CCI Digest 801 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) Re: W/T by "Peter Wright" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 29 Jan 2003 08:43:41 -0000 From: "Peter Wright" To: Subject: Re: W/T Message-ID: <000701c2c772$b3b7edd0$f4388351@NELLIE> Nick, I'm sorry to labour the point, but the transmission of speech by wireless is WIRELESS TELEPHONY not wireless telegraphy, which is the transmission of morse. See my opening paragraph in article 'Its Good to Talk' in Vol 30 No 4 1998. This is also confirmed in chapter two of the Biggin Hill book, of which I only have a paperback copy. Over and out! Peter W. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Nick Forder" To: "Multiple recipients of list" Sent: Friday, January 24, 2003 8:55 AM Subject: [CCI] W/T > After consulting John Barfoot's bible, and Graham Wallace's Biggin Hill, I > discovered the following : > > The RFC began trials with wireless telgraphy and airacrft at Cramlington in > 1916. On 21 November 1916 2Lt Douglas received a W/T message 24 miles from > the transmitter. Developments were interrupted due to bureaucrarcy and > difficulties with the Admiralty, which was supplying the equipment. The > Admiralty feared that W/T would interfer with the Marconi Direction Finding > Stations (see previous postings). Early in 1917 the trials unit moved to > Biggin Hill, and was tasked to develop air-to-ground and air-to-air direct > speech communication (radio telegraphy) as a priority. Tests were carried > out elsewhere, and in September 1917 the first successful air-to-air R/T > communication was carried out by Bristol Fighters of 11 Squadron. As a > result of this two two-seater squadrons (Biffs ?) were equipped with the > system. A ground-to-air long range transmitter was set up at Aplefield > Court, a mile south east of Biggin. Using this system Bristol Fighters of > 141 Squadron took part in successful trials in April 1918. In May 1918 143 > Squadron SE 5a s and 141 Squadron Biffs were fitted with the system and used > operationally against German daylight raids on Britain. The development and > trials unit later moved from Biggin to Penhurst. > > Thanks for everyone's contribution > > Nick > ------------------------------ End of CCI Digest 801 *********************