History of wireless telegraphy and broadcasting in Australia/Topical/Publications/Amateur Radio/Issues/1933 10

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Front Cover

Amateur Radio

Published in the interests of "Amateur Radio" by the Wireless Institute of Australia (Vic. Div.) official organ of the Royal Australian Air Force Wireless Reserve.

(Logo - Royal Australian Air Force Wireless Reserve) (Logo - Wireless Institute of Australia)

Price 6d

October, 1933

Inside Front Cover - Radiotrons Ad

New SUPER-PHONIC Radiotrons TYPES 57—77 Triple Grid—Detector—Amplifier

TYPES 58—78 Triple Grid Super Control Amplifier.

TYPES 2A7—6A7 Pentagrid Converter

TYPES 2B7—6B7 Duplex Diode Pentode

TYPES 2F7—6F7 Triode—Pentode

TYPE T—V Half Wave Rectifier Vacuum Type (Heater Cathode 6.3 volts) Ask for the Radiotron Characteristic Data Chart A COMPLETE RANGE

TO MEET EVERY PURPOSE TO SUIT EVERY PURSE EQUIP YOUR RECEIVER WITH THE AMAZING NEW SUPER-PHONIC RADIOTRONS

RADIOTRONS ASSOCIATED GENERAL ELECTRIC SUPPLIES CO. LTD. 93-95 CLARENCE STREET, SYDNEY. Corner QUEEN and LITTLE COLLINS STREETS, MELBOURNE, C.l.

AMALGAMATED WIRELESS (A/SIA) LTD. 47 YORK STREET, SYDNEY 167/9 QUEEN STREET, MELBOURNE. (Advertisement of Amalgamated Wireless Valve Company Ltd.)

P.01 - Vealls Ad

Pay Cash and Pay Less You can save good, hard cash when you deal with VEALLS, make it a habit—ALWAYS TRY VEALLS FIRST for

All Your Radio & Electrical Requirements. Visit any one of our Four Big Stores —each packed with thousands of items of interest. If you cannot call—write for big Free 74 Page Catalogue. It contains over 500 illustrations and is essential to every Radio enthusiast. Arthur J-Veall

VEALLS Pty* Ltd.

4 Big Cash Stores 168-127 Swanston Street, 243-249 Swanston Street, Melbourne. Melbourne. 299-301 CHAPEL STREET, PRAHRAN. 3-5 RIVERSDALE ROAD, CAMBERWELL. Cent. 2058 (5 lines); 10524 (2 lines); Wind. 1605; W-5160. 1st October 1933

P.02 - Noyes Bros Ad

"^XmjCutlccA. (ZoxLLCT <Sf/

1st October, 1933 Dear Radio "Ham,"

Allow us to wish you every success in this, your new venture, may same be the means of bringing all interested in Amateur Radio into closer and better co-operation. Yours faithfully,

" FERRA NOYES "

SOLE COMPLETE AGENTS. STOCKS. 1st October, 1933.'

P.03 - Contents Banner

"AMATEUR RADIO" Published by the Wireless Institute of Aust. Victorian Division. Vol. 1 — No. 10. October, 1933.

P.03 - Index

Index.

Editorial . . . Page 5

"Read, Mark, Learn" . . . Page 6

Simple Crystal Control . . . Page 7

Key Section Notes . . . Page 9

Phone Section Notes . . . Page 10

Victorian Railway Institute . . . Page 11

RAAF W.R. Notes . . . Page 12

Reserve Takes an Airing . . . Page 13

Radio Picture . . . Page 14

A.R.R.L. Test, 1933 Results . . . Page 15

Q.S.L. Bureau . . . Page 15

Antennae Wire . . . Page 15

Short Wave Notes . . . Page 16

W.J.A. Dinner . . . Page 17

Meetings . . . Page 17

Five Point Relay . . . Page 18

Identification Discs . . . Page 18

Country Notes . . . Page 19

Beru Notes . . . Page 19

Hamads . . . Page 20

North Suburban R.C. . . . Page 20

P.03 - Office Bearers

WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA.

OFFICE-BEARERS 1933.

President: Mr. GEO. THOMPSON, (VK3TH)

Vice-Presidents: Mr. W. SONES, Mr. HOWDEN (VK3BQ), Mr. C. JOHNSON.

Council: Mr. W. GRONOW, Mr. V. MARSHALL, Mr. R. DALTON, Mr. O. HOLST, Mr. I. HODDER.

Secretary: Mr. G. DOUGLAS (VK3YK)

Treasurer: Mr. S. BENNETT.

Auditor: Mr. S. A. EMBLING, VK3DC

Key Section Rep.: Mr. H. KINNEAR, VK3KN

Short Wave Group Rep.: Mr. F. REES.

R.A.A.F. W.R. Rep.: Mr. V. MARSHALL (VK3UK)

QSL Bureau: Mr. R. JONES (VK3RJ)

Traffic Manager: Mr. R. CUNNINGHAM (VK3ML)

P.03 - Publication Notes

All communications concerning this Magazine and all Mss. to be forwarded to the Editor, "Amateur Radio," c/o Box 4540, G.P.O. Melbourne

Subscription to "Amateur Radio" is 6/- per annum post free (paid in advance) but is offered at reduced rates to members of the Wireless Institute of Australia.

P.04 - Philips Ad

THIS SECTION NOT YET TEXT CORRECTED

PHILIPS TRANSMITTING VALVES THE PHILIPS transmitting valves indicated below are excellently adapted for use by amateurs. Most of these valves have an oxide-coated filament; this gives great mechanical strength and a high thermionic emission, notwithstanding the very small filament wattage. By reason of their special construction with anode and grid ter­minals on the bulb, Philips 5-watt, 10-watt and 75-watt triode trans­mitting valves will generate waves down to less than 5 metres. Owing to their steep slope, Philips transmitting valves can very easily be made to oscillate. These valves for amateurs will give a high output at a comparatively low anode voltage. Thanks to their excellent vacuum, the valves can withstand a tem­porary overload without sustaining any serious damage. Triodes Screen-Grid ValveB

TYPE TC TC TC TB QC QB 03/5 04/10 1/75 2/250 05/15 2/75 Filament voltage 4.0 4.0 10-0 11-0 4-0 10-0 V Filament current* 0.29 1 1-6 3-8 1 3-25 A Saturation current* 100 400 1,500 2,000 400 2,000 mA Anode voltage 150-300 200-500 800-1,500 1,000-2,000 400-500 2,000 V Screen-grid voltage — 75-125 300-500 V Max. anode dissipation 6 10 75 150 15 75 W Anode dissipation on test .. 10 20 100 200 20 100 W Max. screen-grid dissipation — 3 15 W Amplification factor* 6 25 25 25 225 200 Mutual conductance (slope)* 2.3 2.0 5 4 1-4 1-4 mA/V Int. resistance* 2,503 12,500 5,000 6,000 160,000 150,000 R Anode-grid capacity — .001 .02 mra/F Call or Write for our Transmitting Valve Folder. (Gratis) TRANSMITTING DEPT. PHILIPS LAMPS (AUSTRALASIA) LTD.

354 POST OFFICE PLACE, MELBOURNE.

P.05 - Editorial

EDITORIAL.

W.I.A. (Vic.). President (Geo. Thompson Esq.) Introduces "Amateur Radio."

With this, the first issue of "Amateur Radio," a long-felt want is being satisfied. It is a far cry from our old Magazine which appeared in 1921 to the present time, and during the intervening years, many and varied attempts have been made to offer the army of radio enthusiasts in Australia something worth while, which would be of real interest, value and help. It is the intention of the magazine committee, the council, and all concerned, to see that every section of our vast radio community is catered for in these pages. With that object in view, pithy news of general interest will regularly find space in its pages. To all members of the W.I.A., especially those of the Victorian Division, the R.A.A.F.W. Reserve, and all radio enthusiasts, we confidently look for wholehearted support in this undertaking.

This magazine is the official organ of the Victorian Division, every financial member of which will receive a copy post free, and every Ham should see that they receive one. We have in Victoria approximately 300 members and three affiliated clubs, but there are quite a number of holders of the A.O.P.C. who have not yet enrolled. In view of the fact that the officials of the Institute do an enormous amount of work voluntarily (not only in the interests of our members but also of the non-members), it is not in keeping with the Ham spirit to take a share of the advantages which the other fellows' fees and energy provide. Our ranks are open to anyone who is genuinely interested in the science of Wireless, irrespective of their knowledge of the subject, and a hearty welcome is assured to all members with a definite promise of assistance and help, in any desired direction within our scope.

The country experimenter will now be in closer touch with the city enthusiasts and will be kept informed of all Institute activities right up to the minute.

The Institute, in a general sense, is divided into four sections (with a possible fifth to be formed later). Of these, the chief is, of course, the Executive, known as the Council, which consists of the President, Secretary, Treasurer and ten full members elected annually, whose duty it is to shape the destiny of the Division, control its funds and do all such acts and deeds which are essential for the successful functioning of the whole, within the limits of the constitution.

The Short Wave Group, which is the latest section, is devoted to the Experimental side of short wave transmitting and receiving, and much good work is being done by this very enthusiastic body.

The "Key" Section, probably the largest numerically of all the sections, is a very active group whose work largely constitutes filling the atmosphere with "dits and dahs," burning much midnight Yallourn energy, and in general communication with the uttermost ends of the earth, with as low power as possible. It is largely from this group that the Royal Australian Air Force Wireless Reserve was recruited, and so successful has been the experiment, that it has now been officially accepted as an indispensable unit of our country's Defence Forces. The "Key" Section is largely responsible, in conjunction with other Amateurs the world over, for the successful pioneering of the many frequencies or wavelengths which were at one time considered impossible, but which are now in general use.

The Telephone Section, which is undoubtedly the best known to the general body of listeners, is also very live, energetic and enthusiastic. Their work generally needs no amplification — the very high standard of their transmissions, excellent arrangement of programmes from a purely listener's viewpoint and the high entertainment value of their labours, are a real asset not only to the W.I.A., but to the Government and the Radio Trade generally. There are 22 Country and 24 Metropolitan Amateur Stations actively engaged in entertaining listeners during non-broadcast hours on week nights and Sundays. In many cases in the country, they provide the only programmes that can be received decently owing to atmospheric conditions, particularly during daylight.

Mention should be made of the Technical Development Section, a small committee of highly trained technicians who control the Instrument Library of the Institute, and who are always ready and willing to offer the benefit of their greater knowledge to their less advanced fellow members.

The possible fifth section to be known as the Super Het Club, depends largely upon the public response to the suggestion and, if formed, will be open to everyone. Interesting competitions with valuable prizes for the logging of distant stations, advice on constructing efficient receivers, short wave converters, interesting lectures, a portion of this magazine devoted entirely to their interests, participation in our social life, and a host of other interesting and entertaining features will be arranged, the cost being practically reduced to subscription to this publication.

There is several hundred pounds worth of highly efficient gear, such as broadcast and short wave transmitters and receivers, meters of all kinds and technical publications at the disposal of our members and it is the earnest desire of the Council that the fullest possible use be made of them. This first editorial would not be complete without reference to the wonderful assistance and courteous consideration that we have received from the Department of the Chief Inspector of Wireless at all times. To Mr. J. Malone and his staff, Messrs. Martin, Dobbin, Conry, Greig and Dunne, do we express our cordial greetings and thanks.

We have every confidence that, in this journal, our many transmitting and receiving radio friends will find news of interest of other people's doings and at the same time have a forum in which to place their own ideas pertaining to Amateur Radio.

P.06 - THE EDITOR'S CQ

THE EDITOR'S CQ.

Our President has introduced us in no uncertain manner. Concise, without any "padding," he has laid bare the workings of the W.I.A. To him we offer our sincere thanks: to our members, for their approval, we offer "Amateur Radio."

With this first issue, it is most necessary to mention our various advertising friends. These people are the very life blood of "Amateur Radio," inasmuch as their dues in no small way contribute to allaying our printing costs. You can believe us when we tell you that selling advertising space is no easy matter.

We appeal to you to support our advertisers, and when you buy any parts to make that new set, we want you to mention that you saw their ad. in "Amateur Radio," thus making Goodwill for the magazine with the surety of renewal of contracts. We cannot stress this point too strongly.

So this is "Amateur Radio!" If you don't like it, tell us; if you do, tell your friends.— THE EDITORS.

P.06 - "Read, Mark, Learn —"

There's a brotherhood of radio

Right throughout our land to-day

All experimenting, testing

Banded by the W.I.A.

Live in shacks and such like places

Wotting not of things around

Caring not for mundane matters

Long as D X may be found.

Nought to 'them if markets vary

While their tubes and "batts" are sound,

Though the exchange rate's a problem

When subscription date comes round.

When they meet in solemn conclave,

Things of moment are discussed;

Questions of the day propounded;

How the foreign cards are rushed!

Since that VK3's suggestion

That they start a magazine

Was considered and adopted

Great discussions there have been.

Send along your contributions,

All can help to make it go,

Pull your weight, and get behind it —

Here's to "Amateur Radio."

(Mrs.) L. E. HUTCHINGS, (VK3HM).

P.07 - Simple Crystal Control

SIMPLE CRYSTAL CONTROL

By MAX HOWDEN (VK3BQ)

There are two main reasons given as objections to the use of C.C. and one of these really includes two others. The first is that several stages must be used and this makes the cost too high and makes the outfit too bulky. The second is that it is supposed to be impossible to change the frequency when QRM is bad.

We will dispose of the latter argument in a few words by stating that a piece of mica, approximately the same shape as the crystal and about seven mills thick, placed with the crystal in the holder, will increase the frequency enough to clear the signals from any reasonable QRM. To go back to the first item and its two riders — some experiments were carried out at 3BQ a few weeks ago and the eighty metre transmitter that will be described now is the result.

The advantages of the penthode as a CO. have been dealt with at some length in QST and other journals, but none of these seem to have made any mention of the higher power that can be used without any risk of damage to the crystals.

The first tube that was tested was an E443N with 60 volts battery bias, 150 volts on the space charge grid and gradually increased plate voltage. At 400 the input power was eight watts with the aerial taking the load and a good deal of local work has been carried out with this arrangement. The actual crystal current was so small that it could hardly be measured and as any good crystal will stand up to some 100 ma. of R.F. in its actual circuit (that is, as measured by the thermo couple milliameter at M) it was thought safe to increase the voltage up to 600. With this the input increased to 24 watts with a hardly perceptable increase in the crystal current. The E443N showed no signs of strain so 1000 volts were tried. At that the crystal current was about 25 ma showing that the crystal would be safe with anything up to 16 times the power. The input with 1000 volts on the plate was 55 watts and with the aerial taking the load the valve did not heat but when a 247 was tried in its place it flashed over at the pinch at the first touch of the key.

At 600 volts the 247 behaved in a similar manner to the 443.

Eventually it was decided to see what effect 1400 volts would have on the valve. Nothing drastic happened although that aerial ammeter needle hit the far end and the valve thought it had been mistaken for a neon sign. The input was 90 watts and the valve still functions normally but what was most satisfactory was that the crystal current was only 42 ma. which showed that with a suitable valve or valves in parallel to handle the power, the crystal would not object to a couple of hundred watts anyway.

It would seem that a couple of F443's or QG 5/15's in parallel would go nicely but they have not been tried as yet.

The next step was the introducing of automatic bias which worked very well and gave the valve a fair chance with the higher voltages. Several PM24B's were tested at 1000 volts and except for slightly lower input they functioned the same as the 443 except that they did not glow noticably.

The inductances were rather too large to tune down to the forty metre band so half of each was shorted out when the 7 m.c. harmonic crystal was tried. The efficiency seemed to be just the same as on eighty metres so with eight turns of heavy wire of small tubing in each coil shunted by a .0005 condenser both bands can easily be covered, by simply switching in the other coil and retuning with the condensers. For twenty metre work, those who have twenty metre crystals are welcome to test them to any power they like, and others who have not a crystal of this frequency are recommended to replace the crystal holder by a .002 mfd. condenser and to insert a small diameter coil of about 25 turns of fine wire at M and so turn the outfit into a TNT rig. If after testing, etc., no results have been obtained, it is then advisable to short out the automatic bias and everything should be OK. This is the reason for the 25,000 ohm. grid leak in place of the more usual grid choke across the crystal. The other R.F. chokes consist of some four inches of ¾in. tubing close wound with 32 DSC wire. One of these chokes can be used across the crystal for those who prefer to utilise some other type of set for twenty metre work.

The keying in the HT neg. lead is quite satisfactory and very clean with good active crystals but one or two have been tried that would not respond fast enough and for them it was necessary to key the space charge grid by inserting the key and filter at X. A very nice noise is created when the key is used in this position with 1000 volts on an active crystal, but it is difficult to copy on account of the strong backwave caused by the tube still oscillating feebly. At 400-600 volts this back wave is hardly noticeable and the keying excellent. For these relatively low powers all the key filter need consist of is a small inductance such as the secondary of an audio transformer and a half mike condenser across both key and choke together with a .1 mfd. condenser across the key itself. For higher powers about double values should be used with anything up to 30 henries in the choke and a 400 ohm. resister in series with the small condenser if the arcing at the key is bad. The voltage divider used to break the space charge grid voltage down to a reasonable value is not at all critical but it seems to be advisable to use a high value in this position rather than a normal resistance and higher bias on the control grid. The reason for this is that the space charge grid is not capable of handling much power and is likely to be melted if too much pressure is applied to it.

Using it in conjunction with a straight SG detector and penthode all AC receiver, stations up to within 100 KC of the crystal in use, can be heard with the key down and of course with the key up there is no blanketing at all. Several good break-in QSO's have been held with interstate stations with no trouble at all while local work can be carried on indefinitely.

One word of warning to those who think that anything is near enough. It will be noticed that the aerial coil is coupled to the filament end of the tank coil and that the live end is the furthest from the tank and this should be followed. With other methods keying will be sluggish and very wide spacing will be necessary before the crystal will oscillate at all.

Nothing has been said so far concerning push-pull because it was not intended to make this transmitter any more complicated than necessary and little if anything could be gained except by those who are lucky enough to possess a couple of QC 2/75's or something even bigger in the way of screen grid valves. These should work well in push pull with even half a kilowatt input without damage to the crystal provided that the aerial is coupled and tuned before the full power is applied. Several years ago two 210's were tried in push-pull at 3BQ with 40 watts input on the 40 metre band. Many Yanks were worked and the crystal, a forty metre fundamental slab, is still intact.

Heissing modulation has been tested on the present outfit and is quite satisfactory provided that the crystal is not worked too near the cut-off point.

(GRAPHIC TO BE INSERTED)

P.09 - Key Section Notes

Key Section Notes.

NOTICE:— The next meeting of the Key Section will be held on Tuesday, 3rd October at 8 p.m.

As this is by far the most important of our notes, in this issue we give it pride of place. At the last meeting an increase of nearly 50 per cent in attendance, including 7 new members, speaks eloquently for the interest with which the boys look forward to meeting nights.

Nearly every newly licenced ham makes his debut as a pounder of brass and we should be fully aware that his first and most lasting impressions are gained in our ranks.

Let us strive to make them very pleasant ones, for who of us can look back to the time when he started without realising that a little encouragement and patience will earn the gratitude of the newcomer and convince him that the ham spirit is really existent. However, let me give a word of warning concerning illegal operating. By all means help a man who is keen to get his "ticket," but don't condone his installing and operating a transmitter until he has an A.O.P.C. The authorities are getting more strict on this breach of regulations and detection not only prejudices his chances, but also renders you liable to proceedings.

