News and Views of the D.X. CLUB

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 30, 6 February 1931, Page 10

News and Views of the D.X. CLUB

Addresses & Addresses Wanted "FNQUISITIVE" (Motueka) : "Address of KOA is National Broadcasting Co., Ine., Denver, Colorado; and of 1ZR is e/o Lewis Hady and Sons Ltd., Queen Street, Auckland. The latter has been on the air only a few weeks. 4 MURI" (Invercargill): See above. Identification Wanted ‘HAT station operates on 2BL/’s frequency? I hear the latter on 63 and the stranger on 684 (not KWKH). On the 17th I logged WOWO on 254 metres (1180 ke.), asking for reports. He came in with splendid volume on the Speaker and closed down at 8.10,

Niv

A.E.

W.

(Waitati.)

Waar Jap. operates on 384 metres (780 ke.)? I have heard this station three times in the last fortnight, but no call is given-‘Redbird" (Wellington.) HONOLULU station operating on 1320 "~ ke, (227 m.), I heard him-on January 22,. but though the announcer’s voice. was clear, I could not get the call. On the same night I logged 4BK, 1880 ke, (217 metres), at 10 p.m. They were singing their station song to the tune.of "Happy Days are Here Again." I.also heard 8GL, Geelong, 3WR, Wangaratta, and 2AY, Albury, all at good

speaker strength.-

E.

Trigg

(Palmer-

ston North. )

At approximately midnight on the 22nd instant I heard a foreigner at 81 on the lower dial (4YA on 79). The. language used was neither English nor Oriental, and during the time I listened a dialogue seemed to be taking place. This was much after the form of a chureh service in that a male voice spoke and- was answered by what sounded to be a number of male and female voices. This continued for some time, no call being given. Reception was at good strength without much fading. 8KZ, Melbourne, was coming in at splendid strength on the same night. -Sereen-grid" (Opunake. ) I HBARD a new Australian B class station recently, one deg. above 8GL, Geelong. All I heard was 4BXK. What is the call of the Jap. heard one night recently about 2 a.m. operating half a deg. below 2FC? Also a station on approximately 385 metres, just below 4QG, Brisbane, heard about 2 am. recently Singing and talking seemed to be a mixture of Italian and American, but announcements were made in English. Would this be a Mexican station?-H.C. (Christchurch, ) [4BK, Brisbane Broadcasting Co... Brisbane. Operates on 217 metres (1380 ke.), with a power of 200 watts.-Hd |

TATION operating about 2 deg. below Christchurch, heard about 11.40 p.m. on 24th instant. Items were: "By-bye Blues" and ", . . Blackbirds"? One of these was composed by Don Bradman. The announcer remarked that recordings could be bought at a certain place, and that Bradman was willing to autograph them, Mention was also made of Anniversary Day and a river trip. Birthday greetings were given out between items. Call sign was missed through static-"Inquisitive" (Motueka.) QGTATION heard on January 24 at 8.10 pm. on 1195 k.c. (250 metres). Ttems heard: "Around ~ the Corner," "Swinging in a Hammock," and at 9.85 a.m., "Give Yourself a Pat on the Back." (NP sounded like ZRUD.W-‘"‘Yankee". QGTATION on 850 k.c. (840 m.), heard after 11 p.m. on January 26. Hither Chinese or Japanese. A lecture in foreign language was in progress and occupied a long period. eception was quite clear. On 214 m. (1400 k.c.) what appeared to be a court case was in pro-gress.-"Listener" (Marton). . At 11.55 a.m. on January 22 an Ameri-’ ean station on 2ZC, Palmerston North’s, frequency, was. broadcasting an

excellent programme, No call sign was given, Announcer.intimated "That giftcertificates would -be sent on request in. eonnection with free gift ‘Outboard Motor. Results to be announced at 6.45 next mornong." | He later announced humorously "That*.a good way to die is laughing, and in the future men will know too much to laugh."-‘‘Wireless Bug" (Raetihi). ; oi tne st (The other station you heard was 2MO oneratine on 200"metres (1500 ke.) on 2

ower Of 50 watts:: Address

M. J.

Oliver

Gunnedab; +Bd: )

ON the morning of January 21.I located a station of 508 metres (590 k.c.), one degree above 2ZK, Wanganui. Reception was very. good, but he failed to state who he was. The only ¢all ‘he gave was "Hello, hello," and would then oive the name of the next record. The

eassion concluded ‘at 11.830 a.m-

R.B.

