News and Views of the D.X. CLUB

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 39, 10 April 1931, Page 10

News and Views of the D.X. CLUB

Answers to Correspondents A as imaru): It appears from DX your etter that you are not clear as to the interpretation of several of the rules governing the DX competition. Any verification, provided that the station it refers to igs still operating on the .frequency indicated on the card, will be -aceepted for the competition. This is ,& greater handicap to DXers of long ‘standing than you evidently suppose, for quite -a number of stations, particularly ‘American, have had their frequencies changed in the past few years. For example, in September, 1929, WTIC, Hartford, Connecticut, was operating on 600 ke, {500 metres). It now operates on 1060 k.e. (283 metres). Thus, a card entered..for the competition and bearing the former frequency would not be accepted. This is but one of many similar instances. ~ To show that this rule has proved successful in placing DXers on a more ot- less even basis, the case of Mr, A. Greening, of Inglewood, ma pe cited. In the. last DX competition Greening _achieyed second place with a "total of 89 ‘stations; all logged, with the exception of "five or’6, after the announcement of the "competition. Much thought was given to the draftintg. of these rules, and, in order to render the competition as fair as possible to everyone concerned-a difficult problem, incidentally-it was necessary to compromise on several points. However, the result appears to find favour with the majority of DXers, and we are of. the opinion thai, all things considered, any further change in the rules would not be at isable.-Hd, : "acheiacation Wanted TATION operating on 2YA’s_ fre quency on March 30. Items: (1) "Song of the Dawn," (2) "Reaching for (3) "Forty-seven Ginger. headed Sailors"-all recordings. I waited for .ten minutes but no eall sign was given.-

"Rey De O"

(Christchurch).

-@TATION at 10deg. on my dial with call sounding like "G" (or "D’") BO, Broadcasting Service. At 10.30 p.m. on the 29th I heard a recording "Always in

All Ways," followed by an instrumentl item, "Annie Laurie." At 10.45 I heard a recording ot Fiorrie Forde in "Old-time Melodies." The announcer speaks quick-

in 2 rather slinshod Jbanner

Cer

stria"

(Whangarei).

GTATION heard March 26 and 27, On the latter date the children’s hour was in progress, and a man was talking about "Boko," who at nine years of aye was working in a salt mine. At this stage the local station commenced transmitting and drowned reception. Dial number 24

(2UH, Sydney, 21, 2ZF, 28).-

"Squib"

(Dunedin )

At 12.45 am.-on April 8 a foreign station was tuned in on 2BL’s frequency. I thought at first that it was Japanese or Chinese, but the music was more melodious than that usually heard from these stations. Before and after one item a gong was struck. six times. Later on they put on classical gramophone items, which came through at loudspeaker strength. He would: announce in a foreign tongue, and the only time he did so in Wnglish was at 2.25 a.m., when he gave the call, "This is Radio Bangkok. The number you have heard is from the opera by ‘Verdi’." Also, a new Melbourne station giving the ¢all

8ZZ was heard.-

W.

B.

(Linwood).

Woman heard lecturing in a foreign tongue at 12.20 p.m. on April 3. Wavelensth 500 metres (600 k.c.).-

"New Chum"

(Wellington).

. Stations Identified J P.C. (P.N.): Yes, I have heard both > KGW and KZRM on the same frequeney, but have not yet received verification of the latter. Also agree with you re verifications from some New Zealand

"B" stations, altHough I must say 2AY, oKZ, and 8GL responded promptly. I have duly verified WOHI, Chicago. "Bull’s Eve" (Peatherston), I think you heard. KFTB, Minneapolis. Their closing announcement always includes "Operated by permission of Federal Radio. Commission at Washingeton on a freauency. of

1460 ke. (205m.)."-

"Cromdale"

(Otago).

" pAcKo" (Rewinui) : ‘Station on 2NC’s frequency is 8HF, Hillwood, Vietoria. I wrote him several months ago, but so far have received no reply. 6©.G.C.

(Christchurch) : Station on 850 ke. (853

metres) is TBY; Bombay-

N.

J.

