Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-06-14

NJ z.
should be tree from Interruption under
1.-The worst conditions to be encouh-
tered
Static and Interference
At the present time the principal
difficulties encountered in wireless
communication arise from interfer-
ence and static. BY the former Is
meant the reception of a given station
of not only the signals desired, but
also signals from other stations than.
| the one. with whom the station IS
working. Thus, If KahuIzu is receiv-
ing message from the Luriine. and
at the same time the China is receiv-
ling a message from the Korea, it
could easily happen that Kahuku
would hear the Korea, as well as the
Lnrline, and confusion in the signals
might result. There are various
schemes used to minimize this inter
| ference. such. as the use Of different
wave-lengths. and the consequent
tuning for Different stations The
government regulations prescribe GER
| tain limits for the wave-lengths Of
different classes Of stations and
these regulations have certainly re-
suited IN lessening tie interference of
commercial and government stations.
bqt have rather increased the inter-
feren0es0f statlons - given class
with one another That part of the
new government regulation affecting
amateurs has been of great benefit
to commercial stations. particularly in
large cities. AS an instance of the
number of amateur stations having
apparatus that caused interference
with commercial work may be cited
New York City. with over five hum
|dred such stations The amateurs
are now restricted in such a way
that they do not now seriously bother
commercial stations.
BY the term static is meant the
signals received at wireless station
due to atmospheric electricity. Dur
ling the summer season. particularly
when there is lightning in the vicinity
of the station, the strength of the
static signals is frequently so great
as to make it impossible to receive
wireless signals; but during the win
ter there is, as a rule, little trouble
due to static The question for reduc-
ing to minimum the effect Of at
mosphefic electricity, is one OF the
most important problems now engag-
ing the attention of wireless en-
Cheers.
Cables vs.. Wireless
One of the questions concerning
which there has been much agitation
recently. particularly in England, is
the relative merits of wireless and
cables for trans-ocean work. From
the standpoint of initial cost the wire
less has an enormous advantage for
distance such as between Honolulu !
and San. Francisco; In regard to an
nual cost, the investment charges of /
the cable system more than offset its |
somewhat lower operating expenses.
In regard TO the question of secrecy.
there is little objection nowadays to |
the fact that wireless can be picked !
up by other stations than its 'destina-
ton, since the use Of private codes
insures reasonable amount of /
secrecy.
The wireless is much less liable /
to prolonged interruption of service /
due to breakdowns, since any trouble /
that develops must be at one of the
two stations, and hence is easily 10
Gated and remedied.
The traffic capacity of duplex, Il
wireless station, using |
automatic signalling, is
much greater than that of subrna- /
rine cable, and with the high power
and consequent strong receiving sig
mails characteristic of such stations,
the amount of repetition needed
should certainly be much less for
wireless than for the cable
The ability of wireless station
to communicate directly with ships at 4
sea might be an advantage in time of Il
war, but the class of station adapted
for long-distance work is usually not
well adapted to work with ships.
Conclusion
In view of the wonderful progress
Of the wireless science to date, it
would be absurd to predict its future,
because even the most optimistic II
might fall far short in predicting its
in the future I'M
in high-power apparatus.
and devices for minimizing static and
are the main problems at II
present; and the solution of these
will mark wonderful steps in wireless
progress.