Wireless Waffle - A whole spectrum of radio related rubbish
All Time FM DX Logbooksignal strength

FM DX LogbookThere are those occasions when you happen across a radio stations that's clearly not local. And if there is a Sporadic-E opening, it soon becomes apparent as the local station is wiped-out by stations from much further afield. On these occasions, it's fun to tune around the FM band and see what DX stations can be heard which can be done at home, or when on the move. It seems FM radios in cars are paricularly adept at receiving stations from amidst the background noise and mush.

Here's a list of the DX stations that have been recorded by the Wireless Waffle team over the years. The 'Location' column shows where reception took place (often on a motorway or at a service station or similar!) It just goes to show that in the right conditions you don't need fancy equipment or enormous antennas in order to enjoy the age old art of radio DXing. The 'RDS' column only shows the station's RDS name where it was successfully decoded - in other cases identifying the station was done using a different method (see below).

NOTE: The logbook has been filtered to remove records which are everyday occurances. For example, from the south coast of the UK, it is not unusual to receive stations from France which is, after all, only 30 or so km away in some places. Only examples where reception is out of the ordinary are now shown. In addition, where the same station has been received from multiple locations, only the one which is furthest away from the transmitter site has been included.

Freq Station TX Site
(& Country)
Power RDS Date Location Mode Distance
87.5 Radio Italia ItalyCatanzaro  2.5kW R_ITALIA 30‑Jul‑01 M3, Hampshire Sporadic-E 1931km772.4 m/W
-73.02 dBm@RX
87.5 Top Remember SpainTorrent  1kW 22‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1301km1301 m/W
-73.57 dBm@RX
87.6 Luna ItalyLatina  3.2kW __LUNA__ 09‑Jun‑00 M3, Hampshire Sporadic-E 1500km468.75 m/W
-69.76 dBm@RX
87.6 RAI MF1 ItalyMonte Cavo (Rome)  63kW RAI_MF1_ 30‑Jul‑01 M3, Hampshire Sporadic-E 1480km23.49 m/W
-56.7 dBm@RX
87.6 Radio Speranza ItalyPescara  13kW rotating 13‑Jul‑06 M4 Sporadic-E 1510km116.15 m/W
-63.73 dBm@RX
87.6 Nostalgie Vlaanderen BelgiumOstend  5kW 15‑Jan‑22 Faversham, Kent Tropo 141km28.2 m/W
-47.28 dBm@RX
87.6 Radio Laghouat AlgeriaAflou  70kW R.LAGHT_ 06‑Jun‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1886km26.94 m/W
-58.35 dBm@RX
87.6 Chaîne 3 AlgeriaKef El Akhal  70kW 5‑Aug‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1689km24.13 m/W
-57.39 dBm@RX
87.6 BNR Radio BulgariaShumen  100kW 22‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 2102km21.02 m/W
-57.74 dBm@RX
87.6 RMC FranceLe Havre  1kW 13‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 187km187 m/W
-56.73 dBm@RX
87.7 HRT HR-1 Croatia Pljesvica  50kW HRT_HR-1 13‑Jul‑06 M4 Sporadic-E 1450km29 m/W
-57.54 dBm@RX
87.7 RTP Antena 1 PortugalSerra do Mendro  20kW 13‑Jun‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1588km79.4 m/W
-62.31 dBm@RX
87.8 Radio Courtoisie FranceCherbourg  500W 26‑Jun‑01 Sutton Scotney, Hampshire Tropo 171km342 m/W
-58.98 dBm@RX
87.8 Chaîne 1 AlgeriaMecheria  70kW 09‑Jul‑07 Bracknell, Berkshire Sporadic-E 1970km28.14 m/W
-58.75 dBm@RX
87.8 RNE 3 SpainBaza  5kW 13‑Jul‑06 M4 Sporadic-E 1490km298 m/W
-67.78 dBm@RX
87.8 France Bleu Bourgogne FranceTroyes  63kW BLEUBOUR 31‑Dec‑18 Shoreham-By-Sea, Sussex Tropo 465km7.38 m/W
-46.67 dBm@RX
87.8 France Inter FranceParis  10kW _INTER__ 23‑Sep‑21 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 259km25.9 m/W
-49.58 dBm@RX
87.9 Clásica SpainAlfabia, Balearics  100kW RNE-CLAS 09‑Jun‑00 M3, Hampshire Sporadic-E 1290km12.9 m/W
-53.53 dBm@RX
87.9 RNE 4 SpainAlpicat, Lerida  80kW RNE_4___ 09‑Jun‑00 M3, Hampshire Sporadic-E 1050km13.13 m/W
-52.71 dBm@RX
87.9 Sveriges Radio Program 1 SwedenOstersund  60kW -SR_P1-_ 09‑Jun‑00 M3, Hampshire Sporadic-E 1612km26.87 m/W
-57.69 dBm@RX
