Welcome to my virtual shack! I am a ham radio operator holding Extra-class callsign K7WV.   Having been an avid shortwave listener and MW DXer for 23 years, I finally took the plunge into ham radio in 1994 after leaving the Air Force.  With the difficulty involved in operating from condos & apartments, I have had to wait until the purchase of this QTH to become active.  As of 1999 I am QRV, making contacts and collecting cards from here in the greater Seattle area (Brier, Washington grid CN87ut).  Here are my previous licenses and callsigns:

 
I never was a Novice or Tech, but a General from day one, having been a walk-in, sitting for and passing three writtens and the 13wpm code.  I then advanced a class at each subsequent testing session at the CFARS club (administered every two months) in North Carolina until I had my Extra four months later. Despite this I never made an HF contact using my ex-calls.

I obtained my present "1x2"callsign through the FCC's "Vanity Callsign Program" (Gate 1).  My Amateur Extra class license is the highest of the amateur license classes and allows me full priveleges on all bands authorized to the radio amateur.  The new restructuring rules make it vastly easier to obtain this class of license.  I had to pass a 20 wpm morse test; today the morse requirement is no more, devaluing the specialness of the Extra license somewhat but still the one to get for full privileges.

I went QRV on Aug 15 1999 on the 40 - 10 & 6 meter bands. (Also have 2M FM). The antenna for 40 thru 12 is a "DXEE" 40-foot-long "shortened" dipole with resonator coils, mounted above the rooftop as an inverted V.  Not a great performer but I did just manage to work KC4AAA at the South Pole with it on 20M. [Nov 19 2000]  Installed homebrew 2-element monoband yagi for 10 meters.  [Mar 11 2001] 100th DXCC country worked on 10M.  [Sep 10 2001] QRV on PSK31, RTTY and SSTV modes.

On the "Magic Band" (6M) I'm using a 3-element yagi up 30 feet (9 meters), running 100 watts. In May 2000 I went QRV and started working toward VUCC. The 6-meter VUCC award requires 100 grid squares confirmed by QSL.  My grid count is currently 214 worked, 158 confirmed.and I hold 50 Mhz VUCC #1105, the first to be awarded in the new millennium. I'm now chasing 6M WAS. I only need 1 more state (KY) and would certainly have worked it already with a 5-el antenna, which is a likely future upgrade. I hope to be QRV on 2 meters SSB soon with 20 watts from a modified Microwave Modules transverter into a 7-element M2 antenna.

Most of my operating time is dedicated to 6 and 10 meters since I have gain antennas for these bands.  Max RF power output is 100 watts HF-6M.  I do not at present use a linear amp on any bands.

Click on buttons below for more details:
 

DXCC Progress...Click for my countries/entities worked and QSL status:
Progress Toward 6-meter WAS showing states worked/confirmed since May 2000:
6-meter grids of Japan worked (via F2 propagation November-December 2001):
Grid map for tracking my 6M VUCC progress; shows worked/confirmed since May 2000:
Map of the 40 DX zones of the world and my progress toward the Worked All Zones award
Details and images of Ham Radio Awards achieved by K7WV (incl. WAS, VUCC, WAC)

My QTH is sited atop steeply sloping, wooded 1/3 acre 13 miles (21 km) north of downtown Seattle. Downward slope to the NE. I am 4.5 miles E of the Puget Sound (salt water) and 3.3 miles N of Lake Washington.  Within 1 mile ridges to the SW and E rise about 200' higher than the property, with a clear shot to the N and SE.  Mt Rainier is visible from the rooftop. All antennas are roof-mounted at this time. QTH Elevation: 272' (82.9 meters) MSL.

   Stack with 2-element 10m , 3-element 6m & 7-element 2m antennas installed on NE side of house. 

     

My operating position downstairs. Click any pic to enlarge.

           

Here is my self-designed QSL card to go with my callsign:

Like one?  Just work me on the air or send a reception report!   

   Transceivers/Transverters/Receivers
   Icom IC-756 HF+6m Transceiver (the original 756, a superb performer)
  Yaesu FT2500M 5-25-50 watt 2M FM Transceiver
  Microwave Modules MM 28-144 2M SSB Transverter (Mod: output doubled to 20W) My MMT unit
  Icom R71A quad-conversion HF Receiver, Collins mech filter mod (6.0 & 2.4 khz), 6 other upgrade mods
  Wouxun KG-UV2D Inexpensive but decent quality HT with backlit buttons, mine selected for 2M and 220 Khz.
  Also have the optional hand mic and programming cable.
  Antennas
  Alpha-Delta DX-EE (multi-wire shortened dipole 10-40M) Used to work the South Pole on 20M, and 40M WAS work
  Alpha-Delta DX-SWL sloper (erected as an SWL receive ant, makes a usuable 20-80M xmit ant)
  Cushcraft A50-3S 6-meter yagi (3-element) DESTROYED! Used to achieve VUCC and 49 states confirmed.
  Replaced with M2 6M3, now at QTH and assembled.
  Homebrew 10-meter monoband yagi (2-element, AA1DO's "Two on 10" from Apr '99 QST) DESTROYED!
  (Repair parts have arrived at QTH)
  M2 2M7 2-meter SSB Yagi (7-element, horizontal polarization) DESTROYED! Replacement at QTH,
  original is repairable. One will be deployed vertically, dedicated for FM on a non-conductive mast.
  Cushcraft A148-3S 2-meter FM (3-element verical polarization) for remote use, "mountain topping".
  Davis 9914F* runs for 2 & 6 meters, RG213 for the DXEE, RG8X for the 10 meter beam.
  * Replaces Belden 9913F which took on water after several years of excellent performance. 9914F is not hollow like 9913F.

