DXpedition #13 - Saint Stanislaus Conservation Area

The listening post, as set up at Saint Stanislaus Conservation Area.

I decided to make a change for this 13th DXpedition. Every DXpedition I've been on has been in the late afternoon or early evening hours, wrapping up after sunset or shortly thereafter. This time, I decided to do a DXpedition at sunrise. For this DXpedition on the morning of June 24, 2020, I chose Saint Stanislaus Conservation Area, located just two miles west of the home shack within the city limits of Hazelwood. It is also 17 miles northwest of downtown Saint Louis and roughly eight miles from downtown Saint Charles. The area was once a retreat for Saint Stanislaus Seminary; many seminarians and priests once hiked on the trails in today's conservation area. Saint Stanislaus Seminary on Howdershell Road in nearby Florissant closed in 1971; the buildings are now being used by Lindenwood University after being used as a seminary by the United Pentecostal Church International as the Gateway College of Evangelism and Urshan College.

I set up in the gravel parking lot on the southern side of Charbonier Road ("Charbonier" is French for "coal seam"). I arrived around 0510 CDT (1010 UTC) and setup the 30-foot longwire to hook it up to the Tecsun PL-600 for shortwave DX. Once again, I brought my General Electric Superadio III for AM (MW) broadcast band DX. This time, I tried my hand with FM by bringing my C. Crane CCPocket AM/FM receiver and the stubby antenna that came with my Hauppaugue Win-TV HVR dongle; I heard stations like KGRC 92.9 MHz and WGEM-FM 105.1 MHz out of the Hannibal/Quincy area, along with W284DN 104.7 MHz Jerseyville, IL (relaying WJBM 1480 kHz)  and K296HA 107.1 MHz Washington, MO (relaying KRAP 1350 kHz). I also brought my Whistler WS1040 handheld analog/digital scanner, with which I heard police, fire and EMS traffic from surrounding areas; I scanned the NOAA Weather Radio bands and heard WNG728 from Bellflower, MO on 162.425 MHz and WWF75 from Bourbon, MO on 162.525 MHz, in addition to local KDO89 Saint Louis, MO on 162.550 MHz and semi-local KXI70 Jerseyville, IL on 162.450 MHz.

AM broadcast band conditions were typical sunrise conditions; the daytime regulars were taking over the frequencies by 0745 CDT (1245 UTC). Stations from the Midwest and Mid-South were heard. On the shortwave broadcast bands, many stations from Asia and the Pacific were heard; the Middle East was starting to come in (beamed to East Asia) by 0745 CDT (1245 UTC). I started monitoring around 0530 CDT (1030 UTC), wrapping up around 0800 CDT (1300 UTC).

AM BROADCAST BAND LOGBOOK (All times CDT; for UTC, add five hours, for EDT, add one hour)

1130 kHz KWKH Shreveport, LA - 6/24 0603 noted with local ads, "1130 the Tiger, Your Home for LSU Sports" ID. A good signal was heard over KAAB with adjacent channel interference from KMOX 1120 kHz.

1150 kHz WGGH Marion, IL - 6/24 0530 noted with "Monster Radio 98.5 FM and AM 1150" mention, "WGGH Marion" jingle legal ID into SRN News; local ads followed. A good signal was heard over WHBY.

1240 kHz WTAX Springfield, IL - 6/24 0719 noted with local ads, "WTAX" ID into the morning show. A fair to poor signal was heard, mixing with KFMO.

1260 kHz KSGF Springfield, MO - 6/24 0533 noted with Fox News Radio, promo for The Glenn Beck Show, "Springfield's Talk 104.1" ID. A good signal was heard in a WSDZ null.

1290 kHz WIRL Peoria, IL - 6/24 0610 noted with Oldies format, local ads and "WIRL" ID. A good to fair signal was heard over WCBL. 

1350 kHz KRAP Washington, MO - 6/24 0651 noted with "Westplex 107.1" ID, Hot AC format into B.S. In The Morning. A fair to poor signal was heard, mixing with KRNT and WSIQ. K296HA 107.1 also heard with a good to fair signal.

1360 kHz KBKB Fort Madison, IA - 6/24 0652 noted with talk on college sports, local ads and legal ID at 0700. A fair to poor signal was heard, alone on the channel.

