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Sporadic-E Reception Heard in FL 5/9/07

K

KE4KLS_Radio

Guest
Strong sporadic-E reception was heard here in east central FL yesterday p.m (5/9/07). Heard FM stations from Green Bay, Wisconson, Central Michigan WCMU public radio and one un-id giving traffic reports from Ottawa....

Was surprised since solar activity has been low.

Anyone has received sporadic-E from yesterday?

Regards,

Bill in East Central FL
 
On my home yesterday afternoon around 3:00PM, I did my ususal dxing on the dead frequencies. 94.3, the most vacant frequency of them all, had an unusual amount of activity, alternating between a rock station and another station id'ing as "Best hits of the 80s, 90s, and today, WMJC." 2.8kW, from Long Island, New York, 864 miles.

Considering the station's power, it explained why reception was poor at best. Just barely strong enough to catch a solid ID. I checked around 30 minutes later, and everything was dead.
 
Someone on a Michigan-specific board posted today that he was receiving WQCS out of Fort Pierce yesterday. I haven't picked anything up lately, but that's because I haven't been home much.
 
Right now in New Jersey, there is strong E-Skip going on. Currently received as of 2:00 PM. As of 2:00 PM, it seems like everything is calming down. I will try to update with IDs later.

Oldies on 93.3 (very weak, but I made out the ID "Oldies 93.3", which is KIOA in Des Moines, Iowa)
rock on 94.1 (Could be KRNA in Iowa City, Iowa)
Rock on 96.1
80s music on 96.5
Got a very weak traffic ID on 96.9 (couldn't ID)
Commercials on 99.3 (couldn't ID)
Hip Hop on 99.7 (they call themselves B100, KBEA in Iowa)
News or public radio on 104.7 (said something about real estate in Orlando)
Hot ac on 105.5 (I think KKOY in Chanute, Kansas)
Classic hits on 105.7 (KOKZ in Waterloo, Iowa)
 
> Was surprised since solar activity has been low.

You're right; solar activity has been low. But, the causes of sporadic-E are still little understood. If there is a correlation between the Solar Cycle and sporadic-E, it's attenuated at best. Certainly, other factors are at work.

The Summer season in the Southern Hemisphere during our Winter was very, very strong. And, yes, we are dead at the bottom of the Cycle.

Interesting stuff.

DE
 
What is the best radio (portable) for dxing on the FM band?

I'm using the CC radio but it's iffy at best

Rob
 
> What is the best radio (portable) for dxing on the FM band?

You know, there's a club of folks who have interest in TV/FM DX, and such questions are a very common topic of discussion. On the web @: www.anarc.org/wtfda/

They have a monthly publication, which is quite nice. I get mine electronic-only. Just $10/year. Oh, and I write a column, but, that's beside the point.

Here's interesting reading on your immediate question: http://www.fmtunerinfo.com/

It can be fun, at times.

DE
 
robfwb said:
What is the best radio (portable) for dxing on the FM band?

I'm using the CC radio but it's iffy at best

Rob
Click to expand...

I've found the Eton E5 to be an excellent performer on the FM band. Interestingly enough, I have the Sony ICF-SW7600 GR too and the Eton is vastly superior when it comes to FM reception. The Sony is easily overloaded and even with the selectible sensitivity, it's no match for the Eton. For AM, on the other hand, the Sony is superior by a long shot.

I am constantly looking for great FM performance and the E5 is the best reasonably priced portable that I've ever had (so far) for FM reception. It does at least as good as an excellent car stereo, and lives up to the internet hype. Good sensitivity and selectivity, and it's rare to have both. I think that they retail for around $140, but I found a deal through Amazon and paid less that $100. Hope this helps.
 
While I have some of the usual suspects for portable radio to DX with (GE SRII & III, CCRadio, or Panasonic RF-2200) and they do well, I prefer some of the mid to late 70's receivers from Japan, such as the Pioneer SX receiver or TX Tuner series. When you hook one of these receivers to an outdoor FM antenna with adaquate height (and narrow IF filters can also help), it's amazing some of the reception you can receive, even when there is no ducting or e-skip. Another reciever I once had was a Radio Shack STA-225, I recall it was very sensitive and selective. Here's a site http://www.fmtunerinfo.com/ for some info on some ...

Bill in E. Central FL
 
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