N.Z. Radio Enterprise

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 5, 15 August 1930, Page 27

N.Z. Radio Enterprise

A Visit to a Well-known Factory

ADIO.in New Zealand is taking a firm hold when we see local firms manufacturing radio receivers that can compare favourably with the im ported articles. Already several ‘of these factories are established and good business is reported. A. short time ago, at the invitation of Messrs. Wiseman and Sons, Auckland, we visited their factory in Albert Street and were agreeably surprised to see the completeness with which everything is "made in New Zealand." In the first place we were introduced to Mr. H. E. Parsons, the chief radio

engineer, who has evolved the Courier circuits and who now supervises their construction. We had an interesting chat with Mr. Parsons on the trend of radio, and then he told us a few facts about the Courier. The receiver had been given a dual range because it is considered that the short waves hold a great deal of interest for the average listener.‘ The broadcast band is subject to certain vagaries over a distance of a thousand miles, but the short waves are generally not successful until this distance is passed. That is the reason why the two ranges are combined in the Courier. Usually wave-changing entails plugging in several coils, but by

@ unique wave-changing switch either region could be had without the necessity of raising the lid of. the receiver. This has made the Couriers "boyproof." The original models were battery sets, but with the introduction of the A.C. receiver the Courier was brought into line, and now a new receiver, completely mains operated, is on the market. This has entailed considerable alterations to the size of the factory and: many additions have been made. The latets model is an A.C. console. It is of no little interest in passing to note that many of the features standardised by Messrs. Wiseman and Sons

have been adopted by overseas manu facturers. On looking round the factory it was interesting to notice the very large number of parts that are made in the factory. The imported article is kept down to a minimum. There is a large staff of experienced assistants, and everyone is busy at his own particular job. The Courier organisation has recently been strengthened by the entry of Mr. G. M. Bowles, who is well known to the trade, and whose experience in engineering and organisation will nc doubt greatly assist the production and sales campaign now being launched by Messrs. J. Wiseman and Sons, Ltd.