Shown here is an artist’s conception of a possible solution for communications with aircraft on transatlantic routes. Aircraft equipped with only VHF radio experienced significant gaps when they were incommunicado while crossing the ocean. There were some plans to extend their VHF range by use of directional antennas aboard the aircraft, but there were still gaps.

One proposed solution was two to four floating communications platforms mid-ocean. They would be linked by cable to shore. With these, aircraft could be continually in line-of-sight communication.

Of course, HF communication is also available on aircraft. But the article noted that this communication was not 100% reliable, due to occasional HF blackouts and the vagaries of HF propagation.

For those stationed on these platforms, it looks like a lonely assignment.

The illustration appeared in the October 1965 issue of Radio-Electronics.