WIRELESS STATIONS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16372, 21 June 1927, Page 6

WIRELESS STATIONS

SUPER-POWER OR BEAM VULNERABILITY OF CABLES (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Received. June 21, 1 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 21. Speaking before the Wireless Commission, Mr. Fisk said that for the cost of one super-power station in Australia, estimated at £700,C00, six or seven beam stations could 1 be erected. He believed super-power stations were obsolete. The beam stations, at little extra cost, coujd be fitted with non-directional antennae, which could be so arranged that they could be switched over in less than a minute. It would then be possible to communicate in every direction.

Speaking of direction finding apparatus, Mr. Fisk said that during the war it was by means of this apparatus that the Admiralty discovered that the German fleet was putting to sea and Lord Jellicoe was advised. The battle of Jutland resulted.

Replying to Commander Cresswell (representing the Navy), Mr. Fisk said that if only the cable, services were relied on it was only necessary to cut the overland telegraph lines between Perth and Adelaide, antl Port Darwin and Adelaide, and cut the cables, to isolate Australia. With Australia's long coastline and small population, i!t would not be difficult for enemy agents in the country or landing parties to destroy the telegraph routes at several points, and cable landing stations on the coast could be subjected' to bombardment.