KW4RZ

VHF Ham and FM radio propagation enthusiast. Satisfying this fascination in rural central Nevada. Temporary RV stop now turned into 5 years as RV park manager.

[KW4RZ @RandyKW4RZ]

@StaticVoyager outstanding!

[KW4RZ @RandyKW4RZ]

June 26 ,2025 Epic double hop FM band Es to IL,IN,OH,KY,WV,VA,NC 1622-1644Z window with a solo reception at 1602z to WESC South Carolina. https://t.co/V2arNu3KVM

[KW4RZ @RandyKW4RZ]

July 30 we had the one and only 2X Es opening of the season to the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. After a 1 minute window of Cancun FMs, received suspect signals with ads. Using the Turboscribe app was able to decode audio into English text and confirm stations from Valladolid.

[KW4RZ @RandyKW4RZ]

@LesN1LF @DXTVFM @DXCentral @dx_sphere @VO1FOG @FNDXer @TVRadio1972 @ubstudios @SeanKutzko Out here in FM DX lala land with 96 open channels it's almost constant pings and bursts. Maybe we should set up a DXers cabin BnB out here.

[KW4RZ @RandyKW4RZ]

Unbelievable sporadic E conditions the last 3 days.

[KW4RZ @RandyKW4RZ]

@dx_sphere @NorCalDude599 this is tropo, not a meteor or aircraft scatter? That's quite amazing for the western US!

[KW4RZ @RandyKW4RZ]

@dx_sphere The time of the strongest spike here into Montana corresponds with your autologs.

[KW4RZ @RandyKW4RZ]

@dx_sphere That was some sneaky Es. Earlier had 6 meter signals across the midpoint that suggested strong Es but nothing noted on FM. The DX map diminished and looked hopeless for FM then suddenly after 10 PM a spike of Es displayed on the SDR with Wild 95.3 Calgary and a couple Montana.

[KW4RZ @RandyKW4RZ]

@KF0FQL Phased folded dipoles. Can't tell how big they are to get an idea what band. Primary railroad frequencies are around 161 MHz but they have UHF also.

[KW4RZ @RandyKW4RZ]

@LesN1LF It's gentle enough to mostly drain away with minimal erosion or flooding. Managing an RV park with gravel / dirt surface, on a hill, with water coming down the slope and zero drainage engineering. WX making Vegas and s. Utah FMs scatter in like double hop Es 😄

[KW4RZ @RandyKW4RZ]

@AndrewK8EL @LesN1LF Nothing spectacular the last couple days here either. It's always good in late July, tapers off and picks up as we approach the peak around the 12th or 13th. Not holding my breath for any more decent Es openings.

[KW4RZ @RandyKW4RZ]

@LesN1LF @AndrewK8EL Other locations that have been decent and far enough from RF dense areas were Coleman Lake Campground near Heflin, AL and Alabama Gold Camp near Lineville.

[KW4RZ @RandyKW4RZ]

@LesN1LF @AndrewK8EL @LesN1LF I have set up at several locations in Alabama with the RV that were decent DXing locations. Trip in summer 2018 before heading west. Some with and some without power. This is near Mentone in northeast Alabama. EM74. Never spent too much time DXing. Too much else to do

[KW4RZ @RandyKW4RZ]

@vk2krr @FMDXIreland @dx_bryce @pcjapie The season has been rather mundane compared to the last 3 years. But have seen worse. Still, a few really good openings and several with double hop.

[KW4RZ @RandyKW4RZ]

@LesN1LF Another super tropo opening that comes to mind was in fall 1992 or 93. I was in Louisiana EM32 with 12 elements at 50 ft and 160 watts. Worked EN74 in northern Michigan. What's your 2 meter setup?

[KW4RZ @RandyKW4RZ]

@LesN1LF My best tropo on two meters from Florida was in May 1998. Was a massive opening lasted at least 3 days. N0KQY Kansas DM98 was in often. I have an mp3 recording of him working WA4LOX in EL87 Tampa. I also worked EN13 South Dakota

[KW4RZ @RandyKW4RZ]

@LesN1LF You'll do better. It depends mostly on how much time and effort you put into it. Here's my FM tropo bests from Florida.

[KW4RZ @RandyKW4RZ]

@LesN1LF My map from Florida QTH. With shortest and longest Es distances

[KW4RZ @RandyKW4RZ]

@LesN1LF That town is really cooking! Pulled their flamethrower 94.7 out of the DX haystack a couple days ago. SDR recordings from past openings and meteors are the only DX going on out here lately.