From David’s Desk: Issue 21
11 July 2008
Apna 990AM Auckland: Four Years on the Airwaves
By JUSTIN LATIF – Western Leader
Morning radio jockey Shaiyaz Mohammed doesn’t mind getting up at 4.30am to do the job he loves.
The Apna 990 general manager hosts the radio station’s breakfast show and has been with the media company since its inception.
The station, which broadcasts on the frequency 990AM, celebrates its fourth birthday this month and Shaiyaz says it’s been an exciting time. > read more
© JUSTIN LATIF/Western Leader
Blue Skies FM: Central community radio goes off air
The Southland Times
Alexandra’s only independently owned radio station is going off air.
Blue Skies FM will have its final broadcast on Tuesday and become RadioWorks’ easy-listening radio station the Breeze from Wednesday. > read more
© JOANNE CARROLL/The Southland Times
One Christian Radio set to rock the airwaves
Taranaki Daily News
James Cope is bringing his faith to New Plymouth airwaves.
The Ohio native and the Taranaki Christian Media Trust began broadcasts from their One Christian Radio station in late August, but plan to get bigger.
> read more
© CAMERON BURNELL/Taranaki Daily News
Southside FM: From Chris’ Garage to the Airwaves
By IMOGEN NEALE – Manukau Courier
When Papatoetoe man Chris Bennett didn’t like what he heard on the radio he decided to do something about it.
But rather than just switching stations, he took things a few steps further – and started his own.
> read more
© SHANE WENZLICK/Manukau Courier
Hospital Radio Timaru
By BETHANY MARETT – The Timaru Herald
Hosptal Radio celebrated 20 years yesterday with the biggest crowd yet to its annual gathering.
About 135 people turned up to the Woodlands Rd Church Hall for the variety concert, which was put together by the station’s announcers.
DJ Allan Stewart kept the crowd entertained with quick-witted stories, and the final skit of the day, entitled `Snow White and the several dwarfs’, had everyone laughing in their seats. > read more
© NATASHA MARTIN/Timaru Herald
ZMAP Apia, Samoa – An Alan Roycroft Station
The Opportunity
As part of the preparations for civilian air service from Fiji to the Cook Islands shortly after World War II, the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) installed communications and radar services. I was involved with this work in Samoa, Tonga and Rarotonga, and, while in Apia, I decided to start up a radio station.
Although we had 5kW transmitters out at the Faleolo Airfield, we usually lost our telephone line to Apia because residents on the road to Apia had a more pressing need of wire to hold down their fale (local style house) roofs. > read more
© David Ricquish Collection, Radio Heritage Foundation
Long Lost Radio History Image
KHBC Hilo 1936
We recently ran a competition celebrating 50 years of Hawaiian statehood. Readers were asked a number of questions about KHBC Hilo as featuring in our Art of Radio Hawaii Exhibition.
One reader sent us this photo of the original KHBC transmitter which still lives in Hilo thanks to Buddy Gordon of the new KHBC AM 1060. > read more
Access Manawatu 999AM: 10 Years On Air
Manawatu Standard
Ten years on, and this radio station team hasn’t let anything get it down.
Supporters of community-run station Access Manawatu yesterday raised their glasses to a decade of bringing the “voice of the people” to Palmerston North.
In a speech at the festivities, station manager Fraser Greig said the station is a platform for the community voice to be heard. > read more
© SAM BAKER/Manawatu Standard.
Reef Radio Golden Oldies on Air
Central Leader
Eric Allen is using his love and knowledge of music to give back to his local community.
After becoming fed up with the lack of radio programmes for seniors, the 83-year-old Pt Chevalier resident decided to start his own station, Reef Radio, in 2006.
© JASON OXENHAM/Central Leader.
He now runs the station out of a small home studio 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 106.7FM. > read more
Howick Village Radio: Voice of the People
Eastern Courier
Eastern residents have a local voice thanks to the launch of a new radio station.
Howick Village Radio officially launched last week and promises a mix of local news, community group information, health and lifestyle features, and varied musical styles.
“We wanted something solely for the Howick community and locals to call their own, and hopefully we can make a success of the venture,” says station manager Michael Rowse. > read more
© FIONA GOODALL/Eastern Courier.
