There was far more activity on 10m this weekend in which F2 propagation combined with an all day sporadic E event. I added a few more countries to my log, now totalling 38 and I was pleased to add French Guyana, plus several new States.
Once again my Icom IC7000 was in use, running just 10 watts. I replaced my 10m 5/8 wave vertical for a simple half-wave dipole, cut to 28.5 MHz. This is only a simple wire, stretched six feet above the ground and supported in the middle by a washing line post. Isn't QRP great?
Date GMT Call Grid In Out Mode Prop Distance
28/10/2012 22:21 F5TMJ JN03SM 5/9 5/5 SSB ES 1074
28/10/2012 20:25 HB9EE JN47GN 5/9 5/9 SSB ES 852
28/10/2012 20:06 9A6B JN74EC 5/9 5/9 SSB ES 1438
28/10/2012 20:03 IZ8GNR JN71EF 5/9 5/9 SSB ES 1693
28/10/2012 20:02 9A2KD JN85EL 5/9 5/9 SSB ES 1439
28/10/2012 19:59 DQ4W JN58SC 5/9 5/9 SSB ES 970
28/10/2012 19:58 YT5CT JN95VE 5/9 5/9 SSB ES 1663
28/10/2012 19:53 SP7HKK JO91QI 5/9 5/9 SSB ES 1310
28/10/2012 19:51 S50K JN66XB 5/9 5/9 SSB ES 1257
28/10/2012 19:46 HG1S JN87VN 5/9 5/9 SSB ES 1383
28/10/2012 19:33 DL3BQA JO73CF 5/9 5/9 SSB ES 926
28/10/2012 19:30 SP8CUR KO10CB 5/9 5/9 SSB ES 1545
28/10/2012 19:28 SP4Z KO12KX 5/9 5/9 SSB ES 1502
28/10/2012 13:34 LY8O KO24OP 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 1632
28/10/2012 17:19 W4ZV EM95UK 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 6342
28/10/2012 17:15 K4ZW FM18GL 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 5926
28/10/2012 17:12 K8AZ EN91HM 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 5942
28/10/2012 17:07 K3LR EN91SE 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 5910
28/10/2012 17:04 WB9Z EN60BR 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 6397
28/10/2012 17:00 LT1F FF96PU 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 11248
28/10/2012 16:59 EA8MT IL27HV 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 3088
28/10/2012 16:55 K3WW FN20II 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 5648
28/10/2012 16:49 LU7HN FF88XS 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 11136
28/10/2012 16:43 W1NA FN41SP 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 5246
28/10/2012 16:40 K1LZ FN42HG 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 5261
28/10/2012 16:28 CN3A IM52JJ 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 2428
28/10/2012 16:25 K1HI FN42FT 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 5233
28/10/2012 16:23 K4XS EL88PF 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 7082
28/10/2012 16:20 K2SSS FN13DE 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 5593
28/10/2012 16:17 K1KI FN32PA 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 5363
28/10/2012 16:13 N1DD FN42MQ 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 5205
28/10/2012 12:35 9K2HN LL39XI 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 4658
28/10/2012 12:23 K1DG FN42IT 5/9 +10 5/9 SSB F2 5218
27/10/2012 14:33 TO2A GJ35QD 5/5 5/9 SSB F2 7160
27/10/2012 14:31 VE3JM FN25CH 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 5325
27/10/2012 14:27 LU8EEM FF95EC 5/7 5/9 SSB F2 11458
27/10/2012 14:22 LP1H FF78SG 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 11308
27/10/2012 14:09 II9P JM76IX 5/9 +30 5/9 SSB F2 2115
27/10/2012 14:06 YP3A KN34BJ 5/9 +10 5/9 SSB F2 2112
Sunday 28 October 2012
Thursday 25 October 2012
DX Recordings: 23-10-12 & 24-10-12
Here are a few recordings of the tropospheric DX received here on the 23rd and 24th:
91.8 FunX, Rotterdam 2007 23-10-12
https://www.box.com/s/p2z8b63iygsnenmfz6kg
100.6 France Bleu Picardie, Abbeville 1950 23-10-12
https://www.box.com/s/y9x9uxsxw92ayjjvvktu
102.3 NRJ, St Omer 1942 23-10-12
https://www.box.com/s/bricikzb7w5szy63ly8a
88.0 Frequence Horizon, Bethune 1623 23-10-12
https://www.box.com/s/1mp0kdyoo6z7w9tj86ff
87.9 Virgin Radio Cote D'Opale, Montreuil 1615_23-10-12
https://www.box.com/s/mx168a7fcsxd6tiqvxx2
107.3 Skyrock,Evreux > VBRO, Diksmuide 1600 23-10-12
https://www.box.com/s/vo12n25bby72wthxdtr8
97.8 France Bleu Nord, Montreuil 1551 23-10-12
https://www.box.com/s/a5lc7oe89avjqvuhgwtc
95.0 RTL, Amiens 1528 23-10-12
https://www.box.com/s/m1l26woxizalkgn5b4vs
93.3 Rire Et Chansons, Boulgne-Sur-Mer 1522 23-10-12
https://www.box.com/s/zvlf8cbpzyuabe9thbru
92.8 Skyrock, Vannes 1517_23-10-12
https://www.box.com/s/yuyx8ir937yr2ol3l2a2
91.5 Virgin Radio, Boulogne-Sur-Mer 1506 23-10-12
https://www.box.com/s/04h3nekn8hfateabkuhv
107.9_VBRO,_Torhout_1215_23-10-12_(JF)
https://www.box.com/s/3qqyxa7naqk41weu5s3u
103.4_RTL,_Charleville_Mezieres_1125_23-10-12_(JF)
https://www.box.com/s/wng5lmsj9c5i3m5xf1lo
107.4_Family_Radio,_unid_site_1115_23-10-12_(JF)
https://www.box.com/s/omjh86u7fgkqf90kd69t
107.4_unid_1115_23-10-12_(JF)
https://www.box.com/s/zgho1l8qg7g2p71auy8r
94.6_Radio_Maria,_Bruxelles_1100_23-10-12_(JF)
https://www.box.com/s/i1i7au6jlnl0ph17153i
95.4_BNR,_Gilze_0922_23-10-12_(JF)
https://www.box.com/s/1m2w1jugfspsvgbj13v1
89.8_VRT2,_Nieuwkerken-Waas_0900_23-10-12_(JF)
https://www.box.com/s/88hfph892ejcsxqvs7kv
94.3_France_Bleu_Creuse,_Gueret_1127_24-10-12_(JF)
https://www.box.com/s/hrtbq3rx7b65aetq0osd
103.4_France_Info,_Lyon_1046_24-10-12_(JF)
https://www.box.com/s/nrcry5hmrqdtn2vmwx61
91.8 FunX, Rotterdam 2007 23-10-12
https://www.box.com/s/p2z8b63iygsnenmfz6kg
100.6 France Bleu Picardie, Abbeville 1950 23-10-12
https://www.box.com/s/y9x9uxsxw92ayjjvvktu
102.3 NRJ, St Omer 1942 23-10-12
https://www.box.com/s/bricikzb7w5szy63ly8a
88.0 Frequence Horizon, Bethune 1623 23-10-12
https://www.box.com/s/1mp0kdyoo6z7w9tj86ff
87.9 Virgin Radio Cote D'Opale, Montreuil 1615_23-10-12
https://www.box.com/s/mx168a7fcsxd6tiqvxx2
107.3 Skyrock,Evreux > VBRO, Diksmuide 1600 23-10-12
https://www.box.com/s/vo12n25bby72wthxdtr8
97.8 France Bleu Nord, Montreuil 1551 23-10-12
https://www.box.com/s/a5lc7oe89avjqvuhgwtc
95.0 RTL, Amiens 1528 23-10-12
https://www.box.com/s/m1l26woxizalkgn5b4vs
93.3 Rire Et Chansons, Boulgne-Sur-Mer 1522 23-10-12
https://www.box.com/s/zvlf8cbpzyuabe9thbru
92.8 Skyrock, Vannes 1517_23-10-12
https://www.box.com/s/yuyx8ir937yr2ol3l2a2
91.5 Virgin Radio, Boulogne-Sur-Mer 1506 23-10-12
https://www.box.com/s/04h3nekn8hfateabkuhv
107.9_VBRO,_Torhout_1215_23-10-12_(JF)
https://www.box.com/s/3qqyxa7naqk41weu5s3u
103.4_RTL,_Charleville_Mezieres_1125_23-10-12_(JF)
https://www.box.com/s/wng5lmsj9c5i3m5xf1lo
107.4_Family_Radio,_unid_site_1115_23-10-12_(JF)
https://www.box.com/s/omjh86u7fgkqf90kd69t
107.4_unid_1115_23-10-12_(JF)
https://www.box.com/s/zgho1l8qg7g2p71auy8r
94.6_Radio_Maria,_Bruxelles_1100_23-10-12_(JF)
https://www.box.com/s/i1i7au6jlnl0ph17153i
95.4_BNR,_Gilze_0922_23-10-12_(JF)
https://www.box.com/s/1m2w1jugfspsvgbj13v1
89.8_VRT2,_Nieuwkerken-Waas_0900_23-10-12_(JF)
https://www.box.com/s/88hfph892ejcsxqvs7kv
94.3_France_Bleu_Creuse,_Gueret_1127_24-10-12_(JF)
https://www.box.com/s/hrtbq3rx7b65aetq0osd
103.4_France_Info,_Lyon_1046_24-10-12_(JF)
https://www.box.com/s/nrcry5hmrqdtn2vmwx61
Wednesday 24 October 2012
Tropo Continues ...
