The ocean cliff DXpedition conducted this month from the Rockwork 4 Highway 101 turnoff (near Manzanita, Oregon) from July 5-11 featured an international DXing group, with most of the members coming from other countries. We were especially honored to welcome the noted Japanese DXers Hiroo Nakagawa and Satoshi Miyauchi, who certainly had full exposure to the thrills of ocean cliff DXing (in more ways than one). As is typical at this ocean cliff site South Pacific propagation was seriously slanted toward New Zealand, although we had several good Australian signals, an almost daily blowtorch signal from 738-Tahiti and occasional reception of 1017-Tonga. The recordings below were all made on my Ultralight radio + FSL antenna systems, and represent the ten strongest DU signals observed over the 7-session trip. Both Tom and Nick were at the cliff for 3 sessions (July 9-11), while the Japanese were with us on July 10th and 11th. As most of you know by now, the July 10th session was notable for vicious rain and wind, making our antenna setup and DXing session a legendary struggle against the weather. Trying hard to adjust during their first session at the cliff, the Japanese probably wondered if a tsunami would hit us next. 531 PI (Auckland, NZ, 5 kW) Samoan broadcaster dominated on all 7 days with good signals, although 4KZ and More FM did manage to get through at times. This good-level Samoan female speech on 7-5 was typical https://app.box.com/s/pe8gr1917b4vn3gccskee5gep6go7cft 603 Radio Waatea (Auckland, NZ, 5 kW) Usually the strongest of the Maori network, this vibrant regular plays a mix of Maori and Motown music. Its strongest signal was on the last day (7-11) at 1218 https://app.box.com/s/xdxju7jr1flspiln9nz1havsvd8gy85o 675 RNZ National (Christchurch, NZ, 10 kW) The new kingpin of RNZ network transoceanic strength (after the demise of 567's old tower), this relay consistently outperformed its 50 kW parallel. This signal at 1257 on 7-8 was typical https://app.box.com/s/wx9b9i1dex7mqyrb9b9zgbnk1n3svwew 702 2BL (Sydney, Australia, 50 kW) Easily pushing 702-Magic aside whenever it showed up, this Oz big gun was the dominant station on both 7-7 and 7-10. The interview format was much different from Magic's oldie music https://app.box.com/s/f0qfop5x7ymw1gbyowg65obveuqjwf6m 702 Magic (Auckland, NZ, 10 kW) Capable of blistering signals when Kiwi propagation was enhanced, this oldie music broadcaster was the only DU on the frequency on 5 of 7 days https://app.box.com/s/gtd8u8zxduwpirycbso99kigyum2ja5c 738 Radio Polynesie (Mahina, Tahiti, 20 kW) A real blowtorch on most days, this French-language signal at 1233 on 7-9 was the strongest DU recording made during the trip, and seriously tested the crunch resistance of my Ultralight radio https://app.box.com/s/pw2gpfgh7vd19b33yz8ag7466y18462t 765 Radio Kahungunu (Napier-Hastings, NZ, 2.5 kW) Once again this low-powered Maori network station acted very much like a Kiwi big gun throughout the week. Maori and Motown music // 603 is the norm, as in this recording at 1215 on 7-8 https://app.box.com/s/p04c5i3fvvpxfw449nbsa2jlwmipsh6n 774 3LO (Melbourne, Australia, 50 kW) LR Network big gun was strong at 1222 on 7-5 but missing in action under Radio Sport on most days https://app.box.com/s/egf89xhr29obvisblm7cb9bzehid62jh 1035 Newstalk ZB (Wellington, NZ, 20 kW) The flagship relay of this talk radio network had potent signals on most mornings, including this discussion concerning NZ real estate at 1222 on 7-8 https://app.box.com/s/a21xkbboz6pbbqj73lj0ted4ft3fjiua 1386 Radio Tarana (Auckland, NZ, 10 kW) Hindu music broadcaster pounded in when Kiwi propagation was enhanced (as in this recording at 1246 on 7-6), otherwise got lost in splatter https://app.box.com/s/aaguop8hp57aa38eulommx06tm3l22qw Of course many other DU signals were heard during the DXpedition, and a full report will be drafted after all of the recordings are reviewed. 73 and Good DX, Gary DeBock (DXing at the Rockwork 4 ocean cliff near Manzanita, Oregon, USA) 7.5" loopstick C.Crane Skywave Ultralights (3)+ 17" and 15" DXpedition FSL antennas (Tom R.'s DXpedition Team Photo posted at https://app.box.com/s/xd8j1u7a7k5w9wvyflmrgjo49356203d ) _______________________________________________ IRCA mailing list [email protected] http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca
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