News and Views of the D.X. CLUB

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 4, 7 August 1931, Page 10

News and Views of the D.X. CLUB

y ‘Answers to Correspondents *]) 288" (Hastings): Your suggestion concerning envelopes with DX Ciub monogram is a good one, Altermatively, adhesive seals could be used. {What do other DX-ers think? R.C.0. (Auckland): We have tested qpour make of receiver and find it to be quite good for DX work. To post you li information regarding DX-ing would be rather too much of a task. "PXi0C" (Timaru): Those entering ‘Australian stations received in daylight "forthe last DX Competition did not appear to have any difficulty in having (this, fact acknowledged on the cards. ‘A card marked "Daylight Reception" is accepted. :. "YXAONW" (Brunnerton): There are -two club members living in Runanga. if you would care to get into touch with them we will forward their addresses, -"DX300C" (Bluff): Thanks for comspliment re "Radio Log." We endeavoured to leave several columns for dial read-ings,-but found space would not permit. -» "Trapper" (Rangataua): A .0002 mfd. fixed ‘condenser in the aerial will sharpen tuning a little. The fault is probw@bly due either to lack of alignment of eondensers or the design of your coils. Bf you are experiencing interference from m-local station a wavetrap would be a practicable way out of your difficulty. _.. "DX6W" (Otaki): Japanese stations sisually give their call when closing down at about 1230 am. In writing for verification give call, frequency, times and descriptions of items heard. "Snooks" (Wellington); All the New Zealand and eight or ten of the main Australian stations are barred for enterfing in the DX Competition. The Aus‘Rralian stations excluded will be admitted if logged in daylight, but the verification ecards must state this fact cleatly. _ For list of these stations and parfticulars of the DX Competition see the st issue of the "Radio Log." You do ‘not. state the type of receiver you @re using, so it is rather difficult to critimise your log.

Addresses and Addresses Wanted "T)X38W" (Ravrimu); WGES, Oak Leaves Broadcasting Corp., Chicago, [llinois; KZRM, Manila; KOA, National Broadcasting Co., Denver, Colorado; ‘STP, National Battery Broadcasting Company, St. Paul, Minnesota ;KEFIF, National Radio Manufacturing Company, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; KFVD, Los Angeles Broadcasting Company, Culver City, California. ‘ T° several inquirers : P.K.B.’s (Oamaru) full address is Mr. Philip K. Barling, W.B.H.S., Oamaru, and "Sereen Grid’ (Ngaio) can be had from our office. WwouLp T.P.G. (Waipukurau) please forward his address

Identification Wanted A®™ 8.25 p.m. on July 22 on 375 m. (800 kc.), a woman was heard lecturing in French. She spoke clearly and softly. 3L0O then came on the air with their 7 o’clock transmission and the station was lost-Treasure"’ (Auckand). QTATION on approx. 382 m. (785 k.c.) + heard rebroadcasting 2YA, Wellington, from about 7.15 till about 7.30 p.m. on duly 24. Station was about R6 on the speaker, but had a very pronounced ripple. It was between KGO and KTM.

No announcements were made.-

H.

Walk

er

(Bluff).

BoOANG match broadcast heard at 2.45 am. on July 26. Announcer say‘ing "Stand-by" at the end of each round. 8AR, dial reading 184, stranger

181

A Reader

(Papakura).

At 11.30 p.m.-on July 25 station heard on approx. 625 k.c. (480 metres). One number was "I Miss a Little Miss." He was still on the air at 12 o.m-

Trapper

Rangataua)

At 3.15 a.m. on July 26 station heard on 1ZH’s frequency (476 m.) broadcasting a ten-round boxing match. From studio announcer remarked that it was 12.8 a.m. and that the station would be on the air to-morrow morning. They

signed off at 3.40 a.m-

Digger

(Hamil-

ton

STATION heard on 1250 k.c. (240 m.) 2.30 a.m. on July 25, just below ONO on k.c. (241 m.). Announcer spoke with a decided American accent. ee eee

