INSTALLATION OF NEW RADIO PLANT WAS COMMENCED TO-DAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17906, 23 July 1926, Page 4

INSTALLATION OF NEW RADIO PLANT WAS COMMENCED TO-DAY.

STATION WILL BE WORKING IN AUGUST. Behind the City Council Chambers in Manchester Street a busy scene was witnessed this morning when a gang of workmen began on the lay-out of the plant for the new Christchurch radio station. The work is being pushed ahead as fast as possible in order that the station may be in commission before the end of August. The long-awaited plant is on its way to Christchurch and will be installed immediately after its arrival. The plant will be followed by two steel towers, each 160 feet high, and when these are erected the station will be complete. Until these, arrive the aerial and masts used at the Dunedin Exhibition, which have been recommisi&oned will be put into temporary service on the site of the new plant.

it was on the erection of these that the men were working this morning, and this branch of the work will be completed during the week-end. A radio station, similar to the Christchurch station, is being built in Auckland. This station is nearing completion and should be putting programmes

“ on the air ” about the second week in August. It is anticipated that the Christchurch station will be opened about a fortnight later. The work is the outcome of an effort to put radio in New Zealand on a footing that will compare favourably with radio in other countries. A studio will be fitted out at Te Whare, in Hereford Street, where artists will be comfortably accommodated and where the work of broadcasting may be carried out on smooth-running principles. A fine building is being erected in Armagh Street. This will be the headquarters of the New Zealand Broadcasting Company. The foundation was put down nine or ten months ago and the building will be finished shortly. The new radio station will operate on a 400-420 metre, wavelength, and its ousput will be 500 watts. This will enable operators in Australia who pick up Christchurch to hear items clearly and distinctly. Operators with crystal sets should get good reception tip to a distance of fifteen miles from the station.