Page:January 1916 QST.djvu/10

 and be very impressive and emphatic on the point, when any of the small boys happen to be around, it would not take very long for the general impression to go abroad that between 8:45 and 9:15 P. M. it would be bad form to do any butting in.

It seems to the writer that this is a very important matter, and he wishes to suggest that it be considered by the League Membership, and made the subject of general discussion. If it could be arranged that between the hours stated; or any others more suitable, it were understood that all Relay League testing and transmitting were to be done, and that unimportant amateur work were to QRT, there would be less of the sort of thing described earlier in this article. It is oven conceivable that the League could induce some form of Federal co-operation in the matter, and in view of the possibility that an efficient working chain of relay stations throughout the country is to the public good, it might not be so hard to show that the unimportant amateur sending ought to be prohibited by law during these few minutes each evening.

The alternative is of course the rigid enforcement of the existing law regarding wave length and decrement and sharpness of wave. If this were strictly observed by those amateurs who have not the equipment, skill or knowledge to do any relay work it would help to a great extent, except for those cases where the little boy with the spark coil and the dry cells and the untuned aerial circuit is next door. The writer does not feel that it is expedient to force a strict observance of the letter of the law at this time, in view of the war conditions prevailing. He is of the opinion that it would be better to attempt to control interference by working among ourselves and showing that it is for the general good of the public at large for us to have a little assistance, and co-operation. After all, it is not such a terrible hardship for their little boys of the wireless world to keep quiet for a few minutes a day. They should be encouraged to practice radio signaling, without doubt, and the writer is one of their strongest advocates, but they should not have the entire 24 hours of the day. One-half of one hour ought to be reserved for the American Radio Relay League.

Another matter in this plan of testing which experience has shown the writer is important, is exact and unmistakable preliminary arrangements. It should be understood by Mr. A just what wave length Mr. B is using, and what the tone of the spark is. It should be known exactly to the second when Mr. B. is to begin and stop sending. Western Union time is a good standard because it is easily got by phone any minute of the day or night. No attempts should be made to cover a long stretch unless each station is in perfect adjustment, and will not fail at the critical moment. If possible a third station should be called in which can easily read both A. and B. And finally, the long distance telephone should be made use of if it can be afforded. It serves to explain failures which otherwise are the cause of disappointment, and often make a test a success which without it would have been put down as an impossibility.

In conclusion, the writer wishes to touch upon the question of directional aerials. Several things have happened recently which lead him to wonder if amateurs are not in greater need of umbrella-aerials than are ships or coast stations. He proposes to try one in the near future in place of an inverted L running East and West, and hopes to be able to report results some day. 

Press news is transmitted at 10:15 p. m. Eastern time, from the New York Herald (WHB). The news is brief, but always interesting.

The Government station at Key West, Florida, (NAR) transmits Associated Press news beginning between 9:15 p. m. to 9:30 p. m. Eastern time. This news is very complete and stations desiring to receive it should stand by on a long wave length.

Are you a member of the League? Write to the Secretary, American Radio Relay League, Hartford, Conn. for application blank. 