Page:December 1915 QST.djvu/3



SEASON OPENING.

The cool weather has arrived, “static” is getting better every night, and the owners of relay stations are returning to their instruments. It is time to send out another official QST from headquarters. There is much to tell not only our membership, but also every amateur in the country.

First of all, we are confronted with extremely serious national questions. Our country has never before faced a more serious situation. National defense has become a question which every American realizes concerns him personally. The President is preparing plans and the Army and the Navy are both studying carefully every phase of the problem. One of the most important factors is Radio Communication. The great possibilities of the American Radio Relay League, with its organization of over six hundred relay stations in nearly every state of the Union are bound to attract prominent attention. The directors of the League have anticipated this, as will be noted on another page.

Of equal importance is the matter of RELIABILITY and CELEBRITY, as far as the transmission of messages by the League is concerned. We have had a year's experience and have learned many things. We have found our membership enthusiastic and willing but we have not been efficient always in getting messages through. The directors have something to say on this point, which the membership should carefully note.

The matter of frequent issue of Bulletins to the membership has been something which has been given thought, and every amateur should think carefully about what the Directors say about this important subject.  NATIONAL DEFENCE. OUR SERVICES OFFERED TO GOVERNMENT. When it became evident that our government intended to seriously take up the question of improving our national defense, the following letter was prepared and sent to the Secretary of the Navy:―

Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

Sir:―

In connection with your plans for national defense, it may be that the organization of the AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE, INC. will be of service. We respectfully present the following information concerning this League.

It has been in operation one year. Its membership consists of over six hundred amateur radio stations in thirty-eight states of the Union. Except for gaps in the southern tier of states, we are able to communicate to all important points at the present time.

A list of our official relay stations is given in the enclosed “LIST OF STATIONS.” There are over two hundred additional stations which have been appointed and which are awaiting publication of the third edition of our List.

The development of this League of amateur wireless telegraph stations has been carried on under the full knowledge of the Bureau of Navigation, Department of Commerce. Frequent conferences are held between our Chairman and the Commissioner of Navigation, and his assisting District Radio Inspectors. The League is managed strictly in accordance with a spirit of co-operation with Government authority. Our influence in correcting small technical infractions of the radio laws has already been successfully exercised in several instances.

In order to insure transmission along trunk line routes, the Bureau of Navigation have issued to certain stations indicated by this League, a Special License to use a transmitting wave length of 425 meters. The regular amateur is limited to 200 meters. Several of the Special Licenses have already been issued where the geographical location suggests their value. During the next sixty days, we hope that several new Special Licenses will be issued to stations in the Middle and Far West, which will be of great assistance to us in reaching Pacific Coast points with certainty and despatch. 