[HCDX] Queen Charlotte adventures and loggings 22/7/05

["Walter (Volodya) Salmaniw" <salmaniw@xxxxxxx>]

Well another morning has passed, and conditions were MUCH superior to 
yesterday's for sure!  I began dxing a bit later at just before 11:00 UTC 
and immediately found the bands to be alive.  Most split frequencies had 
good hets on them.  The big difference was the value of my short 120' 
random wire running very close to E/W.  This was the best wire for many 
split frequencies, mostly because of the attenuation of North American 
signals, allowing for the numerous TP signals to propagate.  That short 
length of wire provided excellent dx right up until sunrise at which time 
the ambient noise on that antenna rendered it useless for MW.  This is in 
stark contrast to yesterday when that antenna was next to useless except on 
SW.  My number 1 big puzzle (please help!) is 1575, which generally was 
stronger than the usually stronger 1566 HLAZ.  I tuned in 1575 just before 
13:00 to hear:  "National Anthem", followed by a short possibly an 
anthem.  Faded down quickly, but thought I heard "Armed forces" as 
well.  Could this be one of the Japanese AFN stations?  Generally I heard 
reasonably good signals from all over the Pacific, without any one region 
dominating.  Perhaps Japan was best if I had to pick.
     At 7:30 local, my father-in-law picked me up and we went off to the 
beach at Tow Hill to go after more Dungeness Crab, and Razor clams.  I had 
slipped on my wet suit while dxing (a feat in itself!).  Unfortunately the 
weather didn't cooperate to yield anything substantive.  On my first crack 
at the Crabs, I was able to wade out to chest depth and easily see the 
large male crabs on the bottom. This time, the weather was gorgeous...warm 
and sunny, but there was a Northerly wind resulting in big swells and 
crashing waves churning the sandy bottom and making it very difficult to 
see.  I ended up with only 5 medium sized male Dungeness crab, and after 
some time of not seeing a single large crab, I gave up and headed to shore 
to dig clams.  I had a bit more luck quickly filling a bucket with good 
sized Razor clams.  As the name suggests, the broken shells are very 
sharp.  There were a number of expert Haida clam diggers.  Somehow, they're 
able to use their shovel, and quickly grab the siphon before the clam 
retracts it.  The clam itself is usually about 2 feet or 60 cm under the 
surface.  As for me, out of the bucket, I was successful two or three times 
to grab the siphon.  The rest of the time, I'd dig down with my hands and 
by feel, I'd slowly pull up the clam.  The siphon although retracted, is 
still just reachable, with perhaps 1/2'" or 2 cm still showing.  Once the 
siphon is pinched, you carefully lift the clam.  I'd never make a living at 
this, but after some 45 minutes I did fill the bucket with some nice large 
clams.  The very best of the clam diggers can harvest several hundred 
pounds per low tide, compared to my 20 pounds or so.  Tomorrow will be my 
last chance if the weather cooperates, that is.  If the wind dies down or 
swings around from the south, then I'll likely try things again.  If not, 
I'll probably pass and concentrate on dxing Alaska a little longer in the 
morning.  I was just listening to KFBX Fairbanks on 970.
     More on my house construction.  As always on the Charlottes, nothing 
is easy or straight forward.  At this stage, we have our power shed, a 6 by 
10 foot structure or so on a concrete pad.  It must be within 100' of a 
power pole, or they'll put in a power post at a cost of several thousand 
dollars.  Needless to say, we built the shed.  It'll be useful for small 
storage, and power access for things outside.  It's about 40 feet from our 
home.  The power will go to the house underground for aesthetics, and I 
can't help thinking that radio-wise it will be better too.  The electrician 
was here yesterday adding a 200 amp panel to the shed.  Now BC Hydro, our 
power authority can deliver the power line to the shed, once the permit is 
issued.  Next week, I suspect.  Then, we'll have power!  Speaking of power, 
though, there are some concerns regarding electronics.  The Charlottes 
