Radio mirror (Jan-Oct 1923)

May 12, iqjj RADIO DIGEST NEW CODE SYSTEM DEVISEDBY SQUIER SPEEDS UP TRANSMISSION NEARLY THREE TIMES First Presentation of New Alphabet Given Before National Academy of Science By Carl H. Batman WASHINGTON. — A new telegraph alphabet for use In Radio, telegraph and cable in all languages has just been given to the world by Maj. Gen. George O. Squier, Chief Signal Officer of the Army and one of America's most prolific electrical communication inventors. With his new code system a speed 2.65 times the present transmitting rate can be achieved, and it is easier to tune to. The first presentation of this new universal code was made recently by the General in a speech before the National Academy of Sciences In Washington. It now appears that the code used for almost 80 years will be superseded throughout the world, with a gain of over 150% in speed. Variations to Perfect New Code Briefly, General Squier proposes to vary the amplification or intensity of each half cycle of alternating current to send a dot, space or dash, each of which requires the same time of transmission. The signals are distinguished in receiving by the three different amplitudes, one each for the dot, dash and space. Six permutations are possible with the three intensities; one arrangement being to represent the dot with a certain intensity, the dash with a larger one and the space with a smaller amplification. The method tried successfully by General Squier in the Signal Corps laboratories was with the dash the largest, the dot intermediate and the space the smallest. Other methods will be tried, however, and a better arrangement may be found. The system has been studied by Radio experts of the Army and Navy, who, it is reported, find no bugs in it; on the contrary, they see added efficiency, and decreased interference. It is the plan of the inventor to submit the system to the next International Technical Conference on Telegraphy with a suggestion for unification of all codes, Radio, wires and cable, using the same system of modulation for the signals. Has Many Advantages Over Morse The present telegraph alphabet was invented by Professor Horse in 1S44, before the telephone, alternating arc or Radio transmission, and yet, with advances in nearly every other phase of communication, we have continued to use the same alphabet, which, it was pointed out by General Squier, does not fit. It was for this reason that General Squier "redesigned" the 80-year old alphabet for 1923 use. In the old alphabet the dots, dashes and spaces required different time for transmission, whereas the new plan provides for sending each in the same space of time. In his system in alternating current, no consecutive signals are of the same sign, but different amplitudes. In Morse such letters as S and H, required three or four signals of the same sign and were not as legible as the signs for the letters A and N, where no two signs were alike, they being composed of dots and dashes. The several letters of the old alphabet did not have the same legibility and the whole alphabet was slowed down by the "slow" letters to their speed. This defect has cost the world hundreds of thousands of dollars in transmitting costs, it is estimated. Besult of Eight Years' Work General Squier's alphabet is the result of nearly eight years of research and experimentation, begun in 1915 in connection with devising a new cable alphabet. Its present application today to all three kinds of code work will make it no longer necessary to learn three code systems. CFCN CONDUCTS DAYTIME RECEIVING TEST CALGARY, ALTA — Tests for the information of the Canadian government are at the present time being conducted by CFCN, The W. W. Grant Radio, Ltd., broadcasting station at Calgary, under special instructions from Ottawa. CFCN is carrying out special daylight transmission tests in order to ascertain how broadcasts are received in the daytime in the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. BAN STOCK TIPS AND FIRM ADVERTISEMENT NEW YORK.— Use of the Radio to broadcast market information or forecasts of business by its members is prohibited by the terms of a resolution adopted this week by the governing committee of the New York stock exchange. The resolution prohibits also broadcasting by Radio of any matter intended to advertise firms of members or to stimulate interest In particular securities on the stock market. SCREEN STAR HEARS OPERA ? >«.!.. Above is Florence Vidor, star of the screen, listening in to a concert by the Chicago Opera Company, the music being radiated through the Cuban Telephone Company's Station PWX. Like many of the movie folks, Florence and her husband, King Vidor, the noted director, are ardent Radiophans © Photonews Fire Chief Broadcasts After Patting Out Blaze Chief Goetz Tells WOAI Listeners About Spontaneous Combustion SAN ANTONIO, TEX.