RADIO NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 22472, 7 November 1934, Page 4

RADIO NOTES

(By “Night Owl.”) Now that summer is nearly here there has been a falling off of interest in radio with the exception of last week when everyone was tuning in to different stations to find how the Air Race was progressing. During last week for that event the Australian stations gave an excellent service, broadcasting every night till 4.30 a.m., New Zealand time. Considerable interest has been taken in the recent broadcast from 7LA of a special programme for New Zealand listeners. This programme was sponsored by a well-known firm dealing in sports goods generally and a number of prizes were offered for the best reports from this country. The result of this competition was announced from 7LA last week and members of the New Zealand DX Club must be feeling very pleased with the results as three of the most prominent DX-ers were amongst the prize winners. These were Mr Robson (Invercargill), president of the club, Mr Adams (Timaru) and Mr Cowlishaw (Palmerston North), both the last-named being vice-presidents and also past holders of the New Zealand DX championship. I have been informed that the result of the competition which was arranged by the Victorian VK stations especially for New Zealand DX-ers will be announced this week. This competition took over seven weeks to finalize and during that period some local DX-ers heard more VK’s than they had for the last year or so. DX-ers all over the country are eagerly waiting to see who has secured the title of New Zealand VK champion. A. handsome cup is being awarded to the DX-er who wins the competition.

The new IYA station is expected to commence broadcasting during September and with its power of 10.000 watts should give the greater part of New Zealand, even in summer time, a good service. 3YA’s power is also to be increased to 10 k.w., but this increase in nower will not be made till the New Year. DX Notes. With the exception of one week-end recently conditions lately have been the worst experienced for a long time past. The exception was on the morning of October 29 when among other VK’s the following were heard: SML, SMH, SMD, SBR, SNR, SAT, 7RY and 2ZO. A new VK2 was also heard. Static, strange to say, was entirely absent, a change from other nights lately.

The American stations are now coming in very well on their early morning programmes and DX-ers should watch out especially this month when it is usual to hear a number of Canadians at this time also. Beginners should try for these for a start: WLS, 870 k.c.; WJJD, 1130 k.c.; KMOX, 1090 k.c.; KFAC, 1300 k.c.; KMMJ, 740 k.c. All these have been heard lately.. European stations are now coming in at great volume on the broadcast band and these stations can be heard any morning from about 4 to 6 o’clock. Southland DX Club. The Southland DX Club held its usual meeting on Saturday night when Mr S. Robson presided over a good attendance of members. The chairman stated that as all entries for the various competitions had not yet been received he was unable to announce the positions, but these would be announced shortly. Some excellent verifications have been received by members lately, including 3BW, 3DW, 3CB, 3TM, 3LM, 3CH, 3OV, 3KE, SDR, SSU, SML and 4JJ. A number of the members reported logging many new stations on the morning of the 29th when the best received were 4JN, 4QL, SMD, SML and SAT. , , The president stated that he had been informed that the president of the Victorian division of the W.I.A. would be coming across to New Zealand shortly. It was decided to hold a special meeting during Mr Thompson’s visit so that he would have the opportunity of meeting the members. Mr Thompson, whose voice is well-known to those DX-ers who listen to VK’s, takes a great interest in DX-ing and it was through his efforts that the recent VK competition for New Zealand DX-ers was held. The members congratulated Mr Robson on securing one of the prizes in the special broadcast from 7LA. Members were advised of the following VK3 allocations for this month: LU, 1173 k.c.; CR, 1232; HK, 1292; K.E., 1350; and ZO, 1400.