1420 kHz WINI Murphysboro, IL - 6/224 0715 noted with Oldies format, "Cool 93.5" ID into local ads. A fair to poor signal was heard, mixing with WOC.

1430 kHz WYMC Mayfield, KY - 6/24 0537 noted with Oldies format, "WYMC" ID. A fair to poor signal was heard, mixing with KRGI and WPLN.

1550 kHz KAPE Cape Girardeau, MO - 6/24 0728 noted with local ad, "Cape Radio 100.3 FM News/Talk" ID. A fair signal was heard, mixing with KESJ and WJIL.

1560 kHz KTUI Sullivan, MO - 6/24 0725 noted with weather forecast,  "KTUI" ID, CDT time check, birthday announcement into local ads. A fair signal was heard over KLTI.

1630 kHz KCJJ Iowa City, IA - 6/24 0706 noted with weather forecast, "The Mighty 1630 KCJJ" ID into a news analysis program. A fair signal was heard over KKGM.

1660 kHz KWOD Kansas City, KS - 6/24 0550 noted with talk on the COVID-19 pandemic and the NBA Playoffs, local ads, promo for The Herd with Colin Cowherd, "1660 the Score" ID into a Radio-dot-com promo. A good to fair signal was heard over WQLR.

1690 kHz WVON Berwyn, IL - 6/24 0707 noted with ad for Rocket Mortgage, "WVON Weather and Traffic" mention, traffic report and weather forecast. A good to fair signal was heard, alone on the channel.

1700 kHz KBGG Des Moines, IA -6/24 0709 noted with talk mentioning NASCAR, baseball, football, COVID-19 and racism in sports. A fair to poor signal was heard; alone on the channel.

SHORTWAVE RADIO LOGBOOK (All times UTC)

5875 kHz THAILAND Radio Thailand International via Udon Thani- 6/24 1119 noted with commentary inn Khmer. A fair to poor signal was heard.

5945 kHz NEW ZEALAND Radio New Zealand Pacific via Rangitaiki - 6/24 1115 noted with news analysis in English. A good to fair signal was heard.

6055 kHz JAPAN Radio Nikkei 1 Chiba - 6/24 1045 noted with pop music, ID and promo in Japanese. A fair signal was heard.

6195 kHz SINGAPORE BBC World Service relay - 6/24 1058 noted with promo, time pips, ID and program previews at 1100. A fair to poor signal was heard.

9410 kHz SINGAPORE BBC World Service relay - 6/24 1126 noted with discussion on China in English. A good to fair signal was heard.

9490 kHz TAIWAN Radio Taiwan Intenational via Tanshui - 6/24 1132 noted with commentary in Russian. A good signal was heard.

9540 kHz CHINA China Radio International via Beijing - 6/24 1134 noted with commentary in Cantonese into operatic music. A fair signal was heard with adjacent channel interference from Radio Martí on 9535 kHz.

9580 kHz ALASKA KNLS Anchor Point - 6/24 1130 noted with Christian teaching in Russian. A good to fair signal was heard.

9885 kHz TAIWAN Radio Taiwan International via Paochung - 6/24 1145 noted with commentary in Chinese over traditional Chinese music. A good to fair signal was heard.

11570 kHz KUWAIT Radio Free Asia via Umm al-Rimam - 6/24 1240 noted with commentary in Tibetan. A fair signal was heard.

11600 kHz CLANDESTINE Sound of Hope - 6/24 1243 noted with a discussion in Chinese. A fair to poor signal was heard.

11695 kHz SINGAPORE NHK World-Radio Japan relay - 6/24 1101 noted with news in English. A fair to poor signal was heard.

11710 kHz NORTH KOREA Voice of Korea via Kujang - 6/24 1246 noted with commentary in Korean into North Korean national anthem. A good to fair signal was heard.

11735 kHz NORTH KOREA Voice of Korea via Kujang - 6/24 1106 noted with choral music and commentary in French. A fair signal was heard.

11750 kHz AUSTRALIA Reach Beyond Australia via Kununurra, Western Australia - 6/24 1250 noted with Christian teaching program in English. A fair to poor signal was heard with adjacent channel interference from Radio Havana Cuba on 11760 kHz.

