A New Blog

I am phasing this blog out as my permanent return to New Zealand approaches. A Kiwi DXer in Asia doesn't quite cut the mustard in downtown Mangawhai!

I will place postings only on the new site from now on, as more and more of my DX is via the NZ Radio DX League's SDR in Russell - 105km north of Mangawhai. 

The reception conditions in Cyberjaya are dreadful and my new neighbour has a plasma television, I think. I can really hear little from my home QTH as it is obliterated by noise.

The new blog is called Mangawhai DXer and the address is:

https://mangawhaidxer.blogspot.my/

A new and unexpected verie

Back in late 2016 I logged KHNR 690 kHz in Honolulu via the NZRDX League's SDR. I sent a report and a follow up and heard nothing. Yesterday I decided to follow up again, this time on Facebook Messenger. This is the only reason I have Facebook. Back came a verie from the new PD Chaz Ontai.

Aloha Stu! This is Chaz Ontai, Program Director for AM 690 and FM 94.3 THE ANSWER. I was promoted to PD on January 1st and was not aware of your message sent in 2016. Not sure what you want from me but the information you provided matches what we were airing at that time. I hope this helps. I’m happy you found our station! Good luck with your future DXing!
God Bless!
Chaz

I think he has the idea nicely. I am more than happy with that.

I have also managed to log KHTK 1140 kHz in Sacramento, CA.

A pleasing logging

I listened to the DX League's SDR on Wednesday and was pleased to hear KSL, St Lake City, Utah, broadcasting on 1160 kHz at 0740 UTC. I have heard it once before but could not elicit a verification. I am hoping to be more fortunate this time!

A further verie

I logged CRI a couple of nights ago broadcasting in English on 1080 kHz at 1700 UTC. a report was sent off and an eQSL arrived back today.

Does anybody else have trouble mailing to CRI? My first report bounced, but my second attempt to the same address was successful. I was asked a question in the reply I received and when I answered it, it bounced twice. I have now given up!

A new Shortwave verie

Al Kirton has been kind enough to verify my report - sent as a sound file, of 4KZ operating on 5055 kHz with 500 watts from Innisfail in Queensland. It was heard just before Christmas. I have also been fortunate enough to verify the medium wave outlet.

I logged this while in New Zealand. As yet I have not heard it in Malaysia, but it has been heard here, apparently.

Remote loggings

I have been listening to the NZRDXL's SDR in Russell (Northland). I only had a brief listen at the end of work.

I heard the following:

670 WSCR, Chicago - fair and clear with sports talk and local ads. Great id at 0740 UTC

680 KNBR, San Francisco was heard at good levels

690 was mixed - KHNR, Honolulu with talk (good id heard) but what else?

720 KDWN in Las Vegas was there with talk and a good id at 0734.

I have verified KNBR and KWDN so I shall send a report to WSCR. I have one out to KHNR, but they seem reluctant to reply!

A new, and very welcome, verie

Indonesia frustrates me - they are so close to Malaysia and we can hear a number of stations pretty well on medium wave, and yet they are so reluctant to verify.

Back in February/ March I heard RRI Pro Satu (= One) in Tanjung Pinang broadcasting on 1341. It is not difficult to hear. It is situated on Pulau Bintan (Bintan Island), which is part of the Riau Islands, about 80 km south east of Singapore.

I sent the station a Facebook message and heard nothing back. I followed it up in June and again heard nothing back. Suddenly last night, after I had switched the light out, my iPad went ping and it was a message from the station acknowledging my report.

I am satisfied with that and it is a new country.

Inactivity

Inactivity has been the name of the game, alas. I have now returned to Malaysia after two weeks in Mangawhai, New Zealand. I did a little listening whilst there, once I got my portable EWE erected and my radios sorted out.

I was able to hear a few North American stations. This was with a 3m EWE. This is not really big enough. It was an interesting experience, despite being in the middle of suburbia. Admittedly many of our neighbours have their homes as holiday residences or bachs (pronounced batches) as they are known in New Zealand and thus they weren't there.

Once I get there permanently in early July, I will put up a 4 or 5 metre EWE. This should provide greater gain and thus, hopefully more signals.

Since coming back from New Zealand I have had a listen but have been greeted by nothing more than noise.