RADIO BEACONS

Evening Star, Issue 22780, 15 October 1937, Page 13

RADIO BEACONS

BARING HEAD APPARATUS INSTALLED NEXT FOR CAPE CAMPBELL [Pm United Prm» Association.] WELLINGTON, October If The first automatic radio directionfinder for shipping off the New Zealand coasts, a radio beacon at Baring Head, was . officially opened to-day by the Minister of Marine (M>r P. Fraser). “ All members of the Marine Department. have had it in their minds and hearts for years to accomplish this service,” Mr Fraser said. Two masts, approximately 60ft .high, carry the aerial for the transmitting station, which is situated near the base of the Baring Head lighthouse. The transmitter sends out messages in clear •weather at half-hourly intervals, and the signals, which last five minutes, are given twice. In fog the signals are' given out every six minutes, and are of four minutes’ duration. The radio beacon has a wave length which will not interfere with the broadcast listener. “ The next radio beacon is to be installed at Cape Campbell, and the third on Stephen Island, thus completing the three points of the triangle,” MFrasei said. “ Auckland will be the next port to be so equipped, and we should then have a safe approach to the two main ports After that we shall extend the - service to all points of New Zealand.”