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View Full Version : Hi - I'm Alex from CT



capcomeback
09-24-2009, 06:57 PM
Hello all-

I started DXing TV and AM radio when I was a kid growing up in Bloomfield, CT.

The best "skip" I ever got Channel 5 KXON from Mitchell, SD (on a hot summer afternoon when I was running a fever) On that same day I got several others including Channel 5 WMC from Memphis (which I got on a few other times), Channel 2 WBBM from Chicago, Channel 5 from AMES, IA and Channel 6 St, John, NF. These were all received on a small B&W TV with a simple telescope antenna. I wish I remembered the year and the date, but have it pinned down to 1977 or 1978, in early August I believe.

Growing up in Bloomfield was great for DXing TV. At night in my parents room which was south facing, I could regularly get NYC area channels: WNEW 5, WABC 7, WOR 9, WPIX 11, and WNET 13, Occasionally I could get WCBS 2 and WNBC 4, but it was unusual due to our proximity to WTIC 3 (later WFSB).

In the living room.which was somewhat Northwest facing, It was kind of a hodgepodge. The direction the antenna was usually aimed, it was good for pulling in Boston, Providence and New Bedford channels. Ocasionally, I could aim it South and get some of the NY Channels (I loved the WPIX 11 Star Trek-Twiîght Zone double feature and sometimes snuck out of bed to watch them and the Honeymooners just before the other shows).

Now I live in Rocky Hill, CT, in a low lying, heavily wooded area with bad reception. Like everyone else, I''m dealing with the fallout over the analog/digital switch effect on the hobby. While I have cable for my HDTV, I also have a analog Sanyo 27 inch set (I know, I should probably call it as NTSC, but the tuner no longer fuctions lol). I picked up an Apex DA250 Digital Converter Box and an Apex smart antenna. I am getting most of the channels I expect to get, but a couple are not coming in (I do get WGGB 40 to make up for not receiving WTNH 8, which I guess is broadcasting on 10-?).

Sorry if I bored anyone with my personal DXing history. I was jsut excited to find this site.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!

Mike-CT
09-24-2009, 09:21 PM
Heck no, we're not bored. I'm glad you found us too!

I grew up in Middletown and have been living in Enfield since the early 70s. I hear there's a Duncan Donuts over where 3 Sons used to be on Blue Hills Ave ??

We should talk sometime.

Danny
09-24-2009, 10:11 PM
Welcome. I enjoyed reading your history.

capcomeback
09-25-2009, 07:20 PM
Thanks Mike and Danny.

Danny-

I used to love DXing so much as a kid. Nothing like a small b&w Zenith and a hot summer day or a stormy night lol.

Mike, it's funny... I drive down Blue Hills Ave about a dozen times a year, but I don't remember seeing a DD at that location (not that there isn 't one there as I am not as observant as I used to be lol). I'd like to talk to you some time (as you are a local call). You have gotten some pretty amazing digtal skips and I'd like to pick your brain about my dilemma (not that there is much I can do about where I live :)).

Again, thanks for the welcome, guys.

Lynn
10-08-2009, 04:27 PM
Hello and welcome! I loved your history. Good job with the SD and IA catches. :D

capcomeback
10-08-2009, 07:52 PM
Hello and welcome! I loved your history. Good job with the SD and IA catches. :D

Thanks Lynn: That day was like the best tropo ever for me. For some reason, I managed to get TV 5 WMC from Memphis on several occasions when I caught tropo..Is that common I wonder?.