LEM DXpedition News of 2010-2011 Season
Hannu Tikkanen (HAT)
After LEM305 - a brief summary
Time to make a short summary. NA was heard on Sunday morning for some 3 hours, and on Monday about one hour during a modest morning opening (plus some even more useless NA at night before this morning opening). After that, only some weak Brazilians on 10 kHz's. Even China disappeared from the bands along the way. No x-band aussies, no real Far East cx, which were the main target after NA on this expedition. C'est la vie.
One positive news, though. If there are people with laptop PSU noise problems, and you don't want to buy a linear PSU, you may want to try Gigantti's general PSU model that they sell, "Kensington PSU for laptops". I had this model with me to continue the January-expedition's succesfull PSU tests, and at least this very piece of equipment was noise free. So I used this model with the other laptop and the linear PSU for the other (with RF filters in every piece of equipment etc). If you purchase this, do test it before expeditions in noise free surroundings to avoid possible surprises, you never know. It comes with some 10 adapters, so it should work in most laptop models. They also sell a little brother "Kensington for mini laptops", but this model has not been tested, and possibly it's not good enough for power consuming laptops anyways.
Wednesday, March 9
Seems that different combinations of NOAA's R1 R2 and S1, with a hint of possible minor/major storms and CMEs, have something to do with the radio conditions! TWR Parakou 1566 and Family Radio Lesotho 1197 have been really booming in the evening hours. Radio Asia 1269 very strong yesterday. Not much to say about TA stations lately, only some weak Brazilians. The outdoor conditions are really nice, sunny but windy, with very mild temperatures. Excellent outdoor weather! But heavy snowfall has been forecast for the weekend, possibly 5-15 cm fresh snow, if the weather forecast really takes place. I hope to avoid this weather, when I drive back (no such luxury as car-train-sleeper on the return trip).
Monday, March 7
Final LEM-expedition of this season. Enjoying sunny and warm late winter days, skiing on the hills to check aerials (and then walking back to check the aerials, after the change into dry clothes), sleeping a lot and letting TOHH take care of weak brazilians, and ofcourse having good food (...). Some dx also in between, assorted selection of some east coast, great lakes, Rockies and ofcourse the regulars from NW and Alaska. And lots of China in the afternoon.
Hannu Niilekselä (HN)
Brand new netSDR, a bit older Perseus and legacy section: 2*NRD-535
Fastest SDR pedition ever?
This pedition wasn't intgended to make SDR/DX history the way it did. Target was to find at least moderate CX towards NA and some MW aussies as a bonus.
But it doesn't always go as in the movies and this pedition writes history by beeing the first(?) DX-pedition which have checked all the recordings during the pedition and published the log on the last day of the pedition.
In the background you'll find some cold facts: There was some CX only in the first three days and only a couple of hours per day. So in the last days of the pedition there was 15-18 hours to check those first three days and all got checked.
Still some CX was found
When there was TA cx towards NA, it was wide open from Florida to Hawaii. Strongest signals came from the Rockies and West Coast, as called as ”Ylämummo”. Even if East Coast seemed to be weak at live listening, the best parts were found from there from the first morning of the pedition.
Some local noise issues and break in the automated recording at prime time made the results even harder to get.
It has been long time ago, when we had nearly total break towards NA for 5 days, but LEM304 saw and heard also this come true in this season.
But anyway some nice stations were heard and also X-band aussies tried to come through. Below 1611 kHz only 4QD Emerald was audible.
New netSDR worked out fine and seems to be excellent receiver. Perseus is close to netSDR, but real critical benchmark coudn't be done because there was no CX ...
Highlights: USA
1230 26.2. 0726 +WCMD Cumberland, MD
1260 28.2. 0800 KTRP Payette, ID
1320 26.2. 0906 +WKAN Kankakee, IL
1380 26.2. 0741 WABH Bath, NY
1490 26.2. 0755 WOLF Syracuse, NY
Highlights: AUS
1548 26.2. 1300 4QD Emerald, QLD
1611 28.2. 1301 2GW Sydney, QLD
1611 28.2. 1354 Goanna
1629 28.2. 1314 4DB Dalby, QLD
1629 28.2. 1317 RETE 32hz upper
1629 28.2. 1320 RETE 14hz below
1629 28.2. 1344 2ME
1629 28.2. 1404 Goanna
1638 28.2. 1326 Goanna
1647 28.2. 1322 Goanna
1656 28.2. 1656 VOC -radio, Brisbane, QLD
1701.01 27.2. 1335 Arabic and Koran in English, not the same as VOC netstream
1701.03 27.2. 1413 Arabic, not the same as Islamic Voice R netstream
1701.06 27.2. 1332 R Brisvaani, Brisbane, QLD
Jan-Erik Österholm (JEÖ)
Saturday, February 5
Minor storm characterized the early night hours 4-5.2 around 2200-0100 with heavy signals from Brazil. Around 01 the band went completely dead in all directions . A check with WWW gave the expected explanation: Geomagnetic field reaching the G1 level, radio black-outs R1, K5 and A 15. Went to have some hours of sleep and was quite surprised when I checked at 04 UTC. Strong NA signals with very heavy fading with a surprisingly clear band on the 320 aerial to 09 UTC when the band went completely dead again and I decided to start unplugging and start to pack for the short drive to Ivalo and the flight back to Helsinki and Porvoo.
As could be expected during this disturbed NA opening the signals came from stations in Alaska, BC, AB, MB and SK but also from the Mountain States of the USA with some interesting dives down all the way to Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska. Quite many rare stations have been identified from the early morning checks many of them centered around WY: KOJM 610, KGVW 640, KGAB 650 (covered the CKOM for 20 minutes),KROE 930, KNEB 960, KPHN 1190, KRAE 1480 (daytime power??), KAPE 1550 and KCHA 1580. This in the middle of a minor storm, or maybe just that's the reason?? A total of 1800 GB's to check when I'm retiring in the end of March. Mostly of course useless files because as a whole the week was as I earlier mentioned, significantly worse than during the last 3-4 years at this period.
LEM303 now signs OFF.
Thursday, February 3
Both in Aihkinniemi and Lemmenjoki we were waiting for the coronal impact expected midday the 3rd. Even if the conditions were mediocre there were TA-signals on the band all from Orinoco and Brazil during the night but also very noisy and heavy fading signals from NA during the day indicating that the impact hadn't not taken place or was not heavy as expected. No daytimers during the whole week, and hardly any signs of Mexicans indicating that the minimum definitely is over. The new KTRP Mount Angel OR 1130 was completely dominating 1130 etc.
Weak Asians and the usual aussies on 120 mb, Emerald 1548. Japanese very weak.
In late afternoon the solar speed increased, but not as dramatically as expected and the K-index rose only to 3-4 in the evening after had been 0-1 for two days.
Wednesday, February 2
This second day of February 2011 turned out to be, after all, moderately satisfactory, even though the overall cx was the worst during this week. The early night hours were poor, and I did not bother to even put the Perseus recordings on to save hard disc space and I had a good night sleep until 4 UTC. After 0440 UTC Orinoco stations emerged and on 1500 there was a huge side band signal from R Santa Rosa on ca 1499.855. Several other andinian frequencies were noted but not yet checked. This peak lasted until 0550 when some few of the dominant Orinoco stations were audible with good signals and then slightly fading down around 0620 UTC.
No NA-signals to mention in the morning hours but the poor NA-cx continued to stay south and north of the Canadian border as I mentioned yesterday.The band died completely just before 09 UTC - no signals on any antenna from anywhere!
Frequent phone calls were made between myself and JPR/MS in the Aihkinniemi QTH. When changing frequency checks we observed, that there were differences in signal strengths between the ca 270 degree antennas. As an example, in Lemmenjoki R Salta 840 came through with a nice signal on the 270 antenna, as it should, but almost disappeared when switching to 255. According to Jari the signal strength was almost equal on both 270 and 255. Our common conclusion is, that the terrain, being flat in Aihkinniemi and hilly up and downs in Lemmenjoki, might have an influence on the reflection efficiency close to the grounded end of the antenna. In Lemmenjoki, most of the antennas, with the exception of the ones towards Alaska/Hawaii (358 degrees) and the ones pointing towards the Pacific Islands, Japan and Australia (30, 55, 73 degrees, respectively), For all other antennas (245-335 degrees) the last 300-400 meters go steeply down towards the grounded balloon.
I have also in my home QTH in Porvoo noticed, that with the short back-loob antennas I have, I have observed a significant change in performance from having a horizontal back-loob all the way to the balloon feeding and grounding. Around ten years ago I changed my antennas so, that the last 40-50meters (total length ca 110 meters) enters the feeding point downwards in a ca 45 degree slope. I do not know, if the downward slope of the antennas affect the incoming signal reflectionss but the least we can say is that there is still a lot to understand about terrains and antennas, groundings, feedings etc,
Jari and I have an idea to write a common doctoral thesis about these mysteries, when we are safely retired, on the subject "The deep slopes of beverages towards the ground - a short step for the present DX-er but a giant convenience for young DX-ers to come".
OK. What happened later in the day after the blackout starting around 09 UTC? What comes to NA, it was the usual dominants appearing later in the afternoon with the best signals from the new SS OR-station on 1130 on an otherwise completely uninteresting band.
Switching to Asia/Pacific. On Lemmenjoki's 73 degree antenna I noticed ABC Emerald on 1548 with an unbelievable signal at around 1230 UTC. Had just got a note from Tapio Kalmi, that there was a Cyclon-alert SW station transmitting on both 9710 and 6080 somwhere in Crains, QLD, carrying emergency warnings to the locals. Sure enough, the transmitter came in perfectly in Lemmenjoki and Aihkinniemi. We beleive, that this must have a connection to the Shepparton transmitters on the said frequencies. Anyway, a unique reception. After checking some of the files I also found, in addition to Emerald 1548, 4RN Brisbane on 792 (maybee on increased emergency power, who knows?). A lot of files to be checked between between 1230 and 1500 UTC even though the band started to fill upp with indians, chinese and europeans...
Now, unfortunately we expect that, the massive coronal hole facing the earth will hit during the next days of our peditions here in Aihkinniemi and Lemmenjoki. If so happens we can enjoy the last days by going through new and old files....
Tuesday, February 1
The first day of February 2011 was a very disappointing one. Checked the band around 22 UTC and very few weak TA-signals could be observed. Some weak BRA- and Orinoco-stations as well as CBG and WEGP, but nothing more. Went to sleep for two hours, and the situation remained the same. Another two hours of sleep, and still, there was absolutely nothing to make me put the Persueses "on line" (thereby saving several hundreds of GBs for the days ahead).
