Five point relay contest VK7CH
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: November sk 933 AUSTRALIAN RADIO NEWS
(AMATEURS.)
ZERO BEAT
General Secretary, J. G. MYERS, Club Rooms :
128 Wycombe Road, Neutral Bay. Gregson Studic;s, 38 Sydney Arcade (lst Floor).
‘Phone: X3327. George and King Streets.
CLUB NOTES. bath up there, were out of order under the what about a few snaps, also the card yo=
rules and regulations applying to amateur trans- - prc\)]mised VK2Z-1?
Morse Practice Transmissions. missions on the broadcast band. To bring K2Z-50 has heard the following: VK'S
VK2ZB——7.30 to 8.30 p.m. Tuesdays and VK2GL into line with the other amateur stations 2MY, 20Z, 2VG, 20H, 2AH, 2DM. 31U
operating on this waveband, the decree has gone 3FR, 3FK, 4UU, 5GW, 5XQ, 5LG, TJW, TPN:
: Fridays. forth that such transmissions during the day ZL's 1GO, 3FK, 1GL, 1DE, 3GM. 3AR-
VK2ZB—7.30 to 8.30 p.m. General must be discontinued. W’s 6AXT, 9AAL, 9AJP, 9BIB. SUSA.
3 Monthly Meeting Night. Much indignation has been aroused in the VK2Z-23 has logged the followmg: VES
Richmond River district by this edict, and many 270, 2FQ, 21Z, 2AV, 2ZM, 23C, TDR, X
e YK2D£—2.30 to 3.30 p.m. Saturdays. meetings of protest have been held to voice 20D, 2AK, 4RV, 2E1. 2BY, ING A——
the ;L’K, I’E‘\_'i_ Z(‘)IZ‘} 2HM. 2DL, IVG.fl SK. 2D
235%hrs., 20/10/°33, and 40mx s compara- the listeners’ views on the subject, but s
f
tively quiet, with the usual Japs, Yanks, New people concerned may rest as that
Zcalanders, KA’s, PK’s coming in at about RS powers controlling radio do not do these things 2QT, 2XO0. zm:ndzul, 2U0, fig', B,
for fun, spite, or any other whim. We under- and ZL's 1BQ
and a few VK’s, but weak. VK2PW has a good ‘phonesig oa 4mx
stand that in the very near future the Govern-
0001hrs., 21/10/°33, and the quiet is gone, for ment is going ahead with a further large pro- Reports by club members give him R7-5,
the five-point relay has commenced. Out of the gramme in “A” class and relay stations, also QSAS, with FB ‘phone around the
void spring dozens of VK's, mostly going at quite a few new “B™ class licenses have been
the rate of 17-20 w.p.m., and all calling CQ granted. It may seem very hard, which no VKZWH, from Forbes, certainly has some
test. Most of the Hams who are regularly doubt, perhaps, it is, but one feels that the lively times with QRN charging up his aerial
heard are there, the best heard to date being measure is temporary. No matter in what He says that sparks fly all ways at once from
il VK20Z, our choice hopes, 2FQ with a beaut- sphere of life we travel, progress and develop- his aerial switch during the storms.
ful C.C. sig. that would wake the dead, 3RJ, a ment always hurt someone.
most consistent Ham, 4RV, who carried off the Another of our country members, Mr. Stan
wkad honors last year, 7CH also, who was very close White, of Nyngan, is ready to sit for his Zero Beat Radio Club
to the winner, has been heard absolutely burn-
ing up his key and seems to be running up a
large total of points. There are many other Lecture No. 5.
stations we could comment on, but if we did
so we would need about three-quarters of 4 CONDENSERS.
“A.R.N.” for the space. Those who have heard STATIC INDUCTION, ELECTROSTATIC
20Z will surely agree that John has a copper-
plate fist, and most receivers whose receiving When a conductor or plate which has Been
rate may not go above 12 w.p.m. can read electrified or charged is brought nearer another
20Z’s sigs. at about 18 w.p.m. VK2YL, up conductor which has not been electrified,
on the coalfields, romps in down in VIS, with an electric charge will be induced into
a good note, and strength from about R7 to the latter. This is called static induction.
