Round the World on Short Wave

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 9, 13 September 1929, Page 32

Round the World on Short Wave

THIS page is conducted in the interests of shortwave enthusiasts. © weekly log comprising notes of reception and interesting topical events mp =. _ — . -- . 7 a mee ete _ en |

is contributed by Mr.

F. W.

Sellens

Northland; Wellington, but all

listeners are invited to send in paragraphs of general interest.

Topical Events. XPERIMENTERS interested in short-wave’ working should welcome the opportunity for further reception from Hurope; provided by the transmissions from the short-wave station at Vienna.’ Advise has been eabled from, the Austrian station to Dr. N. H. Lang, of Austria, at present in Sydney, to the effect that the station, using the call-sign UOK2, will be transmitting on Thursday and Sundays from 9.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., and on Tuesdays and ‘Thursday from 9.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m., New Zealand time. The wavelengths: used in all transmissions will be on 49.4 metres. In view of the success obtained at Ste Assise (France) with the _shortwaye transmissions, the . French P.T.T, authorities have decided to carry on similar experiments in broadcast telephony from the Hiffel Tower. The. wavelength will vary between 49 and 51 metres, : The foliowing,. which appears to refer to the powerful German heard frequently of late, is from.a recent issue of "Wireless World" :-‘From Berlin comes the report that work on the new German ‘world’ short-wave broadcasting station is nearing completion, and that experimental transmissions are to be made at an early date. Although no definite information has been given out officially regarding the wavelength to be adopted, it is probable that the initial tests may be carried out on either 31.3881 metres or 25.105 metres. The transmitting plant has been installed in close proximity to the Zeesen high-power station," Mr. W. R. J.. Smythe (Greymouth), in writing of the new German station, confirms that it is ©Konigswusterhausen. On Saturday... August 31, the "Messiah" was relayed from Berlin. Mr, Smythe said that reception was perfect on the loudspeaker in Greymouth. This was my experience in Wellington. . Revised: schedule of PCJ (on 51.4 metres) :-Every Friday: 5.30 a.m. till 7.30 a.m., 9.30 a.m. till 3.30 p.m. Every Saturday : 5.30 a.m. till 7.30 p.m, 11.30 a.m. till 3.30 p.m., 3.30 p.m. till 5.30 p.m., the latter being a specia] transmission for Australia and New Zealand. The above are all standard New Zealand times, the necessary .\llowance will need to be made when daylightpaving commences ir New Zealand.

Log for Week. Pcl was perfect except for slight static, fill 7.80 a.m.; strength R9 nearly all through. 2MB at R9, and GBX about the same volume carrier, but. voice about R7-8, were working duplex. 5SW was spoilt by unsteady gushes. W6XN was only just audible. The German was a réal treat with the "Messiah," relayed from Berlin. R9 at.6.80 a.m., decreasing to R8 by 8 p.m. PCJ was again tuned in at'1 p.m. when volume was R5. This increased to Ri) by 3.30 pun. and remained at that till 5.80 p.m.. Statice was slight at first, but was much worse later on. W2XAD was, as usual, well reveived. Dance music from the roof of St. Regis Hotel,, New York City, was broadcast from 2.30 p.m. 3.30 p.m. KDKA, at R8, was spoilt by a rapid fade. ' . . 8ZC, Christchurch, with gramophone records, was well‘received at R8. KZRM conimenced at 9.30 p.m. with a band item by Sousa, "Hands Across the Sea," followed by the opening announcement. Volume R8&. Static very bad. . . RFM at R9 was gpoilt by static. What proved to be the 8th harmonic of 2BL, Sydney (about 44 metres) was heard clearly at R7 soon after 11 p.m.

‘Sunday, September 1. HE only American station free of static and worth listening to was W2XAD. Herb. Gordon and his Brunswick recording orchestra were heard ‘from the roof gafden of the Hotel Ten Byck, Albany, at R9. | W6EXN was "on the air" up to about 8 p.m., but static was too bad. ¢ Monday, September Re At 6.35 a.m, Achtung, ete., was heard from the German. Several speakers were heard, the first being very excited. Music was not heard. Volume R9.. ° Sydney and London carried out their usual test during the early’ evening. _ Tuesday, September 3. Hp sv was tuned in at 6.5 a.m., when a talk was in progress about "Old Loncon." This was about 95 per cent. readable, in spite of a slight surge and tipple, . The musical programme com--menced at 6.18 a.m. 2ME at R9 and GBX R8 were heard. The musical programme from the German was well received at R9, decreasing to R8 by 7.30 a.m, ‘At. 8 pm. GBX was R7 and gushy, VK2ME R9.

RFM, with orchestra music at 10 p.m., was very fine at R9, Static, though there; was not bad enough to spoil reception. Wednesday, September 4. _ ON account of a strong ripple 5SW was impossible. GBX was more clear than 2ME during the morning test. Both were R8. W6XN were stronger’ than usual, being R5. with a lady talking at 6.10 am, Unsteady gushing spoilt reception. Some trouble was experienced with the German till nearly 8 a.m. Another carrier almost on top of it was the cause. Just before 8 a.m. music came in quite clear at R8. This station was tuned in again at 4.50 p.m. when orchestral music was heard at R9, It came as a surprise to hear the German at this time, which would be 7.40 am. in Germany. However. during the first talk, the words "Graf Zeppelin" were heard, so guessed they were "on the air’ for the airship’s arrival. Music was broadcast till 6.20 ‘pam. before anything further was heard in reference to the Zeppelin. when "Hullo, Hullo, Graf Zeppelin!" was repeated several times. Again at 6.80 p.m, another talk was heard. when "Graf Zeppelin." "Tokio," "Lakehurst." ete., was recognised. ©

At 7 p.m. loud cheers were heard. while the announcer was talking. Cheering was heard again at 7.5 p.m., and just after, in English, "The Graf Zeppelin will be fiying over the ground in a few minutes now." Something else was said in reference to the time from Lakehurst to there, but did not hear distinctly. ‘The announcer was very excited at 7.15 p.m.. when shouts of "Graf Zeppelin" and "Hullos" were heard from the crowd, The roar of the engines was heard just after. Reception by this time was very weak; with. background noises. The station was on the air for a little time after this, but could not hear much. — KZRM was heard later with a musical programme at R9. Thursday, September 5. 5Sw was very gushy at R7. W6XN was just audible. GBX was very clear at R7, easy 100 per cent. readuble. From the 31.5 metre German, a clock was heard striking eight at 6.50 am. After the "Achtung." ete.,. music was received at R9. During the’ evening test between 2ME and GBX, the Sydney man said they were going to: have some 24-hour tests soon. RFM was R9 with talk.

Friday, September 6. "Cee OJ at 6 a.m. was R8-9, with a vein ie slight fade and little static. A one time, after calling Bnglish-speak-ing countries, the only names called were New Zealanders, Messrs, Abbot, Gledhill and Sellens. 5SW was good strength, but reception was impossible ‘on account of ripple and surze, GBX was much better than 5SW, being easily readable. ‘ The German was excellent with talk and orchestral music from 6.30 a.m. at from R9, decreasing to R8. The German and PCJ were equal as regards clarity and modulation, while~ J the former ‘was slightly the strongest all through. They are easy -to check, as only a degree or two_ Separates them on the dial. a KZRM at 10 p.m. was R9, with recorded music. . Receptio:., except for slight static, was. perfect. x "s