DX conditions on 'forty' are now looking up and some of the boys have done excellent work recently on this band. Unfortunately DX has its bad points. Have you ever searched the band from end to end in the hope that you will find someone with whom you can have a yarn — in vain? Has it ever struck you that DX is not now the wonder that it was a few years ago? And do you ever realise that indulgence in DX to the exclusion of the other branches of the grand old radio game is the surest way to kill the ham spirit.

Let us but realise that DX is not an achievement in these days, that our licences were granted primarily to encourage experimental work, that if we are to EXIST in the not so distant future, it is only by fostering the brotherhood of amateurs by banding together in a strong organisation and putting the very best we can into it that we can hope to keep the privileges that we now enjoy. Believe me, we have a lot to do to justify our existence. Let us pull together with the Wireless Institute as our protecting organisation and we CAN do it.

With all that off our chest, let us now consider something which will interest us all. The Federal Executive is staging a five point relay contest in October. This will be the first of a series of six contests, the winner of each of which will receive a handsome trophy.

It rests with the gang to show them that not only the winner but also second, third and fourth at least live in VK3.

In addition to the trophies already mentioned, there is a trophy for the State which obtains the highest aggregate score over the six contests and is known as the "Fisk Shield." Now here is a chance to show your team spirit, gang. Every entry means another man in the team, and ~very man means more points to VK3. We want that trophy and we have just got to get it. The details and rules of the contest will be found elsewhere in this issue. Read them up now and put your station in order for the big fight.

It is a surprising fact that portables have not found very much favour in this country, but with summer and the holiday season fast approaching, a fine opportunity for progressive hams to do a bit of thinking along these lines is presented. What is wanted is a portable which is primarily cheap, efficient, really portable, and lastly, reliable. Don't forget, however, that permission to operate a portable station must first be obtained from the P.M.G.'s Department.

This page is for your use; it is up to all members of the Key Section to give all the suggestions and helpful criticism you can; and to help you do this VK3XR and VK3PS will be on the air, calling "CQ MAG," on schedules given below to take any 'dope' you care to shoot along.

VK3PS — 7050 KC, Wednesday and Thursday, 1930 MMT. VK3PS—3525 KC, alternate Sundays, 11.30 MMT.

VK3XR—7280 KC, Monday and Friday, 1930 MMT.; Sunday, 1230 MMT.

Finally we would like to welcome the following new members to the ranks of the Key Section: VK3HQ, VK3OP, VK3PQ, VK3ZQ, VK3QJ, VK3FJ, VK3FG and VK3KC.

J. H. WINTON, VK3XR.

P.10 & 11 - Phone Section Notes

Phone Section Notes

At the meeting of the above Section held on Tuesday, September 12, office-bearers were selected for the coming year. Chairman: Mr. R. M. Dalton (3UI). Secretary: Mr. I. Morgan (3DH). Assistant Secretary: Mr. W. Fitzpatrick (3WF).

In addition to these we have the allocation Committee as follows:— Mr. Manning, Mr. J. Kurley, Mr. Lahiff, and Mr. L. Richards. This number is one more than with which we have previously worked, but it was unanimously decided that since these gentlemen are fairly well spread out geographically, everyone should have a better chance of getting a fair observation.

Now first and foremost the subject of publicity for the Institute. This matter was dealt with to a certain extent at our last meeting, and has, as a matter of fact, been discussed at meetings for some time. We cannot stress too heavily the importance of letting everyone, not only active amateurs or interested experimenters, know that they can achieve little or nothing unless they are members of this body. Anyone who has just a slight interest in radio reception should join the W.I.A. The benefits which would be theirs are worth as much as their gear or knowledge, be it large or small.

The Phone Stations can do more than their share to make these people realise they should be members. By virtue of the fact that the 'phone section members are in direct contact with the Broadcast Listeners, the "Superhet Club," (details of which will be found in our President's Editorial) must be made known to everyone in Melbourne, at least, who listens to Amateur transmissions either by design or accident.

This brings us to an important point. Repeating what was said at the meeting, our channels, given us for use on Sundays MUST be utilised 100 per cent.—they are one of our most valuable assets, and we cannot afford to lose them, which may possibly be the case if they are not given full use.

If you cannot go on the air yourself, always remember to communicate with the other chap with whom you share your frequency allocation. With regard to the doings of the "Phone Hams" the writer attempted to collect information, but most of them appear to be rebuilding or installing larger or more tubes to get out further (?) with the same power, but no very technical information was forthcoming.

VK3CB particularly, seems to be building a large frame for a new transmitter, which will be, he says, water cooled (the frame only) also the house has been repainted and the radiation (?) has increased by 100 per cent. When 3CB was asked by the allocation Committee if he wanted a wave length, since there was no application in, he said "Yes,— same wave length, same time," and 3BY was heard to remark — "and same rotten transmissions." By the way, can you find the new call sign attached to a certain gentleman's name on our Index page?

There are probably quite a number of chaps working on "Phone" who have been, or are, specialising in some particular branch of "Phone Work" such as, tubes for speech amplifier work, microphones, pickups, and methods of coupling microphones, tubes and pickups. Also modulation systems, and a score of other branches. Now why can't we have an article from at least one member of our gang in every issue of "Amateur Radio." There are enough items to last for years, and since every man has probably a different opinion on each subject, we should have an unlimited supply.

There seems to have been an increase in the amount of "duplex rag-chewing" going on, in the last couple of months. The period of the winter months, when one prefers to remain at home, may have something to do with it; at any rate the value of this work is quite high.

Getting back to the subject of publicity once more; in this direction we could perhaps commence this part of the performance earlier in the evening; then about 12 p.m. on Sundays, and by suitable arrangements, have a "National Hookup," as it were, and all stations could broadcast the same programme simultaneously, consisting of some W.I.A. propaganda. Apart from the possible subject of the material broadcast, the mere fact of its being a novelty would make the public sit up and take more notice. This scheme was brought up by Mr. G. F. Thompson at a "Phone Meeting" some months ago, and since nothing has been done regarding the matter there is an obvious necessity for more co-operation. There are no real difficulties attached to the stunt from a technical point of view.

Most of us are able to work duplex with a few stations and all that is necessary is a receiver capable of picking up another station and rebroadcasting it on one's own frequency.

There also is a simple and interesting means of making the "Phone Section" Notes contain some real ideas worth swopping. The writer will be "on the air" each Sunday at about 12 p.m. (after 3BY has closed down) to receive information for publication in "Amateur Radio." It is much easier to yarn about your ideas than make up an article, so let's have one or both.

A chat on the above notes at our next meeting on Tuesday, 10th October, would be appreciated.

Country members of this section please note that their permits are now due for renewal, and they are advised to communicate with the Department immediately. New Frequency allocations for the country are in the hands of Mr. G. Thompson, c/o W.I.A., to whom you are advised to write.

IVOR MORGAN (VK3DH).

P.11 - Victorian Railways Institute (Wireless Club)

VICTORIAN RAILWAYS INSTITUTE (Wireless Club)

Since the Victorian Railways Institute Wireless Club's first provisional Committee of nine met in June, 1926, steady progress in activity has been registered, there now being approximately 300 members on the books. During this period, owing to the depression, rationing and dismissals in the Railway Department a loss of membership was felt, but at the end of this financial year the Club is comparatively as sound as at its inception.

From a modest beginning the experimental station, VK3RI has in a matter of a little over seven years assumed quite respectable proportions and now ranks with the foremost amateur stations as is testified by the hundreds of appreciative letters on file in the Club Room, many of these from so far afield as New Guinea, New Zealand and Western Australia. Nearly 5000 applications have been received from listeners for Q.S.L. Cards in the last six years.

Not so long ago, broadcast experiments were being conducted by our enthusiasts, using very crude apparatus, the power for which was derived from a few "B" batteries, but the indifferent results obtained in no way damped their ardour. Since that time, however, gear to the value of nearly £500 is now in regular use at the Club, including some very fin® laboratory apparatus.

At the last Annual Meeting held on 24th August, the following office-bearers were elected for ensuing year: President: Mr. T. Ramsay. Vice-Presidents: Mr. A. Galbraith, Mr. G. Massey. Council: Mr. W. Smart, Mr. E. Greer, Mr. J. McBain, Mr. E. Milligan, Mr. N. Hienrichsen, Mr. W. Harrison, Mr. K. McCarthy (3FX), Mr. H. Byrne (3HB), Secretary: Mr. W. E. Brennan (3RO) Treasurer: Mr. W. I. May. Assist. Secretary: Mr. C. H. Harris.

A Smoke Social followed the Annual Meeting and the guests of honor were Messrs. G. Thompson, "Goke" Dalton and G. Douglas of the W.I.A. VK3RO proposed the toast of the W.I.A. and George Thompson responded in a manner suitable to the occasion.

P.11 - Harmonics

"HARMONICS"

During the summer, 3UK and 3ML are going away, one week-end each month and will be carrying out some special tests. Three transmitters will be taken, one for 80 mx, one for 40 mx and 20 mx and one for 10 mx and 5 mx. Full details of dates and schedules will be in next issue.

"HARMONICS"

When at school in 1912, VK3BY used to work out the answers to his home lessons with his school pals via the air with a spark transmitter. We think what we heard the other night was a couple of young chaps talking trig, in a new continent for W.A.C. called Algebra!

P.12 - Royal Australian Air Force Wireless Reserve

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE WIRELESS RESERVE - VICTORIAN NOTES

It is a very happy feeling to pick up pencil and paper, to write the Reserve notes for the inaugural issue of "AMATEUR RADIO," because we know our magazine is going to fill a long felt want in the W.I.A. It will serve to draw closer together the various sectionalised activities of the Institute and provide a medium, through which each of us will know just what the other man is doing. Briefly, the Royal Australian Air Force Wireless Reserve was designed to utilize the services and equipment of licensed amateurs in the following directions:—

(a) To facilitate communication between Air Force stations and detached aircraft.

(b) To co-operate in the observation of tests of Air Force W/T equipment.

(c) To foster interest in the Air Force and aviation in general, with particular regard to communication as an auxiliary to ground organisation.

(d) To provide the basis of an emergency communication system to be used in the event of permanent communications breaking down.

(e) To facilitate the collection of weather reports.

(f) To train amateurs generally in the correct RAAF W/T procedure for the expeditious handling of traffic.

The Reserve in Victoria is divided into sections of six stations each, including a Section Commander. Each station holds office as Section Commander for a two monthly period, thus every man has control of his section for eight weeks each year.

Trophies are given annually fob the best section, the best Section Commander and the best traffic handler in Victoria, and these are presented at the Reserve Convention which is held in Melbourne each September.

Our second Annual Convention has just finished and we have had one of the happiest, busiest and most tiring weeks of our lives! On Monday, September 4th the balloon — sorry — the plane went up, and, as a curtain-raiser for the big week, we had a dinner followed by a theatre night. Tuesday saw the serious work commence when the country members were medically examined and duly enlisted in the re-organised Reserve. Under the new organisation, our section of the W.I.A. becomes the Wireless Section of the RAAF Reserve, thus all members must enlist in the Reserve in the normal manner. On Tuesday evening our first meeting was held at 3Z1 (3UK). After the District Commander had opened the Convention and touched on the main points of interest during the past year, Wing Commander Wrigley presented the Trophy to this year's crack traffic handler 3D4 (30R), and a cup to last year's winner 3A5 (3OW). Flight-Lieutenant Wiggins gave a very interesting talk on the Reserve and its future, and after a great deal of discussion (but no yarns, hi!) the evening broke up, everyone looking forward with the keenest anticipation to the Wednesday and Thursday, for they were the BIG days of the week. Wednesday dawned fine but windy and after meeting at the Barracks, the whole gang left for two days, in Plane to ground W/ T training at Laverton and Pt. Cook. The whole story of the two great days is told by Doug 3C5 (3YK) below.

Wednesday night was "half time" so all had an early night, except a few indefatiguables who "did the shows"! Thursday and Friday nights were devoted to discussions on procedure, arranging new contests and, in general, forming our domestic policy for the coming year.

Then on Saturday night the country members were the guests of the W.I.A. at one of the biggest, brightest and best dinners and smoke nights we have ever had. They say all good things must come to an end — perhaps it makes us appreciate them all the more while they last — but it was with a feeling of genuine regret that we left 3D6's (3YL's) on Sunday night for we realised it was writing 'Finis' on the Convention for yet another year. We all had a great night there, thanks to our charming hostesses, and it seemed a fitting end to a great week. Monday saw the departure of most of the country boys and on Monday night the old familiar signals appeared again on 3.5MC.

With old friendships renewed and new ones formed, with the ties that bind us all into one unit, stronger than ever, this coming year bids fair to far surpass any of its predecessors. If we can feel at the end, that we have accomplished something for our country, through our Hobby, we will be more than satisfied.

THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE WIRELESS RESERVE

THE RESERVE TAKES AN "AIRING"

By 3C5 (3YK)

Each year, at our Annual Reserve Convention, a period of training in plane to ground radio work will be carried out at Laverton. This year the BIG days were Wednesday and Thursday, 13th and 14th September.

Wednesday was rather blowy, but fine and all were in great spirits, when they met at 0930 in front of the RAAF HQ. Transport was arranged by Tender and a hilarious trip down was made. As the Tender was shod with solid rubber tyres, a little QSX by some of the gang was excusable! On arrival at Laverton, the boys were divided into two sections; Nr. I, which consisted of those who had been medically examined and duly enlisted on the previous day, and Nr. 2, who still had to undergo the test.

The first item on the program was an inspection, by both sections, of Nr. I. Aircraft Depot. Those of the gang who had a leaning towards engineering, were especially interested in the overhauling of the aero engines, which of course, is a very frequent and important event for each machine.

The interest intensified on arrival at the parachute room and, as Nr. I. section was to fly in the afternoon, the more imaginative must have had visions of joining the Caterpillar Club!

This inspection over, the journey was continued to Pt. Cook for lunch in the Airmen's Mess, where some surprising quantities of food were put away, by those who had no qualms of what the afternoon would bring forth (or up!), through airsickness. After lunch, the sections divided, Nr. 2 repairing to the Ward Room for Medical examination and enlistment. Nr. I. section was split up into three subsections; A. went to the pier-head and the W/T equipped Southampton, in which the days flying was to be carried out, B, went to the receiving station and C to the transmitting rooms.

The ground transmitters are remotely controlled from the receiving rooms, so, while sub-section C examined the transmitting equipment, B held two-way communication with A. After about three-quarters of an hour's flying, the Southampton alighted, and the sub-sections changed around. Later, a third change was effected, thus, each had a period of working the ground from the air, the air from the ground, and also examining the origin of the "hefty wollop" known as VJP.

Meanwhile section 2 had been put through its paces in the ward room and had also had a very instructive and entertaining! lecture, on Procedure in traffic handling. Both sections re-united at about 1700 hours, and, after several false starts, when various members were reported missing, the gang left for VIM.

Next morning, a baby gale was blowing and a few of Nr. 2 section, whose turn it was for flying, wished they had been allotted to Nr. 1 and had had their plane training on the previous day! One member failed to turn up and in the end the Tender had to leave with him. Whilst passing through the city, however, a frantic CQ was heard and the missing one was sighted, doubling "hell for leather" through the traffic. Apparently he wasn't used to being punctual; after all, what is an hour or two in the country? hi hi. After a desperate chase, he was eventually hauled on board, nearly dead to the world!

On arrival at Pt. Cook, a demonstration of message picking up from the ground, was given by a Wapiti. This was followed by light signalling between plane and ground.

After lunch, section 2 was divided into sub-sections, as Nr. 1 had been on the previous day. As the weather was bad, a Wapiti was used instead of the Southampton. This, of course, necessitated the members going up singly, instead of in subsections as on the Wednesday. All the gang realised, that operating from the observer's cockpit of a Wapiti is not conducive to good keying, especially in the boisterous weather experienced. The writer lost a pair of goggles from about 2000 feet and was well stung by the driving rain, which was falling rather heavily whilst he was having his flip. Nevertheless, a report and some traffic was exchanged with the ground station quite OK.

Each sub-section, when inspecting the transmitting rooms, found its ideas, on various well-known components, somewhat upset by the gigantic proportions, of some of them. The tank coil of one of the long wave transmitters, could have conveniently served as a cage for a couple of tigers and, some of the stand-off insulators, might have done duty for gate-posts.

1700 hours found us regretfully realising that the two great days were over. We piled into the Tender for the return journey, tired, but all sparking well and whiled away the trip back, by some very bright reminiscences (note 'reminiscences' is not spelt Y-A-R-N-S!!). They had been two very enjoyable days and our thanks are due to all at Laverton and Pt. Cook for their efforts on our behalf.

There are still a few vacancies in the sections, for both town and country stations. Here is a real opportunity for doing something of tangible usefulness with your hobby. Even apart from the Patriotic standpoint, enlistment in the Reserve carries with it many advantages from the Amateur point of view. All Hams interested write immediately to District Commander, RAAF W.R. 3rd. District, 5 Fordholm Road, Hawthorn, E.2.

