Evening star., 1942-10-20
Wired Wireless
MayHaveWide
Use, 0CD Says
Power Line Message
System Seen as
Defense Aid

Possibilities of national applica-
ton of wired wireless" a means
of radio communication over power
lines developed by Perry E. Wight
man of Hyattsville in connection
with the Prince Georges County
defense setup, appeared today fol-
lowing the recent inspection of Mr..
Wightman's network by OCD COM
munications officials.
Following demonstration of the
Prince Georges network, OCD off,
cials said the system, so far as
they knew, was the first applica-
ton of wired radio communication
to local defense, and added that the
principle opened a field which may
solve the problem of how to get in
formation to civilians during an air
attack when telephones and the
regular radio channels are out of
commission.
National application of Mr..
Wightman's system of communica-
tion," OCD spokesmen said, mat
urally will depend upon civilian de-
fense groups in the various localities
who may set up networks of their
own. AS centralized Nationwide
communication system, wired radio
would not prove effective, but could
solve numerous problems of COM
munication now confronting the
various localities"
Emergency Network Approved.
Meanwhile Thomas F.. Nulty, State
director of the emergency radio
service of the Maryland Council OF
Defense, announced that the Fed
eral Communications Commission
had issued master radio license to
Baltimore City and county for the
operation of high frequency emer-
gency radio network in the entire
State, with the exception Of Gar
rett, Allegany and Washington
Counties. A license covering these
counties is expected to be issued
later to Cumberland, Mr.. McNulty
said.
Mr.. McNulty. who said Maryland S
organization was the first State
wide emergency radio group ap-
proved by the FEC, explained that
Prince Georges. Anne Arundel, Cal
vert, Charles and st. Marys Coun-
ties will operate under the Baltimore
City license, while all others, with
the exception of Garrett, Allegany
and Washington Counties, will oper-
ate under the Baltimore County
license.
The network, he said, which will
operate upon the extremely high
frequency of two and one-half
meters, will permit the more than
200 amateur radio operators en-
rolled in the Maryland emergency
organizations to hurry installation
of equipment and test operation.
At the same time a call was issued
for more ham" operators, direct
ing the applicants to apply at the
office of the Maryland Council of
Defense in Baltimore.
Will Expand New System.
Mr.. McNulty promised that a
demonstration of the new network
will be held within a few weeks.
1t was also made known by de-
fense officials that Maryland would
not put all of her radio eggs in one
basket, but in connection with the
high frequency defense network also
would expand the wired wireless"
now in operation in Prince Georges
County. This, it was explained.
would reduce to a minimum the
chances of communications fail
ure in case of an emergency.
The high frequency network CEN
ters in Baltimore City and county
have been given the call letters
WJRQ and WIGS, respectively, and
will be administered in the city by
Harold Kemp and in the county by
Frank Lyon.