RADIO RECEPTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 November 1944, Page 3

RADIO RECEPTION

WEST COAST COMPLAINT Unsatisfactory radio transmission' on the West Coast received a further airing at a meeting of the Council of the Westland District Progress League, in Greymouth, last evening, when a communication transmitted by the Minister of Broadcasting (Mr. Jonhs) in reply to earlier representations was under discussion. The letter, which reiterated previous statements that the war situation prevented any improvements being effected at the present, met with a poor reception and it was decided to forward to the Minister a further- letter, setting out a statement drafted by the Communications Committee. Mr. Jones, in his latest communication, stated that the station under its present power .gave a good service in Greymouth, the lower portion of the Grey Valley and Hokitika. This area included the bulk of the populated portion of Westland. It. would be necessary to have a considerable increase in power before the more distant portions of the district would receive an appreciable improvement in (heir service.

Mr. Jones said the League’s statement about relative powers of 3ZR and other stations overlooked the imoortant fact that field strength was hot directly proportional to the power radiated, but to the square root of the radiated power. In the North Island an area of much greater popu’ation had no better service than did Westland. Any inability on the part of the Broadcasting Service to provide a better coverage for the West Coast had been due entirely to the difficulty □f obtaining necessary equipment, and this difficulty still obtained. Immediately circumstances were favourable the cases of all districts where coverage required improvement would be considered. The requirements of Westland were fully appreciated and would receive atten:ion as soon as possible. The Communications Committee, commenting on the letter, stated that ;t was not altogether true to state that the station gave a good service in the areas specified. In Greymouth reception was frequently distorted by distant stations on the same wave length; in the Grey Valley under best conditions good reception was not oossible beyond Stillwater, nine miles away. At Ngahere, Ahaura. Blackball, Ikamatua, Waiuta (always dead), and Reef ton (always dead) reception was very poor to dead. Reefton and Waiuta ‘listeners never bothered to tune in to 3ZR. Hokitika listeners were most dissatisfied and would willingly sign a petition. Reception wasindifferent to poor, and for the remainder of South Westland very poor to dead. It was noted that the Minister did not refute the claim that a stand-by transmitter would give the desirable increased power coverage. It was suggested that if he would make known the North Island areas of poor "eception their co-operation could be obtained in securing a remission ol fees. The huge profits disclosed were demanded in circumstances under which no private concern would be oermitted to operate. The fees should be commensurate with the service rendered. The Committee reiterated its opinion that the- Broadcasting Service could decidedly improve the service with the equipment available. It was decided also to advocate a Sunday morning and afternoon service from 3ZR. “I hesitate to say so. but the fact is I get better reception on shortwave from Germany than from Greymouth,” commented Mr. W. R. MilTier.