University Radar Ready For Antarctic

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28766, 11 December 1958, Page 16

University Radar Ready For Antarctic

The University of Canterbury yesterday completed the “home part” of its project to investigate by radar in the Antarctic reflections from the lower ionosphere. The last case of equipment for McMurdo Sound has been packed.

Hundreds of delicate parts have been checked, cocooned against moisture (the major enemy of electronic equipment), and packed in 11 cases—double-lined, heavily braced, and shock-resistant. The consignment, worth £6OOO. is now awaiting shipment on the U.S.N. Wyandot from Lyttelton. Dr. J. B. Gregory, a senior lecturer in physics, is already at Scott Base erecting the aerial structure. As soon as the Wyandotte arrives at McMurdo Sound, he will link up the electronic equipment, spend mid-summer putting it through its paces and

establishing the pattern of research, and then hand it over to a technician. The equipment works automatically and turns out its own scientific records. This is wholly a University of Canterbury project undertaken within the programmes of the Ross Dependency Research Committee and the International Geophysical Year. The ionospheric research has been planned by the physics department and the equipment was designed by the Industrial Development Department.

—.. Fast JtybIt has been a Very fast’ Job, taking practically all the men and resources of the ID.D.

The first approach about making equipment was made only in April. The director of the department (Mr T. R. Pollard) called a round-table conference. The department’s chief engineer (Mr T. Scott) was put in charge. Dr C. D. Ellyett. senior lecturer in physics—who pioneered the university’s ionosphere research and is university representative on the Ross Dependency Research Com-mittee-expedited consideration of estimates and import licences, and two months later authority was given to proceed.

The late start made planning difficult because much experimental Work had to be done before key components could be ordered from the Ministry of Supply in England. Most of these items had to be sent out by air freight, adding to the expense. Co-operative Effort

Mr Pollard yesterday expressed thanks for co-operation received “all along the line” from the Customs Department, the British Ministry of Supply, and the New Zealand High Commissioner's office in London.

Then, said Mr Pollard, the Dominion Physical Laboratory quickly made the transformers, Christchurch firms made the cabinets and did the engineering of the aerials, for which the Post and Telegraph Department provided materials.

"Toward the end of the project, money was running short and students and staff of the physics department gave voluntary labour for packing,” Mr Pollard said. The University of Canterbury is now almost ready to operate in the Antarctic. It is peculiarly fitted for this project because of long experience in radar research on the ionosphere and the I.D.D.’s own record in radar, ranging from war-time research and construction to last year's provision of a radlosrade specially designed for Antarctic conditions.