This is the sort of tropo I love. DX from the far south of France is one of the rarest types of band 2 DX I can think of. It's not very often I hear transmitters to the south of Paris, at least if you disregard Bourges, Troyes and Reims, which always seem to be present here.
Propagation almost reached the Mediterranean coast at Montpellier. Not much further and I might have even received the Spanish Costa Brava, as has been received in south-eastern England in the past.
Right at the end I managed to hear TDF outlets at Mende and Millau, two transmitters I have never received before, neither here on the east coast or previously at any of my Nottinghamshire addresses.
94.3 0911 F France Bleu Creuse, Guéret/Signal du Maupuy (23) Phone in, as web stream 785km
87.9 0914 F France Culture, Parthenay/les Chateliers (79) OM YL, as 88.2 712km
88.2 0914 F France Culture, Ussel-Meymac/Mont Bessou (19) OM YL, as 98.0 853km **
93.8 0920 F France Musique, Sens/Gisy-les-Nobles (89) Classical, as 88.7 577km
93.8 0920 F France Inter, Parthenay/les Chateliers (79) OM YL, as 103.7 712km
91.4 0922 F France Musique, Troyes/les Riceys (10) Classical, as 91.8 643km
91.1 0923 F France Musique, Niort/Maisonnay (79) Classical music, as 88.8. Over Villers-Cotterets 774km
90.6 0926 F France Inter, Nantes/Haute-Goulaine (44) Discussion group, as 103.7 675km
99.4 0936 F France Inter, Niort/Maisonnay (79) Discussion group, as 103.7 774km
99.8 0942 F France Inter, Lyon/Mont Pilat (42) Discussion group, as 99.6, etc 917km
103.4 0942 F France Info, Lyon/Mont Pilat (42) France info jingle and ID 917km
92.4 0943 F France Musique, Lyon/Mont Pilat (42) OM, as 91.8 917km **
100.7 0947 F France Inter, Guéret/Signal du Maupuy (23) Vocal ID 785km
90.0 1007 F France Inter, Besançon/Lomont (25) OM and audience, as 103.7 783km **
93.3 1010 F France Musique, Chaumont/Chalindrey (52) Opera, as 92.9, etc. 694km **
92.9 1012 F France Musique, Besançon/Lomont (25) Taking over from Villers-Cotterets 783km **
95.5 1014 F France Musique, Clermont-Ferrand/Puy-de-Dôme (63) Classical, as others 842km
97.2 1018 F France Musique, Argenton-sur-Creuse/Malicornay (36) Presumed site. OM, as others 737km **
103.2 1021 F France Bleu Berry, Bourges/Neuvy (18) Talking about Tour De France, as web stream 672km
93.2 1028 F France Inter, Angers/Rochefort-sur-Loire (49) Excitable OM, as 103.7 650km
93.7 1033 F France Musique, Mende/Truc de Fortunio (48) OM talk with others in background, as web stream 974km **
107.8 1037 SUI RSI1, Säntis (ar) Very, very weak, in parallel with web stream 917km
89.8 1051 F France Culture, Argenton-sur-Creuse/Malicornay (36) OM YL, as web stream 737km **
88.9 1055 F France Musique, Millau/Lévézou (12) YL and OM talk, as web stream 1021km **
Propagation almost reached the Mediterranean coast at Montpellier. Not much further and I might have even received the Spanish Costa Brava, as has been received in south-eastern England in the past.
Right at the end I managed to hear TDF outlets at Mende and Millau, two transmitters I have never received before, neither here on the east coast or previously at any of my Nottinghamshire addresses.
94.3 0911 F France Bleu Creuse, Guéret/Signal du Maupuy (23) Phone in, as web stream 785km
87.9 0914 F France Culture, Parthenay/les Chateliers (79) OM YL, as 88.2 712km
88.2 0914 F France Culture, Ussel-Meymac/Mont Bessou (19) OM YL, as 98.0 853km **
93.8 0920 F France Musique, Sens/Gisy-les-Nobles (89) Classical, as 88.7 577km
93.8 0920 F France Inter, Parthenay/les Chateliers (79) OM YL, as 103.7 712km
91.4 0922 F France Musique, Troyes/les Riceys (10) Classical, as 91.8 643km
91.1 0923 F France Musique, Niort/Maisonnay (79) Classical music, as 88.8. Over Villers-Cotterets 774km
90.6 0926 F France Inter, Nantes/Haute-Goulaine (44) Discussion group, as 103.7 675km
99.4 0936 F France Inter, Niort/Maisonnay (79) Discussion group, as 103.7 774km
99.8 0942 F France Inter, Lyon/Mont Pilat (42) Discussion group, as 99.6, etc 917km
103.4 0942 F France Info, Lyon/Mont Pilat (42) France info jingle and ID 917km
92.4 0943 F France Musique, Lyon/Mont Pilat (42) OM, as 91.8 917km **
100.7 0947 F France Inter, Guéret/Signal du Maupuy (23) Vocal ID 785km
90.0 1007 F France Inter, Besançon/Lomont (25) OM and audience, as 103.7 783km **
93.3 1010 F France Musique, Chaumont/Chalindrey (52) Opera, as 92.9, etc. 694km **
92.9 1012 F France Musique, Besançon/Lomont (25) Taking over from Villers-Cotterets 783km **
95.5 1014 F France Musique, Clermont-Ferrand/Puy-de-Dôme (63) Classical, as others 842km
97.2 1018 F France Musique, Argenton-sur-Creuse/Malicornay (36) Presumed site. OM, as others 737km **
103.2 1021 F France Bleu Berry, Bourges/Neuvy (18) Talking about Tour De France, as web stream 672km
93.2 1028 F France Inter, Angers/Rochefort-sur-Loire (49) Excitable OM, as 103.7 650km
93.7 1033 F France Musique, Mende/Truc de Fortunio (48) OM talk with others in background, as web stream 974km **
107.8 1037 SUI RSI1, Säntis (ar) Very, very weak, in parallel with web stream 917km
89.8 1051 F France Culture, Argenton-sur-Creuse/Malicornay (36) OM YL, as web stream 737km **
88.9 1055 F France Musique, Millau/Lévézou (12) YL and OM talk, as web stream 1021km **
Tuesday 23 October 2012
Tropo Returns With A Bang!
A nice bit of tropospheric activity graced the FM broadcast band today! While no big distances were achieved there were some good signals levels with many continental stations at instant RDS levels!
