SHORT-WAVE TELEPHONY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3996, 14 October 1930, Page 5

SHORT-WAVE TELEPHONY.

LINKING UP WITH LONDON. WELLINGTON, October 9. Although the results to date have been very satisfactory indeed the short wave telephonic service between Wellington and London is not yet ready to be opened. Th first conversation will take place in about a fortnight’s time between the Acting-Prime Minister (Mr E. A. Ransom) at Wellington, and the Prime Minister (Mi G W. Forbes) in London. Up to the present the only conversations which have taken place have been between the engineers who are testing the apparatus during the entire 24 hours of the day and schooling the officers. “ The results to date are highly satisfactory,” the Secretary of the Post Office (Mr G. M'Namara) told a Dominion representative to-day. “The thing is full of problems. The service between Sydney and London is working only a few hours a day owing to fading troubles. When we get going we do not anticipate much trquble so far as communication between Wellington and Sydney is concerned. To get into touch with London presents some difficulties as there is a 12 hours’ variation in time.’

In reply to an inquiry as to whether eavesdropping had been eliminated Mr M'Namara said that it was impossible for owners of crystal sets to listen in “ The only persons who can hear now,” he said, “ are the owners of short wave sets. They have all signed a declaration of secrecy. They can hear if they happen to get on to the same wave length at the same moment, but they must not disclose the conversation taking place.” The new service will be opened by the Acting-Prime Minister (Mr E. A. Ransom).