News and Views of the D.X. Club

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 16, 30 October 1931, Page 13

News and Views of the D.X. Club

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Answers to Correspondents

DX32A (Auckland): Your log for a one-valve set is easily the best we have see iixsr (Okato): So that’s why the "Night Owls" are so keen. Hi, Hi. J.P.C. (P.N.): Thanks for the list of Tasmanian VK’s. We are holding them for the next "Radio Log." Have you the frequencies on which they transmit? Jon eerehern Patrol" unedin): We WEL. (Motueka) : Oonstructional details ‘of the "Super Six" receiver, a bat-tery-operated superheterodyne, will appear shortly in the "Radio Record." Any reputable radio firm would make it up for you. For the "Radio Amateur andbook" try Te Aro Book Depot, Courtenay Place, Wellington. DX450C0 (Dunedin): Fair. DxX8iW (Lyall Bay): Yes, D.X. stickers may be bought in ‘fifties, price 1/6 post free. Congratulations on your D.X. form, Don’t you find them a little dspensive? Your locality may be un‘avourable, but even so we think your

set should do better than it is. Are your tuning condensers properly aligned?

Addresses and Addresses Wanted

"Northern Patrol" (Dunedin): The only address we have is: SHR, "Mexico City, Mexico, DX450C (Dunedin) wants the address of 8BY, Melbourne. Would S.1.G. (Otago) please forward his address?

Correspondents Wanted

DXS2A would like to correspond with members who own small sets. Address opainetie from the "Radio Record" office, David Andrews, 293 Catherine Street North, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, our latest and most distant member, is anxious to correspond with N.Z. dxers.

Identification Wanted --

Station on approximately 198 m. (1510 ke.) heard late on the evening of August 29 at excellent yolume. Call resembled "3LB." Operator was speaking to 2 confrere at another station. He gave height of tide, direction of wind, and_prevailing weather conditions-DxX32A (Auckland). Can any DX-er give me any information in regard to station XHR, Dabreo, Texas? This station operates on about 720 ke. (416 m.), and as far as I can gather, is just on the Mexican border, for, up to about 1 a.m., the announcer gave the station call as "W-L," and after that a Mexican announcer came on, He spoke both in English and a foreign language, but I heard the call letters "XR" plainly several times. The American was advertising "Whirlwind Oarburettor Gas Savers" after nearly each item, and the foreign announcer was advertising in Binglish "Baxter’s Melody Oourse of Musie."-W.K.L. (Motueka). Could any D.X.-er supply call and address of early morning (5-6 a.m.) station operating on approximately 1190 k.c. (252 metres) ?7DX1HB (Waipukurau). [Absolute identification would be almost impossible without further partieulars .as to items heard, etc.-Hd.] On October 21 at 10.25 p.m. I heard a station on 1014 ke. (295 m.) giving eall "2HA, Hamilton, testing." Items heard include the following: 10.25 p.m., song by Amelita Galli-Curci, soprano; 10.27 p.m., piano solo, "The Minstrels," by William Murdoch; 10.29 p.m., recitation; 10.81 p.m., song by GalliOurciDX910C (Green Island). Stations Identified B.W. (Waitati)-KWdJJ, Portland, Oregon, operating on 1060 kc, (283 m.), with a power of 4 kw

DX2HB (Hastings): 1ZH, Hamilton, This station sometimes relays YA, Anes and. "Argonaut" (Auckland) 1330 k.c. (225 m.). pxeaal (Mokau) : ’ Probably KMTR, 570 k.e. vod . I receive this at here. In "Stations column, reply to G.Y. (Wellington) ae ; he heard KZRM, Manila, on approxi; mately 382 m. (785 ke.). This should be 485 metres (618.5 k.c.)---DX1 HB! (Waipukurau). "Riser" (Dunedin): Most dxers are prepared to say that station on approxie! mately 1080 kc, is Heilsberg, Germany,| I received him on October 16 at Re QSA4, and heard an identical talk to the one you mention. I was unable to! understand the announcement, but "Konigsberg" was certainly mentioned, Are D.X.-ers giving all the information; they have regarding European stations? I have an idea some are holding this with the idea of getting a report well on ‘ way for a verification before making i ig! public. I may be wrong, but in com parison with the number of birds" there is certainly not much, This has put a suggestion into my head for a Anh motto: "Wnited to agsist*-

B.

W.

(Stratford).

