CANADIAN COAST PROTECTION.

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 November 1929, Page 9

CANADIAN COAST PROTECTION.

AUTOMATIC BEACONS | The first of the eighteen radio beacons which the Canadian Government is installing along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts has recently been completed, and after strenuous testing, has been declared entirely satisfactory. These radio beacons, which are entirely automatic, are now being insttalled to supply a long-felt '™nt, namely, some reliable means wheie y shipping is afforded an adequate measure of protection from the dangerous shoals and fogs which prevail on the Northern Canadian coasts. These radio beacons are to bo installed in every lighthouse along the coasts, and though their transmissions are entirely automatic, it is necessary for the lighthouse-keeper to ensure the constant running of the gasoline unit which supplies .the necessary power. The radio apparatus consists of a duplicate automatic transmitter which emits a set code signal, thus enabling a radio operator on board ship to as-

certain his whereabous with accuracy. In the case of a breakdown, the keeper merely throws a switch over, and thus places a duplicate transmitter on the air. Each of the beacons will have a special code signal of its own, and when an operator hears one of these signals lie can be sure that his ship is near some dangerous location. If his ship carries direction-finding apparatus, he cau locate the position of the ship by ascertaining the direction in which the signals are loudest. By taking crossbearings from another beacon station, the exact position of the ship cau be accurately plotted. The beacon transmitters are so designed that the only breakdown that is possible is one caused by a burnt-out valve. Should this occur, the keeper immediately places the other set in action, and substitutes another valve in the defective transmitter. Adequate warning is given, should anything go wrong, by a bell, which continues ringing lintil the transmission Recommences. The operation is entirely controlled by a clock. As the hands reach the set time, special electric contacts close the circuit and start the gasoline unit. When the engine is properly running, electric contacts on the power panel of the transmitter close and start up the motor-generator which supplies the current for the transmitter; the valves light up, and within one minute and forty-five seconds from the time that the clock closed contact the signals are on the air. They continue for one minute, just sending out the call, such as VGZ, VGZ, VGZ, for a full minute. Then a two-minute pause follows; tb*e signals go on again; another two-min-ute pause. Then the carrier note which goes out. on the air is shut off, as the second contact on the clock closes the circuit. Once an hour, twenty-four times, a day, 365 days in the year, that automatic procedure goes on. Only in fog will the transmitter function continuously, twentybur hours a day.

The beacons operate on a wave-c-ngth o£ 1000 metres, and are powered with four fifty-watt transmitting valves. They have a positive range : -jf 75 miles, while their signals have ■ been heard loudly enough for directionfinding operations up to distances of ■ 200 miles or more. It is expected that this chain of eighteen stations will be completed early in the coming year, 1 and when completed, it Will form yet ■ another addition to the Already large ‘ number of stations, which are operated s by the Canadian Government for the 1 aid of marine navigation. <

NOTES Many uses are predicted for a new metal known as “Konel,” which 1 has been developed by the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company of America. Originally prepared as a substitute for platinum in the manufacture of filaments for wireless valves, the new metal has been found to be harder to forge than steel and to be very tough at high temperatures. The Westinghouse Company state that as a substitute for platinum, Konel is already saving £50,000 monthly in the manufacture of wireless valves, and that the life of a Konel filament is approximately ten times longer than + hat of others. Valves with the new filaments are operated 175 degrees cooler than those with platinum filament, but it is stated that the emission remains the same.

Another form of television was recently demonstrated in America, and despite the fact that it is limited in its application, yet it is decidely interesting. By utilising ultra-violet light waves instead of radio waves as the transmitting medium it was possible to transmit motion pictures a distance of 100 feet. Although this system is limited to a distance of not more than 25 miles, and cannot penetrate physical obstructions, it is directional; a factor of importance for certain fields of development. The apparatus, aside from the oscillator, is based upon the same principles as are used in radio television. As the number of radio channels available for television is decidedly limited, any method which relieves that 'situation is well worth while.

A system whereby radio programmes can be transmitted over telephone wires was perfected in America recently. Without interfering with the present point-to-point wiring, and without changing equipment, the millions of ordinary, telephone installations in the United States could bo used to bring all types of programmes into the home. The low power used in the transmission is one of the important advantages claimed for the system; fifty watts, for instance, will supply 5000 telephone subscribers with broadcasts. No tuning is required when operating the telephone-con-nected set, as the mere turning of a switch gives a different programme. Static effects and other kinds of interferences are completely eliminated. The principle involved is the same as that used for the simultaneous sending of multiple telephone or telegraph messages over the one line. A high authority in ihe radio world states that it is probable that before long radio equipment will be built into the home, just as plumbing, electric light wiring, the heating system, and oilier features are now part and parcel of the building. It is considered

that the radio receiver of the near future will take the form of a builtin, centralised radio equipment, with remote control and with extension wiring to scattered loud speakers. The set will be a plain *one in a metal case for flush mounting in walls, together with extensive radio wiring to loud speakers and remote controls throughout the house.

The commercial, programmes in the United States are commencing to have a rather dampening effect on radio listeners in that country. There is much less listening done by most of the older enthusiasts than formerly, but the number of newcomers, eagerly listening to anything while it is a novelty, keep the number of listeners to a given programme fairly constant, so that those who do not listen are not missed. However, the novelty of radio is passing, and even new listeners are quickly learning the ropes and dropping out of the advertising-talk hours. Such, listeners begin to cut down their entire radio activities, and sets are neglected because their owners will not listen through poor programmes in the chance of! hearing something worth while. >