Fire Island Lightship, N. Y. (call letters WWAN): Group of 2 dashes_. 50 seconds Silent___ 15 seconds Ambrose Channel Lightship, N. J. (call letters WWAT): Five Fathom Bank Lightship (call letters WWAR): Group of 1 dash and 3 dots. Diamond Shoal Lightship, N. C. (call letters WWAZ): Group of 2 dashes_ Silent. Mississippi River South Pass West Jetty Range Front Light Sta tion, La. : Group of 2 dashes_ 30 seconds 3 minutes 40 seconds 25 seconds 60 seconds 120 seconds 30 seconds 30 seconds 60 seconds 60 seconds 60 seconds Silent___ Galveston Jetty Light Station, Tex.: Single dashes_. 90 seconds These radio fog signals are intended for the use of vessels equipped with radiocompass. By reason of this radiocompass (also termed radio direction finder) the bearing of the radio fog-signal station may be determined with an accuracy of approximately 2° and at distances considerably in excess of the range of visibility of the most powerful coast lights. The apparatus is simple and may be operated by the navigator without the assistance of a radio operator or without knowledge of the telegraph code. The radio direction-finding apparatus consists of a radio receiving set, similar in operation to those used for radio telegraph or telephone reception, and a rotatable coil of wire in place of the usual antenna. By rotating the coil the intensity of the signal received from the transmitting station is caused to vary, and by noting the position of the coil when the signal is heard at its minimum intensity the bearing of the transmitting station is readily obtained. It is important to note that the bearing of an incoming radio wave is subject to errors not unlike the deviation of a magnetic compass. Those using radio direction finding on shipboard are cautioned to bear these errors in mind and to keep radiocompasses calibrated at all times. This may be done during clear weather by comparing the bearing obtained with the radiocompass with the bearing as given by other methods in general use. All radiocompasses are subject to what is called "night effect," an indeterminate error sometimes experienced near nightfall and sunrise. The signals from the lightships have definite characteristics for Identifying the stations, as have the flashing lights and sound fog signals, and bearings may be obtained with even greater facility than sight bearings on visible objects. The radio fog signals are transmitted on a wave length of 1,000 meters, which is exclusively reserved for this purpose to avoid interference. NOTE. Ships and stations for which no call letters are given do not maintain radio communication. With the exception of Nantucket Shoals Lightship, as noted below, the lightships and stations transmit continuously during thick or foggy weather. With the exception of Nantucket Shoals Lightship, the lightships and stations sound the signal daily in clear weather from 9 to 9.30 a. m. and from 3 to 3.30 p. m. (seventy-fifth meridian. time except stations on the Gulf Coast, which keep ninetieth meridian time). With the exceptions of Nantucket Shoals Lightship and Boston Lightship, operators on lightships maintain watch on 600-meter wave length for the first 15 minutes of each hour from 8 a. m. to 9.15 p. m., local standard time, except when radio fog signal is in operation. Requests by radio for special transmission of signals for testing or calibrating should be made during such watch periods, using 600-meter wave length. In clear weather Nantucket Shoals Lightship (call letters WWAH) transmits signals day and night during the second 15 minutes of each hour, and the operator stands watch during the first 15 minutes of each hour from 8 a. m. to 10.15 p. m. (seventyfifth meridian time). During fog the radio fog signal will be silent from 10 a. m. to 10.15 a. m. and from 4 p. m. to 4.15 p. m. for listening in. Nantucket Shoals Lightship sounds radio fog signal and submarine signal at the same time. The submarine signal sounds 2 groups of 6 blasts every 90 seconds, thus, six 1-second blasts, 312 seconds apart, 12 seconds silence, six 1-second blasts, 32 seconds apart, 31 seconds silence. In each repetition the first dash of the radio signal and the first blast of the submarine signal are sounded at the same time. The difference in time in seconds between the reception of the first dash of the radio signal and the first blast of the submarine signal multiplied by 1,600 will give the distance in yards of the observer from the lightship. Vessels are requested to forward reports to the Commissioner of Lighthouses, Washington, D. C., or Superintendent of Lighthouses, Boston, Mass., as to the effectiveness of this signal. A general description of this method of navigation and the instruments required may be obtained from the Commissioner of Lighthouses, Washington, D. C., upon request. The Bureau of Standards Scientific Paper No. 428, the Radio Direction Finder and Its Application to Navigation, may be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C., for 