August 2017 Rockwork 4 DXpedition Loggings & MP3's (Conclusion)
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Overall this August 2017 DXpedition has been far and away the most productive Rockwork 4 trip ever, with two Western Australians (531-6DL and 558-6WA) received at decent levels, five stations received on 531 kHz alone (PI, More FM, 2PM, 4KZ and 6DL), 558-Fiji completely restored and reaching S9 levels, an S9 recording of 585-2WEB (confirmed by David Sharp), the best-ever signals from the Kiwis on 531 (More FM), 603, 657, 765, 936 and 1503, monster signals from 585-7RN and 639-5CK, multiple receptions of 1017-Tonga, etc. Even when we needed to dodge the "sleeping squatters" it was a lot of fun to share the cliff with my DXpedition partners Tom and Chuck, especially during the phenomenal August 4th session (when Tom and I both made out like bandits). I'm sure that both of us will remember that wild and wacky session for years to come!
All of these and the other South Pacific loggings below were received with Ultralight radios and "airport unfriendly" FSL antennas (as in the photo posted at https://app.box.com/s/dqaag49l6uboqcfboq4b7fn5fy9dsr1f ). Signals which reached an S9 level are listed with a double asterisk (**). Special thanks is in order for Theo Donnelly, Andrew Brade, James Niven, Todd Emslie, Bill Whitacre, David Sharp, Walt Salmaniw and any others who assisted in the identification of the following stations (and especially to my DXpedition partner Tom Rothlisberger, who researched parallel stations for the two Western Australia loggings). You guys rock!
531 2PM Kempsey, Australia, 5 kW Good signal at 1242 on 8-8 with call-in talk format and mentions of SRN member station 2LM at :11 and 1:11 into the recording (thanks to Andrew Brade for listening)
531 4KZ Innisfail, Australia, 10 kW On top of the frequency at 1258 on 8-4 with "4KZ Regional News" ID at :08 into the recording. Usually was under PI during the week with its oldies and TOH news format (thanks to James Niven for listening) https://app.box.com/s/jtq9cyi0te4bbri3tv7puzvt289fpsmx
531 6DL Dalwallinu, Australia, 10 kW ABC conversation format received once during exceptional conditions at 1253 on 8-4; content was matched by DXpedition partner Tom Rothlisberger (using Perseus-SDR recordings) to ABC LR network content on other frequencies. Very long range DX (9,050 miles/ 14,564 km) https://app.box.com/s/688ujh8qu23t7jl5dfuvwzsc6iudsw0e
531 More FM Alexandra, NZ, 2 kW This was a breakout DXpedition for the low-powered urban rock station, which sometimes dominated over the Kiwi co-channel PI and the other four DU's received on this frequency. This local ad string was received at 1255 on 8-1, with a mention of "shoesunlimited.com.nz" at the 26 second point (thanks to Theo for deciphering)
Another good-strength Kiwi ad string at 1342 on 8-1 with mention of the FM affiliate frequency "99.4" at 58 seconds into the recording (thanks to Theo for deciphering) https://app.box.com/s/8ieycxra98wzvt3b0prv4x24ba4xitrr
The usual super-short "More FM" ID (male voiced) is at the 28 second point of this recording featuring the station's typical modern rock format at 1313 on 8-6 https://app.box.com/s/r4mfi1dtjyonr47vtt88pdibwuedwydh
**531 PI Auckland, NZ, 5 kW The usual dominant station on the frequency, the Samoan (and other Pacific Island) language broadcaster was rocking at an S9 level with island music at 1248 on 8-8 https://app.box.com/s/b391cdrlt9s4c7y4gp3kt9q1dxbgpj4j
Powerful R&B music at 1237 on 8-6 https://app.box.com/s/xp2j1k6wjx1gs6eqco3w89is84koqzzh
Another island music recording at a powerful level at 1303 on 8-19 https://app.box.com/s/ev4wupztu874jmrip7ffbwk1ypoinrtt
558 6WA Wagin, Australia, 50 kW Received during exceptional conditions at 1319 on 8-4 (the same morning as 531-6DL was received), this ABC-format speech was once again matched by DXpedition partner Tom Rothlisberger to ABC LR-network content on other frequencies. Received for the first time here in August of 2015, this reception matched the Ultralight radio DX distance record for reception in North America (at 9,138 miles, or 14,705 km)
