Greetings DXers, and Happy 2015!

The 2015 US and Canadian mediumwave broadcast pattern reference is now available for download. You'll find the links on my web blog, RADIO-TIMETRAVELLER:

http://radio-timetraveller.blogspot.com/

I've spent much of the last year working on mediumwave pattern mapping. The updated maps presented many challenges.

Note: you must be online to view the maps!

Download the two .zips (one is daytime, one nighttime), unzip them to a folder of your choice, and click on the frequency files. Daytime groundwave and nighttime skywave maps are included.

Maps are GoogleMap-based, HTML-driven maps showing the most current pattern plots of all licensed US and Canadian mediumwave broadcast stations from 530 - 1700 KHz. The set includes all frequencies for the indicated services: Unlimited, Daytime, Nighttime, and Critical Hours. Individual maps are grouped by channel frequency: 540, 550, 560 KHz, etc.

Data for the pattern plots in this offering is based on the current FCC and Industry Canada databases available at the time of its creation (January 22, 2015).

Hope you enjoy! Good DX!

Bill

RADIO-TIMETRAVELLER

http://radio-timetraveller.blogspot.com/

A reader informed me that he found TWO DP chips in the Skywave so I asked C.Crane about this...here is their response:

"The Si4736 is used for the weather and alert functions only.  The Si4734 is used for the AM,SW, FM, and is also used for the IF on stage on the Air band."

Pretty interesting.

Jay

http://radiojayallen.com

Hmmm...not sure. Be sure you're not using a preset which retains the bandwidth setting for  each memory you save...could that be it?

Jay

Why not reset the Default Bandwidth setting to one you like better as described in the manual? With the radio off hold the bandwidth button down for 5 seconds, releasing the button to set the new default. See Pages 8 and 9.

Jay

http://radiojayallen.com

A Radio Related Friday Funny: I am sure a few of us can relate to this :(

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OVwtPmF10aU/VMG5eM_vcvI/AAAAAAAAFgA/6NYnGc2hPVU/s1600/10002933_10201194153089620_400118216_n.jpg

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Planning a Portable Ultralight DXing Session

By Paul Blundell – August 2012

Updated March 2014, January 2015
http://ultralightdxing.blogspot.com.au/

For some people this would seem as easy as grabbing a radio and heading out the door; I find more planning is required to get the most from a portable Ultralight DXing session.

When I am planning a portable Ultralight DXing session my first step is to arrange a suitable day and time. I am happily married and we have recently had a baby so ensuring the domestic front is happy goes a long way to ensuring you have a good time. Having all your domestic duties done and ensuring you have been spending enough quality time with your better half and children (two and four legged) both make this easier. I like to try and arrange my outings around times when she won't be home or is busy; this makes it easier to be away from home. Normally I aim to have at least one portable Ultralight DXing session a month, normally a Friday night or Saturday afternoon however this can change based on the above.

Once a suitable day and time has been found the next step is to check the weather forecast for that day. In the past when I was involved in the radio scanning hobby and amateur radio I used to undertake quite a bit of out and about scanning / sitting on hill tops / lookouts / mountains, from doing this I learnt two VERY important lessons:
1) Sitting in the sun for hours at a time is not fun and this reduces your enjoyment.
2) Sitting in the cold in the winter for hours at a time is not fun and this reduces your enjoyment.

Based on this I like to make sure the weather will be suitable. While the cold can be overcome with extra clothes, being too hot is much harder to control and in extreme cases this can be quite bad for your health (dehydration, sun stroke and so on). Storms and other weather extremes are also not fun to be out in so I like to try and avoid this if possible. During our Australian summer’s bush fires are a very real risk and given most locations are prime fire spots, the fire danger rating (FDR) and a safe access / escape are very important to consider. The local sunrise / sunset are also checked and this helps with planning a suitable time to leave.

