1911 one
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WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY APPENDIX, 1911.
INDEX.
Page
Abstract of report by G.P.O. Tnspector on 1 Clifden Foreign W.T.—cont.
W.T. Station. - - 31 United States - - - -
Aerial Feeder, Improved for m of - - - 13 Uruguay - - - -
Argentine W.T. - - - - - 37 Fort Amherst, St. Johns, W.T. - - -
Auto-Starters, remote control = - - - 26 ;
Auto-Transformers for H.P. Stations — - - 6
Athens W.T. Station - - - : 34 Germany W.T. - - - - -
Actzon’s Report on Harbour Defence Sets 17 Greece W.T. - - - - -
Aerial and Mutual Coils, Inductive curves for - 30
Analysis of Tenders for W.T. —- - - 39
Handbook of W.T. - - . -
Hand Operating Key - - - -
Bellini-Tosi directional system - - - 38 Harbour Defence Sets = - - - -
Belgium W.T. - - - - - 37 High-power Stations -
Brown’s Telephone Relay - - - - 21 s » Aerial Feeders and Anti- “brushing
Brazil W.T. - - - - 36 Gear - -
Buzzer Repeater - : - - - 10 ” ; Aerial Insulators - - -
» Transmitter - - - - 29 - » Auto-Transformers - - -
‘ ” » Horsea, insulation of masts - -
” ” ” ” rigging -
Calibration of Wavemeters - - - 25 ” 9 » taking over duties from
Calibration Set in “ Vernon ” - - - 25 Cleethorpes - -
Cerrusite Ore - 21 ” » Magnetic Key - - -
Clifden W.T. Station, Report by Captain Crawley, 7 » Malta, Roof Insulator for - -
RMA 31 » Spark Plugs (new pattern) - -
» GPO. Inspector 31 Holland W.T. - - -
Colon W.T. - - - - - 36
Improved form of Aerial Feeder - | - -
“Daily Mirror” W.T. Demonstration, Report of 39 | Insulators for Rigging, new design of — - -
D. and P. tunes, best method of transmission of - 11 Inker Recorder to become obsolete - -
Differential Interference Preventer - - 26 Instructional Report, “ Vernon” - -
“ Defiance” Instructional Report - - - 3 ” “ Defiance” - -
Dennis Detector - - - - - 19 Interference Preventer, Lieut. Slee’s - -
Detectors, Dennis - - - - 19 Italy W.T. - - - - -
” Telurium - - - - 18
Destroyers, Exercise Transmitter for - 14
” Extract from Commander Low Power Stations, range and position of -
report on - - - - 15
Directional system, Bellini- Tosi - - - 38
Magnetic Key, H.P. Stations = - : -
£2 S> HB CO OD
Malta H.P. Station, Roof Insulator for - -
Hiffel Tower W.T. Station - - - 34 Manual of W.T., revision of - - -
Egypt W.T. - - - - - 37 Medium Power Stations - - - -
Exercise Transmitter for Destroyers : - 14 Moschicki Condenser - - - -
Experiments carried out 1911 —- - -
” Long-wave between MHorsea and
“ Furious ” - - - ? Organisation of Wave Lengths - - -
” Receiving devices - - 3 Oscillation Valves - - - -
. Improvement of note Mark IL. -
» Quenched Spark - - - 22
” Short Distance - - - 15 vss
Philippines W.T. - - - - -
Photography, spark - - - -
Falkland Islands W.T.- - - - 36 Portable W.T. - - -
Feeder, improved form of - - - 13 » Report of visit to Aldershot - -
-
Fishery Cruiser, installation of — - - - 5 3 Telescopic Masts for - - -
Foreign W.T. :— Poulsen Report - - - - -
Argentine - - - - - 37 Progress, Summary of — - - - -
Belgium ~ - - - - - 37
Brazil - - - - 36
Colon - - - - - 36 Quenched Spark, experiments at Horsea - -
Egypt - - - - $7 ” » Report on - - - -
Falkland Islands - - - - 36
France - - - - - 34
Germany - - 34 Radiation Gauge - - -
Greece - - 34 Receiving Gear, experimental, at Horsea - -
Holland - - - - - 37 ” Circuits and Detectors -
Italy - - : 35 ” Set, TypeC - - - -
Philippines - - 36 Relay, Brown’s Telephone - - -
Russia - . - - 37 Remote control, Auto-starters = - - -
Spain - - - - - - 37 | Rigging Insulators, new design - - -
Turkey - - - - : 35 Russia W.T. - - - - -
e (83)11050-2 Pk118 600 4/12 E&S
Page
Shore Stations, report +e Training of Operators Telephone Relay, Brown’s : : = a
for - _o 7 - 56 Tenders for W.'T. Installations - a - 89
» » New Intercepting Station - 5 | Transmitting D. and P. tunes, best method of - 11
” ” Position and Ranges of Low Power Turkey W.T. - - - - =
Stations - - - 5
» ” Report on - - - 5
Switch, two-way, for protecting circuit - - 10 | United States W.T. (Naval) - = - “B85
Short Distance Installation, policy, &c. - - 15 | Uruguay WT. - - - “ ~ oB6
Spark Photography - - : - 388
Spain, W.T. in - - - - - 37 |, . .
