Medium wave DX from West Michigan

[kilokat7]

Hi, I just discovered this forum and thought I'd post something. I recently took up a renewed interest in DXing and thought I'd share a list of medium wave stations that are coming through here. I'm located in West Michigan about 5 miles from the Lake Michigan shoreline. I'm using an old Radio Shack DX-440 and just purchased a Quantum loop antenna that I'm getting acquainted with. Also have some acreage behind the house to the East and I'm looking at laying out a stealth beverage antenna to experiment with. On with the list:

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530 CIAO Brampton Ontario Canada Fair 10:00 PM
3/22/2009 Ethnic, Indian music 250w 316 miles
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530 call? Havana n/a Cuba Fair 12:00 AM
9/3/2009 Soft / elevator music power? 1500 miles
Radio Enciclopedia in CIAO null, mixing with Tennessee LYQ beacon on 529 khz
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540 KWMT Fort Dodge Iowa USA Good 7:30 AM
3/23/2009 Country music (5kw/170w) 410 miles
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540 CBK Regina Saskatchewan Canada Good 07:10 AM
3/26/2009 CBC Radio One 50kw 1069 miles
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550 KTRS St. Loius Missouri USA Fair 10:36 PM
3/26/2009 Lou Dobbs show 5kw 375 miles
Audible when WKRC nulled.
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555 ZEZ Bird Rock n/a St. Kitts Poor 11:36 PM
9/5/2009 Music (Caribbean?) 50kw 2250 miles
Presumed, very weak, calypso music heard.
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560 WIND Chicago Illinois USA Fair 11:52 PM
3/28/2009 Car talk show 5kw 129 miles
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570 WKBN Youngstown Ohio USA Fair 8:24 PM
3/24/2009 Talk 5kw 323 miles
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570 CMDC? ? n/a Cuba Poor 12:03 AM
4/4/2009 Radio Reloj ? 1500 miles
Presumed, time pips and morse “RR” under WKBN
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580 WILL Urbana Illinois USA Fair 04:12 PM
9/4/2009 NPR 5kw 240 miles
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590 KXSP Omaha Nebraska USA Poor 11:30 PM
3/24/2009 FOX Sports, Omaha adverts 5kw 519 miles
Poor under WKZO
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600 CKAT North Bay Ontario Canada Poor 08:45 PM
3/24/2009 NHL: Maple Leafs & Capitals 5kw 388 miles
Presumed based on time & content (not verified)
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600 WMT Cedar Rapids Iowa USA Poor 09:00 PM
3/24/2009 "Fox News Radio" 5kw 284 miles
Competing w/CKAT
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610 KCSP Kansas City Missouri USA Poor 10:40 PM
3/24/2009 Major Leage Baseball 5kw 527 miles
Weak under WTVN & WIP, ID not heard but programming fits
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610 WIP Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA Poor 10:48 PM
3/24/2009 "Sports Radio 610" 5kw 614 miles
Weak under WTVN
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620 CKRM Regina Saskatchewan Canada Fair 06:25 AM
8/16/2009 C/W music 10kw 1000 miles
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640 WOI Ames Iowa USA Fair 10:15 PM
3/23/2009 1kw 391 miles
Audible when WFMN nulled.
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660 WFAN New York City New York USA Good 11:00 PM
3/30/2009 Sports 50kw 654 miles
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680 WCTT Corbin Kentucky USA Fair 11:00 PM
3/30/2009 Oldies / Standards 880w 447 miles
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830 WCCO Minneapolis Minnesota USA Good 09:41 PM
9/5/2009 50kw 385 miles
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840 WHAS Louisville Kentucky USA Good 09:24 PM
9/5/2009 50kw 342 miles
Dominants frequency.
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870 WHCU Ithica New York USA Good 10:45 PM
9/5/2009 talk radio 10kw 497 miles
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870 WWL New Orleans Louisiana USA Good 10:51 PM
9/5/2009 50kw 947 miles
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1060 KYW Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA Fair 08:42 PM
8/16/2009 News & traffic 50kw 614 miles
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1620 KOZN Bellevue Nebraska USA Poor 11:00 PM
3/26/2009 ESPN "The Zone" 1kw 522 miles
Competing w/WPNT
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1630 KCJJ Iowa City Iowa USA Fair 7:23 AM
3/27/2009 w/ Auction show (10kw/1kw) 293 miles
Competing with unknown Latin format station.
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1650 WHKT Portsmouth Virginia USA Poor 10:59 PM
3/27/2009 "Radio Disney" 1kw 682 miles
Competing with KCNZ
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1650 KCNJ Cedar Falls Iowa USA Fair 11:00 PM
3/27/2009 Fox Sports "The Fan" 1kw 322 miles
Competing with WHKT
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1650 CINA Mississauga Ontario Canada Good 10:36 PM
9/2/2009 Indian music 680w 329 miles
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1660 KQWB West Fargo North Dakota USA Good 11:26 PM
3/27/2009 ESPN 1kw 571 miles
Competing with KXTR, booming at times.
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1660 KXTR Kansas City Kansas USA Fair 07:49 AM
4/3/2009 Classical music (10kw/1kw) 524 miles
w/clear ID & traffic report
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1670 WFSM Dry Branch Georgia USA Fair 07:00 AM
4/6/2009 Fox Sports (10kw/1kw) 730 miles
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1680 WTTM Lindenwold New Jersey USA Fair 09:45 PM
9/3/2009 Spanish music (10kw/1kw) 619 miles
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1700 KBGG Des Moines Iowa USA Fair 07:46 AM
3/27/2009 Sports "1700 The Champ" (10kw/1kw) 391 miles
Competing with weaker station playing c/w music.
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1700 WEUP Huntsville Alabama USA Poor 08:05 AM
3/30/2009 Gospel music (10kw/1kw) 582 miles
Deep fading, heard after KBGG faded out, clear ID.
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Also hearing weak heterodynes on several split frequencies that could be coming from Europe, some louder than others, but none bearing any audio through the adjacent channel splatter. I've probably reached the limits of the DX-440 in this regard:

