Hello All, This morning was the first test for a new 12" FSL (the first completed in this winter experimental period), but the Asians didn't seem to cooperate with very good propagation. Like Dennis I had both 1566-HLAZ and 1575-VOA at good levels around 1510, and 594-JOAK at a fair level around 1520. Right at 1525 the new FSL (description below) was able to barely receive threshold audio from 639-CNR1, 648-VOR and 657-Pyongyang, but these signals were nothing to shout about-- and they bailed very quickly. On the high band some regulars like 1503-JOUK and 1593-CNR1 were MIA during sunrise enhancement, and since Dennis didn't report them either, it seems like high band propagation wasn't exactly thrilling either. In any case the new FSL was compared against the 12" FSL used for last year's Ocean Cliff DXpeditions (and Fall Season DXing), and it does seem to be slightly superior in sensitivity.
Although the new FSL is the same 12" diameter, it uses the huge new 1162/46 Litz wire sold by Ming Mak instead of the 660/44 Litz wire sold by Scott Lowe (the 1162/46 Litz wire is actually cheaper than the 660/44 Litz wire, and provides greater sensitivity). The new FSL design also uses a two-coil switching system in an attempt to increase upper band sensitivity, and provide easier tuning on the higher frequencies. Depending on the A/B test results of this new FSL the other new winter season models (of greater diameter) will be built according to the most sensitive design. 73 and Good DX, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA) C.Crane SWP 7.5" Slider loopstick Ultralight + 12" Medium Wave FSL antenna _______________________________________________ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
