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)

More January 10 E's

After the main opening to QLD this morning, I went back to the tuners after 1pm and found bits of QLD still around. Was able to additionally log.

92.5 4ABCRR Glenden
96.9 4RFM Moranbah
99.5 4JJJ Mackay


Then the E-skip headed to Western Australia.
2.10pm to 3.10pm
88.5 6MER Beacon
95.5 6ABCFM Kalgoorlie
97.1 6ABCRN Kalgoorlie
97.9 6KAR Kalgoorlie
98.7 6JJJ Kalgoorlie

QLD E's this morning 10/1/12

After several days of nothing, the Queenslanders were back in for a good opening.

Reception from 9am - 11am
89.5 4JJJ Nambour
90.7 4ABCFM Emerald
91.1 4MCY Nambour
91.3 4HIT Moranbah
91.7 4QAA Dysart
93.3 4SBS Brisbane
93.3 4ABCRN Dysart
93.5 4ROK Gladstone
94.3 4ABCRN Blackwater (or Goondiwindi)
94.3 4PNN Townsville
94.5 4PNN Gympie
94.7 4BCR Bundaberg
94.7 4HIT Emerald
95.3 4SCR Gympie
96.1 4NNN Gympie
96.9 4ABCRN Gympie
97.3 4BFM with RDS
97.9 4ABCFM Mackay
98.5 4ABCFM Wide Bay
98.7 4RGM Mackay
99.3 4JJJ Wide Bay
100.1 4ABCRR Wide Bay
100.9 4ABCRR Wide bay
101.1 4QAA Mackay
102.1 4ZZZ Brisbane with RDS
103.5 4MBB Maryborough
103.5 TAB Mackay
104.1 4JJJ Darling Downs
104.5 4MMM Brisbane
104.5 4LRE Longreach
105.1 4WBR Maryborough
105.3 4BBB Brisbane
105.7 4ABCRN Darling Downs
106.1 4ABCFM Brisbane
107.3 4ABCFM Darling Downs
107.5 4FCR Hervey Bay
107.7 4JJJ Brisbane


RDS pics:

4ZZZ Brisbane

4BFM Brisbane

If anyone can help with suggestions regarding getting a better picture when taking shots of the Onkyo display, let me know!

*Update* at 1.20pm, a re-check showed QLD still about, including Mackay back in.

NZ 2Es update

During my 3 hour 2Es opening from New Zealand last week (see post below for log), I also heard racing on 91.1 and 92.5, but did not ID them.

After doing some internet searching, I believe 91.1 was LiveSport Wairarapa. This makes sense, as Wairarapa is located on the North Island, close to Wellington.

After further looking, 92.5 may have been TAB/Sky Sports Calcairn or Mulawalla, both in Southern NSW. Unfortunately I can not remember and did not take note if the racing on 91.1 and 92.5 were the same or different, so I won't be adding them to my log due to the uncertainty.

All quiet along the western front...

Well, teh southern front. Shock, horror! no e-skip to report. Won't be listening anymore today. About to get ready and head into the city. Will have some dinner and then a few beers.

The Strathmore
This is my primary drinking place.


Gilbert Street Hotel
My secondary place.


I also sometimes visit:
Hotel Metropolitan
The Austral
The Union


My local: The Northern Tavern

DX for January 5, 2012

More E's about today. Must be a record - 8 consecutive days of E-skip activity.

12.30pm - 2.30pm
88.3 4ABCRR Miriam Vale
88.5 4ABCFM Gold Coast
89.5 4JJJ Nambour
89.9 4ABCRN Miriam Vale
90.7 4ABCFM Emerald
91.1 4MCY Nambour
91.3 4HIT Moranbah
91.5 Toowoomba Country FM
91.7 4ABCRR Gold Coast
93.3 4SBS Brisbane
94.1 4JAZ Gold Coast
94.3 4ABCRN Goondiwindi (or Blackwater, unsure)
94.5 4PNN Gympie
94.7 4HIT Emerald
94.9 4MIX Ipswich, with RDS
95.3 4SCR Gympie
96.1 4NNN Gympie
96.9 4ABCRN Gympie
97.3 4BFM Brisbane, with RDS
97.9 4ABCFM Mackay
98.1 4SBS Quilpie
98.1 4ABCRR Wandoen
98.7 4RGM Mackay
99.7 4SBS Aramac
100.7 4RGD Toowoomba
101.1 4QAA Mackay
102.7 4DDB Toowoomba
103.5 TAB Mackay
104.1 4JJJ Darling Downs
107.3 4ABCFM Darling Downs


2.40pm - E's head south
94.9 2WSK Nowra
95.7 2ABCFM Illawarra
97.3 2ILA Illawarra


3.20pm, E's go a bit further North
91.5, 92.3 & 97.9 Grafton/Kempsey


Grafton appeared gone by 3.30pm, and I switched off just after then as I had to go out

