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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 April 2016
We present preliminary results from absolutely flux-calibrated optical spectroscopy, together with 5 GHz radio flux measures of 17 symbiotic stars. The data were obtained quasi-simultaneously using the Manchester Echelle Spectrograph on the Isaac Newton Telescope, La Palma between 1988 September 20 and 24, and the Broad Band Interferometer at Jodrell Bank during 1988 October. This represents the largest sample of these stars observed in this way to date. Distances are calculated using visual extinctions and are compared with other quoted values. In general, the agreement is surprisingly good. Plots of individual line luminosities vs. radio luminosity indicate that the D-type (dusty) symbiotics (both also proto-planetary nebulae) have far higher radio luminosities than S-types (stellar) for comparable recombination and forbidden line luminosities. This may however be due to underestimation of optical line luminosities for the D-types as the circumstellar extinction contribution is uncertain. The single D’-type (cool dust, yellow secondary) lies at the low luminosity end of the S-type region. ‘Very slow novae’ in our sample lie in both groups.