97.4 0739 F France Culture, Abbeville/Limeux (80) OMs in school, as 98 364km
98.5 0739 F France Culture, Sens/Gisy-les-Nobles (89) oMs in school, as 98 577km
95.1 0742 D WDR 3, Langenberg/Hordtberg (nrw) WDR_3___ Over Norfolk 505km
94.8 0743 D SWR3, Linz/Ginsterhahn (rlp) Soft pops, as web 560km
93.8 0744 F France Musique, Sens/Gisy-les-Nobles (89) Classical, as 88.7 577km
96.3 0745 F France Inter, Sens/Gisy-les-Nobles (89) IN talk, as 103.7 577km **
93.3 0747 D WDR 2, Kleve/Bresserberg (nrw) YL report, as web stream 421km
92.9 0749 F France Musique, Villers-Cotterêts/Fleury (02) Classical, as 88.7 474km
92.1 0750 F France Inter, Verdun/Septsarges (55) YL talk, as 103.7 548km
89.5 0755 F France Culture, Auxerre/Molesmes (89) OM, as 98.0 655km
89.6 0755 F France Culture, Villers-Cotterêts/Fleury (02) OM, as 89.5 474km
107.2 0756 D WDR Eins Live, Ederkopf (nrw) Pops, as 106.7 593km
107.4 0757 D Radio Wuppertal, Wuppertal/Westfalenweg (nrw) German pops, as web 508km
106.7 0812 BEL City Music, Aalst/Hofstade (vlg-ovl) Owl City song, as web stream 351km
104.0 0818 BEL Bel RTL, Bruxelles/Hilton Hotel (brc) YLs serious talk, as web 378km
107.1 0819 F France Bleu 107.1, Paris/Tour Eiffel (75) YL OM talk, as web stream 497km
98.7 0836 D AFN Wiesbaden-The Eagle, Großer Feldberg (Taunus)/hr (hes) ID. US OM and pops 648km
97.2 0838 F France Musique, Hirson/Landouzy-la-Ville (02) Cassical, as 88.7 446km
94.4 0840 F France Inter, Hirson/Landouzy-la-Ville (02) French song, as 103.7 446km
91.8 0841 F France Musique, Bourges/Neuvy (18) Classical, as others 672km
107.2 0844 BEL Radio Bingo, Roeselare/Zilverberg (vlg-wvl) Radio Bingo IDs 313km
87.6 0848 F RTL, Béthune-Lens/Bouvigny-Boyeffles (62) French crooner, as 87.7 343km
87.7 0849 F RTL, Saint-Omer/Wisques (62) French crooner, as 87.6 and web stream 299km
87.6 0850 BEL Nostalgie Vlaanderen, Oostende/Residentie De Mast (vlg-wvl) Oldies, as web stream 278km
93.0 0850 F RTL, Lille/Fort de Mons-en-Baroeul (59) Jingle ID in ads 339km
88.0 0852 F Fréquence Horizon, Béthune-Lens/Bouvigny-Boyeffles CV11 (62) Horizon ID in phone call 344km
89.2 0853 F RTL 2, Lille/Fort de Mons-en-Baroeul (59) Rap, as web stream. Lots of ch channel qrm 339km
89.6 0856 F RDL-Radio Dallas Loisirs, Saint-Omer/Racquinghem (62) OMs phone in, as web stream 306km
89.8 0900 BEL VRT Radio 2, Nieuwkerken-Waas/Watertoren (vlg-ovl) ID and news 343km **
90.6 0903 BEL Joe FM, Oud-Turnhout/Watertoren Pidpa (vlg-ant) Ashford Simpson song, as web stream 376km
91.0 0905 HOL Omroep Brabant, Roosendaal/Alticom Toren (nbr) MJs Rock With You, as web stream 334km
92.0 0907 F Radio 6, Boulogne-sur-Mer/Mont d'Herquelingue (62) Pops, as web stream 288km
92.1 0908 F Le Mouv', Paris/Tour Eiffel (75) Le Mouv ID 497km
92.2 0912 F RTL 2, Béthune-Lens/Bouvigny-Boyeffles (62) French pops, as web stream 343km **
93.8 0914 HOL Slam!FM, Megen/Alticom Toren (nbr) Dance song, as web stream 387km
95.3 0921 F RMC, Château-Thierry/les Blanchards TDF (02) Jovial OMs on phone, as web stream 502km **
95.4 0922 HOL BNR Nieuwsradio, Gilze/Prinsenbosch (nbr) Ad break and ID 359km
96.3 0925 HOL Radio Veronica, Loon op Zand/Alticom Toren (nbr) ID after ad break 366km
100.3 0930 HOL L1 Radio, Roermond/Alticom Toren (lim) L1 Nieuws 443km
100.8 0935 F Concact, Lens or Valenciennes ID and dance music
101.6 0937 F RFM, Boulogne-sur-Mer/Mont Lambert (62) Pops, as web stream 285km
106.7 0940 F Beur FM, Bagnolet(Paris)/Tour Mercuriales Ouest (93) IDs in OM talk 498km **
107.5 0943 BEL Nostalgie Belge, Braine Le Comte or Boussu-Bois Adverts and ID
87.8 0945 F France Bleu Nord, Lille/La Pilaterie (59) Phone in, as 94.7 337km
106.2 0946 F France Bleu Nord, Calais/Mont d'Hubert (62) Jingle ID and ads 266km
87.7 1001 D NDR Info, Flensburg-Engelsby (shs) ID and YL news 627km
87.9 1002 D NDR Info, Heide/Welmbüttel (shs) YL news, as 87.7 599km
90.3 1004 D WDR 5, Nordhelle (nrw) Fair. ID after news 554km
91.8 1006 D WDR 2, Hohe Warte (nrw) ID after news and weather 544km
92.4 1013 D SWR1 Rheinland-Pfalz, Linz/Ginsterhahn (rlp) Rolling Stones song, as web stream 560km
107.0 1030 D WDR Eins Live, Olsberg (nrw) Weather report and ID 592km
106.6 1032 F Radio Campus Lille, Lille/Cité Scientifique (59) Heavy rock track, as web stream 342km
88.9 1036 HOL Radio Noord-Holland, Amsterdam/Alticom Toren (nho) OM talk, as web stream 321km
89.5 1037 HOL 100% NL, Alkmaar or Utrecht OM YL, as web stream (Suspect Utrecht)
91.1 1040 HOL Slam!FM, Hilversum/Media Park-Alticom (nho) V good. SLAM_FM_ and scrolling RDS 342km
91.4 1041 F Contact, Lille/Mons-en-Baroeul 2 (59) Lady Bla Bla nonsense, as web stream 338km
92.4 1042 HOL Radio Hollandio, Westdorpe/Verkavelingsweg (zee) Dutch music, as web stream 323km
93.3 1046 HOL Ujala Radio, Amsterdam/Alticom Toren (nho) Almost noise free. Indian music, as web stream 321km
93.4 1047 HOL Radio Rijnmond, Rotterdam/Alticom Toren (zho) Kool and The Gang, as web stream 313km
94.0 1051 BEL RTBF Musiq' 3, Ronquières (wln-hai) Shrill classical strings, as web stream 391km **
94.6 1100 BEL Radio Maria, Brussel/Albertplein Toren (brc) Vocal ID on the hour 378km **
95.2 1102 HOL Slam!FM, Alphen aan den Rijn/Alticom Toren (zho) SLAM_FM_ Late news start. ID. V good! 313km
95.8 1105 ? UNID, ? Club music station. Distorted. Sounded like it was off-tune
96.5 1107 HOL 3FM, Several low power sites Tina Turner, As web stream
97.4 1110 F Rire et Chansons, Paris/Tour Eiffel (75) OM comedy sketch, as web stream 497km **
107.4 1121 BEL Family Radio, Presumed Oostende Jingle ID
107.5 1123 HOL Scheldemond FM, Oostburg/Watertoren (zee) Two bars but co-channel QRM. As web 296km **
103.4 1126 F RTL, Charleville-Mézières/Sury (08) ID in local adverts 479km **
107.3 1347 BEL VBRO, Diksmuide/IJzertoren (vlg-wvl) Dutch music, as 107.9 292km
107.9 1351 BEL VBRO, Torhout (vlg-wvl) Dutch music and ID 297km
104.9 1355 F Europe 1, Rouen, Compiegne or Abbeville Lively OMs chat, as web stream **
88.3 1402 F France Culture, Laval-Evron/Mont Rochard (53) YL, as 88.5 550km
88.5 1402 F France Culture, Bourges/Neuvy (18) _CULTURE 672km
89.8 1403 F France Musique, Abbeville/Limeux (80) Classical, as 88.7 364km
89.0 1404 F France Culture, Le Mans/Mayet (72) YL, as 88.5. Noise free 599km
91.4 1405 F France Musique, Troyes/les Riceys (10) Opera, as 88.7 643km
92.2 1409 F France Musique, Tours/Chissay [41] (37) OM, as 92.0, etc 646km
94.6 1412 F France Inter, Chartres/Montlandon (28) Haydn horm piece, as 103.7 531km
95.0 1412 F France Inter, Mantes-la-Jolie/Maudétour [95] (78) Haydn horn piece, as 103.7, etc. 463km
95.3 1413 F France Inter, Troyes/les Riceys (10) Haydn horn piece, as 103.7, etc. 643km
95.5 1414 F France Musique, Clermont-Ferrand/Puy-de-Dôme (63) Rousing symphony, as 88.7 842km
98.1 1416 F France Culture, Chartres/Montlandon (28) YL singing solo, as 98.0 531km
98.4 1417 F France Culture, Clermont-Ferrand/Puy-de-Dôme (63) YL singing solo, as 98.0 842km
101.6 1421 F France Bleu Haute Normandie, Neufchâtel-en-Bray/Croixdalle (76) ID and OM talk 381km
