RADIO IN AVIATION

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 218, 10 June 1933, Page 8

RADIO IN AVIATION

Linking Up Aerodromes N.Z. SCHEME SUGGESTED The establishment of short-wave wireless communication between the aerodromes of the Dominion was considered by the council of the New Zealand Aero Club last evening, and a sub-committee was set up to draw up a scheme. Introducing the subject, Mr. IV. L. Free (Wairarapa) said that wireless communication would have to be developed, and if two clubs who had short-wave enthusiasts among their members —for example, Marlborough, and Wellington—could Install plants at their aerodromes, and arrange for the Post and Telegraph Department to allot a wavelength, they could test the feasibility of inter-aerodrome communication. This service could be used for advising flight departures and weather reports, and in that, way they would get some data toward installing receiving sets in machines and, later on, transmitting plants.

Mr. S. E. Nielson (Western Federated) suggested that the Post and Telegraph Department might not favour the scheme. Mr. A. W. Nisbet (Wellington) did not anticipate any difficulty with the department so long as the work was restricted to such matters as weather reports. The sets would have to be operated by one of the regular staff at the aerodromes.

The president, Mr. G. M. Spence, said that the matter was really one for the individual clubs.

Flight-Lieutenant A. C. Gerrand (Hawke’s Bay) said that in Australia the short-wave enthusiasts were working with the clubs in the way suggested, and they formed a Royal Australian Air Force wireless reserve.

A member suggested that the chief difficulty in using amateurs would be to get them when they were required during the day, and Mr. S. Gilkison (Southland) replied that when he bad first put forward the suggestion some time ago the plan he bad iu mind was for one aerodrome to give a weather report at 9 o’clock each morning, the others following on at five-minute intervals. Each station could then advise the others that, they would be calling later, to announce a departure. There wore many details that would have to be thought, out. Messrs. Gilkison and Nisbet were appointed a committee to approach the Post and Telegraph and Defence Departments for sanction, and to draw up a scheme and report. Officers and members of the council who attended the meeting were as follow: —Mr. G. M. Spence (president), Mr. H. R. Dix (vice-president), Mr. S. E. Nielson (secretary), Mr. T. E. O'Dowd (Hawke’s Bay), Mr J. C. Guinness (Canterbury), Mr. C. C. Weinstein (Wellington), Mr. Spencer Mason (Auckland), Mr. J. L. Mclndoe (Otago), Mr. W. L. Free (Wairarapa), and Mr. H. J. McAllister (Southland).