Cook Strait Swim

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 27, 16 January 1931, Page 5

Cook Strait Swim

Radio on Accompanying Launch HEN Miss Mercedes Gleitze, the celebrated Wnglish long-distance Swimmer, sets out early next month on ‘an attempt to swim across Cook Strait, radio-set owners in New Zealand, and in Wellington particularly, will have an opportunity of following her progress. Arrangements have been completed with Miss Gleitze, Mr. J. Tait, whose ‘Yiaunch will accompany the swimmer, ‘nd station 2YA by Messrs. Green and ixon, two Wellington radio enthusiasts, who for several years have had considerable experience in amateur transmitting. Their calls signs, ZL2GR and ZL2BO respectively, have at various times been heard in all quarters of the globe. The apparatus which they intend employing is a portable short-wave telephonic transmitter using the Heising system of modulation. The wavelength will be about 80 metres. Power ‘will be supplied from heavy-duty dry batteries. The set will be sheltered from the weather in a cabin in the bow of the boat, and the microphone will be so arranged as to be able to be earried about within a radius of six or seven feet. For some time the transmitter has been on test and has given every satisfaction, having been heard all over New Zealand. During the trip across the strait the apparatus will be working all the time, and at intervals the messages will be broadcast from 2YA. For reception purposes an ordinary broadcast set will also be carried. Another mast will be temporarily erected on the faunch to support an aerial.