power is primarily derived from diesel generators, compared to 99% of the 
rest of the province which is hydro (dam) generated.  We have no nuclear 
power plants, nor coal or gas burning plants in BC.  With frequent outages 
(often caused unfortunately by birds shorting the lines), voltage spikes 
are inevitable.  Will the electronics be protected with regular surge 
protectors, or better yet line conditioners?  If not, how can I reduce or 
eliminate the risk of damage, short of running everything on 12v only.
     The concrete forms were poured last week.  They still have to pour a 
skim coat for the crawl space (3') and add the stub walls, on which will 
sit the wood structure itself.  Everything was looking just fine on 
Wednesday when I arrived again, but I noticed the contractor pulling them 
apart again!  Evidently, he measured one last time and noted the wall to be 
1 1/2" off.  The fellow measuring, forgot to take into account the width of 
the plywood forms, i.e. 2 time 3/4".  If he hadn't checked thinks simply 
would not have fitted.  Better that he found the mistake when it was 
relatively correctable!  The rest of the concrete will be poured any day 
now.  We have the septic system all laid out on the east end of the 
property.  The well should have been dug a while ago, but the only well 
person on the islands had his drilling rig vandalized and it's out of 
commission for a month or two.  We're now looking for alternatives, 
including hiring an off-island company from Terrace, B.C.  We grappled with 
the depth of the well.  Wanda had thought artesian was the way to go, down 
up to 275'.  However, the brave few who have (at GREAT expense too!) have 
found the water to be smelling of sulfur and not at all palatable.  The 
table is only some 10 feet down.  We'll likely compromise and descend 30 or 
40' to ensure good quality water.  The fresh water here is very dark, as it 
meander through the muskeg, presumably from the tannin in the water?  I 
wonder how on earth the fish can see anything in the rivers!  By digging a 
little deeper, I'm hoping to avoid this discolouration, and prevent surface 
water contamination from run-off.  There are a lot of black-tailed deer on 
the islands, as well as black bear, and assorted rodents.
     Yabo, our enterprising young man who has completed the shell of the 
post and beam red and yellow cedar construction will also be erecting the 
building on site, as well as finishing it to wrap-up stage hopefully before 
the fall monsoons.  He began transporting the lumbar today to our 
site.  The various materials required to erect the structure, and add the 
floors and walls were ordered Monday from Prince Rupert on the mainland, 
and should be delivered by late next week.  Transportation costs to the 
islands have added another 15 to 20% to our already rapidly escalating 
costs.  Ouch!  Well we can't stop now.  I'm just looking forward to our end 
result and all the fun I'll be having dxing.
     I've considered the antenna issue again.  Wanda won't tolerate easily 
visible wires obstructing her views.  The wire I have in ample supply is a 
white teflon coated multistrand wire, identical to that used at Grayland, 
WA.  I had purchased many miles of the stuff and various other odds and 
ends including coax, ground cable, etc, all for about $35 at a government 
auction.  No choice on wire colour.  Sorry Wanda!  While exploring 
yesterday our neighboring properties, I realized that the lot on the east 
may be an ideal place to conceal some wires.  EWE, Kaz, or Pennants could 
very easily be put on that property, and fed with a short length of coax 
back to our home.  Furthermore, I suspect some mini-Beverages up to 400' in 
length could also be run.  Having traversed the site, it would be a very 
difficult property to develop, so I'm hoping it will remain "dormant" for 
many years to come.  Of course if it is developed, then I'm back to some of 
my earlier plans to erect antennae across the road to the south of the 
property, for example.  Furthermore, with many tall Spruce trees on the 
property, one could erect some traditional antennae such as dipoles and 
delta loops, and have them high enough that they wouldn't be noticed, at 
least not by Wanda!

