H'Quarter » Break-In » BI For March 1928

Magazine issued by the
New Zealand Association
of Radio Transmitters

VOL. 1.-NO. 3.

MARCH, 1928

 

"BREAK-IN."

"Break-in" is a monthly paper, and is posted free of charge to all N.Z.A.R.T members. Any suggestions for the improvement of this bulletin would be welcomed by the committee. Kindly address all communications to the "Secretary, N.Z.A.R.T Box 779, Auckland."

EXCELSIOR!

Three and a-half years ago, on the twenty-fourth of October, 1924, F. D. Bell and C. W. Goyden of New Zealand and England respectively, carried an the first direct two-way communication ever held between their two countries. This was a crowning achievement for amateur radio, and is probably the greatest demonstration of the worth of the radio amateur which has ever been made. The years from 1922 to 1925 witnessed the greatest progress that amateur radio has so far recorded. From the time American amateur stations were first logged in this country by R. Slade till the fine accomplishment above mentioned, amateur radio history was a narrative of achievement in its largest snse (sic). By the end of 1924 European stations were being regularly worked from New Zealand, American and South American communication having been already established. This work was mostly performed on wavelengths near 100 metres, and in the case of New Zealand stations the power was in the region of 100 watts. On March the first, 1925, just three years ago, Mr. Simmonds, of England, established telephonic communication with a New Zealand station. Briefly the years 1922 to 1925 can be described as the most fruitful in all amateur radio history.

To-day, we can do everything these pioneers did yesterday-we can do it easier-short waves and hundreds of

 

stations all over the globe make long distance work easy even with low power. But do we still exercise the initiative which prompted their efforts? Where 4AG sent "double" do we work "break-in"? Our QSOs are easier to-day, but are they better? Can we do anything-can we do one thing-which was impossible three years ago?

Fellows, the progress in three years has been little enough. Opportunity is here as never before. Can not some advance be made by which we can remember 1928? We have yet to hear of a good duplex phone contact, or how about some directional transmission? In one direction or another, we owe it to ourselves to carry on the good work. Above all, we must not rest contented with past achievements or accept the present conditions as "good enough"-at any cost we must avoid stagnation.


SHIELD CONTEST.

We desire to draw members' attention to an important amendment to the rules which appeared in the February issue of "Break-in": "Before sending a test message to another station first ascertain that the said station is on Q.R.P. as points will be counted only, where both sending and receiving stations are working their transmitters at the correct plate voltage of 45 or less.

A complete log of all communications must be kept, and forwarded to the secretary at the close of the contest. It has been decided to post test messages to all financial members and "Hams" We appeal to you to make the second N.Z.A.R.T. competition a memorable success.

 

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MEETINGS.

The monthly meeting of the headquarters' committee was held on March 8th at the residence of Mr. T. R. Clarkson.

Mr. Sexton was elected to the chair.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

A discussion took place on the "N.Z. Radio" Shield Contest. Mr. White moved "that the rules be amended, drawing competitors' attention to the fact that before sending a test message to another station first ascertain that the said station is entered in the contest and on QRP." This was seconded by Mr. Waite and carried.

On the suggestion of Mr. J. Johnson, of Wellington, Mr. Clarkson moved "That the secretary be asked to send a letter to Lieut. De Avillez, of Portugal, stating our wish that he become an hon. member of the N.Z.A,R.T. for one year, and expressing our appreciation for his keen interest in the N.Z.A,R.T. Seconded by Mr. Waite and carried.

When the question of unfinancial members came up for discussion Mr. White moved, and Mr. Edwards seconded, "that unfinancial members be advised by circular that subscriptlons for 1928 are now due." Seconded and carried unanimously.

Mr. T. Clarkson moved "That the secretary and Mr. Edwards confer on the matter of having letter-heads and circulars printed." Seconded by Mr. Waite and carried.

The cost of printing "Break-in" was discussed at length, and Mr. Edwards was asked to confer with the "Philips'" representative on the matter of advertising.

This concluded the business of a very satisfactory meeting.

Q.S.T.?

An Auckland member is anxious to secure

 

copies of May and June Q.S.T.'s 1927. Kindly advise the secretary.

MEMBERS SAY-

That 'Break-in:' may "Break-out" with a cover soon.
(Evidently the Ed. (of Break-In) wishes to "warm up" the contents for the winter!)