--- ¥ Dance numbers and songs were heard."Wga" (P.N.). MERICAN heard on July 26-between 6.15 and 7.0 p.m. on 1500 k.c. (200 m.). Items included the _ following: Pianoforte ‘recital, "Keep Your Sunny Side Up," "The Moon Comes Over the Mountains"; accordeon items, "When It’s Springtime in the Rockies" and "Down On the Farm." Strength R6, with a slight static and distortion. Call sounded like KFGC, and announcer mentioned "Minneapolis..-W.L.B. (Wanganui). {Note.--Your receiver. is quite a good one for DX-ing,. although your log¢ality is possibly unfayourable for the reception of American stations.-Ed.] A MERICAN station on approx. 265 m. «~K (1135 k.c.), heard acknowledging reports from New Zealand listeners. He mentioned two. names in Palmerston North, one in New Plymouth, one in Nelson, and. several in Wellington. One of the latter. was Mr. Sellens-J.R.B. (Whangamomona). . ° [Your set is built to suit New Zealand conditions and is quite good for DX-ing.-Hd.] Los ANGHLES station heard at 6.80 p.m. on June 21, dial reading 78. After nearly every item, which consisted apparently of gramophone recordings, advertisements were given, one being for "McKura" wine. This included a description of their vineyards at Burbank, California. A little later a song, "Sweet Jenny Lee," was heard, followed by other items, mostly vocal, and advertisements one of which was about automobiles. This was followed by an: appeal by the Salva. tion Army. ‘Time given at station, 12.35 am. (8 p.m. N.Z. time). Also station heard at 10.0 p.m. ‘on July 14, dial reading 77. (3LO is’ 79.) A lecture in a foreign language,’ which lasted for half

an hour, was delivered’ by & man. Af 10.30 p.m. @ man was heard singing a song, apparently without music. It was rather weird and monotonous. A short apeech-apparently an announcement was followed by a slight:-pause, another

announcement, and a‘further song.-

E.

E.

{Auckland).

[We wish every DX-er would follow our your methodical and 7 neat method of making inquiries.-. -Kd,] . ON July 26-I was listening to an Ameriean station, dial reading 39 (1YA 88, 2BL 43). At approx. 5.0 p.m. he signed off, and immediately following another station came on, remarking: ‘his is station , and for two hours we are going over to the Baltimore Hotel. Vhen followed dance music}; strength Rb. -"DX23A" (Cambridge).

At 10.45 p.m. on July 29 station on ape prox. 281 m. (1800 kc.) heard play-_ , ing old-time dance music. Announcer wae heard ayniainine what the "1yAs

berts etc:. were: Strength Rt

Bob

(Lyall Bay)

J P.C. (P.N.). remarks in the _ latest * "Record" that Station KGL, Los Angeles, does not appear’ in the Iatest list. I. heard this station for over an-hour on June 10 on approx. 780-k.c, (884 m.). Six persons heard the call, so there was ne doubt about it--"DX2HB" (Hastings).

Stations Identified "T)X3854" (Le Kauwhata): KHJ, Don Lee Ine. Los Angeles, California; power 1 kw., frequency 900 ke (888 m.). oa "P\X38T" (N.P.) and. others: 2WUL, Wollongong, South Road, New South Wales: frequency approx. 1420 k.e.

(210 m.).

Scotchman

(Whangarei).

"C)\TEWA" (Otorohanga).: KNX, Hollywood, California, 286m. (1050 k.c.). He signs off at 7.80 p.m. "Hori" (Cambridge): KZRM, .Manila, 484 m. (620 .c.). He usually broadcasts a pro~ gramme per General Motors. Items are given. by the Chevrolet Orchestra, "Fellow" (Auckland): JOAK, Darien; 395 m. (760 k.c.); and JOHK, Sendai, 390 m. (770 k.c.). "Montrad’ (Christchurch): WGN, Chicago, Dlinois, 416

m. (720 k.c.): power 25 kw

Bob

(luyall Bay)

XOA" (Auckland): KTAB, San Francisco. Address: "Associated Broadcasters, San Francisco, Galigornia." -"DX38MW" (Nelson).

"pxer" (Okato): The Jatest eall-book gives only one German. station near ‘ | 800 ke. (875 m.). This"is situated in

Hamburg, with a power of 1.7 kw.-

N.

