[IRCA] DU's on Stock Ultralights-- Once in a Blue Moon

[D1028Gary@xxxxxxx]

Hello Guys,
 
     The discussion of recent DU propagation is very  interesting, but after 
six trips to Grayland recently for the express  purpose of chasing DU's with 
Ultralights (both hot-rodded and stock),   it's certainly clear that typical 
signal levels are much weaker than the  rare conditions John and I experienced 
at Grayland this week.
 
     Portable DXing is always tougher than using table  receivers with a 
beverage, but using only stock Ultralights to chase DU's would  be similar to 
trying to win the Lottery.  DU signal levels, even  at Grayland, very rarely reach 
the threshold of strength to make it past  the midget loopsticks.
 
     After an unID 531 DU station was received by  my stock SRF-T615 on April 
20th, I thought a few more trips  to Grayland would result in some solid 
loggings on unmodified  pocket radios.  WRONG!  Aussie and Kiwi signal levels are 
nothing  like the Japanese and Korean powerhouses.  A DXer needs luck in the  
extreme, and then needs to find a clear frequency where a rare booming DU can  
avoid the domestic slop that afflicts 99% of the frequencies at Grayland  
(stock Ultralights usually have barn-door selectivity, compared to table  radios).
 
     There are really only two frequencies at Grayland  that qualify for such 
a feat--  531 and 891.  531 has been notoriously  anemic recently, despite 
multiple attempts to repeat the April reception.   891 was usually around, but 
never at a level strong enough for a pocket  radio.  Finally, on Wednesday 
morning, multiple Aussies boomed in on the  modified ICF-2010 spotting receiver--  
one of which was 5AN-891 with a  solid "9" signal level, barely strong enough 
to provide a brief  appearance on the stock SRF-T615.
 
     Of course, no sane DXer would take up the  Ultralight DU challenge 
without some serious modifications to increase the odds,  at least to provide hope 
during the usual mediocre conditions.  The recent  tinkering improvements to 
the E100 have transformed it into a DXing dynamo,  fully capable of chasing 
very weak DU DX.  But there is something  uniquely exciting and challenging about 
receiving Australia (or New  Zealand) on a stock pocket radio-- and for those 
fortunate to live in  western Washington, Oregon or BC,  I strongly recommend 
that you  keep trying as long as necessary--  until you can win your own  
"lottery."  :>)
 
                                                                              
           73,  Gary
 
 



**************Get the scoop on last night's hottest shows and the live music 
scene in your area - Check out TourTracker.com!      
(http://www.tourtracker.com?NCID=aolmus00050000000112)
_______________________________________________
IRCA mailing list
IRCA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca

Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers

For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org

To Post a message: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx