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Re: FSL Antenna Combo Models-- the "Hong Kong Solution"
So you have any plans to make a step by step building guide?
Hi Gary,
You have again come up with an imminently practical and portable approach for ultralight DXing while traveling! The combo unit looks great!
73,
Craig Barnes Wheat Ridge, CO
On Saturday, March 7, 2020, 08:53:06 PM HST, Paul Blundell < tanger32au@...> wrote:
That is a neat looking setup Gary and a good solution to that issue. On Sun, 8 Mar 2020, 4:13 p.m. Gary DeBock via Groups.Io, <D1028Gary= aol.com@groups.io> wrote: What can you do to chase DX on an overseas trip when all indoor locations have bad RFI, and almost all outdoor locations are overcrowded, making it difficult or impossible to set up a gain antenna?
You can push your luck with a "supercharged" 7.5" loopstick portable (if you have one), and if you know which stations to chase, you can sometimes do quite well (as Bruce did recently, during his trip to Israel and Jordan). But what if you want to boost your transoceanic DXing results with a gain antenna? You can attempt to set up a gain antenna on an overcrowded beach (as I made the mistake of doing in Hong Kong, ending up with a circle of 20 Chinese onlookers staring at me for the duration during the sunset skip session), or you can use one of these new, highly portable FSL "combo units."
These models combine a TSA-friendly small sized FSL (with the lightweight 100mm x 20mm x 3mm ferrite bars) and a stock portable (CC Skywave or XHDATA D-808) on a common PVC frame. There are three plug-in slots for the portable on the PVC frame, with secure rubber mounting clamps to lock the portable in place so that it won't fall out, even if the combo is held upside down. The three plug-in slots provide optimal FSL gain for either the low band, mid band or high band, with the rubber locking strips designed to grip either the CC Skywave or D-808. The combo can be carried around anywhere, and provides a medium-gain option for those places which are overcrowded, or where gain antennas are impossible to set up (like Hong Kong).
The TSA-friendly FSL's include both 4" and 5" models. The latter model was the main antenna for the recent Poipu, Hawaii DXpedition, during which all continents except Europe were received on MW. The concept of having such antenna gain available to carry around practically anywhere should inspire a lot of exciting exploration in the future!
73 and Good DX,
Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)
Photo: 4" TSA friendly FSL and Stock CC Skywave Combo Model
-- Paul - Moderator UltralightDX
--
Paul - Moderator
UltralightDX
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Re: FSL Antenna Combo Models-- the "Hong Kong Solution"
Gary DeBock
Thanks Paul and Craig,
After our Hong Kong trip last April this FSL "combo" project was a top priority. Nasty indoor RFI and overcrowded outdoor areas are a bad DXing combination!
Of course someone chasing DX in Hong Kong right now would probably have a better chance of catching tear gas and/ or the Coronavirus, so it's no wonder that Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Air are both on life support.
Gary
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Oliveira
- Friends of the group need help, a little off the subject of the Group.
I need a list on the country ITU code for me to put on
bug reports and I haven't found it on the internet so far.
Does anyone know or have to send me?
I appreciate any help.
Oliveira pu2olt
QSL do Brasil
Oliveira http://qsldobrasil.blogspot.com
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From the causeway in Dunedin Florida, (it extends out into the Gulf of Mexico) I was able to log two stations in Alberta Canada using a barefoot Eton Grundig Executive Satellit. You can definitely have some fun with barefoot radios in the gulf area. Good luck. Jim
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Re: FSL Antenna Combo Models-- the "Hong Kong Solution"
Hi Gary,
You have again come up with an imminently practical and portable approach for ultralight DXing while traveling! The combo unit looks great!
73,
Craig Barnes Wheat Ridge, CO
On Saturday, March 7, 2020, 08:53:06 PM HST, Paul Blundell <tanger32au@...> wrote:
That is a neat looking setup Gary and a good solution to that issue. On Sun, 8 Mar 2020, 4:13 p.m. Gary DeBock via Groups.Io, <D1028Gary= aol.com@groups.io> wrote: What can you do to chase DX on an overseas trip when all indoor locations have bad RFI, and almost all outdoor locations are overcrowded, making it difficult or impossible to set up a gain antenna?
