16 METHODS OF COMMUNICATION FOR FOREST PROTECTION 



The range of non-electrical audible signals is extremely limited, unless detonations 

 or whistles of immense power are employed. Further, they are of limited application 

 because relatively slow. 'Nevertheless, such signals are very widely used for the 

 purpose of conveying code messages where only a few very simple messages need to 'be 

 employed. Such, for instance, is the employment of whistles and bells on boats, trains, 

 and steam-logging operations, of detonating torpedoes on railways, and of whistle and 

 trumpet blasts in the directing of military manoeuvres. 



Electrical means of communication are the most modern and most efficient of all 

 the methods employed. Thus far, of the wireless methods, only the wireless telegraph 

 has been brought to a high state of perfection. Of the methods of transmitting intelli- 

 gence electrically over wires, three principal types may be recognized as follows : 



(1) Transmission of the telegraphic code by the common type of telegraph key, 

 relay, and sounder. 



(2) Transmission of the telegraphic code by the buzzer system^ using a telephone 

 receiver as the sound-receiving apparatus. 



(3) Transmission of the human voice by the telephone. 



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The first has maximum range and reliability of equipment but requires a rather 

 high degree of electrical insulation in the connecting lines and special training of the 

 operators. Where a high degree of accuracy in the message transmitted is required, 

 it is the most rapid of the electrical methods of communication, exceeding in this 

 respect even the telephone. On the other hand, it offers little or no chance for secrecy 

 of messages sent. 



The second has a limited range but certain advantages in operating over lines of 

 poor electrical insulation. The apparatus is comparatively simple but special training 

 is still a requisite for operation. 



The third employs a more complicated apparatus but one whose mechanical 

 development has reached a very high degree of perfection. It has the immense 

 advantage of requiring no training for its successful operation and of being under 

 certain conditions the most rapid of all means by which information may be trans- 

 mitted. It requires a higher degree of electrical insulation than the second method 

 and has not the range of the first, but has been shown to have sufficient range for all 

 necessary purposes of forest protection. Further, it is the only practicable apparatus 

 by means of which the sender and receiver of the message can communicate directly 

 with each other without the interposition of a third party. 



All the foregoing methods involve the use of wires connecting the points with 

 which communication is desired. Only at points where actual physical connection to 

 these wires can be made is it possible to send or receive messages by these systems. 

 A considerable investment in construction and a continuous charge for maintenance 

 is, therefore, involved in the use of any one of the systems. On the other hand, the 

 apparatus required for making connection to the wires when strung and for establish- 

 ing communication with stations is extremely simple and easily portable in all cases. 



The wireless systems of communication, while offering many theoretical advan- 

 tages, particularly through dispensing with the use of wires, have not, however, been 

 developed to the point where they are to be considered as serious competitors of the 

 present system of telephones with wires. Although improvements are constantly being 

 made in this field of communicaiton, the requirements of extreme portability are, as 

 yet, met more effectively by the equipment at present in use. The development of the 

 wireless telephone during the war has 'been such that its employment as a supple- 

 mentary equipment must be given serious consideration. To a certain extent the use 

 of the wireless telegraph -as a temporary or as a supplementary equipment may also 

 be advantageous, but the necessity of having trained operators is a serious disad- 

 S vantage of this system, f^ne ultimate development of the wireless telephone is of the 

 utmost interest to all who are interested in forest protection as it promises to overcome, 

 ;\ when perfected, nearly all of the obstacles at present met with in the establishment 

 \ of cheap, reliable, and quick communication in forested regions. 