87.9 FUN Radio FranceYvetot  1kW 22‑Jun‑01 Southampton, Hampshire Tropo 205km205 m/W
-57.55 dBm@RX
87.9 France Culture FranceParthenay  13kW 22‑Jun‑01 Fareham, Hampshire Tropo 459km35.31 m/W
-53.42 dBm@RX
87.9 Canal Extremadura SpainMerida  1kW Canal_EX 09‑Jul‑07 Bracknell, Berkshire Sporadic-E 1465km1465 m/W
-74.64 dBm@RX
87.9 Omroep Zeeland NetherlandsGoes  15kW 08‑Mar‑20 A12, Essex Tropo 236km15.73 m/W
-47.02 dBm@RX
88.0 France Culture FranceAlencon  13kW 22‑Jun‑01 Fareham, Hampshire Tropo 266km20.46 m/W
-48.69 dBm@RX
88.0 Radio Zitouna TunisiaZaghouan  80kW 27‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1783km22.29 m/W
-57.32 dBm@RX
88.1 Radio Batna AlgeriaBiskra  100kW 06‑Jun‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1794km17.94 m/W
-56.42 dBm@RX
88.1 BBC Radio 2 United KingdomNorth Hessary Tor  160kW 13‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 367km2.29 m/W
-40.59 dBm@RX
88.1 WCRP Puerto RicoGuyama  27kW 26‑Jun‑23 West Bay Sporadic E 1621km60.04 m/W
-61.22 dBm@RX
88.2 Generations FranceParis  4kW 11‑Sep‑21 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 261km65.25 m/W
-53.66 dBm@RX
88.2 Cadena SER SpainAlmeria  1kW 05‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1606km1606 m/W
-75.46 dBm@RX
88.2 Chaîne 2 AlgeriaSaida  2.5kW 01‑Aug‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1807km722.8 m/W
-72.51 dBm@RX
88.3 France Culture FranceLaval  6.5kW 11‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 335km51.54 m/W
-53.73 dBm@RX
88.3 WRVL United StatesLynchburg VA  28kW 30‑May‑23 West Bay Sporadic-E 1990km71.07 m/W
-62.86 dBm@RX
88.3 WLXK United StatesBoiling Springs NC  50kW 30‑May‑23 West Bay Sporadic-E 1762km35.24 m/W
-59.29 dBm@RX
88.5 France Culture FranceBourges  79kW 18‑May‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 433km5.48 m/W
-45.13 dBm@RX
88.6 Radio Soleil FranceParis  4kW 11‑Sep‑21 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 259km64.75 m/W
-53.63 dBm@RX
88.6 RNE Clásica SpainAitana  120kW RNE-CLAS 06‑Jun‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1385km11.54 m/W
-53.43 dBm@RX
88.6 Cope SpainAlmendralejo  1.2kW 13‑Jun‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1498km1248.33 m/W
-74.11 dBm@RX
88.6 SNRT Chaîne Inter MoroccoTanger  1kW 05‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1823km1823 m/W
-76.6 dBm@RX
88.6 Radio Dimensione Suono ItalyTempio  25kW 27‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1292km51.68 m/W
-59.63 dBm@RX
88.6 Qmusic BelgiumGent  3.2kW 13‑Nov‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 182km56.88 m/W
-51.54 dBm@RX
88.7 France Musique FranceLille  130kW _MUSIQUE 21‑Dec‑20 Devil's Dyke, Sussex Tropo 207km1.59 m/W
-36.58 dBm@RX
88.7 Radio Soummam AlgeriaAkfadou  70kW SOUMMAM_ 05‑Aug‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1629km23.27 m/W
-57.19 dBm@RX
88.7 Que Buena PanamaCerro Canajagua  6kW 01‑May‑23 West Bay Sporadic-E 1309km218.17 m/W
-65.96 dBm@RX
88.9 France Inter FranceLe Havre  1kW _INTER__ 31‑Dec‑18 Shoreham-By-Sea, Sussex Tropo 150km150 m/W
-54.94 dBm@RX
89.0 France Culture FranceLe Mans  130kW 22‑Jun‑01 Fareham, Hampshire Tropo 360km2.77 m/W
-41.41 dBm@RX
89.0 RFI FranceParis  10kW 23‑Sep‑21 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 259km25.9 m/W
-49.69 dBm@RX
89.2 NRJ FranceLes Plantis  500W 28‑Nov‑20 Shoreham-By-Sea, Sussex Tropo 130km260 m/W
-56.74 dBm@RX
89.2 France Musique FranceReims  160kW 11‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 296km1.85 m/W
-38.83 dBm@RX
89.3 Cadena 100 SpainVillafranca  1.2kW 06‑Jun‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1508km1256.67 m/W
-74.23 dBm@RX
89.2 France Musique FranceReims  160kW _MUSIQUE 16‑Aug‑21 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 296km1.85 m/W
-38.83 dBm@RX
89.2 Europa FM SpainSeville  1.2kW 05‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1624km1353.33 m/W
-74.87 dBm@RX
89.5 France Culture France?Limoges/Auxerre?  22‑Jun‑01 Fareham, Hampshire Tropo