M.

(Harmoana) _

" Stations . Identified " TACONSECK" (Christchurch): The _ station on 28, 38.5, is probably KYW, San Francisco. WTAM, not "N," is the call’ of the Cleveland sta-tion.-‘‘Ray Dio’ (Shannon). "WVIRELESS BUG" (Raetihi) : KNX, Hollywood,’ California. "Little Willie" (Timaru): KYA, San Francisco. -"Yankee’ (New Plymouth). " TACONSECK" (Christchurch): American 2 degrees above WTAM is probably KKB, and the one 8 degrees below, KMOX."'» "WIRELESS BUG" (Raetihi): The station heard broadcasting from the "Silver Slipper" Cafe is KFOX. I

notice that when giving his call he does not pronounce the "X" nearly as loud as the three preceeding letters.-""Kia Ora" (Brankton Junction). DX Topies Japanese Stations. AFrER several weeks off the air I found the Americans were exceedingly strong on the night of January 27. Local interference was bad, however. The following night, at 8.53 pm, I logged KMPO, Beverley Hills, California, on 422.8 metres (710 k.c,), between 2VYA and WLW. On the 29th an American was transmitting right on 2MV’s frequency-about 245 metres (1225 k.c.). I cannot agree with JPO (P.N.) that there are no Japs above 5CL. On the Sth I heard’ one on KMPO’s frequency WMI deg. above 2YA). "Cockney" (in- ~~" glewood) mentions JOJK on 422 metres (710 ke.) in last week’s issue, I have heard another above WLW with a bubbly carrier. Then again there is a stranger near 3AR, undoubtedly a Jap. Incidentally, J.P.A., did you notice B.S. (Stratford’s) letter this week? He remarks that the station on 492 metres (610 k.c.) is undoubtedly JOIK. Several issues ago I mentioned receiving a eall JOAK, but thought I was mistaken, I wonder if the Japs themselves know which stations are which?-‘"Ray Dio" (Shannon). ,

1ZR’s Excellent Transmission. ON the 24th 1ZR, Lewis Hady and Sons, Auckland, broadcast a splenaid programme which included many old favourite songs and dances, also items of interest and topical events. This station is undoubtedly one of the best "B" class. . Its volume has to be considerably reduced, which is generally not the rule with other "B’s". During last week a large number of Australian "A" class stations were heard at R8. ‘Also 4BIK at R7-8, which is quite exceptional for this time of the year-‘‘Radio Bug" (Shannon). A New American.

HE 29th January was another wonderful night for reception, especially before 9 p.m. I received station WIDX, Jackson, Mississippi, on 1280 k.c. (234 m.) with wonderful volume in broad day- _ light. Could anyone give me his address? Is it 8GL just above 2HD? The latter comes in on 7 and 8GL on 8 (dial readings). Glad to see that with the Naw Year D.Xers are contributing more

to the notes.

D.N.

A.

(Timaru).

Recent Loggings. I AM one of the 20 New Zealand listeners who have written to KWK for verification. In the last mail I have received 21 verifications from American stations, including: WBT, WMO4, WAAW, WNAX, WJSV, KFXF, and ~. WDAF, §. Bilis( Okato). ta "Kuni To Hot Springs" I RECENTLY had a letter of verification from KTHS, Hot Springs, Arkansas. ‘The call letters stand for "Kum To Hot Springs" and certainly after having read the book which acompanied verification, one wishes one could take adyantage of the invitation. The book is issued by the Hot Springs’ Chamber of ommerce, and is full of interesting information and photos, while the gaily-col-oured cover is most attractive. © It de picts Indians and early pioneering Americans, "beholding the vision of Perfect Health rising from the Valley of Contentment amid the picturesque Onarko, that happy region which ig near Hot Springs." Fellow D.Xers who write to KYHS should ask for this booklet. It is quite

worth it

K.D.

B.

(Taumarunul) .

