No abstract

It has already becomne generally known that a new highway for world traffic has been opened up thru the development of transatlantic radio communication. It is now a matter of history that radio was largely used for communication betweeni the United States and armies in Europe, and that the Great War was brought to a close by negotiations conducted by radio which led to the Armistice. Now, we are ready for an international commerce of unprecedented scope, but lack adequate means for communication. The recent achievements of radio technique have become common knowledge, and the world has now turned to this new method of communication clamoring that it step in and save the day. This is a condition which places a serious responsibility upon radio engineers. Fortunately, the technique has emerged from the cloud of mystery that used to surround it, and we are in position to treat the problem coolly and scientifically like anv other problem in electrical engineering. However, it must not be inferred that the task is an easy one, if the radio technique is to fulfill all the hopes which are placed on it. It has been demonstrated during the war period that transoceanic communication has become thoroly reliable, every day in the year, and practically every hour in the day. Thus far, we can say, that the problem is solved. But a second question will be raised: What volume of traffic can be carried by the means at our disposal at the present time, and what is the relation of this radio traffic to the world traffic of today and to the world traffic of the future? The facts of the case are briefly the folowing: Experience has shown that the wave lengths which are most suited for trans-oceanic communication lie between 12,000 and 17,000 meters. This "space in the ether" has already been taken *

No abstract

No abstract

The paper defines the state of the art of today which is the result of developments during the war. Transatlantic radio communication is at present maintained by five first class sta tions, two in America and three in Europe. These stations operate at wavelengths between 12,500 and 17,000 meters. The range of wavelengths suited for such traffic is rather limited, the desirable wave length being included between the limits of 10,000 to 20,000 meters. New developments indicate three methods for increasing the radio traffic without interference between the different messages. These methods are increase of the transmitting speed, closer spacing of wave lengths and direc tive reception. If these technical possibilities are intelligently used, the author predicts that radio communication will be equal to all demands that will be placed upon it. The second part of the paper describes the radio transmitting system for the development of which the author is responsible. This system is represented by the naval radio station, New Brunswick, N. J. and comprises new means for generating modulating, and radiating the continuous wave energy. The generator is the high-frequency alternator with which the author's name has become associated. The modulating system is the "magnetic amplifier" which is described in a paper by the author before the Institute of Radio Engineers. The "multiple antenna" system of radiation is described in this paper for the first time. The general theory and figures for the increased radiation efficiency are given. The author also predicts that the multiple antenna will make possible directive radiation on a large scale.