How 2YA Reaches Out

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 41, 24 April 1930, Unnumbered Page

How 2YA Reaches Out

Appreciative Letters from America

HEAVY American mail, the first since the two-way conversation between Rear-Admiral Byrd at Dunedin and his friends in New York, has recently come to hand. The correspondence comes from all parts of the vast Continent. There are numerous letters from Alaska, while New York, Maine, -Massachussets, and Virginia are also -well represented. Many listeners seem to have preferred listening in direct to 2ME or to 2YA rather than to the local rebroadcast. A listener at Nampa, Idaho, heard 2YA direct. Others in New York and Illinois tuned in to 2ME. Postmarks show letters from Des Moines (Iowa), Greene (New York), Orange Co. (New York), Brooklyn (New York), Philadelphia, Boston (Massachussets), Oregan, Ohio, Illinois, Washington, Tucson City (Arizona), Connecticut, New York City, and several places in Alaska. The Pacific Coast of both Canada and U.S.A. also heard. A letter comes from Manitoba, but it was an ordinary programme, not the Byrd broadcast that was heard. Numerous letters report having listened-in during the broadcast of the Eltham Band contest. One heard Sir William Carnecross speaking. Another concluded his letter with: "Then the band played what we call ‘America, but I think you ecall ‘God Save the Queen.’" The Arizona correspondent said 2YA came in with the volume and clearness of high-powered stations not -more than 500 to 1000 miles distant. It is reported that at Valdez, in Alaska, they get 2YA every night as ' loudly as stations in the States. The writer adds: "We enjoy the programmes fine, and appreciate your efforts to entertain the world very much." The Alaska Glacier Tours Association, operating by airplane, launch, and pack train, whose letter also announces a Big Game Hunting Department for moose, sheep, caribou, grizzly and brown bear, writes:-

‘";Just have to write to you a few lines to compliment you on your very good programmes. We have been getting them regular up her at Lakeview, Alaska. And believe me we \- think they are great. We do not receive your programmes until about 11 p.m., but it is worth while to stay up and wait for them." A correspondent at Cordova (Alaska) forwards: two interesting postecards. One is a picture of a man collecting "ice worms." The worms are plainly seen crawling over the chunks of ice while he is picking them up and putting them in a tin. There is no explanation as to what the worms are being collected for. Judging by the frozen nature of everything there is little opportunity for fishing! The other posteard gives a midnight view of the main street of Cordova. Save that the street lamps are lighted (unnecessarily) there is little to suggest that the hour is late. There are motor-cars in the street. Cordova has its "night life’ in summer time, when the days are 24 hours long! Here is a remark from an Iaho correspondent’s letter: "Just befox@ the power was turned off a few notes of our dear old National Hymn ‘America’ was played, and thanks a lot for that, old dears. That is the spirit, and I would do as much for you if it was in my power." Reporting on the reception of 2Y¥A, an Illinois correspondent says: "The clock on a schoo] near here was striking five at the same time yours was striking eleven, and they were exactly alike in volume and rhythm. You followed immediately with an announcement of the Byrd short-wave broadéast, which was picked up here by over 40 stations. It; eame through very well. The direot conversation between Schenectady an Dunedin was a thriller. I have received you with everything from the old five-tube battery set to my present Victor. You are always welcome in my home." --