• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

AM DXing for US stations from Nicaragua

B

BRNout

Am on a business trip in Managua and decided to check out the AM band on my Sports Walkman - so there was no special antenna involved. These were stations that anyone could pick up down here:

620 - FOX Sports Radio....I think it was WDAE St. Petersburg/Tampa (Strong signal)
700 - WLW Cincinatti (weak)
750 - WSB Atlanta (weak)
840 - WHAS Louisville (moderately strong signal)
850 - KOA Denver (moderate signal - overpowering Radio Reloj) This was a surprise! And yes, I listened long enough to confirm it - because I didn't believe it.

Interestingly enough, I did not catch any other US signals above 850, not even WWL. This could be a function of the building that I was in, or perhaps the opening. Nonetheless, if you look at a map, there are some pretty impressive bounces - especially KOA.

Not many local AM signals in Managua late at night, which surely helps matters. Once received WCKY 1530 from Cincinatti on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. But, Denver to Managua is farther (and not over water).
 
> Am on a business trip in Managua and decided to check out
> the AM band on my Sports Walkman - so there was no special
> antenna involved. These were stations that anyone could
> pick up down here:
>
> 620 - FOX Sports Radio....I think it was WDAE St.
> Petersburg/Tampa (Strong signal)
> 700 - WLW Cincinatti (weak)
> 750 - WSB Atlanta (weak)
> 840 - WHAS Louisville (moderately strong signal)
> 850 - KOA Denver (moderate signal - overpowering Radio
> Reloj) This was a surprise! And yes, I listened long
> enough to confirm it - because I didn't believe it.
>
> Interestingly enough, I did not catch any other US signals
> above 850, not even WWL. This could be a function of the
> building that I was in, or perhaps the opening.
> Nonetheless, if you look at a map, there are some pretty
> impressive bounces - especially KOA.
>
> Not many local AM signals in Managua late at night, which
> surely helps matters. Once received WCKY 1530 from
> Cincinatti on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. But,
> Denver to Managua is farther (and not over water).
>


I am surprised you didnt get KRTH 740. They BLOW into Ixtapa Mexico. Perhaps a local on 740?
 
> > Am on a business trip in Managua and decided to check out
> > the AM band on my Sports Walkman - so there was no special
> > antenna involved. These were stations that anyone could
> > pick up down here:
> >
> > 620 - FOX Sports Radio....I think it was WDAE St.
> > Petersburg/Tampa (Strong signal)
> > 700 - WLW Cincinatti (weak)
> > 750 - WSB Atlanta (weak)
> > 840 - WHAS Louisville (moderately strong signal)
> > 850 - KOA Denver (moderate signal - overpowering Radio
> > Reloj) This was a surprise! And yes, I listened long
> > enough to confirm it - because I didn't believe it.
> >
> > Interestingly enough, I did not catch any other US signals
>
> > above 850, not even WWL. This could be a function of the
>
> > building that I was in, or perhaps the opening.
> > Nonetheless, if you look at a map, there are some pretty
> > impressive bounces - especially KOA.
> >
> > Not many local AM signals in Managua late at night, which
> > surely helps matters. Once received WCKY 1530 from
> > Cincinatti on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. But,
> > Denver to Managua is farther (and not over water).
> >
>
>
> I am surprised you didnt get KRTH 740. They BLOW into
> Ixtapa Mexico. Perhaps a local on 740?

I am as well. KTRH throws more than a monstrous lobe out over the gulf towards southern Mexico and central America. That's also weird that nothing came in higher than 850. I can understand WWL, as it does null its signal to the south (though the sharper nulls are to the SSW and ESE), but not others. I'd guess that KRLD would be present, as would KMOX, WRVA and WOAI among others. Also, I believe WCKY has a gentle null to the south, so it wouldn't make it as far as central America.
 
> I am as well. KTRH throws more than a monstrous lobe out
> over the gulf towards southern Mexico and central America.
> That's also weird that nothing came in higher than 850. I
> can understand WWL, as it does null its signal to the south
> (though the sharper nulls are to the SSW and ESE), but not
> others. I'd guess that KRLD would be present, as would KMOX,
> WRVA and WOAI among others. Also, I believe WCKY has a
> gentle null to the south, so it wouldn't make it as far as
> central America.

It ain't just clear channels (little "c") that make it down there. A few select Regionals are regulars.

The strongest signal I heard in Honduras was WROA/1390. If you look at their night pattern, you'll see why. And, on a trip to Belize a year or so ago, the most reliable station I heard for clear American news? WTAW/1620 -- even on night power. Oh, the advantages of low co-channel interference.

DE
 
>
> The strongest signal I heard in Honduras was WROA/1390. If
> you look at their night pattern, you'll see why. And, on a
> trip to Belize a year or so ago, the most reliable station I
> heard for clear American news? WTAW/1620 -- even on night
> power. Oh, the advantages of low co-channel interference.
>
> DE
>


I think now you might have problems trying to catch WTAW now as a new station came online on 1620 earlier this year from Pensacola,Fla. (WNRP)...