89.5 Canal Fiesta Radio SpainAlmonaster La Real  20kW 19‑Jul‑21 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1595km79.75 m/W
-62.52 dBm@RX
89.5 VRT Klara BelgiumSint-Peters-Leeuw  50kW 08‑Aug‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 218km4.36 m/W
-41.26 dBm@RX
89.6 RFM PortugalOlhao  10kW __RFM___ 19‑Jul‑21 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1710km171 m/W
-66.15 dBm@RX
89.6 COPE SpainAlicante  5kW 06‑Jun‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1419km283.8 m/W
-67.54 dBm@RX
89.6 France Culture FranceVilliers  13kW 16‑Jun‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 245km18.85 m/W
-48.13 dBm@RX
89.6 Chaîne 2 AlgeriaDjebel Tessala  70kW 05‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1762km25.17 m/W
-57.96 dBm@RX
89.7 France Musique FranceChartres  32kW 18‑Sep‑21 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 297km9.28 m/W
-45.9 dBm@RX
89.7 Canal Fiesta SpainDalias  1kW 05‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1608km1608 m/W
-75.62 dBm@RX
89.7 WCPE United StatesRaleigh NC  96.7kW 30‑May‑23 West Bay Sporadic-E 1863km19.27 m/W
-57.05 dBm@RX
89.7 WRTU Puerto RicoSan Juan  50kW 26‑Jun‑23 West Bay Sporadic-E 1615km32.3 m/W
-58.67 dBm@RX
89.8 New Radio Network ItalyNapoli  13kW *N.R.N*_ 09‑Jun‑00 M3, Hampshire Sporadic-E 1625km125 m/W
-64.58 dBm@RX
89.8 Chaîne 1 AlgeriaAin Oussera  10kW 01‑Aug‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1742km174.2 m/W
-66.33 dBm@RX
89.9 France Musique FranceRennes  100kW 22‑Jun‑01 Fareham, Hampshire Tropo 290km2.9 m/W
-40.76 dBm@RX
89.9 TSF Jazz FranceParis  10kW TSF_JAZZ 13‑Nov‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 259km25.9 m/W
-49.78 dBm@RX
89.9 Europa FM SpainHuelva  4kW 05‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1666km416.5 m/W
-69.93 dBm@RX
89.9 BBC Radio 2 United KingdomWenvoe  250kW 11‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 311km1.24 m/W
-37.39 dBm@RX
90.0 SER SpainAlicante  8kW 06‑Jun‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1419km177.38 m/W
-65.53 dBm@RX
90.2 RMC FrancePorto Vecchio, Sardinia  1kW 19‑Jun‑07 Stansted Airport, Essex Sporadic-E 1335km1335 m/W
-74.05 dBm@RX
90.3 BBC Radio 3 United KingdomNorth Hessary Tor  160kW 13‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 367km2.29 m/W
-40.81 dBm@RX
90.4 Klara BelgiumEgem  50kW 30‑May‑21 Devil's Dyke, Sussex Tropo 241km4.82 m/W
-42.21 dBm@RX
90.4 Nostalgie FranceParis  10kW 23‑Sep‑21 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 259km25.9 m/W
-49.83 dBm@RX
90.6 Copa Onda Naranja SpainValencia  3kW 09‑Jul‑07 Bracknell, Berkshire Sporadic-E 1390km463.33 m/W
-69.67 dBm@RX
90.7 Chaîne 1 AlgeriaAflou  70kW CHAINE_1 05‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1886km26.94 m/W
-58.65 dBm@RX
90.7 Jawhara FM TunisiaBen Arous  5kW 27‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1755km351 m/W
-69.49 dBm@RX
90.7 France Musique FranceOrleans  3.2kW 04‑Oct‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 352km110 m/W
-57.47 dBm@RX
90.8 Radio Relizane AlgeriaBou Kadir  70kW 22‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1680km24 m/W
-57.66 dBm@RX
90.8 RTBF Classic 21 BelgiumProfondeville  10kW 09‑Aug‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 273km27.3 m/W
-50.32 dBm@RX
90.9 Naama FM AlgeriaMecheria  70kW 22‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1948km27.83 m/W
-58.95 dBm@RX
91.0 France Musique FranceAlencon  13kW 13‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 273km21 m/W
-49.2 dBm@RX
91.0 Los 40 Alicante SpainAlicante  8kW _LOS40__ 13‑Jun‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1419km177.38 m/W
-65.63 dBm@RX
91.1 Skyrock FranceDunkirk  1kW 31‑May‑21 Devil's Dyke, Sussex Tropo 182km182 m/W
-56.83 dBm@RX
91.1 RTP Antena 2 PortugalSerra do Mendro  20kW 19‑Jul‑21 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1590km79.5 m/W
-62.65 dBm@RX
91.1 RNE Radio Clasica SpainIlora  60kW 06‑Jun‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1581km26.35 m/W
