There 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 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	Catanzaro	2.5kW	R_ITALIA	30‑Jul‑01	M3, Hampshire	Sporadic-E	1931km965.5 m/W -73.99 dBm@RX
87.5	Top Remember	Torrent	1kW		22‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1301km1301 m/W -73.57 dBm@RX
87.6	Luna	Latina	3.2kW	__LUNA__	09‑Jun‑00	M3, Hampshire	Sporadic-E	1500km500 m/W -70.04 dBm@RX
87.6	RAI MF1	Monte Cavo (Rome)	63kW	RAI_MF1_	30‑Jul‑01	M3, Hampshire	Sporadic-E	1480km23.49 m/W -56.7 dBm@RX
87.6	Radio Speranza	Pescara	13kW	rotating	13‑Jul‑06	M4	Sporadic-E	1510km116.15 m/W -63.73 dBm@RX
87.6	Nostalgie Vlaanderen	Ostend	5kW		15‑Jan‑22	Faversham, Kent	Tropo	141km28.2 m/W -47.28 dBm@RX
87.6	Radio Laghouat	Aflou	70kW	R.LAGHT_	06‑Jun‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1886km26.94 m/W -58.35 dBm@RX
87.6	BNR Radio	Shumen	100kW		22‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	2102km21.02 m/W -57.74 dBm@RX
87.6	Chaîne 3	Kef El Akhal	70kW		05‑Aug‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1689km24.13 m/W -57.39 dBm@RX
87.6	RMC	Le Havre	1kW		29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	234km234 m/W -58.67 dBm@RX
87.7	HRT HR-1	Pljesvica	50kW	HRT_HR-1	13‑Jul‑06	M4	Sporadic-E	1450km29 m/W -57.54 dBm@RX
87.7	RTP Antena 1	Serra do Mendro	20kW		13‑Jun‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1588km79.4 m/W -62.31 dBm@RX
87.8	RNE 3	Baza	5kW		13‑Jul‑06	M4	Sporadic-E	1490km298 m/W -67.78 dBm@RX
87.8	Chaîne 1	Mecheria	70kW		09‑Jul‑07	Bracknell, Berkshire	Sporadic-E	1970km28.14 m/W -58.75 dBm@RX
87.8	France Bleu Bourgogne	Troyes	63kW	BLEUBOUR	31‑Dec‑18	Shoreham-By-Sea, Sussex	Tropo	465km7.38 m/W -46.67 dBm@RX
87.8	France Inter	Paris	10kW	_INTER__	23‑Sep‑21	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	259km25.9 m/W -49.58 dBm@RX
87.8	Radio Courtoisie	Cherbourg	500W		28‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	212km424 m/W -60.85 dBm@RX
87.9	Clásica	Alfabia, Balearics	100kW	RNE-CLAS	09‑Jun‑00	M3, Hampshire	Sporadic-E	1290km12.9 m/W -53.53 dBm@RX
87.9	RNE 4	Alpicat, 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	Ostersund	60kW	-SR_P1-_	09‑Jun‑00	M3, Hampshire	Sporadic-E	1612km26.87 m/W -57.69 dBm@RX
87.9	FUN Radio	Yvetot	1kW		22‑Jun‑01	Southampton, Hampshire	Tropo	205km205 m/W -57.55 dBm@RX
87.9	France Culture	Parthenay	10kW		17‑Dec‑24	Reading	Tropo	527km52.7 m/W -55.76 dBm@RX
87.9	Canal Extremadura	Merida	1kW	Canal_EX	09‑Jul‑07	Bracknell, Berkshire	Sporadic-E	1465km1465 m/W -74.64 dBm@RX
87.9	Omroep Zeeland	Goes	15kW		08‑Mar‑20	A12, Essex	Tropo	236km15.73 m/W -47.02 dBm@RX
88.0	Radio Zitouna	Zaghouan	80kW		27‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1783km22.29 m/W -57.32 dBm@RX
88.0	Radio Classique	Calais	1kW		29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	207km207 m/W -57.65 dBm@RX
88.0	France Culture	Alencon	13kW		29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	327km25.15 m/W -50.48 dBm@RX
88.1	Radio Batna	Biskra	100kW		06‑Jun‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1794km17.94 m/W -56.42 dBm@RX
88.1	BBC Radio 2	North Hessary Tor	160kW		13‑Feb‑23	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	367km2.29 m/W -40.59 dBm@RX
88.1	WCRP	Guyama	27kW		26‑Jun‑23	West Bay	Sporadic E	1621km60.04 m/W -61.22 dBm@RX
