PLANE ABOVE LONDON HEARS 3LO, MELBOURNE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 594, 21 February 1929, Page 9

PLANE ABOVE LONDON HEARS 3LO, MELBOURNE

AUSTRALIA HEARD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN AN AIRPLANE (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 10.33 a.m. LONDON, Wed. In a Bristol fighter biplane kindly lent by the Aircraft Disposal Company and piloted by Bert Hinkler, an attempt organised by the Australian Press Association, was made on a McMichael six-valve superheterodyne set operated by a wireless expert, aerially to receive a special 3LO (Melbourne) broadcast. Though the engine was screened for long-wave research, the magneto caused much interference with the short wave. This, coupled with periods of fading, prevented continuous reception; but nevertheless Mr. Allen heard frequent snatches of recognisable music and also the announcers’ calls. Both before and after the flight, the party on the ground heard band and orchestral music with wonderful clearness. Mrs. Hinkler was thrilled to hear the announcer say: “It is now two minutes past three in the morning in Australia 3LO is closing down. Good-bye everybody.” This is the first time Australia has been heard in an airplane, even on the ground. Mr. Allen is convinced that with better screening he will succeed in the air. The attempt may be renewed later in a new type of iargecabined machine in the hope of beating the recent American-Antarctic record. v.