Re: [IRCA] Interesting Rockworks Discovery & Oct. 25th DX Comments

[Chuck Hutton <charlesh3@xxxxxxx>]

Guy:
Isn't the gain higher with the Imperium loops? And the noise a bit lower? You didn't mention making any adjustment, so are the numbers below raw numbers? I see the ALA1530LNP is said to have a 10 dB S/N improvement, assumedly against the ALA1530 Dave used.
Chuck

> From: dx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2015 13:47:03 -0700
> To: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [IRCA] Interesting Rockworks Discovery & Oct. 25th DX Comments
> 
> Yesterday Dave Aichelman gave me a copy of his HDSDR WAV file covering two
> minutes of the local SR enhancement we encountered at the Rockworks cliffs
> in Oregon. We thought it would be interesting to compare signal-to-noise
> ratios of the (definitely below average) TP DX we heard with similar
> antennas but different locations on the cliffs.
> 
> Dave was using a Wellbrook ALA1530 1-meter active loop at Rockworks #4,
> known as the prime location for Kiwi MW DX in the summer. A few hundred
> yards north at Rockworks #2 I had the two newest models of ALA1530
> "Imperium" loops, the ALA1530S+ and the ALA1530LNPro.
> 
> We and others like Gary have assumed that Rockworks #2 is easily the
> preferred DXing site for chasing TPs due to the less-obstructed horizon to
> the northwest. Well, I measured a number of high, mid, and low-band TP
> stations for signal-to-noise ratios on my 1428-1430 UTC HDSDR recording
> (Rockworks #2) and compared them to the same time & stations captured on
> Dave's recording (Rockworks #4). Surprise! TP/Asian reception from
> Rockworks #4 was anywhere from 8 dB to *20* dB *better* from the Rockworks
> #4 turnout! Remember, we were using very similar 1-m. active Wellbrook
> loops, so it's reasonable to conclude that the unique topography of the two
> turnouts on the highway accounts for the differences.
> 
> Rockworks #4 has sheer rock cliffs immediately to the east and southeast
> blasted into the mountain when the highway was built, and there is also a
> grid-like steel curtain of cables covering most of the cliff walls (to help
> contain any boulders that may tumble down toward unsuspecting DXers).
> 
> Here's a map of the Rockworks locations:
> https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3lhmy1jqHQ6dnRqM1oxTC1BYXc/view?usp=sharing
> (note:
> Rockworks #1, not shown, is [I think] a gravel turnout from the highway
> further north, and quite a bit further back from the cliffs... therefore
> it's a location we've not tried yet)
> 
> From the comparison results of TP DXing at #2 and #4 and the excellent
> summer time Kiwi (and sometimes Aussie) DX at #4 the last few years, I can
> tentatively conclude that "Rockworks #4 Rules!" any time of year. The moral
> of the story: splatter reduction of local & regional pest stations accounts
> for the S/N improvement at Rockworks #4, and is a unique benefit of this
> location.
> 
> What's next? I think we need to start working on a "squatter eviction
> strategy" for Rockworks #4. Now that we know this spot is preferred, we'll
> need creative ways to "urge" any non-DXers parked at the turnout to move
> along :^)
> 
> Gary DeBock deserves a big "thank you" for his initial discovery of the
> site referred to as Rockworks 4. If it wasn't for his investigative DX work
> and Ferrite Sleeve Loop (FSL) experimentation the last few years we may
> never have known about this special place on the Oregon coast for DXing.
> 
> --------------------------------------
> Regarding this morning, Oct. 25, DX reception was a definite improvement
> from yesterday, although I wouldn't call it a barn-stormer of a session..
> Reception started out Asian / TP like Saturday morning but signals began
> mixing with DU outlets around 1415 UTC. 747 kHz was 50-50 Japanese and
> Australian until presumed 4QS Toowoomba dominated closer to SR. Frequencies
> like 567 and 1116 kHz were DU all the way from SR enhancement onwards.
> English-sounding mumbles were noted on other frequencies as well. Most of
> these were logged with the ALA1530LNPro oriented towards TP-land, but by
> 1435 I rotated to loop to favor DU.
> 
> This is the first time I've used the two Imperium loops together in a
> DXpedition setting and I'm finding they provide a high level of low noise
> performance in a compact package. They are quick to set up, and an
> excellent antenna for limited space locations like the Rockworks cliffs.
> 
> Guy Atkins
> Puyallup, WA
> Elad FDM-S2, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and ALA1530LNPro Imperium loops
> DXing at Rockworks cliffs, near Manzanita, Oregon
> _______________________________________________
> 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
> 
 		 	   		  
_______________________________________________
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