** AUSTRALIA [and non]. 15340, Dec 14 at 1427 considerable het with Morocco 15341v, so I know that HCJB by longpath is propagating better than usual. Then I check their other frequency, 15400 and it is audible in clear, 1429, Oz accent saying ``we invite you to join us tomorrow morning`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** COSTA RICA. 5954.2, approx., R. República at 0707 Dec 14, Spanish discussion. Bad het with 5955.0, presumed RNW via Portugal. Still no jamming in this extended schedule. I have concluded that I must have misinterpreted my previous frequency measurement of 5954.9, using my indirect het-comparing method, as the lower frequency is the usual spot for RR, and it`s also reported by others, such as Martien Groot, Netherlands, Dec 11 as late as 0907-0944 on 5954.24, altho unID. Note: I am glad and eager to correct my own mistakes, so don`t feel put upon when I correct someone else`s! Another one: PHILIPPINES (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** CUBA. What`s become of English overruns past 0700 on some unpredictable RHC 49mb channels? Dec 14 at 0703 they are all in Spanish: 6050 best; 6060 much weaker; 6120 with usual bad audio plus CCI from RNW Dutch via VATICAN; 6150 undermodulated and squealing; plus 5040 good (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** EQUATORIAL GUINEA [and non]. 15190, Dec 13 at 2300 open carrier, presumed R. Africa, as usual slow to turn off after Tony Alamo, standard remarx about him; no trace of ZYE522, R. Inconfidência, BRAZIL. As of Dec 13, Bryan Clark in NZ reports he has not heard that since Dec 5, presumed off (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** GUAM. 5765-USB, Dec 14 at 1405, AFN best heard in a while, bit on Apple aps, military PSA for Px drugs to APO and FPO addresses, then gist: ``Your source 24/7 for news, talk and information from all of the major networks, AFN Radio, the source``.
No local ID for Guam, of course. Do they have AM or FM there? Apparently not as there is plenty of local radio on Guam, unlike Diego Garcia, with AFN on one AM and two FM frequencies per WRTH 2010.
Then into Dr. Joy Browne, 800-544-7070 (does that work from OS bases?, ships at sea?).
BTW, the joined R + x to mean prescription is surely a misinterpretation, as prescription starts with P. It`s just the upper-left wing of the x that joins with the P. Rexall (RIP) to blame for the confusion (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** JAPAN. 6165, Dec 14 at 0658 NHK IS making a SAH with something, Chad, or Croatia? Faster than the one on 6185, see UNIDENTIFIED. 0700 into Japanese, and then at 0702 found on much stronger synchronized // 6145. Certainly shows East Asia is propagating this early, but less than an hour before sunset in Yamata. Fits, as 6145 is 35 degrees for NE Asia, but also USward, while 6165 is 330 degrees Russward (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** KOREA NORTH [non]. 5985, Tuesday Dec 14 at 1402, Shiokaze in Japanese today, YL with piano background, 1403 ID, and with het from Myanmar on the hi side (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** MEXICO. 6185, XEPPM, Dec 14 at 0653 with soft classical music, and something weaker underneath [see UNIDENTIFIED]. 0658 much more modulated promo for 86th anniversary of Radio Educación; at 0700:15 live announcer claims in 20 seconds it will be 1 am. If you`re going to be so precise, better be sure your studio clock is right (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** MEXICO. Dec 14 at 1451 UT, I decided to check MW for residual skywave signals an hour after sunrise. 1300 had Spanish dominating briefly, government PSA, timecheck for something 10 de la mañana, which had to be an hour or two off, even if he was saying 10 till 10, ID as Radio México Noticias. No doubt the 50 kW XEP from Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, where it`s 7:51 am. But this was probably a network program from the DF at 8:51 am local (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** NIGERIA [non]. QSL card received in the P-mail Dec 13 for Hamada Radio International; had sent e-mail report to info @ wrmi.net Face of the card has nothing to do with H.R.I. but promotes 2011 NASB-DRM USA Annual Meetings, next May`s Miami-Bahamas Cruise, with map, views of the ship`s deck, meeting rooms, stateroom.
Jeff White, v/s filled in details on the reverse: Dec 8, 2011 [oops; unfortunately, postmark illegible proving it was 2010], 1422-1430, 17485, Wertachtal, Germany, Hamada Radio International (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** OKLAHOMA. Finally Dec 13 around 1930 UT we went out to the Talking House at 1910 E Ash that I had heard a few days ago on 1570 coming from Samantha Sabedra`s house elsewhere in Enid, but not since. No sign of a signal on 1570 as we approached 1910. However, there was a standard-issue T.H. sign next to the house, showing 1630!
http://www.w4uvh.net/1630-1570th2.jpg
Yes, there it is on the caradio parked right in front --- and with huge splash from local KFXY-1640, which is 10 kW, but ERP much more than that with direxional antenna tight toward Enid. Possibly could have lessened the QRM by side tuning downward, but the caradio moves only in 10-kHz steps.
This is incredible: she picks a terrible frequency due to QRM, which you can`t even hear clearly at local range of a few meters. 1570 would have been much better, in the daytime only having to overcome weak 1570 from Claremore (and maybe 1580 from Blackwell).
Sounds like the same loop we had heard earlier on 1570 at Samantha`s, 607 W. Elm, complete with big hum, which however, stopped for a second during a break, so we know it is on her audio recording, another turn-off. There was no point in recording it at the real location.
Here you are privileged to hear it as previously recorded in front of Sam`s place, better than any current customer could on 1630:
http://www.w4uvh.net/1570th1910.mp3
Blurb about the house included here among others:
http://www.samanthakennington.com/Featured-Homes.html
Enlargeable view of 1910 E Ash:
http://www.samanthakennington.com/200_150_csupload_24334912.jpg?u=349741585
In reality it`s a bit messier, and obviously still occupied, with a motorcycle parked in front, and a black cat (white paws) [not pixured] perched atop the polycart SWDU (solid waste disposal unit) on the west side:
http://www.w4uvh.net/1630-1570th1.jpg
The 1630 sign is not on the curb, but there is a realty sign with MLS handouts for the taking. One about this house says it is 51 to 70 years old, price $37,900, has lead-based paint, etc., etc. Also Sam`s own folder listing this and several other hice, back page promoting Talking House concept, including ``You won`t even know it`s on``.
As we drove away, the 1630 signal hardly lasted a block before being totally overcome by KFXY-1640. No wonder we had not heard it further away. I`d say this client is not getting her money`s worth. O yeah, the TH deal is a free bonus! BTW, per her e-mail address, Sam`s nickname is Sassy.
At night, early UT Dec 14, we were within one mile of the property, and altho KFXY was not such a problem, could not hear it vs broadcasters on 1630. But who wants to inspect a potential purchase in the dark?
1670, at a parking lot in western Enid, 2120 UT Dec 13, there is just enough WTDY starting to skywave in to audiblize a mushy co-channel signal, which has got to be another Talking House. 1670 was the frequency where Greg Winkeljohn was running three at a time a few months ago, but we thought they had all gone off. Certainly the most easterly and strongest one is not heard as we approach that area, but will have to revisit the other two spots to be sure this 1670 is really somewhere else, and then track it down (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** OKLAHOMA [and non]. 1320, low rumbling het at 2124 UT Dec 13 on caradio. Primary groundwave here is KCLI Clinton OK, so will have to check near low noon whether its carrier is out of step with neighboring frequencies on the DX-398 with BFO. Which is what I did already at 1452 UT Dec 14, and found that KCLI is not the one off-frequency, as it was promoting its Tradio show at 7 am, phone 323-9900, ``News-Talk 1320, KCLI``. The off-frequency het from something else was somewhat audible (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also U S A, KSKY item: FCC moves Oklahoma City to Texas. Whose water are they drinking?
** PHILIPPINES [non]. 15435, which I have been reporting as Vatican Radio in Urdu (also with unID het 15434 Dec 12), is really one of the two relays of R. Veritas Asia, via Santa Maria di Galeria, scheduled 1430-1500 daily. Dec 14 I try to get an RVA ID: 1429 open carrier lasts until 1433:25 when joins program in progress, discussion in Urdu.
VR`s own Urdu service, not coincidentally, is scheduled just before this at 1415-1430 Wed & Sun only, but on 13765, 11850 per EiBi.
