News and Views of the D.X. CLUB

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 25, 2 January 1931, Page 10

News and Views of the D.X. CLUB

Radio Among the Boers

Relieves Isolation ADIO has come as a great boon to the Boer farmers in South Africa, and -although programmes broadcast by South African stations are generally inferior to Huropean programmes, they are very mitch appreciated. Until recently the South African farmer was in the habit of going to bed at 8 o’clock, but nowadays nearly‘every homestead has its receiving set, and the bedtime hour has been considerably advanced, The young people have found in radio a new entertainment, and on 9ceasional evenings many of them ride miles on horseback to a rough-and-ready shack where they can ‘dance to the strains of a broadcast band. In these regions, however, the importance of radio is not confined to recreation, for the farmers living in districts where they often receive their newspapers at least three days late, can now keep in regular touch with the news of the day, weather forecasts, and market prices. The Philips short-wave station PCJ, in Tiolland, their mother country, is one of the most popular among these listeners.

Loud-speaker in Court

[* many law courts which were built before acoustics were understood it is very difficult for witnesses to be heard clearly. In several South African courts the difficulty has been solved by loudspeaker equipment. ‘The witness speaks into n microphone, and by means of the speakers ean be heard clearly over the whole of the court room. Most of the installations have been carried out by Philips Lamps,

Addresses Wanted --- Ww FARMBR (Tauhoa). KMMJ, * M. M. Johnston Coy., Clay Center, Nebraska. For information ‘concerning short-wave aerials, see our issue dated December 19, Yes, your log is quite 2 good one. Why not enter for the D.X. Competition? .

Stations Identified T J.L.T, (Wellington). You heard * 2NC, Newcastle, a new Australian B class station. See D.X. Topics for particulars.

Identification Wanted BLBOURNE | station on approximately 220 metres (1360 k.c.) heard on December 20 at approximately 11.40 p.m. Items heard were: (1) "Tight Cavalry Overture," (2) foxtitle missed), (3) "The Song of the Dawn." The announcer spoke very quickly, but I made call out as 8KL or 8KD. Not sure of either.-

R.J.

R.

(Palmerston North).

D.X. Topics Short-wave News. REGHNTLY received verification from WOXF, W2XAF, and W2XAD, and also the schedule of VK8MH, In addition to the regular broadcasts there are irregular schedules of important events. ‘You may determine these times from the programme schedule which we transmit at 5.30 pm. HST, each day using both voice and telegraph code on the 2XA¥F transmitter." Address, "General Dlectric Co., 1 River Rd, Schenectady, New York." VEK38MI Melbourne operates on a wavelength of 31,55m. each Saturday night from 8 p.m, ntil 9.30 pm. B.A.T. W9XF Chicago is operated on an experimental license granted by the Fed-

eral Radio Commission. It was constructed to relay the programmes of WDENR to foreign countries. The transmitter is loeated at the site of WHNR, which is 28 miles south-west of Chicago. Power output 56 kw., frequency 6020 ke. They are also authorised to use the frequencies of 11,800 and 20,500 ke, Separate transmitters will be built to operate on these frequencies at a later date, Reports as to tone, quality and fading would be appreciated. Address, "Great Lakes Broadcasting Company, 20 North Wacker Drive, Chi-

cag0, Ill _ 29

J.C.

(New Plymouth).

(Note: The schedules you enclose appeared in last week’s issue.-Ed.) Come On, . DXers! I RECENTLY received verification from KGO, KTM, and KPO, What is wrong with the DX Club? Buck up, DXer# and send in your news. There was only a column last week —

Squeak

(Christehurch)

Recent American Loggings. HAVE logged several more Americans in the last month or so, but they are too numerous to give a complete list. Among them, however, are the New York stations WABG, WBOQ, and WABW. The 100-watt stations heard are KYO, Texas, and KMJ, KGFJ, and KXO, in California. WORD, Chicago, is now off ‘the air. The Vancouver station CKMO, power 50 watts, is on the air every night of the week excepting Thursday and Sunday, until 9.80 p.m., New Zealand summer time. Frequency 730 Ik.m, (410 metres), Another Vancouver station, CKMX, on the same frequency, with 100 watts power, broadcasts on Thursday and Sunday nights until-9 pm, N.ZS.2, I have not; heard the latter, I was Hstening to the New York stations on the same night 1s Mr, Blucher, TI tuned in five minutes later and reception was per

