WITH THE DXERS

Evening Star, Issue 22026, 11 May 1935, Page 4

WITH THE DXERS

LISTENING CONDITIONS GOOD DXing, judging by the number of QSL forms purchased lately, must be good. The DX Association members have found it so, particularly with the evening Americans. They are now heard as early as 4 p.m. in good localities. The best time is from 5 to G p.m. Later than this the Australians swamp them on most channels. Eastern and VK stations have also been quite above the average. Europeans are about done, and will not' be strong enough for logging until August. South Americans on some afternoons have been exceptional. Sunday is the best day, but occasionally on a week day they are good. From 3.30 to 5 p.m. is the best time. SPECIAL VK MORNINGS The special VK morning last Monday was quite a success. Not many VK4s were heard, but there were plenty of VK7s. One DXer reports hearing at least seven VK7s. The next special VK morning will be on Monday, June 3, when the VK5s will special. As a matter of fact, the VKs are the best DX at present, with the evening Americans next best. FEW AMERICAN SPECIALS American special programmes are now a ravity. The only one there is knowledge of is WNEL, San Juan (1,290 kc.), 10 p.m. till midnight on May 12. New Australian B stations which have opened within the last few weeks are 4WK, Warwick '(900 kc.) ; 4CA, Cairns (1,450 kc.) ; and SRM, llenmark (940 kc). 4WK particularly comes in on a very strong signal. ~ SHORTWAVE WANDERINGS European programmes can be heard at good strength during the daylight hours, and listeners will find plenty of interesting- items .between /the 25 and 31 meter bands. 'The schedules of the majority of stations have been changed this month, owing to! daylight saving time taking effect in the U.S.A. (Eastern States) and Europe. The Empire transmissions are. received well over GSC (31.3 metres) until 12.30 p.m., and again during the afternoon test to Canada. Indeed this session is well suited to New Zealand reception, the volume and quality being well nigh perfect. The 49.1 metre station, GSL, is also heard, but at much Weaker strength. DJN (31.45 metres) is another distant station giving almost " local '' results, with a programme beamed towards South America. Both tlie Americans, W2XAF and WIXK, have improved greatly, the latter reaching R 7 when signing off at 4.30 p.m.

On 25 metres, EYA is still the star performer, reception of Paris being 100 per cent, perfect on all sessions. DJD is building up in strength daily, and is second only to Paris during the afternoons. WBXK is heard weakly on 25.27 metres during the morning, while at the other end of the 25 metre band two stations can be heard just above PYA—one is GJIIX, Winnipeg, and the second, using both Spanish and English announcements, is as yet unidentified. . „ Conditions on the lower wave lengths are only fair, the best- results being had from the 20 metre amateurs, .some of which have been heard as early as noon, and as late as 8 p.m.

PHI, Holland, is back on 16.88 metres, and is a fairly regular station HASS, Budapest, Hungary, is on 19.5 metres, and was heard asking .for reports at 1.30 a.in. ' On Monday night tho first great broadcast in connection with the Jnbilep celebrations took place, when at 9.30 the major stations of the world presented the thanksgiving service from St. Paul’s Cathedral, together with a description of the Royal procession. The programme, which lasted two hours, was received- at good strength through W2XAF, Schenectady.

NEW ZEALANDERS ABROAD Tho list of New Zealanders who are achieving success in broadcasting overseas continues to grow. Mr Eric Jtamsden, a former Auckland journalist, now a Sydney magazine writer, is giving* h series'of talks from 2FC, speaking each Monday on ' Personalities of the Pacific.' He lias just returned to Australia from a stay in Tahiti. Two New Zealanders were on the 8.8. C. short-wave station at Davcntry recently, these being Miss Kathleen Levi (Dunedin, pianist) and Miss Anna Ginn (mezzo-soprano). They gave a recital lasting about an hour embracing both popular and. classical numbers. , The 8.8. C. is undoubtedly enterprising in signing up at very good fees visitors from the dominions, 'for every week there : is someone on the air at Daventry from New (Zealand, Australia, Canada, South Africa, or India. Mr H. I'. Forde. tho Wellington journalist who is travelling to England as economic sceretary to the Prime Minister, alreadv has an engagement to speak for the 8.8. C. about'New Zea-

land as soon as lie arrives in London. For his. lecture he will receive £1 a minute. Mrs Ross Brodie, of South Canterbury, well known for recitals from-SYA, has engagements in Australia up to June 4 with 3LO and 3AR.

AMATEUR ACTIVITIES Li his last lecture Mr Collett dealt with two of the questions asked in a recent amateur examination paper. The lectures following this one should be oi special interest to all those about to sit for their tickets. In spite of the fact that the DX season on 40 metres is over, it is still possible to hear some interesting calls on that band. The Dunedin " tone " stations are still active, and the elimination of hum on the speech seems to be a big problem now. 4.GP finds his Iteiss microphone .gives very good quality. 4FO tried Telefunken with a 46 R.F. amplifier and a J 33 modulator. It goes very well.- He will shortly be building a new 40-metre transmitter, using an Eimac 150 T tube. . This is a very modern tube, and will give all .the power allowed, by the New Zealand regulations with vers' little excitation. 4GK will shortly be using Telefunken on his 211. 4CJ seems to have followed someone's advice (!) and has come on the air for good now. He will probably join the " fone " circle. 4FR is taking a forced but much-needed rest, from "fone"! 4BY and 4 CI have been on the air at last. Soon all tin s old-timers will be back. Mr Morris was a successful candidate for the amateur ticket. His call is ZL4AS, and he'should be on the air very shortly. The slow Morse sessions are still being run as given in Inst week's notes. Those taking advantage of these transmissions should notify the stations concerned. Sending out slow Morse when it is not being made use of is rather disappointing.