Incredibly, VR`s schedule is missing from the B-10 archive at http://www.bclnews.it/portal/ (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** RUSSIA. 6075, R. Rossii, Pet/Kam, the motorboating is so bad now that can`t make out any program modulation, but the 6-second-late timesignal penetrates at 1400, with the carrier on another minute, then uncovering Chinese. Meanwhile, no sign today of 8GAL CW marker on 6074 between 1358 and 1402 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** U S A. WJHR appears to be celebrating its first anniversary by going off the air: 15550-USB, no trace of it Dec 13 at 1906, despite 15610 WEWN, its nearest SWBC neighbor, providing good signal, better than usual, indicating one-megameter-range propagation is working, altho Mo. Angelica has a bit of a power advantage.
Another check at 1800 UT Dec 14: there it is, modulation breaking up a bit, barely audible, but on the DX-398 some sound is breaking thru on the LSB, not just the USB. 1801 the same one-and-only canned WJHR ID as ever during the past year, a bouncy southern-gospel tune, calls, location, e-mail address, back to preacher (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** U S A. WWRB`s flexible changeover times for the Brother Scare service: Dec 14 at 1410, he`s still on 3185, weakening into the D-layer. At 1414 I find 9385 is on with open carrier, then cutting on BS in progress (or regress?). Go back to 3185 and it is now off. Not necessarily the same transmitter, as WWRB has a spare, and previously have heard both frequencies on at same time (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** U S A. 660, KSKY Dallas, Dec 13 at 2132 UT promoted its FM simulcasts in three different areas of The Metroplex, on 92.9, 95.5 and 99.9, plus KSKY.com That website reminds us the frequencies serve Dallas, Arlington and Fort Worth, respectively. So what stations are these, really? FCC FM Query:
92.9 has nothing in Dallas per se, and nothing beyond applications in the area for 23 watts in Cedar Hill (the major FM/TV transmitter site SE of Dallas), 75 watts at Lewisville but these are both by the so-called Educational Media Foundation, a gospel-huxter front. But since they are outside the non-comm band, they could be carrying KSKY at least temporarily, if they are really on already. Unhelpful clue: elsewhere on the homepage, a poll about which FM frequency you listen to most, lists 92.9 as Dallas/Plano.
Having brought up all the 92.9s in Texas, I spotted another very interesting entry on the list:
NEW 225 D FX 92.9 MHz APP OKLAHOMA CITY TX US BNPFT-20030311ASC - 139270 0.092 kW 0. m FRED R AND EVELYN K MORTON
The last I checked, Oklahoma City was in --- OKLAHOMA! The Google map does bring up the Valley Brook site on the south side of OKC OK, but still labeled as OKC, TX! But they digress.
What about 95.5 in Arlington TX? You guessed it: nothing listed there. Closest is back in Dallas, an app for a TCU translator with 90 watts. Also a couple of apps for Cleburne 14 watts, and Venus 92 watts, which are S of Fort Worth, but too far to be of any use in Arlington.
What about 99.9 in Fort Worth? Ditto, nothing there either. There are apps for translators in Arlington, and Plano which is back in the Dallas area. There`s a long list of other TX towns on 99.9 with apps, none of which I recognize as being in the FW area. Enough time spent on this wild goose chase.
So all three of these frequencies announced for KSKY on FM lead nowhere. What`s going on? The latest fad among AM stations is to get on FM ``where the listeners are``, even if only low-powered translators.
Of course KSKY 660 has a good 250+ mile groundwave coverage area in daytime, but that is not good enough! Could any of these FMs be part 15 or even pirates? Finally on KSKY`s About Us page I find a message submit form, so I ask:
``I am trying to figure out where your three FM relays actually are. I don`t find any FCC listings for the cities and frequencies given. Could you give me the callsigns (translators?) for 92.9, 95.5 and 99.9 and the official cities of license? BTW, I get you just fine on 660. Thanks`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) No reply as of 1800 UT Dec 14
** U S A. 1090, Dec 13 at 2127 UT on caradio with ND antenna, ad for freedom100.com, American Planning Association, labeled as a PSA, planning.org then hymn on keyboard. This signal is atop SAH of about 3 Hz. 2130, illegal ID as ``10-90 KAAY``, more music. Next check at 2139, a preacher denouncing idolatry with an Irish accent, so is he Catholic? In that case would suspect EWTN`s KEXS in Excelsior Springs MO; however this sig is strong and even more dominant than it was a dekaminute earlier, so suspect still KAAY. It`s 50 kW non-direxional daytime, still in effect at this hour, but skywave kicking in already, so this is likely ordinary for a December afternoon.
