Duke of Gloucester's Wireless Set

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 25, 28 December 1934, Page 18

Duke of Gloucester's Wireless Set

Royal Visitor’s Own Set Installed at Government House, Auckland, in Time for Empire Christmas Broadcast-Listeners Delighted. by: Visiting Singers-Auckland Radio Inspectors

HD Duke of Gloucester carries with him his own radio set, which is installed for his pleasure wherever he stays for any length of time. It is understood that the set is a modern one, specially made for him. Prior to his arrival in Auckland this week the set was sent ahead and installed by a radio inspector at Government House, where his Royal Highness listened to his Majesty’s speech broadcast to the world from the Empire station at 3 a.m. on Boxing Day. Not a sittle trouble was experienced in adjusting the set-an a.c. one-to work in a d.ec. area, a converter having to be installed. T_ASTENERS who tuned in to the new 1YA station on the opening night last week greatly appreciated the excellent and varied entertainment which was presented. Madame Goos-sens-Viceroy and Mr. Raymond Beatty, the two vocalists specially engaged by the board to tour the Dominion national stations, were heard from a New Zealand station for the first time. The Australian basso-cantante is easily the best ‘bass singer ever heard on the air here, while the Belgian dramatic soprano excelled in many beautiful solos. These two artists appeared on three nights last week, while Paul Vinogradoff, the Russian pianist, a popular broadcast artist, was twice featured on the concert programmes. AUCKLAND radio’ inspectors have peen on the warpath again during the last few weeks, and shortly a large

batch of "pirates," who have already received their summonses, will have to advance their explanations to the police court magistrate. Most of the offenders are those who have not re-licensed their sets. HD relay on the air on Boxing Day when the special Empire Christmas Broadeast was" given will probably ,be the last occasion on which this line from the short wave P, and T. shack at Brown’s Bay will be used. It is proposed in future to utilise a short wave receiving station at the board’s property at Henderson. This area has been tested and found to be an excellent one for short wave reception. "We SHALL REMEMBER THEM," "1 special B.B.C. recorded feature commemorating the gallant war dead, which did not reach New Zealand in time to be presented on the Armstice

Day programmes, is to be heard from 1YA on Sunday next at 9.2 p.m, VW ERRYMAKERS on New Year’s Eve are to ge well catered for from 1YA. Irom 9 to 10 p.m. a recorded feature, "One Hour’s Musical Gossip,’ will be presented, and from 10 p.m. to 11.45 p.m. a programme of new and old time dance music is to be given, a master of ceremonies being present in the studio to direct proceedings, At 11.45 a relay will be carried out from the top of the Ferry Buildings, from which the announcer will give a description of the crowds in Queen Street, and at midnight the chimes of the ferry clock will be broadcast. The station goes of the air at 12.15.a.m. DURING his tour of the Dominiou the Post and Telegraph Depart: ’ ment is doing its best to provide the Duke of Gloucester with modern com munication facilities. It has even arranged for constant communication between the Royal train and any telcphone subscriber in New Zealand. This is being done by means of a wireless link between the train and the nearest telephone exchange. By this means, should he so desire, the Duke could speak to the Royal Family at Sandringham and’ convey Christmas greetings to them by radio telephone.., ME. E. C. HANDS made his first broadcast. last week from 1YA when he addressed listeners on the occasion of the unofficial opening of the new studios. He explained that his only reason for speaking over the air was to extend sincere thanks to all the many listeners who sent messages concerning the 10 kilowatt transmittes. Reports from all over the Dominion, and also from Australia, without exception were congratulatory and left no room for doubting that the coverage of the new transmitter exceeded all expectations. Mr. Hands is to remain in Auckland for a few weeks, being 4 particularly busy man supervising the work of completing and furnishing the new studios. With his wife and family, he is staying over at Stanley Bay, where he lived some years ago when stationed in Auckland. THE new 10 kilowatt transmitter was off the air for an hour shorty after midday on Wednesday of las: week, the trouble being caused by a condenser. Noticing that the power was falling rapidly, Mr. Cookson, chief engineer for Amalgamated Wireless (A/sia) Limited, who was on duty at Henderson, telephoned the station director in the city and warned him to have the old 1YA plant in readiness to take over. A hurried visit to the old transmitter in Newton was made, the officials discovering, to their dismay. that the contractor who is taking down one of the two. 100ft. masts had removed the aerial, so a rapid changeover was out of the question. However,

within a few minutes 1YX was put on the air and carried on until the new transmitter got going again. Such interruptions are only to be expected for a week or so, as listeners ‘appreciate that the new transmitter has not been. fully through its tests yet. yy order to celebrate the opening of 1YA on Monday o! st week, Mr. G. Robertson, manager .u New Zealand for Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Limited, which firm was responsible for the radio installation, entertained the staff of 1YA and also the

employees of A.W.A, Ltd. The funetion was held at the Grand Hotel immediately after the station closed down at 11 p.m. after the first- day’s broaceast: It was a happy party indeed and did not conclude until the "wee sma’ hours." A number of toasts werc honoured. Those present included Mr. WH. C. Hands, general manager of the Broadcasting Board, Mr. Cookson, chief installation engineer for A.W.A., and Mr. Ward, of Sydney, who built the 508ft. mast at Henderson.