This is a short vlog about the joy of long distance radio listening and a little explanation about what makes it possible. It is 4:15 so you can skip the science and just turn on an AM radio and enjoy. Thanks for watching!

By Fran

17 thoughts on “Ask fran: long distance am radio and the sky wave”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Joe S says:

    I first learned of this from someone I met at my first radio job. I was blown away that they memorized all the stations by frequency, now I have that same log; I think the farthest I received from Philadelphia area was Iowa…

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mark Kuehnel says:

    What a babe

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars derek charles lovell says:

    wonderful info thanks

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars MJ Klein says:

    In the mid/late 80s, we fired up Boston's WILD 259' tower on 160m. They were a 5 kW daytimer and as soon as the sun went down we used it for 160m contesting. With 100w output on CW, we worked so much EU and SA DX that I was literally astonished. We had to set up a dual-wire Beverage antenna and our pal Steve NQ1F build a bandpass filter because there were a few other big MW stations nearby. MW DXing is a very fun hobby for sure!

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars jlind52 says:

    Skywave isn't "reflection". It's electro-magnetic . The ionosphere (primarily E or F1/F2 layers) must be sufficiently energetic to refract a signal back for its wavelength and angle of incidence to the ionosphere. If it isn't, the signal is still refracted, but passes through out into space after its ray path has been "bent" some. Read up on "Greyline Propagation" at the solar terminator (aka "edge of night" around dawn or dusk) in which the F-layer is energized from solar radiation while the lower and absorptive D-layer isn't as energized from lack of solar radiation. This can create lower frequency propagation that wouldn't normally occur with sufficient signal to noise ratio due to D-layer absorption, sometimes extending down into the medium wave spectrum . . . where AM broadcast is done.

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Edwizard62 says:

    Love listening to AM radio. You're awesome.

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars CARL BOLEY says:

    Cool video!! I too listen to am 740. Like the radio shows! And the older music on Sunday night's. Short Wave isn't the same as it was years ago tho but I still tune around cause you never know what you will hear.

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Joe Wiehr says:

    Fran you should get your amature radio licence. I just got my Technician licence.

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Joe Wiehr says:

    Your a night owl like my.

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Joe Wiehr says:

    I thought I was the only one that listened to long distance AM radio. I have done it since I was 12 years old.

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dan VanLandingham says:

    Go back and do one on a circa 1936 vintage table model radio like the one I told you about.I'd use a good set like a Zenith or one of the better RCA,GE or Philco sets that use a full wave rectifier circuit.That was what my '36 Wards Airline by Wells-Gardner was.

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Scott Donaldson says:

    I remember listening to radio Luxembourg as kid in Scotland

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars russphilly says:

    …..these guys were wonderful Secret Life Of Machines – The Radio

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars russphilly says:

    skiP!…oh that magic of the Ionisphere.

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars speeedskater says:

    CKLW out of winsor in the 60s/part of the 70s had the biggest listening audience in north america, at night could be picked up in key west,

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Tim Emerson says:

    Love DXing with my radios.

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars David Okanagan says:

    AM 740 is a 50kw clear channel station. It was a CBC station till they moved to FM. The owners of that particular station, got permission to rent the transmitters, a la AM 740. Twin 50 kWh Continentals, one being on hot standby.
    The stations coverage is immense!
    I love and miss AM radio. FM is nothing.

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