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Sunday, 31 August 2014

Skegness Log: 31-08-14 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 93.5 0816 CZE Frekvence 1, Ústí nad Labem/Buková hora (US) Pops, as web  991km **

Band 2 General Scatter:
105.2 0836  D  Radio RST, Schöppingen (nrw) OM (ads?) then pops, as web. Own programme  482km


** Personal Skegness 'First'

Good DX!

John Faulkner, Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receivers:
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical or horizontal, etc.

Saturday, 30 August 2014

Skegness Log: 30-08-14 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 93.2 0106 AUT Ö2 - Radio Steiermark, Bruck (Mur) 1/Mugel (ste) Gentle German YL song, as web 
               1233km **
 93.2 0302 BEL RTBF Classic 21, Brussel/Financietoren=Bruxelles/Tour des Finances (bru) French
               YL bumped up suddenly over its own scatter!  376km **
 93.2 0325  D  Bayern 2, Passau/Kühberg (bay) Own Schlager show. Off night programming at this
               time. As web  1051km **
 93.2 0709  D  WDR 2, Teutoburger Wald/Bielstein (nrw) Tom's Diner, as web. not on night
               service at this time  591km **


** Personal Skegness 'First'

Two other stations which I believe came through but which were too brief to nail down were France Inter, probably from the Angers site, and the BRF 2 from 5kW Herbesthal. Scatter from Teutoburger Wald and Liege was also persistent.

Good DX!

John Faulkner, Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receivers:
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical or horizontal, etc.

The 2014 Sporadic E Season - The Worst and The Best?

... a personal summary.

This year's E season has been a complete mystery to many of us. Not only do the vast majority of European DXers consider this to be the worst European Es season EVER, but it has also behaved in an unpredictable manner, being good at both ends and mostly rubbish in the middle.

Sporadic E is unpredictable at the best of times. That's why it's called "Sporadic"! But when you look back over the season, you see just how upside-down it has been. April saw the first Es on band 2 frequencies. An early start indeed! As we went through May, sporadic E opening just became more and more fleeting and were confined to the bottom of band 2. A "blink and you'll miss it" scenario.

By June I think many of us had almost given up. There were a few decent openings, but nothing on the scale of those from the 2013 season. July seemed to show some improvements but they were short-lived.

Yes, there were a few good openings, but I would say that only two or three came close to those of last year. Some DXers in western Europe would say the biggest openings came around the 2nd and 3rd of July with possibly the best Scandinavian > UK & Ireland paths on record. Conditions on July 3rd gave me my biggest single day's log ever with almost 500 loggings. Check them here.

Conditions tapered off after this and reverted back to their hit and miss/teasing/bottom of the band character. Trying not to blink became hard on the eyes but we had plenty of practice. Yet it's hard to believe then that my personal sporadic E logbook this year has been the biggest I have had here on the east coast! How come? Had it not been for my idea of video recording these brief openings and scanning quickly up and down the band to capture the RDS I would never have achieved this. Quantity is not the same as quality, naturally, but I don't think that's a fair way of looking at any kind of loggings. This method enabled me to catch a lot of stations I would have otherwise missed, including many unusual and valued personal firsts.

In four years of DXing on an empty band here on the east coast, not once have I been aware of any double-hop Es reception. I find this very unusual. Not that I expect to have double hop on tap, I certainly don't. You are either lucky or unlucky with sporadic E. It's a relatively high-angle propagation mode and so your height above sea level is not too important. I have been fortunate enough to receive a few tropo extensions to Es out into the near Atlantic, with the Azores, Madeira, the Canaries and Western Sahara coming through, but nothing in the way of double hop to the Middle East, for instance. Not even a sniff of Turkey - one of my DX targets.

So, as I usually do at this time of year, this has been my assessment of the 2014 season. In some ways I am glad the Es haven't been occurring on a daily basis as they virtually did in in 2013. There has been a good deal of frustrating though, not just with the teasing conditions. I missed a couple of the better openings too, as I'm sure we all do, but that's the luck of the draw for you. I can conclude that, for me, the Es this year have been fleeting, teasing, mostly quite weak and bottom-of-the-band, but above all, they are sporadic and that's why we love them!

Good DX all!

John

Friday, 29 August 2014

Skegness Log: 29-08-14 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 87.6 2235 CZE Radio Impuls, Brno/Kojál (JM) 2203 _IMPULS_. Radiotext and AFs. 37dBf  1219km

OIRT Sporadic E:
 68.24 0817 UKR Radio Mariya v Ukraini, Antopil'/RFKRRT, vul. Kyivs'ka, 12 (RI) Jingle ID 
                1803km
 66.53 0818 UKR UR 1 Persha Prog., Antopil'/RFKRRT, vul. Kyivs'ka, 12 (RI) OM, as web 
                1803km
 67.46 0818 UKR UR 2 Radio Promin', Antopil'/RFKRRT, vul. Kyivs'ka, 12 (RI) Phone
                caller, as web  1803km
 69.68 0820 BLR BR Radio Brest, Brest/Rakitnica (BR) Pops, as web  1593km
 70.91 1754 UKR Radio Mariya v Ukraini, Vinnytsya/VFKRRT, vul. Maksymovycha, 23 (VI) OM and
                YL, as web  1992km
 71.75 1755 UKR UR 2 Radio Promin', Lozova/TFKRRT, vul. Pol'ova, 13 (TE) Ad break, as web  1793km
 71.93 1755 UKR UR 3 Radio Kul'tura, Balanivka/VFKRRT (VI) YL, as web  2096km
 73.55 1756 UKR Radio Mariya v Ukraini, Horodok/KHFKRRT, vul. Radyans'ka, 1a (KM) OM and YL,
                as web  1871km **
 73.73 1757 UKR Radio Mariya v Ukraini, Kul'chiyivtsi/KHFKRRT (KM) As others  1907km **
 67.70 1758 UKR UR 1 Persha Prog., Khmel'nyts'kyy/KHFKRRT, prosp. Myru, 43 (KM) OM, as web 
                1887km
 69.35 1759 UKR UR 3 Radio Kul'tura, Vesternychany/OORTPTS, vul. Voroshylova, 115a (OD) Jingle
                ID  2139km **
 69.83 1759 UKR UR 1 Persha Prog., Lozova/TFKRRT, vul. Pol'ova, 13 (TE) Local music, as web 
                1793km
 69.92 1800 UKR UR 1 Persha Prog., Pervomais'k/MFKRRT, Pidgornyans'ke shose, 13 (MY)
                ID and news, as web  2209km **
 70.46 1800 UKR UR 2 Radio Promin', Khmel'nyts'kyy/KHFKRRT, prosp. Myru, 43 (KM) News,
                as web  1887km
 70.76 1801 UKR UR 1 Persha Prog., Kul'chiyivtsi/KHFKRRT (KM) YL news, as web  1907km
 71.69 1801 UKR UR 1 Persha Prog., Vinnytsya/VFKRRT, vul. Maksymovycha, 23 (VI) YL news,
                     as web  1992km
 72.89 1802 UKR UR 2 Radio Promin', Kul'chiyivtsi/KHFKRRT (KM) OM news, as web  1907km
 66.98 1803 UKR UR 1 Persha Prog., Kirovohrad/KFKRRT, vul. Sadova, 88 (KH) YL news, as web 
                2282km
 67.82 1804 UKR Svitle radio Emmanuyil, L'viv/LFKRRT, Vysokyy zamok, 9 (LV) Religious talk,
                over piano music, as web  1674km
 68.48 1818 MDA RFE/RL, Straseni/STRV (ST) Vocal ID  2105km **
 70.31 1820 MDA RFE/RL, Edinet/SRTV (ED) OMs, as other frequency  1966km

Band 2 Sporadic E:
 90.2 1808 MDA Radio Noroc, Nisporeni (NS) Dance music, as web  2083km **
 88.0 1812 POL PR 1, Krosno/Sucha Góra (PK) 3211 __DYNKA_. AFs point to this tx  1530km
 88.6 1812 POL PR 2, Tarnów/Lichwin (MP) 3222  1465km
 87.6 1814 BUL BNR Radio Shumen, Shumen/RRTS Venets (shm) 8236  2220km


** Personal Skegness 'First'

I wonder why we don't have more openings to Moldova on band 2, considering the distance. It's the same as southern Italy or the regular Algerian stations for most of us in the UK, so why the relative absence? Yet another mystery of sporadic E.


Two unidentifieds from this opening:


https://app.box.com/s/8tt95vhgbyciflll56ju
https://app.box.com/s/uc5rdphe0memrlm7suy


Good DX!

John Faulkner, Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receivers:
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical or horizontal, etc.

Skegness Log: 29-08-14 (MW)

 981 2200 CHN CNR1, Multi-tx Chinese time pips Weak
1224 2200 CHN Chinese time signal Vweak
1539 2200 CHN CNR 1, Golmud/SARFT916 (QH) Chinese time signal Vweak  7135 km


Yes, these are mostly time signals I can hear, often the only recognisable things which are able to penetrate through the QRM, but things should improve as the season progresses.

Good DX!

John Faulkner, Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) 1m ASL
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.com

Receiver: Perseus SDR
Antenna:  10ft x 25ft flag at 28 degrees
Software: Perseus v4.1a; Mestor    

Thursday, 28 August 2014

Skegness Log: 28-08-14 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 97.2 0848  S  SR P3, Uddevalla/Herrestad TM (vg) YLs talking, as web. Live listening  922km
 93.3 1106 HRV HRT-HR 1, Beli Manastir (os) C201. Live listening  1552km

Band 2 Aircraft Scatter:
 97.2 0840 DNK DR P3, Rangstrup/Gammel Tøndervej 28 (sdk-sjy) Rock song, as web. Scatter  617km
 93.3 0841 DNK DR P1, Aalborg-Frejlev/Svenstrupvej 25 (njy) Danish OM, as web. Scatter  740km
 95.1 0850 DNK DR P2, Rangstrup/Gammel Tøndervej 28 (sdk-sjy) Opera, as web. Scatter  617km
 91.8 0945 NOR NRK Petre, Bjerkreim/Urdalsnipa (ro) Pops, as web  703km


Very good scatter to the north-east today. Scatter has been well below par for the last two or more weeks. This may well tie in with our recent unseasonal weather. Unseasonal? I mean, how can we have temperatures of freezing point and a ground frost in the middle of summer? It's a joke!

Good DX!

John Faulkner, Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receivers:
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical or horizontal, etc.  

Denmark & Norway via Aircraft Scatter

Nice scatter conditions to Scandinavia this morning and not a hint of tropo. 

