E-Skip or Not? + Albany Tropo

Around 6.40 this evening (31/12/12) had a strange thing happen...noted E's in, heard 90.7, 91.1 (heard mention of SBS), 91.5 and 92.9 which appeared to be ABCFM Sydney.  I then suddenly get an interference that pretty much wiped the band, with only the strongest able too overcome it.  Unable to get rid of it, I switched the Tuner off at the power point and then back on after a few seconds....interference all gone - but so was the E's!

Meanwhile, tropo was once again strong this morning, having started early yesterday evening.  Eyre Peninsula and Mt. Dundas were strong once again. Mt. Gambier was also heard, but only last night and Albany was also back in via tropo.  92.9 and 94.5 were weak to very weak, however 100.9 6CRA was coming in strongly and lasted until 11am.

A recording of 6CRA Albany ("Albany Community Radio") from this morning can be heard below.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

E's log 30/12/12

Roundup of today's reception:

9.55am - 10.15am

89.5 4JJJ Nambour

89.9 4DDD Dalby

90.7 4CSB Wondai

91.5 suspected 4GCR Gympie

92.1 4ABCRN Miles

92.3 KIX Country Maryborough

94.5 4PNN Gympie

95.3 4SBS Dirranbandi

95.3 4SCR Gympie

97.1 4RBL Chinchilla

98.5 4ABCFM Wide Bay

99.3 4JJJ Wide Bay

100.1 4ABCRR Wide Bay

100.9 4ABCRN Wide Bay

101.9 4CEE Maryborough

103.5 4MBB Maryborough

10.40am - 10.50am

92.1 6PNN Southern Agricultural

92.9 6JJJ Southern Agricultural

94.5 6ABCFM Southern Agricultural

95.3 6AAY Albany

96.9 6ABCRN Southern Agricultural

Also, good strength Tropo from Eyre Peninsula and Mount Dundas, who were still around when the E's came in, and in fact, were around most of the day.

At the time of typing (10pm CDT), Tropo is continuing to build.  91.5 Tumby Bay has been in most of the evening, and at near quietening levels.  Also being heard is Port Lincoln and a  check a few moments ago revealed Mount Gambier is about too.

Recent DX

Some DX to report, especially this morning's Tropo, the rest are E-Skip.

29/12/12

Morning Tropo

89.9 5CCC Port Lincoln

91.1 3ABCRR Bendigo (weak)

91.5 5PNN Tumby Bay

92.9 6JJJ Southern Agricultural (v. weak)

93.5 3BBO Bendigo (weak)

94.5 6ABCFM Southern Agricultural (weak)
95.7 3ABCRN Nhill

96.5 2JJJ Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area

97.3 2ABCFM Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area

97.9 3RMR Mildura

98.1 2PB Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area

98.9 2ABCRN Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area

99.3 8SAT Streaky Bay

99.7 2RGF Griffith

100.9 5ABCRN Streaky Bay

101.1 3JJJ Mildura

106.9 ?

107.3 5ABCRN Wirrulla

107.5 8SAT Hallett

107.7 5ABCRN Wudinna (poss. Ceduna)

 

26/12/12

7.15pm

91.5 4GCR Gympie

92.1 4ABCRN Miles

93.1 4RGB Bundaberg

93.9 4RUM Bundaberg

94.7 4BCR Bundaberg

100.9 4ABCRN Wide Bay

  

24/12/12

11am

93.5 4ROK Gladstone

Audio below is JJJ MIA 96.5.  I did also get Star FM Griffith, but lost the file after it did not save properly.  I think that problem is okay now, but am now left wondering why my audio program (Adobe Audition) has started limiting the input to -10dB.  Already had the recording input set so that it did not exceed 0.

Morning DX - 23/12/12

Some E's from Queensland noted this morning from 9.15am - 10am CDT.

88.3 4ABCRR Miriam Vale

89.9 4ABCRN Miriam Vale

90.7 4CSB Wondai

92.3 KIX Country Hervey Bay / Maryborough

92.5 4SB Tarong Coal Mine

93.1 4RGB Bundaberg

93.3 4SBS Brisbane

93.5 4ROK Gladstone

93.9 4RUM Bundaberg

94.3 TAB Gladstone

94.5 4PNN Gympie

94.7 4BCR Bundaberg

94.9 4MIX Ipswich

95.3 4SCR Gympie

96.1 4NNN Gympie

96.5 4FRB Brisbane

96.9 4ABCRN Gympie

97.3 4BFM Brisbane

Audio below is of 92.5 4SB Tarong Coal Mine.

NSW + QLD E's 18/12/12

What seemed like a dead day for E's livened up in the evening for some very good listening.

