MONTSERRAT Radio Antilles 930 kHz QSL

Radio Antilles from the Caribbean island of Montserrat used to get through to Pinelands on quite a few occasions during the 1970's.

I was fortunate to receive the above QSL in response to my reception report from the 3rd September 1978 at 2220 hrs UTC via the Siera receiver and 20 metre longwire antenna.

SOUFRIERE HILLS VOLCANO

A dramatic image of the Plymouth Courthouse buried in lahar deposits with the Soufriere Hills Volcano in the background (Image from www.photovolcanica.com ).

After a long period of dormancy, the Soufriere Hills volcano on Montserrat became active in 1995 and has continued to erupt ever since.

The site of Radio Antilles was totally obliterated by pyroclastic flows in October 1997. A pic of the collapsed roof of Radio Antilles is available here.

WCAU Philadelphia PA 1210 kHz QSL

This 1970's vintage QSL from WCAU Philadelphia PA on 1210 kHz was received in response to a reception report via the Siera receiver and 20 metre longwire antenna at Pinelands.

WWVA Wheeling WV 1170 kHz QSL and Audio

WWVA Wheeling WV on 1170 kHz made it through to Pinelands on the 31st May 1977 via the Siera receiver and 20 metre longwire antenna. I was fortunate to receive a QSL card in response to my reception report.

The three WWVA 122 metre free standing antenna towers. Built during the 1940s, the transmitter plant building has a bomb shelter with 1 metre thick walls! (Photograph with kind permission from Ken Andrews).

Audio

Station id "A Country Radio Legend - WWVA Wheeling " was recorded during early 1989 at Fish Hoek via the FRG7 and 40 metre longwire antenna.

KMOX St. Louis MO 1120 kHz QSL and Audio

KMOX St. Loius MO on 1120 kHz made it through to Pinelands at 0001 UTC on the 30th May 1977 via the Siera receiver and 20 metre longwire antenna. I was fortunate to receive a QSL card in response to my reception report. 

AUDIO

KMOX was heard with a good consistent signal via the FRG7 and modest 40 metre longwire antenna on the 26th February 1989 in Fish Hoek. The recording was made at 0411 hours during a weather report and station id by Mike O'Conner, followed by "Moonglow", the signature tune for the Saturday night jazz programme presented by "Cactus" Charlie Menees.

ULTRALIGHT RECEPTION 

It was a surprise to receive 1120 KMOX via the Sony SRF-M37V's internal 5 cm loopstick antenna, a year ago on the 24th January 2009 (The report and reply from KMOX News Director John Butler).

BELIZE Radio Belize, Belize City 834 kHz QSL

A vintage QSL from Radio Belize on 834 kHz, received in 1976.

It was a pleasant surprise to hear Radio Belize for the first time on 834 kHz in Pinelands at 0435 UTC on the 3rd September 1976 via the Siera receiver and 20 metre longwire antenna. I was fortunate to receive a QSL card in response to my reception report.

Radio Belize used to make it through to Pinelands on a few rare occasions during the 1970's. I also managed to hear the station on 830 kHz in Sandbaai (Hermanus) during the middle 1980's.

Radio Belize closed down on November 30, 1998.

WCBS New York NY 880 kHz QSL

The flagship station of the CBS Radio Network, WCBS New York NY on 880 kHz, can get through quite well during good propagation conditions from the U.S.

The station made it through to Pinelands at 0450 UTC on the 22nd August 1976 via the Siera valve receiver and 20 metre longwire antenna.

I was fortunate to receive a QSL card from WCBS, signed by C. Adams, in response to my reception report.

HISTORICAL PERSPECIVE FROM 1978


Click here for a well documented and fascinating account from the http://www.nyradionews.com/ website featuring a behind-the-scenes historical profile of WCBS from 1978.

CBM Montreal QC 940 kHz QSL

The CBM QSL card received in 1976.

The kind verification letter received from Audience Relation Assistant Marcia Morris identified the programme heard as "Midday".

An unexpected follow-up verification letter from Marcia Morris who kindly corrected the programme details heard.

It was a pleasant surprise to receive my first Canadian MW station, CBM Montreal QC on 940 kHz which made it through to Pinelands at 0445 UTC on the 22nd August 1976 via the Siera receiver and 20 metre longwire antenna.