97.2 Danmarks Radio 2, Rangstrup, via aircraft scatter at 617 km

91.8 NRK Petre, Bjerkreim, via aircraft scatter at 703 km

Wednesday, 27 August 2014

Skegness Log: 27-08-14 (FM)

Band 2 Auroral:
 87.8 1803 NOR NRK P1, Hovdefjell (aa) YL news then Brian Ferry, Lets Stick Together, as web 
               805km **
 88.0 1824 NOR NRK1, Gulen or Bagn Music, as web **


** Personal Skegness 'First' via this mode

I have removed a couple of Dutch stations, 87.9 Omroep Zeeland and 88.0 NPO2, from this log as I originally thought they were received via aurora. Their signals peaked to the NNW, the same direction as the aurora at the time, and sounded very scratchy. There was a definite distinction in directivity with their signals fading away completely between N and E and then returning to their regular scatter. After some studies I am still not 100% certain that they could just have been received 'off the back', so I have removed them from the log.

Good DX!

John Faulkner, Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receivers:
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical or horizontal, etc.    

Tuesday, 26 August 2014

Skegness Log: 26-08-14 (FM)

Band 2 OIRT:
 67.13 1824 RUS Radio Rossii, Sortavala/RTPS (KR) Russian OMs, as web  2025km

Band 2 Sporadic E:
 90.7 0918 ALG Chaîne 1, Aflou (3) YL, as web  2120km
 87.6 0919 ALG Radio Laghouat, Aflou (3) Presume, as 90.7 Chaine 1 received. Arabic/French OM 
               2120km
 88.6 0926  E  IB3 Ràdio, Es Mercadal/El Toro (BAL-MN) E2A0 IB3RADIO  1492km
 87.9 0928  E  RNE Radio Clásica, Bunyola/Alfabia (BAL-ML) Classical, as web  1503km
 88.4 0930 ALG Chaîne 3, Chréa (9) Presumed. French OM  1872km
 87.8 0950  E  Catalunya Música, Calonge/Mas Nou (CAT-GI) Classical music, as web  1275km
 88.1 0952  E  Los 40 Principales, Rocacorba (CAT-GI) E235 40_PRINC  1245km **
 87.6 1636  I  R101, Cagliari/Palazzo Griffa (ca) 5215 _R_101__  1688km
 88.0 1636  I  Radiolina, Sassari/Monte Oro (ss) Normal Greenbaum song, as 88.2  1513km
 88.2 1639  I  Radiolina, Capoterra/Poggio dei Pini (ca) Vocal ID after pops  1689km
 88.6 1639  I  RDS - Radio Dimensione Suono, Tempio Pausania/Monte Limbara (ot)
               5264 *_RDS_*_  1521km
 88.9 1639  I  RAI Radio1, Tempio Pausania/Monte Limbara (RAI) (ot) 5201 __RAI___ _RADIO1_ 
               1521km
 89.4 1640  I  RTL 102.5, Tempio Pausania/Monte Limbara (ot) 5218 RTL102.5  1521km
 87.5 1642  I  Radio Maria, Sant'Antioco/Località Batteria/Monte Cresia (ci) 51CC R.MARIA_ 
               1684km
 93.3 1642  I  Radio Italia Solo Musica Italiana, Teulada/Su Calcinau (ca) 5220 R_IT__IA  1704km
 91.2 1643  F  Virgin Radio, Saint-Tropez/Saint-Peire (83) F219  1186km
 91.8 1644  F  France Inter, Plan-de-la-Tour (83) Vocal ID  1186km **
 93.0 1645  I  Radio 105 Network, Sinnai/Monte Serpeddi (ca) 5211  1678km
 93.3 1645  I  RAI Radio2, Santu Lussurgiu/Punta Badde Urbara (RAI) (or) 5202 __RAI___  1575km
 89.0 1646  I  Radio Otto Nove Classics, Sinnai/Monte Serpeddi (ca) 58BD OTTONOVE  1678km
 90.7 1646  I  RAI Radio1, Sinnai/Monte Serpeddi (RAI) (ca) 5201 __RAI___  1678km
 95.5 1647  I  Radio Sportiva, Sassari/Monte Oro (ss) 5244  1513km
 97.3 1648  I  RAI Radio3, Santu Lussurgiu/Punta Badde Urbara (RAI) (or) 5203 __RAI___  1575km
 99.6 1648  I  R101, Sassari/Monte Oro (ss) 5215 _R_101__  1513km **
101.3 1649  I  Radio Capital, Sassari/Monte Oro (ss) Vocal ID  1513km
103.6 1649  I  Radio Studio One, Sinnai/Monte Serpeddi (ca) 5495  1678km
104.0 1650  I  Radio Studio 2000, Sinnai/Monte Serpeddi (ca) 5499  1678km
 87.7 1651  I  RDS - Radio Dimensione Suono, Santu Lussurgiu/Punta Badde Urbara
               (or) 5264 *_RDS_*_  1576km
107.3 1651  I  Radio Maria, Sinnai/Monte Serpeddi (ca) 51CC ____RI__  1678km
107.6 1651  I  Radio Maria, Capoterra/Poggio dei Pini (ca) OM, as 107.3  1689km **
 87.9 1652  I  R101, Sant'Antioco/Località Batteria/Monte Cresia (ci) 5215  1684km
 92.2 1655 TUN Radio Zitouna FM, Gorraa (bej) Chanting, as web  1976km
 88.0 1656 TUN Radio Zitouna FM, Djebel Zaghouan (zag) Arabic chanting, as others  2016km
 97.8 1656 TUN Radio Zitouna FM, Maktar/Souk Jomaa (kas) Arabic chanting, as web  2039km
 92.7 1658  I  RAI Radio2, Sinnai/Monte Serpeddi (RAI) (ca) Onda Verde programme  1678km
 87.9 1706 ALG Radio Tébessa, Doukhane (12) Phone in, as web  2071km
 87.7 1752 ALG Radio Chlef, Aïn N'sour (48) Back to back Arabic music, as web  1913km
 88.0 1802  E  Megaparty FM, Benitatxell/Puig Llorença (VAL-A) 1000 _Cheryl_ _Cole___
               Megaparty  1605km
 87.8 1804 ALG Chaîne 1, Mecheria (45) Twangy music, as web  2177km
 89.3 1805  E  RNE Radio Nacional, Benicàssim/El Bartolo (VAL-CS) E211 __E_1___  1453km
 89.2 1807  E  Bay Radio, Dénia/La Segària (VAL-A) Phil Collins track, as web  1594km
 87.9 1858  I  Radio Camaldoli Stereo, Ercolano-Vesuvio/Area Osservatorio (na) 5006  1730km
 88.0 1906  I  Radio Capital, Corbara/Hotel Green Park (sa) 5219  1749km
 88.4 1907  I  Radio Globo, Ercolano-Vesuvio/Area Osservatorio (na) 5E29 _GLOBO__  1730km


** Personal Skegness 'First'

Another nice late season opening. It was a bit messy at times with long gaps of nothing, but with lots of little teasers, typical of so many Es openings this summer.

Good DX!

John Faulkner, Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receivers:
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical or horizontal, etc.

Skegness Log: 26-08-14 (FM)

OIRT Sporadic E:
 67.13 1824 RUS Radio Rossii, Sortavala/RTPS (KR) Russian OMs, as web  2025km

Band 2 Sporadic E:
 90.7 0918 ALG Chaîne 1, Aflou (3) YL, as web  2120km
 87.6 0919 ALG Radio Laghouat, Aflou (3) Presume, as 90.7 Chaine 1 received. Arabic/French OM 
               2120km
 88.6 0926  E  IB3 Ràdio, Es Mercadal/El Toro (BAL-MN) E2A0 IB3RADIO  1492km
 87.9 0928  E  RNE Radio Clásica, Bunyola/Alfabia (BAL-ML) Classical, as web  1503km
 88.4 0930 ALG Chaîne 3, Chréa (9) Presumed. French OM  1872km
 87.8 0950  E  Catalunya Música, Calonge/Mas Nou (CAT-GI) Classical music, as web  1275km
 88.1 0952  E  Los 40 Principales, Rocacorba (CAT-GI) E235 40_PRINC  1245km **
 87.6 1636  I  R101, Cagliari/Palazzo Griffa (ca) 5215 _R_101__  1688km
 88.0 1636  I  Radiolina, Sassari/Monte Oro (ss) Normal Greenbaum song, as 88.2  1513km
 88.2 1639  I  Radiolina, Capoterra/Poggio dei Pini (ca) Vocal ID after pops  1689km
 88.6 1639  I  RDS - Radio Dimensione Suono, Tempio Pausania/Monte Limbara (ot)
               5264 *_RDS_*_  1521km
 88.9 1639  I  RAI Radio1, Tempio Pausania/Monte Limbara (RAI) (ot) 5201 __RAI___ _RADIO1_ 
               1521km
 89.4 1640  I  RTL 102.5, Tempio Pausania/Monte Limbara (ot) 5218 RTL102.5  1521km
 87.5 1642  I  Radio Maria, Sant'Antioco/Località Batteria/Monte Cresia (ci) 51CC R.MARIA_  1684km
 93.3 1642  I  Radio Italia Solo Musica Italiana, Teulada/Su Calcinau (ca) 5220 R_IT__IA 
               1704km
 91.2 1643  F  Virgin Radio, Saint-Tropez/Saint-Peire (83) F219  1186km
 91.8 1644  F  France Inter, Plan-de-la-Tour (83) Vocal ID  1186km **
 93.0 1645  I  Radio 105 Network, Sinnai/Monte Serpeddi (ca) 5211  1678km
 93.3 1645  I  RAI Radio2, Santu Lussurgiu/Punta Badde Urbara (RAI) (or) 5202 __RAI___  1575km
 89.0 1646  I  Radio Otto Nove Classics, Sinnai/Monte Serpeddi (ca) 58BD OTTONOVE  1678km
 90.7 1646  I  RAI Radio1, Sinnai/Monte Serpeddi (RAI) (ca) 5201 __RAI___  1678km
 95.5 1647  I  Radio Sportiva, Sassari/Monte Oro (ss) 5244  1513km
 97.3 1648  I  RAI Radio3, Santu Lussurgiu/Punta Badde Urbara (RAI) (or) 5203 __RAI___  1575km
 99.6 1648  I  R101, Sassari/Monte Oro (ss) 5215 _R_101__  1513km **
101.3 1649  I  Radio Capital, Sassari/Monte Oro (ss) Vocal ID  1513km
103.6 1649  I  Radio Studio One, Sinnai/Monte Serpeddi (ca) 5495  1678km
104.0 1650  I  Radio Studio 2000, Sinnai/Monte Serpeddi (ca) 5499  1678km
 87.7 1651  I  RDS - Radio Dimensione Suono, Santu Lussurgiu/Punta Badde Urbara
               (or) 5264 *_RDS_*_  1576km
107.3 1651  I  Radio Maria, Sinnai/Monte Serpeddi (ca) 51CC ____RI__  1678km
107.6 1651  I  Radio Maria, Capoterra/Poggio dei Pini (ca) OM, as 107.3  1689km **
 87.9 1652  I  R101, Sant'Antioco/Località Batteria/Monte Cresia (ci) 5215  1684km
 92.2 1655 TUN Radio Zitouna FM, Gorraa (bej) Chanting, as web  1976km
 88.0 1656 TUN Radio Zitouna FM, Djebel Zaghouan (zag) Arabic chanting, as others  2016km
 97.8 1656 TUN Radio Zitouna FM, Maktar/Souk Jomaa (kas) Arabic chanting, as web  2039km
 92.7 1658  I  RAI Radio2, Sinnai/Monte Serpeddi (RAI) (ca) Onda Verde programme  1678km
 87.9 1706 ALG Radio Tébessa, Doukhane (12) Phone in, as web  2071km
 87.7 1752 ALG Radio Chlef, Aïn N'sour (48) Back to back Arabic music, as web  1913km
 88.0 1802  E  Megaparty FM, Benitatxell/Puig Llorença (VAL-A) 1000 _Cheryl_ _Cole___
               Megaparty  1605km
 87.8 1804 ALG Chaîne 1, Mecheria (45) Twangy music, as web  2177km
 89.3 1805  E  RNE Radio Nacional, Benicàssim/El Bartolo (VAL-CS) E211 __E_1___  1453km
 89.2 1807  E  Bay Radio, Dénia/La Segària (VAL-A) Phil Collins track, as web  1594km
 87.9 1858  I  Radio Camaldoli Stereo, Ercolano-Vesuvio/Area Osservatorio (na) 5006  1730km
 88.0 1906  I  Radio Capital, Corbara/Hotel Green Park (sa) 5219  1749km
 88.4 1907  I  Radio Globo, Ercolano-Vesuvio/Area Osservatorio (na) 5E29 _GLOBO__  1730km


