Off-Season FM, TV and NOAA Weather Radio DX

Many DXers know that the spring and summer months are the prime months for FM, TV (analog/digital) and NOAA Weather Radio DX. However, openings for FM, TV and NOAA Weather Radio can occur at any time of the year. Some of the big off-season openings can occur in the fall and winter months. Some of the openings that come to mind, from my experience, were the tropo openings in mid-November of 1988 (I was living in Georgia at the time), as well as the big TV DX opening on December 26-27, 1994 and January 16-17, 1995. There's been a few off-season openings during this unusually warm winter in the St. Louis area.

Equipment used include a Kenwood AR-304 AM/FM/FM Stereo receiver with filter modification by FM Atlas, driving an Antenna Performance Specialties APS-9B nine-element yagi at 26 feet above ground level, as well as two Zenith DTT-901 DTV tuners, one going through a 1999 Daewoo 13-inch color TV, the other going through a 1984 Samsung 19-inch color TV (both driving a Radio Shack VU-210XR at 30 feet AGL), and a Radio Shack PRO-2052 driving a Radio Shack discone at 32 feet above ground level. All times are Central U.S. time.

November 24, 2011: This was a tropo opening into Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Call letters of new logs are underlined.

DTV Logs:

2055 WAND 17.1 Decatur, IL (NBC-moved from Channel 18.1) 110 miles/177 km
2056 WAND 17.2 Decatur, IL (Accu Weather-moved from Channel 18.2) 110 miles/177 km
2102 WISE 18.1 (33.1) Fort Wayne, IN (NBC) 320 miles/515 km
2111 WDTN 50.1 (2.1) Dayton, OH (NBC HD) 340 miles/547 km
2112 WDTN 50.2 (2.2) Dayton, OH (standard definition) 340 miles/547 km
2115 WXIN 45.1 (59.1) Indianapolis, IN (local programming) 240 miles/386 km
2116 WXIN 45.2 (59.2) Indianapolis, IN (Antenna TV) 240 miles/386 km
2117 WIPB 23.1 (49.1) Muncie, IN (PBS HD) 255 miles/410 km
2117 WIPB 23.2 (49.2) Muncie, IN (Create) 255 miles/410 km
2118 WIPB 23.3 (49.3) Muncie, IN (local weather) 255 miles/410 km
2140 WWHO 46.1 (53.1) Chillicothe, OH "CW Columbus" 400 miles/644 km
2145 WRGT 30.1 (45.1) Dayton, OH "Fox 45" 340 miles/515 km
2148 WOSU 38.1 (34.1) Columbus, OH (PBS HD) 400 miles/644 km
2149 WOSU 38.2 (34.2) Columbus, OH (WOSU Ohio) 400 miles/644 km
2149 WOSU 38.3 (34.3) Columbus, OH (Create) 400 miles/644 km
2150 WIPX 27.1 (63.1) Bloomington, IN (ION) 210 miles/338 km
2150 WIPX 27.2 (63.2) Bloomington, IN (Qubo) 210 miles/338 km
2151 WIPX 27.3 (63.3) Bloomington, IN (ION Life) 210 miles/338 km
2156 WTTV 48.1 (4.1) Bloomington, IN (local programming) 210 miles/338 km
2156 WTTV 48.2 (4.2) Bloomington, IN (This TV) 210 miles/338 km
2157 WTTK 29.1 Kokomo, IN (local programming) 255 miles/410 km
2157 WTTK 29.2 Kokomo, IN (This TV) 255 miles/410 km
2209 WSTR 33.1 (64.1) Cincinnati, OH 320 miles/515 km
2231 WKAR 40.3 (23.3) East Lansing, MI (Create) 395 miles/635 km
2232 WKAR 40.2 (23.2) East Lansing, MI (standard definition PBS) 395 miles/635 km
2233 WKAR 40.1 (23.1) East Lansing, MI (PBS HD) 395 miles/635 km
2240 WFYI 21.1 (20.1) Indianapolis, IN (PBS HD) 240 miles/386 km
2240 WFYI 21.2 (20.2) Indianapolis, IN (WFYI 2) 240 miles/386 km
2240 WFYI 21.3 (20.3) Indianapolis, IN (WFYI 3) 240 miles/386 km
2246 WSBT 22.1 South Bend, IN (CBS) 300 miles/483 km
2246 WSBT 22.2 South Bend, IN (SBT 2) 300 miles/483 km
2247 WSBT 22.3 South Bend, IN (weather) 300 miles/483 km

FM Logs:

2123 WLFM-LP 87.7 Chicago, IL-"Chicago's Smooth 87.7", Smooth AC format (255 miles/410 km)
2140 WIBC 93.1 Indianapolis, IN-"93 WIBC", local ads, talk format (240 miles/386 km)

