News and Views of the D.X. CLUB

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 1, 17 July 1931, Page 11

News and Views of the D.X. CLUB

Answers to Correspondents — TA M.H. (Tirau).-There are over 40 * Americans operating between 3AR and 7ZL, so you see that without further particulars it would be hopeless even to try to identify the station you heard, A eriticism of your log would depend upon the length of time you have had your set. However, it is quite fair. — A L.B. (Taradale).-Your log is one of * the best we have seen. Why not get the stations verified, and enter for the competition. "QPAWA" (Christchurch) + Any verifieation whatsoever may be entered for the DX competition, provided that the station it is from is at the closing date of the competition still operating on the . frequency indicated on the card. The ' fact that you have changed your location makes no difference, For further in‘formation. see DX competition conditions, published in our next issue, S. (Banks Beninsula): The station * number you are intended to give when ordering DX Club notepaper, is the number issued you on your DX Club’s certificate. The special notepaper may be obtained by.club members only, and this will give us a check. "(\LARITY" (Bay of Plenty): See above answer to "S.S." The conditions governing the DX competition will be republished in our next. issue. "QBEAROHER" (Manaia): Full par tieulars of station KFJF are as follow: Prequency, 1480 ke. (202.6m.), power 5 kw., address, National Radio fg. Co., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Is that street you live in true?-Hd.) G HLS. (Gisborne): The "Radio Log" * will be available at local booksell.ers. Your suggestion re kilocyele order of stations has been noted and will be adopted. B W.T.R. (Timaru): As you are a * short-wave enthusiast probably the DX Club, which is primarily intended for listeners on the broadcast band, would not interest you. However, we intend to devote several pages of "The Radio Log" each month to short-wave notes. Perhaps you would like to become a member of the newly-formed Short-wave Club. The secretary writes listeners a weekly letter on the short-wave page of the "Radio Record." X230C: (North Otago): Briefly, the DX Club is composed of enthusiasts whose hobby is long-distance reception on the broadcast band. Its general objects are to foster radio in every possible way. L J.M. (Christechurch).-Yes, "The Ra- * dio Log" will be obtainable from booksellers, "Tr Iwi". (Taihape). — Verifications from many of the Australian stations will count for the DX competition. See the conditions governing the DX competition. Yes, it is quite possible to pick up Australians in daylight’ with a battery set, though this to a large extent depends on locality. In your case it is probably this factor which is preventing you from doing so. Stations for which verification cards have not been secured cannot pe entered in the competition, but actual cards are sent in only if required by us for checking purposes, -- Identification Wanted STATION heard at 6.35 p.m. on July 2 just alongside 2MH, Sydney (about 1450 k.c.). At 640 pm. "Beyond the Blue Horizon" was heard. Also station on 850 k.c. (353 metres) heard at 7.40 pm. playing "Mexicali " Tt was

heterodyning with TAL, Hobart

A.

M.

Dunedin

_ [Your log, especially of Australian stations, is quite good.-Ed.] TATION ‘operating on 329 m. (910 k.e.), just one degree below KHJ and right behind 1YA. I held him from 6.80 p.m. till 6.0 p.m. on July 5 when 1YA came on the air and drowned him out. The station was apparently relaying from a dance hall, as quite an amount of applause was heard during and after some numbers given with vocal

refrains. Announcements were in a foreign language---‘"Scalper" (Ohakune Junetion). = FOREIGNER on approximately 330m. (910 k.c.) heard on July 5. At times was necessary to reduce yolume. I heid him from 5.15 p.m. until 5.56 p.m., when 1YA came on. During this time I heard eight items distinctly, _ Vocal numbers and announcements were in a foreign lanonace. and the onlv word T heard in Enz-

iish Wa8 "foxtrot;}

R.A.

M.

(Mamaku).

[DX 7 0.C, also heard This station. and thinks it might be Spanish.] AN American operating on 3WR, Wangaratta’s frequency. Item heard at 710 om. was "Sav a Little Praver for

Me."-

DX 7 O.C.