** Personal Skegness 'First'

Continuing our bizarre Es season. It's been better at either end and mostly rubbish in the middle. Nothing makes sense anymore!

Good DX!

John Faulkner, Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receivers:
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical or horizontal, etc.  

Skegness Log: 26-08-14 (MW)

1098 1900 CHN CNR 11, Golmud/SARFT916 (QH) Time pips and Beijing ID Weak  7136 km
1566 1900 KOR HLAZ FEBC, Jeju=Cheju (jej) Time signal and anthem Weak     9067 km
 972 2000 KOR HLCA KBS Hanminjok Bangsong 1, Dangjin (ccg) Korean time signal behind Germany
              Weak  8740 km
1134 2000 KOR HLKC KBS 3 Radio, Hwaseong (gye) Korean time signal Vweak  8724 km
1350 2000  J  JOER RCC Chugoku Hoso, Etajima/Okimi (chg-hir) Familiar time signal, as 1413
              Vweak  9252 km
1413 2000  J  JOIF KBC-Kyushu Asahi Hoso, Fukuoka (kyu-fuk) Familiar time signal Vweak  9225 km
1557 2000 TWN RTI iLoveMusic 1557/Radio Taiwan Int., Kouhu (YL) Time signal Weak  9715 km


Really surprised to hear Japan so earlyin the season. Hopefully it's a good sign.

Yes, these are mostly time signals I can hear, often the only recognisable things which are able to penetrate through the QRM, but things should improve as the season progresses.

Good DX!

John Faulkner, Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) 1m ASL
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.com

Receiver: Perseus SDR
Antenna:  10ft x 25ft flag at 28 degrees
Software: Perseus v4.1a; Mestor  

Monday, 25 August 2014

Skegness Log: 25-08-14 (MW)

 738 2200 CHN Xinjiang RGD 738 Zonghe, Ürümqi/Hutubi-XJTS631 (XJ) Presumed with Chinese time
              signal Vweak  6042 km
1359 2200 CHN Chinese time signal Vweak


Yes, these are mostly time signals I can hear, often the only recognisable things which are able to penetrate through the QRM, but things should improve as the season progresses.

Good DX!

John Faulkner, Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) 1m ASL
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.com

Receiver: Perseus SDR
Antenna:  10ft x 25ft flag at 28 degrees
Software: Perseus v4.1a; Mestor

Sunday, 24 August 2014

Back To Medium Wave DXing!

Around this time of year I turn some of my radio attentions towards the medium wave band, though I have never started quite this early. Usually it's mid September or even October when I get around to constructing my flag antenna. I just fancied trying things a little earlier this year as we are in a new property and I wanted to know if the band was quiet here. Walking around the garden, listening to a portable radio, my Degen DE1103, showed that the band is very quiet indeed. Will a flag be equally as quiet though?

This season I was thinking about running two flag antennas. One for the North American continent and one for the far east. One corner of the garden seemed perfect for these flags and it was my plan to devise some system where I can have a movable flag. Two pairs of supports could be fixed along two fences which would allow me to lift the flag out of one set and into another. That was the plan.

Nervously, I began to construct the supports for the flag and fixed them to the fence. "Nervous"? Yes, very. It's because I have had so many problems with neighbours in the past that I have become really conscious of my hobby and everything about it when it comes to almost any aspect hobby that I begin to look over my shoulders to see who might be watching. Accounts of my many problems on this matter are documented elsewhere in this blog.

Back to the construction. As I fixed the supports for the North American flag to the fence I spotted something I had missed. A telephone wire, coming down from a telegraph pole outside the front of a neighbouring property and into the roof, was going to be right in the way of the North American flag. This flag would be ten feet high off the ground and would actually touch the cable, running parallel with it for a couple of metres. Would this telephone cable cause any interference? I placed my DE1103 near the wire and listened with disappointment as the radio gave out a horrible growl, right across the whole of medium wave. Bang goes the North American flag!

Undeterred, I proceeded with the construction of the far east flag, which would be about four or five metres away from the telephone cable. I had this up and running in no time and went to the shack to make the final connections. Switching on the Perseus revealed a superbly quiet medium wave band. Long wave was also fabulously electrically quiet. There was no need to insert my ferrite chokes as I was forced to at the previous address due to the excessive electrical noise I experienced there.

Time for a quick tune around the medium wave band. I adjusted the variable resistor to get a null on 1026 kHz, the frequency of BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. This transmitter is roughly on the back end of the flag's 'beam' and I managed to eliminate it completely, leaving what I presumed to be Tabriz, Iran, completely dominating the frequency. 1521 had a clear signal from CRI, Urumqi, China. This was actually producing a stronger signal than was my local station, BBC Radio Lincolnshire on 1368!

So far so good. Fingers crossed now that conditions pick up and give us all some good medium wave DX.

Friday, 22 August 2014

Skegness Log: 22-08-14 (FM)

Band 2 Sporadic E:
 87.7 1156 SRB Radio Novi Sad 1, Novi Sad/Iriski Venac (Voj) D2F3 RTV_RNS1  1668km
 88.6 1156 HNG Lánchíd Rádió, Siklós (Bar) B99F LANCHID_  1523km
 90.0 1157 SRB Radio Marija, Novi Sad (Voj) 61CC R.MARIJA  1659km
 90.2 1157 HNG MR 1 Kossuth Rádió, Nagykanizsa/Újudvar (Zal) B203 KOSSUTH_  1398km
 90.6 1158 AUT Ö1, Rechnitz/Hirschenstein (bur) A201 __OE_1__  1307km
 91.6 1158 SRB Fokus Radio, Smederevo (Srb) D288 FOKUS___  1768km
 92.2 1158 SRB Radio 021, Novi Sad/Petrovaradin (Voj) D084  1662km
 92.5 1158 SRB Radio B92, Beograd/Torlak (Srb) D25C __B_92__  1739km
 93.4 1159 SRB Radio Boom 93, Pozarevac/Cacalica (Srb) 606F BO___9__ Jingle ID  1788km
 94.3 1200 HNG Ozone FM, Baja / Gabonatároló (grain silo) (BaK) B355 OZONE_FM. Jingle ID 
               1540km
 95.2 1201 SRB Radio AS FM, Backa Topola (Voj) D3AF _AS_FM__  1608km **
 95.8 1201 SRB Radio AS FM, Novi Sad (Voj) YL news over music, as 95.2  1659km **
 97.8 1201 SRB Radio Trend, Backa Topola (Voj) D0EE trend___  1608km **
 87.9 1202 AUT Hitradio Ö3, Rechnitz/Hirschenstein (bur) A203 __OE_3__  1307km
 88.4 1204 HNG Nyugat Rádió, Szombathely / T-Com tower (Vas) Jingle ID  1329km
 88.5 1205 SRB Radio AS FM, Vrbas (Voj) D3AF _AS_FM__  1625km
 89.4 1205 HNG MR 2 Petöfi Rádió, Csávoly (BaK) B201 _PETOFI_  1551km
 87.6 1208 MNE Antena M, Podgorica/Sjenica (PG) 30FE ANTENA_M  1841km
 88.6 1209 MNE Radio D, Podgorica/Sjenica (PG) D450  1841km
 88.9 1209 SRB Radio Beograd 1, Subotica/Crveno Selo (Voj) D2FF RTS_BG_1  1591km
 91.3 1210 ROU Pro FM, Timisoara/Urseni (TM) E059 PRO_FM__  1715km

 92.6 1212 GRC Akroama FM 92.6, Alexandreia/Meliki (Agathia) (cmc-ima) Pops. Thanks Thanos
               Stauroupoli for help  2176km **

 87.6 1218 GRC Laikos 87.6, Thessaloniki/Hortiatis (cmc-tsk) 00A8 CHALKI__ __8_7_6_  2208km
 88.0 1218 GRC NERIT 1 proto programma, Thessaloniki/Hortiatis (cmc-tsk) 1201  2208km
 89.0 1221 GRC 89 Rainbow, Thessaloniki/Hortiatis (cmc-tsk) 102A  2208km

 89.4 1222 GRC ARENA 89,4, Thessaloniki/Hortiatis (cmc-tsk) Greek phone in. Thanks Thanos
               Stauroupoli for help  2208km
 **
 90.2 1227 SRB Radio K4 Shqip, Goles (Kos) US accented OM ID - "The No Boundaries Station,
               Radio K4"  1927km **