P.20 - Systematic Servicing Brings Best Results

Syste111ati~ Servi~i11g Bri11gs Best Results Thorough Set Overhaul Gi,Tes Most Satisiactio1• By "SERVICEMAN" IN servicing receivers, a definite system of tracking down faults should always be followed. "Hit or miss" methods should not be tolerated, as in nine cases out of ten they mean high charges and low profits. A well-equipped and properly-run service department can not only show a good return, but also it is a valuable aid in building goodwill. The system for service procedure outlined below is perhaps more thorough than that generally used by servicemen, but it certainly gets results. Buppose, for example, a radio comes; in for service, and after a few minutes with the voltmeter the serviceman finds it has a shorted screen by-pass condenser. Most service- men would replace that condenser with an equivalent unit and· return the receiver as O.K" Methods like this do more to increase the cost of service than anything else, because, while the charge may be low in the first instance, the chances are ten to one that there are more leaky condensers and perhaps weak valves in the set which will necessitate another call a few weeks later. If such a case occurs, the owner not ·only pays for two calls, but he may also begin to doubt the ability ·of the serviceman. The system developed by the writer includes rigid inspection and test of nearly all parts of a radio chassis and speaker. For the sake of clarity, each test is numbered, described, and details of the test equipment used are given. · Test No. 1 really includes the service call. It is useless for a service- man to rush into a home, collect the radio set, and rush it back to the N.S.W., Australia. Mr. Gregory will put on DX programmes any night, midnight-to-dawn hours. 2UW is getting out very well in U.S.A., India and England, and they invite DX co-operation. Their New Zealand breakfast session from 4 to 5 a.m. E.A.S.T. is well worth listening to. Another station that broadcasts regular DX programmes- for New Zealand- is amateur station VK2QY, 45 Oxford Street, Paddington, N.S.W. Gilbert S. Hayman (Bronte, N.S.W.). workshop, because the trouble might easily be a faulty aerial wire, a shorted lightning arrester, a blown fuse, a break in the power flex, or a slipping knob or dial. A service call should include a rigid inspection of the aerial and earth system-and of the power circuit if the receiver fails to light up. If it lights but will not work, valves should be tested and replaced if necessary. If the fault is apparently in the chassis itself, •the set should be brought in to the workshop for repair. This procedure applies to sets located within a limited radius. If any great distance has to be covered it is wise to treat the case as a special one and endeavour to repair the set on the job. In Test No. 2 it is assumed that the receiver has been brought in for re- pair. The best procedure is to re- move it from its cabinet and clean ·the dust out of cabinet and chassis. Then connect the receiver to a power outlet and hook up the aerial and earth. If there is still no reception, make a careful test of the valves. The power transformer may smoke, which indicates a short or a breakdown. The rectifier plates may get red hot, indicating a short, probably in a filter condenser. Of course, in the case of a faulty transformer or condenser, the unit must be replaced before further tests can be made. Test No. 3 includes the checking of all condensers and resistors. Faulty condensers are among the commonest causes of breakdown. For this test use a good condenser analyser capable of measuring leakage and capacity. Any doubtful condenser should be discarded, particularly if high voltage is applied across it. Many "call-backs" are eliminated if proper attention is given to the condensers, and it should be remembered that radio owners do not like their sets going out of action about once a month. Condensers. should also be checked for capacity and while making this test it is as well to pull gently on the pigtails to make sure the condenser does not open intermittently. Resistors should be checked with an accurate ohm meter or bridge, and anything showing a tolerance greater (Continued on page 54.) Systematic Servicing (continued from page 2C) than + or - 10 per cent. should be discarded. Volume and tone controls are included as resistors, and should be checked and replaced if faulty. Test No. 4 includes an accurate check on all voltages and currents. This is best done with a multi-range meter, with. plate break adapters for measuring plate current. It is of course important, especially with non-A.V.C. sets, to have the volume control full on. This test ·should -take· very litt~e · · time, because by now it is established that valves, condensers and.,-resjstor,..s are in perfect order. , : · Test No. 5 is purely a loudspeaker test. Intermittent faults are some- times caused by a break in the field coil or a break in the primary of the matching transformer. For the speaker test, use a 400-volt power supply, with a 0-100 m.a. meter and 10,000-ohm heavy duty potentiometer in series, and pass a heavy current through the field coil and transformer primary. Any intermittent fault should show up immediately; The speaker should now be tested for rattles, using a good baffle for the purpose. If there is even the slightest rattle, dismantle the speaker, clean out any dust or dirt, re-assemble it, and re-centre the cone. Elusive rattles may sometimes be cured by applying a thin coat of glue over the voice coil and its assembly. Also inspect voice coil connections for breaks. The speaker should be in perfect order before it is returned to the cabinet. Test No. 6 includes a complete line ~up of the receiver. An all-wave signal generator is necessary for this test, preferably one with its output calibrated in microvolts so that the actual sensitivity of a receiver may be measured and passed as normal for a receiver of the type. Alignment should be perfect; and if the dial is frequency calibrated, the stations should come in on the correct readings. When sensitivity and calibration are finished, the receiver should be passed to test No. 7. Test No. 7 is for the purpose of checking. The receiver should be checked for tonal quality, sensitivity, selectiv~ty, dial calibration, speaker rattles, and for a slipping dial, as well as for other loose parts about the chassis. When passed as O.K. it should be replaced in the cabinet, checked again for dial position and loose knobs, and the cabinet polished. Test No. 8 is merely running the receiver for a period of time-preferably as long as possible, on a line voltage slightly higher than that to which it is accustomed. Country areas, particularly, have high line voltages, and this test is really more

of a check on all the parts, to make sure that none will break down. The writer uses a transformer having a 230 v. primary and tapped secondary up to 270 v. (To be continued next month.)

P.21 - Stromberg-Carlson Ad

From a whisp~r ... TO CONCERT Hi-'\LL VOLUME ! WIDE TONAL RANGE You '11 quickly understand the amazing popularity of the Stromberg-Carlson 1936 Console Grand, once you have actually seen the magnificent cabinet and heard Such as you',,e ne,,er heard before!the unrivalled tone of this modern·as-the-minute Radio! Tune it down to a whisper, or increase its volume to concert hall strength ... in every note of the tonal range you enjoy that same faithful reproduction. The Console Grand cabinet is 33% heavier than the average, and thus entirely eliminates cabinet resonance. Here are some of the marvellous

features of this wonder set:- 7 valves. Short wave covers 16-51 metre hands (which includes 5 short wave reception channels). Broadcast covers 194-555 (all Australian stations). Tone compensation. 6 watt undistorted power · output. Specially designed speaker. Tone control. World-wide range. Mammoth chassis. Selectorlite dial which revolutionise!! tuning. 3-way isolation switch (broadcast, short wave and pick-up). · New non - microphonic condenser. Full automatic volume control. Try the Stromberg-Carlson Console Grand for really remarkable DX. London, Paris, Berlin, etc., as clear as locals. Hundreds of other shortwave stations heard. All Australian, New Zealand, etc., ·on broadcast band. Ask your nearest StrombergCarlson dealer t~ demonstrate to you in your home. Other Stromberg- Carlson models from 14 guineas-there's one to suit every personal preference. CONSOLE GRAND-MODEL 736-39 GUINEAS S tromh erg-·Carlson Wholesale Distributors in Australia and New Zealand. N.S.W.: Bennett & Wood Ltd., 284 . Pitt Street. Sydney, and at Lismore. Wagg3. Wireless Distributors, Box 93, Wagga. Heiron & Smith (Salonola), 91 Hunter Street, Newcastle. Queensland: Noyes Bros. (Sydney) Ltd., Burton House, Elizabeth Street, Brisbane. Lawrence & Hanson Electrical Co~ Ltd., 87 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane. S.A.: Savery's Pianos Ltd., 29 Rundle Street, Adelaide. Radio Wholesalers, James Place, Adelaide. Victoria: Warburton Franki (Melb.) Ltd., 380-382 Bourke Street, Melbourne. M. Brash & Co. Pty. Ltd., Elizabeth Street, Melbourne; Vealls Pty. Ltd., 243-249 Swanston Street, Melbourne. Tasmania: Hobart: Findlays Pty. Ltd., 80 Elizabeth Street; La1mceston: Wills & Co. Pty. Ltd., 7 The Quadrant; Devonport: Findlay & Wills Pty. Ltd. ; Burnie: Findlays Pty. Ltd. W.A. : Musgroves Limited, Lyric House, Murray Street, Perth. N.Z. : Goull'h, Goull'h & Hamor M<I., Cbrlatdiur cti,

P.22 - "Simplified D.W. Battery Money-saver"

The Radiokes ~~siJDplified Dual-Wave Battery Moneysaver Five of the latest metal-clad high,-gain battery valves, together with improved dualwave coils and iron-cored l.F. transformers, are combined in an up-to-date circuit to make this battery kit-set one of the "star" receivers for 1936. ·················································································~ A YEAR or so ago it was impossible to design a battery receiver that would give results comparable with· those obtained from an a.e. operated set nsiug· an equivalent number of valves. To-day, however, with the introduction of new high-gain 2-volt valves, this is no longer true. Radiokes engineers claim that this battery version , of their Moneysaver described last month can not only out-perform any other set in its class, but also, is the first receiver of its size and economy of operation capable of bringing in shortwave and broadcast stations at the same volume as a modern a.c. dual-waYe superhet. That this claim is not an exaggeration has been borne out by actual tests, which proved that for sensitivity, selectivity, tone and volume, the battery "Moueysaver" compares very favourably with the best of five-valve a.c. dual-wavers. Latest Valves An Important Feature. Five of the new battery-type valves recently released in the Philips and Mullard makes are used in the kit. Three of them are metal-clad, and all use the new universal P base. The mixer-oscillator is a KK2 Octode, which while similar in design to earlier converters of its type, embodies several important imprnverne11ts that result in better performance. Independent A.V.C. and diode detection, together with high audio gain and good fidelity, are all provided by the P base KBCl, working in conjunction with a KC3 driver and KDDI "B" classmoutput valve. 'l'his latter valve has a maximum power output of nearly 2 watts-more than ample for any home. 'rhe· quality of reproduction is very good, but builders who would like to take advantage of the ·wide range audio transformer supplied, and who do not mind slightly lower audio gain, can substitute a 30 driver and 19 output valve for the K03 anCl KDDI. The resultant fidelity is excellent, thongl1 the total "B" current consumption increases from approximately 11 m.a. to 15 or 16 m.a. lron-Cor.e I.F. 's Give High Gain. Both selectivity and gain are exceptionally high in this receiver-due largely to the use of Litzwound iron-core intermediates. The dual-wave aerial and oscillator coils are not only very compact -both sets of windings are in each case housed in a single can-but also, improved design has resulted in much higher efficiency, . with perfect tracking. The padding condenser for broadcast, by the way, Above: An unrler-cfwssis view of the completed kit, showing the simplicity of the assembly and wiring. Right: This plan view shows the well-sp~ced layout. The special iron-cored J.F.'s m·e housed in attractive square cans. is pre-set at the factory to the correct capacity and needs little, if any, adjustment. Stromberg-Carlson Gang and Switch The two-gang condenser supplied with the kit is a Stromberg-Carlson type "F," which has a new patented construction making it over 90 per cent. non-microphonic. The wave-change switch is also a new Stromberg-Carlson product. Each bank has three sections of three silver-plated contacts, mounted on very low-loss stamping material. Two-Colour Tuning Dial The "Colourvision" aero dial is calibrated in metres for both wr.<ve-bands, and has automatic colour . switching. When the set is tuned to the broadcast band, the broadcast scale is illuminated in green. When the wave-change switch is turned to shortwave the green fades out, and the shortwave scale is illuminated in red. The principal Australian stations and the international wave-bands are clearly indicated. Doublet Aerial and Pick-up. Though an ordinary "L" type aerial will bring in dozens upon dozens of shortwave and broadcast stations at full volume, maximum results will be obtained if a doublet aerial with transposed lead-in is used. Provision is made for an aerial of this type, and as well, pick-up terminals are provided, both additions being taken care of· by the two sets of three terminals mounted on the ·rear wall of the chassis. An All-British Kit As in the a.c. "Moneysaver" described last month, every part supplied with the kit is of British manufacture, and is of guaranteed quality. Construction Described in Detail Space does not perll).it this month of a detailed description of the kit's assembly. However, this is covered in a pamphlet that will be supplied by Radiokes Ltd. free on request. The assembly is covered down to the last detail in step-by-step instructions' given so fully and clearly that success is assured, even to those who have never tackled set-building before. The description is lavishly illustrated with photographs, and as well there is a full-size wiring diagram with every connection clearly shown on it. A Few Don'ts for Dxers Don't. report to any station unless you are positive you heard it. Don't be impetuous. If your verification does not arrive per return post, remember that stations have other important work to do. Don't send a second report until reasonable time has elapsed. Don't try to be technical unless you ARE. Don't resort to fulsome flattery; it will avail you nothing. Don't forget to enclose return postage or coupon, especially to amateurs. Don't use ordinary writing paper; the official report form lends prestige. Don't take any notice of these hints if you do NOT want verifications.

Kit of Parts

Radiokes "FIVE-VALVE SIMPLIFIED BATTERY MONEYSAVER" DUAL-WAVE Kit of Parts 1 RKS-SB chassis (sprayed) . 1 Stromberg-Carlson 2-bank switch (special) same as RKS-8. 1 Radiokes D. W. ~rial coil in can. 1 Radiokes D. W • . oscillator coil in can. 2 Radiokes SIC-465B I.F. Transformers (Nos. l and 2). Radiokes AFB audio tran~former. 1 Radiokes DC-1 "Colourvision" dial. RESISTORS. 3 Erie l meg. resistors. 1 Erie .5 meg. resistor. 2 Erie .1 meg. resistors. 1 Erie .05 meg. resistor. I .5 rneg, volume control, with switch. 1 Radiokes 20,000 ohm volume control (sensitivity control) with insulating washers. CONDENSERS. Stromberg-Carlson 2-gang condenser, . · type "F," without trimmers. 2 Radiokes 2-gang MEC trimmers without mounting holes. 1 .5 mfd. condenser. 3 .1 mfd. condensers. 1 .01 mfd. condenser. 2 .001 mfd. condensers. 1 .02 mfd. condenser. 1 .005 mfd. mica condenser. 2 . 00-01 mfd. mica condensers. 1 Radiokes 7-plate padder (peaked on oscillator). SOCKETS. "P" sockets (must be numbered). 4-pin socket. 7-pin socket (small). 7-pin plug. SUNDRIES. 4 Radie>kes knobs. 1 Ra,diokes T-33 panel ~ompletely wired with l'h" pillars. 6 bakelite terminals (2 red, 4 black). 3 large grid clips. 4 2.5 volt pea lamps. } yard. copper braiding. 5 yuds hook-up wire. 3 yards 16 gauge tinned copper wire . 1 ya,rd 7-way battery cable. 15 %" x 1t'S" R.H. brass screws. 12 :tAa." x 1;5" R.H. brass screws. 2 :%," x %" R.H. brass screws. 3 14" x 1,4" brass spacers with :t;S" hole. 30 '.l/s" hex. nuts. 12 lock washers, ~" hole. 12 solder Jugs, plain single end. 3 yards 2 mil. spaghetti. VALVES REQUIRED. lfKK2; 1/KFB; 1/KBCl; l/KC3; 1/KDDl (Philips, Mullard). SPEAKER REQUIRED. Permainent magnet dynamic, input trans- former to match KDDI (Amplion -"Star" type 05). type 05). BATTERIES REQUIRED. 3/45-volt ' heavy duty or triple duty, eact tapped at 221;2 volts; 1/41/:,-volt "C" battery tapped at 3 V. (Ever-Ready), 1/2-ve>lt 100 amiJ. hour accumulator.

P.27 - The ABC of Multi-Range Meter Design

The ABC Of Range · Multi· Meter Design By using a 0-1 milliammeter as a basis and adding shunts and multipliers to extend current and voltage ranges, a multi-range meter can be made up that will be found invaluable both in set-building and ·troubletracking. This article explains how the necessary resistance values are calculated. A SET-BUILDER without a meter of some sort is as helpless as a ship without a rudder. Like the ship, he can travel a certain distance but never for long in any one direction, and his chances of finally reaching his destination are very small. High accuracy, flexibility, and low cost are the three main requirements of a meter designed for radio use. All three are fulfilled by employing a high-grade moving coil 0-1 m.a. meter as a basis, and extending voltage and current ranges by means of multipliers and shunts (series and parallel resistors). How a Moving-coil Meter Works The bare essentials of a moving coil meter are illustrated in fig. 1. M is a U-shaped permanent magnet with soft iron pole pieces PP. A cylindrical iron core, C, is clamped so as to leave a small, uniform air gap. Encircling the iron core and travelling in the gap is a light framework of aluminium or copper, carrying a coil of fine silk-covered wire, and pivoted so that it earl rotate over the whole of the arc covered by the pole pieces, the movement being controlled by two springs, one above and one below. These also serve to conduct the current to and from the moving coil. When a current passes through the latter, the resultant magnetic field set up interacts with that of the permanent magnet, and the coil (together with the pointer X) turns until the restraining influence of the springs brings it to a stop. The coil frame not only acts as a support for the wire which carries the current to be measured, but. also damps the motion owing to the eddy currents induced in it . by the permanent magnet. The coil, over the whole of its arc of movement, will be travelling across a field of constant and uniform flux density produced by the permanent magnet, and ·the torque, or turning force, that the coil experiences will be proportional to the current in the coil. Thus, readings over the whole scale are uniform.

High Sensitivity Essential Regarding it first as a currentmeasuring device, the sensitivity of a meter is best expressed as the current at full-scale deflection. If this current is 1 milliampere, then such is the sensitivity. · In most voltage measurements in radio, it is essential that the current taken by the measuring instrument be kept as low as possible, to avoid the danger of obtaining misleading readings. For this reason, a voltmeter taking 1 m.a. at full scale deflection has higher accuracy than one taking 2 m.a., · and much higher than one taking 5 m.a. The sensitivity, which can be regarded as a good indication of the accuracy of such a meter, can be obtained by dividing the full scale deflection in amperes into 1-in other words, it is the reciprocal of the full scale current in amperes. The result is given in ohms per volt; in this 1 case, it is --, or 1000 ohms per volt. .001 A 0-2 and 0-5 m.a. meter would have sensitivities of 500 and 200 ohms per volt respectively. Extending Current Range Every meter has a resistance of its own, which for a 0-1 milliammeter is generally round about 30 ohms. In fig. 2, this is represented by R. If a current of 1 m.a. were flowing through the meter, the needle would register full scale deflection. If a resistance equivalent to that possessed by the meter were then connected across the terminals of the latter, half the current would :flow through each, and the meter would register .5 m.a. Thus the currentineasuring capacity of the meter has been doubled by the addition of the shunt, as a current of 2 m.a. is now needed to register full-scale deflection. This explains the way that the current ranges are extended. To take a general case, let the resistance of the shunt be S ohms, the main current I m.a., and the branch cur- rents I, and I, (see fig. 1). With S across it, the meter will be capable of measuring a current of say N times the full scale deflection. We now have:- 1 = Ii + I, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (a) NI,= I .. .. .. .. .. ... . . .... (b) Next, substituting for I in (a), we get NI,= I,+ I, Therefore I, (N - 1) = J, . . (c) The potential difference across the meter equals RI,, and that across the shunt, SI,. Both must be equal, as they are potentials from A to B. Thus we have RI, = SI,. Therefore, substituting for I, (from ( c)) RI, = SI, (N - 1) R giving S = -- . . . . . . . . . . . (d) N-1 Thus if we had a 0-1 m.a. meter of, say; 30 ohms resistance, and we wanted to measure 10 m.a. full scale,

the value of the shunt required could be found as follows:- 10 R = 30 ohms, and N = - = 10 ohms. 1 30 30 From (d), S = -- = - = 3.333 ohms 10-1 9 With a shunt of this resistance across the meter, current at full scale deflection would be 10 m.a, with proportionate intermediate readings. In this case, actual readings given by the meter should be multiplied by 10 to obtain the true reading. Measuring Voltages To measure voltages, a series instead ·of a parallel resistor is used. The meter is still purely a current _indicator; it measures voltages only because of the resistance in series with it. In fig. 3, R, is used to, limit the current passing through the meter at the maximum voltage to be measured to 1 milliamp. Thus, if R is the meter resistance and E the maximum voltage to be measured, from Ohm's Law, the curE rent l=--- R+ R, 1 As I = 1 m.a. = -- ampere. 1000 1 E 1000 R + R, giving R + :R, = 10010 E. As mentioned before, R is usually only about 30 ohms. If E is 20 volts, R + R, = 20,000, and compared with R,, R is very small, and for practical purposes can be neglected. This leaves R, equal to 1000 E, which means that the value in ohms of the required series resistor is equal to the maximum voltage the meter is required to measure, multiplied by 1000. Thus, for ranges of 20, 200, and 500 volts, series resistors 20,000, 200,000, and 500,000 ohms are required. If the meter required 5 m.a. to give full-scale deflection, then R, would equal 200 E, and for the voltage ranges given above the necessary series resistors would have values of 4,000, 40,000, and 100,0'00 ohms respectively. Resistance Measurements Fig. 4 shows the set-up for a singlerange ohmmeter, still using a 0-1 milliammeter. The current that will flow is given by the formula: E I - . . . (a) R,+ R, (where R, is the unknown). If E = 4.5 volts and R, is fixed, maximum current will flow when R, = 0 ohms. But the meter will read up to 1 m.a. only, and so-- the minimum value that 't'iiE AUSTRALAStAN RADiO woR.tb R, should be to restrict the current passing to this value can now be obtained by substituting in (a). 1 4.5 I = 1 m.a. = -- amp. = 1000 R1 + 0 Therefore R, = 4500 ohms. In practice, R, is made up of a fixed and a variable resistance connected in series, in order to compensate for any voltage drop in the battery. With the test prods shorted, the resistance is adjusted until the meter gives exact full-scale deflection, thus ensuring that the current passing with zero external resistance M I RI E. '-------tl---------111--------'

FIG. 4

I'IG. 5 is 1 m.a. In this way the accuracy is fully preserved, even though · the voltage of the battery drops with use. Now, suppose that the unknown resistance has a value of 1500 ohms. In this case the current reading of the meter will be: 4.5 1000 I = X -- m.a. 1500 + 4500 1 .75 m.a. From similar calculations, corresponding readings for unknowns of, say, 4000, 20,000, and 100,000 ohms are .53, .18, and .045 m.a. respectively. Using these and other intermediate values, a graph can be easily plotted so that the resistance of an unknown corresponding to any current reading can be instantly read off. Obtaining Different Ranges. Usually a 0-1 m.a. meter has a scale divided into 50 divisions, each August 1, 1936. division thus representing a current of 0.02 m.a. With the meter needle "dead on" the first division, a current of .02 m.a. is flowing. This represents roughly the maximum value of resistance that can be measured using the values assumed for R, and E ( 4500 ohms and 4.5 volts). From (a), we find that E-IR X=--- 1 4.5 - ( .00002 x 4500) .00002 = 220,000 ohms, approximately. For the other extreme, the 49th division on the 50-division scale represents a current of .98 m.a. Substituting in the above equation, we find that this represents a resistance of roughly 100 ohms. So the resistance range that is covered is from 1001 to 220,000 ohms. Now, if R, and E in fig. 4 arc doubled, each extreme of the original range is doubled, so the new range is from 200 to 440,000 ohms. Values read from the graph should now be multiplied by 2. If R1 and E are increased to 45,000 ohms and 45 voltsten times their former values-the range extends from 1000 ohms to 2.2 megohms. Measuring Low Resistances As regards measurement of low resistances, the method given above is accurate enough for most purposes. Occasionally, however, the need arises for high accuracy, and in such cases the method shown in fig. 5 can be used. The ohmmeter test ·prods are shorted, and the resistance R, is adjusted to give exact full-scale deflection. The unknown R, is then shunted across the meter as shown. This diverts part of the current flowing through the meter, the amount depending on the resistance of R,. For example, if it is the same as the internal resistance of the meter, the latter will show a halfscale reading. When the reading has been taken, the value of R, is calculated from the formula RX I R,=------ Imax.-I where R is the meter resistance, I the current reading, and I max. the full-scale deflection current. With this method, highly accurate measurement of resistance from about 2000 ohms down to 20 ohms is possible, and reasonable accuracy is still obtained down to as low as .5 ohm.

