This is another matter which keeps rearing its head from time to time and there are no simple answers to the questions it throws up. Two questions which immediately come to mind are:
1. How important is it to you to make recordings of your DX catches?
2. How important do you think it is to others so they can hear your DX?
For me, personally, I like to have the recorder running when I am DXing because I know there will be times in the future when I would love to hear that DX again and be reminded how it sounded and that it really did happen. For others, it provides proof that you really did hear that DX. But just how important is it for others to be able to hear your DX? Does it really matter if you don't?
No matter how much I ponder this matter I keep arriving at the same conclusion. If you are fortunate enough to hear something rare and exotic on your radio, consider that others might not believe you. This is an unfortunate part of our hobby. Why should others not believe you though? I put this down to two things:
1. Elitist DX groups.
2. DXers who have been found, and have admitted to, fabricating DX loggings.
Looking at the first thing: (sorry to bring up the "elitist" thing again) I immediately think of a well-known DX group who practically insist that DXers provide recordings of their better DX catches. This might be partly attributable to the second thing: that there have been a number of well-known DXers whom, over the years, have been found to be making up some of their DX loggings. Is it any wonder then that some DX groups want proof?
Unfortunately, not all DXers are able to record their DX. In years gone by the DXer would use a tape recorder, but recording times were restricted to the length of the cassette tape. Some might have used larger, 1/4 inch tape, which could be slowed down to make the recording times longer. As technology advanced into the digital age we moved into minidisc and dat tape, but these could be expensive. Videotape recorders came to the rescue to a large degree, being able to record up to four hours on a VHS tape. When these advanced to have variable speeds you could have twelve hours of recording time. But how would you extract the part of the recording which contained your exotic DX catch? It all became very time consuming.
Then we entered the computer age, but did this solve the problems associated with extended recording times and has the DXer been able to use the technology to good effect?
The problem with computer technology, as I see it, it has reached such a level of advancement that most people have difficulty understanding it. It is too complicated for most of us. Younger people who are brought up with computers at schools have a better understanding of the technology at an earlier age. Older people, or people who were not brought up with computer technology, often have considerable difficulty understanding it. Not only this, but you almost need to be a fully qualified audio engineer to understand the intricacies of sound cards, sample rates and audio production software.
So, in conclusion, and as I said, there are no easy answers. But sadly we live in times that, should you be the lucky one to receive a low powered Bolivian signal on medium wave, or a multi-hop sporadic E signal on band 2, you have to expect that some DXers might challenge your reception and demand proof.
Some useful links which look at computer audio recording methods:
fmdxing.wordpress.com: Zen
fmdxing.wordpress.com: Recording: Zen Neeon Vs Samsung Yepp
fmdxing.wordpress.com: Teac AD-800: Three machines in one!
fmdxing.wordpress.com: Subjective comparison of recording methods
fmdxing.wordpress.com: Samsung Yepp mp3 Recorder
Friday, 12 October 2012
Tuesday, 9 October 2012
Late Evening Tropo
There was some late evening tropospheric activity on band 2.
Tropospheric:
91.0 2150 D hr1, Sackpfeife (Biedenkopf) (hes) Lionel Richie song and ID, as web stream 612 km
104.7 2150 D WDR Eins Live, Nordhelle (nrw) Pops, as 106.7. Almost noise free 554 km
91.8 2151 F France Musique, Bourges/Neuvy (18) Rock music, as
88.7 web stream 672 km
93.2 2152 D WDR 2, Teutoburger Wald/Bielstein (nrw) OM, as web stream, riding above Bruxelles 591 km
95.5 2153 F France Bleu Nord, Boulogne-sur-Mer/Mont Lambert (62) That dreadful Gotye song, as 94.7. Almost noise free 285 km
97.6 2154 HOL Radio Decibel, Rotterdam/Alticom Toren (zho) Three bar peaks. Scrolling RDS 313 km
106.5 2158 F France Info, Boulogne-sur-Mer/Mont Lambert (62) As
105.2. Noise free 285 km
91.6 2200 HOL Radio Veronica, Amsterdam/Alticom Toren (nho) ID and music promo. Noise free 321 km
91.1 2201 HOL Slam!FM, Hilversum/Media Park-Alticom (nho) Humourous promotion, ID and dance music 342 km
90.7 2202 HOL Arrow Jazz FM, IJsselstein/Gerbrandytoren-Alticom (utr) Jazzy Nightflights show. ID 344 km
90.2 2203 HOL 100% NL, Roosendaal/Alticom Toren (nbr) Nieuws. ID. Noise free 334 km
88.6 2204 HOL 3FM, Smilde/Alticom Toren (dre) YL interviewing OM on phone, as web stream 408 km
88.4 2205 HOL Slam!FM, Roosendaal/Alticom Toren (nbr) OM news, as
91.1 334 km
93.8 2206 HOL Slam!FM, Megen/Alticom Toren (nbr) OM, as 91.1 387 km
95.0 2207 HOL Radio 4, Goes/Alticom Toren (zee) Violin concerto, as 94.7. Noise free 303 km
91.1 2209 F Skyrock, Dunkerque/Tour Emery (59) Bizarre phone in, as 106.9 274 km
98.2 2222 HOL Radio 4, Loon op Zand/Alticom Toren (nbr) Violin concerto, as 95.0, etc. Noise free 366 km
104.8 2226 G BBC Sussex, Burton Down (EN-WSU) Paul Whatsisname, as 96.1, etc. Almost noise free 257 km
87.6 2229 BEL Nostalgie Vlaanderen, Oostende/Residentie De Mast (vlg-wvl) Steve Harley song, as web stream 278 km
88.0 2231 G Shine FM, London pirate On new frequency? As web stream
88.4 2233 G Vision Radio UK, London pirate House beats, as web stream
Good DX!
John G1VVP, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) 1m ASL
Receivers:
Sony XDR-F1HD (tropospheric)
Kenwood KT6040 (sporadic E & meteor scatter)
Icom IC7000 (OIRT)
Conrad RDS Manager
Aerials:
Rooftop Triax FM5, 8m AGL
Yaesu G-5500 azimuthal/elevation rotator
Software:
RDS Spy v0.97
VAC v4.10
Tropospheric:
91.0 2150 D hr1, Sackpfeife (Biedenkopf) (hes) Lionel Richie song and ID, as web stream 612 km
104.7 2150 D WDR Eins Live, Nordhelle (nrw) Pops, as 106.7. Almost noise free 554 km
91.8 2151 F France Musique, Bourges/Neuvy (18) Rock music, as
88.7 web stream 672 km
93.2 2152 D WDR 2, Teutoburger Wald/Bielstein (nrw) OM, as web stream, riding above Bruxelles 591 km
95.5 2153 F France Bleu Nord, Boulogne-sur-Mer/Mont Lambert (62) That dreadful Gotye song, as 94.7. Almost noise free 285 km
97.6 2154 HOL Radio Decibel, Rotterdam/Alticom Toren (zho) Three bar peaks. Scrolling RDS 313 km
106.5 2158 F France Info, Boulogne-sur-Mer/Mont Lambert (62) As
105.2. Noise free 285 km
91.6 2200 HOL Radio Veronica, Amsterdam/Alticom Toren (nho) ID and music promo. Noise free 321 km
91.1 2201 HOL Slam!FM, Hilversum/Media Park-Alticom (nho) Humourous promotion, ID and dance music 342 km
90.7 2202 HOL Arrow Jazz FM, IJsselstein/Gerbrandytoren-Alticom (utr) Jazzy Nightflights show. ID 344 km
90.2 2203 HOL 100% NL, Roosendaal/Alticom Toren (nbr) Nieuws. ID. Noise free 334 km
88.6 2204 HOL 3FM, Smilde/Alticom Toren (dre) YL interviewing OM on phone, as web stream 408 km
88.4 2205 HOL Slam!FM, Roosendaal/Alticom Toren (nbr) OM news, as
91.1 334 km
93.8 2206 HOL Slam!FM, Megen/Alticom Toren (nbr) OM, as 91.1 387 km
95.0 2207 HOL Radio 4, Goes/Alticom Toren (zee) Violin concerto, as 94.7. Noise free 303 km
91.1 2209 F Skyrock, Dunkerque/Tour Emery (59) Bizarre phone in, as 106.9 274 km
98.2 2222 HOL Radio 4, Loon op Zand/Alticom Toren (nbr) Violin concerto, as 95.0, etc. Noise free 366 km
104.8 2226 G BBC Sussex, Burton Down (EN-WSU) Paul Whatsisname, as 96.1, etc. Almost noise free 257 km
87.6 2229 BEL Nostalgie Vlaanderen, Oostende/Residentie De Mast (vlg-wvl) Steve Harley song, as web stream 278 km
88.0 2231 G Shine FM, London pirate On new frequency? As web stream
88.4 2233 G Vision Radio UK, London pirate House beats, as web stream
Good DX!
