Broadcasting in Cape Town in 1924

CAPE TIMES - 1924, April 24

The arrangement made by the Broadcasting Committee whereby the Cape Peninsula Publicity Association should take over the license to broadcast from Cape Town was confirmed at a well-attended meeting. Mr. J. S. Dunn was re-elected chairman of the Association, and Dr. Bennie Hewat was appointed vice-chairman.

Amongst the chief recommendations was the ratification of the agreement to take over the broadcasting license transferred by the Graaff Trust, and a proposal to send Mr. A. N. Dickson to England to complete arrangements for the acquisition of an up-to-date transmitter and the necessary technical staff for running the service. He will make himself acquainted with the methods of the British Broadcasting Company, and is due back on June 16, bringing out the whole apparatus and technical staff with him. He hopes to have everything fixed up for actual broadcasting to commence in Cape Town on the occasion of the Orchestra Ball on Wednesday, July 16.

The situation of the transmitting station is uncertain at the moment. The technical expert of the Association is strongly inclined to recommend the erection of the transmitter on the Flats to avoid any possible chance of “screening” from surrounding buildings. The studio will be located somewhere in the centre of the city, with connections to the broadcasting station made by land lines.


CAPE TIMES - 1924, April 26

Interviewed by Reuter’s on the eve of his departure for England, Mr. A. N. Dickson, secretary of the Cape Town Peninsula Publicity Association and business manager of the Cape Town Orchestra, said that the announcement of the Publicity Association taking over the broadcasting license for the Cape area had given general satisfaction.

Mr. Dickson said that the two main objects for his visit overseas were to negotiate the purchase of a transmitting set on the best possible terms, and to study the working of the BBC’s station in London.

In conclusion, he smilingly added: “We are sometimes accused of moving slowly in Cape Town, but in this case we have simply jumped.”

CAPE TIMES - 1933, July 17

CAPE TIMES - 1933, July 18

Putting the finishing touches to the Transmitting Panel of Cape Town’s new £22,000 high power Broadcasting Station at Milnerton.








Cape Town's Broadcasting Station at Milnerton is rapidly nearing completion.
Here is seen one of the 300-ft. masts and the new transmitter house in which a 10-kilowatt transmitter is being installed.

CAPE ARGUS - 1939, January 12

Broadcast House sound of ox-cart

No, it is not a home-made toy. It is the mechanical device used at Broadcast House to suggest the creaking progress of an ox-cart. A handle is tuned and through an amplifier the effect is most realistic.