AROUND AND BEHIND THE DIALS

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 20, 30 November 1934, Page 41

AROUND AND BEHIND

THE DIALS

DX CLUB News and Views D. N. Adams Joins the "Fakers!": Static Severe: Who, is This Stranger?: A Mystery Verification: Auckland Branch Competitions. NN NN NE Et SE

Answers to Correspondents *Fe Inconnu" and 149H.B.-Well done both. My log is now 204. I shall present each of you with 5/- worth of U.S.A. stamps when you catch me. This offer jis open to all with a 6G-valve set. "Digger" (Pukeroro): "Y" in Mexican (Spanish) is the equivalent of the conjunction "and" in English. If in diffioulty farward manuserinpt and I wil

tied tid translate for you

Cleveland

(Tau-

marunui),

"Digger" (Pukeroro): I believe "y" in the Mexican language means "and." 186W. (Wellington): I have just received my verification from KTFI after waiting for just oyer nine months. KGMB have failed to reply to two reports, fifteen and six months; KFRC no reply, fourteen and four months; XENT, eight and four months; WSB and IKMPC replied in eight weeks. My worst station is 3BO, Bendigo. 1 have sent five reports and return postage each time, but have not received a reply."Bluegum" (Whangarei). "Digger" (Pukeroro): On page 13 of the October ‘‘Radex," the following note will be found: "Richard W. Watts, 19695, Beach Cliff Blvd., Rocky River. Ohio, writes us from Mexico City throug which he is now touring, that he visited XEYZ and found them planning a shortwaye transmitter which will be in operation in a few months. Richard wil also visit XEB, XEW, XHAL, XETE and several other stations." So it looks as though XBEYZ jis still alive. 217W: Many thanks for your letter.-1S86VW. (Wellington). "Radio Wave" (Dunedin): The "N.Z. Tiadio Call Book" contains a complete, up-to-date, and authentic list of broadcast and shortwaye stations of the world, together with all pertinent details. it is obtainable from booksellers, or direct from Box 1680, Wellington, price 1/1 posted. ‘ $1Wd (Runanga): ZK is the prefix for amateurs in the Cook Islands, but tkere is no amateur there with the call ZKYS8. Identification Wanted Foreign Shortwave Station on 6.2 megacycles heard from 1 to 4.20 a.m. on Sunday, November 18. Announcements were not made in English, Among the Stat sung in Wnglish were: "When We

Build a Little Hlome" and "Don’t Be Tate in the Morning." A man sang the ""Marselleise" and "God Save the King" in a foreign language. The station then closed down with "It’s Hard to Say (ood-night." While this was being played the announcer spoke in a foreign language, but as he spoke very softly IL did not eateh the call-sign, if he gave

unC .

Radio Wave

(Dunedin).

Stations Identified "Oxshaw" (Mataura): Your VK on 1580 k.c. was VKSKE. I heard him on October 29.-164A (Morrinsville). DX Topics D, N. Adams Joins the "Fakers"! HAVING heard so much from various sources about American stations yerifying on practically no "dope" at all, and that stations can be got on "chain broadcasts," 40 at a time, I decided for the purpose of a test to join the ranks of the "fakers." Everybody will be interested to know the results. I picked on a chain station which was coming in very well in the early afternoon and took down some of the programme heard. ‘Then I found the stations which would be relaying that particular chain at that time and sorted out some stations to write to. I did intend to write to all that were on that chain at that particular time, but after writing two reports became tired of the monotonous job and decided that eight would do. L picked out some of the one kilowatt stations which most dxers have verified, and also some of the low-powered stations. These reports were duly written out. Bach report was so written that the station receiving it would think that I had actually been listening to their station. Many months have now elapsed and all "verifications" should have been ‘back here well over two months ago; so I feel I can confidently give members the results of my test. Of the eight stations written to, seven have not replied at all; the other one replied and said that the programme had been broadcast from their station, it being a " chain" feature. This station also remarked that it was noticeable that reports from this