P.29 - A Nine-Range D.C. Multi-Meter

A Nine-Range D.C. Multi-Meter The principles underlying the design of multi-range meters are fully explained in the preceding article. In that following, the construction of a multi-range tester that set-builders and servicemen will find invaluable is outlined. J T was pointed out in the previous article that high accuracy, flexibility, and low cost are the main requirements of a meter designed for radio use.. All three are possessed by the multi-range meter now to be described. High accuracy has been ensured by using a high-grade 0-1 milliammeter as a basis for the circuit, and by us'ing laboratory-tested shunts and multipliers to give the various current and voltage ranges. As for flexibility, no less than nine ranges are incorporated-four voltage (0-10, 0-50, 0-250, and 0-500 volts) three current (0-1, 0-10, and 0-100 mills.) and two resistance (0-10,000 and 0-100,000 ohms). · The last consideration, that of cost, is as important as any, as few setbuilders can afford more than one good meter. This point has been carefully watched in this tester, with the result that the complete kit of parts, including an engraved and readydrilled panel, can be purchased for A sub-pwwl view of the testei·, only £4. Alternatively, anyone who has a 0-1 milliammeter already on hand can use it and merely buy the balance of the kit. A meter of any resistance up> to 100 ohms can be used, as will be explained later. Features of The Kit The complete kit of parts for A photograph of the completed mnl.ti-meter, showing the nine ranges it covers engraved on the panel. tester is shown elsewhere. The basis of the instrument is a Palec 0-1 mil- liammeter - a precision-built, high- grade meter that can be depended on to give high accuracy and trouble-free service. Reads A.C. As Well The meter is fitted with a universal scale, and as it is calibrated both for A.C. as well as D.C., it can be easily converted for A.C. operation as well by adding a four-pole double~throw switch and a small copper oxide rectifier unit. The conversion will be described in a future issue of the "Radio World." Sockets Simplest and Best Nine sockets of a special positive contact type have been used for the various ranges. A multi-contact switch could have been used instead, but on practically all counts the sockets are preferable. A switch that will give trouble-free operation for all time is both expensive and difficult to obtain. In the cuTrent ranges especially, the switch contacts must have zero resistance-even a small fraction of an ohm could mean serious error in readings. As well, a multi-contact switch is not easy to wire, but sockets are simple. The two test leads supplied are each fitted with a plug at one end and test prod at the other. The leads are rubber-covered, and, unlike 29 those sometimes supplied with commercial testers, will stand up to plenty of wear . . Assembly Is Straight-Forward The panel is supplied ready drilled and engraved, and all that builders have to do is to mount and wire the parts, when the tester is ready for operation. The multipliers for the four voltage ranges are guaranteed accurate to within 1%, and are specially treated against humidity. -- The leatherette-covered case and carrying-handle, as shown in the photographs, is supplied as an extra. Alternatively, builders could make up a wooden box >in which to house the completed meter. The Circuit Explained Figures 1 (a), (b), and (c) show how the circuit of the tester is built up around a 0-1 m.a. meter. The resistors for the four voltage ranges are calculated from the simple formula given in the previous article: 25'0,000"' 250 v. C::· .-.-.AAJV\JV\/V'tJ"----1 so~n.~~'-AIV'""vv""'rv~---1 IO~n..~JV'VVVVVVVVV-~-t ls ll·llw le 11·11 (&) 400w 400c.> ~~. 4·5v. L,1111J±:<? . COMMON. 10 SCALE 10 THE AUSTRALASIAN ·RADIO WORLD Rl = 1000 E, where Rl is the series resistor and E, the maximum voltage to be measured in each case. Thus, for ranges of 0-10, 0-50, 0-250, and 0-500 volts, series .resistors of 10,000, 50,000, 250,000, and. 500,000 ohms are required. . A sensitivity of 1,000 ohms per volt is obtained on all voltage readings. In -1 (b) is shown the three-range milliammeter circuit, the ranges being O•l, 0-10, and 0-100 m.a. The 70-ohm resistor shown in series with the meter has been included for two purposes. ·Firstly, because of its addition, the resistance of the meter can be regarded as 100 ohms (70 ohms + 30 ohms internal resistance of -meter) . . This means that the resistance of each shunt required is over . three times greater than that needed if the 70-ohm resistor were not included. For instance, - without this resistance the value of the shunt needed for the · 0-10 m.a. range would . be equal to R wher_e R is the meter N-1, resistance, and N the maximum cur- rent (in mills.) to !;>e read. Substituting, this equals 30 = 3.333 ohms. 10-1 Regarding the meter resis~ance as 100 ohms, however, the shunt value is 100· 10-1 = 11.01 ohms. · Shunts are difficult to wind correct to a tiny fraction of an ohm, and so by using the series resistor any slight deviation from the calculated value is rendered much less important than if the resistor were omitted. This applies particularly · to the 0-100 m.a. range, where without the 70-·ohm ·re- sistor, a shunt of only .3 of an ohm would be needed. The second reason why this resistor has been included is one that will appeal to· set-builders who have 0-1 milliammeters on hand, possibly of different values of internal resistance to that of the Palec meter used in the kit. By l:eplacing the 70-ohm resistor with one equal in value to l()O ohms minus the internal resistance of the meter on hand, the latter, providing it is a dependable make, can be used equally well, and without any further alteration to the circuit values. Special resistances for this purpose; up to 100 ohms in value, can be obtained from the Paton Electrical · Instrument ·Company. It will be noticed that the connec- tions to the. 10 and 100 m.a. sockets are "open" . until the. test leads are plugged in. __ The same is true for the "Scale 7- 10'.'_ soc_ke·t of the ohmmeter circuit. . . _ . There are two resistance ranges: 0-10,000 ("Scale + 10"} and0 0-100,000 ohms ("Scale"). A glance at the circuit will show that, for the latter range, the maximum --resistance that v 0 L T s August 1, 1936. Z50,ooow ZSOO--'\IV\l\f\l\f\l\rSamuel.dellit (discuss • contribs)-j 50,000W MILLS. ~ 70w r-' COMMON Scale+10 Scale (0-10,000..,) (0-100,0~ Samuel.dellit (discuss • contribs) 01:01, 24 May 2020 (UTC)y I OHMS Fig. 2.-The separate circuits shown in figs. 1 (a), 1 (b), and l (c) for the various voltage, current, and resistance ranges are combined above to give the complete circuit used in the tester. can be included in circuit equals 3800 + 70 + 30 + 400 + 400 ohms, = 4,700 ohms. When the 3-cell battery is new, the voltage is approximately 4.65 volts, so when the test prods are shorted, a resistance of 4,650 ohms is needed to give exact full-scale deflection on the meter ( 1 m.a.). In practice, this adjustment is made by shorting the test prods, and setting the 400-ohm potentiometer to full scale reading. Resistances of up to 100,000 ohms can then be read off directly on the meter scale, which has been calibrated on the assumption that a 4.5- volt battery will be used. For the "Scale + 10" range, the 10 m.a. shunt is brought in circuit across the meter. The current that now flows when the test prods are shorted divides into two branches, 1-lOth passing through the 100-ohm branch, and 9-lOths through the 11.11-ohm shunt. The equivalent series resistance of these two resistors in parallel equals 10 ohms. For a current of 10 m.a., a resistance of 465 ohms is needed to show full scale deflection on the meter (assuming the battery voltage to be 4.65 volts). This value of resistance is obtained by adjusting the potentiometer until a reading of 1 m.a. is registered on the meter. Now, if the meter shows a certain reading, in ohms, when the value of an unknown resistance is being tested, the correct value is obtained by dividing the scale reading by 10, because actually only one-tenth of the current flowing through the resistance is passing through the meter. As the battery ages, its internal resistance increases, and the voltage drops. The potentiometer compensates for this, so that at all times exact readings can be obtained. After six or nine months' use, however, the voltage will fall to about 4.4 volts, and the battery should then be re- placed. Otherwise, resistance readings obtained will not be reliable. The three circuits shown. in figures 1 (a), 1 (b), and 1 (c) are combined in· figure 2 to give the circuit of the multi-range tester. Assembling the Tester The panel is supplied with the sockets already mounted on it, and with the spring contacts of the 10 mill., 100 mill., and "Scale -;- 10" sockets already insulated from the sockets themselves by means of insulating washers. The potentiometer can next be mounted, followed by the meter. Next, the shunts and multipliers, and other fixed resistances, should be mounted on the bakelite resistance panel as shown in the photograph and sketch of the wiring. The panel is next bolted to th~ meter, and wired up. The battery can be mounted last of all, by means of the aluminium strap provided, THE AUSTRALASIAN RADIO WORLD Full details of the wiring arc shown in Jig. :J. . Use fairly heavy gauge push-back, and be careful to make every soldered joint as perfect as possible by tinning all contacts before soldering, and using a hot, clean iron. When the wiring is finished and checked, the meter can be mounted in its case and the panel screwed down. The meter needle is then accurately set to zero by rotating the small milled knob mounted on the instrument. Finally, the test leads are plugged into 'the "Common" and "Scale" sockets for resistance measurement, the ends shorted by holding the · test prods together, and the potentiometer knob rotated until ari · exact fullscale reading is obtained: The instrument is then ready for use~

Kit of Parts

Nine-Range D~C. Multi~ Meter-Palec Kit of Parts. 1 0-1 m.a. meter, ao ohms internal resir,tancc, with univ<'rsa,l sea le (Palec). 1 10,000 ohm multiplier. I 50,000 ohm multiplier.· I 250,000 ohm multiplier; 1 500,000 ohm multiplier. 2 .shunts (1.01 ohms and 11.11 ohms). 1 70 ohm resistor. 1 3,800 ohm resistor. 1 400 ohm resistor. 1 400 ohm vernier potentiometer with knob. · 1 bakelitc resistor panel. 1 ·engraved ebonite panel. 12. sockets (spring type ) .. Pair of test prods, with lead~ · and 'Plugs. 1 4.5v. torch battery (flat type), with .mounting 'strap. · Hook~up wire, nuts· and . bolts. 1 leatherette-covered case. with carrying handle (optional).

P.31 - Some Don'ts for S.W. Listeners

Some s.w. D9n'ts For Listeners By "Megacycle.. TUNING a set is an entirely different matter from tuning a regular broadcast receiver. The main reason for this is that short 31 waves have characteristics unlike lho~c of medium waves. Here is a short list of DON'TS which should be of interest to all those who have not had much experience of shortwave DX work. Don't' tune for shortwave stations in the same way as you would tune for broadcast. By rotating the tuning knob quickly you may pass over several stations. The reason for this is due to the exceedingly sharp tuning of the short wavelengths. Don't tune in indiscriminately on the short waves, or you will probably get nothing. Most sets are calibrated in metres or megacycles. Therefore, use a reliable list showing frequencies and schedules of the principal stations, and search for each one in turn. Don't' tune in at the wrong time. Most stations come in only at certain times of the day as well as at certain times of the year. Don't expect to pick up shortwave stations easily. It requires careful tuning to bring in the very distant stations.

P.31 - Palec Ad

"PALEC" TESTING EQUIPMENT Dependable, Profitable MULTITESTER-AN AL YSER-SELECTOR-V AL VE TESTER- . - ALL~WAVE OSCILLATOR-VACUUM-TUBE VOLTMETER. The above instruments cons'iitute a most complete outfit for the service m1&n or radio laboratory. All units the same size: 7l/2in. x 8%,in., panel 6in. deep. Available singly or in black leatherette covered cases of two or three Units as illustrated. (A) MULTITESTER. DC, AC volts. Current,· resistance, capacity, inductance, impedance, electrolytic condenser capacity and leakage. Power supply built in. 22 ranges. Price ... £13/ 10/-. (B) ANALYSER-SELECTOR. For current, volt~ge, resistance ANALYSIS from any valve socket. Price . . . . . . £2/19/ 6 (C) VALVE TESTER. Tests all American, English and Dutch tubes, including· au 'latest types . . Tests for ·MICRO-LEAKS on HEATED VALVE. Easy read- . jng ·valve tesf chart. Price . . . . . . -. . . . £11/5/- (D) ALL-WAVE OS.CILI;ATOR: I;F . to highest . R.F. by 5 bands of fundamentals. Precision Dial with vernier scale. Attenuates to microVolts ·by new riaduated capacity attenuator; Battery operated. Perfectly shielded. Price . . . . £11/10/- (E) VACUUM-TUBE VOLTMETER.· Reads 50 c.s. to high R.F., a lso D.C. on multi-range direct reading dial. · ls equipped with 150 microamp. meter. Metal measuring tube on 3ft. flexible lead. - No grid leads- no pick-up. Power supply built in. Most advanced design _av;iilable anywhe;re. Price ........ ... . . ... . ... . . £11/ 10/- . AU . Prices are Subject to Sales Tax. Combinations: A & B, £16/1~ -; A, B & C, £26/10/-; A, B & D, £26/10/-, all plus sale8 tax. Other Combinations can be supplied, prices on application. Write for illustrat~d catalogue of RADIO & CATHODE RAY TEST EQUIPMENT to THE PATON ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT CO. 90 VICTORIA STREET, ASHFIELD, SYDNEY. Telephone: UA 1960. Distributors.- Sydney : Bloch & Gerber, Fox and MacGillicuddy: Lawrence & H anson. Melbour ne: A. H. Gibson (Electrical) Co. Pty. Ltd. New Zealand: The Electric Lamp House Ltd., Wellington.

P.32 - Radio Step by Step (3)

Radio Step By Step • • • 3 DIRECT AND ALTERNATING CURRENTS The differences between direct and alternating currents are explained in this article-the third of a special series for beginners. So far only one kind of current, that known as direct current, has been considered. There is another variety-alternating current-that is just as important as d.c., if not more so, because the principles governing radio transmission and reception depend on its action. Direct current flows in one direction only, i.e., is uni-directional. Fig. 1 shows a graphical representation o1 a steady direct current of 2 amperes. The time is taken from the moment the switch controlling the circuit in which the current flows, is turned on. Because neither the voltage nor the resistance changes, then from Ohm's E Law (I = -) the current must remain the same, and so it is represented by the straight line "XY." Under certain conditions the current might not remain constant, but no matter how much it fluctuates, as long as it always flows in the same direction, it is still direct current. A.C. Changes Direction Regularly Alternating current, just as its name implies, alternates, or changes its direction of flow from -time to time. Its action can also be best explained graphically. At the point "0" on figure 2, both time and current values are at zero. Starting at this point, the current st~:;i,pily increases until it attains a maximum value "I," and then it decreases at exactly the same rate until at t]:ie point "X" on the "Time" axis it has fallen to zero. Now it changes its direction and flows the other way. This is shown on the graph by drawing the curve representing its progress below, instead of above, the "Time" axis. Once again, the current . steadily builds up to a maximum value "I," but in the opposite direction this time -and returns to zero again (at the point "Y"). From this point on the whole process is repeated again and again until the circuit is broken. Each completed operation-current starting from zero, building up to maximum, returning to zero, reversing direction and again building to maximum and returning to zero-is termed ii. cycle. If the time taken from "O" t'o "Y" is 1 .second, then the frequency of the current is 1 cycle· per second. If, as shown in the lower portion of the sketch, 5 complete cycles are performed in the 1 second, then the frequency is 5 cycles per second. Most alternating current mains supplies have a frequency of 50 cycles per second. Audio and Radio Frequencies So far we have dealt only with low frequencies, which are measured in cycles. Low frequencies, or audio frequencies as they are often called in i·adio, extend upwards to the upper limit of audibility, which is about 18,000 cycles per second. Frequencies much greater than this are spoken of as high, or radio frequencies, though there is no clear-cut line of division between the two. High frequencies such as those used in radio are measured in kilocycles (thousands of cycles) or megacycles (millions of cycles) per second. Thus station 2FC, transmitting on a frequency of 610 kilocycles per second, has no less than 610,000 cycles of high frequency alternating current flowing in its transmitting aerial every second. Wavelength and Frequency There is a simple relationship between wavelength and frequency that will become obvious after figure 3 has been studied a little. · The length of one complete wave is shown in figure 3(a), where the frequency is one cycle per second. In 3 (b), where the frequency is 5 cycles per second, the wavelength must obviously be one-fifth of what it is in 3(a). It is clear that the more waves there are every second (the greater the frequency, in other words) the shorter is the wavelength. In fact, the two are inversely proportional double one and the other is halved. Speed of Radio Waves All radio waves travel at the same speed-that of light. This is 186,000 miles per second, which is approximately equal to 300,000,000 metres per second. It now becomes clear that if a station operates on a frequency of 1,000 kilocycles per second, which equals 1,000,000 cycles per second, the length of each wave in metres must equal the distance covered in one second divided by the number of cycles per second - in this case, 300,000,000 -7- 1,000,000, which equals 300 metres. So we see that the frequency with which the waves are created governs the wavelength, and if either wave- length or frequency in cycles is known, the other can be found by dividing the known quantity into 300,000,000. (If the frequency is in kilocycles, then 300,000 is the figure to use.) Measuring A.C. Some further qualities of alternating current will ·now be considered. First of all, as a.c. is always changing in value, it is measured in terms of its average, or Root Mean Square, value. This gives in amperes the current which would be required with d.c. to provide the same heating effect. The R.M.S. value of an alternating current is approximately .707 of the peak value. The voltage of an a .c. supply, which alternates in the same way as the current and at the same frequency, is measured in exactly the same way. A.C. Superior to D.C. The main advantage of a.c. over d.c. for a mains supply is that it can be easily transformed to any desired voltage. By stepping it up to a high voltage and low current, it can be transmitted over long distances with little loss. Where required, it is easily stepped down again to a lower voltage by a transformer. How a Transformer Works If a direct current is passed through a length of wire, a magnetic field surrounding it is set up, as shown in figure 4(a). This field can be strengthened greatly by winding the wire m the form of a coil, as shown in 4 (b). The lines of force SUI'l'ounding the coil remain steady until the current is cut off, when they collapse and disappear. If a.c. is applied to the winding instead of d.c., it can be seen that the magnetic field will build up and collapse twice for every cycle of the, alternating current, because the a.c. itself builds up and returns to zero twice during every cycle. Now, if we were to place another winding in .close proximity to the first, as shown m 4 ( c), it would be found that the fluctuating magnetic field in the first coil would induce an alternating E.M.F. or voltage in the second. This action is known as mutual induction. The amount of transfer that takes place depends on the degree of coupTHE AUS'rRALASiAN RADlO WORLD ling that exists between the two windings. This can be greatly increased by providing both coils with an iron core, as is done in audio and power transformers. If both coils have the same number of turns, then theoretically the voltage induced in the second will equal that applied to the first. If 250 volts a.c. be put across the primary, which is always the winding across which the voltage is first applied, and the secondary has twice the number of turns the primary has, then a voltage of 500 will be available across the terminals of the secondary. Of course, this is assuming that there are no losses; actually a transformer has an efficiency of about 85 per cent., which means that if a voltage is required to be stepped up b twice its value, slightly more than twice the number of primary turns are needed for the secondary to allow for loss during the transfer. Next month: Inductance and Capacity