John G1VVP, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) 1m ASL
Receivers:
Sony XDR-F1HD (tropospheric)
Kenwood KT6040 (sporadic E & meteor scatter)
Icom IC7000 (OIRT)
Conrad RDS Manager
Aerials:
Rooftop Triax FM5, 8m AGL
Yaesu G-5500 azimuthal/elevation rotator
Software:
RDS Spy v0.97
VAC v4.10
Sunday, 7 October 2012
10m Activity Disapointing This Weekend
This weekend's 10m activity was disappointing compared to last weekend's. I only worked six stations on Saturday 6th, but I also noticed that 10m activity on the DX clusters was also lacking. Here are the six that I managed, now bringing my total DX entities up to 16:
Date GMT Callsign Locator Their Sig My Sig Mode Props Distance
06/10/2012 16:47 PU1CWP GG99UP 5/9 5/5 SSB F2 9053 km
06/10/2012 13:24 A61BK LL75QG 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 5481 km
06/10/2012 13:19 CN2LO IM61AP 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 2480 km
06/10/2012 11:55 R4HZZ LO43PM 5/9 +10 5/9 SSB F2 3188 km
06/10/2012 11:37 UA9SBQ OO62MG 5/9 +10 5/9 SSB F2 6736 km
06/10/2012 11:29 OD5PY KM73SU 5/8 5/6 SSB F2 3503 km
Date GMT Callsign Locator Their Sig My Sig Mode Props Distance
06/10/2012 16:47 PU1CWP GG99UP 5/9 5/5 SSB F2 9053 km
06/10/2012 13:24 A61BK LL75QG 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 5481 km
06/10/2012 13:19 CN2LO IM61AP 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 2480 km
06/10/2012 11:55 R4HZZ LO43PM 5/9 +10 5/9 SSB F2 3188 km
06/10/2012 11:37 UA9SBQ OO62MG 5/9 +10 5/9 SSB F2 6736 km
06/10/2012 11:29 OD5PY KM73SU 5/8 5/6 SSB F2 3503 km
Saturday, 6 October 2012
A DX Dilemma
It's the time of year when bugs fill the air and I seem to have caught several of them recently - several DX bugs that is, and I am finding them difficult to fight off. They are:
FM broadcast DXing in the 88-108 MHz range. This band often proves very interesting as we enter the time of the year when autumnal tropospheric conditions can take hold of the band and produce strong ducts of several hundred miles or more.
The tranatlantic DX season is beginning on the medium wave broadcast band too and, since erecting a new flag antenna on the garden, I have found that it works so well I can hear lots of transatlantic and oriental DX. My Perseus SDR receiver records the band for me, but finding sufficient time to play back the recordings is proving difficult;
Finally, because solar activity is quite high, the 10 metre amateur band has come alive and I have developed a keen interest in QRP DX. My measly 10 watts has enebled me to work almost world-wide and penetrate pile-ups with little difficulty. I have worked all continents except the Pacific region. I think I might be able to achieve this with a bit of luck, but but breaking through some of those pile-ups needs patience and can take a long time.
So, there's plenty of DX activity to keep me occupied, but each of these areas of the hobby take up more time than I would like. Which one do I focus on?
This should be DX heaven right now, but I would be completely selfish if I didn't accept that there are certain domestic chores which also need my attention as they will not do themselves. Did I mention my relationship too? So, I need to take all of these things into account and strike a healthy and happy balance.
It can be tough having so many interests in this weird and wonderful hobby of ours, but as long as I remember that it is only a "hobby" and nothing more, we should all be happy here. It's a very addictive hobby though!
FM broadcast DXing in the 88-108 MHz range. This band often proves very interesting as we enter the time of the year when autumnal tropospheric conditions can take hold of the band and produce strong ducts of several hundred miles or more.
The tranatlantic DX season is beginning on the medium wave broadcast band too and, since erecting a new flag antenna on the garden, I have found that it works so well I can hear lots of transatlantic and oriental DX. My Perseus SDR receiver records the band for me, but finding sufficient time to play back the recordings is proving difficult;
So, there's plenty of DX activity to keep me occupied, but each of these areas of the hobby take up more time than I would like. Which one do I focus on?
This should be DX heaven right now, but I would be completely selfish if I didn't accept that there are certain domestic chores which also need my attention as they will not do themselves. Did I mention my relationship too? So, I need to take all of these things into account and strike a healthy and happy balance.
It can be tough having so many interests in this weird and wonderful hobby of ours, but as long as I remember that it is only a "hobby" and nothing more, we should all be happy here. It's a very addictive hobby though!
Monday, 1 October 2012
Weekend 10m Activity
I spent the weekend DXing on 10m, using only 10 watts into a 5/8 wave vertical, two metres off the ground.
Most of the hams I worked were using high power in the order of 1 kW to 1.5 kW. Funny how my signal report was only a couple of S points behind theirs. Who needs high power to work the world?
Date GMT Callsign Locator Their sig My sig Mode Props Distance
30/09/2012 17:49 EA9BW IM75JM 5/9 5/5 SSB F2 2006 km
30/09/2012 17:45 M0HAZ JO03DD 5/9 +10 5/9 +10 SSB F2 2 km
30/09/2012 16:32 FM5WD FK94MP 5/9 5/5 SSB F2 6805 km
30/09/2012 16:18 LA2HA KN33WN 5/9 5/7 SSB F2 2279 km
30/09/2012 13:25 RX6DC LN04NX 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 3063 km
30/09/2012 13:13 K3RA FM19PF 5/9 5/5 SSB F2 5821 km
30/09/2012 11:34 TA3GO KM38KG 5/9 5/7 SSB F2 2618 km
30/09/2012 10:47 RT4RO LO65ER 5/9 +10 5/7 SSB F2 3299 km
30/09/2012 09:56 EC8AQQ IL27GW 5/8 5/1 SSB F2 3086 km
30/09/2012 09:31 R9XV LP63XO 5/9 5/7 SSB F2 3222 km
30/09/2012 09:12 LZ2AVA KN43EK 5/9 5/8 SSB F2 2320 km
29/09/2012 11:18 RV9YP NO22NL 5/9 +10 5/5 SSB F2 5017 km
29/09/2012 11:45 UR9MC KN98JL 5/9 +10 5/9 SSB F2 2719 km
29/09/2012 12:26 5B/G8DX Paphos 5/7 5/2 SSB F2 3429 km
29/09/2012 14:02 K3LU FM19PB 5/7 5/6 SSB F2 5834 km
29/09/2012 17:02 7X4AN IM94GU 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 2038 km
29/09/2012 18:52 WX3B FM19KQ 5/9 +10 5/9 SSB F2 5814 km
28/09/2012 17:40 KC4TVZ EM84BE 5/7 5/9 SSB F2 6669 km
28/09/2012 16:10 UT7EW KN78MM 5/9 +10 5/7 SSB F2 2467 km
Most of the hams I worked were using high power in the order of 1 kW to 1.5 kW. Funny how my signal report was only a couple of S points behind theirs. Who needs high power to work the world?
