News and Views of the D.X. Club

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 18, 13 November 1931, Page 10

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. A>) Ea) ee

-Replies to Correspondents a T.J.C. (Porirua): We have tested a set of the make you own, and found it quite good for dx-ing. A.E.S. (Wellington): Yes, several dxers. wrote in some time ago complaining that they had not received answers to the reports they sent to 4Z. : DX438MC (Christchurch): A panel showing the interpretation of the Q.S.A. and R. abbreviations appears on page 11. Addresses and Addresses Wanted DX910C (Green Island): 3HA, Hamilton, Western Victoria Broadcasting Company, 1 Gray Street, Hamilton, Australia-DX74W (Wellington).

DX450C (Dunedin): 3BY, hae J. and O. Holst, 27 Bambra HOG. OC akeeeee cues Victoria, $.1.7 Identification Wanted Station on 600 k.c. (499m.), approx., just audible on Oct. 29. At 7.88 a woman sang two songs. Lady announcer. Also station heard at 5.80 a.m. on approx. 1110 ke. (270m.). Ten strokes on a gong, something similar to that heard from KPI, were heard.-DX238MC (Christehurch).

Sydney station heard at approx. 12.30 a.m, on October 24, on 267m. (1120 k.c.). On signing off the announced mentioned that station was operated by some Sydney Publishing Company. Call resembled 6s BE."-DX82A (Cambridge). Station operating just below KZRM, Manila, Speech is foreign. It generally closes down at 3 a.m. with an orchestral item.-N. Jenkins (Masterton). American on approx. 425 m. (705 k.c.) heard at 11.35 p.m. on October 31. At 11.40 p.m. speech was heard, followed by a vocal item with yodelling. Speech concerning a reliable electric heater was again heard at 11.45 p.m. This was followed at 11.50 by a vocal item with banjo accompaniment. Also station on approx. 510 m. (587 k.c.), which often relays KFI-DX86W (Wellington). . Stations Identified DX27W. (Marton): Staton heard heterodyning 38YA at 7.30 p.m. is KJR, Seattle, Washington, on 309m. (970 k.c.).

I have heard the call on 3YA’s silent day. HeclosesatS8pm. "Tiny" (P.N.), Oracow. Poland, on 244m. (12380 k.e.), I notice TI, Jenkins (Masterton) identifies the European station on 1190 ke. (252m.) as Leipzig, Germany. The latter Odersites on 250m. (1160 k.c.), and Glei-

witz now operates on 253.4m. This ig taken from a call-book dated September, 1931.-H.F.A, (Masterton). L.R.H. (Dunedin): The Australian you heard with the Chinese programme ’> on October 25 was 83DB, Melbourne, on 175 ke. (255 m.)-NZIGW (Welling: ton). "Radio" (Invetcargill): XHER, Del Rio, Mexico. For further particulars see "DX Topics’ column in this and last weeks’ issues. DX Topics Uncensored News. At 11.80 p.m. on October 31 I heard a station on 412 m. (728 k.e.). An nouncer gave the position of Japanese warships and of Japanese and Chinese troops. He stated that trench-digging operations had commenced, and that it was evident more trouble was impending, Shortly after a man spoke before the microphone in a foreign tongue, and when he had finished the announcer stated that he could not give the speaker’s name as it would get him into trouble. The announcer then remarked that they were up in the hills and that their wavelength was altered from day to day so that they would not be caught with the transmitting plant, Strength was R6 on the speaker, so the station must have been fairly powerful. On October 5 I logged XEN at 410 m, (730 k.c.).DX64A (Mokau). Particulars of KTAB. THE following is taken from a card received from KTAB, the Pickwick Stages station. The studios are situated in the Pickwick Terminal Hotel, San Franciso. Frequency is 560 k.e.

(200.4 m.), and power 1 kw-

H.F.

A.

(Masterton).

Our Youngest Member, D*80c (Dunedin): Congratulations. I_ think you are the youngest member. I am only 18. I have been ing for seven months on a three-valye’ set and have logged 54 stations. Has any DX-er received a verification from 4ZP, Invercargill?-DX74W (Wellington). XER Again Heard. At approx. 11.15 p.m. on October 17, XER, Del Rio, Texas, was logged. Several items were heard and then announcer remarked they were on the air from 5 a.m. their time, corresponding to 11 p.m. N.Z.D.S.T. He also asked for reports.-DX910C (Green Island). Concerning Goats. B W. (Stratford) and others: I believe * I can help you with the mystery Mexican station. For a number of years I have been corresponding with a friend just out of Milford, Kansas. Some | time ago I received full particulars Diweh ’ a Doctor Brinkley, who owned station KYEB. It appears he used to conduct) regular broadcasts on curing ailments P\.

