1YA's New Mast Gives Auckland A Big Landmark

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 19, 23 November 1934, Page 15

1YA's New Mast Gives Auckland A Big Landmark

(By

Our Auckland Correspondent

AE, 500 foot ‘steél mast to carry the aerial at the ‘new 1YA broadcast transmitting station at Henderson is now completed. During the past. week ,* or’so hundreds of people. have gone out to Henderson to ‘look over’ the ‘new’ building housing the trans mitting plant;-but ‘more particularly the building of tlie giant latticed mast which hasbeen erected by Ama! gamated ‘Wireless (Australasia) Limited. . It-wassthis difficult job which fascinated the matiy ~The nen working on the structure appeared as mere ‘insects ‘viewed from thé ground. It was a veritable ‘thrilf. to watch Mr. G. Ward, who is supervising the erection of the mast, riding on each triangular section as it was hoisted to the top to see that no damage was: done’ by. bumping’ the mast on the journey heavenwards, Before the sections are hoisted on the ingenious gear, made of Oregon pine spar, laminated and supported on the inside of the mast, a jib and a long wire rope passing down inside to a-winch, the pieces of mast. are fabricated.on the spot: in. 18ft. panels.. These. are hoisted up and bolted into place. Lie PS As each new section is completed, the pole and jib are. hoisted’ up another 18ft.- Then the cycle of operations: begins all over again., ‘As the-work proceeds, stays. are erected at ‘intervals. However, the last 50- ‘feet of mast were not stayed. The whole mast now rests upon a group. of. large porcelain insulators. | In order to provide a much needed rest for. the wor ake men;. inside the mast a-ladder with a platform is built. cat’ every’ 120 feet.’ Thé trip "up to the mast andidown. again is made by, the workmen in a "boatswaiin’ S: chair" : on the end of.a rope. As was previously, stated . ip. the "Radio Record," the aerial to be used will be of the’ "umbrella" type. This consists'of a-series of condiicters radiating. downwards fron the. mast-héad to, supports ; placed ata distance on the ground, With such an aerial a, stronger wave is transmitted than by the old type suspended between two high masts. So high is the mast that- it can easily be-s seen from Auckland, particularly from the North Shore and Kohimatama. Last ‘week Auckland lost.a high land mark when the useless sheerlegs at Devonport . ‘were dropped, but it has now gained a much higher one.