News and Views of the DX Club

Radio Record, Volume VI, Issue 19, 18 November 1932, Page 12

News and Views of the DX Club

Replies pitta: I have received a card from TU, Diverstone. 67MC: I am using a 1931 ais Rogers. Radio A.C, 1883MC: XHR, Acuna, Mexico. -164A.

Identification Wanted American station playingorgan records heard at 11.45 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, heterodyning 2KY.-164A. on 1105 ke. on October 25. I held him from 4.45 a.m. to 5.31 a.m., the strength of the signals being R4. rogramme, man announcer. Could it be V10, Minsk?--DX130W. At 12,25 a.m. on the 6th instant I picked up an Australian on 250 metres put+ ting over a song entitled "In the Bushes at the Bottom of the Garden." Musie, fox-trot, followed by "God Save the King.’-W.B. (Wanganui). Station heard Sunday, November 6, on 680 ke., stronger than first. I listened to him about three times between 1 a.m. and 1.40 a.m., and there was only the one man talking in four or five word sentences in some foreign (not U.S.A. or Japanese). Neither "did it sound like a Mexican, which I have heard occasionally. The transmission finished with apparently the

station call, "ABOO.".

E.

M.

(Hawera ).

Dx Topics The Authenticity of News PVHEN writing in the "Radio Record" of November 4 I had no intention of starting a'controversy. I ventilated my opinion in the interests of the club and have been the recipient of many congratulations, but one member chooses to gall it an attack on the truthfulness of mews’ sent in’ by members. I gave no hint or word of untruthfulness,' and eyvidently my letter has been accepted in a ‘wrong spirit by that member. Further, he says he cannot see much in it, but I repeat the words that too much logging is done from books; I am still of the same epinion re London and KDKA, and when I see verifications published in the "R.R.," don at any time and KDKA at midday I will be the first to congratulate the lucky party. I have an American magawine that tells me Jack Denny’s orchestra plays from KDIKA once a week. I have forgotten nothing as to the influence of the sun on radio, and I repeat that in , September in England the sun is as strong at 5 o’clock p.m. ag it is at midday. I lived there 29 years, so I should know. I again reiterate my appeal that the remarks be accepted in the spirit they were written, and as far as I am coneerned the subject is closed. Many thanks éo all those who supported me.-J.P.C. {We hgree with the sentiments expressed by J.P.C. and those who supported him. Not only is greater space taken by publishing "wild goose chases" but dxers are, perhaps unintentionally, misJed. In future requests for verification that do not mention items will not be published, and the same applies for identifiecations that are merely suggestions, sueh as those stating "probably" or "perhaps." -Ed.] ONGRATULATIONS, JPC. I was very pleased to see an abler pen than mine-join issue with some of our dx news reporters, I was very surprised though to read the letter in the last issue by one of our prominent dxers. He admits that some of the statements that have appeared are ridiculous, and straightaway puts forward one that must appear to all serious dxers as the absolute gem of dome of the latest ‘super dx," I refer to KDKA at midday. I hold a verification from KDKA, and on my set he comes im. just the faintest hair line off 3YA, although both are tested at 980 k.c, I do not think there. is any doubt about the station he heard at midday. It would quite impossible to hold any station than 3YA on that frequency "all

