Re: [IRCA] LA DX to HI

[Gary DeBock <d1028gary@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Mark and All,

Like Craig says, the logistics of setting up large broadband antennas during temporary Hawaii trips will be a major challenge. Most of the major motels forbid large external antennas, and it would probably take a lengthy search to find a private house owner that would allow one. This challenge would be in addition to the hassle of carrying any large poles or other loop components through airports.

The topography of the Big Island pretty much determines which transoceanic DX areas will be favored at any given location, with the west side having enhanced TP and DU-DX, and the east side far better for North and South American DX. The large volcanoes running through the middle of the island greatly reduce transoceanic signals from the opposite directions. Because of this if a DXer wants to be competitive in all directions, he had better be in a location like the southern tip of the island, which has no major obstructions like those described above. Hawaii also has major transoceanic propagation changes from season to season, so a visitor would need to choose a time and location suitable for his DXing goals. 

"Hit and run" DXers with Ultralights and FSL's can sample transoceanic DX almost anywhere on the islands, so although we can't record spectrum we can be pretty competitive on frequencies of choice, especially with the freedom to easily set up on beaches favoring our desired type of transoceanic DX.

Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)

     
> On January 11, 2018 at 6:13 PM "R. Colin Newell" <coffeecanuck@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> 
> I really believe that it comes down to knowledge and confidence.
> 
> I bought a copy of (I think) Communications World in 1973 or 1974 that had a feature on TA DX... hearing Europe from America on medium wave and I went, âwait... what?â
> 
> And then a sample IRCA bulletin in 1974 where I saw someone hear Okinawa on 1178 KHz on the West Coast... granted it was a megawatt...
> 
> I met Nick Hall-Patch because of this same sample IRCA bulletin. âAnother DXER in my town? Ya kidding me!â 
> 
> When I first tuned 1178 VOA Japan in (and I still have the cassette recordings...) I just about peed myself with giddiness. It was one of those magic hobby moments where your mind is blown for all time. 
> 
> Hearing the UK, Germany and Russia on medium wave in 1976 was also one of those moments.
> 
> My point being: you can hear anything, anywhere if you are willing to put in the time with the right knowledge, equipment and timing. 
> 
> Colin Newell - Kona, Hawaii â 
> 
> > On Jan 11, 2018, at 3:17 PM, Pete Taylor <ptdx@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > 
> > We were on the south coast of  Kauai in Sept.-Oct. 1984 and picked up LT2-1230 Rosario (9/29) and LR1-1070 Buenos Aires (10/4) and got veries from both. I donât recall hearing any other Spanish-language stations - but of course that was 34 years agoâ Receiver? I think it was the ICF 2001. I also had a loop. That helped.
> > 
> > Pete Taylor
> > Tacoma, WA
> > 12225w 4719n
> > HQ180 & ICF2010
> > Kiwa aircore & Palomar loops
> > DX398, SRF-59 & M37V
> > Eton E100 + Tecsun PL-300/380
> > ===============================
> > 
> > 
> > 
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