Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-05-15
PROSPECTS GOOD
(centjnued from pnaa one)

today indicated that Commander
John n. Towers was planning to
start the transatlantic hight with
the ,ssaplanes NC-1 and NC.s TO-
morrow from TrepAssey Bay, N. r.
When these advices were sent Of
ficers at Trepassey evidently thought
the NC-4 would reach the starting
point tonight, That plan has been
abandoned, but II weather conditions
are as favorable as forecacsted late
today Commander Towers may start
without awaiting tho arrival Of the
third plane.
The navy departments dispatch
from Trepassey Bay as to weather
conditions. said:
Ion -shore storm from Cape Cod
eastward has passed north leaving
light variable winds from Trepaesey
to Azores and the sea had subsidized.
Conditions. therefore. fair for a start
this evening for the long leg Of the
flight, but the arrival OF NC-l prob
ably will delay US until tomorrow
when weather will be even more IA.
vorable between here and Asores."
In connection with the announce
ment Of the record established In
radio communication. the Navy de-
partment made public the details of
the radio installation on the three
seaplanes.
Each Of the planes Is equipped
with two transmitters. one of which
is mounted on the deck Of the plane
near the stern and has as, its main
element a stream-line generator and
accessory apparatus driven by the
propeller. Although this complete set
weighs only As pounds. 1t can be used
between the plane and shore stations
for distances up to $50 nautical
miles.
The antennae used with this out
At is a single wire about $50 feet
long trailing from the tail of the
plane. Since 1t is driven by the pro-
peller this transmitter may only be
used for communication while the
plane is in flight. It allows the fiiers
to send messages from time to time
to shore stations or ships at sea re-
garding the progress of the flight.
these messages being relayed to the
Navy department.
The second transmitter, which is
used mainly for communication be-
tween planes and is limited to a ra-
dius Of about 20 miles. is a COM
bined telephone and radio telegraph
transmitter which operates on a
small storage battery. The antennae
are stretched on the upper planes.
this permitting use while the ma
chine is in flight or at rest with equal
ease. This outfit is used in telephon-
ing between planes while in flight.
and enables the division commander
to direct the movements OF the va
rious units and to keep constantly in
touch with the ship commanders. The
set is SO arranged that either the
radio operators or the commanding
officers themselves may communicate
while the planes are in flight.
A special feature of the radio
equipment used on the planes is the
recently perfected anti-noise micro
phone which is SO constructed that
the terrific engine noise Of the plane
is not heard. This apparatus, alone,
navy radio experts said. makes pos
sible long distance transmission by
telephone from aircraft.
The receiving apparatus of the
planes permits of reception of mes
sages from land stations of high
POWER at distances Of several thou
sand miles. thereby allowing the sea-
planes although nearly across the
Atlantic. to receive orders and other
messages direct from the Navy de-
partment.