BEAM WIRELESS

Hokitika Guardian, 2 January 1925, Page 1

BEAM WIRELESS

FURTHER TESTS NEEDED. LONDON. December 20. “ 1 would soon pin my faith to the Rugby liigh-nower, long-wave wireless station, than to a beam, station, such as is advocated hy Marconi,” said Mr C. F. Elwell, the wireless expert. “At least we know what a long wave station will do, while we are only guessing about the beam. “Let Marconi’s complete stations for a twenty-four hour service with Canada, making sure that they can do it, and also show that they can carry on a service with South Africa, which is 6000 miles away. “Australia is double that, so Jot us crawl before we try to walk. Marconi’s beam tests are not strikingly wonderful, in view of the remarkable results attained by amateurs between England and Australia with less than a kilowatt. “But what might he done with a • kilowatt in favourable Icircutnstanccs might entail 500 kilowatts'to ensure a 24-liour service.” Mr Elwell endorsed the statement of the wireless expert of the “Manchester Guardian ” that it was unfortunate that Signor Marconi in his enthusiasm for the beam, system, should emphasise the relative costliness of the long-wave system and disparage the Rugby station. Rugby," said Mr Elwell, would remain an Imperial necessity until beam wireless over extreme ranges had been demonstrated more continuously infal-, lihle than at present. “If Australia is not careful, and persists with wireless beam stations. New Zealand may do the wise thing and install high-power long-wave stations, which will undoubtedly work for twenty-four hours daily with England,” added Air Elwell. “Then Australia, pinning her faith to tho beam, might find herself limited to twelve or fifteen hours, daily and ho compelled, therefore, to send urgent messages to Now Zealand, for transmission thence to England. “if New Zealand built a station, working direct 'with England, she would he paramount. New Zealand would he backing a horse that has won before, while Australia would he depending on a promising fillv.”