History of wireless telegraphy and broadcasting in Australia/Topical/Publications/Australasian Radio World/Issues/1944 01

P.03 - Contents Banner

The Australasian Radio World

Devoted entirely to Technical Radio

and incorporating

All-Wave All-World DX News

Vol. 8 - JANUARY, 1944 - No. 8

P.03 - Publication Notes

Proprietor - A. G. HULL

Manager - Dudley L. Walter

Secretary - Miss E. M. Vincent

Short-wave Editor - L. J. Keast

For all correspondence: City Office - 243 Elizabeth St., Sydney - Phone MA2325

Office Hours - Week-days: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturdays: 10 a.m. - 12 noon

Editorial Office - 117 Reservoir Street, Sydney

Subscription Rates - 6 issues 5/3, 12 issues 10/6, 24 issues £1, Post free to any address

Service Departments - Back Numbers, 1/- ea., post free; Reply-by-mail Queries, 1/- each

Printed by Bridge Printery Pty. Ltd., 117 Reservoir Street, Sydney, N.S.W., for the proprietor of the "Australasian Radio World," 117 Reservoir St., Sydney (Footnote P.28)

P.03 - Contents

CONTENTS:

CONSTRUCTIONAL -

Simple Vacuum Tube Voltmeter . . . . 5

Hi-Fi Gramophone Pick-up . . . . 9

N.Z. All-Wave Two . . . . 13

Ribbon-Type Microphone . . . . 17

TECHNICAL -

Measurement of Inductance . . . . 7

Radio Nails for Plywood . . . . 14

Band Pass and Pre-selector Unit . . . . 15

Review of "Radio World" . . . . 19

SHORTWAVE SECTION -

Short-wave Review . . . . 20

Short-wave Notes and Observations . . . . 21

New Stations . . . . 20

Loggings of the Month . . . . 23

THE SERVICE PAGES -

Answers . . . . 26

P.03 - Editorial Notes

Editorial

Lunching recently with Captain Knock (you would know him as Don Knock, radio editor of the "Bulletin" and a frequent contributor to "Australasian Radio World" in the good old days) the discussion veered to the influence of war on the future trends in radio set design and construction. It is very evident that the present demands in the matter of tropic-proofing will ensure that the commercial sets of the future will not be affected by humidity. Radio sets for the forces are tested by operating them with a hose playing on them. An army receiver is built in anticipation of being thrown overboard into saltwater, dragged up the beach on the end of a rope and then operating to perfection as soon as it is switched on! Country readers will be pleased to hear that the shelf life of batteries has been vastly increased through improved construction methods for providing better internal insulation. Post-war batteries should last nearly twice as long as previously. Australian technicians are also gaining valuable experience in handling communications-type receivers, some of the latest jobs being available "in official circles." It is expected that these designs will be studied intently and their best features digested so that Australian enthusiasts can hope to be catered for adequately with sets of a type which have previously existed only as pictures in American magazines. - A. G. HULL.

P.20 - Shortwave Section - Short-wave Review

Shortwave Review conducted by L. J. Keast

NOTES FROM MY DIARY -

YES, WE HAVE NO BANANAS - Yes, and we have no Fiji broadcasts either. Just after conducting a series of tests and producing a splendid signal from 4.55 till 9 p.m. on 6.13 mc., VPD-2 faded out as quickly as it came. But I am told the withdrawal is only for a short period. I am sure their return will be welcome, particularly if they continue to relay the favourite American transcriptions.

ARTHUR CUSHEN - Mr. Arthur Cushen, of Tnvercargill, writes me that he received a fine card from KGEI verifying his report on their 7.25 frequency. He says the card shows Transmitter House, and a new Box Antennae. Arthur's total of veris. must now nearly reach that of Flying Officer Ray Simpson. Talking of KGEI reminds me they are back again on 15.53 mc., 19.57 m. I do not know their schedule, but when closing at noon it is given in full.

BY KILLARNEY'S - I almost said, Lakes and Fells, but read on: No! all that timber you see at Killarney, Queensland, is not for an American Military Hospital. That, together with those many coils of wire, those boxes of insulators are for the listening-post of Dr. Gaden, who, from the flat in the west (and later a flat in Brisbane) has moved to the hills of Killarney, and from 1700 feet above sea level will send to this magazine news of the Cubans, Central and South Americans and those other hard-to-getters.