11815 kHz JAPAN Radio Japan via Yamato - 6/24 1108 noted with commentary and discussion in Japanese. A fair signal was heard over Radio Brasil Central.

12080 kHz PHILIPPINES Voice of America relay Tinang - 6/24 1252 noted with news analysis in Korean. A good signal was heard.

15590 kHz CHINA China Radio International via Urumqi - 6/2 1236 noted with Chinese language lessons with English translations. A fair signal was heard.

The portable longwire set up at Saint Stan's.

DXpedition #12 - Weldon Spring Conservation Area

The receivers and scanner at the listening post.

On the evening of June 13 (UTC June 13-14), I decided to give a new place a try for my 12th DXpedition. That place is Weldon Spring Conservation Area in east central Saint Charles County, 30 miles west of downtown Saint Louis, MO. The area is named for the nearby city of Weldon Spring, MO; it is operated by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Located along Missouri Highway 94 southwest of Interstate 64/U.S. Highway 40, there are several places to set up. I chose a gravel parking lot on Highway 94 about a mile south of Francis Howell High School at the trailhead of the Clark Trail and the longer Lewis Trail, west of the Katy Trail, the main trail through the area.On  It is also the second conservation area I've been to with a closing time of 2200 local time (10:00 p.m.); the other one being Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area, the site of three DXpeditions.

The first thing I discovered on this DXpedition was that the lower-powered Saint Louis AM broadcast stations' signals were weaker. I also noted that the digital sidebands from Saint Louis' last remaining full-time digital AM station, KFUO 850 Clayton, MO, were negligible, at best. Being roughly 20 miles south of KHOJ 1460's transmitter site in Boschertown, the signal during the day is very strong, but is much weaker after sunset. Shortwave signals primarily came from the Americas and Europe, although a few made it from Asia and the Pacific.

For AM broadcast band DX, I brought my General Electric Superadio III, as always. For shortwave DX, I brought my Tecsun PL-600 and homebrewed 30-foot portable longwire. I also brought along my Whistler WS1040 handheld digital scanner to monitor local first responders. I did do a scan of the NOAA Weather Radio band; in addition to the local NOAA Weather Radio station, KDO89 162.550 MHz Saint Louis, MO,  I could also hear WNG728 Bellflower, MO (near Montgomery City) on 162.425 MHz, KXI70 Jerseyville, IL on 162.450 MHz and WWF75 Bourbon, MO (near Sullivan) on 162.525 MHz.

This is also the second DXpedition location where I heard an AM broadcast station from outside the United States. Monitoring started around 1810 CDT (2310 UTC), and wrapped up around 2100 CDT (0200 UTC).

DOMESTIC (U.S. and Canada) AM BROADCAST BAND LOGBOOK 
All  times CDT; for EDT, add one hour, for UTC, add five hours.

1260 kHz WSDZ Belleville, IL - 6/13 1933 noted with promos for a Catholic organization, "Relevant Radio" ID into a discussion. A fair to poor signal was heard, mixing with KSGF.

1290 kHz WIRL Peoria, IL - 6/13 2030 noted with Oldies format, "WIRL" jingle, another Oldie before switching back to a rebroadcast of a Saint Louis Cardinals baseball game. A good signal was heard before pattern change; fair to poor signal, mixing with WHIO after 2030 pattern change.

1440 kHz WGEM Quincy, IL - 6/13 1817 noted with weather forecast for Quincy into talk on Major League Baseball from ESPN Radio. A fair signal was heard; alone on the channel.

1450 kHz WFMB Springfield, IL - 6/13 1956 noted with local ads, "1450 AM WFMB Springfield" legal ID into ABC News update. A fair signal was heard with minor adjacent channel interference from KHOJ 1460.

1460 kHz KXNO Des Moines, IA - 6/13 2000 noted with "KXNO Des Moines, an iHeart Radio Station" legal ID into a Fox Sports Radio update. A fair signal was heard through KHOJ.

1490 kHz KDRS Paragould, AR - 6/13 2040 noted with "This is iRock Radio" ID into rock music. A fair to poor signal was heard, poking through other stations.