2.50pm - only very brief
94.9 2GCB (Rhema) Gosford

7.40pm - 8.55pm
91.3 2MAC Campbelltown (weak, matched online live stream)
92.1 2MFM Sydney
92.9 2ABCFM Sydney
94.3 HPON (Racing) Goulburn
94.5 2FBI Sydney
94.9 2WSK Nowra
95.3 2PTV Sydney
95.7 2ABCFM Illawarra
96.5 ? Weak signal. Suspected 2UUL Wollongong
96.9 2SYD Sydney
97.1 ? unknown, possible Jindabyne
97.3 2ILA Illawarra
97.7 2SBS Sydney
98.9 2JJJ Illawarra
101.7 2UUS Sydney
102.5 2MBS Sydney
104.1 2DAY Sydney
104.9 2MMM Sydney
 105.7 2JJJ Sydney
106.5 2WFM Sydney

9pm - 9.15pm
93.3 4SBS Brisbane
94.5 2NNR Richmond / Tweed
94.9 4MIX Ipswich w/- RDS
95.3 2ABCFM Richmond / Tweed
96.1 2JJJ Richmond / Tweed
101.7 4ABCFM Southern Downs
103.3 4JJJ Southern Downs
104.9 4QS Southern Downs
106.5 4BCRN Southern Downs

The audio below is of Smooth 95.3 and Nova 96.9 both Sydney.

DX Log - 17/12/12

A round up of what was heard today.

8.50am

89.5 4JJJ Nambour

89.5 2VM Goondiwindi

91.5 Toowoomba Country FM

93.3 4SBS Brisbane

94.3 2ABCRN Goondiwindi

94.5 4PNN Gympie

94.9 4MIX Ipswich w/- RDS

95.3 4SCR Gympie

96.1 4NNN Gympie

11.50am - 12.20pm

88.5 4ABCFM Gold Coast

89.5 2VM Goondiwindi

93.3 4SBS Brisbane

94.3 2ABCRN Goondiwindi

94.5 2NNR Richmond / Tweed

94.9 4MIX Ipswich

95.3 2ABCFM Richmond / Tweed

96.1 2JJJ Richmond / Tweed

96.9 2ABCRN Richmond / Tweed

98.5 2PB Richmond / Tweed

uniD: 90.7, 91.1

Latest E-Skip

Some more E's yesterday and today, and as the pattern has been so far, the openings have been sluggish and lacking in intensity.

16/12/12
1pm - 1.10pm (all suspected)
90.7 4ABCFM Emerald
91.3 4HIT Moranbah
101.1 4QAA Mackay

1.20pm (again, suspected, not confirmed)
91.7 4QAA Dysart
93.3 4ABCRN Dysart

1.30pm - 2pm
94.3 4PNN Townsville

1.45pm
88.3 4ABCRR Miriam Vale
89.9 4ABCRN Miriam Vale

9.40pm - 10pm
88.5 4ABCFM Gold Coast
91.5 2JJJ Grafton / Kempsey
93.3 4SBS Brisbane
94.5 2NNR Richmond / Tweed
94.9 4MIX Ipswich w/- RDS
95.3 2ABCFM Richmond / Tweed
95.7 4PNN Gold Coast
96.1 2JJJ Richmond /Tweed
96.5 4FRB Brisbane
96.9 2ABCRN Richmond / Tweed
97.3 4BFM Brisbane
98.1 4EB Brisbane
98.5 2PB Richmond / Tweed

15/12/12
6.40pm
88.5 4ABCFM Gold Coast
93.3 4SBS Brisbane
94.5 2NNR Richmond / Tweed
95.3 2ABCFM Richmond / Tweed

(updated 10.20pm CDT)

E's for 12/12/12

Had a quick (couple of minutes at most) burst of 88.3 and 88.5 at 8.10am.  No idea what they were.  Other than that, all I got was a patchy 10 minute opening in the afternoon. What I was able to log:

4pm - 4.10pm
90.5 HPON (Racing) Tamworth
91.5 2JJJ Grafton / Kempsey
93.3 4SBS Brisbane
94.9 4MIX Ipswich
96.5 4FRB Brisbane
97.3 4BFM Brisbane

A couple were not identified, such as 96.3 and 98.1.

QLD E's - 11/12/12

Today saw some more E-Skip about the place, this time from South East QLD.

9.55am - 10.35am CDT
89.5 4JJJ Nambour
93.3 4SBS Brisbane
94.5 4PNN Gympie
94.9 4MIX Ipswich
95.3 4SCR Gympie
96.1 4NNN Gympie
96.5 4FRB Brisbane
96.9 4ABCRN Gympie
97.3 4BFM Brisbane
99.7 ??
100.7 4RGD Toowoomba
101.3 4NSA Noosa

Also had some E's around 5.30pm yesterday, which were the same as my November 27 reception (see previous post).

