Channel 3 To Set N.Z. Transmission Record

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30168, 27 June 1963, Page 12

Channel 3 To Set N.Z. Transmission Record

Direct telecasts of two outside events on one day will be transmitted for the first time in New Zealand by Channel 3 on Saturday. July 6 An indoor basketball contest at Cowles Stadium in the afternoon and the Canterbury ballroom dancing championships at the Caledonian Hall in the evening will be telecast. Because of the technical difficulties of setting up the complex apparatus required, no more than one outside direct telecast a day has been attempted before in New Zealand. Overseas, duplication of equipment avoids this problem. About £75-000 of mobile equipment, and a team of about 30. technicians including studio staff, will be involved m this venture, which has taken five weeks to plan Six hours will be the minimum time required to establish mobile equipment at the Caledonian Hall. The microwave link equipment takes about three hours to warm up to optimum performance.- and at least two hours is generally needed to set up this gear and make adjustments No extra lighting is needed at Cowles Stadium, and as Channel 3 has worked in the stadium before operations there are expected to be un-

Persons were swimming at Shag Rock, with an ebb tide flowing out at eight to 10 knots early this year, said a report from the Sumner Surf Club at a meeting of the Canterbury Surf Association last evening. The notice warning of the danger of swimming in that area was destroyed by vandals, the report said.

complicated. Preparation will begin about 8 a.m. for the telecast of the game at 2.30 p.m From this point the project depends on a high degree of efficiency for about two hours will be needed to dismantle gear and get it to the Caledonian Hall. As the microwaves of television broadcasts have to be beamed directly to Channels the blocking of the line of sight by buildings and prominences requires the use of intermediate receiving and transmitting “dishes," located within sight of the broadcasting unit and Channel 3 which deflect the microwaves to the Channel 3 antenna. Transfer of “Dishes"

A major problem on Saturday will be the transfer of the "dishes” from Mount Pleasant. where they will be operating for the telecast at Cowles Stadium, to the top of the McLean Building, which has been selected as the best point to deflect transmission from the Caledonian Hall.

Lighting will be needed at the hall, and during the day scaffolding will be erected and numerous lights, with a total output of 40 kilowatts, will be rigged. Much effort will be required from crews to get the "dishes” and their apparatus dismantled, moved, and reestablished on the McLean Building and to get the mobile control room With its cameras and associated gear packed, unpacked, and operating flawlessly in the time. Most of the rigging work will be completed at 7.30 pun. The telecast of the dancing will be at 10.39 p.m., and up to this time technicians will be busy making final tests and adjustments.