Between around 0630-09 there was finally a pretty nice NA opening with strong signals also on the GYs so who knows what is on the files. After a short checking though, the pattern seems to be the same; the states south of the Canadian border from MI-WA, so very challenging to find something new. The almost complete absence of Mexicans surprises me, because PÄ and I have been just during this time on peditions and have had a major successes in loggings of mexicans. Maybe the solar maximum ahead is already hitting us?
After 09 the band almost completely died, and with the exception of a few signals from the Pacific States (read Vancouver's on 1410 and 1470) there was no use to record anything. Again, and the same situation in Aihkinniemi (JPR&MS), the 320 degree wire was the only usable.
Compared to January 31, hardly no signs of Nikkon Hosos not to mention that the 120 mb aussies were extremely weak. No sign of Emerald 1548. The frequency was blocked by europeans! This compared to the previous day!
We are prepared for the worst, namely that the approaching coronal hole might hit in a day or two. Both in Aikinniemi and in Lemmenjoki the boys have been out in the forests in a snow depth of 60 cm to look after the antennas. In addition, the undersigned has emptied part of Kristiina's house roof that was - and still partly is - covered with some 50-70 cm of snow,
Back with a report tomorrow - if any?
Monday, January 31
No daytimer openings. However, due to the fact that Brazil and La Plata were more or less abcent during the early night hours and instead Orinoco and the Caribbean filled the band, continuing all the night gives hope for at leas 1-2 days of decent conditions before the next coronal earth will make its impact. NA from early morning through the day up to around 13.30 UTC. Since I had to go to Inari for shopping between 9-12 UTC I have not had the time to check much. At around 8 UTC the cx were concentrated, as usual, towards MN, WY, ID, MT with some WA stations in between. Interestingly enough, the same phenomenon that HN and I had in October happened also now. By far the best, and only usable, NA-antenna was the 320 degree. Clear and steady signals on this while e.g.300 and 335 were noisy and with much weaker signals. The situation was almost vice versa the day before!
In later afternoon the 120 mb aussies came better than I have ever heard. Emerald on 1548 nicely as well as aussies on 1503 and 1512 (at least). Funnily enough, the X-band aussies were very weak.
The best catches were during the short opening towards Peru with R Cristal, Chiclayo 1520 (on a split 1519.20-30) and R Flor de los Andes 1610 (!) new for me. Both have been heard earlier by at least TJ in Sweden last spring. It was interesting to note that Flor the los Andes could phade up over Carribbean Beacon on 1610 and at the same time Rebelde on 1620 had a QS6 strength!!
Lots of recordings to go through later in the year from this day, all in all some 400 GB.
Sunday, January 30
Arrived yesterday January 29 at 18 UTC after a convenient flight from Helsinki and with a rented car waiting. Quite heavy snow showers between Inari and Lemmenjoki so I had to avoid speeding in the dark. You never now when a raindeer jumps in front of your car....
After setting up the listening post I checked the band, and sure enough, as JPR&MJ had reported from Aihkinniemi some 100 km east of Lemmenjoki, no chanches for any arly evening NA signals. Around 00 UTC brazilians were filling the band with heavy fadings that makes it almost impossible to find anything new of interest. La Plata increased in strength after 02 but also here I could not observe anything new so I let the Perseus do the work and went to sleep.
Between 0642-0800 there were pretty nice signals and the cx had shifted north from La Plata. Using the 273 degree antenna I was lucky enough to get at least two for me new ecuadorians: 1160 La Radio 11-60 Quito and 1530 Ondas Canaris. The common peruvians such as 1240, 1310, 1380, 1400, 1500 , 1540 and 1570 were also audiable. This was promising, but however the signals started sharply to disappear after 8 UTC and no WI-daytimer openings could be observed at around noon even though the GY-frequencies were open....
Jarmo Patala (JP) and Vesa-Jussi Rinkinen (VJR)
Saturday, January 29 - Some Picture Updates
Dawn at the time of NA peak.
Left: JP running 2 x Perseus and NRD535. Right: VJR preparing traditional English Breakfast.
Friday, January 28 - Final Days
Early night started with NA dominants, Lakes and East Coast. Then complete fade out.
Many Vesti stations from Siberia on long waves.
Morning Orinoco with strong signals.
Soon we noted that there has been R1 class radio blackout, our eastern colleagues from Aihkiniemi also delighted us with phone calls, they were also wondering about the weak conditions.
Midday was used for outdoor life with antenna checking in sunny weather, after few hours wait band was full of exotic blend of Asian sounds, 567, 576 and 918 ...
Tomorrow morning we will drive to South, that’s all folks for now, KIK-DX has left the building.
Thursday, January 27
No night to remember. But morning was in full speed towards NA between 07-09, good ones were 1170 La QueBuena and KJOC Oldies.
Nice opening to Japan at 0959 with NHK1 locals and commercial ones, Radio Fly from PNG with country songs, soon after that everything vanished for few hours.
Good time for some antenna works.
Early evening band full of Thai’s and Indian subcontinent.
Wednesday, January 26
Night started with rather good cx to the Lakes and East Coast, at the time of local sunset. Earlier in the evening we nailed R Gotel 917 and again R Familia 4900. NA faded away after 0030. AM hours didn't surprise us with NA signals, only dominants from East Coast, Ontario etc. COPE had a local break at 0650-0700. Aragon 936 was noted at the RNE5 regional break. Lots of Asians again in the afternoon, but those catches will be found from harddisks later on.
Tuesday, January 25
Night started with promising conditions towards the Lakes, then time for Iberia, of course. In the darkest hours Fantastico FM 1700 Argentina.
Some Aurora Borealis was noted also by the local villagers.
Morning best signals from Orinoco. Then signals vanished from the band, right now (1919UTC/ed.) Familia FM in the headphones.
Monday, January 24
Night started with some Ontario and Caribbean. After nice sleep it was time for full English Breakfast. No RAI, except Sardegna, but some iberians.
Conditions towards USA improved a lot, stations from the East Coast to Lakes, then to California. 1410 La Mexicana...again Mexicana?
X-band aussies were numerous and after that some Happy FM stations from Korea.
Freezing temperatures down to minus 11 Fahrenheit.
Sunday, January 23
In the morning NA stations mixing with Cuba and Peru. La Mexicana 1330. So soon we decided to check antennas, they were OK. Afternoon once again poor to NA but Asia, especially China was strong. As antennas and receivers are OK, we are waiting conditions to improve.
Saturday, January 22
LEM302 arrived at listening hut at 1130 UTC, after quick build up of dx gear, there was rather good NW cx, some Japanese and Radio Symban. After early wake up no yankee stations to mention, but we shifted down to Orinoco and even had time for short wave listening, Brasil and Peru.
Hannu Tikkanen (HAT) and Håkan Sundman (HS)
Final update, after LEM301
We worked hard before the expedition to eliminate the known noise sources of the new equipment. Both HS and HAT had one or two pc models that had a seriously noisy PSU. Big thanks to OJS/BM in Norway for showing us the linear PSU model that we purchased for both of us, this model worked 100% the way it was expected, and another big thanks to RS/JHU for domestic advises regarding double shielded connection cables and RF interference filters. In addition we had some inhouse electric feeding arrangements (that may have helped or not, tbh). All in all, to our satisfaction we were able to enjoy totally noise free AM-band; the situation might have been something different without prework. HAT had just in case some long life pc battery packs for battery listening, but they were not needed.
Saturday, January 15
The last days of LEM301 offered some openings to east coast, as well as the usual stuff from the Rockies and upper northwest. This morning the band was full of common Venezuelan and Cuban stations covering almost every NA-channel, unfortunatelly, with a mixture of usual westerners . The frequencies died by the time to turn off the rigs making it easy to leave the usual stuff on the band and start packing and hitting the road. Temperatures varied between -5 and -35, the average was around -20. Nice winter expition, all in all!
Thursday, January 13
Improvement in conditions was noted. The conditions were focused first into the east coast / Great Lakes area, and later on to the northern midwest, MN SD ND etc. Japan has been weak in general, as expected in midwinter, not much to say about Australian x-band either, just a few weak signals at times. btw, food has been good and easy to prepare. -Two more days to go!
Wednesday, January 12
Some East Coast and Great Lakes briefly yesterday morning. In the evening common NA, WRRD-1510 with a huge signal for 3-4 minutes, and then everything was cut off.
Tuesday, January 11
LEM301 has been on since Saturday. Very modest conditions with some La Plata and Brazil at night, the most regular US Northwest during the daytime.
Jari Ruohomäki (JPR) and Jim Solatie (JMS)
Friday, January 7
Finally on morning truly amazing NA conditions. Almost all Europeans were diappeared, so no splatters at all!
GBU, Jari and Jim
Thursday, January 6
A great midnight opening to Brazil. Strong signals the whole night.
On morning once-in-lifetime opening to Orinoco. Also Monumental 1080 from Paraguay was heard. Apolo 1320 still strong after midday Finnish time (10 UTC/ed.).
On evening at 22 UTC a short daytimer opening to Virginia, e.g. 1410 and 1470 were heard.
Monday, January 3
LEM300 continues with mediocre success. Both on Sunday and Monday average conditions to USA, Japan and China. Impossible to find new stations. The great solar minimum is definitely behind us, it is just a beautiful memory in our minds (and hard-discs).
Adjusting ones mind to the mediocre dx-life is quite challenging. But in 2020 everything will be different again ;)
Luckily we have at least excellent service. Below you can see the famous Sami gentleman Jouni-Ilmari providing us local Kuivajärvi whitefish.
Friday, December 31
Yo Bros,
Happy New Year from Lemmenjoki! Some Weast Coast graveyarders today, and a nice NHK2-peak at 1319 utc with new catches like JOTZ Hachinohe 1377, JORC Hirosaki 1467, JOCD Koriyama 1512 and JOJC Shinjou 1539.
Here is a lovely audioclip from JOIF Fukuoka 1413 at midnight local time (15 utc). Lemmenjoki joins JOIF in wishing everyone a Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 29
LEM300, the great anniversary expedition started on Tuesday, the 28th December with a CME and some weak northern lights. Still some most common East Coast on the band already before 21 utc. Then at night for example Radio Encuentro, Sucre on 920 AM. In the morning a short and sharp peak to Chile. On 1030 AM an official, but unlisted station, CC103 Radio Chilena de Concepción. Please enjoy their audiofile. Thanks in a million to Henrik Klemetz for all the help. You are absolutely the best dx-detective ever!
In the afternoon quite good West Coast and then at 15 utc a strong Korea-peak, with HLSQ 'Love FM' 792 loud and clear.
Ten more days to follow.
