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Aviation History
1951
1951 - 2072.PDF
j2 October 1951 487 its universal debut, but both these models will materially assisttowards this end. Salford Electric also showed their latest radio-sonde equipment, an essential tool for the daily work of themeteorologist. R:al "multi-channel" airborne sets for use on H.F. and V.H.F. Wer< to be seen on the stands of Marconi and S.T.C. The H.F.versions have 30 and 24 channels respectively and on V.H.F. both these manufacturers have 70 channel equipments. With the intro-duc;ion of pilot-operated H.F. R/T. these crystal-controlled multi- channel sets are an operational requirement, the only doubt beingthe number of channels to be provided. Smaller sets more suitable for the medium-size and private aircraft were exhibited byE. K. Cole, Ltd., with 11- and 22-channel V.H.F., and by Murphy Radio with a 23-channel version, whilst the Plessey Companyhave made a neat modification to their six-channel V.H.F. airborne transmitter/receiver, so that the previous need for manual tuningis dispensed with. Both Redifon and Murphy showed airborne amplifiers forspeech and music while you fly (on headphones only, we hope !). The Marconi Company had a very neat working display of theiralready well-known M.F. radio compass using the "suppressed" loop. Other non-communication radio equipments for airborneuse were shown by Decca (whose latest receivers for their navi- gational aid have an interchangeable-unit system which shouldmake for easy servicing); by E. K. Cole, Ltd., with their exclusive cloud-and-collision-warning set; and by Ferranti with the1,000 mc/s D.M.E., which is likely to be installed at many important airports in the world before long, particularly on theroutes to be flown by the Comet. Murphy Radio also showed D.M.E., but for use on the 250 mc/s band. We noticed two or three new ground-station equipments, inparticular on the Redifon and Murphy stands. Redifon were showing a 6ft cabinet housing a bank of six H.F. receivers as wellas a two-frequency dual-diversity radio teleprinter terminal. Both these incorporated a new aerial "Multicoupler" designed to thespecification of International Aeradio, Ltd. Murphy displayed a twin V.H.F. 50-watt transmitter, housed inan attractive enclosed rack cabinet provided with locks back and front. Ferranti deserve praise for the very "clean" construction and For ground-wove control: the latATPye "walkie-talkie.'Ksbow- ing microphone (on top of case), lightweight head set, and base of whip aerial. (Left) Twin-channel, diversity n ceiver, tfument dual- re- The be-ely low is the pilot's distance! homing meter used with Ferranti D.M.E. equipment. layout in their D.M.E. ground station beacon, and we were par-ticularly taken with its enclosed and protected aerial system. Cossor had an attractive model of their A.C.R. which is to beused in conjunction with the S.T.C. precision approach radar. Pye, already well known for their I.L.S. equipment, haverecently introduced a small but efficient V.H.F. "walkie-talkie" which should find wide application in airport administrativeservices. The Ministry of Supply were demonstrating one method offeeding a suppressed H.F. aerial, which in this case was the air- craft's wing. Their "potted" circuits, in which all the com-ponents except the valves are embedded in plastic, should be a further step forward in making equipment more reliable. Theseunits are impervious to atmospheric changes and can easily be replaced if a fault should occur. Although not on show, one interesting recent development hasbeen the production of valves which will be much more reliable under the vibration conditions met with in aircraft; they areshortly coming into production. This development, plus the freedom from vibration in aircraft like the Comet, should materiallyreduce faults in airborne electronic equipment. An alternative solution of the problem could be seen on the Ultra stand, wheremagnetic amplifiers—which contain no radio valves—were on show. Briefly summing up, I was glad to see that from the range ofequipment shown there is one for every purpose and for all types of aircraft. In spite of present difficulties, particularly theshortages of labour and material, the radio industry has shown that great efforts are being made to keep pace with the rapid stridesin aircraft design and operation today. (Right) The nafi fcfcco DjF. ground equipment, desiened jer simplicity and accuracy in operation. Below are the aerial control wheel and calibrated scale.
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