Dual DX Test — THIS WEEKEND– KJJR 880 Whitefish, MT & KSEN 1150 Shelby, MT.
The Courtesy Program Committee (CPC) of the National Radio Club and International Radio Club of America are proud to announce another “Dual DX Test” this weekend. 

Chief Engineer Todd Clark will be doing maintenance testing starting on Saturday, April 8th at 12:01 AM Mountain Daylight Time (0601 UTC) when KJJR, 880 AM, will be testing on daytime power and pattern. 10,000 watts. Programming will consist of sweep tones, Morse Code IDs, 1 kHz “long duration tones,” etc. The test will last two hours, until 02:00 AM Mountain Time. 

Part two of the dual test is the next day, Sunday, April 9th, at 12:01 AM Mountain Daylight Time (0601 UTC) when KSEN, 1150 AM, will be testing on daytime power and pattern. 10,000 watts. Programming will consist of sweep tones, Morse Code IDs, 1 kHz “long duration tones,” etc. The test will last two hours, until 02:00 AM Mountain Time. 

SSTV (Slow-Scan TV) Tests

Both tests will also feature the transmission of Slow-Scan TV images commonly used by amateur radio operators and increasingly by shortwave broadcasters. 

The images are transmitted as audio tones in Scottie 1 format. KDWN recently used this same format in Las Vegas during their signoff DX Tests. SSTV requires computer software to decode. This can be done using an audio connection to your PC or holding a cell phone near your speaker. 

SSTV is straightforward and works great. You can get reasonable images by picking up audio with your laptop without wiring.

Download the free MMSSTV app and try it out:

hamsoft.ca/pages/mmsstv.php

Another great app for Mac or PC is Fldigi from http://www.w1hkj.com/.

You can also search the App store on your iPhone or Google Play for Android for “SSTV.” Lots of great apps are available. 

Highly recommend you test BEFORE the weekend. The best bet is to tune to 14.233 MHz in USB mode if you have a shortwave receiver. Lots of activity there most of the day. 

— 

++ Note: SSTV is not a weak-signal mode like FT8. If you cannot copy the Morse Code and sweep tones, you will unlikely decode an SSTV image successfully. 

It’s a fun mode, not a miracle mode. 

QSL INFORMATION

At the station’s request, the Courtesy Program Committee will be responsible for verifying reception reports and issuing QSLs. All reception reports should be emailed to: 

dx@highnoonfilm.com

The new QSL rules for CPC-coordinated tests will be in effect for this test. Please read them carefully. 

SPECIAL THANKS

A big thank you to Chief Engineer Todd Clark who agreed to include SSTV and allow us to test this mode as an option for future tests. Also to Paul Walker, who arranged for all this. 

And to Rob Keeney who encoded the images into SSTV format and provided technical expertise on incorporating them into our files. 

NEW QSL RULES FOR THE 2022-2023 SEASON

• DX Tests are arranged by the Courtesy Program Committee of the National Radio Club (NRC) and the International Radio Club of America (IRCA.) Both clubs offer low-cost, online-only memberships. It is appropriate that those seeking QSLs should support the clubs financially. Please indicate in your request which club you are a member of. It may improve the response time for your QSL. 

• QSL requests for DX Tests where the CPC will issue QSLs must be received within 30 days of the test. 

• A brief recording of at least two (2) minutes must be submitted. .MP3, .wav, or .MP4 video formats accepted. No written reports unless accompanied by a recording. 

• No remote receivers (Internet-based) will be accepted for QSLs. The exceptions to this rule are as follows:

A.) If you constructed the remote receiver, maintained it, or contributed money towards those purposes, you may use it to submit reception reports. Examples would be DXers who built remote receivers in low-noise locations but operate from home. 

B.) Internet-based receivers you don’t own are only acceptable if they are more than 500 miles from the transmitter of the test station. You must fully disclose which receiver was used, including its URL. If the owner is known, please provide their name so they may receive credit. Include the distance of the receiver in miles from the transmitter site. 

