News and Views of the DX Club

Radio Record, Volume VI, Issue 17, 4 November 1932, Page 11

News and Views of the DX Club

Answers Bulova.-Probably have no "place in stations identified, "Battery" asks certain questions with regard to the Competition. ‘The replies are :- : _1. The band available for the. Competition is from 540 k.c. (555.6m.) to 1500 k.c, (200m.). so 2. The hours given for summer daylight are standard. 8. We are sorry you do not agree with us with regard to 2KY and 2UW. Address Wanted | VRK4MW heard from 8 p.m. onward on (1500 k.c.) puesday and Friday night last week-5 Stations Identified iS: KTFI, Twin Falls, Ida. 500 watts, 1240 k.c, (242 m.).-Hd. 128MC: VK4LW, Rosali, Brisbane (1500 k.ec.). Manku-Breslau (925 k.c.). Radio.-Your Duropeans are: (5990 k¢.), Brussels No. 1; (690 k.c.), Stockhulmy (570), Riga; (850), Graz; (600), Floyjnee, IFI; (1030), Viipuri. Japs are HONK (680 k.c.) ; JQAK. on (645).msik. AN: KFOX (1250KC).-Mauku ;. Prague, 617 k.e.; and Breslau, 9,23 k.c.Bulova. : "Radio"? (Wellington): American on 8BO (970 kc.) is KJR, Seattle, 5 kw. Australian amateurs do not transmit below 1200 ke., so station on 1135 ke. must be 6MW, Perth.-113A. AN. (Wellington).-Last night (27/ 10/32), I heard a station on. approx. 1805 k.e. Announcer called 4ZD, Cromwell. I followed programme, part of which was sponsored by a Dunedin firm from 7.30 p.m, to 8.30 p.m, Station went off air several times for adjustments. Perhaps J.L.L. (Cromwell) could give us some information about this _ station. Strength of station was about _R5, with rapid fading and distortion -G7M6.

Identification Wanted Station on 1240 k.c., 241:8m., giving the call KGFI. Heard on Sunday, October 16, closing down at 7 p.m., N.Z. summer time: .As KGFI broadeasts on 1500 k.e, this apparently was a relay.- LS. American heard on 1040 k.c., 28/10/82, at 7.45 p.m. Items were given out In groups; several fox trots and tangoes were heard, then announcer said: "Operating on 1 K.C. by authority of the Federal Radio Commission," and then went off. Chinese or Jap station on 680 ke. heard every night, comes in about R6. ‘ American station on 1280 k.c. heard on 15/10/31; Phil Harris’s Band playing at the Cocoanut Grove was heard very ly, and Phil sang "Oh, Monah.". Was this a station relaying KFI, Los Angeles?DX124W. What American is located in Washington, D.C., with a call sounding like WGF-, and working on 1450 ke. {frequency is O.K.), closes down at 6 p.m., N.Z. summer. time?-l13A (Bay of Plenty). | What is the on 1180 k.c.? The announcer spoke with an American accent, and I tuned him in just as he said, "Good morning, everybody," about 1.45.a.m. Also a station about 1540 le. This station was surging, similar to shortwave The item being broadeast was 2

song by a male. performer.--

Brunswick

DX Topics ~ LAtESt Americans include KFAC, KFRC, KHQ, KHJ, KTAB, KFSD, WTAM. Best Huropeans are Heilsberg (Konisberg) and Bordeauz Lafayette. [ would like to get into touch with dxers using a Rogers a.c. model 710 set, in ardert te compare results, ete.67 MO,

Does 7UV Verify? HAS any dxer received a verification from TUV, Tasmania yet? It js about two months since I sent my report in. I have just received a verification from WCCO, Minneapolis, of test broadeast on August 21.-191A.

2UW Special. (CONGRATULATIONS to 20 W. It was certainly a great dx "special." Perhaps some other dxer might be able to inform me who secured this specialwas it ELQ. or one of the New Zealand

secretaries

Sally

(Gore).

