In the August, 1934, issue of the Proceedings, the writer contributed a paper on the radio communications provided for the Italian transatlantic flight in 1933 under the command of General Italo Balbo. The excellence of the communications provided for that historic flight no doubt was a factor in the selection by Admiral Richard E. Byrd of the same organization for the handling of all radiotelegraph communications for his second expedition to the Antarctic. Preparatory work for this problem commenced directly following the completion of General Balbo’s flight.
The handling of radiotelegraph communications to and from the expedition and the United States involved a number of problems. A large proportion of the messages had to be handled between stations situated over 8,000 miles apart through unique seasonal changes which affect operation on high frequencies. The extremely low power used at the Antarctic terminus of the circuit added to the difficulty of handling the comparatively large amount of traffic.
To furnish the expedition with radiotelegraph communication involved the installation of radiotelegraph apparatus on the two vessels of the expedition, the handling of messages to and from these vessels on their trips to Little America, and the handling of messages to and from this country and the base camp at Little America. The first step was the installation by the Mackay Radio and Telegraph Company at Boston of its standard ship radiotelegraph equipment on the Bear of Oakland (WHEW) and Jacob Ruppert (KJTY) during September and October, 1933. Each ship was fitted with combination intermediate and high frequency transmitting apparatus together with suitable receivers, necessary auxiliaries, and spare parts. Due to the difference in space available, a different size of transmitter was installed on each ship. The Bear of Oakland was equipped with a type 101B combination intermediate and high frequency transmitter, while the Jacob Ruppert was equipped with a type 110 combination intermediate and high frequency transmitter. Each of these transmitters operates on the regularly assigned frequencies in the mobile band, 375-500 kc. (600-800 m.) and 5,500-17,000 kc. (17- 54 m.). The receiving equipment installed on each ship consisted of one type 105 intermediate frequency and low frequency receiver and one type 104 high frequency receiver, which, in combination, have a frequency range of from 15 to 20,000 kc. (15-20,000 m.), continuously variable. With this standard equipment, the vessels of the Byrd Expedition were furnished communication facilities not only on the intermediate wave and distress bands, but also on the high frequencies necessary for operation over long distances. In addition, each vessel was equipped with a Kolster radio direction finder. All of the radiotelegraph equipment was loaned to Admiral Byrd without charge.
To handle the messages to and from the ships and to and from Little America, the marine coastal stations located at Sayville, L.I., (WSL), and San Francisco, Calif., (KFS.) were used. The Sayville station operates in the intermediate, low, and high frequency bands and is remotely controlled from Southampton, L.I., at which point the receiving equipment and operating personnel are located. The station at San Francisco has its transmitter located at Palo Alto, and is remotely controlled and operated from the receiving station located at Lobitos. It likewise operates on the intermediate, low, and high frequency marine bands. Both Sayville and San Francisco and their associated receiving stations are joined to the Mackay Radio domestic point-to-point system and the transoceanic circuits radiating from New York and San Francisco.
The station LST of Sociedad Anonima Radio Argentina, an associated company of the International System located at Buenos Aires and linked by direct circuit with New York through WSL, was also at the disposal of the expedition, should it have proved necessary or desirable. The use of this station was found largely unnecessary and all Byrd Expedition radiotelegraph communications to and from this country were handled through either Sayville or San Francisco depending upon atmospheric conditions and seasonal variations.
The transmitting frequencies of the various stations were:
(1) Sayville—WSL—5,555 kc., (54 m.), 8,670 kc., (34 m.)-, 8,390 kc., (36 m.), 12,585 kc., (24 m.) 16,780 kc., (18 m.)
(2) San Francisco—KFS—8,380 kc., (36 m.), 12,555 kc., (24 m.)
(3) Buenos Aires—LST—9,110 kc., (33 m.)
