Our Short Wave Corner

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 42, 4 May 1928, Page 5

Our Short Wave Corner

--_-_-_- The number of those interested in short wave reception is steadily expanding, due, unquestionably, to the charm of thus being able to make contact with world centres. The service available from overseas statiors is steadily growing, and in view of the experimental work being carried out, the time would seem not far distant when even better service will be available. This section is therefore being set aside for reports on interesting receptions from short wave listeners, and the discussion by ersthusiasts of their special problems. "Contributions should reach us not later than Friday to be sure,of insertion in the following issue.

INTERESTING LETTER FROM NEW YORK SCHNECTADY’S 100 PER CENT. INCREASE Mr, FF. W. Sellens writes:-I received a letter from New York, in reply to reports sent iu to the G.EL., which contains the following information of interest to short-wave listeners :- "The . General Electric Company transmits programmes from Schnectady on short-wave lengths, in accordance. with the following schedule, (These I havé transposed to New Zealand mean time and have allowed for summertime operating in U.S.A. from May -1one hour earlier).: "OXAD, 21.96. Metres--Monday, 9 a.m.-2.80 p.m.; Tuesday, 5.30 .a.m,-7.30 a.m.; Thursday, 9.30. a.m., 2.30 p.m.; Friday, 5.30 a.m.-7.80 a.m.; Saturday, 9.30 a.m.-2.30 p.m. ‘ QOXAF, 31.4 . Metres.-Tuesday, 9.30 .m.-2.30 .p.m.; Wednesday, 9.30 a.m.B30 p.m. ; Friday, 9.30 a.m2.-3-30, p.m. 5 ‘SS indav. 9

" ‘Special features and events not oc ‘cutring’ within the norinal periods’ of transmission giveti above, sich ‘as ‘speeches by ‘internationally "known men, ‘portions of important’ conventions; : boxing matches,. world _ series ) baseball games, etc:,' that are deemed iof. national and. international isterest, ‘ere. usually. transmitted through either "station, 2XAD or 2XAT, or both, -,"Rebruary 20, 1928. . Schnectady, ‘New, York, U.S.A." ‘The Ietter also states that ‘We shall _pe pleased t ’ receive, your comments regarding the reception of any of these transmissions." so "iis letter is ‘signed by Mr. Prescott, thé man who talks so ‘often fo BSW ‘early in the ‘morning-. ; 1] have also received from Messrs. Philips Lamps (New Zealand), Ltd., the following ‘information, that PCJJ are now transmitting on 380.3 metres, as follows: (New Zealand time) :...Wednesdays, 3.30, a.m.-7.30. a.m. ; Tridays, 8.30 a.m.-7.30 a.m.; Saturdays, 10.30 a.m.-1.30 p.m.; Sundays, 2.30 am. 5.30 a.m. ; This gives about 100 per cent. more transwwission hours from this powerful, popular station. With the advent of daylight saving in Britain it is mecessary totse one hour earlier to hear the commencement of the morning transmission from 5SW. ‘This now starts at 5.30 am. ‘The evening programme begins at 11 p.m. Saturday, April 21. Big Ben was heard through 5SW, followed by the usual talk session. From 2.45 p-m. till 3.82 pm. 2@XAD was heard at quite good speaker strength-Palmolive again supplying most of the musical items. Some very good orchestral items were enjoyed from REM during the late evetling. .

* Sunday, April 22. ‘A programme cotsisting mostly of dance music was heard till 4.50 p.mt. from the crystal room, De Totel, Albany, New York, through 2XAl. ‘Jt was announced that stations WGY, Schenectady, WHBL, Syracuse, and WKEM, Buffalo, were trausmitting this programme. 8LG, Goulburn, 7CW, Tobart, 6AG, Perth, and RIM, Siberia were also _ heard, ‘Monday, April 23. ‘At 5.57 am, SME opened up, an _nouncing that the ‘test will now cou-

tinue from 81,0." The volume was not as strong as usual at first, but increased later. Fading was bad. Soon after they started an "Oscillating Oswald’ made himself wu nuisance, ; ~~ REM was heard during the evening. Tuesday, April 24. Tuned-in 5SW just after 6 a.m., when a lecture was being given. On account of daylight saving, the transmission had started at 5.80 a.m., our time. Musical items were heard later. | 2YG, Sydney, was testing during the evening. RFM was uot as strong as usual, Wednesday, April 25. PCJJ was tuned early and was very well received; vocal gems from ‘‘Mikado"’ was very enjoyable. ‘he programme continued till 7.387 a.m., when they signed off till Thursday, April 26, from 16.20, Greenwich imean time, which agrees with the schedule, included in this report. Reception from PCJJ is best ahout 6 a.m. The increase in volume till this time is gradual, but decreases fairly rapidly. ' Big Ben was heard at 5.30 a.m., followed by ‘I,ondon callivg."’ Talks and music followed.

