News and Views of the D.X. Club

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 17, 6 November 1931, Page 13

News and Views of the D.X. Club

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

Answers to Correspondents H.J.W. (Auckland) and others: The rules governing the DX Competition were sblished in the latest (October) issue of to ; "Tog." DX44MC (Christchurch): Sorry, but Wwe cannot, discuss the relative merits of commercial receivers. Both those you name have excellent reputations. Fil particulars of the DX Club have been forwarded. DXIT (N.P.) and others: Your letters are being held for publication in the next issue of the "Radio Log." "Curious" (Katikati): Your log is quite good, but could be better. Keep going. Your aerial and earth installations are O.K. XHR, Mexico, has been reportot soyeral times in recent issue of the vy "Night Owl’ (Christchurch): In a few X months‘you should be well in the running for the DX Cup. . "doey" (Hokianga): Lour official DX number is DX72A. We have examined our books for a possible duplication but with no success. We will keep on the lookout for the correspondent who is evidently using your number as a nom-de-plume, V.P.H. (Denniston): Mr. 8, Hillis, the first winner of the DX Cup, operates a set of similar make to your own. No alterations whatever are necessary. 830 k.c, is 361.2 m., while 883 k.c. is approx. 362.4 m., so you see there is very little difference. DX-ers are divided in their opinions as to whether the use of headphones on an a.c. set is an advantage or otherwise for DX-ing. Mr. Morlev Stafford, the present holder-of the DX Cup, uses headphones, and a letter from him on their advantages appears in the latest "Radio Log." Would the listener who wrote to Mr. S. Hillis, of Okato, on October 28 from Burnett’s Place, Denniston, Westport, please write again as you did not sign your name. J.P.C. (PN.).-‘Tiny," of your town, would like your permission to call round and compare notes with you. He knows your address. L.M. (Northeote).-2ZF is operated by the Manawatu Radio Club, King Street, Palmerston North. Frequency 1050 k.e. (285.7m), power 150 watts. DYL, Intermountain Broadcasting Corporation, Salt Lake City, Utah, KFBI, Milford, Kansas. Addresses and Addresses \ Wanted DX27W (Marion Junction) wants the address of 3HA, Hamilton. Would J.V.K. (P.N.) please forward his address?

Identification Wanted Station heard on 731 k.c. (411 m.) at 6.80 p.m. on October 24. A male vocal number in a foreign language was followed by a long talk in a similar language. A band selection followed, presumably a recording, and towards the end the announeer commenced speaking with the music playing in the background. Station closed down at 6.45 p.m, Volume R4-5.-"Omsk" (Whakatane). Station heterodyning 3YA at 7.30 p.m. on October 27. Announcer’s voice was too muffled to identify call. I was told it was the new Wellington station 2ZR. Is this so?-DX27W (Marton). Australian heard on October 25 from 11.8 to 11.28 p.m. on approx. 1160 k.c. The following items and times were noted :-11.8, Orchestral selection; 11.17, Chinese operatic number, "Green Jade Hairpin," sung by Chinese male soprano; 11.20, "Chinese Suite Grenade," by the Grand Symphony Orchestra; 11.24, Chinese foxtrot, "The Descending Bird" (2). Both the operata and the foxtrot were explained by a Mr. Chang; 11.28 p.m., a short talk on China. Chinese music, and

the League of Nations.

L.R.

H.

(Dun-

eclin )

Is 2CA Corawa on the air. yet? [I heard a station on the air on about 560 k.e., with a eall resembling this several nights ago.-‘Marama" (Colac Bay) Station heard at R3-4, at 5.0 a.m., N.Z. summer time, on Oct. 26, on approx. 243 m. An orchestra was playing. At 4.35 a.m, 2 man announced, and the orchestra again played until 4.45 a.m. Further orchestral numbers followed. At 4.49 a.m. a man spoke in a foreign language for 4 minutes. Then followed several male solos with piano accompaniment."Tiny" (P.N.). What Jap comes in on approx. 215m.? -‘Joey" (Hokianga). American station on 484m, heard every evening until 8 p.m. Los Angeles. is mentioned quite often.-"Diggér " (Hamilton). Station heard at 8 p.m. on October 27 operating on JOAK’s frequency on 590 k.c. (508). Strength good. A male voice, accompanied by an Orchestra, sang "You Will Remember Vienna," and "I Bring a Love Song." No announcement was heard.-L.M. Northcote). American on 250 metres (1200 k.e.), on 3ZC’s wavelength, which signs off at 5.30 p.m. every evening (midmight P.S.T.). He gives news for five minutes before closing. On October 14 he closed down at 5.80 and then came on again for half an hour’s "midnight medley music." Organ music followed. He closed down at

