LWCA
First of all, I like the new "40 year" logo. Nice job.
Secondly, are there any plans for an electronic (PDF?) version of the Lowdown? Paper magazines have been on the way out for years now. The only actual paper magazines I still receive are QST and the Lowdown, and I receive QST in both electronic and paper form. I'm thinking of dropping the paper version of QST, as I tend to throw it in the trash as soon as I'm finished reading it.
I understand the Lowdown is really just a niche newsletter, but the format is extremely dated and I imagine the costs to produce and mail it are relatively high. I enjoy reading the Lowdown, and don't want to see it go, but would love to see it updated to some sort of electronic form, in color. I feel sure that those of us who are passionate enough about low frequency radio to be LWCA members wouldn't mind continuing to pay an annual subscription fee.
On a related note, it would be extremely nice to have access to an electronic PDF archive of past issues of the Lowdown, as is already available with QST. This is probably a "pie in the sky" wish, but hey, I'm wishing it anyway.
Happy New Year, all.
-Doug KB4OER
Re: LWCA
Posted by Lee on January 02, 2014 at 02:54:07.
In reply to LWCA posted by Douglas Williams on January 01, 2014
Also congrats on 40 years. I graduated high school in 1974. And I love the logo also. I am not a paying subscriber to the Lowdown but feel I should be. My subscription is in the mail. The PDF archive concept sounds like a great idea but then I would not be involved in creating it. Sounds like a lot of work. Again congrats and thank you. New Features, Message Board and Others
Lee
Posted by Webmaster on January 05, 2014 at 07:32:51.
Along with the new look for the 40th anniversary, I've been wanting to make a few things about the site work better. One of those is the Most Recent Posts list on the Message Board page. Before, it was a fixed width because older browsers didn't very consistently support the kind of frame it's in. As of the past two days, it now adjusts itself to your browser size.
At first, I wrote some rather complicated code to do that, because the technique I was using required different instructions to different browsers. Tests by various members showed the technique to work well in all versions of Internet Explorer from 6.0 onward, and in Firefox and other Netscape/Mozilla descendants. Safari had an odd behavior on a mobile device, but displayed everything. Its cousin, Chrome, was not able to support the feature at all.
Simultaneously, I tested a different approach on another page that wasn't visible to the public. That one involved much simpler code. It also seemed to work fine on both the IE and Firefox families, so I have switched the Message Board page over to that version of the code now. It loads a little faster, and the Most Recent list should now show up on all browsers. (There could still be anomalous behaviors in Chrome, Safari, and maybe some versions of Opera, since these use the Chrome engine, which is not well standardized.) Please let me know if you have any problems, and if so, what browser you use.
If you are one of the many readers who use the Longwave Lobby to see what pages have been updated recently, don't worry. It has now been re-opened.
In other matters, I have been trying to make navigation between our pages more consistent. I like to use new tabs or windows for links whenever I think you are likely to return to the previous page afterward and wouldn't want to wait for a reload. However, this has the consequence that sometimes you'll click to go elsewhere on the site first before returning, and eventually end up with a whole lot of windows that need to be closed.I'm currently trying to make the pages smart enough to know what page they've been opened from, so that (for example) if you open the Message Board from the Home Page, then decide to go back, you won't have to check and see whether the original Home Page window is still open and the Message Board needs to be closed. Instead, you'll simply click the Home Page link when you're ready to go, and it will take care of the cleanup details for you. (This doesn't work yet, but soon should.)
Content wise, I'm also working to expand the LWCA Library section back to something resembling its former size. It's gradually coming along, but indexing it and linking to documents will be the final big chore. Some of that work has been held up by the government shutdown last fall. The latest official Federal Register edition of the FCC Rules should have been available in October, but only one volume (unrelated to Parts 5 or 15) has yet been completed. The older Rules we currently have are still accurate for hobby uses of Part 15, fortunately.
We'd also like to have a lot more news for the Home Page on a regular basis, and this is where you can help a lot! If you hear of a new project involving low frequency radio, or a new rulemaking proceeding that we don't yet know about, or a new DX feat, post it in this Board and include your contact information so we can check with you for more details or sources, if necessary. And if you have a website of your own with useful information to LF experimenters, or know of a new one, be sure to tell us that too! In 2014 we'd like to become more of a portal site where people can find their way to all kinds of LF activities.
Thanks.
John
74 kHz Groundwave Test Monday
Posted by Bob Raide on January 05, 2014 at 20:57:15.
WG2XRS/4 will be on QRSS60 at 74.3213 kHz starting tomorrow morning 1600Z [11:00 AM EST] and continue through evening as well. Hoping for westerly captures over US daytime as cold WX covers much of country.