Date GMT Callsign Locator Their sig My sig Mode Props Distance
30/09/2012 17:49 EA9BW IM75JM 5/9 5/5 SSB F2 2006 km
30/09/2012 17:45 M0HAZ JO03DD 5/9 +10 5/9 +10 SSB F2 2 km
30/09/2012 16:32 FM5WD FK94MP 5/9 5/5 SSB F2 6805 km
30/09/2012 16:18 LA2HA KN33WN 5/9 5/7 SSB F2 2279 km
30/09/2012 13:25 RX6DC LN04NX 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 3063 km
30/09/2012 13:13 K3RA FM19PF 5/9 5/5 SSB F2 5821 km
30/09/2012 11:34 TA3GO KM38KG 5/9 5/7 SSB F2 2618 km
30/09/2012 10:47 RT4RO LO65ER 5/9 +10 5/7 SSB F2 3299 km
30/09/2012 09:56 EC8AQQ IL27GW 5/8 5/1 SSB F2 3086 km
30/09/2012 09:31 R9XV LP63XO 5/9 5/7 SSB F2 3222 km
30/09/2012 09:12 LZ2AVA KN43EK 5/9 5/8 SSB F2 2320 km
29/09/2012 11:18 RV9YP NO22NL 5/9 +10 5/5 SSB F2 5017 km
29/09/2012 11:45 UR9MC KN98JL 5/9 +10 5/9 SSB F2 2719 km
29/09/2012 12:26 5B/G8DX Paphos 5/7 5/2 SSB F2 3429 km
29/09/2012 14:02 K3LU FM19PB 5/7 5/6 SSB F2 5834 km
29/09/2012 17:02 7X4AN IM94GU 5/9 5/9 SSB F2 2038 km
29/09/2012 18:52 WX3B FM19KQ 5/9 +10 5/9 SSB F2 5814 km
28/09/2012 17:40 KC4TVZ EM84BE 5/7 5/9 SSB F2 6669 km
28/09/2012 16:10 UT7EW KN78MM 5/9 +10 5/7 SSB F2 2467 km
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Treen Bandscan, Cornwall, September 2012
Cornwall never disappoints! Be it for the spectacular natural beauty of its countryside or for its excellent DX possibilities!
We spent seven days at Treen Farm camp site and experienced a good tropo event between September 13th and 16th.
It was our first visit to the Treen Farm camp site and it immediately became our firm favourite. The Sea View and Lower Treave campsites have also been good for Spanish DX and are worth considering if Treen Farm is full, but there are some big advantages Treen Farm. The location is on a cliff top in the extreme south-west of Cornwall. There are sea views from the south-east to the south-west and there is a spectacular beach immediately below the site with almost white sands and the kind of azure/turquoise seas you expect to see around the Cornish peninsula. At night, the skies are so clear you can easily see the Milky Way above you. It doesn't seem to be the kind of camp site where noise is tolerated too. While children and dogs are allowed, there are notices on the site which state that noise will NOT be tolerated after 10pm!
Now, this is what we heard:
Thursday 13th September 2012
106.5 TSF R Noticias, Muro (vcs)
107.7 R Estrada, Unlisted site
87.5 RKM R, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-C)
87.6 OM & YL talk 08:25
87.8 Cadena COPE Vigo, Moana (GAL-PO) __COPE__
88.2 RNE R Clasica, Monte Paramo (GAL-LU) RNE-CLAS
88.9 Euskadi Irratia, Bilbao (PVA-BL) EUSKADI1
89.1 Los 40 Principales, Monte Castrove (GAL-PO)
90.1 RNE R Nacional Galicia, Moana (GAL-PO)
91.2 RNE R Clasica, Monte Meda (GAL-OU) RNE-CLAS
91.4 Cadena Dial, Pontevedra (GAL-PO) ___DIAL_ PONTEDRA
91.6 RNE R Clasica, Culleredo (GAL-C) RNE-CLAS
92.1 RNE R Clasica, Moana (GAL-PO) RNE-CLAS
92.2 RNE R Clasica, Gamoniteiro (AST-O)
92.6 Spain
92.8 RNE R.5, Monte Paramo (GAL-LU) RNE_5-LU
93.1 Spanish phone in 20:50
93.4 Spanish phone in 20:50
93.7 RNE R.5, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-C) RNE_5-C_
94.3 RNE R.3, Monte Meda (GAL-OU)
94.4 RNE R.3, Gamoniteiro (AST-O)
94.5 RNE R.3, Culleredo (GAL-C) RNE_3___
94.7 Euskadi Gaztea, Bilbao (PVA-BL) GAZTEA__
95.6 Cadena SER, Pontevedra (GAL-PO) CAD-SER_ _AROSA__
95.8 RNE R.5, Culleredo (GAL-C) RNE_5-C_
96.2 R Galega, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-C)
96.9 RNE Radio Nacional Cantabria, Lierganes (CNT-S) RNE_1___
97.1 Cadena COPE, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-C)
97.2 Spain
97.4 RNE R.3, Moana (GAL-PO)
98.1 RNE R Clasica, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-C) RNE-CLAS
98.7 SER Pontevedra, Pontevedra (GAL-PO) SER_EDRA
99.0 RNE R.3, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-C) RNE_3___
99.6 RNE R.3, Monte Paramo (GAL-LU) RNE_3___
100.1 EIRB Irratia, Bilbao (PVA-BL)
100.2 Spain phone in 21:19
100.4 RNE R.1, Culleredo (GAL-C) RNE_1___
100.6 SER Vigo, Moana (GAL-PO) SER-VIGO
100.9 R Galega, Valga (GAL-PO) R.GALEGA
101.7 RNE Radio Nacional Galicia, Monte Paramo (GAL-LU) RNE_1___
102.1 R Obradoiro Santiago, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-C) OBRAOIRO
102.3 R Galega, Moana (GAL-PO) (Presumed)
102.5 RNE Radio Nacional Asturias, Gamoniteiro (AST-O) RNE_1___
102.6 Bizkaia Irratia, Bilbao (PVA-BL) BIZKAIAI
102.8 RNE Radio Nacional Galicia, Mone Meda (GAL-LU)
103.2 Spain
103.4 R Renascenca, Muro (vcs)
102.0 Sud R, Toulouse (65) SUDRADIO
103.7 ABC Punto Radio, Bilbao (PVA-BL) PUNTO_R.
104.2 RNE R.3, Xistral (GAL-LU)
104.4 RNE R.5, Gamoniteiro (AST-O) RNE5-AST
104.8 R Galega, Monte Meda (GAL-OU)
105.0 RNE R.5, Lierganes (CNT-S) RNE_5-S_
105.3 RNE R Clasica, Monte Oiz (PVA-BL)
105.3 TSF R Noticias, Valongo (prt)
105.7 TSF R Noticias, Valenca Do Minho (vcs) _T_S_F__
106.4 R Del Principado Del Asturias, Gamoniteiro (AST-O) RPA_FM__
106.6 RNE R.5, Xistral (GAL-LU)
106.8 RNE R.5, Monte Meda (GAL-OU) RNE_5-OU
106.9 Spain
107.6 Spain
107.9 Spain
94.6 RDP Antena 2, Muro (vcs)
88.0 R Galega Musica, Valga (GAL-PO)
107.9 Radio Lider, Pontevedra (GAL-PO)
106.1 Radio Voz Compostela, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-C)
89.5 Spain
88.4 Cadena Cien, Unidentified site CAD-100_
90.2 Spain
103.1 R Nacional Galicia, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-C) RNE_1___
103.5 Spain
103.6 Cadena 100, Gijon (AST-O)
104.1 Los 40 Principales / Exitos IDs
103.4 Spain OM talk over jazz, then soul music 23:41
107.8 Valle De Buelna FM, Los Corrales De Buelna (CNT-S)
107.6 Spanish pops 22:47
101.1 Onda Cero, Cangas Del Narcea (AST-O)
95.7 RNE R.5, Navarra (NAV-NA)
97.1 Spain OM 22:54
97.5 Kiss FM, Lugo (GAL-LU)
97.6 Spain OM 22:54
97.9 RNE R Clasica, Riano De Ibio (CNT-S)
99.5 Spain OM 22:59
90.5 Spain OM 22:59
Friday 14th September 2012
99.8 Spain OM 01:25
101.4 R Del Principado De Asturias, Aviles (AST-O) _RPA_FM_
102.9 RNE R.3, Lierganes (CNT-S)
103.4 RNE R.3, Riano De Ibio (CNT-S) RNE_3___
104.6 Spain OM & YL phone in 01:32
105.6 ABC Punto R, Lierganes (CNT-S)
107.1 Spain OM & YL 01:39
88.5 RNE R Clasica, Hornos De Moncalvillo (RIO-LO)
94.6 RNE R.3, Hornos De Moncalvillo (RIO-LO)
103.3 RNE R.5, Hornos De Moncalvillo (RIO-LO)
87.5 Loca FM, Oviedo (AST-O)
96.5 SER Gijon, Gijon (AST-O) __SER___
98.5 Kiss FM, Santander (CNT-S)
91.7 R Euskadi 2, Bilbao (PVA-BL) EUSKADI2
102.4 Spain YL over classical music 23:54
96.3 Spain OM & YL talk over classical music 23:57
97.5 RNE R Clasica, Medinaceli (CAL-SO)
100.5 France Bleu Gascogne, Bayonne (64) BLEUGASC
101.4 Spain OM talk mixing Gamoniteiro
Saturday 15th September 2012
102.4 Spain Lively OM talk 00:04
93.9 Spain OM talk 08:15
87.7 Cadena Dial, Santander (CNT-S)
88.0 R Nervion, Bilbao (PVA-BL) RNERVION
106.1 R Nacional, Monreal (NAV-NA) RNE_1___
105.4 Spain OMs discussion 08:32
100.3 RNE R.5, Cangas De Onis (AST-O)
93.5 Spain Phone in 08:49
107.5 Spain Mexican/Latin music 08:50
106.7 Spain YL phone in 09:03
104.0 Spain OMs discussion 09:05
92.7 R 7 Barakaldo, Bilbao (PVA-BL)
94.8 Spain phone in 22:43
98.2 Spain OM lively talk 22:48
99.2 Spain OM talk 22:49
100.7 Spain Panel show 22:52
101.5 Onda Cero, Bilbao (PVA-BL) __DA____
88.5 Hit FM, Aviles (AST-O)
91.8 Hit FM, Gijon (AST-O)
106.5 Formula Hit A Coruna, Carballo (GAL-C) Tentative. Dance music & ID "Hit Music Radio Sol" 23:30
Sunday 16th September 2012
104.8 Kiss FM, Aviles (AST-O)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Even when conditions are flat on the Land's End peninsula, Spanish stations always seem to be audible on band 2. But if you take your radios to the Land's End car park, Spanish reception is considerably better! We obtained permission to erect a beam at the Land's End cliff top car park during the evening - something we never actually did in the end, but it's there for next time. Now THAT should be VERY interesting indeed!
We spent seven days at Treen Farm camp site and experienced a good tropo event between September 13th and 16th.
It was our first visit to the Treen Farm camp site and it immediately became our firm favourite. The Sea View and Lower Treave campsites have also been good for Spanish DX and are worth considering if Treen Farm is full, but there are some big advantages Treen Farm. The location is on a cliff top in the extreme south-west of Cornwall. There are sea views from the south-east to the south-west and there is a spectacular beach immediately below the site with almost white sands and the kind of azure/turquoise seas you expect to see around the Cornish peninsula. At night, the skies are so clear you can easily see the Milky Way above you. It doesn't seem to be the kind of camp site where noise is tolerated too. While children and dogs are allowed, there are notices on the site which state that noise will NOT be tolerated after 10pm!
Now, this is what we heard:
Thursday 13th September 2012
106.5 TSF R Noticias, Muro (vcs)
107.7 R Estrada, Unlisted site
87.5 RKM R, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-C)
87.6 OM & YL talk 08:25
87.8 Cadena COPE Vigo, Moana (GAL-PO) __COPE__
88.2 RNE R Clasica, Monte Paramo (GAL-LU) RNE-CLAS
88.9 Euskadi Irratia, Bilbao (PVA-BL) EUSKADI1
89.1 Los 40 Principales, Monte Castrove (GAL-PO)
90.1 RNE R Nacional Galicia, Moana (GAL-PO)
91.2 RNE R Clasica, Monte Meda (GAL-OU) RNE-CLAS
91.4 Cadena Dial, Pontevedra (GAL-PO) ___DIAL_ PONTEDRA
91.6 RNE R Clasica, Culleredo (GAL-C) RNE-CLAS
92.1 RNE R Clasica, Moana (GAL-PO) RNE-CLAS
92.2 RNE R Clasica, Gamoniteiro (AST-O)
92.6 Spain
92.8 RNE R.5, Monte Paramo (GAL-LU) RNE_5-LU
93.1 Spanish phone in 20:50
93.4 Spanish phone in 20:50
93.7 RNE R.5, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-C) RNE_5-C_
94.3 RNE R.3, Monte Meda (GAL-OU)
94.4 RNE R.3, Gamoniteiro (AST-O)
94.5 RNE R.3, Culleredo (GAL-C) RNE_3___
94.7 Euskadi Gaztea, Bilbao (PVA-BL) GAZTEA__
95.6 Cadena SER, Pontevedra (GAL-PO) CAD-SER_ _AROSA__
95.8 RNE R.5, Culleredo (GAL-C) RNE_5-C_
96.2 R Galega, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-C)
96.9 RNE Radio Nacional Cantabria, Lierganes (CNT-S) RNE_1___
97.1 Cadena COPE, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-C)
97.2 Spain
97.4 RNE R.3, Moana (GAL-PO)
98.1 RNE R Clasica, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-C) RNE-CLAS
98.7 SER Pontevedra, Pontevedra (GAL-PO) SER_EDRA
99.0 RNE R.3, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-C) RNE_3___
99.6 RNE R.3, Monte Paramo (GAL-LU) RNE_3___
100.1 EIRB Irratia, Bilbao (PVA-BL)
100.2 Spain phone in 21:19
100.4 RNE R.1, Culleredo (GAL-C) RNE_1___
100.6 SER Vigo, Moana (GAL-PO) SER-VIGO
100.9 R Galega, Valga (GAL-PO) R.GALEGA
101.7 RNE Radio Nacional Galicia, Monte Paramo (GAL-LU) RNE_1___
102.1 R Obradoiro Santiago, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-C) OBRAOIRO
102.3 R Galega, Moana (GAL-PO) (Presumed)
102.5 RNE Radio Nacional Asturias, Gamoniteiro (AST-O) RNE_1___
102.6 Bizkaia Irratia, Bilbao (PVA-BL) BIZKAIAI
102.8 RNE Radio Nacional Galicia, Mone Meda (GAL-LU)
103.2 Spain
103.4 R Renascenca, Muro (vcs)
102.0 Sud R, Toulouse (65) SUDRADIO
103.7 ABC Punto Radio, Bilbao (PVA-BL) PUNTO_R.
104.2 RNE R.3, Xistral (GAL-LU)
104.4 RNE R.5, Gamoniteiro (AST-O) RNE5-AST
104.8 R Galega, Monte Meda (GAL-OU)
105.0 RNE R.5, Lierganes (CNT-S) RNE_5-S_
105.3 RNE R Clasica, Monte Oiz (PVA-BL)
105.3 TSF R Noticias, Valongo (prt)
105.7 TSF R Noticias, Valenca Do Minho (vcs) _T_S_F__
106.4 R Del Principado Del Asturias, Gamoniteiro (AST-O) RPA_FM__
106.6 RNE R.5, Xistral (GAL-LU)
106.8 RNE R.5, Monte Meda (GAL-OU) RNE_5-OU
106.9 Spain
107.6 Spain
107.9 Spain
94.6 RDP Antena 2, Muro (vcs)
88.0 R Galega Musica, Valga (GAL-PO)
107.9 Radio Lider, Pontevedra (GAL-PO)
106.1 Radio Voz Compostela, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-C)
89.5 Spain
88.4 Cadena Cien, Unidentified site CAD-100_
90.2 Spain
103.1 R Nacional Galicia, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-C) RNE_1___
103.5 Spain
103.6 Cadena 100, Gijon (AST-O)
104.1 Los 40 Principales / Exitos IDs
103.4 Spain OM talk over jazz, then soul music 23:41
107.8 Valle De Buelna FM, Los Corrales De Buelna (CNT-S)
107.6 Spanish pops 22:47
101.1 Onda Cero, Cangas Del Narcea (AST-O)
95.7 RNE R.5, Navarra (NAV-NA)
97.1 Spain OM 22:54
97.5 Kiss FM, Lugo (GAL-LU)
97.6 Spain OM 22:54
97.9 RNE R Clasica, Riano De Ibio (CNT-S)
99.5 Spain OM 22:59
90.5 Spain OM 22:59
Friday 14th September 2012
99.8 Spain OM 01:25
101.4 R Del Principado De Asturias, Aviles (AST-O) _RPA_FM_
102.9 RNE R.3, Lierganes (CNT-S)
103.4 RNE R.3, Riano De Ibio (CNT-S) RNE_3___
104.6 Spain OM & YL phone in 01:32
105.6 ABC Punto R, Lierganes (CNT-S)
107.1 Spain OM & YL 01:39
88.5 RNE R Clasica, Hornos De Moncalvillo (RIO-LO)
94.6 RNE R.3, Hornos De Moncalvillo (RIO-LO)
103.3 RNE R.5, Hornos De Moncalvillo (RIO-LO)
87.5 Loca FM, Oviedo (AST-O)
96.5 SER Gijon, Gijon (AST-O) __SER___
98.5 Kiss FM, Santander (CNT-S)
91.7 R Euskadi 2, Bilbao (PVA-BL) EUSKADI2
102.4 Spain YL over classical music 23:54
96.3 Spain OM & YL talk over classical music 23:57
97.5 RNE R Clasica, Medinaceli (CAL-SO)
100.5 France Bleu Gascogne, Bayonne (64) BLEUGASC
101.4 Spain OM talk mixing Gamoniteiro
Saturday 15th September 2012
102.4 Spain Lively OM talk 00:04
93.9 Spain OM talk 08:15
87.7 Cadena Dial, Santander (CNT-S)
88.0 R Nervion, Bilbao (PVA-BL) RNERVION
106.1 R Nacional, Monreal (NAV-NA) RNE_1___
105.4 Spain OMs discussion 08:32
100.3 RNE R.5, Cangas De Onis (AST-O)
93.5 Spain Phone in 08:49
107.5 Spain Mexican/Latin music 08:50
106.7 Spain YL phone in 09:03
104.0 Spain OMs discussion 09:05
92.7 R 7 Barakaldo, Bilbao (PVA-BL)
94.8 Spain phone in 22:43
98.2 Spain OM lively talk 22:48
99.2 Spain OM talk 22:49
100.7 Spain Panel show 22:52
101.5 Onda Cero, Bilbao (PVA-BL) __DA____
88.5 Hit FM, Aviles (AST-O)
91.8 Hit FM, Gijon (AST-O)
106.5 Formula Hit A Coruna, Carballo (GAL-C) Tentative. Dance music & ID "Hit Music Radio Sol" 23:30
Sunday 16th September 2012
104.8 Kiss FM, Aviles (AST-O)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Even when conditions are flat on the Land's End peninsula, Spanish stations always seem to be audible on band 2. But if you take your radios to the Land's End car park, Spanish reception is considerably better! We obtained permission to erect a beam at the Land's End cliff top car park during the evening - something we never actually did in the end, but it's there for next time. Now THAT should be VERY interesting indeed!
Monday, 10 September 2012
Summarizing The 2012 Sporadic E Season
After comparing my 2012 E season loggings with those of the 1011 season, I think I can conclude that this year's E season equalled last year's at
this location and perhaps even slightly bettered it, but only slightly. This is my own experience. Other DXers have commented that the season has been much worse this year. SPoradic E conditions are hugely selective though, so comparisons are probably meaningless. If you were to average it out over the whole of Europe and North America I think the overwhelming opinion would be that the 2012 Es season was well down on last year's, which in itself was quite poor also. However, while my personal logbook show a certain "quantity" of loggings, there was certainly far less in the way of "quality". Not one single instance of double hop was experienced.
Looking at it on a month-by-month basis: The season seemed to begin well in May, but then went downhill before the end of the month, leaving June with large gaps of several days with no Es. July wasn't much better, if at all and August was average - maybe even slightly better than July, but after counting the number of loggings I had this season I notice that here are only slightly fewer loggings than during last year's season. There were at least three good, nationwide Spanish openings this year while I was away and so I probably missed a fair number of loggings. Last year I was in the fortunate position of being by the radio virtually all the time and I was conscious of the fact that I didn't miss any good openings.
As mentioned above, as far as quality goes, this year was definitely down on last year. Double hop materialised on at least two occasions last season whereas this year I am not aware of a single instance - unless you class the Moroccan transmitter at Assa as double hop at 2800+. I suspect the Es on this occasion hooked up with a tropo extension at the far end of the path. Maybe that is classed double hop though.
I am always interested to hear other's views, but overall I am satisfied with a good haul of loggings this year, even if the quality wasn't quite there.
It was also pleasing to get a lot of different stations this year whereas I had expected a huge amount of repetition.
By the way, Norway was the only main European country which didn't make it here on Es. My Turkish goal didn't materialise either, but then Turkey is probably just a tad over the single hop limit from me. Maybe next year.
Looking at it on a month-by-month basis: The season seemed to begin well in May, but then went downhill before the end of the month, leaving June with large gaps of several days with no Es. July wasn't much better, if at all and August was average - maybe even slightly better than July, but after counting the number of loggings I had this season I notice that here are only slightly fewer loggings than during last year's season. There were at least three good, nationwide Spanish openings this year while I was away and so I probably missed a fair number of loggings. Last year I was in the fortunate position of being by the radio virtually all the time and I was conscious of the fact that I didn't miss any good openings.
As mentioned above, as far as quality goes, this year was definitely down on last year. Double hop materialised on at least two occasions last season whereas this year I am not aware of a single instance - unless you class the Moroccan transmitter at Assa as double hop at 2800+. I suspect the Es on this occasion hooked up with a tropo extension at the far end of the path. Maybe that is classed double hop though.
I am always interested to hear other's views, but overall I am satisfied with a good haul of loggings this year, even if the quality wasn't quite there.
It was also pleasing to get a lot of different stations this year whereas I had expected a huge amount of repetition.
By the way, Norway was the only main European country which didn't make it here on Es. My Turkish goal didn't materialise either, but then Turkey is probably just a tad over the single hop limit from me. Maybe next year.
Saturday, 8 September 2012
Ster Bandscan, Brittany, September 2012
We took a holiday to Brittany between August 31st and September 8th. We had planned to stay longer and take a trip around the French Alps the following week but our plans were interrupted: We had intended to take our two Rottweilers but we found that there were many difficulties along the way which meant they had to be left at home. Fortunately, we have a very good friend, also a Rottweiler owner, who came to look after them while we were away. True enough, Rottweilers are large, fearsome looking dogs, but ours are very friendly and cuddly. Yes, I said "cuddly". We are daft when it comes to our dogs. They are part of our family and we love them dearly.
We try to take our dogs with us most places, but we find that some people prefer to cross over the road to avoid walking past them, depending on where we are. The locals love them and only want to fuss them, which they really appreciate. When walking in a rough part of Glasgow with them recently we found that people only crossed the road to avoid us. That spoke volumes about the area we were in.
Sadly, after weeks of planning and researching we discovered that Rottweilers were classed as "Category 2 breed: Guard Dogs" in France and thus were not allowed on French camp sites. If it wasn't for a well-known web forum we would not have discovered this information. Well done tripadvisor.com! Their members were exceptionally helpful and pointed us to the appropriate website which explained all the rules concerning Rottweilers in France. Before doing this, we had emailed and phoned various government departments, embassies, European vetinary organisations and Rottweiler clubs, only to be passed around in a loop because they didn't know where Rottweilers were permitted. Our very own government department DEFRA hadn't a clue either. No surprises there.
Arriving at the camp site we promptly set up a simple receiving station, comprising a Sony XDR-F1HD and a Triax FM3, mounted on a telescopic mast at around five to six metres, so that it was above the caravan roof and clear of obstruction to the beach, which looks out over the Bay Of Biscay, just 200 metres away.
