Short-wave Jottings

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 35, 15 March 1929, Page 32

Short-wave Jottings

R F. W. SELLENS writes: I notice in last week’s "Record" the question asked as to the identity of A a . This is an experimental short wave station of the General Dlectric Company, Schnectady, N.Y. I have heard this station several times on Tuesday and Friday mornings, carryjing out duplex telephony tests with 55;W between 5 a.m. and 6 am. At times Q2XAD and 2X0 work alternately, and then simultaneously, 55SW comparing reception from each station.

iHH following is an extract from a let ! _ ter received from N. VY. Philips’s Eindhoven, Holland, last week :- ". we wish to point out that we are broadcasting in six languages, of which English forms a very vital part. You will yealise, of course, that for the South American countries we must announce in Spanish and Portuguese in the hours especially dedicated to them. But when it comes to our Australian programme, which lasts for two hours, which is more than any other country gets, we would yemark that during this period English is spoken exclusively." This was in reply to a report from me, in which I stated that the foreign announcements appeared zather lengthy in comparison with Hngs tHE short wave transmitter HHOXD, operated by the Zurich Radio Club, relays regularly on every first and_third Saturday of the month, between 7 and 9 pm., Sundays 7 till 9 a.m. N.Z. summer time), the programmes transmitted by the Zurich station. Although the power is but 50 watts, the transmission, on a wavelength of 31.5 metres, are picked up at a considerable distance. On several mornings during the past week, a stranger on about 31 metres has been heard rebroadeasting the London programme. On Tuesday, March 5, at 5.30 a.m., it was first heard at R4, which is the strongest I have heard it. Statice was very bad then, too much so to understnd what was said, but clear enough to know it was English spoken without an American accent (thought it was 2XAF at first). Since then, I have checked it with 5SW, and found the items the same. It must be a short wave station reasonably close to London, as the transmissions are picked up from their broadcast wavelength as they are "on the air" before 5SW commences. Big Ben at 7 a.m. has been heard through this stranger, and the talks that follow. CIRX, Winnipeg, Manitoba, was heard from 5.85 till 6 p.m. on Wednesday,

March 6, transmitting an organ i from the Garrick ‘Theatre, Strength was R8, with slight fading, spoilt by a beam station very near the same wavelength. He closed at "2 minutes to 12 by my watch." "Good night," and ‘Don’t forget to write," re hi i "i »’ O was heard on Wednesda : Sy a y morning, their listener g s how to choose SW and PCJ are gaining in vo during their early morning