558 7BU Burnie, Australia, 2 kW This low-power classic rock station in Tasmania was giving the rejuvenated Fiji some competition at times on the morning of 8-9, but in general was losing out. This classic rock recording with Foreigner's "Urgent" was made at 1317 on 8-9; by fortunate coincidence Bill Whitacre had recorded the same song preceded by a "7BU" ID during his San Souci DXpedition down the coast on the same morning https://app.box.com/s/78u9z9aogtsuf04c1xfawcnusxdqthpx
Another classic rock song ("So Lonely" by the Police) at 1303 on 8-9. At the end of the recording there may be a muffled partial ID according to Todd Emslie, but it's too tough for me to decipher (thanks to Todd Emslie) https://app.box.com/s/fyync8y821ua6qx4js7rhrcmn3hcqipt
**558 Radio Fiji One Suva, Fiji, 10 kW One of the big surprises of the DXpedition, this formerly weak station is now a South Pacific powerhouse after transmitter and antenna improvements (which were entirely funded by the Japanese government). On most mornings it would reach a very strong level, as in this S9 recording of typical island music at 1318 on 8-8 https://app.box.com/s/6b2fxp2ai8p44t38fih4dn1meffzocxi
From the first day of the DXpedition (8-1), it was sounding pretty potent with its island choral music, as in this recording at 1307 on 8-1
On the second day (1302 on 8-2) this strong island choral music pretty much confirmed the station's rejuvenated status
Exceptional conditions on 8-4 further boosted up Fiji's island music recordings at 1307 and 1323
More exceptional conditions on 8-8 provided some of the strongest island choral music receptions of the DXpedition at 1313, 1323 and 1335
By the final day (8-9) Fiji had become somewhat of a pest. Here it is at 1315 smothering the frequency, until the 2 kW Tasmanian 7BU breaks through at 1317 with Foreigner's "Urgent" (for about a minute only) https://app.box.com/s/eetboe8o71kohmuxxrqhg88uwecklnm4
**567 RNZ Wellington, NZ, 50 kW The ex-big gun has sounded relatively modest after the demolition of its old tower, but it could occasionally sound fairly strong, such as during this typical male-female conversation at 1239 on 8-6 https://app.box.com/s/uk0aochlroo67tm1x0lm435fkva6dwz8
**576 2RN Sydney, Australia, 50 kW This RN network big gun really pounded in during favorable Australian propagation (such as at 1315 on 8-9, during this music recording) but could lose out to the 2.5 kW Kiwi station Star during NZ-favored conditions https://app.box.com/s/3j0607fg6mzgidco3i3vz99ofuzl2cvi
576 Star Hamilton, NZ, 2.5 kW Buried by the Australian big gun 2RN until the 7th day of the DXpedition, the "dwarf Star" finally showed up at 1327 on 8-7 with Christian music // 657 https://app.box.com/s/e9ddentnlmrxkxlayqgql1di62w2ezhc
**585 2WEB Bourke, Australia, 10 kW One of the most amazing signals of the entire DXpedition, this rock music pounded in at an S9 level at 1335 on 8-8, soon after propagation had collapsed to most stations. Program Director David Sharp matched the song with his log, and in his e-QSL letter he noted that the recorded signal "is the strongest I have heard, to date, from the United States." https://app.box.com/s/94b723294xp9i2chgdyznfnwixah3n4o
585 7RN Hobart, Australia, 10 kW In a snarl with co-channel 2WEB much of the time, it tended to have better performance overall than its 576 parallel. This typical ABC RN-network speech was received at 1243 on 8-3 https://app.box.com/s/aptynncjp3ll32d027s691rv82bau3m2
**594 3WV Horsham, Australia, 50 kW Usually dominant over the lower-powered Star co-channels, this LR network big gun could really pound in when conditions favored it, such as at 1245 on 8-2 with typical ABC talk program https://app.box.com/s/m7d0fgnzxhzsg1hhxawzm1mtzct5zudw
594 Star Timaru/ Wanganui, NZ 5 kW/ 2kW Although the low powered Kiwi network was occasionally competitive with the Oz big gun 3WV, it rarely dominated the frequency. One of those unusual times was at 1302 on 8-6, when its "Star News" had the edge over Australia
