Graf Zeppelin

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 8, 6 September 1929, Page 7

Graf Zeppelin

Landing | Rebroadcast ON Thursday last, station B8YA_ at 10 p.m. rebroadeast a description from KDKA, New York, of the arrival of the Graf Zeppelin circling over New York prior to the airship’s departure for Lakehurst. 8YA had received information earlier in the day that a short-wave broadcast would eventuate and in view of this fact, a continual watch was kept on KDKA and other American stations from 7 p.m. onwards. 2XAF on the 19-metre band was clearly audible broadcasting jazz music, but although KDKA was also on the air with.a strong carrier, it was not until about 945 p.m. that any announcement was made from this station, when it was stated that the station was still waiting for news of the Graf Zeppelin, which was keeping in communication with them on 36 metres and that as some entertainment was then coming over from New York, this would be put on the air until such time as they were ready to give an actual description of the airship’ s flight. For a time the surging which is usnally a characteristic of short-wave reception, was markedly absent, and the programme received from the Hotel Pennsylvania (New York) Orchestra was rebroadcast by 38YA. 3YA’s transmission at this period was so good as to compare favourably with a rebroadcast of 2YA, reception . being -particularly steady and clear. When the Zeppelin hove in sight of New York change-over was made to an observer who described details of the airship flying over th: Statue of Liberty accompanied by an. escort of fifteen aeroplanes. KDKA then came back to the studio awaiting the arrival of the airship at La’-ehurst, where the actual landing was to take place: On the arrival at Lakehurst KDKA relayed a description of the landing, and 8YA’s rebroadcast was so clear that the sound of the airship’s engines was clearly audible, and it was possible to hear orders being given to the crew at the hangar. Members of the crew spoke, and Dr. Eickener, the commander of the airship, made a short speech, which was clearly received. 8YA’s reception of KDKA was conducted by means of a special shortwave receiver designed and built by

the Broadcasting Company’s chief engineer, Mr. J. M. Bingham. The set is somewhat more ambitious than the average short-wave model in so far as it eonsists of a completely shielded short-wave super heterodyne receiver using UX222 valves in the intermediate stages. The whole transmission reflected great credit on 3YA and was unquestionably one of the finest rebroadeasts ever conducted in New Zealand. The Christchurch station closed down at 12.89 a.m. on Friday morning after concluding this extremely interesting and successful rebroadcast, which has received the highest praise on all sides,