Editorial Notes

Radio Record, Volume VI, Issue 33, 24 February 1933, Page 4

Editorial Notes

Wellington, Friday, February 24, 1933.

‘ROTH listeners and the Broadcasting Board may be congratulated upon the installation and prospective early use of "2YA Auxiliary.’ The establishment of this standby plant was a _ recommendation of the Coverage Commission, whose report was presented in July of last year. Its purpose is to ensure stability of operation for the 2YA service, which, by its location at the seat of the Government and the capital of the country, is of prime importance to the Dominion. ‘The technical description of the plant, which is given in another column, shows that, although of only 200 watts aerial energy, the new equipment will have a potential coverage rathei greater than that of the 500-watt plants now operating at LYA, 3YA, and4YA._ This is a tribute to the advance. in technical efficiency made in late years, the various angles of which are fully brought out in our article. \[T is important to know that the provision of 2YA Auxiliary, while of importance in itself, does’ ot cover the full recommendations made in respect to 2YA. For this station to attain the ideal of efficient service sought by the Coverage Commission, and desired by the Broadcasting Board, it will be necessary to ultimately largely increase its power-to no less a strength than 50 kilowatts is the suggestion of the Coverage Commission. It is recognised, however, that that expansion must be an ideal of the future rather than a concern of the immediate present, and when that time comes, it is practically certain that it will be necessary to transfer the location of 2YA from its present commanding site on Mount Victoria to a point probably some distance from the city itself. It is found in practical field trials that the greatest efficiency in transmission and freedom from interference is secured by placing the transmitting plant some distance away from the centres of population sought to be served. Chis point is fully brought out in the report of the Coverage Commission, and it is only a matter of time before each of the transmitting stations are likely to be transferred from their present locations to points distant from the cities with which they are associated so as to

give fuller coverage efficiency to the whole of their respective areas. In the case of Wellington, when the time comes to lift 2YA into a fullpowered national station of the magnitude envisaged by the Coverage Commission, it will possibly be timely to also consider the question of a regional station, capable of giving a full alternative programme. THE actual operation of 2YA Auxiliary will be awaited with interest by listeners, especially as its regular operation, presumably with suitable gramophone music, between the hours of 7 p.m. and 8 p-m., will come as an additional] alternative to the news session now occupying that hour’ mainly for the benefit of country listeners. The Board may he congratulated upon the progress it has made in working

to the programme suggested by the Coverage Commission. Satisfactory advance, we believe, is being made in respect of certain other recommendations made, and listeners may feel assured that in spite of the difficulty of the times, steady progress is being made by the atthorities concerned in bringing the national service up to the standard generally desired from the transmitting point of view. Once the technical side is satisfactorily adjusted, the way will be open for concentration upon programine. improvement. The obvious first essential is that the means of trans-

mission be as perfect as possible; thereafter the fullest care can be devoted to the matter to be broadcast. * a b SPECIAL interest will be felt in educational circles in the news that, as from Monday, March 6, a regular series of educational broadcasts will be instituted from the Auckland Training College. Hitherto, when effort has been made to’ use broadcasting for the benefit of country schools, the teacher or instructor concerned has visited the station studio, and broadcast from there. To that practice there were definite limitations, particularly when the subject demanded illustration. Now the broadcast

will be of an actual lesson, given from classrooms in the Auckland Training College over a permanent relay line. This will enable the teacher to secure response from the students, or children in his class when that is desired and so enhance the instructional value of the lessons and the broadcasts. This experiment will be watched with close interest because it suggests definite possibilities for suitable development. A special committee of educational authorities has been enrolled to utilise to the fullest advantage the possibilities of broadcasting. If the Auckland experiment is success-ful-as we have no doubt it will b -it is likely that in due similar permanent facilities will be incorporated at other main centres.

The Week’s Sporting Broadcasts -- Saturday, February 25. 2Y.A: During the afternoon, relayed description of principal events at Wellington Provincial Athletie Championship Meeting. Menday, February 27.9 p.m.: All YA Stations-Resume of results in Fifth Cricket Test: England v. Australia. Friday, Mareh 3. 7.80 p.m.: 1YA-Sports talk by Gordon Hutter. Saturday, March 4.. 12 noon: 2yYA-Relay from Hutt Park of Wellington Trotting Club's Autumn Meeting. 2 p.m.: 8YA-Relayed description of Canterbury Amateur Athletic meeting at Lancaster Park. 4YA-Relay of Otago towing Association’s Annual Regatta. 10 pm.: All YA StationsSports summary.