C.) Only one QSL will be issued per DXer, even if they operate multiple remote receiver sites or use more than one remote receiver at distances of 500 miles to receive the station. 

• QSLs will be issued only after the conclusion of the 2022-2023 DX Season. Generally, this will occur in April. We will send out group emails when QSLs are issued. 

• Unpaid volunteers perform all work in verifying reports and sending you a QSL. We all have jobs, spouses, kids, and lives. Be patient. Be nice. 

73,

Les Rayburn, N1LF to mwcircle iog (2023-04-03)

Less Than 24 Hours Until the “Spring Into DX” Tests.
The Courtesy Program Committee (CPC) of the International Radio Club of America (IRCA) and the National Radio Club (NRC) are pleased to announce the 2023 “Spring into DX” tests from the Bluegrass State! Stay up late with us on Saturday night/Sunday morning as WWKY 990 in Winchester, KY and WMST 1150 in Mount Sterling, KY will both be conducting maintenance tests for two full hours. 

The test starts at one minute after midnight 00:01 AM EDT, Sunday morning March 26 (0401 UTC) and lasts until 2 AM EDT (0600 UTC). Both stations will run at their daytime power and pattern. That’s 2,500 watts for WMST and 1,000 watts for WWKY. Snagging this dynamic duo will be a challenge. To help make it easier, the station is broadcasting some of the best DX test material available. 

The test will consist mostly of sweep tones, Morse code at 20WPM & 12 WPM (1 kHz), 1kHz long tones, and proven sound effects to cut through the noise. The stations also plan to run some “special programming” that is sure to be fun. 

73, Les Rayburn to irca iog (2023-03-25)

The Courtesy Program Committee (CPC) of the International Radio Club of American (IRCA) and the National Radio Club (NRC) are pleased to announce the 2023 “Spring into DX” tests from the Bluegrass State! Stay up late with us on Saturday night/Sunday morning as WWKY 990 in Winchester, KY and WMST 1150 in Mount Sterling, KY will both be conducting maintenance tests for two full hours. 

The test starts at one minute after midnight 00:01 AM EDT, Sunday morning March 26 (0400 UTC) and lasts until 2 AM EDT (0600 UTC). Both stations will run at their daytime power and pattern. That’s 2,500 watts for WMST and 1,000 watts for WWKY. Snagging this dynamic duo will be a challenge. To help make it easier, the station is broadcasting some of the best DX test material available. 

The test will consist mostly of sweep tones, Morse code at 20WPM & 12 WPM (1 kHz), 1kHz long tones, and proven sound effects to cut through the noise. The stations also plan to run some “special programming” that is sure to be fun. 

CREDITS

This “Spring Into DX” test is a direct result of the outreach efforts of Harry Dence and the generosity of Hays McMakin of Gateway Radio Works, Inc., who own both stations. Again, Hays and his team had to work around high school basketball and March Madness to make this test go, so you have our thanks. Kudos to our all-volunteer CPC team as well! 

Thank you Hays McMakin! 

QSL INFORMATION

The usual rules for a CPC-scheduled test apply: 

• Email reception reports to dx@highnoonfilm.com
• Reception reports must be received within 30 days (May 10, 2023) 
• QSLs for all DX Tests from the 2021-2022 will be answered when the season is over. Be patient.
• Reception reports must include a recording of no more than two minutes in length. .MP3, .WAV or .MP4 video accepted. 

SEE YOU THIS COMING LATE NIGHT SATURDAY/EARLY SUNDAY FOR THE “SPRING INTO DX” TEST! 

