Mount Evelyn DX Report

DX QUICK TIPS March 26, 2020 Reception on the shortwave broadcast bands has been a bit mixed over the past few days. But there were a few interesting observations made across the spectrum. Equipment includes the Yaesu FTDX3000 transceiver and dipoles for 3.5, 7, 10 and 14 MHz. (All times UTC, frequencies in kHz, // = same broadcast running in parallel) Hey, you guys!! No shaking hands - you might catch something! ⭐⭐ 2485   R. Vanuatu - Emten Lagoon. Back on the air at s/on 1000 after having been missing from all its SW outlets for most of the last two weeks. Unfortunately, tonight the signal lasted just one minute before suddenly leaving the air at 1001! But 3945 kHz was strong from 0930 to 1000 before the switch to 2485 kHz. In the recent past, 2485 has been used for the last hour of transmission with s/off at 1100. Seems like there are still problems to work out at the transmitter site. Mar 26. ⭐⭐ 2850   D.P.R.KOREA. KCBS - Pyongyang. S/on 2000 with Korea...

The radio shack today. 40th ANNIVERSARY - VK3BVW 40 years?   Well......where did the time go? I couldn't believe it when, several months ago, I came across my advanced licence class, issued on March 21, 1980. The call sign, VK3BVW, has remained mine from the day of issue. There was no prior use of this call. Over the years, there were probably opportunities to change to a five-character call when they became available, however, I never bothered chasing another call sign. Of course, like many amateur radio operators, my start in radio was as a 14-year-old shortwave listener - interests and activities that I have continued all these years to this day. For me, being a radio listener and an active DXer of the shortwave bands underpins what I also do and an amateur operator. My principal interests in SWL have been to hear, monitor and document new countries, new stations, and new frequencies. I have also spent time researching the characteristics of radio wave propagat...

SWL AND HAM NEWS For the week ending March 7, 2020 Thank you to Ron Howard (CA, USA)  for his latest DX notes: AUSTRALIA. 5055, Radio 4KZ, 1106, March 2. Pop songs (Kim Carnes - "Bette Davis Eyes," etc.); noted 1232:47 s/off, so during the last month, seems to cut off approximately five seconds earlier each day. INDONESIA. 3325 [non-log] off the air March 2, from 1204+. Was able to hear Voice of Indonesia on 4749.95 (via Cimanggis/Jakarta, via the transmitter that was moved from Makassar), at 1206, in Japanese and mixing with CNR1, as well as CODAR QRM. KOREA SOUTH. 3475 // 3905 // 3930 // 4450 // 6520 // 6600, Voice of the People, 1210, March 2 (Monday). All were jammed except for 3475, which was in the clear with a very strong signal. VANUATU. 2485  R. Vanuatu (ex: 5040), March 5 - Radio Vanuatu on 2485 kHz., from 1008 to 1059:46* UT. News, weather ("weather conditions," giving many maximum and minimum temperatures in "Celsius," "o...

DX QUICK TIPS February 22, 2020 Not a week goes by when I don't see people complaining about shortwave reception because of the solar minimum! They tell us that nothing can be heard on the bands. Well, I'm not sure about that! With a good receiver and a decent antenna, there is plenty to listen and explore. During periods when we are at the bottom of the sunspot cycle, the lower frequencies (below 10 MHz) are often enhanced. This is especially so below 6 MHz. For instance, our mediumwave DXing colleagues have been enjoying some great DX below 1600 kHz over the past two years. With less solar activity comes less solar noise, and for readers in the northern hemisphere, you are currently in the peak of the winter DX season. But don't expect to hear some of these signals with a little handheld portable radio and its whip antenna! Remember that whips are, by their very nature, very compromised antennas. They are not going to work effectively on frequencies below 5 MHz...