--- In ultralightdx@..., "neilbellgroups" <neil.bell@...> wrote:
So, let me clarify a couple of things. First I am NOT new to radio but new to being a Ham - Yes.
I have been a SWL for about 45 years (I am 77 years old) and done MW Dxing for only a few years. For MW I have used two random wires with a Quantum Phaser and a Quantum Loop. The radios have included a Sony 2010, an Eton E1, an NRD 545 and an ICOM R75 and Currently also a Perseus SDR.
It was hard for me to visualize a tiny ultralight could have a ferrite bar antenna large enough to be highly directional. I just assumed that some traveling must have been required. Evidently this assumption was incorrect.
Yes, they can be quite directional, especially if you also tilt (not just rotate) the radio. I live 7.3 miles from KFMB's 50kW nighttime signal on 760 (approx 2,000mV/m @ 1 km in my direction), and 9.34 miles from KCBQ's 50kW daytime signal on 1170 (approx 3800mV/m @ 1 km in my direction), and by tilting AND rotating the few ULR-sized radios I have I can bury them fairly deep in the noise, although I can't quite completely null them. On my PL-380, for example, they'll go from showing 40dBu RSSI several channels away (pegging the meter on-channel at 63dBu) to showing less than 20, possibly 15 (lowest it will indicate) dBu on channel.
I do know that MW Dxing here in the SF Bay area is very tough with all the 50 KW powerhouses plus some IBOCs we have. Even with some pretty good equipment on the GY frequencies I feel lucky to get 4 or 5 co-channel stations.
Interesting. I have heard quite a few bay area stations here in San Diego, CA area, including, but not limited to: 560 KSFO, 610 KEAR, 680 KNBR, 740 KCBS, 810 KGO, possibly KNEW 910 when my local 910 (63dBu on PL-380) was off the air, 1050 KTCT, 1100 KFAX, 1310 KMKY (also have a local on 1310), and 1640 KDIA, as well as possibly few others I can't remember off hand (maybe (but not sure of) 960 KKGN, 1010 KIQI, 1190 KDYA, 1260 KSFB, 1510 KPIG).
Part of this is due to being on the west coast I have about 180 degrees of azimuth to seek out weak stations unlike those of you in the middle parts of the country, or north or south.
When the propagation gods are smiling we can get some nice trans-pacific MW stations and of course a number of big Pan-American stations, usually from Mexico are easily heard.
The propogation gods rarely smile on me for trans-pacific stations. I have yet to log my first one. :( Maybe it's because most of the TP powerhouses happen to be a few kHz away from powerful locals for which I'm within at least their 20, if not 100mV/m contour or so. :|
Now, on the other hand, I can easily get Mexican stations, even in the middle of the day. Just with my radios' built-in ferrite bars, I can get fairly good signals on 540 XESURF, 620 XESS, 690 XEWW, 800 XESPN, 860 XEMO, 950 XEKAM, 1030 XESDD, 1090 XEPRS, 1270 XEAZ, 1310 XEC, 1390 XEKT (it's listed as 1380 on FCC's site but it's actually on 1390), 1420 XEXX, 1470 XERCN, 1550 XEBG, 1630 XEUT and 1700 XEPE. Going for weak signals (some of which require a little external antenna help) I would add 730 XEEBC, 790 XESU (under KABC) 820 XEVMS(?), 850 XEZF, 940 XEWV, 990 XECL (mixing with KTMS), 1010 XEDX (maybe, if it's not KXPS), and 1050 XED.... all in the daytime.
Obviously post was poorly worded and could easily offend people - for that I do sincerely apologize.
Maybe I should just buy one of these ultra-lights and see this directionality for myself. If I decide to do that I would be interested in your suggestion as to which model - maybe I could become a convert. I initially joined the group after being given a Grundig G5 and feeling that it performed quite well with fairly good directionality (I know it is not a ultra-light)
Sheepishly,
Neil Bell
