{"id":38936,"date":"2019-08-09T19:35:42","date_gmt":"2019-08-09T23:35:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=38936"},"modified":"2019-08-09T19:35:42","modified_gmt":"2019-08-09T23:35:42","slug":"guest-post-summer-daytime-dxing-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/08\/guest-post-summer-daytime-dxing-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Guest Post: Summer Daytime DXing 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post contributor,\u00a0TomL<\/a>, who shares the following guest post:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Summer Daytime DXing 2019<\/h1>\n

by TomL<\/strong><\/p>\n

I took note of the mediocre band conditions this summer amongst amateur radio operators as they were making off the cuff comments about still being in a solar minimum.\u00a0 Some had gone out and bought upgraded transmitters to solve the problem (MOAR WATTS!). And more power thrown at a weak ionosphere does seem to help get a signal farther.\u00a0 I had not been out since the spring and decided to find out for myself. But instead of more watts, I wanted more height.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Greene Valley Scenic Overlook is open to the public from May through October on weekends only (and only from 11am-6pm).\u00a0 It was the largest land fill (aka, garbage dump) in Illinois, now covered over and producing captured methane gas. On August 3 & 4, I ventured over there to see if its 190 feet above the surroundings might help my radio reception.<\/p>\n

After trying my luck with a 12 foot vertical antenna on a tripod (and numerous children running around it chasing butterflies or looking at the view of Chicago), I went out the next day and parked away from anyone and put up my 19 foot vertical on the roof of the car.\u00a0 This setup is still amazing to me and works much better than the tripod mounted antenna, probably because it has a proper ground plane as well as being 7 foot taller.<\/p>\n

So, yes, the conditions were so-so, not too bad and not too good.\u00a0 Lots of weak signals and some empty frequencies that I had expected to hear some South American stations around the 5 \u2013 10 kw range.\u00a0 Weak stations from Asia were more scratchy sounding than usual even with the extra 190 feet of height. Here are 5 broadcast recordings as a sample (times in UTC):<\/p>\n

9920 kHz at 21.14 \u2013 Radio Thailand in Thai, just catching the end of the broadcast:<\/a><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/04-Aug-2019-16h14m00s-9.92-MHz-R.Thailand-Thai.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

9685 kHz at 21.20 \u2013 Radio Free Asia in Chinese from Kuwait:<\/a><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/04-Aug-2019-16h20m02s-9.685-MHz-RFA-Chinese-Kuwiat.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

9650 kHz at 21.23 \u2013 Radio Guinea in French:<\/a><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/04-Aug-2019-16h23m24s-9.65-MHz-Radio-Guinea-French.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

9445 kHz at 21.30 \u2013 All India Radio in English<\/a> (fighting off computer generated noise on my SDR and cheap Dell laptop) and just getting a station identification:<\/p>\nhttps:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/04-Aug-2019-16h29m56s-9.445-MHz-AIR-English.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

11780 kHz at 21.44 \u2013 Radio Nacional de Amazonia<\/a> booming in with the usual annoying host yelling enthusiastically over every tune he played:<\/p>\nhttps:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/04-Aug-2019-16h44m52s-11.78-MHz-RN-de-Amazonia-Portugese-.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Running out of things to listen to, I wandered over to the 20 meter amateur radio band and found a different situation.\u00a0 Propagation was decent between the Western hemisphere and Europe. Lots of \u201cpile ups\u201d going on with people trying to make contact with their trans-Atlantic counterparts.\u00a0 Some said they were running 500 watts or more, so more power does seem to help! Here are 5 recordings to show how active it was:<\/p>\n

14171 kHz at 21.55 \u2013 Inaki (F5RAG) from southwestern France conversing with Carlos (YV3CRT) in Venezuela<\/a> (surprised anyone is left in Venezuela with operating radio equipment and not sold off for food with the ongoing difficulties there).\u00a0 Then Inaki makes contact with Alejandro (CE2ATS) from Chile with a good signal. All in Spanish:<\/p>\nhttps:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/04-Aug-2019-16h55m09s-14.171-MHz-Inaki.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