You can push your luck with a "supercharged" 7.5" loopstick portable (if you have one), and if you know which stations to chase, you can sometimes do quite well (as Bruce did recently, during his trip to Israel and Jordan). But what if you want to boost your transoceanic DXing results with a gain antenna? You can attempt to set up a gain antenna on an overcrowded beach (as I made the mistake of doing in Hong Kong, ending up with a circle of 20 Chinese onlookers staring at me for the duration during the sunset skip session), or you can use one of these new, highly portable FSL "combo units."
These models combine a TSA-friendly small sized FSL (with the lightweight 100mm x 20mm x 3mm ferrite bars) and a stock portable (CC Skywave or XHDATA D-808) on a common PVC frame. There are three plug-in slots for the portable on the PVC frame, with secure rubber mounting clamps to lock the portable in place so that it won't fall out, even if the combo is held upside down. The three plug-in slots provide optimal FSL gain for either the low band, mid band or high band, with the rubber locking strips designed to grip either the CC Skywave or D-808. The combo can be carried around anywhere, and provides a medium-gain option for those places which are overcrowded, or where gain antennas are impossible to set up (like Hong Kong).
The TSA-friendly FSL's include both 4" and 5" models. The latter model was the main antenna for the recent Poipu, Hawaii DXpedition, during which all continents except Europe were received on MW. The concept of having such antenna gain available to carry around practically anywhere should inspire a lot of exciting exploration in the future!
73 and Good DX,
Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)
Photo: 4" TSA friendly FSL and Stock CC Skywave Combo Model
-- Paul - Moderator UltralightDX
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Video - Planning a Portable Ultralight Radio DXing Session
-- Paul - Moderator UltralightDX
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Re: FSL Antenna Combo Models-- the "Hong Kong Solution"
That is a neat looking setup Gary and a good solution to that issue.
On Sun, 8 Mar 2020, 4:13 p.m. Gary DeBock via Groups.Io, <D1028Gary= aol.com@groups.io> wrote: What can you do to chase DX on an overseas trip when all indoor locations have bad RFI, and almost all outdoor locations are overcrowded, making it difficult or impossible to set up a gain antenna?
You can push your luck with a "supercharged" 7.5" loopstick portable (if you have one), and if you know which stations to chase, you can sometimes do quite well (as Bruce did recently, during his trip to Israel and Jordan). But what if you want to boost your transoceanic DXing results with a gain antenna? You can attempt to set up a gain antenna on an overcrowded beach (as I made the mistake of doing in Hong Kong, ending up with a circle of 20 Chinese onlookers staring at me for the duration during the sunset skip session), or you can use one of these new, highly portable FSL "combo units."
These models combine a TSA-friendly small sized FSL (with the lightweight 100mm x 20mm x 3mm ferrite bars) and a stock portable (CC Skywave or XHDATA D-808) on a common PVC frame. There are three plug-in slots for the portable on the PVC frame, with secure rubber mounting clamps to lock the portable in place so that it won't fall out, even if the combo is held upside down. The three plug-in slots provide optimal FSL gain for either the low band, mid band or high band, with the rubber locking strips designed to grip either the CC Skywave or D-808. The combo can be carried around anywhere, and provides a medium-gain option for those places which are overcrowded, or where gain antennas are impossible to set up (like Hong Kong).
The TSA-friendly FSL's include both 4" and 5" models. The latter model was the main antenna for the recent Poipu, Hawaii DXpedition, during which all continents except Europe were received on MW. The concept of having such antenna gain available to carry around practically anywhere should inspire a lot of exciting exploration in the future!
73 and Good DX,
Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)
Photo: 4" TSA friendly FSL and Stock CC Skywave Combo Model
--
Paul - Moderator
UltralightDX
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FSL Antenna Combo Models-- the "Hong Kong Solution"
Gary DeBock
What can you do to chase DX on an overseas trip when all indoor locations have bad RFI, and almost all outdoor locations are overcrowded, making it difficult or impossible to set up a gain antenna?
