"B" Class Stations

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 28, 25 January 1929, Page 7

"B" Class Stations

An Application Made

FoLLowine on a conference of the radio trade which was held in Wellington to discuss the question of arrangements effected by the Department with) Amalgamated Wireless (Aus.) Ltd. in connection with patent rights, discussion occurred on a proposal to establish a company to operate the question of B grade stations j ew Zealand. The prime mover in ' campaign is Mr, L. BH. Strachan, =/ Christchurch, Director of Station 3ZC. In last week’s issue Mr. Strachan discussed in general terms the ‘principle of B class stations being allowed to operate a service and derive revenue from the sale of publicity over the air. Application was made to the Department by a deputation of radio dealers for permission to do this. If this is granted it is intended to form a company with extensive capitai, to provide a.continuous programme from early morning until midnight from four stations operating throughout the Dominion. In an explanation of the proposal given to the daily Press Mr. Strachan states that it was not intended that the B stations would conflict in any way with the service provided by the Broadcasting Company in New Zealand, for the company would be quite prepared to utilise the present silent Bhrrs and keep off the air during the ours that the YA stations are broadcasting. They had a definite offer from one of the big Australian stations to join up with them in the matter, and if this were brought about it would mean that in-all probability Australian artists would be sent to the Dominion to broadcast from the B grade stations. The Department now has the question under consideration. Correspondent Replies to Criticisms. I WISH to thank you for the space given my last letter and your reply to same, and would ask for a little space to reply to Mr. N. Winstanley’s letter, which appeared in your last issue. Iam afraid your correspondent merely glanced through my letter, as he has quite missed my point, that is, that I was referring to conditions as they.exist locally. If he could bring ‘ist set to this district and tune in 2YA night between eight and ten otiock, he would be in for quite a surprise. In fact I think the moving coil speaker which he is so proud of, would just keep on moving until it arrived home in Picton. He further criticises my receiver in its inability to receive Australian stations. Here ggain he «passes judgment on something he obviously knows nothing about. He grows quite indignant at the idea of a portion of the license fees Heing spent on a station from which he will derive no benefit. He does not seem to realise that we have heen helping to pay for his entertainment at along, and going wanting ourSelves. But we are not asking for any of Mr Winstanley’s money; all we ask is that a portion of our own license fees be returned to us in the way of a subsidy towards a B station in this district. or. failing that, that the company proceed immediately with the erection of a relay station.

In conclusion, I would like to state that I am quite in accord with your views that relay stations would meet the position here and elsewhere where similar trouble is experienced. If such stations can give a satisfactory service, then I think, as I stated in my first letter, that B stations should not be subsidised. But until the relay service is started, several of the B stations are providing a necessary ser-

vice and should be pald for it.

J.

L.

(Hastings ) .