P.33 - The Lighter Side of DX

Some Tit-Bits Of Ham Humour By Leon S. Stone THE following examples of radio humour were culled during DX listening to amateur stations. Some equally funny incidents have happenec'. at times during broadcasts from commercial stations, but unfortunately, I have not recorded them. The hams, naturally, provide the most unintentional humour over the air, owing to the more personal touch in their broadcasts, and to the habit most of them have of absent-mindedly leaving their microphones open to the wide world. DX From Next Door! An amateur station in one of the Sydney suburbs was going full blast belting out a transmission of gramophone records for hours on end late one Sunday evening, in the days when "ham" stations were allowed on the broadcast band before midnight on Sunday. Next day his bellicose neighbour hailed him over the back fence: "Do you know I got six new stations on my set last night?" "Really," replied the "ham" innocently, "what were they?" "Youyou ---," replied a very annoyed listener. Talk about "double spotting"! What's This . "CQ" Station? An N.S.W. ham got a good laugh out of a report from a listener in Queenstown, Tasmania. Verbatim, with original spelling and all, it read: "Sir-I was listening the other night on the shortwave at 9.15 p.m. and I picked up over the waves at such strength that I am curious to know what power you were using. It was coming in at such strength that I had to cut back the volume for good reception. It was as good as 3LO on broadcast. Can you tell me what wave- length CQ is mdng [!] which I heard you callii1g nearly evel'y amateurs I pick up are call for CQ. I remain, yours sincerely, --" Some report! 73 es 88 de YL! Romance is not yet dead, even in the serious (?) atmosphere of amateur experimental stations. Tuning in on the 80-metre band to an N.S.W. ham announcer, I heard: "Stand by, old man, a YL [and any dxer knows what that cryptic couple of letters means!] here wants to speak to you." YL's voice is then heard: "Is that 3 XX? A YW here-one young woman, you know." A nervous little laugh follows. "I can hardly believe you love me." Knowing hams as I do, neither can I! A New Kind Of DX Special. While on the subject of romance (if any) in amateur radio. A married ham operating an experimental station gave himself away properly to the YF. A receiving set is installed in her bedroom so she can comfortably listen to hubby's programmes. During the early hours of one morning one of his girl friends rang the station. Racy conversation between the two continued for close on an hour. The ham (in more senses than one) had blissfully forgotten he had the station "mike" switched on, with the result that the edifying conversation was broadcast to hundreds of listeners as well as to his wife in the next room, who was fuming. It was a very chastened hubby who told himself he would be rather more discreet in future with station 'phone calls particularly from attractive YL's ! A "Low" Station. A Sydney ham has never been allowed by the rest of his fraternity to forget that one morning he announced to another experimenter: "My station is a lower one than youl's". Omission of "wavelength" caused the damage.

P.34 - Prize-Winning Transmitter Has Worked All Continents

Portable Tests: 5-Metre Schedules: Lakelnba Radio Club Notes and News By W.J.P. THE transmitter shown above is owned and operated by Mr.' Bert Dimmock (VK20W), of Hurlstone Park, and succeeded in winning first prize in the transmitting section at the recent Amateur Radio Exhibition organised by the Wireless Institute of Australia. The transmitter is a conventional four-stage, crystal-controlled job, using a 59 oscillator in a tritet circuit, 46 frequency doubler-buffer; 210 buffer and two 210's in push-pull in the final. The oscillator and doubler power supply is obtained from a 300-volt pack, with a separate supply of 400 volts for the buffer, and a 500-volt pack for the final. Separate filament transformers are used for all the valves in the R.F. side. The popular link coupling is used, both in the intermediate stages. and to the aerial. The aerial is a single wire-fed multiband matched impedance. With this transmitter all continents have been worked (W.A.C.), while all parts of the British Empire have also been contacted (W.B.E.). Genemotors for Country and Portable Work. A party of members of the Lakemba Radio Club, including 20D, 20W, Messrs. Taylor and Langley, recently paid a visit to Mr. J. Buchanan (VK2ABT), a new country amateur at Yerrinbqol, N.S.W. The object of 'the visit was--to test out the efficiency of a genemotor for portable work, and also to investigate the possibilities of 5-metre communication with Yerrinbool. Contact was made with 2ABT from a position on the Great Southern Highway, per medium of a portable 40-metre 'phone transmitter. It was most interesting to learn that 2ABT was also using a :genemotor for the power supply, because results were so good that the- car party thought that he was using crystal · control in the transmitter, so pure was the carrier. For the operation of these genemotors a large 6-volt battery is usually required the current drain on the battery being from 1 to 5 amps., ·depending on the type and power output of the genemotor. On the return trip to ,Sydney, the transmitter was kept ifr--operatiOn most of the way down. ·'Jt' was noted that the output dropped slightly when it became necessary to switch on the car headlamps, due to the extra load on the battery. However; from tests conducted, indications were that genemotors should prove very popular for portable and country work. Breaking Into 5 Metres. VK20D suggests that for those ·who are breaking into five metres, considerable care -should be taken with the tuning of_ -the receiver, and attempts ·should -be- made to locate harmonics from ·-telephony stations who may be operating on the higher wave- bands. With reference to the receiving aeria-J,-it is a good plan to arrange it in a well elevated position, but to those who"are not so fortunately situated, it is suggested that they try the aerial in various available positions, because - 5-metre signals- have a habit of turning up in the most unexpected places. Should signals be . rather weak on the 5-metre aerial, a good standby is to use a single piece of wire strung vertically for the greater part of its length, which may be up tO 60 feet, attached to the aerial coil, which may be tuned by a 5-plate midget con- denser in a similar way to that described by 2EH elsewhere in this issue. 20D also recommends the newcomer to the ultra-high frequencies to experiment carefully with various aerial systems, once he has his receiver operating correctly. Further Freak Reception. It was revealed in last month's issue of "Radio World" how the code signals from a ship could be heard through the talkie equipment of a Sydney theatre. According to a club member, Mr. W. G. Picknell, similar "reception" was obtained at Inverell, N.S.W. Patrons of the local picture theatre were astounded to hear, "Hullo CQ! Calling CQ!"-coming from the talkie speakers. Eventually, it was traced to Harry Hutton (VK2HV), whose station was in operation on telephony nearby! How NOT To Send DX Reports. The following is a copy of a DX report received by VK2DL. Reports such as these often cause station operators to literally "tear their ha1r" with rage! The Direct cir, Station VK2DL, April 26, 1936. I am an ardent - listener to shortwave, and often listen to radio broadcasts from foreign stations. At about 7.30 p.m. E.S.T. I tuned in your station and I heard many songs and musical selections- and talks. This is the first time I have heard your station. I hope to be able to pick you up again on my shortwave receiver. The reception was clear and loud. It was satisfactory. I will thank you in advance for a verification card from your station. Good luck to your station. (Signed) Mr .... . ........ , New York, U.S.A. The above report might possibly be satisfactory for reporting to a focal station, but the essential points so necessary for long distance reporting are missing. The time does not state whether it is American or Australian E.S.T., the wavelength is not given, the type of music, titles or announcements have been omitted, also the type of receiver used. Yet reception was clear and loud!

P.36 - Choosing and Using a Vacuum-Tube Voltmeter (2)

last month the principle upon which the vacuum tube voltmeter operates was - explained, and the features necessary in an instrument designed for service work outlined. In the concluding instalment below, a few of the varied uses of a V.T. voltmeter are indicated. Specially written for the "Radio 'World" by A. H. MUTTON, .B.E. Paton Electrical Instrument Company.

JN last month's article, the essential features of a vacuum tube voltmeter designed for radio use wel'e discussed in detail. They can L2 summed up as follows:- (a) The instrument should not require more than about one microwatt of power to operate it, so as to avoid dropping the voltage in the circuit un<l2r test. · (b) It must measure a wide range of voltages to be able to check stage gain. ( c) It must read voltage, independent of frequency. ( d) Its input capacity must be kept at an absolute minimum. Many other features are desirable, but not so important as those above. Fig. 3, which is reproduced from last issue, shows a suitable vacuum tube Voltmeter circuit. 6J7 Offers Important Advantages . An improvement consists in using a pentode such as the 6J7. This gives readings independent of plate voltage, which is a great feature for A.C. operation. Also, this metal valve can be located at the end of a flexible lead, so that no wires need be attached to the grid for introducing the voltage to be measured. This keeps input capacity down to that of the valve itself. R2 is a 5-megohm resistance, used solely for maintaining D.C. continuity to the grid, ·so that a bias is supplied to it even when the circuit under test would not do so. It will be assumed in what follows that the vacuum tube voltmeter in use is similar to that above, i.e., that it has an input capacity of about 5 mmfd., an input resistance of a very high figure, and a range of measurable voltage, .1 v. to 50 v. The whole secret of using a vacuum tube voltmeter successfully consists in being sure of what is measured. This must be particularly stressed in receiver use. A good vacuum tube voltmeter will measure any voltage supplied to it, R.F., I.F., A.F., or D.C., so it is necessary for the user to see that only that voltage required to be measured reaches it. Isolating the Needed Voltage ·· ' To stop D.C. reaching the voltmeter is simple. Connect a condenser of reasonable size (say, .001 mfd. for R.F. working, and .1 mfd. for A.F. and 50-cycle working) in the lead to the measuring valve's grid-see fig. 4 (a). Ee sure the insulation of this condenser is excellent, or a progressive change in the voltage reading will result, as the leak charges up the grid. To measure A.F. in a circuit containing, say, D.C., A.F., and R.F.-see fig. 4(b)-use a blocking condenser and a low pass filter circuit of the usual type. A 2 m.h. choke with, i CIRCUIT 0'°"'----11 GRID o.· . ! CONTAININC. I I v. T i THE REQD. V · M 1 VOLTAGE ! AND D.C- EARTH (A)

c1Rc.un : .._._.~RIOG ~ i CONTAININC. V. T

o.c.,A+ V·M.

LSamuel.dellit (discuss • contribs)-~'.L .. I I E_ ARTHT I iroHEA~UR.E.0 0

THE A•F I (B)

i 1CO~TAINING CIRCUIT ~I r ~G - -,~ I o.c., A-F. V·T 1-;;;N~fASamuel.dellit (discuss • contribs)E.·-I EARTH I Y·M ! THE R·F . I (C) FIG.4 .0001 mfd. condensers across the circuit from either side of this choke will be suitable. To measure R.F. where A.F. is present is not so simple, but can be done by stopping the A.F. with a tuned A.F. ·choke, the tuning condenser of which allows the R.F. to pass to the vacuum tube voltmeter-see fig. 4(c). · Usually one finds no need for more than a D.C. blocking condenser, as the R.F. or A.F. can generally be stopped elsewhere. Now for some uses. Stage Gain. This is one of the most important of the vacuum tube voltmeter's many uses. As an· example, consider the measurement of I.F. stage gain in a superhet. Fig. 5 will be taken as a normal type of circuit. Proceed as follows: Connect an output meter across the speaker and supply an unmodulated input signal to the set. Tune in the set, using the "mush" of the signal or by temporarily modulating it in some way. Next, connect the vacuum tube voltmeter's grid to . "Y" and its other lead to the chassis. Set the input signal to obtain a small readable signal on the voltmeter. Re-tune the trimmer C2 to see if the voltmeter's capacity is upsetting the circuit. This will be immediately evident on the output meter, which will alter its reading when the vacuum tube voltmeter is connected. Obtain the original reading by re-tuning C2. Next measure the low value unmodulated signal across C2. Now remove the vacuum tube voltmeter and obtain the same output by re-setting C2 to its original value. Next, connect the vacuum tube voltmeter between "Z" and earth, placing- a blocking condenser in the grid ·1ead to the vacuum tube voltmeter. R~-set C4 if necessary to get the same output reading, and measure the amplified voltage. It will be noticed that the gain is not measured by connecting across C4. This is because the voltmeter lead; if attached to the lower side of C4, would introduce extra capacity from this point to earth, and would possibly upset other circuits not shown in this skeleton circuit. Also, it is easier to connect to earth. This connection introduces two extra D.C. voltages between "Y" and the earthed lead of the meter, but the blocking condenser prevents their being effective. A.F. stage gain is much simpler to measure. Simply connect the vacuum tube voltmeter across the input and output of the stage or stages, taking steps to prevent D.C. operating the meter, and measure a constant input signal as found at these two points. If required, various frequencies may be used and a "response curve" of the stage or stages obtained. A.V.C. Voltages. The vacuum tube voltmeter measures these with ease. Before testing, it is wise to remove the 5-megohm grid . resistance from the meter's input circuit as it is not now required and parallels the A.V.C. resistor, effectively reducing its value. There is little to be said about this test. No precautions against unwanted voltages are required. Oscillator Voltages. Connect the meter across the oscillator coil or between the elements of the valve, taking care that D.C. cannot enter the meter's circuit. The capacity · of the vacuum tube voltmeter will alter the frequency slightly, but unless other things in the circuit necessitate it, this need not be allowed for, as the oscillator's output voltage will not be affected. Percentage Modulation Measurements. It is sometimes interesting to know the percentage modulation of a signal arriving at the second detector. It checks the first detector's action and gives a rough check on the source of modulation, i.e., whether the signal TltE AUSTRAtAStAN ltADtO \VOitLt> generator is deeply modulated or not. Connect the voltmeter across the diode resistance in the second detector's circuit and measure the voltage there when the input signal is unmodulated, and also when modulated. The percentage modulation is then given by Percentage modulation = r Voltage (modulated) l I -1 I xlOO l Voltage (unmodulated) J Hum Measurements These can be made at a great many points in the circuit of a receiver, such as across the voltage divider, across the speaker transformer, across the automatic bias resistor of the power valve, and at the input to the power valve. OUT~ PUT METE;R_ FIG. 5 In all cases be careful to prevent D.C. operating the meter, and as far as possible always measure between some point in the circuit and earth. This latter statement might almost be regarded as a law in receiver work. Generally one then finds several voltages sent along to the meter, but one can usually "stop out" the unwanted ones. As an example· of incorrect procedure, consider the measurement of hum at the speaker transformer. Do not connect the vacuum tube voltmeter directly to the transformer's terminals. It is much better to connect from the plate side of the transformer to earth, making sure, if necessary, that one is not also measuring the hum in the "B" supply by checking this. If it is large allow for it. Other Receiver Uses Every voltage in the receiver can be checked with a vacuum tube voltmeter, with the aid of a few condensers and resistors. Even the H.T. secondary winding on the power transformer can be tested, by simply using a high resistance voltage divider. For instance, if the vacuum tube voltmeter has an input resistau.ee of 5 megohms and a full scale deflection (Continued overleaf)

of 50 volts, it will read to 500 . volts when a 45-megohm resistor is connected in the lead to its grid, since the valve then has applied to it a voltage of one-tenth that applied across the series resistor and the 5- megohm grid resistance. If these values are inconveniently high, lower ones such as input grid resistance of .1 megohm and a series resistance of . 9 megohm may be used. Filament voltages, screen grid voltages, detector voltages-all can be measured with ease. When once one learns to take a few precautions, it is soon found the vacuum tube voltmeter is invaluable as a time-saving service and laboratory aid.

P.38 - Six-Valve All-Wave Ultimate

Has Many Attractive Features IN New Zealand, locally built receivers share the market not only with Australian-made sets, but also with leading American makes. It is undoubtedly a fine achievement that the Auckland firm of Radio Ltd., in the face of this keen competition, has in the past few years established such a reputation for Ultimate receivers that now they rank with three or four imported makes as best-sellers in New Zealand. Produced in one of the most modern factories in Australasia, Ultimate radios are not only up-to-the-minute in design, but as well are precision built throughout of high quality components. A little over a year ago these sets were introduced into Australia by Messrs. Geo. Brown and Company, of Sydney, and have sold consistently well. Six-Valve All-Wave Model A fairly wide range of A.C. and battery Ultimates is available, including a recently-landed 11-valve twin chassis de luxe model that is attracting widespread interest. One of the most popular receivers in the A.C. range is the six-valve all- wave model illustrated above. It can be supplied in three different style console cabinets, that shown being the "Baby Grand." To ensure plenty of gain and high selectivity, an r.f. stage has been incorporated. There are three wave- bands instead of- the usual two, giving complete coverage of the short waves from 16 to 130 metres as well as of the broadcast band. Incidentally, this is the model· on which 603 broadcast band stations were logged by J. R. }fain, a New Zealander, in a recent DX . competition conducted in that country.. · · · · The Five Controls The controls (left t'o right) are:- . Combined on/off switch and volume THE AtJS'rRAtAStAN. RADiO WOlttO c.ontrol, quiet tuning control (for use in localities where power interference is prevalent), main tuning control, three-position wave change switch, and tone control. The tuning control n·ot· only operates . the conventional double-ended pointer, but also a special "logging hand" as well. This hand is a single-ended auxiliary pointer which rotates 16 times faster than the main indicator . By its use, tuning is made both simple and accurate, particularly on shortwave. Three-Colour Dial The dial is illuminated in red on the broadcast band, in blue on the medium shortwave band, and in green on the short waves. For the first band, the dial is calibrated in kilocycles, and in metres for the remaining two. Other Features Among other attractive features of this model can be included the volume and tone control colour indicators; an effective A.V.C. system; high-gain r.f. and i.f .. transformers; and a wave- change switch with additional contacts to short out the unused coils, resulting in a complete elimination of "dead spots" on the dial.

