[IRCA] Caribbean Christian Radio "Superpower 1020" DX Test Results

Caribbean Christian Radio 1020 "Superpower 1020" tested it's
new 20KW GE Transmitter not once, but twice this week! First
test was on Saturday evening, with a follow up test on Monday
night.

The test was a bit early in the day for listeners on the
West Coast, but there was some grayline success in Colorado!
Special thanks to Jerry & the staff at Superpower 1020 for this rare
treat and to Ronald C. Gitschier for helping to coordinate
the tests and handling QSL chores.

CCR 1020 "Superpower 1020" DX Test Results-Saturday, April 16th.
================================================================

Bob Foxworth in Tampa, FL got us started early with his reception
of the test using only a DX-398 and a Radio Shack loop. Les Rayburn
repeated this feat a few minutes later, hearing the test from
a campsite in Alabama, using a YB-400 and a RS loop.

Marc DeLorenzo heard the test from his home in Cape Cod,MA, as
did Bill Harms in Maryland, and Dave Hochfelder in New Jersey.

Wade Smith was able to null KDKA well enough to hear the test
in Chipman, New Brunswick. W. Curt Deegan struggled more with
Radio Reloj, but was able to hear the test easily from his
home in South Florida.

Other DX'ers finding success included Brock Whaley in Lilburn,
Georgia;Bert New in Watkinsville, GA;Paul Smith in Florida;as
did Barry McLarnon, in Ottawa, ON who pulled out the Morse
Code string just before the transmitter left the air.

(We later learned that the Morse Code overdrove the
transmitter a bit, causing it's protection circuits
to shut it down)

R.C. Watts in Kentucky also copied the Morse Code string,
and noted the station leaving the air. Brett Saylor
managed to overcome KDKA from his home in Central, PA
to log both Morse and voice ID's from Superpower 1020.

The Morse Code ID was also critical to the success
of Rick Kunath in Almont, MI, who pulled out
the Morse only near the end.

Not everyone was so lucky, Larry Fravel had nothing but
the super strong KDKA from his home in Shinnston, WV. Neil
Kazaross was unable to pull them out, but had logged
them in the past, while Russ Edmunds in Blue Bell, PA
had a partial reception but not enough for a verification.
He too had heard the station in the past.

Mike Hardester in NC struggled with KDKA and RR in
Cuba without success, and also disappointed was Steve
Francis of Tennessee who waited until late in the test
to try; only to find that CCR had left the air due
to the problem with the Morse Code.

It looks like Saturday's test was heard in nine states
and two providences of Canada! And this was only the
start...

CCR 1020 "Superpower 1020" DX Test Results-Monday, April 18th.
==============================================================

With a large group of us working the test in real time
via the chat on #mwdx, we got started right on time at
a little past the half hour on the East Coast.

Dave Pyatt in Burlington, Ontario reported the tests
success from his home, as did Bob Foxworth from
Tampa Florida. Les Rayburn heard the test easily, this
time from his home QTH in Alabama, using a Drake R8B
and a variety of antennas.

Neil Kazaross was able to null KDKA from his home in
Barrington, IL using a TRF...just enough to copy
bits of the "CCR" Morse Code string. Brett Saylor
was again able to copy the test from Central PA, though
noted them a bit weaker than on Saturday.

Gerry Bishop in Niceville, FL noted the test, and
also observed that it was stronger for him on
Saturday. Conditions had changed, and not for
the better.

Wade Smith in New Brunswick noted the code and
NRC Sweep Tones from the test, as did
Paul LaFreniere in Grand Marais, MN. Others
copying the test included Bob Young in Millbury, MA,
Jim Renfrew in Byron, NY, and Bill Harms in
Maryland. Bill also noted the signal
weaker than on Saturday night due to
conditions.

Ron Gitschier in Palm Coast, FL, was able to
enjoy the fruits of his labor, by logging the
test on his car radio while on a break from
his job at Home Depot. Now that's commitment!

Bruce Winkelman in Tulsa, OK pulled in the
Morse Code ID's using a Drake R8 and his
Quantum Phaser. Russ Edmunds in Blue Bell,
PA was able to hear this one, thanks to
the Morse Code and Sweep tones. Nice catch
in the shadow of KDKA.

The reception of the evening has to go
to Patrick Griffith in Westminster, CO. Near
the end of the test, he caught a VOICE ID
clearly at a distance of 2,360 miles! It
was still twilight at his home.

This feat was then duplicated by
Wayne Heinen, from his home in
Aurora, Colorado! A solid five
minutes of nearly perfect copy
including voice IDs. Grayline
DX at it's best.

Among those who were left waiting were Adam
Myrow in Memphis who could not null KDKA
enough for reception. Glen Hauser in
Enid, OK had trouble from KOKP in
Perry, OK and was unable to pull
out the test.

Saul in Toronto tried without success for the
test on his car radio, but had logged the
station in the past.

Monday night's test was heard in 10 States
and two providences of Canada, despite
slightly poorer conditions. The later
start time accounted for this
increased success.

Our special thanks to the Engineering
staff at "Superpower 1020" for
this amazing late season test. Hopefully
we can talk them into another one in
the fall!

73,

Les Rayburn, N1LF
IRCA-NRC Broadcast Test Coordinator