News and Views of the D.X. CLUB

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 42, 1 May 1931, Page 10

News and Views of the D.X. CLUB

2 [dentification Wanted ON the 18th at 1.30 a.m. station heard ‘ broadcasting a boxing contest. The decision was given on points, Announcer said time was — minutes to ten, and that they were returning to the studio. From here a record was played, followed by another ("Pat on the Back")... An announcement followed from the studio, but I could not catch it... It came in between 2YA and 29C.

J.

S.

. (Hamilton).

TATION heard at 1 a.m. on April 20 operating on approximately 1210 k.e, (248 m.). Call sounded like 3BY,

Melpourne:

Newchum

(Wellington) _

STATION operating on approximately 333m... (900 k.c.), heard closing down at approx. 7.30 p.m. on April 20. Last item was an organ solo.

J.J.

W.

(Renanga).

At approximately 11.15 p.m. on the 23rd a Jap was heard on 449 metres (668 k.c.). A man was talking. Signals R38. Also at 11.20 p.m. another station on approximately 900 ke. (2B2Q22m.)_ Oraehactral ttame InAaAw an.

Le nouncer Signals R4_

Bob

(Wel-

lington ) _

HAT American station operates exactly on 2KC’s frequency?. I cannot find one in the latest American call-book, and yet I can hear him quite

distinctly _

J.P.

C.

(PN:)

Stations Identified Ww B. (Gisborne) : Station on 70 : * metres is undoubtedly the Russian RV15, which commences transmitting

at 9.30 p.m., N.Z.T. The one on 12} on your dial is probably 3RO, Rome, which has a lady announcer. "SixValve" (Christchurch): Obviously WHEHNR, as you heard the announcer mention Husk O’Hare and His Gentlemen of the Air (referring to the jazz band which frequently broadcasts from that station). "Jackmack" (Dunedin): The American station in close proximity to 8¥YA is KFVD, Culver City, and broadcasts an organ programme from the Hal Roach Studios every Tuesday evening. B.W. (Stratford): Station on approximately 361 metres is probably one of the Indian stations giving the call VUB, Bombay. They sign off at about 4.30 a.m. with the National Anthem, and were heard by me about three weeks ago.-

D.T.

H.

. (Timaru).

"Vf OREPORK" (Ohakune Junction) -Station one deg. below 221 broadeasting a Japanese programme was KGMB, Honolulu. These programmes are a common feature of that

station,-

Dud

(Bay of Plenty).

RE "Radio Oxley" heard testing 01 262 m. (1145 ke.)., a letter from 4BC, Brisbane, under’ date April 8, states, inter alia: "Our new transmitter is still in the test stages, and is transmitting a regular test under the cal) ‘4M, Oxley." Should you pick these nN wa wanld annraninta ao rannré 2?___

Mike

Ial Cr&- L Leccd Cro1 (PN.)

"(QUELQU’UN" (Carterton) and J.V.D. (Cambridge). — Station heard on 1500 ke. (200 m.) was "Glade House Radio." It is located at the head of Lake Te Anau, at one end of Milford Track. Noise like a circular saw is due to the transmitter. This is so loud here that it is verv hard to dis-

tinguish sneech.-

Amuri

(Invercar:

a gill.

R A.S. (Mamaku).-I heard station *° WOI, Ames, Iowa, on October 26, 1930, at 9.380 p.m., on a frequency of 640 ke. (468 m.). I wrote for a Verificatiovt, hut have not received a reply.

T think Mr. Ellis’s idea of a DX enn

badge is excellent.-

Red Bird

(Wel-

lington.

"Gx VALVE" (Christchurch) : WENR, Chicago, 845m. (870 k.c.). "Seven Kicker" (Okoroire Springs) : The station heterodyning 2BL may have been either WABC, or WBOQ, both of New York, on 349m. (860 k.c.). Station behind KGER is WKBH, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 217m. (1880 k.c.). Station near 2YA’s harmonic is KHCA, Los Angeles, 209m. (1480 k.c.), or KFPY, Spokane, Washington, on 224m. (13840

k.e.), 1 kw.-

R.J.

