DXing the West

[cyberdad]

Barring any unforseen last minute development, the next Cyberdad road trip starts Monday, August 27....and it's a big one. Two weeks. Basically Canadian Rockies, over to Vancouver and Victoria, then down the West Coast. During the course of these travels, I'll be in at least three areas where I've either never been before, or if I have, I've never had the chance to DX. These include, the Black Hills of South Dakota, Banff Alberta, and Victoria BC.

As for what I'll be looking for.... For openers, as usual, I'll be curious to see how well my hometown Chicago stations get out to the west and northwest. I'll also be curious to see how far east I can get anything from Seattle (and for that matter, CKWX and anything else from Vancouver). I'm also interested to hear how well the Californians and Mexicans do, and whether or not I can snag anything from Alaska or Hawaii. No fancy equipment, just a stock factory car radio and "barefoot" DX 375 and SRF 37 walkman. (I may also bring the Eaton E-10).

I'm not much of an FM DXer, but I'll definitely want to see what might turn up at high elevations in the mountains. Also, I'm curious about Victoria. I've been there before, but only on day trips to see customers. If my location is noise free enough, I might take a stab at trans pacific.

As always, suggestions and requests are absolutely welcome, but be aware there may be a few occasions where I could be stymied by a noisy location (or Mrs. Cyberdad's "social agenda".)

 

[mimo]

If you're taking the Trans Canada Highway, just after you get into BC is a little village called Field. They have a CBC radio 1 station at 860 on the dial, which has recieved permission to flip to FM. The AM is at 40 watts and comes in just a few minutes after crossing the border. The FM is apparently on the air at 97.1 (I believe) and running a whopping 9 watts of power. Lake Louise and Banff have lots of low powered FM's. The towns of Revelstoke and Golden had 1000 watt AC AM stations at 1400 and 1340 respectively which I believe have flipped off their AM's after switching them to FM. The only other AMs befoer Kamlo0ps are CBC radio 1 at 900 in Donald Station (40 watts) It's between Revelstoke and Golden. Kamlo0ps has one AM remaining at 610 on the dial. It was a great top 40 rocker until the 1990's. Merrit (located South of Kamlo0ps on the Coquihalla highway) has Radio one at 860 (again 40 watts) and a relay of Kamlo0ps AM 610 located at 1230 on the dial). Back in the 80's and 90's there was more AM activity and no FM at all between Lake Louise and Kamlo0ps...save for radio 1 in Revelstoke. Kamlo0ps had a second AM at 550 which has gone FM a long time ago and Salmon Arm also had a decent AM at 580 which I heard is occasionally still on the air from time to time after the switch to FM occured. They're still trying to adress coverage issues.

You may still be able to hear AM 1150 from Kelowna between Salmon Arm and Kaml0ops. From where the stations of Merrit and Hope fade there is absolutely nothing. You may be able to snag the occasional FM signal for a few seconds. I'd recommend a night drive if you want to hear anything at all for most of the trip. Seattle AM's will be audible in Calgary at night, most Vancouver AM's will be to0. As far as Chicago stations, WGN and WLS came into Calgary at night when I lived there...the others will be blocked out by locals.

 

[radioman148]

Sounds like a great trip. As always I'll be interested in your DX reports.

 

[crainbebo]

In Victoria, the FM is pretty packed. Seattle stations come in, local Victoria, Bellingham, Vancouver, plus some of the South Sound stuff [KXXO 96.1, etc].

Here in good ol' Seattle, you should be able to hear most of the big California 50kws, KSL, KOA, KDWN [if you're lucky to not have KIRO interference], KKOH, etc. If you are lucky, the East might come in and KSTP makes it in here frequently at 1400 miles. Plus, CFSL 1190 chews up KEX often, CJYM 1330 is common, CJWW 600, etc.

Are you going to Eastern Washington? If so, you might be able to hear even more Eastern stuff than in Seattle. I got KVNS, WWL, WBBM, WGN, various UNID Mexicans 710 [did NOT match 5025 Rebelde] 890, 900 [XEW?], KSTP, KFAB and others. Having only one mtn range to cross instead of two helps out there I guess! [Rockies]

Keep an eye on 1000! Tell us if you get KOMO at Mt. Rushmore! Have fun!

-crainbebo

 

[MarioMania]

Try KCBS 740

 

[crainbebo]

Mimo, I think the 580 Salmon Arm is long gone now. If I hear anything from Canada on 580 it's CKUA in Edmonton.

-crainbebo

 

[cyberdad]

Thanks, guys!

Mimo: I will be taking the Trans-Canada highway from Banff to Vancouver, so I appreciate your comments. I had noticed on R-L the low power stuff in and around Banff....and was wondering which, if any, might still be on the air. My guess is plenty of FM....maybe or maybe not AM.