WWL does notch to the south (as their signal would be wasted over open water if non directional) But I know people who listen at night on th oil rigs , so I figure you should see something in central america.

I do know however also that you all may want to try Louisiana's other clear channel station KWKH 1130 as in the ads on the station , it does talk about being heard in "4 foreign countries)

RFLA
 
> I think now you might have problems trying to catch WTAW now
> as a new station came online on 1620 earlier this year from
> Pensacola,Fla. (WNRP)...

I fool arund with X-band AMs from time to time, when I am not using the amateur or satellite radio. I heard Pensacola (Classic Country 1620) a few days back. But, WTAW was quite a bit stronger.

I am not sure why, but WTAW is the most common X-bander I hear.

> WWL does notch to the south (as their signal would be wasted
> over open water if non directional) But I know people who
> listen at night on th oil rigs , so I figure you should see
> something in central america.

I have had little trouble getting WWL down there. WWL does have a null to the south, but, it's not terribly tight. The array is just two towers; one can only notch so much with two towers.

> I do know however also that you all may want to try
> Louisiana's other clear channel station KWKH 1130 as in the
> ads on the station , it does talk about being heard in "4
> foreign countries)

I don't recall KWKH down there. I have heard (the now former) WTIX in Honduras. But, that was quite a while ago, and one forgets things. :)

DE
 
Speaking of KWKH

Speaking of KWKH, I think there is something wrong with their directional array, and has been for a year or so...They are booming into the St. Louis area at night, and have been causing problems with KMOX. They are supposed to have a null to the north to protect KMOX on 1120. I had never picked up KWKH until a year or so ago. Anyone else notice this?


> > I think now you might have problems trying to catch WTAW
> now
> > as a new station came online on 1620 earlier this year
> from
> > Pensacola,Fla. (WNRP)...
>
> I fool arund with X-band AMs from time to time, when I am
> not using the amateur or satellite radio. I heard Pensacola
> (Classic Country 1620) a few days back. But, WTAW was quite
> a bit stronger.
>
> I am not sure why, but WTAW is the most common X-bander I
> hear.
>
> > WWL does notch to the south (as their signal would be
> wasted
> > over open water if non directional) But I know people who
> > listen at night on th oil rigs , so I figure you should
> see
> > something in central america.
>
> I have had little trouble getting WWL down there. WWL does
> have a null to the south, but, it's not terribly tight. The
> array is just two towers; one can only notch so much with
> two towers.
>
> > I do know however also that you all may want to try
> > Louisiana's other clear channel station KWKH 1130 as in
> the
> > ads on the station , it does talk about being heard in "4
> > foreign countries)
>
> I don't recall KWKH down there. I have heard (the now
> former) WTIX in Honduras. But, that was quite a while ago,
> and one forgets things. :)
>
> DE
>
 
Re: Speaking of KWKH

> Speaking of KWKH, I think there is something wrong with
> their directional array, and has been for a year or
> so...They are booming into the St. Louis area at night, and
> have been causing problems with KMOX. They are supposed to
> have a null to the north to protect KMOX on 1120. I had
> never picked up KWKH until a year or so ago. Anyone else
> notice this?

Since I'm basically in their directed aim, I can't tell but I can tell they are switching between the 2 antenna arrays (as they loose signal for a split second when they are changing the antennas)and the daytime signal takes out a weaker station to my east when they flip to day array

RFLA
 
> > I think now you might have problems trying to catch WTAW
> now
> > as a new station came online on 1620 earlier this year
> from
> > Pensacola,Fla. (WNRP)...
>
> I fool arund with X-band AMs from time to time, when I am
> not using the amateur or satellite radio. I heard Pensacola
> (Classic Country 1620) a few days back. But, WTAW was quite
> a bit stronger.
>
> I am not sure why, but WTAW is the most common X-bander I
> hear.

WTAW used to coming in crystal clear for me all the time on 1620..with classic country 1620 online now, TAW ain't so hot anymore... 1620 fades with either TAW's news/talk or country from FLA. (I catch it better due to the water)

For DX x-band it used to be TAW, but lately WRJW, a religious station in Monroe,La. has been coming in real well on grey line propigation.


RFLA
 
Re: Speaking of KWKH

> > Speaking of KWKH, I think there is something wrong with
> > their directional array, and has been for a year or
> > so...They are booming into the St. Louis area at night,
> and
> > have been causing problems with KMOX. They are supposed to
>
> > have a null to the north to protect KMOX on 1120. I had
> > never picked up KWKH until a year or so ago. Anyone else
> > notice this?
>
> Since I'm basically in their directed aim, I can't tell but
> I can tell they are switching between the 2 antenna arrays
> (as they loose signal for a split second when they are
> changing the antennas)and the daytime signal takes out a
> weaker station to my east when they flip to day array
>
> RFLA
>

I have noticed they come in better in Memphis than they used to. I remember last summer being able to get KFAN from Minneapolis instead of KWKH.
 
