Hello All,
For many of us trying recently, getting any type of transoceanic DX QSL can be
an exercise in frustration. But just to show that the exact opposite can
happen, I received an e-QSL from 585-2WEB (10 kW, Bourke, Australia) this
morning after an extremely weak reception at the Rockwork 4 cliff in Oregon
last week.
On the Cliff at 1250 UTC on July 22nd I heard a threshold audio signal on 585
kHz, dropping in and out of the noise (and the traffic noise from the 18
wheelers on Highway 101). I decided to record the weak signal in the remote
chance that it might come up to a level stable enough to get some identity
clues. After about a minute of recording I decided that the effort was
hopeless, shut off the MP3 recorder, and went on to record MP3's on other
frequencies.
After getting off of the noisy cliff I decided there was nothing to lose by
listening to the "wasted" MP3. I played back the recording, and was surprised
to detect some rock music notes at a weak level. Switching to ultra-sensitive
headphones, I played back the weak MP3 recording (posted at
http://www.mediafire.com/listen/geimfubkdv7y4h2/585-2WEB-1250z072213PL380.MP3
about 100 times, and was finally able to identify the song as James Taylor
singing "You've Got a Friend."
Now, for the lucky part of the story. I knew that of the possible South Pacific
stations on this frequency, only 585-2WEB (10 kW, in Bourke, Australia) was
likely to play this kind of music. I also knew that 2WEB's Programming
Director, David Sharp, was previously a famous DXer here in the states, and was
highly motivated to respond to reception reports. Finally, I knew that David
could confirm reception simply by matching an MP3 song with his programming
log. Within 12 hours of sending my ultra-weak MP3-based reception report to
David, I had an e-QSL from 585-2WEB (pasted below). So, of the 32 DU stations
received on the Cliff last week, this was certainly one of the most rewarding.
Thanks, David!
73, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)
Pasted from David's 585-2WEB e-QSL:
Gary,
I was able to compare the song clip with our music roster and once again you've
managed to receive 2WEB. I am happy to send you a written QSL if this brief
email doesn't suffice (and considering you have verified us in the past).
73s
David Sharp
Programme Director
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