Wireless for Light Aeroplanes

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 11, 27 September 1929, Page 9

Wireless for Light Aeroplanes

An Efficient Light-Weight Plant

A NEW wireless telephone set, which ** combines a transmitter and receiver, has been designed for use on light aeroplanes. It is contained in a compact wooden box measuring only 16 inches by 9 inches, and even including

complete equipment and all accessories. weights only 60lb. Thus it is quite easily carried in all the popular types of light aeroplanes, and its advent supplies a long-felt want. This set is intended for telephony transmission only, as experience has shown that the pilot, even if well acquainted with the morse code, is usually too occupied with his machine to eoncentrate on telegraph signals, Despite its small size, its efficiency is excellent, as though the transmitter only uses 75 watts (power equivalent to that used by many domestic lamps), it will cover ranges of 50 to 75 miles when communicating with the normal class of aerodrome ground stations, while with highly efficient ground stations, such as Croydon, ranges up to 100 miles are easily attainable. The receiver’s range from modern aerodrome transmitters considerably exceeds these distances, and it is, of course, capable of intercepting both morse and telephony. The set, which has very simplified tuning, can be installed for operation by the passenger, or it may be fitted in a convenient part of the machine, and operated by the pilot through a remote control unit. For normal working, the wave range of the transmitter is 850 to 950 metres,

»’ the international aircraft wave-band. A quick-change switch is provided, however, to enable the 600 metres ship’s wave-length to be employed in an emergency. The amateur light-aeroplane pilot is

now enabled, by virtue of the portability of this set, to take advantage of the wireless facilities previously employed only in commercial aviation, an advance that is highly desirable in view’ of the increasing popularity of private air cruising. Information of vital importance is thus made available to light aeroplanes, and its value is demonstrated by the fact that international aviation regulations require all commercial passengercarrying aircraft to be equipped with an adequate wireless installation. Thus the introduction of this muchneeded light and efficient equipment has obviated the principal reason for the hitherto limited use of wireless by small aeroplanes, and in the near future, so indispensable is wireless considered to aviation, probably every lane, no matter how light, will carry a complete miniature radio plant.