A Seldom-Heard American, received KPOF on December 8 at good ' whmoncrthe Heard two items plainly

ee but the others squashed by static, "Yankee," (New Plymouth). The Japanese Controversy. FC: (Palmerston North): I do not agree with your statement that there are no Japs above 5CL. I have eleven Japs on my log and JOJK comes in 3 degrees above 50L. _ The station on 610 k.c. (492 metres) is a Jap all right. I was listening to him on 29/1/31 and at 9.20 p.m. he gave his call which as "Cockney" (Inglewood) says, sounded ‘very much like JOKK. So this niust be a new Jap station on- the air. M.B.S. (P.N.). Another New American, ON ‘January 29, at 8.30 p.m., I logged a station on 236 metres (1270 k.e.) which I have not previously seen reported in these notes. The call was given as WJDX, Jackson, Missouri. Reference to the latest Call Book discloses this station to be operating on a power of 500w and owned by the Lamar Life Insurance Coy. Did any other listener hear this transmission, the volume of which was superior to that of KFOX? "Shorty" (Wellington).

Unusual Conditions. N the 24th, at about 7.55 pm, I picked up KOA, Colorado, for the first time. .Their time was 13 minutes past one a.m. They were just going to close down after their usual good night chorus, "Shine on, Harvest Moon," to reopen at 7 in the morning. This was unusual, for I was unable to pick up Auckland or Dunedin, yet KOA came in well.-*Inquisitive’ (Motueka). Japs on Relay. . I ALSO have heard the new station 8WR just below 2NC on the dial. The latter comes in very strongly at

about 9 p.m., N.Z. time, almost’ every evening. 1ZR, Auckland, was coming in with great volume recently testing at about 1am, The. same morning I tuned into four Japs. all broadcasting the same programme, which was in Hnglish. Gramophone records were a feature. Several Americans have been coming in well lately after 12 p.m., but static was too bad to get the call signs. I heard only two of them: KRLB and KWKH. Could you publish a list of

Australian "B" class stations?-

E.

C.

(Christchurch).

[Yes. An up-to-date list will be published in about a month’s time.-Hd.] Frequencies of N.Z. "B’s." ON -the 24th I heard station 1ZR, Auckland, operating on 260 metres (1150 k.c.). At 9.41 p.m, Miss Gleitze was relating some swimming experiences. The following are verified frequencies of some of the N.Z, "BR" stations :- 2YB, New Plymouth, 243m. (1230 k.e.). 270, Palmerston North, 285m. (1050 k.e.). 2Z2F, Palmerston North, 285m. (1050 k.e.). 2ZK, Wanganui, 500m. (600 k.e.). 2Z1, Hastings, 225m. (1330 k.e.). 2%3, Gisborne, 260m. (1150 k.c.). 2ZH, Napier, 238m. (1260 k.e.). -‘Red Bird" (Wellington). Australian "B’s." PIER a rest of a week or two I started DX-ing again on the 27th. It was a great night for it, too, and I logged a few new stations. ‘There was a station coming in on a frequency of

1280 K.c, (234 m.), the eall of which J could not eatech, The announcer spoke very fast, and the final call when_closing down sounded like KDIL. Would this be KDYL? Perhaps some other DxX-er heard him. ‘They were putting over a programme by the "Boys of. the Oid Country Store," and asked listeners . to write im for photographs. They were playing request items, and at times reception was very clear. I also logged KFVD, Culver City, on 1000 kc. (300 m.). see this station has a small power of 250 watts. I got him first before dark and could just hear him, but later, when darkness fell, reception was wonderful. He was putting across ballads, old and new. ‘The programme was an organ one -and very good’ too, This last week I received a batch of verifications from U.S.A. Among them was one from KGA, who stated they had 150 letters from New Zealand by that mail I agree with the correspondent in last week’s "Record" that in the next competition the B class Australian. star tions should be barred. Last evening I logged about 14 of them. They are far. too easy to get. Best luck to the winner of the last competition, and I hana all TyYX-ere have good logs for the

4od_ next one. Good wishes to all.7

D.N.

A.

(Timaru).

