Our Mail Bag

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 12, 16 November 1928, Page 24

Our Mail Bag

Will correspondents please practice brevity. as heavy demands are now made on space. All letters must be signed and ad@ress given as proof ‘of geuuineness; noms de plume for publication are permitted. Address correspondence [ditor, "Radio Record." P.O. Box 1032. Wellington.

| Notes on DX, ‘S$ I expect I am: one of the "DX -hounds referred to by GC. C. Bradshaw in his letter which appeared in your issue of October 20, it has oceurred to me that particulars of my "log," equipment and general informiution may interest Mr. Bradshaw (and also *‘B.D."’-another friend’--whose letter in support of Mr. Bradshaw's appears in this week's issue) and perhaps other listeners keen on "DN." To begin with, my "log" consists of 6 stations, particulars of which are given below, together with several others not yet identified :-

Station Metres 1YA-_Aucklana 333 2YA-Wellington 420 3FA-Christelreh 306 4XA-Dunedin 463 IZBAueklind 277 1ZQ-Auekland 253 XX_Auckland 218 2AX-Palmerston North 210 2ZF__Palmerston North 285 27KK__Wanganui {) 2ZM-~Gisborne 275

3ZC _Christchureh 2570 #ZM--Dunedin 277.8 4TB-~Dunedin 277.8 2BL-Syduey 349 2FC_Sydney 442 2GB_Sydne 316 'UE~Sydney 293 2KY-Sydnev 280 2UW_Sydney 207 31 _Melbourne 371 3AR-_Melhourne 484 3U7-Melbourne 319 3I)B Helhourne 271.5 3BI-Melhourne 248 4QG_Brishbane 387 {CIS-Adelaide 409 TKA-Adelaide 250) 7I _Hobart 716 TUX-_Tasmania (now BCX) 20() JOAK_Tokio, Japan 345 JOHK__Sendai, Japan 390 JOIK--Sapporo Japan 361 JOFK-_Kiroshima. Japan 373 KTRM-_Manila, Phillipine Is. 413 KGO-_Oakland, California 384.3 KFON_-Longheach: California 241.8 KFKB-_Milford, Kansas 241.8 KEX-Portland, Oregon 239.9 (now 277.6)

KRMOX-St. Louis ..... eeeaeee 299.8 IXFI-Los Angeles ........... » 488.5 INX-Los -Angeles .......... 886.9 KHJ-Los Angeles .......... 388.8 KEFWB-Hollywood, California 861.2 WBBM-Chieago ...... eee 389.4 WDAK-Tampa, Florida ...... 267.7 WFIW-Hopkinsville, Kentucky 260.7 WENR-Chieago and GXEF-Chicago .......... oe. 288.38 2PAQ-Taihape ..cersececeees O22 47T.-Dunedin ..... weeeeeees 245 JOBK-Osaka, Japan ........ 400 JOGK-Kumamoto, J apan ..., 380 KGER-Longbeach, ‘alifornia 217.3 KEFBL-Everett, Washing ‘ton .. 223.7 WHXAL-Dayton, Ohio ...... 428.3 5DN-Adelaide ...........05. 3138 KJR-Seattle, Washington .... 348.6 KFVD--Venice, California .... 208.2 JOCK-(old station) Nagoya .. 260 JOAK-(old station) Tokyo .. 875 JOBK-(old station) Osaka .. 885 2YK-Wellington (closed) ....0 27 Cc. A. Larsen (whaler) ...... 42() Sir. Jas. C. Ross (whaler) .... ? Summarised, the list comprises :- 17 stations in New Zealand 17 stations in Australia 19 stations in America 9 stations in Japan 1 station in Phillipine Islands 2 whalers 65 iH HAVE received verifications of reception from the first 49 stations given in the above list and am awaiting replies from the seven next mentioned. Of the rest, I was not able to note sufficient of the transmissions to warrant my writing for a verification, with the exception, of course, of 2YK and the whalers. Practically all stations have been heard on the speaker. A few of the American stations had to be worked on phones. others could be beard comfort: ably in the next room. Some of the Japanese stations are heard at good speaker strength, while the others are very: much weaker. There are quite a number of American stations which have been reported by other "fans" at different time which I have not logged, and my list ineludes a few which ure "out of the ordinary." I am confident that if one could spend every, evening up till 7.30 p.m. "searching." his log of "Yanks" could be doubled, as I have picked up at different times quite twenty unidentified stations. Of the Japanese stations, JOHK and JOAK can hardly be classified under the heading of "DX" as one is able to log them sv frequently and so easily. It is very seldom that either one or the other station cannot be tuned in and it is not necessary to wait until very late in the evening either. I have on several occasions logged both JOHK and JOAK as early as 830 p.m.-on the speaker and loud enough to easily get the call letters. My receiving set is a factory-built six-valve and dry "B" batteries are used. I think I have a good aerial and earth system. The aerial mast at the frée end is 56ft. high and the mast at the lead-in end 39ft. high, the total length ‘of aerial, including earth wire, being about 118 feet. The aerial is not really long enough for DX work, the length usually advocated being up to 150 feet. The "earth" consists of a regular "foundry," the original "earth" comprising our pipe being added to on two subsequent occasions. First I added a buried 12 gallon copper which gave greatly improved results. Later I added ten pipes on the famous