 90.4 1227 GRC 904 Aristera sta FM, Thessaloniki/Hortiatis (cmc-tsk) Greek YL. Thanks Thanos
               Stauroupoli for help  2208km
 **
 90.5 1228 MKD Makedonsko Radio 2 (Vtora prog.), Stip/Turtel (EA) Jingle ID  2071km
 91.6 1229 GRC Diva Radio, Kozani/Metaxas (wmc-koz) Soft Greek music. Thanks Thanos
               Stauroupoli for help  2187km
 **
 93.3 1229 MKD Makedonsko Radio 1 - Radio Skopje, Stip/Turtel (EA) 4201  2071km
 91.1 1230 CZE CRo Radiozurnál, Ceské Budejovice/Klet - CRa (JC) 232F  1084km
 87.6 1233 SRB Bum Radio, Kraljevo (Srb) 8000 *B___M__  1821km
 87.6 1235 BUL BNR Horizont, Lom/RRS Lom (mnt) 8210 __BNR___ HORIZONT  1969km
 87.5 1239 SRB Fokus Radio, Sabac/Cer (Srb) D288 FOKUS___ RADIO___  1685km
 88.5 1243 ROU Pro FM, Resita/Semenic (CS) E059 PRO_FM__  1801km
 89.1 1244 SRB Radio TDI Central, Cacak (Srb) 3034   1789km
 91.1 1245 HNG Sirius Rádió, Kiskunfélegyháza/toronyház (BaK) B955 _V_G__A_ SUVE__S_
               __VETOS_ __SKOLS_   1563km **
 87.6 1246 HNG MR 1 Kossuth Rádió, Györ /  Szabadhegy (Gyo) B203 KOSSUT__  1368km
 87.9 1246 HNG Európa Rádió, Szeged / Rókus, Telekom tower (Cso) B077_RADIO__  1610km
 88.3 1246 HNG MR 1 Kossuth Rádió, Mezökovácsháza (Bek) OM, as 87.6  1648km **
 89.3 1247 ROU Radio Europa FM, Arad (AR) E299 EUROPAFM  1685km
 90.3 1248 ROU Radio Trinitas, Timisoara (TM) E24D ______AS  1713km
 91.6 1248 HNG Dankó Rádió, Szentes (Cso) B206 _DANKO__  1596km
 92.0 1248 AUT Ö1, Wien 1/Kahlenberg (wie) A201 __OE_1__  1247km
 92.9 1250 AUT Radio Arabella (Wien), Wien 4/Donauturm (wie) AC56 ARAB__LA  1254km **
 93.4 1250 HNG Radio Dabas, Dabas (Pes) B058 DABAS___  1500km
 93.5 1251 SVK Rádio Lumen, Stúrovo/Jesenského 68 (NI) 5343 __ME____  1426km **
 93.6 1251 HNG Gong Rádió, Nagykörös / Water tower (Pes) B996  1537km **
 94.3 1251 HNG MR 1 Kossuth Rádió, Szolnok / Besenyszögi út (JNS) B203 KO____H_  1558km
 94.3 1252 SVK Fun Rádio, Bratislava/Kamzík (BA) 5340 FUNRADIO  1300km
 95.2 1253 ROU Radio Trinitas, Faget (TM) E24D  1762km
 97.5 1253 HNG Mária Rádió, Dabas (Pes) Presumed with typical Maria religious monotony 
               1500km **
 97.9 1254 HNG MR 1 Kossuth Rádió, Karcag (JNS) B203 KOSSUTH_  1597km **
 98.5 1254 ROU Pro FM, Petrosani/Parâng (HD) E059 __,5_F__  1877km
 98.8 1254 HNG MR 2 Petöfi Rádió, Szentes (Cso) B201 ______I_  1596km
101.8 1255 ROU SRR Radio România Actualitati, Sibiu/Paltinis (SB) EE00 RRACTUAL  1890km
102.4 1255 ROU Radio Vocea Sperantei, Ineu (AR) E2F8  1707km
103.7 1256 SVK SRo 4 Rádio_FM, Stúrovo/Modrý vrch (NI) 5202 RADIO_FM  1419km **
 88.1 1257 HNG InfoRádió, Budapest - Nagyvárad tér (Bud) B990. OM info. Budapest in elsewhere 
               1468km **
 88.3 1257 HNG Maria R, Komárom or Cegléd B1CC
 89.5 1257 HNG Music FM, Budapest - Széchenyi-hegy (Bud) B418 MUSIC_FM  1460km
 89.9 1257 HNG Dankó Rádió, Komádi / Heréskert (HaB) B206 Presumed site  1649km **
 91.0 1257 ROU SRR Radio România Actualitati, Bihor/Vârful Curcubata Mare (BH) EE00
               RRACTUAL  1760km
 91.2 1257 SVK SRo 1 Rádio Slovensko, Nitra/Zobor (NI) 5201 _SRO_1__  1356km **
 91.7 1257 SVK SRo 2 Rádio Regina, Stúrovo/Vrch Belá (NI) 5560 REGINA__  1416km
 92.1 1257 SVK Rádio SiTy, Galanta/ul. Matúskovská cesta s silo (TT) Web address given and
               pops  1341km **
 92.4 1258 ROU Pro FM, Sibiu/Paltinis (SB) E059  1890km **
 92.5 1258 HNG Magyar Katolikus Rádió, Esztergom / Aranyhegy I. (KoE) B0AA KATRADIO  1428km **
 92.7 1258 SVK Rádio Expres, Nové Zámky or Zarnovica 521D ESPRES__ **
 93.6 1259 CZE CRo Brno, Hodonín/Babí lom (JM) 2A0F R-BRNO__  1252km **
 96.1 1300 ROU SRR Radio România Cultural, Oradea=Nagyvárad (BH) Vocal ID  1677km
 97.1 1300 HNG MR 1 Kossuth Rádió, Miskolc / Avas (BAZ) B203 KOSSUTH_  1541km
 88.1 1302 ROU SRR Radio România Actualitati, Petrosani/Parâng (HD) EE00  1877km
 88.2 1302 SVK SRo 2 Rádio Regina, Lucenec/Blatný vrch (BB) 5960 __EGINA_  1464km
 89.0 1302 HNG MR 2 Petöfi Rádió, Debrecen / Pallag (HaB) B201 ____OFI_  1626km **
 89.4 1303 ROU Magic FM, Cluj-Napoca (CJ) E210 MAGIC_FM  1798km
 90.7 1303 HNG MR 3 Bartók Rádió, Kékes (Hev) B202 _BARTOK_  1504km
 91.7 1304 ROU RFI Romania, Cluj-Napoca/Feleac (CJ) E22C  1805km
 88.6 1307 SVK SRo 2 Rádio Regina, Rosnava/Dievcenská skala (KE) 5D60  1499km
 89.1 1307 ROU Pro FM, Târgu Mures (MS) E059 PRO_FM__  1877km

 89.0 1310 GRC Radio Drininoupoli, Ioannina/Liggiades (epi-ioa) Commercial break, including
               religious ad. Thanks Thanos Stauroupoli for help  2159km
 **
 89.1 1310 SVK SRo 1 Rádio Slovensko, Stará Lubovna/Kotník (PO) 5201  1472km
 87.6 1322 GRC Radio Stagon, Kalampaka/Koromilia (the-tri) 6000 __STAGON  2198km **

 89.2 1322 GRC Rhythmos FM, Kalampaka/Koromilia (the-tri) Dance pops. Thanks Thanos
               Stauroupoli for help  2198km
 **
 89.0 1325 ALB New Planet Radio 89 FM, Tiranë (Tirana)/Fushë Dajt (tir) 5400  1964km
 88.3 1326 GRC Energy 88.3, Veria/Rahi (cmc-ima) 1083 Energy jingle  2165km
 90.2 1327 GRC Pavlios Logos, Veria/Rahi (cmc-ima) OMs, as web  2165km
 89.1 1330 GRC Kozmos, Kozani/Metaxas (wmc-koz) Kozmos ID. Thanks Thanos Stauroupoli for help
               2187km **

 88.2 1334 ALB Radio 7, Fier (fie) 4D7F  1999km
 88.1 1343 GRC Radio Enigma, Florina/Kleidi (wmc-flo) Greek pops. Thank you Thanos Stauroupoli
               for help  2111km **

 87.9 1348 GRC Kosmos, Patra/Panahaiko (wgr-akh) Presume Patra tx. Kosmos jingle ID. Thanks
               to Janpeter for help  2336km **

 88.5 1349 GRC Iera Mitropoli Patron, Patra (wgr-akh) Choir. Thanks Thanos Stauroupoli
               for help  2332km **

 89.4 1349 GRC Skai Patras, Patra (wgr-akh) Greek OM talk. Thanks Thanos Stauroupoli for help
               2332km **

 88.3 1351 HRV Radio Dalmacija, Dubrovnik/Velika Petka (du) C31E DALMATIA  1756km
 88.1 1356 BIH BH Radio 1, Tuznica (k10) F001  1615km
 89.1 1357 BIH Federalni Radio, Capljina/Crno brdo (hgn) F209 __DIO-__. New PI?  1693km **
 89.5 1357 HRV HRT Radio Dubrovnik, Gruda/Sveti Ilija (du) C315 __DUBROV  1785km
 89.9 1357 MKD Radio Slobodna Makedonija, Ohrid/Gorenicka Cuka (SW) 4223 jan_____ Thanks
               Janpeter van Dijk. for help  2027km 92.5 1359 BIH Federalni Radio, Tuznica (k10)
               F209 RADIO-F.  1615km **
 92.9 1359 ALB Radio Klan, Tiranë (Tirana)/Fushë Dajt (tir) 5E0F KLAN____ 92.9_MHz  1964km
 95.0 1400 ALB Top Albania Radio, Cardhak (kol) Vocal ID  2078km **
 96.4 1401 ALB Radio Spektrum, Tiranë (Tirana)/Fushë Dajt (tir) Vocal IDs in ad break. Presume
               former Radio Real  1964km **
 97.7 1402 ALB Radio 7, Tiranë (Tirana)/Fushë Dajt (tir) 4D7F Radiod-_ __16:0__ POSITIVE 
               1964km **
 99.5 1403 ALB Radio Tirana, Tiranë (Tirana)/Dajt (tir) 5158 ____RE__  1964km

105.1 1404 GRC NERIT Kosmos, Florina & Kastoria/Vitsi (wmc-flo) Reggae music. Thanks Thanos
               Stauroupoli for help  2105km **

105.4 1404 MKD Kanal 77, Ohrid/Gorenicka Cuka (SW) 42C9 __DI*__ French Nostalgie jingle. Thanks
               to Janpeter for help  2027km **

 88.2 1406 HRV HRT Radio Dubrovnik, Rota (Peljesac) (du) C315  1691km
 88.4 1406 MNE Radio Prva, Ulcinj/Mosura (UL) D2DE __VA____. Vocal ID  1877km
 90.5 1407 BIH Kupreski Radio, Listani, Kupres or Travnik F077 KUPRESKI
 90.7 1407 MNE Atlas Radio, Podgorica/Sjenica (PG) D222 _ATLAS__  1841km
 91.0 1407 ALB Radio Tirana, Shkodër/Tarabosh (shk) 5158 __DIO___ Radio Tirane Online ID  1882km
 93.3 1408 BIH Radio Studio N, Ivovik/Borova glava (k10) F493 STUDIO_N  1613km
 89.2 1413 GRC NERIT 1 proto programma, Kavala/Mt Pangaion (emc-kav) Kalispera ... Proto
               Programma ID, as 88.6  2239km
 87.8 1416 BIH BH Radio 1, Capljina/Crno brdo (hgn) Pops, as 88.1  1693km
 91.4 1419 BIH Radio Herceg Bosne, Gornji Vakuf-Uskoplje/Zekina gruda (sbs) F01B RADIO-HB  1629km