R max, at times. The weather and QRN gods The closer the proximity of the plates to each
especially have not been too kind to the con- other the stronger will be the charge induced
test, as usual, so far. At the commencement into the unelectrified plate; and the greater the
conditions, although not 100 p.c., were such distance between the two, the weaker will be
that traffic could be handled without headaches. the induction. .
This, unfortunately, did not last, as during the
This is the neat little short-wave receiver Let A and B represent the two plates.
week a westerly and southerly disturbance came used by VK2Z-1, Mr. Cambourne, who
A T
along and QRN took control on 80mx and writes the weekly news and notes for
although did not blot sigs. right out, made Z.B.R.C. The receiver uses two-volt valves
QSO’s unpleasant. Thus, 40mx became the and is a detector and one audio type. It
op ~A—Chargedo
LU
second barrel and QRH of most stations. A gives an excellent performance, as may be
few stations were heard on 20mx by the various seen from the lists of overseas stations
recsivars-of theclub, butthis band seems to ___appearing undertheZ.B.R.C. heading.
" be as unreliable as ever.
Of the club’s stations, those who are taking - A.0.P.C. VK2QA, “John,” of Tullamore, for-
r Sleci R "
.B.—Static induction.
part are VK’s 20Z, 2UP, 2CP, 2EL, and we warded the information on a QSL long overdue
wish you gentlemen best 73’s and 100 p.c. to VK2Z-1, for which VK2Z-1 sends his 73’s A has been permanently by touching
QSOs on behall of the club.
and thanks. ~Well, Stan, OM, we sincerely it with an electrified amber The plate B
There is no doubt about these contests as the wish you the best, and hope to hear from you is of the same material as A but uncharged.
average Ham without them would just continue soon?. How about a few photos. from Nyngan The two plates are insulated or protected from
in his own quiet way and the Ham spirit in the way? contact with the ground, so that their charges
matter of inter-State QSOs on sked., etc., - QSLs are to hand, in the club letter rack, for will not be conducted to earth. The plates are
would lag. By taking part in the contest he stations 2ZH, 2DZ. n}ounted on a non-conductive material such as
immediately QSOs men whose callsigns he, per- glass.
haps, has heard or seen, and thus the whole CLUB MEMBERS AND GENERAL NOTES The range of space over which A is capable
Ham fraternity in VK is brought automatically of inducing a charge into B is called the electro-
closer together. This is what is needed badly 2WR and 2BQ, who both work at the Plaza static field.
as the Ham game, especially in VK2 and VK4, Theatre, thought it a good idea to rig up a . If the plates touch, then the permanent charge
has had some viccisitudes of late years. These, shack in the box at the theatre, as their evenings in A flows into B, and the charge on the two
happily, have passed, and indications point to only begin at 11 p.m., after the show is over, plates is equalised.
a greater and closer harmony than before, which and they could do some experimenting on the . Tt was stated that the strength of the charge
we sincerely hope will continue. broadcast band together. The rig used was induced by an electrified conductor in another
Word has been received that VK2GL, the 2WR’s and is a three-stage Xtal job. For conductor depends upon the distance between
Richmond River Listeners’ League, has been various reasons 2WR and 2BQ had to QRT the two plates. The strength of the charge also
notified from Melbourne to discontinue their Sun- from this QRA, and are now on the BC band depends upon the nature of the substance
day morning and afternoon transmissions. These from their own QRAs. Transmissions were between the two bodies, which must be a non-
transmissions, of course, were totally amateur highly successful, and both Fred and Allan conductor.
and were for the benefit of the listeners around would like to hear from listeners who may DIELECTRICS.
the Richmond River district, as during the times have heard them. The aerial used was a depar- The medium between the plates is known as
of transmission no stations, “A’ or “B” class, ture from their aerials at home, and reports of a dielectric, and all dielectrics are non-conduc-
of any State were audible there. VK2GL filled a comparative value would be greatly appre- tive substances, that is, insulators.
the breach without QRM’ing any other trans- ciated. These may be sent to their private The facility with which a dielectric allows
mission from “A” or “B” class. The Radio QRA:s. 5 static induction to act through it is called
Department, however, ruled that these pro- Say, 3HF, we haven't heard from you since
grammes, which did much to brighten the Sab- you returned to VIM. How are you doing, and (Continued on next page.)