1490 kHz KTTR Rolla, MO - 6/13 1924 noted with local ad, local weather forecast from KYTV in Springfield, "Hot 104.9" ID into a Contemporary Hit Radio format. Afair signalwas heard over other stations.

1510 kHz WCAZ Macomb, IL - 6/13 1920 noted with a Classic Country format, "Real Country" ID. A fair signal was heard over WLAC.

1540 kHz KXEL Waterloo, IA - 6/13 1852 noted with "News Radio 1540 KXEL" ID in promo into a rebroadcast of The Sean Hannity Show. A fair signal was heard over WSMI.

1560 kHz KLTI Macon, MO - 6/13 1904 noted with a Classic Country format and mention of call letters. A fair to poor signal was heard under KTUI.

1560 kHz KTUI Sullivan, MO - 6/13 2006 noted with "KTUI" ID into a discussion program. A fair signal was heard over KLTI.

1570 kHz WFRL Freeport, IL - 6/13 2002 noted with a Country format, "Big Radio" ID". A fair to poor signal was heard, mixing with WBGZ.

1570 kHz KBCV Hollister, MO - 6/13 1908 noted with In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley from Bott Radio Network; also heard via KSIV-FM 91.5 MHz Saint Louis, MO. A fair to poor signal was heard over WBGZ.

1590 kHz WCGO Evanston, IL - 6/13 2054 noted with Big Band music program, brief open carrier, "WCGO and W240EH Evanston/Chicago" legal ID. A good signal was heard over WNTS.

1590 kHz KMOZ Rolla, MO - 6/13 1910 noted with In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley, also heard on KBCV 1570 kHz and KSIV-FM 91.5 MHz. A fair to poor signal was heard, mixing with WNTS.

1610 kHz CHHA Toronto, ON - 6/13 2007 noted with Latin American-style pop music, local announcements in Spanish. A fair to poor signal was heard, alone on the channel.

INTERNATIONAL AM BROADCAST BAND LOGBOOK 
All times in UTC; for CDT, subtract five hours.

1620 kHz CUBA  Radio Rebelde synchros - 6/14 0149 noted with Cuban-style vocal music; also heard on 5025 kHz. A fair signal was heard over KOZN, WNRP and WTAW.

SHORTWAVE RADIO LOGBOOK 
All times in UTC; for CDT, subtract five hours.

4765 kHz CUBA Radio Progreso via Bejucal, Ciudad de la Habana - 6/14 0032 noted with pop music and ID in Spanish. A fair to poor signal was heard.

5025 kHz CUBA Radio Rebelde CMBA Bauta, Ciudad de la Habana - 6/14 0151 noted with Ciban-style vocal music; also heard on 1620 kHz. A good to fair signal was heard.

5040 kHz CUBA Radio Havana Cuba via La Habana - 6/14 0030 noted with "Radio Havana Cuba" ID, brief music into commentary in French. A fair signal was heard.

5055 kHz UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WWRB Manchester, TN - 6/14 0037 noted with church service recorded off a low-quality telephone line in English. An excellent signal was noted. 

5085 kHz UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WTWW Lebanon, TN - 6/13 0039 noted with a recorded organ concert, announcements in English. An excellent signal was noted.

5505 kHz IRELAND Shannon VOLMET - 6/14 0044 noted with weather reports for various European airports, "This is Shannon VOLMET, Shannon VOLMET" ID in English. A fair signal was heard in USB mode.

6050 kHz ECUADOR Vozandes Media HCJB Quito, Pichincha - 6/14 0041 noted with church service in Waorani. A fair to poor signal was heard.

6604 kHz NEWFOUNDLAND Gander VOLMET - 6/13 2357 noted with weather reports for various Canadian airports, "This is Gander Radio out" ID at the end of transmission at 2359. A good signal was heard in USB mode.

6754 kHz CANADA CHR Canadian Forces Base Trenton, ON - 6/13 2356 noted with weather reports for various Canadian airports in English. A very good signal was heard in USB mode.

6965 kHz UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Pirate) Wolverine Radio - 6/14 0125 noted with Classic Rock music, "Wolverine Radio" ID. An excellent signal was heard in USB mode.

7375 kHz ROMANIA Radio Romania International via Tiganesti - 6/14 0003 noted with news in English. A very good signal was heard.

