AM Questions

[Dave-OR]

Hi,

Since this AM DX area magically appeared.... (thanks)

I've been out of AM DXing since 1978 :-). Given that I live in an area with only 5 local AMs within 75 miles, I probably ought to start again when FM/TV DX is "cold". Here are some questions....

- "Back in the day" I DXed with that little Radio Shack portable - the TRF I think it was called? Are there any equivalently good/better cheap portables these days? Is the GE SuperTuner any good?

- I belonged to the NRC in the 70s, arranged a few tests, sent in my reports to DX News. Are there other clubs that are more relevant to me here out West? (I was in NJ when I was a member then). What are the benefits/drawbacks of the different clubs?

- Antennas. Again, I was using the Radio Shack portable with no external ant. If I were to pick up a unit with an antenna input, what's the best type to use? I've got an acre of space, so I can run wire if that's the best thing to do.

- Is there a good AM station guide out there? Right now, for AM, all I have is a two-year-old WRTH.

- Can someone point me at some good online AM DX sites?

Sorry to sound so clueless, but it's been 27 years! I'm happy to take answers via e-mail.

Dave (beansdad at bendcable dot com)

[Mike-CT]

Dave,
The GE Superadio is good, but it's analog and my units tuning is a bit weird on some parts of the dial. But it's sensitive and it's cheap (~$40). Grundig makes good DX portables. I got a YB-400 this weekend new and paid just $50 for it at a local flea market. Sony makes one or two but I don't know prices. Radio shack does(or did).

I think the IRCA is more oriented for the west coast, but both the NRC and IRCA have members in both coasts.

The NRC Published an AM Station Log yearly. There is also a good online reference at http://www.amlogbook.com published by Lee Freshwater of the IRCA (and WTFDA).

For antennas, a loop or a longwire would work. If you have the room, a beverage would be better but I don't so just a 50' longwire works for me and a Kenwood R2000.

Also consider our own email list amdx. Subscribe by email to amdx-subscribe@wtfda.info. The IRCA has its own list. The NRC is shutting theirs down anytime now after a long run.

[Dave-OR]

Mike, THANK YOU for this info. I just didn't know where to get started. I've already sent an update to Lee on his station listing :-).

Dave


Dave,
The GE Superadio is good, but it's analog and my units tuning is a bit weird on some parts of the dial. But it's sensitive and it's cheap (~$40). Grundig makes good DX portables. I got a YB-400 this weekend new and paid just $50 for it at a local flea market. Sony makes one or two but I don't know prices. Radio shack does(or did).

I think the IRCA is more oriented for the west coast, but both the NRC and IRCA have members in both coasts.

The NRC Published an AM Station Log yearly. There is also a good online reference at http://www.amlogbook.com published by Lee Freshwater of the IRCA (and WTFDA).

For antennas, a loop or a longwire would work. If you have the room, a beverage would be better but I don't so just a 50' longwire works for me and a Kenwood R2000.

Also consider our own email list amdx. Subscribe by email to amdx-subscribe@wtfda.info. The IRCA has its own list. The NRC is shutting theirs down anytime now after a long run.

[Russ-PA]

You can also try Barry McLarnon's www.topazdesigns.com/ambc/aminfo.html

Girard Westerberg's site www.dxfm.com has downloadable excel spreadsheet files for AM, FM & TV of US, Canada and Mexico lists from government sources. They're free and very useful.

I've been DX'ing AM since the 1950's; with a couple of inactive periods in there. I picked up FM in about 1961, but had longer inactive periods.

There are also a number of other resources/publications available depending on what one might be looking for.

The Grundig S350 can be bought used and has gotten some good reviews. Probably the best portable is the long-discontinued Sony ICF2010 multiband which frequently show up on eBay. I not long ago acquired a rebuilt one after having borrowed from other at the past couple of DXpeditions.

Probably the best buy for the buck in current production multiband communications receivers which do well on AM is the Palstar R30 which is in the $600 range and US-made. The best commercially-available loop is probably Gerry Thomas' Quantum QX-Pro ( www.dxtools.com ). Gerry's a DX'er and makes good stuff. Depending on space, aesthetic requirements, and skills one can build an air-core loop as well.