The two vessels of the Byrd Expedition normally used the standard ship high frequencies in communicating with WSL and KFS. Ship high frequencies are allocated in bands providing a number of channels within each band, which gives the ship operator a choice of approximately 40 different frequencies or channels. The band widths covered by the ships were:
5,505 to 5,535 kc. (54 meter band)
6,160 to 6,240 kc. (48 meter band)
8,230 to 8,340 kc. (36 meter band)
11,010 to 11,100 kc. (27 meter band)
12,345 to 12,480 kc. (24 meter band)
16,405 to 16,680 kc. (18 meter band)
The Bear of Oakland (WHEW) sailed from Boston on September 25, 1933, for the Antarctic via New York, Newport News, and New Zealand. The Jacob Rup- pert (KJTY) started on its long journey on October 11, 1933. Communications to and from the ships presented no unusual problems although the volume of traffic handled was considerably greater than that customarily handled between ship and shore over the distances involved. During the voyage to Wellington, New Zealand, both vessels were able to work either KFS or WSL whenever desired. Their signals were usually stronger at WSL between midnight and 5:00 a.m. E.S.T., at which time 36 meters were used. Conditions during the voyage from Wellington to Little America were almost identical to those experienced during the passage from the Canal Zone to Wellington. A few extracts from a condensed log of the progress of the expedition may be of interest.
1933
Nov. 12 WHEW arrives Colon.
Nov. 16 KJTY works WSE on 500 kc. while at Easter Island, 5,000 miles from WSE, 5.08 a.m. EST.
Nov. 17 WHEW leaves Balboa.
Nov. 25 WHEW Noon 00.45 North 98.39 West.
Nov. 26 KJTY contacts WSE on 500 kc. at 6.13 a.m. EST, 6,000 miles from WSE.
Nov. 29 WHEW 03.09 S. 110.40 W.
Dec. 3 WHEW 07.36 S. 123.51 W.
Dec. 5 KJTY arrives Wellington N.Z.
Dec. 6 WHEW 11.15 S. 32.38 W.
Dec. 9 WHEW 14.24 S. 41.31 W. Expects arrive Papeete 0600.
Dec. 12 KJTY leaves Wellington bound Little America.
1934
Jan. 3 KJTY 69.57 S. 116.35 W.
Jan. 6 WHEW arrives Wellington.
Jan. 7 KJTY 67.21 S. 124.29 W.
Jan. 10 KJTY 69.03 S. 150.32 W.
Jan. 11 WHEW left Wellington for Dunedin.
Jan. 13 WHEW arrives Dunedin.
Jan. 14 KJTY 69.25 S. 162.14 W.
Jan. 18 KJTY arrives Bay of Whales.
Jan. 19 WHEW leaves Dunedin for Little America.
Jan. 23 WHEW 55.04 S. 172.22 W.
Jan. 30 WHEW arrives Bay of Whales.
Jan. 31 KFZ opened.
Up to this time messages exchanged had been confined to ship to shore and shore to ship. From a communications standpoint, contact with an expedition involves many of the same problems as are present in regular ship-to-shore operation. The establishment of the fixed station KFZ at Little America on January 31 did not essentially change the problems of WSL and KFS except to make even more difficult the exchange of traffic. In the case of communication between mobile and land stations, the burden is placed on the land station. Obviously, the limitations of the mobile unit, as to weight, space arrangement, and number of personnel, make it necessary that the land station, by means of more powerful transmitting apparatus, special receiving equipment, directional antennae, etc., make up for the deficiencies. These limitations applied to an even greater extent to the establishing of the station at Little America, which obviously had to be installed and operated under difficulties more extreme than are encountered aboard ship.
It is interesting to note that one of the major difficulties encountered in connection with the establishment of radiotelegraph communication with Little America was the fact that the more utilitarian radiotelegraph service had to be subordinated on many occasions to radiotelephone and broadcasting. This limited the use of KFZ’s most powerful transmitter not only for periods of actual transmission but also for the periods in which tests would have been most helpful.
The transmitter first installed at Little America had an output of 1,500 watts and was arranged for both telephone and telegraph transmission. This transmitter, as time went on, was used mainly for telephone transmission and a locally constructed radiotelegraph transmitter with an output of only 75 watts was used for the more than 8,000-mile jump to WSL and KFS.
The transmitting frequencies used by KFS in transmitting to WSL were:
8,330 kc. (34 m.) 12,450 kc. (24 m.)
11,010 kc. (27 m.) 16,680 kc. (18 m.)
KFZ transmitted to KFS on:
6,200 kc. (48 m.) 8,575 kc. (35 m.)
8,660 kc. (34 m.)
Following the initial opening of KFZ on January 31, 1934, communications were largely carried on through the Jacob Rup- pert which was at the Bay of Whales only 5 miles distant from KFZ. At this time the signals from KJTY were QSA3 to 4 in strength while those of KFZ were only QSA1. To determine the best hours of operation and the frequencies most suitable, KFS and WSL made daily observations on KFZ’s signals during the first 10 minutes of each hour for 24 hours. The best results at WSL were obtained between 7:00 and 10:00 p.m. E.S.T. on 24 meters. Observations at KFS indicated that KFZ was best received between midnight and 5:00 a.m., E.S.T. on 48 meters.
