DX Log: The Strongest Distant AM Signals in the Upper Midwest

This is a followup to last week’s post listing all 415 AM stations I have heard from Superior, Wis. (so far).

While many of the distant signals that can be heard at night are weak and inconsistent, a few are very strong and listenable. These are the former “clear channel” stations that were originally set aside to provide service to vast swaths of the continent at night back in the 1930s. Yes, they’re still on the air!

No special radio is required to receive these signals — even low-cost AM radios are able to receive the stronger skywave signals, particularly those transmitting from other parts of the Midwest. If you are wondering, some of these recordings were made using a C. Crane Skywave and others were made using an Airspy HF+, which is a software-defined radio (SDR).

Below, I’ve included audio of how many of the former “clear channel” stations are often received at my location in Superior. As you can hear, the signal on some of the stations is somewhat weak at this location, but I’ve included most of those that can be heard regularly so you can hear what they sound like.

While these were recorded in Superior, the same signals can generally be heard across the Upper Midwest at night, with variable reception.

650 WSM Nashville