[We approve of your motto, but ROS of your sentiment.-Hd.] DX Topics Frequency of XHW. OMB doubt is evidently felt by a few dxerg vegarding the identity of ‘the Mexican station on 910 kc, (329m. heard in August. I logged XHW at 8 p.m. on August 16 and listened to him une til 6 p.m. at very good volume and tone, I yveceived more than sufficient items to write for a report. Since then some dxers have insisted that XHW was not on 910 k.c. (829m.). In the issue dated, September 25, DX3HB, Hastings, stated that opinion was divided as to the fre quency of the Mexican. stations, and he gave W as operating on 780 k.a (384m.). He stated further that the 910 k.c, channel was a cleared Canadian one. Verification from XBW just to hand states that their frequency has been. changed from 780 k.c. to 910 k.c. (829m.),! The following are full particulars of this’ station taken from_ their verification card :---XHW, "The Voice of Latin Ame» rica," operates on 910 kc. (329.5m.}, power 5 k.w., and on ‘shortwave on_5 ; (6030 k.c.). Address: Hstancion XHW; Av. 16 De Senvtiembre 9A, Mexico, D.ES

Lone Star

(Timaru),

DX, Notes. A MEXICAN station, XHN, came it © very well at 11 p.m. on October.16. Announcements were made in Spanish’: and English, and the frequency was givei, as 735 k.c. (407m.). The announcer remarked: "Make a note of your dial reads ing, for you will always find us there." This station nearly heterodynes 50 Adelaide. Did any other dxer hear him?.. The loudest American station received this week hag been KMOX, followed by

KGO, and WABCO a close third. K¥FI has gone off avylot and fades badly. 2MO is the best heard Australian "B." The Japanese stations are very weak until midnight. Of the early morning stations Konigsberg, Germany, is easily the loudest and the most consistent. Speech from a station on exactly WLW’s frequency is very similar to that heard from RV15. the Siberian shortwave station. Has any dxer heard this? The best time is 5 to

0.80 a.m.

H.F.

A.

(Masterton).

1YA Weterodyned. ue dinner music session from 1YA on October 16 was completely drowned by WIENR, Chicago. B.W. (Stratford). The frequency on which I received JOAA was 585 k.c. (1 deg. below 7ZL, Hobart), DX 58A (Motiti). Another New Aussie. I NOTICE one of ‘"Digger’s’" (Hamilton) latest loggings is 1BZ, Bolzano. Italy, which he says comes in equal in strength with Bratislava. The power of the former station is 200 watts, while that of the latter is 14 k.w. Here is another new B class Australian-GKG, Kal goorlie, W. Australia, 245 m. (1220 kc.). This station has been on the air since September 23. At 3 a.m. on the 12th ! heard 5WS, Adelaide working 8RG on 1250 k.c. (240 m.). A card has recently been received from VETBC, Burnie. Tasmania, on 247 m. (1210 k.c.), with a

power of 10 watts input.

J.P.

C.

(P.N.)

DX Jottings. XINW and DXI7TA have 2GB on their black lists. I received his card by return mail. Latest verifications received are: ZTJ, South Africa; 6ML.

Perth; ‘VK5WS, Adelaide; and KTHS, Arkanas. Some facts about ZTJ, Johannesburg: Owned by the "African Broadcasting Company, Limited." Head office, Orpheum Theatre Buildings, Joubert Street. Studio, Connaught’ Buildings, 217 Bree Street. It operates on a wavelength of 665 k.c. (450 metres). A new. station to come on the air in Sydney shortly. will be 2CH, on a frequency of 1210 k.c. (248 metres), power 1 k.w. in the aerial.. It will be one of the most powerful B stations in Aus--tralia, The site for the transmitting plant is not decided, but a situation near Pennant Hills is being considered. ‘The studio will be in the heart of the city. The station is being financed by Mr. H Stewart, director of the Metropolitan Bus Company. I have heard VRTDR, Devenport, at R7 lately, XER, Mexico City, has been heard at R7-8 lately. 3HA, Hamilton, was heard at R7-8 on the 21st. He asked for reports. Some facts about GMI, Perth: GML has been on the air since March 19, 1980. The station is owned and operated by Musgrove’s, Limited, one of Western Australia’s leading music ware. houses, and this fact has enabled them to present very high-class programmes.. In fact. some time ago the listening publie voted 6ML by far the more popular of the two stations-6MIL and 6WI. Their plant is crystal controlled and the aerial rating power is 300 watts. Re VEKSWs, Adelaide: The. owner, Victor Coombe, is bedridden, and has been so for eight years, In the evenings he announces from his hed.. . 5WS is on the air: Saturdays, 9 to 11.15 a.m.; Sundays, 9 to 10 a.m., 4.30 to 5.15 p.m., 10 p.m. to midnight (South Australian time).

