News and Views of the D.X. Club

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 12, 2 October 1931, Page 10

News and Views of the D.X. Club

Answers to Correspondents "Red Bird’ (Wellington): The verse you submit is quite good, though rather Jong for a club motto. DX72W (Masterton): Quite a number of DXers use battery-operated fourvalve Hammarlund-Roberts receivers anid get. quite. good results. ~ "Sunny" (Greymouth) : You do not give sufficient particulars of the stations you want identified. The most important points are: Date heard, time, frequency (or wavelength), and items heard, identifying these where possible. FJ. (Tikurangi): Yes, the trees shown in your sketch would have a screening effect on your aerial, though probably it would only be slight, D.W. (Kaikoura): Why not enter for the "Ellis" cup, to be competed for by owners of battery sets using not more than fiye yalyes? Entries close on December 81 next. DX1i7HB (Gisborne): Your log is quite fair. Why not get those Americans verified, and enter for the "His" Battery Cup? KMOX, St. Louis, Missouri, ‘s correct. Attention was drawn in last week’s issue to the ambiguity which arises when correspondents quote stations as being so many degrees "above" and "below" other stations. When using this method of indicating station locations ‘correspondents should state whether their receivers are graduated in kiloeycles or metres, ~"Meppo" (Granity): On August 8, at 8.55 p.m., N.Z.S.T., I heard a loud hetero. dyne on 2XN’'s frequency, and then heard a soprano solo with 3K%Z on one side and 2MO on the other. I presumed this to be 2XN, and about two weeks later received a verification with a note: "Sonrano solo was "oselli’s ‘Serenade,

by Gloria Swanson_

DX25NW

(\West-

port).

Addresses and Addresses Wanted nd "Spmny" (Greymouth); 4AW, A. KB. Walz. (nr. Eton St. and Sandgate Road, Nundah, Queensland. 8HR, .

Byrne, 21 Wolseley Grove. Brighton Beach, 85, Victoria. Address also wanted of experimental station BEKO, Victoria, heard on approx. 1240 ke. (242 m.) at 12.38 a.m. Would "Meppo" (Granity) please forward his address? Identification Wanted station heard from 5.50 to 6.10 aan. on September 14, strength R4, on approx. 1170 ke. (256 m.). Guttural speech was heard most of the time. Also two stations on approx. 1125 k.c. (266 m,) vespectively transmitting records from 1 to 1.80 a.m. on September 19. Station on former frequency referred — xeveral times to "6NT, listeners." IT thought

GMT. was on 1010 kc. (297 m.).-

DX-

"OC

(Dunedin).

Australian station heard on September 19-(What time?--Ed,.)-hetween 3G. Geelong, and 3KZ. Melbourne, Tiems heard ineluded "Wonderful Raindrons" and "Qahin in the Hills. Ntreneth RG.-

DX69OC

(Gore).

8 broadcasting dancc msic _

Station heard half a degree below 2KZ' Melbourne. about 1400 k.e. (214 m.). Following was heard; °* . Colombo, The time is now half-nast nine." Then folInwed a short talk. and then: "The next ifem will be played by the Columbia Dance Orchestra." ‘This was heard at 11.25 p.m. on September 19. On September 20. at about 10 p.m.. another station was heard on 90 (721, Hobart. at

DX65OC

(Waimate).

Station heard at © noe on Sentember 20 a degree above 2ZE,. Eketahuna, and 1ZM:- Manurewa, 247.9 m. (1210 k.e.). A record which sonnded like a foothal! match was being played. Ye evidently signed off after this. TI thought T heard ecameanna conntine "One. two three fonr"

ete.-

DX72W

(Mnsterton).

