The WORLD on SHORTWAVE

Radio Record, 31 July 1936, Page 47

The WORLD on SHORTWAVE

Corducted ty the

N.Z. Shortwave Club

Shortwave Club Notes From the Secretary’s Pen (By A. B. McDonagh, 4-Queen Street, Wellington, Ei. AGAIN we have a mystery. In the last issue J.D.W., Palmerston North and ‘"Dual-Wave" mention a new station. The former has heard the call "Say-oh-say-oh" and Messrs. J. K. Henderson and J. V. MeMinn, of Wellington both telephone me to say they distinctly heard the call COCQ, Havana, Cuba. So, from these clues I gather that there is a new Cuban experimenting up to p.m. Close by are HJIABE and HJ1ABP. | The former I heard until 6 p.m. on the Saturday testing; and he appeared to be calling this stranger. Through the International Shortwave News Service and other organisations I receive a great deal of news, but this one is the latest out and so excitement is intense. "Dual-Wave"’ mentions a station in last issue but gives no wavelength; it may be Java or it may be the experimental station in Manila, so will he write me direct and give me the evidence? Well, events: are interesting, the Italian lady on the verge of the 20 metre band who "annoyed" Australia and New Zealand, some time ago, re-appeared on the night of the 20th at 12 midnight N.Z.S.T. On 19 metres and on to 16 metres stations were in evidence, Daventry sessiong will now be a little later, so the shortwave world will need to concentrate on night listening as conditions will now become better. _ Our Oriental friend on 7 megacycley still refuses to disclose his identity, as did the one from Sourabaya, Java, some time ago. EAQ, Madrid. In view of the present troubled times in Spain, it is possible that the ordinary shortwave broadcasts will not be regular, and I expect that they will be eonfined mainly to news and bulletins. Though there are changes of governments in different countries, radio broadcasting continues, and when conditions are settled HAQ will be heard on a regular broadcast, the more particularly as this station is the link with the Home7

land for the South American Spanish speaking countries. During the past fortnight there has been a phenomenal increase in my mail, and I wish to thank those who have forwarded me news items. Letters from listeners interested in shortwave reception are always appreciated, and where a stamp is enclosed I always endeavour to reply. In cases of hardship, or of young listeners, we accept the annual subscription 5/-, quarterly or half-yearly. We do this so that those who wish to get the news will be able to do so. I mention this particularly as I know of many cases where young people have to pay train and tram fare to travel to work, and, in addition, have to buy books, for home study. Of interest to dxers is the International 6000 to 12,000 mile DX Club, which is for both broadcast and shortwave listeners. Mr. W. Barron of 7 St. George’s Gate. Wanganui, is the vice-president for N.Z. This club does not elash with any other club, as it iv for awards. Shortwavers must produce five verifications on the 6000 mile mark to join and those on broadcast, five on 8500 miles and over. I would suggest a stamped envelop to Mr. Barron for full details. Reception Notes HE following shortwave notes are from Mr. H. I. Johns, Wanganui :- DX and S.W. Notes from WS8XK. Listeners are reminded that from 3.30 to 4 p.m, every Saturday DX and S.W. talks are given out from the above station on 48.8 m. Joe Stokes gives fifteen minutes’ talk regarding stations on the broadcast band, and Ed Lips on_ the S.W. bands. These talks are very interesting, MONDAY, JULY 20. It was very refreshing to hear W1XK coming in with such excellent volume round 10.45 p.m., signale being very clear and powerful. The advertisement given out by the announcer was ‘Wherever you go, travel by rail,’ which applies to one of the policies of our own Government. Signals were R7, Qd. At 10.55 p.m. the announcer gave out-the time as 7.25 p.m. On Sundays, round 4.45 p.m., station LZA on 20.15 m. will be heard. Signals are fairly weak and the programme is a musical one. The motor-ship s.s. Kanimbla, whose eall-sign is 9MI, was heard last Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings round 10.45 p.m, The wavelength was 49.9 m. A musical programme was heard, and the station closed round 11 p,m. Signals JVN, 28.14 m.: At 11.10 p.m. was transmitting programme of native music, singing accompanied by a drum being the main item, but the programme was not tempting enough to listen to for long. R7, Q5. . . DIQ, 19.63 m.: Heard with an excellent signal at 11. 25 p.m. Orchestral con-' cert, ani what a treat! The signals were beautifully clear and. ‘very (Continued on next page).