-Bob EAR hickup
Posted by J.B. McCreath on January 06, 2014 at 14:51:44.
The old 486 laptop which served as the "brains" of beacon EAR finally died on 05 Jan. 2014.
EAR was off the air for a few hours while I sorted out the issue, but is now back running its
usual 24-7-52 beaconing. Note to John, I didn't see EAR on the LowFER listing. No change
to any of the info.
73, J.B., VE3EAR Re: EAR hickup
Posted by John Davis on January 06, 2014 at 15:14:12.
In reply to EAR hickup posted by J.B. McCreath on January 06, 2014
Thanks, J.B. Very odd. I know EAR made it into the listing in the publication, but now that you mention it, I see the bottom of the list has gotten chopped off somehow in the online version! I'll fix that as soon as I get back from setting up for Bob's groundwave test this morning.
Thanks again, and good luck with the new(er) keying computer.
John
Re: 74 kHz Groundwave Test Monday
Posted by Paul on January 06, 2014 at 17:22:27.
In reply to 74 kHz Groundwave Test Monday posted by Bob Raide (FWD) on January 05, 2014
Nothing heard about 50 miles S/E of Sacramento.
Re: 74 kHz Groundwave Test Monday
Posted by John Davis on January 06, 2014 at 17:43:41.
In reply to Re: 74 kHz Groundwave Test Monday posted by Paul on January 06, 2014
Just about 1 Hz above where Bob is supposed to be, I've been copying XRS5 since before 1600 UTC in SE Kansas. Takes a long time to get a full ident in QRSS60! Not sure if Bob ever signed on this morning yet, though.
The test is due to run into tonight, so I am continuing to capture. That way I'll have a good daytime baseline to compare levels during the typical pre-sunset fade and then the post-sunset enhancement. It might be interesting for anyone out west to do the same and see just when the signals do start to show up there.
John
Re: 74 kHz Groundwave Test Monday
Posted by John Davis on January 06, 2014 at 19:26:47.
In reply to Re: 74 kHz Groundwave Test Monday posted by John Davis on January 06, 2014
According to a third-party report, Bob is not signing on today due to high winds, but will try again tomorrow. I hope XRS5 will continue on the air. If so, that'll be a good one to monitor today.
Daytime Groundwave Test Tuesday on 74.312 kHz
Posted by John Davis on January 07, 2014 at 05:45:04.
Got the following information from Bob Raide:
I plan on firing up at 1600Z that's 11:00 AM EST. Will stay right on all day and thru evening. Still down a bit here in power-some ice still on top loading wires but only down 20-30%. It won't fully load amp and tried all values coupling here. Wind still howling here! Thermometer outside kitchen window says -2F-with windchill factor must be -30 or better! Bob Re: Daytime Groundwave Test Tuesday on 74.312 kHz
Posted by John Davis on January 07, 2014 at 18:05:52.
In reply to Daytime Groundwave Test Tuesday on 74.312 kHz posted by John Davis on January 07, 2014
Bob got a late start with XRS4 but has been on for a while now and will continue into tonight.
Dex was already on with XRS5, so I've been watching it here in SE Kansas.
John
Re: Daytime Groundwave Test Tuesday on 74.312 kHz
Posted by John Davis on January 07, 2014 at 20:57:20.
In reply to Re: Daytime Groundwave Test Tuesday on 74.312 kHz posted by John Davis on January 07, 2014
Here's a couple of today's captures. The first was started at 10 AM CST when Dex was already on but Bob wasn't yet. Dex plus noise were only hovering at S1, but a horrendous noise source from 71-80 kHz was blanketing my CW bandwidth with 30 dB more noise, like it did at times yesterday. This time I used my audio clipper and recovered enough signal to watch. After while, the heavy noise stopped and the "normal QRM" came through along with a much better signal from XRS5.
Early this afternoon, both stations are nice and clear, with XRS4 about 4 dB stronger, according to Argo. The clipper is generating an intermod product that, oddly, seems stronger on the low frequency side of the signal pair than it does above them. And, the wanderer around 74.3195 is still present.
This remains a great opportunity for the guys out West to see just when the signals from back East will first start to show up.
John
MLS STATUS
Posted by MARK on January 09, 2014 at 04:05:18.