Hannu Asikainen (HAS) and Hannu Niilekselä (HN)
Friday, December 17
LEM 299 must now have the record of combined solar wind values for one week. It has been coming down in the past 24 hours and that was also easy to note on the band.
After a "dizzy" day and afternoon, the band cleared up during the early evening hours. However, no easterly signals wanted to surface, except for the "beacons" such as CBG-1400, WEGP-1390 and the 1230 Canadians. We had first decent signals as late as on the hour of 23 UTC...directly to Nebraska with KLIN-1400 and KWBE-1450 alone on their respective frequencies. In essence as daytimers !
Soon KOUU-1290, together with such greats as KSL-1160, KZNS-1280 and KFNZ-1320 joining the party from far out in the daylight. Before midnight UTC also the new "La Mexicana" KPWX-1130 from Oregon remained us of its existence. Many WA stations were noted. The fun was over by 01 UTC as the signals had settled to the normal almost-non-existent night time conditions.
The morning started around 07 UTC with the pattern typical for the better days this week bringing in everything between Cuba abd the West Coast. Some stations from FL, e.g. WSBB-1230 and WROD-1340, were noted for a short while but by 10 UTC the signals from all directions had diminished to the usual weak- dominants-only level. From 12 UTC to 13.30 UTC signals along the Canadian border were strong and clear, but logging anything worthwhile was easier said than done.
Not a bad day with signals compared to the average of this week, but still very likely a day with no or only one or two lucky strike reports for us both.
It has been a windy week, but as always, it has been fun !
LEM 299 is signing off...
Thursday, December 16
The solar wind effects are getting more and more difficult. Most of the day today we have had bruises on the band as if it was raining cats and dogs on the mw band...The "sober" moments were limited to only one half hour period around 0730-0800 UTC. Otherwise it has been just about dead.
Some signals try to come through every now and then, but stability is limited to less than 10 seconds at a time. Still, with the SDR-equipment you´ll find a lone identification or two every second hour or so...
And the interesting feature is that there are no dominants on the frequencies during periods like this, so anything can jump up. A good example today was the almost total absence of the remaining Alberta stations. Thanks to this, stations like KATL-770, KKOB-770, KCJB-910 and KSRA-960 were identified during the "bright" 30 minute period.
Other DX-ing activities included hunting for Iberian stations in the morning. An interesting feature was a more easterly direction of the conditions so that stations like RNE-1 Castilla La Mancha on 693 and 864 were logged.
The solar wind is coming down now, we´ll see if it is of any use to us dureing the remaining 1 and a half days.
Wednesday, December 15
The solar wind has decided to "lock-on" to a level of around 600 this week...with the K-index jumping all the way to 4...
One would tend to think that such values make the more northern TA-stations disappear totally. The truth, however, is somewhere in between. There is very little to listen to, but in spite of all of this, there are isolated short periods with stations audible. The direction tends to be more and more concentrated to "ylämummo", which makes finding anything of interest very difficult.
Still, we have found something new to both of us each day...
The night was desperate, but in the morning already at 7 UTC some NA tried to push through. The signals were weak with mainly the dominants from the northern and western areas - arund the Canadian border. Even these gradually got weaker, so we had time to check antennas and files, as well as have a 2-hour chat with Aslak.
But all of the sudden the signals improved at around 1145 UTC. They remained strong and clear for some 10 minutes, but were already weaker on the TOH. As the direction was as explained above, it was KONP-KTIX-CBC on the GY frequencies and west coast dominants on the regionals. The fun ended soon again, but, it was still better than expected. Asia was fairly nice in the HL-Thai direction after 13 UTC. By 14 UTC everything had died out again.
R Cadiz, R ECCA, KTZN-550, KAGO-1150, KBSN-1230, KQEN-1240, KTSN-1340, KTDD-1350, KFLS-1450, KVCK-1450.
Tuesday, December 14
Monday evening was spent waiting for signals that never came...first after 2230 UTC first weak NA were noted, directly from the upper Great Lakes area. Occasional weak bursts of uninteresting signals early in the night, empty in the morning until around 0650 UTC.
Then, out of the blue, fairly sudden opening with fair signals from the Caribbean to all the way down to Argentina. Gradually that direction died out and the usual "upper grandmother" ("ylämummo") opened up. Anyone familiar with the concept will know that finding something new from that direction with mediocre signals is a dreadful job !
Except for one 30 minute period, the NA signals were very unstable, as you would expect when the solar wind is above 600... The beginning of this period covered one TOH, so the day was saved...even some California tried to push through right at that moment.
At 10 UTC Asia opened up slightly with some NHK-1 ID´s available...but in a short while also that direction returned back to "normal". Surprisingly, at around 1430 about 10 minutes of some AUS signals on the X-band...
The remaining part of the day and evening has been spent on files from first two days.
As of writing this at 2130 UTC, 5 of the most common NA with fair signals...but without Ontario...a good sign ??
ZIZ-555, R Cordoba-700, R Trinidad-730, WSTX-970, KQIK-1230, KMJ-580, KTMS-990, KAGO-1150, KQIK-1230, KYLT-1340, KLBM-1450
P.S. Forgot to mention: tasty back-home-made cooking accompanied by a shot of José Cuervo every sigle day so far...
Monday, December 13
The night continued just as the evening started: no TA signals until morning. Even then we had to wait until around 8 am, before anything happened. But then, all of a sudden, a very bright 10 minutes towards the Caribbean and some VEN-COL. The very lucky thing with this tiny opening was that it took place right at the top of the hour. We managed to get a clear TOH-ID of WVWI-1000. Also WSTX-970 and R Trinidad 730 both came with a beautiful signal, but neither one identified on the hour, and at 5 past the WSTX ID was not as splendid one anymore, since the signals were already getting weaker. After another 10 minutes with some LA, the band was empty again.
Continuous checking on the band gave as 3-4 Seattle-Vancouver area signals faintly appearing and disappearing again 2-3 times during the day. Nothing until 13 UTC, when we had a few more signals from the common west-end (KEYG-1490, KWOR-1340, KOWB-1290) for another 10 minutes. That was it with NA today, quite a change from yesterday !
The JO break at 1320 was an interesting one: JOSB alone on 1602, but no other NHK-2 ID´s. However, having "painted" the 1 minute section and traveling down the frequencies 1503 offered a 100 % sure signal of 2BS for some 30 seconds. Absolutely nothing else from that direction at that time, earlier or later ! It was hard to believe...
In all an empty day, but still an interesting one...good chances to check antennas and some files from previous days: from late Saturday afternoon "La Mexicana" KPWX-1130 and early Sunday morning WPFC-1550.
Sunday, December 12
NA and Cuba throught the night, but based on a quick check of the files, nothing really interesting. As is often the case in mid-winter, we had to wait until 08 UTC before the signals got better.
From there on it was a day withg quite stable signals throughout the day, but everything between Cuba and the Rockies at the same time, but mostly just around the US/Caqnadian border. If we still had Canadians, lots of them would have been audible !
In spite of the fairly difficult set-up, the clarity of the signals was inspiring. For the first time for weeks also the lower end was open for several hours in thye morning and mid-day. As the west coast was almost totally absent, this combination gave good hopes for finding something new.
And it turned out to be one of the better days with several reports to us both already listening live.
Logged stations included WIND-560, WTCM-580, WKHM-970, WCXN-1170, KHAS-1230, WDMJ-1320, KFLD-1410, KHND-1470, two odd Texans KVWC-1490 and KQTY-1490 (in one minute), KLGR-1490 and KDSN-1530.
As we write this at 2130 UTC, no TA-signals at all this evening !
Saturday, December 11
LEM299 with Hannu Asikainen (HAS) and Hannu Niilekselä (HN) started on 11 December, 2010 a bit after noon, as we got the exhausted "lurxes" out succesfully. The three gentlemen had given their last shots at the skies and succesfully closed LEM 298 with some truly nice last-minute loggings.
We took our time in setting up the gear and got started at around 12 UTC, in time for a fair opening towardsd the northwestern parts of the Great Lakes, continuing to Idaho and Eastren Washington. It took until 17 UTC before the last stations from the area disappeared, having traveled from sheer daylight for several hours.
In the beginning the focus was quite sharply in Minnesota and the Dakotas, but only in the upper half of the mw band. Some logged stations were WWWI-1270, KTRF-1230, KRBT-1340 and KIJV-1340.
It was not, though, question of any specifically powerful conditions, mostly just the most common friends from the area: KCLK-1430, KOUU-1290, KTIK-1350, KPTQ-1280 and KMBI-1330, which was the first reported station for HAS on LEM299 !
An hour later, east coast started to appear, so it seemd like a 24-hour circle ahead. The evening offered us nothing new, just the usual Newfoundland-WEGP and some lone signals from the PR-YV line, before the direction was again towards MN and surroundinmgs. Strongest station KKCQ-1480 already at 2130 UTC, but very little anything of interest, even if the promise was there.
Jarmo Havukunnas (JHU), Ilpo Parviainen (IPA) and Roland Sandberg (RS)
Blog http://lem298.blogspot.com/
Friday, December 10
Hyvää PR:ää!
Toiseksi viimeinen kuuntelupäivä alkoi alhaisin odotuksin. Ja jälleen kerran tulimme pahan kerran yllätetyiksi. Väliaikaisesti yli 400 km/s tuntinopeuksiin yltänyt aurinkotuuli oli ilmeisesti vienyt edellisen päivän signaalit mennessään – nyt tuuli oli taas laantunut reilun 300 km/s nopeuksiin ja protonipitoisuuskin pudonnut reilusta 11 protonista/cm3 alle yhteen.
Tavanomaiset WEGP:t, CBG:t yms. nousivat bandille taas hyvissä ajoin, ja niiden signaalit alkoivat hyytyä 21 UTC, niin kuin useana aiempanakin iltana. Jenkkejä odotettiin bandille 22 UTC, mutta toisin kävi – kelit siirtyivät Karibialle. Noin tunnin verran saimme kuunnella bandin täydeltä Puerto Ricon ja Dominikaanisen Tasavallan asemia. Livenä idasimme mm. WAPA-680, R Cordillera-760, WIPR-940 ja R Amanacer-1060. Tallenteilla on paljon mukavia asemia odottamassa – huomionarvoista oli se, että asemat kuuluivat ennen Venezuelan auringonlaskua – yhtään venezolaanoa ei tuon session aikana idattu. UTC 23 jälkeen Venezuela nousi bandille. Yön keleistä ei ole havaintoja – yö meni nukkuessa – mutta tallenteiltahan tuokin aikanaan selviää.
