[IRCA] April 2016 Grayland Ultralight DXpedition Report

[d1028gary@xxxxxxxxxxx]

From April 1-4 a collection of Ultralight radios and FSL antennas (both hard-wired and inductively coupled) chased Asian and DU-DX on the flat ocean beach of Grayland, WA. This departure from theÂusual Oregon ocean cliff DXpedition Âarrangement was necessitated by the need to stay relatively close to home during the first week of the month. Although the lack ofÂa splatter-reducing cliff was noticeable during a generous DU opening on April 3 the overall TP-DXing resultsÂwere certainly better than expected for this late-season period, with a nice combination of Asians and DU's. A primary objective of the trip was to test the newÂhard-wired 3" FSL Tecsun PL-380 models in anÂocean beachÂenvironment. and these results were very inspiring, both for Asian and DU reception. 
 
The stand-alone 3" FSL PL-380 models proved that they could offer quite aÂlot of transoceanic DXing fun for their $95 construction cost and compact size, tracking down several second-tier Asian signals at strong levels. Perhaps their best DXÂreception was the "one that got away," however-- a strong TP signal with exotic-sounding music on 1377 that was not // with CNR1 or NHK2. An interesting UnID TP signal on 1566 temporarily dominant over HLAZ was also received on the same morning, as well as the usualÂmid-band CRI stations at strong levels.ÂDuring the regular TP season these tiny little monsters should provide a lot of ocean beach excitement, not to mentionÂtheir potential for some serious portable DXing fun when the solar conditions improve dramatically in a couple of years. 
AÂpotent DU opening on April 3rd resulted in the strongest signal I've ever received from 531-4KZ (nowÂ10 kW, according to its web site), as well as several other vibrant Australians on the 15" FSL antenna and CC Skywave combination. Unlike a typical Rockwork 4 DXpedition the Kiwi signals wereÂfew and far between, though, with onlyÂ531-PI and a presumed 603-Waatea showing up along with the Aussies. 
 
For those interested, the full DXpedition report is posted at the link below. 
http://www.mediafire.com/download/1n7r6fovyta7pqs/April_2016_Grayland.doc  
 
73 and Good DX, 
Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA) 
 
 
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