Wireless Direction Finder.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 26, Issue 63, 3 August 1915, Page 2

Wireless Direction Finder.

The tests of the new wireless direction finder, known as the Mar-coni-Bellini-Tosi apparatus, which was instaled on the Canadian Northern R.M.S. Royal George, have proved in every way satisfactory. The apparatus enables, the liner, even in the thickest weather, and without the aid of compass or sextant, to find her position when she is within a radius of about fifty miles of a fixed wireless station, or one on board a ship whose position is knoWn ; moreover, should she pick up, the wireless distress signal on this apparatus, she is able to set her course towards its source, even though the ship in distress has not been able to give her position. During the voyage of the Royal George the device, which was operated by Emilio Ichino, of the Marconi Company, underwent a series of tests, and/ Captain F. J. Thompson, R.N.R., her commander, states that the instrument was accurate to a degree in determining the compass direction both of shore stations and stations on other vessels. The fact that there was fog at Cape Race seemed' to have made no difference, and Captain Thompson believes there are great possibilities for the system, especially in the event of going to the rescue of a ship sending out the S.O.S. call. When a steamer fitted with the ordinary wireless apparatus is in distress it is necessary for her to give another ship her position' in degrees of latitude and longitude, and the navigating officer of the latter ship must know his own j position before he can head her towards the calling vessel. But • with this new ■ appliance the officer, even though the position of neither ship is known to him, can steer her directly tb the rescue, and thus arrive at the scene of the accident much sooner than he would if his ship were equipped with, the ordinary Marconi apparatus o&ly.