Short-wave Jottings

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 52, 12 July 1929, Page 40

Short-wave Jottings

Have You heard ssw? "THE British short-wave experimental station, 5SW, Chelmsford, England, has been transmitting short-wave programmes for the past two years, and the British authorities are anxious to learn how the programmes have been received in Australia and New Zealand. They are particularly interested in the strength and quality of reception, the times of the day the transmissions are received in summer and. winter, and whether they are received regularly or spasmodically. The British authorities have issued an appeal asking listeners to report to the head office of Amalgamated Wireless, Sydney, or to the New Zealand office at Wellington on reception of 5SW, giving details required. Amalgamated Wireless will collate the reports and forward them to the British aithorities. .

AFK Changes to DOA. ‘HE German official short-wave experimental transmitter, known to many amateurs under. the call letters AFK (Doeberitz), now uses the call sign DOA. On most evenings (mornings here) the full announcement made is: "Achtung! Achtung!. Heir ist der Kurzwellensender. des Reichsportzen-tral-amtes Telegraphen-technisches Reichsamt, Funkversuchsanlage, Doeberitz." This is followed by the call letter, Various wave-lengths are used, and the exact measurement is given at the end of the transmission. Broadcasts are mostly carried out on 40 and 87.45 metres, but on some days. transmissions are made on 67.65, 71.45, 75.3, 77.2, and 82.9 metres. Times vary, but experiments are frequently effected from 2.30 a.m. till 4.30 a.m. and from 4.30 am. till 6.80 am. New Zealand mean time. On odd dates, tests are also made from 6.30 p.m. till 10.80 p.m. (New Zealand time)--mostly on Mondays and Fridays. This appears to prove that the German station we often hear in the early morning on 40 metres, and reported as DOR,:is really DOA, as the German pronunciation of DOA is

‘Dey, 00, ah;" which ig very much like the English "Dee, oh, ar" (dor), The Week’s Log. FARLY morning reception has gone off during the last week or two. 5SW is about the same as it was this time last year; that is, very weak at 5.80 a.m. and not reaching fair readable strength till near 7.30 a.m. PCJ is coming in stronger now at the same time than they did twelve months ago. This is probably accounted for by increased power. The Americans are, on the average, received at better strength now. Since W2XAD reduced their wavelength from 21.96 metres to 19.5, they are readable much earlier; in fact, their programme can often be followed from the time they commence -at 9.30 a.m. (New Zealand time) till closing at 3.30 p.m.

Saturday, June 29. pcs was below their usual strength. Rs-4 at 5.30 a.m., increasing to R8 by 7.30 a.m. 5SW was not audible till after 6 a.m. A strong ripple spoilt reception then. On 34 metres about, at 6.20 a.m., a foreigner was beard at R8&. A lecture was being given, clapping. being clearly audible after pauses in the speech. They were going strong at 7.80a.m. PCJ was excellent from 1 p.m. till signing off at 5.85 p.m. Volume ranged from R8 to R9 till near the finish, when they were a little unsteady. KDKA was quite good from 1 p.m., but spoilt at times by Morse interference, as was 2XAD at times, who were RQ till closing at 3.30 p.m. On about 30.5 metres a station was first heard at-2 p.m: at R2. A little later snatches of conversation were heard such as "Are you going to use long or short-wave?’ Two voices could be heard as in duplex telephony. © Still later, about 2.45 p.m., a number — of figures and times were given-seem- | ed like wavelengths and the hours they — were to be used. "Good-night" was

said several times, but talk continued without any indication of the location of the station. 8ZC, Christchurch. was about R7 and not so steady as usual. VK2ME was good at maximum strength, relaying. the All Blacks v. New South Wales match. ZLZBE, ZL2ZAX and RFM were all received at R9. An orchestra from the Russian station was very good. Sunday, dune 30. AT 12.80 pm. 2XAD wer. R5, increasing to R9 by 2 p.m. The General Electric, Lucky Strike and ‘Special Byrd programmes were heard. ' 2X AF were on the same transmission

but weaker than 2XAD till near the conclusion. | KDKA. appears. ‘to be the favourite | station or the easiest to tune in, ag I find more howlers on it than any other. Strength was good, but spoilt by the howlers.. WSXAL (WLW) at its best was R4, about 50 per cent. readable, signing off at 5.1 p.m,

el i i in iy Monday, July i. othing heard-not even 3L0, Melbourne. . Tuesday, July 2. SW opened at R5 with a strong ripple. The announcement from Chelmsford was readable with difficulty, but talk from London was impossible, Strength increased to R7 by 7.30 a.m., but the ripple was just as troublesome. "Soldiers of the Queen" sung by a chorus, was heard just before the time signal at, 7.30 a.m. Wednesday, July 3. GAIN 5SW was spoilt by strong ripple. W6XN (KGO) was R2-3 at 5.40 a.m. and only just audible at 7.30 a.m. Just after 6 a.m. some music and talk were heard on about 34.5 metres at R4. Morse spoilt possibility of understanding what was said. KGO at 6.15 p.m. was R8, with a programme by the Spotlight Revue till 630 p.m., this was followed by dance music by the Trocadarons. Yolume went off very rapidly, being. too weak to bother with before closing time. : Thursday, July 4. UNTIL 7.30 a.m. 5SW was too weak to listen to, when they were Rb. KGO at 6.30 a.m. was barely readable at R2. , New Zealand amateurs, 2GN, Levin; 2GQ, Gisborne; and 2AX, Palmerston North, were well received at R9, during the evening. W8XAL opened at 10.45 p.m. with an orchestral selection at R8. Both static and morse interference were very bad. A lady was heard singing at 11 p.m. on about 24.5 metres; R2 at best, fading right out at times. 5SW was tried for at 11 p.m., but no sign could be heard. PH1 started a test at 10.30 p.m., but was not audible by 11 p.m, when I closed down.

‘Friday, July 5. CJ was excellent except for a slight surge. Volume was R8. They signed off at 6.85 a.m. on account of some trouble with the transmitter. Apologies were given for closing one hour earlier than usual. . 5SW was 4 little better this morning. R65 at 5.30 a.m. increasing to R7-8 by 7.30 a.m, Intelligibility very poor ou account of ripple. At 9.30 p.m. on about 16 metres a woman was heard talking at R2-3. Later "Hullo, Bandoeng" was heard several times. This station was probably PCK, Kootwijk, Holland, on 16.8 metres, carrying out duplex telephony with Bandoeng,. Jaya.