AMERICAN NEWSLETTER - Prepared by Columbia Broadcasting System and read by Dave Hamilton, this is a nice start for the day. It is at present coming through very well on either WCRC 11.83 mc., 25.36 m., or WCBX 15.27 mc., 19.64 m. at 7 a.m. I prefer the former for signal strength and clarity.

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS - Notwithstanding all the good resolutions for what we trust will be Peace Year, I must complain of the very poor quality of the BBC Radio News Reel. I am not referring to the subject matter, but the processing. Sometimes almost half of it should have been scrapped as it is nigh impossible for even a regular listener to follow it. Sounds to me as though some substitute for the old record base is being used. And while on the BBC, have you noticed the metronome that appears to be in the background when the 10 p.m. news is read?

A BREATH OF THE PAST - An air mail letter from Flying Officer Ray Simpson reached me on Christmas Eve. As usual very brief (only time he is verbiose is when sending a report overseas for verification), but it was great to hear from him. I am sure we all hope this year will see he and all other soldiers home, and for good.

SHOULD WE COMPLAIN? - And another soldier who was a great DX-er writes. I have not the least idea where he is, but Sgt. Raymond K. Clack, in a most interesting letter, gives some idea of listening conditions presumably under the sheltering palms. Amongst other things this is what he says, "Listening conditions here are terrific. It may not be so bad on frequencies above 7.5 mc., but below that one has to rely on VLQ and VLQ-2 for anything of entertainment value, although GRM, 7.12 mc., in the Pacific Service is not so bad at times. "Noise level is terrific. Just try and take as a comparison the 49 metre band at its noisiest in Sydney and multiply that noise by three or four times and you'll have some idea of the noise level here on frequencies between 7.5 and 3.5 mc. Add to that a high atmospheric moisture content, which, by affecting coils, etc., causes a receiver to drift, and one has another difficulty with which to contend." Should WE complain?

P.20 - Shortwave Section - New Stations

New Stations

KWIX, 'Frisco, 11.87 me., 25.27m.: First heard December 2. Another outlet for the Associated Broadcasters and from opening at 6.30 p.m. when it joins its sister station, KWID, in French, puts in a very fine signal untily about 8.40. At that hour VUD- the new All India Radio Station in Delhi, switches on his carrier, sometimes a little earlier, and being on the same frequency it is a fight for best signal. Odds are in favour of KWIX and they can be generally copied till closing at 9.15. Report are asked for, so, you veri.-hunters, get busy. AFHQ, Algiers, 18.025 me., 16.64 m.: This further outlet for The United Nations Radio is mentioned by Mr. Matthew'!< of Perth. They open in good strength at 1 u.20 p.m. AFHQ, Algiers, 11.883 me., 25.24m: Mr. Ted Whiting (Radio & Hobbies) tells me of this one. Opens at 7.57 p.m. with anthems. A BBC relay is given at 8.15. WRUA, Boston, 7575 kc., 39.6m.: At time of making this note I have not heard the new transmitter for the World Radio University. When listening to WRUA on 26.92 m. the other morning I heard the announcer say on closing at 7.30 they would re-open in fifteen minutes on 7575 kilocycles.-L.J.K. VWY, Kirkee (India) 17.94 me., 16.72m. : This is another new one submitted by Mr. Matthews, of Perth. He heard them at 1 0.30 p.m. calling the BBC.