Audience Relation Assistant Marcia Morris kindly verified my report with a QSL card and letter. An unexpected follow up verification letter with the correct programme details was also received.

CBM's FM transmitter went on the air in 1998 and the station's AM 940 transmitter was shut down in May 1999.

WOWO Fort Wayne IN 1190 kHz QSL

Inside of the QSL folder.

Outside of the QSL folder.

Continuing with the QSLs from the 1970's :

WOWO, Fort Wayne IN on 1190 kHz made it through to Pinelands at 0447 UTC on the 13th August 1976 via the Siera valve receiver and 20 metre longwire antenna.

The informative QSL folder signed by Chief Engineer Billy L. Wolfe was received in response to my reception report.

Click here for a visit to an excellent website which contains a fascinating account of the rich history of Fort Wayne's legendary 50,000 watt radio station !

Noordhoek DXpedition Ultralight Loggings : 4th - 11th January 2010

A view of the dx location for the 10th/11th January.

Noordhoek's pristine position on the coast provides the dxer with a great opportunity to hear MW stations from across the Atlantic.

Fair reception conditions were experienced during a family holiday/dxpedition to Noordhoek at the beginning of January 2010.

TRANS ATLANTIC PROPAGATION FROM NORTH AMERICA

The mid summer season can be quite productive for the reception of TA signals from North America with stations fading up before midnight local / 2200 hrs UTC.

1610 Caribbean Beacon appeared at 10:55 pm local / 2055 hrs UTC while 1600 WWRL New York was the first U.S.A. station to fade up at 11:35 pm / 2135 UTC on the 4th January.

It's interesting that TA propagation from the U.S.A. seemed best during the early hours (1:00 am - 4:00 am local / 2300hrs - 0200 hrs UTC) with no local dawn enhancement. In fact U.S. signals seemed to fade quite significantly with the onset of local dawn (around 5:00 am local / 0300 hrs UTC) - a sharp contrast to the superb local dawn/sunrise enhancement experienced during the January 2009 Noordhoek dxpedition.

600 WSJS WINSTON SALEM NC


WSJS, Winston Salem NC on 600 kHz was heard for the first time via the Sony SRF M37V and 220 metre BOG ( The 5 kw signal made it through over a distance of 12 830 km). The enthusiastic response from Morning Show News Director Smith Patterson made my day (See previous post).

1670 kHz BBC RELAY

An unidentified station relaying the BBC World Service on 1670 kHz was received for the first time.

The Loggings : Freq (kHz) and Time (UTC)

600 0050 U.S.A. WSJS Winston Salem NC w id in promo " ... This is Smith Patterson. Start your day informed with the WSJS early morning news, weekdays at 5:00 am on the Triad's News Radio AM 600/1200 WSJS " - poor w fair peaks 11/01 * personal first

670 0047 U.S.A. WSCR Chicago IL w Packers vs Cardinals football comm - poor 11/01

680 0001 U.S.A. WRKO Boston MA w Boston College basketball - fair 6/01.

680 0100 U.S.A. WPTF Raleigh NC w id "Newsradio WPTF Raleigh" and news - poor 11/01

690 0128 CANADA CINF Montreal QC in FF w ad - poor 11/01

700 2347 U.S.A. WLW Cincinatti OH w "700 WLW" id - fair 5/01

700 2305 ST. VINCENT NBC Kingstown (presumed) w religious programme on 10/01 also at 0300 w BBC news fair - 11/01

710 2338 U.S.A. WOR New York NY w id and talkback - very good 10/1

720 0231 U.S.A. WGN Chicago IL w sports comm - poor 11/01

730 0259 CANADA CKAC Montreal ON w ann in FF - poor 11/01

750 0010 U.S.A. WSB Atlanta GA w talkback - poor 11/01

760 0044 U.S.A. WJR Detroit MI "Newstalk 7-60 WJR" id - poor 8/01

770 2357 U.S.A. WABC New York NY w talkback - poor 10/01

780 0156 U.S.A. WBBM Chicago IL w ad - poor 11/01

790 0343 U.S.A. WNIS Norfolk VA w talkback - fair 11/01

800 2335 NETHERLANDS ANTILLES TWR Bonaire w "Unshackled" - good 10/01

810 2355 U.S.A. WGY Schenectady NY (presumed) w ad - very poor 10/01

820 2330 ST. KITTS Radio Paradise w ann "This is the Trinity Broadcasting Network. Reaching our world with the love of Jesus for 36 years" - fair 10/01