E's season 2012 / 2013

The 2012 / 2013 E's season is underway with my first reception this season.  Opening lasted no more than 30 minutes and was rather limited in what was heard.  What did arrive though, was at good strengths.  Reception from 1.05 - 1.35pm CDT.

91.3 4HIT Moranbah
94.3 4PNN Townsville
96.9 4RFM Moranbah
97.9 4ABCFM Mackay
99.5 4JJJ Mackay
101.1 4QAA Mackay
102.7 4ABCRN Mackay
104.3 4PB Mackay

There also were one or two others I did not ID.

It appears there were some E's from Adelaide in Southern NSW yesterday.  Unfortunately, I missed the opportunity to hear any NSW E's.  Was on the computer, but busy doing other things and lost track of the time.

Here's hoping for a bumper E's season!

Tropo Haul 24/11 - 25/11/12

Some good strong tropo conditions about mid to late evening last night and through to this morning, with the exception of Bendigo, which was only heard this morning.

88.9 3HFM Hamilton
89.9 5CCC Pt. Lincoln
91.1 3ABCRR Bendigo
91.3 3PNN Warnambool
91.5 5PNN Tumby Bay
91.7 3PNN Western Victoria
92.1 3ABCFM Warnambool
92.5 3ABCRN Western Victoria
93.3 3ABCFM Western Victoria
93.5 3BBO Bendigo
94.1 3ABCRR Western Victoria
94.5 3WWM Nhill
94.9 3JJJ Western Victoria
95.7 3ABCRN Nhill
96.1 5SEF Mt. Gambier
96.5 8SAT Pinnaroo
97.9 3RMR Mildura
99.3 8SAT Streaky Bay
100.9 5ABCRN Streaky Bay
101.1 3JJJ Mildura
102.5 5JJJ Mt. Gambier
103.3 5ABCRN Mt. Gambier
104.1 5ABCFM Mt. Gambier
105.7 5PB Mt. Gambier
106.1 8SAT Ceduna / Smoky Bay
106.1 5TCB Bordertown
106.9 8SAT Minnipa
107.7 8SAT Wudinna

Western Victoria was 3 bars on the Sony XDR unit.

DX musings

With the final analogue shutdowns looming, it made me think back on how my dxing all started.

It would have been around the mid 1980's while I was in late primary school.  For the TV I had a portable AWA brand, solid state black and white set. Connected to that was a simple 4 element VHF/FM antenna mounted to the gutter. A meager set up, that yielded plenty of results:

TVQ-0 Brisbane
DDQ-0 Toowoomba
RVN-2 Wagga*
NBN-3 Newcastle**
AMV-4 Albury*
RTS-5A Riverland
NTD-8 Darwin
2, 7, 9, 10 Adelaide

I'm sure there are others I had forgotten.  I think at some stage over those years, I had received an ABC on virtually all VHF channels.  Can't remember if I had BTV-6 Ballarat and SES -8 Mt. Gambier when living in Melrose (where I grew up), but both were regular tropo catches in Port Pirie, often clear as.

  * Received early before local ABNS-1 and GTS-4 signed on for the day.
** When receiving NBN, I also was getting FM from Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.

Channel 0 was espcially strong, enabling clear reception using just the TV's attached telescopic antenna.  Even then the signal was so strong, it would be distorted.

Avoid BankSA

Okay, so we know that banks, like politicians, are not exactly flavour of the month with the Australian community - especially the big four. Indulge me here while I have a whinge, I promise to get back to DX related stuff after.....

I am with BankSA, which is of course the former State Bank of South Australia. How do they fit into the big four? BankSA are these days part of Westpac.  This is a bank I have been with for around 30 years. However, despite being with them for 30 years, I certainly don't feel like a valued customer.  Obviously, loyalty is not in their vocabulary; I assume it is the same with pretty much all banks.

Thankfully, as consumers we have choices and part of that choice is to take our business elsewhere.    The big four are not the only institutions to choose from and this is why community banks and credit unions have found a niche market - disgruntled big bank customers.

However, if you must stick with the big banks, I can recommend National Australia Bank (NAB). I recently opened an account with them and surprised to find not only do they not charge fees, but you don't need a minimum balance to avoid paying fees.  Also, I was pleasantly surprised by the good customer service, even getting a courtesy call not long after opening the account to see if all was okay and if I have any questions.

BankSA on the other hand charge $7 per month account keeping fees which you need to have thousands in the bank to avoid paying, as well as any other incidental fees (for example using BankSA's ATM more than the minimum free transactions).  I shudder to think how much in fees I have paid to them over all those.

At the end of the day, as their customers, we have the power.  The power to say, work with me or lose me.  For now, I still have my BankSA account, as I have various things tied to it: my pay, several direct debits, paypal/eBay etc. It's getting very tempting though to end my relationship with them and move everything over to the NAB.