— A touch of realism, not appreciated by Radiophans, was given to the address recently over Station WOAI, by Fire Chief A. J. Goetz of the San Antonio Fire Department, when Chief Goetz broadcast the fifth of a series of short talks on fire prevention. Appearing in his "fire-fighting togs," Chief Goetz stepped from his red racing automobile, used in answering all alarms, into the broadcasting studio, and took his place before the microphone. The chief had just returned from directing the work of the city's fire fighters as they battled the blaze and the elements in conquering a stubborn blaze at a warehouse. The topic of the address was timely. Chief Goetz took as his subject "Spontaneous Combustion," and the fire from which he had just returned is thought to have been caused by spontaneous combustion in the warehouse filled with hay and grain. CFCN USES DIRECT WIRE FROM PLAZA REMOTE CONTROL PROVES TO BE SUCCESSFUL Broadcast of Imperial Orchestra, Mile and Half Away, Brings Many Congratulatory Wires By Jeffrey J. Blngman CALGARY, ALTA. — Remote control and a telephone cable line one mile and a half in length is now being used by CFCN. The W. W. Grant Radio, Ltd., at Calgary, to broadcast music from a down town dance orchestra. This is the first time this device has been used in Radiophone broadcasting in Canada. The first test was staged on the night of Saturday, April 14, from 10:30 o'clock to 11:30 o'clock. Mountain Standard Time, the regular broadcast hours for CFCN. It proved entirely successful and hundreds of telegrams and letters were received, complimenting both Mr. Grant and the splendid orchestra. Music Magnified 90 Times Station CFCN, situated on Crescent Heights, one of Calgary's outlying districts which is on a considerably higher level than the city proper, was connected with the Imperial Orchestra at the Plaza Cabaret, in the business section of the city. A pair of cables was used, and they had a capacity and resistance equivalent to an ordinary open air telephone line thirty miles in length, in point of difficulties which it was found necessary to overcome. Music and speech was magnified ninety times regular strength by use of a special voice frequency amplifier designed by W. W. Grant, who also designed and manufactured the special pick-up equipment which was installed at the Plaza. Plaza Dancers Pleased The crowd of dancers and pleasure seekers who crowded the floor of the Plaza were immensely pleased by the novelty. However, surprised as they were when they entered the cabaret to find a Radiophone broadcaster installed, they were more surprised later when they learned that all sounds in the room could be heard all over the country. Clapping, applause, calls for encores, laughter and light talk, all could be distinctly heard by the multitudinous invisible audience, as was testified by telegrams received. Both local and out-of-town Radiophans who listened in told CFCN that the orchestra reproduction was the best they had ever heard. This innovation, following close on many features recently staged by CFCN, has created considerable talk in local Radio circles. Fans Wire Appreciation Here are a few of the hundreds of telegrams whic started pouring in one hour after the broadcast had ceased: "Concert coming in fine many thanks." Noel Kerr, Wenatchee, Wash. "Congratulations successful transmission tonight enjoying numbers broadcast." J. C. Ruff, Wallula, Wash. "Initial program remote control being received here perfectly a fine orchestra congratulations please acknowledge by Radio tonight." Frank A. Moore, Walla Walla, "Wash. "Tour concert coming in fine good stuff." A. J. Peters and TV. J. Easson, Victoria, B. C. "Tests tonight coming in wonderfully loud and clear." A. F. Dickenson, Wenatchee, Wash. "Concert coming in splendidly." Vernal Saithers, Helena, Mont. Similar programs from the Plaza's Imperial Orchestra have been arranged for in the near future, Mr. Grant has announced. Almhouse to Have Set BIRMINGHAM, ALA. — Radio may be a luxury enjoyed chiefly by the well-to-do but inmates of the Calhoun county aimhouse, near Jacksonville, Ala., are going to hear concerts just like anybody else. The set was installed at the expense of the keeper, W. H. Nunnally. THE ANTENNA BROTHERS Spir L. and Lew P. Try This on Your Cane