[IRCA] DXpediton to Masset 5 - 15 January 2017 PART I
*DXpedition to Masset, BC 5 – 15 January, 2017* I just returned from another adventure at my cottage on Haida Gwaii near Masset, on the north end of the islands. As you may very well know, it’s a spectacular archipelago, about 100 km off shore from the north coast of British Columbia, and about 75 km south of the Alasakan panhandle. It’s rural, of course, and exceptionally quiet electrically. We do have power, which causes some noise, especially on LW. No internet, yet, however. Closest neighbours are about 100 m on one side and a bit more on the other side, but these can be seasonal, or very lightly used. No plasma TVs and the like! On this time around, I was able to do some serious DXing, and have many gigabytes of Perseus SDR wav files to prove it. I have my set up down pat, and I can be up and running in a very short period of time. The first antenna to go up is a general reference antenna, the ALA 100. I have it as a large diameter loop near the ocean (we have about 4 acres on the water facing north, looking at Alaska across Dixon Entrance). The loop is in the trees, facing NE/SW and is about 25’ high and about 20’ across, and is double looped. My second antenna up is always the BOG = Beverage on Ground, about 750’ aimed to the W/NW to Asia, and a good compromise to Australia. This antenna is always my favourite and consistently is the best performer, and the last to stop yielding signals in the morning. The third antenna is the DKAZ, which I constructed a couple of years ago. It’s directed to the SW. I’d say it was 75% as good as my BOG, with an advantage of being very directional. Many times I’d have different stations on the same frequency heard on different wires. The DKAZ was a good performer when we had some DU activity, although it doesn’t quite have the “oomph” compared to the BOG. Finally, I have a permanent, about 450’ (to 500’ if I extend into the water) mini-Beverage, aimed due north. With so little activity over the pole, it wasn’t used too often, although occasionally it was useful. Note that both the BOG and Beverage were amplified using a DX Engineering RPA-1 HF-Preamplifier located at the feedline access at the antenna wire base. All antennae were fed to the shack (located in my garage, in a small insulated and heated room) via coax cabling. The BOG was fed into a mil surplus 16 output multicoupler (with no resultant losses), while the others were fed via passive Mini-Circuit 2:1 and 4:1 splitters. I listened primarily between 13:55 UTC and as long as signals permitted: Usually around 18:00 or later. Not much during the day, due to family commitments. In the evening, I attempted to check on conditions, and also edited mp3 files of captures and unknowns. By 07:00 UTC, I’d check for TP activity, either Pacific Islands (1017 and 1098) or via Japan, especially Hokkaido. I’d then capture some sleep before being “gently awoken” by my alarm clock to do things again. How did things turn out? Well, conditions were highly variable. Nothing from Europe, unfortunately, this time around. To the Pacific, there were some days that were relatively poor, and others that were absolutely excellent, whether to China, or to Japan, or to Korea. We had a little DU activity, but not much at all. I had access to 3 receivers: 2 Perseus SDRs, with one dedicated to the MESTOR timer program. MESTOR worked flawlessly. I had a routine of timed TOH and BOH recordings overnight, on most nights. In person, I DX’d live with the other Perseus. If conditions warranted, I was able to, at the press of a button, activate MESTOR to record the entire MW spectrum ongoing, until I cancelled it. Very handy!!! Finally, I have an AOR 7030+ which served for parallel frequency searches, and often just to park on an interesting frequency to monitor or tape. For instance, I really enjoyed the armchair copy of RRI Palangkaraya on 3325 during local mornings, and the NVK Radio Sakha from Yakutsk, Russia on 7345 (and 7295) in our local evenings. 2 laptops were used with the main Dell laptop (W7) running both Perseii, and a 2nd screen, while the older Dell XP was hooked up to the audio output of the AOR for sound recordings, as well as DX Atlas on it’s 2nd screen. All in all, pretty high tech! Each time I travel to Masset, the joy of DXing returns immediately. It’s like rolling back the clock to the times of little or no RF noise. Many times I’d be enjoying armchair copy, only to realize that the signal was only S7 or S9. In the city, that’s a so-so signal, especially if the noise floor is at S5! One day, I’d like to get internet service (not possible at the moment). Wouldn’t a remote Perseus SDR be just grand! So, onto my loggings. Please, if you have any comments or corrections to be made, please do so! 610 CANADA Whitehorse YT 1 kW CKRW, Jan 14 1604 - Quite the difference from yesterday AM, when 610 yielded a number of stations, and seemed to change every
[IRCA] Private email to Chris Kadlec
My apologies. The note was meant to go directly to Chris, and not to the group. Sorry! Walt ___ 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
[IRCA] TA's tonight
At 0630UT, there are still TA carriers here, and although 1215 was close at times, no audio. Other carriers on 855 909 1053 1089 1107 and 1566. best wishes, Nick Nick Hall-Patch Victoria, BC Canada ___ 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
[IRCA] TP 15 Jan Victoria version
It was pretty much a bust at sunrise today, just a couple of high band carriers faded up near 1600UT, but there was some earlier action between 1300-1330UT pretty darn good audio (all of it understandable by a native speaker, at least briefly): not today Reasonable audio at times during the period (much of it understandable by a native speaker, though often battling w/splash or noise): 774 JOUB English lessons 1334-6UT not so reasonable audio, occasional words or phrases in splash or noise could be understood by a native speaker: 747 JOIB woman in Japanese 1329UT Burbles in the splatter and noise (if lucky, language might be guessed at by cadence of talk, or parallel established by changes in talk or music) the above, passing through Strongish het, no or "near imaginary" audio (either undermodulated or ravaged by splatter) 828 972 1422 1557 and 1566 seemed to be Asian, 1116 DU? best wishes, Nick ___ ___ 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
