AM and FM DX

Yes, then you start to get close to 2RSR ‘Radio Skid Row’ territory.

Finaly, some West Coast early morning FM propagation worth talking about, for any one who may be up in WA.

Elusive so far this summer, Newsradio Carnarvon 106.1 in. Along with a swag of low power stations from Lancelin, Jurien Bay, Kalbarri, Dongara, Geraldton and Moora for the first time. Dead air noted on Triple M Lancelin 103.9.

Also propagation from the south coast. Most block by Perth stations but Hit Albany town 106.5 and ABC Norseman 105.7 easily making it over 6ix.

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That would be a good catch!

Could it be Merredin, that’s a bit closer?

Was Hit on 105.1?

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Was a Triple M station in 105.1. Dongara. Hit Merredin 105.1 is a rarity hear here on the coastal plain. Too far inland.

Bit of a presumption I guess based ABC programming, direction and strong low power stations from Albany and Ravensthorpe. Couldn’t confirm with RN Norseman, blocked by 107.3 HFM Perth.

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88.5 NewsRadio Captains Flat is now on air. Very strong on the hill coming into Bungendore from the west. Patchy signal in town.

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That’s about what I would expect for a 200 watt station at a distance of about 40km as the crow flies.

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By the way, no NewsRadio on 100.3. I will be in Braidwood tomorrow doing my second show so will confirm its status tomorrow.

EDIT: 88.5 is 2 bars with the Yagi aiming north. Ouch!

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1433 4HI from Queensland is screaming into Central Victoria at the moment.

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I’ve seen a few posts on here around Adelaide Fm’s having fortuitous coverage off Mt Lofty heading east. Likewise the Ballarat stations (107.1 Triple J and 102.3 3BAfm) also get out quite well to the west. Curious whether there are any patches perhaps between Keith and Nhill where both Adelaide and Ballarat would have co-channel interference?

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I know that 3BO FM has been logged in Adelaide via tropo, so I reckon CCI would be quite likely in the areas you mentioned. It’s generally as flat as a tack between the western fall of the ranges around Ballarat and the eastern fall of the Adelaide Hills.

I have personally DXed Adelaide from the VIC/SA border around Nelson and they lasted about half way to Portland VIC. 98.7 Power FM came up weakly on Tower Hill, Warrnambool as well.

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4ZR coming into Central vic nicely as well tonight. Haven’t heard of that one before.

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Tropo this morning in Renmark was next to non-existent. Reports of Adelaide FM stations in Mildura though

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4ZR puts out a super signal at night. Back in the old days, it used to interfere badly with the old 2KA translator at night. I used to live about 17km away from the transmitter and some nights you could barely hear 2KA with 4ZR dominant.

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Yep, that’s why Cool Country 2KA (or the new 2KA, not the original Katoomba station with the same translator frequency in Penrith) fought & changed their frequency, just before going off air permanently anyway.

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There was a bit of inland ducting around this morning, probably helped by the cloudy humid conditions.

Caught 90.7 JJJ and 91.5 News Radio from SW Slopes on the car radio at Braye Park Lookout in Newcastle. Never had that there before.

I think I heard Real FM 97.9 from Kandos, that is a bit of a rarity. Reception was weak, but I think I heard Mudgee mentioned during what sounded like an ad. It wasn’t there for long, as ABC Classic Coffs Harbour appeared shortly after. 93.1 was clear too.

Heard a bit of ZOO Dubbo on 92.7, though 93.5 was Eagle FM with RDS.

Heard a bit of 96.7 Classic from Mt Dowe, and all the 80kw ABCs from Orange, but none of the 5kw stations from there though.

94.7 Triple J Tamworth was received instead of the usual News Radio Taree.

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Some ducting again tonight, the highlights were some infrequent inland catches

88.3 ABC Classic SW Slopes
100.9 SKY Sports Radio Bathurst
102.7 ABC Classic Orange
Hit105.9 Orange
106.7 SKY Sports Radio Orange

At home, there is very hilly terrain towards the Central West, so much so, they are more difficult to get than those from the South West.

Along with the more regular South Coast and Canberra catches, I had a line of ABC Classic going on 101.9, 102.3 and 102.7 tonight.

91.7 2ST could also be heard over the splatter from the 91.6 Sydney temporary narrowcast station.

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Enhancement from the north in SEQ with ABC Rockhampton at low levels.

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Currently down the south coast staying in Kiama, decided to drive up Cambewarra Mountain to have a look at the view, and the new 91.7 2ST arrays on the tower.

The 2ST arrays are just below the UHF Tv at the top of the tower.

There are two fm panels arrays on the east side of the tower directed towards Nowra, and two panel arrays on the northern side of the antenna, surprisingly none on the southern side of the tower where there is higher licence ERP.

Driving down the reception. Does not get really good to Gerringong. It is patchy through most parts of Wollongong. In Kiama it is very average on the car radio. My Sangean dab+ fm pocket radio cannot get a trace of it. 88.5 is definitely needed for Kiama.

BTW Power fm was pretty average on my portable at the motel I was staying at. 2 bars in mono while all the over stations from Knights hill had maximum signal and stereo. I am obstructed by terrain from Knights Hill as I am down near the beach. Moving to the window brings Power back to good strength with Stereo and RDS. Power fm is only 10KW towards Kiama v 20KW towards Kiama for Wave and i98, and 40kW for the nationals.

Dxing What was interesting I received the new 2EC on 94.5 over FBI near the summit of Cambewarra Mountain, and Braidwood Fm off and on to the bend near Kiama where 88.9 2RSR them dominated. Also 93.5 Eagle fm comes in quite well on the car radio around Albion Park.

In Berry Wave and i98 were received very well on the car radio so I can understand high fortuitous listening of these stations in Nowra.
Sydney fm was very weak to non existent.

I will be driving back to Sydney by the Southern Highlands and will see how 91.7 2ST goes.

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You can do that with Power FM on 102.5 and 2XL on 96.1, too. It’s the most northerly spot where Bega is reliably received.

Rockhampton signals building again tonight.