November 30, 2011: Short tropo opening, logging only WAND 17.1 Decatur, IL and WPSD 32.1 Paducah, KY

December 13, 2011: Tropo opening into Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee

DTV Logs:

1845 WPSD 32.1 (6.1) Paducah, KY (local programming) 155 miles/249 km
1845 WPSD 32.2 (6.2) Paducah, KY (RTV-Retro Television) 155 miles/249 km
1845 WPSD 32.3 (6.3) Paducah, KY (local weather) 155 miles/249 km
1847 WSIL 34.1 (3.1) Harrisburg, IL (local programming) 130 miles/209 km
1847 WSIL 34.2 (3.2) Harrisburg, IL (standard definition) 130 miles/209 km
1905 WTCT 17.1 (27.1) Marion, IL (TCT) 100 miles/161 km
1905 WTCT 17.2 (27.2) Marion, IL (TCT-2) 100 miles/161 km
1905 WTCT 17.3 (27.3) Marion, IL (standard definition of 17.1/27.1) 100 miles/161 km
1935 WDKA 49.1 Paducah, KY 155 miles/249 km
1938 WKRN 27.1 (2.1) Nashville, TN (ABC HD) 270 miles/435 km
1938 WKRN 27.2 (2.2) Nashville, TN (Nashville Weather Channel) 270 miles/435 km
2049 KFVS 12.1 Cape Girardeau, MO (CBS HD) 115 miles/184 km
2127 WEVV 45.1 (44.1) Evansville, IN (CBS HD) 165 miles/266 km
2127 WEVV 45.2 (44.2) Evansville, IN (Fox) 165 miles/266 km
2128 WFIE 46.1 (14.1) Evansville, IN (NBC HD) 165 miles/266 km
2128 WFIE 46.2 (14.2) Evansville, IN (This TV) 165 miles/266 km
2129 WFIE 46.3 (14.3) Evansville, IN (14 Xtra) 165 miles/266 km
2234 WTVW 28.1 (7.1) Evansville, IN "Local 7" 165 miles/266 km
2237 WILL 9.1 (12.1) Urbana, IL (PBS HD) 155 miles/249 km
2239 WCIA 48.1 (3.1) Champaign, IL (CBS HD) 150 miles/240 km
2239 WCIA 48.2 (3.2) Champaign, IL (WCIX 13.1/49.1 Springfield) 150 miles/240 km

FM Logs:

1902 WGFX 104.5 Gallatin, TN-"104-5 The Zone", local ads, NFL talk (270 miles/435 km)
1919 WTJJ 94.3 Dyer, TN-"The TJ Network", local ads, promo, NASCAR Live, //WTJS 1390 (200 miles/322 km)
1929 WKNP 90.1 Jackson, TN-"The WKNO-FM Stations", underwriting, promo, wx, Fresh Air (235 miles/378 km)
2024 WJXA 92.9 Nashville, TN-"Mix 92-9", local ads, weather, Delilah (270 miles/435 km)
2117 WFGE 103.7 Murray, KY-"Froggy 103.7", local ads, jingle ID, country music (190 miles/306 km)
2347 WBVN 104.5 Carrier Mills, IL-promos, call letters, New Music Update, CCM (100 miles/161 km)
2357 WNIN 88.3 Evansville, IN-classical music, legal ID, NPR news (165 miles/266 km)

December 14, 2011: Continuation of tropo opening from December 13

FM Logs:

0003 WKPB 89.5 Henderson, KY-NPR news, underwriting, classical music, through WDRS Dorsey, IL (170 miles/274 km)
0012 WWTN 99.7 Hendersonville, TN-local ads, talk, mixing with WXAJ Hillsboro, IL (265 miles/427 km)
0020 WQXQ 101.9 Central City, KY-"Q-101.9", local ads, CHR format (200 miles/322 km)
0048 WHOP-FM 98.7 Hopkinsville, KY-"Light 98.7", news, mention of AM 1230, promos, ads, Xmas mx (205 miles/330 km)
0100 WJCR 90.1 Upton, KY-legal ID //WNFC 91.7 Paducah, Contemporary Christian music (260 miles/418 km)

NOAA Weather Radio Log:

0056 KIH76 162.550 Evansville, IN-conditions for IN/IL/KY/MO/TN, CST time check, forecast, KDO89 St. Louis, MO nulled (165 miles/266 km)

In January of 2012, I purchased a Harman/Kardon TU920 AM/FM tuner from DXer Walt Breville (W4WMB). I broke this one in with a Valentine's Day opening.

