Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Constants and variables, BCB DX edition
I haven't done any real DX'ing since moving to Spokane in 1990. Quickly figured out that the reception here was poor, and a nearby powerline created huge QRN. Soon the Web filled the same niche in my life: a source of foreign and alternate viewpoints.
Recently I replaced a crappy Chinese AM radio with an older but nicer Radio Shack unit. It's nothing special, just matches my other Radio Shack audio stuff. I was somewhat disappointed in the sound quality. No better than the Chinese plastic shit.
Couple weeks ago, while trying to tune the local dull money-talk station at 1230, I stopped at a remarkably clear signal. Turned out to be KSL 1160 in Salt Lake. Never** heard it before. Tonight I'm listening to another remarkably clear signal, which is CKWX 1130 in Vancouver. Never heard it before. Must be a DX 'opening' around 1100 kc. I don't know if it's always there, or somehow caused by this winter's conditions.
One thing I know for sure now: The disappointing sound quality wasn't my old ears, it wasn't the crappy Chinese radio, and it wasn't the nicer Radio Shack receiver. It's THE LOCAL AM STATIONS! These non-local DX stations sound twice as good as any of the locals.
**Footnote: Never heard those stations in Spokane, that is. I heard KSL often in Manhattan in the 1960s when I was doing the proper DX thing. Pretty sure I didn't log CKWX, though it was operating then.
Artistic footnote: The shack and antenna are part of this set.
I haven't done any real DX'ing since moving to Spokane in 1990. Quickly figured out that the reception here was poor, and a nearby powerline created huge QRN. Soon the Web filled the same niche in my life: a source of foreign and alternate viewpoints.
Recently I replaced a crappy Chinese AM radio with an older but nicer Radio Shack unit. It's nothing special, just matches my other Radio Shack audio stuff. I was somewhat disappointed in the sound quality. No better than the Chinese plastic shit.
Couple weeks ago, while trying to tune the local dull money-talk station at 1230, I stopped at a remarkably clear signal. Turned out to be KSL 1160 in Salt Lake. Never** heard it before. Tonight I'm listening to another remarkably clear signal, which is CKWX 1130 in Vancouver. Never heard it before. Must be a DX 'opening' around 1100 kc. I don't know if it's always there, or somehow caused by this winter's conditions.
One thing I know for sure now: The disappointing sound quality wasn't my old ears, it wasn't the crappy Chinese radio, and it wasn't the nicer Radio Shack receiver. It's THE LOCAL AM STATIONS! These non-local DX stations sound twice as good as any of the locals.
**Footnote: Never heard those stations in Spokane, that is. I heard KSL often in Manhattan in the 1960s when I was doing the proper DX thing. Pretty sure I didn't log CKWX, though it was operating then.
Artistic footnote: The shack and antenna are part of this set.Labels: Constants and Variables, Danbo, new toy
¶ 7:40 PM
