WHAMLOG Home Page

CBC Notes

Since March my wife has been undergoing medical treatments and I've spent a lot of time reading old magazines in hospital waiting rooms and doctors' offices. This past week I caught up with Alan Fotheringham's May 31 column, which deals with CBC cuts, the general demise of the CBC, and its programming. He sums it up well in his last paragraph, where he writes that Perrin Beaty boss of The CBC, was appointed on April Fool's Day, 1995. 'Nuff said.

I received a letter from ODXA member, Peter Kerr, of Downsview. Peter wrote that he enjoyed the CBL pictures, which Harold ran (because I hadn't been able to put a proper column together in July). They reminded him of listening to CBL some 50 years ago, of visiting the site, and of hearing it in his travels throughout Ontario and the USA.

Peter sent photocopies the CBC's official station log for CBL of June 19, 1999 at 2358:50 its last few minutes of operation. The log details the transmitter being shut down in the presence of on-site technicians, staff, retired staff, and visitors. Thanks Peter. It's bit of memorabilia, which I appreciate.

You never know…

I've often traveled the road, between Scone and where Highway 6 and 21 separate, just south of Wiarton, on my way to my Bruce Penninsula cottage. On that road, I passed a country house, which it seemed, always had new antenna paraphernalia around it. I always thought it some sort of country radio station or local communication firm, and often meant to stop by to inquire about the equipment. I did so only recently. I introduced myself to a gentleman who was cleaning out the back of his pickup truck in the yard. Introducing myself  as an ODXA member, before I could give him my name he said, "Yes, I know who you are, you're Werner Funkenhauser. I'm Carl Styan". Carl is an ODXA type and a contributor to this column. He has 160 acres of country land upon which to string antennas. An avid ham operator, he is also a low frequency DXer. We took some pictures of his skyhooks, and he showed me his impressive radio shack. Pity there wasn't more time to visit, but my wife was anxious for us to get back to Guelph that day. I've driven by Carl's place a number of times since, but haven't stopped because my better half didn't want to sit in the car while her old man talked DX with another one of those radio nuts. <hi!>

The VEA Mediumwave Loop Antenna

Some months ago, I wrote about the VEA MW-1812 loop antenna in this column. I had the opportunity to review the company's initial offering and though I am not a fan of inductively coupled loop antennas, the antenna's performance when used with some of my portable radios, greatly impressed me. In my review, I pointed out some shortcomings that had to do with tuning and hand capacity effects. These were minor, but VEA quickly made the changes and the second generation of MW-1812s incorporated each of my suggestions for improving not only performance, but also ease of use, and included the ability to be directly coupled to a receiver (as opposed to inductive coupling). This improved design was an even better DX tool than the original.

Though I didn't have to pay for mine, the retail price was $79 US, fair for an antenna with such excellent features and capabilities. My original review and addendum  (after using version two) may be found in the Antennas page of my web site: Whamlog Home.

In a recent surprise announcement, Eric Force, responsible for production of the VEA MW-1812VE loop antenna, stated that production of assembled units was being immediately discontinued. The inability to remain competitive, due to significantly increased manufacturing costs, was cited as the primary reason for the decision. He went on say that product warranty for all previously sold antennas will be honored and, for those who would like to build their own MW-1812VE loop, detailed plans should be available by year's end. Anyone interested should contact Mr. Force at eforce@dobe.com

This is disappointing news because the MW-1812 in its current form embodies almost every desirable feature of a good loop antenna. Coupled to a good radio, it was an excellent DX combination, which I experienced first-hand as seen from the logs in my review.

CBJ 1580

Saul Chernos ODXA member and moderator of the amfmtvdx list e-mailed the list inquiring if anyone knew of CBJ Chicoutimi (CBC French Network) closing. He heard a report that it wasn't on anymore, and that a PA station has been heard in its place. Speculation is that the PA station was running daytime power at night. As I edit this, I have my wife's  YB400PE sitting on the MW-1812, tuned to 1580. I can hear no trace of CBJ, just a muddle of stations, with an enticing latin occasionally rising above the din. It's IDs mention "???Q" (Koo!) and I'd just love to tune the R71A or R8B with my Kiwa or K9AY, but the column deadline is tonight. DRAT!!

