European Free Radio Report from Dunlo, PA, USA, 14 Jan. 2007

[Dave Valko]

13 January 2007: Upon hearing 2 signals in the 48 mb, I decided to gather up the gear and take a quick run up to one of the closer remote listening sites to see if I could get a better copy. Signal strengths weren't any stronger, but it was quieter than at the house.

RX: JRC NRD-535D
ANT: 315' Beverage (BOG) at 45°
QTH: Reclaimed surface mine
Duration: 2054-2135 UTC
Solar Indices: S.F. = 81 A Index = 2 K Index = 1 No storms.
WX: Cloudy, drizzly, warm 50° F. (10° C.)

6289.5 UNID. Was getting a signal here at home at 2021. As I tuned in, it seemed like it was moving around before settling on 6289.5. But that could have been an effect caused by the UTEs here. At the remote site, the signal was no stronger. Seemed strong enough, but the modulation must have been extremely weak. Definitely sounded like mx at 2059 and 2135. No chance though. Pulsing UTEs were on top of it more often than not. Don't know if this was a station, or a spur, or image. (13 Jan.)

6239.25 UNID. Like the above, heard this at 2021 also. Mx was noted at 2031. At the remote site it sounded like mx again at 2100. There was slop QRM from 6245 though. When I returned at 2109, it was gone. JRRI maybe?? I see Joe was testing today (Sunday). (13 Jan.)

14 January 2007: Conditions were just plain abysmal this morning!! The only thing that was coming through was Mystery R. This was one of those times where there's no possible explanation for the horrible propagation. All the data looked favorable. It was really frustrating. Mystery R. was barely pushing the S-meter, and TWR Monaco was only around S-4 (typically its S-9 here). Even the Cuban spur on 6300 was very weak. I would have gone right back to sleep, but since Finn Hits R. was to go on at 0700, I thought I'd make a trip up to the SGLs anyway.

RX: JRC NRD-535D
ANT: 315' Beverage (BOG) at 50°
QTH: Pennsylvania State Game Lands #26
Duration: 0655-0810 UTC
Solar Indices: S.F. = 81 A Index = 1 K Index = 0 No storms.
WX: Cloudy, drizzly, warm 51° F. (10° C.) (in the middle of the night!!!)

6219.98 Mystery R. 0655, usual mx. Very weak, peaking at S-2 at best. Only just a little better than at Christmas. Picked up an S unit by 0730 but promptly dropped back down. (14 Jan.)

6277.38 Weak carrier here at the start 0655. May be nothing. (14 Jan.)

6300.45 Very weak carrier. With conditions so bad, its very doubtful its Finn Hits R. Seemed like some mx at 0710. Probably just a spur. Drifted up to 6300.53 by 0715. (14 Jan.)

6289.5 UNID. This was still here, same as yesterday evening. What was it?? (14 Jan.0

6264.94 Premier R. Int.?? Just an extremely weak carrier after 0745. (14 Jan.)

6280.06 Orion R.?? Another extremely weak carrier at 0805. (14 Jan.)

And that's it!! Its disappointing that propagation wasn't better. I wouldn't be surprised if conditions were great locally in Europe.

[JoJo]

Hello Dave,

thanks for the logs, unid 6264.94 Premier R. Int.?? Just an extremely weak carrier after 0745. (14 Jan.) was me, ORN