BIG WIRELESS PLANT

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 154, 26 March 1938, Page 2 (Supplement)

BIG WIRELESS PLANT

Aerial Masts Moved On Wheels STATION IN HOLLAND An engineering feat which sounds more like an extract from a fantastic novel by H. G. Wells, than an actual accomplished fact, is now in operation in connection with radia station PCJ, at Hilversum, Holland. It consists of an aerial system which enables the station to swAch its beam from one part of the world to another in a few moments, simply by revolving the complete two-masted aerial structure.

Up till now the method of directing the energy of a transmitter in one

direction only—and that used by the BBC in covering the whole of the British Empire—has been to have a Separate set of masts and aerials for every direction in which it is desired to broadcast. Not only is this exceedingly costly,- but unless a special set of masts i.s constructed for every pant of the world, it is impossible to direct the beam sharply enough for many countries. But in Holland the engineers of transmitter PCJ, have built two aerial masts mounted on huge cars, which run on a circular track. The two cars are connected by a steel bridge, pivoted in the centre and the entire structure may be quickly rotated on this pivot in such a way that the beam may be sharply directed toward any country in the world. Previously, the idea of revolving aerial masts was rejected by American engineers on the ground that the scheme was impracticable.

An interesting feature is that all around the circular track signs are to be fpund, each bearing the name of a country, as “Australia,” “Brazil,”

“China,” etc. These signs mark the exact position for the masts in order to broadcast to the countries -concerned. Power Increased. The new aerial system is not the only feature contributing to PCJ’s improved transmission. The station’s power has recently been increased to 60 kilowatts in the aerial, thus making it one of the most powerful shortwave stations in the world. It has been calculated that this transmission strength, combined with the new beam aerial, has the same effect as the radiation of a dipole aerial operating with a power of 2000 kilowatts! The alterations affected by PCJ coincide with the station’s jubilee. Just ten years ago PCJ carried out the first short-wave world relay, enabling listeners in the four corners of the earth to hear the chimes of Big Ben. A few weeks later another successful short-wave transmission was carried out by PCJ—a broadcast which made it possible for Royalty to address its subjects throughout the world. On this occasion the Queen of the Netherlands spoke before the microphone of PCJ,

and this broadcast was also received with great success. Although PCJ was closed down for a temporary period, having performed its task as a pioneer, even the new station, PHI, with its outstanding programme feature, could not eclipse the sentiment in favour of PCJ, which opened again in 1934. In spite of the fact that the number of shortwave transmitters now amounts to hundreds, PCJ and PHI are still counted favourites among many thousands of shortwave listeners. The popularity of PCJ and PHI is understood when it is realised that their shortwave programmes are conducted in seven languages. Mr. Edward Startz, chief announcer, can speak seven fluently. His versatility and cheery personality have made him a popular favourite in many lands. PCJ, the pioneer shortwave station of the air, and a firm favourite with Continental listeners, using its revolutionary aerial on wheels, transmits a special direct beam programme to Australia and New Zealand every Tuesday night.