With me, reception from 5SW varies quite a lot. At times it is possible to follow a talk 10ft. away from the speaker quite easy, but more often it is mecessary to stand quite close to hear, 2XA¥l’ was heard during the afternoon till 5.82 p.m., when they signed off, stating it was 1.2 a.m., #.S.T. Some enjoyable organ music was heard. 2EC, through 2ME, on 28.5 metres, was also heard during the afternoon, relaying the proceedings in connection with the opening of the University War Memorial and the reunion of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. ‘The carillon was heard from the Sydney University War Memorial, but the music from the bells was spoilt by the noises of the large crowd. 2I°C was again transmitting on shortwave during the evening, as well as_ their usual wave-length. The Carillon was much better this time when put on the air about 10.27 p.m. (N.Z. time). Thursday, April 26. 55W was tuned in at 6.10 a.m. when a talk was heard. 6.15 ‘London calling,’"’ followed by the naines of some of the artists for the evening’s programme, was given. ‘John Henry and Oscar" in a liumorous item were the first to appear. ‘This was followed by ‘Harmony by -- Quartet." ‘John Henry and Blossom’' were then heard. 2MIi opened up at 6.30 a.m. and passed over to 2FC for a programme of music to be followed by the Carillon. As this was intended for reception and to relay in Iingland, when the hells started, I went back to 5SW, expecting to hear them rebroadcast from there, but there was ‘nothing doing." I weut to and fre several times, but each time 5SW had something entirely different ‘fon the air.’’ Probably reception of 21°C there was not strong or clear enough for relay. Static was too bad during the evening, both on short-wave and normal, for anything further away than 2YA., 5SW was tuned in at 11 p.m. and static was not so troublesome on 21 metres. Reception was very weak.

Friday, April 27. From 5.15 a.m. PCJJ was very good. Several times during each transmission reports are asked for as regards vyolume, modulation, fading, ¢te., to include the time of reception, 5SW opened at 5.30 a.m. with Big Ben. A talk on followed. Static was very bad agatn during the evening, but not so severe on the lower wave-band. There was not any sign of 55W at JL p.m. Other Receptious. S. Saunders (Wellington): T have received stations on the — short-wave band this last week. April 20. G0. QA, items from Stanmers ~TIotel, dance music, Wurlitzer organ items, also songs. Closed down 12,15 S.1.T.; 4.45 pan. N.Z, time. IFO, Auckland, putting over records and calling 4CO, Clifton, Queensland. Got station ‘of 81 metres at 5,15 p-m.3 very loud, heard announcer speak, then closed down, putting over racing results. April 22. G.HE.C. IXAl, WGKY, WXAJ, Bulfalo, Wurlitzer ‘organ items. De’ Witzler’s Hotel Orchestra, two songs with banjo accompaniment, orchestra, piano solos, orchestra "She’s a Sweet. Lady" and "Lonely Lady"; ; closed down 12.0 pan. $.1.',; 4.30 N.Z. time, 2AB, Wanganui, calling up other amateurs, inorse was bad on American station, Got a_ station putting over jazz music, also lady sang 4.45 till 5 p.im.; also 3XU, Canterbury, Victoria, on morse, and another station putting over records, At 9.45 p.m. got Adelaide, but not call sign.

. April 28. sLC, Melbourne; announcer mentioned letters received from children in Singapore and all over the world. This station was fading at times, and broke down once. 4RB, Toowong, putting over records, April 24. 5SW; talks, lady stngs, choir and organ, not very plain. 2CB; talks about transmission at 9 p.m. April 25. PCJJ, Holland: high-class records till 7 o’clock N.Z. time; then put over dance records till 7.25; National Anthem, closing down 7.80 N.Z, time. This announcer speaks in four different languages. On April 24 at 10.10 p.m. till 11.0, I got a station putting over orchestral | music; also singing. About the 70. metre band. | April 20.

~ Tt Q2XAl, WGY, G.InC. National Broadcasting Company, N.Y, Got them at ¥.55 p.m. (weak); Morse was very troublesome; Stanmer’s Hotel Dance Orchestra, banjo and singing; song "Marcheta’ with piano accompaniment. Cornet solo with orchestra, the player being some executionist. Stanley Marks Hotel, N.Y. (conductor Of orchestra, C. A. Ralph), ‘Carnival of Venies." "Lalk about Lindebergh’s flight; Wurlitzer organ, "The World is Waiting for the Sunrise," continued programme at Buffalo Theatre, II. Smith’s Orchestra, ‘Comedy Vieces,"’ "Operatic Vieces’; man sings; Wurlitzer organ items. Closed down 5.3L p.m., N.Z. time; S11. 1.1 a.m., N.Y. At night, about 10.55 p.m. on about 25 metres, I got a band playing Irish airs very lond, But it ent off suddenly; no call sign, On April 26, T got 38CG putting over records, About 10.30 p.m., also | two other amateurs, but did not get call signs, Vriday morning, at 5.45, picked up PCJJ, Wolland, coming through at good strength. ‘This station is one of iy best to receive. The announcer would be pleased to lave letters giv ing time and strength of receptions fe also called ont several names, "Tilo! ello!’ Bonderoso, and Schniidt, ete, ‘They closed down at 7,15, N.Z. time. ‘The programme consists of records, mostly of the high class. 5SW was also on the air, but still on the weak side.