AnnualReport-1927 — Page 165

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This publication is exhibited on notice boards at the Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry Piers, the Harbour Office, at the offices of the Cable Companies and, since November 18, at the General Post Office. lt is also distributed to subscribers to the "Daily Bulletin" and to various officials. Copies are sent weekly to the Hydrographic Office, Bangkok. A weather map tor 2 p.m. of the 120th meridian time is also constructed daily. It is not published but an evening weather report and forecast based thereon is telephoned to the morning papers and exhibited on the notice boards.

The service of daily weather broadcasts, formerly undertaken by Cape d'Aguilar, was transferred to the Observatory W/T Station on April 1. This station now broadcasts meteorological observations from 26 stations in the Far East at 0400 G.M.T. and from 19 stations at 1200 G.M.T. with repetitions at 0500 and 1300 G.M.T. All on 800 metres I.C.W. The transmitter being of the valve type, 1.5 kilo-watts. It also listens on 800 Inetres.

The change from 600 to 800 metres was made on account of the jamming on 600 metres. The experiment has not been very successful, however. Some ships cannot send on 800 metres and the range of the Observatory Station is smaller than that of Cape d'Aguilar. Hence the number of observations received from ships was considerably less in 1927 than in 1926. It is proposed however to continue the experiment for at least another typhoon season.

A circular is being issued drawing attention to the fact that the Observatory Station, in accordance with the latest practice, is sharply tuned, and it is hoped that this will induce ships' operators to persevere in their efforts to communicate with the Observatory. It is also anticipated that as the existence of the Station becomes more generally known, the number of weather reports will increase.

Typhoon warnings are broadcast by Cape d'Aguilar on a 600 metre spark, and repeated on 800 metres I.C.W. by the Observatory Station at 18 minutes past every hour and also on 300 metres telephony at 48 minutes past every hour.

V.-WEATHER TELEGRAMS, FORECASTS AND STORM WARNINGS.

Daily Weather Telegrams.-In addition to the ordinary 6h. and 14. observations, which the Cable Companies transmit free of charge, the 11k. and 17h. observations were received at half rates from the following stations:-

Shanghai Gutzlaff

Amoy

Macao Lao Kay Yunnan

Phu-lien Tourane

Cape St. James.

The 6 a.m. observations from Pelew were received regularly by radio-telegraphy until May 27, and from October 21. Since when the 6 a.m. observations at Saipan and Ponape have been included in the message.

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