"Pierce" idea but cannot say I noticed much improvement. However, the. fact that the "earth’ was already a_ good one might account for this. I would strongly recommend those interested in DX work to make sure that they have a good earth system as I am satisfied this makes all the difference between good and poor results, afl warrants as much if not more attention than the aerial. A successful "DX"-er must possess three things (1) a good receiving set; (2) good aerial and ‘ther equipment; (3) abundance of patience. As regards the latter it is not at all unusual for one to spend the best part of an hour in the early part of the evening endeavouring to pick up some new "Yank" and then have to leave the set without having brought in anything unusual. Then again one might pick up a weak station and hang on to it for half an hour or more without being able to learn its identity. The beginner who has not logged any American stations is recommended to calibrate his set and then spend a few consecutive evenings concentrating on the most likely stations such as KFON, KGO, KEX, ete. It need hardly be added that carefull tuning is essential as it is the simplest thing in the world to pass a weak signal especially from a distant station. The successful "DX"-er does not necessarily require to possess any particular skill in operating his receiving set-if this were necessary I am afraid my log would be "non est’! The letters of verification from the different stations are (to me at any rate) very interesting especially those received from America and Japan. Most of the American stations enclose ! what are called EKKO stamps in verification of reception. These stamps, Which are quite a work of art, bear in . uddition to the design the call letters, of the station and the word "verification." These stamps are adhesive, it. being possible to procure an album in which to place them. (As yet the number that I have, does not warrant the purchase of an album!) It is gratifying that of the 56 stations written to, in fivé countries, only one has failed to reply-and that station a "local." Iam not living in a particularly good locality for reception being right in town. Friends out in the country with sets similar to my own obtain better results. Trusting that the readers who have been interested enough to wade through the foregoing have not been "left cold." -Guy C. Holmes, (Masterton). [For the benefit of further correspondents we would say that it is our practice to delete the names of sets used (particularly factory built sets) as otherwise insidious advertising may be encouraged. This practice is en-

dorsed by the responsible trade. Supplementary details of listeners’ practices are of course valuable. | In the ease of other listeners sending’ in logs we would suggest that we are unable to afford space for unmerous competitive lists involving duplication but where whew information is available of value i others it ig appreciated.-Ed.] Special News Service. } INDLY allow me space to record my heartfelt appreciation of the "Special News Service" inaugurated by station 2YA a month ago. Listeners in my district have favour commented upon it, and all are unanimous in their decision that is the best service one could wish for. To have all the results of sporting fixtures, etc., put on the air promptly, has made non-listen-ers take notice of what they are missing. I was particularly thankful for the wonderful service rendered during the Australian racing campaign when the great Limerick and others. were competing. Now we are having first class reports of the Australian-English cricket matches, and the results of the day’s play nightly. .The Tasman flight created intense enthusiasm, but now it is over. It is this "Special Service" that is going to hold them. Musical numbers can be heard any old time. and it is the news, sporting items, etc., that the public demand, and 2YA has risen to the occasion in great style. The person responsible knows his job and his reviews of race meetings take some beating. I would like to hear him chat about his sporting news over the air, if it is possible. Lastly allow me to congratulate 2YA on its programmes.