-57.83 dBm@RX
91.1 France Inter FranceVillers-Cotterets  13kW 17‑Feb‑23 Reigate, Surrey Tropo 324km24.92 m/W
-50.7 dBm@RX
91.3 SNRT Radio Tamazight MoroccoOudja  12kW 01‑Aug‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1835km152.92 m/W
-66.13 dBm@RX
91.4 France Musique FranceTroyes  63kW 04‑Oct‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 416km6.6 m/W
-46.05 dBm@RX
91.5 France Culture FranceCaen  100kW _CULTURE 15‑Jan‑22 Faversham, Kent Tropo 282km2.82 m/W
-40.67 dBm@RX
91.7 France Musique FranceParis  8kW 11‑Sep‑21 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 259km32.38 m/W
-50.92 dBm@RX
91.7 VRT Radio 1 BelgiumSint-Peters-Leeuw  50kW RADIO_1_ 13‑Nov‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 218km4.36 m/W
-41.47 dBm@RX
91.8 France Musique FranceBourges  79kW _MUSIQUE 18‑May‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 433km5.48 m/W
-45.45 dBm@RX
91.8 Cadena 100 SpainVillanueva de la Serena  1kW 22‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1451km1451 m/W
-74.93 dBm@RX
92.0 France Musique FranceRouen  100kW _MUSIQUE 22‑Jun‑01 Fareham, Hampshire Tropo 230km2.3 m/W
-38.95 dBm@RX
92.1 Mouv FranceParis  8kW 11‑Sep‑21 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 259km32.38 m/W
-50.96 dBm@RX
92.3 Vivacite BelgiumAnderlues  50kW 23‑Oct‑21 Maidstone, Kent Tropo 279km5.58 m/W
-43.67 dBm@RX
92.3 Radiopolis SpainSan Juan de Aznalfarache  1kW 22‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1625km1625 m/W
-75.96 dBm@RX
92.5 BBC Radio 4 United KingdomNorth Hessary Tor  160kW 14‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 367km2.29 m/W
-41.01 dBm@RX
92.6 NPO Radio 2 NetherlandsIjsselstein  72kW 15‑Jan‑22 Faversham, Kent Tropo 297km4.13 m/W
-42.65 dBm@RX
92.6 France Inter FranceLe Mans  130kW 18‑May‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 372km2.86 m/W
-42.04 dBm@RX
93.0 France Bleu Briezh Izel FranceBrest  160kW BLEU-BZH 26‑Sep‑18 Shoreham-By-Sea, Sussex Tropo 375km2.34 m/W
-41.25 dBm@RX
93.4 Radio Manche FranceCherbourg  500W 26‑Jun‑01 Sutton Scotney, Hampshire Tropo 171km342 m/W
-59.52 dBm@RX
93.4 Rijnmond NetherlandsRotterdam  10kW 15‑Jan‑22 Faversham, Kent Tropo 254km25.4 m/W
-49.94 dBm@RX
93.5 France Culture FranceParis  8kW 13‑Nov‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 259km32.38 m/W
-51.09 dBm@RX
93.6 Stadsradio Vlaaneren BelgiumLichtervelde  20kW Stadsrad 13‑Nov‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 141km7.05 m/W
-41.84 dBm@RX
93.7 Radio 2 Vlaanderen BelgiumSint-Peters-Leeuw  20kW 15‑Jan‑22 Faversham, Kent Tropo 240km12 m/W
-46.47 dBm@RX
93.8 Radio Monte Carlo ItalySinnai  1kW 17‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1447km1447 m/W
-75.09 dBm@RX
93.9 Chaîne 2 AlgeriaAflou  70kW 01‑Aug‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1886km26.94 m/W
-58.95 dBm@RX
93.9 BBC Radio 4 United KingdomOxford  50kW 25‑Nov‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 180km3.6 m/W
-40.01 dBm@RX
94.0 France Culture FranceRouen  100kW _CULTURE 31‑Dec‑18 Shoreham-By-Sea, Sussex Tropo 190km1.9 m/W
-37.48 dBm@RX
94.0 Canal Sur Radio SpainAlmonaster La Real  10kW 19‑Jul‑21 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1595km159.5 m/W
-65.96 dBm@RX
94.0 Top Radio BelgiumEgem  50kW 15‑Jan‑22 Faversham, Kent Tropo 166km3.32 m/W
-39.32 dBm@RX
94.1 France Inter FranceCherbourg  1kW _INTER__ 26‑Jun‑01 Sutton Scotney, Hampshire Tropo 175km175 m/W
-56.77 dBm@RX
94.2 SER Radio Extremadura SpainBadajoz  4kW 19‑Jul‑21 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1500km375 m/W
-69.42 dBm@RX
94.3 Radio Tunis National TunisiaZaghouan  79.4kW NATIONAL 19‑Jun‑07 Stansted Airport, Essex Sporadic-E 1890km23.8 m/W
-58.46 dBm@RX
94.3 Skyrock FranceDieppe  500W 28‑Sep‑20 Devil's Dyke, Sussex Tropo 143km286 m/W
-58.05 dBm@RX
94.3 Radio Orient FranceParis  4kW 13‑Nov‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 259km64.75 m/W
-54.18 dBm@RX
