THE BYRD BROADCAST.

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 36, 21 March 1930, Page 4

THE BYRD BROADCAST.

BY the magnificent performance of enabling the whole of the . listeners in the Dominion, wherever they were situated, to listenin to the two-way telephonic conversation conducted between RearAdmiral Byrd in Dunedin and Mr. Adolph Ochs and a number of other prominent associates in New York, a remarkable service was rendered by the Radio Broadcasting Company. Not only was it possible for New Zealand listeners to share in this marvel, but a total of listeners that can only be computed by millions in the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe also had the pleasure of sharing In the marvellousness of the feat. A full account, which we give elsewhere, explains in detail the routine. of the technical procedure necessary for its accomplishment. The clarity of the results secured was a tribute to all who rendered technical assistance. These include the Post and Telegraph Department of the Dominion, to whose efforts in providing fault-free land-lines between 4YA and 2YA and other stations the highest praise must be given. That was the essential element of success. The staffs of the New Zealand stations were all on their mettle to make the event fully successful. To 2ME, Sydney, the technical station of Amalgamated Wireless, Limited, the highest praise must also be given as an essential link in the chain of distribution. The delight experienced in New York by the success ‘of the conversation was manifest. No less so was the thrill afforded Admiral Byrd and his party in the studio in Dunedin in thus dramatically making telephonic contact with their friends in America, men with whom they were associated in the closest degree in their venture, and to whose backing and support the successful results secured were so. largely due. The event has made a definite impression upon the public mind in. New Zealand, and for several days after its occurrence was the one topic of conversation. The absolute marvel of it dominated all thoughts. With the speed of light the voice from Dunedin was carried direct to New York, and almost before the last word was uttered, reply came back. This accomplishment marks at once the tremendous advance made in the. technical field in the last. few years, and can be taken as an augury for even more out-

standing events in the future. Recently listeners were afforded the opportunity of hearing the opening: of the Naval Conference and @ the speeches attending thereupon. That was a remarkable event, but ' was not quite so dramatic or so outstandingly successful from the technical point of view as wag that just staged.