Hello All,

 

     For the Northwest Gang accustomed to relatively easy Asian TP receptions on Ultralight radios, the reception of stations in Australia (and other South Pacific areas) is proving to be more challenging.  Signal levels are rarely very strong, and most of the active DXers do not live in ideal ocean beach locations.

 

     In the latest attempt,  a one-night stay in Grayland, Washington (on the ocean coast) provided some weak opportunities, but no solid ID's.  Various weak DU carriers were observed around 1130 UTC, but at the "moment of truth" (around local sunrise after 1215), only one of the carriers came up to audio level on the modified ICF-2010 (19.5" loopstick)--  on 567 kHz.  Since the modified SRF-39FP (20" loopstick) has approximately the same sensitivity as the modified ICF-2010, 567 was tuned in on the "super prison radio," and 567 did indeed have a monstrous  3 kHz heterodyne (with very strong KVI-570).  Recordings were started on both radios around 1215 UTC, with occasional bits of 567 audio breaking through the KVI splatter on the modified SRF-39FP.  Unfortunately, KVI could not be nulled, and the modified Ultralight could not produce any definite ID's through the splatter.  The modified ICF-2010, with superior selectivity, did much better in the recording, and produced reasonably clear DU English and music for about 15 minutes...a probable logging of 2YA-567 in New Zealand.

 

     John Bryant is rumored to be planning a visit to Grayland in early June, and will undoubtedly try his own luck with the DU's.  On exceptional days (like the April 20 DXpedition with the 531 station), the signal levels do come up to a strength sufficient for stock Ultralight reception.  Let's hope somebody makes the lucky logging soon!

 

                                                                          73,  Gary DeBock