6 pm . remarking that time was half past and that the station would be on the ate at 6.45 the following morning. It is not WOAI-*‘Digger" (Hamilton). Station on approx. 1110 ke. (270 metres), which relays from "Congress Hotel." Closes down at 7 p.m. N.Z. summer time. New York City was mention-ed-DX1IHB (Waipukurau). ; Could any dxer please supply me with the correct frequency of station KZRM, Manila, as I heard this station on September 6, broadcasting a boxing match on approx. 730 k.e. (I have asked for verification on this. frequency), and on October 25 I again heard him broadcasting a boxing match on 3AR’s frequency

(620 kc)

W.

N.

(Dunedin

[iKZRM’s frequency is listed as 016.0 k.c. (485 metres).-Hd.] Stations Identified W.K.L,. (Motueka) and "Northern Patrol" (Dunedin): Station XR, Del Rio, Mexico. I heard this station on Oct. 19, operating on approx. 735 k.c. (408 m.) from 11.20 p.m. till 12.15 a.m. The announcer asked for reports to be sent to XER, "The Sunshine Station," Del Rio, Mexico, DX910C (Green Island): Station 3HA, Hamilton (the voice of Western Victoria) was testing on October 21, and was officially opened on Oct. 24 by

the Victorian Postmaster-General.-

W.

N.

(Dunedin).

IE took the station on 780 kc. (411 m.) to be XER, Del Rio, Texas. I would be pleased if any DX-er could give me any further information-N. Jenkins (Masterton). KFJF replied to me within new

two months, and 8BA by the second Australian mail-‘Wainui’ (Gisborne). DX450C (Dunedin): Address’ of VE8BY is H. J. and O. Holst, 27 Bambra Road, Caulfield, Victoria -DX203 (Oamaru). DXiHB (Waipukurau): I think your Huropean station on 1190 k.c, (252 m.) is Leipzig, Germany.-H, Jenkins (Masterton). DX Topics 3HA, Hamilton. At 10 p.m. on Oct. 24 I heard the official opening of station 3HIA, Hamilton, "The Voice of Western Vietoria. Hig frequency is approx. 1010 ke. (297m.). Stréngth R6-9, TDA, Davenport, can be heard until 3 a.m. broadcasting on approx. 1290 k.c. (232 m.). He comes in at R3-6, and may be heard generally calling up New Zealand DXers-DXi1.N.W (Blackball). Shortwave Jottings. SHORTWAVE reception has been very good here lately. RV15, Siberia, on 7.1m. comes in at R9 after 7.30 p.m. each evening. Announcements are made in Russian. VK2MH, Sydney, on 31.28m. is very good each Sunday evening. Many listeners state that 2MH is always accompanied by a fade, but this ‘is not so here. VK83DUR, on 49 metres, sometimes relays the Melbourne broadcasting stations, and is well heard, while K3MH, Melbourne, on 31.25m. is excellent on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. Would the French station on 2ME’s wavelength be Paris Hxperimental Radio on 31.65m.? 38Z0, on_ 50 metres, fades a good deal on their Wednesday afternoon session, but otherwise, except for the fact that it is to move off its wavelength, it comes in quite well here. I have received it on dial reading 35, 42 and 45,-"Short-wave" (Marton Junction). America at Midnight. (jpCTOBER 24 I picked up a new Amustralian "B" class station 3HA, Hamilton, on approx. 1010 k.c. (294 m.), just beside 2UH, at R6, Q.S.A. 5. The trans mission was remarkably strong and clear, and, strange to say, fading was practically non-existent-a remarkable feature i. «i ua fi