[It was secured by one of the secre-taries.-Hid.] Non-Reply Stations. TATIONS on my non-reply list, three months overdue: 4Z1, 1ZQ, 25M, 3HA, 7XL, KMOX?, KZRM, KFPY?, KDB, KCRC, KTRH, KRLD, XER. Reception for American stations has been bad here lately. ‘The Australians are very strong, logging 8AR, 4QG, and 2KO, daylight reception ; all before 5 p.m. -DX150W. (Wanganui).

Card From 3LR. RECENTLY received a card from 8LR, but there were no details with regard to their hours of transmission. The frequency is 5800 k.c. I forwarded report to certain overseas stations enclosing the usual postage for reply. I received my verification by return mail, and the postage stamps were enclose. So much for the charm of dx notepaper.149W., . [The address of 10.0. is: H, Stephens, c/o Railway Station, Katanning, West Australia -Ed.1] Dxers Not Corresponding. HAYS any dxers written to any of the transcontinental dxers whose names a eee ~~

were published in the June issue of the "Times," and received a reply? I wrote simultaneously to six New Zealanders, one Australian, and two Americans, and so far I have received letters only from the two Americans, who answered quite promptly. I am using a 5-valve A.C. set, and I have greatly increased my range and selectivity by incorporating a wave trap. It brought in stations I had not heard before, including XER, Mexico, WCCO, KOA, KGO, and 27K,.-29MC.

Evening Reception and Americans. RRECHEPTION of American stations in the early evenings has fallen off ‘somewhat. Wast Coast stations and central ones, like WENR, WABC, WLW, are very good, but KFI and most of the Californians are very much weaker. -At midnight, however, the Americans are stronger. KMOX is best, while WLW, XER, and WLS ate very powerful. WLS is hererodyning JOAK badly, and WBBM ean be heard through JOAK. I logeed two new ones one night-KMMJ, lay Center, and WJJD, Mooseheart. At first T took the latter for KSL, but the eall given was WJJD. At 2.30 a.m. KFI came on, and was good for a while. KTM, KFOY and KOL were also audible at this time, and many others yet to be jdentified.

Bulova

Latest Verification. I WROTE KZRM on July 17, and the . — replies have just come to hand. Parfrom their card indicate that the location of the transmitter is on Manilla Heights, it is erystal controlled, with a power of 50 kilowatts. Wavelength 485m. (618.5 k.c.). Antenna height, feet, the antenna being of the inverted "T,"’ type. The studios are situated on top of the Insular Building, at Manila, Philippine Islands. . The standard time is 120 deg. E. Meridian. T recently received a reply from WCCO, seven weeks before writing. Incidentaily

L see a local dxer received a card from 32H after the same lapse of time. . Sta« ns on my non-reply list are: 28M, SHA, TZU, 4Zu and 4ZP-115W. Breslau Controversy. prom a card I learn Breslau opened. August 28, 1932, is rated at 60 KWo and transmits on 920 k.e. (325 m.).° I see by this week’s "Wireless Weekly’ that the war is still raging ‘with several New Zealand dxers, Re the list of no-reply stations, mine are; 8HA, 4ZL, 7ZL. My cards to hand are KIFI, 2GB, 2ZW, 2Z2P, 2ZK, and more. Also six or seven on the way. My log stands at 98 stations now. The last two are the harder to log than the first 20, I. think. Re the special transmission from 2UW, on the 15th inst. I listened ai 12.30 p.m., and heard the announcer give his closing announcement and then played "God Save the King," and closed down.-141A.

