RADIO RESEARCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23339, 6 May 1939, Page 17

RADIO RESEARCH

DOMINION STATIONS WORK AT WEST TAMAKI SCIENTIST'S APPOINTMENT STUDY OF DISTANT SIGNALS In connection with the recent establishment of a radio research station at West Tamaki, Dr. K. Kreielsheimer arrived by the Awatea yesterday to take over an appointment as a research assistant. His particular work will bo to study reception of distant signals, the direction of their arrival and the measurement of field intensity, both in Auckland and at the second station located near Dunedin. Dr. Kreielsheimer was attached to Auckland University College four years ago, under a grant from the Academic Assistants' Council, London. Since then he has been gener.il research officer of Neon Sign? (Australia), Limited, Sydney. Ho resigned from that position to accept the appointment with tli© New Zealand Radio Research Committee, which is a branch of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Reflecting Radio Waves "My immediate concern will be ai\ investigation of tho ionosphere structure—or the layers which reflect radio waves from tho upper atmosphere to tho earth and _ govern the whole of radio transmission from a distance " said Dr. Kreielsheimer. "The ionosphere is influenced by moon tides. That is to say, it is believed to move up and down with the corresponding movement of the moon, in a. way similar to sea tides, and, although this has not been established, it must bo investigated."

lonospheric changes influenced tho selection of suitable radio waves for transmission, and also distortion in transmission, said Dr. Kreielsheimer. It was possible that results of research in New Zealand would ho compared with those obtained in Australia, where ho had been interested in tho work of tho Commonwealth Radio Research Board. Ho said he would also work in collaboration with tho universities in Auckland and Otago. Progress in Australia Dr. Kreielsheimer said remarkable progress had been made. in radio research in Australia. Tho most outstanding development was a six-way electronic relay switch, which permitted observation of six different events simultaneously on the screen of a cathode rav tube, similar to the magic eye radio tuning device in larger form. It took three years to develop, and, while it was still in tho research stages, its practical application would economise on apparatus in power station circuits. Dr. Kreielsheimer was accompanied by Mrs. Kreielsheimer, and they were met by Professor P. W. Burbidge, professor of physics at Auckland University College, and convener of the distant signals committee of the Radio Research Committee. Professor Burbidg;e said the establishment of radio research stations indicated that the Government recognised bow important they might prove in improving radio communication, so necessary for civil and militarv contact. The Government provided. a year for the work.