Radio pioneers leading the way a century ago

A rare photograph of the publicity-shy station manager Percy Stevens at the 2YM microphone. Picture courtesy of Gisborne Photo News

One hundred years ago today Gisborne became the home of one of New Zealand’s first radio broadcasting stations.

Station 2YM was started by three Gisborne amateur radio operators — Percy Stevens, Ivan O’Meara and Bob Patty — who obtained one of the first broadcasting licences on October 27, 1923.

This information comes from Porirua resident, radio enthusiast and historian for the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (amateur radio) Craig Crawford.

Other research shows Mr Stevens was born in Napier in 1893 and moved to Gisborne in 1917 where he established his own motor and cycle business.

This was later augmented and replaced by a radio sales and repairs business.

During World War 1, the three Gisborne men carried out pioneering radio experimentation using a crystal set to listen for Morse signals.

The government had an embargo on the private use of receiving or transmitting sets, and to avoid detection they hid their aerial in a tree each day, extending it at night.

They picked up Morse signals from Western Samoa and after the war worked together to establish two-way short-wave links with amateur radio operators worldwide.

Mr Crawford said the three pioneers of 2YM originally operated a 25 watt home-constructed transmitter from Mr Stevens’ living room in his home in Wainui Road.

Due to port traffic noise the station soon moved to Stevens’ business, Gisborne Radio Co, at 258 Gladstone Road.

2YM changed its call sign to 2ZM in August 1926.

The station was run as a community service and relied on sponsorships and donations to survive, as private radio stations could not advertise.

All presenters and performers were volunteers.

Most programmes were presented live, including concerts, recitations, talent shows and children’s sessions.

The radio station was a prominent part of Gisborne life for 40 years, in good times and bad.

Generations of children went “on the air” with their varied talents in the children’s sessions.

A Mrs Elliott was Gisborne’s own Aunt Daisy for 19 years.

The station broadcast live from Childers Road Reserve and other locations.

In July 1928 the station played a live transmission of Gisborne’s Tom Heeney challenging Gene Tunney for the world heavyweight boxing title from New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Thousands of people met outside the radio station to support the local hero.

In 1931 as the only form of communication with the outside world, the radio station kept the Gisborne public up to date with the terrible news of the Napier earthquake.

In 1936 the government nationalised broadcasting but station 2ZM was one of two to avoid compulsory purchase, primarily because Mr Stevens refused to sell his licence.

The station closed on May 31, 1963, soon after Percy Stevens passed away at the age of 70.

The Herald believes that under the broadcasting legislation of the time, licences to operate private radio stations were issued to an owner and the licence became null and void with the death of that licence holder.