fectly clear and no fading until 815 _ p.m. I believe they were testing for — synchronisation. — "Kauspanka" (Hawke’s Bay). ’ A New Australiam B Class. ON ‘December 19, a good night for reception here, I picked up the official opening of 2NOC, Newcastle, on approximately 241 metres (1245 k.c.). They were relaying ta 2FO and 4QG and came through with good volume, Should they be on the air the same night as 2YB there will be trouble, for they are both on almost the same frequency. I also logged the same nirht on approximately 261 metres (1120 k.c.) a new station under the call sign of 1ZR, Auckland, He gave no information except that he was testing, and closed down at 11.30 p.m. fe cames in on 2TIW. Svdnev's. a

quency

B.

W.

Stratford) _

Australian Reception. FY RRECEPTION of the Australian B class stations has been excellent during the last few days, The new station at Moss Vale has been heard recently, Wavelength 248 metres (1210 k,c,), not 210 metres as given in a recent issue. 8G, 2AY, 2XN, and 6M were heard on the 17th before 10 pm. TLA, Launceston, was also heard on December 19 at 10.20 p.m, on 273 metres (1100 k,c.). The new New Zealand B station 1ZR, Lewis Bady’s, Auckland, 275 metres (1090 k.e¢.), and 2ZU, A. R. OC, Claridge, Dannevirke, on 272 metres (1100 k,c,), came in well on December 20, 1ZR being on until

after 10.80 p.m.-

R.J.

R.

(Palmerston

North) _

The New Gisborne Station. ON the Tth I logged KLO, Ogden, Utah, 1400 k.c, (214.2m.),° and KDYL, Salt Lake City, 1290 k.e. (232,4m.), logged: on 16th. Judging by reception of 2ZJ, Gisborne, on the 15th he promises to be one of the best ’B class as far as Masterton is concerned. He was received with plenty of volume and quality was excellent. (CG. VV. RBincher: Gind T am ‘not forgot-

ten, Kind regards.).-

Guy C.

Holmes

(Masterton),

New New Zealand B Class Stations. . GTA TION 2Z73 is owned and operated by Mr. Cliff Hands, 217 Gladstone Road, Gisborne. Sunday, noon to 1.30 pm., occasionally; Monday, Friday, Saturday, 2.30 p.m, to 4.30 p,m.; Tuesday, noon to 1.80 p.m,.; Wednesday, noon to 1.80 pm., 7.80 to 10.30 p.m.; Thursday, silent, Gireuit push-pull T.P.0,G,; power 20 watts output; 1154 k.c, (260 metres), There. is also new station on the air, 1ZR, e ed and operated by Lewis Wady an n, 190 Queen Street, Auckland. He’ is onerating on a wavelength of 265m.

(1100 k.c), approximately.

Shunter

(Mercer),

Power of KTM, "KIA ORA" (Frankton ‘Junction) : "Yankee" (N.P.) is correct in his statement concerning the power of KTM, This station broadcasts with a power of 500 watts on a frequency

"Cicely Audibert an accomptishea Soprano who has recently returned from Australia, will present the following numbers trom — 3YA on Tuesday, Jan. 8 "Ombra Leggiera’ (Meyerbeer) "The Dreary Steppe" (Greschaninov) "Robin's Song’ (White)

of 780 kc. (3884 metres). Pickwick Broadcasting Corp., Los Angeles, Cali-

; fornia,-

Cabbage

(Gisborne).

