Behinds the scenes during the WLPO test

While chatting about the DX Test with WLPO CE Steve Vogler, he mentioned that they were on day power but night time pattern. He said that to switch to day pattern would involve removing jumpers for the tower tuning which would have to be reinstalled after the test. Since this was not done the test was run on the night pattern.

We also talked about the length of the test. He told me it could have easily run for an hour if it had been requested.

I gave Steve a summary of interference out east; WHKW 1220 and the IBOC/HD slop from WPHT 1210, would prevent/make it very difficult to hear the Test out that way.

Attached are a few photos taken at WLPO.


Tom Jasinski
Shorewood, IL

KLAA-830 Anaheim, CA DX Test

Date: Saturday morning (late Friday night), Dec. 15, 2007.
Time: 1 – 2 a.m. Pacific Time, 0900 – 1000 UTC.
Modes of Operation: 20,000 watts using nighttime directional antenna pattern.
Programming: Morse code IDs inserted into regular programming.

QSL Information: No eQSL service is being offered for this test. Recordings on disk in .mp3 or .wav format will be accepted as proof of reception. Address for e-mail reports is bclark[at]830klaa.com.

Reception reports may be sent to:

Mr. Brian Clark, Director of Engineering,
KLAA Radio,
2000 Gene Autry Way,
Anaheim, CA 92806

NOTE: All requests for verifications must be accompanied by return postage in order to receive a reply.

Brian says he would love to run the test using KLAAs daytime antenna pattern which would better favor the east but cannot because he must protect other stations on 830 kHz. Our sincere thanks to him for agreeing to conduct this test. It should be a good one for the folks to the west, and who knows how far east they may get if conditions are good?

BTC Podcast #2 is available

Show #2 of The BTC Podcast has just been released. It is available as a free download through the i-Tunes Music Store, or your favorite podcast reader. The URL for subscription is here:

http://www.dxtests.info/podcasts/BTC_feed.xml

Or, you can download it directly here.

The BTC Podcast will be updated regularly with the latest DX tests as scheduled, as well as last-minute tests or changes. Your comments are welcome at dxtests[at]dxtests.info.

WFAW-940 Fort Atkinson, WI DX Test

Date: Monday morning (late Sunday night), Nov. 12, 2007.
Time: Midnight – 3 a.m. Central Time, 0600 – 0900 UTC.
Modes of Operation: 500 watts using non-directional antenna pattern on the station’s all-tube Collins auxiliary transmitter.
Programming: Special programming to be announced, but minimally will consist of special voice announcements, Morse code and sweep and other tones.

QSL Information: No eQSL service is being offered for this test. Recordings on disk in .mp3 or .wav format will be accepted as proof of reception. Address for e-mail reports is ernie[at]nrgmedia.com.

Reception reports may be sent to:

Mr. Ernie Swanson K9LO, Chief Engineer,
WFAW Radio,
P.O. Box 94,
Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-0094

NOTE: All requests for verifications must be accompanied by return postage in order to receive a reply.

Ernie adds that he is interested in possibly conducting a second test in the spring from WFAW. Our sincere thanks to him for agreeing to conduct this test.

WIRL DX Test - Final Results

Well folks, the DX Test season seems to be off to a great start. In spite of some less-than-ideal indices, the WIRL DX Test got out really well. Coast to coast and border to border describes it best. Here is a list of reports I’ve received so far. My apologies if I missed anyone.

Frank Aden, Boise, ID
Gerry Bishop, Niceville, FL
Rich Brock, Bridgewater, PA
Michael Diers, Huntington Station, NY
Steve Francis, Alcoa, TN
Jim Gill, Bradenton, FL
Greg Hall, Dallas, TX
Wayne Heinen, Aurora, CO
Chris Johnson, Taylors, SC
Barry McLarnon, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Joe Miller, Troy, MI
Willis Monk, Old Fort, TN
Adam Myrow, Memphis, TN
James Niven, Cedar Creek, TX
Tim Noonan, Oak Creek, WI
Art Peterson, Richmond, CA
Nigel Pimblett, Dunmore, AB, Canada
Jim Pogue, Memphis, TN
Dave Pyatt, Burlington, ON, Canada
Steve Ratzlaff, Elgin, OR
Les Rayburn, Birmingham, AL
Konnie Rychalsky, Connecticut
Curtis Sadowski, Paxton, IL
Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, Canada
Brett Saylor, Central PA
Alan Schreier, Austin, TX
J.D. Stephens, Hampton Cove, AL
Bruce Winkelman, Tulsa, OK

WIRL Chief Engineer Wayne Miller was also very pleased with the results. Here are his comments, received Sunday evening:

“Hi Jim....

