THE "HAM'S" CHANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 36, 12 February 1931, Page 23

THE "HAM'S" CHANCE

GREAT WORK AT NAPIER

Elsewhere in to-day's "Post" is a reference to the special arrangement by which "The Post" received some of its news from Napier after the earthquake by wireless, over a radio j lin kestablished by 2XP, operated by Mr. W, M. Dawson, technical engineer j of Philips Lamps (N.Z.), Ltd. Mr. | Dawson, in a few hours, made very complete preparations for a successful service, including securing the services of three expert assistants in Wellington to receive any messages he was able to send. Unfortunately, that bugbear of short wave transmitters, "skip," chose the critical occasion to produce its. worst effects. The 40 metre selected as the most suitable on this occasion proved practically useless for direct communication. 2XP was heard for a few seconds about noon on Wednesday, but no more could be got;, nor could the Wellington amateurs get message's to Mr. Dawson. Mr. Dawson, who had persisted in his disappointing task with the utmost patience, got into touch with two Christchureh amateurs, and of these ZL3AD (Mr. Banwell, of Linwood) cheerfully settled down to take a long stretch of "press." This duly reached "The Post" by Government telegraph line. : Unfortunately the radio service then went out, as the establishment of a telegraph line from Napier (though it was unable to take any but the most urgent official and private messages) seemed to reinstate the regulations. Mr. Dawson, still indefatigable, made another night drive to Wellington, acting this time as a personal carrier of copy. On the following day 40 metres was behaving well again, in a way that would have made that Wednesday effort a great success. Practically all over New Zealand amateur transmitters hopped, in to the breach and did-what they could to improve the communications with the earthquake area. .A particularly remarkable feat is that credited to Mr. J. E.Tyler (2GE), of Napier. Mr. Tyler rushed.from his wrecked business premises to his home, where he had a powerful transmitter, a portable transmitter, and a receiver. The power supply being cut off j he could only use the portable transmitter and he had to hasten to the town and find, among the burning shops, what batteries he could. He could find only three B batteries and an accumulator, but with these he set-to work, and was'able U> raise 2GK (Mr. S. Perkins), in Wellington. ■Mr. Perkins called up the Wellington ! Post Office, and 2GK was at once taken ! over a,s an official station and manned jby Mr. W. Ashbridge, of the P. and T. staff.' Mr.. Tyler and Mr. Ashbridge handled traffic rapidly, and while the service was continued'3oo messages passed. : , j One of the outstanding features of 2GB's work is the fact that the portable's power output with fresh batteries was only two watts. Aa the batteries ran down, the power, waned to a small fraction of a watt, but the signals were still maintained up to the time when a fresh supply could be obtained. ■ ; , .. , ■ ANY LESSONS? The experience of the past few weeks has suggested that it may be necessary for the Government to consider establishing at strategic points, powerful radio Btations, with engine-driven generators, suitable for transport by motor vehicle, in case of urgent need where the telegraphic system does not exist or breaks down at a critical time. Had such equipments been available last week they would havo been invaluable. Such portable stations could of course be specially.located so that they would be exceptionally safe from damage by fire or earthquake. . It might be considered that the cost of a number of portable radio stations would be unduly high in view of the small likelihood of their being needed. But this is only the familiar argument of the man who' sayS: insurance costs too much to be worth while. Had the main effort of last week's earthquake been exerted"" inland of Napier instead of to the oastward, the wrecked towns might have been 'without reliable communication with the rest of the country for a day or more, and the tragedy would have been enormously worse.