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Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 195, 19 July 1939, Page 3

ond frequency being most satisfactory in the morning hours. The new transmitter is likely to provide an improved service to the Dominion. Reports on reception would bo welcomed to this column.

GUATEMALA ENTERTAINS. Close scrutiny of a map of Central America reveals between Alexico, Honduras, San Salvador and the Racilie Ocean a small State of 48,01)0 square miles in extent hearing the name of Guatemala. Little is heard of it in the normal course —except over the air. It has some line short-wave stations, and thus is on the map in more senses than one. At present it is particularly prominent through the excellent reception in the city of tlie TGWA transmitter, operating on 30.96 in., 9685 k.c., which is aifording attractive programmes of marimba orchestral music until a late hour for such transmissions. The station is still in the air at about 7 p.m. on Sundays, when the rest of the Latin American transmissions have ceased, and its identification is facilitated by frequent announcements in English and Spanish. It appears that simultaneous transmission is made with the calls TGW (long wave), TGAVA, I'GWB and TGWD, the slogan being the “National short-wave station of Guatemala.”

An American publication lists information of other Guatemalan stations. TG2, as “Radio Alor.se,” is on 48.4 metres, 6190 k.c., in the late alternooiis, especially on Sundays, when it operates till 7.30 p.m. On the adjacent frequency of 6.4 m.c. TGQA relays TGQ with the slogan “The Voice of Quezalteiiango,” being on the air till 5.30. AUSTRALIAN TRANSMISSIONS. In the absence ul" official reference to the matter, it is now apparent that the Australian Broadcasting Commission iias for the time being at least dropped the transmissions trout the Lymihurst short-wave channel on the 25 metre band, under the call VLl’3. The official schedule now lists only the original frequency of 9580 k.c.. or 31.23 metres, with the call VLR. Reception is very fine at present at most hours of the day or night, the National programme being radiated continuously on this channel during both daylight and evening hours. “The Voice of Australia.” YK2AfF Sydney is at present somewhat under a cloud, not been use of lack of strength hut through interference ol a most severe nature originating with a powerful automatic Morse transmitter. Tins 20.000-watt station, which under normal circumstances is a feature of Sunday afternoon and evening reception, leaves the air at- present at the end of its first schedule at 6.30 p.m.. with the kookaburra call and the National Anthem. Simultaneous transmission is made through 2MA on G. 72 m.e., 4-1.64 in.

General satisfaction is being obtained night'v, except Sunday, from YK3AIE Melbourne, located on 31.58 m.. 950(1 k.c. It is heard between 8 30 and 11.30 ii.m.. with an entertaining recorded orogramme. The Perth transmitter VK6AIE operates on 31.23 metres. 9590 k.c., and is audible in New Zealand between 10.30 p.m. and 12.30 a.m.

JAVA SERVICE EXTENDED. The already packed field of shortwavi' broadcasting in the Dutch East Indies has been extended by the appearance of yet another station oil the •10-mefre hand, on wlibdi reception is stated to have improved considerably. Utilising the call A’DX, it is located on 41.67 metres, and till 12.45 a.m. broadcasts only native music, after which the network originating through YDA is joined. The .Malayan language is reported to he used. Lower down, on the 31-metre hand. YDB will be heard usually strongly after 10.39 p.m.. and a little earlier satisfactory reception should be experienced from PL I? (27.2 m). PAIN (29.2 m.), and A’DC. the usually reliable transmitter on 19.8 metres. From the latter station English recordings arc available at an carlv hour, announcements being made in Dutch.

THROUGH THE MICROPHONE. The mercurial nature of short-wave reception has been exemplified during the past week, especially on the 20metre amateur band, where signals have been disappointing. Late at night the only American call was one in the W2 district, and there were few Australians on the air. Even in the early evening the position has been very little better. This is likely to be only a temporary phase, however. In spite of experience to the contrary across the Tasman, few of the Eastern stations are being heard here in the late hours. Last Saturday night ZBAY3 Hong Kong was weak oil the 3tmetre channel, and there were few on the air besides, all at poor strength. One station on this band at fair strength gave the call KGAIB and was obviously relaying the 750 k.c. Honolulu station of the same call, though whether it was a point-to-point transmitter tieing in with tlie Pacific Coast was not clear, ft was unlikely, a brand of Hawaiian beer being advertised at the time.

This month in San Francisco a DXeivs’ Convention was held. A national air was given to the event with tlie running of a special train from Chicago from coast-to-coast, providing a full week of entertainment. It was in conjunction with the Golden Gate Exposition celebrations. The extent to which amateur transmitters receive correspondence from overseas, and by no means largely from fellow operators, is shown bv tlie_cas(* of the well-known station K7FST Wrangell, Alaska. The rarity of the location makes for its popularity’, but it is something of a surprise to learn that the operator receives about 1000 reports a month. Naturally, lie acknowledges only those accompanied by return postage. His cards, which vary in design, make a splendid souvenir.