Next is to decide on a location, as I am still exploring various locations near me I like to have a mix of new locations and some proven ones. Some are quite close and others are quite a distance to drive. The things I consider when deciding on a location are:
- Distance to drive (The cost of fuel is a factor in this)
- Access (some areas are locked after hours)
- RF profile (Some locations are better due to distance from AM stations)
- Comforts (Shops, toilets, etc)
- Personal Security (See notes below)

Of these points, all are fairly easy to assess except for personal security, yet this is the most important. The city I live in is fairly safe and crime it is not always the first thing we think of, yet our personal security is very important. Sitting in your car or walking in the bush with multiple radios, by yourself, after dark, in locations such as lookouts or hill tops, beaches, parks or car parks can expose you to increased risks to your personal safety. These locations at times can be used by people for a number of reasons which may not be legal or which may cause you to witness things you didn't want to witness. Some of these locations are used for drug dealing, exchanges or people meeting others whom they are not married to in a "lover’s lane" type situation. Generally locations with a good level of passing traffic or close to houses are better than isolated spots.  Good lighting is also a benefit as is having multiple entry and exits points. Local knowledge is also helpful on knowing locations which are considered safe. The best advice is to keep your doors locked if in your car and to be aware of your surroundings both in your car and while on foot. If you feel unsafe or uneasy it is better to cut your session short than get caught up in somebody else's problems or risk your personal safety. Having a torch and a mobile phone plus telling somebody where you will be and when you will be home are all good safety tips.

My planning really starts the night before or early in the morning when I prepare everything I am going to take, charge batteries and pack up my gear. My normal kit consists of this:
- Receivers (1, 2, 3 or more in my carry case. Photos here: http://ultralightdxing.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/diy-ultralight-radio-carry-case.html)
- Batteries (Fully recharged and also some spare alkaline AA's)
- Head phones (I prefer the ear bud type and these are easier to carry)
- Log book and pen + spares
- Wire with clip attached for some shortwave listening if I feel like it.
- Torch
- List of all Australian and NZ AM stations by frequency order.
- Multi-tool
- Blanket (if it is cold)
- Spare jacket / vest
- Digital camera
- Food and drinks

- Mobile phone / UHF CB radio

- Identification such as a driver’s licence (which you should be carrying anyway if you are driving)

In the past I have used digital camera bags and hard ABS type cases, these types of cases / bags standout and make it look like you are carrying expensive equipment. Recently I have started carrying my ultralight radios in a plastic container which I can fit in my normal backpack. This has the advantage of being easier to carry if going portable on foot and also blending in more. They are also very cheap and as I have a few different sizes I can customise them depending on what I am carrying. 

Before departing I check my kit and confirm I have everything. When I arrive onsite I do a quick recon of the area to make sure it is safe, no dodgy people around and I feel comfortable. Then I do a quick scan of the bands and check for the normal stations, now I can sit back, relax and get serious about logging. If it is going to be an extended session in the car I get out of the car every half hour and walk around just to keep the blood moving and to get some fresh air. I also try to eat something and drink to keep my fluids up. I like to also get some photos each time I go logging for the report on my blog. If I am going portable I like to try a few different spots and also interact with anybody I see, even if this is just a passing hello on a track.

On returning home I make sure I spend some time with my wife and daughter before checking my loggings and entering these in to my custom database.

Tested / Researched Ultralight DXing locations - Tasmania

Cataract Gorge / Gees Lookout

Distance from Launceston CBD: 10 minutes + 10 minute walk

Facilities: None. Nearest public toilet are Gorge grounds or CBD.

Notes: Access is via a rough dirt / gravel track. Lookout has a weight limit and grated open floor so you need to be careful not to drop items down.

Freelands Lookout - Trevallyn

Distance from Launceston CBD: 9 minutes. You can park at the very top.

Facilities: Paved parking area and viewing hut. Gates locked after sunset but able to park on the road and walk in. Nearest public toilets are at Cliff ground, Lions park or Riverside Woolworths shopping centre.

Notes: One of my regular ultralight dxing locations, this site has good access and views of the CBD and Tamar valley. Some UHF commercial two way equipment in a hut and close to a FM broadcast station so these bands do have issues at times at this location.

Newstead Reserve (off Amy Road)

Distance from Launceston CBD: 10 minutes. You can park directly out the front.