14199.38 kHz at 22.04 \u2013 Ervin (VE3GAL) tries his QRP portable setup from Ontario to contact Ron (F4VSM) in Southwestern France<\/a> who has a 500 watt setup and large Yagi antenna. Sometimes things do not go so well but that is the challenge of using low power, maybe around 10 watts (meaning that just because you can hear them, you cannot always transmit to them with the same effectiveness and vice-versa, for various reasons):<\/p>\nhttps:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/04-Aug-2019-17h04m31s-14.199.38-MHzQRPfail.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

14228 kHz at 22.12 – \u201cBAN\u201d (IZ1PNT) from Italy makes contact with Norman (N3PVQ) in FL<\/a> after asking everyone to be quiet. Good control over the frequency:<\/p>\nhttps:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/04-Aug-2019-17h12m44s-14.227.95-MHz-Italy-FL.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

14238 kHz at 22.17 \u2013 Slavko (S57DX) booming in, making a contact (Rob, KK4HEQ) in Florida<\/a>:<\/p>\nhttps:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/04-Aug-2019-17h17m14s-14.238-MHz-Slavko.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

14245 kHz at 22.24 \u2013 Gabrielle from the Czech Republic, participating at a Youth event using station OL88YL contacting Ira (VP2EIH) in the British Virgin Islands<\/a> and then another dude from Florida, Roy (AD4AN).\u00a0 She handled it very well:<\/p>\nhttps:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/04-Aug-2019-17h24m04s-14.245-MHz-Gabrielle.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

This outing was quite educational and I find it curious that people running 1000 watts or less are able to be heard well between continents but the large broadcasters were difficult to hear.\u00a0 Antennas pointed in the right direction, at the right time of day and frequency, can certainly do amazing things, plucking those weak signals out of the air so easily. And I do think the extra height had something to do with hearing this magic, too!<\/p>\n

Happy Listening,<\/p>\n

TomL<\/p>\n

NOTES:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. An easy way to lookup amateur radio operator \u201ccall signs\u201d is to go to web site QRZCQ.com which does not need a login.\u00a0 Some records may be out of date, but most of it is accurate.<\/li>\n
  2. Setup used was a cheap Dell laptop, Windows 10, SDR Console 3.03,\u00a0 connected to the AirSpy HF+, a Palstar amplified preselector, and an old Kiwa BCB filter, then going up to the car roof magnetic balun (a Palomar MLB2) which is then connected to the 4 magnet base and the MFJ 19 foot stainless steel antenna.\u00a0 You can read about it here:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/guest-post-backpack-shack-3-0-part-3\/<\/a><\/p>\n

    \n

    Brilliant report, Tom! It’s true: the bands are fickle, but like you I always find interesting things to hear on HF. I think your setup using your vehicle as the ground plane for the antenna is a fantastic idea. Plus, set up is easy, self-supporting, and you’ll never have to worry about a park ranger, for example, complaining because you have a wire suspended from a tree. And when there are no trees? You’re still golden.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

    Thanks for sharing your experience and DX! Amazing that even with mediocre conditions, you still snagged some distant signals.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

    \n

    Do you enjoy the SWLing Post?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

