[IRCA] The expanded band turns 15

[Steve Francis <amdxmail@xxxxxxx>]

15 years ago tonight, at 8:20pm EST, Niel Wolfish in Toronto heard a test ID from WJDM-1660 in Elizabeth, New Jersey.  DXers in the Eastern and Central time zones had been noting tone and music testing since October 10, but this was the first report of a voice ID.  Regular sked would begin on December 8.  I heard them for the first time on December 14.  

I enjoyed making several long-haul catches from Out West the first few years of the expanded band, before the frequencies filled up.  Western DXers were hearing states such as New Jersey and Florida, some for the first time.

All in all, though, the dreams many of us had for the X-band failed to materialize.  Based on what I'd read about band conditions in past decades, I was halfway anticipating that if there were, say, three stations on a frequency, each with 1kw, they'd be constantly fading in and out with each other, the far ones mixing with the near. No real dominant, just like a remarkably uncluttered graveyard channel.   In reality, the one or two nearest stations are L&C, and the ones on the other side of the continent are never heard.  At least, that's the way it's been for me!

Steve Francis
Alcoa, Tennessee

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