"Five Point" Amateur Conversations

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 41, 24 April 1930, Page 32

"Five Point" Amateur Conversations

Unique Telephony Stunt

Fve North Island amateur transmitters on the 80-metre band accomplished "five-point" telephony conversation last Wednesday night. The "hams" who took part in this unique test believe it is the first occasion that a "five-point" ‘conversation has taken place in amateur quarters in New Zealand, and I think they are right. That it is an art is proved by the fact that the transmitters were made by the owners and operators concerned-a fact that makes the. accomplishment all the more worthy. The stations concerned, with their owners’ names, are: ZL, 2BE Hastings (Mr. Jas. Mills) ; ZL 2AX, Palmerston North (Mr. Jas. V. Kyle); ZL 2AW, Wellington (Mr. Roy Clarke) ; ZL 2AB,

Otaki (Mr. D. Wilkinson); and ZL 2BY, Wanganui (Mr. C. T. Berry). Shortly after the New Zealand broadcast stations closed down a -three-cor-nered talk ‘was being engaged in by 2AX, 2AB and 2BY; and at the same hour another two "Hams," namely, ‘2BE and 2AW, were also having a friendly chat. / . AIt*was suggested by the trio that they should ‘bring in the other two, but the difficulty was for one-or other of the trio to hop on to one of the duo just at the right moment so as to attract his attention. Before long this was accomplished, and off set the quintet on a real radio excursion; the "chaff" from a certain listener -about the "Fishing Village," and the wonderful city of the Hawke’s Bay plains, plus many more humorous references to each other’s city or village, created sufficient discussion between the "five" that there was plenty of good-humoured "dough. boys’ to throw at each ether for two hours. One suggested a "wet" Otaki, but was corrected to the extent that Otaki is a "dry" area, much to the amusement of the others. The forthcoming "ham" conference in Wellington will be attended by several of these gentlemen, and, coming just prior to same, the contest on Wednesday night will prove interesting indeed. So far as transmission goes, without in any way separating the five enthusiastic "hams," it might be said that 2BE, Hastings, was received best in Wellington, excepting. of course, 2A W, who lives here. _ Then followed fairly close 2AX, Palmerston North, the latter’s transmission being excellent and much above his usual standard owing probably to his using a generator. 2BE. of course, is_usually perfect, as was the case Wednesday last. , The other up-country "hams," 2AB and 2BY, were both good. No. doubt listeners who heard the fine performance will agree that that two hours’ "stunt"..was worth the 380/- license fee. Four-cornered communication _ between "hams" has been heard previously, but I believe this is the first time a five-point "chat" has been put over in New Zealand, and possibly in Australia and New Zealand. It was certainly unique and proves that here in New Zealand those following the most delightful, entertaining, and not a little difficult art of amateur transmitting have done much toward the entertainment of listeners, One thing missing from the stage effects was 2BE’s pet dog "Spot," which plays an important part each week, Well done, the "Big Five"; let’s have some more of it, and next time some music as well, . I predict before long a seven-cor-nered contest. What about it? ZL 2AX, Palmerston North. was last sien.

ing off at 12.99 am.

R. Leslic

Jones

(Wellington).