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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
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This cache is located in some open space that in a few years could become Phase 2 of the Juniper Ridge development (perhaps a university). The above coordinates are for the parking area, not the cache. Some very simple internet research is required to obtain the cache coordinates.
DXing is the hobby of receiving and enjoying distant out-of-town radio signals. For AM radio, the best times for this are in the evening or early morning. Like geocaching, this activity takes patience and can be frustrating. Weak signals fade in and out, and reception can vary on a daily basis. Fortunately, the hobby does not require an expensive receiver. Many ordinary AM radios are suitable. You, however, will not need to actually listen to any radio stations to find the cache.
AM DXing is not quite as interesting as it used to be. Thirty years ago, most stations had local programming all day and night. Small town stations in particular had a wide variety of program elements, and sometimes quirky or inexperienced personalities. These days, many stations rely on syndicated talk shows or national satellite-delivered programming. However, even today, programs between the hours of 6 am to 9 am are often locally produced, and provide the opportunity to sample some local flavor. The frequencies of two Northwest stations that recently had very unique morning personalities will be used to calculate the cache coordinates.
The first station, KNPT in Newport, OR, featured a quintessential “good-ole-boy” of small town radio. Bob Spangler, who passed away in August 2008, hosted the morning news from 6 to 8:30 am weekdays. He was a big booster of the local high school sports teams, and had been working at the station for over fifty years!
The second station, KUJ in Walla Walla, WA, featured a down-home country girl who called herself “Country Kris”. She hosted the “Country Caravan”, a program of 1950s and 1960s country music, agriculture news, and rodeo results from 5 to 7:30 am weekdays. The station has since changed formats.
To find the cache, first search the internet for the frequencies of these two stations in kilohertz (between 540 and 1700). Then use them as follows:
N 44° 06.ABC
W 121° 15.DEF
ABC = (frequency of KNPT) - 722
DEF = (frequency of KUJ) - 823
The three towers of KBND-AM (a directional antenna) are visible in the immediate area of the cache. They are less than a mile away. The container is a hard plastic Power Bait jar, with room for very small trade items, but you must bring your own pencil or pen. I’ve crammed two AA batteries, two AAA batteries, and some coins in there to get started.
For extra entertainment, try to “find” these two stations some morning. Both stations can be heard in Central Oregon, but not every day. You may have to put up with some static and interference from other stations on the same frequencies. Try orienting the radio in different directions.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ng gur pnpur fvgr, n qvfgnag gerr oybpxf gur ivrj bs nyy ohg gur gbc frpgvba bs gur evtugzbfg XOAQ gbjre.