53 



distinctly on 64 meters from a position in latitude 46° N., longitude 

 48° W., using only a dry cell for the filament current and a 37-foot 

 vertical antenna. 



During this cruise approximately 180,000 words were sent and re- 

 ceived and the transmitters were in operation about 70 per cent of 

 the time. 



SECOND CRUISE, APRIL 8-22, "MODOC" 



No trouble of any nature was experienced with the 2-kilowatt tube 

 transmitter on this patrol. Considerable leakage was found in the 

 rigging in damp and wet weather, and this was further prevented by 

 grounding all the antenna wire guys. All signal halyards on the 

 signal yard were burned off and fell to the deck. This defect was 

 remedied by placing a 12-inch porcelain insulator between the yard 

 and the halyards. A very good test of the antenna insulation was 

 made while the vessel was north in latitude 49° 00' near the bergs. 

 The antenna and pyrex insulators were completely covered with ice. 

 The output with the antenna in the above condition was reduced 

 only about 10 per cent. There is no doubt that with the old arc 

 transmitter the output would have been reduced to such an extent 

 that the set would have been wortliless. A test with the spark set 

 showed about 40 per cent reduction in output. The pyrex insulators 

 held the ice and snow longer and were covered with thicker layers 

 than the porcelain, but allowed the water to drop off more rapidly 

 without accumulating during the rainy weather During the cruise 

 the bakelite strip on the transformer band-change switch broke down 

 between the contacts. This defect is believed to have been due to 

 poor bakelite. Temporary repairs were made and the output was 

 not affected noticeably. 



All the official traffic was sent via NBD (Bar Harbor) except for 

 one schedule, which was sent to NAB (Portland, Me.). NBD's (Bar 

 Harbor) weak signals made it very difficult to work that station. 



The vessel communicated with WCC (Radio Corporation, Chat- 

 ham, Mass.) every night on CW. The station reported the signals 

 very strong. WCC was also worked on ICW several times, on 2,100 

 meters. About 8 amperes were put in the antenna. These signals 

 were also reported strong. The distance from WCC at the time was 

 approximately 1,000 miles. 



Eastbound sliips copying the 1,621-meter broadcasts, were re- 

 quested to listen for the broadcast en route to Europe, and also 

 while lying in European ports. Two reports were received, one on 

 April 11, from the S. S. Scandia at a distance of 1,590 miles, reporting 



