[NJARC] DX Contest Warmup

[Al Klase]

Gang,

Just thought I'd recount a little experimental listening I 
just did.  This was with my grandfathers 1930 McMillan TRF, 
nothing special 26's, a 27, and 45's in the audio.  It's not 
too sensitive or selective, and has no AVC. It is however 
the first radio to which I remember listening. Antenna is a 
simple outdoor wire.

I found WCBS, nice and strong, a little North of 880 on the 
dial.  Tuned up to the next strong station, CHML 900 in 
Hamilton, Ontario, a foreign country, but not too far away, 
354 miles.  Now I split the difference between WCBS and 
CHML, and waited out the fading.  Sure enough, there was 
WLS, 890, in Chicago, a probable "keeper" in the contest at 
708 miles.

Next I tuned below WCBS.  The French station two channels 
down is CJBL, 860, in Toronto, even a little closer than 
Hamilton.  Once again I split the difference, and waited out 
the fading a minute or two.  Heard sports mumbo jumbo, a 
good sign.  In short order WWL in New Orleans came through 
with an ID from 1128 miles away.

It was getting near to 11PM, so I tuned to the Spanish at 
the bottom of the dial.  The tuning cap was banged up 
against it's stop.  This is Radio Vision Cristiana on South 
Caicos Island, 1309 miles.  They identify "religiously" on 
the hour.  There's even a brief announcement in English.

Al this took only about 15 minutes.  I'm now listening to 
the "adult standards" on "AM 740" CBL in Toronto.  Good 
listening.  They're just South of WSB, 750, in Atlanta, 
another contest keeper.

That's how it's done.

Good hunting,
Al




-- 
Al Klase - N3FRQ
skywaves@bw.webex.net
Flemington, NJ 08822
Web Page:  http://www.webex.net/~skywaves/home.htm