[IRCA] WAPI-WJOX Test Results

["Les Rayburn" <les@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The "inventory insert" concept, created by former NRC
test coordinator, Fred Vobbe has certainly proven it's worth. 
Our most recent test conducted by Birmingham radio stations
WJOX 690 and WAPI 1070 were heard widely throughout
the US, despite being limited to night time power levels. 

Our thanks again to Fred Giardina and the staff of both
stations for this holiday treat. 
=======================================

The test began promptly on December 27th, with the first
report coming in from Steve Francis of Alcoa, TN who
reported WAPI codes and sweeps. 

Rick Shaftan in New Jersey reported the sweep tones
on WAPI to be "booming in", followed by a successful
reception of WJOX just eight minutes later. Les Rayburn
of Birmingham logged both local stations, mainly to
insure that things worked without a hitch. 

DX'ers John Hunter in Rossville, GA pulled in the test, along
with the first Canadian reception reported by Barry McLarnon
of Ottawa, Ontario. Barry reported WAPI "in like gangbusters". 

WAPI put an "excellent signal" into the home of Tom Jasinski in
Shorewood, IL, and both stations were logged in Central PA by
Brett Saylor on his Drake R8. 

Dave Hochfelder in Highland Park, NJ logged WAPI using an
unattended radio and his computer to do the recording. Bruce
Winkelman logged the test in Tulsa, OK the old fashioned
way using his ears and a Drake R8 with a Quantum Phaser
to null the locals. 

R.C. Watts pulled in "weak CW and sweeptones" from WAPI
in Louisville, KY, adding Kentucky to the list of stations hearing
the test. Texas wasn't going to be left out of the fun, with James
Niven of Moody, TX logging WAPI despite a strong signal from
nearby KFTI. 

Peter Jernakoff logged WAPI from his home in Northern Delaware,
adding a "new one" to the log. And Russ Johnson reported WJOX
"very easy copy" from his home in Lexington, North Carolina. 

Eric Breon caught "pieces of code and sweep tones" from WJOX
in his Middletown, PA shack, and James Wallace pulled in the
sports talk station from his home in West Virginia using only a
Radio Shack AM loop. 

The furthest catch for the test was that of Curtis McMenamin of
Vacaville, California! This is a distance of nearly 2000 miles! His
cassette recording revealed successful reception of both
WAPI and WJOX, proving once and for all that the "inventory
insert" concept has real merit. Great catch Curtis! 

Also logging both stations during the test was Gerry Bishop of
Niceville, FL. John Sgrulletta of Mahopac, NY copied WAPI
despite lots of competition from WINA and CBA. 

And as would be fitting, Fred Vobbe of Lima, Ohio benefited from
his own idea by logging the test successfully using a Yaesu FT-857D
and a low band folded dipole. 

By my count, that means that at least one of the two stations was
logged in at least 15 states and one Canadian providence! Not
bad for one minute worth of audio and night time power!!

Of course, there were DX'ers around the world who tried
for the test without success...among those were 
Wade Smith of New Brunswick, who couldn't
pull out WAPI over the dominant signal of
CBA. 

Martin Foltz in Southern California did combat with two
powerful stations KNX and XETRA, but lost the war. While
Martin Hall, editor of the UK publication, "The Medium
Wave News" couldn't hear anything over dominant 
CBA from his shack in Clashmore, Scotland. 

Pete Taylor used an Sony 2010 and a Kiwa Air Loop
but couldn't find anything in the null of his locals on 1070khz. 
Tacoma, Washington would have been nice DX for this
test. Better luck next time, Pete. 

Also disappointed were Curt Deegan of South Eastern Florida,
Scott Fybush of Rochester, NY, and Shawn Axelrod of Winnipeg. 

It was a rare miss indeed for Patrick Martin of Seaside, Oregon
who usually can pull in a milliwatt signal on that beverage antenna
of his. Also no "joy in Mudville" for Phil Bytheway, Bruce Portzer,
or Saul Chernos. Likewise disappointed with our holiday treat
was Glen Hauser of Enid, OK, who heard the Marine Corp March
(Unid) on 690khz, but no codes and sweep tones. 

SOAPBOX
================================

WAPI signal sounded like full day power!
-Tom Jasinski, Shorewood, IL

Might have easily heard them [on the first night]
if I hadn't fallen asleep! The last time I can remember
looking at the clock it was 0043. 
-John Hunter, Rossville, GA

In like gangbusters here too. CW ID, sweeps, then one
more CW ID. 
-Barry McLarnon, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

This was a great idea for a test, probably not very "invasive" 
from the stations perspective.
-Eric Breon

No sign of the 1070 test in Seattle last night. Just the usual
mix of KNX, CFAX, and electrical noise. 
-Bruce Portzer, Seattle, WA

Alabama is not particularly well heard in the UK - the only MW stations 
I've logged are 1590 WVNA (rare!), 1620 WPHG (not easy, now silent), 
and 1700 WEUV, which is the most common, being heard on several 
occasions each season.
-Martin Hall, Clashmore, Scotland

To those who doubted 60-second tests, "see,
told you so!"
-Fred Vobbe, Lima, Ohio

The sweeps and tones really get out. The tests
have also made me a believer in overnight recording.
-Dave Hochfelder

Pounding in here in NW New Jersey with ESPN Radio,
Sweep tones, code, etc. 
-Rick Shaftan, New Jersey

Again, our sincere thanks to Frank Giardina for running this
test. Don't forget our upcoming test with KAVT 1680khz in
Fresno, CA on January 21st!


73 and Good DX!


Les Rayburn, N1LF
NRC/IRCA Broadcast Test Coordinator
Please call anytime 24/7 if your transmitter
will be off the air for maintenance. 
(205) 253-4867

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