Crainbebo: Thanks also for the tips. I've been to Vancouver numerous times, but I usually stay near Steveson and Hwy 99. Handy location for business, but in an area chock full of AM transmitters, so DXing there (at least for AM) is pretty lousy. This time, I'm staying downtown, so I'm expecting noise....although I have a balcony room reserved, and the last time I stayed there, things weren't too terrible. Fingers crossed.

As for Victoria....virgin territory for me. As I said in my original post. I've visited the island a couple of times for customer visit day trips, but have never spent the night. I know several Seattle stations are like locals, but I'm curious to hear how the lower-powered Washington State mainland stations do. Especially KAPS with it's unorthodox antenna setup.

And, yup, I'll be passing through the Emerald City, but on my way to Portland. Not spending the night. On most of my past trips I've stayed in the Renton/Tukwila (sp?) area not far from the airport. Not exactly ideal for DXing, but not all that bad, either. In addition to the "usual suspects" you mentioned, I was also able to catch KFI out there one night when they were on low power (10kw IIRC) one night following their tower collapse. I've also heard KSTP there a couple of times.

I won't make it to Eastern Washington...which is sort of unfortunate, since it seems like it would be an interesting place to DX.

Mario: I had already been planning hang out on 740, so I'll let you know if I hear KCBS on the "mountain" portion of the trip. The CBC has a 50kw blowtorch on 740 in Calgary, which is about an hour from Banff. But I'm curious to find out if KCBS might be underneath. Also, FYI, I'll be spending a couple of nights not too far from you. We have family in Santa Rosa.

Radioman: As I'm sure you've already guessed, I'll be watching the Chicago "1-A clears"....as I think I also indicated in my OP. I'll update as I go along.

Other channels I'm curious about are 640, 680, 710, 830, 870, 1000, 1040, 1070, 1090, 1500, 1530. Feel free to suggest others.

 

[ddsparxx]

You may want to try KTNN 660 in AZ or anything on 650 up on the Banff area...I am curious about just anything...even Detroit's WJR and KXOR 660 Junction City, OR.

 

[crainbebo]

Correct spelling cyberdad. Tukwila is right near SeaTac airport.

If you go through the Tacoma/Olympia area, keep an eye on 101.1! I got CFMI "Rock 101" and sometimes KXL Portland real well around Tacoma Olympia area. There is also a "pipeline" near Dupont where 91.1 and 92.9 from Yakima [KYPL/KDBL] come in like locals for about two miles.

CBC's 50kw blowtorch in Calgary is on 1010, not 740 [that's CBX Edmonton, AB].

The good news is that you will be in Eastern BC on the Trans-Canada Hwy, so a lot of the AMs from E of the Cascades are stronger. A station to look out for in the Banff area at night is KMTX 950 Helena. They have a sat-fed oldies format, and I hear it often when I am in Yakima, mixing with KJR in Seattle. That's an effect on crossing the Cascades!

1500 is a very, very open channel here. There used to be a station in BC, CKAY in Duncan, but it's been gone for around a dozen years. Said station is now "89.7 Sun FM" CJSU in Duncan. It's an interesting listen because it's a commercial station on the usual "NPR and Christian" band. I think the CRTC allows commercial stns to operate on 88-92, not like in the U.S. Same thing with Mexico, where XETRA 91X 91.1 in Tijuana is commercial.
KSTP is common here, and should be heard in Victoria at night. Sometimes it has company with KSJX in San Jose, CA [Chinese/Ethnic].

ddsparxx: I think KXOR 660 is back on the air with SS. I can't check that well because I live 2mi from KIXI 880, and so even at night with 10kw they create horrible mixing product to the S. Turn the radio E and CFFR comes in with no mixing product from locals. 650, I'm guessing, probably will be CKOM and/or CISL.

-crainbebo

 

[cyberdad]

You may want to try KTNN 660 in AZ or anything on 650 up on the Banff area...I am curious about just anything...even Detroit's WJR and KXOR 660 Junction City, OR.

Will do. KTNN has a pretty good nighttime signal, but I believe there's a 660 in Calgary. As for 650, I'd been wondering about that one myself. CISL in Vancouver resides there, but I'm guessing in Banff that the Cheyenne and/or Sacramento could turn up....or if I'm really lucky, WSM.

 

[cyberdad]

Crainbebo....

Thanks for the additional info....and the spelling lesson. I also should have known 1010 is the Calgary CBC blowtorch. I always get those two mixed up, but the good news is that it should make my try for KCBS a little easier.

I'll also check out "Sun FM" and 91.1/92,9/101.1 through Tacoma and Olympia (I'll have to flip back and forth with KBRD/680....one of the most unusual stations I've ever heard! I'll also listen for the effect you described with the Cascades. And it'll be interesting to find out what might be going on with 950 in Banff....and to what extent, if any, CFAC might be a pest.

And BTW, you're right about CRTC allowing commercial stuff on FM below 92

 

[Icangelp]

Cyberdad.