58 AUSTRALIAN RADIO NEWS November 3, 1933
AVE NOTES
EARLY EVENING SEARCH REVEALS that although only 30 messages were allowed contests. 2ZU’s 'phone sounds very fine, but
no limit was placed on the number of messages spreads a good deal. Sorry, I haven't any dope
MANY STATIONS to be sent to the one station on the same about the local gang at the moment, but as
On Saturday evening, October 28, a friend, day! For instance, if every station was allowed soon as this test finishes I'll do some detective
keenly interested in radio, dropped in to hear to originate five messages on contacting each work and find out what’s doing. See you all
my mnew short-wave set. Fortunately, it was a station, the test would run its full course. That again next week. Cheerio.
clear evening, there hardly being a trace of any is not more than five messages to the one e
interference, so I began to examine the 75-80 station on the same day. I believe the purpose
of the test is to foster traffic handling, and to This week our office has been favored by an
metre amateur band, doubting if there would unexpected visit from Matt O'Brien, VK4MM
be much else on, it being carly in the evening. find out who operates his station to the best
advantage. Here are a few points regarding and W. S. Argaet, VK4KH. The two of them
This proved very successtul, as the first station came down by car from Queensland, carrying
we heard was a New Zealander—and later we the test. (1) The messages run out after the
picked up four more from New Zealand, three first few days. (2) Most statigns refuse to a portable transmitter and receiver and using
from America, two from South Australia, one give many messages unless you have the same the call XVK4MM. Matt is most indignant.
from Victoria, one from Queensland and a number. (3) Some stations agree to keep their Not a single QSO resulted all the way down,
Jarge number from New South Wales. messages for their friends only, although quite and the transmitting equipment was O.K.
After spending an hour on this band, my willing to 7ake messages from those outside the and radiated perfectly. Every call on the
friend asked to hear some of the overseas charmed circle. I must say, however, that 7me. band elicited complete silence, and after
stations, so we tuned to J1AA, Japan, 30 whilst it lasts, it is very interesting, but after ,cxamining the transmitter, we am..nuh.f_umggon
metres, which was coming in at fair strength that it is just a matter of “QRU ur State, that probably the relay contest has somethi,
with the usual one string violin type of music. QSK,” which, to say the least, does not put to do with it. Therein arises a point. G~
We then picked up several ’phone stations, all one in the right frame of mind to write cheer- what use would it be to anybody carrying &
below the 25-metre band, but were unable to ful notes! portable station, and being in distress anywhere,:
identify any of them, being in foreign language. The conditions on 40 metres have been if SOS calls 'on the amateur bands were fruit- _ —-
At 10 p.m. the Empire Station, GSE, on 25.28 very good, but the QRM has been any- less? There is too much of this business of
metres was heard, This station is now one of thing but good. After listening to the conges- looking over only the powerfully audible signal.
the best on the air, being at excellent strength, tion on 40 and then to the vast wilderness above If you hear a weak [.C.W. sig. it may be a
and continued until 11.45, when that station and below the band and the death-like silence portable outfit with a Ford coil on the job, and
closed, and the programme was resumed from broken here and there by a few V’s and an it may be anybody, anywhere, wanting help of
GSF, on 192 metres, and GSD, on 25.53 occasional power leak—well! 4RV is. doing some kind.” What is this thing that is lacking
metres, the news service being given at midnight, well in the test with his crystal signals. 3KO is in VK Ham radio?
At 11 p.m. we heard FYA, Paris, on 19.68
metres. This station is now word perfect, being
equal to the Empire Station, but rather more
deeply modulated. We heard the English news.
service from FYA at 11.45 to 12 p.m. About
this hour we picked up another station on the
25-metre band, and, although the music was
very loud, announcements were very weak.
Most. announcements were made in foreign
language, but were occasionally repeated in
English—one announcement stated that the
wavelength was 25.37 metres. On going through
my list of stations, the only one I can find
near this wavelength was K1XR, Manila, which
is 25.38 metres.