103.2 1422 F France Bleu Berry, Bourges/Neuvy (18) BLEU.BER OM and phone caller 672km
107.6 1430 G Vibe FM, Watford/YMCA (EN-HTS) Advertise on Vibe 107.7 173km
87.9 1431 F France Culture, Parthenay/les Chateliers (79) French OM over soft music, as 88.0 712km
88.0 1431 F France Culture, Alençon/Mont d'Amain (61) French OM over soft music, as web stream 498km
88.2 1436 F France Culture, Ussel-Meymac/Mont Bessou (19) YLs, as 88.0 853km
92.1 1443 F France Musique, Laval-Evron/Mont Rochard (53) Operatic shrieking, as others 550km
94.9 1446 F France Inter, Bourges/Neuvy (18) Rare appearance over BBC Lincolnshire 672km
95.1 1447 F France Inter, Laval-Evron/Mont Rochard (53) Peaking over a reduced Norfolk 550km
99.2 1450 F France Inter, Orléans/Traînou (45) Operatic shouting, as 103.7 590km
89.0 1454 F RFI Paris, Paris/Tour Eiffel (75) YLs discussion, as web stream 497km **
89.8 1455 F RDL-Radio Dallas Loisirs, Dunkerque/le Banc Vert (59) 60s song, as 89.6 275km
91.5 1504 F Virgin Radio, Boulogne-sur-Mer/Mont Lambert (62) messed up song, as web stream 285km
91.8 1514 F Fun Radio, Amiens/Dury TDF (80) Dance music, as web stream 390km **
92.8 1515 F NRJ, Béthune/Fresnicourt-le-Dolmen (62) Pops, as web stream 341km
92.8 1517 F Skyrock, Vannes/le Prat (56) Familiar jingle ID and ads, as web stream 647km **
93.6 1525 F Virgin Radio, Amiens/Dury TDF (80) Presumed Amiens due to conditions. Coldplay, as web stream 390km **
93.8 1527 F Contact, Saint-Omer/Tatinghem (62) Phone in quiz, as web stream 297km
94.2 1528 F Contact, Amiens/Dury 3 (80) Phone in quiz as 93.8 391km **
95.0 1529 F RTL, Montreuil/le Bois-de-Sel (62) ID and ads, including one for Carrefour! 302km **
96.4 1535 F BFM Business, Lille/Fort de Mons-en-Baroeul (59) Stocks et shares, as web stream 339km
96.5 1536 F Skyrock, Saint-Omer/Asdoit (62) Phone in quiz as 93.8 296km
97.8 1538 F France Bleu Nord, Montreuil/le Bois-de-Sel (62) Boogie woogie song and ID 302km **
99.0 1548 F RPL 99FM/RCV, Lille/Lambersart (59) RCV programming, as web stream 334km
100.2 1551 F France Bleu Picardie, Amiens/Dury Towercast (80) OMs chat, muffled audio, as web stream 390km **
101.3 1555 F NRJ, Lille/Mons-en-Baroeul 1 (59) Dance beats, as web stream 338km
102.5 1559 F RFM, Calais/Mont d'Hubert (62) Pops, as 101.6 266km
107.3 1600 F Skyrock, Evreux/Tour de la Madelaine (27) ID, jingle and pops 464km **
107.5 1606 BEL VBRO, Poperinge (vlg-wvl) Dutch music, as 107.3 304km
87.9 1617 F Virgin Radio, Montreuil/le Bois-de-Sel (62) Ad break, ID 302km
88.2 1627 F Radio Classique, Lille/Fort de Mons-en-Baroeul (59) OM serious talk, as web stream 339km
105.7 1639 F France Info, Montreuil/le Bois-de-Sel (62) Presumed site. As other France Infos 302km **
106.7 1641 F Fun Radio, Hesdin/le Quesnoy-en-Artois (62) ID and Club beats, as web stream 334km
107.0 1643 F RMC, Boulogne-sur-Mer/Mont Lambert (62) Very weak, gruff voiced OM as web stream 285km
90.6 1808 F France Inter, Nantes/Haute-Goulaine (44) YL and French OM song, as 103.7 675km
93.8 1810 F France Inter, Parthenay/les Chateliers (79) French song, as 103.7, etc. 712km
94.2 1811 F France Culture, Nantes/Haute-Goulaine (44) Deep voiced OM, as 98.0 675km
100.7 1818 F France Inter, Guéret/Signal du Maupuy (23) OMs YL serious talk, as web stream 785km
102.3 1942 F NRJ, Saint-Omer/Wisques (62) ID in excitable phone in 299km
100.8 1947 F Contact, Three sites listed Phone in, as web stream
100.6 1953 F France Bleu Picardie, Abbeville/Limeux (80) ID and pops 364km
91.8 2006 HOL FunX, Rotterdam/Alticom Toren (zho) Pops, as web stream 313km
94.2 2221 F Europe 1, Saint-Omer/Wisques (62) YL phone in, as web stream 299km
99.4 2226 BEL Topradio, Gent/IVAGO Proeftuinstraat 43 (vlg-ovl) Repetitive club beats, as web 333km
99.6 2226 HOL Slam!FM, Hoorn/Electronweg (nho) Lady Blah Blahs DX This Way, as 91.1 325km
97.4 0739 F France Culture, Abbeville/Limeux (80) OMs in school, as 98 364km
98.5 0739 F France Culture, Sens/Gisy-les-Nobles (89) oMs in school, as 98 577km
95.1 0742 D WDR 3, Langenberg/Hordtberg (nrw) WDR_3___ Over Norfolk 505km
94.8 0743 D SWR3, Linz/Ginsterhahn (rlp) Soft pops, as web 560km
93.8 0744 F France Musique, Sens/Gisy-les-Nobles (89) Classical, as 88.7 577km
96.3 0745 F France Inter, Sens/Gisy-les-Nobles (89) IN talk, as 103.7 577km **
93.3 0747 D WDR 2, Kleve/Bresserberg (nrw) YL report, as web stream 421km
92.9 0749 F France Musique, Villers-Cotterêts/Fleury (02) Classical, as 88.7 474km
92.1 0750 F France Inter, Verdun/Septsarges (55) YL talk, as 103.7 548km
89.5 0755 F France Culture, Auxerre/Molesmes (89) OM, as 98.0 655km
89.6 0755 F France Culture, Villers-Cotterêts/Fleury (02) OM, as 89.5 474km
107.2 0756 D WDR Eins Live, Ederkopf (nrw) Pops, as 106.7 593km
107.4 0757 D Radio Wuppertal, Wuppertal/Westfalenweg (nrw) German pops, as web 508km
106.7 0812 BEL City Music, Aalst/Hofstade (vlg-ovl) Owl City song, as web stream 351km
104.0 0818 BEL Bel RTL, Bruxelles/Hilton Hotel (brc) YLs serious talk, as web 378km
107.1 0819 F France Bleu 107.1, Paris/Tour Eiffel (75) YL OM talk, as web stream 497km
98.7 0836 D AFN Wiesbaden-The Eagle, Großer Feldberg (Taunus)/hr (hes) ID. US OM and pops 648km
97.2 0838 F France Musique, Hirson/Landouzy-la-Ville (02) Cassical, as 88.7 446km
94.4 0840 F France Inter, Hirson/Landouzy-la-Ville (02) French song, as 103.7 446km
91.8 0841 F France Musique, Bourges/Neuvy (18) Classical, as others 672km
107.2 0844 BEL Radio Bingo, Roeselare/Zilverberg (vlg-wvl) Radio Bingo IDs 313km
87.6 0848 F RTL, Béthune-Lens/Bouvigny-Boyeffles (62) French crooner, as 87.7 343km
87.7 0849 F RTL, Saint-Omer/Wisques (62) French crooner, as 87.6 and web stream 299km
87.6 0850 BEL Nostalgie Vlaanderen, Oostende/Residentie De Mast (vlg-wvl) Oldies, as web stream 278km
93.0 0850 F RTL, Lille/Fort de Mons-en-Baroeul (59) Jingle ID in ads 339km
88.0 0852 F Fréquence Horizon, Béthune-Lens/Bouvigny-Boyeffles CV11 (62) Horizon ID in phone call 344km
89.2 0853 F RTL 2, Lille/Fort de Mons-en-Baroeul (59) Rap, as web stream. Lots of ch channel qrm 339km
89.6 0856 F RDL-Radio Dallas Loisirs, Saint-Omer/Racquinghem (62) OMs phone in, as web stream 306km
89.8 0900 BEL VRT Radio 2, Nieuwkerken-Waas/Watertoren (vlg-ovl) ID and news 343km **
90.6 0903 BEL Joe FM, Oud-Turnhout/Watertoren Pidpa (vlg-ant) Ashford Simpson song, as web stream 376km
91.0 0905 HOL Omroep Brabant, Roosendaal/Alticom Toren (nbr) MJs Rock With You, as web stream 334km
92.0 0907 F Radio 6, Boulogne-sur-Mer/Mont d'Herquelingue (62) Pops, as web stream 288km
92.1 0908 F Le Mouv', Paris/Tour Eiffel (75) Le Mouv ID 497km
92.2 0912 F RTL 2, Béthune-Lens/Bouvigny-Boyeffles (62) French pops, as web stream 343km **
93.8 0914 HOL Slam!FM, Megen/Alticom Toren (nbr) Dance song, as web stream 387km
95.3 0921 F RMC, Château-Thierry/les Blanchards TDF (02) Jovial OMs on phone, as web stream 502km **
95.4 0922 HOL BNR Nieuwsradio, Gilze/Prinsenbosch (nbr) Ad break and ID 359km
