Evening star., 1922-09-03
RADIO PLANT IN FRANCE
AMERICAN WAR MONUMENT
Most Powerful Radio Transmitting Station in the
World, Now in Daily Operation Near Bordeaux,
One of the Results of the Participation of
the United States in the World War.

the station was thereby insured in
so far as the. transmitting equipment
itself was concerned.
The radio transmitting equipment
was designed and manufactured In
the United States. 1t likewise was
shipped to France without loss or
damage.
Where duplicate units or parts
were furnished, such as the duplicate
1,000-kilowatt transmitters. one unit
was shipping on a certain vessel, the
duplicate unit going forward on a
different vessel. This precaution was
taken owing to the then existing
submarine menace.
force of more than 500 skilled
workmen, including steel workers,
bridgemen. electricians. etc. was got
! ten together in the United States and
sent to France to undertake the es-
tablishment of the station.
A large amount of camp and con-
struction equipment was also neces-
sary to carry on a project of this
secured and shipped complete to
France.
The forces of American skilled
workmen were organized under naval
officers upon their arrival in France,
unskilled labor was obtained abroad
and large construction camp was
established on the radio station site
and the work of erecting the station
was prompetly begun with the ar
rival of material and equipment from
the United States.
The Navy provided and erected the
eight S20-foot towers. furnished, In
stalled and tested the duplicate 1000
kilowatt transmitters with their as
sociated apparatus and manufactured
and installed the antenna system.
The French constructed the con-
crete foundations for the towers.
ad fhn tfrc h,,I div,0 4
provided the electric power supply
to operate the radio equipment
Owing to the interruption in the
work of establishing the station, due
to the signing of the armistice. 1t
was not finally completed until Au-
gust 20. 1920.
A pre-arranged thirty day schedule
of tests were conducted beginning the
following day using the word La
fayette" as the test signal. For the
period August 21-September 20. 1920.
electrical impulses in the atmosphere.
speaking over and over again in radio
nomenclature the name Lafayette.
could be detected practically any
where in the world by suitably
equipped and properly adjusted re-
ceiving apparatus.
On December IS. 1920. the station
was turned over by the United States
to France for operation. A COM
viously been placed in position over
the main entrance of the operating
building was unveiled with appro-
pirate plaque ceremonies. The sta
tion was then inaugurated in the
radio service of the world by the ex-
between the United States and France
through the Annapolis and Lafayette
stations. 1t has since continued in
daily operation working with high
power stations in the United States.
in French Indo China and other dis
tant countries as well as with sta
tions in Europe.
The design Of the commemorative
plaque embodies two panels sur
mounted by combination of the
coats of arm of France and the
United States. The following inscrip-
tion in both English and French is
engraved on the panels:
LAFAYETTE RADIO STATION.
In honor Of Gen Lafayette.
Conceived for the purpose of in
surfing adequate and uninterrupted
transatlantic communication IA
clities between the American ex-
peditionary forces engaged in the
world war and the government of
the United States Of America.
Erected by the United States
Navy in conjunction with and for
the government of France.
The Lafayette radio station is. in
sense. virile living thing, capable OF
signaling by means of its electrical
impulses to the peoples of all lands,
to aircraft in flight among the clouds,
and to ships on all the seas, Undoubt-
edly it will eventually similarly
transmit through the limitless sur
rounding space. the equivalent of the
human voice by the medium of radio
telephony.
Aside from it's practical utility. the
Lafayette radio station stands as
in France to the United
States Navy. 1t is a fitting memorial
to the personnel of the Navy radio
service for their efforts to safeguard
the welfare of our forces engaged in
the world war.
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