Perhaps I shouldn't give a big build-up to this report as nothing much was heard, typical of all my visits to Brittany in fact. We had expected more Spanish DX this time as the Hepburn tropo forecast looked good for this. Instead, we experienced more of a lift to the north, into south-west England. I don't wish to rubbish the DX potential of this location as I am fairly sure that conditions were not as forecast, but I have never experienced much in the way of Spanish DX from this location. Band 2 is fairly quiet at the best of times, but with careful searching and the occasional rise in conditions, it's mostly always been more distant Breton stations which come though. Maybe I have been unlucky. In contrast, I have to say that the French Land's End at the Point Du Raz, some 50 km to the north-west, was dramatically better for Spanish reception, even under apparently flat conditions. Despite this, the Pointe Du Raz does not seem to provide the same proliferation of Spanish signals experienced at the Cornish Land's End. I have been to both Land's Ends several times.
Here is the report, complete with notes to begin with. Unfortunately I lost interest with the note keeping and DXing as nothing much was heard after the 4th.
31-08-12
Poor late evening. A few Spanish transmitters at weak/noisy levels.
01-09-12
Slightly enhanced after sunrise. Some Spanish signals almost noise free. Nothing at RDS levels.
88.2 RNE Radio Clasica, Monte Paramo (GAL-LU)
88.9 Euskadi Irratia, Bilbao (PVA-BI)
89.5 RNE Radio Nacional Galicia, Xistral (GAL-LU)
90.5 RNE R.5 TN Oviedo, Boal (AST-O)
92.8 RNE R.5 TN Lugo, Monte Paramo (GAL-LU)
93.2 RNE RNE Radio Nacional Asturias, Boal (AST-O)
93.7 RNE R.5 TN Santiago, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-O)
94.4 RNE R.3, Gamoniteiro (AST-O)
95.2 UNID YL talk 0954 (Likely Onda Cero, Oviedo (AST-O) Heard at Pointe Du Raz)
95.6 UNID Phone in 0956 (Likely Cadena SER, Lugo (GAL-LU) Heard at Pointe Du Raz)
96.3 RNE Radio Clasica, Galicia (GAL-LU)
96.9 RNE R Nacional Cantabria, Lierganes (CNT-S)
98.1 RNE Radio Clasica, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-O)
99.0 RNE R.3, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-O)
99.6 RNE R.3, Monte Paramo (GAL-LU)
101.7 RNE R Nacional Galicia, Monte Paramo (GAL-LU)
100.9 UNID News 1002 (Likely Radio Galega, Valga (GAL-PO))
102.5 RNE Radio Nacional Asturias, Gamoniteiro (AST-O)
102.7 esRadio, unlisted site
102.9 RNE R.3, Lierganes (CNT-S)
103.1 RNE Radio Nacional Galicia, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-O)
103.7 Radio Galega, Monte Paramo (GAL-LU)
104.2 RNE R.3, Xistral (GAL-LU)
104.4 RNE R.5 TN Oviedo, Gamoniteiro (AST-O)
104.8 Likely Radio Galega, Monte Meda (GAL-OU)
105.0 RNE R.5 TN Santander, Lierganes (CNT-S)
01-09-12 Evening: Disappointing. Only Gamoniteiro heard extremely weakly and barely recognisable in the noise. SW England enhanced with North Hessary Tor and Redruth at one bar.
02-09-12 Morning: Rubbish! As 01-09-12 evening.
UK nationals Rowridge and a presumed Haverfordwest received via scatter.
02-09-12 Evening: Spanish? Where? I can't hear any.
03-09-12 Morning: Yawn! Even semi-local French stations are down in strength. SW England with some enhancement though.
03-09-12 Evening: Still no sign of Spain but SW England and The English Midlands coming in well. North Hessary Tor RDSing with two bars.
107.0 Heart, Redruth
95.2 RTE Lyric FM, Clermont Carn
95.2 BBC Radio Cornwall, Caradon Hill
94.3 BBC Radio 4, Wenvoe
92.1 BBC Radio 3, Wenvoe
92.5 BBC Radio 4, North Hessary Tor
90.3 BBC Radio 3, North Hessary Tor
88.1 BBC Radio 2, North Hessary Tor
100.0 Classic FM, North Hessary Tor
102.8 Pirate FM, Redruth
89.7 BBC Radio 2, Redruth
91.9 BBC Radio 3, Redruth
102.2 Pirate FM, Caradon Hill
97.7 BBC Radio 1, North Hessary Tor
99.3 BBC Radio 1, Redruth
99.5 BBC Radio 1, Wenvoe
101.5 Classic FM, Redruth
100.3 Classic FM, Rowridge
89.3 BBC Radio 2, Haverfordwest
93.7 BBC Radio 4, Haverfordwest
97.1 BBC Radio 1, Les Platons
89.6 BBC Radio 2, Les Platons
91.1 BBC Radio 3, Les Platons
88.3 BBC Radio 3, Sutton Coldfield
92.7 BBC Radio 4, Sutton Coldfield
97.9 BBC Radio 1, Sutton Coldfield
100.1 Classic FM, Sutton Coldfield
101.1 Classic FM, Haverfordwest
101.7 Classic FM, Wenvoe
95.5 BBC Somerset, Mendip
94.8 BBC Radio 4, Les Platons
94.3 BBC Radio 4, Wenvoe
93.3 BBC Radio 4, Llangollen
91.5 BBC Radio 3, Haverfordwest
102.5 BBC Radio Pembrokeshire, Haverfordwest
107.2 Newstalk 106-108, Mount Leinster
04-09-12 Morning: Southern England enhancement continuing to grow slightly, add ...
89.1 BBC Radio 2, Wrotham
04-09-12 Evening: SW England not so good but Spain returning into the small hours. Chiefly Galicia. Post sunrise: Only Gamoniteiro audible weakly.
100.4 Radio Nacional Galicia, Culluredo (GAL-O)
99.0 RNE R.3, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-O)
98.5 UNID Spanish phone-in 0304
102.8 Radio Nacional Galicia, Monte Meda (GAL-OU)
106.4 Radio Principado De Asturias, Gamiteiro (AST-O)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As the holiday progressed we realised we were missing our dogs more and more. So much so that we decided to curtail the holiday and make our way back home! Our plan now was to spend a week in Cornwall with the dogs.
We try to take our dogs with us most places, but we find that some people prefer to cross over the road to avoid walking past them, depending on where we are. The locals love them and only want to fuss them, which they really appreciate. When walking in a rough part of Glasgow with them recently we found that people only crossed the road to avoid us. That spoke volumes about the area we were in.
Sadly, after weeks of planning and researching we discovered that Rottweilers were classed as "Category 2 breed: Guard Dogs" in France and thus were not allowed on French camp sites. If it wasn't for a well-known web forum we would not have discovered this information. Well done tripadvisor.com! Their members were exceptionally helpful and pointed us to the appropriate website which explained all the rules concerning Rottweilers in France. Before doing this, we had emailed and phoned various government departments, embassies, European vetinary organisations and Rottweiler clubs, only to be passed around in a loop because they didn't know where Rottweilers were permitted. Our very own government department DEFRA hadn't a clue either. No surprises there.
Arriving at the camp site we promptly set up a simple receiving station, comprising a Sony XDR-F1HD and a Triax FM3, mounted on a telescopic mast at around five to six metres, so that it was above the caravan roof and clear of obstruction to the beach, which looks out over the Bay Of Biscay, just 200 metres away.
Perhaps I shouldn't give a big build-up to this report as nothing much was heard, typical of all my visits to Brittany in fact. We had expected more Spanish DX this time as the Hepburn tropo forecast looked good for this. Instead, we experienced more of a lift to the north, into south-west England. I don't wish to rubbish the DX potential of this location as I am fairly sure that conditions were not as forecast, but I have never experienced much in the way of Spanish DX from this location. Band 2 is fairly quiet at the best of times, but with careful searching and the occasional rise in conditions, it's mostly always been more distant Breton stations which come though. Maybe I have been unlucky. In contrast, I have to say that the French Land's End at the Point Du Raz, some 50 km to the north-west, was dramatically better for Spanish reception, even under apparently flat conditions. Despite this, the Pointe Du Raz does not seem to provide the same proliferation of Spanish signals experienced at the Cornish Land's End. I have been to both Land's Ends several times.