American Reception The following table shows the relative strengths of reception (Ri-10) of. American stations heard between 5 and p.m. on November 1-the best DX night I have experienced this year. -H.F.A. (Masterton). 1 nee cosaee 9 KGO, WLW, KPO ........ 8 _ KTM, WBBM, *WDAG..., 7 KMOX, KGMB, KNX ..... 6 KSTP, KMTR, KTAB ...... 5 KKECA nce eee eee eee oo 4 KROW, KFWB, WENR ... 3 WOAT, WTAM ........ ceee *WDAG, Amarillo, Texas, 213m. (1410 k.c.), was received for the first time playing recordings. This is only a 250-watt station. ote

and diseases with goat glands. The Federal Radio Commission objected to his methods and cancelled: his. license, with the result that he sold the station to an insurance company.’ Dr. Brinkley is evidently a man of means, for he left Milford with the intention ‘of opening a similar station in Mexico. This is evidently the station you heard, and the institution mentioned is probably Dr. Brinkley’s hos-: pital at Milford. O.V.B. (N. Auckland) :- How are the Mexican stations coming in? My best to date is XHH, Monterey, although he wanders a little off his wavelength occasionally. My latest logging is WAPI. May I ask the old question, "Are DX members wearing their badgesor have they had them framed?" . I have never seen one yet, and there must be some in this district.-‘Kia Ora’ (Frankton Jn.). "A Mystery Solved. WHILE in Wellington about six months agolI reported hearing a shortwave station with the call KEL, Bolinas, Cali- » fornia, At the time the speech from / the Emperor of Japan was being trans‘mitted. Recently I have read in the DX columns several inquiries concerning & station KWS, or KHL. To clear up any controversy on this point I am sending a verification. (Reproduced _ be-low.-Ed.) The call "KEL" was heard distinctly on several occasions by Mr. Sellens and myself. Evidently KEL is the broadcast ‘station and was relayed through KS, for my request for verification addressed to the former station reached the latter safely -N.Z.68W (Bluff). "We thank you for your report on our KES, 10,410 k.c., Bolinas, California, transmitter which was conducting experimental telephone tests at the hour you mention. This is one of the several transmitters used in our commercial telegraph trans-Pacifie radio services direct

from San Francisco to Japan, China, Manila, Dutch Hast Indies, French IndoChina, Honolulu, and Panama. Also our services extend from San Francisco to New York, Boston, and Washington. We have no regular schedules for telephone tests and the frequencies employed in this work may vary, depending upon the hour of the day and the country with which tests are being conducted. Telephone tests are usually conducted with some country across the Pacific, such as Japan, China, Manila, Siam, or Honolulu. "On the Atlantic seaboard R.C.A. Communications Ine. provides extensive direct radio-telegraph services to more than 32 countries in Europe, Africa, and in Central South America. The transmitters for these services are located at Rocky Point, Long Island, New Brunswick, New Jersey, and Tuckerton, New Jersey. The extensive receiving plant is located at Riverhead, Long Island. All R.C.A. Communications shortwave transmitters are crystal controlled and are held accurately on their assigned frequencies. Most of them are used in conjunction with very efficient directive antenna, which enable us to send messages at high -transmitting speeds over great distances and consequently to provide excellent service to these countries. Very truly vours.

R. R.

BEAL

Division Manager."

European Loggings, MONTH ago I shifted my set five miles out of town, where I am working on a farm. It is now located on the top of a hill, well away from all power lines, and practically free from interference. My aerial is 120 feet long and about 40 feet high, and the earth is a 3ft. pipe which I keep well watered.. In the early mornings lately the Europeans have been coming in very well. The best I receive are :- 1RO, Rome, and Turin, Italy. Heilsberg, Germany, 276m. (1085 k.c.). Tangenberg, Germany, 478m. (633 C.). Bordeaux, Lafayette, France, 304m. (986 k.c.). Strasbourg, France, 345m. (870 k.c.).

Vienna, Austria, 517m. (580 k.c.). London: Regional, 356m. (840 k.c.). London National, 261m. (1150 k.c.). Latest loggings include KDKA, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, 306m. (980 k.c.) ; WABO,New York City, 346m, (864 k.c.), annroximately. and KMTR. Hollywood.

California, 526mn. 570 kc).

W.

L.

(Oamaru). ® 2YA Heterodyned. URING the last three ‘weeks I have noticed that an American station has been heterodyning 2YA badly during the dinner and news session, that is, from 6 p.m, to 7.30 p.m. When I disconnect the "L" aerial and put on the Beverage the interfering station can be heard at R6 under 2YA. Owing to the interference I have not been able to catch the call of the stranger, but I have heard the announcer mention "California" several times. On November 2 the station was coming iw well when 2YA closed down for a few minutes. I am sure this has been the cause of the distortion attributed to 2YA, as it disappears after 7.30 p.m., when the stranger closes down. 2YA is excellently received both after that time and during the day, and = programmes >, are much Recent Loggings. ATEST loggings include WDAG, Amarillo, Texas, 1410 k.c. (213 = m.), heard testing on Nov. 1; XER, Del Rio, Mexico, on 735 k.c. (408 m.) ; and KDKA, Pittsburg, on 980 k.c. (806 m.). The latter was at good strength on Nov. 33YA’s silent night-and closed down at 7 p.m. In a recently received verification from WBAP, Fort Worth, Texas, 800 k.c. (375 m.), their power is given as 10 k.w., not 50 k.w., as given in all the latest call-books. I also received a varifieatinn from VR7DR. Davennort.

