Any starter IC-R20 data files?

[K0OIL]

I have an Icom IC-R20, programming software, and cable and am interested in building up my data file for input into the radio. I'm wondering if anyone has a data file they'd be willing to share that has the "usual suspects" for HF and national frequencies already listed. I'm in WA state if that matters (I hope not since the whole purpose of the IC-R20 is to pick up SW stations from around the world.) I'm mostly interested in international English language news, international music, and national/military air -- but whatever interesting frequencies you have listed are better than the nothing I have now.

 

[ka3jjz]

Much as I hate to say it, English broadcasts are fast disappearing due to the (mistaken) idea that the Internet is everywhere and can't be stopped.

The R20 isn't what I would call all that good for HF BC, but yes, it will work (would you believe your HF radio would blow it away...). Anyhow, probably the best place to find R20 specific files would be the R20 Yahoo group, the link for which is below.

IC-R20 : Icom IC-R20

And since you're in Washington state, look over the border into Vancouver BC, and join up with the DXer.ca website. You will find folks there that do HF BC stuff and more. You will run into a few well known folks up there (if you happen to run into Ian McFarland, tell him Mike Agner says hi).

Welcome to the DXer.ca website

As for national/military air, I'd check something local like Washington Scan on Yahoo, or the Milcom list on QTH.net

And since you're in the Pacific NW, using a longer antenna on the R20 will be possible without all of the overload issues you'd find here on the East Coast. Signal levels from many Euro and African BCers are much lower since they don't necessarily beam to the West Coast. Remember the antenna is 1/2 the battle....

HTH.....Mike