November 9, 2004 - The geomagnetic disturbance wasn't bad for
everyone, everywhere. From my QTH near San Francisco, California,
about 37.7 degrees N, tropical stations below 5 MHz were popping
everywhere. Most were very weak, which is typical anyway, but there
were a lot more of them, and some were surprisingly loud. Several
Brazilians were doing splendidly, and I tripled my lifetime total of
Guatemalans, including several easily-heard IDs.

The standout was Radio Verdad, 4052.5 kHz, from Chiquimula, Guatemala.
At only 800 watts, this little gem came charging through the scuzz.
SINPO = 15231 to 25232, very bad atmospheric noise, but the signal
increase was just that tad bigger. From 0250 until 0325, I was able
to copy enough to work up a reception report for potential QSL.
Copied the station playing several numbers from "Prairie Home
Companion," with Garrison Keillor's voice wafting through the ether,
then onto hymns and evangelical discussion in Spanish. Faded out by
0330, but showed up again about 0545, with playback of an unid
EE-language play or interview to 0600.

Also R. Cultural Coatan (also Guatemala) around 0230 with IDs and
"Buenas Noches" announcements to sign-off at 0239; some others.

Icom R75, 45-foot random wire phased with 88-foot dipole, about 27'
above ground.

73,
Bruce Jensen