The Lure of DX Listening

Radio Record, Volume VII, Issue 8, 1 September 1933, Page 25

The Lure of DX Listening

Anyone owning a radio set can experience the thrills of dxing, as this article shows.

UR announcement of the latest DX ‘Competition winners, published in a recent issue, has resulted in a sheaf of all kinds’ of inquiries from readers asking what dxing is, what the DX Club is for, what are its aims and objects, and so forth. These readers, and perhaps others who are just as interested, will find an answer to their queries in this article. First of all, a dxer-‘"dx" stands for "Jong distance," by the way-might be defined as a listener who is interested in picking up transmissions from stations other than the locals, jdentifying them by their call-signs, and ‘then reporting to them with the object of obtaining a verification of reception in reply. Obviously, the first essential for this hobby is a receiver of some kind. We are interested primarily in stations operating on the broadcast band, that is, from 200 to 550 metres, and so any set capable of covering this band will do. -It may be of any type, superhet. or T.R.E., battery or ac, and with any number of valves. Of course, some Teceivers are better for long distance reception than others, just as perhaps one car may be a better hill-climber than another. It is all a question of degree. An owner of a one-valve set will get just as much thrill out of tuning in a low-powered Australian B station as a listener possessing the latest ten-valve superhet. might experience on hearing a European. ; Perhaps the ideal set for dxing, however, is a six or seven-valve superhet., employing the latest valves. A good aerial and earth system is the next essential, and in this connection readers will find a series of articles on aerials and earths published in the "Radio Record" dated June 16, 23, and 30, will be of great assistance. All types of installations are fully described, so nothing more. will be said here on this particular subject. Following this, a dependable call book will be found absolutely indispensable, both for logging stations and for obtaining their addresses when sending reports. It is convenient to mention here the DX Club, as this organisation can be of great help to beginners. Briefly, the Club was inaugurated in 1930 by the "Radio Record," which has since devoted several pages weekly to club news. The club has proved a remarkable success ever since its inception. and there are over 1000 members in its ranks, including 33 overseas dxers in ‘all parts of the world

Early in 1932 fourteen districts were established, each with a district secretary. Monthly meetings are now held regularly in the various centres, Local DX competitions, which are additional to those conducted by headquarters, are very popular features of the activities of many branches, The official organ of the club is the "NZ. Radio Times,’ which contains a large section devoted exclusively to club news, articles on dxing, station lists, ete. The DX section has still been retained in the "Radio Record,"

however, for publication of topical notes, announcements of branch meetings, and so on. The subscription fee for life membership is 2/6, which includes a badge and a membership certificate. This entitles -dxers to attend monthly branch meetings and use the DX Club stationery, which is available at reasonable cost either from branch secretaries or from the secretary, Box 1032, Wellington. Now that you know what the DX Club is, we will return to the consideration of dxing. We have our set, @ good aerial and earth, and a call-book. All we want now is a log-book, in which to record details of stations we are going to log, some report forms, envelopes, and finally, a time converter, to convert overseas’ times to our own, and vice versa, Other items of stationery such as DX Club stickers, headed club notepaper, etc., are: available, but these are not essential for a starh. ;

The variety of items required may seem a little confusing, and so the list shown on this page has been prepared to give the essentials of a dx beginner’s kit. These items, which are shown together with prices, may be obtained from the secretary, N.Z, DX Club, Box 1082, Wellington. When sending reception reports to stations, return- postage is an import‘ant consideration. Though some stations reply even if postage is not enclosed, many will not, and after all it is only a matter of courtesy to include stamps for a reply. When reporting to Australian stations, two Australiat penny stamps, which are obtainabic from most post. offices, should be enclosed. International Reply-paid Coupons, procurable from any post office, should be sent with reports to all other countries in the Postal Union. a With our kit assembled, we are now ready to start dxing. There are certain times most favourable for recep: tion. from different countries. This is where beginners will find the DX articles in the "Radio Times" and the weekly DX notes in the "Radio Record" very useful. Broadly speaking. DX reception is better in the winter than in summer, as statie is then less troublesome. This is only. a general rule, however, for there are often evenings, even in mid-summer, when conditions for long distance reception are exceptionally good, while quite often during the winter dx reception is poor. Australian stations are usually best received after nightfall, and Americans from about 4 p.m. onward, depending on the season. European stations are usually at their best in the spring and autumn, from about 4.30 a.m. to about 6.30 a.m. when they commence to fade out. Next week we will outline the method of keeping a log-book and vf filling in QSL, or report, forms,

The DX Beginner’s Kit --

As a concession to dx beginners, this Kit may be obtained | from The Secretary, N.Z. DX Club, Box 1032, Wellington, for 7/6, post free.

DX Club membership fee (includes Badge and Certificate) 6 fog-book 1 8 Report Forms (50) Embossed En v e lo p e 8 (50) Time Converter 8 8 Postage Total 8 3