88.2	Generations	Paris	4kW		11‑Sep‑21	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	261km65.25 m/W -53.66 dBm@RX
88.2	Cadena SER	Almeria	1kW		05‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1606km1606 m/W -75.46 dBm@RX
88.2	Chaîne 2	Saida	2.5kW		01‑Aug‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1807km903.5 m/W -73.48 dBm@RX
88.3	France Culture	Laval	6.5kW		11‑Feb‑23	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	335km55.83 m/W -54.08 dBm@RX
88.3	WRVL	Lynchburg VA	28kW		30‑May‑23	West Bay	Sporadic-E	1990km71.07 m/W -62.86 dBm@RX
88.3	WLXK	Boiling Springs NC	50kW		30‑May‑23	West Bay	Sporadic-E	1762km35.24 m/W -59.29 dBm@RX
88.5	France Culture	Bourges	79kW		18‑May‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	433km5.48 m/W -45.13 dBm@RX
88.6	Radio Soleil	Paris	4kW		11‑Sep‑21	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	259km64.75 m/W -53.63 dBm@RX
88.6	RNE Clásica	Aitana	120kW	RNE-CLAS	06‑Jun‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1385km11.54 m/W -53.43 dBm@RX
88.6	Cope	Almendralejo	1.2kW		13‑Jun‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1498km1498 m/W -74.9 dBm@RX
88.6	SNRT Chaîne Inter	Tanger	1kW		05‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1823km1823 m/W -76.6 dBm@RX
88.6	Radio Dimensione Suono	Tempio	25kW		27‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1292km51.68 m/W -59.63 dBm@RX
88.6	Qmusic	Gent	3.2kW		13‑Nov‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	182km60.67 m/W -51.82 dBm@RX
88.7	Radio Soummam	Akfadou	70kW	SOUMMAM_	05‑Aug‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1629km23.27 m/W -57.19 dBm@RX
88.7	Que Buena	Cerro Canajagua	6kW		01‑May‑23	West Bay	Sporadic-E	1309km218.17 m/W -65.96 dBm@RX
88.7	France Musique	Lille	130kW	_MUSIQUE	29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	279km2.15 m/W -39.17 dBm@RX
88.9	France Inter	Le Havre	1kW	_INTER__	31‑Dec‑18	Shoreham-By-Sea, Sussex	Tropo	150km150 m/W -54.94 dBm@RX
89.0	RFI	Paris	10kW		23‑Sep‑21	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	259km25.9 m/W -49.69 dBm@RX
89.0	France Culture	Le Mans	130kW		29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	424km3.26 m/W -42.84 dBm@RX
89.2	NRJ	Les Plantis	500W		28‑Nov‑20	Shoreham-By-Sea, Sussex	Tropo	130km260 m/W -56.74 dBm@RX
89.2	Europa FM	Seville	1.2kW		05‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1624km1624 m/W -75.66 dBm@RX
89.2	France Culture	Cherbourg	2.5kW		28‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	212km106 m/W -54.96 dBm@RX
89.2	France Musique	Reims	160kW		29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	437km2.73 m/W -42.22 dBm@RX
89.3	Cadena 100	Villafranca	1.2kW		06‑Jun‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1508km1508 m/W -75.03 dBm@RX
89.4	France Musique	Brest	158W		03‑Dec‑24	Reading	Tropo	401km2537.97 m/W -71.54 dBm@RX
89.5	Canal Fiesta Radio	Almonaster La Real	20kW		19‑Jul‑21	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1595km79.75 m/W -62.52 dBm@RX
89.5	VRT Klara	Sint-Peters-Leeuw	50kW		08‑Aug‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	218km4.36 m/W -41.26 dBm@RX
89.6	RFM	Olhao	10kW	__RFM___	19‑Jul‑21	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1710km171 m/W -66.15 dBm@RX
89.6	COPE	Alicante	5kW		06‑Jun‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1419km283.8 m/W -67.54 dBm@RX