(Master-

ton).

af C.S. (Beckenham) : I have since iden- * tified station on 2NC’s frequency as experimental station VK3HF, Hilwood. "Kilocycle’ (Auckland): To my knowledge there is no Brisbane station on that frequency except 4BC. The new Oxley -station,- however, operates on that frequency without a call sign, and mentions ‘Brisbane in his announcement. "Radio Boy" (Timaru): Your stations appear to be 3ZK, Melbourne, on 1350 ke. (222 metres) and 3GL, Geelong on 1400 ke. (244 metres). "Novice" (Wellington) :-‘The only two New Zealand stations: between 2BL and 8L0 are 2ZP, Wairoa, and 83ZR, Greymouth. Your mention of hearing a back ground of 2YA must be an error as it is impossible to get 2YA between 2BL and 3LO. Station on 2Z0 will most likely be 2KY, Sydney. N.J. (Masterton): I have also logged VK8KU, but.I was unable to get location. "Apex"? (Auckland): Ponv racing

at Perth is a night programme.

B.

W.

(Stratford).

N. J. (Masterton): The Manila station * KZRM closes down at 11 p.m, (2.30 am, N,Z. time). every, night except Monday, when it closes at 5.0 p.m. Wavelength 485 metres (620 k.c.). B.W. (Stratford) : ‘According to the latest let-ter-head. from 8BA, Ballarat, his . frequency. is 1800 k.c. (280.8 metres). Allowing for a slight difference in dialling you are correct. Your stranger on 2BL is the: Bombay station. His call was once JBY, but I am not sure if this js go now. for IT have not heard his eall

lately_

J.P.

C.

(PN,).

DX. ‘Topics A Useful DX ‘Chart. . RECENTLY -heard a new. Australian station testing-"‘Oxley Radio Sta~ tion’-on about 265m. (113 ke). Reports were to be sent to A,W.A, Ltd, 47 Xork Street, Sydney... Announcer also remarked that Oxley was 8 or 9 miles from the Brisbane Central P.O. Reception was excellent on 8 valyes. On the previous evening, March 24, I logged 6ML for the first timg on a wavelength just above that of 20H. On the 27th I heard a Jap. on 58m, (590 k.c,). I can find no mention of him in any of the latest call-books. At 11,30 p.m, 1 am certain he give the call JOAK, twice.: Re’ plotting. a graph froin the frequency of various stations. I have tried this with the NZ: and Australian stations, but my "curve" was more rc an ocean waye than anything else.,: then logged all -the. Americans I cg find, taking particular care with the: ing. As a result I now have a pertact eurve from KNTR 570, k.c. (526 metres) to KGB on 1830'k.c, (225 metres), plotting 22 Americans in all. The regularity of this curve was. probably due to the ‘fact that American stations are’ forced to keep accurately on their allotted fre-

quencies:

"Ray Dio"

(Shannon )

Recent " Loggings. RECENT iloggings are:-KFKU, KGNO, WADO, W€GU, and WKAQ. The’ latter is in Puerto Rica,'a small island in the Gulf of Mexico. They were testing a "new transmitter, and on dance music came through at R8 with fading at intervals. This station was difficult

to separate from KEJ and KLX

S.

Ellis

(Okato).

An. Error. A. error erept into my last report inf reference to 5CL, 3AR, and (ZU, which read: "Since they have increased their wavelength, " and which I intended to read, "It is. a coincidence that these stations are operating on a long wave-

Jength;

B.

W.

(Stratford)

DXing with Long Aerials, WHust not wishing to contradict. the _. experts I am a believer in a long Mine is about 300ft. over all, 80ft. high, sloping to 80 feet at set. I use a fixed condenser between aerial and set. I am about 50 miles air line from 4YA, but have «difficulty re nonselectivity. My log is 97 stations, which includes 388 Americans and 381 Australians, the balance. being N.Z.’s and Japs. I will grant that local conditions enter into the question,-and do not for a minute say that a. long- aerial suits everywhere, but at the same time I cannot support the statement -frequently made that a long aerial is useless. I know which prefer. Some- will:-object to the ngise level, but if a station makes the speaker dance I tone it down, and the noises with it. On.a suitable night that extra length tells for DXing. I write this in no eriticism of the very helpful gentlemen who assist us in the queries column, but more as a note to country. dwellers..far from the

YA’s. and often the "B's,’-

"Cromdale"