Aamulla jenkkejä taas koko rintamalta – parhaiten veti itärannikko ja länsirannikko. Seassa myös lattareita. UTC 10 – 11 lähinnä länsirannikolta WA-OR –asemia. Päivän parhaat: R Sucre, Guayaquil-700, KQEN-1240, WNEM-1250, KBRF-1250, WSKO-1260, WRSA-1420, WACK-1420, KBLA-1570 ja WKWF-1600.
- - -
Good PR!
The second last day started with low expectations. And once again we became surprised. The solar wind had temporarily exceeded speeds over 400 km/s and probably took away all our precious signals yesterday. Now the wind had calmed down to bit over 300 m/s and even the proton density had fallen from 11 protons/cm3 to under one proton/cm3.
The usual WGEP´s, CBG´s etc were there again really early, but they started to fade out at 21 UTC as had happened also earlier. We expected U.S. stations to occupy the band at 22 UTC, but that didn´t happen – the conditions went to Caribbean. About one hour we enjoyed band full of Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic stations. We were able to identify live WAPA-680, R Cordillera-760, WIPR-940 and R Amanacer-1060. Hard discs are full of nice signals waiting to be listened to – noticeable was that the stations were audible before sunset in Venezuela and thus no Venezuelan stations were noted during that session. After 23 UTC Venezuela came in – and we went to sleep.
In the morning we got again U.S. stations from coast to coast accompanied by some South American and Caribbean stations. At 10-11 UTC we had signals mainly from WA-OR. Best catches: R Sucre, Guayaquil-700, KQEN-1240, WNEM-1250, KBRF-1250, WSKO-1260, WRSA-1420, WACK-1420, KBLA-1570 and WKWF-1600.
Thursday, December 9
Räkäkuulia ja nahkakelejä ... eiku ...
Nyt tuntuu, että mentiin jo miinuksen puolelle ... ei, indeksit eivät ole miinusmerkkisiä, eivätkä signaalit ole alkaneet purkautua kovalevyiltä takaisin atmosfääreihin – nyt ei vaan enää kuulu juuri mitään. Onneksi ennusteissa häiriötä povataan vasta huomiseksi tai ylihuomiseksi, muuten asemien kuulumattomuudesta olisi voinut peräti huolestua.
Kokonaan kelit eivät kuitenkaan ole olleet poikki. Yöllä kuului muutama brassi, aamulla noin kymmenkunta jenkkidominanttia, päivällä oli jo rauhallisempaa. Iltapäivällä saimme kuitenkin jo pienen UT-OR –töhäyksen; KUTR-820, KXMD-970, KOUU-1290 ja KTUB-1600.
Heikot kelit kuitenkin mahdollistivat sen, että saatoimme jatkaa Amerikan markkinoille seuraavaksi bestselleriksi suunnitellun urbaanin selviytymisoppaan ”Survival of the Fattest” kirjoittamista. Ehkä haastavinta prosessissa on ollut itsensä saattaminen siihen tilavuusluokkaan, että asioita on voitu omakohtaisesti ja empirisesti kokeilla.
Ja niille, jotka aprikoivat mitä edellisessä kirjoituksessamme itsenäisyyspäivän ateriassamme nautituiksi mainitut nahkakuulat ovat – ne kuuluvat perinteisiin Lurkkien peditionruokiin; reilut pari tuntia kuivaksi keitettyjä ainoastaan lievästi mustuneita perunoita, jotka pinnaltaan ovat nahkamaisen kimmoisia ja sisältä rutikuivia ja jauhomaisia. Valmistusprosessi vie kokonaisuudessaan noin nelisen tuntia – kattilan tulee kiehua kuivaksi ainakin kolme kertaa. Nahkakuulien palaneet osat – siis ne, jotka ovat tarttuneet lähes pysyvästi kattilan sisäpintaan – voidaan hyödyntää höysteenä esimerkiksi seuraavan kerran teevettä keitettäessä.
- - -
Now it feels like we are going below zero ... no, the indices are not negative nor have the signals started to unwind back to the atmosphere from the hard discs – there isn´t just any desired signals coming in. Luckily that disturbance on long distance propagation that has been predicted will come only tomorrow or day after tomorrow, otherwise we could be worried.
We are not totally out of conditions. At night we had couple of Brazilians, in the morning about 10 dominants from the U.S., but the day was not so intense. Later in the afternoon we had some conditions to UT-OR; KUTR-820, KXMD-970, KOUU-1290 and KTUB-1600.
However, those poor conditions made it possible for us to continue writing what we have planned to be the next bestseller in American market – an urban survival guide: “Survival of the Fattest”. Maybe the most challenging thing in that writing process has been getting to that size that we have been able to empirically test by ourselves all the things written in that book.
And for those who have been wondering what might have been the “leather balls” that were mentioned earlier in our National Independence Day menu: they are very traditional Lurx-pedition food. They are potatoes that are boiled dry for couple of hours so that they are only slightly blackened and that they´ll have leather-like elastic surface and very dry floury inside. The cooking process takes about four hours – the kettle must boil dry at least three times during the process. The burned parts of those leather balls – the parts that are almost permanently stuck to the inside of the kettle – can be used as a spice for example next time when you´re boiling teawater.
Wednesday, December 8
Toisto lurex!
Toiston välttämiseksi, emme kerro, että kelit alkoivat taas 19 UTC aikoihin tavanomaisella kattauksella NL-ON-ME –asemia. Ja niin kuin aiemminkin, lupaavan alun jälkeen kelit etenivät erittäin nihkeästi ja varsinaisen kuuntelun makuun päästiin vasta 22.30 UTC aikoihin. Iltayön ainoa valopilkku oli WMLM-1520.
Yöllä parhaaseen nukkuma-aikaan oli ilmeisesti ollut pienimuotoista kelinpoikasta. Tallenteilta löytyi alustavassa pikatarkistuksessa mm. KHAS-1230, WJON-1240 ja KATE-1450.
Aamulla lähinnä Venezuelaa ja mukana myös Radio El Rocio-1370. Jenkkejä coast to coast, tällä kertaa hivenen voimakkaammin lännestä kuin idästä.
Päivällä signaaleja lähinnä vuorilta ja lännestä; mm. KLTZ-1240, WWWI-1270, KLER-1300 ja … Uhtualle terveisiä … lurkit kellistivät CIVH-1340 – “The Valley Wolf”:n.
- - -
Repetition rulez!
To avoid repetition we don´t tell that the conditions started again at about 19 UTC with usual NL-ON-ME -stations. And as earlier, after very promising start, the conditions proceeded reluctantly and it was about 22.30 UTC when we got something going on. The only bright spot of the evening was WMLM-1520.
At night during the best sleeping time there was evidently some kind of conditions. After brief check-up we could find KHAS-1230, WJON-1240 and KATE-1450 from the discs.
Then in the morning we got some Venezuela accompanied by Radio El Rocio-1370. Coast to coast again from the U.S., this time slightly better from the west than from the east.
Daytime conditions gave us signals mainly from the Rockies and West Coast, for example KLTZ-1240, WWWI-1270, KLER-1300 and CIVH-1340 – “The Valley Wolf”.
Tuesday, December 7
Hyvä Suomi!!!
Taas lähtivät jenkit kuulumaan aikaisin maanantai-iltana – lähinnä ontariolaisia bandilla klo 21 UTC. Myöhemmin kuuluivat mm. WJML-1110, WSOO-1230, WPNW-1260 ja KMSR-1520.
Aamulla kelit totutusti lähinnä järvillä, mutta ”mukavasti” levällään koko mantereen leveydellä: KJJQ-910, WMAC-940, KJOC-1170, WVHI-1330, WVEI-1440, WPRS-1440, WBGX-1570 ja japanilaisista JOID NHK-2, Oita-1467 (jo toinen identifioitu japanilainen!!!!).
Tänä vuonna juhlistimme itsenäisyyspäivää hyvän aterian parissa. Tarjolla oli patagonialaisen härkäsammakon kutua nahkakuulapedillä ja juomana oli itsenäisyyspäivän kunniaksi kotimainen mukavan tulinen Carlake Flammable Special vm 2009. Tästä oli ”industrial crap” kaukana!
- - -
Go Finland!
Again the conditions started early Monday evening - mainly stations from Ontario at 21 UTC. Later on for example WJML-1110, WSOO-1230, WPNW-1260 and KMSR-1520.
In the morning the conditions were as usual at the Lakes, but "nicely" spread across the continent KJJQ-910, WMAC-940, KJOC-1170, WVHI-1330, WVEI-1440, WPRS-1440, WBGX-1570 and Japanese JOID NHK-2, Oita-1467 (second identified Japanese station!!!!).
This year we celebrated our National Independence Day with a good meal. We had Patagonian Bull Frog´s Spawn on leather ball bed and for drinks we had nicely fiery domestic Carlake Flammable Special 2009. Something totally else than industrial crap!
Sunday, December 5, Boring ...
Sunnuntai-iltana ei myöskään kuultu mitään maininnan arvoista. Kelit nousivat suoraan järville, mutta signaalit olivat melko heikkoja ja pelkkiä dominantteja pystyttiin identifioimaan.
Maanantaiaamuna oli melkein viiden tunnin mittaiset Kuuba-Kolumbia –kelit, joista tallenteilta varmasti jotain jo löytyykin. Samanaikaisesti keliä myös länsirannikolle. Päivän parhaat sieppaukset: Radio Caravana-750, KYNO-940, KTTO-970, KWIQ-1020 ja KWEI-1260.
Ei vieläkään minkäänlaisia kelejä Aasiaan. Myöskään X-bandin ausseja ei ole kulunut nyt pariin päivään.
- - -
Nothing spectacular heard either on Sunday night. The conditions went straight to the Lakes, but signals were pretty weak and only some dominants were identified.
On Monday morning we had nice conditions to Cuba and Colombia, which lasted about 5 hours. From recordings of those conditions we should be able to find something interesting. Simultaneously we had again conditions to the West Coast of U.S.A. The best catches of the day: Radio Caravana-750, KYNO-940, KTTO-970, KWIQ-1020 and KWEI-1260.
Still no conditions what so ever to Asia. Also X-band aussies haven´t been heard for two days now.
Saturday, December 4
Olemme lopulta saavuttaneet nollapisteen – siis omasta mielestämmekin. A on nolla, K on nolla, kelit on nolla, tältä päivältä raportteja nolla, Cokis on nolla (=Zero), eilisten mielentilatutkimusten tulokset nolla, lukijoiden kommentteja blogissamme nolla, ajatuksia nolla, juttujen taso ja lämpötila jopa reilustikin alle nollan – ainoastaan rasvaprosentti on mukavasti plussan puolella. Näillä mennään!
Lauantai-illan tuskaa!