Hi all, Russia
I haven't posted a status report for awhile concerning beacon MLS (186.204). It made it through the cold weather ok. The temp here went down to minus 11.4 degrees but the heater I installed in the transmitter box kept the internal temp above freezing at all times. This kept the antenna in tune and it didn't drift off. I still have a problem with a small amount of frequency drift. I didn't have time this season to try a new master oscillator but I'll get it installed in the spring. I also feel I need to check the voltage regulation. It may be causing part of the problem also. I've been checking the MAILMAN site and wanted to thank everyone for the signal reports,,,,,,, TNX Mark AC8CL
Posted by Mike Terry on January 09, 2014 at 15:25:43.
Russia-Bolshakovo 171 KHz sign off for good at 21:00 UTC January 8 2014.
Re: Russia
Posted by John Davis on January 10, 2014 at 06:46:36.
In reply to Russia posted by Mike Terry on January 09, 2014
Thanks for that information, Mike. It is my understanding that Russia plans to shut down most or perhaps all of its long wave broadcast stations. If you find out out about more closings, please let us know.
Thanks again!
John
74 KHz test report rcvd in QRSS30
Posted by W3HMS on January 10, 2014 at 06:50:11.
Hi Guys...the 74.321 KHz beacon XRS4 and XRS5, 1 Hz apart. have been Beacon JAM 187.015 khz Schedule
received vy gud here in FN10mf near Harrisburg, PA by WA3USG and W3HMS for last
2 days though stronger in the evenings. RST 599 for XRS4 and abt 569 for
XRS5.
Rcv eqpt each site: Active antenna to SDR-IQ and XP PC.
73, John W3HMS, 8 Jan 14
Posted by Lee on January 11, 2014 at 07:19:07.
Beacon JAM 187.015 khz Schedule. Back to weekend schedule. Friday noon till Monday noon. The letter J at QRSS60 and a 5WPM message. Thanks. Re: Russia
Lee
Posted by Mike Terry on January 11, 2014 at 13:04:48.
In reply to Re: Russia posted by John Davis on January 10, 2014
January 10, 2014
Russia: End of an era for long-wave listeners
Russia has quietly switched off nearly all of its long-wave transmitters, ending almost nine decades of broadcasting - as cost finally catches up on the medium
The BBC report that at 1am on 9 January, state-run Radio Rossii wound up its broadcast as usual with the national anthem. There was no mention that long-wave transmissions were coming to an end, and the following day listeners found they had to rely on local FM broadcasts and the internet to hear the station. The only state radio station with truly national coverage, Radio Rossii can be compared to BBC Radio 4 with its mix of news, drama and educational programmes.
Long-wave suited Russian broadcasters because a single transmitter could reach a wide area at all times of day and night. But they are expensive, and as most listeners have begun listening on FM, or through cable, satellite and the internet, the authorities decided to bring the service to an end..
Read the full BBC story at Re: Russia
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-25683656
Posted by John Davis on January 11, 2014 at 19:01:36.
In reply to Re: Russia posted by Mike Terry on January 11, 2014
Thanks, Mike. I share the view of our fellow columnist Alan Gale that it's short-sighted, even in times of budget cuts, to do away entirely with a service that can cover an entire nation from comparatively few sites, and which can be heard by listeners employing relatively low-tech means of detection.
John
Re: Russia
Posted by Douglas Williams on January 12, 2014 at 12:41:34.
In reply to Re: Russia posted by John Davis on January 11, 2014
I wonder how long before they switch off Alpha?
Re: Russia
Posted by John Davis on January 12, 2014 at 18:12:23.
In reply to Re: Russia posted by Douglas Williams on January 12, 2014
Alpha? Shucks, they're switching off parts or all of it all the time. "Vladimir says, electric bill it is having been partly paid. Turn on third transmitter today, Boris." :)
I can't imagine anyone wanting to rely on something with such largely unknowable availability. That's as bad as trying to make travel or work plans based on the "New Coke" version of The (Formerly) Weather Channel, and discovering they don't have any after 6 PM or after midday on weekends or any at all on holidays.
Then suddenly, there they are this weekend with continuous weather so they can have someone on camera all the time telling DirecTV viewers to call their Congressmen and force them to keep the channel... telling us how important The Weather Channel has been to us for over 30 years, and how it's "not just another TV channel."
Oh yes it is, precisely because that's what the focus groups and megacorporate bigwigs decided it "needed" to be and have spent the last year making it into! They've been pushing more human interest and less real information for many months, apparently on the same model as NBC's Olympics coverage. Now they've even dumbed-down the graphics, added continuous nerve-jangling "music" behind the studio meteorologists (if you show me a tornado on radar, you don't need scary music to pump up my adrenaline!!), and replaced the majority of the weather programming with mainly entertainment, trotting out the live on-camera folks only when there's a threat to major population centers that can be sensationalized for a temporary ratings boost.