89.6	France Culture	Villiers	13kW		16‑Jun‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	245km18.85 m/W -48.13 dBm@RX
89.6	Chaîne 2	Djebel Tessala	70kW		05‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1762km25.17 m/W -57.96 dBm@RX
89.7	France Musique	Chartres	32kW		18‑Sep‑21	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	297km9.28 m/W -45.9 dBm@RX
89.7	Canal Fiesta	Dalias	1kW		05‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1608km1608 m/W -75.62 dBm@RX
89.7	WCPE	Raleigh NC	96.7kW		30‑May‑23	West Bay	Sporadic-E	1863km19.41 m/W -57.08 dBm@RX
89.7	WRTU	San Juan	50kW		26‑Jun‑23	West Bay	Sporadic-E	1615km32.3 m/W -58.67 dBm@RX
89.8	New Radio Network	Napoli	13kW	*N.R.N*_	09‑Jun‑00	M3, Hampshire	Sporadic-E	1625km125 m/W -64.58 dBm@RX
89.8	Chaîne 1	Ain Oussera	10kW		01‑Aug‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1742km174.2 m/W -66.33 dBm@RX
89.9	Europa FM	Huelva	4kW		05‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1666km416.5 m/W -69.93 dBm@RX
89.9	TSF Jazz	Paris	10kW	TSF_JAZZ	13‑Nov‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	259km25.9 m/W -49.78 dBm@RX
89.9	BBC Radio 2	Wenvoe	250kW		11‑Feb‑23	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	311km1.24 m/W -37.39 dBm@RX
89.9	France Musique	Rennes	100kW		03‑Dec‑24	Reading	Tropo	363km3.63 m/W -42.71 dBm@RX
90.0	SER	Alicante	8kW		06‑Jun‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1419km177.38 m/W -65.53 dBm@RX
90.2	RMC	Porto Vecchio, Sardinia	1kW		19‑Jun‑07	Stansted Airport, Essex	Sporadic-E	1335km1335 m/W -74.05 dBm@RX
90.2	France Musique	Neufchatel-en-Bray	5kW		29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	251km50.2 m/W -52.55 dBm@RX
90.3	BBC Radio 3	North Hessary Tor	160kW		13‑Feb‑23	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	367km2.29 m/W -40.81 dBm@RX
90.4	Nostalgie	Paris	10kW		23‑Sep‑21	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	259km25.9 m/W -49.83 dBm@RX
90.4	Klara	Egem	50kW		29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	296km5.92 m/W -44 dBm@RX
90.6	Copa Onda Naranja	Valencia	3kW		09‑Jul‑07	Bracknell, Berkshire	Sporadic-E	1390km463.33 m/W -69.67 dBm@RX
90.7	Chaîne 1	Aflou	70kW	CHAINE_1	05‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1886km26.94 m/W -58.65 dBm@RX
90.7	Jawhara FM	Ben Arous	5kW		27‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1755km351 m/W -69.49 dBm@RX
90.7	France Musique	Orleans	3.2kW		04‑Oct‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	352km117.33 m/W -57.75 dBm@RX
90.8	Radio Relizane	Bou Kadir	70kW		22‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1680km24 m/W -57.66 dBm@RX
90.8	RTBF Classic 21	Profondeville	10kW		09‑Aug‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	273km27.3 m/W -50.32 dBm@RX
90.9	Naama FM	Mecheria	70kW		22‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1948km27.83 m/W -58.95 dBm@RX
91.0	Los 40 Alicante	Alicante	8kW	_LOS40__	13‑Jun‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1419km177.38 m/W -65.63 dBm@RX
91.0	France Musique	Alencon	13kW		13‑Feb‑23	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	273km21 m/W -49.2 dBm@RX
91.1	Skyrock	Dunkirk	1kW		31‑May‑21	Devil's Dyke, Sussex	Tropo	182km182 m/W -56.83 dBm@RX
91.1	RTP Antena 2	Serra do Mendro	20kW		19‑Jul‑21	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1590km79.5 m/W -62.65 dBm@RX
