Re: [IRCA] Rockworks, Oregon Non-DX Report for Oct. 24th
<<< We split up with the idea of comparing the 2 locations. We think 4 has horizon blockage from 300 degrees northward so might not give us some Asians. It does have a better "backscreen" cliff wall behind it. Rockworks 2 has no horizon blockage towards Asia. But a bit more signal might leak in from behind with the less imposing cliff wall behind it. >>> Your assessment of the relative cliff geometry is very accurate, Chuck. It would be great if Rockwork 2 had a "perfectly shaped" cliff for Asian reception like Rockwork 4 has for DU reception, but its shape isn't nearly so dramatic. We have only scratched the surface in investigating ocean cliff transoceanic propagation, though, so we probably still have quite a few discoveries in store. <<<Guy and I have a better impression of Asiatic reception from Rockworks 4 than you. Perhaps because we have been there in the fall (TP season) while your comments mention July lack of TPs. >>> After investigating all of the northwest Oregon ocean cliffs from 2011-2012 there was only one that I thought would really perform for Asian TP's-- Cape Perpetua. Unfortunately it is remote, highly exposed to foul weather and extremely cramped for broadband antenna setup (at the Highway 101 turnoff, that is). Rockwork 2 is closer to Puget Sound and has much more antenna setup space, but doesn't offer the same cliff geometry. If given a choice between Rockwork 2 and 4 for Asian TP reception, though, Rockwork 2 should be preferable. Of course, when Asian propagation is dreary along the entire west coast neither location is likely to meet expectations. Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA) - Original Message - From: "Chuck Hutton" To: irca@hard-core-dx.com Sent: Saturday, October 24, 2015 8:42:36 PM Subject: Re: [IRCA] Rockworks, Oregon Non-DX Report for Oct. 24th Gary - We split up with the idea of comparing the 2 locations. We think 4 has horizon blockage from 300 degrees northward so might not give us some Asians. It does have a better "backscreen" cliff wall behind it. Rockworks 2 has no horizon blockage towards Asia. But a bit more signal might leak in from behind with the less imposing cliff wall behind it. Guy and I have a better impression of Asiatic reception from Rockworks 4 than you. Perhaps because we have been there in the fall (TP season) while your comments mention July lack of TPs. Chuck > Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2015 20:00:08 -0700 > From: d...@guyatkins.com > To: irca@hard-core-dx.com > Subject: Re: [IRCA] Rockworks, Oregon Non-DX Report for Oct. 24th > > Hi Gary, there were two of us at Rock works 2 and two of us at Rockworks 4. > In fact, each location had a Flag or ALA100LN mast supported loop (50 or > more feet in circumference) as well as one or more Wellbrook 1-meter active > loops at each site. > > Our results were the same at each turnout, no matter what antenna :^( > > It's safe to say that it just wasn't a morning to set the log books on fire! > > 73, > > Guy Atkins > Puyallup, WA > DXing at the Rockworks cliffs near Manzanita, OR > ___ > IRCA mailing list > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com > 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: irca@hard-core-dx.com > ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com 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: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com 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: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Rockworks, Oregon Non-DX Report for Oct. 24th
Gary - We split up with the idea of comparing the 2 locations. We think 4 has horizon blockage from 300 degrees northward so might not give us some Asians. It does have a better "backscreen" cliff wall behind it. Rockworks 2 has no horizon blockage towards Asia. But a bit more signal might leak in from behind with the less imposing cliff wall behind it. Guy and I have a better impression of Asiatic reception from Rockworks 4 than you. Perhaps because we have been there in the fall (TP season) while your comments mention July lack of TPs. Chuck > Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2015 20:00:08 -0700 > From: d...@guyatkins.com > To: irca@hard-core-dx.com > Subject: Re: [IRCA] Rockworks, Oregon Non-DX Report for Oct. 24th > > Hi Gary, there were two of us at Rock works 2 and two of us at Rockworks 4. > In fact, each location had a Flag or ALA100LN mast supported loop (50 or > more feet in circumference) as well as one or more Wellbrook 1-meter active > loops at each site. > > Our results were the same at each turnout, no matter what antenna :^( > > It's safe to say that it just wasn't a morning to set the log books on fire! > > 73, > > Guy Atkins > Puyallup, WA > DXing at the Rockworks cliffs near Manzanita, OR > ___ > IRCA mailing list > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com > 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: irca@hard-core-dx.com > ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com 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: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Rockworks, Oregon Non-DX Report for Oct. 24th
Hi Gary, there were two of us at Rock works 2 and two of us at Rockworks 4. In fact, each location had a Flag or ALA100LN mast supported loop (50 or more feet in circumference) as well as one or more Wellbrook 1-meter active loops at each site. Our results were the same at each turnout, no matter what antenna :^( It's safe to say that it just wasn't a morning to set the log books on fire! 73, Guy Atkins Puyallup, WA DXing at the Rockworks cliffs near Manzanita, OR ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com 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: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Rockworks, Oregon Non-DX Report for Oct. 24th