Re: [IRCA] TP for 15 Jan 2017 from Masset
That's 1323 CRI Russian from Shuangyashan, Heilongjiang at 200kw aiming northeast and CRI Korean from Huadian, Jilin at 600kw aiming almost due south. The latter has Chinese lessons for Korean speakers usually right up until they both sign off at 1am (1600 UTC) when all the local CRIs turn off. If you listen to my radio project under the 1323 frequency, you'll actually hear the specific Chinese lesson that you're talking about. They had been working on Chinese vs. Korean numbers almost every time I tuned in. 1323 Huadian is one of the strongest stations in Seoul, and that includes local signals as well. The Russian one can be heard behind it most of the time if you really listen closely. I once had it totally alone a few minutes before sign-on when the Korean one was off but wasn't able to get to my DX spot quickly enough to get a recording of it like that. But I do have decent recordings of it otherwise. -Chris Kadlec Seoul AM Radio Listening Guide http://www.beaglebass.com/dx/seoul/ Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2017 12:16:18 -0800 From: Walter Salmaniw Subject: [IRCA] TP for 15 Jan 2017 from Masset Last morning so much time spent deconstructing and SDR recording. From what I saw a very good Japanese opening and a little of everything. Some Australia, some China and Korea. Highlight was 1323 with 2 CRI simultaneously. One in Russian and the other in an oriental language with Chinese lessons. All this until 16:00, I think. On to my flight. Will send more complete reports tonight. 73, Walt ___ 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
[IRCA] 1215...again
Nice solid carrier on 1215 this evening 0345UT best wishes, Nick Nick Hall-Patch Victoria, BC Canada ___ 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
[IRCA] WWV Solar Report
:Product: Geophysical Alert Message wwv.txt :Issued: 2017 Jan 16 0010 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center # # Geophysical Alert Message # Solar-terrestrial indices for 15 January follow. Solar flux 78 and estimated planetary A-index 5. The estimated planetary K-index at UTC on 16 January was 1. No space weather storms were observed for the past 24 hours. No space weather storms are predicted for the next 24 hours. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Trends -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Date 14 14 14 14 14 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 16 UTC 0900 1200 1500 1800 2100 0300 0600 0900 1200 1500 1800 2100 SFlx 75 75 75 75 77 77 77 77 77 77 77 77 78 78 A-in 44445444444455 K-in 10111221211121 Current Solar information available at http://www.am-dx.com/wwv.htm ___ 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
Re: [IRCA] Alberta TPs for 15 January 2017
I was at the dial at 1630 -- Sorta post LSR -- All noise. Nothing heard. 1 more morning of listening. Colin Newell - CoffeeCrew.com - VA7WWV - Victoria - BC > On Jan 15, 2017, at 12:02 PM, Nigel Pimblett wrote: > > Nothing in the way of TP audio here today. Some decent Asian carriers > early on (around 1200), with 828 close to audio, but they were long gone by > sunrise, with only so-so DU carriers noted at 1500. Presumed 4BC on 1116 was > the strongest, but even it wasn't threatening audio level. > > > Nigel Pimblett > Dunmore, AB > Perseus SDR with Wellbrook Phased Array > > ___ > 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 > ___ 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
[IRCA] Alberta TPs for 15 January 2017
Nothing in the way of TP audio here today. Some decent Asian carriers early on (around 1200), with 828 close to audio, but they were long gone by sunrise, with only so-so DU carriers noted at 1500. Presumed 4BC on 1116 was the strongest, but even it wasn't threatening audio level. Nigel Pimblett Dunmore, AB Perseus SDR with Wellbrook Phased Array ___ 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
[IRCA] WWV Solar Report
:Product: Geophysical Alert Message wwv.txt :Issued: 2017 Jan 15 2105 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center # # Geophysical Alert Message # Solar-terrestrial indices for 15 January follow. Solar flux 78 and estimated planetary A-index 5. The estimated planetary K-index at 2100 UTC on 15 January was 2. No space weather storms were observed for the past 24 hours. No space weather storms are predicted for the next 24 hours. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Trends -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Date 14 14 14 14 14 14 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 UTC 0600 0900 1200 1500 1800 2100 0300 0600 0900 1200 1500 1800 2100 SFlx 75 75 75 75 75 77 77 77 77 77 77 77 77 78 A-in 44444544444445 K-in 21011122121112 Current Solar information available at http://www.am-dx.com/wwv.htm ___ 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
[IRCA] TP for 15 Jan 2017 from Masset
Last morning so much time spent deconstructing and SDR recording. From what I saw a very good Japanese opening and a little of everything. Some Australia, some China and Korea. Highlight was 1323 with 2 CRI simultaneously. One in Russian and the other in an oriental language with Chinese lessons. All this until 16:00, I think. On to my flight. Will send more complete reports tonight. 73, Walt ___ 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
Re: [IRCA] Oklahoma TP DX 1/15/17
I gave ita shot this morning but I think I was too late 0745. Todd Skaine Bloomington MN On Jan 15, 2017 8:04 AM, "Richard N Allen" wrote: > Only a weak carrier signal on 1098 kHz from 0632 GMT heard here this > morning. > > Richard Allen, > near Perry OK USA, > Skywave & FSL. > > Sent from my iPad > > -- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > > ___ > 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 > > ___ 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
[IRCA] Oklahoma TP DX 1/15/17
Only a weak carrier signal on 1098 kHz from 0632 GMT heard here this morning. Richard Allen, near Perry OK USA, Skywave & FSL. Sent from my iPad -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. ___ 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
