and Papua
p. 46 · Read in the full issue
Pedal Radio Sets in N. Guinea and Papua
A FORM of radio which is increasingly coming into practice in the Islands is the “one native power” or pedal driven transmitter, which has been developed in Australia by Amalgamated Wireless (Aus tralasia) Ltd. especially for use in inacces sible districts. These little sets weigh about 1 cwt. and can be carried in sec tions. Power for th© electric generator is provided by an Islander who “rides” a bi cycle-like structure.
The sets have been found particularly suitable for the conditions of Papua and New Guinea where no fewer than 36 A.W.A. sets have been established. Some are used by Government officials on their journeys into remote places, thus enabling
constant touch to be maintained with headquarters. Planters and traders have lately learned of the value of this type of instrument, a call through which might save a journey of scores of miles over trackless territory.
Amalgamated Wireless reports that the pedal driven sets are admirable also as feeders of the main wireless lines of com munication between the territories and the outside world. Thus a planter or trader will transmit a message from his own locality to Rabaul or Moresby to be sent on to a business firm, perhaps, in Sydney or another Australian capital. From the point of view of the owner of a small transmitter the traffic is good business as the sender, instead of paying 2d. per word to get his message to the main station, has the right of retaining Id. for acting as his own telegraphist.