Re: [IRCA] DX Season

[Rick Dau <drummer1965us@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I generally consider the prime MW DX "season" to end on April 30th, although that doesn't mean that there isn't DX to be found after that date.  I've had freak midday receptions of WJR as late as mid-May in years past.

I think a lot of DXers shy away from the MW and LW bands from about May 1st to the end of July simply because it's t-storm season and the amount of lightning static on the band can sometimes be unbearable.   But if you're patient and play your cards right (checking lightningmaps.org before starting a DX session to see how close storms are to your QTH is a good idea), you can sometimes be rewarded with a good catch in the summer that you wouldn't normally hear during the rest of the year.  I've heard it said that the graveyard frequencies are good for summertime DX.  The sunrise & sunset maps will also show you that stations to the Northeast of your location will be good sunrise targets during the summer, as will stations to the Northwest of your location at sunset.  And once you get into late July, when there is more darkness at your location at sunrise and sunset than on July 1st, that can be especially beneficial.  The last few days of July are consistently good here for me to get stations from the Dakotas and Montana at sunset.

73,
Rick Dau
South Omaha, Nebraska EN21af
Http://www.dxworld.com/bcblog.html
________________________________________
From: IRCA <irca-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of Nick Hall-Patch <nhp@xxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, January 2, 2016 11:55:11 AM
To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America; DX @NRC; MNDXC
Subject: Re: [IRCA] DX Season

I tend to agree with Glenn and Kraig in believing DX season to be all
year around; there is usually something to be found.

On the west coast, atmospheric noise levels don't increase markedly
during the summer months, but of course, northerly overseas paths
mostly disappear for a month or two around summer solstice,
compensated for by better reception from New Zealand.

Having said that, I realize that it may be a bit of a flip
answer.  There are two times when overseas DX (my primary interest)
does peak.    Late August through late October usually deliver "more"
and "better" DX for time spent listening compared with other times of year.

Then, the winter doldrums ("winter anomaly", hardly anomalous, as it
happens every year) sets in.   If I went out to the coast tomorrow,
put out an array of Beverages, DKaz, magic flashing lights etc.,
there is a good chance that for my efforts, I'd hear  only Tahiti and
maybe HLAZ, and not well at that.    Things are generally better in a
quiet year in the solar cycle, when TA's can appear, but not
predictably.   But a solid darkness path is no guarantee of good
reception, even during periods of geomagnetic quiet.

Late January through early April can also show a peak, "DX heard for
time spent" increases again, though not usually as much as during the
fall boost.   After that, increasing daylight does limit things until
the end of August, though often not as much as the "winter anomaly" does.

best wishes,

Nick


At 14:28 02-01-16, Mark Durenberger wrote:
>I know...YMMV on this one...but would appreciate some opinions.
>
>About when do we usually expect the end of the MW DX season in Spring?
>
>
>Thanks in advance!
>
>Mark Durenberger
>
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