A glance at the map will show that, in effect, a communications triangle was formed by the circuits between KFZ-KFS- WSL. During the latter part of April, 1934, it was arranged that all traffic for KFZ would be sent by WSL and transmitted by the latter at 7.10 p.m. E.S.T., simultaneously on both 36 and 54 meters. This plan made it possible for the staff at Little America to have several hours for the preparation of replies, subsequently sending them from KFZ via KFS during the hours of best reception at the latter point. Incoming traffic received at KFS for delivery in the east was, of course, transmitted to New York over the point- to-point radio circuit. This procedure was followed until the first week in December, 1934, and proved an ideal arrangement for the handling of the expedition’s traffic.
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On March 4, KFZ reported the advent of continuous night which lasted until August 21. The arrival of darkness had little effect on the reception of WSL by KFZ but the signals from KFZ were received only intermittently at WSL. The effect of continuous darkness was much milder on the reception of KFZ’s signals at KFS, as that station continued to successfully handle incoming traffic. Outgoing messages were transmitted through WSL without difficulty or delay. During the period of continuous night, WSL used his 54-meter wave in transmitting to KFZ.
With the return of the sun to Little America, signals from KFZ again reached a readable level at WSL and that station was able to lift portions of the incoming traffic load from the shoulders of KFS. At this time, 24 meters were found to be the best transmitting frequency to use at WSL. Due to the extremely heavy traffic handled, and the demands of regular shore- to-ship service on KFS’s time, a separate circuit was established at San Francisco on December 4, 1934, to handle the expedition’s traffic. The signals from KFZ and the two vessels were received on a special receiver located at Lobitos and passed through a spare tone channel to the San Francisco point-to-point operating room. Authority was obtained from the Federal Communications Commission to use the transmitter located at Palo Alto, KWC 8,850 kc. and KJJ 8,905 kc. These transmitters were remotely controlled from the San Francisco operating room but KJJ only was used most of the time. This new set-up relieved the marine operators at Lobitos of the necessity for handling the extremely heavy communications of the expedition and allowed the use of facilities which could be spared. This arrangement was continued until February 17,1935, at which time direct schedules with the expedition were discontinued. An average of 3,297 words per day was handled over this special circuit during the period mentioned. Due to the fact that Admiral Byrd and several members of the expedition were then disembarking from the vessels at Dunedin, there was an appreciable reduction in traffic and arrangements were made for KFS to handle traffic as was done prior to December 4, 1934.
The last communication with KFZ took place on February 3, 1935, and shortly thereafter the station was placed out of commission. Communication was continued with the two vessels lying in the Bay of Whales, until they sailed from there for Dunedin on February 6, carrying back to civilization the members of the expedition.
Communications with the expedition can be divided into three major groups. In Group I were messages relating to expedition business, such as arrangements for broadcast programs, orders for materials and supplies, and press reports. Group II covered personal messages between members of the expedition and their relatives and friends. Group III consisted of messages relative to the radio telegraph communication service, including arrangements for schedules, reports of tests, and ship position reports.
Great credit must be given to the operators at Little America for the excellent work they performed under very trying difficulties. The newspapers of the country carried day by day radioed accounts of the progress of the expedition and these fascinating articles direct from the field of action undoubtedly contributed heavily toward the widespread interest in the Second Byrd Expedition in the United States and other countries as well.
There is little to be said in this article relative to the aims, purposes, and achievements of the Byrd Expedition since they have been and will be too well covered by other articles to require elaboration here. It is sufficient to say that the achievements of the expedition were greatly dependent upon reliable radiotelegraph communication. In excess of one million words for the expedition were handled in approximately eighteen months, a tremendous amount of traffic to exchange over one of the longest point-to- point spans in the world under conditions far from ideal, and without interruption to normal commercial communications.
Author’s Notes.—Thanks and appreciation are due to Lieutenant T. E. Nivison, U. S. Naval Reserve, and Lieutenant E. J. Girard, U. S. Naval Reserve, and Mr. E. D. Thornburgh for their invaluable assistance in organizing and handling the communications described in this article and in the preparation of this paper.