RADIO NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21846, 25 October 1932, Page 4

RADIO NOTES

(By “Radio”) COUNTRIES WE LISTEN TO. NO I—GERMANY. I wonder how many radio owners have ever tried to log a European station? Twelve months ago radio reception on the broadcast band was unheard of in New Zealand, but to-day up to 50 European stations can be heard in the early mornings, perhaps a sacred concert from Stockholm, an orchestral concert from Germany, an opera from Rome, or a light . programme from France; distance is no consideration what ever. It is just a matter of knowing when and where to look for these powerful stations. Probably the first European station the listener will hear would be the super powered German giant Radio Heilsberg, working on a frequency of 1085 k.c., and a wave length 276.5 metres and using 75,000 watts, of power, being easily recognized by his interval signal of the notes O flat and A flat, three times in five seconds, repeating this signal sometimes for five minutes. A man announces, the speech, of course, being in German. The German programmes sound very much like our own, their main features being music from the ambitious symphony rendering to the lightest of light solos. Many racial characteristics are also traced from a study of their broadcasting. “Wavelength wobbling” for instance is almost unknown in Germany because painstaking frequency fixation is carried out with characteristic ability and thoroughness. Engineers spent considerable time in finding a suitable location, and Heilsberg was finally decided upon. The buildings are very plain, the only imposing feature is the huge aerial masts, which rear high into the air, being in lattice formation and are built of pine wood. Metal masts have been definitely dropped by the authorities for this type of station because it has been found that steel work introduces directional effect. The whole transmitting plant is controlled from a desk at which the chief engineer sits. Everything from switching on the power in the machine room to earthing the aerial, can be controlled from here. The other super powered German station is Radio Muhlacker, that operates on a frequency of 833 k.c., a wavelength of 360 m. and 75,000 watts of power. He also can be recognized by his interval signal of three notes C.D.G. produced by oscilating valves. This station has been verified by several listeners in Invercargill and can be heard any morning along with Heilsberg from 4.0 a.m. till 5.30 a.m. In the winter time they can be heard from 6.0 a.m. until as late as 8.0 a.m. Three other German stations heard in Invercargill are:—Breslau 923 k.c., Leipsig 1160 k.c., and Berlin 716 k.c. American Reception. The following Americans can be heard until 8.0 p.m.: —KFI 640 k.c., KPO 680 k.c., KGO 790 k.c., KTM 780 k.c., KELW 780 k.c., KGU 750 k.c., KFOX 1250 k.c., KMOX 1090 k.c., WBBM 770 k.c. KFI, KGO and KMOX are probably the best at present.

DX TOPICS. European reception is coming in earlier now. On October 7 Heilsberg reached R 7. American reception is easing off but some of the Eastern stations are coming in around midnight, quite a number should be showing up next month. The following stations were reported to be logged during the month. Helsinki, Graz and. Horby. WLW, WCSH, WABC, WJSV, KLO, KOL, KLX, KTM, KGU, KFOX, KOIL, KSTP, KGMB. 7CW Hobart, was heard calling several DXers in Invercargill last week. A new American was heard on 1240 k.c. on the 21st at 2.0 a.m. giving his time at 7.0 a.m. one stroke of a gong accompanied his announcement. DXers and others, send in your inquiries for station identification to “Radio.” The following information is necessary; Time heard, date, and frequency.