[IRCA] Rockwork 4 DXpedition-- Top Ten Signals from the South Pacific

[d1028gary@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Hello All, 
 
Exceptional propagationÂto both New Zealand and AustraliaÂmade the recent Rockwork 4 ocean cliff DXpedition (from August 6-10) one of the most thrilling ever conducted. My DXpedition partners Chuck and Tom both set up small broadband loops for Perseus-SDR spectrum capture at the narrow Highway 101 turnoff (with a plunging 400 foot sheer cliff), while I chasedÂSouth Pacific DX with a modified Ultralight radio and monsterÂ(17") FSL antenna. A photo of the DXpedition setup at theÂcliff on August 7th is posted at https://app.box.com/s/fa2heca0v3ll2umbc84ko7zq2oj9k8uy  
 
Posted below are links for the ten strongest DU stations heard at the ocean cliff site with theÂ7.5" loopstick C.Crane Skywave Ultralight radioÂand 17" FSL antenna. Thanks to my DXpedition partners Chuck and Tom for sharing information on DX catches at the site. 
 
567 RNZ Wellington, New Zealand (50 kW) Consistently the strongest Kiwi station on the band each morning, this was a big change from last year (when 531-PI was the top signal). This big band music on 8-7 was typical of the station's strength. 
https://app.box.com/s/7izpqsrp9lvof7qx91u0fv17d723417t 
 
576 2RN Sydney, Australia (50 kW) A powerful signal when Aussie propagation kicked in, but MIA whenÂNew Zealand was favored. Playing a variety of exotic music, its strength made identification of the ABC RN network parallel signalÂ585-7RN possible during good propagation 
https://app.box.com/s/0qlp1ddc3z4erzyew26os74iid8awh3q  
 
603 ÂRadio Waatea Auckland, New Zealand (5 kW) Maori language broadcaster parallel to 765-Kahungunu duringÂearly mornings in NZ, it often hitÂS9+ peaks during favorable Kiwi propagation. This awesome signal (with beautiful Maori music) was recorded at 1244 on the first day (8-6) 
https://app.box.com/s/yiukz83f6r82si6wmim0w8n0xkxsauj2 Â 
 
702 Magic Auckland, New Zealand (10 kW) Depending on propagation, thisÂnew-format station (ex-Radio Live) playing classic oldies was either running wild over the Aussie co-channel 2BL, or showing up with anemic signals far underneath it. This S9+ recording was made during awesome Kiwi propagation on 8-7, during which the station sounded very much like one of the Oregon coast locals 
https://app.box.com/s/pp1s7eaccs1dvx36tr2hgoo79dj13bdu  
 
738 Radio Polynesie Mahina, Tahiti (20 kW) Blistering strong signals usually showed up from this French language blowtorch once each morning, whose R&B music seemed to get a boost whenever the Kiwis were favored. This awesome recording of African and French pop music was made on such a morning, atÂ1307 on 8-7 
https://app.box.com/s/xsg8z7h75u1m6ple67k2vub3we279m7v  
 
765 Radio Kahungunu Napier-Hastings,ÂNew Zealand (2.5 kW) As always, this Maori-language overachiever had incredible signals for its 2.5 kW power.ÂWho would ever have thought that this near-S9 level Maori language music came from such a low power station? Another of the wackiest ocean cliff mysteries... 
https://app.box.com/s/n7mrx09thh66fib20aqw5gxve8eglp1k  
 
774 Radio Sport New Plymouth, New Zealand (5 kW) With its relay of the American network Fox Sports News after local midnight, the NZ network Radio Sport stands out like a sore thumb with its Yankee-accented English. This booming signal (way over the Aussie 3LO) was recorded during excellent Kiwi propagation on 8-10 
https://app.box.com/s/vw4qzez3wo0n6v18p65e0mhuie28jnku  
 
936 Chinese Voice Auckland, New Zealand (1 kW) How about something really wacky? This 1 kW ethnic station was giving its best imitation of a Kiwi big gun on 8-10-- something that only bizarre ocean cliff propagation could manage! 
https://app.box.com/s/bm3eodygfugsnvpjvwe0b9cqqtsxfktz  
 
1008 Newstalk ZB Tauranga, New Zealand (10 kW) Usually managing equal signals with its 1035 parallel, this Kiwi talk station was consistently one of the better DU performers. Here it is on 8-10, way over Aussie co-channel 4TAB 
https://app.box.com/s/86x753oroiel2vxyuks6b613yggbuhwi  
 
1035Â Newstalk ZBÂÂ Wellington, New ZealandÂÂ Powerful talk signals were usually the order of the day with this Kiwi big gun, // 1008 and other frequencies. Although the network concentrates on talk and news, it has recently started playing music as well 
https://app.box.com/s/yvi6w1m7kjkdvs8dmhzoslauwhxxeg9x  
 
73 and Good DX, 
Gary DeBock (DXing at the Rockwork 4 ocean cliff near Manzanita, OR) 
7.5" loopstick C.Crane Skywave Ultralight 
https://app.box.com/s/knkth87bywujnakd5zdlzn1p3erhikm1 Â 
+ 17" DXpedition FSL antenna 
https://app.box.com/s/rxdybwnqbx8pmb86czfv5135nv4yxpmf  
 
 
 
 
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