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PR-D15 AM Bandscans in AZ & PL-606 + Eton T3 near KUAZ @ Sunrise 3-30

P

pianoplayer88key

Hi all...

This past weekend I was participating in a friend's wedding near Tucson, AZ, with my parents. I had a little free time a couple days to do a little radio stuff, so I recorded a few videos. :)

First, an AM bandscan near Vail, AZ, on the Sangean PR-D15 around 3pm MST on the 29th:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vTn3VaCJgo


Next, a PR-D15 AM scan in Gila Bend, AZ, on the 30th around 2pm MST:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH_kOzFSb4o


Also, I knew that being in Tucson would be a great opportunity to demonstrate what happens when DSP radios are desensed by a strong signal. KUAZ, on 1550 kHz, is licensed for 50 kW non-directional daytime only, into an almost 5/8-wave antenna. So, I was able to take a few radios by their transmitter site this past Monday morning (the 30th), and record video & audio of what happens on the Tecsun PL-606 and Eton Traveler III to a semi-local signal when KUAZ powers up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PmDZNgVe1w

I wasn't quite able to set it up exactly how I wanted, but you should get the basic idea. One second, you hear 1490-KFFN's signal fairly well (it would have been better if I'd positioned the radio right), the next section it's completely gone. Unfortunately I was unable to add other radios (like the PR-D15, CC Pocket, Sony SRF-59) to the demonstration due to recording equipment limits, and the PL-606 drowned out my attempt to use the Zoom H2n's stereo recording mid-side mikes to also include the PL-380. Also I wanted to do the demonstration at sunset, but scheduling conflicts prevented it both evenings I was there (the 28th and 29th).

Does anyone have recommendations on portable ultralight radios that don't suffer from that issue, and have the selectivity of DSP radios with the internal noise immunity and sensitivity of the newer ones like the Traveler III and the (not yet tested/purchased by me) CC Skywave? A vertical form factor would be preferred so I can slip it in my pocket while doing other activities, although horizontal would be okay if it has a decent belt clip like the Sony SRF-M37W (which fails on selectivity).

73, Stephen
 
Ha. That Tucson 1490 station was one of the ones I engineered when I worked there. You could hear it out to about Picacho Peak when driving to Phoenix on I-10.

Mario, I don't specifically remember hearing SF stations in Tucson when I lived there, except maybe the 680. I do know it is relatively easy to hear some of the LA 50K stations there, and I seem to recall hearing KFI in the daytime.
 
I'm guessing you can get KGO & KNBR as I've heard them very well near Las Vegas (away from the strip). I would think those two should make it to Tucson.
 
Nice videos!

In the second one from Gila Bend, was that KALL on 700 from Salt Lake City?

And that Sangean PR-D15 looks exactly like my PR-D5 but it seems smaller. Is it smaller than the PR-D5?
 
radioman148 said:
I'm guessing you can get KGO & KNBR as I've heard them very well near Las Vegas (away from the strip). I would think those two should make it to Tucson.
Click to expand...

I was staying at the Pointe Resort a couple of times in the late '80s and was able to hear KCBS under the local 740 on a regular basis. For a large hotel complex, The Pointe (Squaw Peak) was actually a good DX location. Out in an open area and pretty much noise free. Not sure if it would be like that today.
 
On the GlobalTuners radio from Grand Junction, Colorado, I could hear KCBS most of the time at night.

It wasn't the only station on the frequency and the signal would vary from fairly good to nothing at all.

KNBR was a regular. So I would assume that KCBS should easily be heard in Arizona at night unless there are closer stations on the same frequency.
 
gar fla said:
On the GlobalTuners radio from Grand Junction, Colorado, I could hear KCBS most of the time at night.

It wasn't the only station on the frequency and the signal would vary from fairly good to nothing at all.

KNBR was a regular. So I would assume that KCBS should easily be heard in Arizona at night unless there are closer stations on the same frequency.
Click to expand...

There is a closer-in station in Phoenix, KIDR 740 (1 kW day, .292 kW night). The transmitter (two towers) is not on South Mountain but is in south Phoenix itself.
 
Raymie said:
There is a closer-in station in Phoenix, KIDR 740 (1 kW day, .292 kW night). The transmitter (two towers) is not on South Mountain but is in south Phoenix itself.
Click to expand...

No AM station is on South Mountain. Mountains are horrible places for AM transmitters.
 
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