Radiotelephone System Jumps Into Popularity

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 December 1949, Page 6

Radiotelephone System Jumps Into Popularity

WASHINGTON. — The mobile radiophone—the new type of communication system between a central transmitting station and moving vehicles —is being developed so rapidly in the United States that some experts consider it is rivalling television in the speed of its development. The system is being used in hundreds of cities by. doctors, reporters, taxi drivers, railway companies, fire brigades and many other individuals and enterprises for whom constant communication with a central point is essential. About 10,000 subscribers—who can control many more thousands of mobile stations—are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The system itself, of course, is not new. It has been used for years by sea and air traffic for voice communication with airport and dock authorities. What is new is the amazing popularity—and importance—it is gaining in the lane* communications of this country. Taxi Equipment About 40,000 taxis are equipped with radiophones. Drivers who have completed a journey need not return to their starting point and wait loi another passenger. They are uirected to specific addresses by a despatcher m the company’s garage. Last year, rnmnanies in the United States in vested an estimated 10,000,000 dollars in radiophone equipment. One of the major passenger bus seivices here has an intricate network of communications in operation. By means of radiophone, it regulates timetables, sends out relief vehicles and emergency repair crews CM can re-route a driver long before he might, know of deteriorating weather conditions. . Haulage and tugboat companies have found immense advantages in the radiophone. Electric, gas and water companies use it to despatch and direct maintenance and repair teams, Fnms Which pump petrol through thousands of miles of pipelines use radiophone. These companies have been so greatly impressed with the advantages of radiophone that many are planning to set up an interlocking chain of private radio stations between the Texas and Louisiana oil fields in southern United States and the north-eastern part ol the country. . Even railway companies with extensive telephone networks at their disposal are turning to the radiophone. About 40 of these companies have found it invaluable for safety purposes and in yard operations. Work gangs on the line use radiophone to receive warnings of approaching trains. About 500 forest-fire units use radiophone. The American Red Cross have more than 100 stations in' use m potential flood and tornado disaster areas.

Use With Telephones The mobile radiophone has also been combined with the wire-telephone network of U.S. telephone companies. It radiophone transmitter-receivers are connected with conventional telephone /exchanges, radiophone calls can be handled through telephone switchboards. Thus, train passengers and doctors, for instance, can call any number listed in the telephone directory and hold a normal conversation. The advantage of this system for doctors when they are away from their surgeries, is a factor in the rapid development o fthe combined radiophonetelephone systems. Doctors and ambulance companies comprise most of the subscribers. , Another system, which can supplement the mobile telephone services, is called “citizens’ radio.” The radio resembles a walkie-talkie set and is directly linked with a portable radiophone. There is no intermediary central station, and conversations are private. Many ranches and country clubs are now- using this system. The Federal Communications Commission has reported that many manufacturers are devoting a great deal of research to this b'pe of instrument, which is expected to sell, when mass produced, at between 40 and 50 dollars.—Reuter.