QSL Armed Forces network Lajes Field in the Azores, in the middle of the North Atlantic

Another QSL from an American dot on the map. A gem from the US AFB, Lajes in the Azores, which sent this curious little QSL in the late 90s. The 100 watt (think of lightbulb power) transmitter on AM 1503 reached into Kent in the UK fairly regularly, with the Armed Forces Network radio. I've AFN QSLs from all over - Germany, Japan, etc but this was a little sparkler because of the low power but also the comment about, 'Where did I  get their address and zip code?' So they were a bit wary of my report but at the same time, so polite as to verify it, express surprise and thanks. Lajes base is on one of the 9 islands, Terceira. Azores is about 1000 miles west of Lisbon and 1200 east of Newfoundland, so a key position in the Atlantic. Even so, military activity at the base has reduced drastically in recent years. Portugal has even had talks with China about having a presence there. I also have a QSL from Santa Maria airport in the Azores, for another time..😄

Guam today, Guam tomorrow - QSL 1968

QSL from 50 years ago.... this is was a utility station on Guam, making regular transmissions on SSB across the Pacific to San Francisco, using 15 kW. This particular signal kept right on going, reaching Cape Town, some 15000 miles away or nearly 26000 km! That's more than halfway around the world, which is pretty distant even for shortwave. It's a form letter with all the relevant info but the Engineer added a paragraph about this particular transmission. Guam was in the news recently when North Korea announced it might send a missile to land in the waters just a few miles offshore. Not a nice thought, and perhaps a reason for Trump to engage directly with Kim. A long-term view on the Korea's is that they should merge, as did Vietnam, now one of the most dynamic economies in the world. It's possible. Recently, South Korea's president Moon visited Mt Paektu on the North Korean-Chinese border, a place sacred to both Korea's. The hope is that enough Koreans will continue to see themselves as that, given their long history. It would allow the US to take some military chips off the table, or move them. For China it would mean a complicating shuffle in the region.

QSL WBBM Chicago IL AM 780

The Director of News and Programming at WBBM Chicago sent a short email QSL saying thanks and '... that's pretty remarkable...' This is a 50kW transmitter but with a fairly non-directional night-time pattern. The distance is about 8500 miles or 13600 km, so good going even for the station with one of the highest powers on the frequency. In the clip you can hear the CBS News cue, a jingle along with the station ID for both 780 AM and 105.9 FM and some weather including '... 15 degrees at O'Hare...' I had a few business trips to Chicago over the years and it can sure get cold there!

    

QSL WCBM Baltimore MD AM 680

The programme director at WCBM in Baltimore verified my reception from Cape Point. They were using 20 kW night-time power, reaching here from just under 8000 miles (12700 km). WCBM has to power down at night and change pattern so as not to interfere with WPTF Raleigh NC, which has often been heard here over the years. On the clip you can hear the announcer with 'Talkradio WCBM' and a couple more IDs after that.

QSL WMEN Royal Palm Beach FL AM 660

The Programme Director of WMEN verified a report on a signal heard in Cape Point....'very cool that you are hearing us way over there.' Way over there being about 7700 miles (12400 km). Night-time power is slated to be at only 460 watts, so one of my best catches. The  signal came in on two different dxpeditions to Cape Pt, so something is going right! Directionally it seems that the path is more or less this way. The clip has a clear ID as '6-40 The Hurricane' along with an auto dealer ad. I found myself wondering if they use this cue when one of those destructive Florida hurricanes is ripping through!?

QSL WDCX Rochester NY AM 990

From the shores of Lake Ontario in upstate New York comes a QSL from WDCX, Rochester on AM 990. Night-time output is only 2.5 kW but it made here to Cape Pt, 8000 miles or just about 13000 km away. Brian Cunningham at the station enthused: 'This is most assuredly the FARTHERMOST reception report I have ever received! I can verify that the audio you included with your report is indeed WDCX! WOW!' Brian says: 'we reduce power to 2.5 kW, utilizing 6 towers at night. Our night-time signal propagates due East at night, to protect another station on 990 in Detroit.' So not exactly south-east towards the southern tip of Africa but in the general direction! There's quite a bit of co-channel interference in the clip but the ID is clear enough.

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QSL WSJS Winston-Salem NC AM 600

This station QSLd an email report from our January expedition to Cape Pt. The 5 kW signal was picked up on a 400 metre BoG antenna. Seems like the night pattern is aimed our way. Kyle Shassburger, who hosts a show on the station, welcomed his South Africa audience in the show! Distance is about 8000 miles or nearly 13000 kms. In the recording you can hear an ad followed by the station cue. Quite a bit of co-channel interference but  no doubt who it is.