 91.6 1420 GRC NERIT 1 proto programma, Parnitha (ERA/NERIT) (att) Greek music. Thanks
               Thanos Stauroupoli for help  2445km **

 92.5 1428 MNE Radio Delfin, Savnik/Krnovska glavica (SN) 620D -DELFIN-  1793km **
 88.6 1434 MNE Radio D, Podgorica/Sjenica (PG) D450  1841km
 88.6 1434 GRC NERIT 1 proto programma, Florina & Kastoria/Vitsi (wmc-flo) Ads, as web  2105km **
 98.1 1436 HRV HRT-HR 2, Celevac (zd) Traffic news in English, as 98.9  1499km **
 98.9 1436 HRV HRT-HR 2, Biokovo/Sveti Jure (st) C202 ____HR_2 Zagreb traffic news in English 
               1643km **
 87.8 1437  I  Radio Maria, Lappano/Timparello (Contrada Chiano) (cs) Choir  1959km **
 88.5 1437  I  RAI Radio1, Unsure which site 5201
 96.5 1437  I  Radio 105 Network, Lappano/Timparello (Contrada Chiano) (cs) 5211 __105___.
               AFs point to this site  1959km **

 90.6 1444 GRC NERIT 3 trito programma, Florina & Kastoria/Vitsi (wmc-flo) YL and Greek music,
               as 88.6. Thank you Thanos Stauroupoli for help  2105km **

 89.4 1449  I  Radio Kiss Kiss, Luzzi/Serra Filetta (cs) Vocal ID  1960km **
 89.5 1449  I  Radio Radicale, Bergamo or Vitulano-Camposauro? 5210 RADIO_*_
 92.2 1450 BUL BNR Hristo Botev, RRTS Botev vrah (pld) 8220 ______EV  2152km
 88.1 1451 SRB Radio Beograd 1, Ovcar (Srb) D2FF RTS_BG_1  1779km
 88.2 1451 BUL BNR Hristo Botev, Belogradcik/RRTS Karneva livada (vdn) Jazz, as 92.2  1950km
 90.4 1452  I  Radio Potenza Centrale, Unlisted site 530B RP__EN__ **
 87.6 1453  I  Radio Potenza Centrale, Rapone or Savoia di Lucania 530B RPZCENTR
 89.9 1454 BIH RTRS Radio Republike Srpske, Udrigovo (srp) F042  1645km
 92.6 1456  I  Radio Studio 5, Unsure which site Vocal ID
 92.8 1501 BIH RTRS Radio Republike Srpske, Trebinje/Leotar (srp) Vocal ID  1763km **

104.0 1504 GRC Kanali 3, Florina/Kleidi (wmc-flo) OM  YL in ads, as web. Thank you Thanos
               Stauroupoli for help  2111km **

 92.1 1506 MNE Radio Crne Gore 1, Bjelasica/Zekova glava 63C1 RCG1____  1830km
 88.3 1507 HRV HRT-HR 1, Vinkovci/Borinci (vu) C201 HRT-HR_1  1590km
 88.0 1513 SRB AFN Balkans, Pristina (Kos) Presume, with AFN ID  1930km **
 92.5 1517 MNE Radio Fatih, Podgorica (PG) 3417 92____Hz  1841km
 92.9 1518 BUL BNR Hristo Botev, Sofia/Kopitoto-KRTTS Vitosa (sfg) 8220  2056km
 87.6 1519 MNE Radio Crne Gore 1, Savnik/Krnovska glavica (SN) Gentle song, as 88.0  1793km
 88.0 1519 MNE Radio Crne Gore 1, Niksic/Tovic-Sudina Glava (NK) 63C1  1795km
 88.1 1526  I  Radio Linea Numero Uno, Pineto/Colle Morino (te) 5588 LINE__n1  1549km **
 89.5 1526  I  RTL 102.5, Casacalenda/Contrada Cerro del Ruccolo (cb) 5218 RTL102.5  1671km

Unidentified/Unlisted:
 89.0 1330 GRC Kosmos, unlisted. Jingle ID
 87.9 1348 GRC Kosmos, unlisted. Jingle ID
 89.9 1357  ?  UNID, ? 4223 jan_____
105.4 1404  ?  Nostalgie, ? 42C9 __DI*__ French Nostalgie jingle
 88.6 1417 BIH UNID, Relay of BH Radio 1 (Does Omladinski Radio X relay BH Radio 1?)
 91.2 1432  ?  UNID, F28A


** Personal Skegness 'First'


My overnight MS recording became corrupted when saving, reducing the file length from 8 hours to just 50 minutes. Nothing could be matched up, other than shared overnight German programming.

On the Es front though, WOW! What a day! The propagation maps looked like something from the middle of summer! Signals lasted a good three hours plus with the Balkan countries dominating most of the time. Slovakia made a good presence at times and the Czech Republic and Austria poked their way through.  Greece and Albania also kept trying to take control and there was one moment were Albanian signals took over across the band. But there was very little RDS and the Greek stations were mostly impossible to trace due to a shortage of web streams. Arabic signals were heard at times and one can only wonder where they were coming from. Double hop from the Middle East? There certainly weren't many Tunisian or Algerian possibilities. Conditions didn't really seem to swing that way anyway. Certainly this was one of the more interesting Es openings of the whole season!


Videos of the above DX:
Sporadic E. 22-08-14 1223 (Austria, Balkans, etc): https://vimeo.com/104180509
Sporadic E. 22-08-14 1443 (Balkans): https://vimeo.com/104180510


Good DX!

John Faulkner, Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receivers:
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical or horizontal, etc.

Thursday, 21 August 2014

Skegness Log: 21-08-14 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 93.0 0043  S  SR P1, Emmaboda/Eriksmåla-Bälshult TM (ka) Overnight running water
               effects  1051km **
 93.0 0207  D  BFBS Radio, Braunschweig/Drachenberg (nds) Presumed with English OM
               talking about "forces world"  712km **
 93.0 0219 POL RMF FM, Katowice/Kosztowy (SL) Pitbull song, as web  1333km **
 93.0 0232  D  MDR 1 Radio Sachsen, Hoyerswerda (sac) Andre van duin  Luv song, as web  967km **


** Personal Skegness 'First'

There was a 90 second long burst at 05:15:13 this morning. A separate (leader?) burst also occurred at 05:15:09. During the longer burst I heard FR David's "Words" and various other bits and pieces, but nothing was in parallel with any of the recorded web audio streams. MS can be so contrasting and challenging sometimes. You can have a really long burst like this and identify nothing, yet a brief snippet of an oldie or an unusual song you recognise can bring forth a result or two.

Good DX!

John Faulkner, Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receivers:
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical or horizontal, etc.

Wednesday, 20 August 2014

Skegness Log: 20-08-14 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 92.9 0109 SVN Slovenija 1, Nanos (po) Slovenian cover of Edwin Collins song, as web  1284km **
 92.9 0132 POL Radio ZET, Gryfice/Trzyglowska (ZP) YL soft rock song, as web  985km **
 92.9 0140 POL RMF FM, Wroclaw/Zórawina (DS) Chris Reas Road To Hell, as web. Part of 18 second
               MS burst.   1164km **
 92.9 0140  D  MDR 1 Radio Sachsen-Anhalt, Eisleben (san) German pop song, as web. In middle of
               18 second burst  781km **
 92.9 0149  G  BBC R4, Unsure which site Frequent bursts. BBC WS "Click" programme, as podcast. Rothesay? **
 92.9 0410 DNK DR P3, Holstebro - Mejrup/Kalsgårdvej 11 (mjy) Modern soul track, as web 
               644km **
 92.9 2141  F  France Musique, Besançon, Chamonix or Montpellier Jazz, as web **

** Personal Skegness 'First'

92.9 used to be a good frequency for meteor scatter when I lived in the North Midlands. It's the first time I have tried it here and there were many, many bursts and pings all night. France Musique was the most frequent burster. I don't know which transmitter was being received as there are three main possibilities. The France Musique stream switched off early overnight so I had to wait until this evening to hear that. Montpellier would be the most likely candidate.

There was an 18 second burst at 0140 in which three stations were identified after matching them to their web streams: RMF FM from Wroclaw; MDR 1 Radio Sachsen Anhalt from Eisleben and Radio Zet from Gryfice. Interesting to note that none of these transmitters were exactly inline with each other as I had expected.

I was surprised how often BBC Radio 4 was heard via MS. Since most of the transmitters are too close, I have to assume that Rothesay looks like a good bet. This was mostly heard with BBC World Service programming and I caught a BBC Radio 4 ID during one burst around 0800.

Many more stations were heard whose streams I didn't record, including a couple of unidentified German language stations. Since these didn't match up with the recorded streams (I recorded all streams from Germany itself) I have to assume they must have been flea powered transmitters from Austria or Switzerland.

I think I'll try 93.0 tonight.

Good DX!

John Faulkner, Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receivers:
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical or horizontal, etc.

Thursday, 14 August 2014

Skegness Log: 14-08-14 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 89.0 1054 CZE Radio Impuls, Ostrava/Hostálkovice (MO) Jingle ID  1287km

Band 2 General Scatter:
100.5 0911  G  Classic FM, Meldrum (SC-ABS) Classic FM programming in brief Belmont
               power cut  501km **
 95.3 1641  D  YOU FM (hr), Hardberg (hes) Pops, as web  712km
107.3 1642  D  hr4, Heidelstein (Rhön) [bay] (hes) Jeanette song, as web  729km

** Personal Skegness 'First' via the respective mode

This is my rather feeble Perseids effort for 14th, plus a few bits of scatter I had, unexpectedly, because scatter conditions are dire at the moment.

My time for DXing the Perseids today was cut short due to 1: Daughter and family visiting (good!). 2: A radio friend visiting, none other than Ian Kelly and family (also good) and 3: Acquiring a lodger, somewhat unexpectedly (not sure at this point!). So it was a busy day and great to see family and radio friends alike.