Long Lost Radio History Image
KCCN Hawaiian Radio
KCCN Honolulu 1420 AM was one of the most popular radio stations in the Hawaiian islands. It broadcast Hawaiian music and culture and has since moved to FM where its popularity continues. > read more
Long Lost Radio History Image
The Golden Umbrella
In the early 1980’s, several AM stations in northern NSW and SE Queensland [Australia] established a joint sales and marketing brand called ‘The Golden Umbrella’ > read more
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WVTF Hollandia 1944
An early view of the first headquarters for the AFRS Jungle Network in WWII. WVTF was located at Hollandia in the Dutch East Indies [now part of Indonesia]. > read more
4VL – Charleville “The Voice of the Far West”
Station 4VL is owned and controlled by the Charleville Broadcasting Co., Ltd., Alfred Street, Charleville. Studios and transmitter are situated at that address.
WE’RE AIR MINDED
© Broadcast Year Book and Radio Listeners’ Annual of Australia 1946-47.
Ray Crawford Collection, Radio Heritage Foundation
Since commencing operations on February 12, 1936, the policy of the station has been to maintain a position in the forefront in respect of studio presentation and programme technique and to maintain a balanced programme for Western listeners. > read more
Long Lost Radio History Image
Isareli Racule, FBC Suva
Isareli Racule was the first head of the Fiji section, Fiji Broadcasting Commission in 1954. > read more
Long Lost Radio History Image
Magnecorders, FBC Suva
Senior Technician Bill McMillan works a bank of Magnecorders in the main control room of the new Broadcasting House, Fiji Broadcasting Commission, Suva, Fiji in 1954. > read more
Whitford Broadcasting Network 6PM Perth, 6AM Northam, 6KG Kalgoorlie, 6GE Geraldton
DIRECTORS: Frank Whitford, Perth (Managing), Archer Whitford, Sydney.
SECRETARY: Dave Muir. SALES MANAGER: Jack Tozer.
[Note later name change to Consolidated Broadcasting System]
© Keith Robinson Collection, Radio Heritage Foundation
Office and Studios, St. George’s House, 115 St George’s Terrace, Perth. > read more
Hear the Lights 88.1 FM
Programmer’s lights flash to the music
The Press – 01.01.2009
Santa will have no trouble finding one Christchurch house this Christmas — 6000 lights flashing to synchronised music will see to that.
Software programmer Nathan Kennedy has upped the ante for Christmas lights with a hi-tech, drive-by display in Wetlands Grove, Bexley.
© DON SCOTT/The Press.
A neon sign tells you to tune your car radio to 88.1FM. > read more
Long Lost Radio History Image
Women Shopping Reporters
Women announcers were often found as ‘Shopping Reporters’ on the ‘women’s hour’ programs heard throughout the week on local New Zealand commercial stations in the late 1960’s, early 1970’s. > read more
Long Lost Radio History Image
3ZB 21st Anniversary
This photo of the 3ZB Christchurch [New Zealand] staff was taken for the 21st anniversary of the station… > read more
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Toohey’s Oatmeal Stout
Toohey’s Oatmeal Stout sponsored ‘Mrs ‘Arris and Mrs ‘Iggs’ an entertaining program from 2UW Sydney, Australia, > read more
2PK “The Voice of the Golden West”
Parkes Broadcasting Co. Pty. Ltd. is the licensee of 2PK, which came on the air on October 5th 1937.
This station which is a unit of the Macquarie Network, transmits upon a wavelength of 214 metres at a frequency of 1400 kilocycles with an aerial power of 200 watts. Hours: Mondays to Fridays 7.30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; 6 to 10 p.m.; Saturdays, 7.30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sundays, 8.45 a.m. to Noon; 6 to 10 p.m. > read more
Memories of 2UE Sydney
Author: Tom Crozier
Hi! My name is Tom Crozier, long retired from commercial radio in Australia but still interested in the business.
© Broadcasting, Cleve Costello Collection, Radio Heritage Foundation.
4AY “The Voice of the North”
C. D. McCARTHY, manager of 4AY Ayr, “The Voice of the North” exerts his influence from his town office, where his contacts make 4AY a busy station.