Lauantai-illan kelit aloitti WEGP-1390 kuulumalla jo 19.00 UTC. Kuten aiemminkin tällä reissulla, se ei ole välttämättä ole hyvä enne, eikä ollut nytkään. Iltayön kelit olivat todella laimeat – mitään mielenkiintoista ei haaviin tarttunut.
Sunnuntaina aamulla kelit aukesivat taas järville. Päivän paras hetki oli 09 UTC, jolloin samanaikaisesti bongasimme WSUA-1260:n ja KJUG-1270:n. Jos pistekelejä tuona päivänä oli, niin kovin oli iso piste.
Iltapäivän penkkien hiertämisen palkitsi KCVR-1570 upealla kuuluvuudellaan juuri ennen paikallista auringonnousua. Muuten aika mitäänsanomaton kelipäivä – ehdottomasti kyllä parempi kuin edellinen päivä, joten siinä mielessä eteenpäin ollaan menossa!
- - -
We have finally reached the zero point – that is, in our opinion too. A is zero, K is zero, the conditions are zero, reports today: zero, Coke is Zero, yesterday´s mental status examination results: zero, the readers´comments on our blog: zero, ideas: zero, the level of our stories and temperature are even well below zero – only the fat content of our bodies are comfortably above zero. Way to go!
Saturday night pain!
Saturday night was started with WEGP-1390 as early as 19.00 UTC. As earlier in this expedition, this hasn´t been a good omen, and so it wasn´t this time either. The conditions were really lame – nothing interesting was noted.
Sunday morning the conditions opened with some signals from the Great Lakes. The best moment of the day was at 09 UTC, when we heard simultaneously WSUA-1260 and KJUG-1270. If we had “hot spot –cx“ that day, the hot spot was quite large.
Afternoon conditions gave us KCVR-1570 which was heard with a great signal just before local sunrise. Other than that, quite useless day – definitely better that yesterday, so in that sense we are making progress!
Friday, December 3
Hyvin nukkuneina ja voimia keränneinä kapusimme taas aamulla bandille. Voimakkaana kontrastina alkuyön kelien totaaliselle flopille bandi oli nyt täynnä asemia. 08 UTC tuli ensimmäiset mielenkiintoiset idit, mutta kelit oli vielä levällään coast to coast –asteikolla, mm. KNML-610 ja WXCN-1170 kuuluivat.
Tuntia myöhemmin koettiin yhdet parhaimmista IN-IL-MI –keleistä, joita osallemme on sattunut. Reilusta parituntisesta sessiosta käteen jäivät mm: WCPT-820, WGVS-850, WSBT-960, WKHM-970, WITY-980, WRTO-1200, WJRW-1340, WIOU-1350, WTIQ-1490 ja WILO-1570 – sekä gigoittain tallenteita läpikäytäväksi.
Iltapäivän kruunasi vielä X-bandin-aussien voimakas nousu bandille 15 UTC jälkeen. Asemia kuului kaikilla X-bandin taajuuksilla hyvillä signaaleilla lähes Australian auringonnousuun asti viimeisten häipyessä bandilta vasta 17.45 UTC.
- - -
After well slept night with newly gathered strenght we climbed back to the saddle. After total flop of evening´s conditions the band was now full of stations. 08 UTC became the first interesting ID´s, but the conditions were still outstretched Coast to Coast, for example KNML-610 and WXCN-1170 were identified.
One hour later, we had one of the best IL-IN-MI- conditions, which we had ever had. The conditions lasted over two hours and we were able to identify: WCPT-820, WGVS-850, WSBT-960, WKHM-970, WITY-980, WRTO-1200, WJRW-1340, WIOU-1350, WTIQ-1490 and WILO-1570 - and of course many gigas of interesting recordings to go through.
Afternoon was crowned yet the strong rise of the X-Band-aussies after 15 UTC. There were stations in all X-band frequencies with good signals, almost until the local sunrise in Australia, the last ones faided out at about 17.45 UTC.
Thursday evening, December 2
Ote Lurkkien päiväkirjasta 2.12.2010
Lemmenjoki 2.12. klo 18.50 UTC:
Gander tulee paukkumalla, A on 1, K on 0, tuvan täyttää touhukas valmistautuminen vuosisadan auringonlaskukeleille – suunnitelmia hiotaan, läppäreiltä tyhjennetään kaikki mahdolliset fileet maksimaalisen tilan järjestämiseksi, kaikki on valmista.
Lemmenjoki 2.12. klo. 20.00 UTC:
Tiukkaa ja herkeämättömän keskittynyttä tuijotusta radioasteikkoihin, rytmikkäitä taajuudenvaihtoja, lyhyitä kommentteja.
Lemmenjoki 2.12. klo 21.00 UTC:
Kärsimätöntä odotusta, sormien napsuttelua pöytään, missä viipyvät ensimmäiset mainelaiset? Huokaisuja, lievää käsien tärinää, hermostunutta orastavan parransängen raapimista, kuulokkeiden johdon näpräilyä ...
Lemmenjoki 2.12. klo 22.00 UTC:
Epäuskoisia ilmeitä, hermostunutta painonsiirtelyä tuolilla pakaralta toiselle, vältteveviä katseita, päät painuvat – näinkö tässä taas kävi?
Lemmenjoki 2.12. klo 23.00 UTC:
Yksi tyhjentynyt kuuntelupaikka, roikkuvia silmäluomia, haukottelua.
Lemmenjoki 3.12. klo 00.00 UTC:
Edelleen yksi tyhjä tuoli, yksi tuoliin nukahtanut kuuntelija, yksi selkänsä radioille kääntänyt blogin kirjoittaja.
- - -
Excerpt from the Lurx diary, dated 2.12.2010
Lemmenjoki 2.12. at 18.50 UTC:
Gander comes through booming, A is 1, K is 0, we are making preparations for the sunset conditions of the century - plans are refined, laptop computers are emptied of every possible files to maximize space for Perseus files, everything is ready.
Lemmenjoki 2.12. at. 20.00 UTC:
Tight and relentless-focused gazes on the radio scales, rhythmic changes of frequencies, only short comments to each others.
Lemmenjoki 2.12. 21:00 UTC:
Impatient waiting, fingers tapping the table, where are the first Maine-stations? Sighs, slight hand-shaking, the nervous scratching of budding stubble, tinkering the headphone cord ...
Lemmenjoki 2.12. 22:00 UTC:
Perplexed facial expressions, nervously changing weights from one side of the buttock to the other, evasive gazes, heads turn down - is this really happening to us again?
Lemmenjoki 2.12. 23:00 UTC:
One empty seat at the receivers, hanging eyelids, yawning.
Lemmenjoki 3.12. at 00.00 UTC:
Still one empty seat, one DXer fallen asleep in his chair, one DXer back turned to the receivers writing the blog.
Thursday, December 2
Viides kuuntelupäivä alkoi jenkkien osalta 22.30 UTC ja nyt mentiin taas heti vuorille. Mm. KGFX-1060 ja KJAM-1390 tulivat kovaa 23 UTC jälkeen.
Aamulla kelit reilun parin tunnin ajan itärannikolla – tallenteiden suhteen odotusarvot on suhteellisen korkealla – livenä idattuina parhaita: WGPL-1350 ja WXTG-1490.
Iltapäivällä Radio Symban-2368,5 tuli todella hienolla sinkulla – ensimmäistä kertaa tällä reissulla. Jenkeissä iltapäivän meno oli samaa, kuin aiempina päivinä eli vuorilla Minnesotan ja Montanan välimaastossa enimmäkseen, mutta koko lailla ponnetonta keliä. Ei raportteja.
Käsittämättömän huonot aasialaiskelit jatkuvat edelleen. Tähän mennessä vasta yhtenä päivänä on esim. NHK-2-breikillä 13.20 UTC kuulunut NHK-asema taajuudella 1602 (JOFD). Tänään tuohon aikaan kuului taajuudella Radio Seagull, mitä en muista ikinä aikaisempina vuosina kuulleeni tuohon aikaan 60 -asteen langalla. Taajuuden 1602 lisäksi ainoastaan taajuus 1386:n NHK-2 on kuulunut pariin kertaan. NHK-1-breikit eivät ole kuuluneet ollenkaan. Ei hyvä!
Wednesday, December 1
Kelit ampaisivat heti täyteen vauhtiin jo 20.10 UTC lukuisten ontariolaisten vallattua bandin. Korkeista odotusarvoista huolimatta kelit pysyttelivät melko maltillisina – pari ”ihan kivaa” asemaa kuultiin auringonlaskun edetessä, mutta mitään käsien tärinää aiheuttavaa ei löydetty. Parhaimmat palat iltakeleiltä: WILB-1060 (joka kuultiin jo viime reissulla) ja WWBC-1510.
Jenkkejä kuului läpi yön ”coast to coast”. Aamulla aluksi itärannikkoa, sen jälkeen asemia WI-MI-OH –akselilla. Ei erityistä pistekeliä havaittu. Paras sieppaus oli WFOY-1240, muita päivän antimia olivat KWAD-920, WSBT-960, KBBO-980, WBEV-1430. Ja tulihan se KUAU-1570:kin nyt hienosti.
Tuesday, November 30
Kolmas kelipäivä alkoi samoissa merkeissä, kuin edellinenkin. Ensimmäiset jenkit kuultiin vasta hieman ennen 23 UTC. Järviltä lähdettiin taas ja varsin nopeasti päädyttiin vuorille. Auringonpaisteen puolelta kuultiin muutamia ID/OR –asemia, parhaimpina KOUU-1290 ja KLIX-1310.
Aamulla taas RNE-asemat yllättivät; RNE-5 Aragón, Zaragoza-936 oli aamun paras sieppaus! Jenkkikelit lähtivät nousuun New Yorkista ja keskittyivät nopeasti OH/IN/MI –seudulle, josta 11 UTC siirryttiin taas NE/IA –osastolle. Päivän parhaat: WIBX-950, KORT-1230, WOBL-1320, WTRC-1340, WMOB-1360. Iltapäivällä kuului asema 1570:llä havaijilangalla reilun tunnin verran, mutta pelkkää AS-non-stop-mx –proggista – höh.
Monday, November 29
Toisena kuuntelupäivänä jenkit nousivat bandille reilun puolituntia myöhemmin eli vasta 22.40 UTC – ja järviltä kuuluivat tälläkin kertaa ensimmäiset asemat. Varsin mitäänsanomattomien auringonlaskukelien jälkeen bandille jäi ainoastaan muutama dominantti mellastamaan – kelit eivät edes mainittavasti kääntyneet yön ajaksi lattariosastolle eilisen tapaan.
Aamun helmiä olivat RNE-5 Andalucia, Córdoba-531, KTHE-1240, KLDY-1280 ja KBCK-1400. Iltapäivällä varsin vaatimatonta keliä vuorten seudulle – ilman mainittavia tuloksia.
