AIH91 report Day 1 – Saturday 8.12.2018
AIH91 DX-pedition kind of started already on Friday when Timo (TIK) and Patrik (PW) traveled 14 hours from Vaasa to Ivalo. This year we drove our trip in two parts as we stayed for the night at River Camping Ivalo. Basic new cottage for two cost 45 euros. They also served breakfast (for money) but we went to Hotelli Kultahippu for a bit better breakfast buffet. Our aim was to be in Aihkiniemi at 12:00 local time as this was the time when AIH90 JY & YK finished their DX-pedition. Before driving to Partakko, we visited The Samí Museum Siida. Very interesting exhibitions about Finnish sami history. Then to the DX cottage – we noticed several reindeers on the way. Not so much snow on the ground this year.
We changed few words with Juha and Ykä and started unpacking. The boys told that propagation has mostly been to the West coast. We started listening immediately and 11 UTC the first recordings were made. The bands to North America didn’t sound very promising but after careful listening of 1100 UTC file produced two new stations for us: 940 KFIG Fresno CA and 980 KFWB Los Angeles CA “La Mera Mera”, which sounded like an ad first. Next hour produced 1220 KHTS Canyon Country CA so the best propagation was to California. Weak opening continued till 1400 UTC when another new CA was heard: 1650 KFOX Torrance CA. Coronal hole from the sun made band unstable and India & Iran were strong quite early at 13 UTC. We even noticed two Africans 845 and 950. 891 and 729 aussies were on the band briefly but so far we have not found anything interesting from East. We also recorded a bit on shortwaves and got new Danish station Radio OZ-Viola on 5825 kHz.
Brasilian stations were noticed already at 2100 UTC. At 2130 UTC there was a short US opening before the band closed to USA. No daytimers identified anyhow. Propagation forecast says that the effect of CH will be on the band next two days, on Tuesday condx should improve.
And yes we also had a dinner – pasta and ground beef with cream sauce with Aihkiniemi Salad. Our beers for the first evening were below average but the best ones were Braufactum Clan and Brewski Pango IPA.
