Evening star., 1934-02-04

"HAT this year Will see the
steady development Of ultra
short waves, sometimes called
micro-rays, Is made manifest
again In the announcement
that q radio teletypewriter system was
tnaugurated last week between the
airdronnes at Lympne, England, and
st. Inglevert, France, using q wave
length Of only IT centimeters or less
than one-sixth OF one meter The
wave length is so short. in fact, that
it uses an aerial Of only one inch,
which radiates less power than Is re-
quired to light a pocket flashlight.
Almost simultaneously with the in
augural of this system, said TO employ
the shortest wave length ever har-
messed for everyday commercial use
anywhere in the world, 1t was learned
here that the aeronautical branch of
the United States Department Of
Commerce has designated committee
Of radio experts to inquire into the
practicability of utilizing radio for
the operation Of its Nation wide net
work Of aeronautical teletypewriter
circuits, linked by wires.
Commerce Unit Interested.
In fact, the Department Of CON-
merce wants TO know whether 1t is
not now feasible to cult using the
1900 miles of leased land wires now
required for its teietypewriter service
and to use radio instead for the dis
semination of hourly weather reports
along the airways and for the peri
odical transmission Of weather maps
In facsimile form.
These two steps indicate how the
minds Of the communications experts
are turning more and more toward
radio either 10 substitute for or to
parallel the wires, especially now that
the plentiful ultra-short waves are
apparently ready for practical use.
1t is nov possible to send out radio
signals that actuate fairly simple
teletypewriter devices to furnish
printed messages at the receiving end.
Almost as great efficiency is promised
as the wire services now furnish. One
such device recently patented weighs
only eight pounds, can be attached to
an ordinary radio receiving set and
can be used on moving vehicles as
we'll as at fixed points. The inventor,
William G. H. Finch. chief engineer
of the Hearst radio service, is on the
Department of Commerce committee
OF experts, which is headed by Rex
Martin, assistant director Of aero
nauticS.
Opens New Radio Field.
The link between the British and
French airdromeS. which are 35 miles
apart. is to be used TO send messages
notifying each end OF the arrival and
departure of aircraft crossing the
English Channel. L was first tested
with good results in 1881. 1t was
found that the tiny radio waves can
be used not only to operate the tele-
typewriter device but also alternately
for a duplex telephone service. 1t is
claimed that direct. uninterrupted
communication is provided free from
the possibility of interference and
atmosphericS.
The system" according to the In
ternational Telephone & Telegraph
Co, the English branch Of which de-
signed and manufactured the equip
ment, "opens up an entirely new field
for radio development. On the Lilli-
put!an wave lengths used for micro
ravs there is ample room for the
Simultaneous operation OF an almost
unlimited number CT transrlitters ard
receivers without interference. Tele-
vision may make use Of the micro
metric wave band. and other appli-
cations include the maintenance Of
secret communication between aircraft
and the land. between various ships
Of a feet at sea and for the landing
Of aircraft in darkness or a fOg."