History of wireless telegraphy and broadcasting in Australia/Topical/Legislation/C1920L00256/Notes

Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 1920

1910s

1919

1919 04

WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY. The removal of the restrictions on wireless on the high seas, except in certain zones, is expected to greatly facilitate communication with ships, and augment telegraphic traffic between these and airships. Moreover, the ships' range increased during the war to 1000 miles.

1920s

1920

1920 01

AMATEUR RADIO "A.A.B.S." sparks:— I was pleased to see by "The Sun" (9/1/'20) that someone has at last awakened to the neglected state of our radio communication. The great possibilities offered by this wonderful invention appear to have been overlooked by the Government of this country, to whom the great aid given by wireless during the war should have shown much of its possibilities. Most people would, no doubt, be greatly surprised to learn that a wireless message sent from the Carnarvon station in Wales takes one-fifteenth of a second to reach Sydney, which is in great contrast to the four-hour record offered by cable. Another great point of grievance is the lack of interest shown by the Government in amateur wireless. In the United States of America amateurs are given every encouragement, and radio clubs and radio relay leagues, by which any amateur can communicate with his brother-enthusiasts in all parts of America, are to be found in all the principal towns in the States. Out here in Australia hardly two amateurs seem to be known one to the other. There is one club in Sydney; beyond that there is no other of which I have any knowledge. While our amateurs have to use the old crystal type detectors and instruments, our American cousins use the latest types of valve receivers, by which they can hear the stations in Europe at work. As an amateur my self, I naturally feel being so far behind the times very greatly. The ban on amateur work has only just been lifted in this country, while in America it was lifted in April last year — this shows to a great extent the lack of interest displayed. I am not sure whether it is correct or not, but I have heard that it was stated in Parliament that the amateurs greatly interfered with the sending of Government messages. This seems to be in great contradiction to what Signor Marconi wrote in the March issue, 1919, of the "Wireless World," when he said:— "I consider that the existence of a body of independent and often enthusiastic amateurs constitutes a valuable asset towards the further development of wireless telegraphy." According to an article by Mr. E. T. Fisk, of the Amalgamated Wireless Co., Sydney, the Marconi Co. is willing to erect a station powerful enough to communicate with England on being given permission by the Government to do so, This offer seems to have been neglected by those who should be working for the betterment of this country.

1920 05

Use of Wireless. WAR-TIME RESTRICTIONS MODIFIED. The Federal Government has decided to modify to some extent the restrictions that were placed on the use of wireless telegraphy during the war. Subject to the approval of the authorities, licences for the erection of wireless plants will be granted to Australian ships, to technical schools and similar institutions, and to persons who desire to make use of wireless for instructional purposes and scientific investigation. Regulations dealing with the matter were gazetted yesterday. The licences will be issued for a period of one year, and may be renewed from time to time with the consent of the authorities. The fee for a wireless licence for a ship will be £1 a year, while the fee for an experimental or instructional licence has been fixed at £2 a year. These latter will only be issued to natural-born British subjects, resident in Australia, subject to the production of satisfactory proof of the applicant's competence to conduct experiments scientifically. Persons to whom licences are issued will be required to give a guarantee that they will not make use of any messages of a naval or military character that they may happen to receive, while in the case of experimental plants the licensee must undertake not to use the installation when it is apparent that naval or military signalling is proceeding. The installations will be subject to inspection at any time by duly authorised officers of the Naval Radio service, and the licences may be revoked at any time if the Minister deems such a course desirable. The appliances may also be commandeered by the Government in cases of urgency.