**end rant - back to DX related stuff now, lol**

Winter E's 10/7/12

Some mid-winter E's to report today.  All from Queensland. Reception was generally 1pm to 2pm-ish. Some strong bursts, with some signals staying in a little while.  Others only appeared very briefly.

88.3 4ABCRR Miriam Vale

89.9 4ABCRN Miriam Vale

91.3 4HIT Moranbah

91.7 4QAA Dysart

92.3 unidentified

92.5 unidentified

93.3 4ABCRN Dysart

93.5 4ROK Gladstone

94.3 Racing Gladstone

94.3 4PNN Townsville

94.7 4SBS Nebo

95.5 Racing Emerald (likely, but Bundaberg also possible)

97.9 4ABCFM Mackay

Was surprised to not hear ABCFM Emerald on 90.7 - unless I simply missed it in the course of band-scanning.

Analogue TV Switch Off

For those still chasing analogue TV DX, the official switch off dates for the final remaining still in use services have been announced....



Adelaide: April 2 2013
Tasmania: April 9 2013
Perth: April 16 2013
Brisbane/Gold Coast/Sunshine Coast: May 28 2013
Darwin: July 30 2013
Sydney/Gosford: December 3 2013
Melbourne: December 10 2013


Get watching while you can!


Source:  Gizmodo

Back In Business

Well, I bit the bullet and bought a new hard drive for the desktop computer.  Rather than getting some one else to install it and to save money I did it myself - piece of cake.

Long story short, all is working just fine.  Got Windows reinstalled, along with all drivers and most programs I had before.  Touch wood it will continue to work fine.

Just two problems:

1) After a day, I have started getting a problem where is not recognising my external USB hard drive. I had the exact same problem before. Usually I would have to unplug it and then plug it back in OR restart the PC.

2) This other problem is more a nuisance than anything: When I click on a file to play in Real Player (I use this player for my Itunes music downloads - Windows Media Player is set as my default player), it works just fine, but at the same time as it opens and the music starts, I get an error message saying there is no disc in the drive (despite the fact I am playing the song straight from the computer itself).

By the way, am not liking the new look Blogger!!

New toy

With my main desktop out of action due to a failed (presumably) hard drive, I went ahead and bought myself a cheap Laptop from Ebay. I ended up with an IBM Lenovo Thinkpad R61e...

Photo sourced from Google Images.

Specifications at a glance:
- Dual core 1.8GHz processor
- 2GB DDR2 RAM
- 80GB Hard drive
- Wi-Fi
- DVD Burner


Works great and pretty much same specs as the desktop except not as large hard drive.


As for the desktop, I had considered replacing the hard drive with a new one - would be the cheapest and quickest option and something I could do myself, but a new desktop PC is what I will eventually get.


Reason being is hard drives being sold now are SATA3, my PC has SATA2 and those hard drives are getting hard to find.  RAM also is now DDR3 and the PC has DDR2.


The Laptop is just fine for now...I have replaced my standard ADSL2+ modem with a Wireless one (connected up to my old backup desktop), allowing me to access the internet from my Laptop.

Items for sale.

Two items that are not in use and needing a new home:


Denon TU-235RD AM/FM Tuner


This is a great little unit.  It is unmodified and single-bandwidth, but also was the first unit I used for DXing before I got the Sony and Onkyo tuners.


Despite the wide bandwidth and hence not as good selectivity, it is a sensitive unit.  Before I had the large outdoor antenna installed, I had this connected to an indoor ribbon "T" dipole antenna taped to the wall.  With that, I received E's and tropo out to 2,000km.  Proof that if you are on limited funds and/or just starting out, you can still DX with confidence.  Even if you are not a DXer this would make a great addition to your Hi-Fi setup.


This tuner is in excellent condition and fully working.  For more details on this click HERE (note that mine is the black coloured unit).  Indoor AM Loop antenna and power cable included.


I am unsure what to ask for this, so I am open to any reasonable offers.  Postage $15 anywhere in Australia and I would prefer to post this only in Australia.  Payment to be made via PayPal.


Second item up for grabs:
HS Publications D100 DX-TV Converter


Rather than try to explain this, check out this LINK (Once it loads, use the up, down button on the top right of the catalogue to scroll down to page 6).


Despite the move to Digital in many areas, I am sure there will be analogue TV signals around for some time to come, especially in more exotic areas.


This unit is pretty much new and unused.  It will be posted as I received it: original box, packaging and accessories (2 X RF Cables and instruction manual).  When checking the provided link, the one I am offering is the "D100 with multi-system sound" and it is the version with the DX alarm fitted.


Original cost was approx $280. I am offering it for $180 ono.  Postage $10 within Australia, overseas I am unsure, but will say tentatively $25. (All prices Australian dollars). Again, payment via Paypal.


**Please note: a power supply unit (PSU) is not included; this is how it is originally supplied.


Feel free to let me know if you are interested.