94.5 RNE 3 SpainHerencia Navajo  40kW RNE_3___ 27‑May‑01 Richmond Park, Surrey Sporadic-E 1372km34.3 m/W
-58.68 dBm@RX
94.6 France Inter FranceChartres  32kW 11‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 298km9.31 m/W
-46.39 dBm@RX
94.7 France Bleu Nord FranceLille  400kW BLEUNORD 05‑Mar‑19 A3, Surrey Tropo 240km0.6 m/W
-33.55 dBm@RX
94.7 Radio Voz Do Sorraia PortugalCoruche  2kW 22‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1543km771.5 m/W
-72.72 dBm@RX
94.9 France Inter FranceBourges  79kW 18‑Sep‑21 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 433km5.48 m/W
-45.74 dBm@RX
94.9 SR P2 SwedenSveg  60kW P2_SR___ 23‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1447km24.12 m/W
-57.41 dBm@RX
94.9 Phare FM FranceYvetot  1kW 13‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 169km169 m/W
-56.54 dBm@RX
95.0 NPO Radio 4 NetherlandsGoes  11kW 09‑Nov‑21 Westerham, Kent Tropo 265km24.09 m/W
-50.05 dBm@RX
95.0 France Inter FranceMantes-la-Jolie  8kW 04‑Oct‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 224km28 m/W
-49.97 dBm@RX
95.1 Onda Cero SpainMajorca  10kW ONDACERO 11‑May‑04 Teddington, Middlesex Sporadic-E 1320km132 m/W
-64.42 dBm@RX
95.1 France Bleu Normandie FranceLe Havre  1kW 31‑May‑21 Devil's Dyke, Sussex Tropo 156km156 m/W
-55.87 dBm@RX
95.1 Vesti FM RussiaKaliningrad  1kW 06‑Aug‑22 Hythe, Kent Sporadic-E 1356km1356 m/W
-74.65 dBm@RX
95.6 France Musique FranceCaen  50kW _MUSIQUE 09‑May‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 265km5.3 m/W
-43.52 dBm@RX
95.7 VRT Radio 1 BelgiumEgem  50kW 23‑Oct‑21 Maidstone, Kent Tropo 192km3.84 m/W
-40.73 dBm@RX
96.0 RNE 3 Spain  60kW RNE_3___ 27‑May‑01 Richmond Park, Surrey Sporadic-E 1530km25.5 m/W
-58 dBm@RX
96.0 France Culture FranceNeufchatel-en-Bray  5kW _CULTURE 19‑Jul‑21 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 145km29 m/W
-48.32 dBm@RX
96.0 Skyrock FranceParis  10kW 23‑Sep‑21 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 259km25.9 m/W
-50.35 dBm@RX
96.1 RTBF La Premiere BelgiumWavre  35kW 09‑Aug‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 244km6.97 m/W
-44.4 dBm@RX
96.3 Radio FG FranceAmiens  1kW 14‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 156km156 m/W
-55.98 dBm@RX
96.5 Radio Jeunes TunisiaZaghouan  20kW _JEUNES_ 19‑Jun‑07 Stansted Airport, Essex Sporadic-E 1890km94.5 m/W
-64.65 dBm@RX
96.5 France Inter FranceRouen  100kW 18‑Mar‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 199km1.99 m/W
-38.11 dBm@RX
96.5 Radio Renascenca PortugalSerra do Mendro  20kW 22‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1588km79.4 m/W
-63.14 dBm@RX
96.6 RTBF Tipik BelgiumAnderlues  50kW 15‑Jan‑22 Faversham, Kent Tropo 257km5.14 m/W
-43.35 dBm@RX
96.7 Canal Extremadura SpainFregenal de la Sierra  2kW 22‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1561km780.5 m/W
-73.01 dBm@RX
96.9 Voltage FranceParis  4kW 23‑Sep‑21 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 259km64.75 m/W
-54.41 dBm@RX
97.1 Cadena Dial SpainEl Bartolo  6kW CAD-DIAL 11‑May‑04 Teddington, Middlesex Sporadic-E 1260km210 m/W
-66.41 dBm@RX
97.1 France Musique FranceMantes-la-Jolie  8kW 11‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 225km28.13 m/W
-50.2 dBm@RX
97.2 Greatest Hits Radio United KingdomBincombe Hill  700W 14‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 256km365.71 m/W
-61.91 dBm@RX
97.4 Rire & Chansons FranceParis  4kW 13‑Nov‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 259km64.75 m/W
-54.46 dBm@RX
97.5 France Musique FranceLimoges  160kW 04‑Oct‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 601km3.76 m/W
-45.76 dBm@RX
97.5 Rire & Chansons FranceClermont  300W 14‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 209km696.67 m/W
-63.85 dBm@RX
97.7 BBC Radio 1 United KingdomNorth Hessary Tor  160kW 14‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 367km2.29 m/W
-41.49 dBm@RX
97.8 France Culture FranceBrest  160kW _CULTURE 26‑Sep‑18 Shoreham-By-Sea, Sussex Tropo 375km2.34 m/W
