Short-wave Jottings

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 48, 14 June 1929, Page 32

Short-wave Jottings

Mr. Sellens writes :-- The following is the latest schedule of the -short-wave stations of the General Electric Company, Schnectady, New York: W2XAD (19.56 metres) :-- Monday .... 8 a.m.-3.45 p.m. Tuesday 10.30 a.m,-4.30 p.m. , Thursday 10.30 a.m.-4.30 p.m. Saturday 10.30 a.m.-4.30 p.m. -W2X0 (21.96 Metres.)| Tuesday .. 6.30 a.m.-8,30 a.m. Friday ... 630 a.m.-8.30 a.m. W2XAF (31.48 Metres). Tuesday 10.30 a.m.4.30 p.m, Wednesday 10.30 a.m.-4.30 p.m. Friday 10.380 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday 10.30 a.m.-4.30 p.m. All N.Z, MT. Note.-At present "daylight saving" is being observed at New York, therefore these times are one hour earlier at present. Although not mentioned in the schedule as supplied by the G.B:C., 2XAD and Q2XAF are both on the air from 10.30 am. till 430 pm. on Sundays (our time).

A Danish Short Wave Siation. INCE the beginning of April the Danish short-wave station in Lyngby has re-broadcast the Danish programmes, At first the transmissions were on 31,6 metres, later on 49.5 metres, and now the station is experimenting on 19 metres. At present the energy is about 1 K.W., but it may later be raised to 10 K.W. Konigsusterhausen’s Short Wave Station, AFTER delays caused by unprecentedly severe weather, good progress has been made with the German shortwave transmitter at Konigsusterhausen. The first tests are expected to begin shortly. Broadcasting on Ulira-Short Waves. FXPERIMENTING with so-called "ultra-short waves," of little more than 8 metres, have been carried out by the German Ministery of Traffic, and by Professor Hsau, the well-known Jena physicist, and other scientists . They are now being continued with much shorter wavelengths, down to 12 inches. It is believed, moreover, that within a year wavelengths as low as 8 inches will have been so developed that they can be employed practically.

Reception During Past Fortnight. Y log is rather "patchy" for the last 4V week or two, so will give a summary of what has been heard. As 5SW announced that they would ‘gommence half an hour earlier on Empire Day, I rose at 5 a.m. to hear Mr, Bald. win speak. Being a little late, the station anouncement was missed, but heard "Big Ben" strike the half-honr (6.30 p.m., London), followed by a band playing tailitary airs, concluding with "Rule Britannia," 5.6 a.m.: "Onward Christian Soldiers," by band and massed people (very good). . §.9 am.: Band, a well-known’ tune, but can’t name it. 5.18 a.m.: Some military orders heard, then "Land of Hope and Glory," by band and people. 5.19 a.m.: Prayer of thanks for the King’s recovery, ‘Lord’s Prayer,’ and further prayer. (These were all 100 per cent. readable). 5.23 a.m.: Band. 5.28 a.m.: Cheering and clapping, then Mr. Baldwin: commenced his talk by _referring to "listeners in our mighty Empire," etc. This talk, which was only about 50 per cent. readable, concluded at 5.40 a.m., followed by "O God, Our Help,"

by the band and people. This concluded a very interesting reception. Reception from 5SW has been the average from 5.380 a.m. Strength about R7-8. Another interesting broadcast was heard. This was 2XAD on Sunday, May 26. A line was connected with Fort Worth, Texas, to allow listeners to hear the roar of the engines of the army monoplane "Question Mark," which at the time of speaking had broken the world’s record for a sustained refuelling flight. As an electric storm had forced the flyers to go 30 miles away for safety, the machine was not heard. However, an interesting description was given of the effort, describing how the refuelling was

done and by whom. ‘The wives of the aviators, Kelly and Robbins, had a few words to say to "their unseen audience." One, who was a seven weeks’ bride, advised girls not to marry an aviator. On the same day DHC, Berlin, was vrell received here, both direct and rebroadeast by KDKA for reception by Commander Byrd and his party. .PGJ has been, on the whole, up to his usual high standard. On Saturday, Mey 25, at 3 p.m., they tried to broadcast the singing of the birds at Hilversum, where their transmitted is situated. They stated that they were right in the country and had placed the microphone on the window-sill to try and pick up the "birdie." ~The only "birdies" I heard were one or two distant ones of the radio variety. . 8XAMI, the short-wave station of WLW, comes in much better now. They often carry on till after 5 p.m. Their wavelength is supposed to be 52.02 metres, but I make it about 49.4. W6XN (KGO), with their "Spotlight Revue" and the "Trocaderans" dance musie later, come in well till 7.380 p.m. on Wednesdays. Morning reception from this station varies, at times barely readable, while a morning or two ago they were up to R7 by 7.30 a.m.

A stranger on about PCJ’s wavelength has been heard several times. One morning at 6.30 a.m. a clock struck 8, the striking was quicker and a higher note than Big Ben. A few foreign words were spoken, and then a band. The time locates the station as Central Burope. A German station on about 40 metres, possibly DOR, has an announcer who includes a call in English besides two in a foreign tongue. The call could not be made out; he starts with "Hullo, this is shortwave station-Holland, Berlin, ete"; reports on reception are also asked for. I cannot understand Holland and Berlin being mentioned, as they are together, but this is also done in each call -Hnglish and foreign. 8ZC° Christchurch has been testing quite a great deal just below 50 metres during the past few days. Volume both afternoon and evenings has been from RTS, with slight fading. Modulation very good. W2XAD is the best American shortwave station just now, being quite good speaker strength from midday till 3.30 p-m.