FROZEN SOUTH.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1270, 27 October 1911, Page 6

FROZEN SOUTH.

WIRELESS EELAY SYSTEM. After several months of negotiation (states the Sydney "Daily Telegraph") Dr. Mawson lias succeeded in securing a complete system of wireless for his expedition to Antarctica. The Australasian Wireless Company have agreed to provide equipment for two stations—one at tho expedition's main base in Adelio Land and tho other at Macquarie Island. The messages from tho Antarctic will lie transmitted first to Macquarie Island, and relayed from there to a station to be erected by the Federal Government in Tasmania—probably on tho south coast. Thus the distances will work out as follow:— From Adolie land to Macquarie Island (roughly) 900 miles From Macquarie Island to Tasmania (roughly) BSO miles 17S0 miles Mr. W. H. Hannam, junr., has been appointed by the Australasian Antarctic Expedition to control the whole of tho wireless arrangements. He has no doubt that a successful wireless new,s service can be instituted, even under the severe conditions of tho Antarctic winter. Tho plant he will take to Macquarie Island consists of a two-kilowat Telefnnken set, to he driven by a 3 h.p. De. Dion engine. It is precisely the same set that is used at the Hotel Australia station, where distances of about 2400 miles have beeen covered under favourable conditions. A similar set will bo installed at the main baso i-.i Adelio Land. Arrangements are being made to supply continuous news of tho expedition's work to the newspapers, but the main feature will be a daily meteorological report, both from Adelie Land and Macquarie Island to tho Federal Meteorologist. For many years past Australian meteorologists have complained of tho lack of recording stations at these points, and Mr. Hunt is confident' that with the additional data derivable from these sources an infinitely greater degreo of accuracy can bo attained in tho forcjasting of tho weather, as most of the disturbances originate from the Antarctic. This will constitute tho first occasion upon which wireless has bora used in ;onnection with an expedition of this character. Mr. Hannam, as tho pioneer, tva 11 have to copo with many difficulties that do not present themselves in the ivireless work in Australia. The erection >f tho wireless station in Adelio Land will liavo to be accomplished in country that s absolutely unexplored, and amid ico ;onditions, which may involve considerlblo effort to surmount, but Mr. Hnnlam is preparing for all contingencies. During the winter months, however, transmission will bo facilitated by the long period of darkness, and it will bo possible ;hen to tominunicato direct with tho Uovirnment station in Tasmania without ro•ourso to the intervening station at Macluario Lsland. The masts for tho cxpeHtiom's stations will be 150 ft. high, and ;ho ariel will bo about 200 ft. long.