Kokonaisuudessaan ehdottomasti heikompi kelipäivä, kuin edellinen. Alapää on ollut toisaalta täysin kuralla (paljon pahoja roiskeita) ja toisaalta täysin tukossa – eikä ainoastaan meillä, vaan myös radiossa.
Sunday, November 28
Yöllä kelit makailivat enimmäkseen lattariosastolla ja lurkit unten mailla. Samoin oli aamulla kelien suhteen (VEN-CLM-PTR). Jenkkien vahvistuttua 08 UTC jälkeen jonkinlaista vetoa lähinnä järville (siis keleillä, ei meillä) ja myöhemmin iltapäivällä jonkun verran tunnistettavia asemia suunnasta WY/CO. Vaan eipä näistä keleistä isoa lukua Lurkkien historiaan kirjoiteta.
Päivän parhaimmistoa: 920-R Nueva Esparta,1170-XEUVA,1230-KYSM,1230-KRXK,1240-KRDO,1310-KFKA,1390-KRFO,1490-KGOS,1570-KPIO.
Antti Aaltonen (ANA) and Håkan Sundman (HS)
This is LEM297 signing off. We hope you have enjoyed reading our reports as much as we have enjoyed writing them.
73
ANA&HS
Friday, November 26
The morning began with a nice opening to Venezuela with some huge signals. A warm tropical feeling filled the cabin. After a very mediocre morning and early afternoon we experienced an hour with some seriously good signals from Wyoming, Utah and the western plains. As this is our final message from this DXpedition we have to say (as all others already have mentioned): the Perseus-files and minidiscs will take “a while” to be checked.
For dinner we had a traditional Scandinavian dish: Janssons frestelse (“Jansson’s temptation”). Easy to prepare but still very satisfying. So much better than the industrial crap many LEM-crews unfortunately “enjoy” here. To accompany this delicious meal we had Heineken beer and Strongbow cider.
Thursday, November 25
The conditions finally improved to a somewhat acceptable level. The morning was quiet so we spent some time chasing Iberian stations but after a while we discovered a nice opening to the South Western parts of the USA with interesting signals from California. The gigabytes kept filling the hard-drives and it may take a while before the stations are properly identified.
For dinner we had tenderloin of reindeer with mashed potatoes and red wine sauce. As a side dish we had a nice salad in genuine Provence style. Tonight’s wine was Hewitson’s excellent Miss Harry 2008 (=the only female we have enjoyed or seen this week).
Wednesday, November 24
The worst NA-day so far. And the previous ones weren’t too hot either… The band was absolutely packed with Asian stations in the afternoon, but they did not give us any reason to celebrate. However, the culinary celebration continued. For dinner we prepared an absolutely delicious reindeer soup with several very secret ingredients (many of which we had brought with us from home). The dinner was accompanied by Yalumba Riesling 2009. For dessert we had Finnish squeaky cheese topped with cloudberry jam and a few splashes of cognac. And now: may the mediocre conditions end and the serious DXing begin!
Tuesday, November 23
The conditons changed, but in an unexpected way: they became poorer. Not much to tell about any DX-results so we move on to the main item of this DXpedition, food and drinks! Having visited our friends in Kongsfjord we finally understand what the most important ingredients of a good DXpedition are! Today we had some errands to take care of in Inari so we enjoyed a nice dinner at the famous gold-digger’s hotel and restaurant, Kultahovi. By the way, on the wall just after the front door they have a beautiful poster promoting visits to such exciting DX-sites as Berlevåg and Kongsfjord! For starters we had bark & buckwheat blinis with vendace roe, onions and smetana. The main dishes were chorizo/smoked reindeer pasta and reindeer meatballs with polenta and vegetables. Almost as good as our dinners at the DXcabin in Lemmenjoki!
Monday, November 22
The conditions were even more mediocre than yesterday. In spite of furious listening, there won’t be much to tell to future generations. However, there were a lot of stations on the band, so things could be a lot worse. A couple of stations found on yesterday’s recordings: WMOB-1360 and WCXN-1170. Aprikos- och tabascoglaserat ankbröst med apelsinsallad. Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2006.
Sunday, November 21
LEM297 is up and running
LEM297 has begun with mediocre conditions stopped by a sudden slight disturbance around noon. So we had plenty of time to prepare and enjoy a nice dinner: Sandre frit, cottage cheese salad with grapes and garlic + mustard sauce, all accompanied by Pascal Jolivet Sancerre 2007.
Jopi Nyman (JJN) and Jussi Suokas (JUS)
Saturday, October 30
Pictures from the first day of LEM296 pedition. It's a wonder that the Wolves from Eastern Finland went all the way to Lemmenjoki DX QTH before having a snack even if they had plenty of other choices on the way. Or maybe not so surprising at all, if Mika is so tasty ...
Rush hour traffic in suburban Lemmenjoki. It took quite a while to get slowly through the about two-kilometre-long stretch:
The last known photo of Mika Mäkeläinen just before he got eaten by Jopi Wolf-gang Nyman:
Friday, November 5
Today's listening session started ecstatically before 21.30 utc when TUA's wake up call reached us. But unfortunately it gradually became evident that the conditions don't gain "full fart" as they say in Sweden. The Perseus duo slaved for us during the night, but seemingly in vain. A quick check didn't give very promising results. And in the morning, while listening repeatedly to the same ktoes, wilses and wnams, we just couldn't help thinking about what exotic identifications the southern markkus would be receiving at the same time. Constant signals for more than 15 hours, but the lid was on. Luckily we were cheered up with 2BS Bathurst 1503 and many x-banders just before our bellies started rumbling. And the lucky bellies will soon be pampered by hot chicken korma with cold lager beer. This is Lem296 howling off.
Thursday, November 4
Not too much to be poetic about. At night it was soon evident that sleepy sleepers can go on sleeping, as the only trans-Atlantic stations were the most common representatives of Brazil. During our beautiful dreams they had multiplied and invaded the band. Soon, though, we were listening to the basic selection of Argentine emisoras with nice and clear signals for a short while. When Karperö was breakf(e)asting at 8 utc our station selection was simply boring, but luckily an hour later (just after we had exchanged a bit pessimistic sms messages with TUA at ENOX) some new east coasters surfaced here too. Japan peaked at 13 utc and that's it today. Culinary news next: Chili con carne and Mont'Albano Nero d'Avola.
Wednesday, November 3
Heavy duty antenna switches have been much in need here today to spot the tiny target areas. Around midnight a stint of upper Wisconsin coast, e.g. WGBW 1590 (a mysterious lady Tatyana had sent an sms last night threatening to start calling us a pair of empty pants if we don't reveal any concrete evidence, so there you go.) After 5.00 utc the conditions travelled in Peru, Chile, Argentina and practically died out in Venezuela, but it was very much fun for a couple of hours. Definitely no tea party here today. Nothing that stupid. Instead, we will have black seafood risotto and a bottle of Anselmann Syrah Blanc de noir carefully hand-picked from the winery - because we didn't come here to starve!
Tuesday, November 2
Widespread conditions with huge signals from the dominant stations before noon with no real station porridge until 9 utc when Washington peaked and gave us nice identifications from some nice stations. The top end Hawaiians with strong signals also today. Unfortunately KUAU 1570 all the time with the carrier wave only, thus actually not heard. The same trend with many Alaskan stations as well until 1300 utc. A problem with the NPR feed? But did somebody just mention food? Wild whitefish (villisiikaa - from a nearby lake) on rye bread for starters and wild boar (villisikaa), with green beans and creamy potatoes, for main course coupled with Kaiken Mendoza Malbec.
Monday, November 1
Today's positive news is that unlike yesterday we don't fear anymore that we will run out of hard disc space, and we had time to practice wet-snow wading in the antenna forest. A tiny slice of Hawaii in the afternoon. Hmm... foood.. Bouillabasse Lapland-style and Wolfberger (W)3 vin d'Alsace.
Sunday, October 31
LEM296 has started.
Gigabytes burned the big way for close to ten hours today. We don't know what's there yet but there are a whole lot of goodies there from the Lakes, the Dakotas, Utah, California, Mexico, Samoa, Tahiti etc. Loads of new snow during the night, which seemed to effectively keep the stations away then, but during the day the sun has shone like a happy wolf's face. And the best part is yet to come: buffalo steaks with Rawson's Retreat Shiraz Cabernet!
Jim Solatie (JMS) and Mika Mäkeläinen (MTM)
Mika's blog: http://www.dxing.info/community/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=2630&p=4858#p4858
Mika's AIH3 pedition report: http://www.dxing.info/dxpeditions/aih3rep.dx
Mika's LEM295 pedition report: http://www.dxing.info/dxpeditions/lem295rep.dx
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Friday, October 29 Nothing spectacular on the radiowaves, so the crew made a sightseeing trip on the Route E75 (north from Inari).  |
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Wednesday, October 27
North American stations emerged out of the static around 0130 UTC, which was a happy surprise after several practically dead nights. North American signals, focused in the Rockies, peaked around 0300-0600 UTC, and daylight hours were mostly quiet. Also South American stations were strong in the early morning hours, peaking at 0500-0600 UTC, with a few nice catches from Peru and the Caribbean just before everything vanished (stations like Radio Turbomix from Cajamarca, Peru, on 1540 kHz, and RCN Manizales from Colombia on 1450 kHz with a local station ID). In the afternoon Hawaiian stations were heard for hours, at best stronger than I have probably ever heard them before, but finding new ones was still quite a struggle. Pacific Northwest made a brief appearance around 1300 UTC. Asian stations made their way here starting after 1230 UTC, focusing initially on China, but later conditions spread thinly all over, with random Indians and Persians in the mix.
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Tuesday, October 26 Overnight was once again a disappointment, although there were minor burst of stations from both South and North America. Morning action focused on South America at 0500-0600 UTC, when we experienced excellent conditions towards Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil, and relatively hefty signals also from the Northern half of South America. Identified stations include Radio Argentina from Buenos Aires on 570.031 kHz and Rádio Eldorado from São Paulo on 700 kHz. The AM band fell silent after 0600 UTC, although there was a short-lived burst of signals from the Rockies at 0805-0825 UTC. There was a long silence on the band before the usual suspects from the Pacific Northwest appeared around 1300 UTC for an hour, along with the most common stations from Alaska and Hawaii. Asians emerged at the same time, but lasted longer, although by 1430 UTC stations from Europe and the Middle East gradually took over. Compared to previous days, conditions favored a more Southern area, and there were many stations from the Indian subcontinent. |
Local weather has been beautiful anyway. |
Monday, October 25
Overnight was thoroughly lousy, with Brazilian Rádio Globo on 1220 kHz one of the few stations producing a decent signal. In the morning conditions were interesting at 0500-0600 UTC when stations from the Rockies and the Caribbean made brief inroads into our cabin. What followed was another quiet day and very good conditions towards China at 1300-1500 UTC, but we didn’t instantly notice any rarities.
