Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, DanH, who shares the following feedback.
Note that he sent this to me about two weeks ago, but my life has been so busy the past few weeks, I’m still catching up on email. Thanks to everyone for understanding!
DanH writes:
We all know how hard it is to get good SW reception without a decent antenna at this point in the 11-year solar cycle. But, the past couple of days have offered good propagation conditions for reception here in Northern California. Here is a video I made this evening during the 8:00 p.m. hour, 10-11-2016 PDT (0300 hour, 10-12-2016 UTC). It isn’t all that bad. Here are five stations in under two minutes (but really, WWV doesn’t count). There is plenty to listen to. Voice of Greece is in the Greek language with great music. The other stations are broadcast in the English language.
Thank you for sharing, Dan! Wow–RNZI is quite a strong catch at your location! It’s so nice when conditions improve and that elusive DX pops out of the niose. At this point in the solar cycle, we just take what we can get!
Only last night, I was amazed with the Voice of Greece here on the east coast. Even as propagation conditions deteriorated, VOG held on at S9 +20db via my Elecraft KX3.
Great video. I’m trying to catch Radio New Zealand via Gray-Line Dxing.
SW listening for Northern California is best during our mornings from 1200-1600 UTC. There is no shortage of stations then with R. Australia booming in and English language BBC relays usually available on multiple frequencies from SE Asia. Unfortunately, this is to early for me to open up a Fosters. Evening listening is more limited but that’s when I have the best chance for European and African stations.
VOG was very strong in Iowa last night too. Quite an enjoyable evening next to the fire pit with a glass of Cab, and Greek music coming through to the whip on my PL680!
I’ve also discovered that red wine and the Voice of Greece make for a perfect pairing!
🙂