91.1	RNE Radio Clasica	Ilora	60kW		06‑Jun‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1581km26.35 m/W -57.83 dBm@RX
91.1	France Inter	Villers-Cotterets	13kW		17‑Feb‑23	Reigate, Surrey	Tropo	324km24.92 m/W -50.7 dBm@RX
91.2	Energy FM	Snaefell	1.2kW		29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	388km388 m/W -63.42 dBm@RX
91.3	SNRT Radio Tamazight	Oudja	12kW		01‑Aug‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1835km152.92 m/W -66.13 dBm@RX
91.4	France Musique	Troyes	63kW		04‑Oct‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	416km6.6 m/W -46.05 dBm@RX
91.5	France Culture	Caen	100kW	_CULTURE	15‑Jan‑22	Faversham, Kent	Tropo	282km2.82 m/W -40.67 dBm@RX
91.7	France Musique	Paris	8kW		11‑Sep‑21	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	259km32.38 m/W -50.92 dBm@RX
91.7	VRT Radio 1	Sint-Peters-Leeuw	50kW	RADIO_1_	13‑Nov‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	218km4.36 m/W -41.47 dBm@RX
91.8	Cadena 100	Villanueva de la Serena	1kW		22‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1451km1451 m/W -74.93 dBm@RX
91.8	France Musique	Bourges	150kW	_MUSIQUE	29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	534km3.56 m/W -44.49 dBm@RX
92.0	France Musique	Rouen	100kW	_MUSIQUE	22‑Jun‑01	Fareham, Hampshire	Tropo	230km2.3 m/W -38.95 dBm@RX
92.1	Mouv	Paris	8kW		11‑Sep‑21	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	259km32.38 m/W -50.96 dBm@RX
92.3	Vivacite	Anderlues	50kW		23‑Oct‑21	Maidstone, Kent	Tropo	279km5.58 m/W -43.67 dBm@RX
92.3	Radiopolis	San Juan de Aznalfarache	1kW		22‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1625km1625 m/W -75.96 dBm@RX
92.4	France Culture	Mantes-la-Jolie	8kW		17‑Dec‑24	Reading	Tropo	329km41.13 m/W -53.07 dBm@RX
92.5	BBC Radio 4	North Hessary Tor	160kW		14‑Feb‑23	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	367km2.29 m/W -41.01 dBm@RX
92.6	NPO Radio 2	Ijsselstein	72kW		15‑Jan‑22	Faversham, Kent	Tropo	297km4.13 m/W -42.65 dBm@RX
92.6	France Inter	Le Mans	130kW		18‑May‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	372km2.86 m/W -42.04 dBm@RX
92.7	France Inter	Neufchatel-en-Bray	5kW		29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	251km50.2 m/W -52.79 dBm@RX
92.8	RTBF Musiq'3	Profondeville	10kW		12‑Dec‑24	Reading	Tropo	427km42.7 m/W -54.4 dBm@RX
93.0	France Bleu Briezh Izel	Brest	160kW		03‑Dec‑24	Reading	Tropo	401km2.51 m/W -41.83 dBm@RX
93.0	France Inter	Alencon	13kW		29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	327km25.15 m/W -50.96 dBm@RX
93.1	France Inter	Abbeville	2.5kW		29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	256km128 m/W -56.97 dBm@RX
93.4	Radio Manche	Cherbourg	500W		26‑Jun‑01	Sutton Scotney, Hampshire	Tropo	171km342 m/W -59.52 dBm@RX
93.4	Rijnmond	Rotterdam	10kW		15‑Jan‑22	Faversham, Kent	Tropo	254km25.4 m/W -49.94 dBm@RX
93.5	France Culture	Paris	8kW		13‑Nov‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	259km32.38 m/W -51.09 dBm@RX
93.5	France Inter	Rennes	100kW	_INTER__	03‑Dec‑24	Reading	Tropo	363km3.63 m/W -43.05 dBm@RX
93.6	Stadsradio Vlaaneren	Lichtervelde	20kW	Stadsrad	13‑Nov‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	141km7.05 m/W -41.84 dBm@RX
93.7	Radio 2 Vlaanderen	Sint-Peters-Leeuw	20kW		15‑Jan‑22	Faversham, Kent	Tropo	240km12 m/W -46.47 dBm@RX