American station on dial reading «1s (4QG 694, 5CT, 723). heard on the evenings of September 13 and 20. He signs off at 5.80 pm-DNITIIB (Gisborne) [Please give fuller particulars.-FEd.1 American station heard at about 9 p.m on Angust 22. When closing down at 9.30 p.m. announcer stated he was —

brondeasting on a frequency of 970 k.c. (809 metres). The following items were heard: 9.10 p.m., "Silver Threads Among the Gold." 9.18 pm., "Night Time — in Neyada"™ (?). 9.15 pm, "The Coffee Kid." At 9.380 p.m. he closed down with the item to Thee." and immediately after 3BO. Bendigo, came on the

air on the same freaquenev.-

DX75W

(OQhakune Junetion).

_ Australian heard after 12.30 a.m. on | September 17, on approximately 214 m.. broadcasting records. Te was a fraction

¢ below 3ITB. Brighton, Announced as follows: "Ilullo, hullo. hullo, this is VIK---.

F.

J.

'Fikoragi)

American on approx. 241 om. (1240 ke.) heard’ from 1.10 a.m. till 1.30 a.m. on September 18, Items heard: 1.10 um, soug by male. followed at 1.14 a.m. by vocal number by woman. 1.17 qa announcer gave time and his nameEddie Moore... I think he mentioned California Then followed another song by woman mentioned above, and at 1.21 a.m. orchestra playing w aliz, "TIawaiian Lullaby.’ Announcer spoke very quickly and repeated himself awhen_ giving time. Streneth R4. fading badly.-

DX72A

(Auckland).

Station heard from 5.0 p.m. on September 24 on approx. 78 metres. Woman spoke until 8.22 p.m. and then a man until 8.81 p.m. This was followed by music and singing, and a further talk until 8.47 p.m. Station appeared to

he Japanese

P.

C.

(Petone).

Station on 815 k.c. (508 metres) heare at 5.80 a.m. on September 22 broadecasting orchestral: music, whieh sounded Japanese, with yocal refrains, | Also station on 1280 k.e. (284 m.) heard at 10.42

p.m. on 21st, when a band item, ‘William Tell,’ was broadcast by courtesy of the Indian Cycle House. Another station was heard at 5.15 p.m. on Se@ptember 20 on 1150 k.c. (261 m.), whe "Love ies’ was broadcast. A siren like whistle followed each announcement

of the call-

DX7W

(Marton).

What American on 1140 k.c. (263 m.) has an announcer named Paleale? Also, what American on 1820 k.c. (227 m.) advertised for Universal motor-cars? American on 1150 Ik.ec. (261 m.), below 4BC, heard September 13. Most of the items heard were male solos, Held till 6.30. when 1 think he closed down, Also one on 1500 k.c. (200 m.). °"A number of ovchestral items were heard up to 7.15 p.m. on Sunday, 18th. The same evening station on 920 k:e, (326 m.) _ between 3UZ and 4RK was heard till 7.40 p.m. broadeasting a concert programme. Also station on 1290 k.e. (approx.) heard on 14th on following items between 7.10 and 7.30 p.m. : Organ. humorous song by man with piano accompaniment, and also two orchestral selections, Announcer spoke between items and seemed to be

advet'tising.

Southlander

(Inverear-

gill

Following is a list of early morning stations which I have been unable to identify :-Station on 790 k.e. (880 m.) on KGO’s frequency. This is one of the easiest Huropeans to log. Generally comes in at good volume and some splendid piano and orchestral selections have been heard on several mornings, Station on 1225 k.c. (244 m.), approx. Band selections generally heard. Language is, or is similar to, German. Station on 1260 kc. (238 m.), approx. This station comes iu at good strength, but is not heard so frequently as some of the other Enropeans. renerally broadeasts band items. Station on 1190 k.c. (252 m.), approx. I have heard this station

The DX Club More Members Wanted The DX Club now has a membership of over 400, a total which must be very gratifying. both to the proposers of the club and to ali members. for it shows that our organisation is serving a definite purpose in catering for the needs of DX enthusiasts al over New Zealand. We do not want the total to stop at this, however, because the more members we have the more powerful will the DX Club become. and the greater will be the benefits conferred on members. if you know of anyone interested in DXing, we would be pleased to receive their names and addresses so that we May forward them full particulars of the club. When you write your next letier fo the DX page or the "Radio Log." jot down two or three names and addresses at the bottom. We will do the rest.-The DX Hditor.