P.38 - The Month on Shortwave

By Alan H. Graham RECEPTION during the past month has been fair, conditions being much better in the morning and afternoon than at night. Taken on the whole, stations on the 31-metre band are the most consistent, and almost any morning quite a number can be logged at good speaker strength. Naturally, the Daventry (GSB) and Zeesen (DJA and DJN) transmitters are outstanding - the two last-named having been extremely good this month around 8 a.m. Not far behind comes W2XAF, which is usually quite good until mid-morning, when very bad fading spoils signals. The other Americans are not nearly so good, though W1XK made a welcome re-appearance at reasonable strength on several mornings this week. Another regular on the band is the Rome transmitter 12RO, which is usually at speaker strength. Other stations heard include PRF5, which occasionally comes in splendidly with an entertaining programme of South American music (incidentally, they usually have an English session at 8.30 a.m. on Tuesdays); LKJ1, which is unfortunately heterodyned by W2XAF; HBL and CT1AA. Swedish Station Best 20m. Catch. The 20m. amateur band is still a source of enjoyment for DX enthusiasts, as splendid "catches" may be made even at the most unexpected times. Generally speaking, the best time for reception is in the late afternoon, although on June 16 four English amateurs (G5VL, G5NI, G6XR and G2NH) were heard on 'phone around 8 a.m. SM5SX, located at the Royal Technical University, Stockholm, Sweden, was the best catch last month - the usual quota of W's, K6's, XE's, VE's, CO's, etc., being logged. The 25m. band is rather unexciting as the usual stations are the only ones audible - Paris (TPA3 and TPA4), Daventry, W8XK and RNE all being fairly regular. Zeesen Best on 19 Metres. On 19 metres the best reception has been from the Zeesen transmitter, DJB, during the mid-morning period, when they are regularly heard at good speaker strength. W2XAD were also unexpectedly heard on several occasions, at quite fair strength for them, both before and after midday. By the way, reports on this station are eagerly sought after by the station engineers. Verifications From America. Finally, the last American mail brought a most interesting batch of verification cards. They included the following:- W9XAA. - Frequencies 17,780, 11,830 and 6,080 k.c. Address: 666 Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Ill. "The Shortwave Voice of Labor and Farmer." 20m. amateurs.- HI2K, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; CO2KC, Habana, Cuba; CO7CX, Central Florida, Cuba; VE50T, Vancouver, Canada; and the Americans W3AHR, W3DPC and W5BEE. 10m. amateurs ('phone).- W3CWG, Lake Hopatcong, N.J.; and W5ERV, Shreveport, Louisiana (operated by Mr. S. H. Powell, who is, in his own words, "65 years young").

P.39 - More About the 6L6 Beam Power Amplifier

More About The6L6Beam Power Amplifi~~ In the June issue of the " Radio World" advance details were given of the new 6L6 beam power amplifier. The theory of its operation is covered in the article below1 published by courtesy of the Amalgamated Wireless Valve Company1 Ltd. - - THE Radiotrori 6L6 is -a n~w type of tetrode intended for use in the power output stage of an A.F. amplifier. Unlike most earlier double grid valves, the 6L6 does not exhibit any secondary emission effects at low plate and control grid voltages; p Gz flG. 20 t Ec2 o:--00:48, 24 May 2020 (UTC)--"=-..,.....,..-=::;;.J 1~-~-~-=""""',,,_~aJ-M_'--M~--<~ flG. io ·GRID ----- SCREEN FIG. 3 SKETCH SHOWING FORMATION BY GRID WIRES OF BEAM SHEETS its characteristics, therefore, resemble those of the usual power output pentodes. Some unique features of the 6L6 are high power output, high efficiency, and high power sensitivity. The Pentode Suppressor Grid. When the plate voltage of the usual tetrode is less than the screen voltage, an appreciable number of secondary electrons, which are emitted from the plate be- cause of bombardment by primary electrons, are attracted to the screen. The plate current, therefore, is greatly i-educecl. Fo1· this reason, the plate voltage of the usual tetrode should not swing below the screen voltage if the output is to be substantially free from distortion. A zero potential suppressor grid (G,), positioned between screen (G,) and plate (P), serves to prevent the loss of plate current due to -secondary emission. Hence, in a pentode, the plate voltage (Eg) can be made less than the screen voltage (Eg,) without appreciable secondary emission effects. The manner in which a suppressor prevents secondary emission loss in plate current can be explained by fig. lA. When the suppressor is connected to the cathode, the potential of the suppressor wires is zero, and the potential of the spaces between the wires is positive by an amount depending upon the geometry of the valve and the applied. voltages. The effect is, therefore, toreduce the potential at all points between the screen and plate. Fig. lA shows the approximate potential distribution between the screen and plate of a pentode for various plate voltages. When Eb is greater than a certain critical value (Eib) a potential minimum is formed in the vicinity of the suppressor. When the difference between the plate voltage and the potential at the suppressor (Eb'-Eb11 ) is great enough, secondary electrons from the plate are not attracted to the screen, but return to the plate. Consequently, for all values of Eb greater than Eb1 , there is no appreciable loss in plate current due to secondary emission. Under these conditions the plate cur- rent is nearly independent of plate voltage. Fig. lB shows the plate characteristic of a typical pentode. The knee between Eb and Ebr is rounded, due mostly to the. non-uniformity of the field around Ga, giving no definite value of Ebr where the plate current begins to become independent of plate voltage. There are several other factors which govern the sharpness of the knee, such as the shapes, sizes and uniformity of the grids and cathode. Much of the distortion of the field occurs at the grid side rods. The ideal curve (dotted in fig. lB) would have a greater usable range of plate voltage, with reduced third-harmonic distortion. The 6L6 dispenses with a physical suppressor in order to reduce secondary emission effects. Suppression is obtained by creating a potential minimum between G, and plate by space charge effects. The electron stream to the plate is confined to . a beam whose electrons have nearly uniform path lengths and velocities. Such a design results in a plate characteristic that has a relatively sharp knee at low plate voltage. The Virtual Cathode. If we had a valve in: which each electron traversed the same distance in the same time on its journey from cathode to plate, many of the pentode difficulties could be obviated. Consider s'ijcl1 a tetrode. Apply a 6 5 "' .... >- < ~ I >- " 0.4 >- " 0 a: w ~ 0 a. 3 -;;;- 10~ - "' ,_ ..J 0 > 5 ~ z " • 14 >- 12z w u 0~ a. ' z 8 0 >- a: 0 6 >- !':! 0 4 0! z 0

a: 2 <(

r

iii 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 LOAD RESISTANCE - OHMS 6 7 voltage to its screen, and a lower voltage to its plate. Shifting the plate further from the screen under those conditions gives a set of potential grade curves as in fig . 2A. After a distance D,, there is found to be a point of minimum potential between screen and plate, which tends to repel secondary electrons, preventing their passage to the screen. In simpler words, the cloud of electrons set free by bombardment of the plate has been moved out beyond the reach of the screen grid's positive field. If, then; the plate voltage is increased, the cloud extends further inward toward the grid, but owing to the increased intensity of the plate's positive field, it is not sufficiently negative to set up a current from plate to screen, but simply retards the normal flow of plate current, making it practically independent of plate voltage. Below the critical voltage, at distances of either D, or D, (figs. 2B, 2C), the cloud is not present in any large extent, its electrons being drawn to the screen grid by its positive potential. Thus there is a sharp falling-off of plate current at a critical voltage, after which a negative current may flow. By increasing the distance to D:i (fig. 2D), it. is found that a region of minimum potential (Mi, M, P min.) exists for all values of plate potential, and t hat the cloud of electrons is always present, even at very low values of plate potential. Thus the field between the plate and screen has a region of low potential which effectively ·prevents the production of further secondary electrons, in much the same way as t he suppressor of a pentode. The resulting tetrode, however, has a much sharper knee at Eb1 in fig. 2D than has a pentode. The cloud of electrons near the positively-charged plate is, in , effect, a virtual cathode, the position of which is changed by varying the control grid voltage or the plate potential. With the correct screen to plate distances, the potential of P min. can. be made just enough to suppress secondary emission effects. The plate then acts as a diode plate, which reaches a saturation current when its potential reaches · Eb1, after which there remains an almost constant potential grade between the virtual cathode and plate. If the screen volta$·e is i'edu·ced, 01° the control grid voltage made more negative, the density of the cloud of electrons becomes less, and the diode saturates at a lower value of plate voltage. The voltage at which the knee occurs depends either on the screen voltage or the control grid bias. Radiotron 6L6. To simulate the ideal conditions of the hypothetical valve discussed above, the electron streams must be focussed into some form of parallel "beams." In the 6L6 this has been done by carefully winding the two grids with the same pitch, and even more carefully aligning them so that each turn of the screen grid lies exactly outside that of the control grid along a line perpendicular to the cathode. In pentode valves, the grid side rods do much to disturb the field near the plate. To overcome such effects in the 6L6, two side plates, called "beam forming plates," have been placed at the sides of the grids in the plane of the virtual cathode, as shown in fig. 3. Being held at cathode potential, these plates effectively screen the plate from the field of the side rods of the screen grid, and deflecting the "beams" into paths very nearly perpendicular to the axis of the cathode after passing the screen. Fig. 3 illustrates the combined effect. 1'Ht AUS'ftlALASlAN tlADlO WOtlLD It must be noted that the screen current is greatly reduced, as few electrons flying from the cathode are caught by its field. A saving of overall power input thus results, and the efficiency is high. The careful design of the valve generally, coupled with the large cathode, . has given a very high value of mutual conductance-4,300 micromhos, at 175 volts screen and a negative control grid bias of 12.5, and 250 volts plate potential. The sensitivity for this reason is very high, and only small grid swings are necessary for high output under most conditions. While the overall distortion for a given output is less with Radiotron 6L6 than a single 42 type pentode, at higher outputs, which would seriously overload the latter valve, the predominant harmonic produced by the 6L6 is the second. When used in push-pull this can be nullified, and far greater outputs at low distortion are !JOssible when the valve is operating along its optimum load line. Operation of Radiotron 6L6. In Table I are given a number of operating conditions, both for single valve and push-pull. Conditions Nos. 1, 2, 6 and 7 are those most likely to be used by re- ceiver manufacturers, who must necessarily con§ider the required power input to plate. The power supply is most generally the limiting factor. · TABLE 1 August l, 1936. Condition 6, giving 14.5 watts output with 2 % distortion and with a grid swing of 32 volts peak, should prove of service in any large receiver. Where fidelity is required, there must always be a reserve of output power. Radiotron 6L6 offers a method of obtaining that without resorting to abnormally high voltages. The other conditions, Nos. 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, should prove very useful to the maker of P.A. equipment or cinema sound equipment.

P.42 - For Radio Mechanics

Special Training Class THE Marconi School of Wireless, conducted by Amalgamated Wireless at 97 Clarence Street, Sydney, has organised an intensive course of instruction for youths who wish to become radio mechanics. The course comprise,s a daily lecture on the theory of electricity and radio, with special application to receiving sets, the rest of the day being devoted to practical work. Students will be instructed in assembling, wiring and testing, and also in the use of tools. The intention is to start the class on August 3 and to terminate in February, 1937, when the busy season of radio manufacture is about to com- mence. The Marconi School has recently been enlarged in order to accommodate the increasing number of students in various classes.

P.43 - The All-Wave All-World DX News

The All-Wave All-World DX News Official Organ of the All-Wave All-World DX Club. Club Is Proving Highly Popular. Every DX fan in Australia must have wanted a DX Club to join, and a DX Contest to take part in, if the letters that have been rolling in lately from all parts of the Commonwealth are anything to go by! This letter, from Leon S. Stone, of Gordon, N.S.W., is typical of dozens more:- "I must say the Membership Certificate is certainly a neat one. I must also compliment you on the badge, which I consider exceptionally striking and effective. It looks and is a high-class job that anyone would be proud to wear. It is really much superior to what I expected. "Re the Club. It is a worthy organisation of great value to the dxer to run hand in hand with A.R.W., and I am sure it is going to be - if not already - most popular. "Thanks for the specimen report form - a very useful idea indeed and a wonderful time-saver for any dxer. It is also very handy, as it sets the seal of an 'Official' report on any sent to stations, with an increased chance of getting an acknowledgement. For this reason the idea of giving each member an Official Receiving Station Call Sign is an excellent one, of which I heartily approve." The Right One At Last. Another reader, writing from Ipswich, Queensland, says: "The All-Wave All-World DX Club is just what has been needed in Australia for a long time. I have wasted no end of money in buying different magazines and at last I have come across the right one. I can say it is very popular here in Ipswich. I have been praising it to everyone I see or talk to about dxing, and have given my newsagent a permanent order for it." It goes without saying that support as enthusiastic as this is always highly appreciated, not only because it proves that a magazine like the "Radio World" was badly needed in Australia, but because the more support that is forthcoming, the greater is the service that can be given to readers. More Members Wanted. This applies particularly to the All-Wave All-World DX Club. Every application for membership that is received means that just a little more can be done for those who have already joined. If every dxer who has joined or who is about to join persuaded several friends to send in applications too, the Club would have a thousand or more members in no time. With the membership at this figure, there would be no end to the competitions and little "stunts" that could be arranged for members. All-Wave DX Contest. In the conditions governing the Contest, published last month, it is stated that "the Contest is an all-wave one, but broadcast stations only count - not commercials or amateurs." A correspondent asks whether the word "commercial" includes "B" class stations, which are run along commercial lines. The term does not apply in this case - what is meant are stations whose broadcasts are purely commercial in character, such as ship and aeroplane stations, etc.

Application for Membership

ALL-WAVE ALL-WORLD DX CLUB

Application for Membership

The Secretary,

All-Wave All-World DX Club,

214 George Street,

Sydney, N.S.W.

Dear Sir,

I am very interested in dxing, and am keen to join your Club.

The details you require are given below:

Name..........................................................

Address.......................................................

[Please print both plainly.] .................................

..............................................................

My set is a...................................................

[Give make or type,

number of valves, and

state whether battery

or mains operated.]............................................

I enclose herewith the Life Membership fee of 3/6 [Postal Notes

or Money Order], for which I will receive, post free, a Club badge and

a Membership Certificate showing my Official Club Number.

(Signed) ...................................................

[Note: Readers who do not want to mutilate their copies of the "Radio World" by

cutting out this form can write out the details required.]

P.44 - DX Champion Logs 600 Stations in Five Years

Following a recently-held New Zealandwide DX contest, Mr. J .. R. Bain, of Marton, was declared DX champion of N.Z. In the following article, written specially for the "Radio World," he tells readers how he built up his 600-station log. A reception report from the author to this station at Wilnu, Poland, l1rought this photograph in return as a vel"ification. I first started dxing early in 1931, just after purchasing my first set- a four-valve t.r.f. Ultimate. It was a battery-operated model, as I was living in the backblocks of Taranaki then, where mains power was not available. Valves used were a 442 screen-grid r.f. stage, 415 detector, 409 first audio, and 443 power valve. , The aerial was an inverted "L", 100 feet long, 45 feet high, and running north to south. The earth consisted of a five-foot pipe driven well down into moist soil. As is usual with the owner of a .new set, I was keen to see what my new four-valver would do, and after logging all the New Zealand and most of the Australian stations, I concen- trated on the weaker signals. To avoid disturbing other members of the household when I was dxing late at night, 'phones were sometimes used. After several months, I started dxing in earnest. My first overseas report was sent to KFOX, Long Beach, California, and the next two to 3KZ and 3GL in Victoria. From then on I was kept busy making out reports, and looking forward to the arrival of overseas mails. Most of the world's broadcast stations are located in U.S.A., and my locality must have been a good . one for them, because in six months I had sent reports to 100. On occasions, when conditions were good, I would stay up all night to pick up Eastern stations or other stray ones that might have been testing, or on a special programme. I would consider it a very poor night's dial-hunting if I didn't get at least three or four new Joggings. Towards the end of 1933 I shifted to Marton, an inland town about 200 miles north of Wellington. ·Mains power was available here, so I bought a six-valve a.c. Ultimate superhet, and . carried on dxing. Like the battery set, this also gave excellent results, so that last year I was able to win the "N.Z. Radio Record" DX Challenge Cup with a verified log of 603 overseas stations. Previously, while operating the battery set, I won th~ "N.Z. Radio Times" Battery Cup twice. Some Hints for Newcomers After one becomes keenly interested in dxing, one soon finds which months of the year are most suitable for the reception of stations in each country. For instance, during the winter Jll.Onths the Americans are heard at good volume from 4.30 till 7.30 p.m., but in the summer they are heard better from 11.30 p.m. till 3 a.m. European stations come in well during the spring and autumn, but at other times of the year they arc hardly worth bothering about. On the other hand, the Eastern stations are heard practically all the year round, so it will be seen that one can be on the lookout for new loggings all the year round. When reporting to stations, to ensure a verification one must give every detail that will be of interest to the station engineers, and I can advise nothing better than the use of the All-Wave All-World DX Club report forms. These forms cover everything, and the station officials can see at a glance just how the transmission was received. If is always advisable to enclose return postage to the New Zealand and Australian stations. In the case of more distant stations, I have sent an I.R.C. only on very rare occasions; in fact, several stations have returned the coupon, saying that they did not accept postage when a detailed report was sent, as they were only too pleased to know how their trans- missions were getting out. Then again, one must not be disappointed if an occasional station fails to acknowledge a report, as several circumstances must be taken into consideration. For instance, a powerful station such as KFI has a daily mail running into thousands of letters. Is it any wonder if one gets overlooked? Or, in the case of a foreign station, a letter may be lost in transit, or perhaps no one at the station can read or write in English. Then again, there are one or two stations that definitely refuse to "verify reception"; but these, I am pleased to say, are few and far between. I have found it a good idea to en- · close a folder or booklet of views with THE AUSTltALASiAN llAJJl() WORLD each report. Distant stations are always interested in anything of this nature, and very often send in return some photos or views of their station or locality. I have built up a very fine collection of cards, letters, and photos, all received from B.C. stations.· In addition to the pleasure I have had from dxing I have also made many friends in all parts of the world, and regularly receive letters from them. Also, I have built up a fine collection of stamps. In conclusion, to be a successful dxer and build up a good log, one must have a good receiver and a good locality, plenty of patience and a tolerant family. Anyone seeking information on broadcast band stations need only drop me a line at 97 Princess Street, Marton, N.Z., and I will do all in my power to assist them.