St. Johns, Fort Amherst, W.T. Station - - 37 Vernon” Instructional Report - : -
Summary of Progress — - . . _ 9 » Wave-meter Calibration Set - -
Wave-lengths, Organisation of | - - oe
Telegraphist Branch, numbers borne - - 3 | Wave-meters, new design of - « - 93
Masts for Portable W.T. - - 1? » Calibration of - = - 2
Telescopic
» Comet Masts - - - - » Connections of - = -
Fontana Masts - - - WW? » Mutual for - - * - 4
»
Telephone Leads for Headgear - - - 21 | W.T. Handbook and Manual - - a hg
GENERAL SUMMARY OF WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY PROGRESS
DURING THE YEAR 1911.
The number of officers and men instructed in Wireless Telegraphy in the Schools shows a
marked increase over the previous year, viz., from 199 to 390.
The number of Telegraphist Ratings at sea has increased from 851 to 1,018.
The organisation of wave lengths has been modified in accordance with the proposals put
forward at the Wireless Conference held at Torbay in 1910 (vide Annual Report of 1910).
A handbook of Wireless Telegraphy for Telegraphists, and a revised edition of the Wireless
Manual are being printed.
Wick and Scarborough Stations are completed and working, Bunbeg will be completed by
June 1912,
Quenched Spark apparatus for large power Ships Installations is now approaching a final form,
It is hoped that several Mark II. sets will be converted during 1912. The new High Power
Station at Malta will be installed as a Quenched Spark Station.
It has been decided to instal separate Short Distance Installations in all the later Battleship
and Armoured Cruisers of the Ist and 2nd Division H. F. The Battleships of the Ist and 2nd
Divisions will be fitted immediately with a slightly improved form of the existing set, and the
Cruisers later on with an improved set having a range of at least 20 miles.
Experimental and design work is in progress in connection with an improved form of receiving
circuit.
A radiation gauge has been introduced, to indicate the current in the aerial, detect any fault
in the transmitting apparatus, and assist in tuning.
The “ Type C” receiving set bas been issued to all ships.
. Other improvements introduced include an improved form of feeder, a buzzer repeater for
repeating signals on the fore bridge, &c. as they are made, and a method of efficiently transmitting
short waves from large aerials.
Serious difficulties have been experienced due to the inaccuracy of the wave-meters now at sea.
In this connection a considerable amount of research work has been carried out, both in “ Veraon”
and at the National Physical Laboratory, and it has been decided that all Service wave-meters must
be recalibrated as soon as possible. © Special apparatus for this purpose has been set up in
“Vernon,” and in order to hasten matters as much as possible the work of revalibration is being
divided between “ Vernon” and the N.P.L. A new form of wave-meter is being introduced.
A small tuned testing set, for testing receiving circuits in position at any moment, is being
introduced.
A new method of preventing interference, known as the “ Differential Interference Preventer,”
has been installed in the shore stations; most promising results have been obtained, and its
application to the sea service is being considered.
A further demonstration of the Poulsen system between Lyngby and Cullercoats was witnessed
in October 1911 by representatives of the Admiralty and other Government Departments.
Experiments with this system are being undertaken on a considerable scale.