9265 kHz UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WINB Red Lion, PA - 6/14 0143 noted with Christian teaching program in English. A good signal was heard.

9420 kHz GREECE Voice of Greece via Avlida - 6/13 2322 noted with traditional Greek music and commentary in Greek. A good signal was heard.

9925 kHz GERMANY The Mighty KBC via Nauen - 6/14 0104 noted with pop Oldies, "The Mighty KBC" ID. An excellent signal was heard.

11745 kHz CLANDESTINE Al-Azm Radio via Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - 6/14 0108 noted with chants from the Holy Qu'ran in Arabic; on past scheduled 2330 sign-off. A fair to poor signal was heard.

11780 kHz BRAZIL Radio Nacional da Amazônia ZYE365 BRasilia, D.F. - 6/13 2343 noted with contemporary music and a jingle ID in Portuguese. An excellent signal was heard.

11815 kHz BRAZIL Radio Brasil Central ZYE440 Goiânia,Goiás - 6/13 2345 noted with pop music and ID in Portuguese. A fair to poor signal was heard.

11860 kHz CLANDESTINE Republic of Yemen Radio/Radio Sana'a via Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - 6/14 0112 noted with chanting from the Holy Qu'ran in Arabic; on past listed 2330 sign-off. A fair signal was noted.

11990 kHz UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Radio Slovakia International via WRMI Okeechobee, FL (tentative) - 6/13 2355 noted with mention of WRMI in Spanish into interval signal. Not listed on WRMI's schedule or in the WRTH updater. A good signal was noted.

13840 kHz NEW ZEALAND Radio New Zealand Pacific via Rangitaiki - 6/13 2340 noted with an interview in English. A fair signal was heard.

15000 kHz HAWAII WWVH Kekaha, Kauai - 6/14 0021 noted with time signals, UTC time check at 0022. A good signal was heard with no sign of WWV.

15590 kHz THAILAND Radio Thailand International via Udon Thani - 6/14 0026 noted with commentary in English. A fair to poor signal was heard.

The portable longwire all set up and ready to go.

DXpedition #11 - Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area

On June 1, 2020 (UTC June 2, 2020), I went on my long-delayed first DXpedition of 2020. As chaos was brewing in downtown Saint Louis, I set up my listening post at Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area in the farming community of Black Walnut, MO. This is the third DXpedition I've made to the conservation area half way between Saint Charles and West Alton. 

Once again, I brought my General Electric Superadio III for AM broadcast band DX; the built-in ferrite rod antenna is great for DXing. For shortwave DX, I once again brought the Tecsun PL-600 with a homebrew portable 30-foot longwire. I also brought along the Whistler WS1040 handheld analog/digital scanner to monitor Public Service radio traffic, along with the Yaesu VX-5R handheld transceiver and a Diamond dual-band magnetic-mount mobile antenna. 

On the AM broadcast band, sunset conditions favored the Midwest and Mid-South, with stations from the Caribbean coming in shortly after sunset. On the shortwave bands, Asia and the Pacific were heard on the 19,22, 25 and 31 meter bands; Europe and the Americas were heard on the 31, 41, 49 and 60 meter bands, as well as the utility bands. On the VHF and UHF Public Service bands, I heard the trunked radio systems out of Saint Charles and Saint Louis Counties in Missouri as well as Madison County, IL. I did hear calls for assistance out of Saint Louis County to assist first responders in the City of Saint Louis. Just after 2000 CDT (0100 UTC), I checked into the Lewis and Clark Radio Club weekly net on the 145.230 MHz (-) K9HAM repeater. 

DOMESTIC (U.S. and Canada) AM BROADCAST BAND LOGBOOK (All times CDT; for UTC, add five hours, for EDT, add one hour)

  910 kHz WSUI Iowa City, IA - 6/1 2028 noted with interview and "IPR" mention. A fair to poor signal was heard, mixing with KVIS and other stations.

1220 kHz WLPO La Salle, IL - 6/1 2100 noted with rebroadcast of Game 5 of the 2019 National League Division Series between the Saint Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves. A fair topoor signal was heard, mixing with WSLM.

1230 kHz WFXN Moline, IL - 6/1 2101 noted with "Fox Sports Radio" mention into sports talk. A fair to poor signal was heard, mixing with other stations.