Guy, I don't know if your group was setting up at the usual Rockwork 4 turnoff location this morning, but if so, I would certainly suggest that you shift your setup location to Rockwork 2 (the largest turnoff) tomorrow morning. Rockwork 4 is a flat ocean cliff facing directly in the DU direction, and although it provides superb DU-DXing results in the summer, it typically attenuates all Asian signals down to almost nothing in July. Rockwork 2, on the other hand, faces the Asian direction, and would also offer the bonus of more antenna setup space for your group. Although this morning's Asian propagation was definitely nothing to shout about, the best ocean cliff propagation currently available would probably be at Rockwork 2. This is assuming that there is no large RV parked there for the weekend, with an owner who assumes that he has a valid claim to the turnoff by virtue of having been a "resident" for an extended period (I am using a respectful term, rather than the one that we used among ourselves last summer). Gary DeBock (back in Puyallup) - Original Message - From: "Guy Atkins" To: "Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America" Sent: Saturday, October 24, 2015 1:57:35 PM Subject: [IRCA] Rockworks, Oregon Non-DX Report for Oct. 24th I've noticed some comments from Nick, Colin, and Gary that inland DX reception this morning was "TP dead", "maybe some carriers if I squint", etc.Fla Well, those descriptions fit the Rockworks cliffs this morning also! Chuck Hutton, Dave Aichelman, Chris Black, and myself tried everything but tribal coastal Indian DX chants to make the TPs (or even DUs) materialize, but it just wasn't a-happening this morning. No matter what the antenna--from medium sized Flag loops to compact 1-meter active Wellbrook loops-- the DX just wasn't appearing. The DXer conversations before and after the morning sunrise session were good, however! We were all impressed with Chris' setup for his first Oregon cliffs DXing session; he had a nifty low-buck table constructed in the back of his small SUV which looked very comfortable. We did have to do a team "antenna relocation project" for him, however... his rectangular loop and masts were far too close to the highway for safety reasons. After shuffling everything to the west about 20 feet we all breathed a sigh of relief. I'd say we had *maybe* a dozen TP frequencies in weak to moderate (at best) audio this morning with perhaps 8 or 12 more frequencies as carriers only. Most of the signals in audio were big gun Japanese... but barely propagating this morning. VOA Thailand 1575 was pretty good around the 1420-1430 sunrise enhancement period, but that's the extent of it. Hopefully Sunday morning will be better! 73, Guy Atkins Puyallup, WA USA DXing from Rockworks cliffs near Manzanita, Oregon ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com 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: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com 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: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Rockworks, Oregon Non-DX Report for Oct. 24th
Goes to show that no location, apart from Walt's Haida Gwaii perch (where you can practically see Japan from his cabin windows...) is immune to the current spate of depression inducing solar terrestrial conditions... The difference between "The Rock Works" and My QTH is that my bed is only 2 flights of stairs away from a King size bed and a duvet pre-warmed by my young wife... It's quickly becoming a good time to concentrate on tweaking antennas, tuners, phasers, switches and generally tidying up. 73 Colin Newell - CoffeeCrew.com - VA7WWV - Victoria - BC > ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com 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: irca@hard-core-dx.com
[IRCA] Rockworks, Oregon Non-DX Report for Oct. 24th
I've noticed some comments from Nick, Colin, and Gary that inland DX reception this morning was "TP dead", "maybe some carriers if I squint", etc.Fla Well, those descriptions fit the Rockworks cliffs this morning also! Chuck Hutton, Dave Aichelman, Chris Black, and myself tried everything but tribal coastal Indian DX chants to make the TPs (or even DUs) materialize, but it just wasn't a-happening this morning. No matter what the antenna--from medium sized Flag loops to compact 1-meter active Wellbrook loops-- the DX just wasn't appearing. The DXer conversations before and after the morning sunrise session were good, however! We were all impressed with Chris' setup for his first Oregon cliffs DXing session; he had a nifty low-buck table constructed in the back of his small SUV which looked very comfortable. We did have to do a team "antenna relocation project" for him, however... his rectangular loop and masts were far too close to the highway for safety reasons. After shuffling everything to the west about 20 feet we all breathed a sigh of relief. I'd say we had *maybe* a dozen TP frequencies in weak to moderate (at best) audio this morning with perhaps 8 or 12 more frequencies as carriers only. Most of the signals in audio were big gun Japanese... but barely propagating this morning. VOA Thailand 1575 was pretty good around the 1420-1430 sunrise enhancement period, but that's the extent of it. Hopefully Sunday morning will be better! 73, Guy Atkins Puyallup, WA USA DXing from Rockworks cliffs near Manzanita, Oregon ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com 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: irca@hard-core-dx.com