Reception Notes (Continued from previous page.)

powertul, ‘Lhree.German stations were found to be transmitting at 11.80 p.m. They were DJB, 19.74 m., DJQ, 19.63 m. and DJL, 19.85 m. DJQ was the best, and went off the air at 11.45 p.m. The French ‘Government station TPA2 was very weak on 19.68 m., and being very near DJQ it was "blanketed."

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 280, 25.4 m, at 9.40 a.m., with a musical programme, At.9.45 a.m. news in English was given out by a lady announcer, signals not being as good as usual. A slight background noise somewhat spoilt the signals; R5, Q3. RNE, 25 m.: This station has been heard better lately in the mornings. This morning’s transmission consisted of a talk in a strange language. Signals fairly good, R5, Q5, . TPA4, 25.6 m,, was:the best station.on’ the 25 m. band round 10 a.m., with amusical programme. Transmission slightly distorted; R6, Q4. . At 10.30 a.m. the German S8.W.. sta-. tions ‘were heard on the following wavelengths: DJN, 31.45 m.; DJA, 31,.88.m.;. DJD, 25.49 m.; DJB, 19.7 m. . These four stations carried on. transmitting the usua] morning programmes of music and talks, while DZC, 29.16 m., and . DZH, 20.75 m., were heard testing with excellent strength. and very clear signals, to’ Buenos. Aires. . It is. as well to mention that the. last two stations are listed as experimental stations, and these German S.W. stations will therefore not verify. GSB, 31:5’ m., and GSC, 31.3 m::- Both of course ‘transmitting the same programme to"’-Western ‘Canada, the. programme being performed by a popular" concert party. This transmission was exeeedingly clear and fairly strong; at 1:50 pm. R6, Q5. GSC was weaker, being’ EAQ, 30.4 m;: Was at very good strength round 2 p.m., signals R7, Q5. A talk in Spanish was heard. WA1XK, 31.35 m.: Transmitting a very good signal at 4 p.m.; one of the best signals the writer has heard for a long time. The musical programme was very clear and signals strong. Station closes at 5p.m. Signals were R7, Qd, which was stronger than W2XAF. A Spanish station has been heard operating on approximately 31 m. regularly during the past 10 days, from 3.30 to 5380 p.m. Signals have always been at good strength and. clear. I have heard the call many times in Spanish and English and have come to: the conclusion that the call is COCQ, Havana, Cuba. They seem to have about five different interval] signals, which are as follows: Bugle calls; striking of two gongs, high and low notes; a baby erying;.a man laughing; donkey braying. Cheering. and clapping is also heard. ‘Two eall-signs are given out, so evidently this station takes its programme from a medium-wave station. R6, Q5. GSB, 315 m, and GSD, 25.5 m.:Both good signals at 4.30 p.m,, as far as volume is concerned, but for clarity we have better stations coming in. The tone seems thin compared with some other stations. Also the programmes could be very much improved. The. B.B.C. evidently thinks that we in New Zealand prefer second-rate music; . . The following German §.W. stations opened up-at 5 p.m: DIN, 31.45 m.; DZB, 29.88 m.; DZC, 29.16 m.; DIB. 19.74 m.; and DJQ, 19.63 m. The lastnamed station was putting over an excellent signal. One would think one was listening to a local. the transmission being very clear and crisp, DJQ was the: best station; R8,.Q5, These stations are coming in well at present on the 5. to 6.45 p.m. Asia programme. At the time of writing these notes, which is 2.10 p.m., Thursday, PCJ on. 31.28 m. is coming in very well. signals: being very clear and strong. If one did not hear any music ‘from this station, the’ announcer, Mr, Startz, would be well worth listening to.. The etation is on ‘the air every Thursday from 11.80 a.m till 2.30 p.m. The signals were R6,, Q5.. PCJ, will not, be on the air next Thurs: day, owing to a holiday at'the factory