‘ Huropeans at Good Strength. Wwe have had a period of easterly winds which seems to have affected the re ception of Americans, who are not nears ly so loud as usual. The Huropeans cone tinue to come in better than ever. Breslau and Milan were R7-8 on 18th inst, while Genoa, Heilsberg, Lwow, Buchare est, Bratislava were R4-5 on the same morning. 2LO is heard fairly often, but volumé is never above R3 except on 18th, whe LI held them for an hour at R3-4. Alsa heard a Mexican on 1270 k.c. on 14th and 18th inst. CFCT, B.C. was heard at RZ recently.. VAS was heard on’ 16th inst, at 8.30 p.m., held him for 25 minutes, KSL, Salt Lake City, was heard testing on the 19th, coming in R6. I notice some dxers give call of Chinese station on 680 k.e. as KHOA. This is ineorrect, correct eall beine XGOA. Address was given in

last week’s "R.R."-

Omsk

(Whakatane),

. New Verifications, ATEST verifications are 2GB; VK2EK 5DN, KGA and KTRH, and 4ZC, Cromwell. 2K transmits o: 1160 k.c,, 12.5 watts. I received a car from 5DN (an excerpt from KTRH) : "Recently we came across 2. number of letters from dxers, among which was one from you with postmark ‘May 7,’ and there was no record of it having been ans gwered. I had already received one front them, so ‘Bulova’s’ may turn up yet. 422, Cromwell, would appreciate reports, Ade dress, J. I. Bilton, Cromwell. Schedules 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. daily. Sunday, 10am. Thursday, 8-10 pm. Frequene 1260 k.c., power 25 watts." ° Reception has been poor lately, oon Americans in the early evenings have bee practically inaudible, but in the late eve: ings came in at good strength, KNO being among the best, with WLW as eerond. KS, has been heard at

strength also.-

Ranganui

(Dunedin).

Verification from 3ZR. 328 asks us to notify all those who have not received verification cards té communicate with the station immediate= ly. The majority of verifications were suspended pending the printing of new, ecards, The transmission hours have been revised, and greater power is now used. 8ZR requests reports from the various districts in N.Z. . "Some enthusiasts send in, and continue to send in, reports of 84R on 820 k.c.. We notice in a recent "Record" one enthue siasi’s protest against his not receiving 2° card. He reported stating he heard us on 820 k.c., whereas we had been on 1300 k.c. for some weeks prior to the date of his letter. "Concluding we wish to advise that owing to increased efficiency of our staff, all corresnondence will receive immediate

attention for return mail,’*

M.

E.

Spiers,

Good Dxing. DueRine the past few weeks ax had heen very good indeed. A power leak up this way has been-very troubles some during the rough weather, buf

static has behaved itself, and some good dx has been heard. A Mexican station on 218 metres (approx.) has been coming in well, but the call is hard to get. It sounds like XEV. KFI is again the star performer, followéd closely by WENR, KTM, KS (very good on test), KMOX, KDKA has been heard very early in the afternoon, but fading badly. KGO very clear but not so loud as usual. A. thing T noticed during the past month has been that the lower frequency stations have been coming far louder and steadier than those of higher frequency. The Huropeans ‘*haye reached maximum strength now, and it is amazing the number which aré Teally worth listening to now. Prague has been the best, followed by Graz, Stuttgart, Lwow, Rome, Wilno, Bratislava, Heilsberg, Brno, and a new one to me on 5b4 ke. (542 m.), which I think

is Sundsvall, Sweden.

H.

F.

Adcock.

‘KSL’s New Transmitter. D*=RS who tuned in to KSL, 1130 k.e. (265.5m) on Saturday, Oct. 22, certainly had ample scope to display their dxing ability. This station, in Salt Lake City, Utah, has recently increased its power to 50 k.w. On Saturday evening the station was caught in the midst of a Marathon race with itself, on a continuous programme from Friday to Sunday midnight (mountain time equals 19 hours behind N.Z. summer time). On Saturday the transmission was very clear, ¢specially the announcements, and the signals came through at greater volume than KFI, with which KSL was directly compared. There was an abrupt fade in evidence, with a duration of 5 to 10sec., and a period of about 5 minutes, but this was no hindrance to dxing or to general enjoyment of the programme. From 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. the transmission was coming through at R9, QSA5, but increasing statie reduced this to A6, QSA1, by 11.3 p.m,-188A