96.3 0925 HOL Radio Veronica, Loon op Zand/Alticom Toren (nbr) ID after ad break 366km
100.3 0930 HOL L1 Radio, Roermond/Alticom Toren (lim) L1 Nieuws 443km
100.8 0935 F Concact, Lens or Valenciennes ID and dance music
101.6 0937 F RFM, Boulogne-sur-Mer/Mont Lambert (62) Pops, as web stream 285km
106.7 0940 F Beur FM, Bagnolet(Paris)/Tour Mercuriales Ouest (93) IDs in OM talk 498km **
107.5 0943 BEL Nostalgie Belge, Braine Le Comte or Boussu-Bois Adverts and ID
87.8 0945 F France Bleu Nord, Lille/La Pilaterie (59) Phone in, as 94.7 337km
106.2 0946 F France Bleu Nord, Calais/Mont d'Hubert (62) Jingle ID and ads 266km
87.7 1001 D NDR Info, Flensburg-Engelsby (shs) ID and YL news 627km
87.9 1002 D NDR Info, Heide/Welmbüttel (shs) YL news, as 87.7 599km
90.3 1004 D WDR 5, Nordhelle (nrw) Fair. ID after news 554km
91.8 1006 D WDR 2, Hohe Warte (nrw) ID after news and weather 544km
92.4 1013 D SWR1 Rheinland-Pfalz, Linz/Ginsterhahn (rlp) Rolling Stones song, as web stream 560km
107.0 1030 D WDR Eins Live, Olsberg (nrw) Weather report and ID 592km
106.6 1032 F Radio Campus Lille, Lille/Cité Scientifique (59) Heavy rock track, as web stream 342km
88.9 1036 HOL Radio Noord-Holland, Amsterdam/Alticom Toren (nho) OM talk, as web stream 321km
89.5 1037 HOL 100% NL, Alkmaar or Utrecht OM YL, as web stream (Suspect Utrecht)
91.1 1040 HOL Slam!FM, Hilversum/Media Park-Alticom (nho) V good. SLAM_FM_ and scrolling RDS 342km
91.4 1041 F Contact, Lille/Mons-en-Baroeul 2 (59) Lady Bla Bla nonsense, as web stream 338km
92.4 1042 HOL Radio Hollandio, Westdorpe/Verkavelingsweg (zee) Dutch music, as web stream 323km
93.3 1046 HOL Ujala Radio, Amsterdam/Alticom Toren (nho) Almost noise free. Indian music, as web stream 321km
93.4 1047 HOL Radio Rijnmond, Rotterdam/Alticom Toren (zho) Kool and The Gang, as web stream 313km
94.0 1051 BEL RTBF Musiq' 3, Ronquières (wln-hai) Shrill classical strings, as web stream 391km **
94.6 1100 BEL Radio Maria, Brussel/Albertplein Toren (brc) Vocal ID on the hour 378km **
95.2 1102 HOL Slam!FM, Alphen aan den Rijn/Alticom Toren (zho) SLAM_FM_ Late news start. ID. V good! 313km
95.8 1105 ? UNID, ? Club music station. Distorted. Sounded like it was off-tune
96.5 1107 HOL 3FM, Several low power sites Tina Turner, As web stream
97.4 1110 F Rire et Chansons, Paris/Tour Eiffel (75) OM comedy sketch, as web stream 497km **
107.4 1121 BEL Family Radio, Presumed Oostende Jingle ID
107.5 1123 HOL Scheldemond FM, Oostburg/Watertoren (zee) Two bars but co-channel QRM. As web 296km **
103.4 1126 F RTL, Charleville-Mézières/Sury (08) ID in local adverts 479km **
107.3 1347 BEL VBRO, Diksmuide/IJzertoren (vlg-wvl) Dutch music, as 107.9 292km
107.9 1351 BEL VBRO, Torhout (vlg-wvl) Dutch music and ID 297km
104.9 1355 F Europe 1, Rouen, Compiegne or Abbeville Lively OMs chat, as web stream **
88.3 1402 F France Culture, Laval-Evron/Mont Rochard (53) YL, as 88.5 550km
88.5 1402 F France Culture, Bourges/Neuvy (18) _CULTURE 672km
89.8 1403 F France Musique, Abbeville/Limeux (80) Classical, as 88.7 364km
89.0 1404 F France Culture, Le Mans/Mayet (72) YL, as 88.5. Noise free 599km
91.4 1405 F France Musique, Troyes/les Riceys (10) Opera, as 88.7 643km
92.2 1409 F France Musique, Tours/Chissay [41] (37) OM, as 92.0, etc 646km
94.6 1412 F France Inter, Chartres/Montlandon (28) Haydn horm piece, as 103.7 531km
95.0 1412 F France Inter, Mantes-la-Jolie/Maudétour [95] (78) Haydn horn piece, as 103.7, etc. 463km
95.3 1413 F France Inter, Troyes/les Riceys (10) Haydn horn piece, as 103.7, etc. 643km
95.5 1414 F France Musique, Clermont-Ferrand/Puy-de-Dôme (63) Rousing symphony, as 88.7 842km
98.1 1416 F France Culture, Chartres/Montlandon (28) YL singing solo, as 98.0 531km
98.4 1417 F France Culture, Clermont-Ferrand/Puy-de-Dôme (63) YL singing solo, as 98.0 842km
101.6 1421 F France Bleu Haute Normandie, Neufchâtel-en-Bray/Croixdalle (76) ID and OM talk 381km
103.2 1422 F France Bleu Berry, Bourges/Neuvy (18) BLEU.BER OM and phone caller 672km
107.6 1430 G Vibe FM, Watford/YMCA (EN-HTS) Advertise on Vibe 107.7 173km
87.9 1431 F France Culture, Parthenay/les Chateliers (79) French OM over soft music, as 88.0 712km
88.0 1431 F France Culture, Alençon/Mont d'Amain (61) French OM over soft music, as web stream 498km
88.2 1436 F France Culture, Ussel-Meymac/Mont Bessou (19) YLs, as 88.0 853km
92.1 1443 F France Musique, Laval-Evron/Mont Rochard (53) Operatic shrieking, as others 550km
94.9 1446 F France Inter, Bourges/Neuvy (18) Rare appearance over BBC Lincolnshire 672km
95.1 1447 F France Inter, Laval-Evron/Mont Rochard (53) Peaking over a reduced Norfolk 550km
99.2 1450 F France Inter, Orléans/Traînou (45) Operatic shouting, as 103.7 590km
89.0 1454 F RFI Paris, Paris/Tour Eiffel (75) YLs discussion, as web stream 497km **
89.8 1455 F RDL-Radio Dallas Loisirs, Dunkerque/le Banc Vert (59) 60s song, as 89.6 275km
91.5 1504 F Virgin Radio, Boulogne-sur-Mer/Mont Lambert (62) messed up song, as web stream 285km
91.8 1514 F Fun Radio, Amiens/Dury TDF (80) Dance music, as web stream 390km **
92.8 1515 F NRJ, Béthune/Fresnicourt-le-Dolmen (62) Pops, as web stream 341km
92.8 1517 F Skyrock, Vannes/le Prat (56) Familiar jingle ID and ads, as web stream 647km **
93.6 1525 F Virgin Radio, Amiens/Dury TDF (80) Presumed Amiens due to conditions. Coldplay, as web stream 390km **
93.8 1527 F Contact, Saint-Omer/Tatinghem (62) Phone in quiz, as web stream 297km
94.2 1528 F Contact, Amiens/Dury 3 (80) Phone in quiz as 93.8 391km **
95.0 1529 F RTL, Montreuil/le Bois-de-Sel (62) ID and ads, including one for Carrefour! 302km **
96.4 1535 F BFM Business, Lille/Fort de Mons-en-Baroeul (59) Stocks et shares, as web stream 339km
96.5 1536 F Skyrock, Saint-Omer/Asdoit (62) Phone in quiz as 93.8 296km
97.8 1538 F France Bleu Nord, Montreuil/le Bois-de-Sel (62) Boogie woogie song and ID 302km **
99.0 1548 F RPL 99FM/RCV, Lille/Lambersart (59) RCV programming, as web stream 334km
100.2 1551 F France Bleu Picardie, Amiens/Dury Towercast (80) OMs chat, muffled audio, as web stream 390km **
101.3 1555 F NRJ, Lille/Mons-en-Baroeul 1 (59) Dance beats, as web stream 338km
102.5 1559 F RFM, Calais/Mont d'Hubert (62) Pops, as 101.6 266km
107.3 1600 F Skyrock, Evreux/Tour de la Madelaine (27) ID, jingle and pops 464km **
107.5 1606 BEL VBRO, Poperinge (vlg-wvl) Dutch music, as 107.3 304km
87.9 1617 F Virgin Radio, Montreuil/le Bois-de-Sel (62) Ad break, ID 302km
88.2 1627 F Radio Classique, Lille/Fort de Mons-en-Baroeul (59) OM serious talk, as web stream 339km
105.7 1639 F France Info, Montreuil/le Bois-de-Sel (62) Presumed site. As other France Infos 302km **
106.7 1641 F Fun Radio, Hesdin/le Quesnoy-en-Artois (62) ID and Club beats, as web stream 334km
107.0 1643 F RMC, Boulogne-sur-Mer/Mont Lambert (62) Very weak, gruff voiced OM as web stream 285km
90.6 1808 F France Inter, Nantes/Haute-Goulaine (44) YL and French OM song, as 103.7 675km
93.8 1810 F France Inter, Parthenay/les Chateliers (79) French song, as 103.7, etc. 712km
