Since last October, ABC is broadcasting in the US (on Tuesdays) a new sitcom, named “Last Man Standing”, starring Tim Allen. This wouldn’t make much sense here, but Mike Baxter (the character played by Allen) is an ham, and that makes interesting going through the subject. I investigated a bit how it could have happened. In the end, we’re talking about ham radio first time in a prime-time Read more →

Propagation proves generous in the last days, making less hard to leave behind some sleep hours. To be remarked, above all, some good signals on the 3 MHz band, which were simply unpredictable to me. However, less talking now, and more logs. As usual, QTH is Aosta (north-western Italy), receiver an Icom R71, and aerial a vertical home made, used also for ham operations, 10 meters tall and derivated from a "fishing rod". Logs divided in three sections, so everyone will find his favourite dish!

BC STATIONS

3350 kHz – 04.58 UTC – 19th August 2011
Radio Exterior de Espana, from Cariari de Pococí in Costa Rica, isn't the hardest DX catch one can think of. Anyways, that morning it was really solid (aside some local spurious signals, that I'll have to investigate deeper). A song, then time pips, followed by female and male announcer on a "projecto de restauracion y investigacion". Nice to wake up with Central America blasting!

5025 kHz – 22.04 UTC – 24th July 2011
Before Rebelde violently kicks in, 5025 can reveal Australia. That night, it did. Not the strongest signal ever, but the night channel of Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Outback Radio, from Katherine in the Northern Territory, is a news in itself when heard. Some music at the beginning of the clip. for what sounds like a usual domestic radio show.

15190 kHz – 21.23 UTC – 23rd August 2011
Radio Inconfidencia from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, can surprise for the intensity it can reach on 19 meters, at night. Yesterday, MUF had to be high, as it was better than the last ten nights. Mention, by two different speakers, of different brazilian towns (sounded like quotes for some goods, or something like that). At 2 minutes 40 seconds in the recording, start of a popular song.

TIME SIGNALS

3330 kHz – 05.09 UTC – 19th August 2011
CHU, from Ottawa (Canada), is one of the stations you have to sincerely worry when unheard. Stronger than this in some mornings (pips are well defined, even "digital" ones, but the voice announcement has here to be more guessed than heard. But, hey it's August and we're on three MHz.

3810 kHz (LSB) – 04.52 UTC – 19th August 2011
The guys at HD2IOA, Guayaquil in Equador, aren't among the most regulars here at early morning. However, sometimes, like in this case, they do remember the world shortwaves are done to go far! It sounds to me they changed the style of their time signal. Anyone more expert can advice?

10000 kHz – 05.07 UTC – 17th August 2011
Some mornings, PPE-Observatorio Nacional (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), struggles its way to Europe with Fort Collins. Not this time, when the female voice from the land of the golden beaches and the eternal sun made no mercy of other signals.

HAM OPS

7160.8 kHz – 01.47 UTC – 14th August 2011
K1KNM, Ken in Vermont, stronger than the European stations he was working.

7190 kHz – 02.03 UTC – 14th August 2011
WG3J, a club station in Maryland. Hoisy channel, but – as we do say in Italy, you would sign papers to cross the Pond with such intensity.

14125 kHz – 20.20 UTC – 22nd August 2011
Twenty meters are like a roulette. Night falls, and after a while you'll understand if it's long, or short, skip. Yesterday night they offered this wonderful QSO between FM5AN, Guy in Fort de France (Martinique) and CT1JEY. Chatty and strong as they were on a local VHF repeater. In a word, marvellous, like the bands in the last days!

73,
Chris