  Accessory Equipment
  Channel Master HD/9515A rotor (to turn above 3 monoband yagis for 10, 6, 2 meters)
  Tokyo Hy-Power HC200AT 200W autotuner (upgrade / replacement for MFJ 969 below)
  MFJ 969 roller inductor antenna tuner (now relegated to backup duty for autotuner above)
  MFJ 921 144 / 220 Mhz Tuner
  Astron RS-35M 35-amp linear regulated DC power supply with current and volt meters
  Pyramid PS-14K 14-amp linear regulated DC power supply For 50-watt FM units
  Icom SM8 Desk Mic
  Bencher BY-2 iambic paddles on chrome base
  Autek Research QF-1A audio filter
  Radio Shack straight key, all-metal (1971 vintage)
  Hakko 936-12 Soldering Station
  Davis Vantage Pro II Weather Station with internet uplink, Weather Underground online station KWABRIER4
  WeatherLink 5.8.2 and Virtual Weather Station V.14 for Davis VP2

   Digital Equipment
  Dell Inspiron 530 Core2 Duo 2 gb RAM
  Samsung SyncMaster 204B 20.1" flat panel display
  Rig Interface: BuxComm RASCAL (original, kit)
  Software: Digipan 1.6d / MMSSTV 1.04 / MMTTY 1.61

I have been intriqued with the hobby of "DXing" (seeking distant signals) on the AM broadcast band (Medium Wave) since 1970, when I started keeping a log.  I had logged 35 states and over 600 stations from both Albuquerque, NM and later on, Fayetteville, NC.  From here at my home in the Seattle area I have logged over 660 stations, around 90 trans-Pacific stations such as JOZB 1512 Matsuyama, Japan at 5KW, and 3RN 756 khz Wangaratta, Australia at 10KW.  In addition, 14 Alaskans and 5 Hawaiians are in the MW logbook. 36 US states on MW and on the expanded band I have heard 1KW stations on the east coast and even copied a 60 watt TIS station in Texas clearly from this QTH. Primary equipment has been the KIWA loop or large homebrew loops with the modded Icom R71A and a phaser, and as of Nov 2009, the Perseus SDR and the ALA-100M combo.  SEE MW LOG

X-band: The expanded AM broadcast segment from 1610-1700 Khz presented for several years a clear window of opportunity to hear 1kw AM stations on the opposite coast. (Almost all X-band stations operate 10kw day/1kw night). In 1998 I logged NJ, FL, AL, GA and more.  This seldom occurs now that around 60 stations are operating in the band but can still be accomplished on occasion (it helps to use an SDR to make lots of overnight TOH recordings). The Feb 2011 catch of WBCN 1660 Charlotte, and WHKT 1650 Portsmouth, VA in April 2011 are examples.

Another window of opportunity, the enjoyment of listening to distant-market AM stations online has closed thanks to the lawyers. So once again mediumwave DXing is the only way to listen to distant markets with the local flavor (commercials, weather and announcements) intact. Even the 10" Select-a-tenna is at times able to bring in Midwesterns like WLW, WHO, KSTP, etc with listenable signal strength. The 12" KIWA loop does alot better and my homemade 42" gets stuff that doesnt even register on the commercial loops. For years I have been using a self-made 60-inch monster loop for AM broadcast with great results. Now, the outdoor Wellbrook ALA-100M is outperforming everything when used with Perseus.

Updates: The 5-foot (1.5 meter) MW loop is complete and is proving it's worth with dozens of first-time loggings (Examples: KENI 650 Anchorage, CHWO 740 Toronto and around 20 Trans-Pacifics such as CNR-1 639 Beijing and JOBK 666 Osaka). Nine turns of #16 surplus wire tunes 510-1830 KHz.

The Alpha Delta DX-SWL Sloper was installed in 2007 and is currently being phased against the 5-foot loop to enable deep steerable nulls using the Quantum Phaser. This has put dozens of new stations in the log in since I acquired the phaser. I have been able to null everything local except KIRO 710 to reveal stations underneath.

