[IRCA] Cape Perpetua (Oregon Cliff) DXpedition- Top Ten Signals from the South Pacific

[d1028gary@xxxxxxx]

Hello All,
 
Cape Perpetua is Oregon's highest ocean side cliff (at 805 feet), located about 2 miles south of Yachats in Lincoln County. The very bare and exposed Highway 101 turnoff site on this cliff (at the 220' level) recently became the fairly harsh operating venue for the latest "Cliffhanger" DXpedition-- a fanatical 4-day search for South Pacific DX.
 
As usual during these wild trips there was no AC power, running water, street lights or weather protection. Curious stares, loud traffic noise and huge 18-wheelers coming straight at you (before they make their final turn on the curving road) add to the charm of the place. When the enhanced cliff-side DU propagation really kicks in during sunrise enhancement, though, all this is quickly forgotten-- the Cape Perpetua cliff becomes a DXer's dream.
 
Posted below are MP3 recordings links for the ten strongest South Pacific AM-DX signals received during the 4 days-- 6 of which pegged the S/N readout of the Tecsun PL-380 Ultralight radio at the 25 maximum. Twisted and wild ropagation continued throughout the trip, with many bizarre snarls on frequencies across the band. Signals which pegged the PL-380's S/N readout at the time of reception are identified with a double asterisk (**). For those interested, a photo of the Cape Perpetua DXing site, the new 12" FSL antenna, the new-design 7.5" loopstick PL-380 and not-so-new, sleep deprived DXer is posted at http://www.mediafire.com/view/cw5uw5egiwclrqc/CapePerpetuaSetup.jpg 

 
**531-PI  Auckland, New Zealand, 5kW  This Samoan-language station usually was dominant, but almost always had an 
                 unidentified Australian (or the Japanese NHK1 station) along with it. One of the best Kiwi performers during the trip
                 http://www.mediafire.com/listen/ijm9n3o7homwmx2/531-PI-1244z081713PL380.MP3
 
**567  RNZ National  Wellington, New Zealand, 50 kW  This was usually the first DU station to fade in each morning, as well
                as the strongest Kiwi on most days. Plays a variety of music, interviews and national news, // 639, 675, 756 etc.
                http://www.mediafire.com/listen/ul63umrnaz5jiq5/567-RNZ-1259z081713PL380.MP3 
 
**576  2RN  Sydney, Australia, 50 kW  Usually playing a wide variety of exotic music, this RN network powerhouse could
               really blast in when propagation favored it. Parallel to 792, which also was capable of huge signals
               http://www.mediafire.com/listen/qz6x4g6wiit264e/576-2RN-1335z081913PL380.MP3
 
**603  Radio Waatea  Auckland, New Zealand, 5 kW  This Maori-language station was an exceptional performer for its power
               level, and usually the strongest of the early-morning (in NZ) Maori-language network. Although Maori music and speech
               was the norm, it also occasionally played easy listening (or old Motown) music
               http://www.mediafire.com/listen/prxnx4ak011930c/603-R.Waatea-1248z081613PL380.MP3 
 
**639  2HC  Coff's Harbour, Australia, 5 kW  This Australian talkback station managed its best signals ever during this trip, drowning
              out the 2 kW RNZ station most of the time. Occasionally it faced some NHK competition, but it was always the last one on
              the frequency before sunrise enhancement collapsed
              http://www.mediafire.com/listen/t7terv2o7hjtggv/639-2HC-1317z081613PL380.MP3 
 
**657  Southern Star  Wellington, New Zealand, 50 kW  Strong signals on most mornings with Christian music but troubled with
             domestic splatter much of the time. Parallel to 963, it usually was the stronger of the two
             http://www.mediafire.com/listen/qs668qkjk32e67p/657-SouthernStar-1310z081713PL380.MP3
 
684  NZ Rhema  Gisborne, New Zealand, 5 kW  Usually good signals with Christian contemporary music from this Rhema network
             station, and usually stronger than its parallel on 594. This recording features a Rhema network public service
             announcement  http://www.mediafire.com/listen/kznvggqgugsd1p4/684-NZ.Rhema-1348z081813PL380.MP3
 
765  Radio Kahungunu  Napier-Hastings, New Zealand, 2.5 kW  Once again an overachiever for its power level, this Maori language
             broadcaster acted like a Kiwi "big gun" on most mornings. Usually plays Maori music and speech, but occasionally has
             old pop music like this recording. Usually // 603 during these early morning (in NZ) hours
             http://www.mediafire.com/listen/gjenj13yu9qqnfv/765-R.Kahungunu-1303z081613PL380.MP3   
 
**792  4RN  Brisbane, Australia, 25 kW  Another Aussie powerhouse, typically playing exotic music from around the world. Parallel
            to 576-2RN, this was usually the last DU to stick around before sunrise enhancement collapsed
            http://www.mediafire.com/listen/qyhf8hse32pba68/792-4RN-1323z081613PL380.MP3
 
891  5AN  Adelaide, Australia, 50 kW  Aussie LR network powerhouse had very good signals for most of the trip, although not at the
           freakish level observed last year at this cliff site. Parallel to 774 and others, it typically has interviews, news, and occasional 
           music  http://www.mediafire.com/listen/ffalssf6wk1ooho/891-5AN-1328z081613PL380.MP3 

There were many more South Pacific (and Asian TP) stations heard during this wild DXpedition, but these were the 10 strongest ones. A full report on the ocean cliff operating challenges, wacky propagation and DXing thrills will be included in the full DXpedition report. If any of you on the west coast are looking for an exciting new challenge in transoceanic DXing, why not give ocean cliff DXing a try? One session will provide a permanent cure for any hobby boredom.

73 and Good DX,
Gary DeBock  (in Puyallup, WA, USA)

 
             
 
    
                  

















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