Medium Wave Trans-Pacific DX

   Here is a Youtube video I made of station JOUB 774Khz, 500KW, Akita, Japan being received at my QTH in King Salmon, Ca. This was recorded at around 3:00AM, and the signal was Q-5, very good copy for a Medium Wave radio station 4775 mi. away. The program is an English lesson on the educational NHK-2 network.

   Note that other Asian stations are being received, although much weaker. Their frequencies are offset from the domestic stations due to the 9Khz channel spacing used in Asia. Some of the stations are too close to domestic signals to be copied, although strong hetrodynes can be heard.

   JOUB on 774Khz is the strongest of the Asian super power stations at 500KW. It's frequency makes it easy to copy through the heavy QRM  from the "local" stations. This is the first frequency to try for TPDX.

Here is a list of Asian super power stations in order of your chances of receiving them:

1) JOUB-774 Akita, Japan (500 KW) This northern-Japan powerhouse broadcasts the national NHK2 network program, and is the most frequently reported first TP in North America. Parallel to 693 and 828

2) JOIB-747 Sapporo, Japan (500 KW) Depending on your local QRM situation, this booming station can be a better bet than JOUB. Carries the national NHK1 program with many foreign language lessons, // 594.

3) JOBB-828 Osaka, Japan (300 KW) Usually makes an appearance when the above two show up, but southern Japan location can have different propagation. NHK 2 program parallel to 693 and 774

4) JOAK-594 Tokyo, Japan (300 KW) Not in the same league as the big three, but can be surprisingly strong during propagation peaks. NHK1 program parallel to JOIB-747

5) JOAB-693 Tokyo, Japan (500 KW) Doesn’t have the booming signal of the above, but easy to log when propagation is right. One of the more challenging Japanese stations.

6) HLCA-972 Dangjin, S. Korea (1500 KW) Has different propagation than Japan, and can really boom in when peaks favor Korea. Somewhat more seasonal than Japan, September and October are best

7) HLAZ-1566 Jeju, S. Korea (250 KW) Commonly used to check upper-band TP propagation, this religious broadcaster can boom in when upper band is strong. Carries Japanese-language religious programs frequently

8) VOA-1575 Ban Rasom, Thailand (1000 KW) Probably the most distant common TP, this station typically carries news programs in SE Asia languages. Very seasonal, with propagation best around equinox periods

9) JOIK-567 Sapporo, Japan (100 KW) The chances of logging this one are slim to none (unless you are right on the ocean shore)

I have seen the carriers from all the stations on the list. They can be seen on the spectrum display long before they can be heard. This is HLAZ-1566 Jeju, S. Korea (250 KW). VOA-1575 Ban Rasom, Thailand (1000 KW) can also be seen. 

   Also note the digital "HD" carrier on the 1550 signal. The FCC is very obviously paid off or completely stupid to allow this to happen to the AM band. Unbelieveable... if you caused this much QRM on 75 meters you would be getting death threats... Not only does the digital carrier trash adjacent channels...it trashes its own analog signal. I don't get it... there is NO guard band, it bumps up right against the adjacent channel carrier. Click photo for better view.