Synchronised Transmissions. I HAVE recently received a verification from WTIC, Hartford, Oonn., and he reminded me they would be doing some synchronisation -work with WHAF in about three or four months time (March or April). This they hoped I would be able to intercept. They also asked me if I could suggest any theory wy. they have not been heard in After wishing me the best holiday greetings from their staff the manager i with the following postscript: "Cheerio ee ns wet

also from me too; was in the A..F. (U.S. Forces) with boys from N.Z, on both flanks." I recently logged WOWO, Fort Wayne, Indiana, on a special Dx programme. Reception was unusually clear. J.P.C. (P.N.): I have logged 11 Japs. and get two above 750 kc, (400 m.), JOJK on 710 k.c. (422 m.) and another on 610 k.ce. (492 m.), which I have not identified as yet. I also have logged the Jap. on 83YA’s frequency mentioned by B.W. (Stratford). I have been getting KKB as early as 10.15 p.m., New Zealand time. I believe they broadcast only in the daytime, commencing somewhere round about 430 a.m. Has anyone noticed a Station heterodyning 7ZL lately ?-"Kia Ora" (Frankton Junction), ; News from Jaya. I RHCHEIVED a letter from Bandoeng, _ Java, following a report on their PLW.-J.0. (N.P.). "On behalf of our telephone service with Burope we operate at present :- ' PMB on 14,56 metres PLE on 15.98 metres PMC on 16,52 metres PLM on 24,46 metres PLW on 36.92 metres, "Bach transmitter is erystal controlled with about 80 k.w. power in the last stage. With Holland we are normally operating between 12.00-16.00 G.M.T. Once a week, on Tuesday, we are broadeasting on PLE between 13.40.15.40 G.M.T. Address: Bureau Internationale Teélefonie, Bandoeng, Java." JOCK’s Schedule. O* January 25 I logged KGU Honolulu, 940 .ke. (319 metres). This station was coming in with great volume, tone and modulation being excellent. When I tuned in they were playing "Y’m Dancing with Tears in My Eyes," so evidently this song is just as popular with the Honolulu-ites as it is over here. { tuned in to KGMB Honolulu later in the evening and they were putting over the same song. January 25 was a great night for DX-ing. I logged five new American stations, KXA, KFRC, WBAP, KOIN and KBLW, between 7.15 and 9 p.m. I notice that "W.H.R." (Dunedin) is puzzled over the Jap station transmitting on 810 ke. (370. metres). This station is undoubtedly JOCK, who broadcast on this frequency. I. received a card from them recently in verification of a letter I wrote them rca

last September. Their power is 10 kilowatts input and their address, .‘Nagoya. Broadeasting hours are as follow:Week days, 6 a.m. to 12 noon; 12.5 p.m. to 5.45 p.m.; 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; 7.25 p.m. to 9.40. ° t received a letter of verification from WGY. Their address is 1 River Road, Schenectady, N.Y. This station is owned and operated by the General Blectric Company, who run a chain of three broad--ensting stations-WGY, KOA, and KGO. They also maintain W2XAD and W2XAF, short-wavers. 1ZJ Auckland has been booming in lately, their volume being equal to 1YA, I find there is a foreign: station always right in the background of 1ZJ, but it does not affect their programme. What station would this be?"Cockney" (Inglewood). A Competition Point. M« latest verification is from 3GL Geelong. The writer ‘stated that mine was the second report from Palmerston North. The other would probably be the one sent in by RJ.R. (Palmerston North). . While listening to JOHK on January 28, I heard what appeared to be a lesson in English in progress. Every word was spoken clearly and distinctly, and the meaning of each word was given. I have also heard the station mentioned by Harle J. Haynes (Christchurch); and although I did not get his call. he is undoubtedly. a "Jap." 2AY and 2HD have been re ceived splendidly ‘here lately without fading or distortion. The latter station has improved wonderfully. . I do not think any good purpose would be served by eliminating the Aussie B’s from the DX competition. On the contrary, I think such a course would considerably reduce the number of contestants, and would thereby tend: to lessen interest in the "cup." As the editor remarks, some of these stations are not easy to log. Any DX-er with four or less valves would probably consider the logging of some of these "B’s" quite a feat. S. Hillis (Okato) seems to be lying low lately. He must be waiting on another batch of U.S.A. verifications. By the way Mr. Bllis, did you notice the earth system featured on page 13 R.R. of 23-1-31? -‘Amazon" (P.N.). Good American Reception. ONDITIONS for reception of American stations were good on January 21. I bagged the following: KTAT, Texas. 4