Computer trouble

At the moment I am having computer problems.  Indeed, I am actually on a back-up PC (my last one), which is slow and cumbersome compared to the newer one.  Here's the problem: It is acting like the Hard drive is not there and therefore can't load up. I get this (or something along the lines of):

 

Verifying DMI pool data..........

BOOT FROM CD/DVD

DISK BOOT FAILURE. INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER

At this point, I should point out I have had this problem before and have, up to now, always been able to get things working.  Mind you, last time it took a week.  Anyway, eventually, when things do start to work, I would get the following message after a restart (or a lot of restarts)::

Error loading operating system.

At this point I am ready to jump for joy, as it means I can restart once more and the whole thing will load up normally like nothing was wrong - so I don't think there is physically anything wrong with the hard drive.  Thankfully everything is backed up on my external hard drive, sans a couple of songs I bought on iTunes.

Any suggestions / hints?

Surpise SpE

Was starting to think about heading to bed, so at around 11.30pm local time, I turned on the radio to check for any Tropo.  To my surprise, I was getting E's from Queensland.  However, I did not log many - it would appear I caught the tail-end of the opening.

90.7 4CSB Wondai

91.5 4GCR Gympie

96.1 4NNN Gympie

98.5 4ABCFM Wide Bay

99.3 4JJJ Wide Bay

100.1 4ABCRR Wide Bay

also 94.1, which I did not ID.

This is the latest at night I have logged E's, as well as being the first time getting them in March.

Latest news

Well actually there isn't much to report, lol.   This morning saw Bendigo at fair levels, except 89.5 which was weak.  Weak Western Victoria, Mildura and Pt. Lincoln were also about.  Also heard something on 94.7, but it was too weak to ID.

What is interesting is the current forecast maps from William Hepburn, which suggest a good possibility of long-haul Tropo to South West W.A. later in the week.  Will be interesting to see how it pans out.

Update: At approx. 10.52am CDT, I heard a very brief, fleeting burst from SW Slopes/E. Riverina on 88.3 and 89.9

Winter E's 2011

With things rather dead at the moment (just some Western Victoria tropo this morning, which seems to be almost a daily reception at this time of the year to some degree), I thought I would look back at Winter 2011.

Last Winter was the first time I managed to log Sporadic E during that season.  While Summer is the predominate period for receiving SpE, a small window of opportunity does become available in Winter.  For me, the date of reception was June 6th and July 6th.

6/6/11
4.10pm
91.3 2MAX Narrabri
93.5 2PNN Inverell
94.5 2NRR Richmond/Tweed
95.3 2ABCFM Richmond/Tweed

6/7/11
2.30 - 3.30pm
89.9 4DDD Dalby
90.0 TAB Richmond
90.7 4CSB Wondai
91.1 4MCY Nambour
92.5 4SB Tarong Coal Mine
93.3 4SBS Brisbane
94.1 KIX Country Middlemount
94.5 4PNN Gympie
94.9 4MIX  Ipswich, with RDS
95.3 4SCR Gympie
96.1 4NNN Gympie
96.5 4FRB Brisbane
96.9 4ABCRN Gympie
97.3 4BFM Brisbane, with RDS
98.1 4EB Brisbane
98.5 4ABCFM Wide Bay
99.3 4JJJ Wide Bay
104.1 4JJJ Darling Downs

The return of E-Skip

After something of a hiatus, an SpE opening lasting 90 minutes this morning. Reception from Port Macquarie up to Brisbane.

10am - 11.30am CDT

88.5 2NWR Walcha

88.9 2YOU Tamworth

90.1 2ABCRN Walcha

90.5 Racing Tamworth

91.1 2CBD Deepwater

91.3 2MAX Narrabri

91.5 2JJJ Grafton/Kempsey

92.3 2MRR Grafton/Kempsey

92.9 2TTT Tamworth

93.3 2BBB Dorrigo

93.3 4SBS Brisbane (3 bars)

93.5 2PM Port Macquarie

93.5 2PNN Inverell

93.9 2ABCRN Tamworth

94.5 2NNR Richmond/Tweed

94.7 2JJJ Tamworth

94.9 4MIX Ipswich w/- RDS

95.3 2ABCFM Richmond/Tweed

96.1 2JJJ Richmond/Tweed

96.3 2JJJ Manning River

96.5 4FRB Brisbane

96.9 2ABCRN Richmond/Tweed

97.1 2ABCRN Manning River

97.3 4BFM w/- RDS

97.9 2ABCFM Grafton/Kempsey

98.5 2PB Richmond/Tweed

98.7 2ABCFM Manning River

99.5 2ABCRN Grafton/Kempsey

100.7 2PQQ Port Macquarie

104.1 2CHY Coffs Harbour

Additionally, tropo from Western Victoria was in all morning.

