Round the World on Short Wave

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 28, 23 January 1931, Page 29

Round the World on Short Wave

Notes on Reception Ee xCePr for some very severe static, conditions have improved recently, There is plenty of variety "on the air" from all continents, and twenty countries. Mowe of the latter were heard on Saturay. The countries heard during the week were: England, France, Germany, Holland, Moroceo, Russia, Philippine Islands, Siam, Java, Australia, Suva, Canada, United. States, Honduras, Costa pace Argentine, Mexico, and New Zeaan Log for Week Ending January 17. RV15, Siberia, 70.1 metres.-Every evening at. good volume, but plenty of static, 59 metres (about) -Saturday midnight, music and talk R8. Static too bad to be readable, WX9F, Chicago, 49.83 metres.-Good volume ‘after 5 p.m, PK3AN, Jaya, 49.70 metres.-After midnight Saturday. R8. Statie very bad. 49.4 metres. (about) --This. station starts at 6 a.m, each ‘morning, at varying volume, but I have not been able to identify it. It has either been too weak or, if loud enough, static has spoilt reception. Hach morning at 6.30 a.m. a time-signal is heard similar to Greenwich. that is, six dots. This station may be W9XAA, but the sneech is not the typical American. WSXAL, Boundbrook, N.J., 49,18 metres.-Splendid volume and quality till 6 p.m. each evening. W2XE, New York, 49.02 metres.-Sun-day and Saturday very weak at 5 n.m. . Saigon, Indo-China, 49 metres -Was "heard on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11.30 p.m. Very good volume. Their native music is very weird. WSXH, Pittsburgh, 48.86 metres.-Sun-day R5 at 5 p.m. with a background of noise. : KIXR, Manila, 48.80 metres.-Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 p.m. Volume good, but too much statie for good reception. There was not any sign of KIXR on other evenings. "HRB, Honduras, 48.62 metres.-Satur-day, from just audible at 4.30 p.m. inereased to R5 at 5 p.m., but was very distorted. , 45.4 metres (about).-Good volume‘each morning, going off to just audible by 7.30 Od, Gisborne, 45 metres (about).--At 4 p.m, Saturday records at R8, quite good. -1ZR, Auckland, 44.8 metres (about).A. harmonie of this station. but heard on Sunday morning till 10.25 a.m. at R8 broadcasting a church service, and again during the afternoon.

WND, America, 44.4 metres.-Satur-day, 4.50 p.m, R8. Duplex with Bngland. 43.4 metres (about)--Hnglish. station, also R8 talking to WND, 38M, Melbourne, 31.55 metres.-Satur-day from 10 p.m. Maximum volume with one stage audio. W2XAF, Schenectady, 31.48 metres,Sunday and Saturday. afternoons, The Radio Keith Orpheans were good on the latter day till 4 pm. Also Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, records at R8, statie bad. Zeesen, Germany, 31.38 metres.-Hach morning, but very weak except on Friday, when they were R8 at 6 a.m., soon reducing to very weak. WIXAZ, Springfield, Mass., $1.35 metres.-Saturday, reaching R7-8 by 4.30 p.m., when they signed off, PCJ, Holland, 31.28 metres.-Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings, volume poor, except Saturday, when R8 was reached at 7.80 a.m., spoilt by rapid fade. On Saturday afternoon PCJ did not get above R3. NRH, Costa Rica, ‘30.5 metres.-Satur-day, 2.45 p.m., R5, very gushy, a trifie better at 8 p.m. LSX, Buenos Aires, 28.9 metres.Saturday, very gushy at R7 at 1 p.m. G5SW, Chelmsford, 25.53 metres,Each morning, except Sunday and Monday, weak with rapid fade, 12R0, Rome, 25.40 metres.-This station has been wandering on its wavelength the last few days. Tuesday and Saturday they were on 25,4 metres, Monday about 26 metres, and Thursday down to 25.2 metres-just below W8XK instead of just above, WS8XK, Pittsburgh, 25.25 metres.-Each morning, but very weak. FTN, Paris, 24.46 metres.-Duplex each evening with Rabot after 10 p.m. Always good volume. PLM, : Java, 24.46 metres.-Saturday from 11 p.m. till 11.30 p.m., Children singing. These items were_yery enjoyable, received at R9. Kootwijk wag called and spoken to at 11.380 p.m., after which the children were heard again. Later they were talking to Amsterdam, Rabat, Morocco, 23.86 metres.-Hach evening duplex with FTN. On Friday at 10.45 p.m. the "Radio Maroc," shortwave broadcast station, was heard from 10.45 p.m. Music was R7, but talk much weaker. The word "Rabat" was heard in the call. At 10.50 p.m.. after an item, a whistle was heard. followed by the call and talk. The wavelength is just below the duplex station and is scheduled as daily from 9 p.m, till 1 am., N.Z, summer time, . CJA. Drummondville, Canada, 23.7 metres.-Saturday, 10.20 p.m., RS, talking to London. . XDA. Mexico, 20.5 metres.-Mornings. starts soon after 7.80 a.m. All talk, streneth varies, VPD, Suva, 20.8 metres (about)Sunday morning from 10.15 p.m.. ealling "Hullo" and continuing. 2M ealled Suva a number of times, but could not get a renly, W2XAD. Schenectady. 19.5 metres.Hach morning, but not above R4. PMC, Aava, 16.5 motres.-Pridoy, after 11 n.m. duplex with Holland. R&, PCK, Holland,’ 16.3 metres.-Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Re-

