Wireless Direction Finder

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 24, 26 December 1930, Page 10

Wireless Direction Finder

Again ‘Proves Its Worth HE Marconi direction finder played a valuable part in accurately indicating a distressed ship’s position when a Swedish motor-vessel caught fire recently on the Brazilian coast. Her wireless distress calls brought immediate reply from the liner Vandyck, which was 45 miles south of the position given in the distress call, but proved to be 70 miles from the position of the ship. The position given was regarded as doubtful by the Vandyck, and full reliance was placed on th ability of the direction finder to de termine accurately the bearing of the distressed vessel. After steaming more than half an hour from the time of receiving the distress call, a further message was received from the Swedish ship that assistance was no longer required, but this in turn was cancelled by a further urgent request for help. Once-again the Vandyck turned to the rescue, and the direction finder was constantly used to verify the bearing of the Swedish ship. When eventually the direction finder bearings brought her into sight dead ahead the inaccuracy of the position originally given was proved.