Certain times

[Christopher]

Is there a certain time of day and/or year where you can get better reception so DXing is better? I've heard winter is the best, but some of my better times were in the summer. I remember recording something 4th of July night from pretty far away (I think it was Salt Lake City, from near Portland).

[Mike-CT]

For very long distance DX (Trans-Atlantic/Pacific) winter is best due to long paths of darkness. Late fall is good for TAs. Late winter/early spring also.

Summer DX can be good for hearing domestic AM stations you can't hear in the winter. There's less interference. I'm talking up to 300 miles or so away from your location. Obviously summer is terrible for TAs or TPs due to long periods of daylight.

Something to think about anyway.

[spunker88]

There are a variety of reasons that winter can be better for scoring long distance AM Dx. First off, the days are shorter so nights are a lot longer. Also, AM signals can be greatly reduced by thunderstorms and lightning, which occur a lot during the summer compared to the winter.

But thats not to say you cant Dx AM in the summer. If its a clear night with no thunderstorm activity, everything should be fine. Its just that you have to wait longer for it to get dark.