Dxing from Puerto Rico

[radioman148]

I'm in Puerto Rico for 6 days. Had a chance to DX last night & this is what I heard from stateside:

A very strong at times WCBS on 880. Although there were quite a few stations on 880 WCBS was strong when it came up.
Also heard WABC in the QRM on 770. Not nearly as strong as WCBS. No WFAN on 660 just a strong Spanish language station.
WLW was heard on 700 which was a pretty clear frequency. Although not strong, WLW was a solid copy because of the quietness of the frequency.
The big surprise for me was hearing WGN through lots of QRM on 720. It faded up a few times and I got a definite ID.

My spanish is poor & I'm not familiar with the radio dial in the Caribbean as I've never DXed here before.
Any help from David Eduardo or anyone else who is more familiar with this area & what to listen for is appreciated.
I did hear strong signals on 750 & 650 & suspect Venezuela & Columbia (not sure which is which).
710 had several signals on it last night. I assume one of them was Miami. There are weaker signals on 710 & 890 during the day.
Have no idea where those are. 710 in the daytime I don't believe is Miami as it only comes in when my radio is oriented southwest/northeast.

All help is appreciated. I will be here until Sunday & will post more when I can. I am in San Juan.

 

[gar hi]

Interesting there was no sign of WFAN but WCBS was strong.

Any sign of KYW or WPHT at night?

If you hear something in the day on 710 and 890 the direction you face the radio, it doesn't sound like Cuba either. What else could it be but South America?

Those are some good catches, especially considering the signals also have to travel on the land path of Puerto Rico.


If you ever get near the beach, it would be interesting to hear what you can get in the day. New York is probably too far but WQAM Miami is known to go some impressive distances.

What kind of receiver do you have?

 

[davideduardo]

Any help from David Eduardo or anyone else who is more familiar with this area & what to listen for is appreciated.
I did hear strong signals on 750 & 650 & suspect Venezuela & Columbia (not sure which is which).
710 had several signals on it last night. I assume one of them was Miami. There are weaker signals on 710 & 890 during the day.

710 is Mayagüez, PR, as in the daytime it is listenable on car radio in San Juan. Nights is Mayagüez, and mostly Caracas. Miami is nearly impossible in PR.

750 is Radio Caracas Radio, 650 is usually Maracay, Venezuela if not Radio Universal in Santo Domingo (Dominican AMs are croaking at a rapid pace, and this one was known off the air at least for a while).

890 may be Ceiba, PR, a religious station with 250 watts, WFAB being the calls.

David, who DXed for several decades from San Juan, Caguas, Mayaggüez and Guánica

 

[radioman148]

Interesting there was no sign of WFAN but WCBS was strong.

Any sign of KYW or WPHT at night?

If you hear something in the day on 710 and 890 the direction you face the radio, it doesn't sound like Cuba either. What else could it be but South America?

Those are some good catches, especially considering the signals also have to travel on the land path of Puerto Rico.


If you ever get near the beach, it would be interesting to hear what you can get in the day. New York is probably too far but WQAM Miami is known to go some impressive distances.

What kind of receiver do you have?

I'm using a Grundig G5. I was less then 50 ft from the beach when I was listening during the day. I can receive 555 from St Kitts day & not. Not a surprise. The shocker to me was WGN. For a few seconds I did hear an English speaking station on 890 last night, but I couldn't hear it well enough to tell if it was WLS.

 

[radioman148]

Any help from David Eduardo or anyone else who is more familiar with this area & what to listen for is appreciated.
I did hear strong signals on 750 & 650 & suspect Venezuela & Columbia (not sure which is which).
710 had several signals on it last night. I assume one of them was Miami. There are weaker signals on 710 & 890 during the day.

710 is Mayagüez, PR, as in the daytime it is listenable on car radio in San Juan. Nights is Mayagüez, and mostly Caracas. Miami is nearly impossible in PR.

750 is Radio Caracas Radio, 650 is usually Maracay, Venezuela if not Radio Universal in Santo Domingo (Dominican AMs are croaking at a rapid pace, and this one was known off the air at least for a while).

890 may be Ceiba, PR, a religious station with 250 watts, WFAB being the calls.

David, who DXed for several decades from San Juan, Caguas, Mayaggüez and Guánica

Thanks David I knew you'd know. BTW what years did you DX from here? If the frequencies were more open then I'm sure you received alot more stateside than I am. I do know someone who was here in the 60s reported hearing WGBS regularly then at night. Obviously based on your report it's not likely to get Miami on that frequency now.

 

[ddsparxx]

I've never been to Puerto Rico, but here in VA last year at nighttime I once heard a station on 810 that I think was WKVM on that island. I've never been able to confirm its ID but I once heard a female voice said something like "... V M" probably as station ID.

 

[cd637299]

Continuing David's thought, Radio Caracas Radio 750 is called "RCR" and is news/talk or maybe only news.

This station used to be a somewhat common catch here in south FL in the 80s, but no longer. I believe they are allowed 100 kW, but not sure if they are using it all.