Here is the report, complete with notes to begin with. Unfortunately I lost interest with the note keeping and DXing as nothing much was heard after the 4th.
31-08-12
Poor late evening. A few Spanish transmitters at weak/noisy levels.
01-09-12
Slightly enhanced after sunrise. Some Spanish signals almost noise free. Nothing at RDS levels.
88.2 RNE Radio Clasica, Monte Paramo (GAL-LU)
88.9 Euskadi Irratia, Bilbao (PVA-BI)
89.5 RNE Radio Nacional Galicia, Xistral (GAL-LU)
90.5 RNE R.5 TN Oviedo, Boal (AST-O)
92.8 RNE R.5 TN Lugo, Monte Paramo (GAL-LU)
93.2 RNE RNE Radio Nacional Asturias, Boal (AST-O)
93.7 RNE R.5 TN Santiago, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-O)
94.4 RNE R.3, Gamoniteiro (AST-O)
95.2 UNID YL talk 0954 (Likely Onda Cero, Oviedo (AST-O) Heard at Pointe Du Raz)
95.6 UNID Phone in 0956 (Likely Cadena SER, Lugo (GAL-LU) Heard at Pointe Du Raz)
96.3 RNE Radio Clasica, Galicia (GAL-LU)
96.9 RNE R Nacional Cantabria, Lierganes (CNT-S)
98.1 RNE Radio Clasica, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-O)
99.0 RNE R.3, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-O)
99.6 RNE R.3, Monte Paramo (GAL-LU)
101.7 RNE R Nacional Galicia, Monte Paramo (GAL-LU)
100.9 UNID News 1002 (Likely Radio Galega, Valga (GAL-PO))
102.5 RNE Radio Nacional Asturias, Gamoniteiro (AST-O)
102.7 esRadio, unlisted site
102.9 RNE R.3, Lierganes (CNT-S)
103.1 RNE Radio Nacional Galicia, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-O)
103.7 Radio Galega, Monte Paramo (GAL-LU)
104.2 RNE R.3, Xistral (GAL-LU)
104.4 RNE R.5 TN Oviedo, Gamoniteiro (AST-O)
104.8 Likely Radio Galega, Monte Meda (GAL-OU)
105.0 RNE R.5 TN Santander, Lierganes (CNT-S)
01-09-12 Evening: Disappointing. Only Gamoniteiro heard extremely weakly and barely recognisable in the noise. SW England enhanced with North Hessary Tor and Redruth at one bar.
02-09-12 Morning: Rubbish! As 01-09-12 evening.
UK nationals Rowridge and a presumed Haverfordwest received via scatter.
02-09-12 Evening: Spanish? Where? I can't hear any.
03-09-12 Morning: Yawn! Even semi-local French stations are down in strength. SW England with some enhancement though.
03-09-12 Evening: Still no sign of Spain but SW England and The English Midlands coming in well. North Hessary Tor RDSing with two bars.
107.0 Heart, Redruth
95.2 RTE Lyric FM, Clermont Carn
95.2 BBC Radio Cornwall, Caradon Hill
94.3 BBC Radio 4, Wenvoe
92.1 BBC Radio 3, Wenvoe
92.5 BBC Radio 4, North Hessary Tor
90.3 BBC Radio 3, North Hessary Tor
88.1 BBC Radio 2, North Hessary Tor
100.0 Classic FM, North Hessary Tor
102.8 Pirate FM, Redruth
89.7 BBC Radio 2, Redruth
91.9 BBC Radio 3, Redruth
102.2 Pirate FM, Caradon Hill
97.7 BBC Radio 1, North Hessary Tor
99.3 BBC Radio 1, Redruth
99.5 BBC Radio 1, Wenvoe
101.5 Classic FM, Redruth
100.3 Classic FM, Rowridge
89.3 BBC Radio 2, Haverfordwest
93.7 BBC Radio 4, Haverfordwest
97.1 BBC Radio 1, Les Platons
89.6 BBC Radio 2, Les Platons
91.1 BBC Radio 3, Les Platons
88.3 BBC Radio 3, Sutton Coldfield
92.7 BBC Radio 4, Sutton Coldfield
97.9 BBC Radio 1, Sutton Coldfield
100.1 Classic FM, Sutton Coldfield
101.1 Classic FM, Haverfordwest
101.7 Classic FM, Wenvoe
95.5 BBC Somerset, Mendip
94.8 BBC Radio 4, Les Platons
94.3 BBC Radio 4, Wenvoe
93.3 BBC Radio 4, Llangollen
91.5 BBC Radio 3, Haverfordwest
102.5 BBC Radio Pembrokeshire, Haverfordwest
107.2 Newstalk 106-108, Mount Leinster
04-09-12 Morning: Southern England enhancement continuing to grow slightly, add ...
89.1 BBC Radio 2, Wrotham
04-09-12 Evening: SW England not so good but Spain returning into the small hours. Chiefly Galicia. Post sunrise: Only Gamoniteiro audible weakly.
100.4 Radio Nacional Galicia, Culluredo (GAL-O)
99.0 RNE R.3, Santiago De Compostela (GAL-O)
98.5 UNID Spanish phone-in 0304
102.8 Radio Nacional Galicia, Monte Meda (GAL-OU)
106.4 Radio Principado De Asturias, Gamiteiro (AST-O)
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As the holiday progressed we realised we were missing our dogs more and more. So much so that we decided to curtail the holiday and make our way back home! Our plan now was to spend a week in Cornwall with the dogs.
Friday, 24 August 2012
Elitism In The Hobby
Elitism? In Our Hobby? Surely not?
The Oxford English Dictionary defines "Elite" thus:
"noun: a group of people considered to be superior in a particular society or organization: the country’s educated elite"
I prefer The Free Dictionary's definition:
"The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favoured treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources."
I hate elitist attitudes and snobbery of all kinds and it seems it exists in our hobby too. While such attitudes are often considered par for the course in some amateur radio circles, I was surprised to find it tucked away in a little corner of our hobby. Those with common sense will know that there is good and bad in all walks of life, but we are probably all guilty of a little snobbery to some degree. We're all human and have opinions, but when these have a detrimental effect on the hobby and particularly to newcomers, I feel that something needs to be said. We should stand up against bullies and those who feel they are somehow superior to others.
An antipodean DX forum recently made sweeping statements about the SkywavesDX FM forum and its members, pointing some rather unsavoury fingers, accusing the membership of being parochial and making "excessive noise" in forum posts. We may have our niche interests and foibles, but, as polite as the tone of the message seemed when first read, it clearly dug deeply into the running of the group and the personalities of some members, leaving a very bitter taste in the mouth.
The person in question (I am unsure if he is a co-owner or moderator) who made this cruel attack, skilfully worded the post so it came across as a well-meaning message, yet it was highly critical of those lesser mortals who struggled to receive anything 'even half-decent' Snobbery there, perhaps? It also suggested that these novice barbarians were holding back the real enthusiasts. This is not the first time this person has been highly critical of Skywaves.
We have to ask the question, was SkywavesDX really deserving of this assessment? Well, whether it was or not, it was just plain wrong for them to have made such a post in the first instance. People can be so judgmental. He is one of the main faces of that forum, yet he is obviously unable to see the damage he is doing to it. This person has caused such a stir in the world of broadcast DXing lately that he has actually succeeded in deterring newcomers to the hobby and even making those established members give it up and sell their equipment it would seem (there is documented evidence of this) and he actually forced a member to close down his radio blog. This man is only alienating himself. He is highly critical of those who are not in the same privileged position as himself. He actually stated that DXers who didn't have high end receivers and towering aerial arrays should not be taken seriously and should leave the hobby.
The same man even suggested starting a European FM DX forum for beginners so they could receive the correct guidance.
My feelings about this are so strong that I felt that this matter could not be swept under the carpet. Normally one could laugh off such snobbery, but it became clear that this bickering was having quite a detrimental effect on the hobby and some of its aficionados.
