WIRELESS WONDERS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 April 1927, Page 1

WIRELESS WONDERS

AI.WU'OXTS ALMS. [■Australia it N.Z. Cable Association.] I.OXDOX, April !>. An interestin'; exposition of the progress made in beam wireless was given in the. Hoard room at Marconi House, in which was hung a page of the "Times” in sections recently transmitted in facsimile three-quarters ol a mile by wireless. Signor Marconi strolled in smoking a cigarette, and he invited the guests to imitate him. He explained that the Australian beam system could deal with 1.70.000 words daily, which is treble the present cable traffic. He said he would shortly test, shorter wave lengths to Canada and Australia. in order to increase the working hours and the carrying capacity, and to overcome the fading. The present experiments pointed to the probable abolition. or at any rate the certain diminution of the lading, and it was hoped to secure a twenty-four hours’ AngloAustraliau service by adding one or two waves lengths. Signor Marconi said that already they were working double the number of hours specified in the contract. The present capacity was sufficient lor the existing business. It was possible to superimpose a telephone channel on the telegraphic services, tints enabling two telegraphic services and one telephonic service to work simultaneously, at the same time obviating separate stations and apparatus, for this new development. The apparatus is under construction. The privacy of the Australian telephonic communication, he said, would exceed lluu 01 American ser-

vices, owing in the extra costliness of eavesdropping apparatus. Television and facsimile transmission were also possible, the latter facilitating long messages, owing to its being unnecessary to spell out each word, and this would mean the economising of the operational expenses. ft is hoped shortly to establish Beam connection with the Tinted States. Argentina. China, Japan and other countries. The Beam system, said Signor Alarconi. would not render Bughy obsolescent, as that station fulfilled a definite purpose, and broadcasting did not clash with directional wireless. The former Postmaster - General. Bignt Hon. F. G. Kelloway. recalled that the success ol the Beam system was pre-eminently due to Messrs Hughes’ and Fish’s determination not to submit to the weight of technical evidence in 1921 in favour of a relay system. Australia’s smallest township*. he said, would soon be linked up with the main beam, thus obviating the outback isolation. This was also applicable to India and other countries. Signor Marconi added that soon the Beam would enable concerts and speeches to be transmitted between

Australia and England either way, anil aitenvards broadcasted, the listeners-!., being able to pick up with, crystal sets anvwhere in the world. I’mture trammission (when reliably-travelling waves were assured) would, he stated, he as easy between England and Tustrnnfa \i(‘iwvcn pinces only lialf n inilo