© Eric Shackle Collection, Radio Heritage Foundation
The 4AY studios are two miles from Ayr, in a spacious tree-studded estate in the richest area of the Burdekin River Delta, the heart of the Cane Fields. The building is large and well appointed. Plans are under way for a new, up-to-date studio and administrative block to be erected shortly in the town. > read more
Making Waves in Waipu
Teen making Waves
By: Brigid Lynch – The Northern Advocate – 17.06.2006
At the tender age of 19, Ashley Worthy has his own caravan, cat, flat and radio station. Not bad for a legless lad from Waipu.
Ashley is used to explaining his fused fingers, skin that looks like it’s been roasted, and skinny, bandaged limbs: “The glue that holds my skin on is missing”. > read more
Picture/Michael Cunningham
© The Northern Advocate
If You Want a Radio Station, Go For It – The Story of Radio Cindy 107.7 FM
By Ray Tombs
If You Want a Radio Station, Go for It
As a child I always fancied being on the radio, playing cool music and emulating the gun DJs, right through my life it’s always been a pipe dream, up until recently. With a 29 year marriage left behind me, a 62 year old solo guy can do what ever he wants if he has the money and motivation. My lovely new lady Cynthia has been an inspiration to me in getting my life on track and realising dreams. > read more
© Ray Tombs
India FM radio Abuzz with activity
The year gone by was a time when years of hard work and patience finally paid off for the radio industry in India. It was a year of intense competition, aggressive marketing and marginal creativity as private FM finally flowered in metros as well as tiny towns throughout the nation.
Even though advertising crept up only slowly, and the government continued to pussyfoot around the issue of allowing news and current affairs on private radio, the mood stayed upbeat throughout the radio industry. With phase II of FM opening up the industry for private players, there was no holding back. > read more
© Big 92.7 FM
Long Lost Radio History Image
Harry Millard, 2SM Sydney
Sports broadcaster Harry Millard smiles for the camera in this early photo from 2SM Sydney, Australia. > read more
Column: Wavescan
by Adrian Peterson
Balikpapan’s Oldest Continuous Radio Station
The Dutch authorities at The Hague in their homeland over in Europe began an interest in the usage of wireless very early. They established a Wireless Company in 1916, they installed two spark Morse Code stations on the Dogger Banks in 1917, they made their first wireless broadcast in 1920, they installed their first wireless stations in their East Indies in 1921, and they made the first wireless communication between Holland and their colonial enterprise in Java in 1923. > read more
© Eric Shackle Collection, Radio Heritage Foundation
Australian Radio Balikpapan
As soon as things settled down in Balikpapan, the Australian army personnel got themselves busy in the area of radio broadcasting. They began to make program broadcasts over the camp amplifier system under a pretend radio station callsign TBC, which had the probable meaning, “The Balikpapan Company”. > read more
Radio Balikpapan Kalimantan
Now, in assessing the available information, we would suggest that the Dutch colonial authorities took over both of the radio stations in Balikpapan from the Australian army… > read more
Column: Wavescan
by Adrian Peterson
American Radio Stations in Australia – 4QR
Here you’ll find a very interesting entry regarding the American usage of a radio broadcasting station in Australia. Now, it is a well known fact down under that the New Zealand Broadcasting Service made one of its mediumwave stations available to the American forces for much of the year 1944. This station that was on loan to the American forces as part of the Mosquito Network was 1ZM in Auckland with 1 kW on 1250 kHz. However, it is not so well known that the American forces were granted the usage of a mediumwave radio station on a part time basis in Australia also. This is how it happened. > read more
© John Dietrich Collection, courtesy Ruth Dietrich, Radio Heritage Foundation.
Long Lost Radio History Image
Radio Rhema Experiments
Over the Christmas – New Year period of 1976-77, Radio Rhema broadcast an experimental 10 day short-term AM program from Ferrymead Historic Park, Christchurch, New Zealand. > read more
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Windy Heroes of the Air
When Wellington, New Zealand, was battered by storms in December 1976, local Radio Windy 1080 AM provided superb coverage. They rented a Landrover to go to places emergency vehicles couldn’t reach. > read more
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3ZM New Year Rave 1977
3ZM 1400 AM in Christchurch, New Zealand promoted it’s all night New Year’s Eve Party for December 31 1976 with this cool ad in the local newspaper the day before… > read more
Women in Radio – More than a Soap Opera
Since the early days of radio, women have found a voice.