VWY, Kirkee, 9.045 me., 33.16 m. : This has not been heard here yet, but is reported in "The Broadcaster" as audible ot 9 a .m. HER-, Berne, 18.45 me., 16.26 m.: This is the trequency of the old League of Nations station, HBF. It was brought into use on December 18, for use in parallel with HER-5, 25.61 m., in the Austra lian service. Signal is only fair, reaching R4 Q3 on the occas- ions I listened. Schedule is Tuesdays and Saturdays from 6.30 till 8 p.m. with English on Tuesdays and the National languages on Saturdays. British Mediterranean Station.: Have hesitated to mention this one before, but they have now apparently settled down to regular schedule and are to be heard on three frequencies at times, viz. : 9.67 me., 3 I .02m.; 11.71 me., 25.62 m.; 7.215 me., 41.58 m.; Opens at 11 p.m. with musical note. 1 I .45 Italian. Midnight YUigos lavian. At 12.15 announces, "For Balkan Military Forces." Then goes into Roumanian. At 12.30. German. At 12.45 announces, "Next news in Germon at 19.30 Central European Time (5.30 a.m. Syd) on 3 1.02 .and 41.58 m. Signal is very good on 31 .02 m. The a bove remarks refer to 31.02 and 25.62 m. I om not sure of 41.58 m. schedule, but it opens at 5.30 o.m. in German. (Mr. Cushen, N.Z., mentions Mediterranean Station heard on 9.90 me., 30.30 m. from 5-5 .30 a.m. and on 9. 19 me., 32.64 m from 4 pm). AFHQ, Algiers, 6.04 me., 49.67 m.: This one is reported by Mr. Lindsay Walker of Applecross, W.A., and Mr. Arthur Cushen of N.Z. Heard at 5 a.m. with news from Algiers and at 6 o.m. with "Voice of America" news at 6 o.m. Very good signal till closing at 10 a .m. WCRC, .New York, 6.12 me., 49.02m: Mr. Cushen reports hearing this one at 5.45 p.m. GWJ, London, 9.53 me., 31.48 m. : Heard irre.gularly for some t ime, but schedule is now 8-11.45 p.m.; midnioiht-1.30 a.m. GWI, London, 7.25 me., 41.38m.: This is a new one and is heard 5 a.m.-2 p.m.; 3.45- 8.15 p.m. GWK, London, 6.165 me., 48.66m.: Another new BBC outlet. See schedule list. GWH is coll sign of 11.80 me., 25.42 m. And here ore some new London transmitters that have been given a call sign, but whose schedules are not yet known:GWG, 15.06 me., 19.92 m. GWQ, 11.84 me., 25.34 m. GWW, 9.66 me., 31.06 m. heard at 11.30 p.m.) GWO, 9.62 me., 31.17 m. GWN, 7 .28 me., 41.21 m. GWL, 7.20 me., 41.64 m. GWM, 6.09 me., 49.26 m.