) . n * (Dunedi

At about 5.20 p.m. on July 5 I picked up two Americans, one on 59, the other on 61 (2Y¥A is on 604). Music was good, but speech was weak. 2YA aame on the air and drowned them: be-

fore I could get eall.-

DX8HB

(Na-

prer).

AMERICAN on 700 k.c. (427 m.) heard ~ on July 1 at 5.5 pm., when a song piano accompaniment was heard. Call sounded like "WK---" and announcer mentioned "Ohio."-"Howler" (Marton). GTATION on 1500 k.c. (200 m.) heard from 10 a.m. to 12.40 p.m. on July 5. Also from 3.30 p.m. to about 5 p.m. No call was given. The following are several of the items heard: "Springtime in the Rockies," "Dancing with Tears in My Byes," "I Hear You Calling Me.""OSG" (Takapau).

QTRANGER. on 260 m. (1150 k.c.) henadnactine a gnadenicht sone (not

eS a ww 2MK,

S.M.

C.

(Anokau) _

GTATION heard on June 21 announce ing baseball results. Several American eastern States were named, and also a series for the following day (Sunday). Items heard: (1) Man at piano, "Sweet Jenny Lee’; (2) Wurlitzer organ solo, lullaby, "Sweet and Low," "Painting the Clouds with Sunshine," and "Ramona." ‘This was on the same frequency as 4ZM, Dunedin, which inter

fered with it, clear reception being imossible. At 2.30 am. on June 19 I eard weird string music on 840-845 k.c.

(355 m)-

GH

LA.

N

Richmond).

{It would be almost impossible to identify the third station you inguire about, as you heard it so long ago.. Your log notes are quite interesting, but are really too full to publish as verification could be secured by this means.-Hd.] Stations Identified "ATARK" (Dunedin): The only Ameriean I have heard between 3YA and 93GB is KJR, Seattle, Washington —

DX8HB

(Napier).

"IDADIO" (Wellington) : KI, Los Angeles, .c. (648.5 m.), testing. "Searcher" (Manaia): WTIO, Hartford, 1060 k.c, (282.8 m.), and KNX, Hollywood, 1050 k.c. (285.5 m.). "Pitch" (Port Chalmers); KFSG, Los Angeles, 1120 k.c. (267.7 m.). R.McK. (Wanganmatie KUT. Tos Angeles. 900 k.e. (2811

m,

DX24OC

(Oamaru). .

"ENOCH ARDEN" (Oamaru): The "American" station you heard on June 28 heterodyning with 1ZR, on 1080 ke, was 4ZM, Dunedin. I was listening to this station on this night, and your items correspond with what I heard from 4ZM between 7.45 and 8 p.m. Another correspondent inquires for address of 2RT. Melbourne. Thie is 3RI, Rail-

way Institute, Melbourne.

DX7OC

(Dunedin)

"T)\X25W" (Wellington) : KZRM, Manila. §8.M.C. (Mokau)! I have logged KMTR, Los Angeles, several nights

tly up to 9 p.m-"Ocol" (Hawke's recen Bay) « LLOW BIRD" (Hltham).WENR, Chicago, operating on 870 k.c, (345m.), with a power of 50 kw. (Your log, for the receiver you are using, is only fair. Perhaps jour locality is un-favourable.-E.) D*24 (Kakahi)-KZRM, Manila, on -485m. (618 k.c.), 3RI, Melbourne, on approximately 230.6 metres (1300 k.c.). {The circuit of the receiver you are using is well known for its sensitivity, and this is testified to by the excellence of your log -EHd.]

"PLLTOr’ (Wellington) : Station between 8AR and TZL is XOL, Tientsin, China. "Pop" (Wellington) ': Station on. 880 m. (790 ke.) is KGO, San Fran-

cisco:

W.

L.