73,

Les Rayburn, N1LF to mwcircle iog (2023-03-21)

WDFB-1170 DX test
I wasn’t set up to record, so I won’t be seeking a QSL. But thanks to the CPC folks I’ve added WDFB to my logbook, using a barefoot Tecsun PL-330.  Noted Morse code starting “VVV de” at 2306 CST, into low- to high-frequency sweep tones at 2307, more CW, then what sounded like straight 1-kHz tone at 2308. (Seemed more continuous than code, anyway.) All weak/fadey under KTSB Tulsa with Fox Sports Radio and a jumble of other signals. Slightly stronger CW by 2313-14, but faded under Tulsa. 

Again, the work of Les and the gang to get this set up is much appreciated!

Randy Stewart Battlefield MO to irca iog (2023-02-25)

DX Test from WDFB Junction City KY – 1170 kHz

The Courtesy Program Committee (CPC) of the National Radio Club and International Radio Club of America is pleased to announce another test of Class D (Daytime only) station, WDFB 1170, in Junction City (Danville), Kentucky.

Traffic Manager Cindy Pike explained, “WDFB broadcasts Christian radio to Central Kentucky, and we pride ourselves on broadcasting a great variety of gospel music with some that have been performed live in our studios. This gives the station a unique sound, and it has become a fixture in our community. To ensure that our listeners enjoy the best possible sound, we’ll do some maintenance on our transmitter and audio chain. To my knowledge, this is the first testing we’ve done in almost twenty years.”

The test will feature mainly test tones and Morse Code, but Cindy opted to replace our normal computer-voiced announcement in favor of a more authentic sample of WDFB’s history. The station began in 1985, as a ministry and labor of love by founders Reverend Don and Mildred Drake. While Don Drake has since passed his ministry continues, with Mildred continuing to operate the station daily.

Distant listeners to the test may hear vintage clips of Rev. Don’s music, Mildred’s lovely singing voice or even a short sermon from the past.

The station will also broadcast test tones, Morse Code identifications, long-duration 1 kHz test tones, and voice announcements. The testing will begin at 12:01 AM Eastern Time (05:01 UTC) on Saturday morning, February 25th. The test will last for two hours.

The test will be challenging, with powerful 50 kW stations like KTSB and WWVA dominating the channel in most of the United States. But the station’s last test on November 2, 2002, was widely heard in the US and Canada.

Les Rayburn, N1LF – les@highnoonfilm.com
121 Mayfair Park, Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf
NRC & IRCA Courtesy Program Committee Chairman

Arctic Radio Club mv-eko 20 Feb 2023 via WOR iog (2023-02-22)

On February 13, 2023, Audacy announced that KDWN 720 kHz would be signing off on March 1, while the translator would remain on air with the same programming. In November 2022, Audacy sold the land that the AM transmitter sat on for $40 million. KDWN is diplexed with KXST near the Las Vegas Motor on the same day; Audacy also announced that KXST would also go dark.

For many DXers, KDWN 720 is their only Nevada log, and the loss of the signal will make it even more difficult to log the Silver State. But in the midst of this bad news, there is a brief silver lining for DX hounds. KDWN and KXST Chief Engineer Tracy Teagarden announced on the “I Love AM Radio” Facebook group that “K-Dawn” would be going out with one last hurrah: 

KWDW DX Test on February 28, 2023, at 23:59 Pacific Time (7:59 UTC) for only ten (10) minutes. The test will be conducted at the full daytime power of the station, which has been 25,000 watts since 2020. We don’t have information about the station’s antenna pattern, but this is the best chance to log K-Dawn in years.  

Programming will be “unique” but will not feature Morse Code or sweep tones. The Courtesy Program Committee did inquire about adding some of this material and possibly extending the length of the test. Neither could be arranged in the short time frame available. Mr. Teagarden has been very helpful and open to hobbyists, so please don’t complain. It’s not his decision. I just wanted to let you know that there’s no QSL information currently available. If you seek a QSL from the test, please be polite in writing the station, which will continue as an FM translator. Please don’t send multiple requests, call the station or be rude. The CPC would strongly suggest sending a pre-filled card or letter, requiring only a signature from station personnel. Include a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE). 
Remember this test begins at 23:59 on Feb 28 Pacific Time. 
This is 00:59 Central Time. 01:59 Eastern Time. 07:59 UTC. 
Don’t miss your last chance to log the Talk of Las Vegas and the last whisper of KDWN. 