You can push your luck with a "supercharged" 7.5" loopstick portable (if you have one), and if you know which stations to chase, you can sometimes do quite well (as Bruce did recently, during his trip to Israel and Jordan). But what if you want to boost your transoceanic DXing results with a gain antenna? You can attempt to set up a gain antenna on an overcrowded beach (as I made the mistake of doing in Hong Kong, ending up with a circle of 20 Chinese onlookers staring at me for the duration during the sunset skip session), or you can use one of these new, highly portable FSL "combo units."
These models combine a TSA-friendly small sized FSL (with the lightweight 100mm x 20mm x 3mm ferrite bars) and a stock portable (CC Skywave or XHDATA D-808) on a common PVC frame. There are three plug-in slots for the portable on the PVC frame, with secure rubber mounting clamps to lock the portable in place so that it won't fall out, even if the combo is held upside down. The three plug-in slots provide optimal FSL gain for either the low band, mid band or high band, with the rubber locking strips designed to grip either the CC Skywave or D-808. The combo can be carried around anywhere, and provides a medium-gain option for those places which are overcrowded, or where gain antennas are impossible to set up (like Hong Kong).
The TSA-friendly FSL's include both 4" and 5" models. The latter model was the main antenna for the recent Poipu, Hawaii DXpedition, during which all continents except Europe were received on MW. The concept of having such antenna gain available to carry around practically anywhere should inspire a lot of exciting exploration in the future!
73 and Good DX,
Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)
Photo: 4" TSA friendly FSL and Stock CC Skywave Combo Model
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Excellent report and good to hear about what you can get "bare foot".
On Sun, 8 Mar 2020, 8:57 a.m. micron327 via Groups.Io, <micron327= zoho.com@groups.io> wrote: I live about 8 miles from the Gulf coast and DX here is excellent with lots of QRM free areas. Reception is pretty good here at my house even though there are 4 3,000 volt line 100 feet away. As long as I null the noise out I get good reception. I use a variety of commercial and home made antennas. Last night I was using my Kaito WRX-911 without any external antenna and picked up Fort De France radio RFO 1310 on the island of Martinique. It was clear and drifting a bit but not enough to loose the signal. 1,822 miles from here-not bad for $18.00 radio. Other stations WLS, WABC, KDKA, WHAS, and WSM to name a few. All in all a decent night.
73's
Ron
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Paul - Moderator
UltralightDX
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I live about 8 miles from the Gulf coast and DX here is excellent with lots of QRM free areas. Reception is pretty good here at my house even though there are 4 3,000 volt line 100 feet away. As long as I null the noise out I get good reception. I use a variety of commercial and home made antennas. Last night I was using my Kaito WRX-911 without any external antenna and picked up Fort De France radio RFO 1310 on the island of Martinique. It was clear and drifting a bit but not enough to loose the signal. 1,822 miles from here-not bad for $18.00 radio. Other stations WLS, WABC, KDKA, WHAS, and WSM to name a few. All in all a decent night.
73's
Ron
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Re: Portable Ultralight Radio DXing - 6/03/2020
Thanks Gary. Two weeks until my mini DXExpedition.
On Sat, 7 Mar 2020, 10:27 a.m. Gary DeBock via Groups.Io, <D1028Gary= aol.com@groups.io> wrote: On Fri, Mar 6, 2020 at 02:59 PM, Paul Blundell wrote:
Thank you. Over the next few months I am planning a lot more like this.
Paul,
If you can plan a visit to an ocean beach like this around sunset, you will probably be amazed at the long range DX that will show up from the eastern direction.
In Hawaii I was using gear very similar to yours, and came away with loggings of Egypt, Cuba, Bonaire (Caribbean), Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Stations like 558-Fiji and multiple Kiwis should be in play for you. Give it a try!
73, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)
--
Paul - Moderator
UltralightDX
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Re: Portable Ultralight Radio DXing - 6/03/2020
Gary DeBock
On Fri, Mar 6, 2020 at 02:59 PM, Paul Blundell wrote:
Thank you. Over the next few months I am planning a lot more like this.
Paul, If you can plan a visit to an ocean beach like this around sunset, you will probably be amazed at the long range DX that will show up from the eastern direction. In Hawaii I was using gear very similar to yours, and came away with loggings of Egypt, Cuba, Bonaire (Caribbean), Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Stations like 558-Fiji and multiple Kiwis should be in play for you. Give it a try! 73, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)
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Re: Portable Ultralight Radio DXing - 6/03/2020
Thank you. Over the next few months I am planning a lot more like this.
What a beautiful setting!
--
Paul - Moderator
UltralightDX
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Re: Portable Ultralight Radio DXing - 6/03/2020
What a beautiful setting!
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Re: November Hawaii DXpedition Loggings & MP3's (530-783 kHz)
Gary DeBock
Thanks Craig,
Yes, tracking down over 100 live transoceanic DX loggings (and MP3's) in Hawaii was a ton of fun, but completely sorting them out would take a professional linguist!
For me, even Kiwi English sounds pretty puzzling, and occasionally Chris and I had somewhat of a language barrier just talking over the phone in Poipu :-)
Gary
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Re: Portable Ultralight Radio DXing - 6/03/2020
Thanks.
I am finding / testing new spots along this coast road as i find them, have the time and the weather is suitable.
Hi Paul,
Nice report! Great looking spot for DX, easy on the eyes, too!
73,
Craig Barnes Wheat Ridge, CO
On Thursday, March 5, 2020, 12:46:08 PM HST, Paul Blundell < tanger32au@...> wrote:
DATE: 6/03/2020
TIME: 7:45
RADIO: DIGITECH AR-1733
AERIAL: 3" BABY FSL
LOCATION: Preservation Bay, Penguin Tasmania
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FREQ / STATION
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SIGNAL
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NOTES
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531kHz - 3GG - VIC (Commercial 5k)
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EXCELLENT
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Great signal
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594kHz - 3WV - VIC (National 50k)
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EXCELLENT
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Weather report
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621kHz - 3RN - VIC (National 50k)
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EXCELLENT
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693kHz - 3AW - VIC (Commercial 5k)
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GOOD
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Ad for car yard
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774kHz - 3LO - VIC (National 50k)
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EXCELLENT
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828kHz - 3GI - VIC (National 10k)
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EXCELLENT
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855kHz - 3CR - VIC (Community 3500k)
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GOOD
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927kHz - 3UZ - VIC (Commercial 5k)
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WEAK
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Racing results
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1026kHz - 3PB - VIC (National 10k)
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EXCELLENT
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Weather warning
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1341kHz - HPON - VIC (HPON 5k)
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EXCELLENT
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1377kHz - 3MP - VIC (Commercial 5k)
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EXCELLENT
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1422kHz - HPON - VIC (HPON 5k)
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EXCELLENT
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1503kHz - 3KND - VIC (Community 5k)
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GOOD
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Some mixing with 2BS
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-- Paul - Moderator UltralightDX
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--
Paul - Moderator
UltralightDX
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Re: Portable Ultralight Radio DXing - 6/03/2020
Thanks.
The QRM is not too much of an issue here.
Fine Business, Paul!
How did you manage with all the QRM????
My AR-1733 doesn't do quite so well...
Michael UK
.........................
On 05/03/2020 22:46, Paul Blundell wrote:
>
> DATE: 6/03/2020
> TIME: 7:45
> RADIO: DIGITECH AR-1733
> AERIAL: 3" BABY FSL
> LOCATION: Preservation Bay, Penguin Tasmania
> 531kHz - 3GG - VIC (Commercial 5k) EXCELLENT
>
> 594kHz - 3WV - VIC (National 50k) EXCELLENT
...