R.

(PN)_

" J ACKMACK" (Dunedin) : American on 1000 ke. (300m.) was KFVD,

Culver City.-

N.

J.

. (Masterton).

"(CCERSTRIA" (Whangarei): Station you logged on March 29 was 3GL, Geelong Broadcasting Proprietary, Ltd., operating on 1440 k.c. (214.2m.). Aerial output, 50 watts. W.B. (Linwood) : In a magazine recently to hand from America I noticed an article on the establishment in Siam of two new broadcasting stations, the first in that country, so "Radio Bangkok" would be 91.K. DNA. (Timaru): In a letter

bf recently received from Mr: J. G. Randall, plant manager of station WTIO, © Hartford, Conn., he gives their schedule as follows :-Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, transmit on 660 k.c. (454m.) from 8 am. to 4 p.m. and from -4.15 pm. to 12,30 midnight on 1060 ke. (288m.); Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays on, 1060 kc. from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m, and from 4.15 p.m. to 1 a.m. on 660 k.c.; on Sundays 10 a.m.‘ to 7.30 p.m. on 660 k.c., from 7.45 p.m. to midnight on 1060, All time mentioned ig Hastern §8.T. When in synchronisation with WEAF on 660 k.c.. transmission, their programmes will be identical with those of WHAK. I notice that the majority. of the New Zealand "B" stations have been re-established, the latest, 2ZK Wanganui, being ‘on the

air’ this weex.-

Thrace

(E,N:) .

"QTATIC" (Nelson): Station nod below 2UH, Sydney, would be 2ZF, Palmerston North, relaying 2YA’s Wednesday night’s programme. 2MYV, Mossvale, may be found slightly above 2NC, Newcastle. Apologies to 4ZP, Invercargill. I received two cards by the same mail. G.C.H. (Masterton): A few nights ago I heard 2MWH, Sydney, when they .stated they were operating on 197m. (1510 k.c.). ° B.W.. (Stratford) : "Cromdale’ (Otago) was mistaken when he quoted KSTP. It should have

been KIFTB.-

J.P.

C.

(P.N.).

DX Topics Frequencies of European Stations. ERB are the frequencies of some European stations for early morning DX-ers:-Heilsberg (Germany), 7 kw., 1085 ke. (276.5 m.); interval signal: 2 notes (D flat, A flat), repeated for 44 seconds, followed by similar interval. Radio Toulouse. (France), 8 kw., 779 ke. (885.1 m.) ; man announeer; interval signal: gong. Strasbourg, P.T.T. (France), 15 kw., 869 ke. (845.2 m.); interval signal, deep toned gong. Langenberg (Germany), 17 kw., 635 ke. (472.4 m.); Vienna (Austria), 20 kw., 581 ke (6164 m.); Katowice (Poland), 16 kw., 761 ke. (394.2 m.).

N.

Jenkins

(Masterton).

Presentation of DX Cup. HAV just been listening to the presentation of the DX cup to My, Ellis from 2YB (I clapped, too, I’m afraid I wasn’t. heard). In last week’s notes,, KOX should read KIXX. Since receiving the DX notepaper on 15/4/31 static has been terrible here, and on two evenings it was impossible to hear any-of the YA ‘stations’ programmes. A very handy hooklet for DxX-ers, "Radio Log and. Lore," may be obtained from the Te Aro Book Co. (2/-.) It contains a list of the world’s broadcast and short-wave stations, airline distances between the different countries, and much other . useful information. I would advise all DxX-ers to secure a copy. I think Mr. Bllis’s suggestion. re a DX club members’ badge is excellent. The last overseas mail brought verifications from . KTHS. KIR. KTAB. WMBI. and av’

number .of others —

Seven Kicker

(Okoroire Springs)...