That 1AN and 1AB are doing f.b. with their weekly Morse classes.
(This will mean "Mor (s) e" sets soon!)

That 1AS has rebuilt his Xmitter "Breadboard" style.
(Evidently he thinks he'll be able to "cut" through the ether "crust" better!)

That 2AH intends to try out a new "hook-up." (With a YL!) 73 OM.

NEW QRA'S

1FW-E. Whitely, 1 Halston Rd., Dominion Road, Auckland.

2BI-C. Liddel, 45 Puru Crescent Lyall Bay, Wellington.

2BO-H. Dixon, 36 Devon Street, Wellingtoni

Mr. S. Hislop, Box 30, Napier, asks OZ "hams" to forward their qra's to him for insertion in "The Citizens' Amateur Call Book."

Miss B. Bell, of 4AA, advises that EG 20D has changed his qra to E. J. Simmonds, Barclay's Bank House West Drayton, Middlesex, England.

TESTS WITH ENGLAND.

A schedule has been arranged between OZ and EG stations for the second week in April from the 7th to the 14th inclusive. The EG stations will call OZ on the 23-metre band between 0700 and 0800 G.M.T. daily. It is expected that 20 or 30 English stations will take part offering a splendid opportunity for DX on our new band. This test has been arranged through the courtesy of EG-5YX.

 

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Station 1AS.

The term "station" is used because the shack stands upon a high "platform"-also one hears of "signals" there. Having climbed to reach there you are welcomed by 1AS, and the first thing that strikes you (if you are not careful) is the door frame. The exertion of the climb encourages you to sink into one of the chesterfields, set along the whole length of the shack (no matter which you choose they're both alike). After resting you are escourted to the extreme end of the shack, and 1AS points out his set (you wouldn't recognise it otherwise). Whether the "set" is on him or not he's never explained. There's neither anything out of the ordinary or anything in common with other sets of the same breed. The circuit is a "troubled harley." Now for constructional details: Secure two stout uprights and some threeply, nail them together and you have a frame. Obtain some air and wind on 'steen turns of wire, and you have a splendid "felix." Suspend this in the space between the two threeply panels, add a few other gadgets and a "bottle." (The arrangement depending upon the amount of transformer oil in the rectifier). Having assembled the set as per instructions you squeeze the lemon, in other words turn on the juice, press the key, if your transmitter is not locked the ether is open, and QSL's will come rolling in from all continents. But none addressed to you!

AUCKLAND NOTES.

(By 1AB.)

1AC has been an holiday in VLD for a month, hence his QRT. He has visited many local boys, and has made many new friends. His outfit is remote, controlled about 80 yards, and using a 210 he gets out FB.

1AF still endures a lonli (?) existence at Raetihi.

1AL, using 2-201A's in liel, is doing fine wk among the NU's, his average report being R4PDC FB OM hope U WAC soon.

1AB put up a half-wave Hertz, and DX is rolling along OK, average reports are R4-RAC. Gud ole 20lA.

1AV, after a short appearance on the air, has disappeared again. Hw. Cum.

 

1AN, our wanderer, has again changed his QRA, and will be punching holes in the ether any time now.

It is rumoured that 1AY is giving up his call. We hope this is unfounded.

1FD and 1FE have been hrd on 8O lately. SA OMS WHERE U BN?

1AR's note is the envy of all the RAC birds. He is always QRV fer RC and was hrd QSO WI his OLE cobber 2AB, whose fone cums in HR, VY, FB.

1AS has turned dog on the Hartley for the split~colpitts, and is now engaged teaching it how to put it over.

1FJ is hrd evy Monday nite pounding away at DX. Poor ole Bill mite just as well not have a call. His 80 watts makes quite a noise in the Xtal sets locally and the RI has put his foot down.

1FU we cordially welcome to our midst X3AP who is now 1FU and can be heard every nite. He has applied for permission to carry out some QRP tests from the top of Mt. Eden. Pse qrx for him.

1FW is a new "ham" in Auckland, his sigs are FB. Good luck to you, om.

On Thursday March 1st, local "hams" made merry at the Farmers' Trading Company, the occasion being the three-monthly "beano" of the N.Z.A.R.T. (Auckland branch). The event, which was an outstanding success, was marked by the presence of several visitors from other parts. During the evening Mr. St. John, of OA-2RX, gave an interesting lecturette on Hertz Aerials, and was warmly applauded for his effort.

