RADIO EQUIPMENT FOR AEROPLANES

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 19, 23 November 1934, Page 12

RADIO EQUIPMENT FOR AEROPLANES

Pioneering Work by Otago «.» Nero Club ©.

(Special to the

Radio Record

‘The Otago Aero Club aspires to be the pioneer in New Zealand in the matter of equipping its planes and the aerodrome at Taieri with radio. With the assistance of three experienced experimenters, the club has already convmenced: testing on the ultra short-wave of 5 metres, and on a, recent evening two-way communication betwee a plane flying round the Taieri plains and the: ground. station at the air port was established and maintained. , .PHERE are difficulties, however, that will have to be overcome before the system will work efficiently under att conditions. It has been found that 5metre work successfully overcomes ignition and plane noises, but unfortunately such short waves ‘can only be effective within visual range, as, broadly speaking, they. must obey the‘ laws ‘of light. The question of power presents another difficulty that is engaging the attention of the radio men, whz hope by careful study and thorough ex: periment to find the solutions of their problems eventually. Tests will show what power will be necessary to give signal strength that will be sufficient to override, any elertrical disturbances caused by the plane itself. It is desired to equip the planes with apparatus that will communica tv with and receive messages from the ground station on flights such ‘as might be taken to Timaru, Invercargill, or Pembroke. The.tests in the meantime are interesting, although still in the infant stage: The transmitting — and receiving apparatus used on the plane is. housed in the one container, which measures about seven inches square. while the aerial erected is some 43. incbes long. At the ground station ‘the aerial is: suspended between a. chair and a fence, which: gives an. approximate idea of its height. from the pathway. Speech from "the plane‘is wel} received, and at times the phones can be: laidon a table, and the. words. heard several feet: away. A recent flight. lasted for twenty-five ' minutes, during which time splendid. ‘communicativs was maintained’ between the air ang the ground. The power used at present is about.one watt. The Otago. district ‘offers a big obstacle to -ultra short-wave work or account of its hilly nature,. ‘Once a hilt is placed between the’ ground. station and the cruising: plane radio communi cation is automatically. cut off, so that it has yet to. be discovered: what: frequency will give the’ best results over’ a wide expanse of hilly. country... It. is not difficult to ‘imagine ,the: advantage: to flying: radio. will be wiien the: ‘scheme is operating satisfactorily,’ It is under: stood: that the club will not be ‘hand: capped. by lack ° "of. funds: to: provide complete equipment, when it ds time to. _ uy.