"Southern Cross" Radio Reaches New Zealand

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 51, 4 July 1930, Page 7

"Southern Cross" Radio Reaches New Zealand

ik. R. LHESLID JONES, of + Lyall Bay, writes: Once again radio has played an #| important part in aviation, ‘and the whole world was appraised of the latest news # concerning the "Southern Cross" during the long ilight across the: Atlantic. ° When the transmission was first picked up, the wave-length was above W2XAF. The whirl of the propellers (or, to put it more correctly, the purr of the motors) of the "Southern Cross" were plainly heard at my house on short-wave Wednesday evening last. This noise (now familiar to listeners) was broken with the sending re CQ at intervals. The volume of the oise of the motors was about R6 to 7, as heard on my screened-grid receiver. There was a slight rise and fall in the volume, similar to that experienced previously . when Kingsford Smith was in flight. The time was between 6.45 p.m. and 7.15 pm. I held the "Southern Cross" signals for about 80 minutes. A message was picked up just before 7 p.m. the same evening saying that the latest news was to the effect that the giant monoplane was 55 miles east of Cape Race; that flames were round the propellers; the men were deaf; and being very drowsy found it hard to keep awake. At a later hour a message was picked up stating that the "Southern Cross" had landed at Harbour Grace at a time equal to 10 p.m. New Zealand timefor petrol supplies. I tried W2XAF, also G5SW, for further news next morning, but did not hear anything about the monoplane, as it was evi dently too soon, the "Southern Cross" not having arrived at that hour. It is strange, but London had had no later news at 7 p.m. Wednesday than had been received in Australia and New Zealand. Other messages were clearly heard from the "Southern Cross" at good volume. But, of course, "copyright" material. The wireless operator was sending at a fair and steady pace whenever I heard him. Strength would be roughly R7 on ’phones. Reception From the YA Stations. THE rebroadeasts carrie out by the YA stations were very successful -in fact, reception from the Auckland station was almost perfect. Though speech from the local was a little distorted at first, it soon cleared up considerably. A curious phenomenon was noticed in that fading in the transmis-

sion from the Auckland station appeared to be less in evidence than in that from 2YA. "7 DRY ‘nice morning here, beautiful sunshine," said the announcer from W2XAF (short-wave experimental station of the General Wliectric Company, New York) just . before 7 o'clock Saturday morning at Schenectady, New York (10.30 p.m. Saturday in New Zealand).

It was the occasion of a special talk by Major Kingsford Smith, the. worldfamed airman, to his parents and others in Australia. The whole of the National Broadcasting Company’s network of stations were linked together for the momentous occasion; and millions of listeners throughout the world heard the broadcast. Mr. Martin T. Rice, general manager of the General Electric Company’s Broadeasting Department, introduced Kingsford Smith to the huge unseen

audience, saying: "Over two months ago through the co-operation of VK2MBH, Sydney (the experimental station of Amalgamated Wireless Australasia, Ltd.), W2XAF was privileged to carry the voice of Commander Byrd. throughout America. To-day we have the pleasure of reciprocating by broadcasting the words of your hero Kingsford Smith. Smith is anxious to speak to his mother and father, and relatives in Australia." "Kingsford Smith travelled 150 miles from New York this morning to speak to you," said Mr, Rice. "He travelled in his five-year-old Fokker plane to New York; he is now sending his voice back to you over 9000 miles." Major Kingsford Smith first spoke to Mr. Ulm, his partner, greeting him with: "Hullo, that’s me, Charlie. I’m absolutely fine, old friend; everything wonderful; the old machine behaved itself as usual." Referring to the conditions for flying, Kingsford Smith continued: "It wasn’t too.good, Charlie. I think the old machine missed you, old chap." Replying to a query from Ulm, Smith said, "In about a month’s time, Charlie." In reply to another question as to how he was getting on in America, Kingsford Smith said, "Marvellous, Charlie, you can’t imagine what these New Yorkers do." The next person spoken to was Mrs. Kingsford Smith (the aviator’s

mother). Kingsford Smith remarked, "There are no more oceans left to fly. Anyway, I’ll have to give it up, I ought to be back about the middle of August. I'll manage it all. right, » It’s marvellous being able to hear you. It’s as clear as talking. on the local ’phone. I’m afraid I’ve caus ed a lot of consternation in our family, | Think what a lot of fun it is. Give my love to Dad." ‘ Greetings from Australia, IN reply to further. congratulations from Australia, Kingsford Smith said, "I’m glad you can’t see my blushes. Thanks awfully-thank you very much indeed.'’. . Hullo, Joe! How are you (speaking to another friend). I met more Callighans in Treland than anywhere. ‘Give my regards to all the bunch," said Smith. Replying to a query about his rep turn to Australia, Smith said, "About mid-August. The wedding bells shalt ring. Ivll be the last long flightdual control." Speaking to his mother again later, Kingsford Smith remarked, "I want to get back for the wedding. "I’m going to fly back from Hngland," he continued. "I can get home quicker than by paying my boat fare, . There’s an American lady ‘here would like to have a word with you." Miss Kate Bristoll then spoke to Mra Kingsford Smith, saying,. "I congratn late you on your son. I suppose every= one in Australia is doing that? . . You'll be anxious to see him agaim He’s evidently being idolised to death. He is the biggest lion that ever came over here. . . Are you going to keep him home?’ asked Miss Bristoll. "£ see. You’re not going to let him fy any more. I wish to congratulate you again. Good-bye, Mrs. Kingsford Smith."