A mechanical cypher, worked electrically at considerable speed, is being constructed and tried
in “ Vernon.” It is not considered desirable to publish details at present.
The information given under the heading of “ Foreign W.L.” is abstracted frora Official
Reports reccived in “ Vernon” which have not at the time of writing been included in W.T.
British and Foreign.
In future Annual Reports it will be possible to omit, or at any rate largely reduce, this
section, as corrections to W.T. British and Foreign are now published frequently.
uv
INSTRUCTIONAL REPORT.
The following are the numbers of Officers and other ratings who have been instructed in
Wireless Telegraphy in the “ Vernon” between Ist January and 31st December 1911 :—
Senior Officers - - - - - - 23
Qualifying Lieutenants 5 - - ~ - 20
) ” (S. . > - - 7
Marine Officers “ Special Course” = - - - - 5
3 ” New Commissions = - - - ~ 3
Other Officers’ specially arranged courses - - ~ 4
Gunners (T.), Scout course - - - - - 13
Qualifying Gunners (T.) + - - - - 37
” Warrant Telegraphists = - - - - 7
Other Warrant Officers = - - - - - 5
Qualifying P.O. Telegraphists - - - ~ 5S
Armourers and Electricians - - - 32
Requalifying P.O. Telegraphists - - - - 14
Total - - - - 225
REPORT FROM “ DEFIANCE,”
The following ratings have received Wireless Telegraphy Instruction in “ Defiance ” during
the period 1st January to 16th October, 1911 :—
Gunners (T.) ~ - - - - ~ 9
»” (G.) - - - - = - y
P.O. Telegraphists Qualified - - - - 14
” » Requalified - - - - 9
Leading Telegraphists Qualified 7 - - - 1 (failed)
» ” Requalified - 7 7 - nil
Telegraphists received for instruction - - - 9
Armourers ~ - - - - - 20
Electricians Qualified ~ ~ - - - 28
» Requalified - - - - - 82
Coast Guard ratings - - - - - 24 (20 qual.)
(4 failed)
155
TELEGRAPHIST BRANCH.
The numbers of Telegraphist ratings in the Service on the Ist November 191lzwere as
follows :—
C.P.O. Telegraphists - - - - -~ 24
P.O. Telegraphists - - - - - 909
Leading Telegraphists - - - 7 - 164
Telegraphists
and - - - - - 468
Ordinary Telegraphists
Boy Telegraphists (at sea) - - - - - 170
Total - - - - 1,018
The second class of candidates for promotion to the rank of Warrant Telegraphist completed
their course on the 27th March 1911. All the seven candidates passed the final examination.
The next class will commence on the 8th January 1912. In order to minimise as far as possible
the block which is bound to occur in promotion to this rank in the future, it has been decided that
only three candidates are to be allowed to undergo the course in 1912.
ORGANISATION OF WAVE-LENGTHS AND WIRELESS SIGNAL BOOKS.
Experience has shown that the Wireless and Long-Distance Signal Code requires con-
siderable revision, more especially in the case of the emergency table and in the provision of an
efficient index, which frequently does not fulfil the requirements for reporting the first sight of
the enemy. The book is at present under revision by a special committee.
Horsea high power station is still being used as an experimental station in connection with
the “ Vernon,” and is not yet available in peace time to take its place in the organisation.
This station, however, now carries out the duties of Cleethorpes for one day in each week.
In accordance with the report of the Wireless Conference (vide Annual Report, 1910),
the organisation has been modified so as to enable Admiralty messages to be transmitted by
Cleethorpes and North Front at more frequent intervals, and a system of answering signals
addressed by the Admiralty to Fleets has been introduced.
A2
4
HANDBOOK OF WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY FOR TELEGRAPHIST Ratings oF H.M. FLEET.
The proofs of this book are now being corrected, and it is expected that the book will be
ready for publication early in 1912. It is of a non-confidential nature, and will be issued to all
telegraphist ratings except Boy ‘Telegraphists.
The book is intended to enable Officers and men to gain a good insight into the subject for
all ordinary purposes without going too deeply into the theory.
The more advanced theory and confidential matter will be dealt with in the revised edition
of the Wireless Manual which is now being prepared.
REPORT ON THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE POULSEN SYSTEM,
OCTOBER 1911.
