NEW RADIO SIGNAL

Waikato Times, Volume 99, Issue 16654, 20 November 1925, Page 8

NEW RADIO SIGNAL

TO GUIDE ’PLANES.

A radio beacon tower is to be erected at .Monmouth, 111., America, under Min; supervision of the radio laboraI lory, CcCook Field, Dayton, Ohio, for I the Air Mail Service, j The new arrangement is known as the interlocking signal system. The pilot, trying to keep his course in the { direction of the transmitting beacon, | hears certain signals. To the right l and left of the course these signals j have somewhat the character of the I Morse “N” and “A” respectively. On j the course, where these two interlock- | iug signals are of the same intensity, a third signal is formed, such as the Morse “T,” which is a continuous and unbroken sound. If the sound becomes broken into either of the two signals before men'ioned he knows he is to the right or the left of the course, and must try for correction by resetting the nose of his 'plane until ipc hears the constant signal once more. One difficulty with the system has been that the flyer has had to depend entirely upon his hearing, involving considerable concentration and the possibility of personal error. To correct this difficulty a visual indicator has been developed, which consists of three small lights mounted on the instrument board and connected with the receiving set. The unbroken signal obtained by the interlocking of the two separate signals at a point of equal intensity causes a relay to operate a telephone selector, which in turn causes a white light' to flash. While the white light is on the pilot knows he is on the right course. To either side of the course the com-

pcnent signals actuate relays, which in turn .cause the selector to close the circuit, lighting a green or red light to the right or the left of the course respectively. A bulletin has been issued by the Weather Bureau regarding reports furnished by aviators, which reads in part as follows: — “Conditions which are unusual or dangerous to flyers receive prompt attention at the Washington forecasting station, and at each of the district forecast centres —Chicago, New Orleans, Denver and San Francisco. Radio service is supplied twice daily for the benefit of marine and aviation interests on the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts. Weather bulletins'and forecasts are broadcast from the Arlington (Va.) Naval Radio Station at 10.30 a.m. and at 10.30 p.m. They consist of reports on surface conditions and upper air data based on the regular 8 ,a.m. and 8 p.rn. observations of the Weather Bureau. “These bulletins include any reports received too late for the regular morning or evening forecast, and as a second feature summarise general atmospheric conditions, barometric readings, at high and low centres, wind and weather forecasts for offshore areas, storm warnings and flying w'eather forecasts for each of six: aviation zones. During the hurricane season -additional ship reports are received by radio from the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea and distributed in connection with this service.

“Specific and more detailed forecasts are made each morning and evening for definite flying routes, to supplement zone forecasts distributed by radio. These routes include the model airway and many routes, such as Washington to Long Island, Washington to Norfolk, Washington to Dayton, and Rantoul to Detroit.”