RADIO CONFERENCE.

Grey River Argus, 22 November 1927, Page 6

RADIO CONFERENCE.

DETERMINING WAVE LENGTHS. WASHINGTON, November 19. The Radio Conference inaugurated a new era of international communication to-day, when the plenary session approved of -wave length allocation, a tribute to General Gerrie, of th * French delegation, who, as chairman of the technical committee had directed the work. Waves ranging from thiry thousand down were distributed among the world’s fixed broadcasting, amateur ships, and air services. The mobile services received sixteen waves outright, and fixed services fourteen, and eight waves were assigned jointly to both services. Broadcasters received seven waves and will share an additional wave (that from 230 to 200) with ship services, while amateurs will have two waves outright and share two additional ami fixed services. One wave, namely 1050 to 950 was given to radio beams. Important waves, two thousand to 1875, 1875 to 1550, and 1550 to 1050, will be shared according to regional agreements by broadcasters and the fixed ami mobile services. Amateurs’ waves are 42.8 to 41, and 21.4, to 20.8. They will share T 0.7 to 10, and 5.35 to 5 with the experiment's and 175 to 150 and 85 to 75, with fixed and mobile services.

The plenary session by vote of fortythree to seven, decided to maintain the principle of compulsory arbitration. European nations, under the leadership of Britain and Japan, opposed the principle, while the American nations supported it. The session approved of the eight convention articles and seven regulations. It is understood that one more plenary session will be held next week, while the final meeting on Friday will be held to sign the contract. BEAM COMPETITION. AFFECTS (’ABLE BOARD’S REVENUE. LONDON. Nov. 20. There has been a further obortive discussion among the partner Governments regarding the appointment of a Chairman of the Pacific Cable Board. Apparently they consider the xpense involved in the appointment is inopportune until th • respective functions of the beam and cables are more clearly defined. The aggregate traffic between Britain and Australia and New Zealand has increased, but the beam competition has affected the Board’s revenue, and is likely to continue to attract a class of traffic demanding speed and cheapness, though cables are more secret and accurate. It is impossible at present to determine whether the beam is permanently competitive or complimentary to the cables.