Radio Notes

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15895, 21 January 1924, Page 2

Radio Notes

$y ‘Rheostat

"Rheostat" is strongly of opinion that in view of the large number of broadcasting stations now operating in New Zealand, no concerts should be given on Sunday nights, so that amateurs can have a clear run to listen for American stations. On •ordinary nights there is so much music in the air that even if an American station is picked up it is drowned by 'local music. No one wants to listen to local concerts wh°n it 5s possible to hear American broadcasting, and it would only be a fair thing if New Zealand stations were silent on Sunday nights. "Rheostat" makes this suggestion Decausa he heard IYA saying the other nighi that it was proposed to broadcast on Sunday mights. Since hearing Oakland, Calif ornia, on January 13, "Rheostat" has picked ,up the station several nights during the week,, but local and ship traffic interfered too much for clear reception* It may have been a coincidence, or otherwise, but on the day previous to oickins up California, "Rheostat had" thoroughly cleaned his aerial with emery paper. The tip may be useful to wireless fans. '.,.». ' Mr F. 3. O'NeiM, proprietor of the broadcast station 4YA, left Dunedin en Boxing Day on a business trip to Sydney.' While there' he will' call on the two big stations—Farmers and the Broadcaster's—and Will visit a number of radio clubs. Such a keen enthusiast as Mr O'Neill will not bo content until he has picked up whatever information is available Which is likely to prove of benefit to New Zealand amateurs Before lie left, delegates from the Otago Radio Association interviewed Mr O'Neill, and satisfactory arrangements were made for the broadcasting of concerts during Mr O'Neill's absence in Australia. The- association agreed to pay 30s. per concert, which amount covers the wages of two • oper.atc.rs and a lo(?-keeper. There are now concerts c-n two nights per week, on Wednesday and Saturday. This arrangement will continue until Mr O'Neill returns to Dunedin.

Farmers, Ltd., Sydney are transmitting nightly from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on a wave length of 1100 metres. The power used is 350 watts, which is to be increased in two months time to 5000 watts. The aerial masts are 200 feet high. Toe powers that be should do something in the way of altering the wave lengths of the Auckland ana Wellington stations. At the present time the *vave lengths are too near i-ne another and it is a delicate operation to separate the stations. It is somewhat rrinoying when IYA is yinging "The bost Chord" to hear 2YB chip in with "Yes, We Have No Bananas." Mr Spencer Speedy, of Pip. Bank," Huntcrvil'le, writing to "Aerial" of <he Dominion says:—

"Last night (January 3) I picked up a station in East Oakland, California. On the whole it was not clear or strong, tut three times the words, 'East Oakland. California,' came out distinctly. This station's code I could not get, though at one lime it seemed something like 6XK, followed by three, fives.. The Yankee twang: was very noticeable. Unfortunately I could rtot get ihe name of any of the items, but most of them seemed to be piano only, and two songs that I could distinguish as such. One of the niano items was fairly good. 1 first picked up the wave after 1 had been listening to IYA (who were coming cut particularly well) ' at about 10.30 p.m. It suddenly cut out after ' I had been llsten'ing about twenty minutes. I picked it up again at about 11.10 p.m., and held.it till 12.10 a.m. (one hour). As I was using only a two-valve set, I could not believe that it was California the first time I heard it, but after getting ;t two or three times there was mi doubt about it. The valves ore both of lew voltage. My aerial is a single wire, about 90ft. long, with a lead in of about 4 sft. Height of aerial. 40rt. Two earths directly under the aerial, the first right against set, and the second aoout halfway under aerial. I was usim? three honeycomb coils — 50, 30, 25. I-fhorld be glad to know if this station is often picked up in New Zealand, or any other particulars you rn-igtit be able to give me sbout it. I have picked up most of the New Zealand stations, but c-ann-ot strike 4YA. I used to get 4YO splendidly on one-valve, which makes It all the more puzzling that I cannot get 4YA. Can you explain this at all?" The code Mil mentioned by Mr Speedy, which ho believes came from Kast Oakland, California, -would appear to Ur that of an amateur transmitter, anrl not from a -hroarlrast sta;ion. The American amateur rat!-; rommence with a number. The iium- s

ber 6is allotted to. all amateur stations on the western side of the United States. This includes, of course, any transmitter in Oakland. The lists of calls examined by "Aerial'" have failed to disclose the identity of the owner of "6XK,".-which would ba a new call, '.f bona' fide. If M( Speedy*s reception of on amateur con cert from America can be established beyond doubt his feat is a record. Mr Speedy's inability to pick up 4YA, Mr O'Neill's Iroadcast station to Dunedin may be overcome by experimenting will) Various tuning coils. Different sizes and changes in posißons of the coils should be tried. Many dift 1 .- culties are overcome in wireless by experimenting. There is not the least doubt that the station picked up by Mr Speedy 5s the same as that received by "Rheostat" on January 13. Mr Speedy mentions lhat three fives followed the call letters. "Rheostat" took the letters 6XJ or 6XG, the nasal twang preventing clear reception of Khe final letter. Then followed 555, 14th Street, Oakland, California. "Rheostat" has written to the address given and oa'receipt of the reply all question of the station will be settle!. It is interesting to note that on the same evening that "Rheostat" picker; up Oakland, Mr Kilkenny of Westport also reported having recedved a splendid concert from Oakland, California. Mr Kilkenny used a similar reflex set to "Rheostat." News has been received in Wellington that difficulty is being experienced in operating the new giant broadcast station in California, which is io transmit; with 5000 watts power. engineers havo found that many unexpected difficulties have arisen in controlling ihe modulation with such high power. Mr D. Wilkinson, 2AB Motucka, has heloed to make a world's record. On December 9,6 PL, an American amateur whose address is 4402 Sunset Blyd., Los Angeles, U.S.A., . sent an urgent message for Nelson, NewZealand. This message was picked up at 7.40 p.m. N.ZJVI.T. by 2AD (P. R. Stevens), Gisborne, who handed it to 2AC (I. H. O'MOara) for transmission onwards. 2AC relayed it to 2AI (W. L. Harrislom), Wellington, who in turn sent it to 2AB (D. Wilkinson). Motueka. The latter eventually delivered it to the addressee. Two nights later 2AB, Motueka. received it direct from 6PL, who was sending it again in case it was. not picked up before.