The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-04-29
NORTH CAROLINA THE PLACE

While Marconi's experiments have
been widely advertised in the papers
and promoters have been selling stock
for Marconi wireless telegraph syndi-
Gates, the United States Weather Blu
reau has been conducting, without any
noise, experiments in wireless telegraphy
on Roanoke Island. North Carolina. The
first publication that these tests were
lished in the News and Observer last
October, Hon. Willis L. Moore. head of
the Weather Bureau, giving the infor-
nation. Mr.. Moore and competent scien-
lists have been at work over two years
in that quiet place, selecting it because
it afforded exceptional advantages and
was far removed from any city.
When the experiments were concluded
at Roanoke Island last week, Prof. Fes-
sender declared 1.-THE age of the cable
is over Wireless telegraphy is certain
to supercede it and within five years
cables will be of no value except fer
copper: and he added:
The difference between my system
and Marconis are difficult to describe,
because in no point are the systems
alike. Marconi uses an air transformer
at the sending end, concentric cylinders
and his capacity is arranged in GER
tain way 1 use neither of the above
&c in,
ferent manner AT the receiving end
Marconi uses an imperfect contact that
is a ooherer. l use imperfect contact,
every conductor used in my receiving
apparatus being of solid metal and
there is no principle similar TO the CO.
herer involved.
1T should be noted that although /
use telephone ear-picce this is not es-
sential as a syphon recorder can be
used. 1t has been the universal history
of telegraphy that each system starts
with an automatic recorder and ends up
with enc read by sound. We thought it
best to omit this section
Referring to the success of the exper-
imcnts special from Weir's Point,
Roanoke Island. says:
1.-THE Fessenden system differs most
radically from all others. None of the
principles employed by Marconi are used
in the new system. Within the past
fortnight Prof Fessenden found that his
tests had reached such stage that they
could be made public. His entire APP
paratus will not weigh over ten pounds
but for The present he has not been
able to do away with the tall mast from
the apex of which five copper wires are
strung radiating like the strings of a
harp. The combined collections of these
five wires are conveyed TO the instru-
ments in the station upon a single
strand.
prof Fessenden does not use a CO.
herer as do all the other inventors CT
wireless telegraphy. Fessenden uses
what he calls wave det2cter,' Which
is perfect, but is somewhat lacking in
detailed development. Prof. + essenden's
station is located on the extreme north
westerly point of the island and consists
of three small frame structures. This,
with the mast, which is ] 80 feet high,
completes the station. lie has we'll
equipped machine shop and laboratory
near the beach
I'm all the tests yesterday tie quarter
inch spark only was employed. This is
less than any similar inventor has ever
been able to employ and secure con-
elusive results 1t was this demunstra-
ton of the small energy required that
so Pleased the government experts.
The first test was at 10 o'clock when
message containing 127 words was re-
ceived at the Weir's Point station. 1t
was from Frof. Moore in Washington
and had been sent by wire to the Cape
Hatteras station and from there by
wireless to the Point. 1t merely intro
duced several of those witnessing the
tests and contained matter of conf
Dental nature regarding the Depart
ment.
every fifteen minutes messages were
repeated and except Cor a passing thdn-
der shower, which temporarily Gisa hlcd
part of the receiving apparatus. owing
to the failure Of a lightning arrester,
the tests were IN I'm lelie"I Success"