Yesterday, I also raised the 9.2 to its maximum height, which is about a meter higher than it ever has been here. I had originally lowered this right down this week due to the strong, gusty winds we've had. I didn't get any real chance to try the 9.2 at its new height though as the winds suddenly returned to their strong gusty levels again. Funny that, the pathetic excuse of a met orifice told us yesterday that we would have a ridge of high pressure settling things down over England. Oh, it was going to be dry too! Being used to their gross inaccuracies we just expected the opposite to happen - which it did! Their corrected forecast for today has dumped the high pressure in favour of a low pressure system (they really didn't see this coming? !!!) adding in gusty winds and thundery downpours. Oh what a total surprise I never saw that one coming! (Sorry, another attack on our useless met orifice is long overdue). I actually thought I might have coined the term "met orifice" but it looks like other's got there first. Some interesting reading here folks!

http://www.mtbbritain.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=12876
https://twitter.com/Metorifice
http://mickysmuses.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/uk-met-orificeand-pacific-sea-level.html
http://angryexile.wordpress.com/2010/12/01/talking-through-the-met-orifice/

Oh, here's one I did a while ago:
http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=Met+Orifice

I am beginning to wonder if the met orifice just copy what they read in the daily epxress.

Good DX!

John Faulkner, Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receivers:
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical or horizontal, etc.

Tuesday, 12 August 2014

Skegness Log: 12-08-14 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 88.9 0009 LUX RTL Radio Lëtzebuerg, Dudelange/Ginsterberg (gld) Pops, as web  573km **
 88.9 0014 SRB Radio Beograd 1, Subotica/Crveno Selo (Voj) Local music, as web  1591km **
 88.9 0034  S  SR P1, Skövde/Billingen TM (vg) Running water. Very likely this site. Frequent
               bursts.  1023km **
 88.9 0039  D  Bayern 1, Dillberg (bay) Fairground Attraction, as web  878km ** **
 88.9 0700  G  BBC Radio 2, Oban/Pulpit Hill (SC-AGB) Moira Stewart with the news. Oban
               most likely  519km **
 98.6 1617 SVK Jemné Melódie, Kosice/Dubník (KE) 5354 JEMNE___ with radiotext  AFs  1544km
 87.6 1717 HNG MR 1 Kossuth Rádió, Györ /  Szabadhegy (Gyo) B203. 36dB  1368km
 87.5 1719 POL PR 1, Czestochowa/Wreczyca (SL) 3211 JEDYNKA_  1291km **
 88.8 1928 CZE CRo Sever, Ústí nad Labem/Buková hora (US) Garfunkel - Mrs Robinson song,
               as web  991km **
 93.1 1944  G  BBC Radio Scotland, Meldrum (SC-ABS) YL talking about the Edinburgh Festival,
               suddenly over Belmont  501km **
102.2 2003 POL PR Radio Lublin, Lublin/Piaski (LB) 3900. News  1548km **


** Personal Skegness 'First' via the respective mode

The Perseids seem to be livening up with lots of longer bursts overnight. Focussing on 88.9, Radio Belgrade 1 from Subotica was the most consistent visitor, appearing almost every minute at times. Bayern 1, Dillberg was also regularly heard. Even RTL Letzebuerg appeared frequently via meteor scatter.

There were many other stations received which I couldn't identify. It's not easy to record all the appropriate web streams, but with 30 streams recorded ( just about the maximum number of streams I dare before things get too complicated) it was easy to know which station was which due to the regular activity and web stream checks. As always, I recorded all German streams so as to keep a check on shared overnight programming, and tonight I didn't have one single dropout, very different to yesterday when streams dropped out repetitively. The streams to Switzerland kept failing at the same time, for instance.

In addition to the above log I am sure I heard Radio Maria from Italy on numerous occasions. It's impossible to know which site was coming in of course. I assume Poland's PR1 was one of the regulars but I am usually unable to record Polish streams due to them using the asx format - StreamWriter doesn't like this format.

Come the afternoon, meteor scatter was not only frequent but was also becoming much stronger. This gave me the incentive to attempt to null down local Belmont frequencies as much as I could by tilting the 9.2 into various slanted angles. This only reduced the signals down to a fluctuating 10dBf and 25dBf (XDR-GTK scale), but this was weak enough to allow some of the big Perseid bursts to topple Belmont. Here's an example, demonstrating Lincs FM 102.2 being toppled by Radio Lublin: https://app.box.com/s/zwh0mqdngdplvmygmj28 Lublin was identified by its PI code in this case.

I am still aiming to positively identify meteor activity on all band 2 frequencies. The current total stands at 127 out of a possible 206 frequencies. Whether I will achieve this goal remains to be seen. There is certainly some way to go.

Good DX!

John Faulkner, Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receivers:
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical or horizontal, etc.

Monday, 11 August 2014

Skegness Log: 11-08-14 (FM)

Band 2 Scatter:
 94.6 0804 BEL Radio Maria, Brussel/Albertplein Toren=Bruxelles (bru) Unexpected fade-in for ten
               seconds or so, mixing Brocken. 9.2 in H. Echoey OM, as web. 9.2 lowered at the
               moment due to high winds  378km
102.6 0815  D  NDR 2, Stadthagen/Bückeberge (nds) Jingle ID and OM after pops  606km

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 90.8 0003  D  DasDing (SWR), Stuttgart/Hoher Bopser (bwü) Avicii song, as web  789km **
 90.8 0004  D  Deutschlandradio Kultur, Cottbus Calau (brb) OM news, as web. (Not // other
               Germans). Long burst  935km **
 90.8 0016 ROU SRR Radio Iasi, Câmpulung Moldovenesc/Rarau (SV) Michael Buble song, as web 
               1890km **
 90.8 0021  D  SWR1 Rheinland-Pfalz, Bornberg (rlp) Pops, as web  640km **
 94.6 0805 POL RMF FM, Poznan/Srem (WP) ID and Pink song. Live listening  1127km
 97.8 0816  D  NDR 2, Lingen-Damaschke (nds) Sudden burst while listening to live scatter 
               477km **


** Personal Skegness 'First' via the respective mode

Scatter really struggling this morning due to the current spell of unsettled weather and my 9.2 has been lowered because of high winds.

There has only been a minor appearance of the Perseids though. 90.8 was chosen for my overnight recording where Bornberg was the most persistent burster by some margin. Cottbus was also quite frequent.

Good DX!

John Faulkner, Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receivers:
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical or horizontal, etc.

Sunday, 10 August 2014

Skegness Log: 10-08-14 (FM)

Band 2 Sporadic E:
 87.6 1018 ALG Chaîne 3, Kef El Akhal (25) French OMs. Presumed as web stream not working  1927km
 87.9 1022 ALG Radio Tébessa, Doukhane (12) OMs. Presumed as web stream not working  2071km
 87.6 1033  E  COPE, Badajoz/Cansa Burros (EXT-BA) E2CA __COPE__. Badajoz in radiotext  1683km


Good DX!

John Faulkner, Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receivers:
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical or horizontal, etc.

Saturday, 9 August 2014

Skegness Log: 09-08-10 (FM)

OIRT Meteor Scatter:
 66.02 0832 RUS Radio Rossii, Kaliningrad/RTPTS (KA) YL, as web  1327km **


** Personal Skegness 'First'

My second Kaliningrad station via meteor scatter.

Good DX!

John Faulkner, Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receivers:
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical or horizontal, etc.

Friday, 8 August 2014

Skegness Log: 08-08-14 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 97.4 1900  S  SR P2, Gävle/Skogmur TM (ga) E402. Approximate time as unattended reception 
               1310km **

OIRT Sporadic E:
 67.37 0912 BLR BR Pershy Kanal, Bragin/RTPS (GO) OM and YL, as web  2018km
 69.92 0914 BLR BR Gomel FM, Bragin/RTPS (GO) Pops, as web  2018km
 67.88 0954 UKR UR 1 Persha Prog., Buky/CHFKRRT, vul. Kirova, 67 (CK) OM over classical music,
                as web  2129km
 66.98 0956 UKR UR 1 Persha Prog., Kirovohrad/KFKRRT, vul. Sadova, 88 (KH) OM, as web 
                2282km
 70.46 0958 UKR UR 2 Radio Promin', Khmel'nyts'kyy/KHFKRRT, prosp. Myru, 43 (KM) OM,
                as web  1887km
 70.91 1000 UKR Radio Mariya v Ukraini, Vinnytsya/VFKRRT, vul. Maksymovycha, 23 (VI) Religious
                music, as web  1992km
 68.84 1001 UKR UR 2 Radio Promin', Kirovohrad/KFKRRT, vul. Sadova, 88 (KH) YL talking about
                Ukraine, as web  2282kmx
 71.69 1004 UKR UR 1 Persha Prog., Vinnytsya/VFKRRT, vul. Maksymovycha, 23 (VI) OM, as
                web  1992km
 66.53 1011 UKR UR 1 Persha Prog., Antopil'/RFKRRT, vul. Kyivs'ka, 12 (RI) OM over
                music, as web  1803km
 67.46 1011 UKR UR 2 Radio Promin', Antopil'/RFKRRT, vul. Kyivs'ka, 12 (RI) Phone in,
                as web  1803km
 68.24 1012 UKR Radio Mariya v Ukraini, Antopil'/RFKRRT, vul. Kyivs'ka, 12 (RI) Interviews,
                as web  1803km
 70.64 1015 UKR UR 2 Radio Promin', Cherkasy/CHFKRRT, vul. Pal'okhy, 2 (CK) Pops, as web 
                2223km
 72.20 1017 UKR UR 1 Persha Prog., Cherkasy/CHFKRRT, vul. Pal'okhy, 2 (CK) 2 OMs, as web 
                2223km
 83.76 1018 UKR Pershiy Natsional'niy/Telek. ERA, Cherkasy/CHFKRRT (CK) Presumed
                as other outlets in from this tx  2223km **
 68.51 1022 UKR UR 1 Persha Prog., Kyiv/KFKRRT, vul. Dorogozhyts'ka, 10 (KY) OM,
                as web  2077km
 69.68 1022 UKR Radio Mariya v Ukraini, Kyiv/RaTel, vul. Olegivs'ka, 34b (KY) YL,
                as web  2080km
 71.30 1028 UKR UR 2 Radio Promin', Kyiv/KFKRRT, vul. Dorogozhyts'ka, 10 (KY) Ukraninan
                rap, as others  2077km
 71.90 1029 UKR UR 2 Radio Promin', Andrijivka/ZHFKRRT (ZH) Ukrainian rap, as other  1956km
 72.08 1030 UKR Studiya Maidan, Kyiv/KFKRRT, vul. Dorogozhyts'ka, 10 (KY) Presume with Indie
                music  2077km
 72.68 1031 UKR UR 1 Persha Prog., Andrijivka/ZHFKRRT (ZH) OM, as web. Distorted audio  1956km
 72.86 1031 UKR UR 3 Radio Kul'tura, Kyiv/KFKRRT, vul. Dorogozhyts'ka, 10 (KY) YL,
                as web  2077km
 67.10 1033 BLR BR Kanal Kultura, Pinsk/RTPS Posenichi (BR) Sad song, as web  1729km
 69.68 1034 BLR BR Radio Brest, Brest/Rakitnica (BR) Pops, as web  1593km
 70.91 1035 BLR BR Pershy Kanal, Brest/Rakitnica (BR) Pops, as web  1593km
 71.69 1037 BLR BR Kanal Kultura, Brest/Rakitnica (BR) OM, as web  1593km
 65.93 1534 UKR UR 1 Persha Prog., Shostka/SFKRRT, vul. Korotchenka, 88 (SU) YL, as web  2229km
 66.20 1535 BLR BR Radyjo Stalitsa, Gomel/RTPS Vul. Pushkina 8 (GO) Local music, as web  2049km
 66.44 1536 BLR BR Gomel FM, Smyatanichy/RTPS (GO) POps, as web  1890km
 68.00 1540 BLR BR Kanal Kultura, Smyatanichy/RTPS (GO) YL, as web  1890km
 68.30 1540 BLR BR Kanal Kultura, Bragin/RTPS (GO) YL, as web  2018km
 69.11 1541 BLR BR Radyjo Stalitsa, Bragin/RTPS (GO) Pops, as web  2018km
 70.31 1546 RUS Radio Rossii, Orel/ORTPTS (OL) OM, as web  2370km **
 70.55 1547 RUS Radio Rossii, Unecha/RTPS (BR) OM, as web  2147km
 68.45 1552 BLR BR Gomel FM, Zhlobin/Vul. K.Marksa 1A (GO) French song, as web  1973km
 69.08 1553 BLR BR Radio Brest, Pinsk/RTPS Posenichi (BR) Pops, as web  1729km
 67.19 1557 UKR UR 2 Radio Promin', Chernivtsi/CHFKRRT, vul. Bilets'ka, 6 (CV) Rock song,
                as web  1864km
 68.48 1559 MDA RFE/RL, Straseni/STRV (ST) Radio Svoboda ID  2105km **
 69.26 1600 UKR UR 1 Persha Prog., Chernivtsi/CHFKRRT, vul. Bilets'ka, 6 (CV) Vocal ID
                on the hour  1864km
 69.53 1601 MDA BBC WS/RFE/RL, Ungheni/SRTV Cetireni (UN) As 69.48  2056km **
 66.08 1602 UKR UR 1 Persha Prog., Shepetivka/Ukrtelekom, vul. Titova, 1 (KM) OM interview
                in news, as web  1864km **
 68.60 1603 UKR UR 2 Radio Promin', Krasnohorivka/PFKRRT, vul. Gogolya, 15 (PO) YL news,
                as web  2327km
 71.63 1634 UKR UR 1 Persha Prog., Kryvyj Rih/DFKRRT, vul. Televizijna, 8a (DP) OM,
                as web  2387km **
 69.56 1638 UKR UR 3 Radio Kul'tura, Kryvyj Rih/DFKRRT, vul. Televizijna, 8a (DP) Phone in,
                as web  2387km **
 68.03 1639 UKR UR 3 Radio Kul'tura, Pervomais'k/MFKRRT, Pidgornyans'ke shose, 13 (MY)
                Club music, as web  2209km
 67.70 1643 UKR UR 1 Persha Prog., Khmel'nyts'kyy/KHFKRRT, prosp. Myru, 43 (KM) OM, as web 
                1887km
 70.73 1644 UKR UR 1 Persha Prog., Zaporizhzhya/ZFKRRT, vul. Matrosova, 24 (ZP) OM, as web 
                2506km **
 71.93 1645 UKR UR 3 Radio Kul'tura, Balanivka/VFKRRT (VI) YL, as web  2096km
 69.80 1648 UKR UR 1 Persha Prog., Mykolayiv/Varvarivs'kyj RPTS, vul. Veselynivs'ka, 59 (MY) OM,
                as web  2336km **