DX7T+4W asks who is the youngest mem? ber of the DX Club? [I don’t know if I. am, but I’m only 15 years old and have been brought up with wireless. It is nearly eight years now since I be came interested in DXing. and I have verified cards dated as far back at 1925. I have written to nearly 20 Europeans for. verifieation. Has any DXer heard VK38AM.. Elwood,, or VK2UR; Uralla. Italy ?-DX840C: (Dunedin). An Unlicensed Transmitter, RE inquiries for address of station 38TFO, which I received and reported last July. I wrote 83TFO, care Amalgamated Wireless, Melbourne, and my letter was forwarded on to the radio inspector. He wrote me saying there was no such station with that call in Victoria, but remarked that he had received four other reports similar to mine from New Zealand. He asked for further particulars, saying that he wished to locate this station, as it- was either operating under a different call from the one allotted it or else it was unlicensed. This station is: fairly powerful. as it was received here at R8 during the halfhour I listened to it. They put over one or two popular items and then spoke in a personal manner to someone. Latest logging is KPCB. Seattle. Washington. heard on a special night broadcast on October 15 at R6.-DX5T (Okato). Concerning the DX Competition. RF 2 the jauestion of daylight reception the Australian stations, I think that 5AD and 5KA should count if logged any time; also 2ISY because from recent verification from this station it is only on the air in daylight from 10 a.m. to 12 am. (11.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m., New Zealand standard time). Therefore it must be nearly impossible to log it in daylight. 6WE, Perth. is hard to log in my locality even at 12 o’clock at night. Personally, I think all Australian stations should count whether logged in daylight or not--DX23HRB (Gisborne), Notes from Verifications. if HAVE recently received the following verifications: YK8RG, Castlemaine Vic., 1220 k.c. (245 m.) ; power, 50 watts This station is operated by Mr. R. L. G. Blake, 29 Doreton Street, Castlemaine Mr. Blake is very keenly interested in how his transmissions were being received and stated that in making reports he cited comparisons made between his trans: missions and those of other Victoriar YK Kstations. 2CA, Canberra, 1050 k.c (285 m.), sent me a verification of my) report made three months ago. The engineer and manager of 2CA is Mr. A. J. Ryan. The latest American verifica tions include WENR, Chicago, 870 k.c (345 m.); KDYL, Salt Lake City. 129( k.c. (232.6 m.): KSTP, St. Paul, Min. nesota, 1460 k.c. (205 m.). This station is owned by National Battery Broad -easting Co., St..Paul Hotel, St. Paul KOA "(830 k.e.), 361 metres, verified re.

a ception from Denver, Colorado. The late / est American "scalps" are KYW, Chica go, 1020 k.c. (294 m.), which was heard | at R7 on October 14 at 6.0 p.m, N.Z. © S.S.T., and also WBBM, Chicago, 770 k.e. (889 m.), at R8 on the same evening. On October 16 I tuned into KROW, Oaklands, Calif., 980 k.c. (822 m.), at 6.30 p.m., N.Z.S.S8.T., and at.7.0 p.m, KROW signed off in favour of KFWI, San Francisco, which immediately came on the air until 8 p.m. (N.Z.S.8,.T.), when 2GB and 3UZ came on the air and ‘made it impossible for me to hold him any longer. On October 22 3HA, Hamilton-the new Australian-was logged. testing on 1010 k.c. (297 m.), at strength R9, I think that many: of the "barred". Australians could be allowed in the competitions, especially those west of Victoria. Although my set is very efficient in bringing in "Aussie" stations, I have found it extremely difficult to log them in daylight. I would not like to see the Australian stations disappear out of the competitions as one can have much pleggure in listening to them. I would to suggest "let patience be rewarded by suc-

cess" as the DX Club motto.

Searcher

(Manaia).

Amended Station Particulars, ACCORDING to. an American radio publication, CJOR, Sea Island, B.C., is now working on a power of 500 watts, while the power of KGB, San Diego, is now also 500 watts.. The location of WAAB has been changed from Squantum to Boston, Mass., while KGKB has been changed from Brownwood: to Tyler, Texas. Has any DXer ever had any trouble in getting a ‘verfication from KFJF, Oklahoma City, on 1480 k.c. (203 m.)? © I sent them.a report about five months ago, but so far have received no reply. DXI7A (Auckland): I have never had any trouble in securingy . a verification from 2GB, Sydney; iv" fact, when I wrote I never’ enclosed stamps. However, I have written twilce to 8BA, Ballarat (2d stamp enclosed both times), but no sign of a reply yet-

N.

Jenkins

(Masterton ).

Indoor Antennae. HIAVDE been experimenting with indoor antennae and have now one above the ceiling of my house. it being about 20ft. above ground level and 40ft. in length. I have no difficulty in_ getting the main Australian A’s and B’s_ at speaker strength, and the main Ameriean and Continental short-wave stations. Every night for the past fortnight I have had W3XAL. WSXAL. W8XL. WOXF. F31CD, RV15, HSP2, VK2ME, VK38ME. all R&-R9. and in the mornings varying from R3-RS. GBS5SW, 12RO, HVJ and several others. My outside aerial is 45ft. high at both ends and has a top of TOft.. with a leadin in the centre, and is no more efficient for short-wave than the inside one. I use three different earths six feet «¥art, all leading separately to the set. S¥On short-wave the set works much better with no earth. but is the exact opposite on broadeasting. it working much

better with an earth.

V.

C.

L Station Particulars. "THE following are particulars of KII and KECA taken from _ verification eards :- KFI operates on 640 k.c. (468.5m.) with a power of 50 k.w.. daily from 6.45 a.m. (P.S.T.) until midnight. Transmitter is located at Buena Park. 21. miles S.B. of Los Angeles, and the. studios at 1000 South Hope Street. Los Angeles. . The station has been in operation sinc# April 1922, KCA operates on 1480 k,¢. (210m.) with a power of -Ivk.w. daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. (P.S.T.). The : atndlon. are at the same adilress as those of K JOCK, Nagoya, Japan, operates on 810 ke. (870m.) with a power of 10 k.w."Red Bird" (Wellington).