A Club for D.X.-ers.

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 49, 19 June 1931, Page 12

A Club for D.X.-ers.

Wellington Meeting Offers Several Suggestions

][D-ERS Will be pleased to learn that the proposed DX Club is now an accomplished fact. In accordance with announcements made in the last two issues of this magazine, an informal meeting of local enthusiasts was held in the "Radio Re‘cord" offices at 8 p.m. on June 11 for the purpose of discussing the constitution of the new elub. A full report of this meeting, with details of the adopted proposals, appears herewith. y T the meeting of DX-ers Mr, Colin W. Smith, of the "Radio Record," occupied the chair, and in his opening remarks outlined the meaning of DXing, stressing the need among DX-ers for 2 regularly constituted’ club, To illustrate the definite benefit such a club would be to DX-ers, Mr. Smith called on Mr. A. B. McDonagh, secretary of the recently-formed New ZeaJand Shortwave Club, to outline the aims, objects and accomplishments of his club. Following this, a short discussion on whether or not a DX club should be formed took place, the meeting unanimously deciding in the affirmative. The club was defined as a body of all those listeners interested in long-distance reception. ‘ The next question for consideration was that of a special magazine, entitled the "Radio Log," which was to be the DX Club’s official organ. The proposal found fayour with the meeting, and the suggested contents were the subject cf a lengthy discussion. It was finally Gecided that the "Radio Log" will be published monthly at a price of 6d. per copy and will contain atleast: (a) Gen-

cral DX news of importance culled and classified from the four preceding issues of the "Radio Record." Such news, which owing to pressure on space is at present severely condensed, will be enlarged upon and published in detail. (b) A thoroughly up-to-date call-book of selected stations which may be heard in New Zealand, paying particular attention to those stations reported as well received in the four preceding issues of the "Radio Record." Full details as to call-sign, power, frequency, and wavelength, and address will be included, so that listeners mav know the approximate whereabouts on their dials of every station listed. (c) General hints on such subjects as tuning, aerial and earth systems, calibration, charts, etc. (d) Correspondence of general interest from listeners. Only letters from bona-fide members of the DX Club will be accepted for publication in the "Radio Log." All DX-ers are askéd particularly te note, however, that the DX columns of the "Radio Record" are still open to anyone who cares te write in. "The Radio Log" has been ereated only because space is at 2 premium in the "Radio Record," and we cannot give DXers as much as we would like. (e) Shortwave news of general interest. In addition, the secretary of the

New Zealand Shortwave Club promised a monthly article. "The Radio Log" will be on general sale (or may be obtained from the "Radio Record") at 6d. per copy (7d. posted), or 6/6 per annum (post free). The question of a badge and subscription was then discussed. It was announced by Mr. Smith that the winning badge design in the recent competition has been chosen, tentatively,

and that a report from the block-maker as to its practical possibilities was awaited. When this was received the winner would be announced. The badge is to be sold at 2/6, inclusive of a DX Club membership card. The meeting was unanimous in its approval of the "Record’s" decision te have a badge, It was felt that DX-ers would thus become acquainted with one another, and that while travelling or visiting strange towns members would soon. make friends with other badgewearers.

i% was also suggested that the DX notepaper should carry the officid) badge, and that it be on sale to members only. Non-members could obtain paper similar to that now sold but omitting the badge and the words "Member of the ‘Radio Record’ DX Club." ' The question of subscription involved two alternatives. The first proposal was that the sub. should be approximately 7/6, which included a badge.’ ‘\ membership card, and annual subserip-~ tion to "The Radio Log," and that the latter magazine should be restricted to club members only. It was then thought that perhaps this proposal would be too expensive for some listeners, and as an alternative it was proposed that the subscription be 2/6, including a membership card and badge, and that the magazine be on casual sale or subscribed to annually. This suggestion was adopted for the time being, pending the consideration of the opinions of other DXerg, A proposal that the holder of the DX Cup, be president of the DX Club and that the district winners be vice-pre-sidents in their particular districts during the six-monthly period between succeeding competitions was unanimously adopted. It was also decided that no one DX-er could hold the cup for more than two successive periods (ie, one year), and that in such an event, he should stand down for six months. A proposal that as town listeners are often under a handicap as regards DxX-ing, a certificate should be granted to the town entrant of the next highest log to those already awarded places, was discussed and carried. These are the suggestions of your fellow-listeners in Wellington. We want your opinions, too, and in order that they may be given the fullest consideration, matters will not be finalised for a few weeks yet. It is your club, and we want your suggestions.