Empire telegraph communications

The paper deals with the engineering aspect of Empire telegraph communications. In order that the size and scope of these communications may be realized, the author begins by setting forth the components of the telegraph operating company, showing the systems contributed by each section. The engineering organization within the operating company is then dealt with, the training and necessary qualifications of telegraph engineers in the present service being outlined. Returning to the general aspect of Empire communications, the main traffic routes are discussed, with details of a number of main-line circuits. Some of the engineering requirements of the flow of traffic are touched on. Having dealt briefly with the system, the paper proceeds to enumerate the methods by which the collection and the delivery of messages are effected. The methods of signalling and the suitability of the different codes under varying circumstances are explained. The author then presents a short history of progress in cable telegraphy. Modern methods of signal shaping, balancing, and synchronous-regenerator working on cable circuits are reviewed. Where well-known methods are in use the descriptions are brief, full technical explanations being given only where information has not previously been published except in patent specifications. The items described in detail include the capacitance magnifier, the fork relay, the automatic bias corrector, and the automatic scrutinizer. There follow brief notes on recent progress and cable problems which are still being investigated. A brief outline of the methods of operating the wireless telegraph circuits is given, with details of the application of regenerator working to these circuits. A description of a method of double-frequency keying of wireless circuits follows. Finally, reference is made to the effects of varying cosmic conditions on wireless signals.