History of wireless telegraphy and broadcasting in Australia/Topical/Publications/Australasian Radio World/Issues/1947 03

P.01 - Front Cover
The Australasian Radio World

Registered at the G.P.O., Sydney, for transmission by post as a periodical.

1/-

Vol. 11 - No. 10; March 15, 1947

P.03 - Contents Banner
THE AUSTRALASIAN RADIO WORLD

Devoted entirely to Technical Radio

and incorporating

ALL-WAVE ALL-WORLD DX NEWS

VOL. 11. - MARCH, 1947. - No. 10.

P.03 - Publication Notes
Editor, Publisher, Proprietor — A. G. HULL, Balcombe St., Mornington, Vic.

Short-wave Editor — L. J. KEAST, 6 Fitzgerald Road, Ermington, N.S.W. 'Phone: WL1101

Ham Notes By — D. B. KNOCK (VK2NO), 43 Yanko Av., Waverley, N.S.W.

Advertising Representative for Vic. — W. J. LEWIS, 20 Queen St., Melbourne, 'Phone MU5154

Advertising Representative for N.S.W. - Amalgamated Publications Pty. Ltd., 83 Pitt St., Sydney, Phone: B1077

Subscription Rates: 6 issues - 5/3; 12 issues - 10/6; 24 issues - £1; Post free to any address in the world.

Address for all correspondence - Australasian Radio World, Balcombe St., Mornington, Victoria

Printed by Bridge Printery Pty. Ltd., 117 Reservoir Street, Sydney, N.S.W., for the proprietor of the "Australasian Radio World," Balcombe St., Mornington, Vic. (Footnote P.44)

P.03 - Contents
CONTENTS

TECHNICAL —

Another Type of Beam Array. . . . 5

Electric-Acoustic Coupling. . . . 7

Quick Systematic Testing. . . . 13

Sensitive Four-Valve Circuit. . . . 17

Radio Frequency Chokes. . . . 27

The Truth About Television. . . . 30

SHORTWAVE REVIEW —

Notes from My Diary. . . . 38

THE SERVICE PAGES —

Answers. . . . 42

P.03 - Guest Editorial
Guest Editorial

The amateur radio world now knows of the achievement of "QST's" VHF Editor, Ed Tilton, W 1HDQ, in getting his 50 Mc/s signals across the Atlantic to G6DH and G5BY last November, and of the excitement at the British end. It fits in nicely with two things; firstly, that at the time it happened, the ARRL, through the radio amateur's "Bible" QST, was celebrating that eventful period 25 years ago, when Paul Godley went to Scotland and heard the first American amateur signals to cross the Atlantic. Godley camped in a tent on a Scottish moore. He heard one or two spark stations and quite a few C.W. British amateurs, working at home locations, burned the midnight oil in the dreary winter nights and they also heard the American signals. It was an exciting period, and one which I, as an active amateur then in England, still picture with vivid detail. Now, 25 years afterward, the Atlantic is again crossed in pioneer fashion, at frequencies very different from those of more than two decades back. The second point that fits in nicely is the location from which W1HDQ did the trick. This QTH is famous as being the spot where the late Ross A. Hull pioneered "Five meter" work in the 1930’s. One can't help feeling that at the Selden Hill location from which W1HDQ at last crossed the Atlantic on "Six," the spirit of "R.A.H." is strongly in evidence. Ponder this over. . . at the time W1HDQ was heard by the G's, there were many American stations on the band trying hard to get across. But Ed Tilton's signal was the one and only one heard, and it held for an hour. Selden Hill is a pip of a VHF location, but is it only a coincidence that no other W's were heard? Maybe. . . but I like to think otherwise.— D.B.K.

