Re: Not LF I know! But anyone also into HF?
could be the "telerana", a wire 14-30 MHZ wire LPDA first written up in 1979.
Message Board Greetings, 2006
Posted by Webmaster on January 04, 2006 at 00:42:52.
Hello, all. Here's wishing you a happy year ahead.
Some of you may be interested in hearing how the LWCA site fared last year and what new features are ahead for the board in 2006. First, just a couple of items of board business:
- E-mail Addresses. Lately I've noticed something odd that I frankly don't understand--a few posts containing addresses which appear to be highly improbable, if not outright false. Please don't do this. E-mail is not a required field, so if you don't want people to see your real address, simply don't type it in!
As we add further security measures in future, a false address could cause your message to be rejected by the board software. Therefore, to break this habit before it becomes a problem, I am disabling the e-mail field in the posting form for a while.- Board Outages. These are rare, but they can happen. This past weekend I discovered that the board was down, and have no idea for how long. Probably not very many people tried to post during the holidays, but if you did, I apologize for the inconvenience. If the posting feature ever doesn't seem to be working for you, and the outage continues for more than just a few minutes, please write to webmaster@lwca.org so we can deal with it. Thanks!
| LW Message Board Visits (main page) | 18841 | |
| Chronological Listing Visits | 1596 | |
| Messages Posted in 2005 | 431 | |
| Longwave Homepage Visits | 39083 | |
| Longwave Lobby Visits | 5884 | |
| Solar-Terrestrial Page Visits | 4346 |
No new records, but a pretty solid year. So what lies ahead?
Well, many of you will remember that we previously discussed the upcoming plan to allow basic HTML tags in messages. That hasn't yet happened, thanks to tropical storm season and other factors that slowed down my move to another state. That meant no time for coding during the autumn, but I should be in a position to begin work this month.
The first new feature you will soon see is a revised Message Preview page when you post or reply. It will show exactly how your message appears to someone reading it on their Web browser, and will give you the opportunity to revise it, if necessary. Exactly how this should work is something about which I need your opinion! Please see the next message under this one for details.
With that new preview feature in place, it will then be practical to implement HTML privileges.
Everyone will be able to use basic formatting tags such as bold, italic, underline, and maybe even colors and text alignment (such as the way this paragraph is centered in the frame, rather than left-aligned).
Later, trusted users with demonstrated HTML proficiency will also be able to insert active links and include images from their own Web sites, because we are developing the means to adapt features to individual users. Formerly, HTML was an all-or-nothing proposition in WWWBoard. However, very little of the original code remains intact in our current version, and we are free to try new things.
Warning: I'm about to get wordy (wordier?) below, delving into the history of the board software for anyone who may be remotely interested. If you want to just skip ahead to the message containing the survey question, that's OK. Simply click here to escape the clutches of geekdom. Thanks for reading this far.
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(Have they gone? OK, fellow geeks, let's do the secret handshake and continue. :-)
Some of you will recall that the LW Message Board started life as an implementation of Matt Wright's popular 'WWWBoard' script...popular, but dated and highly limited. The first thing we did was improve its visual appearance, of course--removing a lot of the inherent nerdiness of raw, unembellished HTML 2.0 stylistic elements. Then, like everyone, we had to deal with Y2K and some UNIX/Linux security issues. But it was still fundamentally WWWBoard under the hood, because it met our relatively basic needs at this site.
Next came message board spammers, with automated software to locate boards like ours on the Net and automatically post unwanted commercial messages. First it was half a dozen a day...then a dozen, which strained our ability to remove them all by hand...and then exponentially upward from there, prompting my first major re-write to incorporate comprehensive tests for message board spam, and appropriate responses to deal with it. There are now 300 or more attempts each day to spam this board! (Most are from 'entrepreneurs' in Red China. Keep that in mind when you support them through your made-in-China purchases at Wal-Mart et al.)
Amazingly, the software blocks well over 99.99% of this stuff before it ever gets posted. Don't you wish your e-mail provider could be that efficient?
In the process of implementing a variety of tests for spam, adopting style sheets, tinkering with Javascript based features, and writing an entirely separate application to help with archiving the Message Board each month, it became evident several additional useful features could also be developed. The first of those were only applicable to board staff, helping us manage the board more expeditiously. But others will be expandable to such things as customized HTML privileges based on a user's abilities--even eventually allowing members to edit their own posts after the fact, if they wish to register a password to do so.
That's the threshold upon we now stand. Once this next feature set is implemented, there will ultimately be a massive re-write for software maintainability, as it is now a jumble of old, new, and middle-aged code. There's a lot that can be tidied up and made more efficient. However, that effort might be a while down the road, because I'm also still wanting to enable LowFERs and other beacon operators to automatically update their own entries in the beacon lists. Now, that will be a project and a half!
Happy 2006!
John Message Board Greetings--Survey!
Posted by Webmaster on January 04, 2006 at 00:53:17.
In Reply to Message Board Greetings, 2006 posted by Webmaster on January 04, 2006 at 00:42:52.
OK. The question about the new Message Preview feature is this: I can implement it in either of two ways, and I'd appreciate feedback on which you think would work better overall.
[EDIT: The people have spoken, and the change has been implemented. See 'Changes in Posting to the Board' for details. Readers chose the second of these two options:]
Method One. You write your message and click Submit or Send. Seconds later, the preview appears, along with the text editing box. At that point, just like now, your message has already been posted to the list. What's new is, you'll have a window of time--say, 10 or 15 minutes--in which to revise it, as long as you keep that same browser window open. If you click Send Revision in that time, it will replace the message that was already posted with your edited version. If you don't click Send Revision in time, or if you close the window, the version you first typed remains on the board in its original form. Or...
Method Two. You write your message and click Submit or Send, as always. Seconds later, the preview appears, along with the text editing box. But THIS method is a pure preview only; nothing gets posted until you're happy with the result and click a Final OK button. There's no time limit with this approach. But on the other hand, if you close the window before clicking Final OK, it's all gone...nothing gets posted whatsoever.