P.21 - Shortwave Section - Short-wave Notes and Observations

Shortwave Notes and Observations

AUSTRALIA In the second transmission to the British Isles, VLI-2 has been replaced by VLI-8, 17.80 me., 16.85 m. This is fortunate as it leaves the new KWIX in the clear for an additional 15 minutes, excepting that our friend VUDin Delhi, puts his carrier on long before 8.45 p.m.- L.J.K. VLG-2, 9.45 me., 31.45m. closes at about 2.38 p.m. with "Star Spangled Banner" and "God Save the King."L. J.K. OCEANIA New Caledonia FK-8AA, Noumea, on 6.20 me., 48.39 m., is still going great guns in the two schedules of an evening.-L.J.K. FIJI VPD-2, Suva, on both 25.22 and 48.94 m. seems to have closed; not heard since 29th November.-L.J.K. AFRICA Algeria AFHQ, Algiers, 18.025 me., 16.64 m. Good on opening at 10.20 p.m. and also later with BBC. (Matthews). AFHQ, Algiers, 9.53 me., 31.46 m. Heard at quite good level from 5 a.m. when news is broadcast, and until just before 6.15 a.m. (Cushen.) Announces as "The United Nations Radio coming to you from Algiers." L. J.K.) AFHQ, Algiers, 11.883 me., 25.24rn. Opens at 7.57 p.m., relays BBC at 8.15 (Whiting). Belgian Congo RNB, Leopoldville, 9.78 me., 30.66 m.: Terrific signal in afternoon (Gaden). Booming in here (Perth) . Announces as either "Radio Diffusion Belge, or "Radio N ationale Beige." At 2.30 a.m. they rebroadcast a special "V. of A." programme in Afrikaans and English. Close at 3 and re-open at 4.15 a.m. in French (Nolan). (Best signal from RNB, in Sydney, is from opening at 4 till closing at 5.45 p .m., whilst around 7 a .m. till closing ·at 7.30 it is fair.-L.J.K. ) H ave you heard the Kissantzi at 2.30 a .m. ?-it's terrific here. (Matthews, Perth). (Yes, and it is good here also. -L.J.K.). OPL, Leopoldville, 17.77 me., 16.88 m., comes in well at 9.45 p.m. At 10 p.m. t here is an announcement in Flemish and then in English, "This is Leopoldville directed to Africa and the Far East, on 17, 770 kc., 16.88 m. Here is the news and war headlines." - L.J.K. Egypt Heard SUV, 10.05 me., 29.84, m. from about 5.30 till 6.15 a.m. in Arabic. Strength of "Radio Cairo" is excellent (Nolan, Matthews) . Ethiopia Heard Addis Ababa opening at 2.30 a.m. on 9.625 me., 31.17 m. with, "This is Addis Ababa calling," then followed a musical programme (Nolan) . French Equatorial Africa FZI, Brazzaville on 15.56 me., is coming in at terrific strength at night now. They open at 10.15 in French. At 11.30 t here is a programme in English until closing at 12. 15 a.m. (Nolan, Matthews). (Since December 15 t hey have been t esting on 15.595 me., 19.2.5 m. from 10.15 t ill 10.4,5 p .m.So far I have not heard them, but am told they were heard at 11.1 5. Another test thev are making is from 4.30 t ill 5 p .m. on ·11.97 m.c., 25.06 m. Noise and morse, here, makes listening very unpleasant.- L.J.K. Mr. Nolan, of Perth, reports Brazzaville as audible on 6.16 me., 48.70 m. in French at 3 a.m. Kenya VQ7LO, Nairobi, 6.08 me., 49.32 m., is excellent in early morning and on 10.73 me., 29.96 m. is good (Nolan) . Portuguese East Africa CR7BE, Lourenco Marques, 9.88 me., 30.38 m. Good signal on opening at .5.30 a.rn. (Nolan) . Mr. Matthews reports CR7BE on 98,65 m., opening at 2 a.m., one Monday night >dth a relay of "Command Performance." AMERICA U.S.A. vVL\VO, C'nnati, 17.80 me., lG.85 m.: News at 5 a.m., signal poor (Cushen). KROJ, 'Frisco, 17. 76 me., 16.89 m. from noon till closing at 1 p.m., is not as good as it used to be. (Nolan, Perth) . (Signal is actually improdng over here.-L.J.K.) KMI, 'Frisco, 17.09 me., 17.50 m. Scheduled from 2-5 a.m. Is anyone hearing t his station ? \Vould appreciate prompt reply.-L.J.K.) · KKR, Bolinas, 15.46 m.c., 19.4 m.: This one I fancy at 1 (Gaden) . K\VU, 'Frisco, 15.35 me., 19.53 m. : My favourite (Gaden). Is as mercurial as the weather down here.-L.J.K. ) KGEI, 'Frisco, 15.33 me., 19.57 m.: Heard on December 17 closing at noon. Jack Paul was giving station particulars and schedules, but noise was too bad to copy same.-L.J.K. \VRUS, Boston, 15.13 me., 19.83 m. : Closes at 7.30 a.m. re-opening on 9.57 at 7.4.5. I thought \VRUA was call sign for 31.35 m., but with A's, L' s, S's, \V's, and \VL \ \' with L' and O's - OH, 'ELL.- L.J.K. \VLWO, C'nnati, 11.71 m.c., 25.62 m.: Good at 10 p .m. (Cushen). \VRUA, Boston, 11.B me., 2'6.92 m. Has been good for some time, has usual V of A programmes and news in English at 5, 6 and 7 a .m. (Cushen ) . Very fine signal (Gaden). (WRUA closes at 7.30 a .m. and re-opens as WRUA on 7575 kc., 39.6 m. at 7.45 a.m.- L .. J.K.) WRUA is heard from 11 p .m. and signal is fair at 12.30 a.m. (Matthe>rn) . KES-3, 'Frisco, 10.62 me., 28.25 m. Opens at 4 p.m. (Cushen) . Carries same programme as KGEI till closing at 9.15 p.m.-L.J.K.)

