First Antenna Out - First Transatlantic Signals Heard

The 310-degree beverage directed towards eastern North America was erected Saturday evening, and the first signals this season from the Americas were heard today at 0200Z. I hadn't expected this, after all it's not even properly dark at local midnight on this latitude, but I did hear the stronger La Plata/Brazil stations and there were carriers on most frequencies. Best audio from 870, 930 and 980.

The 310 isn't very good towards this area so a properly directed antenna like the 85-degree backlobe would probably have yielded much better results. The 85 is due up the coming Friday.

We are underway!

Audio from Radio Nacional Brasilia, 980 here.

NHK1 Kushiro, Nemuro Relay Station 1584 Verification

I don't send much reports anymore, so don't expect too many verie posts here. I got one today though, for a written report I sent this winter. The 100 watt Nemuro relay of JOPG Kushiro (531 kHz) was audible several times on 1584 in October 2007, and a letter today confirmed my reception. Cool that 100 watts can travel so far.

New Season Approaching

Every year, when the midnight sun disappears on July 27, I know that another season is only weeks away. So I've started antenna repairs, and purchased various equipment. Nights are still very light, so I don't expect to hear anything interesting until the end of August when Australian MW stations can be heard in the evening. Since we're still in the solar minimum and there is no sign of increased solar activity any time soon, we should look forward to an interesting autumn.

In the mean time, why not take a look at these pictures, shot when I was on a photo shoot mission in July (just about the only clear day this summer). On the first picture, my location is the blue house all by itself on the top of the picture. A close-up is on the second picture. My home town Berlevåg is third.