From Short-wave Correspondents

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 43, 9 May 1930, Page 32

From Short-wave Correspondents

ON Monday morning (April 14), at 8 a.m. N.Z. time, 1 received Roma testing 3RO on about 25 metres. Nunbers were counted from 1 to 10. Then "Hallo, hallo, 3RO testing." Announce‘ment: "There will now be an interval and a gramophone record will. be played from the studio during the interval. 9 a.m. (N.Z. time), announcement. "Rome station, 3RO. The third act of grand opera now commences. We are now g0ing over to the studio." The speech from this station was the clearest I have ever heard, and the music could be heard four chains from the loudspeaker. I also heard the news summary given out from 2FC, Sydney, 451 metres, at 1.25 p.m. on April 21.--Neil C. Gilchrist (Oamaru). . Me: SELLENS mentioned in last week’s issue that he did not hear a sign of KDKA (WSXK) on their low wavelength, on Sunday, the 20th. I would like to advise that I received them on 25.4 metres from 3.30 p.m. until 5 p.m. at strength R8 right through, reception being excellent on their "Big Night Haster Programme." On the same evening I logged WSXAL, Cincinnati, Ohio, with the programme of WLW from 7.25 p.m. until 8.40 p.m., when they signed off, giving their frequency as 6060 kilocycles (49.5 metres). Strength R6, static bad. -J. V..MeMinn (Wellington). STATION VK2MH, Sydney, was testing with W2XAF, Schenectady, New York, again last Tuesday night, 2M signing off at 12.30 a.m. Wednesday morning. Further tests will be made between VK2ME and W2XAF on, May 13. Mr. Farmer at 2ME remarked that the London broadcast stations 2LO, etc. ‘not short-wave stations), had _ been . _

heard occasionally in Sydney. (2L0 has been heard in Wellington, but possibly not direct,). Mr. Farmer jocularly remarked that so far as record-breaking goes, "it is coming to this, records will have to come. from crystal sets soon." Mr. Farmer "also. stated that Pittsburg was not heard in Sydney so clearly as 2XA¥F. This week the mothers of the Australian cricket eleven now in London will assemble, and speak from Sydney to their sons in London. Alaska on Short-wave. , ISTENERS will remember a_ few weeks ago I forwarded to the "Radio Record" a report concerning reception of short-wave stations, ete. Included in my report I mentioned hearing an amateur phone station on the 80-metre band, call sign W7AMP, Alaska, and stated he must have a very good outfit to reach out to New Zealand, Little did I think at the time so much ‘ink, paper, and time would be used concerning this station. I did not start the argument concerning this:station. It’was just a case of my reporting reception from it. Mr. W. A. W. Stevens (Hawera) mentions in his note to "Radio Record" that I am "all at sea" (or words to that effect) regarding the call and address of W7AMP. Well, I find on looking up my log book this station was heard on February 6, 1930, at 7.20 p.m., New Zealand time. Station W6E) D, of Hollywood,

California, was also heard on 80 metres band (coming in here at R7 to 8), ealling W7AMP, Alaska. He made a long eall of fully seven minutes, and there was no mistaking the call letters. At 7.30 p.m. W7AMP Alaska replied, conversing for a few minutes concerning modulation and strength from W6END He then said, "WTAMP Alaska now going over for W6END_ Hollywood, California." They worked one another for quite a time, (and both calls were heard a uumber of times. ' IT might state that on looking up an "amateur radio call book.’ December, 1929, it gave the address of W7AMP as A. Carten, Setka, Alaska. I have written to Mr. Carten concerning reception of: his station. When a reply comes along I will send it along to "Radio Reeord" for publication. Regarding "Ham" and his note. he states that many reasons could be presented why New Zealand ham phone is not reported in Alaska. A reply from W7AMP will settle that question. Also, I have written thirty or forty letters to "hams" in all States of America, reporting on their phone stations heard here. We will see what they have to say coneerning reception of New .Zealand ham phone there, "Ham’* also writes that evidently I have formed an opinion with regard to the possibilities and limits of radio. I did write that it seemed impossible that ZLIBG could be heard in Siberia with the power of only 10 watts. There are such things as freak receptions. No doubt that for the reception of that 10-watt transmission, conditions were ideal. For me to write regarding its possibilities and the limits of radio. I will leave that to, Mr. Edison or De Forest, although there are three things which will come to pass, and they ‘are:-(1) Condenserless receivers; (2) cold vacuum

valves; and (8) "old man static" put in the background. I thank "Ham" for the address asked for. I trust the W7AMP business is now settled out of court. As far as I am concerned it is-A. P. Morrison (Wellington).

MA4xX* broadcasting stations in Europe are taking advantage of the standard of perfection attained in present-day recording, and are devoting more and more time to the presentation of. gramophone recitals, The ‘scheme is an excellent one, for in many instances finances do not permit the maintenance of large orchestras or the engagement of _firstclass artists. It is also obvious that the greater the time spent in presenting gramophone selections, the more money thére will be available for the engagement of well-known artists to entertain listeners for the remainder of the programmes, The plan is one which could be adopted by New Zealand stations to a far greater extent than it is at present. OEP E RRL LALO EARLE LE ALALELELL Lal