cords and duplex with Java, from about 10.30 p.m. PMB, Java, 14.55 metres.-Wednesday and Thursday from 10.20 p.m. Records and duplex with Holland at R6. , Short-wave Club Nucleus of N.Z. Organisa‘tion GHORT-WAVE listeners throughout New Zealand will be interested to learn that the nucleus of a short-wave club has been formed in Wellington. This organisation is to embrace the whole of the coun-try-to take in town and country listener alike, Its aims, as outlined at a preliminary meeting of well-known _shortwave radio authorities, are briefly to afford opportunity to experimenters and listeners of meeting or corresponding, and to assist beginners in short-wave listening by showing them how to set about obtaining the best results. It is honed to place before listeners talks and articles by leading authorities on the subject, to endeavour to educute them as to what is required in the way of reports on reception, and to arrange programmes for test. Such were the ideas of the convener of the meeting, Mr. A. B. McDonagh, a well-known short-wave listener. At the preliminary meeting it was definitely decided to proceed with the club. and at the suggestion of Mr. Sellens, it will be known, at least for the present, as the New Zealand Short Wave Listeners Club. It was strongly emphasised by several present that the activities of the

club be given full publicity to listeners: through the Radio Press. The meeting was only a "private" one. Nothing definite, other than to proceed with the project, was decided, but arrangements. were made for an inaugural meeting to be held in the near future. In the intervening period the club was to be made known to all interested, and suggestions would be received which at the next meeting would receive attention. Commenting on this topic, Mr. G. Ry McCarthy remarked on ihe popularity of the "Radio Record’s" )X «vlumns, aud suggested that something of the same nature might be put into operation for the short-wave listeners. Furthermore, the "Questions and Answers" showed clearly that listeners were becoming interested in short-wave work, and desired help. This must be the chief aim of the club. This resolution was . wholeheartedly agreed to, Furthermore the club members should be taught .to make out reliable reports on reception. Perhaps the amateur transmitters would co-operate in the way of special broadcasts. Two members were deputised to raise the question at the next meeting of the N.Z.A.R,T. Discussing the age limit, it was decided for the present to leave the ques- tion open. There right be suggestions forthcoming from listeners remote from Wellington. Due to the’ interest that ladies were showing in radio generally they should be welcomed into the club. Until the general meeting, the date of which could not be fixed, was held, it would be necessary .to elect a temporary chairman and secretary. The meeting agreed that the former position should be held by Mr. Sellens, whose fame as a short-wave listener was known all over the country, and that the latter position should be left in the capable hands of Mr. McDonagh, whose enthusiasm was largely instrumental in bringing the club into existence, It is to these two gentlemen that suggestions should be made. The co-operation of listeners outside Wellington is particularly sought, and all ideas will be discussed at the forthcoming smeeting. Letters should be addressed to Mr. Fy W. Sellens, 7 Randwick Road, Northe land, Wellington, or to Mr. A. B. MeRonagh. 274 Cuba Street, Wellington. They should be sent in as soon as pose sible, as. it is hoped to settle the cone stitution of the club. Among those present were Mr. Donald and Mr. L. Saunders, who were associate ed with Mr. McDonagh in the preliminary work. .