kWi:X, ;Frisco, 9.57 rric., 31.35 m. Good at 4 and 11 p.m. (Cushen). KGEI, 'Frisco, 7.25 me., 41.38 m.: Appears to be spoilt around late afternoon by the new BBC transmitter, GWI, on exactly the same frequency. GWI is directed to Europe and is on till about 8 p.m.-L.J.K. WKTM, New York, 6.38 me., 47.01 m.: Good at 6 p.m. (Cushen). WGEO, Schenectady, 6.18 me., 48.47 m.: Signs off at 6.15 p.m. (Cushen). WCBX, New York, 6.17 me., 48.62 m.: Good when signing at 6 p.m. (Cushen). THE EAST China XGOY, Chungking, 6.13 me., 48.92 m.: Good signal when giving overseas programme at 4.45 a.m. (Cushen). XGOY has been heard on 15.20 me., 19.73 m., testing for an American channel between 6 and 8 p.m. for a week. Signal was good, but modulation like that on 25.21 m., very poor.L. J.K. India VUD-, 11.87 m.c., 2.5.27 m.: Heard in French at 9.45 p.m. and News in English at 11 p.m. (Matthews, Nolan). VWY, Kirkee, 17.94 me., 16.72 m.: Heard at 10.30 p.m. calling the BBC. (Matthews). VWY, Kirkee, 9.045 me., 33.16 m.: Reported in "The Broadcaster" as a new station heard around 9 a.m. (That would be 6 a.m. in W.A., I doubt if 33.16 would be audible here at 9 a.m. -L.J.K. Great Britain 13 metre band. A letter from my friend, Ted Whiting, who conducts the Short Wave pages of "Radios and Hobbies, tells me he heard 3 transmitters on this band on December 13, and believed two of them to be BBC outlets. I have not caught any yet, and am afraid the band, like my Christmas Bush, is a little slow in colouring up. GSF, 15.14 me., 19.82 m.: Heard in General Overseas Service at 10.30 p.m. (Matthews). (They open at 10 p.m. for Near and Middle East and East Africa.-L.J.K.) GWC, 15.07 me., 19.91 m.: All evening is the tops (Matthews). GVX, 11.93 me., 25.15 m.: Good at 9.25 p.m. (Nolan). GWH, 11.80 me., Heard at 9 p.m. in European Service (Cushen). Excellent at 9.45 in English -L.J.K.). GVZ, 9.64 me., 31.12 m .. Great signals at 1 a.m. (Matthews). GWU, 9.62 me., 31.17 m.: English at 2 a.m. (Matthews). GWJ, 9.53 me., 31.48 m.: English at 2 a.m. (Matthews). GSW, 7.23 me., 41.49 m.: Home news at 4 a.m. (Cushen). GWI, 7.25 me., 41.38 m.: The blighter that puts KGEI out of step from 4 till 8.15 p.m.-L.J.K. GSU, 7.26 me., '41.32 m.: Used in Pacific service from 4.45 till 7.15 p.m. Page 22 -L.J.K. GRM, 7.12 me., 42.13 m.: Same remarks as GSU. GWF, 9.49 me., 31.61 m.: Excellent in News for Clandestine Press at 9.45 p.m.-L.J.K. GRU, 9.45 me., 31.75 m.: Great signal at 1 a.m. in G.O.S. (Matthews). U.S.S.R. -, Moscow, 15.22 me., 19.7. Very good when closing at 2.30 p .m. (Cushen). - , Moscow, 8.94 me., 33.54 m.: This new Russian heard at 10.20 p.m. Nice, clear and loud signal (Cushen). MISCELLANEOUS Iran -, 8.11 me., 36.99 m.: Heard around 4 a.m. in French. (Matthews). Switzerland The Swiss broadcasts on 6.34 me., 47.28 m., can be heard at very good strength at 6 a.m. (Cushen). (Now only a fair signal at 6.30 and almost impossible to hear the news at 7.53- L.J.K.). Sweden SBO, Stockholm, 6.06 me., 49.46 m. : Good at 8 a.m. (Matthews, Nolan). Turkey TAQ, Ankara, 15.195 me., 19.75 m.: Splendid in Turkish at 1.1 p.m. (Nolan). Very good when closing at 11.15 p.m. (Matthews). TAP, Ankara, 9.465 me., 31. 70 m.: Excellent from 2.30 a.m. (Matthews). Madagascar -, Antananarivo, 6.16 me., 48.62 m.: Closes at 3 a.m. (Matthews) . Mexico XEWW, Mexico City, 9.50 me., 31.58 m.: Good signal when opening at 1 a.m. and good also at 10 a.m. (Matthews.) (Has been coming in here well, in the late afternoon, but is fading out now.-L.J.K.)