-41.69 dBm@RX
98.0 France Culture FranceLille  400kW _CULTURE 05‑Mar‑19 A3, Surrey Tropo 240km0.6 m/W
-33.85 dBm@RX
98.1 France Culture FranceChartres  32kW 04‑Oct‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 297km9.28 m/W
-46.68 dBm@RX
98.2 Nostalgie BelgiumEgem  16kW 15‑Jan‑22 Faversham, Kent Tropo 166km10.38 m/W
-44.64 dBm@RX
98.3 France Culture FranceRennes  100kW _CULTURE 26‑Sep‑18 Shoreham-By-Sea, Sussex Tropo 310km3.1 m/W
-42.12 dBm@RX
98.5 France Musique FranceLe Havre  1kW 22‑Jun‑01 Fareham, Hampshire Tropo 178km178 m/W
-57.32 dBm@RX
98.6 VRT Radio 2 BelgiumEgem  50kW RADIO_2_ 15‑Jan‑22 Faversham, Kent Tropo 166km3.32 m/W
-39.73 dBm@RX
98.8 France Culture FranceReims  160kW 08‑Aug‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 296km1.85 m/W
-39.72 dBm@RX
98.9 NPO Radio 1 NetherlandsIjsselstein  72kW 15‑Jan‑22 Faversham, Kent Tropo 297km4.13 m/W
-43.23 dBm@RX
99.1 RTBF Classic 21 BelgiumAnderlues  50kW 23‑Oct‑21 Maidstone, Kent Tropo 279km5.58 m/W
-44.28 dBm@RX
99.4 France Inter France  22‑Jun‑01 Fareham, Hampshire Tropo
99.6 France Inter FranceCaen  50kW _INTER__ 09‑May‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 265km5.3 m/W
-43.88 dBm@RX
99.7 Evasion FranceCreil  2kW 14‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 220km110 m/W
-56.25 dBm@RX
100.0 Classic FM United KingdomNorth Hessary Tor  160kW 13‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 367km2.29 m/W
-41.69 dBm@RX
100.0 Radio Contact FranceCompiegne  1kW 14‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 219km219 m/W
-59.25 dBm@RX
100.1 VRT Radio 2 BelgiumEgem  50kW RADIO_2_ 15‑Jan‑22 Faversham, Kent Tropo 166km3.32 m/W
-39.86 dBm@RX
100.3 NRJ FranceParis  10kW 23‑Sep‑21 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 259km25.9 m/W
-50.73 dBm@RX
100.6 France Bleu Picardie FranceAbbeville  5kW 19‑Jul‑21 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 130km26 m/W
-47.78 dBm@RX
100.6 VRT Studio Brussel BelgiumSint-Peters-Leeuw  25kW 15‑Jan‑22 Faversham, Kent Tropo 240km9.6 m/W
-46.12 dBm@RX
100.7 France Inter France  22‑Jun‑01 Fareham, Hampshire Tropo
100.7 France Bleu Cotentin FranceCherbourg  4kW BLEU.COT 24‑Mar‑20 Hove, Sussex Tropo 166km41.5 m/W
-50.88 dBm@RX
101.0 Nostalgie Vlaanderen BelgiumIeper  20kW NOSTLGIE 15‑Jan‑22 Faversham, Kent Tropo 152km7.6 m/W
-43.15 dBm@RX
101.1 Classic FM United KingdomHolme Moss  250kW 18‑Oct‑22 Maidstone, Kent Tropo 299km1.2 m/W
-38.07 dBm@RX
101.1 Radio Classique FranceParis  10kW 13‑Nov‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 259km25.9 m/W
-50.8 dBm@RX
101.3 France Bleu Picardie FranceHirson  5kW 08‑Aug‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 243km48.6 m/W
-53.27 dBm@RX
101.4 Radio Classique FranceAmiens  1kW 19‑Sep‑21 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 156km156 m/W
-56.42 dBm@RX
101.5 Radio Nova FranceParis  10kW 13‑Nov‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 259km25.9 m/W
-50.84 dBm@RX
101.7 Classic FM United KingdomWenvoe  250kW 09‑Feb‑23 Reigate, Surrey Tropo 214km0.86 m/W
-35.22 dBm@RX
101.8 Radio France Loire Ocean FranceNantes  158kW R.F.L.O. 10‑Aug‑00 Hogs Back, Surrey Tropo 418km2.65 m/W
-43.03 dBm@RX
101.8 RTBF Vivacite BelgiumTournai  50kW 08‑May‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 161km3.22 m/W
-39.74 dBm@RX
101.9 Sky Radio NetherlandsGoes  36kW 15‑Jan‑22 Faversham, Kent Tropo 208km5.78 m/W
-43.4 dBm@RX
101.9 Fun Radio FranceParis  10kW 13‑Nov‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 259km25.9 m/W
-50.87 dBm@RX
102.1 Studio Brussel BelgiumEgem  50kW STU_BRU_ 15‑Jan‑22 Faversham, Kent Tropo 166km3.32 m/W
-40.03 dBm@RX
102.3 Oui FM FranceParis  4kW 13‑Nov‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 259km64.75 m/W
-54.88 dBm@RX
102.6 France Bleu basse Normandie FranceCaen  100kW BLEU.B.N 18‑May‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 265km2.65 m/W
-41.13 dBm@RX
102.6 RTBF Musiq'3 BelgiumTournai  50kW 15‑Jan‑22 Faversham, Kent Tropo 188km3.76 m/W