576
594
648
675 (carribean station?)
693
837
864
1134

-Tim

 

[radioman148]

Welcome to the DX board.

 

[gar hi]

Yeah, welcome to the forum.

It's interesting to hear WIP makes it out that far.

 

[Icangelp]

Welcome.

Amazing how much area 680 WCTT in Corbin, KY manages to cover. It is, and has been for years, a nightly medium strength signal here in Cincinnati. In ancient times I used to regulary receive WCTT in Indianapolis.

 

[Tincap]

Nice! If I invest in the right antenna, there's hope for my trusty old DX-440 yet.

~BG

 

[Tincap]

Nice! If I invest in the right antenna, there's hope for my trusty old DX-440 yet.

~BG

Actually, I'm picking up 555 ZIZ right now, for the first time. Awesome! It's a very weak signal, but I've been able to compare it to their online stream, which is two guys talking sports. No ID on the signal yet, but it's totally the same programme as the ZIZ stream. I'm using my DX-440, with a long wire (don't even know the length...I'll have to measure it).

Thanks, Tim, for the tip from your list!

~BG

 

[radioman148]

Yeah, welcome to the forum.

It's interesting to hear WIP makes it out that far.

WIP makes it into the Chicago area on many occasions.

 

[kilokat7]

Thanks for the tip, from your list, kilokat!

Hey no problem. I stumbled upon ZIZ the other night while checking for carriers on the split channels. Thought I'd try going up the band starting at 530 khz with the BFO on when I hit a fairly strong carrier on 555 which turned out to be ZIZ. The music was intelligible but the speech difficult to follow. I also had to confirm with the live internet stream to be sure.

 

[Tincap]

Thanks for the tip, from your list, kilokat!

Hey no problem. I stumbled upon ZIZ the other night while checking for carriers on the split channels. Thought I'd try going up the band starting at 530 khz with the BFO on when I hit a fairly strong carrier on 555 which turned out to be ZIZ. The music was intelligible but the speech difficult to follow. I also had to confirm with the live internet stream to be sure.

Aaaah, so you cruise the MW band with the BFO on? That's a pretty neat trick, as I've only used the BFO for hunting down aviation traffic and Volmet in the SW bands. And yes, the live streams are a nice tool when trying to ID those elusive signals. That and the way we can chat about our curious little hobby (uuuh...something which my wife doesn't understand, LOL!), makes the internet a valuable commodity.


Cheers and welcome to the forum!

~BG

 

[mimo]

Welcome and that's a very nice report. I do get ZIZ here in Ottawa, Canada very regularly on a CC radio plus with no external antenna. It's not an outstanding signal but it's intelligible, and sometimes I'd rate it as decent.

