Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-05-06
Directing The War By Wireless.

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psychological moment in the career OF
wireless telegraphy, for only very recent
ly has the art based on the science OF
ether waves been reduced TO the reliable
basis OF a sound industry. Five years
ago, or even less, wireless could not have
responded to the exacting demands which
this war is putting upon it.
AT the beginning OF hostilities cables
and telegraph lines were ruthleSSly cut.
Germany, more than any other belligerent,
has been in an exceedingly trying posi-
ton as regards external telegraphic conf
munication, surrounded as she is by en-
emies on all sides. Her main cables have
been cut or disconnected, so that now
her only electrical communication with
the outer world is by wireless. AT the
outbreak of the European war, Germany
had II government wireless stations;
Austria Hungary, 4; France, Is; Russia,
%; and England, At.
One of the first tasks OF the wireless OF
the various warring countries was to fill
in the gaps caused by severed cables.
AS later incidents have proved, however,
that was only an insignificant portion OF
the work. Hundreds OF miles of roaring
battle line, hostile warstips rowing the
remotest wastes of the sea, ,aeroplanes and
Zeppelns soaring high ABOVE the earth,
even the Stealthy submarines lurking in
The depths for victims, are subservient TO
the invisible hand OF the wireless.
The wireless equipment with which
General Joffre keeps in touch with The
fighting line of the allies has range OF
200 miles, and is portable. Within 10
minutes after the command is given, the
station can be erected and put in opera
tion. AT the front, smaller and lighter
equipments, known as "knapsack" sta
tions, are employed. These are so con-
structed that one complete set can be di-
vided up and carried by four men, with
an average weight TO each man OF 70
pounds. Five minutes after the command
for erection is given, these sets are in
operation.
Besides the knapsack stations. new
and ingenious auxiliary equipment has
been devised for cavalry scouting duty,
called "whisker wireless" This odd
name arises from the bristling appearance
OF the antennae which project like the
quils OF a porcupine from the horses
| Hanks.
Landing Stations" having range OF
| so miles and designed for impromptu ser
vice, are used by the marines. For ex-
ample, when cruiser anchors off shore
and sends detachment OF men for scout
ing duty, they carry with them this very
compact equipment which can be set up
hurriedly.
Probably the most novel use 10 which
wireless has been put in this war is in
aeropIane service. The equipment in
stalled on the French and Belgian fliers
weighs about 100 pounds and is exceed
ingly compact and simple. The metal
frame ofthe aeroplane forms the antennae,
while a long trailing wire is used for
"ground." This wire is attached so that
should it become entangled in tree or
other obstruction, it automatically pulls
loose, and another one is substituted.
Wireless communication over dis
tance of 81 miles has been carried on
from an aeroplane 10 land station in the
U. S. Army, but greater ranges than five
TO ten miles are not practical or necessary.
In service, the wireless-equipped aero
plane is sent on scouting duty over the
enemy's lines from a base at which
knapsack station is located. II is rarely
necessary tor the aeroplane TO fly 10 a
greater distance than two or three miles
from this base. AS he flies over the
enemy, the operator telegraphs the COIL
dition or maneuvers of the enemy to the
knapsack station. Surprises on both
sides are constantly being frustrated in
this manner. AS matter OF incidental
interest, it is due principally TO this fact
that there have been no recorded surprise
attacks made by either side onthe Franco
German frontier and that deadlock ex-
lists now.
The wireless telegraph comprises an
important part of the equipment OF Yep
peIins. kindergarten transmitting power,
due 10 a larger space allotment, is made
possible on the Zeppelins and French
dirigibles. A greater range also results
, from the use of larger antennae system.
J A wireless direction finder, to supple
ment the aeroplane spying service, has
recently been adopted by the British for
the purpose OF locating wireless stations
at German artillery bases. When the ap-
proximate location of battery is thus
found, the British and French guns are
trained upon if. An English radio en-
gineer, who recently visited this country,
made the statement that by means OF one
OF the field direction finders the exact
location OF the admiral's ship OF the "hid-
den" German fleet had been discovered
by an officer.
The secrecy of the interior of subma-
rines is proverbial, but it has been stated
on authority that a wireless equipment Of
short range is in use on the majority OF
underwater craft. When a submarine is
cruising on the surface, a short mast, or
the periscope tube, is used for suspend
ing asmall antennae system. The equip
ment closely resembles the aeroplane
installations. For an aerial conductor,
when the craft is travelling submerged,
an insulated JET OF water is substituted for
the regular antennae.
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