Round the World on Short Wave

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 12, 16 November 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. Sellens, Northland, Wellington. Observations from others are welcomed.

Byrd Expedition Calls. {NOMMANDER BYRD’S ship, the City of New York, has been assigned he call WFBT, while its auxiliary yortable transmitted is WA. Smaller or ate are KEK, 50 watts; WID, 50 watts; and WEE, 7} watts. The wiroplane Fairchild has the eall WES. sivd the Floyd Bennett WIB. In addition to the ship frequencies batrvraun 800 and 800 metres, the Byrd expeditica may use these short waves: 91.2, 84.1, 53.57 (commercial), 53.10, 45.59, 3£05, 26.78 (commercial), 26.50, 22.75, 17.945, 17.857 (commercial), and 13.758 metres. Shoit waves do not travel along the surfac2 of the earth like ordinary wireless waves, but are projected into spacé and are "rafiected" by the Heavyside layer. It is this fact that gives vise to the curious "skip distance" effect which causes short-wave stations to be heard better at a greater distance than close at hand, General. The detector valve is more sensitive to weak signals when the filament is heated at less than its rated voltage. Mr. Stanton, Christchurch, recently heard PCLL, Holland, transmitting simultaneously on 38.8 and 18 metres. Different programmes were being given, but the same eall, PCLL, used. Reception was very weak during the week end, both in Wellington and elsewhere. Now that the American elections are over we shall probably hear more music and less talk from the shortwave stations in this country. Saturday, November 3. 2XAD was much below their usual volume. Governor Smith was heard for a while. The same speaker was heard much better through KDKA. He was speaking at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn, New York. Strength was about R5 at its best. 1FC was heard working 2GA. . For the first time since PCJJ commenced their special New Zealand-Aus-tralian programmes for reception here on Saturday afternoon I have been unable to receive them. This was the experience of others.

Sunday, November 4. 2BH, 2Bi, and: 1FC, New Zealand amateurs, were testing. on.’phone dur: . ing the morning. 2XAF and KDKA were both transmitting a political talk by the Democratic candidate for Pittsburgh, Penn. From KDKA the weather report and messages: to the Arctic:and Autarctie followed....2XAF . thanked | the "Lucky Strike" people for giving up their usual weekly programme in 7 * & layed music from Albany, New York,

till closing down. 2AKE, New South Wales, was testing during the evening. A lady singing at REM about 9.40 p.m. Came over very well. Monday, November 5. At 6 am., TLO Nairobi, was R38. As usual, static and morse spoilt readability. Interference decreased slightly by Tam. 8LO, Melbourne, was excellent at R8. Strength has been better, but. modulation and steadiness was all that could be desired. Duplex telephony between 2MB (R9) and 2XAF (RT-8) was both clear and steady from both stations. Morse QRM was bad at times on the American’s wave-length. Volume was still better by 10.80 p.m. REM at RS was good, except for slight static. : Tuesday, November 6. RSR was tuned-in at 5.30 a.m. to the metronome. Talk and musical items were received at RS, very clear and steady. TLO was only R2 about 5.30 a.m,, and was lost later. 2XAD was heard calling 5SW, England, and apparently had some trouble in getting in touch with them. After saying that there would not be any test on Thursday, and "See you again next Monday at the usual time," 2XAD closed down at 6.5 a.m. During this period I could not hear a sign of SSW. 2XAD was heard again from 7 a.m. at R4-5. Musical items were given and a lady was talking at 7.30 a.m. when I closed down. 5SW at 7 a.m. was weak (R4), with rapid fading. Big Ben was heard, but the talk following was not readable on account of rapid fading. 6AG, Perth, at 10.45 p.m. was very good. After some music, he told his listeners about his transmitter and the hours he is testing.

Wednesday, November 7. .-Krom.5.80-a.m. till 8 a.m. PCJJ was reecived . perfectly. Strength ROY at first, slowly decreasing to about R3, when it was still clearly readable. Sta- ' LO; Nairobi, R4, morse RG. "Knough said." 2... ., ~ RSR, with all talk, was R7 at first, but only R3-4 at 7.80 a.m. SSW at 7 am. was Rd. Rapid fad‘ing and a’ morse station on top spoilt reception.

Presidential Election Returns. PROGRESS results were broadcast | by stations 2XAK and 2XAD, strengths R8 and R6, respectively. Reception from both stations was very clear and steady, being 100 per cent. readable. When first tuned-in at 6 p.m. the Jatest returns were being read. After this they "went over" to the Grill Room, Hotel Roosevelt, New York, for musical items. "Young Microbe," in speaking from the hotel, said he "was sure tickled to death on this hook up," The "hook up" referred to was the National Broadeasting Company and sixteen associated stations. Tt was stated that this was the first time in history that the American Presidential election had been broadcast. At 6.50 p.m. it was announced that a rebroadeast from Paloato, California, Mr. Hoover’s home town, would be put over. ’ This was picked up from the driveway of Mr. Hoover’s home. A band was heard playing American national airs. | Mr. and Mrs. Hoover, on the balcony, were cheered. by Yale boys. Theirs is a different cheer to what we. are used to hearing, being "Rah, rah, rah." Later these boys: sang’ the "Stamford Hymn."

Mr. Hoover thanked the crowd, some four or five thousand people, for their greetings. Returning to Schenectady, further results were given, with musical items between times. It was stated that 100,000 persons had been compiling resuits since 1 p.m. The two stations closed down at 2.43 am. E.S.T. (7.48 p.m. here), after asking for reports of reception fr om all over the world. RIM, at RS, were heard with music and talk. 2HC, N.S.W., was calling 2GQ, N.S.W., also a Melbourne amateur. On about 28.5 metres a Jap was having a lot to say. RG. 6AG, Perth. at RS was very: good.

Thursday, November 8. TATIC was very bad on all stations received 6a.m. RSR with talk and music was R8. TLD only R38. PCLL R8-9. Strong and steady, transmitting gramophone records. -I tuned in 5SW just too late to hear their hour of transmission for Armistice Day, the last few words only being heard. Big Ben came through at R7. The Jap was on again during the evening. Strength RS. A lady was. talking. Sounded very much like the Maori haka. ° ,

Friday, November 9. CJJ from 5.15 a.m. till 7.30 a.m. was very clear and steady. .R8-9 at first; R5 at 7.80 am. SSW (RA) and 2XAD (R45), both 100 per cent readable, were having a chat abcut the weather, elections, etc. During the latter part of their talk, just before 6 a.m., it was snowing in Schenectady. At Chelmsford it was a typical November day. 7LO, Nairobi, R4. Morse QRM very bad. RSR R4. Music and talk, clear q and steady.

During the evening a new amateur to me was heard transmitting records and signing 2A0, Lower Hutt. Strengt ROY and quite good. Our Jap friend on 28.5 metres was talking again. Call sign not heard. GAG, Perth, "put over" some gramvphone records and the latest crickey scores. SSW, 12.25 am.: "Good-morrie, everybody. This is 5SW ,ete." je then gave the times for the Armistice Day services on November 11, and said: "We are switching over to London for the lunch-time programme." Big Ben strikes 12.30. Orchestra. Organ recital, Works by Bach... Reception Rs. Excellent. Best .yet for their midday transmission. PCJJ’s New Times. Philips Lamps (N.Z.), Ltd., advise the following new schedule of transmissions from PCJJ (all New Zealand summer time) :-Every Wednesday from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m.; every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; every Vriday from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m.; every Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; every Sat- ° urday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; every. Sunday from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. .