Automatic receiver for distress signals

An account is given of an automatic receiver for distress signals of anew type, developed by Les Laboratoires Le Mateacuteriel Teacuteleacutephonique, Paris. Hitherto, under normal service conditions, two consecutive dashes have not been separated by an interval of the correct duration, but by an interval containing a number of extraneous short signals. By eliminating the measurement of the interval separating two consecutive dashes and substituting a check of the total time from the end of a first dash to the end of the following second consecutive dash, the new auto-alarm solves the problem by suppressing the principal cause of failure of the other types of automatic distress signal receiver. The designation is A.A.2.B. Auto-Alarm, and the equipment has been approved by the General Post Office of Great Britain for installation on board of all compulsorily-fitted ships.