Craig, I believe it had to do with conditions. In those days, Hawaiians also blanketed the dial night after night. As far as antennas go, I had the same SW EWE in those days, I have today, except for new wire. The "strong punch" just is not there for the South Pacific, it was in the late 70s/early 80s. In those days, by an hour before LSS in Hawaii, I was already getting a couple of the stronger Hawaiians. The QRM factor in the NW with more stations, hasn't changed all that much from the early 80s, everyone was pretty much was NSP and there are not that many new stations to QRM the channels. Sure, there are a few changes, but not many. KOAC 550 Corvallis OR would be off at 10 PM, later 12 Midnight, but it really did not matter as KMVI Wailuku would knock KOAC right out with KMVI totally dominant night at night from LSS in Hawaii, on through the night. Again, the "punch" it gone. Mentioning KMVI, a friend who lived in Astoria (non DXer), would listen to LD Reynolds Top 40 countdown on KMVI with a shirt pocket portable and KMVI would be solid with little fading. He did not even realize KOAC existed! But as with anything, conditions change. But I felt in those days, the great DU DX would go on however, as it was there constantly. I was the 7th Heven I thought. I really got a bit "Burnt out" and it was on and on for a number of years. Another powerhouse I would hear strong was the Solomon Islands on 1026 khz (now 1035). I even corresponded with the PD there for a time, as I regularly listened to their Pidgin programming. I caught all three of their channels on MW. It has been sometime since I have heard Solomons even on their main channel of 1035. I also remember typing DXWW-West in 1981 and that was on the 8 1/2 by 14 sheet of paper, before the computer days, but typing it with 4MK 1026 MacKay, Q ( 5KW) booming in at S9+20DB night after night. This was after Solomons moved to 1035. Before they QRM'd 4MK/1ZK later on with the move it was Solomons/2ZB NZ QRM. Ah' the good ol' days. I would sure love to repeat them.
73, Patrick Patrick Martin KGED QSL Manager _______________________________________________ IRCA mailing list [email protected] http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: [email protected]
