OUT-BACK WIRELESS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 129, 28 November 1923, Page 5

OUT-BACK WIRELESS

MINIMISING SETTLERS' HANDICAPS

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN PROJECT.

(FROM ODH OWN CORRESPOKDENT.)

SYDNEY, 15th November. The first State in Australia to grasp thoroughly the possibilities of wireless telephony for minimising the handicaps to settlers of their isolation is Western Australia. No sooner had the Commonwealth Government, after protracted Consideration, made up its mind about it 3 regulations for broadcasting, and announced the terms on which certificates would be granted, than the Western Australian Farmers, Ltd., proceeded to materialise plans which had been formulated for connecting up distant settlers and bringing them inW touch with a fine service which has been arranged. A transmitting plant will ba erected on the building occupied by that organisation in Perth. Following upon recommendations by the representative- of Amalgamated Wireless, Ltd., Sydney a fcontract has been let for the erection of the necessary aerials, and the installation of the transmitter proper. In addition to operating rooms, accommodation will be made available, so that concerts and addresses may be delivered, specially for broadcasting. It is also intended to take advantage of the visite of notable persons and to broadcast their utterances. . Efforts will be made to arrange for connection with the principal theatres and churches to the same purpose. Originally it was planned to install a 600 v?att transmitter, capable of being received through average receivers up to 3CO miles. As a result of overtures by pastoraliste, that plan was abandoned, and it was resolved that the transmitter should have a range of 600 miles, and accordingly a transmitter of the maximum power permitted by the Commonwealth Government will he erected. The masts will rise 180 feet above the roof of the building, and the aerials (cage type) will be 175 feet long. Fortunately the positio no fthe building is such that the greatest distribution can be obtained. Numerous patent rights for receiving sets are held in Australia, but. after full investigation, it has been decided that the most economical method of supplying farmers with receivers will be to import the necessary parts from Great Britain. The response of the farmers ! in connection with the scheme has been gratifying, and the general opinion is that the men on the land will benefit materially. The fact that wireless receivers cost no more than tho ordinary gramophones, and can be used for different purposes, is said to be. fully appreciated.