KING´S VILLAGE D X

The Mid-Finland-QTH – tests around July-August

This was my first QTH when I started DXing, maybe most of QSLs and reporting was done here almost in the center of Finland (geografically) from 1970-1977 – Haapavesi. Actually this is my birth place. The QTH is about 500 kms North from Helsinki area and indeed the spectrum on MW is a bit different.

There has been problems of noise, first in 70´s – 80´s mostly due to the 20 kV powerlines, afterwards since about 1977 or so when the watersystem was done with a nearby pumping station. These disappeared later on and the main problem since then was the “open air” 20 kV powerlines.

But since about two years all the powerlines are now buried down to earth and indeed the noise of this is gone (at least the most of that).

Of course when visiting the QTH there used to be some switching PSUs and – during these tests an old television set (so called picture tube set) usually on in the evenings and most of nights.

But all in all, it was nice to listen to a MW-band without the noise used to be in Southern Finland. And indeed during the daytime, only NRK 153 kHz was heard; rather ok signal btw. Faroes 531 was observed as a tiny carrier only. Nothing from St Petersburg and the MW-band was rather clear.

Unfortunately at this time of year it is hard to get antennas to directions but “Middle East”. Well the testing antenna of a longwire (250 meters) was pointed just towards Abu Dhabi. So the results of stations heard were mostly “Iran, Iran, Iran”. Though a couple of other DX-stations were noted, the most Easternly Taiwan (1143) and something from Africa, like Kenya (“KBC Radio Taifa”) 1152 and 1206 Mozambique. Of course Nigeria 917 was there as well. Usually on 1152 when Romania c/d was at 2100 utc the UAE Voice of Kerala boomed in, but indeed sometimes KBC made it through. And on 1170 UAE booming compared to what is usually heard in South - Koper.

Well, the antenna was actually pointed out to Abu Dhabi - and indeed at the same time there was a partial Lunar eclipse going on... at the time of the picture the moon was at 135 degr. / just as the wire. Because of the partial eclipse it seems the part of the full Moon has been "eaten". You can see the longwire at the left part of the picture. And those "supporting trees" seems to be high and strong enough to carry the wires now, after about 15 years since they were implanted...

Looking at the future - the "big KAZ-tree" has been growing here from 1976 and maybe next year it is time again to erect a new KAZ-antenna using this tree, now being about 15 m height ( West-East) - let´s see!