Pacific Islands Linked In Huge Wireless Network

Radio Record, Volume VII, Issue 4, 4 August 1933, Page 9

Pacific Islands Linked In Huge Wireless Network

A.W.A. Extends Southern Services

/ The British islands in the Pacific, scattered as they ure over vast spaces of ocean, represent the extreme limit of worldly isolation, yet they are bound together by invisible links which permit communication with the same expedition as between the crowded cities of the world. Between the Solomon Islands, the Gilbert and Bllice Groups, the Fijis and the mainland of Australia stretch an interlacing grid or network of wireless channels, connecting that great area with the outside world.

N the early days of radio a few small wireless stations were established by the British Government in Fiji and the surrounding islands. These were eontrolled and operated by the British Admiralty from its headquarters in London. Realising the development and importance of the various British island possessions in the Pacific and the enterprise manifested by other nations in establishing wireless stations on their island possessions in the Pacific, Mr. E, T. Fisk, managing director of A.W.A., suggested to the Rt. Hon. L. 8S. Amery, then First Lord of the British Admiralty, that Amalgamated Wireless take over from the Imperial Government all the wireless stations in the Fijian group with the object of modernising and operating them as units of the Pacific network already operated by A.W.A. An agreement was completed between the Imperial Government and the company in

1922, and to-day these stations are equipped in the most modern way. The speedy and accurate communication facilities thereby provided are greatly assisting the Fijian business interests. The most important of the Fijian wireless stations is at ‘Suva, which collects and distributes wireless traffic to and from all islands in the North and South Pacific which have wireless communication, It handles

overseas traffic with Great Britain and the Continent, and North and South America via Sydney radio and the beam wireless service. Sydney radio is also in communication with such important island centres as Samoa, the Friendly Islands, Gilbe:t and Hllice Islands, New Oaledonia, New Hebrides, and Honolulu. Communication is also maintained with the four other Fijian stations-Labasa, Savu Savu, Taveuni and Lautoka. An important radio centre of the Pacific network is in the mandated territory of New Guinea, where the company’s chief station is located at Bita Paka, near Rabaul, on the island of New Britain. This modern station maintains direct radio communication with Sydney, and with the following stations: Aitape and Madang, New Guinea;. Manus, Admiralty Islands; Kavieng, New Ireland: Kieta, Bougainville Island; and Wau and Salamoa on the New Guinea goldfields. It also communicates with the Gilbert and Ellice. Solomon, and Santa Cruz Islands. , The principal Australian wireless stutious handling traffic between Australia and the Pacific are located at Sydney, Brisbane and Townsville. These in turn are intermediary stations between the Pacific and the. Beam Wireless Service connecting Australia with Great Britain, the Continent, and North and South America.. Thus the island résident is able to communicate -by Wireless. with any patt of the world.

B.B.C. PROGRAMME "Ellan Vannin Through The Ages." Manx National Concert SPECIALLY RECORDED 2YA SUNDAY, AUGUST 6.