May 2008: I am now using the above two antennas and phaser to feed the Perseus SDR, along with a DX Engineering RP1-A preamp. "Drift Net DX-ing" is a reality with the 1600 Khz record feature!

Nov 2009: ALA-100M operational, feeding Perseus. Five Russian LW stations, new MW catches from N. Korea and Taiwan on a morning referred to as "very poor" on the IRCA email reflector. New loggings from CA and MT during the day, Brownsville TX on 1700 in the early evening, all on the first day.  Some fun! Loop element oriented NW/SE and exhibiting directionality.

Dec 2009: Added 2nd loop element E-W. New 375-watt ND station KDDR, and KDKA Pittsburgh in the log right away, 25-watt NDB from MI on longwave. Highly directional, like the original loop element. Performance eclipses anything I've ever used here.

Jun 2010: I have acquired an MSI Wind U-100 netbook, quality 2GB Corsair RAM and factory overclocking BIOS. This opens up Perseus portable ops by battery power for full 1600 Khz spectrum recording to the internal 160GB drive or a 3.5" internal drive in a USB docking station. My unit records 1600Khz of spectrum perfectly and will soon be deployed at a seaside State Park. The solar recharged 35-AH AGM battery should supply endless power for tent camping and Perseus ops. I have acquired the necessary equipment to operate without noisy inverters.

                          
                             Sailor R108 marine radio receiving KXL 750                                    The EEB-moded Icom R71A and Ameco TPA                              

Quantum Phaser in operation                                    DX Sloper Apex / Lead-In    

Equipment I'm using for MW/LW DX reception:

    Kiwa air core inductor loop (12" indoor antenna with remote control panel and preamp)
    Palomar Engineers LA-1 amplifier base + plug-in BCB Loop (6-inch ferrite)
    Homebrew plug-in ferrite 12" head for longwave (homebuilt in 1996 for use with Palomar LA-1)
    42-Inch (just over 1-meter) spiral-wound air core loop (homebrew, built for Sailor R-108)
    60-Inch (1.5 meter) spiral-wound air core loop (homebrew)
    Wellbrook ALA100M Wide-bandwidth single-turn loop for LW/MW DX with Perseus, current loops: 1) NW/SE, 2) E/W
    Select-A-Tenna 10" tunable loop with mutual inductive coupling
    C Crane Twin Coil Ferrite for use with Grundig G8 ultralight for portable DX ops
    Icom R71A general coverage receiver, EEB High Performance Package #7 (mods include dual
     Collins mechanical filters , AGC time constant changes, front-end upgrade, audio section upgrade
     and more). After 22 years of ownership it was the finest MW DX machine I'd used until I placed the
     2008 order for my Perseus SDR).
   Autek Research QF-1A CW/ SSB filter
   Sailor R108 Danish-made marine RDF receiver (150-4500 KHz in four bands, 12-36 volt input)
   Perseus SDR I have one after ordering from Italy in Mar '08. 1600 Khz spectrum record capability
   for "drift net" MW Dxing. The ultimate weapon for MW DXpeditions! Now available from US
   vendors.
   Realistic DX-302 General coverage receiver (My primary unit 1981-1986; inop for last few years;
     soon to be restored as I have secured rare and obsolete M54826P replacement chips.)
    Grundig G8 ultralight with advanced DSP chip for MW/FM for portable DX ops.
    Carver TX11a (modified to 11b standards) wideband AM stereo tuner
    Ameco TPA 1980's active tunable preselector, modified w/ aluminum internal shielding
    MFJ 16010 long wire antenna tuner
    Quantum Phaser A well built and highly useful tool for MW DX.
    DX Engineering RPA-1 low noise RF preamp
    MCL ZFSC-6-110 6-way splitter
    Alpha-Delta DX-SWL Sloper (outdoor MW/SW antenna with resonator coils)
   MSI Wind U-100 Netbook with 2GB Corsair RAM and 24% overclocking for Perseus ops
   Sennheiser HD555 Headset "Hi-Fi" type beats "Communications" type for Broadcast DXing
   Griffin PowerMate A real knob for tuning SDR radios such as Perseus / SDR-IQ.
    Sunsei 18-watt solar panel/ Instapark 30-watt solar panel/ Sunsei 10 Amp PWM-type charge controller
   AGM-type 35 AH battery (for field use to power the R71A, backup power at home)
    Sola 5V 3A Linear Power Supply SLS-05-030-1 for quiet powering of Perseus with AC mains
   Futurlec MiniPower 12 - 5VDC regulated converter board for quiet, inverterless mobile/vehicle ops with Perseus
   Samlex 300-watt pure sine wave inverter for powering large monitors, computers, Perseus and accessories when
  placeable remotely from antenna such as in a camping situation.

I attended my first Grayland DXpedition on the coast of WA on the weekend of Oct 20 2007. The experience was a revelation and I learned much from the expert veteran DXers present. It gave me a totally new outlook on what equipment I should be looking at acquiring/ making for future DXpeditions as well as at home. My first experience with Beverage antennas! To see my log click HERE. After seeing SDR units in action at Grayland I had to have one and now own a PERSEUS.  This is the future of MW DXing. Looking forward for a return to Grayland!