     To end this segment of my DX adventures, here are some loggings from 
last night and this morning.  I'm taking part in a world-wide virtual 
coastal dxpedition, linking dxers from the United States, Canada, 
Scandinavia, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and perhaps 
elsewhere.  I'll be eager to read their loggings!  Here they are:

180 RUSSIA Radio Rossii, Jul 22 10:59 - A much better morning with a much 
superior signal.  Maybe I should have arisen earlier!. (Salmaniw, Tow Hill, 
Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

530 ALASKA ADK, Adak, Jul 22 11:52 - First time heard here (although 
regularly heard in Grayland, WA).  Fair to good with ADK in Morse. 
(Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

612 AUSTRALIA 4QR, ABC Brisbane, Jul 22 11:55 - Australian talk show, with 
the 'Australian point of view', on Iraq and Australian involvement.  'ABC' 
at 11:58, then faded out. (Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

650 ALASKA KENI, Anchorage, Jul 22 13:02 - Looking for KHNR, Honolulu but 
instead heard this Alaskan.  Good with a weaker co-channel. (Salmaniw, Tow 
Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

670 ALASKA KDLG, Dillingham, Jul 22 03:57 - Good reception of 'The World 
Cafe' well over the usual cochannel KBOI, but as is so often the case, 
presumed KDLG faded down just at the top of the hour, so no definite ID 
this time. (Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

670 HAWAII KPUA, Hilo, Jul 22 13:00 - What a difference a day 
makes.  Yesterday it was Dillingham, AK on this frequency at this 
time.  Today, ID for this Hawaiian instead at good level. (Salmaniw, Tow 
Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

693 JAPAN JOAB, Tokyo, Jul 22 12:00 - NHK2.  3 + 1 time pips.  Strong 
signal, with 'NHK, Let's learn together', then same in 
Japanese.  Konichewa.  'Hello listeners.  I hope you're studying hard this 
week.  OK, let's get started.'. (Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

702 JAPAN JOKD Kitami, Hokkaido, Jul 22 12:02 - NHK2 with 10 kw.  Several 
cochannels, but did catch 'Number 5', as part of the English lessons.  Also 
can here likely 2BL Sydney.  'ABC news heard at 12:05, and 'ABC Sydney.  5 
minutes away from....', and into play by play sports, with 'Australia 
leading'.  The NHK2 English lessons were also heard on two commonly heard 
stations home in Victoria on 747 and 774, both very strong here.  'Did you 
bring the tickets?  I just wanted to make sure'. (Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen 
Charlotte Is, BC)

760 HAWAII KGU, Honolulu, Jul 22 13:09 - 'You are listening to Back to the 
Bible:  Your questions, God's answers'.  I'm thinking this is most likely 
the Hawaiian.  Good reception. (Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

792 AUSTRALIA 4RN, Brisbane, Jul 22 12:10 - EZL music, then 
English.  Assuming this to be ABC National, Brisbane. (Salmaniw, Tow Hill, 
Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

870 CANADA CFBV, Smithers, Jul 22 14:19 - One of the local stations heard 
hear at armchair level, with local ads.  Wonder how far out this one is 
heard?  Patrick Martin, I'm sure you've heard and verified this one!. 
(Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

890 ALASKA KBBI, Homer, Jul 22 14:21 - Time check for 6:21 and local Homer 
ads. (Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

891 AUSTRALIA 5AN Adelaide? and 4TAB Innisfail?, Jul 22 12:15 - 2 cochannel 
Australian accented stations.  Sports scores at 12:17.  My guess is that 
I'm listening to both of these Australian stations. (Salmaniw, Tow Hill, 
Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

900 HAWAII KNUI, Kahalui, Jul 22 12:20 - One of my favourite stations when 
vacationing on Maui.  Lovely Hawaiian music well over local station, but 
faded out before any definite ID, and Victoria's 'Village 900' became 
dominant. (Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

970 ALASKA KFBX, Fairbanks, Jul 22 14:22 - Time check for Fairbanks, and 
local job opportunities.  Poor with lots of atmospheric noise.  Local 
programming.  Not bad for 5 kw in the morning, with the sun high in the 
sky!  Heard again the following evening at 03:57 with more local ads, and 
mentions of Fairbanks, but as frequently happens, it seems, it faded away 
just before the TOH, so no ID, but back up at 04:01.  My luck!. (Salmaniw, 
Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

1035 NEW ZEALAND 2ZB, Wellington, Jul 22 12:30 - Good reception, with a 
call in program giving a 0800 phone number, but faded very rapidly. 
(Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

1116 AUSTRALIA 4BC, Brisbane, Jul 22 11:02 - Two cochannel stations heard 
here, one in English, presumably Brisbane, and a Japanese language 
station.  Best on my near E/W 120' random length of wire, over the 2 
Beverages available to me!. (Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

1134 JAPAN JOQR, Tokyo, Jul 22 12:38 - Fair reception with Japanese talk, 
and many 'Hai's' heard. (Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

1170 ALASKA KJNP, North Pole, Jul 22 13:59:50 - Good strong signal, over a 
weaker co-channel with 'You are tuned to 1-1-7-0, KJNP North Pole 
Alaska'.  I had to look up on GeoClock where North Pole was.  Clearly no 
where close to the actual or magnetic pole, so why the name?. (Salmaniw, 
Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

1242 JAPAN JOLF, Tokyo, Jul 22 12:41 - Presumed logging with Japanese 
talk.  'Tokyo' mentioned. (Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

