Wellington to London

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 14, 17 October 1930, Page 5

Wellington to London

Radio-Telephone Service ALrHoucH the results of radio telephone tests between New Zealand and Sydney are reported to have been satisfactory, the shortwave ra-dio-telephonic service between Wellington and London is not yet ready to be opened. The first conversation will take place about a fortnight hence between the Acting-Prime Minister, Hon. BH. A. Ransom, in Wellington, and

the Prime Minister, Hon. G. W. Forbes, in London. Up to the present the only conversae tions transmitted have been between the engineering experts, who are testing the apparatus during the entire 24 hours of the day and schooling the officers. "The results so far are highly satisfactory," the Secretary of the Post Office, Mr. G. McNamara, recently stated. "The thing, however, is full of problems. The service between Sydney and London is only working a few hours a day owing to fading troubles. When we get going we do not anticipate much trouble so far as communication between Wellington and Sydney is concerned. To get into touch «with London presents some difficulties. For one thing there is 12 hours’ variation in time." In reply to an inquiry as_ to whether eavesdropping had been eliminated, Mr. McNamara said that it was impossible for the owners of crystal sets to listen-in. "The only persons who can hear now," he said, "are the owners of shortwave sets, and they have all signed a declaration of secrecy. They can hear if they happen to get on to the same wavelength at the same moment, but they must not disclose the conversation taking place."