Jenkins

(Masterton).

OVICH" 496 mnedin) : "Station heterodyning is Osaka, Japan. "Radio Four": Your stranger is quite an old one now, and is a twin station to JOAK, with the same call. It is used purely for educational purposes, with music jaterepezsed. "Detector" (Blockhouse Bay): KMTR, Hollywood. ‘"Felw (Atickland): TOHK. Sendai. and

JOBK, Osaka; Japan:

J.P.

C.

{PN.).

"TJNIVERSAL" (Ladbrooks) :° Ameriean below 2ZO probably’ WAM, Cleveland (280 m.), or WIC, Hartford (282 m.). American below KJR, Seattle, probably KFVD (300 m.)....."Wainui" (Gisborne): American on'-1650 ke is

KFBL Kansas:

P.K.

B.

( Oamaru).

"SMART SBIV (Timaru) TIK_ Sen- dui; 770 ke ' (390 m,) 'Hori" (Cambridge) : XOL; Tientsin ; Ching ~= "DX240O (Oamaru)

| : a DX Club Membership D.X. Editor, { Box 1032, W ellingion. Dear Sir,- , I am very interested in D.Xing and wish to become a member of the DX Club. I enclose herewith 2/6 for badge of the ¢ brooch } type and membership card. Serew I would like also to subscribe to the monthly D.X. maqazine, "The Radio Log," and enclose 6/6, being 12 months’ subscription, post free. (Strike out last paragraph if not required.) } battery, using My set iS @ SPTOKROCHOHRAHRAGOKDe®FH9HMHF220000 ac, Occccecccecece valves, Name 929909 AO 8:0 4:00 4 524.906.9080 80HF8OH9-D HD; Address PT TETTTT TT TTTTTT TTT TTT TTT eececoonoegeoseoo0ooeoeosoooes #88800 Nom de plume eo ccccccccevcececcces eaoaooe (Please use block letters.) eae — _e

4am 04 DX Notepaper DX’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.0. Box 1082, Wellington, in two-dozen lots (minimum order), price 1/6, or six dozen for 4/-, post free. Special paper for club members.

DX Topics

ZTJ, Johannesburg. : Or July 25 I- heard ZTJ, Johannesburg, ' at R65, and ‘have written for verification. I wrote to 4LW nine months ago, but have received no reply. From 1.30 a.m..to 2.80 a:m..on July 26 two Australian stations, 2TW,-241 m. (1240 k.c.), and 2HX, Gladeville, 250 m. (1200 k.c.), broadeast a special test transmission for New Zealand listeners. Power of both stations is approx, 15 watts. Has anybody logged these yet. I have heard » two stations on the same frequencies, but they were sending out Morse. The new relay station 4RK, Rockhampton, will open on July 29 on a frequency of 910 k.e, (333 m.), power 200: watts. Congratulations to Mr. Stafford on winning

the DX Cup

Logan Park

(Dunedin

[Are all those stations in your log verified? If so, why not enter for the DX We can find no trace of ie station KYGH or KFJE.-Hd.] Well-heard Americans. 92H, Napier, was heard testing at 6.10 p.m. on July 26.. Reception seems to be stronger than before. Has any DX-er received. a verifications from 3BA, Ballarat, and 4BC, Brisbane? I wrote a month ago, but have not received a reply yet. Americans which may be heard at good volume any evening are WFAA, WBBM, WHNR, and WOAI. EFI can be tuned in like a local at 7 p.m. each evening.-‘DX6T" (Mokau). {Sorry a mistake was made with your district. If you will forward your membership certificate card back to us we will rectify -Hd.] Another Newcastle Station. I HAVE just received a verification from 2AY, Albury, on his new frequency, 1480 k.c. (203 m.). Another new Australian heard on July 24 at 9.30 p.m. was 2K0O. Neweastle. oneratines on

approx. 1400 k.c. (214 m.)-~-

H.