for an Australian "B" class station. I also heard at 12.7 a.m. station KFI, Milford, Kansas, on approx. 1050 k.c. (258 m.) on his morning programme, I heartily agree with DKI13T and "Joey" in their views regarding the Australian "B’ class stations, Hublished jn their month's "Log."-DX260C (Tainui). XER Well Heard. TATION XER, Del Rio, Texas, was heard well on approx. 735 ke. (408 m.), at 11.30 October 24, giving special request items. These were followed at midnight by a lecture lasting until 12.30 am. The lecturer mentioned that his talk was from 6 a.m. until 6.30 a.m. At the conclusion of this the announcer spoke in Mexican, and then gave his call, "XER, Del Rio, Texas,’ "the sunshine station between the nations," in English. -‘Curious" (Katikati). Early Morning Stations. T E European stations were coming in well on the morning of the 27th. I find the best time to listen for them is around 5 am. They seem to fade away about 5.30. On the 27th, Kracow, Poland, on 244m. (12380 k.e.), ORK on 276m. (1085 k.c.), ORB on 348m. (878 k.c.), and one on 360m.) (832), were all about R+, while a number of others were at less strength.-‘Digger" (Hamilton). Particulars of XER. TATION XER is not located at Mexico City, but operates from Del: Rio, a town on the border of Texas and Mexico. He is officially in, Texas, and his frequency is 720 k.c. (416m). I had him at R6.at 12.20 a.m. on Oct: 29, and held him for half an hour. 3HA (Hamilton), "The Voice of Victoria" has been coming in. with great punch recently. — WLW (Cincinatti, Ohio), was also coming in very strongly at 11.45 p.m. on Oct. 8.DX1IW (Hataitai).

A Walve Catastrophe. A RECEN™ batch of verifications to hand includes WGES, Chicago. This station’s Ekko stamp is yellow, and portrays the American eagle. KMTR in their letter convey best wishes to the DN Club. As 90 volts are rather high for filament voltage I am off the air indefinitely, but still read with interest_the DX Club Notes and "Radio. Log."-DX12HB (Havelock North). [Sorry you have had such bad luck Flash-lamp fuses are very cheap, and can save you pounds in valves. As an alternative a very thin strip of cigarette packet tinfoil’ inserted in the ""B-"lead is quite effective--Hi.] Siberia On the Broadcast Band. Ps a verification just to hand from the director of the Calcutta station, he mentioned that he lived for a considerable time with a My. J. M. Calder, who came from Nelson, so he knows.’ good deal about this country. "Argonaut" (Auckland): The title of the theme song played from K¥FI before signing off is "Devotion." H.F.A. (Masterton): I listened to the station on WLW’s frequency a few mornings recently from 8 a.m. until 4.30 a.m. and heard several orators speaking at what appeared to be a large gathering, judging by the volume of applause following each speech. Between each speech a brass band played a few bars. I think this station is Siberian, as the speech was certainly Russian and the time8.30 to 10.10 p.m. in Russia-seemed in agreement. DX840C (Dunedin): I wrote VK3AM a few weeks after I heard VK2UR, Uralla, N.S.W. (not Italy), which was about eight months ago. Re blacklisted’ stations: I would be pleased to. hear if anyone has received verifications from BWR and 5DN. — It is ten weeks since I sent my third report, enclosing cstnmned addressed envelope each time

and still have had no reply.

J.P.

C.

(RN):

A Tip for DXers. I HAVE not noticed any DXers reporting on reception of morning sessions from the American stations. On October 26 I tuned in between 12 midnight and 3.80 a.m., and heard a large number of stations, eleven of whom I had never heard before. DxXers who are entering for the DX competition should take advantage of this opportunity now.-"Dud" (Bay of Plenty). Concerning Power Lealcs. TINH following is a rather amusing paragraph re power interference taken from.a es piewapaner. In explanation, C.H.B stands for Central Hawke's ee Power Board; Messrs. Lee

