[IRCA] Rockwork 4 Ultralight DU's for 8-8-- 558-Fiji

[d1028gary@xxxxxxxxxxx]

The four day ocean cliff DXpedition wrapped up this morning in typical fashion, with a combination of enhanced DX and wacky weather. For the first time this summer heavy rain mixed with wind temporarily knocked out the ICF-2010 spotting receiver, a C.Crane Skywave Ultralight and the 17" FSL antenna, but the 15" FSL completely overcame Murphy's Law to finally track down a high-priority target. 

Like yesterday there was light rain and wind during antenna setup at 1130, but this morning the wind slacked off while the rain went on the warpath. The Australian propagation was long gone, being replaced by the ultra-energetic Kiwis that have been the trademark of Rockwork 4 DU propagation this week. 657-Star once again managed a huge signal at 1238, while 765-Kahungunu (2.5 kW) managed a very potent level at 1245. After reception of 1386-Radio Tarana around 1255 heavy rain mixed with wind knocked out the ICF-2010 spotting receiver, though, followed by the the main 17" FSL antenna and its CC Skywave receiver. There was still a 15" FSL recording 531 kHz, however, and in the heavy rain it seemed to still be performing. In the slim hope that it could still track down the high-priority target of 558-Fiji on this last day (for the first time in 11 Rockwork 4 sessions this summer) the frequency was shifted to 558 around 1305, along with that of its relatively dry CC Skywave Ultralight. In the heavy rain nothing happened on 558 for about 5 minutes, but by 1310 I was amazed to hear some Polynesian choral music showing up on the frequency, finally reaching a pretty good level (along with some foreign language speech) at 1313. Since Fiji is the only foreign language DU on 558 I was very surprised at this complete turn of luck after what had been a very challenging session. 558-Fiji was also heard at a fairly potent level here at Rockwork 4 last August 10th, and it was pretty much my final high-priority target during this four day trip. Overall I have been very impressed with the early August DU propagation at this ocean cliff, matching that which Chuck, Tom and I enjoyed during our joint DXpedition one year ago. 

558 Radio Fiji One Suva, Fiji Polynesian choral music and foreign language speech at good level at 1312; all alone on frequency 
https://app.box.com/s/gc978l4rh1pcgl085imqqa95omeh71ot 
More Polynesian choral music at fair to good level at 1317 
https://app.box.com/s/srj6r0hh0m2hp9kt72b9l691svvywryv 

657 Star Wellington/ Tauranga, NZ Christian music at potent level at 1238 
https://app.box.com/s/ypzlz6jo0ucsahvnpmqgmyeypxjj2jao 

765 Radio Kahungunu Strong Maori music from this 2.5 kW Kiwi "big gun" at 1245 
https://app.box.com/s/lio3in3slfs1us1imvbihwmem4mq4gg9 

73 and Good DX, 
Gary DeBock (DXing at the Rockwork 4 ocean cliff near Manzanita, Oregon, USA) 
7.5" loopstick C.Crane Skywave Ultralights (3) + 
17" and 15" FSL antennas 









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