 

[radioman148]

Welcome and that's a very nice report. I do get ZIZ here in Ottawa, Canada very regularly on a CC radio plus with no external antenna. It's not an outstanding signal but it's intelligible, and sometimes I'd rate it as decent.

I'm gonna try for ZIZ, but it will be tough for me as I'm in the Chicago area and right in WIND's directional path. Being north of the city there's no way to null WIND.

 

[stormy01]

Some comments within quote:

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540 KWMT Fort Dodge Iowa USA Good 7:30 AM
3/23/2009 Country music (5kw/170w) 410 miles
Haven't heard this one in years ought to try in the a.m. when you logged it. Never
thought of trying to hear them in the a.m., always heard them in the past near
sunset. Much more clutter here on 540 than in the 60's when I started DXing!
=======================================
555 ZEZ Bird Rock n/a St. Kitts Poor 11:36 PM
9/5/2009 Music (Caribbean?) 50kw 2250 miles I can null WIND rather well at 60+ miles away from their TX but will still need a
narrow filter.
Presumed, very weak, calypso music heard.

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600 CKAT North Bay Ontario Canada Poor 08:45 PM
3/24/2009 NHL: Maple Leafs & Capitals 5kw 388 miles
Presumed based on time & content (not verified)
Have never heard this one until recently.
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870 WHCU Ithica New York USA Good 10:45 PM
9/5/2009 talk radio 10kw 497 miles This is a great catch, and "do-able" from No. Illinois. Should be 1kW DA-N
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Also hearing weak heterodynes on several split frequencies that could be coming from Europe, some louder than others, but none bearing any audio through the adjacent channel splatter. I've probably reached the limits of the DX-440 in this regard:

576 Possibly Algeria.
594 Possibly Lisbon, Portugal
648 Possibly UK - EXternal Service of BBC to Europe.
675 (carribean station?) Possibly Libya - check 891, 1251 as well
693 Possibly BBC, UK - also check 1098, 1215 for UK
837 Possibly Nancy, France - also check 1206, 1377 for France.
864 Possibly Paris, France
1134 Possibly Croatia.
We are getting close to the Autumnal Equinox, so I can see this happening, and will check myself

You might also want to start checking Long Wave between 150 and 280 kHz (if you have LW capability)
for Europeans and North African stations between about 0000 - 0600 UTC.

-Tim

Consider constructing a "box loop" antenna for AM/MW. You might be able to hold off buying a new receiver:
One example: http://www.eskimo.com/~nanook/radio/2007/01/am-medium-wave-box-loop-antenna-for.html

Thanks for the log, and the DX tips!

 

[kilokat7]

Haven't heard this one in years ought to try in the a.m. when you logged it. Never thought of trying to hear them in the a.m., always heard them in the past near sunset. Much more clutter here on 540 than in the 60's when I started DXing!

Thanks for the comments Stormy. KWMT was logged back in March, in the car on my way to work. This was at the local sunrise here with Saskatchewan fading in and out at the same time. I haven't checked the frequency lately to see if they are still coming in but the station was a regular back in March. For whatever reason, I seem to have a lot of Iowa stations logged. Must be a good "path" between us. RE: longwave, I haven't checked the band but probably will this winter. If I start now, I know I'll become addicted to chasing beacons, which I'm not ready for (yet).

That and the way we can chat about our curious little hobby (uuuh...something which my wife doesn't understand, LOL!), makes the internet a valuable commodity.

Forums and email are great but I'd like to see DX tips in "realtime" (twittering DX tips? or a live chat). It's probably already being done and I just haven't stumbled upon it yet. Yes, the live streams are great! Sure has come a long ways since the 1980s when I was last active, trying to chat through computer bulletin board systems

 

[radioman148]

Haven't heard this one in years ought to try in the a.m. when you logged it. Never thought of trying to hear them in the a.m., always heard them in the past near sunset. Much more clutter here on 540 than in the 60's when I started DXing!

Thanks for the comments Stormy. KWMT was logged back in March, in the car on my way to work. This was at the local sunrise here with Saskatchewan fading in and out at the same time. I haven't checked the frequency lately to see if they are still coming in but the station was a regular back in March. For whatever reason, I seem to have a lot of Iowa stations logged. Must be a good "path" between us. RE: longwave, I haven't checked the band but probably will this winter. If I start now, I know I'll become addicted to chasing beacons, which I'm not ready for (yet).