(Oamaru)

"Eeows Undoubtedly KZRM, Manfla, 485 m, (618.5 ke). It has been coming fairly stror of late.-

Inverleith

(Wellington),

DX Topics Synchronised ‘Transmissions. ON July 5, while listening to what I thought was WENR on 870 ke. (345 metres) I: heard the announcement "You have just been listening to WSL operating on 630 k.c. (476 metres), This channel will be occupied immediately by WENR." Then followed announcements and programme from WENR. Apparently they share the 870 k.c. channel, but why the announcement by WSL that they were operating on 6380 k.c. (46

m.) ?-

A. S.

Laurence

(Unristchurcn)

Two Excellent Americans, _ y rue best among many Americans which have been coming in: very well lately are KFI and WENR, which are received at excellent loudspeaker

strength every evenng.-

W.

L.

(Oamart}

The Mystery Solved. I HAVE discovered the mystery station which heterodynes with 2¥A on 416 m. (720 k.c.). It is WGN, Obfeee eee,

DX Notepaper DxX’ers! Write for that verifieation on D.X. notepaper and avoid missing out important details. Takes a quarter of the time to write out, too, Obtainable from P.O. Box 1032, Wellington, in two-dozen lots (minimum order), price 1/6, or six dozen for 4/-, post free. Special paper for club members. LOS OOOaas,- Sr SC" -hDWrm'm « oo 6 © J

ag0, with 9 power of 25 kw, At Lpm Tl~ WPV WHA A ina. WOAT

were logged.-

S.M.

C.

(Mokau) _

Still Another. ‘A NEW Australian "B" class station, 8KU, Swan Hill, was heard testing recently on about 1290 ke. (232 m.), With a power of 17 watts. He asked for reports on reception and de sired listeners to send a stamped addressed envelope for reply, as the cards were well worth having. He is coming on the air at a later date as 3SH, Swan Hill, My latest American is WABC. I have been trying to log him for some time, but 2BL, Sydney, has always prevented me from doing so until the evening of July 5. I would like the address

ot 3KU, Swan Hll:

Scalper

(Ona-

Kune Junction).

[Your log, especially of Americans, is very good.-Kd.] Graphing Stations. [ calibrating a graph for my receiver I find that it works well 7ZL, Hobart, to 8YA, Christchurch, but from then up to 1500’ ke. (200 m.) it is all at sea. Could you furnish me with the correct frequencies of any stations in the latter range, as quite.a number of them appear to have changed their frequencies since the "Radio Guide’ was published.?

~PM

R

[P)

[5DN, Adelaide, 312 m. (960 ke.); TLA, Launceston, 273 m. (1100 ke.) ; 2NG, Newcastle, 241 m. (1245 ke.).] 2AY’S New Frequency. "OSG" ( (Takapau) : 2MW, Sydney, transmits on 197 m. (1 510 ke. ). Call of the s.s. Norah is VJML. On July 7 I rereceived 2AY Albury, on 1500 ke. (200 m. ds He was previously on 1820 ke. (227 Wane ame nthan TY an natinad this

L4r change

R.

Fleming

Lda Gc (Huntlv

[In last week’s DX notes, several DXers stated that they had heard 2AY announce. that . their frequency would be chariged. in the near future-Hd.] ‘SMore Verification Difficulties. "WEINER? (Brunnerton) : According to the "Guide," 4MW operates from Mackay, Queensland. Hag any DX-er received a verification from 4BC or 3WR? I wrote them about six weeks ago and have received no reply. Unlike E.W.B. and ‘T.0., I have not been troubled with heterodyne interference while listening to A. I should say the station responsible is an American, for I receive 5CL

quite clearly.-

Oscar

(Marton).

5CL Absolved of Blame. TTHANKS, B.W. (Stratford) and T.0. (Invercargill), but I still believe that 2YA ig not heterodyned by 5CL before 8 p.m. I have not heard the stranger reeently, although 5CL is at RT every

night immediately after 8 p.m:

Six

Valve

(Christehurch).

