STATION 3ZC.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20510, 1 April 1932, Page 8

STATION 3ZC.

REOPENING TOMORROW. A SUCCESSFUL- TEST. ' Listeners, who have missed the programmes from 3ZC, the B class radio broadcasting station, since tho service was discontinued some months ago, will welcome the announcement made by the New" Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association of Canterbury, Limited, who have taken over control of the station, that broadcasting will be resumed from the new studio in the' company's premises in Cashel street; The now service will Be started to-morrow, when a session lasting from 5.30 p.m. to 11 p.m. will be broadcasted. Tho programme for Saturday will include the formal opening at 7.30 p.m., and special announcements., A test carried out for an hour and a half on Thursday evening proved highly successful. Bepbrts received from all over } Canterbury testified to this. A change in location and in the technical arrangements of the station has resulted in much improved power and tone. A leaflet, issued by the company, giving full particulars of the change-over states:—"The great retail departmental stores of the world have kept abreast of the times by adding to the service they give their customers, that of wireless broadcasting. The directors of Tho Farmers' having therefore seized the opportunity of acquiring, the 3ZC Station equipment, and engaging the services of the station director, MjO.P. Woodhead, and the staff. A first-class service will be given, which will include the very important market reports on wool, stock, grain, etc., which the Association has at first-hand through its operations on these markets. The service'will bo increased and varied from time to time to meet clients' wishes." Modern System Used. The transmitting plant to be used is the new plant which for some months has been operating, in Tuam street, but in its new location at the Farmers' CoJ op. it will be entirely, operated from the ordinary electric mains no generators or other moving machinery being employed, this principle being in accordance with the most modern advance in broadcasting. Until recently only very low powered stations have been' operated in this way. The system to be used at 3ZC will be similar to that in use at 2YB New Plymouth and 2ZW Wellington, the company points out. The amplifier will contain a six-channel "mixer" which will permit simultaneous pickups from more than, one studio or from the studio and outside relay points. The power of the station will remain the same for the time being but it will be capable of being operated on 500 watts if required, the current supply available from the rectifying system being amplo to drive even 3YA. At the Farmers' Co-op. a sound-proof studio has been constructed similar to those in use at the YA stations and others throughout the world, but the whole outfit is housed on one floor so that visitors to the station will be able to see at a glance a complete broadcasting system in actual operation. The station will be under the direction of Mr C. F. Woodhead, whose capable direction has been responsible for great strides being made by the station doxfag tfas tost twslwß months^

Many Changes. In its four years of life 3ZC Radio Station has seen many changes. It first ■went on the air in December, 1927, with a power of 50 watts. Six months later a new transmitter was constructed with a power of 250 watts, the hours of transmission being simultaneously increased. The station now moved to the front rank, .giving good daylight reception beyond Wellington in the north and Dunedin in the south, and at nighttime good loud-speaker strength all over New Zealand. In September, 1931, the station director, Mr C. F. Woodhead, felt that the transmission could be improved still further. A new transmitter was kindly lent for the time being by the Radio Broadcasting Com- j pany of New Zealand. It was intended at the time to reconstruct the original | plant and convert it into a 500 watt station, but this idea was subsequently abandoned and the R.B.C.'s plant purchased instead. To-day 3ZC is recognised as the leading B station in New Zealand, the many features of its programmes making it very popular with both listeners and the radio trade. For four years it has filled 3YA's silent day, and many other gaps in the broadcasting service of the country. The hews, therefore, that the station has been saved for listeners by the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association, will be welcome. ■ The "Programmesr In the meantime, tho station will observe the following programmes:— Sunday. 10-11.30 a.m., musical items; 6.15-7.15 p.m.. dinner music; 8-10 p.m., concert session. Monday. 12-2 p.m., weather report and lunch hour music; 8-10 p.m., musical items. Tuesday. 10-11.30 a.m., musical items and fashion, domestic, etc., talks; 12-2 p.m., weather report and lunch hour music; 2.30-4 p.m., afternoon concert session; 5.30.-6.15 p.m. children's hour; 6.157.30 p.m., dinner music; 7.30-7.45 p.m., news items; 7.45-8 p.m.,. lecturettes; 810 p.m., concert session; 10.30 p.m., dance music. Wednesday. 10-11.30* a.m., musical items, recipes, and beauty parlour talk; 11.30-5.30 p.m., silent; 5.30-6.15 p.m., children's hour; 6.15-7.15 p.m., dinner music; 7.15-7.30 p.m., news items, etc.; 7.30-8 p.m., market reports; 8-10 p.m., concert session. Thursday. 10-11.30 a.m., musical items; 12-2 p.m., weather report and lunch-hour music; 6.15-7' p.m., dinner music; 7-7.15 p.m., news items, etc.; 8-10 p.m., concert session. Friday. 12-2 p.m.: Weather report and lunch hour music; silent evening. Saturday. 5.30-6.15 p.m., children's session; 6.156.45 p.m., sports results, news items, weather forecast; 6.45-7.30 p.m., musical items; 7.30 p.m., topical talk; 8-9.30 p.m., evening concert session; 9.30 p.m., bridge talk; 9.50-11 p.m., dance programme.