ON THE HEIGHTS

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1563, 5 October 1912, Page 11

ON THE HEIGHTS

— * ETAKO WIRELESS STATION. TO BE OT'ENED NEXT WEEK. The new wireless station at Mt. Etako (Tinakori Hills), Wellington, has now been in good working order for the past fortnight, during which time exhaustive tests have been made, in order that there ninv be no doubts as to the working eflicieiicv of tho station. It was a case for experiment, for Jit. Etako station is the most elevated in New Zealand, and an artificial "earth" had to be made all round the station by webbing a circle with wires under tho ground (not nbovo as at Pennant Hill and other stations). The. result of the tests havo been most satisfactory. The following is the official report of the Chief Telegraph Engineer forwarded to tho Head Office on Wednesday last:— Daylight Tests. September 26— H.M.S. Pioneer, Eyttelton, 11 a.m., full power: "Very strong signals and good noto"; four gaps: "'Very strong signals and good noto"; three gaps: "Not quito so strong, double note ; two gaps: "Weaker than three, good note ; one gap: "Slightly weaker than two, but quite good enough for this distance under ordinary conditions"; one gap (150 volts): "Heard you quite well." _ _ (Tho above is a severe test, and indicates obtaining considerable economy in power consumption.). September 27.—5.5. Turakina, bound for Monte. Video, 2.30 p.m., 300 miles east: "Tour signals, strong and very good." 'When asked for comparison between signals of N.-fi.'W. and Mt. Etako station. M.K.J, -replied, "Could only just mako him out; you come- in strong and clear." Evening Tests. September .28— S.S. Turakina, G3O miles ea*t: "Your, signals strong and good, N.Z.W.'s signals very variable, at times a.s strong as yours, but more often scarcely distinguishable." S.S. Manuka, 10 hours out from Sydney: "Signals- good and strong." . S.S.- Maramn, bound to Vancouver, 700 miles north-cast: "Your signals very good. Lower note than N.Z.W., but stronger and more 'constant." Pennant Hills, Sydney: "Signals very strong and good." • September- 29.—5.5. Turakina, 800 miles cast: "Your signals still strong as ever, only got N.Z.W. for 30 seconds to-night, weak and. variable." S.S. Manuka, 550 miles west: "Very strong and clear." S.S. Marama, about 1000 miles north-east: "Get you O.K still." S.S Atua, position Lat. 28.8 south; long. 162.52 east, over 1000 miles north-cast: "Get you very strong, good note; yon-are much clearer than N.Z.W." September 30.— S.S. Turakina, 1100 miles east: "Signals good and fairly strong." (This is. the best easterly .test to date.) The new station- is to be formally opened by his Excellency tho Governor on either Tuesday or Wednesday next.