However, KAAY Little Rock AR filed for STA to operate at 20% power and non-direxionally at night, since a theft Dec 1 of ``a significant amount of transmission line from the antenna system, and a significant amount of copper electrical wiring``, per FCC Engineering STA BSTA - 20101208AEP via Bill Frahm, Dec 10, amfmtvdx at qth.net.
Night pattern was a tight figure 8, NNW-SSE so rarely audible here, and full night power is 50 kW, so tfn it`s 10 kW ND at night. Several DXers have been reporting it recently in areas normally nulled.
This led me to recheck at night, 0333 UT Dec 14. 1090 is normally not dominated by anything here at night, but yes, now from the east comes: Brother Scare! Whoopeee! This conveniently fits into the null of IBOC from KRLD-1080 Dallas.
However at 1449 UT when KAAY might still be propagating, 1090 is instead dominated by preacher from the NNE, i.e. KEXS (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** U S A. 1290, just as I tune in Dec 14 at 1459 UT, nice ID, ``Your source for news-talk, KOWB, Laramie`` Wyoming (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** WESTERN SAHARA [non]. 6297.1, open carrier already on at 0653 Dec 14, 0701 anthem by military band starts late, and the ute beeps on the side are keeping time with it, almost. Into chanting; later in semi-hour two voices involved, making it a bit more interesting (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
UNIDENTIFIED [and non]. 6185, again something under XEPPM [see MEXICO], Dec 14 at 0653 making SAH of 7 to 8 Hz, evident only when XE fades a bit. Also bits of audio occasionally from the understation. XE was playing soft classical music, making this more obvious until better modulated announcement at 0658. After 0700 the SAH seemed to have disappeared. See previous report showing China Huayi about the only possibility scheduled, but it`s well before sunset there, and they should not be going off at 0700 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ###
** COSTA RICA. 5954.2, approx., R. República at 0707 Dec 14, Spanish discussion. Bad het with 5955.0, presumed RNW via Portugal. Still no jamming in this extended schedule. I have concluded that I must have misinterpreted my previous frequency measurement of 5954.9, using my indirect het-comparing method, as the lower frequency is the usual spot for RR, and it`s also reported by others, such as Martien Groot, Netherlands, Dec 11 as late as 0907-0944 on 5954.24, altho unID. Note: I am glad and eager to correct my own mistakes, so don`t feel put upon when I correct someone else`s! Another one: PHILIPPINES (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** CUBA. What`s become of English overruns past 0700 on some unpredictable RHC 49mb channels? Dec 14 at 0703 they are all in Spanish: 6050 best; 6060 much weaker; 6120 with usual bad audio plus CCI from RNW Dutch via VATICAN; 6150 undermodulated and squealing; plus 5040 good (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** EQUATORIAL GUINEA [and non]. 15190, Dec 13 at 2300 open carrier, presumed R. Africa, as usual slow to turn off after Tony Alamo, standard remarx about him; no trace of ZYE522, R. Inconfidência, BRAZIL. As of Dec 13, Bryan Clark in NZ reports he has not heard that since Dec 5, presumed off (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** GUAM. 5765-USB, Dec 14 at 1405, AFN best heard in a while, bit on Apple aps, military PSA for Px drugs to APO and FPO addresses, then gist: ``Your source 24/7 for news, talk and information from all of the major networks, AFN Radio, the source``.
No local ID for Guam, of course. Do they have AM or FM there? Apparently not as there is plenty of local radio on Guam, unlike Diego Garcia, with AFN on one AM and two FM frequencies per WRTH 2010.
Then into Dr. Joy Browne, 800-544-7070 (does that work from OS bases?, ships at sea?).