People

John Figliozzi recently spent time on Cape Cod. He had surprisingly good reception of quite a few longwave TA broadcast stations while there, and sent a report.  Thanks John. Also, I want to thank first-time reporter Andre Fredette who sent his logs. Andre is waiting on delivery of a recently purchased McKay Dymek DA-5. He should hear some fine DX with that one. It was Dave Clark's DA-5 coupled to my R71A that I used to get a QSL from LRA-1, Buenos Aires on 870 kHz.

I've been reporting logs from Bruce Conti here for some time, but never properly introduced him. For those who don't know Bruce, he is a Newfoundland DXpedition veteran, and a highly accomplished DXer. He is also an ODXA member and edits the popular "Broadcast DXing" column in Popular Communications -- one column that I never miss reading.

Trans-Atlantic Logs

153   ALGERIA  Bechar,  Aug 6 - Man in Arabic with lengthy talk @ 0301(UT). SINPO-23343.  QRM from man and woman in French or German underneath - see next report. (JF-MA)

153   (t)GERMANY, Aug 6- Likely Donnebach under Bechar (see report above) with man and woman in French or German, some music @ 0301(UT).  SINPO-12322. (JF-MA)

162   FRANCE  Allouis,  Aug 6 - Woman in French with cabaret music @ 0334  //1375 (St. Pierre et Miquelon).  SINPO=35343. (JF-MA)

183 GERMANY  Saarlouis EUROPE 1, Aug 4 - excellent signals at 0300 with YL  announcer in French serving as host for back to back pop music px. (CR-VA) Aug 6 @ 0240 with woman dj playing Europop and rock music, then man in French w/announcements and ads. Armchair quality! SINPO=35354. (JF-MA)

189   (t)ICELAND,  Aug 6 - Man in unfamiliar language @ 0328, then music "What a Fool Believes" by Michael MacDonald, then man speaking again. Started coming up  along with Allouis around 0320.) SINPO=25332. (JF-MA)

198   UK  Droitwich,  w/BBCWS Aug 6- @ 0314.  //5975.  SINPO=25342. (JF-MA)

207   UNID, Aug 6 - Weak carrier detected @ 0316, faded thereafter. (JF-MA)

216   MONACO Romoules  RMC,  Aug 6 @ 0342 with woman in French playing music.  Deep, quick fades and beacon QRM.  SINPO=23322. (JF-MA)

234   LUXEMBOURG  Junglister RTL,  Aug 6 0317 with man and woman in French
and Europop.  SINPO=25332. (JF-MA)

252   IRELAND  Atlantic 252,  Aug 6 - with pop and rock music fading in @ 0319. SINPO=35343 by 0345.  ID 0349. (JF-MA)

1179   ROMANIA  Romania Actualitata, Galbeni, 5 Aug  0207-0212 - SIO 433, // 1152; news and weather in Romanian, lively jazz music from 0211.  WRTH incorrectly lists this one on 1178 kHz. (JB-NF)

1375   ST. PIERRE ET MIQUELON - Aug 6 //162. SINPO=33443. (JF-MA)

1404   ROMANIA Romania Actualitata, Sighet, 5 Aug 0218-0221 - SIO 322 with QRM from France; jazz music, clearly // 1179 and 1152 (JB-NF)

1575.47   ENGLAND  R. Northsea International, Clacton-on-Sea, 4 Aug 2325-0000 - Weak, but from time to time fading up with comprehensible audio, SIO 141-2; pop tunes from the late '60's, male DJ ID'ed as "R-N-I" and gave a Web site.  This is a Restricted Service Licence (RSL) station (broadcasting only until the end of August) to commemorate the 175th aniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.  I think the broadcast is from the old RNI pirate ship, Mebo-II.  I used to listen to RNI (and R. Veronica) when I was working in Holland in the late 1960's, when the stations they were bona fide North Sea pirates, and this sounded just the same… (JB-NF) In a later note, Jean sent information that this was a 1 watt station. 1 watt!