So, let me know which you would like, and why. Write to me at the address above, or better yet, share your views here with your fellow readers.
Thanks!
John Re: Message Board Greetings--Survey!
Posted by Alan G3NYK on January 04, 2006 at 19:57:48.
In Reply to Message Board Greetings--Survey! posted by Webmaster on January 04, 2006 at 00:53:17.
Hi John, well the idea of a chance to edit in the preview screen would be very nice. I often miss a "howler" in the text entry box which seem to stand out and laugh at me in the preview screen. Now to exercise my prerogative for being awkward !! either of the options would be good, I could live with that. ( ....he never could make a decision.....the type of manager who puts it off until conditions make the decision for him !!) Re: Message Board Greetings--Survey!
A rather belated Happy New Year and thanks for all the effort you put into the LWCA John.
Cheers de Alan G3NYK
Posted by Webmaster on January 13, 2006 at 12:04:03.
In Reply to Re: Message Board Greetings--Survey! posted by Alan G3NYK on January 04, 2006 at 19:57:48.
Thanks to Alan for his reply above, and to all those who responded directly by e-mail. Somewhat to my surprise, the e-mail response was overwhelmingly in favor of the second option, a pure preview in which nothing is posted to the board at all until the sender has had a chance to look it over.
Sounds like a clear decision, and so I have implemented it, along with the basic HTML in posts. (More developments to come by Spring, I hope.) There is a separate post (immediately below) anouncing the changes, with links to applicable FAQs. Your continued feedback will be appreciated.
John
Changes in Posting to the Board !
Posted by Webmaster on January 13, 2006 at 01:35:55.
Thanks to input from you, the users of this board, we are implementing a change in the way your messages get posted after you write them. From now on, when you click Submit Message or Submit Reply, you message will not immediately appear on the board, as it did before. Instead, you will receive a Preview page that allows you to review your work, then either post the finished message, revise it, or cancel it entirely.
Also, you may now use basic text formatting tags in your posts (though not active links or pictures yet).
To answer questions you may have, I've prepared these Q&A pages:
I hope you will find this change a useful improvement. Your feedback will be welcome, and I'll try to answer any additional questions, too.
John
Magnetosphere and ELF Wave Study.
Posted by Richard on January 04, 2006 at 03:33:44.
I saw this article posted on the Spaceflightnow webpage ( http://spaceflightnow.com/ ) regarding a study on the human dangers of high energy electrons. It contained studies done in the ELF spectrum that I thought some here might find interesting. I have reposted it here as Spaceflightnow tends to kill their news postings after a week or so.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Protecting astronauts, craft from 'killer electrons'
EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY NEWS RELEASE
Posted: January 1, 2006
ESA's Cluster mission has revealed a new creation mechanism of 'killer electrons' - highly energetic electrons that are responsible for damaging satellites and posing a serious hazard to astronauts.
Over the past five years, a series of discoveries by the multi-spacecraft Cluster mission have significantly enhanced our knowledge of how, where and under which conditions these killer electrons are created in Earth's magnetosphere.
Early satellite measurements in the 1950s revealed the existence of two permanent rings of energetic particles around Earth.
Usually called the 'Van Allen radiation belts', they are filled with particles trapped by Earth's magnetic field. Observations showed that the inner belt contains a fairly stable population of protons, while the outer belt is mainly composed of electrons in a more variable quantity.
Some of the outer belt electrons can be accelerated to very high energies, and it is these 'killer electrons' that can penetrate thick shielding and damage sensitive satellite electronics. This intense radiation environment is also a threat to astronauts.
For a long time scientists have been trying to explain why the number of charged particles inside the belts vary so much. Our major breakthrough came when two rare space storms occurred almost back-to-back in October and November 2003.
During the storms, part of the Van Allen radiation belt was drained of electrons and then reformed much closer to the Earth in a region usually thought to be relatively safe for satellites.
When the radiation belts reformed they did not increase according to a long-held theory of particle acceleration, called 'radial diffusion'. Radial diffusion theory treats Earth's magnetic field lines as being like elastic bands.
If the bands are plucked, they wobble. If they wobble at the same rate as the particles drifting around the Earth then the particles can be driven across the magnetic field and accelerated. This process is driven by solar activity.
Instead, a team of European and American scientists led by Dr Richard Horne of the British Antarctic Survey, Oxford, UK, used data from Cluster and ground receivers in Antarctica to show that very low frequency waves can cause the particle acceleration and intensify the belts.
These waves, named 'chorus', are natural electromagnetic emissions in the audio frequency range. They consist of discrete elements of short duration (less than one second) that sound like the chorus of birds singing at sunrise. These waves are among the most intense in the outer magnetosphere.
The number of 'killer electrons' can increase by a factor of a thousand at the peak of a magnetic storm and in the following days. Intense solar activity can also push the outer belt much closer to Earth, therefore subjecting lower altitude satellites to a much harsher environment than they were designed for.
The radial diffusion theory is still valid in some geophysical conditions. Before this discovery, some scientists thought that chorus emissions were not sufficiently efficient to account for the reformation of the outer radiation belt. What Cluster has revealed is that in certain highly disturbed geophysical conditions, chorus emissions are sufficient.
Thanks to the unique multipoint measurements capability of Cluster, the characteristic dimensions of these chorus source regions have been estimated for the first time.
Typical dimensions have been found to be a few hundred kilometres in the direction perpendicular to the Earth's magnetic field and a few thousands of kilometres in the direction parallel to this.
However, the dimensions found so far are based on case studies. "Under disturbed magnetospheric conditions, the chorus source regions form long and narrow spaghetti-like objects. The question now is whether those very low perpendicular scales are a general property of the chorus mechanism, or just a special case of the analysed observations," said Ondrej Santolik, of Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic, and main author of this result.
