RADIO AND ITS RECEIVERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 373, 6 June 1928, Page 16

RADIO AND ITS RECEIVERS

Conducted for THE SU N by

R. F. HAYCOCK

Radio and Aviation

Pacific Flyers’ Achievement IN view of the intense interest in the remarkable flight of Captain Kingsford Smith and his companions to Suva, it seems appropriate to refer to the part that radio played in this epic achievement.

First and foremost of the skill and gallantry of the navigators there can be no doubt, but at the same time it was the radio operators on the Southern Cross who came to the navigators’ assistance when they lost their bearings. The radio beacon was of inestimable value, and it enabled the valiant ship of the air to steer a proper course, when without the beacon and capable radio men it would have been hopelessly lost. It is true that I other flights have been equipped with radio, but with few exceptions when put to the crucial test the apparatus has failed. Why, it is hard to say, but the fact remains that it has, and because of it many good men have gone to the grave. With the flight of the Southern Cross nothing seems to have been left to chance. Radio equipment of the best quality was installed, carefully tested, and when put to the gruelling test of the long flight it did not fail. So much for the apparatus, but what of the operators? They were

skilled men, who knew their job and did it. By their excellent work the w'orld was able to follow the flight hour by hour, and to appreciate what the gallant four had to. put up with. It is the first time that any big flight has been followed in such a way, and every praise is due to the radio men who had to stand by for such a long period. Short-wave enthusiasts in all parts of the world listened with keen interest to the reports from the Southern Cross, and appreciated the cheery greetings from Mr. J. Warner to all operators In Auckland short-wave fans proved the efficiency of their outfits and their own capabilities by hearing practically all the messages from the plane. It is certain that this flight will arouse: much greater interest in short-wave work, and those who have been content with ordinary broadcasts will be turning their attention to the possibility of listening to similar great enterprises in the future.