Yes, there is more to the “Visiting New Zealand” story than just pointing the shortwave radio at the distant target.
Part 2 of the story goes the other way, taking the radio to New Zealand and finding out what I can pick up from there — maybe even an elusive station in the United States! CFRX in Toronto is probably too much to hope for. I’ll definitely shoot for WWVH! I hope WRMI will be back on the air soon (currently shut down for Hurricane Milton).
I’ve selected the radio for the trip, the experienced traveler Tecsun PL-330. It’s lightweight, demodulates SSB, and covers the entire shortwave spectrum. It also has modest power requirements. I didn’t decide on my Qodosen DX-286 mostly because it’s heavier and I don’t like taking 18650 batteries on airplanes.
I’ll expand the story as it happens.
In New Zealand
The travel schedule hasn’t given me much time for shortwave, but I did take a shot in Christchurch on the southern island. One station I had little success with was Radio New Zealand. WWVH in Hawaii was a solid signal, and I got a booming signal from Radio Exterior de España. I also received Republic of Yemen Radio and a very weak signal from WMLK in Bethany PA.
I’ll post some videos when I get home.
Today I’m in Queenstown and I hope for some listening tomorrow.
Arghhh! The city is surrounded by mountains! So I went part way up the mountain on a gondola ride. I picked up Radio Exterior de España and WMRI in Okeechobee, Florida (not in English).
OK. One final try. My hotel has a balcony ang it’s 9:32 PM local time (08:33 UTC). I would expect a lot of radio noise.
Not much, WWVH on 10 MHz, WBCQ and Radio France International.