Great Places to Scan the Dial? Mountain Top Cabin! RW rip...

[ThaDood]

https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/nicks-signal-spot/great-places-to-scan-the-dial     I used to do this as a teen, take a decent AM / FM portable and hike up the top of Madison Hill, about 2,400ft ASL in WNY's Southern Tier. I, grew up at 1,800ft ASL, but the hills around MAX'ed to 2,500ft. Especially Alma Hill, around 2,580ft ASL. I even did that with portable TV's and Walkmans, where Toronto's Q107 would still be full stereo strength at over 120 miles away. Hike to where roads didn't exist, and Pittsburgh, Erie, Tyrone,  Syracuse, Binghamton, Cortland, Ithaca, Williamsport, in USA side. From Ontario, Canada, Hamilton, London, St Catherines, Paris, other Toronto stations, etc., would just come in like locals. Try it sometime, it's total fun.   

[NQC]

Duplicate

[NQC]

Hey Dood,

I  definitely agree that "height is right" for non ducted /normal FM and TV band conditions Dx. I have done plenty of Dx from hill/ mountain tops, particularity on  the V/UHF ham bands.

Ducted signals seem to be much less dependent  on height, but a bit of height to get an open horizon couldn't hurt.Same thing on AM b'cast band or HF.

For broadcast Dx (LW or 530-1710) nothing beats the ocean, especially if working from ie MA to Africa or Europe . But even a partial saltwater path to the US  seems to really help.

And obviously, man made  noise is  REALLY an issue . IMHO, quiet QTH's in forest, mountains or at seaside on ANY band (LW, MW or HF)  using Amplitude Modulation  make a BIG difference ,not mater what the the   desired direction of reception is .

NQC