TOO LATE FOR CLASSIFICATION EQB, Teheran, 6.155 me., 48.74 m. These people advise by letter their schedule is 2.30-7.30 a.m. (Walker, W.A.) RNB, Leopoldville, 9.785 me., 30.66m., open at 2.30 a.m. with programme for South Africa. Definitely the strongest African I have heard (Walker, W.A.) . Great signal around 5 p.m. (Hallett). WRUA, Boston, heard on two new channels, 9.57 closing at 10.30 a.m. on Sundays and on 7.565 opening at 10.45 a.m. (Walker, W.A.). (I have an idea now, correct call of 9.57 me. is WRUS. Announcer the other· morning was very hesitant when giving call-signs, but this is what I took him to mean.L. J .K.) FZI, Brazzaville. Good here on 25.06 m. in transmission to Madagascar in French from 3-4 a.m. (Hallett). Algiers on 31.46 m. may be followed in relay of BBC calling Europe between 1 and 2 a.m. (Hallett). Radio Aigiers heard iiciW ufi i:hrl!e frequencies in the morning: on 6.04 me., 49.67 m. (very good); 8.96 me., 33.48 m. (fair) and 9.54 me., 31.46 m. (good at 5 and until 6.15 a.m. when WGEO blots them out. News in English at 5 a.m. from Algiers and V of A 6 a.m. (Cushen). WCRC, New York, heard on 6.12 me., 49.02 m., till closing at 5.45 p.m. (Cushen). WCBX, New York, good on 6.17 me., 48.62 m.; signs at 5.45 p.m. (Cushen). WLWO, Cincinnati, News in English at 5 a.m. on 17.80 me., 16.85 m. (Cushen). WLW K, 6.08 me., 49.34 m. Good till closing at 7.30 p.m. (Cushen). KWIX heard now on 11.87 me., 25.27 m. Very good, but interfered with by Delhi on same frequency from 8.45 p.m. (Walker, Cushen). WRUA, Boston. Good on 26.92 m. in the morning, heard also at 10 p.m. .(.C.u..s.h.e.n.).. .

Dcihi on 11.87 me spoilt at 8.45 p.m. when giving news by KWIX, but at 11 p .m. reaches RS (Cushen) . Reaches R9 here- L.J.K. XGOX, Chungking, 15.20 me., 19.73 m. Heard from 12.30-1.30 p.m. in programme to America. Announces, "This is the Chinese International Broadcasting Station XGOX, Chung- king."-L.J.K.

SBP, Motala, 11.705 me., 25.63 m. Opens at 10 p.m.- goo<l signal- L.J.K. AFHQ, Algiers, 11.883 me., 25.24 m. Mr. ·walker of vV.A. says, "vVhen closing on 49 .. 67 m. at 10 a .m. announce "they will be back at 10.00 GMT (9 p .rn. Syd.) on 25.2 m." KWV, 'Frisco, 10.8 me., 27.68 m. the

8-10 p.m. sched. is for Latin America· (Cushen). HCJB, Quito, 12.45 me., 24.11 m. and 9.958 me., 30.12rn. Both open at 11 p.m.-L.J.K. CS"W-7, Lisbon, 9.735 me., 30.82 m.: Have not heard in the morning for some time, but CSW-6, 27.17 m. was audible at 7.36 a.m. on Sunday, December 19.- L.J.K.