603 2RN Nowra, Australia, 10 kW Never before decently received at the "Kiwi Cliff," exceptional Australian-slanted propagation at 1255 on 8-4 pushed this RN network female speech (// 576) far above the usual Kiwi big gun Radio Waatea. It was MIA on other days
**603 Radio Waatea Auckland, NZ, 5 kW Significantly stronger than in recent years (throughout the week), this Maori network powerhouse managed its best signal ever at 1303 on 8-8 with island music and Maori chants https://app.box.com/s/wruaavle3k3s4x9my9armbxl4od0369s
Samoan island music at very strong level at 1256 on 8-1, and at 1312 on 8-6
Mixing with 2RN during unusual Australian-slanted propagation at 1254 on 8-4 https://app.box.com/s/i3mgrjxw0dwadrtc2c69x7f2f7h6qzua
612 4QR Brisbane, Australia, 50 kW Rare appearance here // 594 during unusual Australia-slanted conditions at 1312 on 8-4
639 2HC Coff's Harbour, Australia, 5 kW SRN format call-in talk program at good level (not // 891) at 1310 on 8-3, previously heard running commercial ads https://app.box.com/s/8h3fcdmvzm2gslknf18r1f5z342ylxm9
**639 5CK Port Pirie, Australia, 10 kW A big surprise with huge ABC network signals // 891 at 1307 on 8-7, this South Australian station was occasionally heard mixing with Oz co-channel 2HC on the other days https://app.box.com/s/o0jujrozx7w0wf7t4dnqq5dn7g20j0tr
**657 Star Wellington/ Tauranga, NZ, 50/ 10 kW Another Kiwi blowtorch with its best-ever signals during this trip, the Christian hymn music broadcaster was pegging the S/N readout with this music and Irish-accented sermon at 1215 on 8-1 https://app.box.com/s/5hx8u4b0v4ivmd9wh40gkdk17utkb0fg
More powerful signals with "Star News" at 1304 on 8-1, and with Christian music at 1250 on 8-2 and at 1310 on 8-5
666 2CN Canberra, Australia, 5 kW Unusual appearance at the "Kiwi Cliff" during Australian-slanted propagation at 1320 on 8-6 // 594
675 RNZ Christchurch, NZ, 10 kW The strongest RNZ frequency overall during the trip, it has replaced 567 after the demise of the latter's old tower. This recording was at 1326 on 8-4
**702 2BL Sydney, Australia, 50 kW The Oz LR network big gun usually had the edge over the Kiwi big gun Magic, such as during this ABC talk program at 1310 on 8-8 https://app.box.com/s/ur43ihfmgka0d1p6bupbhch9ixc1nvrv
**702 Magic Auckland, NZ, 10 kW In a snarl with 2BL on most mornings, the Kiwi oldies broadcaster could occasionally take over the frequency completely when conditions strongly favored New Zealand (such as at 1309 on 8-19, on the way to Lincoln City)
**702 Magic-2BL Mix When propagation favored both Oz and NZ (such as at 1320 on 8-4) the snarl between the Auckland oldies broadcaster and 2BL could turn catastrophic. Magic's "Peace Train" song was pretty ironic https://app.box.com/s/l1ad8kdp1d8ciupd7qivvc54nsknpbxl
738 2NR Grafton, Australia, 50 kW Barely getting through oppressive KCBS splatter at 1328 on 8-9, but strong enough to confirm 702 parallel; a very noisy frequency all week https://app.box.com/s/ynmlgn3aj8vrb36yz4nb9dhpgs475o74
756 RNZ Auckland, NZ, 10 kW Sounding very clear (and // 675) at 1338 on 8-9 with a major assist from the solid rock cliff, which greatly limited splatter from 50 kW pest KXTG (75 miles and 6 kHz away) https://app.box.com/s/anomc4qcr64ezmoe8aykin4podyah1w7
**765 Radio Kahungunu Napier-Hastings, NZ, 2.5 kW Although generally an underperformer throughout the week, freakishly good Kiwi propagation at 1258 on 8-4 propelled this Maori net 2.5 kW wonder to an overwhelming level with R&B music and a Maori net ID at the 1300 TOH (at 1:36 into the MP3). This meltdown-level recording was the strongest ever heard during 15 DXpeditions over 6 years https://app.box.com/s/qvu2atw8b22qvi8xwkgp95riigd5mlca
Another potent signal at 1258 on 8-5 features lots of Maori-accented Kiwi English
**774 3LO Melbourne, Australia, 50 kW This huge ABC signal with female speech at 1332 on 8-6 was recorded using a 3.5 inch (89mm) "Frequent Flyer" FSL antenna, which proves once again that when propagation is good you can have a lot of fun with a modest aerial.