The demonstration was witnessed at both the Lyngby and Cullercoats Stations (560 miles
apart) by representatives from the Admiralty, War Office, and Post Office, on October 3rd, 4th,
5th, and 6th, The working of the apparatus at Cullercoats was further investigated by repre-
sentatives of Admiralty and Post Office on October 11th.
All representatives were particularly impressed with the straightforward manner in which
the demonstration was conducted by the representatives of the Company. There appeared to be
no attempt to exaggerate any of their results or to lay claim to anything which they could not
substantiate. ,
2. The working of the following were shown :—
(a) Poulsen are.
(6) Poulsen ticker.
(c) The tone sender.
(d) The high-speed transmitter, working up to 200 words per minute.
(e) The high-speed receiver.
(f) The working of two arcs in series, utilising their aggregate power. This was
explained to all representatives by Professors Poulsen and Pedersen, and was
demonstrated, after the Admiralty representatives had left, before the War Office
and Post Office representative.
3. Itis not considered necessary at present to investigate further the high-speed system for
Admiralty purposes, but the Poulsen continuous wave system is well worth further expenditure
and investigation.*
Short description of the various instruments, &c. mentioned in paragraph 2.
(a) The Poulsen Arc Transmitting System. This is, in essential, the same as previously
supplied to and tried by the Admiralty. Certain improvements conducive to increased prac-
ticability have been introduced. It has not yet reached a stage which renders it more suitable
for men of war than existing installation. The inventors state that 32 K.W. have been utilised
ina single arc, that 50 K.W. could be utilised in a single arc, and 100 K.W. using two ares
in series.
(6) The Poulsen Ticker is claimed to be the most sensitive device for receiving continuous
waves yet produced. Much improved since last investigated, but possessing various inherent
disadvantages, the principal one being that it does nt permit of the individuality of signals being
recognised. Also, the sensitiveness does not appcar to remain very constant.
{c) The Tone Sender consists of an interrupting commutator for breaking the otherwise
continuous oscillations into a musical note, suitable for reception by receiving system designed
for spark telegraphy. This worked satisfactorily, and has the advantage of rendering it possible
to easily vary the tone of signals almost indefinitely. It has the effect of reducing the strength
of signals (as against continnous wave signals received by ticker) by about 50 per cent., which
reduces the effective range to approximately that of a spark system of similar power.
(d) The High Speed Transmitter. This is operated by a punched tape similar to that used
for a Wheatstone Telegraph Transmitter. It appears to be a very practical instrument, which
is capable of considerable development and of application to any powers of both continuous and
spark systems. Practical demonstration up to 200 words per minute was shown. The power
required for signalling increases rapidly with the signalling speed used. This piece of apparatus
could be used on board ship, but its practical application is prevented by the nature of receiving
device.
(ec) The High Speed Receiver. Consists essentially of a string galvanometer, which replaces
a telephone in the receiving circuit, and a photographic recorder. ‘The demonstration suffered
from the fact that the photographic recorder was of a temporary form, suitable for demonstration
purposes only. It is understood that there are at present on the market other photographic
recorders which would meet all requirements for shore station work. ‘Ihe high speed receiving
device is unsuitable for ship use, and it is not anticipated that it could be made so on the existing
principles. It is suitable for spark reception. It appears to suffer seriously from interference,
and, if used, would require very selective receiving circuits.
* Experiments with the Poulsen system are being undertaken on a considerable scale.
w/T LOW POWER SHORE STATIONS
(CIRCLES SHOW RANGE WITH A FIRST CLASS SHIP)
Scilly is not manaed in War.
Felixstowe works on & wave.
The rest on U wave.
The whole chart is covered by the
medium power stations at Aberdeen,
Ipswich, and Pembroke.
ov
SHORE STATIONS.
GENERAL.
The personnel for shore stations under the A.C.R. now consists of 198 operators (excluding
Warrant Officers) of whom 94 are now Petty Officer Telegraphists. In addition to their position
as operators all these men can drive an oil engine and take care of secondary cells. All the men
at the high power stations are capable of starting up and synchronising the machinery.
The new fishery protection vessel, H.M.S, “ Watchful,” has been fitted with W.T. She has
a destroyer installation which has been converted to send “R” wave only. Working with
Felixstowe and the other fishery gunboats her sending range is about 100 miles and her receiving
range about 150.