afternoon as proof,’ but we never hear anything about verifications being mentioned.. Now, OM, you have contributed quite a wealth of interesting notes re dx stations, and I’m sure every reader looks forward to, and appreciates, them, put don’t spoil them all at this juncture. © American reception on the average has gone off here considerably, with . bright patehes occasionally. I find they. are coming in very well on their early morn‘ing sessions now, and at 12 o’clock midnight Saturday XER was R8, the loudest I have every heard him. The announcer asked for reports on reception, and mentioned there was a very heavy frost on the ground. It was raining hard here at that time, yet he was very steady and cleas. Verifications, which have . been coming along much slower lately, include the following :-WOWO, KMBC, KLRA, WSAI, WGY and KFJF. The _lastnamed reports that having been off the air for some ‘time installing their new transmitter. The new equipment is-costing 750,000 dollars, and it is hoped to have the station on the air about the beginning of November. The new call is KOMA, frequeney the same, 1480 k.c.. Reports from New Zealand are welcomed, The new transmitter is a 5 k.w. Western Electric of the most up-to-date design, There is a ‘special broadcast for the Trancontinental Dx Club from KGFW, 1310 k.e.. on November 25 from 4 to 5 a.m., EST and KOH, Reno, 1380 k.e. on December 83, KPCB, Seattle, 850 k.c., the first Mon‘day in every month, from 3 a.m. to 5 am. EST and WTRBO is giving a cash prize of 2.50 dollars for the most distant listener. Its frequency is 1420 k.c., and it is on the air with a special dx. programme eyery Sunday till 5 a.m.-EST. e RBAD J.P.C.’s (P.N.) article, "Where Are We Heading?" with very great interest. My views on this matter are identical with his. I could finish the quotation "Where Are We Heading?" by adding "To the Rocks." It seems to me that the DX Club is becoming a mass of smaller clubs with very little idea of coordination, It is becoming unwieldy. It is inereasingly difficult to describe the DX Club to an intending member. I am the Wairarapa secretary and profess to know something about the club, but even { admit myself hopeless fogged by the maze of sub-sections, clauses and subclauses. No, Mr. Editor, if the club is to prosper I think it high time that the reins of control are firmly grasped and a brand new prospectus set out stating clearly and conclusively the aims, rules, and work of the New Zealand DX Club. At the present time these would cover several dozen pages. If the worst comes to the worst: we old-timers-S. Ellis, "Kauspanker," "Amazon," "B.W." (Stratford), "D.N.A." (Timaru), ‘"Cromdale" (Otago) and J.P.C. (P.N.)-will have to add more difficulty to the DX Club by forming an Old-Timers’ Club! ‘The rest of J.P.C.’s letter is, of course, a matter of opinion.. If a listener. can hear a carrier and get it confirmed by letter or card, good luck to him; he is very clever. I hold verifications from six or seven European stations, and in each case the station manager has enclosed a newspaper cutting of the programme I heard. I have yet fo. log Hngland on the broadcast band. I have talked to several members of ‘the New Zealand DX Club over my’ shortwave station ZI,ZMM, and: they have all seconded by views on the above matter. Now, dxers, are we to be a united club with one common aim or

several branches squabbling among our-

selves ?-

H. F.

Adcock

(HF.A.):

[TLhere is much to be said for Mr, Ad‘cock’s point of view. The club is becoming unwieldy and unless branches take up the attitude that they are part only of an organisation whose object is the furtherance of interest in long-distance listening the club is, to use Mr. Adecock’s phrase, "heading for the rocks." There is too much quibbling and not enough dx.-Ed.] eee |

Conditions Improving. JECEPTION with me lately bas been bad, as static has ruled everything for the last fortnight. Signals are much stronger now, however, from the American stations; in fact to-night (2/11/82), they have been excellent, A Canadian has been heard during the last few nights on 690 k.e., but so far bis call has eluded me. It is too weak for CFRB, so is most likely either CI'AC or CICJ. 118A, says that no VIX’s are allowed to broadcast outside of 1200 k.c., but I think he is wrong, as 8BY, Melbourne, has _ been heard on 1120 k.c. any Monday morning lately, while I have just received a card from VK2EK, and his frequency is 1160 ke. VPB, Colombo (700 k.e.) always seem to appreciate reports from N.Z. dxers. It published my name together with DX2i1W.D.’s in the "Times of Ceylon,’ as having been successful in picking up the’ station. Besides sending a copy of the "Times of Ceylon," the station sent the August issue of the "Ceylon Radio Times," which contains each month’s programmes in advance for VPB. Another station whieh seems to appre ciate reports is KQW, San Jose, Calif. An excerpt from a verification from that station reads: "We were pleasantly surprised to receive your letter of September 6, and very much interested in the statements it contained, It will interest you to know that in the same mail with your letter came one from a listener in Dunedin, who reported excellent reception of Q We are going to ask that you try and tune in on our ‘You never can tell’ programme of November 29 at 8 p.m. P.S.T. (8.30 p.m, Nov. 30, N.Z.S.T,). The programme will continue for two or three hours, and there will be a surprise for you as well as the dxer who tuned in from Dunedin," Who is the Dunedin dxer who sent the other report to KOQW? Here’s a tip! (it might prove useful to some dxers): VK7CW, Hobart, Tasmania, can be heard any Monday morning after midnight and up to 2 a.m, On the 31st this station was the loudest VK to be heard. His frequency is 1870 k.cTUV still owes me a reply, and it is now just on 2 months since a report was sent, KFSG states that it receives many reports from N.Z. Its schedule has recently been changed, and it is now on from 7.30 p.m. to miduight, nightly, ex-

