for again offering his services. Mack has always been to the fore when there is any relaying to be done, and 2¥A is indeed fortunate to be able to command the Willing services of so able a technician.

Early in the afternoon an attempt was made to relay 2MBH, but, as all radio people know, daylight reception is very uncertain, and the attempt was not altogether successful. .

‘THE great race, however, was not till late, about five o’clock New Zealand time, so that from an early hour until about this time Mack had an "interesting" time with the Aussiefading, static, interference. What was humanly possible to control, Mack controlled. At about five o’clock (the. usual closing-down time), 2YA went to °MBE. Even then conditions were bad, but with tenacity Mack held on to the elusive Australian. Listeners were enabled then to hear the announcer discussing the horses as they went out, speculating on their chances. Then the air, seeming to yield to the demands of thousands, cleared, and when the great race started till it finished, the signals were reasonably steady-steady enough for listeners to follow the race intelligently. The description from 2ME was very fine. The announcer had a pleasing voice, and a convincing delivery, and conveyed an excellent mental picture of the epic event. Following the race, conditions were not too good, but they had been good long enough. Although fading was so there was no sign of. distortion, yet the signals had to pass through some eight or nine. separate pieces of radio apparatus before reaching the listener.