Rockwork 4 DXpedition-- Top Ten Signals from the South Pacific
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Hello All,
Exceptional propagation to both New Zealand and Australia made
the recent Rockwork 4 ocean cliff DXpedition (from August 6-10) one of the most
thrilling ever conducted. My DXpedition partners Chuck and Tom both set up small
broadband loops for Perseus-SDR spectrum capture at the narrow Highway 101
turnoff (with a plunging 400 foot sheer cliff), while I chased South Pacific DX
with a modified Ultralight radio and monster (17") FSL antenna. A photo of the
DXpedition setup at the cliff on August 7th is posted at https://app.box.com/s/fa2heca0v3ll2umbc84ko7zq2oj9k8uy
Posted below are links for the ten strongest DU stations heard at
the ocean cliff site with the 7.5" loopstick C.Crane Skywave Ultralight
radio and 17" FSL antenna. Thanks to my DXpedition partners Chuck and Tom for
sharing information on DX catches at the site.
567 RNZ Wellington, New Zealand (50 kW) Consistently the
strongest Kiwi station on the band each morning, this was a big change from last
year (when 531-PI was the top signal). This big band music on 8-7 was typical of
the station's strength.
576 2RN Sydney, Australia (50 kW) A powerful signal when
Aussie propagation kicked in, but MIA when New Zealand was favored. Playing a
variety of exotic music, its strength made identification of the ABC RN network
parallel signal 585-7RN possible during good propagation
603 Radio Waatea Auckland, New Zealand (5 kW) Maori
language broadcaster parallel to 765-Kahungunu during early mornings in NZ, it
often hit S9+ peaks during favorable Kiwi propagation. This awesome signal (with
beautiful Maori music) was recorded at 1244 on the first day (8-6)
702 Magic Auckland, New Zealand (10 kW) Depending on
propagation, this new-format station (ex-Radio Live) playing classic oldies was
either running wild over the Aussie co-channel 2BL, or showing up with anemic
signals far underneath it. This S9+ recording was made during awesome Kiwi
propagation on 8-7, during which the station sounded very much like one of the
Oregon coast locals
738 Radio Polynesie Mahina, Tahiti (20 kW) Blistering
strong signals usually showed up from this French language blowtorch once each
morning, whose R&B music seemed to get a boost whenever the Kiwis were
favored. This awesome recording of African and French pop music was made on such
a morning, at 1307 on 8-7
765 Radio Kahungunu Napier-Hastings, New Zealand (2.5 kW)
As always, this Maori-language overachiever had incredible signals for its 2.5
kW power. Who would ever have thought that this near-S9 level Maori language
music came from such a low power station? Another of the wackiest ocean cliff
mysteries...
774 Radio Sport New Plymouth, New Zealand (5 kW) With its
relay of the American network Fox Sports News after local midnight, the NZ
network Radio Sport stands out like a sore thumb with its Yankee-accented
English. This booming signal (way over the Aussie 3LO) was recorded during
excellent Kiwi propagation on 8-10
936 Chinese Voice Auckland, New Zealand (1 kW) How about
something really wacky? This 1 kW ethnic station was giving its best imitation
of a Kiwi big gun on 8-10-- something that only bizarre ocean cliff propagation
could manage!
1008 Newstalk ZB Tauranga, New Zealand (10 kW) Usually
managing equal signals with its 1035 parallel, this Kiwi talk station was
consistently one of the better DU performers. Here it is on 8-10, way over
Aussie co-channel 4TAB
1035 Newstalk ZB Wellington, New Zealand Powerful talk
signals were usually the order of the day with this Kiwi big gun, // 1008 and
other frequencies. Although the network concentrates on talk and news, it has
recently started playing music as well
73 and Good DX,
Gary DeBock (DXing at the Rockwork 4 ocean cliff near Manzanita,
OR)
7.5" loopstick C.Crane Skywave Ultralight
+ 17" DXpedition FSL antenna
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