93.8	Radio Monte Carlo	Sinnai	1kW		17‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1447km1447 m/W -75.09 dBm@RX
93.8	France Inter	Parthenay	10kW		17‑Dec‑24	Reading	Tropo	527km52.7 m/W -56.32 dBm@RX
93.9	Chaîne 2	Aflou	70kW		01‑Aug‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1886km26.94 m/W -58.95 dBm@RX
94.0	Canal Sur Radio	Almonaster La Real	10kW		19‑Jul‑21	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1595km159.5 m/W -65.96 dBm@RX
94.0	Top Radio	Egem	50kW		15‑Jan‑22	Faversham, Kent	Tropo	166km3.32 m/W -39.32 dBm@RX
94.0	France Culture	Rouen	100kW	_CULTURE	29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	276km2.76 m/W -40.72 dBm@RX
94.1	France Inter	Cherbourg	1kW	_INTER__	26‑Jun‑01	Sutton Scotney, Hampshire	Tropo	175km175 m/W -56.77 dBm@RX
94.2	SER Radio Extremadura	Badajoz	4kW		19‑Jul‑21	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1500km375 m/W -69.42 dBm@RX
94.3	Radio Tunis National	Zaghouan	79.4kW	NATIONAL	19‑Jun‑07	Stansted Airport, Essex	Sporadic-E	1890km23.92 m/W -58.48 dBm@RX
94.3	Skyrock	Dieppe	500W		28‑Sep‑20	Devil's Dyke, Sussex	Tropo	143km286 m/W -58.05 dBm@RX
94.3	Radio Orient	Paris	4kW		13‑Nov‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	259km64.75 m/W -54.18 dBm@RX
94.5	RNE 3	Herencia Navajo	40kW	RNE_3___	27‑May‑01	Richmond Park, Surrey	Sporadic-E	1372km34.3 m/W -58.68 dBm@RX
94.6	France Inter	Chartres	32kW		11‑Feb‑23	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	298km9.31 m/W -46.39 dBm@RX
94.7	Radio Voz Do Sorraia	Coruche	2kW		22‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1543km771.5 m/W -72.72 dBm@RX
94.7	France Bleu Nord	Lille	400kW		29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	279km0.7 m/W -34.86 dBm@RX
94.8	BBC Radio 4	Les Platons	16kW		03‑Dec‑24	Reading	Tropo	262km16.38 m/W -48.3 dBm@RX
94.9	France Inter	Bourges	79kW		18‑Sep‑21	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	433km5.48 m/W -45.74 dBm@RX
94.9	SR P2	Sveg	60kW	P2_SR___	23‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1447km24.12 m/W -57.41 dBm@RX
94.9	Phare FM	Yvetot	1kW		13‑Feb‑23	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	169km169 m/W -56.54 dBm@RX
95.0	NPO Radio 4	Goes	11kW		09‑Nov‑21	Westerham, Kent	Tropo	265km24.09 m/W -50.05 dBm@RX
95.0	France Inter	Mantes-la-Jolie	8kW		29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	329km41.13 m/W -53.31 dBm@RX
95.1	Onda Cero	Majorca	10kW	ONDACERO	11‑May‑04	Teddington, Middlesex	Sporadic-E	1320km132 m/W -64.42 dBm@RX
95.1	France Bleu Normandie	Le Havre	1kW		31‑May‑21	Devil's Dyke, Sussex	Tropo	156km156 m/W -55.87 dBm@RX
95.1	Vesti FM	Kaliningrad	1kW		06‑Aug‑22	Hythe, Kent	Sporadic-E	1356km1356 m/W -74.65 dBm@RX
95.1	France Inter	Laval	6.3kW		04‑Dec‑24	Reading	Tropo	366km61 m/W -55.49 dBm@RX
95.6	France Musique	Caen	50kW	_MUSIQUE	09‑May‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	265km5.3 m/W -43.52 dBm@RX
95.7	VRT Radio 1	Egem	50kW		23‑Oct‑21	Maidstone, Kent	Tropo	192km3.84 m/W -40.73 dBm@RX
96.0	RNE 3		60kW	RNE_3___	27‑May‑01	Richmond Park, Surrey	Sporadic-E	1530km25.5 m/W -58 dBm@RX
96.0	Skyrock	Paris	10kW		23‑Sep‑21	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	259km25.9 m/W -50.35 dBm@RX
96.0	France Culture	Neufchatel-en-Bray	5kW		29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	251km50.2 m/W -53.09 dBm@RX