February 14, 2012: Tropo opening to southern Illinois and Missouri

FM Logs:

2037 WISH-FM 98.9 Galatia, IL-"Southern Illinois' Wish 98-9", local ads, Hot AC format (100 miles/161 km)
2042 Mount Vernon, IL in on 88.9, 89.7, 94.1 (Stereo) and 102.1 (85 miles/137 km)
2107 KWTO-FM 98.7 Springfield, MO-"Jock 98-7", sports talk (195 miles/314 km)
2112 KJEL 103.7 Lebanon, MO-"K-Jel", high school basketball play by play, country music (155 miles/249 km)
2124 KKLH 104.7 Marshfield, MO-"104.7 The Cave", local ads, Classic Rock format (160 miles/257 km)

March 22, 2012: Tropo opening into central Missouri and central/southern Illinois

DTV Logs:

2215 WCIX 13.1 (49.1) Springfield, IL (local programming) 80 miles/128 km
2216 WCIX 13.2 (49.2) Springfield, IL (WCIA 48.1/3.1 Champaign) 80 miles/128 km
2232 WRSP 44.1 (55.1) Springfield, IL "Fox 55/27 Illinois" 80 miles/128 km
2233 WRSP 44.2 (55.2) Springfield, IL (Me TV, not //WRBU 47.2/46.2 East St. Louis) 80 miles/128 km
2330 KYOU 15.1 Ottumwa, IA "Fox 15" 185 miles/294 km

FM Logs:

2226 WYMG 100.5 Chatham, IL-"Springfield's Classic Rock," local ads, Classic Rock format, moved from Jacksonville, IL (70 miles/113 km)
2230 Springfield, IL in on 89.7 (mono), 91.9, 98.7, 101.9, 103.7, 104.5 (all in Stereo) (80 miles/128 km)
2231 Decatur, IL in on 95.1 and 102.9 (both in Stereo) (110 miles/177 km)
2250 KXMO 95.3 Owensville, MO-"95.3 KXMO", local ads, Oldies format, through digital sideband from WFUN-FM 95.5 Bethalto, IL (55 miles/89 km)
2300 WKYQ 93.3 Paducah, KY-country music, legal ID at 2303 (155 miles/249 km)

NOAA Weather Radio Logs

2230 bandscan:
162.400 - WXJ75 Springfield, IL (80 miles/128 km) dominant, but faded to DX on occasion
162.425 - KXI79 Hillsboro, IL (55 miles/89 km) and WXM49 Marion, IL (100/161) trading places dominating
162.450 - KXI70 Jerseyville, IL (25 miles/40 km) and WNG728 Bellflower, MO (55/89) trading places dominating
162.475 - KXI49 Salem, IL (90 miles/145 km), WXJ71 Peoria, IL (140/225) and WXK82 (90/145) Hannibal, MO trading places
162.500 - KXI46 Shelbyville, IL (110 miles/177 km), WXJ92 Macomb, IL (115/184) and WWG49 Fredericktown, MO (85/137) trading places
162.525 - WWF75 Bourbon, MO (65 miles/105 km) and WXM90 Jacksonville, IL (70/113) trading places
162.550 - Local KDO89 St. Louis, MO

One new log:

2315 WXN85 162.400 Fairfield, IA-forecast, IA conditions, legal ID (175 miles/282 km)

March 23, 2012: Continuation of March 22 opening

DTV Logs:

0006 KCRG 9.1 Cedar Rapids, IA 230 miles/370 km
0014 WCIA 48.1 Champaign, IL (CBS HD) 150 miles/240 km
0015 WCIA 48.2 Champaign, IL (WCIX 13.1/49.1 Springfield, IL) 150 miles/240 km

FM Logs:

0100 WSCT 90.5 Springfield, IL-legal ID, Contemporary Christian music //WIBI 91.1 Carlinville, through digital sideband of KWMU 90.7 St. Louis, MO (80 miles/128 km)
0110 WPBG 93.3 Peoria, IL-"93-3 The Drive", promo, Classic Hits format (140 miles/225 km)
0120 WILL-FM 90.9 Urbana, IL-Classical music, underwriting, through digital sideband from KWMU 90.7 St. Louis, MO (155 miles/249 km)
0130 WRUL 97.3 Carmi, IL-"97.3 WRUL", promo mentioning WROY 1460, local ads, weather, country music, through digital sideband from KFTK 97.1 Florissant, MO (130 miles/209 km)

As of March 29, 2012, the totals are as follows:

1,148 FM radio stations (87.7-108 MHz)
556 analog TV stations (VHF channels 2-13, UHF channels 14-69)
143 digital TV stations (VHF channels 2-13, UHF channels 14-59)
101 NOAA Weather Radio stations (162.400-162.550 MHz)