SUPER-POWER RADIO STATIONS NOW OBSOLETE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18187, 21 June 1927, Page 9

SUPER-POWER RADIO STATIONS NOW OBSOLETE.

AUSTRALIAN EXPERT ADVOCATES BEAM.

B” Tel<“s:raph.—Pres* A*sn.—Copyrlcht. Ans. and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received June 21, 11.5 a.m.) SYDNEY, June 21. Speaking before the Wireless Commission, Mr Fisk said that for the cost of one super-power station in Australia, which was estimated at £700,000, six or seven beam stations could be erected. He believed that super-power stations were obsolete, and beam stations, at a little extra cost, could be fitted with non-directional antennas which could be so arranged that they could be switched over in less than a minute. It would then be posisble 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 Earl Jellicoe was advised of the battle of Jutland which resulted. Replying to Commander Cresswell, who was 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 and to cut the cables to isolate Australia. With Australia’s long coastline and small population it would not be difficult for enemy agents in the country or for landing parties to destroy the telegraph routes at several points, and the cable-landing stations on the coasts could be subjected to bombardment.