Band 2 Sporadic E:
 87.9 1704  E  Canal Extremadura Radio, Mérida/Cerro de San Serván (EXT-BA) E30A Canal_Ex 
               1670km
 87.6 1710 BUL BNR Radio Shumen, Shumen/RRTS Venets (shm) 8236 ___BNR__ _SHUMEN_  2220km
 88.1 1712 ROU Radio Vocea Sperantei, Alexandria (TR) E2F8 _Vocea__ Sperante  2091km **
 87.5 1715 POL PR 1, Czestochowa/Wreczyca (SL) Reklama and ads, as web  1291km
 87.6 1717 HNG MR 1 Kossuth Rádió, Györ /  Szabadhegy (Gyo) B203 KOSSUTH_  1368km
 88.3 1717 HNG MR 1 Kossuth Rádió, Mezökovácsháza (Bek) OM, as 87.6  1648km **
 88.5 1717 ROU Pro FM, Resita/Semenic (CS) E059 PRO_FM__ 88,5_FM_  1801km
 89.4 1717 ROU Radio Europa FM, Târgu Ocna or Giurgiu E299. Jingle ID **
 91.4 1718 ROU SRR Radio România Actualitati, Drobeta-Turnu Severin/Balota (MH) EE00 RRACTUAL 
               1888km
 91.7 1719 HNG Magyar Katolikus Rádió, Kiskörös (BaK) B0AA KATRADIO  1536km
 88.1 1732 BUL BNR Horizont, Plovdiv/RRTS Zdravets (pld) 8210 __BNR___  2193km
 89.1 1736 ROU SRR Radio România Cultural, Baneasa/Dobrogea Sud (CL) EE01 CULTURAL  2237km
 89.6 1736 ROU Radio Reîntregirea, Alba Iulia (AB) E021. Blank carrier  1842km
 88.2 1738 ROU Stil FM, Oltenita (CL) Still Relays Radio Zu. IDs and ad break, as 89.0. Thanks
               W4WDX for help  2164km **

 89.0 1738 ROU Radio ZU, Bucuresti (BU) E2AA _89,0_FM Radio_ZU  2107km
 91.7 1739 ROU National FM, Bucuresti (BU) 9250 National  2107km **
 92.1 1739 ROU Vibe FM, Bucuresti/Turnul BRD (BU) E222  2104km

 88.3 1745 ROU Itsy Bitsy, Tulcea/Topolog (TL) Jingle ID. Thanks Reijo Alapiha for 
help
               2228km **

 90.3 1741 BUL BNR Radio Shumen, Silistra/RRS Medzit tabija (sil) 8236   2202km
 88.1 1754 ROU SRR Radio România Actualitati, Petrosani/Parâng (HD) EE00 RRACTUAL  1877km

 89.8 1756 ROU SRR Radio România Actualitati, Faget (TM) Romanian YL. Thanks W4WDX for help
               1762km

 89.5 1757 ROU SRR Radio România Cultural, Novaci/Vârful Cerbu (GJ) Classical music, as web
               and later with 90.6  1900km **
 90.6 1805 ROU SRR Radio România Cultural, Petrosani/Parâng (HD) EE01 __LTUR__  1877km
 91.2 1805 ROU Magic FM, Târgu Jiu or Brasov E210
 93.6 1806 HNG Gong Rádió, Nagykörös / Water tower (Pes) B996 ____NG__  1537km **

 96.5 1806 HNG Gong Rádió, Kecskemét/Megyeháza (BaK) OM // 93.6. Thanks W4WDX for spotting this
               1541km

 91.8 1810 ROU SRR Radio România Actualitati, Alexandria (TR) OM, as web  2091km
 92.2 1810 BUL BNR Hristo Botev, RRTS Botev vrah (pld) 8220  2152km
 93.4 1811 ROU Radio Europa FM, Alexandria (TR) E299 __RO_FM_  2091km
 93.8 1812 ROU Kiss FM, Draganesti-Olt (OT) 515A  2024km

 94.6 1812 ROU Kiss FM, Slatina (OT) Pops, as 93.8. Thanks W4WDX for help  1996km
 98.0 1812 ROU Kiss FM, Craiova (DJ) 515A  1971km
 99.6 1814 BUL BNR Hristo Botev, Veliko Tarnovo/RPTS Rezonans (vlt) Helen Reddy song, as
               100.2  2171km
100.2 1814 BUL BNR Hristo Botev, Pleven/kv. Druzba-RRTS Pleven (plv) Helen Reddy song, as web 
               2086km
102.7 1816 BUL BNR Horizont, Pleven/kv. Druzba-RRTS Pleven (plv) OM, as web  2086km **
 97.3 1824 HNG MR 1 Kossuth Rádió, Békéscsaba / Almáskertek (Bek) B203 KOSSUTH_  1640km
 95.2 1825 ROU Radio Trinitas, Faget (TM) E24D  1762km
 89.5 1827 HNG Music FM, Budapest - Széchenyi-hegy (Bud) B418  1460km
 95.3 1831 SRB Radio Beograd 1, Beograd/Avala (Srb) D2FF  1740km

 90.2 1834 ROU SRR Radio România Actualitati, Calafat (DJ) OM, as 91.4. Thanks W4WDX for help
               1938km

 91.6 1927 HNG Dankó Rádió, Szentes (Cso) Vocal ID drop-in. Thanks Reijo Alapiha for help
               1596km **


Band 2 Tropospheric:
105.0 0004 HOL Castricum 105, Castricum/De Loet (nho) Full ID after news  299km **
106.7 0006 HOL Achterhoek FM, Lochem/Paasberg (Watertoren) (gel) Olly Murs song, as web  425km **
 87.9 0009 HOL Radio 10, Den Bosch/Bolduc Center (nbr) Oldies, as 87.7 on Smilde fade  375km **
 90.8 0012 HOL Radio Drenthe, Smilde/Alticom Toren (dre) Pops, as web  407km
 97.3 0016 HOL Wild FM, Haarlem/Alticom Toren (nho) POps, as web  304km
104.0 0020 HOL Radio 10, Haarlem/Alticom Toren (nho) Jingle ID. As 103.8, etc.  304km

Unidentified:
 70.01 1026  ?  UNID, ? YL. Not in // anything listed.Sounds like Radio Mariya v Ukraini  


** Personal Skegness 'First' via the respective mode

A surprise today with several Es openings, bringing in some persistent and more distant OIRT transmitters from Ukraine.

The action swung to the south briefly in the early evening with Spain and Portugal popping in and out with weak and choppy signals. Only one Spanish station produced RDS, then the band abruptly swung eastward, bringing Poland, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria! Just when you thought the Es season was over!


Videos:
Sporadic E. 08-08-14 1801 (Spain & Balkans): https://vimeo.com/102970079
Sporadic E. 08-08-14 1835 (Balkans): https://vimeo.com/102970081
Sporadic E. 08-08-14 1854 (Balkans): https://vimeo.com/102970083
Sporadic E. 08-08-14 1927 (Balkans): https://vimeo.com/102970087
Sporadic E. 08-08-14 1932 (Balkans): https://vimeo.com/102970088


Good DX!

John Faulkner, Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receivers:
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical or horizontal, etc.

