DX NOTES

New Zealand Listener, Volume 31, Issue 789, 3 September 1954, Page 17

DX NOTES

CEPTION of Indian broadcast band stations is particularly good just now. The first signal heard is usuaily Calcutta on 1000 kilocycles, around 2.0 a.m., and reception is best from 3.0 to 5.0 o’clock. From 2.0 to 3.30 programmes are in Indian languages, consisting mainly of talks and musical items. Indian music has a sound all its own, and is easily. recognised after a few mornings’ listening. Stations can be identified by the frequent mention of "All India Radio" on the quarter hour. At 3.30 a.m. network news is heard in English, and from 4 o'clock programmes in English are often broadcast. Best Indian signals, apart from the Calcutta transmitter, are Bombay (550 kces.), Nagpur (590 kes.), Delhi (710 kcs.), Tiruchapally (770 kes.), Gauhati (780 kes.), Bombay (850 kcs.), Delhi (886 kes.), and Lucknow (1020 kcs.). There are many other Indian stations which may be heard when conditions are better than usual, Good early-morning signals are also being received from the Republic of the Philippines, which has put many new stations on the air in the last few years. Stations in the Republic are mostly commercial, and follow the American pattern ‘closely. DZBB (580 kes.) Manila is consistently heard from around 2.0 a.m., and broadcasts 24 hours a day. It announces as "RBS, the Republic Broadcasting System." DZRH (650 kes.) is the Manila outlet for the American National Broadcasting Company, and is well received until signing off at 3.0. DZFM (710 kcs.) is Gov-ernment-owned, and operates from the Manila City Hall. It also closes at 3.0, as does DZAQ (1340 kecs:), which is operated by the Altos Broadcasting System from Manila. Many of the smaller towns in the Philippines also have stations, but many are hard to hear in New Zealand. Probably the best received is DXCC (560 kcs.) Cagayan de Oro, which is heard at fair strength after the Australian 2RE Taree, N.S.W., closes at 1.0. The million-watt Voice of. America station at San Fernando on 1140 kilocycles is received at very loud strength, but broadcasts mostly propaganda to the Chinese mainland. Similar programmes are heard from another VOA station on 920 kilocycles. Australians Louder Sixty-three Australian commercial stations have been granted power increases, which explains why interference on New Zealand stations has. become worse recently. In addition, 13 new stations will take the air in the next three years. Station 7ZR Hobart, on the same frequency as 2ZA Palmerston North, is now operating with a power of 2000 watts. Around the World Cook Islands: Rarotonga has begun short-wave transmissions. The programmes are intended only for schools, but they may be extended to general entertainment. Transmissions are on 5050 kilocycles from 1.0 to 2.0 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. Fiji: Signals. from . the, new ite station VRH4 on 3980 kes, are well received in New Zealand, closing at 10.30 p.m, (11.0 p.m. Saturdays). Britain: The BBC programme How Do You Do? which features /Commonwealth artists, is broadcast in the General Overseas Service on Sundays at 7.30 p.m. It often includes New Zealand artists and the host is Wilfred Thomas.