-41.16 dBm@RX
102.7 M Radio FranceParis  10kW 13‑Nov‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 259km25.9 m/W
-50.94 dBm@RX
102.8 RTP Antena 3 PortugalPortalegre  10kW 22‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1467km146.7 m/W
-66.01 dBm@RX
103.0 Q-Music BelgiumEgem  20kW 30‑May‑21 Devil's Dyke, Sussex Tropo 241km12.05 m/W
-47.33 dBm@RX
103.1 France Bleu Armorique FranceRennes  100kW BLEUARMO 18‑May‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 381km3.81 m/W
-44.32 dBm@RX
103.1 RMC FranceParis  10kW 14‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 260km26 m/W
-51 dBm@RX
103.2 France Bleu Berry FranceBourges  20kW 18‑May‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 433km21.65 m/W
-52.43 dBm@RX
103.4 Bel RTL BelgiumMons  5kW 08‑Aug‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 211km42.2 m/W
-52.23 dBm@RX
103.4 BBC Radio Devon United KingdomNorth Hessary Tor  15kW 14‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 367km24.47 m/W
-52.26 dBm@RX
103.7 France Inter FranceLille  400kW _INTER__ 05‑Mar‑19 A3, Surrey Tropo 240km0.6 m/W
-34.34 dBm@RX
104.1 Joe FM BelgiumEgem  50kW _JOE_fm_ 15‑Jan‑22 Faversham, Kent Tropo 166km3.32 m/W
-40.2 dBm@RX
104.4 NPO Radio 1 NetherlandsGoes  40kW 30‑Jun‑09 Stansted Airport, Essex Tropo 260km6.5 m/W
-45.09 dBm@RX
104.4 Jazz Radio FranceCherbourg  500W 24‑Mar‑20 Hove, Sussex Tropo 144km288 m/W
-58.99 dBm@RX
104.6 Classique 21 BelgiumTournai  50kW 16‑Jul‑21 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 160km3.2 m/W
-39.92 dBm@RX
104.7 France Inter FranceCalais  1kW _INTER__ 09‑Nov‑21 Reigate, Surrey Tropo 140km140 m/W
-55.76 dBm@RX
104.9 RMC FranceCherbourg  500W RMC_INFO 24‑Mar‑20 Hove, Sussex Tropo 144km288 m/W
-59.03 dBm@RX
105.1 FIP FranceParis  10kW 23‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 260km26 m/W
-51.17 dBm@RX
105.2 France Info FranceLille  400kW __INFO__ 31‑Jul‑21 A3, Surrey Tropo 240km0.6 m/W
-34.46 dBm@RX
105.5 France Info France  __INFO__ 22‑Jun‑01 Fareham, Hampshire Tropo
105.6 Disco Radio ItalyRome  100kW *DISCO*_ 30‑Jul‑01 M3, Hampshire Sporadic-E 1483km14.83 m/W
-56.34 dBm@RX
105.7 France Info FranceRouen  3kW __INFO__ 04‑Oct‑00 Winchester, Hampshire Tropo 242km80.67 m/W
-55.83 dBm@RX
105.7 Top Radio BelgiumIeper  100W 15‑Jan‑22 Faversham, Kent Tropo 152km1520 m/W
-66.56 dBm@RX
105.8 Classic Hits Radio United KingdomPoole  625W 14‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 220km352 m/W
-61.82 dBm@RX
105.9 Europe 1 FranceCaen  2kW 04‑Oct‑00 Winchester, Hampshire Tropo 216km108 m/W
-56.62 dBm@RX
106.0 RTBF La Premiere BelgiumTournai  50kW PREMIERE 06‑Mar‑01 Winchester, Hampshire Tropo 329km6.58 m/W
-46.3 dBm@RX
106.1 RTL 2 FranceCherbourg  500W 26‑Jun‑01 Sutton Scotney, Hampshire Tropo 170km340 m/W
-60.57 dBm@RX
106.3 Frequence Paris Plurielle FranceParis  4kW 14‑Feb‑23 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 260km65 m/W
-55.25 dBm@RX
106.4 Nostalgie FranceCaen  2kW 04‑Oct‑00 Winchester, Hampshire Tropo 216km108 m/W
-56.66 dBm@RX
106.5 France Info FranceBoulogne  1kW 09‑Nov‑21 Reigate, Surrey Tropo 143km143 m/W
-56.09 dBm@RX
106.6 Radio Campus Lille FranceLille  4kW 16‑Jul‑21 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 130km32.5 m/W
-49.25 dBm@RX
106.7 Europe 1 FranceCherbourg  500W 24‑Mar‑20 Hove, Sussex Tropo 144km288 m/W
-59.18 dBm@RX
106.9 B5 Aktuell GermanyGrünten  50kW 03‑Jan‑01 Winchester, Hampshire Sporadic-E 926km18.52 m/W
-55.36 dBm@RX
107.1 France Bleu FranceParis  10kW 04‑Oct‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 259km25.9 m/W
-51.3 dBm@RX
107.5 Tour Radio ItalyNapoli  158kW __TOUR__ 09‑Jun‑00 M3, Hampshire Sporadic-E 1670km10.57 m/W
-55.54 dBm@RX
107.5 RTL FranceCherbourg  1kW 24‑Mar‑20 Hove, Sussex Tropo 144km144 m/W
-56.24 dBm@RX
107.5 M 80 Radio PortugalGrandola  10kW 22‑Jul‑22 Sandgate, Kent Sporadic-E 1627km162.7 m/W
-67.3 dBm@RX
107.9 N'Radio FranceSoissons  1kW 16‑Jun‑22 Sandgate, Kent Tropo 246km246 m/W
-60.92 dBm@RX