15 cents. Radio telegraphic broadcasts of weather information issued by the United States Weather Bureau for the benefit of marine interests are made daily on regular schedules along the Gulf coast. The programs which are broadcast from each radio station are of the same character and are similarly transmitted. They are based upon observations taken in the United States at 8 a. m. and 8 p. m., seventy-fifth meridian time, and one hour earlier at stations in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, of the date of distribution, as indicated. The bulletins are divided into two parts. The first contains reports of barometric pressure, wind direction, and velocity at certain stations, each of which is indicated by one or more "key letters," and using a group of five figures to represent the data contained in the report. The second part consists of wind and weather forecasts and warnings of storms and hurricanes. These weather reports contained in the first part of the bulletins and supplemented by others picked up from vessels can be used in the production of weather maps, which will be of much value to navigating officers, and charts prepared for this purpose, which show the reporting station and their key letters, will be forwarded upon application. Following is a list of radio broadcasting stations, from which broadcasts are made in cooperation with the United States Weather Bureau: Key West, Fla. (NAR); U. S. Navy. 10 p. m. Wave length 5,657 meters CW and 1,463 meters ACW, simultaneously. Port Arthur, Tex. (WPA); Gulf Refining Co. 11.45 a. m., wave length 925 meters spark. Brownsville, Tex. (NAY); U. S. Navy. 12 midnight. meters CW and 2,255 meters spark, simultaneously. Wave length 4,997 San Juan, P. R. (NAU); U. S. Navy. 7.45 p m., wave length 4,836 meters CW and 9 p. m., 4,836 meters CW. Note: This broadcast is retransmitted by station NAW at Guantanamo, Cuba, at few minutes past 9 p. m. on a wave length of 4,543 meters CW. Both of the broadcasts are made during the hurricane season from July 1 to November 15, inclusive. Almirante, Panama (UB); United Fruit Co. 12.30 p. m. and 11.45 p. m. Wave length 4,075 meters CW. Note: The daily bulletins are transmitted to Almirante, Panama, as well as Swan Island (US) from the Tropical Radio station (WNU) at New Orleans, La., on 3,331 meters CW wave length, at 11.30 a. m. and 11.30 p. m. Any ship or shore station is at liberty to pick up these messages and repeat them to other ships, should it desire to do so. No broadcasts are made from Swan Island, but ships may call that station to obtain a copy of the Almirante broadcast if they have been unable to receive it. Local bulletins are broadcast daily from other radio stations in this district as named below. These bulletins consist of wind and weather forecasts for ocean areas contiguous to the station, storm, and hurricane warnings and advices and current weather conditions such as, barometric pressure, wind direction and velocity, and state of weather. Key West, Fla. (NAR); U. S. Navy. 12 noon. ACW. Wave length, 1,463 meters Pensacola, Fla. (NAS); U. S. Navy. 11.45 a. m. Wave length 1,333 meters spark. Storm warnings issued in the afternoon are broadcast at 6 p. m. New Orleans, La. (NAT); U. S. Navy. 10 a. m., 11 a. m., and 5 p. m. Wave length 2,607 meters spark. New Orleans, La. (WNU); Tropical Radio Co. 10 p. m. meters CW. Wave length 3,331 Galveston, Tex. (WGV); Radio Corporation of America. 11.30 a. m., and 6 p. m. Wave length 830 meters ICW. Brownsville, Tex. (NAY); U. S. Navy. 12 noon and 7 p. m. 4,997 meters CW and 2,255 meters spark simultaneously. Wave lengths All hurricane warnings and advisory messages relating thereto are broadcast when issued and repeated at about four-hour intervals. San Juan, P. R. (NAU). Wave length 4,836 meters CW. Complete details relative to the above service and method of decoding the major bulletins are published in circulars (Nos. 13 and 14, Radio) issued by the United States Weather Bureau. Copies of these circulars and card descriptive of storm warnings may be obtained upon application to any United States Weather Bureau office on the Atlantic or Gulf coasts. A new edition of the Radio Weather Code for Vessel Weather Observers (W. B. 860, 1925) has been published recently. Free medical advice to seamen by radio. The Seamen's Church Institute, of New York, announces that, through the cooperation of the Seamen's Church Institute with the United States Public Health Service, free medical advice for ships at sea is now available through the coastal radio stations operated on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States. The Marine Hospitals and Relief Stations of the United States Public Health Service designated to furnish the service in question are as follows: Atlantic coast: New York, N. Y., United States Marine Hospital No. 70. Gulf coast: Alternate, Stapleton, N. Y., United States Marine Hospital No. 21. Key