Towards 12.30 we picked up REN, Moscow,
on 46.6 metres, at great strength, and we also
picked up PMY, Bandeong, Java, on 58.3
metres, which was coming in much better than
1 have heard it for a long time. They were
broadcasting dance music, which was apparently
from an hotel, and we could occasionally hear
. applause. 3
The only other station heard was on the 49- COUNTRY BROADCASTING STATIONS AND AMATEUR TRANSMITTERS.
metre band, at 9.30, when the station was clos-
ing down. We missed the callsign, but the This illustration practically tells its own story. Here are a few of the Arcturus transmitting
~location was given as Java.— - > valves available from the stock held by New System Telephones Pty., Lid., 276 Castl h-
Taking it all round this was a very good log street, Sydney. They are (o be cleared at Teasannb!r*rm%s%‘ané{"fimm ®
for ohe evening and my friend went away communicate with Mr. Carey, sales m anager, for full particulars and prices.
with his mind fully made up that he would
buy for himself a short-wave receiver. also doingwell with P.D.C. signals. 3RJ is also . “L.T.E.,” of Bombala, who kindly forwarded
On Sunday evening, the Empire Station in the forefront. 3JE and 3HQ, both with mfor.matlon on the ‘“‘mystery station” in a letter
announced that from that date programmes for C.C., should have a good chance. Of the published in “A.R.N.,”” 20/10/'33, p. 43, volun-
the Australasian zone would commence at 7.30 VK’s 20Z, 2FQ, 2DR and 2CP are piling up teers the following further information.
the points. 7CH should pull off the prize for e
a.m. and end at 9.30 English time, which cor- This is the present schedule for RNE, and
responds with 5.30 to 7.30 p.m. Sydney time. Tassy. 5ML is doing good work for his State.
Only VK6 heard here was VK6SA with T9 they stated that the schedule depends entirely
This broadcast has been heard during the last on reports of reception from listeners.
few evenings, and has been excellent from signals, RS. 7CD gets a good steady P.D.C. RNE
signal from his Hartley. 3HO’s C.C. signals are on 25 metres is on the air with an English
GSF and GSE, right up until closing time.
Announcements were made that there would very good, he hadn’t been on for about six session on Sundays from 4 to 5 and 6 to 7
be a special broadcast from GSG, 16.86 metres, weeks and called a test station with dire results! Moscow time, which is 1 to 2 and 3 to 4
and GSE, 25.28 metres, on Tuesday, October 3BQ is doing good work, although his time G.M.T. RWS39 on 50 metres, runs the English
31, from 9.30 to 10 p.m. Sydney time. This seems limited. Some of the men seem to have session on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and
is tobe in the nature of a relay from Palestine, stage fright, for they handled messages Friday, at 9 to 10 G.M.T. PHI is 25.57 and
and it is hoped to be able to report on this at ten words per minute, whereas they go much not 25.2 metres as printed, and their schedule
special broadcast in next week’s notes. On faster than that as a rule. 2DT is active is at present Friday and Monday, 11.30 p.m.
Sunday afternoon it was noticed that FYA, in the test with good signals. 3FJ is also on to 130 SSM.T. On Sundays and Saturdays
Paris, on 25.63 metres, is still putting over the with good sigs. it is 11.30 to 2 a.m. S.M.T. PHI fades a great
English news session from 1.30 to i.45 p.m. The ZL’s are very good at present deal after 1 a.m., and the second broadcast
H.M.S. on both 40 and 80 metres. The DX being from RNE is only about R4, QSA3.
excellent also. The Japs and PK’s come from announcements verbally, [ have
in well any old time, PK3BQ and JIEE being RNE giving morse traffic to RTB and si
WITH THE AMATEUR TRANSMITTERS. well to the fore. All American districts, South plainly RNE *.
America and a few European stations can be * The practice of sending the call-lette
By VK2WO. heard on the evenings. 2RJ has excellent ’phone the station in code should be adopte
What a hectic time! The five-peint relay test on 80 metres and was heard having a three- world over by short-wave broadcasting
went off with a bang, but fizzled out after the way °‘phone QSO with two ZL’s. 2UO, 2ZM a‘nAde;?g]d ensure identification.—7
first few days. The main irouble seems to be and 2HU still keep up their marathon ’phone