cept Monday (their silent day), KRKD is on when KESG is off. Can anyone tell me the location of KOMA, which closed down at 6.40 p.m. on a recent night, on

approx, 1480 k.e-

N.

Jenkins

(Master-

ton).

Japanese Cail, N the "Radio Record" of November 4 DX48A inquires how far north 4ZR has been heard. I hold a verification from %his station for daylight reception, I heard JOAK on 590 kc. give his call at 9.25 p.m. (our time) on 2/11/32; he repeated it three times in English, very quickly and distinctly. I had not heard a Jap. give his eall before. To hear some fast talking, tune in to KNX on Saturday nights between 6 and 7 p.m.; the man who gives a ringside description of the boxing tournament held there weekly is the fastest speaker I have heard, Last evening, November 5, he asked for reports from distant listeners. ‘The same evening KTM was heard giving his call at 9.30 p.m. (our time).-130W

Was it Heard? Ax interesting letter has reached 2ZW from a listener in Berkeley, California. It reads:-"L picked up your station on Saturday, Sept. 10, and I would greatly appreciate if you would verity the following report: "T first. picked you up at 12. 30. im, P.S.T, (8:00 p.m. your time), and following your station announcement you gave the weather forecast and a few brief news or sporting events. This was followed by weak dance musie which apparently was Mr. Frank Crowther’s orchestra from the Majestic Hotel. I am not positive of this becanse announcements were weak, but I think the above is correct, At about 8.50 (11.20 your time), interference became. so,great that I was forced to give up. Your frequency was apparently 1120 or 1125 k.c, judging from my dial readings, Reception of your station here was rather weak, but with surprisingly little fading. Dx usually isn’t very good at this time of year, so I expect you will come in better later in the winter, Modulation and tone quality were excellent. "T would appreciate very much if you would check the above report with your station log and send me some kind of a verification if it is correct. "Thanking you for your trouble, .and hoping to hear from you in the near future-J. Clark, Berkeley, "California." [We note with interest the letter is dated Sept. 12, almost two months ago, and hag just reached 2ZW.-Hd.] Eastern Stations Weak. ECHEPTION has not been good here for the past fortnight, and _ the Chinese and Indian stations have gone off considerably in volume, but JOAK still comes in at R38 at 8.40 p.m,, while later JOAK is at good volame. KDYL Salt Lake City, was beard at R4 on its early morning session at 1 a.m, recently, also a few-other stations, but static was too bad to identify them. The Europeans can be heard from 4 a.m, in this district, and Breslau (or Goteburg) is early R5 each morning, With Leipzig and Muhlacker and about half a dozen others R4; all the rest come in at R2-3. Altogether I bsve heard 30, at different times. Latest logging is KF NF, Shenandoah. And as regards the nonreply list, the only Australian that ,has not replied is 2KY. 3HA and 2KO took 9 months to reply, but 3RG replied with- in a fortnight (very good). Extract from 38RG’s card :- "Was pleased to receive’ by same mail a copy of "N.Z.- Radio Times," kindly forwarded to me by an Invercargill resident. Was very interested in the matters dealing with activities of your club. Through medium of the club I have been supplied with many interesting reports; about.20-have come to hand during the last few weeks." My Americans on the non-reply list are KFWB, KNX, KGMB, WLW, WFAA, all of which are 10 months over due,--DX15A, (Matamata). ~

Manawatu --: ‘THE next meeting of the VPalmerston North and District Branch! will be held on Thursday, November 17, at 8 p.m. at the residence of 12W, 157 Bryant Street. Business important.