J. E. Downes Wins DX Challenge Cup

Radio Record, Volume VII, Issue 5, 11 August 1933, Page 25

J. E. Downes Wins DX Challenge Cup

416 Stations Logged with a Majestic Superhet.. in Under Two Years >

NCE again the DX Challenge Cup hag changed hands, the latest winner being Mr, J. B. Downes (180 Ot.), of Dunedin, whose phenomenal log of 416 stations, exceeding that of the previous winner by no less than 50 stations, has earned him the title of N.Z. DX Champion for the coming six months.

The runner-up was Mr. J. P. Cowlishaw (8HQ), of Palmerston North, with another outstanding log of 381 stations. No less than four other logs of over 300 stations were entered, and it is certain that the next competition will be very keenly contested.

The Southland Cup.

‘The Southland Cup, which was donated by members of the Southland Branch of the DX Club for competition among all members, was won by the club president, Mr. S. Robson (1HQ), of Invercargill, with a log of 139 stations. Stations operating on the American Continent were excluded from this competition. The Morley Stafford Cup. This trophy, which was donated for competition among lady members by Mr, Morley Stafford, of Pehiri, Gisborne, was won by Mrs. Cora H. Judd (61A), of Tauranga, with a log of 160 stations. Mrs. K. D. Barker (24A), of Taumarunui, was second with i101 stations, and Mrs. T. L. Millar (72A), of Hokianga, third with 87 stations. City and District Certificates. Mr. J. P. Cowlishaw (3HQ), of Palmerston North, has been awarded the City Certificate for the largest log of stations entered by dxers living within city areas. Winners of the various District Certificates are shown in a panel on this page. " History of the DX Cup. The DX Competition, which is held every six months, was inaugurated early in 1930, when the Challenge Cup shown on this page was donated by the "Radio Record" for competition among members of the New Zealand DX Club, Hach winner has his name inscribed on a shield on the cup pedestal, and in addition is presented with an engraved miniature. The Challenge Cup has now been won pix times. The first winner was

Spence R. Ellis, of. Okato, with a log of 89 stations, It was then won twice in succession by Morley Stafford, of Pehiri, Gisborne, with logs of 142 and 227 stations respectively. It was-also won twice in succession in the following two periods, by Frank W, A. Barnett, of Dunedin, with logs of 291 and

366 stations respectively. This last total was regarded as almost unbeatable, but) Mr. Downes has topped: #1 it by 50 stations. :

The Winner's Log. The winner, who operates a Majestic 8-valve a.c, superheterodyne, compiled his huge log in under two years. He bought his. first. set in 1929, and very soon became interested in dxing for

overseas stations, but it was not until the beginning of 1932 that he commenced writing away for verifications. The account of his subsequent. dx experiences, which, together with a full list of the stations he ‘has logged, appears in the August "Radio Times," not only makes very | interesting reading, but contains many valuable hints for all those interested in what Mr. Downes. describes as

"the king of hobbies.’

DISTRICT CERTIFICATE WINNERS: Auckland: J. Downey (196A) .e 207 Taranaki: J. R: Bain (13T) .. =: .. 313 Hawke’s Bay: M. Stafford (41HB) .. 358 Wellington: J. P. Cowlishaw (3HQ) 381 _ Marlb-Cant.: D. N. ‘Adams (2HQ) 303 Southland: S. Robson (1HQ) .. 32) Otago: J. E. Downes (180 Ot.) ae 417