KNX Los Angeles received in Tampa!

[radioman148]

KMPC was mission impossible for me growing up less than 20 miles from WGN's stick. KNX and KFI weren't exactly regulars, but relatively easy...with KFI being the easier of the two by virtue of having 640 all to itself. I did catch KMPC once in college in Iowa one morning...right before WHB powered up. Old Hallicrafters rig with antenna wire wound around a water pipe.

In my latest attempts to see if I can still catch KNX, I'm using my "ancient" DX 440, aimed at such an angle as to null Indianapolis and Madison. Unfortunately this angle also provides a path for CHOK and (what used to be) KFDI. What I've been hearing are bits and pieces of what sounds like news (as opposed to a talk show), but I've not heard what I'm listening for....either an ID, or other mention of the call letters, or at least the sounder which goes into traffic and weather (something I think might be able to cut through the noise). Also have not been able to make out a CBS hourly newscast intro. So far the clearest I've been able to hear has been a piece of a mortgage re-fi ad. Those things are staples of So-Cal radio, but since what I heard wasn't "California-specific" its not quite enough for me to be certain.

KFI was an easy catch for me in the Chicago area in the 60s thru 80s. Also often heard KNBR on Monday mornings when WMAQ was off for maintenance.
KNX was always an easy catch in October just before Chicago sunrise. I used to listen to it in my car driving to work into the city on the Kennedy. There must be something about the grayline at that time of year that always favored reception of KNX in the Chicago area then.

 

[BRNout]

KMPC was mission impossible for me growing up less than 20 miles from WGN's stick. KNX and KFI weren't exactly regulars, but relatively easy...with KFI being the easier of the two by virtue of having 640 all to itself. I did catch KMPC once in college in Iowa one morning...right before WHB powered up. Old Hallicrafters rig with antenna wire wound around a water pipe.

In my latest attempts to see if I can still catch KNX, I'm using my "ancient" DX 440, aimed at such an angle as to null Indianapolis and Madison. Unfortunately this angle also provides a path for CHOK and (what used to be) KFDI. What I've been hearing are bits and pieces of what sounds like news (as opposed to a talk show), but I've not heard what I'm listening for....either an ID, or other mention of the call letters, or at least the sounder which goes into traffic and weather (something I think might be able to cut through the noise). Also have not been able to make out a CBS hourly newscast intro. So far the clearest I've been able to hear has been a piece of a mortgage re-fi ad. Those things are staples of So-Cal radio, but since what I heard wasn't "California-specific" its not quite enough for me to be certain.

Cyberdad, one thing to listen for when looking for KNX is their rather unique traffic sounder. It's a bit old-fashioned, yet classic, series of "bloops" that oscillate between higher and lower notes. They do traffic every 10 minutes on the "5s". If anything from them would cut through the clutter, I would think that their traffic sounder would be it. Not quite as good as Radio Reloj, but a dead giveaway if you hear it.

 

[radioman148]

KMPC was mission impossible for me growing up less than 20 miles from WGN's stick. KNX and KFI weren't exactly regulars, but relatively easy...with KFI being the easier of the two by virtue of having 640 all to itself. I did catch KMPC once in college in Iowa one morning...right before WHB powered up. Old Hallicrafters rig with antenna wire wound around a water pipe.

In my latest attempts to see if I can still catch KNX, I'm using my "ancient" DX 440, aimed at such an angle as to null Indianapolis and Madison. Unfortunately this angle also provides a path for CHOK and (what used to be) KFDI. What I've been hearing are bits and pieces of what sounds like news (as opposed to a talk show), but I've not heard what I'm listening for....either an ID, or other mention of the call letters, or at least the sounder which goes into traffic and weather (something I think might be able to cut through the noise). Also have not been able to make out a CBS hourly newscast intro. So far the clearest I've been able to hear has been a piece of a mortgage re-fi ad. Those things are staples of So-Cal radio, but since what I heard wasn't "California-specific" its not quite enough for me to be certain.

Cyberdad, one thing to listen for when looking for KNX is their rather unique traffic sounder. It's a bit old-fashioned, yet classic, series of "bloops" that oscillate between higher and lower notes. They do traffic every 10 minutes on the "5s". If anything from them would cut through the clutter, I would think that their traffic sounder would be it. Not quite as good as Radio Reloj, but a dead giveaway if you hear it.

BRNout, very true. That KNX traffic sounder helped me identify them many times.

 

[cyberdad]

Cyberdad, one thing to listen for when looking for KNX is their rather unique traffic sounder. It's a bit old-fashioned, yet classic, series of "bloops" that oscillate between higher and lower notes. They do traffic every 10 minutes on the "5s". If anything from them would cut through the clutter, I would think that their traffic sounder would be it. Not quite as good as Radio Reloj, but a dead giveaway if you hear it.