Due to our increased reliance on space based technologies and communications, the understanding of how, under which conditions and where these killer electrons are created, especially during magnetic storm periods, is of great iimportance.
++++++++++++++++++++ Re: Magnetosphere and ELF Wave Study.
Posted by Alan G3NYK on January 04, 2006 at 19:50:03.
In Reply to Magnetosphere and ELF Wave Study. posted by Richard on January 04, 2006 at 03:33:44.
Hi Richard, thanks for that post. These rings of electrons are important at LF as well as if seems that they provide a reservoir of energetic electrons which are bled into the ionosphere after a geomagnetic storm. This has the effect of causing the absorbtion effects of the storma at LF and MF (maybe as far up a 7MHz)to continue long after the A and Kp indexes have returned to normal. The state of the belts can be gauged from looking at the Dst index, though I am not sure how well it correlates with chorus (room for some "research"). There was also some work earlier in the year suggesting that the "clear" area (the satelite "band") was created due to activation by ELF signals from lightning strikes. A sort of electronic vacuum cleaner ! AU & EF?
Cheers de Alan G3NYK
Posted by David Beck on January 05, 2006 at 17:56:35.
Does anyone know the locations of AU and EF around 422 khz?
Re: AU & EF?
Posted by PJC on January 05, 2006 at 23:40:30.
In Reply to AU & EF? posted by David Beck on January 05, 2006 at 17:56:35.
According to the William Hepburn NDB Database, AU on 423 kHz is Auburn-Opelika, AL. According to WWSU (World Wide Search Utility) EF on 421 kHz is McKinney, TX.
137 kHz frequency change
Posted by Mitch VE3OT on January 07, 2006 at 12:26:27.
MP beacon on 137776.83 - small frequency shift - QRSS30 - Testing new vertical for short period. HIFER YEN ANTENNA CHANGE
73 Mitch
Posted by AL on January 08, 2006 at 19:50:36.
HAD TO REMAKE THE WIRE DIPOLE AND IT'S NOW AIMED NORTHEAST.
I'M IN CENTRAL FLA RUNNING QRSS 3 24/7
AL
Japan NDB Station QSLs
Posted by HIRO,SAITO on January 09, 2006 at 04:16:21.
STATION-DAIGO,ID-GO,A2A,221KHZ,500W,OPR,H(I)-24H,f/d,QSL,ltr,6d, LW BC in Michigan tonight
STATION-EDA,ID-RB,A2A,357KHZ,100W,OPR,H(I)-24H,f/d,QSL,ltr,4d,
STATION-TATEYAMA,ID-PQ,A2A,373KHZ,2KW,OPR,H(I)-24H,QSL,ltr,5d,
Posted by Scott NM8R in Michigan on January 11, 2006 at 21:05:51.
LW BC'ers,
R. Franc Inter. is coming in with nice signals here in Michigan tonight. OM and YL with FF talk, and just now, the Stones "Can't Get No Satisfaction" on a pan flute. (No kidding.) Still neat to hear LW BC stateside after a dry spell. 0203Z 12 JAN 2006. Moderate/+ signal strength.
Scott NM8R
Re: LW BC in Michigan tonight
Posted by T.Kennedy on January 13, 2006 at 15:10:05.
In Reply to LW BC in Michigan tonight posted by Scott NM8R in Michigan on January 11, 2006 at 21:05:51.
Scott,
What is their freq? What are you using for a receiver and antenna?
Thanks
Re: LW BC in Michigan tonight
Posted by Jeff W0ODS on January 13, 2006 at 16:34:10.
In Reply to LW BC in Michigan tonight posted by Scott NM8R in Michigan on January 11, 2006 at 21:05:51.
Thanks for the report, Scott. I can hear France Inter on 162 KHz just about at noise level last night - not enough to claim a positive ID. I'm using a 400m single-wire beverage to a Kachina 505DSP in USB or LSB mode.
I just got my beverages in last weekend. Fortunately the ground wasnt' frozen!
--Jeff
W0ODS
East Central Iowa
WD2XDW - off air - house move and re-license
Posted by Laurence KL1X on January 13, 2006 at 16:51:14.
WD2XDW 137Khz is now off air pending a shift/house move of a few miles ENE, to the East side of Bartlesville OK EM26BR - it may be some while whilst the FCC approves the Part 5 license modification.
thanks
Laurence KL1X in 5 Re: LW BC in Michigan tonight
Posted by Scott NM8R on January 13, 2006 at 22:04:38.
In Reply to Re: LW BC in Michigan tonight posted by T.Kennedy on January 13, 2006 at 15:10:05.
R. France Inter. is on 162 Kc. In addition to R.France, the other main LW BC stations I hear are 153 Kc (R. Alger) Algeria; 171 Kc (R. Medi 1) Morocco; and 183 Kc (Europe 1) from Germany. There are others such as the BBC on 198 Kc , but those 4 are the ones below the NDB band so they tend to be heard more often at my QTH. I use a Kenwood TS 940, and a German made active antenna (an AAS STA 10) that was manufactured for maritime and military shipboard use. It is at 32'. I extended the element length to 6' & it really pulls in the signals! My LW station is deaf without it. What is your QTH and listening setup?
Scott
NM8R
Michigan
pls pardon any spelling errors. this typeset is mighty small... Re: LW BC in Michigan tonight
Posted by Scott NM8R on January 13, 2006 at 22:21:09.
In Reply to Re: LW BC in Michigan tonight posted by Jeff W0ODS on January 13, 2006 at 16:34:10.
Jeff,
Neat that you have a 400m longwire. I live in a small town so no room for a beverage antenna. But the active antenna I use solved that problem.
