Re: [IRCA] Was Gray Line Software-- Now SSS DX
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Re: [IRCA] Was Gray Line Software-- Now SSS DX

Jim,
The NRC does still make those reprints available. I've been studying them for the past few days. I was hoping that someone had basically created a software version of those NRC Maps. Even better would be one that would download the FCC license data, and map the stations on the globe. Click on a station, and the software would tell you what time it was supposed to shift to day/night power today. Wishful thinking I suppose.
I wonder if Neil would be willing to scan one of his custom target maps and send it to me?
Follow up question. You mention that "before January 1st" and "after January 1st". But when is the "flip date" for that rule? Right now, it's March 1st---so according to your advice, the beginning of the month is best for catching new stations. But what if it was August 1st?
Most of the reprinted articles and web stuff I can find reference "the good ole days" before stations operated as they do today. All of them mention sign-offs and sign-ons, etc. Remember those? Me too, but trying to make sense of the history lesson only adds to my confusion. 

--
73,


Les Rayburn, N1LF
Maylene, AL
EM63

Member NRC, IRCA, & Medium Wave DX Circle
Former CPC Chairman for NRC/IRCA
Perseus SDR, SDR-IQ,Funcube Pro, Wellbrooke ALA-1530+ loop, LF Engineering Active Whips, 
Quantum Phaser, Kiwa Loop, Palstar MW Pre-Selector






On 2/28/2014 12:38 PM, James Renfrew wrote:
Before JAN 1st, the end of the month is better for sunset DX. After JAN 1st the beginning of the month is best. (Plus the beginning of the month may be a time to catch stations failing to adjust to the new month). The sign-off times or power down times are set at the 15th of each month, so that's what creates the window of opportunity before or after the 15th. Long before software came onto the scene, the NRC had a reprint available with a map of the US and world for each month showing the sign off zones in 15 minutes increments. Some months the lines are nearly north/south and other months they are skewed. In every month there are opportunities. Neil Kazaross has worked out some charts that demonstrate the best months to go after certain western stations, those times when the target station is in the dark for the longest period. Some stations have post-sunset and pre-sunset authority to operate before sunrise and after sunset, usually with much limited power. Some of them, I think, don't bother to power down though. Check the NRC list to see if the chart is still available. One of the most glorious experiences years ago was to sit on 1580 and listen through the afternoon and evening as stations would sign off in turn every 15 minutes. Jim Renfrew
On Fri, Feb 28, 2014 at 12:47 PM, Les Rayburn <les@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:les@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote: 

    Forgive the idiot questions. I'm not new to AM DXing, so can't
    really even use the "newbie" excuse.

    When I asked about software to help with gray line DX, I should
    have been more specific. I'm interested in sunset DX (and to a
    lesser extent sunrise DX). I know that certain times of the year
    result in some AM stations switching to nighttime power levels
    well after my local sunset. Sometimes they can remain at daytime
    power/pattern long enough for them to be logged when it might
    otherwise be impossible.

    I know this occurs more in some months than others.

    What I'm looking for is software that might aid in determining how
    much of an opportunity exists on a given day for these types of
    loggings.

    Does that make more sense? I'm sure that more experienced DX'ers
    can just do this in their heads--but it's hard for me to visualize.
-- 73, 


    Les Rayburn, N1LF
    Maylene, AL
    EM63

    Member NRC, IRCA, & Medium Wave DX Circle
    Former CPC Chairman for NRC/IRCA

    Perseus SDR, SDR-IQ,Funcube Pro, Wellbrooke ALA-1530+ loop, LF
    Engineering Active Whips,
    Quantum Phaser, Kiwa Loop, Palstar MW Pre-Selector



--
73,


Les Rayburn, N1LF
Maylene, AL
EM63

Member NRC, IRCA, & Medium Wave DX Circle
Former CPC Chairman for NRC/IRCA
Perseus SDR, SDR-IQ,Funcube Pro, Wellbrooke ALA-1530+ loop, LF Engineering Active Whips, 
Quantum Phaser, Kiwa Loop, Palstar MW Pre-Selector

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