P.06 - Technical - F.M. Tests Started in Melbourne
F.M. Tests Started in Melbourne

The Postmaster-General’s Department has begun experiments in frequency modulation from its giant tower at Jolimont, near M elbourne. "Spot readings” to test the field strength of signals in several suburbs, have been successful. A complete survey of the metropolitan area w ill now be made to check official calculations that frequency modulation signals should be received satisfactorily in all districts. Tests are expected to begin in Sydney soon on the recommendation of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Broadcasting that FM experiments be conducted in all States. It is expected to be several weeks before experiments have reached the stage where regular programmes of music and talks w ill be transmitted from Jolimont. A m a t e u r s L is t e n It was stated that some radio amateurs and members of the wireless trade might have built their own FM sets and be listening in to the experiments. For the information of those who wish to build F.M. sets with which to listen to the experimental transmissions, the following data has been supplied: 1. Operating frequency, 91.1 mega-cycles. 2. Audio band width, transmitted 30 c.p.s. to 1500 c.p.s. 3. Pre-emphasis, 75 micro seconds. 4. Deviation, plus or minus 75 kilocycles. Power of transmitter, 2 kilowatts.

P.18 - Shortwave Review - Some Facts about Station CMQ, Havana
SOME FACTS ABOUT STATION CMQ, HAVANA T ranslated from " Radio-G uia” by V. L. Shillcock (V K 2V S ) U NTIL recently the maximum power reached by any station in Cuba was 2,500 watts, ■which was at one time the aerial power o f station CMQ, operating on 880 Kc and located in Havana. The installation of a 25 K w transmitter represented a definite step forward, for with this power an excellent service to all parts o f the republic was assured. It w ill be appreciated that the overcoming of all technical difficulties associated with such a vast project was no small task and due credit must be given to all those responsible for its practical realisation. Among the principal features is the system o f high-level modulation using water-cooled tubes in a class B amplifier. The filaments o f these tubes are operated from a bi-phase

A.C. supply, the d.c. plate potential is 12,500 volts, and the modulation transformer itself is rated at 25,000 watts and capable o f reducing all frequencies between 30 and 12,000 cycles. Incidentally, this transformer weighs more than 5 tons and is 7 feet high! High efficiency in the final r.f. power amplifier is obtained by operating the fdur water-cooled valves in push pull under class C conditions. The tank condensers are submerged in oil and have mica dielectric. Harmonic suppressors are used both in the aerial transmission line and aerial coupling unit. The antenna is a vertical type, which has been found to eliminate all fading o f CMQ’s signals and furthermore increases the radiation

efficiency. The mast is a galvanised steel structure 95 metres high, well anchored as a precaution against cyclones. It is equipped with 'a red beacon light at the top to serve as a warning to aircraft, and floodlit by mercury vapor lights which lend a fantastic and ethereal appearance to the whole structure. The transmitter is housed in a specially constructed building equipped with a means of alarm and protection. A system o f forced air cooling circulates air in the building and in the steel cabinets and provides adequate cooling for the high-power rectifier tubes. "Safety first” is a motto which has been well borne out in practice, and hence we find ample protection against shock fo r the operating personnel. A ll transformers and other places where there are voltages in excess of 110 are protected by earthed metal screens, the doors o f which are equipped with safety switches which automatically turn off all high tension when these doors are opened. A special water-cooling system cools at the rate of 20 gallons o f water per minute and dissipates something like 30 K w o f heat. The water for cooling purpos.es is distilled, and in order to avoid any chemical change all pipes and tanks carrying this water are of bronge. Each valve is equipped with its own meter, indicating the amount of water which circulates, a thermometer for checking the temperature, and an electricallyoperated thermostat. To conclude, here are some figures on the power consumption: Total consumption of power per hour: 87 Kw. Input power to final amplifier: 38 Kw. Loss o f heat communicated to cooling water: 26 Kw. Power required to heat filaments alone of water-cooled tubes: 8.5 Kw. Number of water-cooled tubes: 6.

P.38 - Shortwave Review - Notes from My Diary
Shortwave Review conducted by L. J. Keast

Notes from My Diary.

