Short-wave Jottings

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 42, 3 May 1929, Page 32

Short-wave Jottings

\' R. SELLENS, our short-wave correspondent writes: With the advent of summertime in Britain we can now hear 5SW, from 5.380 a.m. Daylight-sav-ing commences in America on April 28; this fact has been announced recently from the American stations. | A "reception verified" card has been received trom W6XN, the short-wave station of KGO, Oakland, California. The following particulars are given: Wavelength, 23.85 metres; power, 5 kilowatt; schedule ‘(New Zealand time), Wedunesday, Thursday and Naturday, 5 a.m. till 8.30 am.; Wednesday, 1.30 p.m. till 7.30 p.m. Saturday, April 20. ECEPTION from PCJ, who did not commence till 5.50 a.m., when strength was it8, was mushy most of 5SW was mushy also, speech being only the time, with short spells of clearness. about 50 per cent. readable. PCJ at 1 pun. was R2, increasing to R8-9. The early part of the progrmame was for North and Central America and Canada. Later Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania and the South Pacific islands were called. Reception was poor at first, but improved later, and except for slight static was nearly perfect. KDKA was good strength but spoilt by a strong ripple or H.F. hum throughout. 2XAD was very good, reaching R9. Morse station wus troublesome at times. An American on about 32 metres at 4 p.m. was heard calling "Hullo, London," ville calling,’ some times were given in G.M.T. leadability was poor on account of weak signals and slight rapid fade. This siation or another on the same wavelength has been heard since and appears to be W2XG, with his word tests. The new VLhilips short-wave station PHI at Huizen, Holland, was heard from shortly atter 4.30 p.m., when ibe test commenced, till 11.30 p.m., when they concluded. Strength at first was very weak-just audible, increasing to its maximum of R8 at about 7.30 p.m. Signals then decreased to R5 till after 11 p.m., with a sudden increase just before they signed off at 11.30 p.m. sharp with the Dutch National Anthem. It is interesting to compare _ signal strength between these Dutch stations, within a few miles of each other, at the fame time.

PCJ on 81.4 metres at 5 p.m. was RY, veceprion perfect. PHI on 16.838 metres at the same time was about RZ and very unsteady. ‘he wavelengths, of course, will have much, if not all, to do with the difference in reception, PHI is reported by Philips to be one of the most powerful short-wave stations in the world. KEM at R8-9 was very good except for static. Sunday, April 21. JK PK at 11 a.m., organ music, R3-4, Later in the afternoon volume was RY, but music and speech very rough. 2XAD was R4 at 1.30 p.m., increasing to RY by 8.30 pm. After the "Lucky Strike" hour it was announced that the next hour would be dedicated to Commander Byrd and his expedition. This consisted of musical items and messages. __2XG was heard with a word test"Write down’-on about 32 metres, 2XAL, shortwave station of WRNY, was heard very faintly just below 2XAF’s wavelength. Monday, April 22. PRouM 6.30 am., 3LO was R9, clear and steady, with severe fading. Static was too bad in the evening for listening. Tuesday, April 23. BSW commenced at 5.27 a.m. at R7. Big Ben was heard, but it was impossible to understand talk on account of rapid fading and rushing noises. Strength improved later, but not intelligibility. A woman was talking on about 15.4 metres at R38. "Hullo Dandeong, Hullo Berlin, here is " was heard on abcut 14.8 metres. Dutch talk, 1 think. K4 at first, increasing later. ‘This appeared to be duplex telephony between these two Stations, . . At (.20 p.m, music was heard on about 15.8 metres at K8. This suddenly ceased at 7.25 p.m. without a call being given, the station going off the air. At 9.3U p.m. ‘thé ‘same station was calling "Hello, Bandoeng," attez a long talk. Later, "liello Bundoeng, here is (here tollowed a long nume, quite clear, but not understood). . Wednesday, April 24. ASW announced that tests between ano tenna -A and 1B would be disconimued utter 25UU GM... on Tuesday, April gu. In the meantime, reports would be welcomed of reception ou these diiferent aerials. After sig Ben, the second of two talks on "Danish Lite was heard. Strength RY. Slight rapid fade spoils readabitity, which is 100 per cent. with careful listening. Vianoforte items followed, with more talk later. At 6.17 a.m, the Naticnal Anthem was sung, followed by an introduction, something about "celebration vf ,’ rapid fade, too bad to hear properly. . On about 15.8 metres, talk, with "Efullo Paris, Hullo Buenos Ayres, Itullo ‘Bandoeng." Strength RY. Very clear, WOXN (KG) was just readable at 6 a.m, with theix "Californian Home Life Tour." This station was again tuned in at 5.50 pan., when the "World's News was being given. This was followed by sougs from Shakespeare's time. An interesting programme was heard at RY, closing at 6.33,p.m. ZL2AXN and ZL2BE were in good form, both were R9. Thursday, April 25. ECEPTION from 5SW at 1.30 a.m. Was: poor, although strength was fair iill Aosing at 10.20 a.m. when Big Ben was heard striking 11 p.m. 2ME was transmitting from 12 a.m. to'1.25 p.m., relaying the Anzac Day ceremonials from

