[IRCA] Five DXer Session at the Rockwork Cliff

[Gary DeBock <d1028gary@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

     It's safe to say that this morning's ocean cliff transoceanic propagation provided a real thrill for all five of us. Despite the need to dodge the squatters and spread out over three different Highway 101 turnoffs, the exceptional Kiwi propagation reminded us again how unique this wild cliff can be.

     Antenna setup in total darkness right next to total strangers is never boring, and this morning Tom and Chuck needed some reasonable space to set up their broadband loops. When I drove up at 1150 (0450 local time) I noticed that Tom was setting up at Rockwork 4, and Chuck at Rockwork 3 (apparently along with Nick, who was testing out propagation at various places with verticals). By now Craig had become fully accustomed to my vehicle, and he showed up at a perfect time to follow me to Rockwork 6, which had just enough space in between the squatters to set up four large FSL's and PVC bases.

     After enjoying 6 days of thrilling DU-DX on the cliff Craig had become a pretty skillful live DXer and Baby FSL user, and by now he was fully capable of running independently on his own. During the DXpedition he had switched to a new-design, TSA friendly 3.5" FSL with a rubber locking collar to keep all the ferrite rods securely in place-- and he was using it to track down almost as much DU-DX as I was. He alerted me when stations on 531, 585, 936 and 1017 were coming in, and mentioned that this type of DXing was so thrilling that he needed to book a return trip next August right away.

     After the session all 5 DXers got together at Rockwork 4 to discuss the exceptional results.  1 kW Kiwi stations like 936-Chinese Voice were as strong as they've ever been, with Nick mentioning reception of 540-Rhema (a low-powered NZ network). Tom said he had great Kiwi conditions all over the band, so after he and Chuck review their Perseus files this DXpedition could well compete for the all-time Kiwi MW-DX record on the west coast (established here in July of 2014).

     Photos from this morning's session are posted at  https://dreamcrafts.box.com/s/0wxcc0b1cvt3220ir7htdouddcmnngp4  (Craig, Chuck, Tom and Nick at Rockwork 4) and at  https://dreamcrafts.box.com/s/y9j42u9c7pg9ey7e6n7vnmd69dquw522

(Craig and me alongside "FSL Row" at Rockwork 6)


73 and Good DX,

Gary DeBock (in Nehalem, OR for two more days)

   
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