Hi all,
I've read about 670-WSCR, 720-WGN and 780-WBBM being off the air, and a few stations on their frequencies doing some DX tests. So far I'm aware of 670-KBOI doing 1 minute of 50kW ND morse code a couple times (I forget what times, though). I've heard them previously before they re-directionalized their night pattern away from Southern California, but I think I might be able to get them on their ND pattern. KIRN Simi Valley, CA (receivable but weak in the daytime) and maybe KMZQ Las Vegas, NV (I've also heard KLTT Commerce City, CO) might be a bit tough to get past, though ....
... but nowhere near as tough as 720-KDWN will be to get past hem to bag KOTZ in Alaska. For example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaLPsevaRGk
BTW I'm near 32°45'40"N 116°56'50"W. Do I have a chance of catching KOTZ breaking through that pest? KDWN is about 410 km / 255 mi from me at a bearing of about 26° - their augmented IDF @ 1 km toward me (bearing ~205°) is about 3436 mV/m, giving them about 111 kW ERP toward me. KOTZ, being 10 kW ND, is about 4804 km / 2985 mi distant at a bearing of about 336° / reverse 119°.
Even if KDWN is relatively tame, I'm wondering if 760-KFMB could also influence my ability (or lack thereof) to get KOTZ? KFMB is about 11.75 km / 7.3 mi from me at a bearing of about 321°, with an ERP toward me (bearing ~140°) of about 35.5 kW (theoretical IDF ~1814 mV/m @ 1 km, TPO 50 kW). As you can probably tell from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICaOz_Nvxeo - KFMB can have a fairly strong signal here, especially after their pattern change to their 50kW night pattern. :)
So, do I still have any chance at KOTZ? I will probably be using a Tecsun PL-606 and Select-A-Tenna, and possibly also the utility ground wire featured in the two videos (hidden behind the wooden strip on the pole.)