WELLINGTON NOTES.

(By 2GO.)

We welcome to the air two new "hams" 2BI and 2BO.

It is now definitely known that 2AJ is in possession of a 250 watt tube, when he starts up look out for qrm.

2BX is doing good work on both 20 and 40 metre bands.

2AB, 2AW and 2BY have been

 

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heard putting out some fb tone on 8O metres.

2AY is busy changing his qra, and will be qrt for some time.

Judging by the number of "hams" heard on the eighty metre band the coming shield contest should be a great success.

It is a pleasure to hear 1AV and 1FD on the air again and also 2AS.

2BC is doing great work with his low power transmitter. AJ4ZZ was successfully worked at 3 1/2 watts imput, (sic) fb om.

We regret to learn that 2AT is shortly leaving for Australia, but we hope to chew with him often from OA.

CANTERBURY NOTES.

The loudest station in the third district just now is 3AJ, and with his 852 well under-loaded his sigs are reaching out to all parts of the world.

3AZ is a, good station to be reckoned with when DX is the topic. Good luck to you om with your further efforts.

3CI where are you om? Have the power board leave the juice on for you on Sundays, ob.

OTAGO NOTES.

(By 4AO.)

Commencing a monthly report from Belgium EB4BC QSR's the following: For the last few days sigs. from OZ and OA come in much weaker` The spring sun causes sigs to fade out at 830 G.M.T. EB4BC is on daily at 0700 G.M.T. listening for OZ, and would he glad to give any OZ station the thrill of a first European contact. Will send regular news via 4AOl Many thanks to 3AU, 2BG, 3AW, 2AB and 2GO for their cards. 73 to N.Z. gang from EB4BC.

2AB, 3AU 4AM, and 4AE have all been heard at excellent strength on fone during the past month. 2AB put some fine fone over to U.S. 4AM gets reports of R8 from NU-6AM. 4XC has erected a full wave Zepp and is stepping out in fine style.

20 metre sigs are starting to some

in well. Heard NP4SA good strength at mid-day on this band.

4AE gets better reports from Europe on 20.

4AI was on for only four nights during the tests, and had his 852 pumping a wicked sig into the U.S.

On Sunday, 4th March, at mid-day 2GA successfully worked 4AO on an input of 0.096 watt. 2GA used a PM3 with a 45 volt battery.

SOUTHLAND NOTES.

(By 4AE.)

Conditions down south continue to be very good, and it is not difficult to raise U.S.A. or Europe in the evenings. The northern "hams" seem to be experiencing the same good fortune also, as several of the Wellingtonians have reported good contacts on extremely low power. They are, however, not coming through with such strength down here, and their average QRK is about R6 instead of R8 which was usual a few months ago. The first district don't seem to be as enthusiastic as they used to be, although 1AP, 1FE, 1AR, 1AC, and a few others are on the air fairly consistently. 1AN must be too busy with "Break-in" to worry about giving the "Yanks" a treat. The third district are beginning to get very weak at night, and are scarcely audible. In the daytime, however, they are about the loudest New Zealand stations heard. 3AU, 3AJ, 3AR, 3AZ, and 3AW appear to be the most active, all of these coming through R7, or better in the daytime. 3AW seems to have no difficulty in raising DX with his faithful 201a-what would you do with a 50 watter om (hi). 3AR has been putting out some very good phone lately, and was heard working OA the other night. What has become of 3AU and 3AJ with their phone lately? We are wondering if the members are still saying "the fourth district have lost their enthusiasm!" 4AM 4AO, and 4AE, are on the air practically every day. 4AI was heard the other evening also, and it is known that several others will be on the air soon. 4AM is the loudest station heard here, and his pure DC almost gives one a headache (excuse it om-it is never less than R8. His phone is very FB also.

 

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Printed by J. A. Munro, Printer, 100 Albert Street, Auckland

om=old man; FB or f.b.=fine business; wk=work (ed); QRP or Q.R.P.=low power;

Sic (sic) is a Latin word meaning "thus", "so", "as such", or "in such a manner". Used to indicate that a quoted passage, especially one containing an error or unconventional spelling, has been retained in its original form or written intentionally.

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