been predominantly dependent upon assistance from the Royal Air Force, but in the middle of 1947, the general demobilisation programme of the R.A.F. necessitated the withdrawal at short notice of their personnel from the air radio organisation. They have now been replaced by civilian operators: a 12-hour air radio service is maintained.
A considerable amount of new equipment has been installed by the Telecommunications Department during the year under review. This equipment includes short-wave marine service transmitters, various transmitters for the air radio service, a number of medium frequency air beacons as well as several receivers for all services. In addition, V.H.F. radio for the Police Force was greatly developed during the year and a system of communication now exists between Police launches and cars and a central control room in the city. This service has been of enormous benefit to the Police in the rapid detection of crime. The department also operates a large network of cables for telegraph station remote control, broadcasting and telephones. the New Extensive reconstruction of overhead routes in Territories was carried out during the year mainly to effect improvements to Police communications.
The greater part of the traffic handled by Cable and Wireless Ltd. is by means of wireless telegraphy but the company's cables to Singapore and Manila are also being operated satisfactorily. The submarine cables to Shanghai which are owned jointly by Cable and Wireless Ltd. and the Great Northern Telegraph Company have not yet been restored. A radio-telephone service between Canton, Hong Kong and Manila was opened towards the end of the year.
Broadcasting.
a
Broadcasting is in the hands of Government sub- department under the control of the Postmaster General. Transmissions are made from two stations, Z.B.W. (845 k/cs.) which is an English language Station and Z.E.K. (640 k/cs.) Short-wave from which are made broadcasts in Chinese. transmissions are also made from Z.B.W. on a frequency of 9.52 megacycles. The short-wave transmitter is that which was in use before the war, but the other transmitters have been installed since the reoccupation of the Colony. The power of all transmitters is low, being about 2 kilowatts.
Wireless listening in Hong Kong has shown a substantial increase not only over last year but also by comparison with pre-war figures. The number of wireless licences issued has increased steadily at the rate of 1000 per month and in December 1947, 21,886 licences were in force. This is 50% more than before the war. One of the greatest drawbacks experienced by the broadcasting service since the reoccupation of the Colony was the difficulty of arranging "live" studio programmes as many
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