Television Regarding my reference to the Television Set in Sydney. . . see January issue. . . Mr. A. R. McRitchie (AW550DX) from Whyalla, South Australia, writes: "Reading your diary in A.R.W. of January, I noticed reference to 'The first Television RX set in Australia.' I again don't wish to be catty, but during 1938 whilst I was working in Melbourne (I am a native of Melbourne) I happened to call in to see a friend of mine in The British General Electric Co., Bourke Street, Melbourne, and during my visit I noticed they had on display in their Radio Department a mantle and a large console Television receiver which I believe they had specially shipped over from their main office in London just for the purpose of display. I suppose you will receive a few other letters similar to this but I just thought you may be interested." Byrd Antarctic Expedition On board the Mt. Olympus, with a call-sign NAVE, this expedition contacts Press Wireless and RCA, New York, on 17.84mc, 1 6.82m, and have been heard at 9.30 a.m. Several other frequencies have been allotted as follows: 20.40mc, 17.82mc, 15.96mc, 15.93mc, 12.26 me, 12.24mc, 9.67mc and 9.28mc, and the varied list should permit of transmissions at any time, so should you pick up NAVE, send your report to Radio-Television Section, Office of Public Information, Navy Department, Washington 25, D.C., U.S.A. The Navy Department states reports must NOT be sent to the Mt. Olympus and that verification w ill take from 5 to 6 months. W W V, N a t io n a l B u r e a u o f St an d a r d s This station situated in Washington, D.C., U.S.A., is now on 8 outlets with frequency checks. The complete list is: 2500, 500, 10,000, 15,000, 20,000, 25,000, 30,000 and 35,000 kc. At present W W V is heard well at 10 p.m. on the first 5 outlets. DX listeners may like to correspond with International Short Wave Club, Adams Gardens Estate, London, S.E. 16, but if you desire a reply it w ill be necessary to enclose an Empire Coupon procurable at the G.P.O .). They publish a monthly News Letter devoted entirely to Shbrt-waves and is quite good. The subscription to the Club is 4/- per year. (To this, o f course, exchange will have to be added.) Pitcairn Island Listeners might keep a watch for this station, the call-sign of which is V R 6A Y and it will most likely be heard on the 20-metre band. The owner is Andrew Young, who operated this station before the war. (I am proud of a verification card from Mr. Young.) During the war the call-sign was Z K G and it was conducted by a New Zealander, Nelson Dyett, and used as a weather reporting station. Rad io A u st r a l ia H ere are a fe w in teresting item s about "Radio Australia." Inaugural transmission, December 20th, 1939, directed to British Isles. Transmits in six languages: English, Dutch, French, Siamese, Chinese, Malay. Also in Japanese until September, 1946. Is on the air 20 hours a day, seven days a week. Puts out 24 different programmes a day, including 23 news bulletins. Played leading part in Allied psychological campaign in Pacific and Asia during the war. Its policy is to tell the world about the Australian way of life in the city and country, and programmes of news, music, sport, literature, agriculture and finance are directed to that end. Shepparton transmitters, among the most modern and powerful in the world, occupy a site of 567 acres and cost £A546,000. There are 19 multi-element directional aerial arrays. The above particulars have been taken from a pamphlet received from the Department of Information. It is most gratifying that these stations are doing such a fine job, as I recall way back in 1939 there was talk that they would be "jammed” . . . Germany would blot them out, but I would never subscribe to that thought and said as much when I was writing for Sm ith’s W eekly (vide January 6th, ’4 0 ). H e l p W a n t e d Two mysteries from Rex Gillett: "On about 6.08mc, 49.34m ., I have been hearing a station using French language and playing native music from about 11.3 0 p.m. A t 12.30 a.m. a clock chimes about 5 times. Latest American information says Radio Azarbaijan opens at M/N with chimes and clock striking on 6087 or 6090kc. I could not make my frequency any different and am wondering if I am hearing the same station. Interference from SEAC is rather severe.” The other is French, announcing: "Ici Radio ---? Seems to open at 10 p.m. and closes at 11.3 0 p.m. with a march on about 9.87 me. Signals have been quite good but just cannot get that last word, which is only a short one.” Verifications. Rex Gillett, of Prospect, South Australia, writes: "Was thrilled to get a nice but plain card from ZPA-5, Encarnacion, Paraguay. This brought up my 71st verified country. I am very much afraid the next 30 are going to be tough. Latest veries here are Klofta, on