1242 JAPAN JOLF, Tokyo, Jul 22 11:17 - Weakly audible in Japanese. 
(Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

1269 JAPAN JOFM or JOHW, Hokkaido, Jul 22 11:20 - Good reception of this 
Hokkaido based Japanese station, and the strongest TP I've heard yet 
today.  Parallel to JOHR, Sapporo on 1287, also at good strength. 
(Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

1287 JAPAN JOHR, Sapporo, Jul 22 12:43 - Good reception.  'Hokkaido' 
mentioned, as well as 'HBC Radio' (at least it sounded like this to me!). 
(Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

1296 NEW ZEALAND 1ZH, Hamilton, Jul 22 12:46 - Only 2.5 kw, with 'Newstalk 
ZB', and email and 0800 phone number given. (Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen 
Charlotte Is, BC)

1503 AUSTRALIA 2BS Gold, Bathurst, Jul 22 12:51 - English programming, and 
a guess on my part. (Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

1503 AUSTRALIA 2BS Gold, Bathurst, NSW., Jul 22 11:40 - Initially a strong 
het and weak audio, but improved.  Played oldies (western), so not Radio 
Sport.  I'm assuming then, 2BS. (Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

1575 UNKNOWN unid, Jul 22 12:55 - Fascinating.  I just tuned to this 
frequency, and immediately heard in English, 'National Anthem', and into a 
possible short NA.  Faded rapidly, but not before I thought I heard 'Armed 
Forces'.  Who could this be?  Ideas please?  AFN from Japan??. (Salmaniw, 
Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

3235 PAPUA NEW GUINEA Radio West New Britain, Jul 22 13:29 - S6 to S7 
signal, with the usual very enjoyable PNG programming, with a real local 
flavour.  Announcements at 13:38.  Off sometime by the TOH. (Salmaniw, Tow 
Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

3279.58 ECUADOR La Voz del Napo, Jul 23 0534 - Rosary programming in 
Spanish, and then into modern Spanish vocals.  I'm listening as I was 
typing last night's loggings.  Good reception except for atmospheric 
noise...the bain of summer listening!. (Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte 
Is, BC)

3325 INDONESIA RRI Palangkaraya, Jul 22 14:02 - Good modulation and 
relatively slow speech in Bahasa Indonesia with many mentions of 
Palangkaraya, so likely a local program.  Not parallel to 3345 Ternate. 
(Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

3340 HONDURAS HRMI, Jul 22 04:21 - Presumed logging with impassioned 
preaching, but too weak to be sure whether it was in English or 
Spanish.  The tropical bands tonight are much weaker compared to last 
night.  SF 73, A index 24, and K (at 03) 3.  Minor GM storms measuring G1 
(I think).  Nothing expected for the next 24 hours according to WWV. 
(Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

3344.96 INDONESIA RRI Ternate, Jul 22 13:40 - Parallel to 3325 Palangkaraya 
with a sports play by play.  Lots of mentions of Bali, Pontianak, 
Kalimantan, and Gorantalo.  Great reception on both. (Salmaniw, Tow Hill, 
Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

4753.41 ?BRAZIL Radio Educacao Rural, Campo Grande, Jul 22 04:27 - This is 
my guess for my unid. of last night, and still here today.  I listened for 
a while, and it appears to be in Portuguese, hence my guess.  Any 
verification from out there?. (Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen Charlotte Is, BC)

5025 CUBA Radio Rebelde, Jul 22 04:35 - Rebelde is back with a much 
stronger signal than last night, but still suffering from slop, from a very 
messy transmitter on 5030.07 (University Network, Costa Rica with Dr. Gene 
Scott rambling from beyond the grave!). (Salmaniw, Tow Hill, Queen 
Charlotte Is, BC)


No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.9.2/52 - Release Date: 19/07/05

---[Start Commercial]---------------------

World Radio TV Handbook 2005 is out. 
Order yours from http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0823077942/hardcoredxcom

---[End Commercial]-----------------------
________________________________________
Hard-Core-DX mailing list
Hard-Core-DX@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://dallas.hard-core-dx.com/mailman/listinfo/hard-core-dx
http://www.hard-core-dx.com/
_______________________________________________

THE INFORMATION IN THIS ARTICLE IS FREE. It may be copied, distributed
and/or modified under the conditions set down in the Design Science License
published by Michael Stutz at http://dsl.org/copyleft/dsl.txt