96.1	RTBF La Premiere	Wavre	35kW		09‑Aug‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	244km6.97 m/W -44.4 dBm@RX
96.3	Radio FG	Amiens	1kW		14‑Feb‑23	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	156km156 m/W -55.98 dBm@RX
96.5	Radio Jeunes	Zaghouan	20kW	_JEUNES_	19‑Jun‑07	Stansted Airport, Essex	Sporadic-E	1890km94.5 m/W -64.65 dBm@RX
96.5	Radio Renascenca	Serra do Mendro	20kW		22‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1588km79.4 m/W -63.14 dBm@RX
96.5	France Inter	Rouen	100kW		29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	276km2.76 m/W -40.95 dBm@RX
96.6	RTBF Tipik	Anderlues	50kW		15‑Jan‑22	Faversham, Kent	Tropo	257km5.14 m/W -43.35 dBm@RX
96.7	Canal Extremadura	Fregenal de la Sierra	2kW		22‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1561km780.5 m/W -73.01 dBm@RX
96.9	Voltage	Paris	4kW		23‑Sep‑21	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	259km64.75 m/W -54.41 dBm@RX
97.1	Cadena Dial	El Bartolo	6kW	CAD-DIAL	11‑May‑04	Teddington, Middlesex	Sporadic-E	1260km210 m/W -66.41 dBm@RX
97.1	France Musique	Mantes-la-Jolie	8kW		11‑Feb‑23	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	225km28.13 m/W -50.2 dBm@RX
97.2	Greatest Hits Radio	Bincombe Hill	700W		14‑Feb‑23	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	256km365.71 m/W -61.91 dBm@RX
97.4	Rire & Chansons	Paris	4kW		13‑Nov‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	259km64.75 m/W -54.46 dBm@RX
97.4	France Culture	Abbevile	2.5kW		29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	256km128 m/W -57.37 dBm@RX
97.5	France Musique	Limoges	160kW		04‑Oct‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	601km3.76 m/W -45.76 dBm@RX
97.5	Rire & Chansons	Clermont	300W		14‑Feb‑23	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	209km696.67 m/W -63.85 dBm@RX
97.7	BBC Radio 1	North Hessary Tor	160kW		14‑Feb‑23	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	367km2.29 m/W -41.49 dBm@RX
97.8	France Culture	Brest	160kW		17‑Dec‑24	Reading	Tropo	401km2.51 m/W -42.27 dBm@RX
98.0	France Culture	Lille	400kW	_CULTURE	05‑Mar‑19	A3, Surrey	Tropo	240km0.6 m/W -33.85 dBm@RX
98.1	France Culture	Chartres	32kW		29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	371km11.59 m/W -48.61 dBm@RX
98.2	Nostalgie	Egem	16kW		15‑Jan‑22	Faversham, Kent	Tropo	166km10.38 m/W -44.64 dBm@RX
98.3	France Culture	Rennes	100kW		17‑Dec‑24	Reading	Tropo	363km3.63 m/W -43.49 dBm@RX
98.5	France Musique	Le Havre	1kW		22‑Jun‑01	Fareham, Hampshire	Tropo	178km178 m/W -57.32 dBm@RX
98.6	VRT Radio 2	Egem	50kW		29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	296km5.92 m/W -44.75 dBm@RX
98.8	France Culture	Reims	160kW		08‑Aug‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	296km1.85 m/W -39.72 dBm@RX
98.9	NPO Radio 1	Ijsselstein	72kW		15‑Jan‑22	Faversham, Kent	Tropo	297km4.13 m/W -43.23 dBm@RX
98.9	France Musique	Nantes	250kW		17‑Dec‑24	Reading	Tropo	479km1.92 m/W -41.97 dBm@RX
99.1	RTBF Classic 21	Anderlues	50kW		23‑Oct‑21	Maidstone, Kent	Tropo	279km5.58 m/W -44.28 dBm@RX
99.2	France Inter	Orleans	18kW		29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	449km24.94 m/W -52.86 dBm@RX
99.6	France Inter	Caen	50kW	_INTER__	29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	281km5.62 m/W -44.39 dBm@RX
99.7	Evasion	Creil	2kW		14‑Feb‑23	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	220km110 m/W -56.25 dBm@RX
