Round the World on Short Wave

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 53, 19 July 1929, Page 40

Round the World on Short Wave

HIS page is conducted in the interests of shortwave enthusiasts. A weekly loge comprising notes of reception and interesting

topical events is contributed by Mr.

F. W.

Sellens

Northland,

Wellington, but all listeners are invited to send in paragraphs of general interest.

Topical Events. . "THE French military authorities have equipped an army motor.lorry, with short-wave wireless transmitting and receiving apparatus for experiments to be carried out in the Sahara Desert. A small radio station is to be installed at Timbuctoo, the base headquarters of the expedition. OQ advanced is the work on the Koenigsusterhausen station that iis preliminary tests may be expected at any time. ‘ ‘A CCORDING to Press reports, a powerful wireless transmitter will shortly be installed in the Vatican, enabling the Pope to address the faithful in-all parts of the world. It is understood that short waves will be employed; : Abyssinian Wireless Ambitions. NDERS for a 20-25 kilowatt shortwave station, capable of maintaining permanent communication with Europe, were recently called for by the Abyssinian Government. ’ In addition to this central wireless station, says "The ‘Times,’ tenders were asked for for the supply and erection of five stations for use in the interior of Abyssinia capable of transmitting and receiving up to a distance of 500 miles. It is understood that the tenders are now closed, but the adjudication has not been announced. At present Abyssinia has no public wireless station, but use is made of the station belonging to the Italian Legation at Addis Ababa, which broadcasts news messages. . German Short-wave Station DOA, {ROM further information to hand since last week’s notes,.it.appears that the old call of AFK has not been abandoned, but that the call sign DOA is also used. For the purposes of tests, news bulletins supplied by Wolff's Telegraph Agency are slowly read out, and during intervals-but not regularly-gramophone records are played, The Log. _ RECEPTION during the week on the whole has been poor, but several items of interest heard. Sunday, July 7-W2XAD was the pest American station heard, being R9 from 1.30 till 3.30 p.m. Speech and music was clearly readable from the time they opened at about 9.30 a.m., about R83 at first, slowly gaining in

yolume in the earlier stages, but more rapidly later. The last hour was devoted to dance music -from the Hotel Ten Hyck. In closing, it was announced that WGY would reopen at 5.50 am. E.D.S.T., to attempt to rebroadcast the thanksgiving service from Westminster Abbey. This, apparently, did not apply to their short-wave stations 2XAD and 2XA¥F, as when the service was being transmitted neither of these stations was auiblee KDKA were also received at good strength, but for some reason howlers will spoil reception from this station. The usual fortnightly special programme for the Byrd Expedition was given, lasting till 4.30 pm. W8XAL (WLW) was R4 at their best with dance music. From 9.30 p.m. the air was full of rebroadcasts of 55W, who, of course, were transmitting the’ thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey. I found 5SW impossible, a very faint carrier only being audibie. KDKA, as promised early in the day when talking to Commander Byrd, was rebroadcasting the English station. Reception, though good volume-R9-was very rough, speech not being readable except an odd word or two. The next station heard was 2MBH, who was much better. This proved to be a rebroadcast of the Canadian short-wave station at Drummondville owned by the Canadian Marconi Company. This station, CTA, transmits ¢ on