I use SSB to watch for het's late in the afternoon, but unless it's coming in good enough to allow me to use AM, I don't listen. BTW, last October R. France and a couple others were coming in strong enough that I could tune them in on my Zenith Trans-Oceanic with its internal antenna. That was neat. Doubt it may happen too many more times. I follow a little bit of the French spoken, and really enjoy listening in to what's essentially a local service for those countries. LW BC is neat, isn't it? Besides, you'll never hear the Rolling Stones played on a pan flute here in the States. On second thought, maybe that's a good thing. Anyway, last year I caught R. France playing a song by Canned Heat. Then they played some local artist. Guess they aren't afraid of having an eclectic program format.
Good DX!
Scott
NM8R
Michigan
Re: LW BC in Michigan tonight
Posted by T.Kennedy on January 13, 2006 at 22:33:39.
In Reply to Re: LW BC in Michigan tonight posted by Scott NM8R on January 13, 2006 at 22:04:38.
Scott,
Thanks for taking the time to relate all the info. I hope to have a LW Receive setup at a remote location soon. Used to do it here with a 300 ft wire and Drake R8B. Unfortunately the neighbors "Invisible Fence" dog transmitter has harmonics from LW through the bottom end of AM BC Band. No more LW DX from Here! Your post has renewed my interest. 73
T.
Re: Japan NDB Station QSLs
Posted by Michael Oexner on January 14, 2006 at 17:04:12.
In Reply to Japan NDB Station QSLs posted by HIRO,SAITO on January 09, 2006 at 04:16:21.
Hi,
Could you please let me know the address(es) you used for your reports?
Domo arigato.
vy 73 + gd DX,
Michael
Isle of Man International Broadcasting
Posted by Mike Terry on January 15, 2006 at 13:20:47.
(Press Release online)
10 January 2006
The long-awaited longwave radio station has been delayed again.
Just two months ago, Isle of Man International Broadcasting confirmed it
still hoped to get the station on air this month.
However, it has been confirmed the Communications Commission has agreed an
extension to the licence start date.
Broadcasts are now expected from May 1.
Station founder Paul Rusling admitted there have been problems.
However, he said preparation of the technical aspects of the station is
progressing well.
'Our licence has been extended a few more months to allow time for us to
complete the construction and launch in a professional manner,' he said.
'We have had a couple of minor delays recently - one of these was financial
in nature.
'Effectively one of our shareholders had a shift in investment policy and
that line of funding dried up. Certain policies of the alternative funders
that we had immediately available were not acceptable to us and we dug in
our heels and ran out of money.
'They say, however, that every cloud has a silver lining, and from this
delay we have emerged with a deal far better for our existing shareholders
and that should give better prospects for the project and all stakeholders,
it is just taking a few months longer.'
Mr Rusling added: 'We are now confident of being able to launch around
Easter, but will not give a date until the facilities are all operational.'
In August, Mr Rusling admitted there had been a six-month delay to the
planned start date for the station, which will be based in Ramsey and
broadcast as far as mainland Europe.
The station's name still hasn't been revealed.
He said then it was hoped broadcasts would begin early this year, an
ambition repeated in mid-November.
Delays have dogged the project, including planning and legal rows.
The cost of broadcasting from an offshore platform - put at £3 million -
means the first broadcasts could be at a lower power than originally
planned. However, IMIB hopes after a 'proving period' the station will be
successful and able to grow.
It is also planned to make transmissions available on mobile phones and over
the internet.
Several big names have been linked to the project, most recently former BBC
Radio 1 DJ Mike Read, who has been lined up as a presenter.
Other presenters could include former Radio Caroline North DJs Mick Luvzit,
Emperor Rosko and 'Ugli' Ray Teret alongside 'at least one Manx Radio
personality'.
http://www.iomonline.co.im/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=870&ArticleID=1307976
LW BC alert
Posted by Scott NM8R Michigan on January 15, 2006 at 16:11:48.
Weak audio is starting to break through on 162 Kc - enough to tell it's French. LW BC update
Noteworthy, because the local time is 4:00 p.m. EST (2100Z), and it's still over
80 minutes until sunset. TS940S and active antenna at 32'. Scott NM8R
Michigan
Posted by Scott NM8R Michigan on January 15, 2006 at 20:47:46.
R. France Inter. on 162 Kc is downright loud right now (0140Z). Good signal also on 153 Kc, but R. Alger's typical low modulation level doesn't provide much audio to pull out. Not much on 171 or 183, and fair audio on 198 - the best I've heard it (BBC) here in Michigan. But R. France is awesome right now... TS940S and active antenna at 32'. Scott NM8R Michigan Re: LW BC update
Posted by Warren K2ORS/WD2XGJ on January 15, 2006 at 22:07:28.
In Reply to LW BC update posted by Scott NM8R Michigan on January 15, 2006 at 20:47:46.
Scott,
Thanks for the heads-up. Good copy on the BBC on 198 here tonite. Last night the Irish station on 252 was very loud.
73 Warren K2ORS/WD2XGJ
Re: Japan NDB Station QSLs
Posted by hiro,saito on January 16, 2006 at 07:59:20.
In Reply to Re: Japan NDB Station QSLs posted by Michael Oexner on January 14, 2006 at 17:04:12.
isn;t, it hi,michael, ndb of japan , station, address, peel USA not neither etc nor of the opening to the public,,,,? Re: LW BC in Michigan tonight
Posted by Jeff W0ODS on January 16, 2006 at 10:36:45.
In Reply to Re: LW BC in Michigan tonight posted by T.Kennedy on January 13, 2006 at 22:33:39.
T. -
We too have an invisible fence, but it doesn't cause any interference that I've been able to detect. We're using the "Radio Fence" brand. There may be hope for your situation if your neighbors are willing to work with you.
Jeff
W0ODS
Re: LW BC in Michigan tonight
Posted by Jeff W0ODS on January 16, 2006 at 10:43:45.
In Reply to Re: LW BC in Michigan tonight posted by Scott NM8R on January 13, 2006 at 22:21:09.
Scott:
I have permission to use the farm field north of my house in the winter months. At best, the beverages are up from November until about mid-March, depending on the weather. I have the installation and decommissioning procedures down to a science now so it's not much trouble.
