The North American Transatlantic DX season has started, and one of the stations I received last week was WPTX 1690 AM from Lexington Park, Maryland, USA. I wrote to this station in the past, never got an answer. This time my report was answered with this n/d email. I sent my report to sharon@somdradio.com .
WPTX was one of the stations that moved to the socalled “expanded band” in the late 90’s. This expanded band, which runs from 1610 to 1700 kHz was approved for use by the FCC on March 17th, 1997. I remember that at the time European DX-ers thought that this would open a lot of opportunities for Transatlantic DX as there are no European stations active on these frequencies (and in those days the traditional MW band was still crowded with high power EU broadcasters).
But apart from a few regulars it turned out to be not that easy… mainly because most of the stations allowed were low power (10 Watts only). WPTX is an exception, with 10 kW during day time, 1 kW night time. And with their location close to the coast they are one of the stations that can be heard regularly at my QTH.
WPTX targets a 50+ year old audience with oldies, rock and roll and surf music.
