[IRCA] DXing the Western US [ Grandpa, DON'T Tell Me About the Good Ole Days ]

[Les Rayburn <les@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

With apologies to the Judds for their hit song.

My primary interest in AM DXing is logging domestic stations in the 
Western part of the U.S. Probably because i enjoy traveling in that 
scenery, and the people are wonderful. No matter the reason, any station 
with a "K" call is a thrill for me to log.

I started my DXing career in the late 1990's, right about the time that 
Total Recorder software made automated monitoring possible. That fit 
well with my busy lifestyle, so it's continued to dominate my efforts 
since. Not spending much "live" time at the dials, I've never 
appreciated the opportunities for Sunrise and Sunset (SR/SS) DXing to 
it's full extent.

One fond memory is setting at a state park with a portable receiver at 
sunset, waiting for a daytime station in the East to sign off, revealing 
a Nebraska station loud and clear giving farm reports underneath. I 
don't recall the call or the frequency, but it's in my log.

Fast forward to 2015. I'm not eager to add to my totals for Western 
stations. I'd like to ask other DX'er what strategies, equipment, 
antennas, etc they use when looking for new ones out West.

I've asked this question before, and usually receive a lot of stories 
about "how it used to be" before the rules changes, when the clear 
channels dominated, etc. Many articles written about SR and SS DXing 
also either focus on the historical aspect, or assume that everyone 
reading knows how it used to be, and only talk about how bad it is now.

So--while I appreciate the history--I'm more interested in putting new 
ones in the log today. Any DX'ers have suggestions on how best to do 
that now in 2015?

Knowledge is always appreciated. Thanks in advance.


--
73,


Les Rayburn, N1LF
Maylene, AL
EM63

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

Elad FDM-S2 SDR, SDR-IQ,Funcube Pro, Wellbrooke ALA-1530+ loop, Clifton 
Lab Active Whip,
Quantum Phaser, Kiwa Loop, Palstar MW Pre-Selector

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