Unfortunately I don't seem to be receiving as well this year as you are with your active antenna. Was thinking that maybe condx weren't as good, but your last post indicates otherwise. Time to go "walk the beverage" again and look for breaks.
I like the same things about LW listening that you do; namely that it's a local broadcast. In the early 90's I was a merchant marine radio officer, and longwave radio broadcasts were some of the best entertainment available in the middle of the North Atlantic. Radio Luxemburg was my favorite on 234. Atlantic 252 was playing pop music at the time too. I do have some cassette recordings of those days somewhere in the shack.
--Jeff
Re: LW BC update
Posted by Scott NM8R on January 16, 2006 at 19:25:12.
In Reply to Re: LW BC update posted by Warren K2ORS/WD2XGJ on January 15, 2006 at 22:07:28.
K2ORS,
Thanks for the reply. I have never had good copy of the BBC at 198 Kc. Certainly nowhere near the signal strength of R. France. And I have yet to hear anything on 252 Kc even though I try and try, other than CXK which is an NDB about 12 miles away! It was off the air for a few weeks not long ago, but TA propagation did not cooperate. Let's keep watch here and all continue to post our LW BC loggings. 73, Scott NM8R
Radio Towers in Christmas decoration
Posted by Alpha on January 19, 2006 at 05:34:24.
Some radio towers are decorated at Christmas time with special lights. Here are some examples:
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/nl/e/e9/Gerbrandytoren_als_kerstboom.png[/img]
Gerbrandy Tower, Lopik ( http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?ID=s0012623 )
[img]http://www.dxradio-ffm.de/wahnbek1.jpg[/img]
Telecommunication Tower Wahnbek near Oldenburg (Germany)
[img]http://de.structurae.de/files/photos/1803/stuttgart/fmts_n1.jpg[/img]
Telecommunication Tower Stuttgart-Frauenkopf ( http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?ID=s0001651 )
[img]http://de.structurae.de/files/photos/1803/stuttgart/fsts_n1.jpg[/img]
TV Tower Stuttgart ( http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/photos.cfm?ID=s0000071 )
Do you know more examples? Are these two supertall guyed masts indentic?
Posted by Alpha on January 19, 2006 at 05:37:22.
Are the following two superguyed masts identic?
KY3 Tower ( [url]http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?ID=s0015717[/url] and [url]http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistration.jsp?regKey=2615900[/url] )
KMOS Tower ( [url]http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?id=s0007913[/url] and [url]http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistration.jsp?regKey=603905[/url] ).
Interestingly KMOS Tower is according to [url]http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistration.jsp?regKey=603905[/url] only granted, but on [url]http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?id=s0007913[/url] there are photos of them. Is it perhaps the KY3 Tower? Collapse of Senior Road Tower
Or is there an error in the FCC-database?
Posted by Alpha on January 19, 2006 at 05:40:25.
On http://ethics.tamu.edu/ethics/tvtower/tv3.htm you can find information (and short movies) about the collapse of Senior Road Tower. Re: Are these two supertall guyed masts indentic?
Also a movie of the collapse is available!
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on January 19, 2006 at 12:47:41.
In Reply to Are these two supertall guyed masts indentic? posted by Alpha on January 19, 2006 at 05:37:22.
Here is a better question:
Why would TV and FM broadcast towers be of any interest to a group concerned with low-frequency communication? You have asked similar questions over and over again under a variety of names, and received no answers. Perhaps these inquiries should be directed elsewhere.
John Andrews, W1TAG BK on at 184.8KHz
Posted by Bruce Koehler on January 19, 2006 at 18:32:58.
BK was put back into service just before the new year with a temporary setup but could only barely be heard at Aitkin MN (LEK's location), and Duluth MN(RM's location). About 2 weeks ago, the antenna system was improved and reception of BK at Aitkin and Duluth is much better. Mode is CW about 12wpm with ID and weather information.
-Bruce, BK, W0BK Re: BK on at 184.8KHz
Posted by Warren K2ORS/WD2XGJ on January 20, 2006 at 14:28:37.
In Reply to BK on at 184.8KHz posted by Bruce Koehler on January 19, 2006 at 18:32:58.
Bruce, ?? on 450 khz
Any plans to send QRSS with your beacon so that those of us a little further out can try for it?
73 Warren K2ORS/WD2XGJ
Posted by D.Beck, K4PBN on January 20, 2006 at 20:51:53.
Has anyone heard PPA on approx. 450 khz? Copied it a week ago. Any ideas? Also, need locations of EF approx. 421 khz; ZYB approx. 404 khz; HMY approx. 512 khz; ADX approx. 377 khz and HI approx. 430 khz. BBC Radio 4 on 198 Kc
Thanks,
K4PBN Birmingham, Alabama
Posted by Jeff W0ODS on January 20, 2006 at 22:05:00.
21 January 0300 UTC
BBC Radio 4 on 198 KHz is booming into Iowa tonight. This is the first time I've caught 198 KHz from this location! Absolutely no troubles making a positive ID. R. France Inter on 162 was coming in earlier this evening as well.
An .mp3 of the Radio 4 broadcast has been captured.
Equipment: Kachina 505DSP in SSB mode, 1.7 KHz filters. Antenna: 400 meter single-wire beverage at 42 degrees.
Location: East Central Iowa
73
Re: ?? on 450 khz
Posted by Warren K2ORS/WD2XGJ on January 20, 2006 at 22:29:21.
In Reply to ?? on 450 khz posted by D.Beck, K4PBN on January 20, 2006 at 20:51:53.
PPA is in the Dominican Republic:
450 PPA DOM Puerto Plata North Lat 19Deg 45Min 08Sec West Longitude 070Deg 34Min 13Sec
see William Hepburn's site:
http://home.cogeco.ca/~dxinfo/ndb.htm
73 Warren K2ORS/WD2XGJ
R. Luxemburg 234 KHz
Posted by Jeff W0ODS on January 20, 2006 at 23:21:58.
