Projected Radiophone Service

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 28, 24 January 1930, Page 8

Projected Radiophone Service

From: New York to Australia | 1v view of the projected establishment of a’ wireless telephone service between New York and Sydney, the following account the "New York Times" writes’ of the initial test of. thé service :- "Tt. was October in Australia while New York’ still had several hours of September left, when the new round-the-world -radiophone circuit of\the American Telephone. and . Téfegraph Company’. wis switched into action. Ten New. Yorkers took turns in talking with Australia through the standard desk telephone in. the office of Dr. Frank. B. Jewett. * "What day is it over. there?" asked a voice in:New York. iy. "It is October 1 here," was the: reply "Well,. we. still have September with us," said. a representative of the "New York Times," "and it is raining in New. York." "Tt is 6 o'clock in the’ morning: in Sydney and.a fine morning," answered ‘the Australian. "Have. you had yaur. breakfast yet?" asked the New, York man. ‘"No, it’s: an ‘hour and a half too early for "breakfast," said the voice from the other side of the earth. "The ‘circuit you are talking over," Dr, Jewett’ explained, "is about 15, miles long. «It runs from New York — to London via a short-wave channel, then on to Australia. The wave employed depends upon the weather. One may speak over -the’ fifteen-metre wave and the’ next ‘speaker switched to twenty ‘metres, ‘all depending upon the atmospherics... :From London to Australia still another short wave is utilised, and its’length* also depends upon the weather conditions. "This test is merely to show what is being’ done to extend. world-wide communication. It does not mean that a regular radiophone circuit will be: opened yet .to: the. public for ‘conversations with .Australia. Much: depends upon the British Post Office, which controls the English end of .the circuit. . It requires about: thirty seconds to put’ the call. through to Australia, ‘yet: the. fourteen. hours difference’ in time ‘is an obstacle. to the . vice," ’ An engineer" called, attention sto t fact. that: the: voices travelled. across the Great’ Circle'route in: their jump from: autumn in. New York .to spring at the Antipodes. When: the conversation. ended ‘the New -Yorkers;said "Good: night," and the voice at. Sydney answered . "Good morning." . , cr