--
--
Paul - Moderator
UltralightDX
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Re: Portable Ultralight Radio DXing - 6/03/2020
Fine Business, Paul! How did you manage with all the QRM???? My AR-1733 doesn't do quite so well... Michael UK ......................... On 05/03/2020 22:46, Paul Blundell wrote: DATE: 6/03/2020
TIME: 7:45
RADIO: DIGITECH AR-1733
AERIAL: 3" BABY FSL
LOCATION: Preservation Bay, Penguin Tasmania 531kHz - 3GG - VIC (Commercial 5k) EXCELLENT
594kHz - 3WV - VIC (National 50k) EXCELLENT ...
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Re: Portable Ultralight Radio DXing - 6/03/2020
Hi Paul,
Nice report! Great looking spot for DX, easy on the eyes, too!
73,
Craig Barnes Wheat Ridge, CO
On Thursday, March 5, 2020, 12:46:08 PM HST, Paul Blundell <tanger32au@...> wrote:
DATE: 6/03/2020
TIME: 7:45
RADIO: DIGITECH AR-1733
AERIAL: 3" BABY FSL
LOCATION: Preservation Bay, Penguin Tasmania
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FREQ / STATION
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SIGNAL
|
NOTES
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531kHz - 3GG - VIC (Commercial 5k)
|
EXCELLENT
|
Great signal
|
|
594kHz - 3WV - VIC (National 50k)
|
EXCELLENT
|
Weather report
|
|
621kHz - 3RN - VIC (National 50k)
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EXCELLENT
|
|
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693kHz - 3AW - VIC (Commercial 5k)
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GOOD
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Ad for car yard
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774kHz - 3LO - VIC (National 50k)
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EXCELLENT
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828kHz - 3GI - VIC (National 10k)
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EXCELLENT
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855kHz - 3CR - VIC (Community 3500k)
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GOOD
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927kHz - 3UZ - VIC (Commercial 5k)
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WEAK
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Racing results
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1026kHz - 3PB - VIC (National 10k)
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EXCELLENT
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Weather warning
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1341kHz - HPON - VIC (HPON 5k)
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EXCELLENT
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1377kHz - 3MP - VIC (Commercial 5k)
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EXCELLENT
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1422kHz - HPON - VIC (HPON 5k)
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EXCELLENT
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1503kHz - 3KND - VIC (Community 5k)
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GOOD
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Some mixing with 2BS
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-- Paul - Moderator UltralightDX
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Portable Ultralight Radio DXing - 6/03/2020
DATE: 6/03/2020
TIME: 7:45
RADIO: DIGITECH AR-1733
AERIAL: 3" BABY FSL
LOCATION: Preservation Bay, Penguin Tasmania
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FREQ / STATION
|
SIGNAL
|
NOTES
|
|
531kHz - 3GG - VIC (Commercial 5k)
|
EXCELLENT
|
Great signal
|
|
594kHz - 3WV - VIC (National 50k)
|
EXCELLENT
|
Weather report
|
|
621kHz - 3RN - VIC (National 50k)
|
EXCELLENT
|
|
|
693kHz - 3AW - VIC (Commercial 5k)
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GOOD
|
Ad for car yard
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|
774kHz - 3LO - VIC (National 50k)
|
EXCELLENT
|
|
|
828kHz - 3GI - VIC (National 10k)
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EXCELLENT
|
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855kHz - 3CR - VIC (Community 3500k)
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GOOD
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927kHz - 3UZ - VIC (Commercial 5k)
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WEAK
|
Racing results
|
|
1026kHz - 3PB - VIC (National 10k)
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EXCELLENT
|
Weather warning
|
|
1341kHz - HPON - VIC (HPON 5k)
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EXCELLENT
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1377kHz - 3MP - VIC (Commercial 5k)
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EXCELLENT
|
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1422kHz - HPON - VIC (HPON 5k)
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EXCELLENT
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1503kHz - 3KND - VIC (Community 5k)
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GOOD
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Some mixing with 2BS
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-- Paul - Moderator UltralightDX
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