6 .20mc, Vienna 984m c and 12.21 me, Capetown 9.6lm c; CR7BJ, Lourenco Marques, 9.65mc, and VU D -8 on 13.95mc and 21.50mc. K lofta in their verification said they ceased transmitting on September 1st.” Arthur Cushen, of Invercargill, has also received some nice verifications : O AX4M, Miraflores, Peru, 6.315. (They have now moved to 6.22mc as CE622 has been deleted and replaced by C E 1173.) The address of O AX 4M is: 'Radio Miraflores,’ Jesus Nazareno 113, Of. 213-214, LimaPeru. (I think the slogan o f this station is "La Voz de la Democracia.”— L.J.K.) CSX-2, Ponta Delgada, Azores, 4.04mc; VUM-2, 7.26mc; Singapore, 11.735m c; LKJ, Oslo, 9.54mc; FZK-6, Dakar, 6 .9 1 5mc; and Paris on 11.845 and 9.985mc. My verie from LKJ is the 92nd country I have verified.” (V ery nice work, Arthur.) And Miss Sanderson, of Melbourne, says: "Veries have been coming along very well, and I now have one from Poland which came by air-mail; a Xmas card from the Swedish Broadcasting Co., besides a card and letter from SDB-2, and a letter from Nairobi for reporting VLQLO on 62 metres back in September.” SAYS WHO? An air-mail letter from Charles -C. Norton, Editor, "Universalite,” states all shortwave notes are to be sent to the new URDXC SW Editor, Lee Neidow, Jr., 16 11 Grace Street, Chicago 13, Illinois. No reference to what has happened to Bill Howe or why the change. I am sure we all hope he is O.K. . . . he has done a wonderful job over the many years.— L.J.K. Miss Sanderson, of Malvern, Victoria, says: “Conditions have been fair and I have heard several stations that are new to me, although they may have been heard by other reporters. ZBW, Hongkong, 6.5 2mc, 31.49m , is heard at 8.30 p.m. in a programme of music for the Services, then a relay of BBC news is taken with commentary. Another 15 minutes o f music and then a programme of news for Chinese listeners. "NAVE (the station which is broadcasting from the Antarctic) was heard at 9.15 p.m. on a frequency o f 17.90m c or wavelength o f 16.75m. This station was calling New York with despatches. "Two stations in Munich are heard with good signals in the 49 and 41 metre bands on frequencies of 6.10mc and 7.29mc. These are heard in music and news in German, French and English at 6.30 a.m. and 7.15. "Macassar is on another frequency with quite good signal on 24.35m or 12.32mc. Another station, this time in Haiti, is to be heard opening at 9.35 p.m. with news in French and a musical programme. I rate the signal at R9 Q 4 ” Rex Gillett writes: Here are a 'fe w D X .tips: Radio Noumea is now on 6.l6m c, 48.70m, signing off at 8 p.m. with 'Marseillaise.’ "Radio Brazzaville is now being heard with News in English at 6.45 a.m. on about 7.00mc, 42.86 m, in relay with other outlets. "Radio Paris on 7.24mc, 4l.44m seemed to sign off at 8.15 a.m. following programmes in various languages. W as clear o f VLQ. "Radio Tananarive has been particularly fine on 9.69mc, 30.95m, in relay with 6.065mc, 49.46m outlet. Station identification was clearly given in French. The latter channel was nearly as good. " 'You are listening to Bombay’ identifies VUB-2 on 3.365mc, 89.15m, at 3 a.m., during a programme of dance music. Scheduled closing time is 3.30. "Radio Moscow has news in English at 9 p.m. on two 31-metre channels, these being 9.565mc, 31.37m, and 9.545mc, 31.43m . A ( ? ) new frequency is 6.112m c, 49.08m , both in the a.m. and p.m.

