EMPIRE SHORT WAVE BROADCASTING SYSTEM.

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 15, 24 October 1930, Page 4

EMPIRE SHORT WAVE BROADCASTING SYSTEM.

QN another page we give an authoritative article on the question of the establishment of a short wave station in Britain capable of affording an Empire service. This subject was briefly discussed last week at the Imperial Conference, where a pessimistic note was struck. It was represented that the technical and financial difficulties confronting the proposal were insuperable and that it was not possible to face the issue. The contributor of our article, who is a technician of high starfdard, analyses the problem presented from the technical standpoint; and potently enough concludes by reference to the degree of efficiency achieved by the famous PCJ station in Holland. The case of that station goes far to discount the technical problems raised. It is pointed out that a 24-hour service for transmission is nol necessary, as due consideration would necessarily have to be given to the hours at which reception was normally feasible in the different portions of the Empire. It is concluded that three major areas could be served by effective beam transmission; that these transmissions at ' suitable hours could in many instances be picked up by short wave receiving sets and duly rebroadcast through existing stations on popular wavelengths. For a definite period such rebroadcasts of overseas stations have been effected. On outstanding occasions YA stations have picked up important transmissions from 5SW, Britain, American stations, and even Dutch stations, and effectively relayed them to listeners. Mr. Harris recorded, as a result of his recent visit to America, that the interchange of programmes between Britain and America was now regularly feasible through increased efficiency of reception. By the use of the same system of antennae, it will in due course, we anticipate, be possible for New Zealand and other portions of the overseas Empire to achieve similar results. Certainly considerations of cost must be kept in view, but having regard to the importance of the service, it is to be hoped that this difficulty will not be unduly exaggerated. JT is known that Britain has financial interests in the ordinary commercial beam telephone system operating in portions of the Empire. Her interests in existing cables are also immense. These factors, it

is almost to be feared, may have a more important bearing upon the attitude of the installation of a short wave transmitting station for. popular service, than the technical and financial problems of af so much is made. ‘The: functions of the service, however, different. | Due protection must be accorded to existing cable and beam systems, ‘but the installation of a central short wave broadcasting system would be a gesture of such wonderful import that it is to be hoped something practical will evolve from the Imperial Conference,