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 Rotarua 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. The most interesting catch was VOLMET aviation weather 07:53 UTC on 6679 USB.
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, Radio Romania 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.
Will you be visiting both the North and South Islands?
Have you practiced the haka?
Yes, I did visit both islands. I didn’t have a chance to try haka, but I got a pōwhiri.