Facilities: Large open space and children’s play ground. Nearest public toilet is Punchbowl reserve or Newstead shopping centre.

Notes: Being in the middle of a residential area this is fairly heavily used. Some paved areas but mostly open grass.

Punchbowl Reserve

Distance from Launceston CBD: 12 minutes to main car park.

Facilities: Very large bushland park with children’s play ground, duck pond and lots of walking tracks. Public toilets located near BBQ area over a foot bridge. My preferred location is the bottom park behind the duck pond.

Notes: Excellent location and offers multiple possible dxing spots. Top of the cliffs can be accessed via Blamey Road or a walking track. During summer snakes are a common sight.

Talbot Road Lookout

Distance from Launceston CBD: 13 minutes

Facilities: Car park and lookout tower. Nearest public toilets is Punchbowl reserve or Newstead shopping centre.

Notes: Views from the lookout tower are amazing towards Mt Barrow and down the Tamar River.

West Tamar Trail

Distance from Launceston CBD: 5 minutes

Facilities: Multiple walking tracks. A viewing platform over the Tamar River. Nearest public toilets is Tailrace Park, open during daylight hours.

Notes: Very busy track and well known for snakes in summer.

Queechy Lake

Distance from Launceston CBD: 10 minutes

Facilities: Car park, small playground and seats. Nearest public toilets is Punchbowl Reserve or Newstead shopping centre.

Notes: One of my favourite locations growing up. Has good Ultralight DXing potential which is yet to be fully explored.

Bradys Lookout:

Distance from Launceston CBD: 20 minutes via West Tamar Highway + 5 minute walk.

Facilities: Public toilets open during daylight hours. BBQ and seating area. Multiple seats around the lookout and at the top. Viewing platform.

Notes: One of my preferred locations, a good distance from town but still easy to access. Highway noise can be an issue so headphones are recommended.

Mt George / Georgetown

Distance from Launceston CBD: 45 minutes via the East Tamar Highway

Facilities: Car park and lookout tower. Nearest public toilets are in Georgetown.

Notes: Steep drive to car park and then a short steep walk to lookout towers. Good views from the top. A number of mobile phone, commercial two way and FM broadcast stations have towers at this location.

Low Head

Distance from Launceston CBD: 52 minutes via East Tamar Highway and Georgetown.

Facilities: Car park and light house, extensive walking area around this and down to the rocks / water’s edge. Nearest public toilets are in Georgetown.

Notes: Most northerly point on East Tamar side of the river. Has a good take off towards mainland Australian. Gates locked after 6pm.

Mt Barrow

Distance from Launceston CBD: 1.15 hours via A3

Facilities: Small hut at the very top. Nearest public toilets are Myrtle Park hall.

Notes: One of my all time favourite locations. Road is 4WD only but passable when not snowing in a 2WD with caution. An amazing Ultralight DXing location. A number of commercial two way, UHF Television and FM broadcast stations have towers at this location on South Barrow Peak and North Barrow Peak.

Devonport Bluff

Distance from Launceston CBD: 1.15 hours.

Facilities: Multiple car parks, beach, playground, Light house. Public toilets and a cafe / shops are close by.

Notes: I have only undertaken one day time Ultralight DXing session from near the light house, this was very enjoyable.

Round Hill Burnie

Distance from Launceston CBD: 1.40 hours

Facilities: Two lookouts and a climbable lookout tower with views towards Bass Straight and mainland Australian. Nearest public toilets are in the Burnie city area.

Notes: A number of mobile phone, commercial two way, UHF television and FM broadcast stations have towers at this location. I have only undertaken one day time Ultralight DXing session from this location, weather conditions meant I had to cut it short.

Table Cape - Wynyard

Distance from Launceston CBD: 2.05 hours

Facilities: Two lookouts, sealed car parking, walking tracks, Light house. Nearest public toilets are at Wynyard or Boat Harbour Beach.

Notes: An excellent Ultralight DXing location, I have only undertaken one day time session from this location. Transmitter for 7BU on 558KHz is located close by.