The sounder...as I alluded to...is actually a primary thing I've been listening for. My assumption being that this would make it through the noise. Very familiar with it from 25+ years of 2-3 trips annually to So-Cal. Haven't caught it yet in my latest attempts, however.

 

[cyberdad]

Finally positively snagged KNX last night.

I spent about twenty minutes on 1070 and was just within a minute or so of giving up. DX 375 aimed southwest (and northeast). The channel sounded even more crowded at 10pm than during my pre-dawn attempts. CHOK was blasting in on top with WTSO right up there with it. Then, from out of nowhere at 10:25 CST, I heard the sounder! Totally surprised me. Nothing to connect to it before or after, but the sounder unmistakably and clearly cut through CHOK, WTSO, and all the mess underneath. Not a piece or a trace of the sounder...all of it. Then it was gone.

My guess is that it's been at least ten years since I heard KNX here....perhaps even closer to twenty. It's not as if I've been actively trying for it. I haven't. But I was curious to see if what was a frequently doable catch here, if not exactly an easy one, was still possible given today's clutter. I'll probably keep after it for a while, just to establish how rare (or not) KNX actually is around here. They have a terrific signal west of the rockies, and earlier this year using my SRF 37 on a nearly empty evening flight from SFO to O'Hare, they were pretty much the strongest thing on the dial all the way to Omaha.

I figured if anything had enough punch to get here from the west coast on a garden variety radio (albeit a pretty good one), KNX was it.

 

[radioman148]

Finally positively snagged KNX last night.

I spent about twenty minutes on 1070 and was just within a minute or so of giving up. DX 375 aimed southwest (and northeast). The channel sounded even more crowded at 10pm than during my pre-dawn attempts. CHOK was blasting in on top with WTSO right up there with it. Then, from out of nowhere at 10:25 CST, I heard the sounder! Totally surprised me. Nothing to connect to it before or after, but the sounder unmistakably and clearly cut through CHOK, WTSO, and all the mess underneath. Not a piece or a trace of the sounder...all of it. Then it was gone.

My guess is that it's been at least ten years since I heard KNX here....perhaps even closer to twenty. It's not as if I've been actively trying for it. I haven't. But I was curious to see if what was a frequently doable catch here, if not exactly an easy one, was still possible given today's clutter. I'll probably keep after it for a while, just to establish how rare (or not) KNX actually is around here. They have a terrific signal west of the rockies, and earlier this year using my SRF 37 on a nearly empty evening flight from SFO to O'Hare, they were pretty much the strongest thing on the dial all the way to Omaha.

I figured if anything had enough punch to get here from the west coast on a garden variety radio (albeit a pretty good one), KNX was it.

Good job Cyberdad. I haven't heard KNX here in 6 or 7 years and in every case only right before Chicago sunrise. Now you've got my juices flowing to try again.

 

[w9wi]

I don't know what to look for next.

KNBR 680.

Seriously, here in Nashville KNX and KNBR are about equal in terms of signal strength and frequency of logging. KFI would probably be tied if not for the fact that I'm in WSM's backyard...

Other west-of-the-Rockies stations that are worth trying (+/- local conditions in your area):
KSL-1160 (Salt Lake City)
CFAC-960 (Calgary; sports)
CKWX-1130 (Vancouver; all news)

And check 660 from time to time. KTNN in northeastern Arizona used to forget to go directional at sunset once in awhile. When they do, they bomb in to the East. And since they're owned by the Navajo Nation, they often air some rather distinctive programming.

 

[gar hi]

Finally positively snagged KNX last night.

I spent about twenty minutes on 1070 and was just within a minute or so of giving up. DX 375 aimed southwest (and northeast). The channel sounded even more crowded at 10pm than during my pre-dawn attempts. CHOK was blasting in on top with WTSO right up there with it. Then, from out of nowhere at 10:25 CST, I heard the sounder! Totally surprised me. Nothing to connect to it before or after, but the sounder unmistakably and clearly cut through CHOK, WTSO, and all the mess underneath. Not a piece or a trace of the sounder...all of it. Then it was gone.

Hey, great to hear you got it!

It doesn't stay for very long when it comes in, so you have to time it right and listen for a long time until it breaks through.

KNBR 680.

Seriously, here in Nashville KNX and KNBR are about equal in terms of signal strength and frequency of logging. KFI would probably be tied if not for the fact that I'm in WSM's backyard...