Update: Attended a two night Grayland DXpedition Oct 04 2008 weekend with the Perseus SDR and full MW spectrum record capability. The DX rolled in on the NW Beverage. 23 Alaskans with ID's, over 40 JAs including 1 KW stations plus the usual S. Korea, N. Korea, China, Russia. Also heard Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand, all on MW. My log is HERE.

Big Loops I made in 2004:

 
                                            

The 42-inch (107 cm) spiral-wound MW air core loop (13 turns #20 wire and salvaged cap) connected to Sailor R108. Tunes 480-1790 Khz with astounding performance. No metal used in the plane of the windings.

The same design philosophy was used to build this 60-inch (1.5 meter) monster loop. Both big loops typically far exceed the superb Kiwa Loop gain-wise and equal it in nulling performance. This was a surprising result considering Litz wire and a "balanced" winding scheme were not used. Size matters! FERRITE SLEEVE LOOP ANTENNAS Ultralight MW/LW enthusiasts have recently developed these Ferrite Sleeve Loop antennas. Compact and portable, they perform like monster air core loops. SEE PIC Local DXer Gary DeBock, using a FSL wound for longwave, has successfully received trans-Pacific NDBs from a seaside overlook location on a Tecsun ULR. Read about it HERE.   The loops above have one shortcoming when used with Perseus: they peak only one freq at a time. Use of the ALA-100M has replaced them for routine use as it is broad banded, receiving across the LW and MW bands, and locatable remotely. Tuned loops still have their uses though, such as deep nulls and phasing. In fact I am seriously considering building my own FSL to experiment with.

Longwave is generally defined as those frequencies below 530 Khz.  In Europe and Asia broadcasting occurs in the band, but in the Americas the region 198-530 Khz is primarily reserved for aeronautical navigation beacons called NDBs. These are a DXer's dream as they continuously identify themselves with a slow Morse ID.  Although GPS has seemingly obsoleted these beacons, no politician wants to be the one to turn off a backup safety system so these should remain for years to come. DXing them has become a challenging niche of the radio hobby. Other activity on the band includes DGPS, NAVTEX, and amateur experimentation. The Longwave Club of America has lots of info on this overlooked band. I caught the NDB DXing bug in 1995 when I built the homebrew 12" plug-in ferrite loop pictured below, left.
 

I began longwave DXing at this QTH using the Palomar Engineers LA-1 amplifier-base and a 12-inch ferrite loop that I designed and built myself that plugs into the LA-1 (A 6-inch commercial LW plug-in loop is available).  The S9 noise that prevented reception here for years has abated enough that I can now receive NDBs thru the lowered noise floor.  Here is the cumulative beacon log started Summer 2001:

Beacon Log stats: more than 490 NDBs received from 10 Canadian provinces/territories, 28 US states and numerous Caribbean and Pacific islands.  I've actually received more Alaskan beacons (39) than from any other US state, and have more Canadian NDBs than US ones. Most distant received here: SON 412 Khz, Santo Pekoa (Vanuatu) at 6147 miles (9893 km). All NDB's received at the K7WV home QTH and ID'd by ear (audio ID of morse callsigns, no sonograms or visual means used to date). Tools in use today are the Perseus SDR, HDSDR (free software), and the ALA-100M with several directional loop elements.

An early test of my original ferrite loopstick LW receiving setup at a quiet location in Albuquerque, NM yielded 100 beacons in 17 states in one 2-hour session. To view that log click here. Compare with Perseus / ALA-100M log from the exact same location 18 years later: click here.

Update Nov 15 2009: Five Russian R. Rossii longwave broadcast stations (which I had heard before only at Grayland) were ALL in the log within minutes of activating the new Wellbrook ALA-100M for the first time here at the QTH. At last, a quiet S2 noise floor on LW thanks to the remotely located loop and this innovative product. 279 Khz was "armchair copy" like a local.
 

Note: In the subsequent seasons I have logged additional LWBC stations from the Far East, such as Radio Rossii 171 Yakutsk (150 KW) and Mongolia on 164 Khz (Mongolyn Radio 1 500 KW).

Note: The 2-letter ID denotes a Compass Locator (ComLo) or Outer Marker for an ILS approach. The vertical wire is the radiating element. The three horizontal wires between the wooden poles serve as support for the vertical element, and as a capacitive "top hat". The small cinder block building houses the < 25-watt transmitter and antenna coupler. Note the 2-foot lightning rods atop the grounded wooden poles for lightning protection, and the sloping guy wires. I have heard this station from my QTH in WA, 1181 miles distant. Photos taken December 2011. Click on photo for larger image. HERE is another closer view of the transmitter and vertical radiator. The "V" shaped yagi array is for the 3-watt, 75 MHz signal to illuminate the outer marker light on the ILS panel in the aircraft.