DX Club Badge Favoured. I THINK the suggestion put forward by Mr. Dilis for a club badge an excellent one, for not only will it give all those who wear it the feeling that

k they are members of the vast brother‘hood of "searchers," but it will also help to bring closer together the members who find themselves.in various places where they are practically strangers. The sign of the DX Club badge should in itself be sufficient introduction. I am hoping to see others of the club support this suggestion. I find the DX notepaper very useful, and it helps me considerably in sending for

verifications:

Vogeltown

" (New Ply-

mouth)

A New short-waver. ‘ HE recent American mail brought in 10 verifications, as follow: KFOX, KFWB, KTAB, KDYL, KGA, KOIN, WTIC, KFSD, WSUI and KRLD, The wonderful service which KFOX has maintained since going on the air was illustrated in the interesting folder which accompanied their letter. Alough of only 1 k.w. power, they ave had reports of reception from all over the world. Did any D.X.-er hear the American station on WEHENR’s frequency on the evening of April 12, broadeasting an anniversary programme until 6.30 p.m, and giving the call WLS? I held him until 6.30 p.m., when WENR commenced a programme of dance music. As WLS is listed with a power of only 5 k.w. and yet eame in with strength equal to that of WENR with a power of 50 kw., it may have been a rebroadcast of the former station by WENR. The Europeans which could be received at fair strength a short time ago seem to have petered out, the German regional on 276 metres (1090 k.c.) being the only one worth listening to. A new short-wave transmitter has been heard during the early morning A operating on the 49-metre band, just below the Vatican station. The call was given as "Allo, Allo, hier Radio Moscow." This means that Russia has now three high-power short-wavers on the air, RV15 on 70 metres and two at Moscow on 49 metres and 45 metres. With regard to Mr, Hllis’s suggestion concerning a badge for the D.X. Club, I think that it would be quite a good idea, but we would have to leave the design to his own judg-

ment.

D.T.

H.

"Timaru) _

KGW Controversy. J P.C. (P.N.): Thanks for your sup- * port in the KGW-KZRM controversy If D. Mcl. (Wellington) rereads my note of 20/3/31 he will see that Iam referring to a specific instance quoted by "Switch." Some raonths ago B.C. (Hamilton) was asktig about S.W. stations in Honolulu. have advice to-day that there is no broadeasting station, but there are eleven S.W. commercial telegraph stations and about 26 amateurs, two of whom have radio phone transmitters. No. W.L.’s mentioned, however. Had 18 carriers on the early morning stations, but too much static to do anything with them. Two of them, on 216 and 220 m. (approximately), were, I think, French, and were very strong

about 6.20 a.m.-

Cromdale

(Otago).

LA Launceston, at R7. . ON April 14, using a three-valve battery, set witb ‘phones, I received 7LA, Launceston, at R7, static being severe. He called N.Z. and expressed \the hope that "all N.Z. listeners were well tuned-in." He also asked for reports. "Ocol’ (Hawke’s Bay). Re station on 508 m. (590 ke.), using a det two audio, I picked this station up on April 13 and 14. Strength on the latter occasion was very good. A lady and gentleman were conducting a conversa-

tion in Japanese. No call was given.-

Mike

(P.N.)

Americans Coming In. LATEST loggings are: WOWO, Fort Wayne, 1160 ke. (259m.); 2MO, Gunnedah, 1830 ke. (215m.); and KSTP, 1460 ke. (205m.). The latter was heard testing on April 11, when his location was given as "St. Paul and Minneapolis." Strength R7. Mr. Ellis’s suggestion re DX Club badge is excel-

lent.

N.

J.

