BETTER BROADCASTING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 119, 20 April 1932, Page 2

BETTER BROADCASTING.

COVERAGE COMMISSION’S VISIT. On Monday Mr A. Gibbs, M.1.E.E., chief telegraph engineer, and Dr. M. A. F. Barnett, of the New Zealand Scientific Research Department, who are members of the Radio Coverage Commission, attended a meeting of listeners in the studio -of the Manawatu Radio Club to collect evidence of radio reception in this district. Mr W. A. Waters, president of the club, introduced the visitors, and invited Mr Gibbs to address the meeting on the scope of the commission. Mr Gibbs outlined the duties of the commission and the information they were seeking, especially such technical matters as signal strength, distortion, fading and reception of YA stations in daytime and at night. Mr Waters then read a prepared statement covering radio reception in Palmerston North and environs, setting out his observations on the subject over a period of years, which was further illustrated by coloured graphs and data. This statement was agreed to by those present and subsequent discussions of various observations regarding reception from the YA stations were unique in that all those present agreed with the statements made, showing that the opinions expressed had been well considered as reliable observations over a period of time. Dr. Barnett, who has earned out considerable research in England in the propagation of radio waves and the effect of the Heaviside layer theory, asked a number of pertinent questions regarding special points of the fading and distortion of various stations, were all satisfactorily answered by those present. At the conclusion of the meeting Mr Gibbs thanked those. present for the information given, remarking that some of it was new and original and would prove valuable to the commission in their deliberations. On Monday the commission also visited Paekakanki, Otaki, Levin, Shannon and Foxton collecting data from deputations and observant listeners. Yesterday they proceeded to Feilding Marton, Hunterville and Taihape, and will continue collecting data up the coast to New Plymouth and thence to Auckland.