94.2 1811 F France Culture, Nantes/Haute-Goulaine (44) Deep voiced OM, as 98.0 675km
100.7 1818 F France Inter, Guéret/Signal du Maupuy (23) OMs YL serious talk, as web stream 785km
102.3 1942 F NRJ, Saint-Omer/Wisques (62) ID in excitable phone in 299km
100.8 1947 F Contact, Three sites listed Phone in, as web stream
100.6 1953 F France Bleu Picardie, Abbeville/Limeux (80) ID and pops 364km
91.8 2006 HOL FunX, Rotterdam/Alticom Toren (zho) Pops, as web stream 313km
94.2 2221 F Europe 1, Saint-Omer/Wisques (62) YL phone in, as web stream 299km
99.4 2226 BEL Topradio, Gent/IVAGO Proeftuinstraat 43 (vlg-ovl) Repetitive club beats, as web 333km
99.6 2226 HOL Slam!FM, Hoorn/Electronweg (nho) Lady Blah Blahs DX This Way, as 91.1 325km
Monday 22 October 2012
BOG Test (Beverage On The Ground)
It was a trial run. A DX trip to one of the most secluded places in England: The Wash! Unfortunately I chose a foggy day.
The Wash is a square-mouthed bay and estuary on the northwest side of East Anglia on the east coast of England. Approximately 20 miles on each side, it is where Norfolk meets Lincolnshire and it is one of the largest estuaries in the United Kingdom. It is fed by the Rivers Witham, Welland, Nene and Great Ouse.
Being one of the most electrically isolated places in the UK, I assumed it would be an ideal place to run out a Beverage antenna. It was! Reception of several countries in the Far East was possible on most frequencies across the medium wave broadcast band. Many of the signals came from Chinese domestic transmitters but it was impossible to know exactly which transmitter was being received in most cases due to co-channel operation. Some signals were so strong as to override European and sometimes English radio stations! As well as China, South Korea, Thailand, The Philippines and even Japan was received.
This trip was only a trial run and a simple 380 metre beverage was run along the ground towards the north-east, the best direction for receiving the Far East. I employed Bodgitt & Scarper methods throughout as it was a trial run and I wanted to see if reception was good enough to warrant a more robust build in the future.
I will include a log of stations heard towards the end of this page, but please be patient as it is currently under construction.
Abandon Hope ... all who run your beverages through here!
The peace and calm of the western shores of The Wash
A lone DXer tunes in to the world
RG58 leaving the mobile shack
RG58 on the ground!
The wire leaves the feed point (I know it's a bodge. This was only a test run)
Can you see the wire?
Termination point
Part of the beverage run
Friday 12 October 2012
Making Recordings Of Your DX - How Important?
This is another matter which keeps rearing its head from time to time and there are no simple answers to the questions it throws up. Two questions which immediately come to mind are:
1. How important is it to you to make recordings of your DX catches?
2. How important do you think it is to others so they can hear your DX?
For me, personally, I like to have the recorder running when I am DXing because I know there will be times in the future when I would love to hear that DX again and be reminded how it sounded and that it really did happen. For others, it provides proof that you really did hear that DX. But just how important is it for others to be able to hear your DX? Does it really matter if you don't?
No matter how much I ponder this matter I keep arriving at the same conclusion. If you are fortunate enough to hear something rare and exotic on your radio, consider that others might not believe you. This is an unfortunate part of our hobby. Why should others not believe you though? I put this down to two things:
1. Elitist DX groups.
2. DXers who have been found, and have admitted to, fabricating DX loggings.
Looking at the first thing: (sorry to bring up the "elitist" thing again) I immediately think of a well-known DX group who practically insist that DXers provide recordings of their better DX catches. This might be partly attributable to the second thing: that there have been a number of well-known DXers whom, over the years, have been found to be making up some of their DX loggings. Is it any wonder then that some DX groups want proof?
Unfortunately, not all DXers are able to record their DX. In years gone by the DXer would use a tape recorder, but recording times were restricted to the length of the cassette tape. Some might have used larger, 1/4 inch tape, which could be slowed down to make the recording times longer. As technology advanced into the digital age we moved into minidisc and dat tape, but these could be expensive. Videotape recorders came to the rescue to a large degree, being able to record up to four hours on a VHS tape. When these advanced to have variable speeds you could have twelve hours of recording time. But how would you extract the part of the recording which contained your exotic DX catch? It all became very time consuming.
Then we entered the computer age, but did this solve the problems associated with extended recording times and has the DXer been able to use the technology to good effect?
The problem with computer technology, as I see it, it has reached such a level of advancement that most people have difficulty understanding it. It is too complicated for most of us. Younger people who are brought up with computers at schools have a better understanding of the technology at an earlier age. Older people, or people who were not brought up with computer technology, often have considerable difficulty understanding it. Not only this, but you almost need to be a fully qualified audio engineer to understand the intricacies of sound cards, sample rates and audio production software.
So, in conclusion, and as I said, there are no easy answers. But sadly we live in times that, should you be the lucky one to receive a low powered Bolivian signal on medium wave, or a multi-hop sporadic E signal on band 2, you have to expect that some DXers might challenge your reception and demand proof.
Some useful links which look at computer audio recording methods:
fmdxing.wordpress.com: Zen
fmdxing.wordpress.com: Recording: Zen Neeon Vs Samsung Yepp
fmdxing.wordpress.com: Teac AD-800: Three machines in one!
fmdxing.wordpress.com: Subjective comparison of recording methods
fmdxing.wordpress.com: Samsung Yepp mp3 Recorder
1. How important is it to you to make recordings of your DX catches?
2. How important do you think it is to others so they can hear your DX?
For me, personally, I like to have the recorder running when I am DXing because I know there will be times in the future when I would love to hear that DX again and be reminded how it sounded and that it really did happen. For others, it provides proof that you really did hear that DX. But just how important is it for others to be able to hear your DX? Does it really matter if you don't?
