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[IRCA] FM DXing on Ultralight Radios
Hello John C. and Kevin,
There is indeed some serious interest in FM DXing with Ultralight
radios, but those of us with interest in this "niche hobby within a niche hobby"
have been reluctant to use the medium-wave DX resources of the IRCA and
ultralightdx Yahoo list reflectors to disseminate information and technical
suggestions for promotion of this special activity, surmising that it would not be
suitable for the accepted AM-DXing orientation of these important forums.
In general, the best performing AM-DX pocket radios are also the best
FM-DX performers, with the Eton E100 and Sangean DT-400W both exceptional in
FM sensitivity (the E100 with a whip antenna, and the DT-400W with its
headphone-wire system). Obviously, serious FM DXers are not likely to be satisfied
with these simple antennas for chasing serious DX, and I have experimented
with the inductive coupling of FM 2-element cubical quad antennas to these
simple antennas, with very promising results. Any FM DXers with effective
external antennas can inductively couple these to the Ultralights, and receive a
monstrous boost in signal strength for DX (in some cases, impedance matching
networks can be useful). I have an external FM loop antenna on my 40' tower
pointed north, and almost all the Vancouver and Victoria (BC) FM stations boom
in on the Ultralights, when inductive coupling is used.
If there is sufficient interest in this FM-DX aspect of Ultralight
DXing, I suppose the best option would be to form a distinct group specializing
in the promotion of this activity, rather that to attempt trying to fit it in
to the AM-DXing resources. A separate "ultralightfmdx" Yahoo group might be
an option, assuming there is sufficient interest for such a development. Any
comments or suggestions would be most appreciated.
73, Gary DeBock
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