(Otago)_

[The chief points against the use of 800foot aerials are: (1) They are decidedly un-selective. This you appear to realise, for you have inserted a condenser between . the aerial and your set-an_ excellent method for reducing ‘the effective aerial length. ~.Again, your receiver probably uses two or three, ‘stages of screen-grid radio frequency, and is thus in itself very : selective. (2) When used in towns or , near power lines, the noise level is tuo’ high, and ean be. reduced only by shorten- | ing the aerial. The signal strength 1s not reduced in ‘proportion, howeyer, and still remains ‘sufficiently high, even for DXing purposes.: Thus, in general, we advocate the use of aeriels not exceeding 100. feet in length.-Tee; ‘Ed.]

A D.X. Cup for Battery Set Owners WE have pleasure in announcing "that in’ the next D.X. club competition there will be a cup for battery set owners. This has been donated by Mr. S. Ellis, winner of the "Radio Record" D.X. Club cup for the last year, and it will: be known as the Ellis Cup. I¢ will, ‘in all probability, be a miniature of the D.X. Club cup, and will be won outright during the period from June to December’ of this year. The cup will be. awarded to the battery set owner wito enters the greatest number of verified stations in the D.X. Club competition.

DX Notes. . "((ROMDALR" (Otago) has a verification from KGW on 620 kc. (488 metres, and proceeds to say: "Some thought this station was KZRM." Well ‘Cromdale, I can assure you that I didn’t ‘think it was,’ ... I made abselutely certain of the fact, and I am waiting for a vertification. But I don’t for a moment think that KGW is KZRM, Radio, Manila. Couldn’t they both be on approximate frequencieg?: Did any DXer hear 3EF, Hlwood (or very like that) on Sunday, March 22, 1931, at 2 a.m., broadcasting jazz? He is an experimental station, and was operating on 2NC’s frequency, On Tuesday, March 24, on approximately 1120 kc. (268m.), Oxley Radig Station, Queensland, came in here at excellent volume and clarity. This should be a good Australian during win-

ter,

D.

McL.

(Wellington),

(Logging (Europeans, . ATHST loggings are: KHOA, Los Angeles (1430 k.c.), KYA, San Pran"Sco (1230 k.c.), and WISV, Mount Ver--non Hills, Virginia (1460 k.«.), heard testing on the 2Zist. Also TLA, Launceston (1110 ke.), and 6ML, Perth (1010 k.e.). Dhe early morning stations come in here very good on some mornings. On ‘March 23°I heard ten stations between 5 and 5.45 a:m. Three stations on 1490 k.e. (202m,), 1480-k.c. (208m.), and 1450 ke. (207m.) were coming in clearly, but a very quick fade spoilt reception. The station on 1490 k.c, was broadcasting reeords, and I heard an organ number, "In a Monastery Garden." On the 24th the station on 1080 k.c. was coming in at R6, but he gave all talk, and no music, The station on 2FO, Sydney’s wavelength, comes in here with good volume, His call sounds like JOLEK. so T nresnme he is 2

Jap:

N.

J.

(Masterton),

\ Latest Loggings. ‘ALTHOUGH I have not had much luck in the DX field lately, I have, since ‘mny last report, added the following stations to my log:2MV, Mossvale, 245.8 m. (1220 ko}. KGB, San Diego, 225.4 m. (1830 k.c. 3ZR, Greymouth, 865.6 m. (820 k.c.). 2MO, Gunnedah, approx. 225 m. (1830 k.e.). Wellington, 267.7 m. (1120 Ce . . KOB, State College, 254.1 m, (1180 k.ec.). WJISV, Virginia, 205.4 m. (1460 k.c.). 2MH, Sydney, 197 m. (1522 k.c.). ve not noticed any report in the DX columns of reception of WISV or 2MB. Each of these stations announced that it was on a test transmission.- °

G.C.

H.

(Masterton) _

Canada on Shortwave. FOLLOWING is a copy of a card from CKGW, Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada: "We wish to thank you for your report on station CKGW. It is on the air from 6.45 a.m.-12.00 midnight. We Atve a shortwave station, VU9GW. If "you know dny one that has a shortwave receiver, ask them to listen for VESGW on the air from 6.45 a.m.-8.00 a.m., 3.00 p.m.-12.00 midnight. Sundays,’ 12.30 p.m.-11.15 p.m.B.8.T"’ VHOIGW is ’ erystal controlled, with a power output of 27.5 watts. Operates on 6095 k.c.,with 100. per cent. modulation. Owned and operated by Gooderham and Worts.