That and the way we can chat about our curious little hobby (uuuh...something which my wife doesn't understand, LOL!), makes the internet a valuable commodity.

Forums and email are great but I'd like to see DX tips in "realtime" (twittering DX tips? or a live chat). It's probably already being done and I just haven't stumbled upon it yet. Yes, the live streams are great! Sure has come a long ways since the 1980s when I was last active, trying to chat through computer bulletin board systems

KWMT can be heard underneath Jackson, Wi 20 miles north of Chicago during the day.

 

[cyberdad]

Welcome.

Amazing how much area 680 WCTT in Corbin, KY manages to cover. It is, and has been for years, a nightly medium strength signal here in Cincinnati. In ancient times I used to regulary receive WCTT in Indianapolis.

I hear WCTT fairly regularly in the Chicago area with WSCR nulled. Weak....but on top as often as not. 680 is relatively quiet around here (assuming you can null WSCR and their buzz machine).

 

[radioman148]

Welcome.

Amazing how much area 680 WCTT in Corbin, KY manages to cover. It is, and has been for years, a nightly medium strength signal here in Cincinnati. In ancient times I used to regulary receive WCTT in Indianapolis.

I hear WCTT fairly regularly in the Chicago area with WSCR nulled. Weak....but on top as often as not. 680 is relatively quiet around here (assuming you can null WSCR and their buzz machine).

Nulling WSCR when they are running IBOC is next to impossible for me.

 

[stormy01]

I hear WCTT fairly regularly in the Chicago area with WSCR nulled. Weak....but on top as often as not. 680 is relatively quiet around here (assuming you can null WSCR and their buzz machine).

Nulling WSCR when they are running IBOC is next to impossible for me.

It's easier to hear WCTT when the Sox home games are on - "IBlOCk" is off then - of course the IBlOCk going away during local ball games is almost history if it isn't history already. I have an easier time nulling out WBBM's hash, I think SCR's and TMJ's hash is 'sloppier' than 780's is.

KWMT can be heard underneath Jackson, Wi 20 miles north of Chicago during the day.

Thanx I'll check that out. 40 miles NW of Chicago, 540 with their mighty 400 watts day & night giving an almost local signal here will make it a challenge.

 

[kilokat7]

576 Possibly Algeria.
594 Possibly Lisbon, Portugal
648 Possibly UK - EXternal Service of BBC to Europe.
675 (carribean station?) Possibly Libya - check 891, 1251 as well
693 Possibly BBC, UK - also check 1098, 1215 for UK
837 Possibly Nancy, France - also check 1206, 1377 for France.
864 Possibly Paris, France
1134 Possibly Croatia.

Thanks for the additional frequencies to check. Found another one tonight on 1089, under KAAY 1090. Per your suggestion, I also noted carriers on 1098 & 1215 along with my 693 reported. Also had faint carriers on 1206 & 1377 along with my 837. Nothing on 891 or 1251 (or 675). Both 693 and 1134 had strong carriers around 9:20 EST and probably had enough kick to produce some audio, but I couldn't get by the adjacent splatter.

 

[stormy01]

kilokat7 I saw your post and realized I made a mistake - I meant 1089 kHz, which is supposed to be TalkSport from the UK. If you were getting 1098 that could be Slovakia (or possibly Cyprus)

There is a good list of European stations here: http://mediumwave.de/, here: http://www.hermanboel.be/emwg/online-mw1.htm and here:
http://www.hermanboel.be/emwg/online-mw2.htm I also use the World Radio TV Handbook 2009 www.wrth.com If interested in purchasing the WRTH, one can have a better price from amazon.com if you can get the free shipping (may need to purchase an additional item that bumps up the total over $25.00 to get free shipping)

And possibly the list to end all lists: http://www.dxing.info/lists/

Also for Long Wave check out www.lwca.org sometimes LWCA has reports of TA (Trans-Atlantic) LW DX in their message board. Usually labelled "LWBC"

 

[ddsparxx]

"Consider constructing a "box loop" antenna for AM/MW. You might be able to hold off buying a new receiver:
One example: http://www.eskimo.com/~nanook/radio/2007/01/am-medium-wave-box-loop-antenna-for.html"


Thanks for the box loop antenna, Stormy, hope to build one soon.