P.46 - "Card-Hunting" is Not Sole Aim of Dxing

By M.T.H. I N the early days of radio, a broadcasting station was very seldom heard at a distance greater than some 500 miles. Under such circumstances the"· owners of radio stations were very interested in receiving information concerning both strength and the steadhress of reception at distant points. It enabled them to determine the extent of their "area of effective service," and also, the effect of atmospheric conditions upon this service. It can be readily seen from these considerations that the tireless efforts of early enthusiasts were of great importance to the suc- cess of radio entertainment. To-day, the supplying of such information is a hobby which yearly gains more enthusiastic adherents. Mo~t broadcasting stations send a "Reception Verified" card to all t hose who give them helpful information, and the <:ol!ection of such cards has become a matter of keen competition. Reports Must be Complete There is a danger to-day, however, that this hobby may degenerate into a form of tai·d collecting, and nothing more,, 'As an instance, :;;tations oecasionilly rel'eivc report;; running

omethinir like thi~

"I heard your st!i..tion last night; it was coming in

Hke a iocal. Please send me a card, ., ., ' etc." Needless to say, this sort of thing debases the hobby, and could ultimately lead to its extinction. It is necessary, therefore, that every report sent to stations should be of service to them and to radio as a whole. This is the whole aim of dxing. The verification card is a reward for service rendered, and should not be regarded as the sole object of dxing. Preparing a Report Intelligent and accurate reports are undoubtedly of great assistance in determining the occurrence and duration of fading, the intensity of signal strength, and, perhaps, most important of all, the quality of speech and music. In forwarding reports to distant stations there are several essen- tials to be borne in mind. 1. Set down the time and date of 1·eception, and also the frequency if possible. It is quite unnecessary to give every item you hear, but make Hure you get at least half a dozen if conditions permit. If possible, quote titles in preference to saying that a "piano item" was heard, "a lady was singing," or "a band was playing," etc. Station engineers prefer to get the name of the item itself, the name of the orchesti·a, the composer, or the artist which enables them to verify definitPly. 2. Next comes the readability (QSA) and strength of signals (R), as well as the quality. Many are apt to exaggerate when giving these particulars. Do not tell a station you heard them at RS, when in reality they were only R4. Misleading re- · August l; 1936. ports concerning strength are useless. The object of a report is not to let the engineers know what a wonderful receiver you have for DX, but to inform them how their signals are getting out. Weak and disturbed signals may not be due to your receiver, but to several other things; e.g., the time at which you hear the station or the · 1ocal climatic conditions. Both these factors affect reception to some ex- tent, hence the importance of stating as nearly as possible the volume and clarity of signals. 3. Pay particular attention to fading, and mention whether the carrier wave is steady or swinging at the same time, being careful to make sure your own aerial is not swinging. 4. Describe as accurately as you can the weather conditions at the time of reception, giving temperature and barometer readings (if available), direction of wind, and other details. If dxers follow the above instructions and give some details as to the set used, length and height of aerial, etc., they will have the satisfaction of knowing their report is a helpful one. Postage should be enclosed where possible. Some Shortwave DONT'S. Don't expect to log all the stations in the world the first day you have your set. You must become used to your receiver and know just how to tune it, and this takes time and patience. It is best to try for the more powerful stations first, as they will be the easiest ones to pull in. Don't expect to receive the same station every day, as conditions in the upper reaches of the earth's atmosphere cause reception conditions to change constantly. There are oc- casions when you will pick up a station with excellent volume, but perhaps a few days later you will not be able to bring in the station at all. Don't expect to get stations instantly. A station may be coming in well one minute, but during the next you may scarcely hear it. This is one reason why · patience and slow tuning are necessary. Don't use a m·ake-shift aerial. Only the best and most carefully-installed types will bring in shortwave stations satisfactorily. A doublet is always well worth while on the short waves. Don't become discouraged. Every new shortwave listener, b·efore he has become familiarised with the vagaries of short waves, is apt to become disliearteried when trying out a new set.

P.47 - Identifying Shortwave Stations

Chimes, bells, horns, cuckoo calls-these are just a few of the many and varied interval signals used by shortwave stations throughout the world to enable listeners to identify their transmissions easily. A list of these signals used by the more powerful stations is given below. By H. I. JOHNS. LISTENERS often find it difficult to identify foreign shortwave stations, especially those where. the English language js very little used. For instance, some of the South American stations do not an- nounce their actual call-signs in English, but in Spanish. Similarly, French and Russian stations use their own languages when announcing. Fortunately, however,· most of these stations now use what are known as interval signals which enable listeners to identify them easily. A list of these signals used by the more powerful stations will now be given. From the Empire stations (Daventry) a tuning whistle is sounded for at least fifteen minutes before the opening announcement. Next, Big Ben will be heard, and then the an- nouncer will inform listeners . that "This is London calling you." These well-known stations, which always close with "God Save the King," will be found on the 19, 25 and 31-metre bands. When tuning into a German station one will hear chimes, consisting of eight notes of an old German folk song, frequently repeated, for about fifteen minutes before the station's announcements. Then follows: "Dear friends and listeners abroad." These stations also announce in Spanish, and close down with the German national anthem and Nazi hymn. Finally, the chimes will be heard once again. · The French station, "Radio Coloniale" (FY A) and now known as TP A2, TP A3 and TP A4, always opens up with the "Marsellaise." The call-sign will not be heard, but instead the an- nouncement, "lei Paree, Radio Coloniaie." The station closes with "Bon soir mesdames, bon soir, mademoi- sell~s bon soir, messieurs," followed by th~ "Marsellaise." From -Paris we go to 2.RO, Rome, which announces "Radio Roma Napoli." This is given by a lady an- nouncer, the interval signal being a nightingale singing. The station closes with the Fascist hymn. Another station in Rome is HVJ, Vatican City, which opens with a metronome beating for five minutes. Then will be heard the striking of the bells ·of St. Peter's, followed by the announcement, "Pronto Radio Vaticano. Wave length 50.26 metres. Laudetur Jesus Christus." The station remains on the air for fifteen minutes only. A well-known station in Portugal is CTlAA, Lisbon, which uses three cuckoo calls as an interval signal. The announcement is, "CTlAA, Radio Coloniale." This station can be heard on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, on the 31 m. band, but only during the winter. Turning next to Switzerland, we have HBL and HBO, which together with several other stations are known as "Radio Nations," Geneva, Switzerland. Announcements are made in English, Spanish and French. ORK, Belgium, which transmits interesting programmes heard daily in the early morning, is known as "Belradio." The announcement is,, "lei Bruxelles emission s·pecials pour la Congo par Ia station de Ruysselede, and the station closes with "La Brabaconne." Station OER2 in Austria can also be heard in the early morning. The an- nouncement is, "Hello, Hier Radio Wien," and also "Hello, hello, this is radio station OER2, Vienna, Austria." A metronome is used for the interval signal. Station EAQ (30.4 m.) in Spain, announces in English and Spanish after every item, the announcement in Spanish being-"Estacion Ay-Ah-Coo (EAQ), Madrid, Espana!' This station is on the air daily, but is heard only during the winter. Perhaps the best-known station throughout the world to shortwave listeners is PHI, Holland. Announcements are made in English, Dutch, Malay, German, French, Spanish and Portuguese, all by the same announ- cer. Listeners will hear, "Hullo, hullo, PHI, Holland," also "This is Huizen." This station, which is known as the "happy station" among shortwave listeners, closes with the Dutch national anthem. PRF5, in Brazil, is known as "La Presse Nacional," the announcement being "You are listening to shortwave station PRF5-F for Friday." They also give the station's longitude and latitude. RNE, the Russian station, on 25 metres, always opens and closes with the playing of the "International." You will hear, "This is Moscow calling on a wave length of 25 metres, 12,000 kilocycles, Workers of the World." All American stations can be identified by the prefix "W." The callsigns are given every fifteen minutes, preceded in nearly all cases by the striking of three gongs. Shortwave stations in America which operate from or in conjunction with a broadcast station, give announcements as follows: "Westinghouse stations WBZ, WBZA and shortwave station WlXK." W2XAF on 31 metres is known as "The Voice of Electricity, the an- nouncement being, "This is WGY and W2XAF." Each programme is opened with a broadcast from the noise of a discharge of 10 million volts. \VSXAL's announcement is, "The Nation's Station, WLW, and short- wave station WSXAL." W9XF-"Your station is W9XF, Chicago, Illinois, operating on 6,100 kilocycles." The call-sign, etc., is also given out in several different languages. VK2M:E, Australia, is known a s THE AUSTRALASIAN RADIO WORLD "The Voice of Australia, the identifying signal being the well-known laug·hter of the kookaburra, Australia's famous bird. The station always closes with "God Save the King." VPD has no interval signal, but the announcer will be heard to say, "Hullo listeners, this is station VPD, Suva, Fiji, before almost every item. VK3ME opens with clock chimes and closes with "God Save the King." The South American stations are the hardest to identify, as the ma- jority do not give their call-signs in English but only in Spanish. HJlABB is known as "La Voz de Barranguilla," the call-sign in Spanish being "Acha hota und ah bey, bey." The interval signal consists of three chimes. HJ2ABA will be heard as "La V oz de! Rais." HJ3ABD-the name of this station is "Ecos de Calle," and the announcement is "Atcha kah effch." The identifying signal consists of strokes on a gong. August 1, 1936. HJ5ABD's call will be given by the announcer as "Achay jay sinks ah bay day." HCJB, which is heard daily broadcasting in English and Spanish, _ is "Le Voz de los Andes" (the Voice of the Andes). It can be identified by a two-tone chime. HC2RL, known as "Quinta Riedad, calls "Hullo America" both in English and Spanish. It closes with the Ecuadorian national anthem. OAX4D is heard well on Thursdays and Sundays on 51 metres. The announcement, "La Voz de Peru, Radio, D.U.S.A." is given in English and Spanish. XEBT is another well-known station and can be easily identified by the blowing of a motor horn, like very fast cuckoo calls, repeated twice. Also listeners will sometimes hear a siren blowing, similar to that on a fire engine. The station signs off with that beautiful sacred song, "Ave Maria."

P.48 - Universal Time Conversion Indicator

How to Assemble and Use It EvERY radio enthusiast will find the Radiotron Universal Time Conversion Indicator issued as a free supplement to this issue, invaluable in obtaining time differences between various parts of the world. To assemble it, the large circle should be carefully cut out around its outside edge. The small circle is also cut out, just inside the red line forming the circumference. Two discs of fairly heavy cardboard are also re- quired, of the same diameters as the cut-out circles. The latter are then glued to the discs, the smaller one placed evenly over the larger, a paper fastener passed through the centre, and the Indicator is ready for opera- tion.· Alternatively, both discs can be fastened to a convenient spot on a wall with a drawing-pin passing through their centres. Using the Indicator To obtain the time in any country when it is, say, 8 p.m. in Sydney, set "N.S.W." opposite 8 p.m., and then times in othe1· parts of the world can be read off. For example, the Indicator shows it is t hen 7.30 p.m. in South Australia and Northern Territory, 7 p.m. in Japan, 6 p.m. in West Australia, and 9.30 p.m. in New Zealand. The only country of any importance from a radio point of view that is ahead of Sydney in regard to time is New Zealand, which is H hours ahead during winter. During summer, when Daylight Saving is in force, the time difference increases to 2 hours. Some Further Examples In big continents there are several divisions of time. In the United States there are four belts-Pacific, Mountain, Central and Eastern. These arc 18, 17, 16, and 15 hours behind Sydney time, respectively. Australia has three belts, Western Australia and Central Australia being two hours and half an hour respectively behind Sydney time. All these differences are shown by the Indicator. Allowance For Summer Time Summer time is observed in some countries, notably Argentine, Belgium, Brazil, France, Great Britain, Holland, Portugal, and Roumania. During the Australian winter, the time in these countries is advanced one hour, fo1· which due allowance should be made.

P.49 - All-Wave DX Contest Arouses Widespread Interest

List of Prizes Give11 Below Ineludes Kit-Sets, Multi-Range Teste1• and Aerial K.its. T IIE announcement of the All-\Vave DX Contest in last month's "Radio World" has brought in dozens of letters from readers anxious to take part in the competition. Judging by their enthusiasm, station officials in all parts of the world are going to have a busy time during the next few months checking up on reports and · sending back verifications ! Thanks to the generosity of leading advertisers in the Radio vVorld," over thirty pounds' worth of prizes have already been donated for distribution among the winners. 'rhere will be two sedions in the Contest, one for Australian and one for New Zealand dxers. Details of the prize list are as follows:- AUSTRALIAN SECTION. First Prize : . . .... . .. ... : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Radiokes "Moneysa ver" Kit-Set (value £9/17/ 6). (Kit donated by Radiokes Ltd., except /01· condenser gang an(l wave-change switch, given by Stroniberg-Carlson (A'sia) Ltd.) Second Prize: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l.936 Master Five (Complete Velco kit of parts, value £6) . (Donated by .Messrs. A. J. Veall Pty. Ltd., Melbourne .) Third Prize: .... . .. . . . ...... .. . Palec Nine-Range D.C. Multi-Tester (value £5). (Donated by the Paton Electrical Instrnment Company, Sydney.) Fourth Prize: . .. . .. ... . . ..... .. Noisemaster All-Purpose Aerial Kit (value 52/6). (Donated by Antenne:x; (A'sia) Agenc1:es, Sydney.) NEW ZEALAND SECTION. First Prize : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kit of parts for complete receiver (type will be published next month). (Donated by Messrs. F . J. W. Fear & Co., Wellington, N.Z.) Second Prize: ..... . .. ... . . ... . . Noisemaster AllPurpose Aerial Kit (value 52/6). (Donated by Antennex (A'sia) Agenc·ies, Sydney). Further additions to both prize lists may be published next month. . Every prize-winner will also receive an Award Certificate in twocolonrs, printed on parchment, while six Certificates of Merit will be awarded for the six best logs entered, apart from those of the prize-winners.

P.50 - DX News and Views

A page for letters from DX readers.

Wants To Exchange QSL Card I would like to congratulate you on your fine paper "Radio World." I look forward to getting my copy of it every month. I have a QSL card of my own, and would like to exchange it with anyone anywhere. Wishing the "Radio World" every success in the future.- C. R. Landrigan (Camperdown Road, Terang, Vic.).

Fine 10-Metre DX Following is a list of loggings for the past week - mostly on 14 m.c. (20 metres) c.w.:- W6CXW, W6ITH ('phone Q5, R9), W6LDP, WE1EA, W7BUB, W9POS, OZ2M, J2CL, UK3AA, PACE, G5RS, G60S, U9MF, KA1SP (7 m.c.), XU3RY, OH5MR, OZ5BK, EI8B, W2LU, KA1ER (7 m.c.), W2HSD, U2ME, PAHG, W6HR, K6AKP, W410, F8NY, W9KJP, K6LBH. Some time ago I heard the following on 28 m.c. (10 metres):- ZL1GX, W6GZU, ZL3AB, VK3YF, AS1H, VK6SA, HJ3AJH, J2HJ, and VK6MN. Also, VK6FO used to be regular, but have not heard him for some time. My total log, including VK's and ZL's, must be around about 1,000 stations. I have not sent many reports out, but have about 30 cards. I have received from ZBW, Hong Kong, a very nice card, showing views of the studio, station and transmitter.- Len. Burston (Wangaratta, Vic.).

Airways Station Heard The stations which I have heard with my 4-valve battery set, with an aerial 60 feet long and 30 feet high, are as follows:- Daylight stations: 3AR, 2FC, 5CK, 2CO, 7NT, 5CL, 2BL, 3LO, 3GI, 5RM, 2GB, 3UZ, 3BO, 2UE, 2GZ, 3HA, 2KY, 3DB, 2CA, 2UW, 2WG, 3KZ, 2CH, 2NC, 2WR, 2SM, 3AW, 2GN. Night: 2YA, 1YA, 4YA (New Zealand from about 5 p.m. onwards), 6WF, 4QG, 5DN, 6AM, 5PI, 7LA, 2HD, 4MK, 3TR, 6IX, 4BK, 5AD, 2MO, 2KO, 3XY, 4CA. These are the stations which I have noted down as having heard their calls since I bought the set in September last. Amateurs I have received include VK2YW, Wagga; VK2EI, Leeton, and VK2KD, Temora. Recently I picked up a station on about 5PI's wavelength. I heard a male announcer asking- "How long before you will be landing? Over, over." A little later- "You will be landing in about 15 minutes; see you later; OK, ---," a name which l could not get; possibly the name of the machine. A few days later I saw by the papers that an Airways 'plane had to return to Cootamundra aerodrome on account of bad weather, so, possibly, that's what I heard. Also, a station has been heard near 2FC - I think it is KZRM, Manila. I picked it up on Sunday night at about 10.45 p.m.; it was QSA4 and R6, for about half an hour. No call was given, but the announcer spoke with an American accent.- C. D. Moller (Coolamon, N.S.W.).

Two-Valve Battery Shortwaver My receiver is a two-valve battery s.w. receiver, 30 detector, 32 output, using resistance coupling. It is of my own construction. The antenna is of the inverted "L" type - 25-foot lead-in around the skirting-board, and a 25-foot flat top, 10 feet high, pointing to N.W. I use no earth. Since winding the 20-metre coil three days ago I have heard several stations, the best being VPD (22.94 m.) and W7ALZ calling 4JU and W6FQY. W6FQY can generally be heard at 4.20 p.m. The W6's come in best here. I use "cans" for s.w. reception. Wishing your excellent radio journal all the best.- Jack Harrower (Seddon, Melbourne, Vic.).

500 Stations In Six Weeks I have received over 500 stations in the past six weeks - mostly amateurs on 20 metres, but including a couple of Japanese stations, XGOA, and KZRM on broadcast band. I wish to congratulate you on the '"Radio World," and here's hoping you keep up the good work. It is the best radio book I have seen, and I have a standing order for it at my newsagent.- W. Pearson (Malvern, Victoria).

Foreign Stations On 49 Metres "I wish to acknowledge having received my Club Certificate and Badge, and to commend you on the smart design of both badge and certificate. Also, the Report Forms are just what the DX fans have looked for for ages. Well, the most notable items in the DX line here lately have been on the short waves. XE2AH, Mexico, W6ITH and W6MGJ, California, W6BY, Whittier, California, have all been heard on 20-metre 'phone at R8-9 QSA4-5. They can be heard around 4 p.m. till 5 p.m. South Australian Time. There is a station on approximately 49 metres which plays all the latest recordings with vocal refrains in English, and also a lot of Hawaiian music and songs, but announces in a foreign language. It does not give a call-sign, and is on the air from about 7.30 p.m. till 2 a.m. At intervals a chime is heard. This station comes in at R9, QSA5. I have just received a verification and programme from Russia with the information that all reports will be answered, and that programmes may be obtained in any language on request. All reports should be addressed to the Editor, Inna Marr, Radio Centre, Moscow.- R. H. McColl (Semaphore, S.A.).

Sixty-Foot Aerial Mast Just a few short lines to let you know how I am getting along in the way of dxing. So far things have not been the best, on the broadcast band it certainly has been very hard, the trouble being local interference. Though during June I received 80 odd cards from Australian stations, and hope to have a good collection in a very short time. So far I have only sent cards to TPA4, DJQ, GSB, VBD and to a few American hams. I have tried various forms of aerials here, because conditions here in the North are not so good. At present I have under construction a sixty-foot three-corner lattice mast and will gladly send photo of same when completed. Wishing the "Radio World" and DX Club every success.- C. Watts (Bowen, Q'land).

Interested In 5-Metre DX I have just bought the June issue of your remarkable magazine, which is certainly one of the best, and I enclose P.N. for one shilling and stamps to cover postage of the May issue. I have had a radio since 1925 - you know the days of knobs, dials and squeals. At the present time I am very interested in 5 metres and would like to suggest that the "Radio World" publish as soon as possible a 5-metre receiver. By doing this you would give those of us who are interested on this side of the Tasman a chance to hear the first signal from Aussie on a "Radio World" receiver; what could be better? I will in the near future join the "All-World DX Club." I take this opportunity of wishing the "Radio World" the best of success - and it is a success.- Vince Hanstock (Denniston, N.Z.). [Details of a.c. and battery 5-metre receivers are published in the July and August issues. Best of luck in your 5-metre DX work. Glad you like "R.W." - Ed.]