a frequency of 12,098 kilocycles. or 24.81 metres. Reception direct from GJA was quite good. At the close of the special transmission, a duplex telephony test was carried out between 2MB, Sydney, and CJA, Canada.’ Monday, July 8. I DID not hear any telephony shortware stations. ; Tuesday, July 9. At 5.40 a.m., 5SW was quite good at R7. The "Dramatic Critic,’ who was 100 per cent. readable, was talking. between morse interference. Volume increased with a short musical session that followed. : ‘ A stranger was heard on about 31.6 metres, just concluding a talk when tuned at 5.50 a.m. He went off the air, then, but was heard again later with music at R8&. No call was heard. On about 36 metres a’ voice was. faintly heard through a strong H.F. hum; this made it impossible to read had the talk been English, which was not certain. On about 15.5 metres "Hullo, Buenos Ayres," was called repeatedly. "Java’’ was also heard, but I do not know if it was Java calling or a part of the conversation. A woman was heard later, then a conversation between a man and woman. 2ME was tuned in at 6.80 p.m., when records were being played. Strength RY, with a slight fade, with blasting at times. He called PCL, Holland, repeatedly, then a Dutchman called Kootwijk, but heard him say that they were too weak for him. PCL was transmitting on 388.88 metres at this time, and were not audible to me. Sydney, asked them to come down to 18.4 metres, but apparently reception was not any better on the lower wavelength, as they could not establish communication with Holland, although PCL appeared to be able to understand what was said in Australia, Wednesday, July 10. A STRONG, unsteady hum spoilt reception from 5SW, which was otherwise good strength (R8). On about 24.2 metres music and talk at R5-6 was blotted out by strong morse station soon after tuning in at 6 am, 2ME on 31.25 metres transmitting the All Blacks v. New South Wales was not as strong as usual, but reception was quite good. yo WO6OXN (KGO) was well received at R8 from 6.30 p.m. till 7.80 pm. -The "Spotlight Review" has just completed

a@ programme. The Trocadardn’ $ enters tainment with dance music till the station signed off at 7.30pm. ~ v The stranger on about 24.2 metres was heard again just’ after 7.30 p.m. at strength R5.. An American was announcing, the :eall could. not ‘understand, it was:only given once while I as listening. A lady sang several times. , Thursday 5 July 11. T 6 am. 5SW was very . weak and rough, but some improvement in tone and strength was noted later. KGO was R2 at 6 a. T.» but soon faded out. : . Friday, July: 12. UNSTEADY . rushing’ ‘noises spoilt PCJ; strength steady at R7-8 all through from 5 5.30 a.m, till 7.30 a.m. 5SW at 6 am. was R7, with a very’ strong ripple. ‘The volume wen off later, but increased to R8 by 7. cal Wa., still spoilt by ripple. The station on about 24.2 metres was heard again at 9.30 p.m. at -R6. The first item announced after tuning him was "Sunrise to Sunset," this, with many others, were heard quite : dis(Concluded on page 39.) . °

Short Wave Notes 7 ‘(Concluded from page 40.) tinct; the call, which was only. given once while I. was listening could. not be caught, except that it was preceded by the. figure "2." The announcer was an American. -I held: this station till 10.30. p.m.,: when. signals were down to Ri. If any. reader heard this station p and was able to, get the call, a totter would: be appreciated. =... While listening to KDKA on Saturday afternoon! an: anhouncement was made :that. later: on they’ were going to connect up: with KFI at San Francisco for their listeners to hear Messrs. Mendell and Reinart, who, in the biplaneyAngeleno,. had brdéken the world’s recor endurance flight at Culver City, California,: by remaining .in.the air 246 hours 438 minutes and 82 seconds, or 103 days. They landed on’ Friday at 12 minutes past 6 DM... s When all was ready KDKA switched over to KFI, San‘ Francigo, where the speaker was heard.as clearly..as from Pittsburgh, after travelling over the vast’ continent "by landline. ° ‘The: proceedings opened with a band playing "Stars and Stripes for Ever." Several speakers were heard giving’ particulars of the flight. Later Mr. Mendell; one of the aviators, ‘said that he "was awfully glad to’ break the record and bring it to Los Angeles." "He spoke well of the motor, which had not given any trouble ‘during’ their long flight. He thanked ‘the senders of* telegrams andy‘letters,’ which were delivered by the refuelling ship ; these, he eald, were very inspiring. Mr. Reinart ‘commenced by saying: "I’m not much of a speaker or any-. thing like. that--.". He gave. credit to the ground crew and the refuelling crew,,and all who had assisted in the flight. He concluded by saying that he was.tired and glad to be down.