All shore stations (except high power) have heen fitted with a Differential Interference
Preventer, details of which are given on pp. 26-29. It works very well when the correct design of
auxiliary aerial has been determined for each station. Interference becomes very rare, even from
signals on exactly the same wave length, when once the operators have become thoroughly
accustomed to it, but its adjustments are very delicate. Very little experience has as yet been
gained in using it against atmospherics, and the results are promising though not as yet completely
successful.
a | Cells | | dai A
| z 9 BI - Masts. ‘i ween UX,
Séhlde
Station. Situated. r= 2 8 s 8 Cable | ___ hapa Rotary. No, and Ty Pe of ——
83128 | | Supply. | Height Aerial. |
Asal | we | cha Volts. Amp. uu nN o N
a: | [4 |
| | | |
Cleethorpes - 3 miles 8. of 1,000 |X | 300 [2,200 (39) aT | — | Special. — 1/180, 4/160, _ 4-part fan | 37 lis a
Grimsby. | | 4/60, | |
Horsea - - | Horsea Island, 1,000 | ¥ — " j=] — ” oa 4]160, 8/60 7 53 13B+5 |
Portsmouth, | ]
Whitehall - , On roof of Ad- | 400 |/V,W,| — | 200D.c.| —) — — Mk, II. | 1/180, 2,160 | 2 eylinders | 58 | 3-1) 801 1°
| miralty. x
Aberdeen - 5 miles W. of Aber- 500 Ww — 6,000 (2¢)) — | — — " 2/180 3 cylinders | 40 | 2-9 80 | 1:5
| deen.
Ipswich - - | Ipswich, near rail- | 500} W — |}440 D.C.) —) — — ” 2/180 3 cylinders] 41 | 2:9) 82] 1
way station. |
Pembroke - Pembroke Dock ~- | 500 Ww | —}|220D.c.) —) — — ” 2/180, 2'60 |2 cylinders,| 90 | 2°5 85 |
| with tails.
Wick - - | Wick, near railway | 300) U 15 — 100 | 15] 10 k.w.| C Tune 2/160 3 cylinders | 36 | 2-2 | —
station. |
Rosyth - -) 4 mile NAV. of | 200} U 5 = | 10/ 5 C Tune 1/160, 4/60 | 3-part fan | 34 | 3 —
| Forth Bridge. |
Scarborough - | 1 mile W. of Scar- | 300] U — {2,000 (1g) — | — — — 2/170 3 cylinders | 36 | 2:2) —
borough.
Felixstowe* - On beach S.of town; 200; R 5 — 65 3 Old 4 pole 1/180, 4/60 | 2-part fan | 58 | 2 60
Sheerness - | Garrison Point Fort | 100; U — |220D.0.5 —| — _ Mk. I*. 1/130 2 cylinders | 43 ) 1 80
|
Dover - - On hill W. of Dover; 100) U 5 — 95 5] 2kw. | -T.B.D. | 1/160, 2/50 | 2-part fan | 40 | 2-5 |) —
Culver Cliff - | Isle of Wight -| 100} U 10 — | 100} 10] 6 kw. — 1/150, 4/50 | 3-part fan | 49 | +7 | —
Portland Bill- | Near lighthouses - | 200] U 5 — ; 120 5 C Tune 1/170, 4]40 5 50 | 30) —
i
Rame Head - Near extreme point} 200| U 3 — 120] 5 . 1/170, 4/50 , 3114-5) —
Scillyt - - | Ou Telegraph Hill, ; 200 | U 5 — | 120 Hi S 2/150 ” 40} 1-9) —
| St. Mary. | | :
Cork Beg - E.sideof Cork Har-| 200) U | 5 _ 120 5 ” 1/160, 4/50 | 3 cylinders | 45 | 3.5 | 108 | 1-1
bour entrance.
Bunbeg - -|15 miles 8 of | 300) U 15 — 100} 15) 10k.w.) C Tune 2/160 3-part fan | 36, 2-2) —
_ Bloody Foreland, )
Port Patrick - . Qn cliff N. of Port |- 200| U 5 — | 120 | 5 C Tune 1/160, 4/40 | 2-part fan | 65 | 3 _
Patrick. | |
\ : = I |. 4 | «
The nominal ranges given can be exceeded when working with a first-class ship by day, and can, gencrally speaking, be doubled at night.