At 04:16Z R. Luxomburg is coming in - well enough to be able to enjoy Wilson Picket's "Midnight Hour" despite all the aero NDB's sneaking past the hetrodyne reduction on the ol' Kachina.
Cool. This is another first-time log for me in 3 years of LWBC listening. Radio Luxie used to be my favorite station to listen to in the early 90's when I was sailing on merchant ships.
--Jeff
W0ODS
Re: R. Luxemburg 234 KHz
Posted by Scott NM8R on January 21, 2006 at 09:57:58.
In Reply to R. Luxemburg 234 KHz posted by Jeff W0ODS on January 20, 2006 at 23:21:58.
Jeff,
Congrats on R. Luxembourg. I've been trying faithfully up here in Michigan, too, but with CXK on 251 Kc about 12 miles from me, it's been nil so far. Good job! 73, Scott NM8R Superb DX conditions continue
Posted by miketerry73@btinternet.com on January 21, 2006 at 12:53:58.
LONGWAVE DOWN SOUTH --- WHAT A NIGHT!
At midnight local last night (Jan 20), Europe One was static free on
the longwire/tuner, and lit up five LED's on the 2010 "barefoot" with
no antenna. The amazing three weeks of longwave reception continues
here. Signals seem to peak between 11 PM and 1 AM Eastern local.
I kid you not, Europe One on 183 kHz (1640 meters) sounded as good as
a local mw station. The best longwave TA reception I have ever heard.
Equal to Russia on 1666 meters (180 kHz), and 1075 meters (279 kHz)
when I lived and DX'ed in Hawaii.
Since I use so many European radios calibrated in meters, and I am a
longwave history buff, I will list last night`s reception by
wavelength:
Jan. 19 0500 UT hour
All stations heard on a 2010 with longwire and tuner. Also all
stations heard on a WEGA tube radio (1950's) and the longwire/tuner.
Europe One and Luxembourg could be heard on European portable consumer
radios with no external antenna.
1960-meters-Algeria-Arabic-Fair-153 kHz
1852-meters-France-French-Very Good-162 kHz
1640 meters-Germany-French-Excellent-183 kHz
1587 meters-Iceland-Icelandic-Poor with TV oscillator harmonic on 1588
meters-189 kHz
1515 meters-United Kingdom-Poor under super power "DIW" beacon-198 kHz
1450 meters-Morocco-Arabic-Good-207 kHz
1388 meters-France-French-Monte Carlo studio. Over super power "CLB"
beacon-216 kHz
1333 meters-Poland-Polish-Weak-225 kHz
1282 meters-Luxembourg-French-Very Good-234 kHz
1190 meters-Algeria-French-Good-252 kHz
(Germany-1960m, 1650m, 1450m, and Ireland 1190m, all heard before, but
absent last night.)
I am going to connect the CD burner to the 2010 through an audio
preamp to boost the 2010's low line out into the recorder. I want to
record the strong reception of Europe One if it ever reaches the
strength it did last night.
I have made a few outstanding longwave airchecks on mini-disc, but the
portable mini disk recorder adds "beeps" to the reception and the
recording. I guess some logic circuit in the MD recorder falls within
the long wave band. Has anyone else noticed this? Regards and good DX,
(Brock Whaley, WH6SZ (We Have 6 Zenith Superheterodynes) Lilburn, GA,
Jan 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
Re: ?? on 450 khz
Posted by Michael Oexner on January 21, 2006 at 17:01:11.
In Reply to ?? on 450 khz posted by D.Beck, K4PBN on January 20, 2006 at 20:51:53.
Hi Dave,
Here's some info on your remaining UNIDs (source NANDBH 2006):
EF 421 1020 McKinney/Fluet TX N33 15 43 W096 35 20 EM13QG
ZYB 404 400 North Bay/Yellek ON N46 19 52 W079 31 36 FN06FH
HMY 512 1020 Lexington/Muldrow OK N35 01 44 W097 13 50 EM15JA
ADX 376.0 400 UNID (a "known" UNID, but not reported recently - when and where did you log it?)
Nothing on HI in my database.
vy 73 + gd DX,
Michael
Was collapse of Radio mast Gabin sabotage?
Posted by Jan on January 23, 2006 at 09:42:11.
On August 8th, 1991 the 646.38 meters high radio mast, the tallest thing built so far, of the Polish central longwave broadcasting station in Gabin collapsed, as the last one of the three highest anchoring guyes of the upmost guy level was exchanged. Although there seem to be no indications, that there was sabotage, there are some rumors that Russian saboteurs helped that the construction collapsed at the guy wire exchange. Under technical points of view, this would be easy possible, because such a guy wire exchange is a very delicate work, at which little errors could result in the collapse of the construction!
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/20/Maszt_radiowy_w_Konstantynowie.jpg[/img]
Radio mast Gabin before completion in 1974
[img]http://lwca.org/mbarchiv/pix/Konstantynow_Harald.jpg[/img]
View from far away
[img]http://jerzyjedrzejkiewicz.webpark.pl/str01/pliki/foto_277_web.jpg[/img]
Close view
[img]http://jerzyjedrzejkiewicz.webpark.pl/str01/pliki/foto_307_web.jpg[/img]
[img]http://jerzyjedrzejkiewicz.webpark.pl/str01/pliki/foto_308_web.jpg[/img]
[img]http://jerzyjedrzejkiewicz.webpark.pl/str01/pliki/foto_309_web.jpg[/img]
Debris of collapsed mast. Why these pictures, which are the only available pictures of the debris in the internet, snow?
The collapse occured in August, at a time, when there is no snow in Poland!