only twice between 6.80 a.m. and 7.80 a.m. However, one item was "Tip-toe Through the Tulips." Station on 655 k.c, (458 m.), between 4YA and 25. This station also comes in with good volume, Generally orchestral items, but speech is hard to understand, although I think it is a foreign station. Station on 800 k.c.' (833 m.) below the Belgium station on 887-k.c. Speech to me appeared to be very like French. Perhaps Mr. Jenkins, of Masterton, would be kind enough ‘to help me with these. Also American station on 895 k.c. (450 m.) slightly above KHJ, heard broadcasting orchestral selections on Monday, September 14, between 6.30 and 7.00 p.m. Another American on 1470 k.c. (204 m.) broadcasting a programme consisting mainly of orchestral selections. Closed down about 7.30 pm-DX40C (Invereargill). American on approx. 1030 k.c. (291 m.) heard at 11.15 p.m. on September 24. Mentioned one item, "Springtime in_ the Rockies." was for "friends down in Mis-

souri:

DX1W

(Hataitai).

Stations Identified B.W. (Stratford): V.K., 3GK, Seddon, Melbourne. I heard the same transmission, 8HA, Hamilton, 1010 ke, (297 metres), 200 watts, Western Victoria, Broadcasting Co., 1 Gray Street, but I don’t think they have commenced yet. ene Ben" (Auckland): Your station, Perth, was correctly identified, but what you heard was a broadcast of pony racing, held every Saturday. 9 (Mangere): Twin station. of JOAK, Tokio. KHQ, Spokane, Washington, can be picked up on the same frequency almost any night. DX46A (Cambridge) : Your station annears to he WHT

Brooklyn, N.Y., 1400 ke. (214 m.).J.P.C. (Palmerston N.). _ DX360C (Timaru): Station on 940 ke. is KGU, Honolulu.-DX540C (Dunedin). "Maroon" (Napier): 6WF Perth, on 690 ke. (434 m.). H.F.A. (Masterton): Canadian station on 1210 ke. (248 m.) has been heard of late, and gave its call sign as OJOR. After each item clapping is _ heard. DX46A (Cambridge): On September 6 I logged WDAG, on approximately 1410 ke. (218 m.). and he stated that he would like reports from DX clubs. He mentioned Californian clubs. One item also heard was "Stars and Stripes" march. Closing item was "Au Revoir-Pleasant Dreams." Perhaps this is your station DX3HB (Hastings): Mexican station XHW has been heard several Sunday night on 910 ke. (330 m.). Call sign was given clearly in Hnglish--DX10C (Timaru). B.W. (Siratford): 83GE comes in on approximately 1480 ke. (203 m.). Station just below 2WL héard with lady announcer is 3JB, Glennariff. I am doubtful of 3JB’s location -DX25NW (Westport), — . 3JB is operated by J. R. "Glenmore," Balwyn Road, Balwyn, V.iectoria. -Eid.]

DX Topics DX Jottings. ON September 19, at 11 p.m, KFKB, Milford, Kansas, on 1050 k.c. (286 m.), was heard at R7 to R8 on an early morning programme. An early morning station on 276 m. (1085 k.c.) was heard recently. "Konigsberg" was all that could be recognised of the call. TLA, Launceston, 2WL, Wollongong, and 2AY, Albury. are three Australian "B’s" which

may be best heard at 9 p.m-

H.F.

A.

(Masterton).