[Ee

Partieulars of 3EF. MA I suggest to DX-ers that when reporting on reception of American and , other overseas stations they state their time of, reception? This would give other DX-ers an idea of the correct time at which to search for those stations. The following are particulars taken from a eard recently received from 3HF, 91 Spray Street, Hlwood, Victoria; freaneney 1240 ke (241.8 m.): power 15

watts.-

DX33W

(Raurimu) _

More New Australians. Two Australian stations 2TW 241m. (1250 k.e.), and 2HK 250m. (1200 k.e.), are making a test transmission for New Zealand listeners on July 12 and 19 from 1.80 a.m. to 2.30. a.m. New Zealand time. Power of both of these is about 15 watts. Reports on either will

be greatly appreciated by T. W. Bushby, Radio 2TW, Wakatipu, Bateman’s Road, Gladesville, N.S.W., M. H. Churton (Auckland), Daylight Loggings. gre has been coming in very well on their morning session lately. On the 4th, 5th, and 7th I could hear them on an indoor aerial at listenable strength. Also all the other main Australians, have been heard during the day. Latest logging is KMA, Shenandoah, Iowa, 822 m. (980 kle.), power 500 watts. L,I. (Gisborne). I have heard your station on 330 m.‘(910 k.c.), and the dnnouncements in a foreign language. Iast Sunday evening they appeared to be broadeasting a dance programme in American style, for applause and calls were heard after ageh item. Announeemants how.

ever, were foreign.

W. L.

Peters

(Pahiatua).

Recent Verifications, PD4*LIcHT verifications from Australia include 2GB, 2UN,. 2UW, 8UZ, and 7ZL. Recent American veritications are: WPO, Atlantic City; KWJJ, Portland; WBT, Charlotte; KFYR, Bismarck, Dakota--A. WH. (Westport). KFI at Excellent Volume. A’ 6.4 p.m. on the 4th I picked up ' station KI, Los Angeles, at excellent loud-speaker strength (just above .4YA), while at 6.18 p.m, I heard KTM, Los. Angeles, presenting a Wurlitzer

organ recital. ~,.. @ yo >

G.

Collins

(Te Kau-

W4ale,,

Radio Bangkok. CQovuLD any DX’er tell me the best time for reception of the Chinese stations? On July 4'I was listening t

Radio Bangkok from 1.380 a.m. to 2.30 am, At 1.30 a.m, I heard the clock in Bangkok chime 9 o’clock, so evidently there are exactly 44 hours between New Zealand and Siam time.-Mrs. K.D.B. (Taumarunui). 2ZE Heard Well. TATION 2ZH, Hketahuna, has been coming in very loudly lately. This station has been testing between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. My latest Americans include WNYO, New York; WLW, Cincinnati, and KGER. Lone Beach.-

DX24OC

(Oamaru).

(Lhe winner of the D.X. competition will be announced in the "Radio Log." which will be published on July 21, You do not give enough particulars of the stations you want identified-Hd.] Americans Coming in Well. "THE past few days have been exceptional] for DX work. KFI has been heard at R9 on the speaker, and many others at R8. I have had WHNR at good speaker volume at 4.30 p.m. With my four-year-old set I hava collected about 35 Americans, all on the speaker.-

Bonspec

C.

Otago

A New Australian. ON July 5 conditions for distant reception were excellent. WOAL was coming in very well at 3.30 p.m., while WABC and several others were very clear, with excellent volume at 4 p.m. At 7.30 p.m. I received 3KU, Swan Hill, on 282 m. (1290 k.c.), at R8, testing. He was. using a power of. only 15 watts and stated that the station, under the call of 838SH, would shortly be on the air as a regular schedule. I did not think it would be possible to hear an Australian station using such low power.

R.A.

M.

(Mamaku).