DX Club Meetings Auckland. In room 52, 5th floor, Lewis Eady’s Buildings, Queen St., at 7.45 p.m. on Wednesday, December 5. A. G. CONCHIE (241A.), (Corresponding Sec.). South Canterbury. At the Secretary's residence, 35 Bowker St., at 7.45 p.m. on Wednesday, December 5. D. N. ADAMS (2HQ.), (Branch Sec.). Manawatu The annual meeting of the above branch will be held at 157 Bryant Street on Thursday, December 13. I would like as many members as possible to be present as the reading of the report and balance sheet, and also the election of officers will take place at this meeting Cc, Jj. "(143W.), (Branch Sec.). Marton In the Toc H rooms at 7.45 p.m. on Tuesday, December 4. J. R. BAIN (217W.), (Branch Sec.). Hawke’s Bay In the club room at the premises of Mr. L. Beachen, next Annand’s, Waipukurau, at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 28. Members are reminded that this will be trophy night. L. W. MATHIE, (1H.B.), (Branch -Sec.). Poverty Bay In St. Andrew's Schoolroom, Cobden St., at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 5. V. C. ROTHWELL (9H.B.), (Branch Sec.).

country were only received at certain periods. Of course, they do not realise that being a one kilowatt station and closing at midnight, E.S.T., or 4.30 p.m. our time, it would be only during our winter that they would be heard. So it will be seen that stations do not verify on chain programmes as readily as some would have us believe. My main object was to find out if the tales which we have all heard were true, and if so I was going to suggest that in all future competitions American stations known to be on chain be deleted from the competition. This would have meant a big decrease in the totals, as practically 80 per cent. of our American verifications are from stations which are on either one or other of the chains, but if it was a fact that 40 verifications could be obtained by taking the programme from one station, as has been statedwell, the American stations would have been better out of our competitions altogether, From the results of this test I personally conducted, I feel sure that these facts are not true, and it would appear that the American stations want local announcements before they will verify a report. I fully realised at the time that I was laying myself open to being accused as a "faker" if the different stations receiving the reports were to compare one with the other, but took this risk to get the information I was wanting. I must say the result was very pleasing to me after all I had heard, and I am sure that everybody will be pleased to know that all the stories we have heard about the American stations are not true. From information received from-HSP1, Bangkok, Siam, station HSP3 is now off the air. This station was broadcasting on 985 k.c., but was only on the air for a short while, and is now definitely off.-

D. N.

Adams

(Timaru ).

Statice Severe, Mx latest loggings are WWL, Moscow IV, Leipzig, Vinnitsa, CFCN, KOMO, KGW, WEBO, KYA, KGA, WORK, WJJD>; WCKY, WLS, KROW and KFAB. For the past fortnight static, quite an old friend now, has been on ‘his ‘worst behaviour. However, there are still a few

stations which may be logged.

Cleve

land

(Taumarunui).

Who is This Stranger? DURING the last week I have noticed a loud heterodyne whistle on WLW.' This whistle is of fairly high pitch, and

when WLW closes at 7 p.m. a strong catrier is audible slightly off WLW’s frequency, on about 595 k.c. On speaking to another local dxer, I found that he also had heard this whistle. Could anyone inform me what this station might be? On looking through the "Radio Times’’ I see that among the DX programmes, LR5 is listed for December 10, 7.30 to 8.30 pm. Frem an announcement of KOA on November 4 I understood that LR5 was to pe on a special broadcast on the first Sunday in December, January and February, commencing at @ p.m. ' New Zealand summer time. KMTR has been heard on all-night programmes lately, coming in at good strength after 2YA closes down.--9H.B. (Gisborne). , A Mystery Verification. AST week I received a card verifying reception of LR4, Argentina. I have never reported to LR4, nor. have I ever.

heard their station, but as my name and address on the envelope is absolutely correct, it is without doubt meant for me. The only solution I can think of is that I reported to XEAF, Mexico, on 990 k.c.: f and they have evidently forwarded my report to ‘LR4. T have never received a reply from XEAF. New loggings are scarce. the only ones being WOWO, XEBC. WWL, WMBI and KOIN. Verifications to hand this month are KEX, KFAC, 2FC, LR4, LRS, LS2. KGB, KZRM, and KTFI. Will those dxers uSing gq five-valve or less kindly let me know through the DX columns, as I dare to think I am the only one in New Zealand to hold WBBC, New York, as a verification. From my observations up here, the DX season is about finished. QRN is R9 and QRM R1 to 9, mostly 9. IXFTI is at his best at 7 p.m., being R5; KPO is R38, and WLW R4, while the others are poor.-

Bluegum