Round the World on Short Wave

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 7, 31 August 1928, Page 32

Round the World on Short Wave

Notes of special value to short-wave enthusiasts are contributed weekly to the "Radio Record" by Mr. F. W. S«llens, Northland, Wellington. Observations from others are welcomed.

ME. EF. W. SELLENS writes: I have to acknowledge a list of all shortwave stations from Mr. Strong, Gisporne. As most of these are- morse stations, they would not interest the majority of readers of these notes. A revised list .of short-wave stations aging telephony is being prepared, with iime to listen for them, where this invormation is available. The past week has again been good for short-wave reception, with the exception of Wednesday evening, when static was very bad. _ Saturday, August 18. KDKA, on 26.8 metres, was very clear at R3, but went off the air very early, soon after tuning in. 2X AD, 21.96 metres, gave a programme supplied by the National Broadcasting Bureau till 2.30 p.m. They then announced that "We will now take you to Reilly’s Lake House, Lake Lonely, Togo Springs, New York, for entertainment for the next hour." The dance music was supplied by Henry Bussey and his orchestra. Strength was up to RS (on_ the speaker) during the last half-an-hour. They. signed off at 24 minutes after midnight, Eastern daylight-saving time. PCJJ, 31.4 metres, from 53.30 p.m. till 6.80 p.m., were 100 per cent. intelligible and very steady. Strength R6 was maintained for the first hour, and then steadily decreased to about R38. Sunday, August 19. — KDKA, 26.8 metres, was tuned in at 1 pm., when the "Golden Band Concert from The Campers" was being transmitted. At 1.47 p.m. they returned

to the studio and gave the day’s sports results. Until this time reception was good at R4 on speaker. when 2, peculiar intermittent interference was very strong, spoiling further reception on that wave-length only. 2XAF, 31.4 metres, gave their usual dance music from -- Hotel, New York. This was spoilt by very strong morse. WLW, 52.5 metres, was picked up later, weak, but clear, R38-4 on speaker, relaying orchestral dance items. They signed off at 14 minutes past midnight, B.S. ‘time (4.313 N.Z.). Monday, August 20. 8LO, 382 metres, was R7 at 6 a.m. Fading was bad. Modulation excellent. During the programme, it was stated that the police patrol boats in Sydney Harbour are now fitted up with wireless. The transmitter is at Pennant Hills, controlled at police headquarters about 14 miles distant. The work was carried out by the A.W.A. Amateurs were busy during the evening on telephony, 2HC, N.S.W., calling 27J, 1CH Auckland calling 1BD. 5DX South Australia and 3KB Victoria were the best heard. 5SW, 24 metres, was R2-3 with orchestral items at 11 p.m. Tuesday, August 21. SSW at 6 a.m. was R8 increasiug in

strength, but surging was too bad to be intelligible. At 11 p.m. they were R3, again too unsterdy to understand talk. Wednesday, August 22. PCJJ was Rd at its best this morning, slightly unsteady, but 100 per cent. intelligible. 5SW were broadeasting a church service at 7.30 a.m., switching over for the time signal on the half hour. Strength R4. 2XAK was tuned in just before 3 p.m. when dance music was heard till 8 p.m. From then till 3.30 p.m. the carrier only was heard with a strong tipple. It was announced that a. Television test had been carried out. The times were given when these tests are transmitted from WGY, 11.30 till 12 p.m, Tuesday, being one, the test just concluded. The speaker said they were for the benefit of those with Television receiving apparatus. Thursday, August 23. | 5SW from 6 a.m. till 7.80 a.m. was R45 with a varied programme. Reception, though fair strength was unsteady. Friday, August 24. VCJJ was very steady, R6 at 6 a.m. decreasing to Rd at 7.30 a.m.

5S Ww. Received a very cnjoyahls programme given by the "WirelW® Male Chorus" from 6 a.m, till 6.30. a.m. Their items, which were all old time songs, included, "There's a raved in the Town,’ "Vicar of Bray," "Ye Banks and Braes," "John Peel," "Sally in. Our Alley,’ and "Clementine." Strength R5 (speaker). Modulation excellent, slight quick fading. Every word could be clearly heard. This is the best, both strength and clarity, reception of 5SW for sume time. At 10.30 p.m a Jap. was heard talkin’, he appeared to be. very excited over something. 5SW at 11 p.m. was too unsteady to hear what was said. Short-Wave Will Win. A COMMENTATOR in the London "Popular Wireless" says :-"This sounds contradictory, but is not really. G.L.S. (Victoria, Australia), in a welcome letter, asks me whether I think. the Beam system will be ultimately the means of effecting a good Empire broadcasting system, or whether ordinary short waves’ will get the honour. I think th: ~~ ordinary short waves will win, because they are true ‘broadcast’; the Empire is not only India and the great Dominions; we have to think of the people scattered over Africa, Asia, and the islands of the sea. Who is to pay for the Beams? (Four at least would be required. Technically, the Beam wins. In practice, I declare for 5SW or its successor."