A SAFETY SERVICE.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20278, 21 August 1937, Page 12

A SAFETY SERVICE.

OONTINUOUB RADIO LISTENING. A POST OFFICE 24-HOUR DUTY* In maintaining a continuous radiolistening service at its Auckland, Wellington, and Awarua commercial radio stations, the Post Office plays an important part In the organisation of the great safety service for shipping. It is the responsibility of the Marine Department to see that the regulations regarding wireless equipment on ships are observed and that the radio watches are kept,, and the Post Office completes the organisation with its constant watch on operations. All calls associated with shipping are made on a wave-length of 600 metres, although this medium wave baud is not necessarily utilised for messages after communication has been established. There are radio operators at each of New Zealand’s three stations - during the whole twenty-four hours listening on the 600 metre band recording particulars of all the calls heard. The air is so busy that even in this remote part of the world hardly a minute passes during which notes of some signals are not entered in the log.

j Distress signals have been recorded ! In New Zealand from ships in the i China Seas, and the operators follow ; up sucli calls, however remote, to asl certain if they are' acknowledged from | a nearer station or a ship able to give j prompt assistance. When the distress 1 call is near at hand. Wellington, Auckland or Awarua sends out a warn- | ing to stop all transmission on the 600 metre' band in order t,o clear the channel for communication by the ship in distress. Silent Mlnutea of the Hour. There are silent moments in the ether on this busy medium wave band. From 15 minutes to 18 minutes, and from 45 to 48 minutes past each hour of Greenwich mean time all calling on this 600 metre band Is suspended. Only a ship In distress may use' these periods for signalling. Therefore the call for help comes out clearly to all radio operators who are waiting for the three minutes sileht period to elapse before resuming normal working. If any operator breaks the rule of silence the' official listening stations make, a note, of this fact and steps are taken to pnfnree the strict observance of an international rule framed for Ills' safe-guarding of life at sea. 0 .