Care is taken to make the various sections of cach acrial symmetrical.
* Has also a small D sct.
+ Not manned in war.
Low Power SraTIons,
These work well and give no trouble from a technical point of view. Details of fittings are
given in the table shown above.
In most stations the old Poldhu jars have been replaced by C Tune condensers, and C Tune
rotaries have been adapted for shore station use.
Rosyth, Felixstowe, Sheerness, Dover, Culver, Rame Head, Portland, and Cork Beg are fitted
with motor buzzers which are capable of about 50 miles range.
Alderney will be closed as a naval station in 1912, and all three Channel Island stations will
then be worked by the Post Office for the military instead of by the Admiralty.
A 3
6
Mepium Powsr STATIONS.
Whitehall and the three medium power stations, Aberdeen, Ipswich, and Pembroke, continue
to do their work very well and satisfactorily.
Hies Power STATIONS.
These have given satisfactory running results though the half-hourly sending has allowed but
little opportunity for minor adjustments.
The new pattern spark plugs have greatly improved the note, but they burn away rapidly.
If the spark is adjusted to 8 mms, at the beginning of a long signal it burns away to 9 mm. at
the end.
Horsca.—This station is still reserved for experimental work, but takes over the duties of
Cleethorpes for one complete 24 hours in each week to allow of adjustments, &c., and it is available
at any time to take its proper place in the organisation.
The improvements and alterations referred to on page 11 of the W.T. Appendix to the
Annual Report for 1910, and other improvements, have been proceeded with.
1. Wedge-shaped Plugs.—These plugs have now been standardised and have been assigned the
pattern Number 2459; they have been supplied to Gibraltar and Cleethorpes, but the same
improvement in note has not been obtained with them at these stations as at Horsea; this is
ascribed to the lower voltage, the auto-transformers not having been yet supplied.
2. Auto-transformer.—This machine has continued to give very good results at Horsea;
similar tranformers were designed and ordered for the two other high power stations and were
duly delivered ; unfortunately they failed to pass the specified tests and have been rejected.
3. Maynetic Key.—The old type of magnetic key is still in use, the Marconi Company having
met with considerable and unanticipated difficulty in meeting all the requirements of “ Vernon” in
their new key.
There is promise now of all difficulties being surmounted, and it is probable that new keys
will be installed early in 1912.
4, Transmitting Coils—No improvements have been effected in the primary or mutual coils,
but these experiments have been in abeyance pending the introduction of quenched spark.
5. Aerial and Earth Ring in Tower.—The archway at the foot of the aerial tower has been
widened considerably to increase the sparking distance to earth, while the aerial and earth rings
have been much improved ; connection to the latter is now made by 40 wires which spread fan-
wise from a connection at the bottom of the mutual coil. A Mark II. operating switch has been
adapted for use across the aerial and earth rings, but entirely satisfactory results are obtained by
a C Tune Key, which is worked as a simple aerial and earth make-and-break ; it necessitates a
cessation of signalling and lifting the pedal switch in order to listen for any signals while sending.
6. Receiving Circuit.—A special design of receiving circuit, suited for the reception of long
waves on a large aerial has recently been fitted and gives promising results, but more experience is
yet necessary. A. diagram of the circuit is given in Fig. 1.
Fie. 1.
Horsea Experimental Receiving Gear.
To 4rtat Cott *
Teo Larth
—.f
| OS
Discharge Cott
2000 TrC3.
Rezector
+ 2 Condensers
No 2, trr
Inducttor, Turver + parattel
Vecondaury, DD arum. ARTOSTAOLE coUupleng|
oo” & soorae SOO 1/000 o” | |
Primary Acceptor LT
8” Druin Capactty 6°Drum.5 Stops 6° Drum. 2ostops LE CoTa@er7eser
IO PI vcs totavd 15 Muvcs Totatd ote
Ott vare .