    Please consider supporting us via\u00a0Patreon<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or our\u00a0Coffee<\/span>\u00a0Fund<\/span><\/a>! <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Your support makes articles like this one possible. Thank you!<\/em><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post contributor,\u00a0TomL, who shares the following guest post: Summer Daytime DXing 2019 by TomL I took note of the mediocre band conditions this summer amongst amateur radio operators as they were making off the cuff comments about still being in a solar minimum.\u00a0 Some had gone out and bought upgraded transmitters to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3607,5935,3194,545,3,43],"tags":[1643,7943,1896,3906,4342,4358,7097,2871,7098,5119],"class_list":["post-38936","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-antennas","category-dx","category-guest-posts","category-ham-radio","category-news","category-shortwave-radio","tag-antennas","tag-backpack-shack","tag-backpacks","tag-field-radios","tag-guest-posts","tag-homebrew","tag-homebrew-whip-antenna","tag-portable-antennas","tag-super-antenna","tag-toml"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-a80","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":31336,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/backpack-shack-2-0-an-update-from-the-field\/","url_meta":{"origin":38936,"position":0},"title":"Backpack Shack 2.0: an update from the field","author":"Thomas","date":"March 25, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post contributor,\u00a0TomL, who shares the following update about his homebrew Backpack Shack 2.0 portable loop antenna: Quick Field update by TomL This is just a quick Field Update for my Backpack Shack 2.0 antenna. It is not the most powerful antenna but in the right location it\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Antennas"","block_context":{"text":"Antennas","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/antennas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/8finalsetup-603x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/8finalsetup-603x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/8finalsetup-603x1024.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":32682,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/guest-post-toms-backpack-shack-3-in-the-field\/","url_meta":{"origin":38936,"position":1},"title":"Guest Post: Tom’s Backpack Shack 3.0","author":"Thomas","date":"June 5, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post contributor,\u00a0TomL, who shares the following guest post: Backpack Shack 3 \u2013 Amplified Whip Antenna by TomL So, having enjoyed using the Ferrite Sleeve Loop I created last year, I have wanted something a little more sensitive and less bulky. \u00a0I will eventually create a much BIGGER\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Antennas"","block_context":{"text":"Antennas","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/antennas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/GHbeach.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":55884,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2023\/02\/loop-on-ground-antenna-part-3-toms-low-noise-low-profile-portable-antenna-evolves\/","url_meta":{"origin":38936,"position":2},"title":"Loop-On-Ground Antenna Part 3: Tom’s low-noise, low-profile, portable antenna evolves","author":"Thomas","date":"February 19, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Loop on Ground Antenna Part 3 (using multiconductor wire) by TomL It dawned on me recently, perhaps due to sloppy thinking or unintended distractions, that I never wrote about my modified Loop on Ground (LoG) receive antenna that I use at parks and such.\u00a0 For over a year now, I\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Antennas"","block_context":{"text":"Antennas","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/antennas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/KBSQSL.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/KBSQSL.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/KBSQSL.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/KBSQSL.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":47496,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/01\/build-an-affordable-but-stealthy-magnet-wire-vertical-loop-antenna-to-mitigate-condo-qrm\/","url_meta":{"origin":38936,"position":3},"title":"Build an affordable (but stealthy) Magnet Wire Vertical Loop antenna to mitigate condo QRM","author":"Thomas","date":"January 28, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor,\u00a0TomL, who shares the following guest post: Magnet Wire Vertical Loop Antenna by TomL For those of you in a noisy condo like me, the environment does not give me many options.\u00a0 I was experimenting with a YouLoop on the wooden porch with somewhat acceptable\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Antennas"","block_context":{"text":"Antennas","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/antennas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/MagnetWireVerticalLoop.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/MagnetWireVerticalLoop.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/MagnetWireVerticalLoop.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/MagnetWireVerticalLoop.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":17892,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/guest-post-jerrys-mediumwave-dxing-powerhouse-mini-fsl-antenna\/","url_meta":{"origin":38936,"position":4},"title":"Guest Post: Jerry’s Mediumwave DXing Powerhouse Mini FSL Antenna","author":"Thomas","date":"March 23, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor,\u00a0Jerry Popiel, for the following guest post: A MW DXing Powerhouse Mini FSL Antenna by\u00a0Jerry Popiel In late February 2016 I completed construction of a modified version of Gary DeBock's excellent 3 inch Mini FSL design (click here to view). This new antenna is nothing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"PowerhouseFSLAntenna-1","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/PowerhouseFSLAntenna-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":32854,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/toms-field-portable-hf-antenna-snags-voks-summit-broadcast\/","url_meta":{"origin":38936,"position":5},"title":"Tom’s field portable HF antenna snags VOK’s summit broadcast","author":"Thomas","date":"June 20, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, TomL, who shares a recording he made of the Voice of Korea on June 14, 2018. This English broadcast focuses on the Singapore summit and is, no doubt, historic in its content. 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