West, Fla., United States Marine Hospital No. 10. New Orleans, La., United States Marine Hospital No. 14. While the Panama Canal was not included in the original scheme, several requests for medical service have been received here from ships at sea and have been given prompt attention. Ships desiring medical advice can secure prompt service by addressing radiograms through any radio station with which communication is established, such radiograms to be signed by the master addressed to the nearest marine hospital or relief station and briefly stating symptoms of the person afflicted. The advice given by the above-mentioned hospitals will be phrased in language (English) intelligible to a layman. This free medical service has been established primarily for the benefit of ships not carrying physicians. However, should occasion require, consultation may be held by radio by ships' physicians with the hospital staffs. The United Fruit Co. announces that the free medical radio service, which it inaugurated on August 1, 1922, from its hospitals in the various countries of Central America and from the passenger ships in its service, is now made available for ships at sea through an additional number of stations. The following is a list of radio stations of the United Fruit Co. and of the Tropical Radio Telegraph Co. through which this service may hereafter be obtained without charge, so far as these companies are concerned, by ships of all nationalities: Free medical radio service is also available through the Tela Railroad Co.'s radio station, call letters UC, Tela, Honduras, and through the Truxillo Railroad Co.'s radio station, call letters UA, Puerto Castilla, Honduras. Both of these stations may be reached through any station of the United Fruit Co. or of the Tropical Radio Telegraph Co. listed above. The following information is taken from a circular issued by the United Fruit Co.: Radiograms requesting medical advice should be signed by the captain of the ship and should state briefly but clearly the symptoms of the person afflicted. Such radiograms, if intended for a United Fruit Co. hospital, should be addressed "Unifruitco" followed by the name of the place where the hospital is located. United Fruit Co. hospitals giving this service are located at the following places, and also may be reached through any of the above-mentioned radio stations: Santa Maria, Colombia; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Almirante, Panama; and Puerto Barrios, Guatemala. This service may also be obtained at the hospital of the Tela Railroad Co., Tela, Honduras, and at the hospital of the Truxillo Railroad Co., Puerto Castilla, Honduras. Radiograms for these hospitals should be addressed "Telarailco" and "Trurailco," respectively. All United Fruit Co. passenger steamships carry doctors and free medical advice may be secured by radio from any of them by a radiogram addressed "Ship's Doctor," followed by name of the steamship. This free medical service is established primarily for the benefit of ships not carrying doctors; however, should occasion require, ships' doctors may hold consultation by radio with the United Fruit Co. ships' doctors and hospital staffs. The physicians and surgeons comprising the medical staff of the United Fruit Co. and its associated companies are thoroughly qualified, but in view of the fact that radio medical advice to ships at sea is given free and without an opportunity for a personal examination of the patients, no responsibility will be assumed by either the company and its associated companies or the physicians or surgeons giving the advice as to its accuracy, or for error or delay in the receipt or transmission of any message sent or received in connection therewith. It is requested that when sending medical-advice radiograms, radio operators check them "(number of words) DH Medico." "DH Medico" radiograms will be given preference over all other radiograms, excepting S O S calls, throughout the radio service of the United Fruit Co. and Tropical Radio Telegraph Co. UNITED STATES COAST GUARD STATIONS Coast Guard stations are maintained at the places named in the following table. The stations are manned throughout the year, and are supplied with boats, wreck guns, beach apparatus, and all other appliances for affording assistance in case of shipwreck. Instructions to enable mariners to avail themselves fully of the assistance thus afforded will be sent free of charge upon application to the United States Coast Guard, Washington, D. Č. The Coast Guard stations are provided with the International Code Signals, and are prepared to send or receive signals in that code or by means of the Semaphone Code, the Occulting or Flashinglight Code, or the International Morse Wigwag Code. Telephone facilities are available at the stations for the summoning of Coast Guard cutters, tugs, or other assistance. Signals. The following signals have been adopted by the United States Coast Guard: |