DX-ing With the Beverage. "FAOPERUL" (Auckland) : The following is my experience with a Bever- ) age aerial:--I have a "L" aerial, 44 feet

high at both ends running at right angles to a 110,000 volts transmission line, four chains away. On wet or windy days the noise is unbearable, Just lately I have erected a Beverage aerial, 15 chains long and 8 feet high, running almost parallel with the transmission line and pointing towards America, I find that there.is ‘not now near as much noise on the: set on windy or wet days, and an-all-round increase in volume on distant stations was noticed. Even though this aerial is direcme ee ee dd C8. eet ene

a tional] all the Australian and the YA stations come in exceptionally well. Curiously enough, the set is not so selective on SYA and 1YA, but is very: much so, for some reason, on 2YA.-DX5HB (Napier). European Cails .Wanted. OULD not the list of Huropean stations be made a little clearer? For instance, what are the calls of these stations? Perhaps some of the DX members eould sunpnilv fuller particulars.-

DX36A

(Otorohanga).

A New Canadian. ON September 18 I picked up a Cana"dian station on 1210 k.c. (248 m.), giving the call] "CJOR, Sea Island, British Columbia." It was first heard at 7.45 p.m. and held until 8.10 p.m., when an Australian station came on the air and blotted the Canadian out. Signals were never below R7 and occasionally increased to R9, with medium Q. and R.N. Did any other DX-er pick up this station? On September 20, at 4.30 p.m., 1ZQ and 2ZM were heterodyning badly. The latter was testing. I hope this will draw the attention of the owners of these stations. The writer will be visiting Wellington early in November, and would like to call on members of the club during his stay there. Would members who would like to get in touch with me drop me a line and forward their complete address. I will make a stop at Palmerston North if J:P.C., "Amazon," and other P.N. DX-ers would like me to look them up.-DX1T (8S. Bilis, Okato, Taranaki). 8RU’s: Schedule. [THe following is the schedule of WVK8RU, taken from a_recently-re-verification card. He operates on 195m. (1515 Iec.). Schedule: Tues. and Thurs., 7.30 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.; 1 am. to 2 a.m.; Sat., 7.80 a.m, to 8.30 a.m.; Sun., 9 a.m. to 11.380 a.m,; 2 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.; 6.15 p.m. to 7.15 p.m.; aud 12 pm. to 1.30 am. Times given are N.Z.S.T., DX10A. Shortwave station RV15 is located at Kharbarovsk, Siberia, Russia, and wavelength is 70.2m. (NZ23MC (Christchurch). Particulars of 4ZL. ON September 2 I heard 4ZL, "The Voice of Service," Dunedin operating on their official frequency of 1220 ise.

(246m.) with an output carrier power of 50 watts. He asked listeners to ring 23-823, and said he hoped that. some of the more distant listeners would report by letter. He also stated that he would on schedule in about a week’s time. One number heard was "Sometimes I’m Happy." 3ZH’s schedule was _ given recently in DX Topics as Fri., 12-2 p.m., and weekdays 8-10 p.m. This should be Wed., 8.10 p.m. They were on the air from 9.15 p.m, to 11.15 p.m. on the 12th. The correct schedule of 38ZR is as fol-lows:-Mon., 7-9 a.m. (Tues, Thurs, and Sat. as in "Radio Log"); Sun.,. 34.30 p.m, (4-430 p.m., Silent Fellowship Service), 6-6.80 and 7.9 p.m. The Japanese station heterodvnine 2FC. Sydney,

has been more in evidence lately.-

Third

Grid

(Greymouth).

WLS now 50 k.w. I RECENTLY received a_ verification from VK3RG, Castlemaine, which operates on 1220 k.c. (245m.). The operator, Mr. Blake, sent me a photograph of the interior of his shack, showing the set and his cards. He gave his power as about 50 watts input, and said that he also worked quite often on 40 metres. He also informed me that 3BY, Melbourne, is classed as the best 200-metre band amateur on the mainland. I wrote the latter station, enclosing postage, and received a reply very promptly within three weeks, Station KDB, Santa Barbara, sent an Ekko stamp, and stated that they had recently installed’ a new transmitter with 100 per cent. modulation, but as has been remarked by other DxXers, his local announcements are still hard to read. KFWI, San . rancisco, states that their new lk.w. trausmitter is on the air from Sept. 2 In a letter from WLS, Chicago, they add a P.S.: "WLS is now a 50 k.w. station. That is why they come in as well as WENR. My second card, from 2AY, Albury, had written on it; "Kindly mention advertisers when furnishing reports," so evidently the Australian B’s appreciate this little detail. On Sept. 18 I heard Japanese station JOIK commence transmitting. by giving a series of shrill notes-probably a time sig-

