WIRELESS IN THE HOME.

Otago Witness, Issue 3596, 13 February 1923, Page 63

WIRELESS IN THE HOME.

MAKINC USE OF RADIO. RADIO IX INDIA. “The Madras Government,” says Carl H. Butman, in Radio World (New York), “has just ordered seven radio sets from the Marconi Company, of London, for use in the Malabar area of the presidency, according to Vice-Consul H. A. Doolittle. “This comes about logically as an outgrowth of the Moplah rebellion in that region, lasting from August to Decemner, 19M, in its main phase. The Malabar section, heavily wooded and hilly, even mountainous, is traversed only by footpaths and a few post roads. The work of the troops was greatly hindered by the destruction of all means of communication, telegraphic and postal, by the rebels, a number of whom were trained soldiers who knew the value of such hampering tactics. When the lines were promptly repaired they were again torn down. No amount of watching prevented ther being destroyed by the rebels as fast as repaired. “Six armed camps, constructed at various strategic points, each with a company of police, have been provided with duMex--telephone installation sets. A charging plant is also being imported to be installed under the supervision of" one of Marconi’s experts. The aerial system employed will consist of two masts 30ft high, 200 ft apart, made from local material. An effective range, depending on conditions, from 30 to £0 miles, is hoped for; sufficient for communication between the camps. “In an effort to push the employment of stations throughout India, the Marconi Company is arranging for a series of demonstrations among the various native states in the near future.’’ WIRELESS STARTS A TRAIN. In Radio Age (Mount Morris, 111.) we read of the starting by radio of a railway locomotive hauling a train of thirty-three cars at East Pittsburg. It will be understood that the radio wave served only to release the energy that propelled the train, but even this was a highly interesting demonstration of the possibility of remote control of machinery. Here are details of the accomplishment: “The International Trade Special was started on its long journey when E. M. Herr, President of the Westinghouse Company, closed a switch on a pole near the railroad track on which the train was standing. 'the closing of this switch closed the wireless electrical circuits laid out kiv radio experts and engineers, and this reacted on the circuits in the locomotive, releasing the controller. “The release of the controller by wTireless then started the International Trade Special and marked an event unparallelled in history and in wireless engineering. After the train was put in motion by the wireless arrangement, a locomotive engineer, who was sitting in the cab, in accordance with the requirements of the Interstate Commerce Commission, took charge of the train. “The assembled guests, although expecting to witness an unprecedented event, were amazed bv the facility with which the locomotive was started by wireless, and, for a, moment, stood silently in wonderment at the feat. Then they started cheering and continued cheering until the long train had left the electric plant.