[IRCA] Grayland, WA Ultralight TP's for 11-10

[d1028gary@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Hello All, 
 
The propagation deep freeze on the Grayland beach let up somewhat this morning-- to be replaced by the arctic deep freeze moving in from Canada. While some moderately interesting DX showed up on frequencies like 846, 864 and 873, the 37 degree ocean beach temperature and 15 mph wind chill was anything but moderate. After yesterday'sÂclunker session I was highly motivated to track down some good DX on this last day of the trip, and made every effort to hit theÂcold beach very early at 1030 UTC (0330 local time)-- a big mistake. The wind chill's punishment increases by the hour, and Asian signals can propagate for a very long time on ocean beaches. 
 
After yesterday'sÂsolar-challenged session the Asians at least made a halfhearted recovery, although most of theÂTP signals were nowhere near their Saturday levels. The Japanese and Korean big guns were potent as usual on the ocean coast, but theÂsecond-tier Asians on 558, 603 andÂ657Âhad trouble managing any real energy. Checking the band for any special propagation trend was tricky in the subfreezing wind chill, butÂit certainly seemed like the middle and high band had the edge over the low band, with the Japanese and Koreans doing better than the Chinese. 864-HLKR was mixing with an apparentÂJapanese station at 1347 (one of the 7 listed), but nailed down the frequency in a big way by 1527, pounding in withÂgood strength. 873-JOGB had an apparent mix with a Chinese station just before the 1300 TOH, and 846 had a mystery station at a fair level around 1353 (sounded Japanese). The majorÂchallenge after 2 hours on the beach was notÂtracking down exotic Asian DX, but tracking down some warmth from the carÂheater (to thaw out stiff fingers and toes). The Asian propagation was nothing to shout about, but a moderate sunrise enhancement boost around 1500 did prolong their pedestrian signals long enoughÂto make me deeply regret having ever shown up to face the bitter wind chill as early as 0330 local time.ÂAfter four and a half hoursÂmy frozen ICF-2010 spotting receiver's frequency readout went on the blink,Âand my PL-380's battery display showedÂempty (althoughÂthe radioÂhad fresh batteries installed, right before the session).ÂThe frozen radio breakdowns gave me a convenient excuse to finally retreat from the frigid beach without feeling guilty about wasting valuable ocean beach DXing time (and the $65 a night I was paying for the Grayland Motel's luxuriant Room 11). 
 
864Â HLKRÂÂ Gangneung, S. KoreaÂÂ Strong Korean male speechÂovercoming some Portland splatter at 1527 
http://www.mediafire.com/listen/7cbyq7ugkwcgqd9/864-HLKR-1527z111014PL380.MP3 
 
864Â HLKR mixÂÂ Vibrant mix of an apparent Japanese station (with talk) fighting it out with HLKR's music at 1347 
http://www.mediafire.com/listen/ca4altcdame3psd/864-HLKR-Japan-mix-1347z111014PL380.MP3 Â 
 
873Â China + JOGB mixÂÂ Another S9 frequency fight between an UnID Chinese station and NHK2's JOGB, withÂJOGB taking over the frequency with its 3 + 1 time pips and English lessons at 1300 
http://www.mediafire.com/listen/4u38vg43xix42c2/873-China-JOGBmix-1258z111014PL380.MP3 Â 
 
1566Â HLAZÂÂ Jeju, S. KoreaÂÂ Not every Asian signal suffersÂwhen a propagationÂdrop off occurs on the ocean coast--Â HLAZ seems to have total immunity 
http://www.mediafire.com/listen/t4cagnvn65au1yb/1566-HLAZ-1514z111014PL380.MP3 Â 
 
1593Â CNR1ÂÂ Changzhou, ChinaÂÂ Fair to good male Chinese speech at 1440 
http://www.mediafire.com/listen/tmlne3cif218627/1593-CNR1-1440z111014PL380.MP3 Â 
 
1593Â CNR1 + NHK2 mixÂÂ TheseÂstations were fighting it out for most of the morning. It sounds like two Chinese stations, but only because the NHK2 synchros were broadcasting Chinese lessons at 1445 
http://www.mediafire.com/listen/r5j21djdephfuyk/1593-CNR1-NHK2-mix-1445z111014PL380.MP3 Â 
 
73 and Good DX, 
Gary DeBock (DXing at the Grayland, WA ocean beach this morning; nowÂback in Puyallup-- almost thawed out) 
7.5" loopstick Tecsun PL-380 Ultralight + 
17" DXpedition FSL antenna 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ 
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