On Sep 21, 5:20 pm, "tom k in L.A." wrote:
Hi-- can someone explain why I can hear transmissions by the BBC and
Deutsche Welle which are directed towards Africa here in Los Angeles?
If it weren't for these transmissions there would be very little worth
listening to on SW !

Read up on signal skip and propogation. Knowing when and where to
listen will help you find more signals that are potentially
interesting. Indeed I remember stumbling onto my first exciting (at
the time) catch. Radio South Africa was broadcasting of all things a
program for SWL's and I was hooked! Consider getting a program guide
from MT or at least do some reading to figure out when the bands are
active.

If you think there is nothing worth listening to, please read the
article by John Bryant in the latest MT.