Hello All, From August 6-10th another wild "Cliffhanger DXpedition" was conducted on side of the plunging ocean cliff near Manzanita, Oregon by three transoceanic DXers (Chuck, Tom and I). A photo of the narrow, highly exposed DXpedition site is posted at https://app.box.com/s/84h2dg1euqgkftzm0mhmbzld17z0t0yx Exceptional South Pacific propagation combined with acceptable summer weather, and breakthrough DU loggings were made on many frequencies. The 7 most exotic South Pacific DX catches made with the C.Crane Skywave Ultralight radio and 17" DXpedition antenna are posted below, along with a brief description of the station and reception conditions. 531 More FM Alexandra, New Zealand (2 kW) Very rare Kiwi R & B music station heard for the first time in North America in June at this location, it rarely sneaks through the more powerful (5 kW) Auckland Maori language station (PI). This MP3 features a "More PM" ID 3 seconds into the recording https://app.box.com/s/d164sjtzhxef38wdzbsxcdd22nraz20u 558 Radio Fiji Suva, Fiji (10 kW) Listed as inactive in the 2015 WRTH and not listed in the current PAL, the station was heard weakly in June at this location by Tom and I. This powerful (near S9) signal recorded on the last day of the DXpedition features the station's typical Polynesian choral music format, and is solid evidence that the transmitter has been repaired. https://app.box.com/s/vq9768fgfvqdjeuc30dtqkt2m6p9u7rh 558 6WA Wagin, Australia (50 kW) Relatively weak logging made at the end of a session featuring Australian-slanted propagation, this recording features the typical LR network male-female interview format and announcer voices, with programming identical to that heard on the LR network station 774-3LO 30 minutes earlier (there is an programming delay between eastern and western Australia on the LR network). Fortunately, 6WA is the only LR network station on the frequency. A new Ultralight radio worldwide DX distance record at 9,137 miles / 14,704 km. https://app.box.com/s/qihuia6gdcc07l4z3jix5f8gwwzycg26 585 Radio Ngati Porou Ruatoria, New Zealand (2 kW) This Maori-language Kiwi station a legendary reputation for weakness, and has only been heard with FSL antennas at this Rockwork 4 site. The only was to identify it is to match its Maori-language programming with late-night parallels on 603 or 765, and this is rarely possible. For some unknown reason wacky Kiwi propagation on 8-9 boosted its signal up to a relatively healthy level, even stronger than its 603 parallel recorded at the end of the MP3. https://app.box.com/s/zg1bzp39c288hl4vomiqzs0i6medb6hb 585 7RN Hobart, Australia (10 kW) The only Tasmanian station ever to be heard with FSL antennas, this potent RN network signal on 8-9 was matched with the 576-2RN parallel for identity confirmation. The announcer gives a laid-back introduction to jazz music, dominating the frequency completely https://app.box.com/s/q8t7f6rttjs45mev1wo24a85mmudt5al 585 2WEB Bourke, Australia (Presumed, 10 kW) During wacky Australian-slanted propagation on 8-8 this signal featuring the Tokens' "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" temporarily broke through 7RN's exotic music, and was not parallel to either 576 or 603 (i.e. not 7RN nor Radio Ngati Porou). Since this song is typical of that played in 2WEB's format, the evidence definitely points to that station (which has been heard twice before at this location). https://app.box.com/s/ux40moc0k3l3nohximyrix8bcsp6lq71 936 Chinese Voice Auckland, New Zealand (1 kW) Wacky ocean cliff propagation boosted the signal of this very low powered Kiwi station up to quite a potent level on 8-10, providing a good example of how almost every New Zealand station can come into play when Cliff provides its DU signal boost https://app.box.com/s/bm3eodygfugsnvpjvwe0b9cqqtsxfktz Many more South Pacific stations were received at the plunging ocean cliff during the five day DXpedition, but these were 7 of the more interesting ones. Thanks to my partners Chuck and Tom for information on their loggings, and we do plan a full DXpedition report after all the recorded signals have been reviewed. 73 and Good DX, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA) DXing at the Rockwork 4 Ocean Cliff near Manzanita, OR, USA 7.5" loopstick C.Crane Skywave Ultralight + 17" DXpedition FSL antenna (photo posted at https://app.box.com/s/wi78hlmofflefzd2bd897gy0vvqvvxdu ) _______________________________________________ IRCA mailing list [email protected] http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca
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