D.X. Club Competition

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 33, 27 February 1931, Page 10

D.X. Club Competition

Winner for First Period Decided After Keen Contest |

=a YTHR jan exhaustive exy amination of the logs submitted, Mr. R. 8. Hillis, of Okato, Taranaki, has been selected as the winner of the DX club’s competition and the silver challenge cup donated by the "Radio Record." . fhe winner’s accepted log of stations wag 89, while Mr. A. Greening, of Inglewood, ran a close second with 82. Mr. Hilis’s log comprised: 69 Ameriean, 10 Australian, 8 Canadian, 2 Japanese and 1 Ohinese station, and Mr. Greening’s 56 American, 3 Canadian, 12 ‘Australian, 4 Japanese, 2: Mexican, 2 South American, 2 Pacific Islands, and 1 ship station. Judge’s Comments. "PT WENTY-FIVE entries in all were received for the competition, among them being some excellent logs. Several competitors with the right spirit sent along small logs, not, as they remarked, because they had any chance of winning, but because they wanted to encourage DX-ing and to keep the competition going. _And they have succeeded, for the DX club’s competition is now to be a regular feature. ’ Now for the logs. themselves. In those examined were varying percentages of so-called verifications which ‘could not be accepted. In fact, in one case over twenty were discarded, an additional proof of the statement made in the governing conditions to the effect that it is not sufficient to write to a station and say: "I heard your station last night. Music was being played. Please send me a verification." They will not send them. Judge for yourselves from the follow; ing extracts from "verification" letters: ", .-. We believe you were correct in assuming. that you -were listening to KOL, Seattle, Washington, on the night of April 5, 1930... As you know, it is the custom of most radio stations to give their call letters every fifteen minutes, and usually as close to the quarter period as possible. So at 7.15 it was quite probable that our announcer was saying ‘KOL, Seattle’. .’ Very vague and no mention of definjte verification. . # |. The station at the time you tuned on us was using the name Radio Sam, therefore it is very possible you were correct. We are very anxious for you to get us again and ask that, if you do, to write us with a more

definite description of the programme so that we can verify your reception." Hosts of others, too, remark that "it was probably our station you heard"-in fact, judging by some of these letters, "probably" appears to be the most overworked adverb used in America to-day. Again, it is scarcely sporting to write for verification of reception when all particulars have not been definitely determined-at least, this is so if such "verifications" are, to be entered in a competition. So, DX-ers, be certain of ample proof of reception before writing. If static or adverse conditions prevents you from securing this, note the dial readings and tty again another night. There is no real satisfaction in claiming to have heard a station whose identity has only been guessed at. The Winner’s Installation. Me. BLLIS, in producing the greatest number of station verifications, has gained a well-deserved win, for he has béen keenly interested in DX-ing for many years, and is one of the DX club’s oldest and most enthusiastic members. Owing to restricting clauses in the governing rules, he was unable to enter his total’ log of stations, and as a result his claim for first place was very closely contested. This should relieve the minds of those for whom DxX-ing is a new hobby, and who consequently feel that they are labouring under a serious handicap. It was to eliminate this disadvantage that the conditions mentioned above were de-. vised. , The next competition, which closes on June 30, 1931, should prove even more popular, and many entries are anticipated. Below Mr. Bilis gives a description of his DX-ing outfit :- ‘ "My set is an ordinary standard screen-grid Stewart-Warner, using the following R.C.A. Radiatron valves: Three 224 type screen grid, two 227 heater type (one as power detector), two new 245 type power valves in push-pull, and one 280 type rectifier.

"The aerial E use consists of seven strands of No.'21 wire, 300 ft. long, with five insulators at each end, slung ‘between poles 50ft. high, running north and south, The lead-in is 7/21 insulated. "The Pierce earth system, with water-pipes six feet long, is used, but gasoline tins are substituted for the

ear radiator. ‘These are connected to a copper plate running direct to the earth wire of the set." The Next Competition. "THE next competition is well under way, and judging from correspondence we have received on the subject there will be a bigger field. Following are the conditions governing the competition :- 1. The listener who can, within six months, collect the greatest log of stations and comply with the conditions set forthwith, will have his name inscribed on the "Radio Record" Cup. This will remain the property of the "Radio Record," but the winner will be presented with an inscribed miniature. 2. The stations counting for the competition must have frequencies not exeeeding 1500 kilocycles nor less than 545 kiloccycles per second (200-550 metres). 8. All stations must be verified. The enthusiast should listen to the items . and note sufficient of them so that the station officials can recognise the broadcast. A letter, card or Wkko stamp to this effect must be in possession. of the listener before he can

claim -eredit for a station, Such phrases.as "You probably heard our station" must not be taken a8 a verie fication. :All eards sent in will be carefully treated and returned when the decision is arrived at. 4, Stations received during one period of six months can count for the ensuing one, providing their frequencies remain the same (unless they are recognised experimental stations). In other words, the station verified must have operated on the. frequency shown on-the verification card on or after the first day of the period. In this ease, January 1. All logs for the second period must be in our possession by July 1, 1931. : 5. The: following stations are not included in the competition: All New Zealand and the following Australian stations: 2F0, 2BL, 4QG, 3LO, 3AR, 2BH, 2UH, 2GB, 2NC, 38DB, 3UZ, 5OL, 6WE, 7ZL, TLA. These Australian stations can be accepted if logged in New Zealand daylight, but the verification must clearly admit this fact. This is to prevent possible interference with the programmes that are enjoyed by non-DX-ers, 6.. The right is reserved to add further conditions or alter existing ones as unforseen circumstances demand. 7. The decision of the judge in all matters will be final.