100.0	Classic FM	North Hessary Tor	160kW		13‑Feb‑23	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	367km2.29 m/W -41.69 dBm@RX
100.0	Radio Contact	Compiegne	1kW		14‑Feb‑23	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	219km219 m/W -59.25 dBm@RX
100.1	VRT Radio 2	Egem	50kW	RADIO_2_	15‑Jan‑22	Faversham, Kent	Tropo	166km3.32 m/W -39.86 dBm@RX
100.3	NRJ	Paris	10kW		23‑Sep‑21	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	259km25.9 m/W -50.73 dBm@RX
100.5	WDR 4	Teutoberger Wald	100kW		28‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	675km6.75 m/W -49.07 dBm@RX
100.6	France Bleu Picardie	Abbeville	5kW		17‑Dec‑24	Reading	Tropo	256km51.2 m/W -53.67 dBm@RX
100.6	VRT Studio Brussel	Sint-Peters-Leeuw	25kW		15‑Jan‑22	Faversham, Kent	Tropo	240km9.6 m/W -46.12 dBm@RX
100.7	France Bleu Cotentin	Cherbourg	4kW	BLEU.COT	24‑Mar‑20	Hove, Sussex	Tropo	166km41.5 m/W -50.88 dBm@RX
101.0	Nostalgie Vlaanderen	Ieper	20kW	NOSTLGIE	15‑Jan‑22	Faversham, Kent	Tropo	152km7.6 m/W -43.15 dBm@RX
101.1	Classic FM	Holme Moss	250kW		18‑Oct‑22	Maidstone, Kent	Tropo	299km1.2 m/W -38.07 dBm@RX
101.1	Radio Classique	Paris	10kW		13‑Nov‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	259km25.9 m/W -50.8 dBm@RX
101.3	France Bleu Picardie	Hirson	5kW		08‑Aug‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	243km48.6 m/W -53.27 dBm@RX
101.4	Radio Classique	Amiens	1kW		19‑Sep‑21	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	156km156 m/W -56.42 dBm@RX
101.5	Radio Nova	Paris	10kW		13‑Nov‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	259km25.9 m/W -50.84 dBm@RX
101.7	Classic FM	Wenvoe	250kW		09‑Feb‑23	Reigate, Surrey	Tropo	214km0.86 m/W -35.22 dBm@RX
101.8	Radio France Loire Ocean	Nantes	158kW	R.F.L.O.	10‑Aug‑00	Hogs Back, Surrey	Tropo	418km2.65 m/W -43.03 dBm@RX
101.8	RTBF Vivacite	Tournai	50kW		08‑May‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	161km3.22 m/W -39.74 dBm@RX
101.9	Sky Radio	Goes	36kW		15‑Jan‑22	Faversham, Kent	Tropo	208km5.78 m/W -43.4 dBm@RX
101.9	Fun Radio	Paris	10kW		13‑Nov‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	259km25.9 m/W -50.87 dBm@RX
102.1	Studio Brussel	Egem	50kW		29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	296km5.92 m/W -45.06 dBm@RX
102.3	Oui FM	Paris	4kW		13‑Nov‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	259km64.75 m/W -54.88 dBm@RX
102.6	RTBF Musiq'3	Tournai	50kW		15‑Jan‑22	Faversham, Kent	Tropo	188km3.76 m/W -41.16 dBm@RX
102.6	France Bleu Basse Normandie	Caen	100kW	BLEU.B.N	17‑Dec‑24	Reading	Tropo	281km2.81 m/W -41.64 dBm@RX
102.7	M Radio	Paris	10kW		13‑Nov‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	259km25.9 m/W -50.94 dBm@RX
102.8	RTP Antena 3	Portalegre	10kW		22‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1467km146.7 m/W -66.01 dBm@RX
103.0	Q-Music	Egem	20kW		30‑May‑21	Devil's Dyke, Sussex	Tropo	241km12.05 m/W -47.33 dBm@RX
103.1	France Bleu Armorique	Rennes	100kW	BLEUARMO	18‑May‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	381km3.81 m/W -44.32 dBm@RX
103.1	RMC	Paris	10kW		14‑Feb‑23	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	260km26 m/W -51 dBm@RX
103.2	France Bleu Berry	Bourges	20kW		18‑May‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	433km21.65 m/W -52.43 dBm@RX