There is now a Radio Progreso (Cuba) outlet on 750 as well, and even WSB Atlanta is not clear much anymore here.

cd

 

[radioman148]

Propagation Stateside was lousy tonight. I only could briefly detect a weak WLW only because 700
Is relatively clear down here.

 

[BRNout]

Propagation Stateside was lousy tonight. I only could briefly detect a weak WLW only because 700
Is relatively clear down here.

The English on 890 could be WLS - I've heard WLS and WGN down there before. But it varies a lot from night to night. Some nights, you get New York, others you get Florida/Atlanta/Chicago and still other nights you get nothing but South America and nearby Caribbean Islands. Personally, I enjoy hearing ZBVI day and night. On my last trip there, I used an Eton E5 (basically identical to yours).

Continuing David's thought, Radio Caracas Radio 750 is called "RCR" and is news/talk or maybe only news.

This station used to be a somewhat common catch here in south FL in the 80s, but no longer. I believe they are allowed 100 kW, but not sure if they are using it all.

There is now a Radio Progreso (Cuba) outlet on 750 as well, and even WSB Atlanta is not clear much anymore here.

cd

I've positively ID'd RCR on 750 underneath WSB from SE Pennsylvania - and more than once. Last couple times I visited Puerto Rico, RCR was robust every night. More recently, from Costa Rica, RCR came in quite well. Never heard the Cuban on that frequency.

 

[radioman148]

Propagation Stateside was lousy tonight. I only could briefly detect a weak WLW only because 700
Is relatively clear down here.

The English on 890 could be WLS - I've heard WLS and WGN down there before. But it varies a lot from night to night. Some nights, you get New York, others you get Florida/Atlanta/Chicago and still other nights you get nothing but South America and nearby Caribbean Islands. Personally, I enjoy hearing ZBVI day and night. On my last trip there, I used an Eton E5 (basically identical to yours).

Continuing David's thought, Radio Caracas Radio 750 is called "RCR" and is news/talk or maybe only news.

This station used to be a somewhat common catch here in south FL in the 80s, but no longer. I believe they are allowed 100 kW, but not sure if they are using it all.

There is now a Radio Progreso (Cuba) outlet on 750 as well, and even WSB Atlanta is not clear much anymore here.

cd

I've positively ID'd RCR on 750 underneath WSB from SE Pennsylvania - and more than once. Last couple times I visited Puerto Rico, RCR was robust every night. More recently, from Costa Rica, RCR came in quite well. Never heard the Cuban on that frequency.

Last night's DX was basically Caribbean only for me. Did you get any English speaking stations from Florida?

 

[BRNout]

Propagation Stateside was lousy tonight. I only could briefly detect a weak WLW only because 700
Is relatively clear down here.

The English on 890 could be WLS - I've heard WLS and WGN down there before. But it varies a lot from night to night. Some nights, you get New York, others you get Florida/Atlanta/Chicago and still other nights you get nothing but South America and nearby Caribbean Islands. Personally, I enjoy hearing ZBVI day and night. On my last trip there, I used an Eton E5 (basically identical to yours).

Continuing David's thought, Radio Caracas Radio 750 is called "RCR" and is news/talk or maybe only news.

This station used to be a somewhat common catch here in south FL in the 80s, but no longer. I believe they are allowed 100 kW, but not sure if they are using it all.

There is now a Radio Progreso (Cuba) outlet on 750 as well, and even WSB Atlanta is not clear much anymore here.

cd

I've positively ID'd RCR on 750 underneath WSB from SE Pennsylvania - and more than once. Last couple times I visited Puerto Rico, RCR was robust every night. More recently, from Costa Rica, RCR came in quite well. Never heard the Cuban on that frequency.

Last night's DX was basically Caribbean only for me. Did you get any English speaking stations from Florida?

Not much. I seem to recall getting a weak one from Miami at one point, but can't recall which. The usual problem is that locals occupy the same frequencies as the stronger south FL AMs do. Now, from Central America, WFLA 970 Tampa is a relatively common catch. But it's main lobe heads SW across the Gulf and not toward you.

Have you gotten ZBVI day and night? During the day, it came in reasonably well. At night, however, it was weaker and that's when you could actually hear WBBM on a good night. I always liked their format and music. Very tropical and - in English.

While there, try to do a little dxing on FM too. Try for WVJZ 105.3 and WWKS 101.3 - each from St. Thomas, USVI. I've gotten both of them on almost every trip there. You'll know because they're playing rhythmic/R&B music and are in English.

 

[radioman148]

Propagation Stateside was lousy tonight. I only could briefly detect a weak WLW only because 700
Is relatively clear down here.

The English on 890 could be WLS - I've heard WLS and WGN down there before. But it varies a lot from night to night. Some nights, you get New York, others you get Florida/Atlanta/Chicago and still other nights you get nothing but South America and nearby Caribbean Islands. Personally, I enjoy hearing ZBVI day and night. On my last trip there, I used an Eton E5 (basically identical to yours).

