New Zealand Wavelengths

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 35, 15 March 1929, Page 32

New Zealand Wavelengths

Question of Alteration

T fairly frequent intervals correspondents write making the suggestion that the wavelength of one or other of the New Zealand stations should be altered by the Broadcasting Company, as on the evidence available to them they consider that reception in their particular locality would be improved by change to some other wavelength. The opinion seems to be fairly general that the decision as to the wavelength on which any patrticular New Zealand station shall operate is in the hands of the Broadcasting Company, and some feeling sometimes seems to be developed at nonacceptance of the suggestions advanced. It is perhaps just as well, therefore, to put on record the exact position regarding wavelengths. A typical letter on this point comes from 2 Hamilton correspondent, 4 very keen and enthusiastic radio dealer wholly concerned with the betterment of the service in his locality. His letter is as follow :- "T have been listening carefully to YA stations and have arrived at the following conclusion: The reason the Christchurch station is received here much better than Wellington is owing to it being on a lower wavelength; often Christchurch rebroadcasts the Wellineton programme, and in the majority

of instances it is 50 per cent. louder and much more clear than Wellington direct, although Christchurch is handicapped by being farther away and only about a tenth of the power of 2YA. My object in writing is to suggest that the Broadcasting Company alter the wavelength of Wellington and Dunedin stations. The latter is rarely heard up here since it was put up on 463 metres, whereas before it was altered we could receive same here at good strength. If the Broadcasting Company want to give the greatest good to the greatest number this is one suggestion that will do it without extra cost. In fact, if Wellington were put down to, say, 275 metres, it could be reduced to half the present power and still come through much better than at present. Surely by now the powers that be must know the effect of using high wavelengths? Is there any reason for not using the lower wavelength when the advantages appear go obvious?"

"THE answer to this correspondent’s suggestion is that it is not in the power of the Broadcasting Company to vary wavelengths. The wavelengths are fixed by the wireless authority in New Zealand, the Post and Telegraph Department, after full consultation with the corresponding authorities in Australia and America. The wavelengths of all stations are adjusted within limits fixed by the Washington Convention. The factors considered in determining wavelengths are the range of the station in relation to its power and the possibility of interference with other stations. As a typical instance of the difficulty of keeping New Zealand stations clear of interference of overseas stations, there is the experience of 1YA, which has of late been suffering a heterodyning effect from an American station. The

wavelengths of the New 4ealand BStled~ tions, as now determined, have been fixed by the authorities after consideration of a large number of factors. It is also to be remembered that a wavelength that may, for argument’s sake, give one area varying reception, gives a large number of other areas good reception, and a balance has to be struck by the authority between all factors. This explanation is given to satisfy correspondents that the suggestions advanced from time to time are not ignored, but so far as the Broadcasting Company is concerned are not open to application by them.