Category Archives: History

WIRELESS NEWS.

STATIC ELIMINATION. A NOVEL METHOD.

(specially written for “The Press.”)

(By “Electra.”)

From the Christchurch Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18533, 7 November 1925, Page 6.

One of the greatest problems of present-day radio reception is static, which is sometimes known as atmospherics. Since wireless communication was first put into practice engineers hare striven and tried all possible methods and means to overcome this obstacle.

AMERICA’S CROWDED ETHER

From the Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 86, 12 April 1928, Page 7

America’s chief problem in connection with broadcasting is that their are too many broadcasters. They run into hundreds, and they cause serious interference. In connection with this difficulty it is frequently suggested that the shorter wave-lengths should be used. Those who, having a limited knowledge of the matter, bring this simple solution forward, overlooking a number of facts. One of these is that short waves are not suitable for transmission over short distances. Another “crash” is thus discussed in’ “Radio Broadcast”:

PORTABLE RADIO HOLIDAY SET.

From the Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 3179, 23 December 1927, Page 6.

BROADCAST BAND LOG.

From the New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20938, 30 July 1931, Page 15.

SIXTEEN AMERICAN STATIONS — FOUR-VALVE BATTERY SET USED.

With reference to DX loggings Mr. S. Beard, of 239, Great North Road, Grey Lynn, writes as follows:-

I was particularly interested in the radio notes published on July 16, especially the log submitted by Mr. A. Satchell, of Northcote, which he states was received on an eight-valve set. My aerial is 80ft. in length and 40ft. high. I am using a locally-built four-valve battery set (no screen grid) and my log for four months comprises the following American stations:— “KGO, KFI, KPO, KNX, KFAR, California; WTAM, WLW, Ohio; KMOX, St. Louis, Missouri; WABC, New York City; KVCO, Tulsa, Oklahoma; WHDH, Boston, Massachusetts; WFAA, WOAI, Texas, WENR, Chicago, Illinois; KJR, Seattle, Washington; and KZRM, Manila, Philippine Islands.

D.X. WITH 2-VALVE SET.

From the Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 3222, 25 May 1928, Page 6.

WIRELESS NEWS.

EXAGGERATED DX RECORDS

(By “Electra.”)

From the Christchurch Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18419, 27 June 1925, Page 6

Radio Notes

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LII, Issue 8645, 28 July 1924, Page 2

By Rheostat

A new radio principle has been introduced in the latest American receiving set, known as “Unidyne.” The valves are operated without ‘B’ batteries, or without high tension current of any description. The invention is described as one of the greatest advances in radio matters within recent times.

LONG, HIGH AERIALS.

From the Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 3174, 6 December 1927, page 6

SHORT-WAVE BROADCASTING STATION

From the Christchurch Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22247, 11 November 1937, Page 9

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS.

Sir—The portion of “Listener’s” letter “who listens … entertainment value,” calls for some comment, as it is quite obvious that your correspondent is ignorant of the value of reports sent to radio stations. If his statement that the stations are pestered with useless reports is true, why do the stations request reports from listeners, especially to the extent of broadcasting special programmes after their regular transmitting hours? These programmes are extra expense to the stations and the officials would not waste time and money if reports were useless, and these “Specials” sometimes last two hours.

OVERSEAS APPRECIATION

From the Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 118, 15 November 1934, Page 23

In “Radio News and the Short Wave,” an American publication appeared, in a recent number, a paragraph expressing warm appreciation of the New Zealand DX Radio Association:—

A RADIO NIGHT.

Christchurch Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20663, 28 September 1932, Page 8

ADDRESS ON DISTANCE RECEPTION. The Canterbury Branch of the New Zealand D.X. Club held an informal evening yesterday in connexion with the “Come to Christchurch” Week effort. There was a large attendance of members and the public, testifying to the increasing popularity of long distance broadcast listening.

THE EDITOR’S TRIP TO WELLINGTON

By “NOSEY”

From the September 1939 issue of “TUNE IN”

As the story of the editor’s trip to Wellington may interest “Tune In’s” readers “Nosey” will endeavour to describe it to the best of his ability.

Before going any further, maybe those RA members who have never had the misfortune to meet Alf. Greenway, may like to know what he looks like, so here is a pen picture of him. He is between 20 and 40 years of age, about 5 or 6 feet in height; weighs something between 8 and 12 stone; isn’t a scrap like Clark Gable, and doesn’t wear a hat (he lost it a few years ago in Dunedin, so joined the hatless brigade.) A fuller description and a photograph could probably be seen at any Police Station.

A RADIO WEDDING

From August 1938 issue of

“TUNE IN”

The marriage of Miss Milli-Amp to Mr. Micro Farad is the talk of the Radio World. The bride belongs to the well-known Current family and the groom is also popular. The bride’s father, Mr. A. C. Current, gave his daughter away, and her sister, Miss Uni Current acted in the capacity of bridesmaid. The reception, which was held at the home of the bride’s parents, was very successful. Miss Xmitter gave an exhibition of the “Frequency Creep” and also rendered a song – “Wobulation”. This turn upset things a little and there was a rush to the busbar, where the groom became a fixed condenser. After an overload of juice, his di-electric gave way and he collapsed in a short-circuit. This unfortunate accident was the cause of the reception being damped out. The couple left on a kilocycling Tour and we extend our best wishes to the couple.

SUNSPOT ACTIVITY

From the December 1939 issue of

“TUNE IN”

CHRISTCHURCH DXers. 1932 – 40.

From February 1940 issue of “TUNE IN”

AT the A.G.M. of the Branch, March 1940, Christchurch will celebrate her 8^th birthday. She was the first organised body of DXers in New Zealand, Dunedin being a close second.

The very first meeting of DXers in N.Z. was convened by the writer in conjunction with the Radio Society of Christchurch, on Thursday, Jan 28, 1932. This was the very first attempt to separate DXing from technical radio, and launch it as a specialised hobby. Twelve DXers answered the call, being V. Hogg, E. A. Whitehead, J. Henwood, S. Walton, G. Sadler, Curline, L. J. Marshall, G. Gerkins, R. J. Heese, J. Early, J. C. Stapleton, and “yours truly”. It was quite a successful evening, and led to a further informal meeting in Aril, 1932.

From “TUNE IN” October 1940

(Dedicated to all those brave souls called DXers who keep their lonely vigil in the silent watches of the night)

I gazed at “TUNE IN” with eyes shining bright,

And determined to try that very same night,

To log all the Yanks that “Notnats” reported.

So with ears straining hard the airwaves I courted.

But crackles and bangs were my miserable lot.

At the end of four hours ne’er a station I’d got.

But at last o’er my set came a wonderful change,

From the July 1935 issue of “Tune In”.

A CENTURY OF 100 WATTERS 19/6/35