nal. JOIK was then announced twice, and music commenced. I have found that station KELW, Burbank, California, | is very hard to get some nights owing to .nterference from Japanese stations, even soon after he commences at.8.30 p.m. I ‘received him very clearly on August 2 at 12.30 a.m., after the Jap. station had closed down, but QRN was very heavy. He faded out very suddenly at aboat 1950. nrobablv because dawn was break-«

ing there:

DX3NW

{Unfortunately your letter arrived several days too late for inclusion in the "Radio Log." Any future correspondence should be posted to reach our offices not ater than the 17th of each month.J . Amateur Australians. LATEST loggings include 3RU, Baldwyn, on approx. 1500 k.c. (200 m.), and 3GK, Melbourne, on approx. 1490 k.c. (201 m.). Both stations were test-

ins.

G.

W.

(Kaikoura).

A Modified Beverage. J BELIEVE it is generally assumed that a long directional aerial will give improved results, and I have proved this to my own satisfaction. I had a 200 feet length of thin builder’s wire used for tying light reinforcing iron, and I slung it temporarily from a 50 feet tree to my permanent mast. It certainly gave the results anticipated. I am wondering now what the result would be if I erected an aerial oblong in shape, approximately 500 feet in length, with a mean width of 100 feet, at an average height of 50 feet. It appears to me theoretically sound, and should give wonderful results. Of course I realise that selectivity would go by the board. Also I am sure it would be of interest if DX-ers would write in describing the types of aerial they are using.G.W.B. (Birkenhead). [There appears to be no serious drawback to the rather unusual type of aeria’ you propose to erect, though it would possibly not give as good results as would’ a Beverage aerial of the same length. We cannot see its particular merits. Should you decide to erect it we would —

be very interested to hear of your ex-periences.-Eid. ] Advice on Sending in Reports, Wouvtn. you please give us space to state that DX reports will not be answered unless accompanied by a postage stamp. This station receives any nunber up to or over 50 reports a week. The cards cost about 1d. each, and adding a penny postage to this and time in sorting and replying it will be seen that DX-ing is a fairly expensive sideline. Some of the reports are absolutely useless, For example, one report stated that there was no QRM nor QRN. Strength was R8, yet we were QSA2 only. (No fading.) This is ridiculous, as obviously an R8& signal on a clear night would be QSA5. Yet another report stated that we were QSA7, and the QSA signals only go up to 5. Hoping this will put a few DX Roce Pp 4

enthusiasts on the correct track.-Radio 4ZP, Invercargill, [We do not agree that R8, QSAQ, is. an impossibility, even discounting atmospherics and assuming transmission to be steady. Readability is to a large extent dependent on the quality of transmission. DX Notes. HEN is KGIR likely to be heard? A few Americans seem hard to get as there are other stations occupying. the same channel. One I have been trying to log for a long time-KOIL-was logged on September 28. Station KSCJ was heard testing ldst week, coming in with good volume. CJOR, a Canadian on 1210 k.e (248 m.), has been heard of late with

