AMY JOHNSON'S FLIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20594, 19 June 1930, Page 3

AMY JOHNSON'S FLIGHT.

BROADCAST FROM THE AIR.

The thrill and excitement of 'Miss Amv Johnson's arrival in New Scnth Wales was shared to a large extent by the Australian Broadcasting Company, which sent an aeroplane with ilr. Norman Lvons as announcer, and Mr. b. A. Coirflle, hen. radio engineer of the Aero Club, to broadcast the description ci •' Johnnie's" arival 6000 ft, above the ground. . Air. Col villa installed in the Aero Quo Moth' DH9, a crystal controlled power amplifier cf 10 watts, which he had designed and constructed himselL The sower was supplied by dry batteries comorisias 4-00 volts high tension, _and S volts lew tension for filaments lighting. Preliminary tests proved that the crystal transmitter was most satisfactory, _ and the broadcast was picked up in North Queensland, inland Victoria," and South Australia, as well as furthermost New South Wales. This was a good record, as the crystal transmitter- was the first one used "in communications from an aeroplane to the ground by telephony, and reflected the greatest credit cn the engineer. Mr. Colville. The pleasure of givtns " Johnnie " her first aerial greeting fell to Mr. Norman Lyons, who picked yp the giant Fokker containing Miss Johnson as it ws.s flying over Manly. Excited at seeing the triDJe engined machine. Mr. Lyons had the pilot of the DH9 fly the machine alongside the one containing " Johnnie," and he waved the microphone at her. The recent broadcast of Miss Amy Johnsou's speech from 4QG, Brisbane, to the A class stations controlled by the Australian Broadcasting Company. 2FC and 2BL, Svdnev. and 3LO and cAR, Melbourne, "and" SCL, Adelaide, was one of the most successful relays since the inception of wireless broadcasting in Australia. Over 2000 miles of telephone lines were used to link up State with State, and credit is due to the transmission engineers of the Postmaster-General's Department who successfully carried out this relay. _ .

It was unfortunate that conditions were not favonrable for successful rebroadcasts by 11"A. Auckland, and 3YA, Christ church.