KTBI, Los Angeles, and KGEFJ, Los Angeles. I would be interested to hear from any DK-er who hag heard this latter station lately as to what frequency they heard them on. I logged them on 1160 kilos (259 metres). KIPVD, Culver City. had me puzzled at first as speech was in a foreign language but thanks to MrBlucher’s (N. Auckland) notes in R.R, I surmised that it was KFVD. ‘This was confirmed later when I heard the call and location given in Pnglish, KTBI, KGFJ and KFVD were logged in the early hours of the morning of the 22nd-K'TAT at 7.57 p.m, on the 2ist. I wag very lucky to get the last mentioned station as I was trying to get KFOXwhich is usually my best American, I 0S ae ak a at iM I ed We et HE a TIT TILL LLL hh doh dderkoe 7 a htm me

tuned in KFOX ag I thought and decided to stay on them as signal strength was about RY. To my astonishment call given was KTAT. Immediately after«wards 2¥B came on. At first both stations put up a great fight-first one and then the other gaining the ascendancybut in the end 2YB prevailed. I think I will get verification as notes taken were all announcer’s remarks. Has any other DX-er heard the Chinese stations lately? I have been trying for them but with no success, "Jaka’ (Wellington). A Doubting Thomas. ‘ {? seems a pity to correct "Radio Bug" 30 (Raetihi) in your issue of January . He is so enthusiastie about reception lately, and rightly so. However, a little ealeulation on the part of "Radio Bug" would show him that WLW commences at about 6.30 .2.m, there, which is between eleven and twelve midnight here. One can hardly imagine WLW commencing its morning session with dancing lessons, in the depth of winter. ‘Physical Jerks" is the idea, as you are no doubt aware, and it sounds like a cireus., It seems a pity our local station here has discontinued broadcasting its morning physical exercises session. Carry on,

"Radio Bug,"

H.M.

S.

(Dunedin). —

N.Z. Test Programine from N.R.H. EGARDING the South African station located at Nairobi. This station has been operating on the 49metre band now for some time, but it was not until December 31 that I was able to identify same. "ZLDX," writing in last week’s issue of the "Radio Record," states that the call sign of the Nairobi station is VQYLO. At different times I have heard the call given ag 7L0, Nairobi, which was his old. call when working on 31 metres. It is quite probable the above new eall is given, but so far I have not

heard it. I have heard his transmissions as early as 4.45 am. He is a little stronger then than later-at times he is quite loud enough to hear announcements of musical items, He also gives the number of the recording after each item played. At. 6.30 a.m. a time signal is put over, followed by a news session. On January 18 NRH, Costa Rica, continued to broadeast for another hour after his usual: time of closing down at4pm. from. 4.30 p.m, till 5 p.m. was a good R7, 100 per cent. readable, and very good modulation: Not long before he closed -he put over a bugle call. It was wonderful for a 74-watt station, Always now before closing : a clock chimes the hour. It. is quite probable in the early . days of March NRH will broadcast a special one hour’s programme by way.of an experiment, as arranged by Senor Marin and myself, It will take between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. our time. When I know. the exact date I will make it known. YVH9CL, Winnipeg, 48.5 metres, was heard on-January 21 at 6.30 p.m., transmitting Wurlitzer. organ music from the Garrick Theatre, Winnipeg, closing at 7 p.m. Reports were asked for. Here is one. for the late birds-to identify. Station on 74 metres, heard after midnight; all an--nouncements made in foreign language, Reaches volume of R7. Station HSIPJ, Siam, was heard after midnight recently on 37 metres, modulation perfect, strength R8, but too much native music for my liking. The amateur 80-metre band is now alive with New Zealand phone stations. The best of the bunch are 2BH, Hastines: QYAX. Palmerston: 2EFF. Gis-

borne: 2BO, Wellington.-

A. P.

Morri

son

Wellington)_