Aircraft Wireless.

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 11, 28 September 1928, Page 28

Aircraft Wireless.

THE "CALCUTTA’S" POWERFUL AIRCRAFT SET. The Short Calcutta flying boat recently mentioned in the cables as moored in the Thames just off the Terrace, is equipped with a Marconi wireless transmitter of 500 watts power, the most powerful aircraft wireless trailsmitter yet designed, and a five-valve receiver. This apparatus has bedn specially developed for use in the large flying boats and airships which will fly on the projected Empire air routes. The installation is capable of communication with air ports at distances of from 300 to 400 miles by telegraphy or telephony, and can thus travel between air port or other wireless stations 600 to 800 miles apart without losing contact. The set is so designed that should aircraft carrying this type of apparatus have to alight they will still be able to communicate by wireless with the nearest wireless station, while in the event of a flying boat being in need of help on the water, the pilot would be able to send out the SOS eall to Ships. The range of wavelengths provided for the transmitter is variable between 600 metres and 1500 metres. The standard wavelength for ships’ working is 600 metres and that for dircraft 900 metres. The receiver may -he tuned in to any wavelength between 600 and 4000 metres. :