This is just plain NOT the Weather Channel we depended on for 30 years. I'd love to grab hold of their clueless execs and tell 'em, "You can't have it both ways, guys! You're either a vital information service, or else you're just another TV channel and should expect no favors."
Next weekend, I expect the ComcastNBCUniversal unholy trinity will have bullied DirecTV into submission and all their customers will pay more for less information. They'll feel well armed and ready for the next time some other cable provider dares to challenge their corporate dominance. Can you say "antitrust," boys and girls? No? Good. Now just doze off and be entertained and let Citizen Kane rule the world as he was meant to do.
The rest of us out here in the hinterlands, regardless of our provider, will once again be back to no everyday weather information when we need it. And I'll be off my soapbox by then, but sadly, will still have a pretty good analogy for the barely useful Alpha navigation system.
John
Re: Weather Channel
Posted by Douglas Williams on January 12, 2014 at 18:38:27.
In reply to Re: Russia posted by John Davis on January 12, 2014
Yea, but their female meteorologists are pretty hot!
Interesting rant. Even I noticed that there is almost always some sort of "entertainment" on the weather channel whenever I flip through.
Kinda like MTV doesn't show music videos any more (or at least that's what I've been told, I haven't watched MTV since they canceled Beavis and Butthead). ;-)
Re: Weather Channel
Posted by John Davis on January 12, 2014 at 19:25:52.
In reply to Re: Weather Channel posted by Douglas Williams on January 12, 2014
Yes, I have always enjoyed the weather foxes. :)
It's not that I mind the entertainment programs. Some of them are fairly educational. But they're no substitute for what I previously truly valued the channel for, and they've utterly taken over at the very time when I'm available to watch weather news...after I've returned from the farm for the day, or after I've checked into a motel enroute to a travel destination. Pretty useless that way.
FWIW, I have no connection with DirecTV and have no idea what their specific problem is with TWC. I haven't even been a DirecTV customer for about 17 years. But my interest in The Weather Channel goes back over 30 years when I worked at the same radio station one of their first "stars" came from. All of us felt there was a need for the service, but wondered if he was making a wise career move considering the specialized nature of the channel. He was a young fellow back then, though. With a fresh degree from FSU, if it didn't work out in cable, he could make a fresh start elsewhere. He was popular with Weather Channel viewers, and is, in fact, now chief meteorologist for a TV station in one of the top two US markets. I'm being intentionally vague because I just looked up his bio on Wikipedia, IMDb, and his station's Web site...and for some reason, he has completely avoided any mention of TWC. Don't know why, since we haven't talked in decades. It may only be because his station is owned by a competitor of NBCUniversal. But I will respect that choice and not mention his name in connection with theirs.
As for MTV, I have no comment until after the 137 kHz rulemaking concludes...if it ever does. But it'll be a doozy! :)
Re: Russia
Posted by Lee on January 13, 2014 at 00:50:58.
In reply to Re: Russia posted by John Davis on January 11, 2014
To bad for sure. But now maybe we have a better shot at Mongolia, Uzjunkistan, and Near/Far east. Moose and Squirrel will be safer now. Posting Guidelines Reminder
Lee
Posted by Webmaster on January 14, 2014 at 05:16:29.
Earlier this evening, a sometime user of this board posted a for-sale announcement about some radio gear. He apparently succeeded and asked that the announcement be removed. We're glad he accomplished his goal, although it brought up a couple of points that need to be remembered when doing this sort of thing.
"i hope this is ok to post. i have seen things posted in the past but i am not sure on the exact policy and i mean no disrespect if it is in violation of policy...."
Understood, and no problem. However, there's no need to be in the dark about these things. The Posting Guidelines are pretty clear on buy/sell/trade messages. These announcements are fine as long as they are not part of one's (full or part-time) business activities. There is also one other rather important exception:
"...and it is currently listed on a popular auction site as well."
This is not permitted unless you have previously offered it to users of this site first for a period of seven days with a publicly visible asking price. After that, if it hasn't sold, you can mention that it is being put on such-and-so auction site. And that's all...no direct contact information, no more promotion of the item's features.
We have no desire to further enrich vast for-profit megasites that don't help one penny with our expenses! Conversely, we have no desire to cheat them out of their legitimate commission, either, by enabling people to bypass their established purchasing procedures. Those are the two reasons for our policy concerning eBay and similar services.
