Mr. Owen Writes

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

Mr. Owen Writes

Visits Broadcast Stations

WRITING from London to a Wellington friend, Mr. J. H. Owen, expresident of the Wellington Radio Society, says:-"With a letter of introduction from Capt. P. P. Eckersley, the Chief Engineer of the B.B.C. to the Engineer in Charge of the Daventry station, I left this morning by train from Euston to Northampton. A car was kindly put at my disposal and we soon covered the twelve miles to Daventry, passing through the quaint villages of Flore and Weedon with their quaint old houses of thatched roofs and mellow russet-coloured bricks. 5XX, Daventry, 1562 metres, 192,000 watts, and 5GB, 491 metres, 610,000 watts, are quite close to each other on a low hill 600ft. above sea level. The T aerials are 500 feet high and well braced with staunch guys which are well insulated. In a gale the top sways over two feet from the perpendicular. Both buildings are simple and plain, brick structures, The dozen or so engineers in charge live on the premises, and have a billiard room and library for use in leisure time. At 3.40 the car was in readiness and after a hasty cup of ‘tea I was driven to Rugby, 12 miles, and in one and a half hours Euston was reached at 6 p.m, It was a most interesting experience and I shall have lots to tell of the stations when I return. To-morrow evening I go to the B.B.C. at Savoy Hill, from 8.20 to 9.30 p.m. to"hear a vaudeville programme being broadcast. It is not easy to get these passes, due to the fact that studio space is very limited in the present quarters. In three years time the B.B.C. will be housed in their new permanent quarters near Laugham Place where their largest studio will seat 1000 people."