Te 100
“ Wavermeter Corndwenser Aertat Tun Jars
Condenser 7 Sars
Detector
7
7, Deck Insulator—Much trouble has been experienced with deck insulators at Cleethorpes,
and additional insulation has been devised by the officer in charge: the new arrangement gives
quite satisfactory results, and a design of similar nature has been prepared, and the gear is now
on order, for Horsea. The original insulator fitting has given no trouble at Horsea with X and
Y tunes, but the factor of safety would be insufficient when using quenched spark gear. Since
the design was completed experiments have been carried out with an 18,000-foot wave when the
deck insulator gave much trouble, it being found impossible to use anything but a small spark and
a moderate coupling.
8. Rigging.—The old wire and hemp rigging was replaced by insulated wire rigging in
January 1911. Unfortunately the new rigging was found to be insufficiently insulated; the
sparking across the insulators was very bad, enabling signals to be read visually at night for over
three miles. This bad sparking was partly due to the insulators having been originally blacked
over, and though the blacking was afterwards removed, traces of it remaiued on the surfaces,
especially the inside. Also the eyes fitting over the insulators were parcelled and served and
treated with paraffin wax; this had the result of greatly reducing the effective insulating surface,
and the inflammable materials were ignited and deposited dirt, &., which further reduced the
effective insulation. But above and beyond these contributory causes, there is no doubt that more
insulators were required, and accordingly fresh rigging was provided. The topmast stays and the
inner royal stays were dispensed with altogether as being unnecessary, and the remainder of the
rigging was fitted with a much larger number of insulators than before. At the same time each
stay anchor was efficiently earthed by a zinc strip and earth plate.
Fig. 2 shows the present arrangement of insulators for the Horsea masts.
Tie. 2.
Insulation of Horsea Masts.
150 Fb, <x
A = Triatic stay to opposite masts. D = Lake.
B= Jack stay supporting aerial. E = Insulators, Patt. No. 996.
C = Light, insulated, portable stay. F = Insulators, Patt. No. 997.
The refit of the rigging was finally completed in April, and the present arrangement has
proved satisfactory; no sparking now takes place with X and Y, though a small amount is
observed when transmitting the 18,000-foot wave with a tight coupling.
* 9, Aerial Feeders and Anti-brushing Gear.—Multifold feeders will be fitted shortly at Horsea
station, and it is preposed to fit one section of the aerial with anti-brushing gear; this will consist
of a very similar arrangement of wires and spreaders which will be suspended horizontally from
the jackstays between the two big masts and between the two small masts; also short lengths of
20 wire “tubes” will be placed at the edges of the fan, between the small and large masts; the
idea is that these “tubes” on the edges of the aerial will absorb and prevent all brushing with
its attendant waste of energy.
10. Long Wave Experiments.—In September 1911, H M.S, “ Furious” was dispatched on a
cruise for the purpose of selecting sites for an Imperial chain of high power W.T. stations, and for
experimenting in long-wave transmission. To assist in the latter project Horsea was supplied
with temporary primary and mutual coils to enable signals to be sent on an 18,000-foot wave ;
Aa4
8
the gear was only completed the day before “ Furious” sailed for Gibraltar, and signals between
the ship and Horsea were not very successful, due to the breakdown of deck insulators at Horsea—
two burning out during the first two days and so interrupting the endeavours to find the best
adjustments. The “Furious” experienced very bad weather on the way out, and had great
difficulty in keeping her aerial feeders clear of stays, &c.; also she was unable to use anything
but a very loose coupling, or, with a 7 per cent. coupling anything larger than a 5 mm. spark on
account of the heavy brushing and sparking.
A large inductance had to be inserted in the foot of the aerial, with the result that a large
proportion of the energy in the aerial was wasted in radiation inside the cage.
“ Furious” was not heard by Horsea outside a 200-mile range, and Horsea’s signals were not
ceceived over 650 miles. The special primary at Horsea consisted of 8 parts of Pattern 600 wire
wound flat (3 turns) on an octagonal former 4 feet in diameter across sides, and the mutual was
14 turns of 4 parts of Pattern 611, the 4 parts being laid up as a hawser and wound closely on a
former 3 feet in diameter. With these coils very tight couplings could be obtained, but signalling
with a tighter coupling than 6 or 7 per eent. and a 7 mm, spark was found to cause very heavy
sparking at the deck insulator and occasional sparking across the stay insulators, After a
burn-out with the second deck insulator, the deck plate was removed, and two slabs of ebonite,
14 inches thick, substituted; the insulator was secured on top of these slabs—upside down. It
was reversed in this way because the heaviest sparking occurred at the bottom of the insulator,
and each punctured through the ebonite just below the porcelain, the spark going across to the
cement top of the tower; by reversing the insulator, a greater length of porcelain was brought
opposite the cement. ‘This arrangement has been found to be satisfactory, and there appears to
be no gain in strength of signals when using the tighter couplings while the note is certainly not
so steady: the current taken from the alternator as the coupling is loosened increasing (with
voltage and spark length kept the same) to a marked extent.
