[IRCA] Western Weekend DX Test Final Report

["Jim Pogue" <KH2AR@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Western Weekend DX Test Final Report

     The long-delayed final report on the three DX Tests aired Dec. 15-17 is
finally ready. My sincere apologies for taking so long to put this together,
but work, family, travel, the holidays and life in general have all
conspired to keep me away from much hobby activity. Hopefully things have
now returned to something close to normal ? whatever THAT is.
     In any case, on to the results.
     Not surprisingly, very few DXers on the eastern side of the Rockies
heard much from these tests. As a matter of fact, it was just plain tough
for some listeners right on the coast to hear them.

     The first test of the weekend was Saturday morning the 15th from
KLAA-830 kHz in Anaheim, Calif. Those definitely hearing the test include
Martin Foltz in Mission Viejo, Calif,; Walt Salmaniw in Victoria, British
Colombia; and Art Peterson in Richmond, Calif., who reports hearing only the
Morse code IDs. Wayne Heinen in Aurora. Colo., reports hearing some
tentative Morse code, Mike Stonebridge in St. Isidore, Alberta, says he had
some ?iffy? sweep tones and possible Morse code. Dave Hascall in
Indianapolis reports a very tentative ID on KLAA Morse code, but a definite
ID on new logging WEEU in Reading, Penn.
     The list of those who tried without success to hear the test include
Frank Aden in Boise, Idaho; Paul LaFreniere in Grand Marais, Minn.; Phil
Bytheway in Seattle; Pete Taylor in Tacoma, Wash., with QRM from KIRO and
CKKY; Patrick Martin in Seaside, Ore.; J.D. Stephens in Hampton Cove, Ala.;
Saul Chernos in Burnt River, Ontario; Jim Gill in Bradenton, Fla., with QRM
from Radio Capital in México City; Marc DeLorenzo in South Dennis, Mass.,
with QRM from WCRN in Worcester; Steve Francis in Alcoa, Tenn.; Les Rayburn
in Birmingham, Ala.; Bill Dvorak in Madison, Wis.; and Nigel Pimblett in
Dunmore, Alberta.

     Sunday morning presented DXers with a real challenge when graveyarder
KQMS-1400 kHz in Redding, Calif., conducted a test. This ?heard? list is
pretty short, but I think most of us agree that any graveyard test heard by
anyone is a good one.
     Those lucky enough to add KQMS to their logs include Martin Foltz in
Mission Viejo, Calif.; Bob Coomler in Cloverdale, Calif., who reports
hearing both Morse code and voice IDs; Walt Salmaniw in Victoria, British
Colombia, who heard only the Morse code; Bruce Portzer in Seattle and Mike
Sanburn in Bellflower, Calif., who also managed to add KENT in Utah to his
log at the same time.
     Quite a few other DXers tried without luck for the test, including
Curtis Sadowski in Paxton, Ill.; Willis Monk in Old Fort, Tenn.; Mike
Stonebridge in Alberta; Barry McLarnon in Ottawa, Ontario; J.D. Stephens in
Alabama and Wayne Heinen in Colorado who reports IBOC QRM from KGNU.
     Tim Hall said he?d planned to try for the test but a changing work
schedule messed him up and he forgot to try for it. Believe me Tim, you
aren?t the first person this sort of thing has happened to!

     Finally, Monday morning brought what looks to be the most widely heard
of the three tests with KEVT-1210 in Sahuarita (Tucson), Arizona. Although
no special tones or Morse code were used, the list of loggings is
impressive. They include: Martin Foltz (3 for 3 for the weekend), Bill Block
in Prescott Valley, Ariz,; Patrick Griffith in Westminster, Colo., who heard
them under KGYN; John Wilkins in Denver; a very tentative from Barry
McLarnon in Ottawa, Ontario; John Sampson in northwest Phoenix who had them
mixing with KGY. Curtis Sadowski in Paxton, Ill., reports lively Mexican
music for a tentative reception; George Sherman in Minnesota; Art Peterson
in Richmond, Calif.; another tentative by Bill Dvorak in Wisconsin with IBOC
QRM from presumed WOAI; Wayne Heinen in Colorado with QRM from KHAT and
KGYN; a very tentative report from Konnie Rychalsky in southwest
Connecticut; Bill Nittler in Belen, New Mexico; another tentative from Saul
Chernos in Burnt River, Ontario; and Glenn Hauser in Enid, Okla.
     I?ve also received postal reports from Curtis McMenamin in Vacaville,
Calif.; Philip Chiello Jr. in Elm Grove, Wis.; and James Wallace in
Charleston, W. Va.
     Perhaps one of the most interesting reports received was from Frank
Schuettig in Bali, Indonesia, who tuned in the test remotely via the DX
Tuner in Tucson.
     The list of those who tried for this one is about the same length as
the other two, and includes largely the same cast of characters. Most of the
QRM appears to have originated with KGYN, IBOC from presumed WOAI, CFYM,
KTBK and WPHT.
     Joe Miller has produced a beautiful QSL card for the test so as soon as
I can get to it I?ll begin sending them out ? including a special one for
Frank in Indonesia. Please give me just a little breathing room as I have
some other BTC tasks that need to take priority over the QSL duties ?
including ensuring that all is in order for the upcoming CFFX test. 
     Thanks for your patience everyone, and I hope DX continues to be good
for you. And by the way, I was 0 for 3 all weekend! Rats.

Jim Pogue
IRCA/NRC Joint Broadcast Test Committee Coordinator
Memphis, TN


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