EMPIRE BROADCASTING

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 19, 25 November 1927, Page 5

EMPIRE BROADCASTING

THE BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION’S VIEW. Recently the British Broadcasting Corporation issued the following statement :- In pursuance of its policy of developing a practical basis for effective Empire broadcasting as rapidly as possible, the B.B.C. has now reached a stage at which it is possible to give an interim report. As has been explained already on several occasions, the problem of effective, Empire broadeasting is as much one of reception as of transmission, and is more involved in the linking of broadcasting systems than in the provision of sporadic technical entertainment for comparatively few amateurs. The ex-. periments now under review are being conducted by the B.B.C. in co-opera-tion with the Marconi Company. TRANSMISSION, An experimental short-waye transmitter is being erected at the Marconi works at Chelmsford. ‘This will make use of the two 480ft. masts which ere situated there. ‘This transmitter will carry out experiments, working chiefly on a wave-length of 24 metres. Arrangements haye been made for the collection, collation and analysis of teports of these experiments in various parts of the world. This experimental station, whose call sign is 6SW, will transmit using power up to about 25 k.w. Should its performance be unexpectedly successful in the early stages, programmes may be transmitted; but it is not anticipated that this experimental station will undertake a regular service. RECEPTION, Satisfactory progress is being made With experiments in reception by the use of what has come to be known es the "spaced aerial’ method. ‘The chief difficulty experienced hitherto in the reception of ultra short-wave transmission is due to the phenomenon known as ‘‘fading." It is believed that the reception of transmissions on

| oR ultra short-wayes is made possible entirely through reflection. Unfortunately, considerable changes sre taking place continually in the reflecting medium. The result is that the strength of signals received at any given point | is constantly varying. In the case of extended transmissions, the variations take place so rapidly and with such confusion that they are apt to exer-. cise a disastrous effect pon reception. All experienced and competent engineers now realise that the success of Empire broadcasting depends mainly upon the possibility of trans. missions being re-radiated effieiently by local broadcasting stations. It is there-. fore essential to devise a method of reception whicli will minimise the fading effect. Hxperiments indicate that the signals from two or more aerials spaced at considerable distances apart may be combined and treated in such a way as to produce a more constant and undistorted signal. COMING NEXT YEAR. Taking into account the results of its last series of experiments, the B.B.C. sees no reasons to revise its prediction that Empire broadcasting may be undertaken with the guarantce of the clementary conditions pre-requi-site to service, some time during 1928. Contact is being maintained and de- veloped with the broadcasting organisations of the Dominions and colonies. The chief engineer, now attending tlic World Wireless Conference at Washington, is evolving a further series of experiments in co-operation with the chief engineer of the Radio Corporation of America, An account of this new series of experiments will be available shortly.

PO 1 |!) RD ER | ES) RY A | 1 RL When buying cor making a tall aerial mast reincmber that you may some day want to climb it for repairs or alterations, and that if it is not one hundred per cent, it may bend and break under your weight as you reach its top. Remember that the aerial poles are at all times exposed to the elements, and must therefore be able to withstand their constant attacks. Stay your masts securely, and make allowances for violent wind squalls. Iixaniine your stays pcriodicaliy to ascertain whether they are deteriorating and thus weakening. Stays showing signs of considerable rust should be replaced without delay. fe

pm | a) |i RD | Something new, and for the first time in Walgett (Victoria) in the way of a church service, was undertaken in the local Presbyterian Church on a recent Sunday evening, when the whole of a service in Melbourne was listened to per medium of a wireless set by a large and interested congregation. ‘The experiment (says the Walgett ‘Spectator"’) was an unqualified success, and the preacher could be heard in every cornet of the building. ‘The congregation joined in the prayers and hymns, and the local minister directed the lis-tencrs-in from the pulpit. ‘The idea could be carried out in New Zealand, also, any Sunday eveniug. J =2 inane aebeteae caaee Yen