After years of inactivity due to constant local S9 noise on the band, I resumed actively hunting NDBs in 2009, thanks to the ALA-100M and Perseus. Some spectacular results can be seen in the BEACON LOG where 65% of the loggings have been added since deploying the ALA-100M in Nov 2009. Locating it remotely from neighbor noise was a major breakthrough.

These NDB's received during daytime (within 2 hours of local noon) at K7WV:  Daytime NDB's

Jan 10 2012: SECONDARY QTH: For the past 3 years I have made numerous 2-minute MW / LW Perseus recordings from Albuquerque, NM, 1180 Miles distant from my WA QTH, from late December to early January coinciding with holiday visits. The Wellbrook ALA-100M was deployed in 4 different loop orientations. The ABQ NDB log may be seen HERE. More than 440 beacons in 31 states including HI, numerous Caribbean islands, Central and South America, 11 Canadian provinces/territories and 4 Mexican states have been identified to date. The ABQ NDB log and the Beacon Log from my home WA QTH have a surprising number of stations in common. The ABQ NDB log serves well as a list of known, operating DX targets to try for from WA. Now ready to send up to RNA for inclusion in the database.
In addition to the above log, using a loopstick of my own design, a Palomar Engineers LA-1 Amplifier/base and the modded IC-R71A on Jan 4, 1996, I compiled this 100-station log from the exact same location : ABQ NDB 1996. This pre-DGPS log is interesting to compare to the modern log above, especially the 285-325 Khz range.

Aug 07 2010: At local midnight in a parking lot next to my hotel in Litchfield, MN I made a couple 2-minute 1600 Khz bandwidth recordings using Perseus and the MSI Wind Netbook on battery power. LW was noisy (S5 - S7) due to incoming T-storms, and auroral conditions were in play, resulting in just 60 ID's. Still enough to make a useful beacon log. View it HERE. Loop directionality was N/S. Aside from the two NC super beacons and one QC, all stations heard were from MN and surrounding states/provinces. Mediumwave was much more productive.

Sep 22 2010: Membership in the NDBlist group to share and compare beacon hunting results with fellow enthusiasts. I was already using their superb RNA listing to ID beacons but needed to convert all my logs over to their NDB Weblog system to be included in it. The logs from my primary WA QTH are now in RNA as of Oct 2011. WWSU 6.3 was very useful in accomplishing this. The New Mexico logs will go up next, with around 430 beacons ID'd at that secondary QTH.

Mar 11 - 12 2011:  I made a series of full MW + LW Perseus recordings from North Charleston, SC. The MW band was loaded with Cubans and there was a Havana beacon in the quick LW check I made. When I get the time I'll put together a beacon log from the the LW band recordings. Unfortunately inverter noise will severely limit this log as it did the Litchfield log above. I have since procured a 5 VDC downconverter for 12 VDC source which is inverterless and proven quiet with Perseus.

Feb 24-27 2012: I participated in a Coordinated Listening Event this weekend decoding Differential GPS signals on longwave, 285-325 Khz. Result here was 43 stations successfully decoded including 4 AK and 2 HI and as far east as Michigan, approx 1/3 of all stations receivable from North America. Intriguing enough to keep experimenting with software and DX the mode from time to time (I have since added a 44th station). I have also joined the DGNAV list. When I get the software working for playback of Perseus WAV files, I can mine past recordings made during the solar minimum, and from the Albuquerque QTH.

 
2012 Plans: Homemade matching transformers and 1000' Beverage kit for use at Grayland, portable ops at seaside campsites using Perseus, recable APS-14 with RG11/U 

FM DXing:

                           
                            
Etude and Signal Sleuth receiving KINK Portland                                APS-14 below CM Quantum 1162A TV antenna

Equipment used at K7WV for broadcast FM DX reception:

   Antenna Performance Specialties APS-14 (208" boom length, 14 element). No longer available; my FM DX "secret weapon"
   Magnum Dynalab FT101A "Etude" tuner (features manual weighted tuning knob for precise tuning)
   Magnum Dynalab 205 "Signal Sleuth" tunable RF Preamp (Up to 30 db added gain)
   Carver TX-11a FM Tuner
   Sony ST-10F Japanese-frequency AM/FM stereo tuner (76-90 Mhz) obtained in Japan for use there. Manual tuning knob
   Sony XDR-F1HD AM/FM Tuner with RDS and 'HD Radio' decode. Spectacular FM performer
   FM+ Downconverter for Perseus (SN#00032, soon to be put to the test vs the reference Sony XDR-F1HD)
   Blonder Tongue MWT-2B Tunable Notch Trap
   Yaesu G450XL rotor (to turn the APS-14)
   60' RG-6 quad-shielded 75-ohm cable (choked at APS-14 feedpoint with numerous ferrite beads; this antenna is 75-ohm)
    Radio Shack 6-element FM-only yagi antenna (discontinued) for FM campsite ops
    Grundig G8 ULR with excellent FM receiver for travel use

Sony XDR-F1HD receiving KXL-FM Portland 159.4 miles

The mast for the receiving antennas is 1.5-inch EMT conduit mounted at the roof apex and rotated with a Yaesu ham radio rotor. I have both the APS-14 and a Channel Master Quantum 1162A (with pre-amp module) TV antenna secured to it. The TV antenna (with amplifier module) did a decent job bringing in analog Canadian TV (which went digital in 2011). The installation has survived windstorms with 70 mph gusts (and the magnitude 6.8 Nisqually Earthquake).

