2YB at Work

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 33, 1 March 1929, Page 6

2YB at Work

Experiment in Wellington

TATION 2YB was put into experimental operation in conjunction with 2X¥A for the first time on the afternoon of Tuesday, February 19, and has continued in operation at each session since. It is working on 268 metres, and is giving, according to early reports that have been received, very general satisfaction in the Wellington city area. A number of listeners have communicated with the station by telephone and commented upon the sweet tone of the station. This is as was expected, because it is generally understood that the reason for the sweetness of the low-powered stations us compared with the high-power-ed stations, is in the very fact that they are low-powered, and reception does not overtax the valves employed for veception. If it is found by Wellington listeners that reception at 2YB, aus compared with reception at 2YA, is superior, then it is clear proof that their ordinary method of reception at 2YA is such as to overtax the valves. Adjustment should, therefore, be carried out, in order to make improvement. This is a matter for a technical expert, but any reputable dealer would be able to make the adjustment quite satisfactorily and quickly. We will be interested to have detailed reports from listeners in various localities as to the comparative strengths and sweetness of reception of the two stations. N connection with this test, a telegraph inquiry was addressed to Mr. i. J. L. Payne, president of the New Plymouth Radio Society, asking for a report on the comparative reception of 2PYB and BYA. This inquiry produced un interesting letter, which records a position of definite interest to radio listeners. When 2YB was tested in Christchurch it was heard in New Plymouth with remarkable clarity and tone, definite praise being given to the plunt. When the same plant is operated from Wellington on a wavelength very close to that on which the Christebureh test was made, the results so far as reception in New Plymouth are concerned, are disappointing. This is what Mr. Payne kindly reports :- In response to your telegram, I could not myself identify 2YB on Thursday evening, despite repeated and painstaking searching, including even a change in receivers. To-day, repented iruiries failed to disclose anyone who had received the lowerwave transmission. To-night I did find it-by using earphones on six valves! ven then it was barely audible when located at 9 p.m. The comparison with the Christchurch test was marked, 2YA itself on 420 metres was weaker thun usual, both last night and _ to-night. 1YA too loud with receiver at maximum, as usual. This is certainly something of a radio puzzle, but \ould seem to indieate very clearly that there is some factor between Wellington and New Plymouth in either the nature of the intervening land, or the particular distance, which affects reception. It would be interesting to have teports from other country listeners on this test. On Monday evening, after the usual transmission, 2YB was operated for a short time wtih a view to securing

special reports from crystal users as to its range of effective reception. Details of this test will also be of definite juterest.