Paul: That is "tropospheric enhancement" or simply tropo as many of us VHF DX'ers call it. Tropo normally enhances VHF reception anywhere from just a few miles (50 or so) of semi-locals that do not always come in to well over 500 miles. It is normally associated with temperature inversions, fronts and other weather systems. 175 miles is decent for a boom box w/no outside antenna (apparently). I have an Accurian (RS) HD radio and got trop out to 375 miles on it, a few weeks back, with plain $5 rabbit ears. By the way, I got the Accurian at a Goodwill for about the same price. :) FM Sporadic E (or Es or E-skip if you prefer) can get FM and low VHF TV stations from 600-1500 miles. I caught several stations from Texas, last month.
Nebraska could easily get both coasts with Summer Es. Current VHF tropo conditions (based upon 2 meter ham band) http://www.mountainlake.k12.mn.us/ham/aprs/path.cgi?map=na Tropo forecast maps http://www.dxinfocentre.com/tropo.html Dave in Indy PS: Right now (7/9 1730 EDT) the tropo map is showing an obvious error - a "duct" from Michigan to Utah. This must be 2 meter ham band E skip, which is quite rare! ------------------------------ Message: 4 Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:06:55 -0400 From: "Paul B. Walker, Jr." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [IRCA] Decent FM Conditions today? To: "NRC List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America" <[email protected]> Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 I live about 60 miles Northwest of Grand Island, Nebraska and about 175 miles by air from Omaha, Nebraska. I am getting a rock solid clear steady signal from Journal Broadcasting's 95KW/1184ft "Channel 94.1" KQCH in Omaha on the $10 Walmart boombox in my bathroom. Don't know if that reception is anything worthwhile or anything special, but wanted to pass it along. Paul Walker www.realradiousa.com _______________________________________________ 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]