One of the Satisfied

4YA’S Quality. A WRITER signed "Equality" in this . week’s "Record" makes sarcastic . complaints about 4YA. He states he has a great struggle to get 4YA at 40 miles. Well, Sir, I get 4YA good on two valves with ’phones, good loudspeaker strength, on three valves and on four volume is too great. During the late football season I several Saturdays listened in to 4YA, and reception was Al. Of course I sympathise with the southern city, and hope it will not be long before they have a 500watt station, when I expect the number of licenses will be more than doubled. Perhaps a more efficient set ' would give "Equality" satisfaction. I have a first-hand knowledge of wireless programmes in England and Aus: tralasia, and think the R.B. Co. of N.Z. deserve great credit for their achievements, which I consider have

been very gratitying.-

Canterbury

Static on the West Coast. {[t is quite a while since I wrote last, but reception down here during

the past month has been impossible — one continual roar of static, with the exception of a couple of nights. Tonight is perfect; hardly any static and volume is tremendous. Wellington used to be my best New Zealand station, but Auckland now tops my list for absence of fading and clarity. Wellington fades about every ten minutes, sometimes longer periods: Fades last about 80 seconds. Can this be ex plained? Can any reader oblige me by identifying a station about 1 degree above Wellington on the dials of my set. While waiting for the clock to strike 8 p.m. I was surprised to hear faint orchestral music. I altered the dials and the music became louder. At this moment the clock struck. My hope of logging a new station was doomed, for to-night anyway. Carry

on with your Al programme.-

Radio

Fan

(Westport).

Who’s on Morse? J] WOULD like to ask who it is that consistently works morse, interfering with Christchurch broadcast, and to suggest that measures be taken to prevent this very annoying interference, Thanking the Broadcasting Company for their very fine programmes and for the manner in which they handled the Tasman flight. I romain a very pleased _ listener.-

Gramo-Radio

(Arapuni).

Morse on Wellington’s Wave. OULD you advise me as to the following.: On Tuesday, 6th, after Wellington 2YA had closed down for the night, I was turning the tuning dial of our set (three-valve), when I distinctly heard morse being sent on Wellington’s wave. Noticing in tbe "Radio record" that various boats in port are only allowed to send messages after 2YA has closed down, 1 was wondering if I had picked up some boat in port (what boat, if any, was ‘it likely to be?). After about three or four minutes the signals stopped. Congratulations to the Broadcasting Com pany for the wonderful service given during the Tasman flight and while the airmen were in New Zealsnd.--Robpuni (Puniho). [We think the data insuffiicent to identify-Ed.] Can They do Better? if SHOULD like to express our very hearty appreciation of the many varied and interesting programmes we enjoy from 2YA. We are ofttimes filled with amazement on the criticisms on these and I think it would be a splendid scheme to invite @ll these grumblers to perform for one night, and then we would see if they could do better. Some of the items are beautiful. "Voices .of the Bells," "Light Cavalry," and all the many

beautiful items from the Operas. Then the local items, many are real gems. To say nothing of Mr. Dug. Stark and Mr. Geo. Titchener with their large fund of humour. As for the announcers. Well, I assure you, we all appreciate their clear and pleasant voices, with no disrespect, we -distinguish them as old Mr. Announcer and young Mr. An-nouncer-the reason being that when we got our set first the former was always on duty, and we particularly enjoyed his little "good night, by the way" motto. We get 2YA well and if it is not just clear some nights, we blame the air. Before closing I would like also to thank the company for the wonderful broadeast of the Tasman

flight.-

Ngaio