Weblinks Re: Was collapse of Radio mast Gabin sabotage?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warszawa_Radio_Mast
http://members.aon.at/wabweb/radio/lw2.htm
http://www.radioam.net/content/view/52/40/
http://www.structurae.net/en/structures/data/s0000672/index.cfm
http://jerzyjedrzejkiewicz.webpark.pl/str01/gabin-rcn.html
http://jerzyjedrzejkiewicz.webpark.pl/str01/acrobat/rcn_01.pdf
Posted by Webmaster on January 23, 2006 at 16:10:10.
In Reply to Was collapse of Radio mast Gabin sabotage? posted by Jan on January 23, 2006 at 09:42:11.
- "Why these pictures, which are the only available pictures of the debris in the internet, snow?"
One would suppose the photographer didn't get around to taking the shots immediately after the collapse, and no one bothered to put any earlier pictures on the Internet.
Permit me to caution writers again on a point which the forum moderator made a few days ago. The theme of this forum is longwave radio, with a secondary theme of low power radio experimentation in other bands where permitted by regulatory authorites. While unusual radio towers may be interesting, they are not really on-topic for this forum unless they relate to a longwave communication facility.
We ask that posts relate to the board themes in some clear manner. Off-topic messages, especially when they occur frequently, are subject to early removal at the moderator's discretion.
Please refer to the following pages, which have been updated recently, for further guidance:
Posting Guidelines
Frequently Asked Questions
John Davis
webmaster@lwca.org
Re: ?? on 450 khz
Posted by D.Beck K4PBN on January 23, 2006 at 18:45:04.
In Reply to Re: ?? on 450 khz posted by Michael Oexner on January 21, 2006 at 17:01:11.
Mike, thanks for the info. ADX is an old one, copied here in November of 2000. It's probably not active anymore. Re: ?? on 450 khz
Posted by D.Beck K4PBN on January 23, 2006 at 18:47:19.
In Reply to Re: ?? on 450 khz posted by Warren K2ORS/WD2XGJ on January 20, 2006 at 22:29:21.
Warren, thanks for the ID. SAQ 17.2KHz WINTER TRANSMISSION FEB 19 0900 &1300 UTC!
Posted by Todd WD4NGG on January 24, 2006 at 18:35:31.
I just received word that VLF Radiostation Grimeton will run 2 special rare wintertime CW transmissions of SAQ 17.2KHz on 0900 & 1300 UTC Sunday, February 19, 2006. Each transmission will be about a half-hour in length. Remember to convert UTC correctly to your own time so you don't miss the transmission. SAQ is the world's only remaining operational Alexanderson Alternator Transmitter and this will be a great opportunity to try your luck receiving them in optimum wintertime conditions for VLF! 73 Todd WD4NGG LF radio available
Posted by Irv Sanders on January 24, 2006 at 20:40:43.
I am helping to liquidate the estate of the Father of a friend and this receiver is available. It is a model RBL-4, manufactured for the NAVY by Wells-Gardner circa 1943. It tunes 15Khz. to 600 Khz. in 6 bands. We used a variac to bring the line voltage up gradually and at 90 volts we got the welcomed noise (NOT HUM), further advanced to 115 volts and on a 2 foot piece of wire connected to the ant. term. we were able to pick up WHP at 580 KHZ. We tried the other bands on a longer wire (not near long enough for the frequencies),and the line noise was so bad, that is all we could hear. Included is the power cord, antenna connector to fit the jack on the set and the original manual in perfect condition. The set is in good cosmetic condition considering its age. There is some paint worn off around a couple of knobs, to be expected. Location; near Harrisburg, P.A. Questions send an E-mail to above address.
Thanks for reading the above.
Irv
BBC Radio 4 Theme to be axed
Posted by Mike Terry on January 25, 2006 at 16:54:08.
A huge public debate has deveoped over the following story:
Two British MPs have tabled motions in the House of Commons criticising the
BBC's decision to scrap the early morning UK Theme on Radio 4.
The five-minute medley of English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish tunes will be
replaced by a news bulletin.
Tory MP Philip Davies and Labour MP John Spellar tabled motions with a third
planned by Austin Mitchell.
Station controller Mark Damazer has said he wants a better early news
service for Radio 4.
In his motion, Mr Davies said he regretted that "political correctness has
sparked the removal of the UK medley" and claimed such political correctness
was detrimental to patriotism.
Mr Mitchell, the Labour MP for Great Grimsby, said: "I find it a very
uplifting and interesting theme - it makes you feel good about life and the
country."
The theme, composed by Austrian-born Fritz Spiegl, is played each morning at
0530 to mark the start of Radio 4's broadcasts.
It includes Danny Boy, What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor?, Scotland
the Brave, Rule Britannia, Men of Harlech, Greensleeves, Londonderry Air and
Early One Morning.
Prime Minister Tony Blair was even urged at question time in the Commons to
intervene on behalf of the theme.
Tory MP James Clappison said: "Whether or not we are to have a Great Britain
Day, will you at least do what you can do to help keep the UK Theme on early
British morning radio?"
Mr Blair joked: "Obviously, my influence with the BBC is legendary."
He added: "But I know they will be aware of the very strong feeling that is
expressed by you and by many others, I am sure, in the House and across the
country."
Mr Mitchell told the station's Today programme the BBC was "crazy" to want
to drop the theme.
"It's very cleverly welded together," he said.
"For most people, it isn't an everyday experience. Each time it comes with a
fresh joy, the shock of the new. It's lovely."
Campaigner Tim Hatton, from Guildford, Surrey, had gathered over 4,600
signatures on his savetheradio4theme.co.uk website by 1200 GMT on Wednesday.
"It's something that forms one of those idiosyncratic parts of what makes
Radio 4 a great radio station," he told Today.
"I appreciate Radio 4 has always changed but I am against change for
change's sake - a lot of the comments I've had on the petition are aggrieved
there doesn't seem to be any sort of consultation on this, it seems to be a
done decision."
Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman criticised the decision on his programme
on Monday evening.
"We've no idea what the head of Radio 4's playing at - we're thinking of
using it every night," he told viewers, before the credits rolled to the
theme.