Mid-week DX

4/1/12

10.30 to 11am
88.5 4ABCFM Gold Coast
90.5 4RBL Beaudesert
91.5 2JJJ Grafton/Kempsey
91.7 4ABCRR Gold Coast
92.3 2MRR Grafton/Kempsey
93.3 4SBS Brisbane
94.1 4JAZ Gold Coast
94.5 2NRR Richmond/Tweed
94.9 4MIX Ipswich
95.3 2ABCFM Richmond/Tweed
97.3 4BFM Brisbane
97.9 2ABCFM Grafton/Kempsey
99.5 2ABCRN Grafton/Kempsey

I noted more DX 11.45 to around 1pm when I stopped listening. Did not get any IDs, but based on Grafton continuing to pop up here and there during this period, I highly suspect they are:

91.3 2MAX Narrabri - Country music was playing
93.3 2BBB Dorrigo - oldies type music. Didn't stay long, but checked online web stream and the kind of music playing match.
93.5 2PNN Inverell - definitely NewsRadio, as it matched Riverland on 93.9 and NewsRadio do not time shift their programs.

More DX for January 3, 2012

After the New Zealand catches this morning, it's back to QLD for this evening's catches. Heard approx 7pm to 8.30pm CDT.

90.7 4ABCFM Emerald
93.3 4SBS Brisbane
94.3 TAB, unknown where (Dalby, Gladstone or Roma)
94.7 4HIT Emerald
94.9 4MIX Ipswich, with RDS (2 bars)
96.5 4FRB Brisbane
97.3 4BFM Brisbane, with RDS
95.5 4YOU Rockhampton
106.1 4ABCFM Brisbane
plus several others I did not ID
 

New Zealand into Adelaide - at last!

I say at last, because it's the first time getting New Zealand FM or anything FM overseas in Adelaide. Reception from 9am to midday

89.0 Concert FM Palmerston North  (3,292km / 2,046mi)
89.3 Newstalk ZB Wellington (over semi-local)  (3,222km / 2,002mi)
89.4 Newstalk ZB Auckland  (3,248km / 2018mi)
90.6 ZM-FM Palmerston North
91.1 ZM-FM Kapiti (weak mixing with fairly strong unkown racing)
91.2 Concert FM Nelson
91.3 ZM-FM Christchurch (fairly weak)
91.4 Concert FM Hamilton (later heard another I did not ID)
92.2 More FM Palmerston North
92.5 Concert FM Wellington (unknown racing also heard on this freq.)
93.0 The Edge Palmerston North
93.3 Radio Hauraki Wellington
93.4 The Breeze Auckland
93.8 RadioLive Palmerston North
94.2 The Edge Auckland
94.3 ZM-FM Masterton
94.6 The Sound Palmerston North
97.8 Classic Hits Palmerston North


plus a few aussies in the mix:
88.3 2ABCFM SW Slopes/East Riverina
91.5 2PB SW Slipes/East Riverina (3 bars)
93.5 2SNO Goulburn
95.7 2ABCFM Illawarra
97.1 3GLR Orbost

A big day of DX so far and it's only early afternoon as I type. Quite a few of the NZ registered 1 bar on the Sony XDR unit.  I got recordings of 4 stations all with IDs.  Will put these on the web in due time. Meanwhile time for lunch, this is hungry (and thirsty) work! ;)

UPDATE: I have now added audio of several NZ catches.  Simply click on the highlighted text to hear.

Today's catches - 2/1/12

The E's today were from NSW & QLD, from approx 12.10pm - 1.15pm

88.5 4ABCFM Gold Coast
91.1 4MCY Nambour
91.3 4HIT Moranbah
92.9 2ABCFM Sydney (plus another not identified)
93.5 2PM Port Macquarie
94.5 4PNN Gympie
94.7 4BCR Bundaberg
95.3 2PTV Sydney
95.5 TAB Bundaberg
96.1 4NNN Gympie
97.3 4BFM Brisbane, with RDS
100.9 TAB Bathurst

plus several others I did not ID.

DX for 1/1/12

Well, the first day of the year saw not a lot of activity.  The main opening was to Western Australia in the morning.  Did additionally note a sparse and rather weak E's opening 7pm - 8pm: 91.3, 91.7, 94.3, 95.7 & 100.1. No ID's, but I suspect Queensland.

Onto the log for this morning's catches, received 9am - 10am

92.1 6PNN Southern Agricultural

92.5 6ABCFM Narrogin

92.9 6JJJ Southern Agricultural

93.3 6ABCFM Bunbury

94.1 6JJJ Bunbury  (2,116km / 1142mi)

94.5 6ABCFM Southern Agricultural

96.3 6PNN Wagin

96.5 6NAW Northam  (2,065km / 1114mi)

96.9 6SBS Perth

96.9 6ABCRN Southern Agricultural

98.1 6JJJ Central Agricultural

98.9 6ABCFM Central Agricultural

99.3 6JJJ Perth

Happy New Year

I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe new year. Hope it's a good year for you. If you're somewhere hot this new year's day (like me, 10.30am and already 36 degrees - headed for 41), then stay cool and hydrated.

Meanwhile, another E-skip log to come tonight, already have had South West WA in today.