I was in Vancouver a few weeks ago. Stayed at the Pan Pacific which is at Canada Place. We were up high, and facing east/southeast. No balcony, though.

Had to place my PL-380 against the window, and as one would expect, it was locals during the day.

I don't have my list of loggings with me, but, despite all the electrical interference, I was able to pick up San Francisco and a few Seattle signals. We didn't have a car, and time was limited.

 

[crainbebo]

KGO is always strong anywhere on the Pacific Coast. They protect WGY in Albany on 810.

-crainbebo

 

[radioman148]

>>Radioman: As I'm sure you've already guessed, I'll be watching the Chicago "1-A clears"....as I think I also indicated in my OP. I'll update as I go along.>>

Thanks Cyberdad.

 

[Darth_vader]

Hey cyberdad, if you're going to be heading through *this* Vancouver (e.g. en route to Oregon), you might just consider sending me a private message so we could get together sometime/where and talk radio!

 

[cyberdad]

Cyberdad.

I was in Vancouver a few weeks ago. Stayed at the Pan Pacific which is at Canada Place. We were up high, and facing east/southeast. No balcony, though.

Had to place my PL-380 against the window, and as one would expect, it was locals during the day.

I don't have my list of loggings with me, but, despite all the electrical interference, I was able to pick up San Francisco and a few Seattle signals. We didn't have a car, and time was limited.

Thanks....

I'm a few blocks away at the Renaissance, where I stayed there a little over a year and a half ago. Then, I got upgraded to a Harbourview room, which faces southwest IIRC. Since Mrs. Cyberdad is with me this time, I popped for a few extra bucks to make sure I get the upgrade once again. Being that it was February, hanging out on the balcony wasn't exactly practical, so I stood by the sliding glass door. There was noise, but it wasn't too extreme and I was able to null it. My experience was similar to yours with regard to what I was able to hear.

 

[cyberdad]

Hey cyberdad, if you're going to be heading through *this* Vancouver (e.g. en route to Oregon), you might just consider sending me a private message so we could get together sometime/where and talk radio!

Darth....Thanks for the invite. I assume you're talking about Vancouver, WA. I'm always game for a meet-up. Problem is our stop in Portland is a really quick one. We're on the 11am ferry from Victoria back to Vancouver....which I figure puts us in Portland around 6pm....assuming no craziness at the border, or problems getting through/around Seattle (holiday weekend, so I'm not too worried about that). Then we're meeting our niece for dinner.....back on the road at 6am the next morning.

 

[mimo]

Before 660 signed on in Calgary, WSM was heard in the winter months. I had forgotten that it is still summer and the sun sets very late in western Canada compared to what people are used to in the midwest and even here in Eastern Canada. In July it's light until almost 11 pm. If I remember correctly, you should be able to start hearing night time reception around 9:30 this time of year. Chicago would be very unlikely this time of year, except very late at night/early in the morning.

Banff's 2 AM's have long flipped to FM but you can still get the Calgary stations and should be able to hear them to Lake Louise. I don't know if they will make it past that point for very long. One thing about checking for 860 out of Field..at first you will hear what sounds like an open carrier come in, after a couple of minutes a voice will fade in out of the static. I would gess that on an excellent car radio you might be able to hear 660 from Calgary to Field but barely. Revelstoke has a low powered AM still on the air and it is Environment Canada weather radio. It broadcasts at 1580 and I don't think it goes more than 10 miles in either direction. Also there is a national park between Golden and Salmon Arm who's name escapes me right now. Right at the main park station are 2 low powered info stations, 1230 (English) and 1490 (French) which give park info and other related things. It's worth tuning in. Last time I lived in the Vancouver/Victoria area both AM and FM dials were competely packed and they're even more so now. Someone had mentioned trying for KCBS 740. As you know, in Vancouver that's impossible and is also the same in Victoria thanks to local 730 which sends a strong westerly signal at night. KOMO will be audible at night once you hit the rockies and CBR loses some of it's strength.

To0 bad so many of the Vancouver Island stations have gone to FM, as they did reach into Vancouver very well and in some cases better than they did into Victoria. The Seattle AM's sounded like locals as did the Vancouver stations. Victoria was always a radio lover's paradise.

 

[cyberdad]

Thanks, mimo.....

I'm cautiously optimistic about possibly snagging Chicago in Alberta....especially since hearing CFAC here a few times during the past year. It also sounds like the Trans Canada Highway drive across the mountains may have more of interest than just the scenery!

As for Victoria, I remember the AMs being solid pretty much the entire drive from Seattle to Vancouver, but it's been a little while since I've made that run. I used to sometimes spend the night in Burlington/Mount Vernon, which is roughly the half way point. Never a problem hearing Victoria there.

 

[MarioMania]

KGO is always strong anywhere on the Pacific Coast. They protect WGY in Albany on 810.

-crainbebo

Albany is far east, How is it KGO protecing WGY?? Can people in Texas or in the middle of the US get KGO or WGY??