The MD Etude had been my primary FM tuner since acquiring it, due to its high build quality, switchable filters, and a manual knob tuning, an advantage for DXing in a large metro area with a crowded dial. The new Sony XDR-F1HD out-DX's it but the audio quality of the stock unit falls short. The Sony can be modded for "audiophile grade" audio and I consider it a "must do" although the backlog is now about 8 months to have it done by this guy. There is a cheap and easy fix for the bad sounding rolloff that involves adding a couple caps which I may do instead. After all, I now posess an FM+ downconverter for Perseus which is more fun and sounds better than the XDR-F1HD, with similar DX performance. PI RDS readouts too.

DX performance of the APS-14 computer-optimized 75-ohm 14-element 208" antenna is almost magical. 116 FM stations and 13 translators are often receivable here despite a valley location with nearby hills and mountains in all directions. These include all Vancouver BC stations, 18 (of 22) from Portland OR, all Victoria BC and even 2 from Spokane (across the Cascades).  During tropo enhancement, 8 stations can be heard from Eugene-Springfield OR. This does not include sporadic E openings of course. My Radio Shack 6-element FM antenna, by comparison, was only capable of bringing in 66 stations in 1997 (but numerous new stations in the coverage area have signed on since then).  I know of nothing comparable currently for FM DX (later version, the 200" APS-13, was almost identical; quite a bit less robust build but with a better average F/B ratio of 30db; unfortunately both of these fine antennas are long discontinued). In 2011 DXers had a Swedish-made alternative in the Körner 19.3 and smaller 15.12 (made by VHF Teknik). You guessed it, they are no longer made. Today's FM DXers will probably have to settle for the 138" CM 3025 Stereo probe 9, also discontinued but probably obtainable on auction sites as so many were made. After 14 years installed, the APS-14 here at K7WV just keeps putting out. Sadly, it is irreplaceable.

Early in 2004 a half-dozen Seattle FM stations began broadcasting in IBOC. This digital + analog scheme now known as "HD Radio" (for Hybrid Digital, NOT High Def) has been extremely destructive of the adjacent channels, completely wiping out stations such as CHQM 103.5 which were full quieting in stereo prior to the onslaught. The FCC top brass is heavily invested in Ibiquity, the HD monopoly, so they will continue to support massive intentional interference on both AM and FM. The scourge has grown to afflict so many more local stations that available FM DX channels have been reduced to a handful. Subsequently I no longer devote much time to serious FM Dxing. I still enjoy using my equipment to listen to distant markets though, and have acquired a Sony XDR-F1HD to experience its breakthrough 80db adjacent channel selectivity, RDS and even try its HD Radio decode capability with the mighty APS-14 antenna. It performs as the reviews stated, making it a "reference" by which all other tuners must be compared (and will fall short of in performance). Truly amazing to receive distant stations in stereo at full quieting at all times (there is no "stereo penalty" or DX hiss with the Sony on Analog or Digital). Sony discontinued the XDR-F1HD in early 2011 and says it will make no further HD Radio products. There is hope for a restored FM band as the HD Radio business model is failing and no other counry (not even Canada) has adopted it.

I now have a new add-on for Perseus owners: The Microtelecom FM+ downconverter (must be acquired from Europe). SDR magic for the FM band with RDS (including PI) and able to record 2 Mhz chunks. Performance on par with the XDR-F1HD and possibly the ultimate FM DX tool as the Perseus has proven to be for LW/MW/SW.

LINKS TO RELATED SITES:

---Amateur Radio---
 

                  K7WV (My original radio page, mostly mirrors this one with fewer pics)
                  QSL.NET (Licensed Ham? You can get free space for a web page like this one!)

                  ARRL Homepage (Latest news and links for U.S. hams)
                      RAC Radio Amateurs of Canada (Canadian callsign directory, many links)
                  JARL English Website (Japan Amateur Radio League)

                  QRZ Callsign Database (Callsign directory, ham web pages, QSL pics)
                  Buckmaster HamCall  (Callsign Lookup, over 1.5 million US & DX calls)
                  WM7D Callsign Database (US / Canada, updated daily)
                  UALR Callsign Lookup (US only,updated daily from FCC files)

                  10-10 International  (Organization for users of the 10-meter ham band)
                  10-10 Number Search (Enter 10-10# or callsign)
                  N7YG Software Page (Some great free utilities for 10-10 hams)
                  Springbok Chapter International (Largest chapter of 10-10 International Net)

                  Last 25 HF DX Spots (Real-time DX spots)
                  Log Searches (Find out if you're in the DX log)
                  eHAM.net (News, equipment reviews, forums, articles)
                  DX Summit (Search old spots for posted QSL info)
                  KA9FOX's Ham Radio Contesting and DXing (great HF contesting info)
                  K4UTE quick QSL Manager lookup (with QSL mgr's complete address)
                  KL7J Amateur Radio Page (Links & software downloads)
                  K3WWP Ham Radio Activities (Lots of info on CW and QRP operating)
                  AC6V's Amateur Radio & DX Reference (Detailed info on all aspects of ham radio)
                  Geratol Net  (75-meter Extra class segment WAS group offers nice award)
  
                  50MHZ Propagation Logger (6-meter DX as it happens, real-time spots)
                  Solar Cycle Progression (Latest NOAA/SEC charts of Cycle 23)
                  Make More Miles on VHF (Meteorscatter & aurora links for VHF radio amateurs)
                  W8WN HSMS Nomepage (FSK441 Meteor Scatter, JT44 EME w/ free software)
                  CSSDP Real-time Aurora Oval  (Canadian magnetometer array)
 
                  International Space Station Orbital tracking  (ISS tracking with speed, altitude)
                  J-SAT Amateur Radio Satellite Tracking (8 hamsats + ISS plotted in real time)
                  Bicycle Mobile Hams of America (Hamming on bicycles)

                  OMISS (Runs WAS nets on several bands for those working on award)
                  HHH Net (A late-night 40-meter WAS net, 0700z on 7.235)
                  3905 Century Club (CW, RTTY, PSK31, SSB WAS nets on several bands)

---Broadcast DXing---

                        My Grayland DXpedition Log I  (Oct 20, 2007) MW Reception Log
                   My Grayland DXpedition Log II (Oct 04, 2008) LW/MW Reception Log
                   My Grayland DXpedition Log III (Oct 2010) Awaiting upload. Highlights: Abundant Alaskans including Fairbanks
                   My Grayland DXpedition Log IV (Oct 2011) Awaiting upload. Highlights: 600-watt AFN Misawa 1575 Khz
                   My BCB Log MW Reception loggings from my home QTH
                   My MW 'Graveyards" log 83 stations logged from home QTH on the six 'Graveyard' BCB channels
                   My Longwave NDB Beacon Log Non-Directional Beacons received at K7WV 2001-Present
                   NDB Beacon Log Daytime NDBs (within 2 hrs of local noon) at home QTH
                   NDB Beacon Log received from Albuquerque, NM past 3 years during end-of-year visits (Perseus / ALA-100M)
                   NDB Beacon Log received from Litchfield, MN  Aug 07, 2010 (Perseus / ALA-100M)
                        My DGPS stations decoded (curently 44 stations) using Perseus and Spectrum Lab V2.77
                        RNA online interactive log select "All Results", then my name/call in "heard by" for interactive K7WV log
 

                        National Radio Club (MW DXing info, DX Audio Service)
                        Graveyard DX Achievements I have bested several of their records, but only NRC members are listed
                        DXing the Graveyard Channels Tips and techniques of successful GY DXing (NRC article)
                        Graveyard DX Info and resources for the GY enthusiast
                      IRCA  (Mediumwave DXing club; I am a member)

                  AM Expanded Band from IRCA (With slogans for easy ID)
                  AM Expanded Band  (Latest list of AM stations 1600-1700 Khz)
                  AM DXers Page (MW DX resources/links)
                  Listening For LowFERs (Large LW loop antenna construction ideas)
                  Listening for LowFERs II

                  Wellbrook Phased Array Extensive 2008 review by the late John Bryant
                  Loop Antennas at G4CNN Loop antenna farm in the UK
                  Copper Tube Loop (LW/MW receiving loop: rugged and no tuning required)
                  Bruce Carter's Loop Calculator (Input size and number turns, get tuning range)
                  Longwave Homepage  (From LWCA. Info and happenings below 530 Khz)
                      DX Zone: Longwave VLF links
                      NDB List Website Tools for LW DXers, separate sections for Beacon hunters, NAVTEX, DGPS
                  NDB Photo Gallery has pics of numerous US and Canadian NDBs with a variety of antenna types
                      W3EEE NDBs Photos of NDBs, detailed explanation of NDB function and types
                      Longwave DGPS Beacons DGPS beacons in North America
                      US DGPS Coverage Map From U.S. Coast Guard
                      DGPS Site Locations Map image (U.S. Coast Guard)
                      Use your computer to Ambush Unsuspecting NDBs (Using Spectran for NDB work)
                      Clifton Laboratories K8ZOA, maker of highly regarded amplified antennas and receiving accessories
                  HDSDR Free software for use with SDR (including Perseus), multiple notch filters and other features

                      Navaid Database (Identify that NDB/low frequency beacon!)
                  Interval Signals Online (Highly useful for those TP catches with Perseus)
                  BCB DX Logbook (Updated online version of the famous NARTV Station Guides) 
                  AM Slogans Page (Help in identifying domestic MW DX)
                  Radio-Locator (Station data and coverage maps , internet bitcasters)
                  FCC AM-FM-TV Query (All US stations & translators detailed data)
                  Medium Wave News (News concerning MW DX targets)
                  Canada/US AM Station Info Page includes bearing and distance to station

                  DX-302 Mods by W4JBM
                  RF Space SDR-IQ SDR and Panadapter
                  Perseus SDR Yahoo Group (Informative postings for owners of this 3rd generation SDR)
                  Winradio Excalibur SDR  2011 WRTH Award for best SDR!
                  Ken's TADX Corner DXing with Perseus from Scotland
                  Perseus: A life-changing DX Receiver Sept 2009 review
                  SDR Portal Page for users of SDRs such as Perseus.
                  SRL QS1R SDR can record 2 MHz segments. Similar to Perseus, US made.
                  DXing.info (Check out the recent Grayland MW DXpeditions...astonishing!)
                  Trans-Pacific DX on MW (1997-2002 Grayland DXpedition details and logs)
                  Perseus SDR Registry Locations and monitoring interests of Perseus owners worldwide
                  Arctic DX (MW DX using SDRs from northern Norway
                  American Bandscan (Domestic MW DX news)
                  DX Tests (All the info and schedules of MW DX tests)
                  A-Index (from NOAA)
                  DX News Tips & Info (MW/ SWL news & loggings)
                  The AM Stereo Page (Info & stations broadcasting in C-QUAM AM stereo)
                  The AM and FM Dxer's Resource (Links to many resources)
 

                      WTFDA (Worldwide TV-FM DX Association)
                  Mike's WTFDA TV-FM DX page (Lots of FM & TV Dxing info)
                  FM Antenna Phasing (Use of 2 similar antennas and phaser to reveal DX)
                  Carver TX-11 tap point for RDS decoders Add external RDS decoder to classic tuner
                  The Ray Dees RDS Decoder can be added to certain FM tuners, including Carver TX-11
                  FM+ Perseus Converter for FM Band Available now in Europe, Should be at US outlets soon
                  David's DX Website FM DXer's site, features in-depth review of Sony XDR-F1HD
                  Girard Westerberg's FM DX Tools Using two APS-13s and a phaser!
                  Sony XDR-F1HD as a DX Receiver
                  RadioX Tuners Expert mods to the XDR-F1HD, backlog ~8 months. Needs to be modded for best sound.
                  RDS PI Decoding Kit for Sony XDR-F1HD reviewed by user, pdf file
                  Using the Sony XDR-F1HD on Global Tuners pics of RDS PI kit
                  Hepburn Tropo Ducting Forecast Page (Maps of ducting activity for UHF/VHF/FM)
                  Tuner Information Center (Tuners for FM DX and filter mod advice)
                   "Shootout" featuring the XDR-F1HD and the Microtelecom FM+  XDR-F1HD won, good thing I have both!
                  K6STI FM Yagi Performance Graph (Forward gain only; Körner 19.3 wins, APS-13 2nd)

                      FM Scan.org (Excellent resource, will predict/map FM, AM, even NDBs given your coordinates worldwide
                      Northwest Broadcasters (FM/AM/TV stations of NW Washington and SW BC)
                      Portland Oregon Radio Guide (Broadcast stations of metro PDX, forums)
 

                      Perseus SDR tuning DRM broadcast (YouTube video)
                      MFJ-1026 Phaser applied to Trans-Atlantic signal on MW (YouTube demo)
                      Drake R8E vs Perseus SDR on Trans-Atlantic signal (YouTube demo)
                  Perseus SDR PBT Demo (YouTube demo)
                  Perseus Running Winrad HD receiving Trans-Atlantic LW Broadcast (YouTube video)
                  Perseus Receiving Trans-Atlantic MW, comparing WRPlus and Perseus software (YouTube video)
                  Perseus Running WRPlus (YouTube video)
                  Perseus Tuning Clear Trans-Atlantic DX (YouTube video)
                  DXing with Perseus and SpectraVue (YouTube demo)
                      TransAtlantic MW DXing with Perseus SDR (YouTube demo)
                  Gary DeBock demonstrates performance of a Ferrite Sleeve Loop antenna (New FSL coupled to ultralight)
                      Perseus with FM+ demonstrating the impressive variable bandwidth feature, auto and manual
                      Körner 19.3 on a rotor (This monster actually outperforms the APS-14. But you have to build it)
                      592 mile tropo FM reception with a Körner 19.3 and Sony XDR-F1HD
                     

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