Walker

(Bluff),

Station Particulars, PARTICULARS of verified stations for any DXer who may require the information. 8GL, Geelong. Address: Malop Street, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Power, 50 watts aerial output. Wavelength, 214 metres 00 k.e.s). No times of operation. 3H, Elwood. Address: H. W. Maddick, 91 Spray Street, Elwood, Victoria. Power, 50 watts. Wavelength, 240 metres (1250 k.cs.). This station is regularly.on the air Sunday afternoons and evenings after regular broadcast ceases, 2MO, Gunnedah. Address: M. J. Oliver, Gunnedah, N.S.W. Power, 50 watts (aerial).° Wavelength, 225.56 metres (1830 k.cs). Radio Bangkok. Address, Post and Telegraph Department, Bangkok. Wavelength, 350 metres (855 k.es.).. Information as follows: "HSJ is not used for broadcast, but is used for regular traffié with Europe, Communication between HSJ and KHZ (San Francisco) has proved so successful that .a relay of the programme from HSPI-OW Broadcast station-transmitted to KEZ, from where the National Broadcast Corporation of America effected a chain broadcast relay through their trans-conti-nental network of stations between San Francisco and New York. on Mav 15. was

aucceestullv catried

Bob

(Wel-

Zington ) .

oo VUB, Bombay. At 15 am, on July 31 VK4LW, Brisbane, an experimental station Signals rather weak, Also from 2 a.m. to 2.40 a.m.. a‘ band concert was heard from

VTR Bomhav _"Wavetran"

Wanga

nui

RV15’s New Wavelength. R= station RV15, S‘veria, which Seem, ingly a fortnight ago, I have now located him apparently a little below his original’ 70.1 metres-about 68 or 69, I should say. He is there O.K., with ‘plenty of talk and a little about R5 at 10.30 p.m. on the "Differential One." There is a slight surge and

an occasional eut-out to-nicht-

L.L.

C.

(Christchurch) .

Reply-paid Verifications. I HAVH®D received verifications from 4BC, both on_his old and new frequencies, and from 4BK and 2AY. With reference to International coupons, might I point out that American stations do not expect postage, but each station has its own Ekko stamp. Only some stations send them, however. I haye some yery nice ones, the

nick of them being from KMTR. On one occasion only was any reference made to this stamp. This was station KFRO, San Francisco, who verified reception, but said as I did not enclose 10 cents for EKKO stamp; they had not enclosed the same. If any DxXer particularly wants a station’s stamp, the safest way is to send International coupon, although it is very ex-pensive-"‘DX9A" speaks of a station KGAB. _ This station is KTAB, Oakland, D.T.H. (Timaru) speaks of KFBI and KMTR coming in at 10.30 -m. on their early morning sessions. FBI I haven’t heard lately, but I heard KMTR at 11.30 p.m. (4 a.m, their time) on. the 26th, "close down till 6 a.m." so to be heard at 10.30 on their early mornine session would mean 3 a.m. over there.

J.P.

C.

(PN:).

Another European. "TTYDRO" (H.B.) remarks that’ 8KU, Swan_ Hill, is a new station. The first card I received from him is dated October 30, 1930, so it is not very new. WABCO, New York City, was logged at 4.35 pm. on July 19, and 2WL was also heard at 7.30 p.m, on the same evening. Between 6.30 a.m. and 7 a.m. on July 24 I heard a foreign station on 1230 k.e. 244 m.) broadcasting talks and music. ‘alk was foreign. A Huropean call-book gives station as being either in German or Austria, On the 26th KSTP, St. Paul, 205 m. (1460 k.c.), came through here at R9 with slight distortion. When he closed down at 7.30 p.m. two other stations could be heard on his frequency. One was KGA, but what was the other? Congratulations to Mr. Stafford and Mr. BHiis.-N. Jenkins (Masterton). 4RK Interfering with iVA. I WOULD like to congratulate Mr. Stafford on his splendid achievement in winning the DX Cup. Mr. Dllis made a great effort to repeat his win and the substantial increase in verified stations in this competition makes one wonder what the next six months will bring forth At 1 am. on July 26 station 4RK, Rockhampton, was heard testing on 9.10 k.c. (830-m.). Reception was very good. If this station is to° remain permanently on this frequency and at the same volume I am afraid 1YA’s programmes will suffer greatly. At 12 p.m. on July 26, immediately after 2NC, Newcastle, had closed down, KFOX, Long Beach, California, was heard at fair volume, but static was very nearly as loud. . KVOO (Oklahoma) was logged for the first time at approx. 6 p.m. on July 26. Next to KI they were the loudest American on the dial. Station 2ZH, Napier, was on the air on the 26th and 27th testing out his new 100 watis

