STUDY OF RADIO

Southland Times, Issue 22010, 9 May 1933, Page 8

STUDY OF RADIO

AMATEUR TRANSMITTERS. INTERESTING MEETING. A good attendance of radio enthusiasts ' was present at a demonstration meeting held in Everybody’s last night. The president (Mr F. Rose) opened the proceedings by explaining the purpose of the meeting, namely, a study of radio transmitting by amateurs. Various sets were explained, their working and cheapness of construction.

The main purpose of the meeting was to show how to get into the “ham” (amateur) game. A small transmitter was in operation during the evening, and this was worked between Station ZL4AD and the hall, both on ’phone and telegraph. The chairman invited members to join up, and said that if sufficient persons were interested a special Morse session for intending members would be given and also any help, both on the constructional and the technical side, would be provided. The main feature of the evening was the inter-working between stations. As very few of those present were conversant with Morse, some telephone work was carried out, the opportunity of speaking over the air via the microphone being given. An amusing part of the evening was to hear “mike-shy” people having their first say over the air. The chairman said that the local branch was formed about twelve months ago and as there were no doubt potential amateurs among those present it was hoped that they would avail themselves of the opportunity of joining up. If so the meeting would have been of some use in bringing those interested in contact with that side of radio. There was a local branch of the Radio Emergency Corps in Invercargill. This body was formed for the purpose of going out in any case of emergency. As a case in point, he mentioned that when the lost trampers on the Tararuas were being searched for, the Radio Emergency Corps kept the outposts ,in close touch with headquarters. Although it was not generally known, this body had provided its own equipment out of its own pocket and during the days while the trampers were lost its time also ,was given uncomplainingly.