Other west-of-the-Rockies stations that are worth trying (+/- local conditions in your area):
KSL-1160 (Salt Lake City)
CFAC-960 (Calgary; sports)
CKWX-1130 (Vancouver; all news)

And check 660 from time to time. KTNN in northeastern Arizona used to forget to go directional at sunset once in awhile. When they do, they bomb in to the East. And since they're owned by the Navajo Nation, they often air some rather distinctive programming.

There's a local here on 680 but weak enough that I can null it out right in the direction of SF.

It's one of the most crowded frequencies here and if KNBR is there at all, I couldn't hear it.

I've already gotten KSL.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFOt2EGDZjo


660 is too dominated by a Cuban station here to be able to hear the one from Window Rock.

As it is, it's rare to hear WFAN anymore.

960 is out of the question for anything becauseof our local WFLA. I'm only a couple miles from their towers.

Don't know what's on 1130 but Vancouver is a long way.

I got KFI here last winter for a few minutes late one night but didn't have the video camera handy. I've been listening a lot for KFI recently but haven't heard a thing. That's when I decided to try for KNX instead.

 

[cyberdad]

Tried for about a half hour last night at 10pm CST, but no trace of KNX. Sounder or anything else. I'll keep after it from time to time and see what happens.

As for KNBR, the problem here is splatter from WSCR. Too bad because 680 is relatively clear around here. Get far enough away from the WSCR stick, and KNBR becomes doable. Not particularly easy, but doable. Where I live....about 20 miles from WSCR's stick, if I null 670, what I find on 680 is usually either a weak WCTT or a weak CFTR.

Meanwhile.....Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

 

[w9wi]

660 is too dominated by a Cuban station here to be able to hear the one from Window Rock.

I know those of us not in Florida really don't know just how dominating the Cuban signals are! -- but when Window Rock is on day pattern, they're REALLY strong. I wouldn't rule them out.

Don't know what's on 1130 but Vancouver is a long way.

I never figured it would be possible here in Nashville either, but it has happened several times. Shreveport is usually the big signal but some nights they simply don't seem to be there.

 

[K4WRF]

Over the past few years about 25% of the time here in the middle part of Tennessee during the late evening, I am able to receive KNX. Not a signal that is stellar by any means but enough to understand parts the traffic reports or an ID.

This wasn’t always possible because WDIA in Memphis struggled with their 6-tower phased-array for years.

 

[BRNout]

Tried for about a half hour last night at 10pm CST, but no trace of KNX. Sounder or anything else. I'll keep after it from time to time and see what happens.

As for KNBR, the problem here is splatter from WSCR. Too bad because 680 is relatively clear around here. Get far enough away from the WSCR stick, and KNBR becomes doable. Not particularly easy, but doable. Where I live....about 20 miles from WSCR's stick, if I null 670, what I find on 680 is usually either a weak WCTT or a weak CFTR.

Meanwhile.....Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

From my nearby location NW of Chicago, I check out 680 when WSCR turns off their hashmaker...normally during certain live sports events. When that happens, I've usually heard WPTF Raleigh with WINR Binghamton, NY showing up once or twice. There's also a news/talker out of northern WI (WOGO) that's faintly there when all else isn't. Given this, I haven't tried for KNBR....but would be fascinated if someone did pick it up around here.

The situation is hopeless here for me on 680 most of the time as WSCR is simply too strong and their IBOC hash too pervasive (except on my Insignia tabletop, which still can't manage to decode it in HD ) for any hope of good dxing on 660 or 680.

And, Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukkah, etc., to everyone out there!!

 

[radioman148]

Tried for about a half hour last night at 10pm CST, but no trace of KNX. Sounder or anything else. I'll keep after it from time to time and see what happens.

As for KNBR, the problem here is splatter from WSCR. Too bad because 680 is relatively clear around here. Get far enough away from the WSCR stick, and KNBR becomes doable. Not particularly easy, but doable. Where I live....about 20 miles from WSCR's stick, if I null 670, what I find on 680 is usually either a weak WCTT or a weak CFTR.

Meanwhile.....Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

From my nearby location NW of Chicago, I check out 680 when WSCR turns off their hashmaker...normally during certain live sports events. When that happens, I've usually heard WPTF Raleigh with WINR Binghamton, NY showing up once or twice. There's also a news/talker out of northern WI (WOGO) that's faintly there when all else isn't. Given this, I haven't tried for KNBR....but would be fascinated if someone did pick it up around here.

The situation is hopeless here for me on 680 most of the time as WSCR is simply too strong and their IBOC hash too pervasive (except on my Insignia tabletop, which still can't manage to decode it in HD ) for any hope of good dxing on 660 or 680.

And, Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukkah, etc., to everyone out there!!

