Byrd's Expedition is Most Stupendous Yet

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 434, 16 August 1928, Page 8

Byrd's Expedition is Most Stupendous Yet

MILLION DOLLAR COST EARLY START FOR DUNEDIN (United P.A..—By Telegraph — Copyright) (United Service) Reed. 10.13 a.m. NEW YORK, Wed. Commander Richard E. Byrd’s Antarctic expedition, starting from New York next week, will be the most stupendous undertaking in the history of exploration. It marks what the Americans call the entry of explorers into the million dollar field. Two-thirds of a million has already been secured in cash and equipment. The total expense of Commander Byrd’s North Pole expedition two years ago was £30,000. For the present expedition, the two airplanes cost £14,000, just about the same cost as the two old ships which the expedition has secured. The estimated cost of the expedition, according to Byrd’s headquarters, will be at least £171,000. Donations of sums ranging from a few shillings to £2OO, total £47,508, and equipment valued at £87,000 has been donated. The expenditure already totals £68,600. TALKING WITH BYRD WIRELESS COMMUNICATION AMATEUR REPORTS WANTED Press Association. GISBORNE, To-day. Detailed information regarding the arrangements for wireless communication with the Byrd Antarctic Expedition has been received by Mr. R. Patty, a radio amateur, from the Canadian Westinghouse Company, with a request that amateurs in New Zealand and Australia report on reception of the American station, KDKA, at hours coinciding with the proposed schedule. The weekly schedule is divided between four stations, KDKA being the only one on a short wave-length, and the only one likely to be received in this country. Their intention is to communicate with the expedition every Saturday at 11 p.m., Eastern Standard time, which corresponds to 3.30 p.m. on the following day, New Zealand time, KDKA’S allocation being December 1 and 25, January 12 and February 2 and 23. Morse communication will always be possible. Nightly tests are being conducted for the purpose of checking reception of telephony. Amateurs are requested to stand b.y every Sunday at 3.30 p.m. New Zealand time while the expedition is in the Antarctic for emergency messages. The secretary of the Otago Harbour Board recently received word that Commander Byrd would reach Dunedin, which is likely to be the base of the expedition, about the end of October. The start for tb ** Antarctic will be made on November i