Tropo report

Finally, some sort of action after being dead for ages.  Tropo mostly within SA and strong. Here's the log:

89.9 5CCC Pt. Lincoln
90.7 5KIX Kangaroo Island
91.5 5PNN Tumby Bay
93.1 5ABCFM Pt. Lincoln
99.3 8SAT Streaky Bay
100.9 5ABCRN Streaky Bay
101.9 5ABCRN Tumby Bay
106.9 8SAT Wudinna
107.3 5ABCRN Wirrulla
107.7 5YYY Whyalla


also:
100.7 6ABCRN Salmon Gums - Identified via time given which was 2.5 hours behind SA therefore, WA.  Seems most likely location being 100kms north of Esperance.  Esperence stations blocked by Adelaide locals so couldn't try for them.


105.3 Unknown JJJ, different time zone to SA as I checked Adelaide on 105.5.  Murray Valley ruled out as even when this one was in at reasonable levels no sign of other Murray Valley.


10am noted very weak Tropo from Albany for about 20 minutes.  94.5 and 96.9 were the best heard.


This morning saw 89.3 Gulf FM, 90.9 Flow FM Maitland and Spencer Gulf stations at 3 bars on the Sony.  This also meant strong DTV from Port Pirie, with watchable pictures.

SGS-40 Port Pirie (Southern Cross Ten)

GDS-42 Port Pirie (Southern Cross Nine)

GTS-44 Port Pirie (Southern Cross GTS/BKN)

Recent Observations

As expected, it appears the Sporadic E season has now definitely ended.  Even Tropo has been horrendous lately; just the occasional Mildura and Western Victoria appearing weakly out of the noise.  Did also briefly hear 93.5 Bendigo one morning.

Some recent observations...some heard using the Sony, others while listening with the Onkyo:

31/1
5.50pm - 102.7, this was ABCFM, strong steady signal lasting a minute perhaps.  Normally hear NewsRadio Spencer Gulf here.  The ACMA station list shows only 2 possibilities: Mildura or Central Tablelands.  I quickly checked 101.1 for any sign of Triple J Mildura, but nothing. Then went back to 102.7 to find ABCFM still there.  I then tuned higher to see if I could find anything else, but found nothing to match.  On going back, it was gone.  Am presuming it was perhaps a quick E-skip reception of Central Tablelands (Muz's territory!)

1/2
11am - A fleeting E's opening from Gold Coast: 88.5, 90.1 & 91.7

7.37pm - 87.9, this one is a mystery.  Landed on it to find a strong, but fluttery signal lasting maybe 10 seconds or so.  Consistent with Meteor Scatter.  Obviously a narrowcast, given it's frequency, playing what appear to sound like some sort of Muslim (?) chanting.


Also heard a weak short-lived signal on 97.9.  Only made out an ID or partial ID of "97.9 FM". Not SA as only Flow FM (8SAT) is on this channel.


3/2
Approx 10.45 - 10.50am, several short bursts on a number of frequencies.  Unsure if they are connected or all separate: 88.3, 92.9, 93.5 & 104.5.

3.14pm - 95.3, strong but a little fluttery, lasting approx 10 seconds.  Playing Material Girl by Madonna.

Meteor Scatter audio

Following on from a follow DXer's audio post on his blog, showing some reception via an unattended recording, I decided to do my own while I was outside doing some gardening.

I decided on 90.7 as the frequency to monitor, and it turned out to be a good one, as I received 3 bursts of MS in the space of minutes.  The first one on the clip, would have been at 11.24am.

Scrrenshot of the Meteor Scatter audio

bits and pieces

Very little around yesterday, just the following noted around Midday:

92.1 6PNN
92.9 6JJJ
94.5 6ABCFM
all Southern Agricultural, plus
95.3 6AAY Albany


Did not stick around. Also was not sure of reception mode, but I think it may have been a short-lived bit of Tropo.  I saw earlier last week that long haul Tropo from Albany was getting into Melbourne.  I checked for any here at that time but no sign of it.


Meanwhile, the Healing HHT894 set top box arrived today.   My main disappointment with it is the manual tuning, which I find to be cumbersome.  This is because you have to manually enter in the centre-channel frequency (for example: 613500 for Channel 40) as opposed to simply selecting a channel number.

11.15am CDT update:  After further checking, I have come to the conclusion that I am better off just using the inbuilt digital tuner that comes with the TV (a DSE GE6607).  In fact, it's signal levels were reading slightly better than the STB.  In light of that, I have moved the Healing to the CRT TV in the bedroom to replace the DGTec STB I have on there.  Despite a solid picture, the DGTec has a habit of having audio drop outs of 10 to 15 seconds.

Tropo log 25/1/12

Tropo was first noted last night and carried through to this morning.

