PROGRESS IN "WIRELESS."

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1480, 1 July 1912, Page 6

PROGRESS IN "WIRELESS."

A.\ INTERESTING I.Vm; VIEW. An interview with Mr. Pred. Henderson, the Marconi operator on board the -New /calami Shipping Company's Kotorua, last week, elicited much ■interesting iulormation on tho value and possibilities ol wireless. He gave as <>-ie of the reasons of the misunderstandings k that occurred in connection with the Titanic wreck I he-shortage of experienced ami capable, men—those particularly who, in mldiliflti to,knowing how to operate their instruments, could be depended on to use sound judgment in a great emergenev. Upwards ot 700 vessels of the British mercantile marine are to date equipped with tlio Marconi wireless apparatus, in addition to numerous land .stations, arid as many of the, vessels will in future carry two operators, who will maintain a constant alternate watch, it will be seen Unit tln> demand for men is greatly in excess of tho supply, and that in many instances mere youths are. sent to sea. Is it possible to invent a. device that will prevent "jammkg." and enable two ships to communicate without interfering witli others.- , Mr. Henderson was asked! "That is engaging attention at the present time. There has just been placed on board the Cunard liner Mnurctania a 'directive wireless' instrument that will send a message in any given direction. It wilL then bo possible to 'call' a ship approaching from the port, side without interfering with one approaching from tho starboard. If this instrument, which is well advanced in the experiment stage, reaches perfection, then 'jamming' will be practically overcome." What other devices are under consideration for increased efficiency? "The invention of a bell to respond to 'distress.' calls only," snirl Mr. Henderson. . "The older typo of apparatus received and .recorded signals automatically, but were not 'selective.' Only (he human brain can discriminate the kind of message, and it is the purpose of Mr. Marconi to device an instrument that will distinguish and give warning of a 'dish-ess' call as apart from any other." The great commercial, value of wireless is now established'beyond doubt?

"That is its most' amnziug development," said }Ir. Henderson. "Every post office in the United Kingdom now accepts messages for transmission to the United States and Canada by wireless, at a rate of £d. per word, with a still cheaper deferred 'rate, as against Hie cable rate of one shilling per word. The 'New York Times,' for example, receives eacli week from ten to twenty thousand words of pi'ess news from ivurojM by wireless."

How docs the wireless compare with cable for rapidity of dispatch?

"This is also one of the most remarkable advances. Within (he past few months experiments have been made by the Marconi Company, in co-operation with the British I'cst Office, in which the total time occupied between (he receipt and delivery of luessaßOS between London and New York has been reduced to a littla over one hour."

Mr. Heiu'crson said, in conclusion, that although the principle of wireless teJecrnpliy would, of course, remain the same the instruments now in n?e would uudprgo great changes and be greatly improved, and eliminate the difficulties nnw experienced from natural atmospheric, disturbances, which hitherto have greatly interfered with the efficiency of the working.