Tosmania on 1290 k.c (222 m.).

N.

Jenkins

(Masterton)_

Particulars of .3GK’s Plant. HE latest verifications include 7DR, Davenport; 38BY, Melbourne (after 13 months) ; 2X0, Broken Hill; XEW. Mexico; Ki tah; 8GK, Seddon: and VUC, Bombay. bi a letter from 3GK he says that listeners often mix his call up with those of 83HK, 3BK, and 3DK. His

transmitter is erystal controlled with a power of 80 watts input, while the speech amplifier is of unusual design, having three stages ‘of direct coupling, giving a voltage amplification of 10,000. i@ antenna is of the umprella type, 70 feet height, with a counterpoise. This transmitter, using only 10 watts power, has been heard in Canada. Re the question of daylight’ reception of the Axistralians, I do not think that 54D, 5KA, 2KY, and 6WE should be included in those not accepted. I am in favour of "Searcher’s" jdea eoncerning the stations west of Vic-toria-DX840C (Dunedin). KGU’s Schedule. ON Oct. 29 I logged KMMJ, Clay Center, Nebraska, just below XHR. The following are particulars of KGU, Honolulu, which broadcasts on 940 k.c. (319 m.). Address: The Honolulu Advertiser, Advertiser Square, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, Hawaii. Schedule: Daily, 6.15 to 10 am., 12-1 p.m., 3.45 to 11 p.m. Sundays, 8.15 to 10.15 am., and 3.45 to 10.30 p.m., Hawaiian time, (Note: 7.30 p.m. Honolulu time is 5.45 p.m. N.Z.8.2. the following day in New Zealand.) ‘The director of KGU is Mr. M. A. Mulrony.-‘Multi-mu" (Dunedin). DX Jottings. "NININY" (P.N.): Certainly. Anyone else who cares to call can obtain my address from the DX Hditor.-N. Jenkins (Masterton). I would like to correct you as to the stations you heard on October 26. 2HM, Bondi, is known as "Miss 2HM," and on that date she was working with her father, 2HM Broken

Hill, operated by H. Marshall, announcer and director of station 2XL. Station working 5WS was 3RG, Castlemaine. Re Jap. station, you probably sent for verification to JOKE instead of JOJK. The latter operates on 710 kc. (422 m.), and the former on 700 k.c. "(428 m.). Recently I received a detailed verification dated Sept, 10 from JOJK verifying reception of August 2; At the same time I have not heard either station later than 2.20 am. B.W. (Stratford): XHR is quite correct, but I cannot understand the eall because Del Rio is really in the State of Texas. This station must have increased its power, for it comes in too well to be operating on the listed 100

watts.

J.P.

C.

(P.N.).

Another DX Cup. Dew (Marton): 2ZR, Wellington, will operate on 234.4 m, (1280 k.c.), so it could hardly heterodyne with 8YA. L.M. (Northcote): I have heard your station seyeral nights during October, and although I have not heard their call I am sure it is American. 2ZK, Wanganui, has prevented me from identifying him. DX12HB: Cheer up. I have had my set only three months, and have already burnt out the rectifier and a screen-grid valve. DX81W: I also received an exceeding prompt reply from 4BO, although I sent no return postage. However, I have written three times to 4ZL, Dunedin, including postage each time, but have received no reply. DX13T: I think your idea re club members contributing 6d.

. "Q" SIGNALS. QRA-Location of: Station. QRH-Wavelength, QRI-Tone of signals. QRK-Strength of Signals, QRM-Interference. QRN-Siatic. . QRO-Higher power. QRP-Low power. QRS-Sending slower, QRT,.-Sitop sending. QRU-Nothing further, QRX~-Waiting. QSA-Readability. QSB-Fading. QSL-Acknowledgment. QSO-Contact, R-Audibility. Ri-Faint signals; just readable, 2-Weak signals; barely readable. 38-Weak signals, but can be copied. 4-Fair signals; easily readable. 5-Moderately strong signals. 6-Good signais. 7-Good strong signals; readable through QRM and QRN. S-Very strong; readable several feet away from phones, 9--Extremely strong signals, QSA-Readability. QSA1i-Hardly perceptible; unreadable, 2-Weak; readable in patches. 8-Fairly good; readable with difficulty. 4-Good readable signals. 5-Very good signals; perfectly readable. A full list of Ham abbreviations appeared in the "Radio Record" of April 2, 1931.

-_ each towards a cup is excellent. My aerial is of the "L" type, 300 feet long, 60 feet high at the far end and 40 feet at the lead-in end. It is always advisable when trying out test aerials not to go by any improvement they might make to local reception or to that from high-pow-ered stations at medium ‘distances."Audio" (Blenheim). Blacklisted. LATEST verifications include 4GR, 4T0, and KFSD. The following stations are on my black list :-4ZL, 4ZW. 3WR, 2MVY, WFAA, KTM, WLAC, and KTBS. DXS1W : I logged OXL at about the same time as you, and received my verification yery soon after.-‘Wainui" (Gisborne).