After “ Furious ” passed out of range Horsea sent a programme each day and night for three
weeks to Gibraltar to determine the best adjustments; these appeared to be, with 18,000-foot
wave, 6 mm. spark, 20 inch coupling (about 6 per cent.), and 470 volts from alternator (i.e, with
auto, 530 volts in primary of main transformer), which takes 730 ampéres from alternator. This
appears satisfactory by night and day with practically no difference in strength for light or
darkness ; indeed, with all adjustments tried for this long wave it has appeared that signals are
equal in strength by day and night. The note is good and, though Clifden was using a wave not
very different in length, Gibraltar appeared to have no difficulty in reading Horsea over Clifden.
1]. Quench Spark Experiments.—A temporary iron shed has been erected at Horsea for the
accommodation of quenched experimental gear; stores are now on order which, when delivered,
will enable an experimental set to be erected and also a gap-testing set. The experimental set will
approximate to one-twelfth of a full power set for the station.
Cleethorpes.—Trouble with deck insulators has been experienced, but the difficulty has now
been quite overcome, extra insulation having been designed by the officer in charge; the extra.
insulation is obtained by raising the deck plate on four 6-inch porcelain pillars, and closing it in
with weather screens of glass.
An engine and dynamo will be installed at Cleethorpes during 1912, which will be capable.
of working the station at full power if the cable should fail from any cause.
Both sets of alternators at the station had to be lined up in February ; the fault lay in the
original erection of the sets.
Most valuable results have been obtained by the use of the camera.
Gibraltar.—The Governor of Gibraltar has expressed the opinion that the North Front
station is in an exposed position and could not be adequately defended, and he is desirous of’
moving the station either to the galleries or to the top of the Rock. The latter scheme would be
very costly and perhaps inefficient ; moving the station to the galleries would be costly, too, and
not as efficient as the present position. It is, however, desired to duplicate the power supply for
North Front, and it is therefore recommended to leave the present station intact, and to erect a
new transmitting plant (independent of the dockyard) in a bomb-proof shelter close to the lower
aerial moorings. It is also recommended to place a machine gun and searchlight emplacement to.
defend the lower stay anchors, which can be further protected by wire entanglements.
Aerial insulators, type 7, have not proved satisfactory at Gibraltar, where the aerial is quite
different to those at the other high power stations, and therefore a special insulator has been:
designed; it is similar to the type 7 but longer, stronger, and with increased insulating surface.
It is also found that with the great length of aerial used at North Front station, turns occur-
in the wires, thus bringing an unfair strain on the insulators, and therefore swivels have been
supplied for insertion in each wire of the aerial.
Malta.-~—Although the work in connection with Malta high power station has well advanced:
during the year, the station will not be ready, complete, and in working order, until 1912.
Pressure of work in H.M.S. “ Vernon” has been primarily responsible tor this delay. The
station will be as described in the Wireless Telegraphy Appendix, A.R., 1910, with the exception
that the quenched spark apparatus will be installed from the commencement. A new type of:
roof insulator has been designed for the station, and is shown in Fig. 3.
Fira. 3.
Aerial and Earth Connections, Malta High Power Station.
Xe 8
- B
e B
L~ 8 E
F
ral af
//I\\\\\eq —
Cc : ae
Sra a ah
SSS SS =
\(LIMMLL ror Es
= f} y \ 1 J
A = Phosphor-bronze cap, carrying aerial feeder fittings.
B = Four sections of stoneware tubing, each bedded on lead.
C = Coppor tube connection to aerial coil.
D = Earth connections.
E = Steel roof forming part of earth connection.
F = Earth wires radiating from roof.
G = Receiving connection from aerial to copper tube.