1240 kHz WENK Union City, TN - 6/1 2034 noted with Oldies format, "WENK, WTPR" ID. A fair to poor signal was heard, mixing with other stations.

1340 kHz KSMO Salem, MO - 6/1 2044 noted with rebroadcast of Game 5 of the 2019 National League Division Series between the Saint Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves, local ads. A fair to poor signal was heard, mixing with KXEO, WSOY and other stations. 

1370 kHz KWRT Boonville, MO - 6/1 2004 noted with Country format, "1370 KWRT" ID. A fair to poor signal, mixing with other stations. 

1430 kHz WCMY Ottawa, IL - 6/1 1958 noted with local ads, "right here on WCMY" mention in a promo. A fair to poor signal was heard, mixing with WPLN and other stations.

1430 kHz WPLN Madison, TN - 6/1 1959 noted with "WPLN International" mention, legal ID, mention of the station's Web site into BBC News. A fair to poor signal was heard, mixing with WCMY and other stations.

1490 kHz KTTR Rolla, MO - 6/1 1956 noted with "Hot 104.9" ID into Contemporary Hit Radio format. A fair signal was heard, mixing with other stations.

1590 kHz WCGO Evanston, IL - 6/1 2105 noted with network ads, "Super Talk WCGO AM and FM" ID. A good to fair signal was heard over other stations.

INTERNATIONAL AM BROADCAST BAND LOGBOOK (All times UTC)

  800 kHz BONAIRE Trans World Radio PJB Kralendijk - 6/2 0150 noted with vocal music, "Radio Transmundial" ID into Christian features in Spanish. A fair signal was heard over CKLW and KQCV.

1180 kHz CUBA Radio Rebelde synchros - 6/2 0117 noted with commentary in Spanish. A fair signal wasnoted over other stations.

SHORTWAVE BROADCAST LOGBOOK (All times UTC)

  4765 kHz CUBA Radio Progreso via Bejucal - 6/2 0036 noted with ID and vocal music in Spanish. A fair signal was heard.

  4885 kHz BRAZIL Radio Clube do Pará ZYG362 Belém, Pará - 6/1 0051 noted with commentary in Portuguese. A fair to poor signal was heard.

  5010 kHz UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Radio Slovakia International via WRMI Okeechobee, FL - 6/1 0052 noted with "Radio Slovakia Internacional" ID and commentary in Spanish. A fair signal was heard.

  5085 kHz UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WTWW Lebanon, TN - 6/1 0054 noted with Classic Country music, "Here's another Nashville classic from our vault" mention. An excellent signal was heard.

  5505 kHz USB IRELAND Shannon VOLMET- 6/2 0121 noted with weather reports for various European airports in English. A good to fair signal was heard.

  6070 kHz CANADA CFRX Toronto, ON - 6/2 0203 noted with news, including mention of Trump's speech in English. A good signal was heard.

  6180 kHz BRAZIL Radio Nacional da Amazônia ZYE365 Brasilia, DF - 6/2 0150 noted with vocal music and promo in Portuguese. A good signal was heard.

  6754 kHz USB CANADA CHR Canadian Forces Base Trenton, ON- noted with weather reports for various Canadian and European airports in English. An excellent signal was heard.

  7420 kHz ROMANIA Radio Romania International via Galbeni - 6/2 0035 noted with commentary in Romanian. A good signal was heard.

  9800 kHz CHINA China Radio International via Kasgar - 6/2 0008 noted with commentary in Spanish. A fair signal was heard.

11660 kHz THAILAND Voice of America relay Udon Thani - 6/2 0024 noted with commentary in Chinese. A fair signal was noted with adjacent channel interference from Radio Havana Cuba on 11670 kHz.

15340 kHz PHILIPPINES Voice of America relay Tinang - 6/2 0014 noted with news analysis in Chinese. A fair signal was heard.

15590 kHz THAILAND Radio Thailand International via Udon Thani - 6/2 0015 noted with news on the unrest in the United States in English. A fair signal was heard.

Radio setup inside the 2002 Chrysler Voyager.

Shortwave antenna setup at Marais Temps Clair.

Shortwave antenna at sunset.