Pan-American Logs

690   ANGUILLA  Caribbean Beacon  The Valley, Aug 7 0245 - good though with Recuerdos and Progreso QRM. Gene Scott program // 6090 with quasi-ID giving Box 1, Los Angeles address and  announcement as "program produced by Dr. Gene Scott".  Heard numerous times. (WF-ON)

940   PUERTO RICO  WIPR San Juan,  Aug 11  0527-0559 - poor-fair but dominant on my K9AY south wire. Male Spanish duo commenting on music, mainly ballads, frequent mentions of Puerto Rico and at 0559 ID string with 5 pips and a beep (though garbled) ending with "La corporacion Puerto Rico para television … presenta le Guondo (?) de Puerto Rico". Heard several times. (WF-ON)

1570   CHILE  "R. Familia," Talca, 5 Aug 0001-0015 - SIO 333, with QRM mainly from R. Amanecer; Spanish news and talk about human rights, ID at 0007, then seemed to join R. Cooperativa feed for football game coverage, so lots of "Radio Cooperativa" ID's and mentions of  "Colo-Colo."  This station was also recently heard by Paul Ormandy (New Zealand) who had also noted ads for stores in Talca.  I thank Paul for assistance in nailing this one down!  Thus, this seems to be a new slogan for CC157 (1 kW), "Radio Campanario" as listed in WRTH. (JB-NF) (WOW!!!-wf)

1570    DOMINICAN REP.  R. Amanecer Internacional (HIAJ), Santo Domingo, 5 Aug 0153-0201 - SIO 242 with no detectable signal from Chile; religious mx, ID and promos all in Spanish (JB-NF) (First report I've seen for this one in a long time-wf.)
 

Domestic Logs

550   KFYR  ND Bismarck, Aug 9  0048 - fair over/under WGR. Classic rock (Some Kind of Wonderful) ending, WC (67 and cloudy),spots for Bismarck Lost and Found, ID at 0049 (KFYR Bismarck), KT Animal Supply ad. (WF-ON)

700   WLW  OH  Cincinnati  Aug 02  2135 - talk show on Bill & Hillary Clinton  very good  (AF-ON)

740   CHCM  NF  Marystown,  Jul 12 2300 - fair. ID by man for VOCM, CHCM and the Newfoundland-Labrador Network. Into talk. (MS-ON)

780   WBBM  IL  Chicago,  Aug 02  2151 - Sports golf Tiger Woods  very good (AF-ON)

880   WCBS  NY  New York,  Jul 27  2223 - station ID traffic  & weather in NY.  Good (AF-ON)

 890   WLS  IL  Chicago,  Jul 24  2235 - station  id music good (AF-ON)

1030   WBZ  MA Boston,  Jul 28  2216 - station ID talk show on “accepting yourself”  good (AF-ON)

1060   KYW  PA  Philadelphia,  Jul 28  2213 station ID news on NJ death penalty good-fair  (AF-ON)

1210   WPHT  PA Philadelphia,  Jul 24  2226 baseball scores good (AF-ON)

1140    WRVA  VA  Richmond,  Jul 28  2209 station ID talk show Dr. Dean Adel   good  (AF-ON)

1470   WTKO  NY  Ithaca,  Jul 13 2058 - poor to fair  with "middle of the road" oldies, 2100 ID as "WTKO Ithaca New York". Frequency recently vacated by sem-local CHOW. (MS-ON)

1500   WTOP  DX  Washington,  Jul 2   2214 - Weather in Washington 90 F with thunder   good (AF-ON)

1530   WSAI  OH  Cincinnati,   Jul 28  2157 - talk show station ID  good (AF-ON)

1580   WSRF  FL Ft. Lauderdale,  Aug 9  0145, poor with mix of latin music and frequent mentions of Colombia but at 0158 (on the hour??!!) an English ID as "WSRF! Ft. Lauderdale and Palm Beach". (WF-ON)
 

Contributors

(AF-ON) Andre Fredette Oakville ON:  JRC 535D and Drake R8B, G5RV antenna

(CR-VA) Chuck Rippel Cornland, VA: Harris RF590

(JB-NF) Jean Burnell St. John's NF: Drake R8A, K9AY/K4GLU loops, MFJ 1026 Phasing Unit

(JF-MA) John Figliozzi DXing at Harwich MA: Grundig YB-400 with only the in-board antenna (!) John speaks.."Werner, I was amazed at the performance of this little radio on longwave.  I had a similar experience with it on a July trip to PEI two years ago. Most of these were heard in near armchair quality over two or three hours every night. I also detected carriers on 648, 738 and 837 kHz. but no audio ever came up."

(MS-ON) Morris Sorensen Scarborough ON: Drake R8, McKay Dymeck DA-9

(WF-ON) Werner Funkenhauser Guelph ON: ESKA/EDVIS equipped Icom R71A, K9AY/K4GLU terminated loops, Kiwa Loop
 

WHAMLOG Home Page