EMERGENCY RADIO

Southland Times, Issue 25310, 13 June 1935, Page 7

EMERGENCY RADIO

TEST THIS WEEK. SUCCESS OF THE SYSTEM. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, June 11. After the Hawkes Bay earthquake the authorities instituted a system of emergency radio whereby the main centres could be linked by means of small radio transmitters capable of operating at short notice on comparatively lower power. The recent heavy fall of snow in the South Island and the consequent disorganization of trade and communication have been the first real test of the system. It is therefore particularly interesting to learn that the postal officials are extremely satisfied with the way that the emergency system has risen to the occasion.

The biggest test, and indeed the only one, is that the emergency system has been able to handle the vital traffic in addition to keeping isolated areas in touch with the rest of New Zealand. Although some of the emergency transmitters are comparatively small dry-battery-operated installations, they are all linked in the emergency system with the main stations such as that on the Tinakori Hills and the station at Awarua. But for the fact that the emergency system was instituted, it is probable that all communication with areas in the South Island south of Dunsandel would have been ruptured. As it was there were no fewer than seven radio links with the areas damaged by snow and the gale. "The scheme has come out of the test with flying coldurs,” declared the chief engineer of the Post and Telegraph Department. There were, of course, he added, little difficulties that had to be adjusted concerning the change of wave-lengths and the like, to obtain best results. Perhaps this was the reason why it was found impossible to get in touch with the more southern newspapers on Monday evening to tell them to listen-in for information on the normal broadcast channels.

For the first time in the history of broadcasting in New Zealand, and according to radio broadcasting experts, for the first time in the world, a resume of the most important news was broadcast from 2YA on Monday to areas cut off by the snow. Radio broadcasting in America has come to the rescue on occasions, but it seems never has a resume of local and world’s news reached the newspapers in cutoff areas by this channel. The authorities state that the official emergency radio was not designed to cope wit) this type of service so much as io ge; essential messages through.