transmitter and asking for reports."Hydro" (Napier). 8ZE, Greymouth, "T)X38L" (New Plymouth): I logged 2 WL at 9.8 p.m. on July 24 and heard him asking for reports from outside his own district. Call is 2WL, Wollongong, and address: "Station 2WL, South Road, Wollongong, N.S.W." Frequency approx. 1420 k.c. (210 m.). Latest loggings are: WABC, New York, 840 k.e. (848.6 m.), logged between 5.30 and 6.0 on July 19 on 2BL’s_ frequency; KECA, Los Angeles, 1480 k.c. (210 m.), and 4RK, Rockhampton, on 1YA’s frequency. Heard testing at R9. BYA OR Greymouth, is taking the place of 8ZR when the latter goes off the air. About -10 weeks ago I sent a report to 4BC, Brisbane, but have received no reply yet. Congratulations to Mr. Stafford on his win, and also to Mr, Ellis, the runner-up.-"DX10N.W." (Brunnerton). JOBK’s Frequency. A VERIFICATION recently received from JOBK gives his frequency as 750 k.c. (400 m.), power 10 kw. Any reports on this station are greatly ap-preciated-"‘Snooks" (Wellington). 7ZL’s Frequency Changed. I NOTICH 72ZL, Hobart, has changed his frequency to approx. 600 k.e. (500 m.) from the original 580 k.c. (517 m.).-"Bob" (Wellington). Special Programme from KFI. CONGRATULATIONS to the winners in the DX competition, especially the first two, on their fine logs. North Island has brought off most of the honours and the high logs so far, but when we in the south wake up, they had better look out. On July 19 2HK was R8-4, but QRN was very heavy. I was unable to identify 2TW. At 9.45 p.m. on July 26 KEFBI, on a special DX programme, came in at great strength, second only to 2YA. ‘They were offering a

prize of ,a five dollar gold pin to" "thie sender of the most distinct cabled report. Latest American loggings are: KPCB and WABC. | At 5.380 p.m.7ion July 26 WLS signed off in favour. ‘of WENR. _ The former came in the nels -"DX38NW" (Nelson). "yee DX Jottings. ROM 1.80 to 2.30 am. on yay 26 station Brighton;; 7 was a testing on approx. 210 m. (1480 ke.). Strength R4.° At "to. 6.52 p.m. on July 26 KSTP, St. Paul," was heard on 205.4 m. (1460 k.e.), strength ‘ R6. From 8 to 8.30. p.m. on July? 28 KFVD, Culver City, 300 m. (1000:k:e.) was broadcasting organ music at ete "DX383W" we Interference Successfully J TIVE in a good locality for DXting but until the past month I hayé unable to do very much owing to QRM from my d.c. generator. By putting: in a filter of two 4 mfds. condensers, across the brushes, and another two 4 mids, across the line where it leads "to the power-house, I have succeeded in’ eutting out interference completely. -J.L.Li ‘« [For the convenience of DX-ers we drafted out special DX notepaper,» The blanks are filled in as indicated and one can then be sure that no important information is omitted. DX paper may be obtained from our offices, Box. 1082, Wellington, for 1/6 for two dozen, sheets (post free), or 4/- for six dozen, sheets (post free). Special paper is printed for DX Club members. We were. Very interested in your unique aerial and we are sorry we cannot give DX-ers ‘details of it-Hd.] ed 4RK Heterodyning 4VA.. ae yet another Australian to: iitextere with reception of the YA stations, 4RK, Rockhampton, on 1YA’s frequency, was officially opened on July 29, and its programme was relayed to 4QG. ‘While

"The Radio Log"

D* enthusiasts and members of the DX Club are asked to forward to the Editor, ‘Radio Log," Box 1032, Wellington, any paragraphs of interest generally to DX-ers. These paragraphs should relate to changed frequencies, changed calls or location, ‘ete., of stations commonly known to DX-ers.. The Editor will be pleased to receive any comments concerning the "Log" from interested readers. The next issue will be on sale on August 25. Letters for publication and other matter should be in the hands of the Editor by the 10th or 12th of each month, as publication date will be approximately the 20th of each month.