BTW, the joined R + x to mean prescription is surely a misinterpretation, as prescription starts with P. It`s just the upper-left wing of the x that joins with the P. Rexall (RIP) to blame for the confusion (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** JAPAN. 6165, Dec 14 at 0658 NHK IS making a SAH with something, Chad, or Croatia? Faster than the one on 6185, see UNIDENTIFIED. 0700 into Japanese, and then at 0702 found on much stronger synchronized // 6145. Certainly shows East Asia is propagating this early, but less than an hour before sunset in Yamata. Fits, as 6145 is 35 degrees for NE Asia, but also USward, while 6165 is 330 degrees Russward (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** KOREA NORTH [non]. 5985, Tuesday Dec 14 at 1402, Shiokaze in Japanese today, YL with piano background, 1403 ID, and with het from Myanmar on the hi side (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** MEXICO. 6185, XEPPM, Dec 14 at 0653 with soft classical music, and something weaker underneath [see UNIDENTIFIED]. 0658 much more modulated promo for 86th anniversary of Radio Educación; at 0700:15 live announcer claims in 20 seconds it will be 1 am. If you`re going to be so precise, better be sure your studio clock is right (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** MEXICO. Dec 14 at 1451 UT, I decided to check MW for residual skywave signals an hour after sunrise. 1300 had Spanish dominating briefly, government PSA, timecheck for something 10 de la mañana, which had to be an hour or two off, even if he was saying 10 till 10, ID as Radio México Noticias. No doubt the 50 kW XEP from Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, where it`s 7:51 am. But this was probably a network program from the DF at 8:51 am local (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** NIGERIA [non]. QSL card received in the P-mail Dec 13 for Hamada Radio International; had sent e-mail report to info @ wrmi.net Face of the card has nothing to do with H.R.I. but promotes 2011 NASB-DRM USA Annual Meetings, next May`s Miami-Bahamas Cruise, with map, views of the ship`s deck, meeting rooms, stateroom.
Jeff White, v/s filled in details on the reverse: Dec 8, 2011 [oops; unfortunately, postmark illegible proving it was 2010], 1422-1430, 17485, Wertachtal, Germany, Hamada Radio International (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** OKLAHOMA. Finally Dec 13 around 1930 UT we went out to the Talking House at 1910 E Ash that I had heard a few days ago on 1570 coming from Samantha Sabedra`s house elsewhere in Enid, but not since. No sign of a signal on 1570 as we approached 1910. However, there was a standard-issue T.H. sign next to the house, showing 1630!
http://www.w4uvh.net/1630-1570th2.jpg
Yes, there it is on the caradio parked right in front --- and with huge splash from local KFXY-1640, which is 10 kW, but ERP much more than that with direxional antenna tight toward Enid. Possibly could have lessened the QRM by side tuning downward, but the caradio moves only in 10-kHz steps.
This is incredible: she picks a terrible frequency due to QRM, which you can`t even hear clearly at local range of a few meters. 1570 would have been much better, in the daytime only having to overcome weak 1570 from Claremore (and maybe 1580 from Blackwell).
Sounds like the same loop we had heard earlier on 1570 at Samantha`s, 607 W. Elm, complete with big hum, which however, stopped for a second during a break, so we know it is on her audio recording, another turn-off. There was no point in recording it at the real location.
Here you are privileged to hear it as previously recorded in front of Sam`s place, better than any current customer could on 1630:
http://www.w4uvh.net/1570th1910.mp3
Blurb about the house included here among others:
http://www.samanthakennington.com/Featured-Homes.html
Enlargeable view of 1910 E Ash:
http://www.samanthakennington.com/200_150_csupload_24334912.jpg?u=349741585
In reality it`s a bit messier, and obviously still occupied, with a motorcycle parked in front, and a black cat (white paws) [not pixured] perched atop the polycart SWDU (solid waste disposal unit) on the west side:
http://www.w4uvh.net/1630-1570th1.jpg
The 1630 sign is not on the curb, but there is a realty sign with MLS handouts for the taking. One about this house says it is 51 to 70 years old, price $37,900, has lead-based paint, etc., etc. Also Sam`s own folder listing this and several other hice, back page promoting Talking House concept, including ``You won`t even know it`s on``.