The list just keeps getting longer and longer.....The Mighty 1290 indeed....

My ‘CQ DX Good Buddy’ remark was a hit as well.....

I hope to design a special IRCA QSL and customize it for every report. This may take some time. Please advise all that I will get them out....but it may take me a week or so to get them all out via Email as PDF or US Mail.

I'm glad this was a success....

Thanks!

Wayne R Miller, President
Peoria Network Associates, Inc
www.peorianetwork.com
CE WIRL 1290 Radio - Peoria IL”

So there you have it. Thanks to everyone who listened, and thanks to the other members of the BTC. And to those who weren’t able to catch WIRL, I wish you better luck on some of the tests still coming.

73s and good listening,

Jim Pogue
IRCA/NRC Joint Broadcast Test Committee Coordinator

Broadcast Test Committee Podcast now available

The Joint IRCA/NRC Broadcast Test Committee is happy to announce the first edition of their “BTC Podcast” is now available as a free download through the i-Tunes Music Store, or your favorite podcast reader. The URL for subscription is:

http://www.dxtests.info/podcasts/BTC_feed.xml

Or, you can download it directly at:

BTC_Podcast_1.mp3

Hosted by veteran DXer J.D. Stephens, the BTC Podcast will be updated regularly with the latest DX Test information as scheduled, as well as last-minute tests or changes.

This premier edition only covers the first couple of DX Tests currently scheduled, but J.D. will be bringing you more on other tests soon.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome at dxtests[at]dxtests.info

Jim Pogue
Joint IRCA/NRC Broadcast Test Committee Coordinator
Memphis, Tennessee USA

WIRL-1290 Peoria, IL DX Test

Date: Sunday morning (late Saturday night), Oct. 21, 2007.
Time: 2:00 AM to 4:00 AM Central Time (0700-0900 UTC).
Modes of Operation: 5,000 watts using normal daytime pattern.
Programming: Programming will consist of voice IDs, Morse code, 1,000 Hz tones and regular format Classic Country music.

QSL Information: The station will accept recordings by e-mail or on disk (.mp3 or .wav OK but no cassettes please). Address for e-mail reports is wrm[at]jmpradio.com.

Reception reports may be sent to:

Wayne R. Miller, Chief Engineer
WIRL Radio,
331 Fulton,
Suite 1200,
Peoria, IL 61602

NOTE: All requests for verifications must be accompanied by return postage in order to receive a reply. No eQSL service is being offered for this test.

Our sincere thanks to Chief Engineer Wayne Miller for agreeing to conduct this test.

Tools and Resources

Introduction to Broadcast Band DXing

Intro to BCB DXing brochure

Winmorse

WinMorse is a free text to Morse Code conversion application for Windows. WinMorse converts text into Morse Code audio files which can be used create test content. Visit the Winmorse web site for the free download and other information.

NRC Sweep Tones

The NRC Sweep Tones are a series of log test tones used for transmitter alignment. They're also very useful for cutting through the noise and have proven MORE effective than Morse Code during tests. Right click on the links to download:

NRC Sweep Tones
NRC Mono Sweep Tones

Sample Request Letters

Here are two sample letters that can be used to used in for sending letters to the stations requesting a DX Test. These documents are in MS Word format. (right click on link to download)

Test Request Letter
Test Request Letter (Clear Channel)

Newspaper article about WLPO DX Test

Dear fellow DXers,

I got a phone call from a reporter with the La Salle, Illinois News Tribune – owned by the same folks who own WLPO – asking about the upcoming DX Test. He is writing an article about it, and I did a brief interview with him. He asked that I get with him ASAP after the test on Oct. 27 and let him know about how many people heard it and at what distance.

As soon as possible after the test, I’m asking everyone who hears it to send me an e-mail. In addition to telling me that you heard the test, I’d also invite your “non-technical” comments about the test as well. Most readers don’t care about weird tones and Morse code, but if you are thrilled to hear the sound of an announcer’s voice from far away north-central Illinois, that kind of comment is something average readers can understand.

This is a great opportunity to build some goodwill for our hobby, and I will be able to include a clipping of the story in future DX test requests to other stations. Thanks for your help.

Jim Pogue, KH2AR
IRCA/NRC Broadcast Test Coordinator