103.4	Bel RTL	Mons	5kW		08‑Aug‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	211km42.2 m/W -52.23 dBm@RX
103.4	BBC Radio Devon	North Hessary Tor	15kW		14‑Feb‑23	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	367km24.47 m/W -52.26 dBm@RX
103.7	France Inter	Lille	400kW	_INTER__	29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	279km0.7 m/W -35.65 dBm@RX
104.1	Joe FM	Egem	50kW	_JOE_fm_	15‑Jan‑22	Faversham, Kent	Tropo	166km3.32 m/W -40.2 dBm@RX
104.4	NPO Radio 1	Goes	40kW		30‑Jun‑09	Stansted Airport, Essex	Tropo	260km6.5 m/W -45.09 dBm@RX
104.4	Jazz Radio	Cherbourg	500W		24‑Mar‑20	Hove, Sussex	Tropo	144km288 m/W -58.99 dBm@RX
104.6	Classique 21	Tournai	50kW		16‑Jul‑21	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	160km3.2 m/W -39.92 dBm@RX
104.7	France Inter	Calais	1kW	_INTER__	09‑Nov‑21	Reigate, Surrey	Tropo	140km140 m/W -55.76 dBm@RX
104.9	RMC	Cherbourg	500W	RMC_INFO	24‑Mar‑20	Hove, Sussex	Tropo	144km288 m/W -59.03 dBm@RX
105.1	FIP	Paris	10kW		23‑Feb‑23	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	260km26 m/W -51.17 dBm@RX
105.1	Heart	Caradon Hill	2.5kW		03‑Dec‑24	Reading	Tropo	266km133 m/W -58.36 dBm@RX
105.2	France Info	Lille	400kW	__INFO__	29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	279km0.7 m/W -35.77 dBm@RX
105.5	France Inter	Reims	40kW		17‑Dec‑24	Reading	Tropo	437km10.93 m/W -49.69 dBm@RX
105.6	Disco Radio	Rome	100kW	*DISCO*_	30‑Jul‑01	M3, Hampshire	Sporadic-E	1483km14.83 m/W -56.34 dBm@RX
105.7	France Info	Rouen	3kW	__INFO__	04‑Oct‑00	Winchester, Hampshire	Tropo	242km80.67 m/W -55.83 dBm@RX
105.7	Top Radio	Ieper	100W		15‑Jan‑22	Faversham, Kent	Tropo	152km1520 m/W -66.56 dBm@RX
105.8	Classic Hits Radio	Poole	625W		14‑Feb‑23	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	220km352 m/W -61.82 dBm@RX
105.9	Europe 1	Caen	2kW		04‑Oct‑00	Winchester, Hampshire	Tropo	216km108 m/W -56.62 dBm@RX
106.0	RTBF La Premiere	Tournai	50kW		29‑Nov‑24	Reading	Tropo	315km6.3 m/W -45.92 dBm@RX
106.1	RTL 2	Cherbourg	500W		26‑Jun‑01	Sutton Scotney, Hampshire	Tropo	170km340 m/W -60.57 dBm@RX
106.3	Frequence Paris Plurielle	Paris	4kW		14‑Feb‑23	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	260km65 m/W -55.25 dBm@RX
106.4	Nostalgie	Caen	2kW		04‑Oct‑00	Winchester, Hampshire	Tropo	216km108 m/W -56.66 dBm@RX
106.5	France Info	Boulogne	1kW		09‑Nov‑21	Reigate, Surrey	Tropo	143km143 m/W -56.09 dBm@RX
106.6	Radio Campus Lille	Lille	4kW		16‑Jul‑21	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	130km32.5 m/W -49.25 dBm@RX
106.7	Europe 1	Cherbourg	500W		24‑Mar‑20	Hove, Sussex	Tropo	144km288 m/W -59.18 dBm@RX
106.9	B5 Aktuell	Grünten	50kW		03‑Jan‑01	Winchester, Hampshire	Sporadic-E	926km18.52 m/W -55.36 dBm@RX
107.1	France Bleu	Paris	10kW		04‑Oct‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Tropo	259km25.9 m/W -51.3 dBm@RX
107.5	Tour Radio	Napoli	158kW	__TOUR__	09‑Jun‑00	M3, Hampshire	Sporadic-E	1670km10.57 m/W -55.54 dBm@RX
107.5	RTL	Cherbourg	1kW		24‑Mar‑20	Hove, Sussex	Tropo	144km144 m/W -56.24 dBm@RX
107.5	M 80 Radio	Grandola	10kW		22‑Jul‑22	Sandgate, Kent	Sporadic-E	1627km162.7 m/W -67.3 dBm@RX
107.9	N'Radio	Soissons	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.

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 (around -87 dBm for mono reception), 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).

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!