No matter how much I ponder this matter I keep arriving at the same conclusion. If you are fortunate enough to hear something rare and exotic on your radio, consider that others might not believe you. This is an unfortunate part of our hobby. Why should others not believe you though? I put this down to two things:
1. Elitist DX groups.
2. DXers who have been found, and have admitted to, fabricating DX loggings.
Looking at the first thing: (sorry to bring up the "elitist" thing again) I immediately think of a well-known DX group who practically insist that DXers provide recordings of their better DX catches. This might be partly attributable to the second thing: that there have been a number of well-known DXers whom, over the years, have been found to be making up some of their DX loggings. Is it any wonder then that some DX groups want proof?
Unfortunately, not all DXers are able to record their DX. In years gone by the DXer would use a tape recorder, but recording times were restricted to the length of the cassette tape. Some might have used larger, 1/4 inch tape, which could be slowed down to make the recording times longer. As technology advanced into the digital age we moved into minidisc and dat tape, but these could be expensive. Videotape recorders came to the rescue to a large degree, being able to record up to four hours on a VHS tape. When these advanced to have variable speeds you could have twelve hours of recording time. But how would you extract the part of the recording which contained your exotic DX catch? It all became very time consuming.
Then we entered the computer age, but did this solve the problems associated with extended recording times and has the DXer been able to use the technology to good effect?
The problem with computer technology, as I see it, it has reached such a level of advancement that most people have difficulty understanding it. It is too complicated for most of us. Younger people who are brought up with computers at schools have a better understanding of the technology at an earlier age. Older people, or people who were not brought up with computer technology, often have considerable difficulty understanding it. Not only this, but you almost need to be a fully qualified audio engineer to understand the intricacies of sound cards, sample rates and audio production software.
So, in conclusion, and as I said, there are no easy answers. But sadly we live in times that, should you be the lucky one to receive a low powered Bolivian signal on medium wave, or a multi-hop sporadic E signal on band 2, you have to expect that some DXers might challenge your reception and demand proof.
Some useful links which look at computer audio recording methods:
fmdxing.wordpress.com: Zen
fmdxing.wordpress.com: Recording: Zen Neeon Vs Samsung Yepp
fmdxing.wordpress.com: Teac AD-800: Three machines in one!
fmdxing.wordpress.com: Subjective comparison of recording methods
fmdxing.wordpress.com: Samsung Yepp mp3 Recorder
Tuesday 9 October 2012
Late Evening Tropo
There was some late evening tropospheric activity on band 2.
Tropospheric:
91.0 2150 D hr1, Sackpfeife (Biedenkopf) (hes) Lionel Richie song and ID, as web stream 612 km
104.7 2150 D WDR Eins Live, Nordhelle (nrw) Pops, as 106.7. Almost noise free 554 km
91.8 2151 F France Musique, Bourges/Neuvy (18) Rock music, as
88.7 web stream 672 km
93.2 2152 D WDR 2, Teutoburger Wald/Bielstein (nrw) OM, as web stream, riding above Bruxelles 591 km
95.5 2153 F France Bleu Nord, Boulogne-sur-Mer/Mont Lambert (62) That dreadful Gotye song, as 94.7. Almost noise free 285 km
97.6 2154 HOL Radio Decibel, Rotterdam/Alticom Toren (zho) Three bar peaks. Scrolling RDS 313 km
106.5 2158 F France Info, Boulogne-sur-Mer/Mont Lambert (62) As
105.2. Noise free 285 km
91.6 2200 HOL Radio Veronica, Amsterdam/Alticom Toren (nho) ID and music promo. Noise free 321 km
91.1 2201 HOL Slam!FM, Hilversum/Media Park-Alticom (nho) Humourous promotion, ID and dance music 342 km
90.7 2202 HOL Arrow Jazz FM, IJsselstein/Gerbrandytoren-Alticom (utr) Jazzy Nightflights show. ID 344 km
90.2 2203 HOL 100% NL, Roosendaal/Alticom Toren (nbr) Nieuws. ID. Noise free 334 km
88.6 2204 HOL 3FM, Smilde/Alticom Toren (dre) YL interviewing OM on phone, as web stream 408 km
88.4 2205 HOL Slam!FM, Roosendaal/Alticom Toren (nbr) OM news, as
91.1 334 km
93.8 2206 HOL Slam!FM, Megen/Alticom Toren (nbr) OM, as 91.1 387 km
95.0 2207 HOL Radio 4, Goes/Alticom Toren (zee) Violin concerto, as 94.7. Noise free 303 km
91.1 2209 F Skyrock, Dunkerque/Tour Emery (59) Bizarre phone in, as 106.9 274 km
98.2 2222 HOL Radio 4, Loon op Zand/Alticom Toren (nbr) Violin concerto, as 95.0, etc. Noise free 366 km
104.8 2226 G BBC Sussex, Burton Down (EN-WSU) Paul Whatsisname, as 96.1, etc. Almost noise free 257 km
87.6 2229 BEL Nostalgie Vlaanderen, Oostende/Residentie De Mast (vlg-wvl) Steve Harley song, as web stream 278 km
88.0 2231 G Shine FM, London pirate On new frequency? As web stream
88.4 2233 G Vision Radio UK, London pirate House beats, as web stream
Good DX!
John G1VVP, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) 1m ASL
Receivers:
Sony XDR-F1HD (tropospheric)
Kenwood KT6040 (sporadic E & meteor scatter)
Icom IC7000 (OIRT)
Conrad RDS Manager
Aerials:
Rooftop Triax FM5, 8m AGL
Yaesu G-5500 azimuthal/elevation rotator
Software:
RDS Spy v0.97
VAC v4.10
Tropospheric:
91.0 2150 D hr1, Sackpfeife (Biedenkopf) (hes) Lionel Richie song and ID, as web stream 612 km
104.7 2150 D WDR Eins Live, Nordhelle (nrw) Pops, as 106.7. Almost noise free 554 km
91.8 2151 F France Musique, Bourges/Neuvy (18) Rock music, as
88.7 web stream 672 km
93.2 2152 D WDR 2, Teutoburger Wald/Bielstein (nrw) OM, as web stream, riding above Bruxelles 591 km
95.5 2153 F France Bleu Nord, Boulogne-sur-Mer/Mont Lambert (62) That dreadful Gotye song, as 94.7. Almost noise free 285 km
97.6 2154 HOL Radio Decibel, Rotterdam/Alticom Toren (zho) Three bar peaks. Scrolling RDS 313 km
106.5 2158 F France Info, Boulogne-sur-Mer/Mont Lambert (62) As
105.2. Noise free 285 km
91.6 2200 HOL Radio Veronica, Amsterdam/Alticom Toren (nho) ID and music promo. Noise free 321 km
91.1 2201 HOL Slam!FM, Hilversum/Media Park-Alticom (nho) Humourous promotion, ID and dance music 342 km
90.7 2202 HOL Arrow Jazz FM, IJsselstein/Gerbrandytoren-Alticom (utr) Jazzy Nightflights show. ID 344 km
90.2 2203 HOL 100% NL, Roosendaal/Alticom Toren (nbr) Nieuws. ID. Noise free 334 km
88.6 2204 HOL 3FM, Smilde/Alticom Toren (dre) YL interviewing OM on phone, as web stream 408 km
88.4 2205 HOL Slam!FM, Roosendaal/Alticom Toren (nbr) OM news, as
91.1 334 km
93.8 2206 HOL Slam!FM, Megen/Alticom Toren (nbr) OM, as 91.1 387 km
95.0 2207 HOL Radio 4, Goes/Alticom Toren (zee) Violin concerto, as 94.7. Noise free 303 km
91.1 2209 F Skyrock, Dunkerque/Tour Emery (59) Bizarre phone in, as 106.9 274 km
98.2 2222 HOL Radio 4, Loon op Zand/Alticom Toren (nbr) Violin concerto, as 95.0, etc. Noise free 366 km
104.8 2226 G BBC Sussex, Burton Down (EN-WSU) Paul Whatsisname, as 96.1, etc. Almost noise free 257 km
87.6 2229 BEL Nostalgie Vlaanderen, Oostende/Residentie De Mast (vlg-wvl) Steve Harley song, as web stream 278 km
88.0 2231 G Shine FM, London pirate On new frequency? As web stream
88.4 2233 G Vision Radio UK, London pirate House beats, as web stream
Good DX!