Recent Loggings. ON 18th I logged the new Australian A station, 2NC, Newcastle. Considering conditions are not good for | Australian reception 2NC came in with good volume (R9), and’ promises to be an excellent station for winter reception. Fading was bad in the early part. of their programme, but later conditions improved, when some fine items were heard, played by the Neweastle Steelworks Band and Newcastle Symphony Orchestra. 2FC and 3AR were relaying the concert, and later 2NC relayed 2FC’s dance music.. This is probably the station "Jaeonseck" (Christchurch) heard, as dial Ysitions correspond. I also logged Y, Albury, N.S.W., the same night. ‘e the Australian stations as listed the "Radio Record" recently rated on input or output? On December 10 at 11.45 p.m. I logged an American station giving call WTAM,. On looking up Eastern American time I was surprised to see that it was 6.45 a.m. there. I held them until 12.15 a.m. (when they faded out), just long enough to secure enough items for verification. I again logged them on the 16th at 11.30 p.m., when the announcer stated that they were commencing their day’s programme. I recently received a card from 2ZJ. My report was the first of two hundred which he had received up to December 11 Transmission hours are as "Dynamic" (Lower Hutt) states, with the exception of Sunday and Monday, when they are 12 to 1.30 p.m. (occasionally) and 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. respectively. 2Z3 comes in at tremendous volume here, being my best New Zealand B station. What’s the matter with D.X.ers! Are you all too busy preparing your D.X. cup logs to send in news to the page (beg pardon!) column?-

Jaka

(Wellington).

Indistinct Call Signs. i PICKED up 1ZR and 2NO a few nights ago, and I logged a new station, 3KZ, Melbourne, in 220m. (1360 k.ec.). Some of the items played in rotation from'12.35 a.m, were: "Down the River of Golden Dreams," "Till We Meet Again" ((band item), and "The Toymaker’s Dream." All the items came through at good strength, but the call letters were indistinct, and there isa slight chance that I may be wrong in the KZ. When will some of the announcers put a little more emphasis on the _ eall letters? I am sure listeners would greatly appreciate this. Some, I admit, "ire, very good, one in particular being 17% Auckland, 2NC, Newcastle, can be xed up any night now, and promises to be one of the best Australian B stations, but it is a pity that this is only a relay station. So far I have found them relaying 2BL, 4QG and 2FC. I notice 2ZD, Masterton, coming through with good volume lately-quite an improvement-although it is greatly interfered with by 1ZQ, Auckland, who is back on the air again. I also picked up a new station on December 20 and December 22. It was either a Japanese or Chinese on approx. 490m. (610 k.c.). It appeared to be more like a Chinese, and may be found about one degree above 83AR, Has anyone else picked up this station? It is a pity some of our N.Z. B stations who are broadcasting in frequencies in close proximity to each other, do not endeavour to come on the air on

different nights. I take it they come on the air to be listened to, and anyone enjoying a light programme likes to tune-in to a good B station, on Wednesday nights. In particular, there is just a mass of stations between 1050 and 1850 k.c. I notice the DX Page is slipping badly just now, but I admit there is not the range now that there has been. On December 28 I logged 2AY, Albury, operating on 227m. (1320 k.c.). This is another new station just come on the air. and will be found between 2ZL,

and 2ZH.-

B.

W.

(Stratford).

2H.D. Comes in Well. ON December 19, 20 and 21, I receiv- ‘ ed for the first time 2H.D., Newcastle, with wonderful volume, approximately 100 per ‘cent. in advance of 2B.L. and 2F.0. My latest "Radio Handbook" lists this station at 100 watts, operating’ on a wave-length of 288 metres, and strange to say, I received them on about 242 metres. Can anvone account for such reception,

and the change of wavelength?

S.

B.

(Wellington)

Particulars of 2NC. GTATION 2NC, Newcastle, is the first of a series of Australian relay stations to come on the air. It was opened on December 19, and its inaugural programme was relayed by 2FC, Sydney, and 3L0, Melbourne. Christmas Greetings to DXers. [ LOGGED two more stations on the 20th inst., viz. 1ZR, Auckland, 275 metres (1090 k.c.) and KTHS Hot

Springs, Arkansas 1040 kic. (2888 metres). The former station operates on a power of 100 watts, and the 20th instant was the opening night. KTHS came through at great strength, quite fair speaker volume.

Later in the same evening I happened on a station on 240 metres rebroadcasting 2BL, Sydney, with great. success, reception being a lot better than from 2BL itself. I would be interested to learn the identity of this station.(2NC, Neweastle. See D.X. Topics.- Eid. ) May I take this opportunity to wish all fellow "DXERS" ¢the eompliments of the season, and

the best of loggings in 1981.

Guy C.

Holmes

(Masterton ).

D-Xers! Your competition closes on January ‘1st, and all entries must reach this office by that date. In the case of lack of support the right is reserved to withhold any award.