MINIATURE WIRELESS PLANT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1367, 19 February 1912, Page 5

MINIATURE WIRELESS PLANT.

MOREA'S LAUNCH FITTED.

(Bt Tclccrapb-PrcßS Association.) Auckland, February 16. What is considered to be the only wire, less devico of its kind hn-s been manufactured and fitted to the steum launch of tin P. and 0. liner Morea (which arrived this morning) by tho ' ship's enginecra, and the Marconi wireless operator, Mr. W. C. Matthows. While on the voyage between Tilbury and Australia, tho launch was 'undergoing a complete overhaul, and it was Mr. E. W< White, chief engineer, who first had (he notion of fitting tho little craft with wireless. The proposal became a topic of conversation, and the opinion was generally expressed that the installation could not be made, though it was admitted that such an arrangement would be very useful when the launch was cruising in port in the event of anything going >vroug, or tho launch being required i.board. • Mr. White and the operator set to work, however, and with the materials at their disposal proceeded to make the plant. It was not until two days ago that (he device, which had been constructed on tho Marconi system, was ready for a trial. The aerial wire measured only 44ft., and the plant itself might fittingly be described as a pocket edition. Thevoltage ; s ii, with'a working power of three volts. On Wednesday (lie Makura was spoken off. (he ship's installation, and the opportunity was (aken of trying lbs little plant, (he distance between the vessel's being 15 miles. A message was accordingly worded, and picked up nitli comparative ease by the Makura's operator, (hough the return message was little mom than a faint'murmur. This morning the plant was seen by a. "Star" representative, and a trial made between tho operating room and the. launch on deck. The conditions were somewhat unfavourable, but tho short dots and dashes of the Morse code were clearly distinguished. Further improvements arc to be made to tho plant in the direction of increasing its power, and it is expected that it will bo found a great convenience in port,