As we drove away, the 1630 signal hardly lasted a block before being totally overcome by KFXY-1640. No wonder we had not heard it further away. I`d say this client is not getting her money`s worth. O yeah, the TH deal is a free bonus! BTW, per her e-mail address, Sam`s nickname is Sassy.
At night, early UT Dec 14, we were within one mile of the property, and altho KFXY was not such a problem, could not hear it vs broadcasters on 1630. But who wants to inspect a potential purchase in the dark?
1670, at a parking lot in western Enid, 2120 UT Dec 13, there is just enough WTDY starting to skywave in to audiblize a mushy co-channel signal, which has got to be another Talking House. 1670 was the frequency where Greg Winkeljohn was running three at a time a few months ago, but we thought they had all gone off. Certainly the most easterly and strongest one is not heard as we approach that area, but will have to revisit the other two spots to be sure this 1670 is really somewhere else, and then track it down (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** OKLAHOMA [and non]. 1320, low rumbling het at 2124 UT Dec 13 on caradio. Primary groundwave here is KCLI Clinton OK, so will have to check near low noon whether its carrier is out of step with neighboring frequencies on the DX-398 with BFO. Which is what I did already at 1452 UT Dec 14, and found that KCLI is not the one off-frequency, as it was promoting its Tradio show at 7 am, phone 323-9900, ``News-Talk 1320, KCLI``. The off-frequency het from something else was somewhat audible (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also U S A, KSKY item: FCC moves Oklahoma City to Texas. Whose water are they drinking?
** PHILIPPINES [non]. 15435, which I have been reporting as Vatican Radio in Urdu (also with unID het 15434 Dec 12), is really one of the two relays of R. Veritas Asia, via Santa Maria di Galeria, scheduled 1430-1500 daily. Dec 14 I try to get an RVA ID: 1429 open carrier lasts until 1433:25 when joins program in progress, discussion in Urdu.
VR`s own Urdu service, not coincidentally, is scheduled just before this at 1415-1430 Wed & Sun only, but on 13765, 11850 per EiBi.
Incredibly, VR`s schedule is missing from the B-10 archive at http://www.bclnews.it/portal/ (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** RUSSIA. 6075, R. Rossii, Pet/Kam, the motorboating is so bad now that can`t make out any program modulation, but the 6-second-late timesignal penetrates at 1400, with the carrier on another minute, then uncovering Chinese. Meanwhile, no sign today of 8GAL CW marker on 6074 between 1358 and 1402 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** U S A. WJHR appears to be celebrating its first anniversary by going off the air: 15550-USB, no trace of it Dec 13 at 1906, despite 15610 WEWN, its nearest SWBC neighbor, providing good signal, better than usual, indicating one-megameter-range propagation is working, altho Mo. Angelica has a bit of a power advantage.
Another check at 1800 UT Dec 14: there it is, modulation breaking up a bit, barely audible, but on the DX-398 some sound is breaking thru on the LSB, not just the USB. 1801 the same one-and-only canned WJHR ID as ever during the past year, a bouncy southern-gospel tune, calls, location, e-mail address, back to preacher (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** U S A. WWRB`s flexible changeover times for the Brother Scare service: Dec 14 at 1410, he`s still on 3185, weakening into the D-layer. At 1414 I find 9385 is on with open carrier, then cutting on BS in progress (or regress?). Go back to 3185 and it is now off. Not necessarily the same transmitter, as WWRB has a spare, and previously have heard both frequencies on at same time (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** U S A. 660, KSKY Dallas, Dec 13 at 2132 UT promoted its FM simulcasts in three different areas of The Metroplex, on 92.9, 95.5 and 99.9, plus KSKY.com That website reminds us the frequencies serve Dallas, Arlington and Fort Worth, respectively. So what stations are these, really? FCC FM Query:
92.9 has nothing in Dallas per se, and nothing beyond applications in the area for 23 watts in Cedar Hill (the major FM/TV transmitter site SE of Dallas), 75 watts at Lewisville but these are both by the so-called Educational Media Foundation, a gospel-huxter front. But since they are outside the non-comm band, they could be carrying KSKY at least temporarily, if they are really on already. Unhelpful clue: elsewhere on the homepage, a poll about which FM frequency you listen to most, lists 92.9 as Dallas/Plano.