1YA was on-and it was after 11 when he closed down-both programmes were rather jumbled. 4RK came in later with remarkable strength and elarity. I also have a complaint against 4BO for not answering, as I included the necessary stamped and addressed envelope. I still maintain there is no need for 2YA to come on the air at 5.40 p.m. on Sundays, when the other YA stations do not start up until five minutes before the official commencing hour. This may seem a trivial complaint to most DxX-ers, but they are not under the shadow of the 2YA _ transmitter"DXIW" (Wellington). Concerning Verifications. NOTICE quite a few DX-ers com- _,, plain of not receiving verifications from various stations. I am_ patiently waiting on four verifications from New Zealand stations, to all of whom I sent addiéssed envelopes and stamps for return: postage. These stations would no doubt welcome reports when testing and ask for them, and I am sure many DX-ers like myself would send them, even if vérification had been received, The least

these stations can do is to reply.-

Sil

ver King

(Auckland),

A Verification from WSUN. . RECENTLY received verifications ‘from WSON, St. Petersburg, Plorida, on 620 k.c. (484 m.). Power, 1 k.w at night and 2.5 k.w. in daylight. My report on their reception was first from New Zealand, and the station manager was so pleased to hear that his station signals were reaching out to New Zealand that he had a paragraph concerning my

reception published in their daily paper. It was headed thus: ‘Man in New Zealand Enjoys WSUN Programme." It read as follows: "A radio broadcast over WSUN was heard in Okato, New Zealand, according to word received Saturday by the Chamber of Commerce from Spence R. Ellis of that city. [It must have grown since we were there last.Ed.] Mr. Ellis said he heard the programme on May 7 at 6.30 p.m. St. Peterburg’s time was 2a.m. ‘It was a rough, rainy evening,’ he added, but he distinctly heard three fox-trots played." This clipping was enclosed with a verification which runs.thus: "This will verify reception of station WSUN on Thursday, May 7, 1931, at 2.00 a.m. E.S.T. We were greatly pleased and surprised that you were able to receive our station. It is very pleasing to us to hear that our station signals reach so far." Radio and Weather Conditions. OR two years I have been trying to arrive at some conclusion as to the "why and how" of variation in reception strength. To begin with, many distant stations are distinctly seasonal-I mean apart from the question of greater darkness and cooler conditions at the transmitting end. The following seems to be an exception to the general rule: The Texas, Central, Souther, and Central American stations are received with greater regularity during winter than summer-during a season when statie is supposed to be very bad in these districts. On the other hand, the Southern Californian stations are just the opposite. The records I have kept have been taken over far too short a period to be

On on of much value, but one set of facts seems to be emerging from many contradictions. That is, that DX improves as the moon waxes to the full, usually for about four days (or nights), more especially when a cyclonic storm ‘has just passed, as has just happened, Static apart, however, I believe that weather conditions at the transmitting end have far more effect on the reception than at the receiving end. Storms in between seem to have very slight influence, probably because the reflection area is far too high above them to be affected. I always endeavour to listen for the weather reports from the distant stations, but unfortunately many omit this-at least near signing off. The series of "tooth-edged westerlies" experienced last spring and again during this winter, have had a great influence on reception from Tasmania and the Victorian districts. It has been very noticeable that when a "high" is over this area, reception has been abnormally clear and loud, even though the "tooth" would be over the South Island. When the position is reversed, however, it is difficult to get more than a whisper from the above stations. ‘These conditions, however, would not necessarily obtain over the Pacific. Generally, it is quite the contrary, but here again differences occur, as the Japs are not invariably at their best on the same night as the Americans are

well received:

Kairu-uri

Whan-