Return of "Southern Cross"

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 13, 23 November 1928, Page 15

Return of "Southern Cross"

"THE most recent Australian wireless magazines to hand describe the return trip of the Southern Cross. Following is an extract from an article headed WZGY by the technical editor of "Wireless Weekly" :- ' "Harlier in the evening of October 12, whilst in communication with an experimental station in Wellington, New Zealand, we were informed that the Southern Cross would leave for Australia at 5 am., New Zealand time, and that 2YA, Wellington, would broadcast the start from the Blenheim aerodrome. Accordingly, at 3a.m., Sydney time, a screened five was used for this reception, which was obtained with excellent volume and clarity. At this time-static was very slight, and the whole of the proceedings on the Blenheim aerodrome were heard through-

out with uncanny realism. Kingsford Smith’s brief "Cheerio, New Zealand" --the droning of the famous "Whirlwind" engines, the cheers of the crowd, and the final sounds as the Southern Cross took off the runway and after climbing, passed back over the hangar in which the announcer was speaking. The sounds died away as the great machine headed out for the .open sea and in the direction of Australia. The thought "so near and yet so far" flashed across my mind. Almost immediately after the machine had taken the air, the shortwave transmitter operated by Mr. MeWilliams, was heard very strongly, bidding "good morning" to the coastal station at Wellington." Throughout the trip reception was good, except for unsteadiness of signals. One message indicated how Mr. McWilliams was faring. . At 9 p.m. Mr. McWilliams has stated that if he does not "hold on to everything with both hands, the gear will soon be out of the bus!"