Curfews and DX'ing?

[kenglish]

Seems like the ability to DX at most homes, especially apartments and condos, is getting worse every day.
I'm finding that most parks in Utah have 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM curfews, or (even worse) "Dusk-to-Dawn" limits.
Makes it hard to do much DX'ing...doesn't it?

What kinds of difficulties have you run into with trying to DX from parks, beaches, trails, etc?
Has anyone ever really investigated the nighttime curfew regulations in your city or town, before striking out on a mini-DXpedition?
Anybody ever been run-off, or cited, while DX'ing in a public location?

Anybody ever gotten a "go ahead" from someone in charge of a park, maybe the Ranger in Charge, or from the local government (other than a one-time event sort of thing)?

 

[nd2023]

I've been on the beach in NJ for hours during a tropo opening in the middle of the night.

 

[nocomradio]

Living in the middle of nowhere, most of those things haven't been an issue.

Sadly however, most of those rules are there because people either leave the place full of their trash, drink and make a spectacle of themselves, make lots of noise, or generally treat public places as if they don't care.

That said, I find that any of the overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway are great DX spots, most fire roads in the National Forests are good, and campgrounds are also both humanly and electrically quiet.

 

[cd637299]

I love to go to the Florida Keys for DXn, but forget the state parks; they close at sunset, and the best DX can be after that (I concentrate on Tropo FM/TV).

I've put up antenna mast on a tripod, and at times, a state trooper will come along and ask what it's all about. Haven't been arrested yet thank the Lord.

Once I was at Everglades City FL, and it seemed as if some guy (civilian) was indirectly accusing me of spying, with the mast and stuff. I assured him it was for the hobby* ....I got a long drawn-out "okaaaaaayyyyyy."

[* I bring a TV/VCR combo, so I can record the event, if anything special comes along. I also record the FM if conditions are good.]

cd

 

[ddsparxx]

In my apartment situation, I just do what I can...use a Quantum QX Loop, an AOR LA-390 and a 2 foot box loop. As you see, I spent a lot of money for apartment convenience. For outdoors, I more likely use a small radio like a PL-606 to minimize looking suspicious to anyone. Otherwise, I use a car radio for a little bit.

 

[Buckeyes2001]

I would love to be able to go to Mill Hollow Park here in town and DX at night but they close at sunset. Sherod Park does the same. I can DX from my house...as long as the neighbors have their atom-splitting plasma TV turned off. This worked when WSCR, WGN, and WBBM were off for maintenance back in March for a couple of hours overnight.

 

[FreddyE1977]

I remember once taking my then-small children to the park at one o'clock in the afternoon,
only to stumble upon and interrupt a couple that was having an....ummmmm......passionate encounter.

All the increasing rules no doubt due to the fact that its just unbelievable what people will
do in public parks anymore.

 

[swfl]

"Once I was at Everglades City FL, and it seemed as if some guy (civilian) was indirectly accusing me of spying, with the mast and stuff. I assured him it was for the hobby* ....I got a long drawn-out "okaaaaaayyyyyy."

I am not sure how well you know the history of Everglades City but the people there tend to be very suspicious of outsiders and particularly someone with equipment like you have. There is a very interesting back round on that community. You might want to google "operations everglades" one day. I have no doubt that fellow you ran into was not overly convinced of your intentions.

 

[cd637299]

"Once I was at Everglades City FL, and it seemed as if some guy (civilian) was indirectly accusing me of spying, with the mast and stuff. I assured him it was for the hobby* ....I got a long drawn-out "okaaaaaayyyyyy."

I am not sure how well you know the history of Everglades City but the people there tend to be very suspicious of outsiders and particularly someone with equipment like you have. There is a very interesting back round on that community. You might want to google "operations everglades" one day. I have no doubt that fellow you ran into was not overly convinced of your intentions.

I am sure that he wasn't convinced.....but I woulda had proof, via the TV. I'll never be able to convince those outside the hobby what I was doing. I'm aware.....

cd

 

[Darth_vader]

"Has anyone ever really investigated the nighttime curfew regulations in your city or town, before striking out on a mini DX expedition? Anybody ever been run-off, or cited, while DXing in a public location?"

Vancouver's city parks curfew is 2200P-0500P, but it's rarely (if ever) enforced. That said, the closest major park to where I am is Haagen's Park (http://wikimapia.org/#lat=45.6302453&lon=-122.5388158&z=17&l=0&m=b) and I just throw whatever radio and recording equipment (and a folding chair) I'll need into my Mongoose and head out there long after midnight whenever it strikes my fancy. I'll typically just cruise in off the north gate like I own the place, drop kickstand in the middle of the field and have at it.

Been doing that for several years now and nobody's harassed me about it yet; probably the worst thing I have to worry about is the sprinklers coming on at the least convenient time.