The Stamp Problem. B® "Omsk’s’" inquiry: As we have had visitors for the last two months and I have not a room to myself, or two radios, I have been unable to do any axing after midnight (when I come home from the office), or any other time, owing to the row I kick up. So I am unable to say at present how the VK’s are coming in. In the past they have been few and far between. I hold _verifications from VK7DR, 3HF, and 8LU. As T am only, at any time, able to listen from 6 p.m, every second week, I am slightly handicapped. 2AY’s verification was received two weeks after report was posted. Radio Saigon in the latest call book is given as 840 ke. (858 m.), 12 kw. I have a faint recollection of reading that they were going off the air for a while, but am not quite sure, ‘"22N," in October "Times": One penny and 13d. Australian and U.K. stamps can be purimeem

-ehased at any of the main post offices, but supply is limited to purchasing six in one day. Try at the Richmond P.O., and if they have none ask them to get them for | you-they will, In the "Identification ! Wanted" column of the "Radio Record" ( dated 14th, someone was wanting the amateur Australian on 1135 ke. This station would be 6ML, Perth, as no amateurs are allowed to work on a frequency as low as. that, They work on 1200-1500 ke.-1LI3A.

Earthing the Aerial. BARTHED the far end of my aerial, and was amazed at the: increased yolume from stationy south or west of me, but found I had almost killed northern station signals. My aerial runs roughly north and south, and it occurred to me that as my lead-in was at the south end this was the explanation of losing north signals with this end of my aerial earthed. By further experimenting I finally brought a lead from. the far end of my aerial back to a switch by my set, for ease in experimenting. The switch is a six point one. Each end of the aerial went to two points, two different earths to another two points, and twopoints were common, so that looping could be done. Now I get the following results :-From 720 to 1300 kilocycley the increase received signals, commence with normal aerial strength at 720, gradually incressing to reach a maximum increase at 1000 kiloeycles, then gradually til normal aerial strength is reached ‘again at 1800 kilocycles. Tf the aerials are looped through the aerial and earth connections on set, between 1200 and 1300 kilocycles, a very large increase of signal strength is shown. Below 720 and above 1300. I get best results if the eatth is removed. The set is a super het. Similar experiments with two other makes of super hets. ‘gave similar results, although at perhaps different readings of the dial. Similar experiments with three machines not super hets. produced no results, My normal aerial was roughly 100 feet, now heine with the loon back to set. 200

feet.-

J.R.

C.

(New Plymouth),

Definitely Breslau. HAVE been interested in the contioyersy regarding: the station on 923 ke, about which a good deal has apred in the last two issues of "Radio ecord." I now offer this definite information. "The station is Breslau, and the call, which is, usually given between 5 a.m. and 5.15 a.m., is "Oster Deutches Rundfunk, Gleiwitz and Breslau" (Hastern German Radio). Perhaps dxers might like to know what the talks ure about from Heilsberg (from Hizeberz) and Breslau. On Sundays (Monday here) they are often about _ sports, frequently, horse racing. Other talks heard have been about politics, education, travel, Russia, and what to do in the event of an attack from the air, how to detect gas, etc. are

On the Wane. D~* has been on the wane lately, so I have deserted the B.C, band for shortwave, To my surprise I received a card trom KZRM. I sent him my third repor: on 16/6/32, and enclosed a reply coupon. According to his card, the power is still 50 k.w.j and frequency 618.5 k.c. (485m.). The address is Broadcasting Dept., Radio Corporation of the Philippines, Manila, P This does not tally with the call book. They operate every night, except Monday, from 6.00 p.m. to 11.60 p.m., their standard time, and would appreciate reports from N.Z. The "Timés" is becoming a better paper every month, from the point of view. I saw a paragraph in the "Record" some time ago, where a member was asking if 4ZR been ‘heard up as far as Palmerston. I have a verification from him when he was using only 4 watts. What is the farthest. north he has been heard? Re these non-reply stations ; I have replies from the following 8HA, 25M, 2ZH, 4 ZP, 2ZS, KZRM, TLA, 22K, TUV, 32k, KGER, and KMOX. Some members report these stations as not having replied, but with the exception of KZRM, and 3HA and 28M, they all verified my report promptly. The stations that have not answered reports are 2KY and KRLD. Regent verifications are KGRS, after "gix foonths ; WDAG, return mail; KDKA and\ KFAG. WDAG-1410KG- IKW, address; Smarello Hotel, Smarello, Texts, They jssue Ekko stamps, only upon receipt of 10 cents., accompanied with a correct report of reception. KDKA assures a prompt reply if the reports are addressed to G. Dare Fleck, traffic manager, KDKA, William Penn Hotel. Statice has been violent on the s.w. for the last week, and only slightly better on the B.C.-DX48A.