830 2358 U.S.A. WCRN Worcester MA w ad " .. new year's best prices on dozens of late model, low milage cars ... at both locations in Worcester and ... " on 5/01. Also at 2244 w ad for "The Spacious Place - Call 978 895 63 62 or visit them online at the spacious place.com" - fair 10/01

840 0102 U.S.A. WHAS Louisville KY w news and WHAS id at 0103 - poor 11/01

850 0044 U.S.A. WTAR Norfolk VA w talkback - fair 11/01

870 2352 U.S.A. WWL New Orleans LA w "Star Registery" ad and football comm - poor 10/01

880 2326 U.S.A. WCBS New York NY w promo ann and id "Bussiness news at 25 and 55 past every hour on WCBS Newsradio. WCBS News time 6:26" - good 10/01

Apart from sentry duty at the caravan farm, our feathered friend provided some early dx wake up calls at around 3:00 am !

900 0157 CANADA CHML Hamilton ON w ad for "Honda" and "AM 900 CHML" id. Aso at 0215 w promo for "The Roy Green Show" - fair 11/01

950 0014 U.S.A. WPEN Philadelphia PA w Packers vs Cardinals football comm. Also at 0032 w ad for "The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. Sunday January 31st at 8:00pm on CBS" - fair 11/01

960 0014 U.S.A. UNIDENTIFIED w sports comm - poor 11/01

990 0049 U.S.A. WNML Knoxville TN a strong possibility here w post match discussion and ad for "Food City Red Tag Specials" - poor 11/01

1000 0015 U.S.A. WMVP Chicago IL w sports report - good 10/1

1010 2301 U.S.A. WINS New York NY news, wx and timecheck "WINS news time 6:01" - fair 5/01

1040 0140 U.S.A. WHO Des Moines IA w "WHO three day weather forecast". Also at 0154 w id and timecheck "Newsradio 10-40 WHO. 10:53" - fair 11/01

1050 2159 U.S.A. WEVD New York NY - fair 11/01

1060 2310 U.S.A. KYW Philadelphia PA w news report - poor 10/01

1080 2335 U.S.A. WTIC Hartford CT (presumed) w sports comm - poor 10/01

1090 2347 U.S.A. WBAL Baltimore MD w id and "Geiko.com" ad - fair 10/01

1110 2359 U.S.A. WBT Charlotte NC w ad - poor 10/01

1120 0235 U.S.A. KMOX St. Louis MO (presumed) w sports news - poor 11/01

1130 2332 U.S.A. WBBR New York NY financial news report - good 10/01

1140 2255 U.S.A. WRVA Richmond VA w medical talkback - fair 10/01

1170 0224 U.S.A. WWVA Wheeling WV Religious px - poor 11/01

1180 2259 U.S.A. R. Marti Marathon Key FL SS w talkback - very good 10/01

1190 2212 U.S.A. WLIB New York NY w id “Your Praise And Inspiration Station 11-90 WLIB” - fair 10/01

1210 2312 U.S.A. UNIDENTIFIED w discussion poor 10/01

Our caravan camp site, situated in a cool position under a gigantic old oak tree.

1400 2324 GRENADA The Harbour Light Of The Windwards w religious sermon - poor 10/01

1500 0037 U.S.A. WFED Washington DC - fair 11/01

1510 0205 U.S.A. WLAC Nashville TX w discussion - good peak 11/01

1520 0232 U.S.A. WWKB Buffalo NY w "KB 15-20" id - poor 11/01

1530 0214 U.S.A. WCKY Cincinatti OH w sports talkback - fair 11/01

1540 2345 BAHAMAS ZNS1 Nassau w ad for "Burger King" - fair 5/01

1600 2150 U.S.A. WWRL New York NY w ad for vitamins "It's only 24.99 for shipping and handling. Your satisfaction is guaranteed." 10/01 The first station from the U.S. to fade up at 2135 UTC on the 4/01.

1610 2055 ANGUILLA Caribbean Beacon w fade-up on 4/01. Also ann at 0138 UTC over gospel music bed "You are watching the University Network. The phone number to call is 1-800 338 30 30 ... " very good peak 8/01

* Audio clip available on the right hand side of the web page.