In the 60s & 70s I picked up KNBR often in Northern Illinois, but only on Monday mornings when then WMAQ was off for maintenance. Sometimes it came in very well. I also heard it a few times in later years when WMAQ was on the air.
Nowadays with WSCR's Iblock, I wouldn't even give it a try. I can't even hear WFAN on 660 with all that noise.

 

[cyberdad]

I haven't tried for KNBR....but would be fascinated if someone did pick it up around here.

Once WSCR has been taken from the equation (either they're off, their buzzer is off, or you're far away enough from their stick), KNBR arguably becomes the easiest California catch for the central U.S. Of course the easiest California catch around used to be KFI when 640 was totally clear at night. The signal was rather paltry, but there wasn't much to stop it.

 

[BRNout]

Finally positively snagged KNX last night.

Last night was an awesome night for dx and, with cyberdad's inspiration, I also picked up KNX from the Chicago area - and with a positive ID! And others of interest with amazing clarity.

It was about 9:45 pm and I turned on my E5. It was still tuned to 850 (for KOA) and Denver was coming in with amazing strength. They were playing the radio version of "It's a Wonderful Life" and their signal was local-grade with no fades. So, on a whim, I went to 960 where I heard a loud dominant station advertizing "Boxing Day" deals followed by a sales position at Rogers Calgary. Sure enough - it was 960 The Fan (CFAC) and it was astonishingly clear. I've tried for it many times from here and it was always absent or so buried in mush as to be unintelligible.

So then, thanks to cd's post, I elected to check out 1070. At first, there wasn't much - but there also wasn't the usual CHOK. And, there was what sounded like news reading in the background. After a very few minutes, I could discern a sports report about "SC" (what locals call USC) beating someone and I smelled blood. Finally my miniature "Christmas miracle": the signal faded up tremendously during a weather report which ended with it being "54 degrees in Burbank" an advert about traffic on the 5's then their TOH ID came across as clearly as I'd hear on a closer in station with "KNX, KNX-HD, KTWV-HD2 @ 94.7 Los Angeles" followed by another news report. Loud and clear! Then another TOH "KNX Los Angeles, it's 8:00" followed by their TOH tone and CBS news. Within 2 minutes, it faded back out (again dramatically) and was gone. Later, WFNI, WTSO and CHOK were back.

So yes, I got KNX from the Chicago burbs!

Another odd one was hearing 70's oldies on 1180 in WHAM's null, which may well have been KOFI Kalispell - but I couldn't ID it.

 

[w9wi]

Another odd one was hearing 70's oldies on 1180 in WHAM's null, which may well have been KOFI Kalispell - but I couldn't ID it.

Others in the Chicago area have heard KOFI, so I'd keep trying.

(and it would be a great catch if it happened! Anything in the Northwest is a challenge. I managed to snag KGHL-790 Billings one morning in Madison, Wis. but it was ESP-weak.)

 

[crainbebo]

I get KOFI every night, even though KLAY Tacoma, WA uses 1000 watts all day and night.

I'm gonna try the radio tonight and see what I get. And KNX is what-1800 miles from Chicago!? This is great!
-crainbebo

 

[Lawppy]

I'm gonna try the radio tonight and see what I get. And KNX is what-1800 miles from Chicago!? This is great!

Don't know about Chicago, but KNX is 1,890 miles from my location in S. Michigan. I'm thinking i'm gonna try for them tonight! I've also had good luck with Western AM DX this year, FINALLY confirming KSL and CFAC in November.

 

[BobOnTheJob]

I'm gonna try the radio tonight and see what I get. And KNX is what-1800 miles from Chicago!? This is great!

Don't know about Chicago, but KNX is 1,890 miles from my location in S. Michigan. I'm thinking i'm gonna try for them tonight! I've also had good luck with Western AM DX this year, FINALLY confirming KSL and CFAC in November.

Long before you were born, KSL was into greater Cincinnati every night...back in the good ole DX days when AM Clear Channels were really clear & most FM stations signed off somewhere between 10PM & midnight.

 

[Lawppy]

Long before you were born, KSL was into greater Cincinnati every night...back in the good ole DX days when AM Clear Channels were really clear & most FM stations signed off somewhere between 10PM & midnight.

Yes I am a relatively young buck for this DX board. I've been scanning the radio dial since I was 10 or so. Didn't know I was actually DX'ing until I was a teenager. Started taking the hobby seriously at 20 and now have a pretty sophisticated set-up at my house.

One of my DX dreams that will never happen is to go back to the true clear channel days and see what could be heard on the AM band. Another one is having all of the Docket 80-90's and translators sign off, even for a couple hours, so I could hear what the dial sounded like not too very long ago. Of course these will never happen.

But back to the subject. I tried unsuccessfully for KNX last night. It was actually a pretty bad night for AM in my location. I couldn't even hear WWL and they're always pounding in.