Sometimes as a broadcaster, sometimes as a technician, sometimes as listeners who wrote to radio stations, and more usually, as listeners lusted after by advertising agencies since the original soap operas went to air.
Originally, they also kept correspondence flowing as typists, secretaries, and filing clerks. Then they ran shopping shows, now they sometimes run radio stations, sometimes whole networks.
Some 75 years ago, KFI Los Angeles broadcast a popular show ‘This is the Richfield Reporter Speaking’ and Sam Hayes, the veteran reporter who provided the voice, was moved enough by a letter from a young female listener across the Pacific to send a personal note in reply.
© Radio Listeners Annual 1946-47, Ray Crawford Collection, Radio Heritage Foundation
© Hazel Edwards Collection, Radio Heritage Foundation
Women in Radio – More than a Soap Opera, a new series starting here.
2MG Mudgee “The Voice of the Tablelands”
Station 2MG, Mudgee, “The Voice of the Tablelands,” owned and operated by the Mudgee Broadcasting Company Pty. Limited, is situated a mile from the chief commercial town of a very rich inner-western district of New South Wales.
Recently affiliated with the Macquarie Broadcasting Network, 2MG provides thousands of listeners with a wealth of national programmes emanating from the Macquarie Key Stations, in addition to a well balanced programme of local interest designed especially for the area served. > read more
© Radio 2MG Mudgee
2BH Broken Hill “The Voice of the Western Darling”
2BH, “The Barrier Miner” Broadcasting Service is the only station giving coverage to Broken Hill and West Darling districts under all transmitting conditions.
Associated with 2BH is the Smilers’ Club with close to 3,000 members, mostly under 16 years of age. Artists are chosen from members and with locally and nationally sponsored quiz sessions and community singing, an enjoyable afternoon is spent at a local theatre weekly; one hour of the entertainment being broadcast from 2BH. > read more
2LT Lithgow: Macquarie’s Central Western Network Station
Radio Centre 2LT, controlled by Lithgow Broadcasters Pty. Ltd. and an offshoot of Western Newspapers Pty. Ltd. commenced entertaining its 26,000 town listeners on June 7th, 1938.
As Lithgow’s “Sunshine Station,” 2LT has won the confidence of listener and advertiser alike. The station maintains a strict policy of close co-operation between Station, advertiser and audience. Situated on the Great Western Highway, 2LT’s Transmitter is an important landmark for tourist traffic. Operating on a wavelength of 278 metres and a 1080 Kc frequency, the station is looking forward to the P.M.G.’s grant of 500 Watts to replace its 100 Watt aerial power of to-day. > read more
We’re named in World’s Top 5!!!
QSL detail from 1961
© Des Davey Collection Radio Heritage Foundation
US magazine ‘Popular Communications’ names the Radio Heritage Foundation as home to one of the World’s Top 5 Great QSL Collections in its April 2009 issue.
The cover article ‘Treasure Troves of Radio’s Past – Millions of QSL Cards Preserved in Only Five Locations’ says ‘RHF accepts into its archives all forms of radio memorabilia from the entire Asia-Pacific region, ensuring that many additional QSL collections, as well as other radio heritage items and audio collections can find a safe and permanent home there’.
There’s much more about our radio heritage activities there also.
Although we laugh about ‘snail mail’ today, it’s only because radio broadcasters bothered to design, print and mail ‘QSL cards’ confirming reception to listeners that we still have tangible reminders of thousands of long gone radio stations and personalities.
We’re eternally grateful they did. These cards, letters, and associated ephemera like photos, program guides, booklets, adverts, newspaper clippings, car stickers and much more form the core of our radio heritage work today. Thanks Mr Postman!
© Popular Communications
If you haven’t registered your own QSL collection with us, do it today by sending us an email with some details about yourself and your collection.
