[HCDX] Chamberlain, Maine USA DX'Pedition Logs

[Dxrcomeau@xxxxxxx]

Hello :

Just returned from another great DX'pedition in Maine. Although the weather conditions were not good, the solar weather  was on its best behavior and rewarded us with some memorable catches. 

Some observations: 

The swooper was in evidence around 4895-4925,  some signals came through, but the area from 4900-4910 was a lost cause. 

Noise levels were (I think), not as bad as previous years, but while not overwhelming,  were ever-present. 

No LW was noted, and SAT local sunrise, no SO/SEA DX was in evidence on the 120, 90, and 60MBs. 

Mauritania on 4.845 apparantly on all day for Ramadan, and noted at strong levels before 1900 UTC!

Listlogged just after 1900 on SAT 11/16 4950 VOA, 4.976 Uganda, 4.820 Botswana, and 5.030 Burkina Faso.

I mainly logged stations that I would be interested in QSL'ing, and here is my list:

Friday UTC 11/15

4.753.40 RRI Makassar 2110-2200 Plenty of Indo pops and OM talk in IN. Signal faded away by 2200.

6.260 Europirate: Radio Casanova 2214-2226 (s/off) Mostly in SP with pop music and  with EG ID at 2217, "Your tuned to Casanova." Jingles, and announced phone #, "0031 545 261355. "Your listening to Casanova from Imeldez.(sic) Very good evenings." Off abruptly.

Friday UTC 11/15-Sat 11/16 UTC

9.705 Goa AIR 2318-0022 Tabla and sarod songs, with news after the hour. "General Overseas Service of AIR" IDs and English news. Extensive coverage of Iraq situation. Good signal.

Sat 11/16 UTC

1.620 WRRA American Virgin Islands (not the WDHP (?) I had expected, but announced "1090 AM" and FM outlet in AM VI) 0128-0300 Calypso type mx and ads for the Voice of The People show and Amigos Enterprises. WTAW and Iowa station took over at times, but mostly this one dominated.

3.810 HD2IOA Equador 0943-1001Strong signal with some ute interference. Time Pips, announcements, and ID/info at the hour.

7.200//7.345 Radio Rossii Yakutsk 1018-1101 7.200 better; Drama, then numerous "Radio Rossii" IDs around the hour, time pips and bells at the hour.

15.355 Radio Rossii Kallingrad//7.370 Magadan  1154-1222 Time pips, IDs, and bells at the hour, mix of talk and classical mx. Mention of Iraq.

9.779.65 Radio San'a Yemen 1824-1900 EG broadcast with gradually improving signal. Commentary and Western pop music. News inc Iraq coverage, Radio San'a IDs, and (to borrow a phrase) a very "tubby little anthem,"  before switching to AR and ME music at the hour.

1.008 (tent) Ondo Cero Canary Il 2110-2116 Fade up reveals soccer game in SP and "goooaaalll!" Faded away completely.

.855 RNE-1 Spain 2119-2128 Similar conditions, with presumed same game. Mention of de Spania, and "goooaaalll!"  Heard again from 2209-2219 in // with .684

Sat 11/16 UTC-Sun 11/17 UTC

.750 RCR Caracas 2345-0011 Base-bol game very strong and steady with mentions of "right field," Carlos Fernandez, en Venezuela, Alvarez, clapping, etc. 

.720 CHTN PEI 0110-0143 Very strong and steady, Machine Gun Kelly with oldies program featuring 1966 hits, local ads, and IDs. 

.780 Radio Coro Venezuela 0601 Loud and clear ID, but abandoned this when the following came on:

11.690 Radio Okapi Rep of Congo 0602-0706 FR talk and various music by John Lennon, Johnny Clegg, etc. Numerous mentions of Congo, Congolaise, l'Afrique, several clear IDs inc one at 0654. News mentioned Microsoft, Africa, America. Strong and steady with no sign of //9550 or 6.030. Got this after constant search starting on Friday: Did also hear them as an UNID from 0505-0517 with an extremely weak signal and interference. Other station went away at 0600 and Okapi's signal went up dramatically.

6.298.80 Europirate Radio Sky Line 0716-0741IDs  by OM, "Popcorn" other instrumental music and disco/dance music selections. Stronger on AM: Clearer on USB.

A good time was had by all, even with an icy drive home, especially from New Harbor to Portland. Incredible waves, and reeled in antennas from the patio this time!

Ross Comeau