Lta:

W.L.

P.

(Pahiatua).

‘At about 8.20 p.m. on March 29 we received VHSCL, Winnipeg, broadcasting on approx. 48.7 metres. He announced that it was a special broadcast and that he would appreciate reports. Gave time in Winnipeg as 2.80. Music followed, and wss quite enjoyable. He was still brondeasting when we switched

off at about 8.50 p.m.-

A.J.

McC.

(Otoro-

panga )

Two New Stations, ON March 26 I picked up 8GO, Melbourne, for the first time., How long has it been on the air? Also, when did 2MB, Mosgiel, commence transmissions? -'Dud" (Bay of Plenty). °

‘D:X. Notepaper

For Reception Reports KyY2kxY D.X.-er knows how much effort is necessary to'sit down and write several letters to stations whose reception is being reported upon. To smiplify matters the "Radio Record" has prepared a D.X. form. This sets out the necessary formalities and has provision for the different aspects of a comprehensive report. By filling in ‘the essentials as indicated, these reports will be of considerable value to the stations to which they are sent, and thus station officials will be only too willing to send back a verification ecard-which, by the way, is asked for on the letter. . By using a standard form, not only will much time be saved for both the

sender and the recipient, but the listener will, it is hoped, receive some sort of recognition at the other end. The letter uses a "Radio Record" D.X. Ciub badge, and states that the writer is a member of the elub. The Q. signs are used because they are adopted by all transmitting stations as the recognised means of conveying reception information. Their use indicates that the sender of the letter knows something of radio and thus his report in consequence carries some weight. The Q. signs were published, together with the commonly used’ abbreviations, in last week’s "Radio Record." They wit be republished at frequent intervals. These reports are well printed on. good paper and are the size of ordinary writing paper. They are obtainable post free from the office of the "Radio Record" for 9d. a dozen with a minimum of two dozen. Orders of six dozen and over will be supplied at 8d. a dozen. Dealers and booksellers should apply for special terms.

D.X. Club Competition

D X.-HRS are reminded that the next * period in the D.X. Club competition closes on June 380, by which time all logs should be in our possession. The actual cards to be sent only when asked for by the judge. This time certificates will be presented’ to the winners in each of the following six districts: Auckland, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Nelson-Westland, Marlborough-North Canterbury,

Canterbury and Otago, for the convenience of new entrants to the D.X. fields, the following are the conditions governing the competition :- 1, The listener who can, within six montths, -collect the greatest log of stations and. comply with the conditions set forthwith, will have his name inseribed 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. exceeding 1500 kilocycles nor less than 545 kilocycles per second (200-550 metres). 3. 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 Bkko stamp to this effect must be in -possession of the listener before he can ‘claim credit for a_ station. Such phrases as "You probably heard our station". must not be*taken.as a verification. All cards sent in will be carefully treated and returned when the decision is arrived at. 4, Stations ' veceived 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 case, January 1, All logs for the second period must be in our possession by July 1, 1981. 5. The following stations are not included in the competition: All New Zealand and the following Australian stations: 2FO, 2BL, 4QG, 3L0, 3AR, 2BH, 2UH, 2GB, 2NC, 3DB, 3UZ, 5CL, 6WF, 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-D.X.-ers.

6. The right is reserved to add further conditions or alter existing ones as unforseen circumstances dem 7, The decision of the judge in ail matters will be final.

Tune in D.X’ers.

PERE is the greatest broadeast of the year for D.X.’ers, Tune in 2YB New Plymouth on the evening of Wednesday, April 22, and listen to the presentation of the D.X. Club Cup te Mr, S. Ellis, the winner of. the first long-distance reception competition held-in New Zealand, The presentation will be made by Mr. J, J. L. Payne, vicepresident of the Taranaki Radio Society, and the occasion should be of considerable interest to D.X.’ers. No doubt the sets of all keen | listeners throughout New Zealand will be tuned to the New Plymouth station on this evening. Don’t forget, April 22, at 9 p.m.