BITS ABOUT BROADCASTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 305, 24 November 1937, Page 7

BITS ABOUT BROADCASTS.

W9XAA CHICAGO TO CLOSE. NEW DEAL "iN*U.S. RADIO. (By “Microphone.”) At frequent intervals New Zealand short-wave listeners have enjoyed reception from AV9XAA Chicago, either in mid-aftornoou, or late in the evening, when the early morning session is transmitted. The fact that the station lias been powered with only 1000 watts—and it has been heard comfortably with only 500 watts —has meant that not a great deal of prominence has accrued to it, but keen listeners have enjoyed its sessions. The relay station of the broadcast band transmitter WCFL, it lias been operated by the Chicago Eederation of Labour, with the slogan, “Voice of Labour” and has operated on 6080 k.c., 49.34 metres and 11,830 k.c., 25.36 metres, being well received on the second frequency. Word comes that W9XAA is to leave the air—probably has already done so—after seven years’ service. It is apparent that the New Deal plan lias been extended to the radio field, as has been indicated by other advances in transmitter design. An interesting letter from a member of the technical staff at Downer’s Grove, 111., states that “we expect to discontinue our short-wave relay broadcasting early in November. This is due to the fact that the Government has "required us to build a much larger transmitter if we expect to continue broadcasting. The expense involved is too great for our little station, so it appears that we are ‘sliort-tiniers’ in this short-wave field, despite our regrets.” The writer adds that the transmitter will be heard frequently on the 20-metre amateur band under the call W9TP. This station was reported on by “Microphone” in September, when it reached excellent strength here, despite the fact that the rhombic antenna was directed to Europe, interesting the technical staff considerably. The W9TP transmitter is identical with that of W9XAA. If W9XAA has not yet closed it may be heard on 11,830 k.c. from 11 p.m. (6 a.m. E.S.T.), when it opens an hour and a-half schedule. This has met with marked success, the first two days’ broadcasts bringing in 42 letters of comment. CHANGE OF CALL SIGN. Advice from the Short-Wave Division of the A.B.C. and microphone announcements indicate that the call sign of the Lyndhurst relay transmitter of the Australian National circuit is to be changed at the beginning of December from 3LR to VLR. The explanation given is that the new will more readily indicate to overseas listeners the nationality of the stations. VLR is to be joined by two similar stations (as indicated recently in these notes), but the date of their appearance has not yet been announced. Enjoyable reception is being obtained from the “ME” transmitters and for listeners’ information the present schedule in New Zealand time is indicated : M. k.c.

VK3ME Melbourne, nightly _ except Sunday, 9-12 p.m. 31.5 9510 *VK2ME Sydney, on Sundays, 9.30 p.m.-1.30 a.m. ; also Monday, 2-4 a.m. 31.28 9590 VK6ME Perth, nightly except Sunday, 11p.m.-l a.m 31.28 9590 *VK2ME is -world-famous as “The Voice of Australia,” transmitting esspecialiy for the United States. Transmissions commence with the recording of the kookaburra. The other two stations also transmit records, 3ME being very reliable. f’ AMATEURS OF INTEREST. •The 20-metre amateur band lias commenced to “break up” very noticeably so far as reception of American stations is concerned in the early evening ; they disappear as if by magic before 7 p.m. and the band is quite dead except for an occasional Australian or Hawaiian transmitter. Lute in the evening, however, South Americans will be heard, with the Argentine surprisingly strong, and the Dutch operators in Java are excellent. A little after 11 p.m. the band is worth watching for Asiatic stations. The most interesting of these heard by the writer in the past week was VU2BG in Assam, British India. It was a splendid signal, rivalling that of many Australians. For several months GSRV' in Chelmsford has ranked among the best of the English amateur ’phone stations heard here, and it appears from comment by tlie operator, Mr It. L. Varney, that s the experience is Dominion-wide. Con- [ firming a report of reception, he states that the mail brought him 16 letters from the Dominion, all reporting excellent reception. In contrast to the American amateur transmitters, many of which radiate in the vicinity of 1000 watts, it is of interest to learn that GSRV operates with only 100 watts with a Zeppelin antenna. The exactfrequency is 14,040 k.c. Mr Hiroshi Murai, of Tokio, who has a most striking black and white card for J2MI, conveys the interesting information that Japanese transmitters are supposed by law to operate with a power not exceeding 18 watts. Ho hints, though, that the regulations are not always rigidly observed. J2MI. which has contacted 64 countries and which may be heard nearly every evening on the 20-metre band —has a power of 200 watts. Mr Murai is a membey of a group of Tokio transmitters who style themselves the “Nippon University D.X. Gang.” THROUGH THE MICROPHONE. Listeners who have enjoyed the programmes by the Comedy Harmonists so far on their tour will not willingly miss the remaining concerts by this amazing combination. This is a programme that is to be confidently recommended as one of the most outstanding in the history of radio in the Dominion.

At 9 o’clock nightly London is excellent through GSD on 25.53 metres. 11,750 kilocycles, surpassing the other bands for clarity and volume. On the contrary, at the same hour Berlin is received most satisfactorily on DJB 19.74 metres, 15,200 kilocycles. At this time the programme is really excellent.

Chinese'' and Manila radiophone stations operate on the 19-metre band late in the evening. KAY Manila (20.03 metres, 14,980 k.c.) has been excellent working with XLCY Shanghai, the latter operating on 15,000 k.c. at fine strength. HBO, the League of Nations transmitter on 26.3 metres, 11.405 kilocycles, has been reported signing off at 7.10 a.m. This is the same station as transmits the weekly bulletin to New Zealand on a Monday evening and always has an interesting broadcast.

Advice from London l>y the last mail indicates that EAQ Madrid (30.43 metres, 9860 kilocycles) is off the air, but; naturally, uo indication is given as to the termination of the enforced absence. EAQ lias in the past week, however, been reported on the air again about 7 a.m., having apparently survived the latest bombardments of Madrid.

Next Sunday night at 8 30 London will transmit a programme by the. New Zealand Waiata Maori Choir, which is at present in England under the direction of Rev. A. J. Seamer. I infamous choir should be excellent y Listeners who can ?,!fn nals,.and who also keep late hours,

be 1 interested in the nightly transmissions of XItVC Nanking of English code messages on the current situation. The schedule is 2.15 a.in. to 3 a.m., summer time. In order to- supply “tile latest and most authentic information” on the Far Eastern situation Japan now addresses Europe each day in Japanese, English, French, and . German. Chinese is- also spoken in what is known as the South Seas programme, and Spanish is used in the sessions intended for the North and South Americas.