774 Radio Sport New Plymouth, NZ, 5 kW In a loud mix underneath 3LO with Yankee-accented Fox Sports News relay at 1305 on 8-7; it generally was losing out to the Australian big gun all week https://app.box.com/s/ab5kderbjwe5635e9lufy3d2hei5vvxi
**792 4RN Brisbane, Australia, 25 kW Like its 576 parallel this RN network powerhouse could really blast in when conditions favored it, such as at 1305 on 8-7
792 Radio Sport Hamilton, NZ, 5 kW Losing out to 4RN all week, the best that the Fox Sports News relay could do was show up underneath the Oz big gun, such as at 1306 on 8-7 https://app.box.com/s/etciijdo5bq3xhkpwxyz9hibth5n6l4s
828 3GI Sale, Australia, 10 kW Not much of a horse race on this frequency as Radio Trackside failed to show up. The Oz big gun was usually around but fighting splatter, such as at 1325 on 8-8 https://app.box.com/s/axqyrphgqnmzpvachg1wlk6hp3qxoipk
837 RNZ Whangarei/ Kaitaia, NZ, 2.5/ 2 kW One of the voices in this mix was matched to 756, which was the last RNZ parallel available as propagation was collapsing at 1345 on 8-9. The low power relays were apparently in a mix with Australia, but everything quickly faded before this could be confirmed https://app.box.com/s/612iqralz1ylq8rp5gvims19y00mjuhu
846 2RN Canberra, Australia, 10 kW Not one of the stronger Oz stations but occasionally at decent strength, fighting the IBOC noise from KHHO as at 1242 on 8-9, // 576 https://app.box.com/s/edp0neatndiqyzgs5e0ng1my6wtqg6e0
855 4QB/ 4QO Pialba/ Eidsvold, Australia, 10/ 10 kW Bad splatter at most times, such as at 1319 on 8-5 but still enough signal to confirm the 774 parallel
891 5AN Adelaide, Australia, 50 kW (presumed) An 890 Spanish pest usually covered this, but a few seconds of audio would break through occasionally, such as at 1314 on 8-8 https://app.box.com/s/0pm1yk4tro2r8dyrz8wxh4ggs65zoig9
927 Newstalk ZB Palmerston North, NZ, 2 kW Low-powered Kiwi relay just strong enough to check parallel with 1035 at 1308 on 8-9
936 Chinese Voice Auckland, NZ, 1 kW The very low powered Kiwi ethnic station managed its best signal ever with Chinese male speech at 1304 on 8-9. Oddly enough it was dominant on the frequency over the Australian stations for most of the week
Chinese female speech at almost the same good level at 1320 on 8-7 https://app.box.com/s/k59fahu3g93b1cha02gyyas4co0endwq
936 UnID-Oz Marginal DU English speech at 1330 on 8-8 but too noisy to check for LR network parallel
963 Star Christchurch, NZ, 10 kW Fairly good level Christian music // 657 at 1319 on 8-9; not a very good performer for most of the week
963 UnID-Oz At least two Australian signals not // 657 in this mix at 1328 on 8-8, but way too wild to sort them out
1008 Newstalk ZB Tauranga, NZ, 10 kW Badly splattered by a domestic pest for most of the week, but enough of a talk format signal to confirm the 1035 parallel at 1324 on 8-7 https://app.box.com/s/pwb45sqzphb3zmpz49p63utt5l8t5ba9
1017 A3Z Nuku'alofa, Tonga, 10 kW Another major target of the DXpedition, this island station cooperated with decent signals most of the time, but its sign off times were all over the map. This strong reception of the usual male announcer was at 1127 on 8-3, which is past the "usual" sign off time of 1103 https://app.box.com/s/zjc64srpsqz6xplxlr2v8o2i667qrvrc
Island music at a fairly good level at 1036 on 8-1, during the "normal" broadcasting time
Island choral music (apparent National Anthem) during "normal" sign off routine at 1102 on 8-2
The male announcer apparently then decides it's too early to sign off at that time, and sounds fairly potent at 1310 on the same date. There is no special sports event or other reason that I can determine for him to keep broadcasting after the "sign off"
1017 Newstalk ZB Christchurch, NZ, 2.5 kW Marginal talk format signal barely strong enough to confirm 1035 parallel at 1319 on 8-8
1026 Newstalk ZB Kaitaia, NZ, 2 kW Despite low power, surprisingly good level female speech during call-in talk program at 1247 on 8-6, // 1035 https://app.box.com/s/u562952qyj0n4izhipoo4972062m0qlx
1026 UnID-Oz Weak music station under Newstalk ZB at 1250 on 8-5, but too wispy to check identity
**1035 Newstalk ZB Wellington, NZ, 20 kW Broadcasting call-in talk and occasional music, this would have been one of the best Kiwi signals except for a new west coast IBOC pest (which splattered over both it and its 1044 parallel). Despite the noise this station's awesome strength usually was sufficient to break through, such as at 1321 on 8-8 https://app.box.com/s/tmwvuo6ljm43dgceuifepj9egcxjb356
**1386 Radio Tarana Auckland, NZ, 10 kW Pretty strong on most days with its Hindu ethnic programming, this potent signal with female speech was received at 1253 on 8-1. According to Walt this is English (although I can't really understand it)
1503 Radio Sport Wellington/ Christchurch, NZ 5/ 2.5 kW This was the best signal ever from the upper band sports relay at 1315 on 8-1 (and also the easiest Kiwi signal to understand, with a relay of Yankee-accented Fox Sports News) https://app.box.com/s/x2qfq4vcsdq2f8jvsusob1cbfjdj51x8
73 and Good DX,
Gary DeBock (DXing at the Rockwork 4 ocean cliff near Manzanita, OR, USA from 8-1 to 8-9)
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