We’re honored to be recognized in this way and congratulate the other four collections on their inclusion. We already enjoy excellent relations with three of them, and, in fact, will be extending our own digitalization and cataloging program to include one of them once funding has been secured.
Dr Adrian Peterson, author of the article in ‘Popular Communications’ is also a board member of both the Radio Heritage Foundation and the National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters, USA.
The Mosquito Network
American Military Radio in the Solomon Islands During WWII
By Martin Hadlow © 2006
© AFRS, Brass Button Broadcasters, Radio Heritage Foundation
“The American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) provides Stateside radio and television programming, ‘a touch of home,’ to U.S. service men and women, DoD civilians, and their families serving outside the continental United States.”
(*AFRTS, 2004).
Part 1 – AFRS Guadalcanal
Part 2 – AFRS Radio City
Part 3 – AFRS Mosquito Bites
Pub Charity Joins Kiwi Radio Campaign
We’re delighted to welcome Pub Charity to the Kiwi Radio Campaign.
Their financial support helps us protect even more of New Zealand’s radio heritage and make it available on-line for free community access.
Kiwis have enjoyed listening to the radio as entertainment at their member hotels for many decades, and continue to do so today. Welcome aboard, and thanks for your generous support. > read more
Early Argentine Radio
Early Radio in Argentina, 1920-1944
Author: Robert Howard Claxton
A Review by David Ricquish
American history professor Robert Claxton has just released a thoughtful and informative book about early radio in Argentina, with a focus on the period 1920-1944. What soon becomes apparent on reading this book is that the story of early radio in Argentina shares much in common with a number of other countries… > read more
One of a series of dance leaflets produced for international listeners
© Cleve Costello Collection, Radio Heritage Foundation
Antarctic Radio Unfreezes
There’s competition along the Antarctic radio dial. Yes, McMurdo alone now boasts three FM stations, and the nearby New Zealand base has yet another.
Antarctica may be the least populated of the continents, but the number of radio stations on air is growing as scientific bases expand, the permanent population gets larger, and satellite delivery of programs from elsewhere becomes economic.
In this introduction to Antarctic Radio, let’s visit American, New Zealand, Australian, Argentine, Chilean and French bases with local radio stations… > read more
© Radio Heritage Foundation
Pacific Asian Log Update
Bruce Portzer has recently updated the online database and hard copy downloads for the MW version of the Pacific Asian Log.
The PAL is the definitive guide to AM broadcasters in this extensive region of the world.
Used by broadcasters, engineers, listeners, advertising agencies, government planners and many others, PAL is the only list of its kind based on widespread monitoring of the mediumwave dial from Afghanistan to Alaska and the rest of the Pacific and Asia region. > Try it out.
Apex Car Rentals Joins Campaign
Apex Rentals Cars, New Zealand’s largest independently owned car hire company, has joined the Kiwi Radio Campaign as a sponsor. Their supply of a rental car allows the campaign ‘to take the scenic route with New Zealand Car Rental’ and visit towns, cities and out of the way localities around the country collecting radio memorabilia, recording oral histories… > read more
New Art of Radio Hawaii Competition [Now Closed]
We continue our celebrations of 50 years of Hawaii statehood with another great retro radio competition open worldwide. It’s easy to enter………
Just answer 2 simple questions to win a retro KPOI t-shirt from 1961 including free shipping from our good friends at RadioLogoLand
Q1 Who was the ‘Hawaiian Goddess of Fire’,
Q2 Which Hilo radio station put her seal on its listener cards
You’ll find the answers right here at the Art of Radio Hawaii © online exhibition….so come visit Hawaii with us now!
Email your entry to us with ‘Hawaiian Goddess’ as the subject, to reach us no later than midnight on Kamehameha Day Thursday, June 11 2009 your local time and date.
Judges decision is final, no correspondence will be entered into, and by entering the competion you allow us to include your email address in a mailing list to keep you informed about our radio heritage news and new competitions.
Help celebrate Hawaii’s 50 years of statehood with us, and win this fabulous retro KPOI t-shirt from 1961! To see more great retro radio t-shirts, caps, and more fabulous memories merchandise visit our friends at RadioLogoland now.
