Climbed Mast Of Hawke's Bay's Aerial

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 23, 18 November 1938, Page 3

Climbed Mast Of Hawke's Bay's Aerial

= ‘Record’s’ Hawke’s Bay Reporter.

NEW NBS station 2YH, Napier, is on the air, but at present merely for testing purposes. During the past week or so it has been heard on the air during its tests of the transmission, broadcasts being made from the station itself at Opapa. It will be a matter of only a few weeks before the station will be officially taking over the service now given by 2ZH, Napier. Though designed to give coverage over the central part of the East Coast of the North Island, 2YH will be powerful . enough to he heard practically anywhere in the Dominion. It will have the same power as that at Invercargill. Distinctly modern in every respect is the new transmitting station and the compact stucco buildings with tall, triangular latticed

Saal — — steel masts set amid open country with a background of green from the surrounding hills. Station has now become a familiar landmark to users of the Napier-Palmerston North main highway. "Record" reporter’s tour . of the transmitting station included a trip to view the property from ‘the top of one of the 290ft. high masts. Despite conveniently-placed hoops and a platform mid-way up the mast, the climb calls for strong arms and endurance, View is one that -can-be had from no other broadcast station

mast in the Southern Hemisphere, if not in the world, for the trans. mitting station is set in a vale and has hills completely surrounding it. This’ is quite contrary to the accepted principle of having the station on the top of hills or in open country. Important part of the station is the earthing. From a point directfy under the aerial, heavy copper wires-about nine miles of them, ln fact-are buried under the surface of the ground, the wires radiating outwdrds for a distance of about 100 yards. A studio is provided at the station itself, with two turntables available for the recorded programmes and a crystal microphone for announcing, Interior of the station is finished in effective tonings to blend with green, and there is plenty of light, for the building has many windows. Further building is the residence, tentatively called the "Old Men’s Home." It will be occupied by three men-all bachelors.