73, Les Rayburn, N1LF to mwcircle iog (2023-02-19)

WNJC 1360 AM DX Tests.
As of last night WNJC is back on the air. I am hoping to keep it on the air till about February 7. From midnight till 3am EST we will continue to run a omnidirectional 2kw DX test. This will be the last time to catch WNJC in Washington Twp, NJ, if not forever. Hope everyone gets a chance to listen-in for this lights out DX test.

Duke Hamann, WNJC 1360 AM DX Tests FB group (2023-01-27)

The Courtesy Program Committee (CPC) of the National Radio Club and International Radio Club of America are sad to announce that it appears WNJC 1360 will leave the air for good shortly. This news reaches us from Chief Engineer John “Duke” Hamann.

But John is determined to see the test goes out with a proper send-off. He’s going to run a nightly one-hour long DX test with Morse Code, sweep tones, long duration 1 kHz tone, etc. This is your last chance if you still need WNJC for the logbook. It’s unclear how long the tests will continue, so don’t waste time.

Test material will run nightly from Midnight Eastern (0500 UTC) until 1 AM (0600 UTC).

For the latest information on the DX Tests, John Hamann has established a Facebook page:
WNJC 1360 AM DX Testsfacebook.com

Listeners who hear the test are asked to submit reception reports to the CPC, who will handle the station’s reception reports. Please follow the requirements below:
Send an email of your report, along with a two-minute long recording of your reception in .MP3 or .WAV format to:
dx@highnoonfilm.com

The email should include the following:
John Doe, W4DOE
123 Main Street | Contact Information of DXer
Anytown, AL 35112 |
USA |
johndoe@yephoo.com | Email Address of DXer

Member of both IRCA & NRC | Please note your membership in our clubs.
Drake R8B with a 40’ longwire | Information about the equipment used to receive the station.
Remarks | Comments about the station’s audio, interference, frequency stability, or other information you’d like to share.
WNJC.mp3 | Attach a copy of the audio you received.

All emails should be formatted exactly as above. Start with your contact information, and be sure to include the email where you want the QSL emailed.

Reception reports must be received within 30 days of WNJC finally leaving the air for good. The use of remote SDRs to receive the test is discouraged unless it is a receiver location that you have built and maintained specifically for DXing. If a remote SDR is used, you must disclose the location of the receiver and the name of the owner, if known. The remote receiver must be located at least 500 miles from WNJC.
One QSL per DXer.

The CPC would like to thank station owners and John “Duke” Hamann for working with the DXing community to coordinate the these tests.

(I apologize for the delay in posting the test announcement. I contracted COVID-19 on Dec 27, and have been struggling to recover.)

73, Les Rayburn to WNJC 1360 AM DX Tests FB group (2023-01-05)

A reminder:
WNJC-1360 DX Tests before going dark.
WNJC will be going dark in about 30 days. Until then I will be playing a DX test at Midnight EST every night, for 1 hour. This is the Black Coffee DX Test that Les Rayburn created. Sad moment but after 25 years of working on WNJC it may be coming to an end. If the stars align, I may get it back on the air with-in a year otherwise enjoy this last chance to hear WNJC 1360 AM from Washington Twp, NJ.

Duke Hamann, WNJC-1360 DX Tests FB group (2022-12-23)

DX weekend Album AM 846 kHz Uden.
The long Christmas DX-ing was successful although it was not ideal DX weather, no clear and bittercold winterdays but a recordbreaking 18 degrees and rainy.

After evaluating and at least 50 replies, read first blog at www.albumam.nl for details. This DX-ing weekend the max. distance was 1811 km to Finland, a small edited audio sample of the listener is attached at the blog.

René (2023-01-02)