English is concluded at 11.13 p.m. .. . Foreign language commences at 11.15. Two other Moscow outlets heard at 7 a.m. are 6.l4m c, 48.86m, and 6.13mc, 48.94m. Yet another at the same time heard through the interference o f Luxembourg, I presume, was 6.09mc, 49.26m. Moscow was identified on about 9.80mc, 30.6lm at 6.15 a.m. with a Danish-type programme.” Mr. R. I. Henry, of New Farm, Queensland, writes: "I don’t know whether you people are interested or not but recently I noticed when listening to W W V on lOmc that they are broadcasting on 8 frequencies in all. I first heard the announcement o f the additional frequencies when listening-in during a holiday in Victoria.” (Yes, Mr. Henry, we are always pleased to get notes about any alterations. Had your letter been addressed to Ermington, N .S.W ., your memo would have enabled us to show the new frequencies in last issue. However, just before your letter, re-addressed from Mornington, reached me, I had noted the complete list in "Notes From My Diary.”-—L.J.K .) No doubt you get some adverse reports on the production o f A R W and also some good reports. As for me, I consider it the best periodical of its kind in Australia. I particularly like Don Knock’s "Calling CQ ” each month and the titbits about amateur radio. I am not a licensed Ham but am doing a bit o f swatting on theory and a fair bit of practice on the code, so I don’t think it w ill be long before I ana on the air. W ishing your paper the very best.” (Thank you, Mr. Henry, and I trust it w ill not be long before you have your licence. - L .J .K .) Mr. H. A. Callander, o f Richmond, Victoria, writes that he has added two more receivers to his shack, this time an Hallicrafters S27 Ultra High Frequency Communications receiver— tunes from 27mc to l45m c on three bands and uses AM and FM— and a 32-valve Scott, which incorporates the latest oscilloscope tuning. Just to make sure the S27 would "woik” he purchased a portable Ultra High Frequency antenna of American make which has three sets o f interchangeable elements for coverage of ranges from 2\ to 11 metres. As can be imagined, Mr. Callander has made some excellent loggings but, as they are mostly on 10 and 20 metres, I have handed them over to Don Knock. After talking to him about Mr. Callander's luck, in picking up such fine receivers, Don told me o f a beauty he was using, so with tears in my eyes, I hiked back to Ermington, swearing I would read the Radio Sets and Accessories column before I considered the Parliamentary report. Sc * * Arthur Cushen, from Invercargill, N.Z., says: "HH3W, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, using 500 watts, now verifying by letter in English. Has English identification at 10 p.m. . . . opens at 9.30. It is news indeed to get a verification from here, as they have religiously refrained from verifying for many years. "WLKS, Kure, Japan, has good signals to 7 p.m. .. . mainly relays 'Radio Australia’ sports programmes. The New Zealand Expeditionary Forces in Japan are to operate WLKW on l470kc broadcast band with 500 watts and a shortwave outlet. Information on the latter has not been released yet. "XNCR, Yunan, China, is active on 7.58mc . . . call is heard at 9.15 p.m. "PLY, Java, 10.06mc, has news in English and commentary at 9 p.m.; chimes at 9.30. Roy Hallett, of Enfield, writes: "PCJ is using their rotating aerial on 3 1-metre transmissions, but

other bands use another aerial system. "Radio SEAC has technical talk around 11.15 p.m. on Sundays on their 25-metre outlet. Session commences around 11.15 or so, maybe at late as 11.25. "A reply to a report I sent to the BBG after some sunspot activity not so long back, was, through a slip, sent to L. Hallett, 200 Baker Street, Enfield, Middlesex, England. (Roy Hallett's address is 36 Baker Street, Enfield, N .S.W .)

My namesake opened the letter when it arrived, and upon discovering the slip very kindly sent the letter over here, accompanied by a short note explaining the situation and requesting information about our Enfield. "And in conclusion, perhaps your readers would be pleased to know VK3WI on 40 metres at 10.30 a.m. on Sundays and at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesdays gives slow morse transmissions which should help beginners.”