Sunday, October 24
We patiently waited for a trans-Atlantic opening, and got just scattered signals from Brazil and North America all through the night. The morning was especially poor: North American stations were heard for less than half an hour, until everything vanished at 0610 UTC, the worst morning in over a week. In the daytime there was ample time to catch up on sleep, maintain equipment and listen to the recordings. In the afternoon Asians arrived remarkably late, for real only around 1400 UTC, but fortunately they also dominated the dial exceptionally late. We recorded a band full of robust signals from China and Taiwan, and to a small extent from elsewhere in South-East Asia until 1600 UTC.
Saturday, October 23
--- AIH3 DXpedition notes from the night and morning ---
Overnight conditions to Brazil seemed decent at times, and also U.S. stations were heard during the wee hours, but at dismal levels. At daybreak signal levels on the entire AM band collapsed, and the morning seemed a total loss until there was an opening to the Caribbean around 0515-0600 UTC, with Radio Comercial from the Dominican Republic on 1010 kHz being the highlight. Spanish stations were booming, which was expected, as this was a Saturday with very limited chances of catching local or even regional station identifications. After 0600 UTC only European powerhouses were left on the AM band.
--- LEM295 DXpedition from now on ---
As the AM band shut down, I packed my stuff and drove in a fierce snow storm to Ivalo to pick up Jim, and in the afternoon we arrived in Lemmenjoki. Splitter problems and local noise prevented any serious Asian DXing, although conditions seemed rather good late in the afternoon, around 1400-1600 UTC.
Hannu Niilekselä (HN) and Jan-Erik Österholm (JEÖ)
Thursday October 21
The same story with non-existent evening cx and the sleepy crew. Morning started lousy with 5 UTC passing waiting for signals to get really audible. But the band was "silent" and signal levels started to rise very gradually, but steadily.
At 6.30 UTC the gane started. Many regional channels sounded more like graveyards, which is truly a good sign. And so it was, very nice signals and several nice stations identified "live". Again the more easterly antennas could be used - and that is great. There is lots to listen to from the files and hopefully many goodies are to be found.
Expectations for Pacific were big. Japan started to come in early, before 10 UTC, and Marshall-1098 came nicely except for the closing ceremonies. Also 4QD-1548 was coming in fairly stable all afternoon. But, but...again huge signals from Asia, which in the end is not a specifically good sign for NZ and AUS, and in additions the signals -if any- get fully covered. So we ended up worse than expected and worse than on Wednesday without any identified NZ or AUS. KTWG-801 and AFN on 810&1575 could not satisfy the appetite.
KVNI-1080, KIUL-1240, WTRB-1570.
Wednesday October 20
No evening stations of any caliber. Hard trying seems to start taking its toll: we have no specific knowledge what went on in the night, except that files went to hard disks and need to be checked later. But judging by what happened in the morning, expectations are fairly low.
Gradually improving towards NA, but we had to wait until 8 UTC before one could say that it was "OK". What was even better, the conditions were more eaterly than before, which always improves hopes for new stations. The best "edge" ofv the conditions was soon gone, but still something all day.
And the best was yet to come in the afternoon: first llittle bit better opening towards Australia, with several identied stations. The problem, however was the huge magnitude of Asian stations coming in exactly the same time. But still...
WBBW-1240, WSTV-1340, R Kansai-558, KUAM-630, 4QN-630, 2BL-702 (tent), 2SB-1503, 4QD-1548 + lots of X-band Aussies
Tuesday October 19
Both BRA and NA at night, no terric conditions, but still some nice stations were logged from both directions.
Difficult agin in the morning with stations only around 5 UTC, then nothing until 10 UTC with a minor opening towards the rockies. Then a pause with nothing worthwhile again. All of a sudden two graveyard stations alone on their respective frequencies at 13 UTC with excellent signals, both from Aberdeen WA: KWOK-1490 and KBKW-1450. A truly strange "hole", typical for disturbed periods.
Little AK and HI in the afternoon, as well as X-band, which seems to be the rule in the day´s program.
R Rosario-1190, R Continental-1270, R Independencia-590, WCPT-820, KFTM-1400, WIMS-1420, KRHW-1520.
Monday October 18
Some ARG in the early morning hours, no NA before 5 AM. Good going towards NA at around 6 AM, but with typical, new CME effects in the band again:
signals swinging back and forth at a speed which requires quick action on the antenna box side. At one moment only one antenna works, the next moment it seems as if broken and another antenna works perfect - and it was "broken" only a moment ago !
Signals from FL to WA, but everything gone again before 7 UTC, just atmospheric bruise again.
But, it was again a good late afternoon with the best opening towards AS-OS so far. Best ever signals for both of us in the X-band AUS side, including some identified AUS in the "normal" MW span. Lots of files to be checked, since KONG is reporting nice stations, some of which may have reached LEM as well.
Morning NA to be checked, nothing specific loisyttening live. But again, hopes are high with the "nets" (=Perseus) in use. With the traditional methods todays NA would be a difficult story.
On the OS side: 5PA-1161, 5AA-1395, 4QD-1548, 4KZ-1620, 4DB-1629, Rete-1629, 2ME-1638, 2NTC-1638, Vision-1647, VAC-1656, Brisvaani-1701, VOC-1701.
Sunday October 17
Midwest-Rockies around 5 to 6 am UTC, but completely dead already at 7 UTC.
Again some X-band AUS with 4QD-1548 accompanying, but no terrific signals.
AK-HI audible but noit as strong as on Saturday. However, we have got a new upper-band-HI-beacon out of KUAU-1570, which has a huge signal from day to day !
Again dark all day even if the sun was shining bright ! The CME effects could well be heard on the band... as iof the skies were itching and somebody was scratching...
Again X-band AUS and the most common AK and HI in the late afternoon hours.
Haiku putting its best efforts into the skies again...No late evening or early night signals.
Files yet to be checked, but optimism around the 5 UTC signals lives high.
Some stations with best signals listening "live": KWYO-1410, KCCR-1240, KWEI 1260.
Saturday October 16
We arrived in Lemmenjoki around 12 UTC, coming from different directions, though: HN from Enontekiö and JEÖ from the Ivalo airport. Setting up the gear took its time, but we were ready well in time to log the first AK and HI stations....Actually the going towards HI especially was better than mediocre, so we both got a good start, JEÖ with 5 new ones and even HN with one. Also the X-band aussies emerged around 15 UTC and had quite nice signals for a while.
Nothing in the evening and just a few most common NA in the night, but fairly nice BRA right after midnight UTC, as well as X-band with ARG. Some identified stations werw R Sao Francisco 1240 and R Belos Vales 1360. No signs of either Orinoco or Caribbean.
Juhani Korhonen, Suonenjoki (HJK) and Jari Korhonen, Saario (JJK)
2xPerseus and LEM aerials
Saturday October 16
Very promising signals from NA in the beginning, many stations with Friday Night Football (very often local). KBGN-1060, KOOQ-1410 and KIIX-1410 were logged, but around 0200 utc total silencio from NA. Many Peruvian and other LA stations later on, like Radio Lider-1240, La Mexicana, Santiago-1330, Colombian stations had nice signals, too. At around 0600 utc everything that stuff was gone and we started our 900 km trip to the south.
Friday October 15
Mexico City was noted with sunset effect at around 0045, like XEL-1260 “mejorando tu vida diaria” - WSUA-1260 from Miami FL one hour later. Mexico with good signals in the morning:
XEITE-830. The Rockies and more westerly stations later on. First appearances of Oceanian stations at around 1000 utc, but no sensations: Marshall-1098, Tonga-1017 and AFN Kwajalein-1224. Maybe something from NZ later in the afternoon. Good ids for Rete Italia this afternoon on 1629. R Dobryj Pesni, Irkutsk 1332 was added to the list of heard Siberian stations on that frequency, 3rd station for us (after Russkaya Volna, Krasnoyarsk and Radio Dipol-Patrul, Tyumen, both inactive nowadays).
Thursday October 14
La Plata and PR in the night. KGYN-1210 dominated the frequency, KBUF-1030 and tentatively La Raza 1030 were moted. Almost all stations from Saskatchewan were heard, too. At least 690 was new one for us. Nice Mexican signals at the same time giving again many new ones, almost totally different stations than the day before. Radio Disney-1580 (KMIK) was available for hours. We expect to find interesting catches from the hard discs. Japan on many frequencies in the afternoon.
Wednesday October 13
During the night our main activity was towards LA stations. After 0500 UTC a nice Mexican invasion with about 10 new stations for me (JJK). This fun lasted only for half an hour.
In the afternoon, the best X-band Aussie cx during LEM293 with strong signals from Traffic 1611 (ex-The Goanna), 2moro-1620, 2MM-1665 etc. Also traces from new X-band stations, but so far 4QD-1548 from the conventional MW band.
Tuesday October 12
In the night, some nice catches like KATQ-1070 and KDKT-1420. There was a geomagnetic storm and thus NA was a disappointment.
Monday October 11
Not very much to say about the night cx, but KGFX-1060 and XEBCS-1050 were noted. In the morning, West Coast was coming in with nice signals: KXRO-1320, KQIK-1230, KQEN-1240. Strong signals from AK and HI. KRWB-1410 at 2300 UTC as only station on the frequency.
Sunday October 10
The night didn´t gave any rarities, but the morning was a bit better. An odd Grupo Formula station on 1190 turned out to be KNUV Tolleson AZ! Some Californian stations were heard, too. AS as usual.
Saturday October 9
We arrived just before noon. KUAU Haiku HI-1570 was a surprised us with such a good signal. (HI was heard almost every day during LEM293). Later in the afternoon, some nice catches from AS like AFN Okinawa 648. In the evening, Radio Symban 2368.5 was also heard with a good signal.
Yrjö Kainulainen (YK) and Tapio Kalmi (TAK)
09OCT2010 Night and Morning
We slept the whole night so no comments about that. In the morning some Spain and mediocre opening to NA. Mainly West Coast this time.
This was great DX-week in Lemmenjoki. Especially when there were no interfernece from neighbours electric fence anymore. All the facilites worked out fine and there is no doubt if we would like to come back next year. Big thanks to everybody who have been building this DX paradise! We love it.
Now we leave the cabin for the next crew. They will arrive to Lemmejoki berfore noon UTC.
73s and Good DX !
