WIRELESS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 23 December 1933, Page 12

WIRELESS

THE NEW 3YA EXPECTATIONS NOT FULFILLED NELSON STILL ISOLATED Much lias been’ said and much more written in praise of the new 3YA at Christchurch.- Ironically, many of the southern papers have led their readers to believe that the new station is giving Nelson listeners a really magnificent service. Unfortunately that is by no means the case.

The new station lias now been ofliciallv operating for more than a week, which has given an opportunity for listeners to hear it under different atmospheric conditions. The result so far has definitely been unsatisfactory considering the. power of the station. Tonal quality is splendid, but the fading and distortion, though not so severe as in the case of 2YA, is nevertheless most annoying to listeners, and as these were the defects which the Broadcasting Board assured Nelson listeners would be overcome, it is felt that it is a case of, “as you were.” POOR RECEPTION ON OPENING NIGHT

The night on which 3YA opened could be termed a typical night for reception in Nelson. /There was a fair element of static, sufficient at times to completely obliterate all trace of speech, though in fairness to the station, the volume of the speech all through has been considerably below thajt of music. This is no doubt a technical defect and will be remedied. Prior to the official opening, the old ;SYA was coming in at quite, good strength, and their final announcement was heard clearly. Those who had expected good reception from 3YA must have been sadly disappointed on its opening night, for nothing of the opening record could be hoard, and only an occasional word of the speeches by the Postmaster-General and Board members and officials could be discerned. 2YA STILL BEST STATION FOR NELSON

By comparison with 2YA the daylight reception of 3YA is at no time more than half strength, in fact, in the City itself it will not come above the general noise. At night the transmissions are of quite good strength, though not equal to 2YA, but are marred by the usual .fading and distortion." It Viiay.be mentioned that 3YA’s fading is of much longer duration than that of 2YA. 2YA is still the best station here.

The “Radio Record” recently made mention of the fact that (he Broadcasting Board was considerably pleased to have received letters and telegrams of congratulation' on the new 3YA from Nelson listeners who had happened to tuile in during the test transmissions. These transmissions certainly led one to expect great things, but it is indeed regrettable that so far the station is by no means a success so far as Nelson listeners are concerned. The heartening promise of'good reception given by the tests has unfortunately not been maintained.

ALTERNATIVE SERVICE NECESSARY ■'lt is certain, if conditions remain as they are, that strong representations will be made for an alternative service, and this viewpoint is widely shared. Nelson has not yet even an ordinary service from the YA stations, and it is -Imped that the Board will before long realise its responsibilities in this direction. Nelson was clearly given to understand that, the question of a subsidy for the local station 2ZK depended upon the success of 3YA which, it was claimed, would definitely serve this district. 3YA has had a fair trial under varying conditions, and as it seems certain that Christchurch cannot serve 'Nelson it is hoped that the Broadcasting Board will take the long view of this matter, and ascertain for itself the real facts of radio reception in Nelson.