88.9 3HFM Hamilton

89.9 5CCC Pt. Lincoln

91.5 5PNN Tumby Bay

93.1 5ABCFM Pt. Lincoln

95.7 3ABCRN Nhill

96.9 5ABCRN Keith

99.3 8SAT Streaky Bay

99.7 5EZY Victor Harbor

100.9 5ABCRN Streaky Bay

101.3 3WWM Horsham

101.9 5ABCRN Tumby Bay

102.5 5JJJ Mt. Gambier

103.3 5ABCRN Mt. Gambier

104.1 5ABCFM Mt. Gambier

104.5 5TCB Keith

104.9 5RCB Mt. Gambier

105.7 5PB Mt. Gambier

106.1 5TCB Bordertown

106.9 8SAT Wudinna

107.7 5ABCRN Wudinna

plus Western Victoria stations at 2 bars.  Spencer Gulf also 2 bars.

Permanent semi-locals Gulf FM Victor Harbor 89.3 and Flow FM Maitland 90.9 at 3 bars this morning.

Headed out for something in the afternoon and came home just before 5pm to find Spencer Gulf in at 3 bars. Decided to check for DTV and was able to get a few grabs of ABNS-38 and SBS-41.  Also a few pictures on Channel 57, I think this was SAS Adelaide Foothills.

DTV - ABNS38 Spencer Gulf

 

DXing DTV

I have finally bought myself a TV for the room where I do my FM DXing.  All set up and the auto scan found everything local, although SBS seems to break up a bit.  However, I have bought the Healing HHT894 STB, which is apparently a very sensitive tuner.  This should arrive next week and I will watch DTV through that.  I plan to get a DVD recorder to hook up as well. Will source a cheap, but useable one from Ebay - that's where I got the Healing STB for a nice price of $65 with free delivery.  I have noticed when manually tuning analog on the set, it goes low enough for NZ Channel 1.

Meanwhile tropo about starting last night and into this morning.  Mt. Gambier, Western Victoria and a few others about at good levels mostly.  Unfortunately, once I got the TV home and set up, much of the tropo has weakened or gone.  Will put up the log at the end of the day after I have finished listening out for any E-Skip.

E-skip for January 23

Not much around today.  Just some skip noted late morning with the occasional strong peaks.

88.5 4ABCFM Gold Coast

90.1 4ABCRN Gold Coast

90.7 4ABCFM Emerald

91.5 2JJJ Grafton/Kempsey

92.3 2MRR Grafton/Kempsey

94.9 4JJJ Norwich Park

95.5 2MRR Manning River

96.3 2JJJ Manning River

97.1 2ABCRN Manning River

97.9 2ABCFM Grafton/Kempsey

98.7 2ABCFM Manning River

Evening E-Skip

Just when I thought there would be no E's today, I noticed some weak E's around 6pm.  Took at least 30 minutes for things to kick into gear.

6.30pm - 9.30pm CDT

89.5 4JJJ Nambour

90.7 4ABCFM Emerald

90.7 4CSB Wondai

91.1 4MCY Nambour

91.3 4NAG Yeppoon

91.3 4HIT Moranbah

93.3 4ABCRN Dysart

93.5 4ROK Gladstone

93.9 4ABCRN Emerald

94.3 4ABCRN Blackwater

94.3 TAB Gladstone

94.7 4HIT Emerald

97.7 4ABCFM unknown if Barcaldine or Roma

97.9 4ABCFM Mackay

98.5 4ABCFM Wide Bay

100.1 4HI Rollestone Mine

100.1 4ABCRR Wide Bay

100.9 4ABCRN Wide Bay

101.1 4RGK Mount Murchison

101.7 4CCC Charleville

102.7 4ABCRN Mackay

104.1 TAB Charleville

105.7 4RR Charleville

106.5 HOT FM Minerva Mine

106.9 4HIT Blackwater Mine

107.3 4ABCRN Charleville

107.5 4ABCRN unknown which location

Mystery 88.5: This was a community station, not Ryde - no sign of any other Sydney.  Announced ID a few times but had trouble catching it...thought it started with F, but I could have heard wrong. Pity I didn't have a recording of it going. Normally get ABCFM Gold Coast on this frequency.

A bit of Tropo

A bit of Tropo about yesterday (18/1) and today.  Haven't had any Tropo in a few weeks.

88.9 3HFM Hamilton
89.9 5CCC Pt. Lincoln
91.5 5PNN Tumby Bay
91.7 3PNN Western Victoria
92.5 3ABCRN Western Victoria
93.3 3ABCFM Western Victoria
94.1 3ABCRR Western Victoria
94.9 3JJJ Western Victoria
95.7 3ABCRN Nhill
99.3 8SAT Streaky Bay
100.9 5ABCRN Streaky Bay
101.1 3JJJ Mildura*
101.3 3WWM Horsham

Today's Tropo is mostly a copy of yesterday's. Additionally:
96.9 5ABCRN Keith
106.1 5TCB Bordertown

Western Victoria was at a steady 1 bar on the Sony.  95.7 also at good strength, with 91.5 not too bad (not that great either).  The rest were weak.