Canberra, unyeiling the commemoration stone by His lixcellency the GovernorGeneral Strength was about K5, 100 per cent. readabie, bus: spoilt by line noises. it was announced afterwards that the trouble was at Canberra, where a gale of 6U miles per hour was blowing. ZAAD was 6 at 1.40 p.m. An adyertising hour trom 2 till 3 p.m., atter which dance music from New York. KDKA transmitted music by the Westinghouse Hand from the William Penn Hotel, 22.4 metres about, a man and woman were heard talking in a foreign language, R83, 2AXG on 58Z metres word test at 435 p.m. On about 37 metres toreign talk was heard at R5. At 5 p.m. PLE (?) on about 15.74 metres playing records was heard at Rs. He closed at 5.20 p.m. without any announcement or call being given. Friday, April 26. 5Sw opened with Big Ben, followed by talk on operas. A piano recital followed, with another talk at 6.5 a.m. VK2MBE on 28.5 metres, and VPD, Suva, on 20.795 metres, were conducting a dupkx telephony test during the evening, bets were very good at KY. Short Wave Broadcasts FOLLOWING is the schedule of the short-wave broadcast stations in Schenectady, New York State, TIN A eww

The Short Wave Section. IKE all other sections o! listeners, the short-wave enthusiast has beeu catered for in the new "Guide." A very large and comprehensive secon is devoted to short wave. ‘Lhe chapters are humerous and varied, Mr. Seuens tells the tascinating story ot the year’s accomplishments and has compiled the most comprehensive list of stavious yet published (that is not an idie claim). An experienced technician and constructor describes the most up-to-date short-wave receiver with piug-in valve base rails, a screen grid adapter, and compiles valuable hints on short-wave reception. No short-wave enthusiast should be without his copy. Conditions Excellent ’ pP reference to my previous report on following GSSW's session over midday, I am extremely gratified to acknoweldge a report from Mr. Tripp, of Glencarry Station (unfortunately I have misjJaid Mr. Tripp’s letter, so L hope he will . write to me again. Manitnx, and vy, 73's OM!). Mr, Tripp states that he has, on two previous occasions, followed ‘5SW through, so I see I am not the first one on the field. He has also written Home and suggested to 5SW that they commence their session (6.30 a.m., N.Z.M.T.)

by calling "Hello, New Zealand!" I laust Compliment him, 4 think that is an excellent idea. Short wave reception in this locality has been very good lately, especially the afternoon Americans. ‘Lo run ZaAn’, KSDIKA, CULA, GAN, or 2NAD at full volume after 3 p.m. requires a dynamic speaker. RI'M is not as good now as he was a couple of months ago; but after his programme last night there is no growl.-Eric A. Perry (Wairoa). iy Official Time S ignal ROM the Dominion Astronomer, Dr, Adams, comes the following intimation :- It may interest your readers to know that the following short-wave time signals are heard regularly at this Observatory :-- (1) From Annapolis, Washington, at USh. G.M.. (eq. 230 p.m. N.Z.2.), on 24.9 metres. (2) Krom Annapolis, Washington, at 08h. GMT. (eq. 7.80 pam. N.Z,T.), on 37.4 metres, Mr. H. W. Young, of Waikeri, Herekino, North Auckiand, reports the reception, on April 13, of the short-wave time signal from SSW, Chelmsford, England. The Chelmsford signal consists of six dots, beginning five seconds before the hour, and finishing exactly on the hour ot G.M.'T. The New Zealand times were’ 12.30 am. and 830 am. Mr. Young also reports that he has heard the clock chime hours and quarters from Pittsburgh, U.S.A. When the clock struck 12 (midnight) in Pittsburgh, it was 4.30 p.m, in New Zealand. . .

W2xAr Wave length (approx.). 19.08 metres 19.56 metres 21.96 metres $1.48 meres $1.48 meres 19.56 metres 21.96 metres $1.48 metres 19.56 metres 81.48 metres TimeDay. GCL, Sunuay 2030-0415 Monday 24800-0500 Monday 1bv0-2100 wJonday 2300-0500 ‘Luesday 2300-0500 W 2800-0500 thursday 1900-2100 ‘Lhursday Z800-U380 friday 2800-0500 Saturday 2800-0500