Propagation Loss

In a previous article on Wireless Waffle the idea that the path loss for tropospheric and sporadic-E propagation might yield a pattern was discussed. In order to see whether this holds true, the image below shows, across the x-axis, the distance of each station from the receiver and the y-axis shows what the signal strength (in dBm) would be if that station had been received in free space would be. This takes account of the transmitter power, the distance to the transmitter and the frequency.

signal versus distance chart

The hypothesis made in the article is that the path loss for signals received through tropospheric ducting were clustered around -40 dBm, whereas those received via Sporadic-E are clustered around -65 dBm. As the same level of signal is needed to receive a signal, this suggests that the path loss via Sporadic-E is actually 25 dB lower than that through tropospheric ducting. Take a look at the graph and see what you make of the results.

Monthly Considerations

It is often cited that Sporadic-E propagation occurs primarily in the summer months, with occasional occurrances in the winter (in the Northern Hemisphere anyhow). To try and see whether this pattern occurs from the loggings here at Wireless Waffle, the chart below shows the number of times that each type of propagation has occurred in which month of the year. It does seem to support the summer/winter Sporadic-E seasons, and the fact that tropospheric propagation occurs fairly evenly accross the whole year (as no pattern can be seen).

months of reception

How do you know what station you're hearing?

Identifying 'DX' radio stations (especially ones in a foreign language and extraspecially whilst driving a car) is not necessarily that easy. However, the wonders of RDS have made life much more straightforward. If the station is strong enough for the RDS to appear (which assumes it is sending an RDS signal in the first place) then noting the frequency and the RDS station name is often sufficient to make a reasonable identification - the only problem that then arises is if there are multiple transmitters of that station on the same frequency (i.e. for a national network) in which case it's much more difficult. The best bet in this instance is to trawl the internet and see what stations other people with more sophisiticated equipment were hearing and see if you can match up your log with theirs.

If there's no RDS, but you hear a station ident or jingle and can catch the name, this is almost as good as the RDS. But in some cases (i.e. if it's in a language that you are completely unfamiliar with like Arabic or Turkish) you might not be able to tell the difference between a jingle and an advert or even make out the station name.

Another method, if several stations are audible, is to look and see if there those stations could potentially come from the same transmitter site. FMScan can help with this. If, say, you can hear Fun Radio on 88.9, SkyRock on 92.7 and France Bleu Nord on 95.5, with a bit of digging you will discover that all three frequency and station combinations come from transmitters in and around the Boulogne area of France, and therefore it is highly likely that this is where the transmissions are coming from.

If all else fails, try and note the language and the frequency. Together with the list of other stations you heard, this might just be enough to make an identification. For example, RTA Chaîne 1 on 87.8 in the log above, was identified from listening to the programme and hearing the word 'Al Jaza'ir' (Algeria in Arabic) and a few smatterings of French (remember that the French colonised Algeria for 130 years and thus it's a language that's still spoken there) in amongst the otherwise incomprehensible (to a non speaker) Arabic clatter. From this information and the fact other stations from mid and western Spain were being heard, there's a fairly safe bet that it was from Algeria. A check on the web shows only one station in Algeria on 87.8 and so the identification is complete. Of course it could have been Morocco, but thankfully there were no stations on 87.8 in Morocco at the time (according to the web) and given the direction of other stations being received at the same time (i.e. the fact no Italian stations could be heard), it was very unlikely to be Tunisia. Another Arabic station on 88.4 was heard at the same time but there are two transmitters in Algeria on 88.4 and there is no way of knowing which it was that was being heard - so this logging can't be confirmed and doesn't appear above!

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