TRANSMITTER ON RANGITOTO

Radio Record, Volume VII, Issue 15, 20 October 1933, Page 8

TRANSMITTER ON RANGITOTO

New Use for Auckland’s Famous: Sentinel Special to the Radio Record Auckland’s famous sentinel of the Hauraki Gulf, Rangitoto fsland, so often admired by tourists from overseas as they enter Auckland’s beautiful harbour, is shortly to be fitted with a radio transmission station in order that two-way communication may be established with the mainland. | For many years now Rangitoto Island has been absolutely isolated, and at odd {imes great trouble has been occasioned in getting an urgent message between the island and the shore. There are many permanent residents on the island, while, during the summer months, it is estimated that 500 persons live there. The need for some means of communication was instanced only this week when the police broadcast a special message summoning a resident to Auckland. That enterprising and energetic sinall band of amateur enthusiasts, the Radio Emergency Corps, have once again come to the fore by offering to establish a wireless transmitting station on Rangitoto Island. This offer was discussed at a meeting of the Rangitoto Island Domain Board on Wednesday night last. The Mayor of Devonport, Mr. Meikle, stated that he had conferred with the Radio Emereency Corps and the young men were quite enthusiastic concerning the project. The corps was willing to provide a complete portable transmitting and receiving set and also to supply operators during the summer months. The only cost to the Domain Board would be the amount necessary for the license to transmit. The caretaker of the island, Mr. Noble, happened to be an old telegraphist and arrangements were being made for him to act as resident operator of the set. Included in the Radio Emergency Corps re 10 fully qualified operators or telegraphists who are each capable of sending and receiving 20 words per minute, both ways. The corps already have two portable sets ready to be supplied to those who find the need for them. Quarterly tests are carried out by the members of this fine organisation from mountain tops and other difficult places, and the public and Government will find, should a disaster occur at any time, that the Radio Emergency Corps will be immediately prepared to carry on.