(Masterton)

KSTP Test Programme. "WV IRELESS BUG" (Raetihi) : I also heard the test programme from KSTP, St. Paul, and think you will find that the owners are the National Battery Broadcasting Company. Once the announcer gave it as N.B.C., but quickly corrected himself. Before 8.15 p.m. a frequency test was carried out. B.W., (Stratford) : KSTP is announced as "KSTP, St. Paul at Minneapolis." J.P.C. (P.N.) : I heard 2B, Sydney, on 316m. (950 ke.), about two years ago,

but the station was partially destroyed by fire, and I have not heard them since. Recent verifications have been received from KOIN and KWK. Has any DX-er received a verification from COHB, Harbin, on 445m. (675 ke.) ? Has any DX-er heard what I take to be a new Jap. station on 365m. (820 ke.), just above JOIK? It can be heard almost any night at about 9 p.m. at quite good strength. R.A.S. (Mamaku) : I have heard WOI, but only once. This was about a year ago, when they were broadcasting a test programme at apnroxvimately 10 p.m. Mr. Blis’s sug-

A gestion is Fst the

R.J.

R.

(PN)

Waste Transmission Power Of American Stations HOUGH American broadcasting stations use an aggregate of nearly 1500 kilowatts of power, an engineering professor of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has estimated that the total power received by the average receiving set’s aerial amounts to the equivalent of the energy consumed by the common housefly walking ‘a distance of one foot up a window pane. ‘An engineer of the Federal Radio Commission has also calculated that, with 13,500,000 radio receiving sets in use in the United States, their aggregate "consumption" of broadcasting power amounts to only 13.6 watts. All the rest of the brondcast energy is dissipated in space,

DX Reception Controlling Factors THe first point to be considered in respect to obtaining D.X. reception is the ratio of signal level to noise level. A station broadcasts by means of ether waves, the amplitude or power in the transmitted waves becoming weaker in proportion to the distance it has travelled. This ig known as attenuation, and the strength of a signal at a particular point the "signal level." This varies from day to day, and is nearly always higher at night, There is always a certain amount of static or atmospheric disturbance, due to free electricity present in the earth’s atmosphere. The strength of these disturbances varies from place to place, and from day to day, while local disturbances emanate from electrical appliances, and a certain amount of noise is generated in the receiver itself, . Three components therefore make up the noise level: Atmospheric, manmade. static, receiver noises. ° We thus find that there are two levels to be taken into considerationsignal level and noise level. If on a particular night 2BL’s signal level at a particular place in New Zealand is above the noise level, then a good set ean pick up, and réproduce, 2BL satisfactorily. . But on another night, or even at a different time on the same night, the signal level of 2BL may drop, the noise level rise, or both. Now, it is obvious that if the signal from 2BL drops below noise level, leaving no signal margin to be amplified, no set can possibly reproduce 2BL satisfactorily. Another important factor in d.x. reception is the fading and distant effect which frequently occurs and which is often incorrectly ascribed to some fault in the receiver. A normal broadcast station emits two waves, "ground wave" following the curvature of the earth, ad the "space wave," which travels upward until it meets the conducting layer in the upper stratum of the earth’s atmosphere, called the Heaviside layer. The wave is reflected from this layer and comes to earth at some point distant from the station. At certain points both waves may be picked up by the receiving aerial; these ras

having travelled along different paths, at the same speed (186,000 miles per second), obviously rarely arrive together ("in phase’). They may be of equal strength, in which case, if exactly 180 deg. out of phase, they will cancel one another and no signal will be heard. When of different strengths, one will sometimes assist the other, and at other times act in opposition and fading and distortion result. Vinally, for good quality reception, the detector must be supplied with adequate signal voltage, so that even when the signal level: noise level ratio is favourable, and there is no ground and space wave interference, it is still necessary to have sufficient r.f. amplification so that the signal voltage may load the detector adequately. Where distant reception is desired, at least one, and preferably two stages of xv.f. amplification, using the modern sereen grid valves, should be employed. Even then there will be occasions on which pleasurable reception is not possible, no matter how good his equipment may be. (By courtesy Philips Lamps. )

DX Competition X-ERS, do not forget that the next period for the DX Cup closes on June 30. By this date all Jogs must be in our hands. Remember that Australian stations received in daylight can be entered in the competition, and that the winner in each district receives a certificate. We have received interesting letters from DX-ers and it appears that the next competition will be keenly contested,