Nick’s Signal Spot is a new feature in which Nick Langan explores RF signals, propagation, new equipment and related endeavors.
Do you prefer the beach or the mountains?
For the longest time, I was a beach person. It’s probably from many summers spent at the Jersey shore.
I still enjoy going “down the shore,” but I’m now squarely in the mountain camp. I love to hike, and no matter which destination I choose, there are ample trails to explore with sights like waterfalls and overlooks to uncover.
Perhaps most importantly, for my signal-seeking interests, being high up is almost always beneficial.
For FM radio, as the saying goes, “height equals might.”
Beyond that, there is just a certain peace and serenity. I’ve taken a recent fondness to the Appalachian Mountains. My most recent mid-summer family journey took me all the way south to Mentone, Ala., for two nights in a cabin.
It’s nestled in northeast Alabama, not far from the Georgia state line. The southwestern section of Lookout Mountain extends through here, comprising the southern portion of the Cumberland Plateau.
On Nov. 24, 1863, Union troops under the command of General Joseph Hooker swept the northern slopes of Lookout Mountain in what became known as the “Battle Above the Clouds.” It’s easy to see why after spending time here.
Our cabin was approximately 1,840 feet above sea level, and this was the view from our back porch.
As you might expect, the first thing I examined was the local dial conditions. I brought my TEF6686 — much more on that portable radio here — and its simplified cousin, which also uses the TEF chip, the Qodosen DX-286. I went a bit minimalist this time around. I’ve brought yagis to locations like this in the past, and many hobbyists have run full-fledged “DX-peditions” over time, often on the MW or amateur radio bands but for FM, too.
Here’s a map of what I heard, on July 18 — without any notable tropospheric enhancement. You can also view it here.
Signals from Chattanooga, South Pittsburg, Scottsboro and Huntsville were quite strong, as you might expect. The dial was actually quite crowded.
With the porch facing northwest, signals from Atlanta, approximately 90 miles from the cabin, were non-existent. This would change, however, on the other side of the house. A drive up County Road 89 toward Georgia would flip this entirely, with Atlanta stations coming in with full HD Radio decodes in my car.
One aspect I’ve noticed when performing bandscans at high-elevation locations over time is that certain signals you’d expect to be prominent aren’t always so strong.
With the view of the horizon to the northwest, I expected Nashville FMs to be in clearly. I heard a few of them — 90.3 WPLN(FM), 92.9 WJXA(FM) and 95.5 WSM(FM), to name a few — but they could be easily nulled.
A market like Tuscaloosa, at approximately 160 miles, was nowhere to be found, while I logged a few from neighboring Mississippi, including 89.9 WMAB(FM), 94.9 WKOR(FM) and 97.1 WOKK(FM).
A location like Mentone always brings a few surprises. Bandscans of this type I’ve done usually max out with signals around 250 miles, at least without any specialized equipment.
On my TEF6686, I found Country music on 94.5, and nothing locally was a fit.
94.5 WJOX(FM) from Birmingham was the most dominant signal on the channel, but it could be easily nulled.
I listened for a while and heard an identification from “Clear 94,” KKLR(FM) Poplar Bluff, Mo. It was approximately 310 miles away and the 100 kW signal was heard throughout my time in Mentone.
Aside from the entertaining radio dial, I was very impressed with the natural beauty in the area. Mentone itself was a charming little town. Even if you don’t get to stay overnight, I’d encourage you to check out Brow Park, along Scenic Drive. It is a great location to perform an FM bandscan, and also watch a sunset.
Our trip continued westward, including on a road that, conversely, is almost devoid of signals — the Natchez Trace Parkway.
The historic two-lane, serene roadway that curves through the forests of Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee has very little cellular coverage throughout, even as we rode it all the way to its terminus west of Nashville.
There are many spots, some prominent, some hidden, that make for most interesting reception posts. Kuwohi, in the Smoky Mountains, is another place where I got a chance to sample the FM dial last fall.
Do you have a favorite location to “tune around?” I’d love to hear about it!
[Read the Signal Spot from Nick Langan for More DX-Related Stories]