08OCT2010 Afternoon and Evening
Second big wave started from Aloha Islands around 12 UTC and HI was there for the next three hours. Those 20 alaskans which were identified made it a little bit harder to id all hawaians so we don't have them all ...
At 1230 UTC Seattles Progressive Talk 1190 gave clear id !!! Wow, afternoon cx in early october ... and the sun was shining bright again (of course because HI came in loud and clear).
And then from 15 UTC to 18 UTC all Asia with X-band aussies again. Nice!
Evening cx will be checked later because we needed a long and good sleep before driving back to Southern Finland.
08OCT2010 Night and Morning
Nice night with La Plata on mediumwaves and Andes on shortwaves. Argentina was active on X-band and NA was weak. Nearly no morning opening at all, but we need to check the files before we say more.
07OCT2010 Afternoon and Evening
"We saw it coming but never knew how would it feel" said one surfer about the first really big wave he had experiened. We can say just the same. We knew that september-october is different from november, but today between 15 UTC and 18 UTC we experienced really big Asian wave on radiowaves. There will be A LOT of files to study. All parts of Asia were along and also X-band aussies. Personally one of the nicest catches was AFN Okinawa 648 kHz. This afternoon knocked us out so badly that we forgot the internet status reports for two days ... ;-)
Later in the evening Spain was loud again. From NA nothing else but 1230 CBC and a little MA opening after 22 UTC.
07OCT2010 Morning EXTRA
Well, we just tought that it was over but no no no ...
The West Coast came alive again around 0845 UTC and this session lasted until 11 UTC when the last dominants were quite weak. Wow! Have anybody heard anything like this in early October? Please send comments to tak at sdxl dot com if you have heard about same kind of cx before. The OnLine Log don't tell anything after 8 UTC ...
This session was very interesting in many various ways. Here is the TOP-3:
1. Yrjö was curious enough to check the band against all odds. Thanks to Yrjö about this finding.
2. Many graveyard frequencies were well open at that time too
3. Most likely 1260 KWEI Weiser ID beat BBC World Service around 0917 UTC. No id yet, but Spanish ESPN with female reporter who had nice and clear voice. THIS WAS GOOD ONE!
So what we can learn about this? Keep on listening and don't care whatever the indexies are ;-)
07OCT2010 Night and Morning
The story becomes shorter and shorter, because there is not so much to tell. Actually Yrjö took a loooong nap and Tapio concentrated to the tangos from La Plata, so we can't say this for sure before checking the files, but this is the first feelilng: A weak opening to the Lakes from 00 UTC to 05 UTC . Some NA dominants from the coasts and that's all folks. The last NA signals faded away again just after 8 UTC.
And at the bright side again: Spain, Brasil and Argentina were there all night long and Spain continued with UK over the breakfast time until 06 UTC. Only weak signals or dominants from Orinoco or other parts from SA or CA. This is another thing we are missing: Real Caribbean cx.
06OCT2010 Evening
First 1230 CBC, then 1390 WEGP, then 1030, 1410 and some other East Coast dominants. Someone may say we had NA cx, we say we had pretty poor NA cx this evening.
And at the bright side: Spain, Brasil and Argentina were there and if you like tango music, late evening before midnight and night was made for you.
06OCT2010 Afternoon
Afternoon cx started a little bit later (1230 UTC) than in the previous days, but with Hawaii as usual. In LEM292 sunglasses or cap are needed (we used both ...) to listen to Hawaii, because every time when cx to Hawaii is good, the sun shines bright straight to your eyes.
When Hawaii faded away around 1330 UTC, China was there with many powerhouses and one came here to beat Norway on 630 kHz. That was something and we liked it even if we don't have anything against Norwegians. Soon there was all Asia and we can't point out any particular direction of the cx. Actually the direction was missing (at least we didn't notice it ;-).
And this was another day without really good Japan or Korea opening. Oh boy we miss the JO-fun from LEM284 ...
06OCT2010 Night and Morning
When we tuned in after a little nap (at 3 UTC) Orinoco was still there, but now we had also some NA from Lakes and Rockies. When the night turned into the morning NA cx spread from Coast To Coast. One of the highlights was that with four antennas you could get four different stations from one frequency: Brazilian, Orinoco, East Coast and West Coast. Not in the same minute but in the same hour. That was kind of cool ;-)
Cool turned warmer bit by bit when NA stations started trading places with good signals. Dominants gave place to someone else so stations changed even with the same antenna because of cx. Regional frequencies are nice places with cx like this.
And warm turned to hot when the morning show started. First it seemed like cx is going to die, but no it didn't. Just some weak periods at the start of nice morning rise 06-07 UTC. Graveyards were well open at 07 UTC and sun had been up in the sky about 2,5 hours at that time??? Oh boy, that was yummy.
05OCT2010 Evening
In the evenining Spain and Brasil were strong but NA wasn't there nearly at all. Only some short pop rounds from Newfoundland. When La Plata and Orinoco came in just before midnight, the case was clear: No NA this evening. Sigh.
05OCT2010 Afternoon
It was a big relief when we noticed that the Asia cx is still there. Stations started to pop in around 13 UTC and some NHK2 stations were identified. At the same time some Alaskans came in, but this time we didn't notice anybody from Hawaii? Good ordinary Asia cx until the europeans came in, and you know, now we take a nap.
05OCT2010 Night and Morning
The Lake area had the main role this night and morning and there was a lot of interesting stuff until 0530 UTC, when somebody came and turned on the light (and turned off the cx). So there is not so much to tell about the morning cx.
04OCT2010 Afternoon and Evening
Hawaii popped in 12 UTC for about 30 minutes. After that not so many signs from Aloha Islands.
Chinese came in just after Hawaii, then Japanese, Korean, Philippinos and so on. But no highlights, just ordinary (=good) Asia cx without interference from Europe. When the europeans came in, we took a nap.
Later in the evening, around 21 UTC Spain and Brasil were very strong. And they stayed that way as long as we were awake. Also some La Plata stations were noted, but they had weak signals.
No East Coast, but Lakes again from the NA.
04OCT2010 Night and Morning
The East Coast of NA didn't show up this night at all. Well, it's nice that we have those files from yesterday ...
But Brasil kept going on all night long and NA from the Lakes via Prairies to the Pacific and Alaska opened after midnight. Graveyards were open every now and then, but the same country sounds were heard time after time on 1400 and 1490, and the story on the other frequencies is quite the same. Now we really need some kind of Ionosphere Wipe to clean the dominants out from the band ;-) But it should be a small wipe with gentle touch, you know.
In the morning Iberia was strong with SER local break at 0520 UTC and SER regional break at 0550 UTC.
Alaska and the West Coast cx with the dominants is still going on at 08 UTC. We'll let them roll and roll ourselves into the antenna forest ...
By the way, the weather in Lemmenjoki has been just the same from friday to monday: Temperature between +5 and +10 degrees, gentle southwest-west breeze and half cloudy. Some nice moments with bright sunshine.
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03OCT2010 Afternoon and Evening In the picture Lemmenjoki DX Cabin on 03OCT2010 between TOH and BOH id's from Hawaii. Very different Asia cx compared to anything we have had before: Just signs of signals on Perseus screens but no sound before 1430 UTC. Strange, nearly no Chinese ... From 15 to 16 UTC India, India, India. And the Japanese just after 16 UTC. More India with China, Korea and Thailand came along after Japan. No signs from Australia, not even in the X-band, where Dutch and East European pirates tried to fool us. Later Iberia and Brasil were strong until midnight. |
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03OCT2010 Morning Kyoto DST graph says it best. On the right a snapshot from Kyoto on 03OCT2010 at 6 UTC. |
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02OCT2010 Afternoon and evening
Our afternoon session started quite promising with 940 KKNE Waipahu HI at 1130 UTC. No other stations from Hawaii or Pacific has not been found yet.
Mediocre cx to Asia with China-Japan-Thailand topping and a pinch from Philippines. Peak was around 16 UTC, but NHK ids were quite weak anyway. And no chance on 1602 to anything else but SWR ;-)
Unid aussie tried to make it through on 1620 around 17 UTC, but didn't succeed to give any ids. By the way, the Aussie antenna (78deg) got a lot better by changing the splitter box, but the coax still has about double the resistance it should, so we have issue with the coax.
NA cx started at 2145 UTC with Satellite Weather and nice country show from VOCM 1240. That was very nice armchair listening when waiting others to join the party. And the others came pretty well from the East Coast around 22-24 UTC. Graveyards were open every now and then and on regionals had the "Change The Dominant" game going on. It will take looooong time to report the full story of this session. Also Cuba on 1620 was very strong.
After midnight UTC the cx was all around Lakes and East Coast. And we were sleepy, so we took a nap.
02OCT2010 Night and Morning
NA cx was quite strong at night, but we took a nap anyway and let the Perseus Gang do the work for us. When we woke up 03 UTC, all antennas from 249 to 358 gave us NA. Most of the time from ON-IA-MB-AB-WA line. Some Mexicans were noted too, but no Grande Fiesta yet.
From 04 UTC to 07 UTC Ylämummo (WA and that neighbourhood) was very strong accompanied by Canadian Prairies. Yes, we have heard most of them already, but also Graveyards were open so we will have some checks to do later back home.
The NA cx lasted until 08 UTC and now (08:10 UTC) only a handfull of dominants is audible, so we are going back to the woods for antenna maintenance ;-)
01OCT2010 Late Evening
NA came up around 23 UTC, but there were only those common ones. Also some from The Caribbean.
01OCT2010 Afternoon and Early Evening
We arrived to the Lemmenjoki DX Paradise around noon Finnish Summer Time which is at 9 UTC. So we had quite a lot of time to unpack and study the environment before anything would happen on the band. Aslak, our host came to see us and he had organized a warm welcoming for us. All the other things in the cabin was already done, so we concentrated only to build up a DX site.
So first the antenna check: We found two issues on the antenna connection panel and one broken connector cable in the cabin. Outside all the boxes seemed to be in fine condition and we reconnected the wires to the baluns. We found only one bad connection between the cabin and boxes by measuring the cables. Unfortunately the problematic antenna is one of our favourites: 78 degrees ... We changed the balun to be sure that it is ok, but nothing changed. We'll we have couple of hundred meters of coaxial cable to check, if we can't find anything inside the cabin. Back to that tomorrow.
After antenna check couple of SDRs and two NRDs on the table, PCs and disks running and we started to DX. Around 1250 UTC the mediumwave band started to open towards Asia: Chinese and Japanese dominants popped in. Nothing spectacular noticed or found so far, but Asia cx was quite good for all afternoon and some evening hours.
Aussies were audible on shortwaves: All ABCs were present loud and clear and greek music was found on 2368.5 Khz, so maybe we had also the Fly in the cabin. We'll check this later to be sure.