Shipboard Radio Communications
The Queen Mary had state-of-the-art radio equipment installed on her for its maiden voyage in 1936. On that one voyage, radio traffic included:
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Radio Telegrams: Over 175,500 words
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Radio Telephone Calls: 291 (Including Australia, South Africa, Austria, etc.)
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Broadcasts to all parts of the world: 40 programs occupying 16 hours, 19 minutes.
The cost of radio-telegram depended on how they were delivered (costs are not adjusted for inflation).
A full-rate radio-telegram is delivered as soon as possible. To London, the message cost 11d. per word (~23 cents). To New York, they cost 1s. 2d. (~46 cents) per word.
A ship letter telegram is sent by radio to a land station and then forwarded by the post. The cost varied depending on the destination. A ship letter telegram to Great Britain cost 3d. (~ 6 cents) per word with a minimum charge of 5s (~$2.08).
Charges for radio-telephone calls depended on the destination and whether the ship was more than 500 miles from shore. As examples:
Under 500 miles London 12/- per minute (~$3) Minimum £1/16/- (~$9)
New York $3/minute Minimum $9
Over 500 miles London 24/- per minute (~$6) Minimum £3/12/- (~$18)
New York $6 per minute Minimum $18
Additional details on radio operations can be found here:
The Queen Mary’s Wireless – Article from Wireless World, May 29, 1936
Souvenir Booklet put out by International Radio Marine Company describing the wireless installation on the Queen Mary.