14 

 COMMUNICATIONS 



The conduct of the patrol, as now organized, would be impossible 

 without the aid of modern radio. The great unportance of dependable 

 communications to the Ice Patrol is readily apparent and has been 

 often stressed before. Suffice it to say here that the Ice Patrol 

 vessels are equipped with the very latest types of radio receivers and 

 transmitters and every attempt is made to bring radio personnel and 

 equipment up to the very highest standard. Suggestions and criti- 

 cisms in this field are always welcome. Last year automatic transmit- 

 ting machines were first used in sending the regular ice broadcast and 

 their success has assured the continued use of these instruments. 



The willing and helpful cooperation of the Canadian radio stations is 

 gratefully acknowledged. The assistance of these stations, both in 

 gathering and disseminating ice information, was indispensable. 



The following daily schedules were maintained without serious 

 interruption throughout the period of the patrol. In addition to these 

 schedules contact was made with Washington about every 2 hours. 

 All times are Greenwich civil time. 



WEATHER 



It is apparent that weather conditions over the patrol area are impor- 

 tant to the patrol vessel. Knowledge of the coming weather is neces- 

 sary for several reasons: (1) in order to effectively plan scouting opera- 

 tions for the next 36 hours; (2) in predicting the drift of icebergs and 

 movements of field ice; and (3) in order to be able to answer requests 

 for weather conditions and to advise vessels as to safe courses to 

 follow. To supply this information two weather maps are constructed 

 each day from the data supplied by the Marine-Angot weather bulle- 

 tin broadcast from Arlington radio. In addition, weather reports 

 from vessels in the ice patrol area, which are received every 4 hours, 

 are also plotted in order to make the synoptic situation as detailed as 

 possible within the ice patrol area. 



The monthly weather conditions while the patrol vessel was in the 

 Grand Banks region are described in general below and the percentage- 