*3JJJ Mildura is also heard daily via Aircraft Scatter.  This same AS path also affects the Riverland stations.

Western Australia E's - 16/1/12

After a weekend free of DXing, while I spent time with some family who were visiting, I was back surfing the dials today.

E's started being noticed at 9.30am with 105.1 coming in strongly.  That was the only one for a while until Kalgoorlie arrived around 9.45am, followed by the rest by 10.20am.


9.30am - 11.40am
92.1 6RTR Perth  (2,130km / 1,149mi)
92.5 6ABCFM Narrogin
92.9 6PPM Perth
93.3 6ABCFM Bunbury
94.1 6JJJ Bunbury
94.5 6MIX Perth
94.5 6ABCFM Southern Agricultural
95.3 6EBA Perth
95.5 6ABCFM Kalgoorlie
96.1 6NOW Perth
96.3 6PNN Wagin
96.5 6NAM Northam
96.9 6SBS Perth
97.1 6ABCRN Kalgoorlie
97.7 6ABCFM Perth
97.9 6KAR Kalgoorlie
98.1 6JJJ Central Agricultural
95.5 6SON Perth
98.7 6JJJ Kalgoorlie
98.9 6ABCFM Central Agricultural
99.3 6JJJ Perth
99.7 6PNN Central Agricultural
100.9 6CRA Albany
105.1 6MER Merredin

DX - 13/1/12

Yesterday did not reveal much DX wise.  Noted Townsville on 94.3, along with Mackay: 97.9, 98.7, 99.5 and 101.1.  Also heard, were Moranbah on 91.3 and 96.9 and 4MMK Nebo on 92.3.

Am hearing some Tropo this morning from Western Victoria.

Won't be able to get much, if any listening in this weekend, as I have family coming down from the country.  Enjoy the weekend!

Large E's opening - 11/1/12

Widespread E's from QLD and NSW today, with the MUF to the top of the band.  Began 8.30am and lasted until Midday, I then had to go out, but upon returning at 2pm, found the E's booming in again.  Opening finally gone 2.50pm.  Onto the log...


8.20am
94.1 Freedom FM Coffs Harbour (strong but short lived)


8.30am
88.3 4ABCR Miriam Vale
88.5 4ABCFM Gold Coast
89.5 4JJJ Nambour
89.9 4ABCRN Miriam Vale
90.1 4ABCRN Gold Coast
90.7 4CSB Wondai
90.7 4ABCFM Emerald
91.1 4MCY Nambour
91.5 Toowoomba Country FM
91.5 2JJJ Grafton/Kempsey
91.7 4ABCRR Gold Coast
92.3 2MRR Grafton/Kempsey
92.9 4GOD Toowoomba
93.3 4SBS Brisbane
93.5 2PNN Inverell
93.5 4ROK Gladstone
93.5 2PM Port Macquarie
93.9 4RUM Bundaberg
94.1 4UM Cherbourg
94.3 4PNN Townsville
94.5 2NNR Richmond/Tweed
94.5 4PNN Gympie
94.7 4BCR Bundaberg
94.7 2JJJ Tamworth
94.9 4MIX Ipswich with RDS
95.3 2ABCFM Richmond/Tweed
95.3 4SCR Gympie
95.5 TAB Bundaberg
96.1 2JJJ Richmond/Tweed
96.1 4NNN Gympie
96.3 2JJJ Manning River
96.9 2ABCRN Richmond/Tweed
96.9 4ABCRN Gympie
97.1 2ABCRN Manning River
97.3 4BFM with RDS
97.9 2ABCFM Grafton/Kempsey
98.1 4SBS Quilpie
98.5 2PB Richmond/Tweed
98.9 4AAA Brisbane
99.3 4JJJ Wide Bay
99.5 2ABCRN Grafton/Kempsey
100.1 4ABCRR Wide Bay
100.3 2RE Forster
100.7 2PQQ (2MC) Port Macquarie
100.7 4RGD Toowoomba
100.9 4ABCRN Wide Bay
101.1 4CBL Logan
101.1 2JJJ Armidale
101.7 2UUS Sydney
101.9 4CEE Maryborough
102.1 4ZZZ Brisbane
104.1 4JJJ Darling Downs
104.5 4MMM Brisbane
104.9 2PNN Muswellbrook
105.3 4BBB Brisbane
105.7 4ABCRN Darling Downs
105.7 TAB Taree
105.9 2ABCFM Cairns
106.7 4QCC Cairns
107.3 4ABCFM Darling Downs
107.5 4JJJ Cairns
107.7 4JJJ Brisbane

4MIX Ipswich (River949)