Verification from KKW. HAV received an interesting letter from KKW. The station is located at Bolinas, California, and is operated on 18780 ke. It is a point-to-point communication station, and not a broadcasting station, and is one unit of the public service world-wide communications system of R.C.A. Communications, Incorporated, a subsidiary of the R.C.A., through which direct radio telegraphic circuits’ are maintained beween U.S.A. and 32 foreign points, and by connecting circuits at these points with practicaily any part of the world. Supplementing its radio telegraphic services the company also operates transoceanie point-to-point radio telephone seryices for the transmission of addressed programme material between the U.S.A, and poin‘s abroad. J The material is not intended for general reception, regnlar schedules are not maintained, the transmission being effected when and as the programme material is offered by a customer for transmission, and the station or: frequency utilised is offered upon the propagation phenomena of the season, time of day, direction and distance of the | foreign point to be reached. The power varies from 1-40 k.w., according to transmission conditions, and usually a directional antenna is employed. "The transmission which you intercepted may have been either addressed programme material, or point-to-point transmission for observation at a specific foréign terminal. In either case it is classified by international treaty and United States law, us point-point communication, concerning which obligation of secrecy is imposed, both upon us and uponoany chance intercepting listener. Such communication is "correspondence of a private nature," of which "the unauthorised reception," "the unauthorised publication or use," is in violation of the, secrecy provisions of the International Radio Convention. With this in mind you will no doubt appreciate that we 1o not supply any eonfirmation of material transmitted by |

our stations.-

S.

T.

, (Wellington),

Americans and Europeans, EUROPEAN reception has been bad here lately, static very troublesome. During the month I have been able to pick up seventeen Huropeans from 5,306.30 to 645 a.m. In addition to these i have picked up six or seven, but too faint to bother about; my best being as follow :-EAJ13, Spain; Heilsberg, Germany; OKR, Czecho- slovakia ; Breslau, | Germany ; Goteberg, Sweden; Bucharest, Algiers, Pitt, France. Ree" above listed are heard at R4-5 and On 21/10/22, from 5.30 a.m., the following were heard trom R38 to R6 :- Sweden; HAJ13, Spain; Hailsberg, Germany ; "OKR, ; Goteberg, Sweden; Breslau, Germany ; Brng, Czecho-Slovakia; WAJI1, Spain; Algiers (Pitt), France; Helsnikei, Finland; LWOW, Poland; Bucharest, Roumania ; Katawice, Poland; Sottens, ; 1RO, Rome, Italy ; OKP, Prague, Czecho-Slovakia. Many thanks to DX22W. and DX12W. American reception is good, from 5.380 p.m. till dark, when static is very troublesome. "The following for one evening were heard from R38 to R9:-KGA, KECA, KGHR, KWK, KGB, KGMB, KFAC, KDYL, KOIL, KFOX, WOAI, Wwowo, WCAU, KSL, KMOX, WAM, KNX, KFVD, KH, KLX, WENR, WABG, KOA, KGO; KTM, WBBM, WLW, KPO, KFI, KMTR, KTAB. KNX has lately been broadcasting boxing matches every Saturday evening, 6 p.m.-1381A |