OVERSEAS APPRECIATION from 1934

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:—

ADDRESS ON DISTANCE RECEPTION from 1932

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

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

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.

A Perception Of Sunspots From 1939

SUNSPOT ACTIVITY

From the December 1939 issue of

TUNE IN”

Christchurch DXers 1932-1940

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 8th 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.

Station “NUTS” Calling

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,

A Century Of 100 Watters

From the July 1935 issue of “Tune In”.

A CENTURY OF 100 WATTERS 19/6/35

Noise – A Problem Even 80 Years Ago

Noise.

Noise. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This interesting article forwarded from Bill Marsh was penned 80 years ago. In all that time, noise from electrical and electronic devices has grown even worse.

 

A Ferrite Shielded Loop – Kiwi Style

fsl3

Bill Marsh has been experimenting with the ferrite sleeved loop design and has come up with a clever design. You can read the full article here.

New Zealand DX Radio Association Historical Information

nzdxra

At the Moeraki 2016 Convention, Andy Gardner brought items from the late Ron Killick’s estate. Amongst the radios etc which were sold for the SDR project, there were some documents of historical value including bound sets of the NZDXRA’s “Tune In” prior to World War II. Bill has painstakingly prepared a membership list and unearthed some gems such as the common use of pseudonyms by members.

The full article can be viewed here.

Moeraki 2016 Discussion & SDRs

Peter-Motts-Delta-Loop

At Moeraki, we discussed the future of the League and of the hobby.

It was unanimously agreed that the NZRDXL is here to stay.

The general decline in opportunities for traditional SWL/SW DXing has
continued since a similar discussion at Mangawhai in 2013. The
major contributing factor is the disappearance of more and more
international broadcasters from shortwave. Whilst this decline creates
opportunities to hear rarer domestic DX usually buried by the
international set, there has been a similar decline in the number of
domestic SW broadcasters too. In Europe even the MW band is emptying out
with stations moving to DAB broadcasting in the VHF range whilst in
some parts of the world FM has been slated to go as well.

Moeraki Convention 2016 Report & Photos

Convention-2016-Group

CONVENTION 2016 REPORT

Another highly successful gathering is over and the consensus of those attending is that the DX League is in good heart, the ‘NZ DX Times’ continues to be valued by members, and there is still some great DX to be heard. BILL MARSH, attending his first club event after an absence of 40 years, said it was as if he’d never been away from the club – the same great connections and comradeship to be had. Members from Australia. North Auckland, Hamilton, Kapiti, Wairarapa, Blenheim, Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin and Southland attended, an estimated 12% of current club membership, along with 6 wives who joined in proceedings and were rewarded with French Cookbooks donated by RFI. The convention was held from 18 to 21 March at Moeraki, a small fishing village 70km north of Dunedin and the main listening and dining venue was an outstanding clifftop home overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The weather was exceptional – fine, warm and calm over the 4 days.

Moeraki Convetion 2016 Invite

rp_350px-Moeraki_bay.JPGPencil in the 18th, 19th and 20th of March 2016 for a convention at the picturesque sea-side village of Moeraki, North Otago. Moeraki is 25 minutes South of Oamaru, 50 minutes North of Dunedin and boasts a tavern and the world renowned  “Fleur’s Place” restaurant right on the harbour. There is a service station, cafe, motel, motor camp, tavern and supermarket at nearby Hampden (5 minutes North).

The 2015-2016 Shortwave Radio Buyer’s Guide

ccrane1Thanks to the SWLing Post, the latest buyers guide can be viewed here. The trend away from conventional knob and button radios to software black boxes continues, and there are hybrids of both to tempt you too.

Whatever Happened To WWBS Macon, Georgia?

wwbs

Image from Rudolf Sonntag’s website

WWBS is just one of many US shortwave broadcasters who have vanished into the ether. Thanks to the Southgate ARC website, here is the story of WWBS.

AWR “Most Unusual DX” Contest

AWR Adventist World Radio AWR Adventist World Radio AWR

The Worlds Most Unusual DX Contest

The time has come, the event you are waiting for has arrived! The new month of October is the official period for our big 2015 Wavescan DX contest. This year, we invite you to participate in “The World’s Most Unusual DX Contest”, and this time you may design your own contest details. Read on for this years requirements.

AWARDS

The awards for the 2015 AWR The Worlds Most Unusual DX Contest will be similar to all previous contests, with the addition of several extra awards.

Barry Williams – A Tribute

barrybow

Barry using a bow and arrow to get an aerial up into a tree at Te Araroa, Dene Lynneberg and Jack Searle look on. Circa mid 70s

Dear DX colleagues,
It is with great sadness that I advise you of the passing of DX League Life Member BARRY WILLIAMS earlier today. Barry had been battling health issues for some time. As a club member for some 65 years, Auckland branch activist and past National President of the DX League, Barry’s contribution to the hobby and club was very significant.

Please post your tributes and memories of Barry on the DX Dialog.
Funeral details will be advised as soon as known.
Bryan

New Zealand Broadcasting History

nzbckroad

Paul Rawdon had dug up some interesting links to articles on New Zealand radio broadcasting history.

The first is the winning tender document for the installation of a tower for Auckland station 1YA.

The second article is on early Auckland broadcasting from the infamous “K-Road” and other sites.

The third details with broadcasting the celebration of New Zealand’s centennial in 1940.

 

Coax Loop Revision

Bill Marsh has been experimenting further with his coax loop for MW and the X-band. Here are the results:

X-BAND LOOP NUMBER 2