Who am I to speak out? Well, I have always been one of those people who speaks his mind and I admit that I don't always do it tactfully. I don't have the 'gift of the gab', but I will shout loudly if I feel something is unfair. Most of us have hobbies of one form or another. Some of us like to follow our local football team, others follow their favourite TV soaps or pop groups. These are all interests, no matter how big or small, but the fact is that they are almost always more fun when you share them with others. Also, there is nothing to be gained from withholding helpful DX tips and useful information and there are huge benefits when you pass these on to others. Sadly, there will always be those highly competitive members who want to keep everything to themselves. Of course, they are perfectly entitled to do so if they wish, but what a shame that is. Personally, I find these people a little obnoxious, but each to their own.
The great thing about our radio hobby is that we all start off on an equal playing field. A good friend and fellow DXer occasionally reminds me that propagation is simply an act of nature over which we have no control. We are at its mercy and there is no telling what it will do and who it will affect next. It can be very localised or it can affect large areas. It has predictable and unpredictable qualities and it these are accessible to all of us. Attaching elitism to any hobby is just ridiculous. Compare to fishing for instance: Do you stand a better chance of getting the big catch if you have a bigger rod and some prime bait? Of course not. That doesn't tell you where the fish are. Even smaller rods can pull in big catches than that guy with the expensive fishing gear. It's just about being in the right place at the right time. Anybody can catch the big one.
One of the greatest gifts in this hobby is the ability to help newcomers and I would urge all those who share our fascinating hobby to do just that: Offer useful tips and guidelines; Share your experiences; Alert others to DX events whenever possible. You can do this individually or in your club or society. Why on earth would anybody in their right mind want to cast certain members of the DX community aside and tell them are not be welcomed if they don't achieve certain minimum distances in their logbooks or they have less than 15 elements on a tower, which must be at a minimum height of 40 metres? (It's true. It's been stated!) There is nothing wrong with trying to raise standards and wanting to do better, but don't leave those less fortunate out in the cold.
So far, I have avoided mentioning names and I really do not wish to 'out' the culprits, but I will mention names if this gross unfairness continues.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines "Elite" thus:
"noun: a group of people considered to be superior in a particular society or organization: the country’s educated elite"
I prefer The Free Dictionary's definition:
"The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favoured treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources."
I hate elitist attitudes and snobbery of all kinds and it seems it exists in our hobby too. While such attitudes are often considered par for the course in some amateur radio circles, I was surprised to find it tucked away in a little corner of our hobby. Those with common sense will know that there is good and bad in all walks of life, but we are probably all guilty of a little snobbery to some degree. We're all human and have opinions, but when these have a detrimental effect on the hobby and particularly to newcomers, I feel that something needs to be said. We should stand up against bullies and those who feel they are somehow superior to others.
An antipodean DX forum recently made sweeping statements about the SkywavesDX FM forum and its members, pointing some rather unsavoury fingers, accusing the membership of being parochial and making "excessive noise" in forum posts. We may have our niche interests and foibles, but, as polite as the tone of the message seemed when first read, it clearly dug deeply into the running of the group and the personalities of some members, leaving a very bitter taste in the mouth.
The person in question (I am unsure if he is a co-owner or moderator) who made this cruel attack, skilfully worded the post so it came across as a well-meaning message, yet it was highly critical of those lesser mortals who struggled to receive anything 'even half-decent' Snobbery there, perhaps? It also suggested that these novice barbarians were holding back the real enthusiasts. This is not the first time this person has been highly critical of Skywaves.
We have to ask the question, was SkywavesDX really deserving of this assessment? Well, whether it was or not, it was just plain wrong for them to have made such a post in the first instance. People can be so judgmental. He is one of the main faces of that forum, yet he is obviously unable to see the damage he is doing to it. This person has caused such a stir in the world of broadcast DXing lately that he has actually succeeded in deterring newcomers to the hobby and even making those established members give it up and sell their equipment it would seem (there is documented evidence of this) and he actually forced a member to close down his radio blog. This man is only alienating himself. He is highly critical of those who are not in the same privileged position as himself. He actually stated that DXers who didn't have high end receivers and towering aerial arrays should not be taken seriously and should leave the hobby.
The same man even suggested starting a European FM DX forum for beginners so they could receive the correct guidance.
My feelings about this are so strong that I felt that this matter could not be swept under the carpet. Normally one could laugh off such snobbery, but it became clear that this bickering was having quite a detrimental effect on the hobby and some of its aficionados.
Who am I to speak out? Well, I have always been one of those people who speaks his mind and I admit that I don't always do it tactfully. I don't have the 'gift of the gab', but I will shout loudly if I feel something is unfair. Most of us have hobbies of one form or another. Some of us like to follow our local football team, others follow their favourite TV soaps or pop groups. These are all interests, no matter how big or small, but the fact is that they are almost always more fun when you share them with others. Also, there is nothing to be gained from withholding helpful DX tips and useful information and there are huge benefits when you pass these on to others. Sadly, there will always be those highly competitive members who want to keep everything to themselves. Of course, they are perfectly entitled to do so if they wish, but what a shame that is. Personally, I find these people a little obnoxious, but each to their own.
The great thing about our radio hobby is that we all start off on an equal playing field. A good friend and fellow DXer occasionally reminds me that propagation is simply an act of nature over which we have no control. We are at its mercy and there is no telling what it will do and who it will affect next. It can be very localised or it can affect large areas. It has predictable and unpredictable qualities and it these are accessible to all of us. Attaching elitism to any hobby is just ridiculous. Compare to fishing for instance: Do you stand a better chance of getting the big catch if you have a bigger rod and some prime bait? Of course not. That doesn't tell you where the fish are. Even smaller rods can pull in big catches than that guy with the expensive fishing gear. It's just about being in the right place at the right time. Anybody can catch the big one.
One of the greatest gifts in this hobby is the ability to help newcomers and I would urge all those who share our fascinating hobby to do just that: Offer useful tips and guidelines; Share your experiences; Alert others to DX events whenever possible. You can do this individually or in your club or society. Why on earth would anybody in their right mind want to cast certain members of the DX community aside and tell them are not be welcomed if they don't achieve certain minimum distances in their logbooks or they have less than 15 elements on a tower, which must be at a minimum height of 40 metres? (It's true. It's been stated!) There is nothing wrong with trying to raise standards and wanting to do better, but don't leave those less fortunate out in the cold.
So far, I have avoided mentioning names and I really do not wish to 'out' the culprits, but I will mention names if this gross unfairness continues.
Sunday, 19 August 2012
Tropo > Spain, Brittany, Holland & Belgium Continues
The Hepburn forecast predicted that conditions would move towards Scandinavia in the morning but that didn't happen. Instead, conditions continued into Brittany, although they weren't as good as on the 18th, yet Lierganes was heard briefly and with a very weak signal on 105.0 just after midnight.
I hope it's not too long before I see a return to Breton tropo as this part of France has been lacking here on the east coast. Even Spanish tropo has been more frequent here!
Tropospheric:
107.6 0946 BEL Hit FM, Bornem/Fort (vlg-ant) Jingle ID ands pops 353 km
87.6 0951 F RMC, Le Havre/Harfleur (76) Phone correspondent, as web 406 km **
107.1 0959 F France Bleu 107.1, Paris/Tour Eiffel (75) Phone in, as web 497 km
107.4 1039 G Leisure FM, Coggeshall/Pattiswick (EN-ESX) OM and oldies, as web stream 142 km
** Personal Skegness 'First'
I hope it's not too long before I see a return to Breton tropo as this part of France has been lacking here on the east coast. Even Spanish tropo has been more frequent here!
Tropospheric:
107.6 0946 BEL Hit FM, Bornem/Fort (vlg-ant) Jingle ID ands pops 353 km
87.6 0951 F RMC, Le Havre/Harfleur (76) Phone correspondent, as web 406 km **
107.1 0959 F France Bleu 107.1, Paris/Tour Eiffel (75) Phone in, as web 497 km
107.4 1039 G Leisure FM, Coggeshall/Pattiswick (EN-ESX) OM and oldies, as web stream 142 km
** Personal Skegness 'First'
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