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November 1957 Radio-Electronics
 [Table of Contents]
Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics.
See articles from Radio-Electronics,
published 1930-1988. All copyrights hereby acknowledged.
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I know a guy, a multi-decade-long
Amateur Radio operator, who at one time was a big participant in TV DXing. For those
who are not familiar with the techno-sport, TV DXing is the hobby of receiving and
identifying distant television broadcast signals from far-off locations, often using
specialized antennas and receiving equipment. Enthusiasts seek to capture signals
from stations hundreds or even thousands of miles away, which requires advanced
technical skills and sophisticated reception techniques. Modern-day DX-ers typically
document their reception achievements by capturing screenshots, logging station
details, and sharing their findings with other hobbyists through online forums and
specialized clubs. This 1957 Radio-Electronics magazine article was from
early in the TV DX era. Successful TV DX-ing depends on factors like antenna design,
atmospheric conditions, terrain, transmitter power, and the curvature of the Earth,
making it a complex and rewarding pursuit for radio and television enthusiasts who
enjoy pushing the technical boundaries of signal reception. See also in this issue
Tips from a TVDX-er's Notebook.
TV DX
 By Robert B. Cooper, Jr.
By now, almost everyone has read or heard something about the International Geophysical
Year (IGY). The IGY is an 18-month period during which 65 nations will study the
actions of the earth and solar system. This period is being used to gather facts
more than to study the earth - huge storehouses of facts which scientists will be
able to study for generations to come.
One of the fact-gathering programs (there are 11 in all) now being investigated
- is concerned with the ionosphere and - to be more specific - the effects of the
ionosphere on vhf and uhf radio-television signals entering it.
At present, amateur radio observations are being used in this study and a plan
is underway to include TV dx reports in the program. This is where you come into
the picture.
The ionosphere study group is looking for consistent, monthly reports on any
forms of unusual TV reception that might be linked to the ionosphere. If you feel
that you might fit into this proposed program, drop me a line outlining your general
dxing habits (time of day spent dxing, greatest reliable range, experience and a
fairly complete description of your equipment). If enough interest is mustered for
this project, I will attempt to carry the ball from here.
Why IGY Now?
The IGY period began on July 1, 1957. This date was not picked on a haphazard
guess, nor was it a matter of international politics. The predicted peak of the
11-year sunspot cycle, expected to fall within the 18-month IGY period, was the
determining factor. Past experience has shown that definite correlations exist between
high sunspot numbers and various effects here on earth - such as radio propagation,
aurora and possibly weather conditions. To sum up, we can expect more in the way
of excellent and unusual dx conditions during the IGY, than in any similar recent
period. No.2
The Summer Was Unusual
In our spring TV dx columns, we discussed aurora skip, not so much as a means
of logging new stations, but more as a means of noting the effects of one of nature's
biggest mysteries on the TV channels.
Aurora, concentrating as it does near the magnetic north (and south) pole, is
usually limited to areas along the Great Lakes and into New England. Not being a
true north-south phenomenon (due to the location of the magnetic poles), we find
locations such as San Francisco, Calif., and Miami, Fla., about the same distance
from the auroral center.
You might imagine how unusual it would be to see aurora from Miami. But it happens
or at least should have happened on the evening of Sept. 4, when I noted auroral
reception on channels 2, 3, 5 and 6 from Fresno, Calif. Reception peaked to the
northeast and consisted of the usual hazy, floating lines, not seeming to be either
vertical or horizontal in component. No identification was possible on any of the
channels.
Ground Wave Runs Wild
September is the traditional month for long-haul trops (ground wave) reception,
but various periods in July did their best to erase traditions. Along the Great
Lakes, down the Mississippi and throughout the western Gulf, ground wave overstepped
its boundaries with every change of weather.
The best dates would seem to have been July 3-8, and July 15-19. Of the more
outstanding work done, Dave Janowiak of Milwaukee, Wis., managed to log 59 stations
in a single 24-hour period! And all of this via trops, no skip involved.
Paul Swartz and Carlton Howington, central Ohio dx'ers, found ground wave open
to 690 miles for high-band leggings on July 3, 17 and 18.
Uhf dx-pert, Carl Lupton of Shelbyville, Ill., noted trops to 780 miles on July
8, with high-band Texas Gulf stations rolling through. But the corker came on July
16-17, with 18 uhf stations seen.
Along the Gulf coast, dx'er Ray Escoffier, New Orleans, and Ed Bourgeois, Norco,
La., report frequent trops openings to the West Texas high-band stations (800 miles)
and north to the Great Lakes.
The nation's top TV dx'er, Bob Seybold, of Dunkirk, N. Y., took advantage of
conditions to push his station total to 310 stations in 5 years of watching. Some
of his outstanding results read as follows: July 18, trops to 500 miles, on both
vhf and uhf, with 16 uhf stations logged. July 19, the best uhf conditions Bob has
ever witnessed. 510 miles the farthest, and stations logged on 18 uhf channels (20
stations in all), 18 of which were over 125 miles distant!
Predicting TV dx conditions on a general basis can be a problem, and even a little
risky. It's not too often that we are 100% accurate.
But, TV'er John Broomall, Due West, S. C., read of our Perseids meteor shower
prediction in the July column. Noting that it would peak at 0200, Aug. 12, John
decided to have a go at this burst reception stuff. The result? His 60th TV dx station,
KRLD, logged at precisely 0200, Aug. 12, on a nice long burst. Anyone curious about
the weather this Christmas?
Predictions
For the period of Nov. 1-Jan. 1, E-skip reception should follow closely on the
heels of magnetic storms (and the resulting aurora). Watch your northern skies for
that eerie glow, signifying northern lights, and watch your newspaper for news of
strong magnetic storms. E-skip openings will be most frequent south of a line drawn
between San Francisco, Calif., and Norfolk, Va. Gulf Coast dx'ers should notice
a major upswing in openings to Mexico City and Guatemala, beginning about Nov. 1.
All Es openings will be most likely to occur between 1500 and 2000 local time.
F2 layer reception will probably be limited to dx'ers with some type of converter
or adapter which enables them to receive TV broadcasts between 40 and 55 mc, originating
from Europe. Skip is not too likely to get as high as our American channels, except
for brief instances on peak days.
Trops reception will already have tapered off considerably from summertime levels
and in general will be weak and spotty in nature for the next four months. Areas
along the Gulf and Great Lakes will have the best trops results.
Meteor showers are fairly frequent throughout November and December. One major
shower (the Geminids) occurs Dec. 10-14, with outstanding results coming from 1900
to 0200, local time. The Taurids, a minor shower, occurs Nov. 3-10 and promises
good early-morning reception. Other showers are the Leonids, Nov. i6-17, and Ursids,
Dec. 22. For further meteor-shower information, I suggest you consult your local
library for a current copy of Sky and Telescope, in which monthly information about
showers is given.
Report Forms
Free. That's right, free. Sharp bi-color TV Dx report forms, made especially
for reporters to the Radio-Electronics TV Dx Column. Be the first in your group
to have a set. Just send your name and address to TV Dx Column, 154 West 14 St.,
New York 11, N. Y.
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