1620 0203 U.S.A. WTAW College Station TX w ABC news and id at 0205 - good 8/01

1630 0135 U.S.A. KKGM Fort Worth TX w ad "C.C. Creations. Building better relationships througout Texas for 25 years" - fair 8/01

1640 0259 U.S.A. WTNI Biloxi MS a possiblity here w ads - poor 8/01

1660 2300 U.S.A. WWRU Elizabeth NJ w "WWRU Jersey City, New York State" id then into in KK - fair 5/01

1660 0034 U.S.A. WCNZ Marco Island FL w Lely High School girls basketball commentary, "AM 16-60 ... Super Sports Network" id and ad for "Morgan and Morgan" - poor w fair peaks 8/01

1670 0104 U.S.A. WFSM Dry Branch GA w promo " weekdays 9:00 'till noon Fox Sports 16-70" - fair 8/01

1670 2212 UNIDENTIFIED w BBC World Service relay - poor w fair peaks 10/01

1700 0055 U.S.A. KVNS Brownsville TX "Now. News and weather from ten o' five on Classic Hits 17-00 KVNS" fair/good 8/01

Receiver : Sony SRF-M37V Ultralight

Antenna : 60m, 100m and 220m BOGs

Sunset reflection at Noordhoek Beach (Photograph Gary Deacon).

WSJS Winston-Salem NC 600 kHz QSL and Audio

It was a pleasant surprise to receive WSJS Winston-Salem NC on 600 kHz for the first time during the latest January dxpedition to Noordhoek. The 5 kw signal made it through over a distance of 12 830 kilometres on the 11th January 2010 via the Sony M37V Ultralight and 220 metre BOG.

Morning Show News Director Smith Patterson was quite surprised to receive my email reception report :

" Confirmed most assuredly - Wow ! Really though thanks for sharing ! Everyone in the station, including the engineers are amazed. Glad to have corresponded with you. This made my day ! "

Thank you Smith for your kind words and interest ! Your kind response certainly made my day too !

Google image showing the WSJS transmitter site at 36° 07' 00" N, 80° 21' 26" W.

AUDIO * available on the right hand side of the web page

Station identification was included in a promo for Smith Patterson's early morning news programme :

" This is Smith Patterson. Start your day informed with the WSJS early morning news, weekdays at 5:00 am on the Triad's News Radio AM 600/1200 WSJS ".

Panoramic Image of the picturesque receiving location at Noordhoek. The road is directed towards the central part of the U.S. - convenient for a quick and easy set up of the 220 metre BOG along the left hand side (Click onto the image for a higher resolution).

WBAP Fort Worth TX 820 kHz QSL

WBAP's QSL card received in 1974.

WBAP on 820 kHz made it through to Pinelands at 0520 UTC on the 17th August 1974 via the Siera valve receiver and 20 metre longwire antenna.

I was fortunate to receive WBAP's QSL card, from Director of Engineering Rupert Bogan on the 3rd September 1974 (In 12 days after posting my reception report).

A close-up of the AM station details.

Google Earth Image of WBAP's omnidirectional transmitter tower.

WRVA Richmond VA 1140 kHz QSL and Audio

The WRVA QSL card received in 1974.

The interesting verification letter from Vice President and Director Of Public Service, Alden P. Aaroe (Click onto image for a higher resolution).

 

WRVA on 1140 kHz made it through to Pinelands at 0500 UTC on the 6th August 1974 via the Siera valve receiver and 20 metre longwire antenna. It was a pleasant surprise to hear the station with a huge signal that morning !

  

Vice President and Director Of Public Service, Alden P. Aaroe kindly verified my reception report and added that this was the greatest distance that their signal had been heard. 

AUDIO CLIPS 

WRVA sounded as if they were broadcasting from downtown Richmond instead of over 12 647 km's away ! 

AUDIO CLIP 1

 

The Lou Dean Show, recorded on the 6th August 1974, included a mention of the "Millard The Mallard" 256 page book of household hints for 3.95 dollars.

   

The WRVA "Millard The Mallard" Household Hints Book. Millard the Mallard was a fictional character and mascot for WRVA radio. 