Thursday, 7 August 2014

Skegness Log: 07-08-14 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 88.7 0001 SVK SRo 3 Rádio Devín, Námestovo/Magurka (ZA) OM, as web. 14 second burst  1394km **
 88.7 0319  D  Bayern 2, Grünten (Allgäu) (bay) Brass band, as web. Not as WDR3 at this time.
               942km **
 88.7 0342  D  MDR 1 Radio Sachsen, Auerbach/Schöneck (sac) Sealed With A Kiss song,
               as web  881km **
 88.7 0342  D  WDR 3, Sackpfeife (Biedenkopf) [hes] (nrw) Woodwind piece, as web  612km **

Band 2 Tropospheric:
 98.0 1832 HOL Radio Decibel, Amsterdam/Alticom Toren (nho) 86F0 DECIBEL_  320km
 93.3 1833 HOL Ujala Radio, Amsterdam/Alticom Toren (nho) 82FF ___LA___  320km
 88.1 1835 HOL Radio 10, Hilversum/Media Park-Alticom (nho) Jingle ID  341km
 93.6 1837 HOL Wild FM, Amsterdam/Alticom Toren (nho) 86EF WILD_FM_  320km
 93.8 1839 HOL Slam!FM, Megen/Alticom Toren (nbr) 82A5 SLAM!FM_  387km
 96.1 1844 HOL FunX, Amsterdam/Alticom Toren (nho) 8083 ____nX__  320km
 97.3 1845 HOL Wild FM, Haarlem/Alticom Toren (nho) Pops, as 93.6  304km
 97.5 1850 HOL Radio Noord, Groningen/Gideonweg (DVB-T Mast) (gro) Eurythmics song, as web 
               419km
 99.6 1852 HOL Slam!FM, Unsure which site 82A5 SLAM____
101.8 1855 HOL BNR Nieuwsradio, Amsterdam/Alticom Toren (nho) OM, as 100.1  320km **
102.2 1857 HOL Radio 538, Smilde/Alticom Toren (dre) OM, as 102.1  102.3. In 20 kHz IF  407km
 94.9 1904 HOL RADIONL, Amsterdam/Alticom Toren (nho) 8421. End of news. Vocal IDs. 34dB.
               Belmont nulled.  320km
 95.7 1906 HOL Fresh FM, Amsterdam/Alticom Toren (nho) 83FB Fr__h___  320km
 95.9 1907 HOL Fresh FM, Alphen aan den Rijn/Alticom Toren (zho) Presumed site. As 95.7  312km
 98.5 1910 HOL Radio Decibel, Utrecht/NH Hotel (utr) Dance track, as 98.0  343km
 98.7 1910 HOL Freez FM, Smilde/Alticom Toren (dre) 8353 FREEZ_FM  407km
 99.1 1911 HOL 100%NL, Unsure which site 83D3 100%_NL_
103.2 1915 HOL Radio Veronica, Smilde/Alticom Toren (dre) Pops, as 103.0. Not a trace of North
               Norfolk Radio!  407km **
103.9 1918 HOL MIX724, Hoorn/Electronweg (nho) Jingle ID  325km
104.4 1919 HOL 100% NL, Hilversum/Media Park-Alticom (nho) Pops, as 90.2  341km
104.4 1921 HOL NPO Radio 1, Goes/Alticom Toren (zee) This and 100% NL, squashed BBC Radio
               Norfolk!  303km
104.8 1922 HOL De Streekradio, Zuidwolde/Nijverheidsweg (dre) Pops, as web  413km **
104.9 1925 HOL Radio Purmerend, Purmerend/Mast Centrum (nho) OM and Wanda Jackson track, as web 
               320km **
105.3 1941 HOL Bo, Noordwijk/Duinroos (zho) Jingle ID (New name for "Nens")  294km **
105.5 1943 HOL Scheldemond FM, Oostburg/Watertoren (zee) Waltz, as web  296km
107.1 1944 HOL Zaan Radio, Koog aan de Zaan/Sportveld (nho) Rock track, as web  310km
107.3 1949 HOL Omroep Zuidplas, Nieuwerkerk aan den Ijssel/Spoorlaan (zho) Church
               service, as web  318km
101.5 1954 HOL Sky Radio, Unsure
               which site. Jingle ID
 97.2 1957 HOL NPO Radio 2, Eys/Alticom Toren (lim) Ads, as 92.6  462km
 95.8 2003 HOL Radio Schiedam, Schiedam/Emmastraat (zho) Jingle ID  308km
 93.4 2006 HOL Radio Rijnmond, Rotterdam/Alticom Toren (Waalhaven) (zho) 841A RIJNMOND
               FM_93.4_  313km
 93.2 2008 HOL Waterstad FM, Jirnsum/Rijksweg (fri) Stevie Wonder track, as web  365km
 92.4 2011 HOL Radio Continu, Hoogezand/Nieuwe Compagnie (gro) Orchestral pops, as web. Presume
               Hoogezand.   429km
 91.6 2012 HOL Radio Veronica, Amsterdam/Alticom Toren (nho) 83E1 VERONICA etc.  320km
 91.0 2014 HOL Omroep Brabant, Roosendaal/Alticom Toren (nbr) Jingle ID  334km
 90.8 2015 HOL Radio Drenthe, Smilde/Alticom Toren (dre) POps, as web  407km
 89.2 2025 HOL Freez FM, Zwolle/Novec Mast (ove) Status Quo, as 98.7  398km
 89.3 2027 HOL 89,3 Radio West, Rotterdam/Alticom Toren (Waalhaven) (zho) 8419  313km
 89.0 2028 HOL 89,3 Radio West, Den Haag/Alticom Toren (zho) Pops, as 89.3  296km
 87.6 2030 HOL WOS Radio, Naaldwijk/Hoge Woerd (zho) Ad break, as web  292km **
 88.3 2032 HOL 100% NL, Wieringermeer/Robbenoordbos (nho) Soft pops, as 90.2  318km
107.4 2035 HOL RTV8, Dronten/Havenkade (fle) Lively YL, as web  368km **
107.1 2036 HOL Radio Schouwen-Duiveland, Zierikzee/Silo Vissersdijk (zee) Summery dance
               track, as web  296km
106.9 2100 HOL Radio Voorne, Hellevoetsluis/Opzoomerlaan (zho) Jingle ID and news after lots of
               back-to-back tracks  297km
 89.8 2106 HOL Amor FM, Den Haag/Alticom Toren (zho) Asian music, as web  296km
 92.4 2109 HOL PuurNL, Westdorpe/Verkavelingsweg (zee) Dutch music and jingle ID  322km **
 93.9 2111 HOL OPEN Rotterdam, Rotterdam/Erasmus Universiteit (zho) Echoey singer, as web 
               315km
104.9 2115 BEL Hit FM, Oostkamp (vlg-wvl) Producing echo against Gent, as web  296km
104.9 2116 BEL Hit FM, Gent/UG Complex Ledeganck (vlg-ovl) Producing echo against Oostkamp,
               as web  330km **
107.2 2126 HOL Midvliet FM, Leidschendam/Dokter van Zeelandstraat (zho) LaBelle Epoque song, as
               web  299km
 88.7 2128 HOL RTV NH, Hilversum/Media Park-Alticom (nho) YL and phone in, as 88.9  341km
 90.3 2131 HOL SubLime FM, Groningen/Stroommast Osloweg (gro) Presume Groningen. As 90.5  418km
 91.8 2132 HOL FunX, Rotterdam/Alticom Toren (Waalhaven) (zho) POps, as web  313km
 94.6 2135 BEL Radio Maria, Brussel/Albertplein Toren=Bruxelles/Place Albert (Tour) (
               bru) Predictable stuff, as web  378km
 96.5 2136 HOL NPO Radio 3, Unsure which site Pops, as 96.8
100.2 2141 BEL Radio FG, Antwerpen/Antwerp Tower (vlg-ant) Bangin beats, as web  352km
101.7 2143 HOL Sky Radio, Unsure which site Pops, as others
103.4 2144  G  The Beach, Lowestoft/Oulton (EN-SFK) C5B6 TheBeach. First time with RDS!
               39db!  119km
104.5 2147 BEL VBRO, Oostende/Residentie De Mast (vlg-wvl) Dutch music and ID  278km
107.3 2159 BEL VBRO, Diksmuide/IJzertoren (vlg-wvl) Vlaamse Schlager Festival ad, ID  292km
107.4 2200 BEL Club FM, Berlare or Antwerpen. Echo on phone caller, indicating two sites
107.9 2202 BEL VBRO, Torhout (vlg-wvl) Jingle after news. ID  297km
105.4 2204 BEL Story FM, Oostende/Europacenter (vlg-wvl) Jingle ID and pops  277km **
105.9 2232 HOL Radio 80, Egmond aan Zee/Hotel Zuiderduin (nho) Sting song and YL singer. Back to
               back music, as web  294km
104.2 2238 HOL RADIONL, Alkmaar/Alticom Mast (nho) Dutch music, as web  304km
 91.5 2242 HOL BNR Nieuwsradio, Eys/Alticom Toren (lim) OM, as 95.3  462km
107.8 2250  G  Future Radio, Norwich/Markham Tower (EN-NFK) CF81 _Future_. 30dB. First time with
               RDS.  84km
 89.5 2354 HOL 100%NL, Alkmaar or Utrecht Pops, as 90.2
 89.9 2355 HOL Haarlem 105 Radio, Haarlem/Alticom Toren (nho) Pops, as web  304km
 90.6 2356 BEL Joe FM, Oud-Turnhout/Watertoren Pidpa (vlg-ant) Champaign song, as web  375km

Band 2 Scatter:
 89.9 1052  D  NDR Kultur, Torfhaus (Harz-West) (nds) YL, dominant over RTL. First time
               via scatter  707km

Unidentified:
 89.4 2300  G  East Anglian pirate? Suspect Style Radio UK from Norwich. Drum & bass. Thanks Matt
               and Nick for suggesting this. I will keep an ear open for this one again.


** Personal Skegness 'First' via the respective mode


* This tropo was sudden and unexpected.
* It was the strongest Dutch tropo I have known since moving here four years ago.
* It wasn't forecast!

Had it not been for the Skywaves alert from Matt in Grimsby I might never have known this was happening, so a BIG thank you Matt.


Videos:
Tropospheric. 07-08-14 1955 (Dutch Tropo): https://vimeo.com/102909303
Tropospheric. 07-08-14 2201 (Dutch Tropo): https://vimeo.com/102909302

These are selected clips of the above tropo. I didn't record all of it as I don't have the time to go through hours of editing, so I kept pausing until necessary. I haven't checked through these recordings so I wouldn't be surprised if I was recording when I thought I was paused, and vice versa, as I was concentrating on the DX more than I was on the recording itself.


Good DX!

John Faulkner, Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receivers:
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical or horizontal, etc.