Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-11-19
SOS WAVE LENGTH
HELD IMPRACTICAL
"Hams" Protest Proposal on
Grounds 1t Would Limit
Operations.

Ambitious plans for the creation of
q national overland IS Q S" wave length.
Tor use in maintaining communication
with the outside world during disasters,
may go by the boards as impracticable
ana technically out of the question.
proposed by Commissioner Harold A.
Lafount few weeks ago, the plan
contemplated the designation of a short
wave channel to be used only in emer-
gencies, following the usual internal
tional procedure on the high seas. The
commission referred the matter to its
engineering division and a conference
Of Government communication agencies
ana other interested organizations de-
veloped such divergence of opinion
that the plan seems headed for drastic
moditeation. If it is adopted at all.
Hams" Protest Plan.
At the conference called by DR.. C.
q, Joinffe, chief engineer of the COM
mission, K. B. Warner, secretary of the
American Radio Relay League, repre-
sennng the 10000 radio amateurs in
the country, who have established emer-
gency radio networks during every dis
aster since 1919. protested such
scheme II 1t would limit amateur oper-
atoms. The hams" maintain that the
reason for their success In past catas-
tropes has been the extreme fiexibility
OF their operation. On the other hand.
any rigid system such as proposed in
connection with the establishment of a
national land distress frequency might
tie their hands when a disaster occurs.
and limit them to operation on q single
channel.
Attending the meeting also were
representatives of the Red Gross. Amer
lean Telephone 81 Telegraph Co.. Radio
Corporation Of America and Mackev
Radio & Telegraph Co, along with
commission engineers and officials of
the Army, Navy, State Department,
Coast Guard and other Government
communications services. The meeting
followed theoretical studies by the
commissions engineers as to the techi-
cal feasibility of the proposed system.
recommendations, it is understood.
soon VIII be drafted by DR.. Jolliffe for
the commissions consideration.
support Local Option.
There was considerable support for
local option on emergency relief com
munications, rather than a national
system, which might prove cumber-
some from the administrative stand
point aside from its technical FEAST
bility. Moreover, It was brought out
e1ab tiic COIliIlSSlOn last OCTOBER 3
adopted new regulation allowing. any
type Of licensed radio station-broad-
cast, code, aviation or experimental
TO maintain communication with any
other station during an emergency. II
has but to notify the commission of its
action. This enlargement of emer-
gency operation, it was pointed out.
might be the logical answer to the
catastrophe service, and eliminate the
need for land distress channel. since
hundreds of stations are now authorized
TO operate In emergencies.
Mr.. Lafount's plan was preached
upon his return few months ago from
the Pacific Coast, where he saw the
damage caused by the California
earthquake of last Spring. The sup-
gestions came originally from the Los
Angeles relief organization. which has
outlined q comprehensive project for
communications in case of future
disasters,
The American Radio Relay League.
official amateur organization, which
has won glowing tribute in the past for
its work during disasters since 1919, has
established communications in no less
than 80 major disasters In this coun-
try. In virtually every case the anna
teur gave to the outside world the first
news from the stricken areas and was
Instrumental in bringing quick relief.