Amateur Transmission in New Zealand

ONE has to look back only some seven or eight years to the time when radio, as we know it, was just beginning to make its presence felt in this country. Prior to that time the only radio purpose served by the accommodating ether in these parts was to conduct the coarse Telefunken spark signals from the Government stations in communication with shipping and the nearer Pacific Islands. The year 1921 saw a considerable number of radio experimenters in possession of provisional permits for reception, which were the first licenses issued since the war. The lure of broadcast music was not responsible for attracting those listeners, broadcasting even in the older countries was yet to reach the regular programme stage, and there were no immediate prospects of conducting two-way communications. Reception of commercial telegraph signals was the main object, traffic among ships and between overseas long-wave high-power stations being the usual fare. It says much for the keenness of these amateurs, for amateurs they were in the true sense of the word, to recall their consistent ardour, which seemed to be increased rather than retarded by the limited scope of their activities. Proficiency in operating was, of course, pre-requisite, and was at that time much more difficult to attain than at present, the opportunities for practice then being very poor. In general, the reception obtained was excellent and the results were sufficient to demonstrate that compared with many countries. New Zealand enjoys very good conditions for radio reception. As far back as the latter part of 1921, telephony experiments were made in New Zealand, and it is interesting to note that experimental broadcasting was in that year

receiving, during these early years, without doubt developed the proficiency in receiving which later was to find for New Zealand amateurs a niche in the radio hall of fame.

1923 saw the above-mentioned provisional licenses replaced with regular ones, and a number of amateurs licensed for transmissions with call letters allotted. It is interesting to recall the recipients of the first calls in each district. They were: - 1AA, C. N. Edwards, Auckland; 2AA, J. Bingham, Levin; 3AA, R. J. Orbell, Christchurch: and 4AA, F. D, Bell, Palmerston South. One of the first, if not the first amateur station operating in accordance with these new regulations was 2AB, D. Wilkinson, of Motueka. It speaks volumes for the fascination of amateur transmission to state that Mr. Wilkinson is still an enthusiastic transmitter and retains for his hobby the zeal usually associated with the beginner. Communication among amateurs all over New Zealand was by now a commonplace. Australia, too, was frequently communicated with, some excellent low power work being recorded. Notable in this connection was the performance of 4AA in receiving 2DS Sydney, the latter transmitting with a power of less than one watt. At the end of 1923 there were about twenty active amateur transmitters in New Zealand. As the numbers increased, the scope for activities naturally increased. Broadcasting, which up to this time had been more or less a side line with the amateurs, was relinquished by them and became associated with commercial interests by whom it has since been retained.

A new era in amateur ambition dawned without realisation that international work was a possibility. Throughout 1923 signals from American amateur stations continued to be logged in New Zealand. This was on wavelengths round about 200 metres and was excellent work, despite the fact that many of the stations used powers up to several kilowatts input. It was readily recognised throughout the amateur world that reception by Now Zealand amateurs was second to none; in fact reference to the October

to gain this goal. September, 1924, held great interest for New Zealand amateurs owing to an experiment of considerable magnitude conducted by Mr. Orbell, 3AA of Christchurch, who during a trip to England via Cape Horn, operated an amateur station aboard the S.S. Port Curtis. The venture was a great success and completely demonstrated the superiority of wavelengths below 120 metres for long distance work. Contact with New Zealand stations was held right into the Atlantic Ocean and the results lent favour to the idea that amateur radio could hope to link the antipodes. For this experiment several New Zealand stations were tuned up to a very high state efficiency, which no doubt accounts for their further successes. On September 17th, Mr. Slade of 4AG was the proud recipient of a report of his signals all the way from England. Following these, greater efforts at two-way work were made, and on the next day, September 18th 1924, Mr. Bell, 4AA worked 2SZ London. Other stations followed, Mr. Shiel. 4AK of Dunedin, incidentally established the world's record for long distance communication by working a station in France situated only a few miles from his antipodes. While in England Mr. Orbell visited amateur stations which were in communication with New Zealand. This was most appropriate, as the achievement of communication between England and New Zealand had been greatly hastened by his work on the Port Curtis. The long distance work above referred to was by far the greatest distances ever linked by radio. It was sufficient to identify New Zealand amateurs as among the most successful in the world. Those events mark 1924 as the outstanding year in all the history of international amateur radio. During 1925, Following local regulations, large numbers of American amateurs started transmitting on the wavelengths of 40 and 20 metres, in addition to the already popular band near 80 metres. The large numbers of American stations and the keenness of the operators have always provided an attractive target for amateur transmitters of other countries, which accounts

to the American amateurs for their example of initiative and progress in radio matters. It may not be out of place here to reaffirm the regard of New Zealand amateurs for the great American Radio Relay League whose efficiency and singleness of purpose continue to inspire our respect and admiration and whose excellent organ "QST" sets a standard for amateur endeavour the world over.

At this juncture it is opportune to review the growth of an organisation for the advancement and protection of amateur radio interests in New Zealand. It was early recognised that an association devoted to the transmitting amateur would be a decided acquisition, and about 1921 Mr. Strong of 4AG endeavour to arouse interest throughout the country with the object of forming an association. Despite persistent efforts success was not forthcoming and the project was abandoned. The next effort in this direction was taken in Auckland in 1926. A meeting of Auckland amateurs decided to take the initiative and form an association. Previous enquiry in other districts showed that amateurs throughout the country would welcome action by somebody, and the Auckland meeting decided to form an association, The New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters, to represent the amateur fraternity of the whole of New Zealand. A provisional constitution was drawn up, and applications for membership invited. The constitution was later confirmed, one of the clauses providing for the annual election of association headquarters by ballot. For three years Auckland has been the headquarters, but possibly another centre will shortly assume the responsibility and distinction of directing the activities of the N.Z.A.R.T. The action of the Auckland amateurs in forming a national association was the subject of some criticism at first, but time has justified their action, and it is very doubtful if the present representative organisation could have grown so quickly without bold action at the start. The Association is now firmly established and is truly representative of amateur interests in

The one outstanding accomplishment of 1928 was the exploitation of wavelengths near ten metres for amateur communication. Although not at present in use for general work, the fact that international work is possible on ten metres was satisfactorily proved. The first successful two-way work with an overseas station was with an Australian amateur, and was performed on September 23rd by Mr. Arthur, 1AN. This was very gratifying to the large number of Australian transmitters experimenting at that time, particularly those in Victoria, who were most persistent. At about the same time signals from American amateurs stations on that wave were first logged here.

On January 1st, 1929 the provisions of the Washington Radiotelegraphic Convention 1927, came into force bringing with them considerable restrictions on amateur operation. The principal effect was the alteration in operating wavelengths, and the narrowness of the bands allowed for amateur use. Previous to the operation of the new regulations amateurs all over the world realised the desirability of improving the character emitted signals to prevent excessive interference under the new conditions, and the American Relay League instituted a campaign for the improvement of amateur station design. This was largely followed in New Zealand, the result being a decided improvement in the general character of signals transmitted. The narrow bands near 80, 40, and 20 metres are now in continuous use by various sections of the amateur fraternity.