ind Fowler are the engineer and secretary respectively, and Mr. Russell is the chairman.-DX1HB (Waipukurau). "In a letter to the editor of the Waipawa ‘Mail’ a correspondent, signing himself as ‘Right-Valve,’ writes as fol-lows:-Hullo! Eyerybody. Station (H.B.P.B., Waipukurau — calling-lLee and Fowler, Ine., distributors of power ‘eakages for Central Hawke’s Bay. It it’s a Lee and Fowler leak it’s the best eak in town. By request of the Waixawa Radio Society, we present thai vopular melody, "Gone are the Days of ‘food Reception," played by Fowler and nis Interference Boys. Following this. 1 lecture on "How to produce noises and annoy listeners" will be presented by Mr. itussell.’ "’ In: Defence of 4BC. if WOULD also like to say in defence of 4BC that I have just received a very prompt reply from that station. So far all my Australian reports have *¥eeived prompt attention, with one ex-"ption-that of 2XL, Broken Hill. tT gged this station when it first comenced operations and was testing, but » far have received no reply. Has any ‘Ner 4%4L, Dunedin, on his black list? wrote to him on September 7, enclosing stamped and addressed envelope, and I m still waiting patiently. He was test- ¢ on this occasion and specially asked s y reports-DX81W (Lyall Bay). Why Not? q PPARENTLY many DX-ers would like another cup to compete for. I vould like to suggest that if each of our 00 odd members contributed 6d. a very ine cup could be procured. It could be warded to the DXer,who won it three ‘mes at intervals or twice in succession. think it would last quite a while, for. judging by the reports in the DX column. waany appear to be in the running for the next competition-DXI13T. [The cup mentioned above could take the place of the Ellis Cup, which is to be competed for among DXers_ using battery-operated. sets of five valves or less, and which will be won outright nexi December. What do DXers think?-Hd. A Mexican Mystery. Ho F.A, (Masterton) and W.IK.L. (Mo- * tueka): Mexican station to me apnears rather a mystery. According to fre-

quency this should be XN. I listened to him on the 22nd inst. and again on thew, 28th. From 12 p.m. to 12.30 on the sth ¥ Dr, eases, and recommended a hospital and drug store in Milford,.Kansas. At the end of the talk a call was given which sounded like KEBD. On looking up a log I find a station KGBZ, if announced as KGBZee,. would sound similar. Incidentally this station is owned by Dr. Geo. R. Miller, York, Nebraska, and operates on 980 k.e. (822 m.). On resuming, announcement was given XPR and a talk was carried on till 1 a.m., answering questions and soliciting inquiries be sent in at one dollar a time for mailed reply. This speaker gave his name and address as Mr. Melroy Delves, Texas. No announcement was made at any time concerning Mexico. I have heard the call several times, and I am satisfied it is XHR. The latest to mv list are WGN. KHO,. WMAO. KFWI, gave a talk on ailments and dis- ‘

and 6PR, Perth-

B.

W.

(Stratford).

Recent Loggings. LATEST loggings include KOL, Seattle Washington, 286-m (1270 k.e.); KYW, Chicago, Illinois, 294 m. (1030 ke.) ; 83HA, Hamilton, Australia, 297/m. (1030 k.e.). DXIHB: The. only early morning station working near 252° m. (1190 k.e.) is Gleiwitz 253.4 m. "Riser" (Dunedin): I also have heard Konigsberg announced: from the 1080 k.c. (278 m.), German. Can any DxX-er tell me what is the best time to try for Cuban stations, and also the best one to try for? Have any DX-ers receiyed confirmation from a- Cuban station ?-

H. F.

Adcock

(Masterton).

Early Morning DX-ing. MONDAY, October 26, was a great morning for reception here both for the Australian and European stations. The following Australian stations were logged: 6PR, Perth; 2HM, Bondi; 2HN. of name of town) ; 83HA, Hamilton; 3RU, Balwyn; 5WS, Adelaide; 2HL, Sydney; and also a station on 1210 k.c. (248 m.), talking with 5WS giving call VK38R Bratislava on the same morning was R9 on the loudspeaker, while Krakow (Poland) and Leipzig (Germany) were RS. Heilsberg, Brno, Mullacker, Toulouse, and about a dozen others were all between R6-R8. At 3.30 a.m. I counted 27 stations all above strength R83. * DX840C (Dunedin) asks if any DX-er has heard 8AM or 2UR. I have a verification from VK38AM, Ellwood, whose power is 20 watts. Have also logged VK2UR, Urella, but it is not verified. By the way, my age is 15 years 1 month. On October 27 I heard WMBI, Chicago, 278 m. (1080 k.e.) on their "midnight evangelistie session." Reception was very clear, strength being R7. They closed down just after 7 p.m, This is only the second time I have heard this station. Following is an extract from a letter received from JOIK, Kanazawa, Japan :-"T Tune 38 thank you for your letter dated 28 on reception of our station, but tery sorry to reply that the programmes you heard were not ours." T have heard this station several times lately on TOO k.e (428 m.). and they nearly always end their English portion of the programme with "God Save the King." and then go on to native music and talk up to 4 a.m. or after. I wonld be very pleased if any DX-er could tell me what station this is. ya Broken Hill; 4QI, ‘Toowonga (not sure’

N.

Jenkins

(Masterton).