good volume,

DX10C

(Timaru)_

| Frequency of XEVW. | "tHE following extract from a verifiention from XEHW, Mexico, will settle the dispute concerning this station’s frequency :- "We broadcast from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Saturdays until 1.80 a.m.), Mexican standard time, Our wavelength is 910 k.c., or 329.6 metres, and for the short wave, 6000 k.c., or 50 metres." "Meppo" (Granity), 2XN Lismore, is still operating ;. schedule, Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, 8.30-9.30 p.m., N.Z.T. Unless you possess a very selective set you will find him hard to log, as there are so many.stations jumbled together near his frequency. G. B. Boy (Dunedin) : Your information is not quite correct, The new relay station is to be 5CK, Port Pirie, wavelength 472 metres (635 k.e.). It will commence. testing any time now. Another B station, which should appear on the air early in October is 6PR, Perth, Frequency, 880 k.e, (341 metres). Power 200 watts. This will be a sister station to 8BO, Bendigo, and is for Nicolson’s, of Perth, B.W. (Stratford): 1ZQ is back on the air again. I hope to have better luck with my second report. I have just received verification from an Australian B after my third attempt. They state I should have received their card and two stamps enclosed in my second letter Jong before this, I am beginning to think there is something wrong with the posta] service in Austra-

} 11a

J.P.

C.

(Palmerston North).

A S.W. Relay. PE S.W. notes of September 11 issue, a listener (6X, Wellington), heard on 25.685 metres the proceedings of the opening of a new American broadcast station, WIBA. He asks if any DxX-er heard WIBA on this broadeast. I did not hear this station direct, but through WOAI, San Antonio, Texas,-and heard exactly

the same proceedings as mentioned by \ ] "6X." Transmission was at fair streneth ~

and perfectly clear.-

C.V.

B.

(N: Auck-

land).

xeecent Loggimegs, RECENT loggings include KOIN, Portland, KMTR Hollywood, KOL and KJR Seattle, KROW Oakland, and KFSD San Diego. KFOX ‘comes in at. RS about 9 p.m. on-his morning session, but it is hard to keep him away from 2NC. KFI comes in at between. R7 and R9 practically every night. I-agree with "Wainui" (Gisborne) about the DX report paper. In reporting on a station from which one has been able to catch only a few items, etc., over a period: of weeks, it does not give one much space to describe items heard, and also the space for the time and date received is useless in a case like this. The best: solution is, I think, for the DX-er to stick a DX

-_-_- \ 4 sticker on the top of ordinary writing paper. The DX report sheets are ideal for reporting stations where: one is fortunate enough to catch the names of several items, ete.-"Maroon" (Napier). {When reporting on a-series of transmissions from a station it would be hopelessly confusing to the operators if you recorded all particulars on the one report sheet. A new sheet should be used for each separate transmission.-Hd,] DX News from America. RECENT loggings: KUOA, KGB, KWKH, and CJOR. ‘The latter was received on September 28 on 1210 ke, (248 m.). He was relaying from the Venetian Cafe in Vancouver, B.C. Reception R7-8 until 2YB, New Plymouth, came on the air. According to latest call book this station operates on only 50 Watts power. H.F.A. (Masterton): Perhaps this is the station that you heard on September 12. An authoritative verification from WLAC, 1470 ke. (204 m.) states that 27 letters had been received from N.Z. DX-ers, who heard special church services, Twenty-seven "new Testaments" are to be mailed. Wxtract of letter from KFBI, 285 m_ (1050 k.e.) : "This station was formerly KFKB, owned and operated by Dr. Brinkley, from whom we purehased it and took possession on February 20, 1981, changing the eal} letters to KFBI on May 1. We operate on 5 kay. 1050 k.c. (285.5 metres). We have just completed the installation of a new rectifier system, replacing our old generators, This is the latest thing in broadcasting equipment, and we believe will give you better reception than you have ever had before from this station. / This station is owned by the Farmers and + Bankers’ Tuife Insurance Co-W. Xk.

Lindsley , President:

DX1HB

(Waipu-

nrau )

Are YOU a Member If not, post your application to the of the DX Club? DX Editor, Box 1032, Wellington, enclosing 2/6 to cover cost of badge and certificate (post free). Subscription to the "Radio Log’*-t per annum, post free. Book your in DX news, he DXer’s own magazine-is 6/6 order now and receive the latest Games a () A) ERE (ODL) x