A BBC spokeswoman said Radio 4 had received about 100 complaints about the
decision.
"We hope that listeners will give the new schedule a try. This is not about
political correctness, but about serving Radio 4 listeners the best way we
can. "
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4644630.stm
There is now a website:
http://www.savetheradio4theme.co.uk/
with links to various articles and a petition to the BBC - please sign the petition.
To hear the theme go to http://www.sterlingtimes.org/music_themes20.htm
252
Posted by Mike Terry on January 28, 2006 at 01:39:29.
Lately, Ireland on 252 has been so good that I listen for
upwards of an hour or so at a time while working in the shack. It has
been almost like a local. I almost forget that I am listening to DX
(Chris Black, Cape Cod, MA, 0214 UT Jan 26, IRCA via DXLD)
LW BC
Posted by Scott NM8R Michigan on January 29, 2006 at 20:51:54.
LW BC pretty good tonight, here in Michigan. R. France on 162 Kc and R, Medi on 171 Kc are being heard with strong and moderate signal strengths, respectively. Nil on the other LW frequencies, though. Scott NM8R Michigan What a LWBC night!
Posted by Brock Whaley on January 30, 2006 at 01:34:24.
Jan. 30 UTC. All I can say is wow! Ireland, Germany, Algeria on consumer (European) portables on longwave. Re: BBC Radio 4 Theme to be axed
Great recordings on 252 of Ireland and the Algeria s/on at 0400 UTC made on the DX set-up, but as I write at 0600 UTC, signals are still on the portables with no external antennas. On the DX set-up (longwire-tuner-2010) the LED meter is still pegged on most LWBC frequencies.
The best part was France (Monte Carlo) on 216, and BBC on 198, as they are in the same direction from me as the high powered beacons on 216 and 198 in North Carolina. Truly huge signals despite the beacons tonight.
At times, Ireland on 252 sounded like a local MW station. Fifteen minutes later, Algeria did.
At last, a good recording of the soon to disappear "music medley" that opens BBC radio 4 ( after the World Service) at 0530 UTC, followed by the shipping forecast.
Alerted a friend nearby via two meters, who is also floored by the longwave signals tonight/ this morning, both on ferrite bar portables, and his NRD.
I have been DX'ing for forty years now (WPE4IPK), and never heard a night like this on longwave. I'm glad the audio highlights are now on CD, and that a good friend could hear a number of European LWBC stations.
Brock Whaley
WH6SZ
Posted by Brock Whaley on January 30, 2006 at 01:38:41.
In Reply to BBC Radio 4 Theme to be axed posted by Mike Terry on January 25, 2006 at 16:54:08.
It was a thrill to hear this morning on 198kHz at 0530 UTC.
Brock
WH6SZ
Lilburn,GA
Longwave DRM - WRN's DRM Services Go Live
Posted by Mike Terry on January 31, 2006 at 15:12:44.
WRN, the London-based international transmission service company, today The first service is a London-wide 24 hour a day DRM trial broadcast at 26 Gary Edgerton, WRN's Managing Director, says, "DRM will revitalise AM, LW WRN's DRM services offer stations currently using analogue AM and Short Wave WRN's test and development trial for London will assess the potential The transmission site is the world famous Croydon broadcast tower, situated WRN's regional DRM service offers broadcasters comprehensive coverage of the WRN will encode both DRM services at its central London headquarters, -Ends- For more information contact: Notes for Editors: WRN is a major international transmission company offering a range of "Isle of Man LW station put back to May"
"The new Long Wave station set to broadcast from an offshore platform off the Isle of Man has been given approval by the island's regulator to delay its launch until the 1st May 2006... to find out more, please subscribe ... Radio Magazine." http://www.internet-today.co.uk/radiomag/home.cfm (Also see the earlier message titled 'Isle of Man International Broadcasting' for the company's perspective.)
potrzebie
announces the launch of its two Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) services. DRM
is the digital radio transmission standard for Long, Medium and Short Wave.
MHz. The second service offers DRM transmissions that can target any major
European radio market via directional antennas. Initially this second
service will cover the whole of the UK and Ireland. Both services go live on
Monday 6th February with programming from a range of respected international
and UK radio broadcasters.
and Short Wave broadcasting because the next generation of digital radio
receivers will contain chip sets that receive both DRM and DAB signals,
providing the listener with an exciting choice of domestic and international
stations.
the opportunity to join the digital radio revolution. We also welcome
stations who want to test this new transmission technology and stay ahead of
their competitors."
coverage of DRM transmissions at 26MHz. It will generate important data
about the penetration of the signals into various types of building and
other urban situations as well as gauge audience reaction to the broadcasts.
in South London and operated by Arqiva, WRN's DRM transmission partner for
this project. Arqiva provides transmission services for most UK commercial
radio stations. Croatia's RIZ-Transmitters has supplied the Yagi antenna and
transmitter for the duration of the project.
UK at 50 kW Average DRM Power. WRN will eventually offer services that can
cover Europe using DRM sky-wave transmission and directional antennas that
will reach specific European radio markets with frequencies that provide
higher reliability in urban areas from the transmitter site located in
Bulgaria. Telefunken has supplied the modulator and exciter for the service.
providing the flexibility to generate a pre-mixed DRM stream that will then
be fed to the respective transmitter sites. WRN will also add data for
receiver display utilising custom created software.
Tim Ayris, Marketing Manager, WRN:
E-mail:tim.ayris@wrn.org
Web:wrn.org
Tel: +44 20 7896 9000
Fax: +44 20 7896 9007
broadcast services including permanent digital and analogue satellite
transmissions, medium and short wave transmissions, Internet services (live
streaming, on-demand downloading of audio and video), content hosting,
broadcast consultancy and studio facilities. WRN's clients include
international and national public service broadcasters, commercial radio
stations, satellite bouquet operators and cable companies.
Posted by Mike Terry on January 31, 2006 at 21:30:12.