AUDIO CLIP 2

WKBW Buffalo NY 1520 kHz QSL

The WKBK QSL card and bumper sticker received in 1974.

WKBW on 1520 kHz made it through to Pinelands at 0515 UTC on the 22nd July 1974 via the Siera valve receiver and 20 metre longwire antenna.

I was fortunate to receive WCKY's QSL card and bumper sticker from Chief Engineer Leroy Fiedler on the 4th October 1974 (A duration of 74 days after posting my reception report).

WKBW TRIBUTE WEBSITE










Check out http://wkbwradio.com/page2.htm for a fascinating tribute to the station.

WCKY Cincinnati OH 1530 kHz QSL

WCKY on 1530 kHz made it through to Pinelands at 0500 UTC on the 15th July 1974 via the Siera valve receiver and 20 metre longwire antenna.

I was fortunate to receive WCKY's QSL card on the 28th October 1974 from Chief Engineer Adrian Lentz (a duration of 102 days after posting my reception report).

TRANSMITTER TOWERS

WCKY went from a three-tower to a four-tower array in the late 1970s. The station modified the array in order to throw more power towards the north and east.

It is interesting to note that the previous pattern favored skywave coverage to the south which probably contributed to the fairly regular trans Atlantic reception in Pinelands during the middle 1970's.

Google Earth Image showing the WCKY Cincinnati transmitter towers at 39° 03' 55" N, 84° 36' 27" W. The single large tower is used for a non-directional pattern during the daytime and all four towers are used for the directional pattern at night.

WBT Charlotte NC 1110 kHz QSL and Audio

WBT on 1110 kHz made it through to Pinelands at 0534 UTC on the 13th July 1974 via the Siera valve receiver and 20 metre longwire antenna.

I was fortunate to receive WBT's QSL card on the 22nd October 1974 (a duration of 96 days after posting my reception report). 

AUDIO 

A VOLCANIC ERUPTION AND IMPENDING EVACUATION !

I discovered an interesting historical trans Atlantic recording of 1110 WBT from reception in Pinelands at 0359 UTC on the 14th April 1979 via the Siera and 20 metre longwire antenna. 

The dramatic beginning of the WBT news report at midnight EDT can be heard towards the end of the audio clip :

" ... U.S. coast guard units are on alert for a possible evacuation of the Caribbean Island of St. Vincent. The Mount Soufrière volcano erupted with a thunderous rumble yesterday ... "

Mount Soufrière, St. Vincent (UWI Seismic Research Centre).

Powerful explosions from Mount Soufrière in April 1979 produced large ash clouds and pyroclastic avalanches, forcing the evacuation of more than 17,000 persons from the northern end of St. Vincent.

The largest hot pyroclastic avalanche flowed down the Larikai River valley on the 14 April 1979 and continued several kilometers out to sea. 

A lava dome grew in the crater until late October 1979. 

Certainly a dramatic trans Atlantic dxing event !

WINS New York NY 1010 kHz QSL

My first TA QSL card was received from 1010 WINS in 1974.

WINS on 1010 kHz made it through to Pinelands at 0500 UTC on the 29th June 1974 via the Siera and 20 metre longwire antenna. The signal was heard at a good level over 12 558 kilometres away.

It was exciting to receive my first trans Atlantic QSL in the post after 75 days in response to my reception report.

SADXC 1974 NOV/DEC DX NEWS

The SADXC "Dx Logbook" Nov/Dec 1974 edition of DX News (Click onto the image for a higher resolutiion).

The SADXC "Dx Logbook" Nov/Dec 1974 edition of DX News reveals what was heard around that time. 1010 WINS was noted at a good level along with a few other interesting stations which used to make it through quite regularly into the Cape Town area via modest receivers and fairly short receiving antenna.

It was one of my first contributions to the column along with experienced and respected South African dxer Nick Kendal who was based in Sea Point, Cape Town.

It is interesting to note that the trans Atlantic reception from the U.S. seemed to be more consistent during the 1970's than in recent times.

KUWAIT Radio Kuwait 1133 kHz QSL

Radio Kuwait was heard in Pinelands at 1810 UTC on the 8th July 1974. The 750 kw transmitter operated on 1133 kHz and was received via the Siera and 20 metre longwire antenna.

The interesting QSL folder included a history of the station and arrived in the post after 77 days in response to my reception report.