Having brought up all the 92.9s in Texas, I spotted another very interesting entry on the list:
NEW 225 D FX 92.9 MHz APP OKLAHOMA CITY TX US BNPFT-20030311ASC - 139270 0.092 kW 0. m FRED R AND EVELYN K MORTON
The last I checked, Oklahoma City was in --- OKLAHOMA! The Google map does bring up the Valley Brook site on the south side of OKC OK, but still labeled as OKC, TX! But they digress.
What about 95.5 in Arlington TX? You guessed it: nothing listed there. Closest is back in Dallas, an app for a TCU translator with 90 watts. Also a couple of apps for Cleburne 14 watts, and Venus 92 watts, which are S of Fort Worth, but too far to be of any use in Arlington.
What about 99.9 in Fort Worth? Ditto, nothing there either. There are apps for translators in Arlington, and Plano which is back in the Dallas area. There`s a long list of other TX towns on 99.9 with apps, none of which I recognize as being in the FW area. Enough time spent on this wild goose chase.
So all three of these frequencies announced for KSKY on FM lead nowhere. What`s going on? The latest fad among AM stations is to get on FM ``where the listeners are``, even if only low-powered translators.
Of course KSKY 660 has a good 250+ mile groundwave coverage area in daytime, but that is not good enough! Could any of these FMs be part 15 or even pirates? Finally on KSKY`s About Us page I find a message submit form, so I ask:
``I am trying to figure out where your three FM relays actually are. I don`t find any FCC listings for the cities and frequencies given. Could you give me the callsigns (translators?) for 92.9, 95.5 and 99.9 and the official cities of license? BTW, I get you just fine on 660. Thanks`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) No reply as of 1800 UT Dec 14
** U S A. 1090, Dec 13 at 2127 UT on caradio with ND antenna, ad for freedom100.com, American Planning Association, labeled as a PSA, planning.org then hymn on keyboard. This signal is atop SAH of about 3 Hz. 2130, illegal ID as ``10-90 KAAY``, more music. Next check at 2139, a preacher denouncing idolatry with an Irish accent, so is he Catholic? In that case would suspect EWTN`s KEXS in Excelsior Springs MO; however this sig is strong and even more dominant than it was a dekaminute earlier, so suspect still KAAY. It`s 50 kW non-direxional daytime, still in effect at this hour, but skywave kicking in already, so this is likely ordinary for a December afternoon.
However, KAAY Little Rock AR filed for STA to operate at 20% power and non-direxionally at night, since a theft Dec 1 of ``a significant amount of transmission line from the antenna system, and a significant amount of copper electrical wiring``, per FCC Engineering STA BSTA - 20101208AEP via Bill Frahm, Dec 10, amfmtvdx at qth.net.
Night pattern was a tight figure 8, NNW-SSE so rarely audible here, and full night power is 50 kW, so tfn it`s 10 kW ND at night. Several DXers have been reporting it recently in areas normally nulled.
This led me to recheck at night, 0333 UT Dec 14. 1090 is normally not dominated by anything here at night, but yes, now from the east comes: Brother Scare! Whoopeee! This conveniently fits into the null of IBOC from KRLD-1080 Dallas.
However at 1449 UT when KAAY might still be propagating, 1090 is instead dominated by preacher from the NNE, i.e. KEXS (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** U S A. 1290, just as I tune in Dec 14 at 1459 UT, nice ID, ``Your source for news-talk, KOWB, Laramie`` Wyoming (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** WESTERN SAHARA [non]. 6297.1, open carrier already on at 0653 Dec 14, 0701 anthem by military band starts late, and the ute beeps on the side are keeping time with it, almost. Into chanting; later in semi-hour two voices involved, making it a bit more interesting (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
UNIDENTIFIED [and non]. 6185, again something under XEPPM [see MEXICO], Dec 14 at 0653 making SAH of 7 to 8 Hz, evident only when XE fades a bit. Also bits of audio occasionally from the understation. XE was playing soft classical music, making this more obvious until better modulated announcement at 0658. After 0700 the SAH seemed to have disappeared. See previous report showing China Huayi about the only possibility scheduled, but it`s well before sunset there, and they should not be going off at 0700 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ###
