EDITORIAL NOTES

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 31, 15 February 1929, Page 6

EDITORIAL NOTES

QUR Taranaki friends will be more than pleased at the satisiactory outcome of the trial made on Thursday last of the transmitting plant assembled in Christchurch by the Radio Broadcasting Company for erection at New Plymouth under the title of 2YB. Congratulations of the heartiest nature can be accorded to the Taranaki Radio Society for its enterprise in this matter. [very sympathy has always been available for the wireless enthusiasts of Taranaki in the difficult plight that has been theirs in regard to reception. The arguments that proceeded in the early days of 2YA will still he remembered. Into them there is now no need to go, but without reviving those old controveries it may be admitted, we think, that the geographical conditions attaching to the situation of Taranaki are a material factor in the quality of reception possible from station 2YA. The difficulty is to be solved by the erection of a receiving station and the provision of a land-line into New Plymouth for the retransmission of such programmes from 2YA as it is desired to relay. WITH commendable enterprise, however, the Taranaki enthusiasts aim to provide programmes of their own, as well as using those desirable from 2YA. Organisation of a comprehensive nature has been undertaken to utilise the talent and equipment available in New Plymouth. With the backing of enthusiasm and the loyal support of all concerned, we anticipate that a definite advance will be recorded in radio matters in this area. The dealers are looking for increased trade, and all interested in radio are anticipating that benefits will accrue from the combined enterprise of the North Taranaki yadio enthusiasts and the Broadcasting Company. WE have already indicated in earlier articles that it is our view that this Taranaki enterprise will be the forerunner of a cam_paign of development on similar lines in other centres. It is admitted that the areas favourably served by the existing four YA Stations are limited, and that without high-quality receivers listenersin situated outside those areas are not able to receive full value from the existing radio service. In order to, make radio available to ‘large areas of population outside the districts now adequately served by the YA stations, it is necessary to place relay stations at strategical "points. Such provision will permit of radio being placed on tap "as desired at less cost to prospective listeners than otherwise woul: -be. the case. That is the crux of the matter. Economic factors "have to be taken into consideration. Those. who are prepared to pay the price of high-quality receivers capable of receiving the YA "stations from any point in the Dominion are limited in number. There is a large circle which is prepared to go to a certain figure ‘to-enjoy radio. It is the desire of those governing the radio service ‘that it shall be possible to provide reticulation points in new districts as rapidly as possible, in order to tap these hitherto unexploited areas of population. As it proves possible to do this, then radio will become increasingly popular and the whole organisation be strengthened. We look upon the Taranaki enterprise as a mile_stone in the progress of New Zealand radio, ; QA