Continuing David's thought, Radio Caracas Radio 750 is called "RCR" and is news/talk or maybe only news.

This station used to be a somewhat common catch here in south FL in the 80s, but no longer. I believe they are allowed 100 kW, but not sure if they are using it all.

There is now a Radio Progreso (Cuba) outlet on 750 as well, and even WSB Atlanta is not clear much anymore here.

cd

I've positively ID'd RCR on 750 underneath WSB from SE Pennsylvania - and more than once. Last couple times I visited Puerto Rico, RCR was robust every night. More recently, from Costa Rica, RCR came in quite well. Never heard the Cuban on that frequency.

Last night's DX was basically Caribbean only for me. Did you get any English speaking stations from Florida?

Not much. I seem to recall getting a weak one from Miami at one point, but can't recall which. The usual problem is that locals occupy the same frequencies as the stronger south FL AMs do. Now, from Central America, WFLA 970 Tampa is a relatively common catch. But it's main lobe heads SW across the Gulf and not toward you.

Have you gotten ZBVI day and night? During the day, it came in reasonably well. At night, however, it was weaker and that's when you could actually hear WBBM on a good night. I always liked their format and music. Very tropical and - in English.

While there, try to do a little dxing on FM too. Try for WVJZ 105.3 and WWKS 101.3 - each from St. Thomas, USVI. I've gotten both of them on almost every trip there. You'll know because they're playing rhythmic/R&B music and are in English.

I have heard ZBVI day & night. Sure wish they'd go off at night so I could try for WBBM. You say you could still hear WBBM on a good night so I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the tips.

 

[cyberdad]

I've never been and I'm not offhand familiar with the local AM dial, but I'd expect you might hear a few Texans. And what about the Mexican blowtorches?

 

[radioman148]

I've never been and I'm not offhand familiar with the local AM dial, but I'd expect you might hear a few Texans. And what about the Mexican blowtorches?

As far as the Mexican stations are concerned they may be in there, but since almost everything I'm hearing is in Spanish I can't tell.
No chance trying for KTRH as there's a strong local here on 740. I will give WBAP a try although there's a strong local on 810.

 

[cd637299]

I've never been and I'm not offhand familiar with the local AM dial, but I'd expect you might hear a few Texans. And what about the Mexican blowtorches?

As far as the Mexican stations are concerned they may be in there, but since almost everything I'm hearing is in Spanish I can't tell.
No chance trying for KTRH as there's a strong local here on 740. I will give WBAP a try although there's a strong local on 810.

*hint* KVNS 1700 Brownsville TX *hint*

 

[radioman148]

Tonight's MW DX report from San Juan at 11:10 local time which is + 2hrs CST.
WGN in briefly. WLW in as always with Cincinnati Bearcats basketball and on a fade up very strong for a short period.
WCBS again very strong--strongest I've heard it so far & easily the most dependable Stateside station to hear down here.
WABC also good, but surprisingly with those 2 NYC stations coming in there's no sign of WFAN. 660 is not that crowded, only one other station, but it's not WFAN.
Heard an English language sports report on 760 and assumed it was WJR, but I didn't get it long enough to ID. Anyone know if there's a sports station on 760 in Florida or somewhere else in the south? If not it was probably WJR.

Tried again for WLS, but the only station I was able to ID on 890 was Cuba.

 

[cd637299]

760 in FL----yes there is one, *and* it's sports---WEFL Tequesta, serving the West Palm Beach market. As WJR has to be protected, likely it was WEFL you heard.

WEFL makes an impressive daytime print (despite only 3,000 watts) up the east coast, into at least SC.

cd

 

[radioman148]

I've never been and I'm not offhand familiar with the local AM dial, but I'd expect you might hear a few Texans. And what about the Mexican blowtorches?

As far as the Mexican stations are concerned they may be in there, but since almost everything I'm hearing is in Spanish I can't tell.
No chance trying for KTRH as there's a strong local here on 740. I will give WBAP a try although there's a strong local on 810.

*hint* KVNS 1700 Brownsville TX *hint*

I tried that, but only hearing Spanish on 1700. Could that be Miami? Getting Spanish language talker on 1680. Doesn't sound local, but strongest Ex-bander at night.
I heard English on 1650, but not strong enough to ID. Any idea where that may be coming from?

 

[radioman148]

760 in FL----yes there is one, *and* it's sports---WEFL Tequesta, serving the West Palm Beach market. As WJR has to be protected, likely it was WEFL you heard.

WEFL makes an impressive daytime print (despite only 3,000 watts) up the east coast, into at least SC.

cd

That had to be it. They were talking sports too long for it to be WJR--and according to Radio-Locator running 1,500 watts at night.
Thanks cd.

 

[cd637299]

1700 Spanish? Hmmm WJCC, my local in Miami Springs, is 100% Haitian/Creole. They *used* to be Spanish, but no more. Sure it was Espanol?

You have my permission to keep trying for KVNS I heard it under WJCC from Bermuda at night (KVNS was my only K there)

cd