WIRELESS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 17858, 10 June 1922, Page 5

WIRELESS.

LATEST AMERICAN FAD. Tlie American Government have prepared - a pamphlet to encourago the installation of wireless receiving outfits in private residences by showing how they can be constructed at a- cost of fiom £2 10s to £3 15s. Tlio Govern-, mont’s action is duo to the enormous popularity of wireless concerts and other entertainments, programmes of winch aro being scattered broadcast by privato firms in many parts of the country. This is now tlie raging fad in America. It is estimated that probably a million places are equipped with wireless receivers, and that five million people daily listen by iwireless to jazz bands, opera singers, recitations, announcements, weather reports, brief important news, and other entertaining features. 'The principal distributing station for New .York is Newark, and other centres in the vicinity are also wirelessing daily programmes. The Government are planning the election of a great transmitting station at Washington, sufficiently powerful to send to the Pacific Coast waves which will distribute Government news and President’s messages to Congress, with whatever other information tne Government departments consider it advisable to impart. This extension into Government affairs is expected to result in Government news being distributed moadcast to Europe, South America, and elsewhere for the fienefit of the newspapers.

While the attitude of the Government towards the wireless fad is benevolent, they are trying to arrange regulations for preventing private users from trespassing on Government messages, whatevet wave lengths are used. At present no regulations are in force; consequently tlie air, is frequently filled witfi chatter when the same iwave-length is being used by different parties. This, is is ospected, will shortly be satisfactorily adjusted.

According to an American wireless periodical, Miss Anderson, of Brooklyn, is the first woman in the world to receive a wireless kiss. It was sent her by Mr Hugo Estburg, chief operator on the steamship America, then in midAtlanlic, after an affectionate conversation. In its treatment of amateur wireless operators, the authorities in the United States are generous. The number of registered receiving stations is now 60,000. Amateurs in England aro pressing the Post Office for greater facilities, in the hope perhaps that they may be able to adapt wireless to the lighter side of life. It jwas stated recently in Parliament by the Postmaster-General that to give greater facilities to wireless amateurs in England would impede the sending cf official messages. Amateurs, however, are pressing for the freer use of receiving stations, which, because they receive messages and do not send them, could not interfere with official work.