Logged Nearly 3,000 Stations! I have an eight-valve all-wave job, and only operate it on an indoor aerial at present but in the near future I intend to erect two 60-foot poles, so I ought to drag them in. I am in a very bad locality owing to the Railway Rock, and two sets of high powered mains pass in the next street. I have had the set about 16 months and have logged near the 3,000 mark of world-wide stations. I received a card yesterday from OA4R, Peru. I would also like to mention I have my own card and have sent out dozens and dozens to different VK's, but have got about one dozen in return. I have never missed including return postage and thought I might be doing these chaps a good turn, but they evidently do not appreciate reports.- C. E. Neill (Ipswich, Queensland). [Congratulations on your card - a very neat job. Hard to understand your not getting replies from "hams," who generally are only too pleased to send a card if postage is included.- Ed.l

"Glorious Fourth" Celebrations Heard Have had a Stromberg-Carlson D.W. only for five or six weeks, but have logged a number of overseas stations and also many amateurs. GSD and GSB, Daventry, from about 2 p.m. till 4.30 p.m., have been excellent on 25 and 31 metres - but cannot get them above a whisper on the 20-metre band. Radio Colonial, Paris, from 10 a.m., and I2RO, Rome, on 25 metres, were very good from 1.15 a.m. early in July. Also, at between 9 and 10 a.m. on the same day I heard I2RO give their "American Hour" request numbers in English. On July 4 at 10.20 a.m. on 25 metres, I heard part of celebration at the United States Great Hall, Paris, of the "Glorious Fourth." Readability was fair to good, but there was some fading. I can recognise only the French and German languages (and perhaps Spanish and Italian), so unless the call is heard, it is difficult to tell what station one is listening to.- Mrs. E. M. A. A. Heathorn (Smithton, Tasmania). [The list of interval signals published this month will help you considerably in identifying s.w. stations.- Ed.]

Photo of George Notley, Moonah, DX Den

The "Radio World" certainly seems to be popular in this DX den, which belongs to George Notley, of Moonah, Tasmania. Mr. Notley is a very keen dxer, and has logged plenty of S.W. and broadcast stations on the battery three-valver shown in the photo.

Photo of 1YA Auckland Mast

This aerial mast belongs to lYA, Auckland, which operates on 650 k.c. with a power of 10 k.w.- Jack M. Flower (Tauranga, N.Z.).

P.51 - Logging South American Stations

During any Sunday afternoon dxers in good locations can, by careful searching, pick up quite a few South American broadcasters at good volume. In the article below over two dozen of the more powerful stations are listed, together with frequencies, powers, and best times to look for them. This high.powered broadcaster at Breslau, Germany, can generally be heard at fine volume in ·the spring and autumn. During the early morn· ing is the b.est time of the day to try for him. Frequency is 950 k .c., By D. N. ADAMS and power, 100 k.w. THERE are quite a few powerful stations in the Argentine, which can sometimes be heard in Australasia during the winter from about mid-day onwards. Sunday is a good day to try for them. Some go off the air at about 1.30 p.m., but others carry on, and these would probably be the best for Australian dxers to search for. Published on this page is a list of the more powerful of the South Americans together with the approximate times (E.A.S.T.) at which they close down. Try for them before the more powerful of the U.S.A. stations start to come in, or there will be plenty of heterodynes with which to contend. A good way of ensuring a verification from any of these stations you may pick up is to send a copy of your report to Mr. Hector Rivola, c/o Radio Station LR8, Radio Paris, Buenos Aires, Argentine, and ask him if he would mind seeing the management of the station in question regarding a verification for your report. Enclose some used or unused Australian stamps for his collection and he will be pleased to help you out. I have received back several verifications through his kind assistance. Other stations in South America which have been heard here are: TGK, Guatemala City, Guatemala, on 1,210 k.c., 10,000 watts. Broadcasts DX programmes on Sunday nights till about 6 p.rrL E.A.S.T. CX26, Montevideo, Uruguay, on 1,050 k.c., 2,000 watts, is often heard on DX broadcasts. CX24, Montevideo, Uruguay, on 1,010 k.c., 10,000 watts, is often heard on DX broadcasts. CP4, La Paz, Bolivia, on 1,040 k.c., 10,000 watts, is sometimes heard on till 6 p.m. with DX broadcasts. CE76, Valparaiso, Chile, on 765 k.c., 10,000 watts, is heard on Sundays tm the U.S.A. stations come in. A very good station. Listed below are the ·stations in South America which have verified my reports. This will give dxers a good idea of the stations to report to, providing, of course, they are picked up: Argentine: LS2, LS8, LR3, LR5, LR4, LR8, LSlO, LT3, LU7, LVL Uruguay: CX26. Bolivia: CP4. Venezuela: YVlBC. Argentine Broadcast Stations. Station LSlO LV2 LS3 LS4 . LS1 LR7 LTl LRlO LR5 LR6 LR2 LR3 LR4 LR9 LRl LT3 LS5 LRS LS2 LSS LU7 LS9 LS7 LS6 Freq. (K.C.) 590 620 630 670 710 750 780 790 830 870 910 950 990 1,030 1,070 1,080 1,110 1,150 1,190 1,230 1,240 1,270 1,310 1,350 Power (Watts) 6,000 2,000 5,000 7,000 5,000 15,000 4,000 10,250 29,000 26,000 12,000 31,000 12,000 9,000 50.000 4,500 5,000 7,000 30,000 20,000 2,000 6,000 10,000 6,000 Rema.rks Heard till 3 p.m. Sundays, sometimes after that. Has been heard till 3 p.m. (E.A.S.T.). Heard till 3 p.m. Sundays. Closes at 3 p.m. Sundays. Closes about 3.30 p,m. Sundays. Heard on Sundays till U.S.A. stations drown it, which would be about 4 p.m. (E.A.S.T.). Closes about 4 p.m. Sundays. Is heard on Sundays till U .S.A. stations drown it out; very good station. Is heard till 3 p.m.- sometimes later-on Sundays. A won- derful station. Heard on Sundays till U.S.A. stations drown it. Wonderful volume last winter. Closes at 2 p.m. usually, but has been heard later and is a good stat ion to log. This is one of the best. Is heard until 4 p.m. Sundays and verifies }>romptly. This is another good station-is like LR3. Heard best on Saturdays till 3 p.m. Wonderful station. Heard till U .S.A. stations drown it out on Sundays. Closes at 2 p.m. (E.A.S.T.). Heard on Sundays at good volume till U.S.A. stations come in. Heard on Sundays at good volume till U.S.A. stations drown it. Welcomes reports and verifies all that are correct. This is usually the first S.A. station to be heard. On till after 4 p.m. on Sundays. Is easily R6 here at 2 p.m. your time Sundays. Is heard on Sundays till U.S.A. stations drown it. Comes in well and verifies promptly. Is also heard on Sunday at good volume, but will not verify . Another station which is heard well. Should al~o be heard, but it has not verified reports.

P.52 - Frequency Re-Shuffle For Japanese Broadcasters

Frequency Re-shuffle for Japanese Broadcasters New Stations: Higher Powers By our Japanese Correspondent THE operating frequencies of many Japanese stations will be changed soon, the new allocations being given below. At the present time these stations are on the air on their new frequencies for test after 10 p.m. J.S.T. It is expected that the new frequency allocation will become effective after July 1, 1936. Two new stations - JBBK1 and JBBK2 -are located at Heijo, Chosen (Korea). They are now testing with 50 watts, but power will be increased to 500 watts soon. Also, the power of JODK2 will be increased to 50 k.w. soon. The transmitter is already completed and will be on the air after autumn. New transmitters for JOAKl, JOAK2, JOJ~ JOKG, JOL~ JONG and JOOG are now under construction. They may be on the air this year. The new station at Shinkio (Hsinking) is MTCY2; it will be opened this year. The antenna power is 10 k.w. ·Two transmitters will'be established at Seishin, Chosen (Korea). The an- tenna power of them is 10 k.w. each. -Akifusa Saito (Kumamoto, Japan). K.C. CALL. LOCATION. POWER. (K.W.) 560 MTCY Shinkio (Hsin580 590 600 610 630 640 650 670 674 680 690 700 710 720 720 730 740 7.50 760 770 780 790 JFCK JOAKl JONG JOJK JOKK JODG JOUK .TOTK MTFY JOVK JOBIKl JOCG JODK2 JORK JFBK JOCKl JOSK JFAK JQAK JOHK JOPK JOGK king) , Manchukuo 100 Taichu, Formosa 1 Tokio* 10 Miyazakit .5 Kanazawa 3 Okayama .5 Hamamatsu .5 Akita .3 Matsue .5 Harbin, Manchukuo 3 Hakodate .5 Osaka 10 Asahigawa .3 Keijot 10 Kou chi .5 Tainan, Formosa 1 Nagoya 10 Kokura 1 Taihoku, Formosa 10 Dair en .5 Sendai 10 Shizuoka .5 Kumamoto 10

800 810 820 . 830 870 JOKG JOIK JB1BK2 JOFK JOAK2 Koufut Sapporo Heijo, Korea~ Hiroshima Tokio* .5 10 .5 10 10 This photograph of Mr. Akifu.sa Saito, the "Radio World's" Japanese correspondent, was taken with one of JOGK's masts in the background. Mr. Saito is a noted Japanese radio engineer, and so knows the kind of news that dxers want. 890 JOLG Tottorit .5 890 MTBY Hoten (Mukden), Manchukuo 910 JOLK Fukuoka 920 JOQK Niigata 930 JOAG Nagasaki 940 JOBK2 Osaka 950 JONK Nagano 970 JODKl Keijo, Korea 980 JOXK Tokushima 990 JOCK2 Nagoya 1000 JOBG Maebashi 1020 JOFG Fukui 1030 JBAK Fusan, Korea 1040 JOJG Yamagatat 1050 JOHIG Kagoshima 1060 JOIG Toyama 1070 JOOK Kioto 1080 JOOG Obihirot 1090 JBBKl Heijo, Korea§ 1 .5 .5 .5 10 .5 10 .5 10 .5 .3 .15 .5 .5 .5 .3 .5 .5

• Will be increased to 150 k.w. this

year. t Will be opened this year. § Already opened. t Will be increased to 50 k.w. this autumn.

P.55 - China to have High-Power S.W. Station

China to have High-Power S.W. Station - Some Shortwave News Flashes By A. B. McDonagh +

Africa Launching Out - A new building of eight stories, and with 13 studios - the most ambitious radio building outside of Daventry - is now being erected. Look for ZSR, 9.18 m.c., and the shortwave relay station of ZTJ on 6.09 m.c.

China's Contribution - The Administration of Chinese Broadcasting has placed an order with the Marconi Co. for a shortwaver of higher power than that used by the B.B.C. It will relay the 75,000-watter XGOA, and advice states it will take two years to build. Meantime, Chinese radio engineers will study at the Marconi College in England, and also in America, to learn modern shortwave technique.

New Venezuelan Station - Caracas, Venezuela, is going to have a new station on 6.27 m.c.- YV14RC. YV7RMO is on 6.07 m.c., and is located at the end of Lake Maracaibo nearest the sea.

'Plane and Police Stations - Just a shade under 5 m.c. at about 11 p.m. N.Z.S.T., an aeroplane station may be heard. Some of the U.S.A. police stations, which are above 100 metres, can be heard round about 9 p.m. N.Z.S.T.

Shortwave Jottings - RAN (?), Moscow, 31.6 metres, is testing daily from midnight G.M.T. This is the same transmitter as used for the 9 p.m. G.M.T. sessions. Java (said to be PMO) is on approximately 26 metres with the same programme as YDB on the 31-metre band. It is hinted that New Zealand's proposed shortwave station may be erected alongside the 60-kilowatt national station now being built near Wellington. Higher in frequency, and about a degree from the 6.5 megacycle mark, a rapid foreign voice is often heard about 11 p.m. N.Z.S.T. I heard the call as JTAS, calling WWV and others. This is evidently a Japanese ship, as several of them use telephony when nearing U.S.A. Many people do not know that Moscow has an English session on 25 metres (12 megacycles) between 2.30 and 3.30 a .m. N.Z.S.T. on Monday mornings. It will ease the minds of Australian listeners to know that Shanghai has been heard in N.Z. at midnight on the 31-metre band. A new station, with speech in Italian, is on Abyssinia's wavelength of 25 metres. Watch Geneva for different relays; they test at odd times.

+ Australian listeners who wish to be introduced to pen pals in New Zealand should write A. B. McDonagh, Secretary N.Z. Short Wave Club, 4 Queen Street, Wellington, E.1, New Zealand. The same applies to exchange of QSL cards or stamps. Kindly enclose a penny stamp for reply.

P.55 - "Simplified Moneysaver" Is Fine Performer

Son•e · Reports from Readers That the Radiokes a.c. "Money· saver" described last month is one of the finest receivers of its class for DX listening it would be possible to de· sign has been proved conclusively by tests carried out in several locations since publication of last month's is.- sue. On each occasion, the "Money· saver" pulled in dozens of DX sta-· tions with the ease and selectivity of many. modern commercial sets using one and even two valves more. Some Amazing Reports Already some fine reports on the set's performance have come to hand from "Moneysaver" builders. One reader in Bulli gives a glowing account of the set's DX capabilities, his list of stations logged including nearly every broadcast station in Australia and New Zealand, as well as a Chinese station. On the short waves he has logged practically all the principal in· ternational shortwave stations as well as many amateurs iri all parts of the world. The report concludes: "The set shows absolutely uncanny selec· tivity, separating without the least difficulty some of the most distant 'B' class stations." Another reader states·: "When I first tried the set out, I was amazed at the number of stations I could re• ceive. · I didn't think there were so many on the air." . It is certain that anyone buildingthe receiver from the Kit-Set should not have the least difficulty in duplicating these performances. . The construction is made easy by the instruc· tions and diagrams; the- alignment is easily carried out, very little adjustment being necessary. To assist the amateur builder, the intermediate transformers and padder h-ave been tested under operating conditions and set to the correct alignment positions at the factory. Iron-Cored I.F.'s Used An important fact not mentioned in the descriptive article last month is that the latest Radiokes iron-cored intermediate frequency transf9rmers (type SIC-465) are supplied with the kit. These new intermediates are highly efficient, and their use in both the a.c. and battery "Moneysavers" is largely responsible for the exceptional gain and high selectivity that are outstanding features of both models.

P.56 - All-Wave All-World DX Club-List of Members

All-Wave All-World DX Club List of Life Members

Club No. - Name and Address

AW1DX - Graham Cumming, Meyer St., Donald, Victoria.

AW2DX - F. H. Stacey, c/o Mrs. H. Murphy, 80 Princess St., Petrie Terrace, Brisbane, Queensland.

AW3DX - Noel Jenkins, 80 Bannister St., Masterton, N.Z.

AW4DX - Robert E. Foothead, Newlands, Johnsonville, Wellington, N.Z.

AW5DX - J. Bisceop, Allison Road, Cronulla, Sydney.

AW6DX - F. G. Richards, 15 Dalley St., West Kogarah, N.S,W.

AW7DX - H. M. Downes, Bell Street, Penshurst, Victoria.

AW8DX - H. C. Major, 45 Nirvana Ave., Malvern, S.E. 5, Victoria.

AW9DX - C. G. Arnold, McDowall Street, Roma, Queensland.

AW10DX - Ken Scott, 12 Mitchell St., Stockton, N.S.W.

AW11DX - E. Davison, Box 4, P.O., The Entrance, N.S.W.

AW12DX - W. L. Barry, c/o J. Hall, Esq., 11 Gloucester Street, South Brisbane, Queensland.

AW13DX - Jack Glew, 203 Centre Road, Bentleigh, S.E. 14, Victoria.

AW14DX - Eric K. Webb, 297 Mitcham Road, Mitcham, Victoria.

AW15DX - A. T. Baxter, Casterton, Sandford, Victoria.

AW16DX - Frank Keirsnowski, Acheson Street, Rockhampton, Queensland.

AW17DX - James Laing, 85 Moncur Street, Woollahra, Sydney.

AW18DX - Douglas Pearsall, 512 Macauley Street, Albury, N.S.W.

AW19DX - Jack M. Flower, Norris Street, Tauranga, N.Z.

AW20DX - R. H. McColl, 32 Esplanade, Semaphore, South Australia.

AW21DX - E. A. Glenie, 41 Ashworth Street, Albert Park, Victoria.

AW22DX - C. T. Frost, P.O. Box 44, Seymour, Victoria.

AW23DX - V. Smith, 350 Wellington Street, Collingwood, Melbourne, Vic.

AW24DX - F. C. Collins, Hot Springs Hotel, Te Aroha, N.Z.

AW25DX - James Brooks, "Athelstan," Wamberal, N.S.W.

AW26DX - R. P. Veall, 38 Eildon Road, St. Kilda, S. 2, Melbourne, Victoria.

AW27DX - B. Beauchamp, 83 Ira Street, Miramar, Wellington, N.Z.

AW28DX - R. C. Watts, Box 91, Pode Street, Bowen, North Queensland.

AW29DX - Cecil Howard, 219 Ellena Street, Maryborough, Queensland.

AW30DX - Len R. Burston, 93 Rowan Street, Wangaratta, Victoria.

AW31DX - F. J. Davis, Mount Battery Station, Mansfield, Victoria.

AW32DX - W. H. Emanuel, 109 Bathurst Street, Hobart, Tasmania.

AW33DX - G. L. Ford, 129 Curzon Street, North Melbourne, Victoria.

AW34DX - A. Spriggins, Navy Wireless Room, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne, Victoria.

AW35DX - J. T. Jarvey, 520 Elizabeth Street, Albury, N.S.W.

AW36DX - J. M. Burke, Lyster Street, Coff's Harbour, N.S.W.

AW37DX - Dave Adams, 35 Bowker Street, Timaru, N.Z.

AW38DX - C. Jarlett, 23 Queens Road, Hurstville, N.S.W.

AW39DX - G. Billings, Wattle Bank, 251 Murrumbeena Road, Murrumbeena, S.E. 9, Victoria.

AW40DX - G. Notley, 37 Main Road, Moonah, Tasmania.

AW41DX - F. C. White, 24 Prentice Street, Elsternwick, Victoria.

AW42DX - A. M. Branks, 67 Robertson Street, Invercargill, N.Z.

AW43DX - E. R. Service, 81 Ettrick Street, Invercargill, N.Z.

AW44DX - D. Morath, Box 11, P.O., Narromine, N.S.W.

AW45DX - K. Morehead, Chatsworth Street, Mt. Druitt, N.S.W.

AW46DX - E. Morehead, Chatsworth Street, Mt. Drtiitt, N.S.W.

AW47DX - N. W. Lumby, 228 Oberon Street, Coogee, Sydney.

AW48DX - G. F. Thompson, 104 Bambra Road, Caulfield, S.E.8, Victoria.

AW49DX - F. H. Hagedorn, Ambrose, North Coast Line, Queensland.

AW50DX - K. Moyes, Mani Arm, Mullumbimby, N.S.W.

AW51DX - A. H. Graham, 258 Lower Plenty Road, Rosanna, N.22, Melbourne, Victoria.

AW52DX - R. Doyle, 24 Baden Powell Street, Rockhampton, Queensland.

AW53DX - William H. Pearson, 10 Soudan St., Malvern, S.E.4, Victoria.

AW54DX - Clive Holland, 32 Railway Crescent, Maryborough, Victoria.

AW55DX - M. Temby, 1 John St., Mordia1loc, S.12, Victoria.

AW56DX - Jack Reedy, Scarba St., Goff's Harbour, N.S.W.

AW57DX - Sidney Hayward, Wimble St., Seymour, Victoria.

AW58DX - Ron Gurr, c/o Port Stephens Canning Co., Pindimar, N.S.W.

(To be continued next month.)