AMATEUR RADIO

Evening Star, Issue 20317, 28 October 1929, Page 2

AMATEUR RADIO

CONCESSIONS TO TRANSMITTERS LICENSE FEES REDUCED [Special to the ‘ Star.’] CHRISTCHURCH, October 26. Amateur radio transmitters will in future bo given much more freedom than they have had in the past, according to a letter received by Mr Howard, M.P., from the Hon. J. B; Donald (Postmaster-General). Their license fee will be lowered j and restrictions on the class of message they may transmit will bo lifted. Amateur radio enthusiasts have been agitating for the removal of these restrictions for years. The Postmaster - General’s letter reads:—“Relative to the question of the removal of certain restrictions, etc., in respect of .amateur radio transmitters, I beg to inform you that, after careful consideration, 1 have decided to seek the necessary authority to reduce the present fee from £2 2s to £1 10s per annum from April I next. With regard to the character of the messages permitted to be exchanged by amateurs, I am desirous of interpreting the in-. ternationaL regulations in the most liberal manner consistent with the observance of their spirit. In future communications relating to experimental transmissions may be exchanged by amateurs, and may also bo transmitted by them for third and fourth parties. Further, communications of. a personal character may _bo exchanged between amateurs, provided they are intended for the amateur transmitters themselves, for their parents, wives, brothers, or sisters, or for their children. It is considered that no further concessions are practicable without the possibility of bringing the Government into conflict with other Administrations for flagrant disregard of the international regulations. It is hoped that amateur organisations will assist my department in preventing any abuse of the privileges extended to them. It isdesirable to mention also that detoc tion by my officers of. irregular coni mumcations will inevitably lead to cancellation of the license of the offending transmitter.

“ Referring to the representations that amateurs bo permitted to develop and operate light-weight portable transmitting and receiving stations the use of portable transmitting and receiving stations is already provided for in the amateur radio regulations, 1925 (regulation 9, sub-scctions 5 and 6), and 1 am not aware of any restrictions that are being placed 'upon theirlnse.”