[If station 3BC

exists 10 1s not yet on a regular scneduile. --d. Siamese Stations. TATION 8BO, Bendigo, which is owaed and operated by A.W.A., operates on a frequency of 975 k.c. (308 m.), with an aerial power of 200 watts, 3BA, Ballarat, is at present using 30 watts in the aerial on 1300 ke. (281 m.). I have also received a verification from Bratislava, Czecho-Slovakia, which I heard on a one-valve receiver (!!!-Hd.). They sent me a complete set of 16 photographs of their stations, which were constructed by the P.T.T. of France. HSPi, Radio Bangkok, on 250 m. (856 k.c.), with a power of 2.5 k.w., transmits daily, except on Tuesdays, from midnight to 3 am., and every Wednesday and Saturday broadcasts Huropean musie from orchestras and brass bands from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. (all New Zealand time). HSP2 (also Radio Bangkok, at Phya Thai) is testing on 41 m. with a power of 2.5 k.w. on Tuesdays, 12.30 am. to 3.30 a.m, (New Zealand time). The six strokes on a gong heard from HSP1 and 2 may be taken as the distinctive call-sign from Radio Bangkok. The telephone transmitters operating at present from Java are: PMP, on 14.55 m.;. PLE, on 15.93 m.3; PMC, on 16.53 m.; PLM, on 844 m.; and PL-W, on 36.9 m. All stations are erystal controlled and use a power of 80 k.w., with 80 to 90 per cent. modu-

lation. Telephone service to Holland from one of the above stations daily (except' Sunday), 7.40 p.m. to 9.10 p.m., and 12.30 a.m. to 1.50 a.m. (except Monday). With 2MB, Sydney, from PIM, daily at 11 p.m. Other schedules are irregular. Music is broadcast from PL fram 110 am ta 2190 am oan Wednese

days:

NZ17W

7 (Palmerston North).

New Loggings. I HAVE tae the station on 1800 k.e. m.) which I have in« quired for as VK3RI, Melbourne. American stations have been coming in very strongly of late. I have logged HP, KNX, KRLD, K‘TAB, WLS, and several others within the last week,--

Wavetrap

(Wanganui).

DX News. "THERE seems to be a little doubt about the exact frequency of KZRM, Manila. The latest card I have from this station gives it as 618.5 ke. (485 m.), with a power of 50 kw. They are on the airy every evening, excepting Mondays, until 2.30 a.m. (N.Z. time), and on Mondays until 9.30 p.m. Radio KGER asks for reports from N.Z., and states that they are transmitting on a frequency of 1860 ke. (220.4 m.), with a power of 1 kw. Radio KPO asks for reports and also suggestions from N.Z.. listeners. Like KNX, they are on the air every night until 7.30 pm. N.Z. time. 2ZK, Wanganui, appears to have a roving commission, for on June 23, while’ I was listening to 8AR they shifted from their own frequency to close beside 83AR, and between the two there was nothing left for me to do but to search elsewhere. 2YA, by coming on the air on the morning of June 28, and giving us the results of the first day’s play in the cricket Test, N.Z. v. Hngland, has added another debt to the vast account: that we, as listeners, owe the Broadcasting Company. On May 26 I picked up VK4LW, talking to VK4JY (Mr. Young, Pembride Road, Brisbane) on approximately 202.5 m. (1480 ke.).. On June 27, a new station, 2ZB, Napier, was testing with gramophone records on 1220 ke. (246 m.), and were asking for reports. Their tone was poor, having a high pitched whistle and ripple. On the 28th I logged KYW, 1020 ke. (294 m.) for the first time. On July 4 I picked up KFI, Los Angeles, who were broadcasting the Schmeling-Stribling fight for the world’s heavyweight title, and was just in time to hear them finish. In the after: noon KFI is the best. American on the dial, but later in the evening, when one would expect their strength to increase, they are not so good, and fading is more apparent. I have just received a letter from J. F. Baird, operator for T. H. Boston, radio dealer, Box 71, Napier, who owns station 2ZB. This letter verifies my report of June 27, when they were heard testing, and states that.it is. the most distant they have received. He states that their alloted frequency is 1260 ke. (2388 m.), but they were slightly off this when I picked them up on 1220 ke, (246 m.)., They have now been passed by the P. and T. Department, and their regular schedule, commencing on July 4, is Saturdays 7.80 p.m..to 11 p.m., Sundays 10.80 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. They have an (Concluded on page 13.)

\ r Inout power of 12 watts. using the Heis-

ine svstem of modulation~

DXIT

P

{Your unusually large log 1s no doubt due, to a great extent, to the excellent aerial you are using. The photographs of. your aerial poles were much appreciated, ut unfortunately are a little teo indistinet for reproduction purposes.-Bd.)