A telephone interview with Charles Forrest who talks about his interest and career in very early radio in New Zealand from 1922 - 1924. (Interviewer is possibly Alwyn Owen.)
In 1921 he carried out a lot of research, similar to Professor Jack, in O'Neill's Building at the corner of Tory Street and Courtney Place, Wellington.
In February 1922 he moved into the Ford building (owned by Mr Hope Gibbons of the Colonial Motor Company) and erected an aerial and had a small studio on top of the building. He began regular broadcasts on Monday to Friday from 7.30pm - 9pm.
He wanted to get others interested in broadcasting with the aim of creating a market for the products of the de Forest Radio Company of New York, which he was selling came under the name of the International Radio Company Ltd (previously known as the International Electric Company). He transmitted without a licence until 1923 when they were introduced and previously verbal agreements were the order of the day.
Recalls story of being caught by Post Office officials broadcasting music when he received a new transmitter from the United States but the whole matter ended up in friendly tones. Arthur Stokes operated the studio for him two nights a week because of his other commitments.
From August 1923 as Wellington Broadcasting he operated with the call sign 2YB. This 12 x 12 studio was far more sophisticated than other efforts and had a piano, which was later replaced with a pianola, a gramophone and a carbon microphone. At times the microphone would be unreliable and the only way they would know they were transmitting was if a listener rang up and let them know - "If you think you're broadcasting, then you're not!"
Canvassed various firms for sponsorship and recalls the Beggs (music store) story of asking him to promote the song "Yes, we have no bananas". He would always mention sponsors names over the air and most agreed to pay 30 shillings a week for this service.
The first person in New Zealand to sing over the radio was Mrs. Violet Gyles, whose husband's printing firm was in the same building as his station. The first man to sing on air was Tony Wood, who was a manager of a picture theatre in Courtenay Place). Tells story of asking for half a crown from listeners to help pay for the new pianola and they came from as far away as New South Wales. Would get many letters from all over New Zealand and even had a children's programme.
In 1924 he sold his interest in 2YB to Mr Hope Gibbons and moved to Sydney.