P.41 - Shortwave Review - New Stations
---, Munich, 9.54mc, 31.42m : "Voice o f the United States of America” is now being heard on this additional outlet and at 1 a.m. News in English is heard, whilst at 4.45 a.m. "Cross-section” is given. This station is also heard at the same time on 6.10, 6 .17 and 7.29mc. I have to thank Arthur Cushen for above information. X R A Y, Peiping, 8.89mc, 33.74 m: And Arthur also advises this new AFRS station. He says they are heard best on Tuesdays with request session fo r Forces at 8 p.m. but there is plenty o f Morse interference. ---, Munich, 6.17m c: The wavelength, due to a typographical error, was shown in last issue as 38.62m. This, course, should read 48.62m. W a t c h F o r T h is S p e c ia l B r o a d c a st Date: Sunday, March 16. Time: 8.15-8.45 p.m. Station: Radio Saigon, on 11.78 me, 25.47m, and 4.81m c, 62.37m. The above special broadcast has been arranged by Ken Boord, Shortwave Editor of Radio N ews. A talk, followed by Oriental and other music, will occupy the 30 minutes and correct reports w ill be verified from Saigon. (A s I have mentioned in these columns before, my first verification was from Radio Saigon away back in ’27.— L.J.K .) Reports should be addressed to: M. Pipon, English Dept., Radio Saigon, 198 Rue Chasseloup My namesake opened the letter when it arrived, and upon discovering the slip very kindly sent the letter over here, accompanied by a short note explaining the situation and requesting information about our Enfield. "And in conclusion, perhaps your readers would be pleased to know V K 3W I on 40 metres at 10.30 a.m. on Sundays and at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesdays gives slow morse transmissions which should help beginners.” Laubat, Saigon, French Indo-China (Indochine). Do NOT send return postage, as IRC’s are not negotiable now in French Indo-China. Radio Noumea: 6.l6m c, 48.70 m: This New Caledonian station has moved from 6.208mc and is still announcing as "The Voice of France in the Pacific” ; is on the air from 5.30-8 p.m. VQ7LO, Nairobi, 4.855mc, 6 l.4 lm : Ray Simpson tells me he has been hearing this Kenya Colony station on this new frequency around 5 a.m. (This is the spot allotted to Pietermaritzburg, Northern Rhodesia, and transmitter was to have 500 watts, but VQ7LO has 1,500.— L.J.K. ) Miss Sanderson says she has been hearing a station which gives its locality as Nanking and is an AFRS station with a very good variety programme. As far as I can calculate, it is somewhere in 26-metre band and is heard at 9.45 p.m. Its call-sign sounds like X M AG. (This is the call-sign for Nanking on 7.34mc, 40.87m, and relays AFRS at 2 a.m., according to an air-mail letter from Ken Boord. It looks as though Miss Sanderson has picked up a new frequency for Nanking. They have something like 25 or 30 allotted frequencies but the calls have the prefix X G .— L.J.K.) And from Ken Boord, Chicago, also comes this: ETA A is call fo r Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 15.074m c. Turkey will have lOOkw. power on a new transmitter now being built. Bryan Hayes, BBC representative, who has been acknowledging correct reports on BBC transmissions, has ceased verifying. C h a n g e s I n C a n a d ia n B r o a d c a s t s CKNC, 17.82mc, 16.84m : M/N6 a.m. (from 10 p.m. Sundays). CKCX, 15.19m c, 19.75m : M/N3 a.m. (from 10 p.m. Sundays). CKCS, 15.32mc, 19.58m : 3.05- 7.30 a.m. CHOL, 11.72m c, 25.60m : 6.15- 9.05 a.m. CKLO, 9.63mc, 31.15m : 7.45- 9.05 a.m. The Latin-American Service now on CKCS-CKRA. Station CKRZ has been withdrawn. PCJ, HILVERSUM, HOLLAND Transmission Schedule As at January, 1947, o f the "Happy Station” programmes produced and presented by Edward Startz: S u n d a y 15.22mc, 19.71m ; U.73m c, 25.57m ; 6.02mc, 49.79m : 15.30- 17.00« GMT, East and Near East. 1.30 a.m. to 3.00 a.m., Sydney time. 11.73m c, 25.57m ; 9.59-mc, 31.28 m; 6.02mc, 49.79m : 21.00-23.30 GMT, Africa and Mediterranean. 7.00 a.m, to 8.30 a.m., Sydney time. 11.73m c, 25.57m ; 9.59mc, 31.28 m; 6.02mc, 49.79m : 0230-0400 GMT, America (Mond. morning). 12.30 to 2 p.m., Sydney time. T u e sd a y 11.73m c, 25.57m ; 9.59mc, 31.28 m; 6.02mc, 49.79m : 08.00-09.30 GMT, Pacific and Australasia. 6.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m., Sydney time. W e d n e sd a y 15.22mc, 19.71m : 11.73m c, 25.57m ; 6.02mc, 49.79m : 15.30- 17.00 GMT, East and Near East. 1.30 a.m. to 3.00 a.m., Sydney time. 11.73m c, 25.57m ; 9.59mc, 31.28 m; 6.02mc, 49.79m : 21.00-22.30 GMT, Africa and Mediterranean. 7.00 a.m. to 8.30 a.m., Sydney time. 11.73m c, 25.57m ; 9.59mc, 31.28 m; 6.02mc, 49.79m : 02.30-04.00 GMT, America. 12.30-2 p.m.; Sydney time.