<<< I'm actually really grateful to those who make the effort to DX regularly and report on their failures as well as successes, as I suspect that DXers as a group are getting a much clearer idea of the way the MW band works, even if not yet, a clear idea of why. Not to mention, some really interesting DX has turned up along the way, flagged by one or another individual, and benefiting others. >>>
Except for wild and wacky FSL antenna experimentation this month I would probably be posting daily TP reports right along with Nick and Richard, regardless of the dreary results. December TP propagation usually results in a lackluster pattern of weak big guns, although there is an occasional blast of potent high band Asians on 1566, 1575 and 1593. This morning there was a little sampling of the latter, at least during the predawn darkness from 1245-1400. 1566-HLAZ was the main star, reaching huge levels even on an experimental 5 inch "Baby FSL." Its Japanese service hit many S9 peaks from 1300-1340, while 972-HLCA, 1134-JOQR, 1575-VOA and 1593-CNR1 were in and out at fair levels during the same period. A presumed 1377-CNR1 even managed a few seconds of threshold audio, along with a presumed 1503-JOUK (no NHK1 parallel available). The low band was distinctly anemic, with 594, 693 and 774 practically missing in action. Substituting Amidon ferrite rods for Russian surplus equivalents in FSL antennas definitely provides a performance boost, although it's tough to say whether twice as much "bang" is provided for twice as much "buck." A full-sized version of one of these Amidon FSL's might not be just another "Financial Sinkhole Loop," but a new "Ferrite Fort Knox." 1566 HLAZ Jeju, S. Korea Japanese service at a thunderous level at 1311; the pulsing, high-pitched tone every 2 seconds is the North Korean Jammer (which sounded pretty wimpy up against HLAZ this morning) https://app.box.com/s/lkfrr1cbokz9ui153xijgh437k7yxs28 73 and Good DX, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA) 7.5" loopstick C.Crane Skywave Ultralight + Experimental 5" Baby FSL (29 Amidon Type 61 4" x .5" ferrite rods + 23 turns of 1162/46 Litz wire) _______________________________________________ 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]