> > I am surprised you didnt get KRTH 740. They BLOW into
> > Ixtapa Mexico. Perhaps a local on 740?
>
> I am as well. KTRH throws more than a monstrous lobe out
> over the gulf towards southern Mexico and central America.
> That's also weird that nothing came in higher than 850. I
> can understand WWL, as it does null its signal to the south
> (though the sharper nulls are to the SSW and ESE), but not
> others. I'd guess that KRLD would be present, as would KMOX,
> WRVA and WOAI among others. Also, I believe WCKY has a
> gentle null to the south, so it wouldn't make it as far as
> central America.
>
I have, in the past, picked up WOAI in Costa Rica. However, as stated in my post, I was working with a simple walkman in a hotel setting. So, it's possible that the building may have affected the higher wavelengths. As for kTRH, nothing was audible on that frequency on that night. Could have been a transmitter issue that night - or perhaps funny atmospherics.
 
> > WWL does notch to the south (as their signal would be
> wasted
> > over open water if non directional) But I know people who
> > listen at night on th oil rigs , so I figure you should
> see
> > something in central america.
>
> I have had little trouble getting WWL down there. WWL does
> have a null to the south, but, it's not terribly tight. The
> array is just two towers; one can only notch so much with
> two towers.
>
I actually targeted WWL that night, and only heard a very faint signal that I could not even confirm to be WWL. A far cry from their US signal that is audible from the mountain west to New England.

Not sure where you were "down there", but no WWL on that night in Managua. If you were somewhere like San Pedro Sula, Roatan, Cancun, etc., don't forget that those places are right on the Caribbean - so the conductivity would be good for Gulf Coast signals. Managua is inland and much closer to the Pacific side. So, that could have played into WWL's poor performance. Though it did not hurt some of the others...
 
Re: Speaking of KWKH

HUH, I was wonderign that too. I work at an 1130 in Milwaukee, and I tell you that their signal over takes ours at night in our western suburbs.

That null also protects Detroit (WDFN) Milwaukee (WISN) and KFAN Minneapolis.

> Speaking of KWKH, I think there is something wrong with
> their directional array, and has been for a year or
> so...They are booming into the St. Louis area at night, and
> have been causing problems with KMOX. They are supposed to
> have a null to the north to protect KMOX on 1120. I had
> never picked up KWKH until a year or so ago. Anyone else
> notice this?
>
>
> > > I think now you might have problems trying to catch WTAW
>
> > now
> > > as a new station came online on 1620 earlier this year
> > from
> > > Pensacola,Fla. (WNRP)...
> >
> > I fool arund with X-band AMs from time to time, when I am
> > not using the amateur or satellite radio. I heard
> Pensacola
> > (Classic Country 1620) a few days back. But, WTAW was
> quite
> > a bit stronger.
> >
> > I am not sure why, but WTAW is the most common X-bander I
> > hear.
> >
> > > WWL does notch to the south (as their signal would be
> > wasted
> > > over open water if non directional) But I know people
> who
> > > listen at night on th oil rigs , so I figure you should
> > see
> > > something in central america.
> >
> > I have had little trouble getting WWL down there. WWL
> does
> > have a null to the south, but, it's not terribly tight.
> The
> > array is just two towers; one can only notch so much with
> > two towers.
> >
> > > I do know however also that you all may want to try
> > > Louisiana's other clear channel station KWKH 1130 as in
> > the
> > > ads on the station , it does talk about being heard in
> "4
> > > foreign countries)
> >
> > I don't recall KWKH down there. I have heard (the now
> > former) WTIX in Honduras. But, that was quite a while
> ago,
> > and one forgets things. :)
> >
> > DE
> >
>
 
Re: Speaking of KWKH

> > > Speaking of KWKH, I think there is something wrong with
> > > their directional array, and has been for a year or
> > > so...They are booming into the St. Louis area at night,
> > and
> > > have been causing problems with KMOX. They are supposed
> to
> >
> > > have a null to the north to protect KMOX on 1120. I had
> > > never picked up KWKH until a year or so ago. Anyone else
>
> > > notice this?
> >
> > Since I'm basically in their directed aim, I can't tell
> but
> > I can tell they are switching between the 2 antenna arrays
>
> > (as they loose signal for a split second when they are
> > changing the antennas)and the daytime signal takes out a
> > weaker station to my east when they flip to day array
> >
> > RFLA
> >
>
> I have noticed they come in better in Memphis than they used
> to. I remember last summer being able to get KFAN from
> Minneapolis instead of KWKH.
>
I'm in their null toward New York's 1130 here in NE Georgia and I can hear them loud of clear well after they are supposed to directionalize. This has been going on for at least a year and seems to be consistent. I'm surprised since it's a Clear Channel station and they seem to be more particular about making sure their big power AMs operate legally.

Either they aren't directionalizing or they have some major pattern problems.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom