A taste of Gary DeBock’s Cook Islands (Aitutaki) Ultralight DXpedition
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Gary DeBock, who shares the following notes from his Cook Islands Ultralight DXpedition:
Cook Islands (Aitutaki) Ultralight DXpedition from April 8-13
A gorgeous environment, with thrilling long range DX! Ruth and I took this trip as the 38th anniversary of out first meeting at Victoria Peak in Hong Kong (April 10, 1980).
DXing highlights were the reception of 693-Bangladesh, 918-Cambodia and 1431-Mongolia on the 7.5 inch loopstick C.Crane Skywave SSB Ultralight and 5 inch "Frequent Flyer" FSL antenna (designed to provide inductive coupling gain equal to that of a 4 foot air core box loop, but in a much more compact size).
693-Bangladesh 1652 UTC April 10 (mention of Bangladesh at 8 second point; thanks to Chuck Hutton for listening):
https://swling.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/693-Bangladesh-1652z041018CCSWANR.mp3Download: 693-Bangladesh-1652z041018CCSWANR
918-Cambodia 1659 UTC April 12 (Khmer female speech, National Anthem with "Cuckoo Clock" time pips at 1:41; thanks to Hiroyuki Okamura for listening):
https://swling.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/918-Cambodia-1659z041218CCSWANR.mp3Download: 918-Cambodia-1659z041218CCSWANR
1431-Mongolia 1631 UTC April 11 (BBC Korean service interval signal at 46 seconds; thanks to Hiroyuki Okamura for listening):
https://swling.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/1431-Mongolia-1631z041118CCSW.mp3Download: 1431-Mongolia-1631z041118CCSW
Location: Tamanu Beach Resort ocean shore, Aitutaki, Cook Islands (in the South Pacific)
Amazing catches, Gary-thank you for sharing! It seems your modified CC Skywave SSB is serving you well. Looks like you were chasing amazing DX from an amazing part of our planet!