Long distance/high power

[wildthangjim]

Still enjoying the Australian "winter" DX season. One interesting thing I've seen so far is that all of my non-Aussie reception has been from very high power/very long distance stations. I understand there are a lot of factors here, from water path to relative clear frequencies to a general lack of AM's left in closer countries like Indonesia and Malaysia. However, it's pretty amazing for a Texan to see what distant stations I can hear here. For example, recent late evening receptions:

603 China Radio International, Hainan, 600 kw ~3,600 mi away, dominating ABC in Pt Hedland AU (2 kw ~800 mi)
693 Bangladesh Betar, Dhaka 1000kw ~4,200 mi away, on top of frequency every night after their sunset
1593 CNR-1 Changzhou, 600 kw ~4,400 mi away, clear and on top of frequency

Plus, the 1000 kw VOA relay from Thailand is almost-local strength every night.

I imagine for long-time Australian DX'ers these are pests, but pretty interesting for me! Particularly as I'm using a Sony ICF-SW7600GR portable with no external antenna.

I'm heading up to Port Douglas, on the north coast of Queensland (far NE of Australia) and may have some time to tune around while there.

 

[radioman148]

Still enjoying the Australian "winter" DX season. One interesting thing I've seen so far is that all of my non-Aussie reception has been from very high power/very long distance stations. I understand there are a lot of factors here, from water path to relative clear frequencies to a general lack of AM's left in closer countries like Indonesia and Malaysia. However, it's pretty amazing for a Texan to see what distant stations I can hear here. For example, recent late evening receptions:

603 China Radio International, Hainan, 600 kw ~3,600 mi away, dominating ABC in Pt Hedland AU (2 kw ~800 mi)
693 Bangladesh Betar, Dhaka 1000kw ~4,200 mi away, on top of frequency every night after their sunset
1593 CNR-1 Changzhou, 600 kw ~4,400 mi away, clear and on top of frequency

Plus, the 1000 kw VOA relay from Thailand is almost-local strength every night.

I imagine for long-time Australian DX'ers these are pests, but pretty interesting for me! Particularly as I'm using a Sony ICF-SW7600GR portable with no external antenna.

I'm heading up to Port Douglas, on the north coast of Queensland (far NE of Australia) and may have some time to tune around while there.

Thanks for your reports. I'm very interested to find out what you hear on the NE Australian coast. (Hawaii maybe--or better yet US West Coast?

 

[crainbebo]

If you could, you could try 650 or 760. Those are Hawaiians [KORL, KGU] that get out in the Pacific. Also KBLA 1580 and KMIK 1580 get out very well into the ocean.

-crainbebo

 

[bigroo]

Wildthangjim,

Having listening from Port Douglas, I know you will hear some nice stuff from the pacific islands, 585, Port Moresby, many Hawaiians and you may hear some west coast yanks begining just as dusk begins. Dont forget you have Mexican and Central American stations to chase as well, oh then there are the many Kiwis to be had, you should have a ball there.
American Samoa when on 648 WVUV was a regular in the 1970's and 1980's I dont remember their status at present, plus Noumea on 666 in french.

Let us know!!

 

[cd637299]

Last I heard, WVUV moved to 720 kHz so as to be compatible with US digital radios; stations in those Pacific territories controlled by the US would like to move to frequencies multiples of 90 kHz. KUAM in Guam is on 630, ex-612.

cd

 

[wildthangjim]

Hawaii is about 4,700 miles from Port Douglas, similar distance to the Bangladesh/China stations from Perth. Those are 600+ kw, though...it will be interesting to see if my little radio is sensitive enough to bring in 50 kw. I will try the stations mentioned, though. 760 in particular is about half-way between 9-khz spacings, so might be good to try.

 

[Tincap]

Thanks for the interesting posts!

There's certainly some good opportunities for Australian DXing. Via Global Tuners, I've picked up Radio Monte Carlo/TWR, Cape Greco, Cyprus, broadcasting on 1233 kHz, from a (unfortunately infrequent) node half way up Australia's west coast.

Hopefully, you can get some DX time in Port Douglas. It looks to be a great location!

~BG