RADIO RECEPTION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 52, Issue 145, 31 March 1932, Page 3

RADIO RECEPTION

QUESTION OF COVERAGE. COMMISSION VISITS ASHBURTON. Questions regarding the reception of broadcasts from the New Zealand stations, .and the matter of coverage hy the YA and B class stations, were dealt with in the Ashburton Municipal Chambers yesterday afternoon, when the Broadcasting Board's Coverage Commission, comprising Mr A. Gibbs (Chief Telegraph Engineer, Wellington), and Dr. M. A. F. Barnett (of the Department of Scientific Research) met radio dealers and representatives of the local listeners. The Postmaster at Ashburton (Mr C. H. N. Clarkson) presided, and there were also present Messrs J. C. -Fairbairn. (Chief Telegraph Engineer in Canterbury), H. G. Kemp (EngineerSecretary to the Ashburton Power Board) and G. W. Welsh (Inspector to the Power Board). Mr Gibbs stated that the Broadcasting Board had a scheme for development in view and the Commission was making a tour of the country to get an idea of the respective conditions and secure information regarding reception to be placed before the Board. New Zealand was a peculiar, country for radio because it had all sorts of topography which affected reception conditions remarkably. . The Commission had. obtained some useful information, while in the south, but, of course, this needed to be supplemented. Naturally, they were most interested in regard to the reception from the YA stations. He stated that the New Zealand Board had a good working agreement with the Australian stations, but it had not a fund of £2,000,000 like the British Broadcasting Corporation, and could not be expected to work wonders. An informal discussion ensued, and it was pointed out that 3YA was perhaps Ashburton's worst station tor night reception, while it was good in the daytime. Reference was made to the large number of new stations that were be-, inc.- erected in Australia, and the opinion was expressed that if the power of, the New Zealand stations was not increased New Zealand would be off the .radio listeners' map. Mr Kemp said that if the power of the stations was strengthened there would not be many complaints. Mr Gibbs stated that the Government appreciated all the Power Board had done in Ashburton, but by looking at the map one would not expect Ashburton as bad as it appeared to be. Canterbury people were naturally interested ill the 3YA station because ot the market reports and local news items. He added that the power aitthorities were very reasonable and the latest household appliances were being fitted with filters to prevent interference with reception. He was confident that before long this matter would have to be taken up by the dealers, with, whom the Post and lele'graph Department would be willing to co-operate. The Department could not take the whole responsibility The Commission, which reached Ashburton about 4 o'clock, went north after the meeting. „