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Lowest power AM Station from the greatest distance away?

charlestondxman said:
For me, from Charleston, SC, 1000 watt directional KQPN 730 from West Memphis, AR (more than 610 miles). This station cuts through the mostly staticy 730 most nights.

During the daytime, WPUL South Daytona, FL, 1590, 1000 watts, 255 miles.
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I'm a bit surprised that 730AM in West Memphis makes it down there, but you never know with radio waves.
 
In the early 1960's, from Riverside, California, I once heard WCIN-1480 from Cincinnati running 500 watts nighttime power. I even received a QSL for that reception. WSAI-1360 (5KW) was also heard from time-to-time in Southern California, too. Best time to DX in those days was after midnight Pacific Time as only a few stations operated after midnight Sunday. Even KFI went off early Monday mornings in those days.
 
KR4BD said:
In the early 1960's, from Riverside, California, I once heard WCIN-1480 from Cincinnati running 500 watts nighttime power. I even received a QSL for that reception. WSAI-1360 (5KW) was also heard from time-to-time in Southern California, too. Best time to DX in those days was after midnight Pacific Time as only a few stations operated after midnight Sunday. Even KFI went off early Monday mornings in those days.
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WOW--500 watts from Cincinnati in California is a great catch.
 
I would be all for a number of AM's getting an FM translator, or going silent altogether; moving to FM and/or signing off for the evening and not using the pea-watter transmitters at night, and iBlock turned off for good - that'll clear up the AM band somewhat.
 
How far does this station go without interference? A mile? I remember working in Lancaster, Ohio earlier in this decade and when WLOH dropped to 28 watts at sunset, it got trampled four or five miles from the tower.
 
gr8oldies said:
N ot to be Mr. Skeptical, but is there any possibility the switch wasn't thrown at the proper time?
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I've been their contract engineer since 1987 & when this report occurred, there was no automation...a live jock was in the room playing CD's one at a time. And the rack mounted alarm clock that was set to go off 1 minute before power change was relentless & LOUD! The jock had to leave the console & go to the remote control area to reset it. These people were among the most conscientious when it came to playing by the rules. While I wasn't there that day, I can speak from experience that the odds of the power being above 4.6 watts at that instant would have been microscopic at best. It's worth noting that this DXer's website shows several other flea power receptions on 1570/1580 at roughly the same distance.
 
BobOnTheJob said:
gr8oldies said:
N ot to be Mr. Skeptical, but is there any possibility the switch wasn't thrown at the proper time?
Click to expand...
I've been their contract engineer since 1987 & when this report occurred, there was no automation...a live jock was in the room playing CD's one at a time. And the rack mounted alarm clock that was set to go off 1 minute before power change was relentless & LOUD! The jock had to leave the console & go to the remote control area to reset it. These people were among the most conscientious when it came to playing by the rules. While I wasn't there that day, I can speak from experience that the odds of the power being above 4.6 watts at that instant would have been microscopic at best. It's worth noting that this DXer's website shows several other flea power receptions on 1570/1580 at roughly the same distance.
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Well then....
 
radioman148 said:
gr8oldies said:
250 accross the pond would still be a great catch but 4.6? not sure I buy it
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It is tough to swallow.
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radioman148 said:
gr8oldies said:
N ot to be Mr. Skeptical, but is there any possibility the switch wasn't thrown at the proper time?
Click to expand...

It is hard to believe that 4.6 watts could travel that far.
Click to expand...

We all know that the upper end of the AM/MW BC band behaves in ways akin to Short Wave. Mika most likely has a Beverage antenna aimed at the US and a top-notch receiver to go with it.
Well, he said he recorded the station. You can reach Mäkeläinen by emailing him at: [email protected] Perhaps someone can ask him to post his recording of the station online.
 
stormy01 said:
radioman148 said:
gr8oldies said:
250 accross the pond would still be a great catch but 4.6? not sure I buy it
Click to expand...

It is tough to swallow.
Click to expand...
radioman148 said:
gr8oldies said:
N ot to be Mr. Skeptical, but is there any possibility the switch wasn't thrown at the proper time?
Click to expand...

It is hard to believe that 4.6 watts could travel that far.
Click to expand...

We all know that the upper end of the AM/MW BC band behaves in ways akin to Short Wave. Mika most likely has a Beverage antenna aimed at the US and a top-notch receiver to go with it.
Well, he said he recorded the station. You can reach Mäkeläinen by emailing him at: [email protected] Perhaps someone can ask him to post his recording of the station online.
Click to expand...
Great idea...I've emailed him & if he comes through, I'll be happy to post it.
 
BobOnTheJob said:
stormy01 said:
radioman148 said:
gr8oldies said:
250 accross the pond would still be a great catch but 4.6? not sure I buy it
Click to expand...

It is tough to swallow.
Click to expand...
radioman148 said:
gr8oldies said:
N ot to be Mr. Skeptical, but is there any possibility the switch wasn't thrown at the proper time?
Click to expand...

It is hard to believe that 4.6 watts could travel that far.
Click to expand...

We all know that the upper end of the AM/MW BC band behaves in ways akin to Short Wave. Mika most likely has a Beverage antenna aimed at the US and a top-notch receiver to go with it.
Well, he said he recorded the station. You can reach Mäkeläinen by emailing him at: [email protected] Perhaps someone can ask him to post his recording of the station online.
Click to expand...
Great idea...I've emailed him & if he comes through, I'll be happy to post it.
Click to expand...
The email address is good...here's his reply:


I don't have a file of it, it is just an analogue recording in my collection. I'm just leaving for a six-day business trip, but I will look it up, and record a file for you once I return.

Best regards,
Mika
 
Mika is a man of his word...the audio file of 4.6 watt WIFE (then WCNB) being heard in Finland can be listened to/downloaded at :

http://www.bob-on-the-job.com/WIFE 1580

He included this comment...

"Thanks for your patience. I am attaching the dual WIFE-WCNB station ID I caught in Finland back in 1995. Hear how it appears out of nothingness, just in time for the ID, and then disappears into the static... what a timing! This was the most memorable DX achievement of my 30-year-long DX career."
 
BobOnTheJob said:
Mika is a man of his word...the audio file of 4.6 watt WIFE (then WCNB) being heard in Finland can be listened to/downloaded at :

http://www.bob-on-the-job.com/WIFE 1580

He included this comment...

"Thanks for your patience. I am attaching the dual WIFE-WCNB station ID I caught in Finland back in 1995. Hear how it appears out of nothingness, just in time for the ID, and then disappears into the static... what a timing! This was the most memorable DX achievement of my 30-year-long DX career."
Click to expand...
botj, The link is dead.
 
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