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G’day. I thought it was time to sendsomething in. I am a 65 year old
retired Electrical Engineer. Most of mydesigns went in to sonar… and all of
them are now obsolete (by the timeelectronics get to manufacturing, they are
obsolete!) My design legacy is the“W” on the University of Washington Husky
football helmet. While I was incollege, I “worked” as a football manager (with
the equipment) and when DonJames became head coach, he wanted a new helmet
design. I did the “W” whichapparently caught on big time (too bad I didn’t get
royalties, hi). For thosewatching the Rose Bowl today!
I started DXing in 1968 when I entered acontest in Jr High to see who
could hear the most stations over a week’s time.I used an old console radio my
parents had retired and heard a few stations, butI was hooked! The fellow
running the contest told me about writing stations forverifications, so I
started doing that. My verification request to KOB was“canvassed” by Don
Erickson and I received a sample “DX Monitor”. Naturally, Ijoined and
discovered other DXers, some of whom lived near me! As of now, Ihave heard 2157
stations (I count call changes – most of my new stations thesedays).
I have used many different radios and antennasand have a modest collection
of them. My first DX radio was the “original”Radio Shack TRF along with a
Worcester Space Magnet ferrite loop antenna. Ihave used many communication
receivers; my favorite being a Drake R-7 and R-392as well as several loop
antennas (built a few too).
Recently, I have started DXing again (Ilisten on our car radio while my
wife is thrift shopping – some parking lotsare better than others, hi). I have
noticed a few things that have changedsince I was active. Almost all stations
have network programs during most ofthe hour, and there even more sports
stations than before. Station IDs are veryhard to get… not everyone IDs at the
top of the hour (especially ESPN!) andmost do not ID during the hour (bottom of
the hour IDs are almostnon-existent). Several stations use an FM frequency and
slogan in their pseudoIDs (the NRC log lists FM parallels now). A lot of spots
are not local, whichmakes me wonder if they are logged by the station?
One positive thing that has happened… theinternet. Most stations have
webcasts, which sometimes makes it possible todecide whether to stay on a
frequency to wait for an ID, or move on. I can noteparts of spots and then look
up the business on-line to verify spelling andthose few words that I missed.
Recently, I managed to get an Email verification(1 day turn around). Graveyard
frequencies are a mess (well they became thatway when most stations went to
1000 watts and are even worse now).
I’ve helped out IRCA in several ways overthe years. Currently, I am
Editor-in-Chief of “DX Monitor” and run the GoodieFactory (have you purchased
your Mexican Log yet?) Please send me any ideas forimproving the bulletin.
In addition to AM DXing, I collect radiostickers. I have over 45000 US and
Canadian in my collection (and even more totrade). I am actively seeking
stickers and will purchase collections, or extras, from other collectors. I
tradewith a few folks as well.
Best of DX to y’all from pb
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