John G1VVP, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) 1m ASL
Receivers:
Sony XDR-F1HD (tropospheric)
Kenwood KT6040 (sporadic E & meteor scatter)
Icom IC7000 (OIRT)
Conrad RDS Manager
Aerials:
Rooftop Triax FM5, 8m AGL
Yaesu G-5500 azimuthal/elevation rotator
Software:
RDS Spy v0.97
VAC v4.10
Sunday 7 October 2012
10m Activity Disapointing This Weekend
This weekend's 10m activity was disappointing compared to last weekend's. I only worked six stations on Saturday 6th, but I also noticed that 10m activity on the DX clusters was also lacking. Here are the six that I managed, now bringing my total DX entities up to 16:
Date GMT Callsign Locator Their Sig My Sig Mode Props Distance
06/10/2012 16:47 PU1CWP GG99UP 5/9 5/5 SSB F2 9053 km
06/10/2012 13:24 A61BK LL75QG 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 5481 km
06/10/2012 13:19 CN2LO IM61AP 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 2480 km
06/10/2012 11:55 R4HZZ LO43PM 5/9 +10 5/9 SSB F2 3188 km
06/10/2012 11:37 UA9SBQ OO62MG 5/9 +10 5/9 SSB F2 6736 km
06/10/2012 11:29 OD5PY KM73SU 5/8 5/6 SSB F2 3503 km
Date GMT Callsign Locator Their Sig My Sig Mode Props Distance
06/10/2012 16:47 PU1CWP GG99UP 5/9 5/5 SSB F2 9053 km
06/10/2012 13:24 A61BK LL75QG 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 5481 km
06/10/2012 13:19 CN2LO IM61AP 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 2480 km
06/10/2012 11:55 R4HZZ LO43PM 5/9 +10 5/9 SSB F2 3188 km
06/10/2012 11:37 UA9SBQ OO62MG 5/9 +10 5/9 SSB F2 6736 km
06/10/2012 11:29 OD5PY KM73SU 5/8 5/6 SSB F2 3503 km
A DX Dilemma
It's the time of year when bugs fill the air and I seem to have caught several of them recently - several DX bugs that is, and I am finding them difficult to fight off. They are:
FM broadcast DXing in the 88-108 MHz range. This band often proves very interesting as we enter the time of the year when autumnal tropospheric conditions can take hold of the band and produce strong ducts of several hundred miles or more.
The tranatlantic DX season is beginning on the medium wave broadcast band too and, since erecting a new flag antenna on the garden, I have found that it works so well I can hear lots of transatlantic and oriental DX. My Perseus SDR receiver records the band for me, but finding sufficient time to play back the recordings is proving difficult;
Finally, because solar activity is quite high, the 10 metre amateur band has come alive and I have developed a keen interest in QRP DX. My measly 10 watts has enebled me to work almost world-wide and penetrate pile-ups with little difficulty. I have worked all continents except the Pacific region. I think I might be able to achieve this with a bit of luck, but but breaking through some of those pile-ups needs patience and can take a long time.
So, there's plenty of DX activity to keep me occupied, but each of these areas of the hobby take up more time than I would like. Which one do I focus on?
This should be DX heaven right now, but I would be completely selfish if I didn't accept that there are certain domestic chores which also need my attention as they will not do themselves. Did I mention my relationship too? So, I need to take all of these things into account and strike a healthy and happy balance.
It can be tough having so many interests in this weird and wonderful hobby of ours, but as long as I remember that it is only a "hobby" and nothing more, we should all be happy here. It's a very addictive hobby though!
FM broadcast DXing in the 88-108 MHz range. This band often proves very interesting as we enter the time of the year when autumnal tropospheric conditions can take hold of the band and produce strong ducts of several hundred miles or more.
The tranatlantic DX season is beginning on the medium wave broadcast band too and, since erecting a new flag antenna on the garden, I have found that it works so well I can hear lots of transatlantic and oriental DX. My Perseus SDR receiver records the band for me, but finding sufficient time to play back the recordings is proving difficult;
So, there's plenty of DX activity to keep me occupied, but each of these areas of the hobby take up more time than I would like. Which one do I focus on?
This should be DX heaven right now, but I would be completely selfish if I didn't accept that there are certain domestic chores which also need my attention as they will not do themselves. Did I mention my relationship too? So, I need to take all of these things into account and strike a healthy and happy balance.
It can be tough having so many interests in this weird and wonderful hobby of ours, but as long as I remember that it is only a "hobby" and nothing more, we should all be happy here. It's a very addictive hobby though!
Monday 1 October 2012
Weekend 10m Activity
I spent the weekend DXing on 10m, using only 10 watts into a 5/8 wave vertical, two metres off the ground.
Most of the hams I worked were using high power in the order of 1 kW to 1.5 kW. Funny how my signal report was only a couple of S points behind theirs. Who needs high power to work the world?
Date GMT Callsign Locator Their sig My sig Mode Props Distance
30/09/2012 17:49 EA9BW IM75JM 5/9 5/5 SSB F2 2006 km
30/09/2012 17:45 M0HAZ JO03DD 5/9 +10 5/9 +10 SSB F2 2 km
30/09/2012 16:32 FM5WD FK94MP 5/9 5/5 SSB F2 6805 km
30/09/2012 16:18 LA2HA KN33WN 5/9 5/7 SSB F2 2279 km
30/09/2012 13:25 RX6DC LN04NX 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 3063 km
30/09/2012 13:13 K3RA FM19PF 5/9 5/5 SSB F2 5821 km
30/09/2012 11:34 TA3GO KM38KG 5/9 5/7 SSB F2 2618 km
30/09/2012 10:47 RT4RO LO65ER 5/9 +10 5/7 SSB F2 3299 km
30/09/2012 09:56 EC8AQQ IL27GW 5/8 5/1 SSB F2 3086 km
30/09/2012 09:31 R9XV LP63XO 5/9 5/7 SSB F2 3222 km
30/09/2012 09:12 LZ2AVA KN43EK 5/9 5/8 SSB F2 2320 km
29/09/2012 11:18 RV9YP NO22NL 5/9 +10 5/5 SSB F2 5017 km
29/09/2012 11:45 UR9MC KN98JL 5/9 +10 5/9 SSB F2 2719 km
29/09/2012 12:26 5B/G8DX Paphos 5/7 5/2 SSB F2 3429 km
29/09/2012 14:02 K3LU FM19PB 5/7 5/6 SSB F2 5834 km
29/09/2012 17:02 7X4AN IM94GU 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 2038 km
29/09/2012 18:52 WX3B FM19KQ 5/9 +10 5/9 SSB F2 5814 km
28/09/2012 17:40 KC4TVZ EM84BE 5/7 5/9 SSB F2 6669 km
28/09/2012 16:10 UT7EW KN78MM 5/9 +10 5/7 SSB F2 2467 km
Most of the hams I worked were using high power in the order of 1 kW to 1.5 kW. Funny how my signal report was only a couple of S points behind theirs. Who needs high power to work the world?
Date GMT Callsign Locator Their sig My sig Mode Props Distance
30/09/2012 17:49 EA9BW IM75JM 5/9 5/5 SSB F2 2006 km
30/09/2012 17:45 M0HAZ JO03DD 5/9 +10 5/9 +10 SSB F2 2 km
30/09/2012 16:32 FM5WD FK94MP 5/9 5/5 SSB F2 6805 km
30/09/2012 16:18 LA2HA KN33WN 5/9 5/7 SSB F2 2279 km
30/09/2012 13:25 RX6DC LN04NX 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 3063 km
30/09/2012 13:13 K3RA FM19PF 5/9 5/5 SSB F2 5821 km
30/09/2012 11:34 TA3GO KM38KG 5/9 5/7 SSB F2 2618 km
30/09/2012 10:47 RT4RO LO65ER 5/9 +10 5/7 SSB F2 3299 km
30/09/2012 09:56 EC8AQQ IL27GW 5/8 5/1 SSB F2 3086 km
30/09/2012 09:31 R9XV LP63XO 5/9 5/7 SSB F2 3222 km
30/09/2012 09:12 LZ2AVA KN43EK 5/9 5/8 SSB F2 2320 km
29/09/2012 11:18 RV9YP NO22NL 5/9 +10 5/5 SSB F2 5017 km
29/09/2012 11:45 UR9MC KN98JL 5/9 +10 5/9 SSB F2 2719 km
29/09/2012 12:26 5B/G8DX Paphos 5/7 5/2 SSB F2 3429 km
29/09/2012 14:02 K3LU FM19PB 5/7 5/6 SSB F2 5834 km
29/09/2012 17:02 7X4AN IM94GU 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 2038 km
29/09/2012 18:52 WX3B FM19KQ 5/9 +10 5/9 SSB F2 5814 km
28/09/2012 17:40 KC4TVZ EM84BE 5/7 5/9 SSB F2 6669 km
28/09/2012 16:10 UT7EW KN78MM 5/9 +10 5/7 SSB F2 2467 km
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