And an additional note, if I may. It is admirable to try to satisfy oneself that transmitting gear you are selling will not be used for illegal purposes. We support that goal, but please make your restrictions reasonable. The item in question could have been adapted to MF ham or Part 5 experimental purposes, as the poster this evening was requiring. However, it could just as easily have many legitimate uses in the hands of a professional broadcast engineer (I saw the ad on eBay myself several days ago and was debating its utility for a low power auxiliary at a station I've consulted for), or by institutional carrier-current systems. It's OK to want to know your buyer, but be careful not to discriminate needlessly.
Thanks.
John WG2XLP
Posted by Pat Bunn on January 15, 2014 at 00:52:43.
WG2XLP is transmitting a low power QRSS60 beacon on 74.324KHz tonight. Power is approximately 35 watts.
Pat Bunn LW Transmitter and Receiver Kits
WG2XLP
Posted by Adam Ebel on January 15, 2014 at 18:55:56.
I am interested in building electronic kits that cover the long wave bands from 160 kHz to 190 kHz. I found this circuit off of you tube that was very interesting to build. I hope that some kit maker comes out with a LowFER's transmitter kit just like the ones that Ramsey and Vectronics did for the AM broadcast band. We need to get this going soon.
Here is the You Tube Video For The Circuit very interesting! :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aoUJoZYAP0
Here is the link to the schematic :
http://www16.zippyshare.com/v/8774154/file.html
What is so cool about this circuit is that there is a antenna matching LED indicator that tells you that your antenna is matched with the circuit. And the LED tells you that your antenna is out of tune by switching the LED off.
Re: LW Transmitter and Receiver Kits
Posted by Lee on January 16, 2014 at 04:19:39.
In reply to LW Transmitter and Receiver Kits posted by Adam Ebel on January 15, 2014
North Country Radio has to xmit kits that cover AM and Lowfer freqs. High quality and with a little massaging very tight freq stability. signal report
Lee
Posted by Julius Madey K2KGJ on January 16, 2014 at 22:38:03.
heard GNK, 13.563.99 @ 1732est, 01162013, RST 519. Multiband trap dipole at 35 feet, ICOM 735, narrow CW filter.
signal report
Posted by Jules Madey K2KGJ on January 16, 2014 at 22:53:36.
heard SZX, 13.562.95 @1745est 01162014, RST 419, multiband trap dipole at 35 feet, ICOM 735, cw narrow filter
Re: LW Transmitter and Receiver Kits
Posted by robert on January 17, 2014 at 01:14:00.
In reply to Re: LW Transmitter and Receiver Kits posted by Lee on January 16, 2014
sent a link to your facebook inbox adam. NCR has an LF90 1 watt long wave transmitter kit.
New MF/LF Band status
Posted by Sal, K1RGO on January 18, 2014 at 23:55:00.
Does anyone have the latest info on the WARC MF or LF ham bands, 630 meters in particular. The FCC is sure taking it's time. I'm all ready to QSO on 630 meter cw. Re: New MF/LF Band status
Later......Sal, K1RGO
Posted by John Davis on January 19, 2014 at 01:29:37.
In reply to New MF/LF Band status posted by Sal, K1RGO on January 18, 2014
Latest word is... still no action. The moment there is some, it'll be on lwca.org.
There was unofficial talk that the FCC was going to take up consideration of the 137 kHz NPRM this winter (and maybe think about issuing an NPRM for 630 meters, which would be the first step toward allocating that band).
However, that was before the big government shutdown! That fiasco set the agency back badly at a time when it was already swamped with preparing to auction off more public spectrum to the wireless megacompanies in response to Congressional mandate.
Between the FCC's backlog and the Federal Register's own workload, not only did the delay mean the annual October 1 deadline for FCC Rule revisions was not met, but even now 3-1/2 months later, there are still several Parts that haven't trickled out of D.C. yet.
The only recent activity on any outstanding petitions now before the Office of Engineering and Technology (who will handled our proposed allocations) has concerned the Part 15 Rules for unlicensed devices in the 5 GHz range and who gets to certify radio equipment for rule compliance. Those issues date back to proceedings that began nearly a year ago, themselves.
John
WG2XLP
Posted by Pat Bunn on January 19, 2014 at 15:32:15.
Hope to run some more test on 74324 Hz this afternoon at varying power levels. I finished a new 74 KHz filter and am finishing a 500 watt transmitter this morning. Any reports would be appreciated. Hope to start transmitting about 2:00 PM EST
Re: WG2XLP
Posted by John Davis on January 19, 2014 at 17:04:19.
In reply to WG2XLP posted by Pat Bunn on January 19, 2014
Will gladly tune in! Running QRSS?
Re: WG2XLP
Posted by Pat Bunn on January 19, 2014 at 17:30:01.
In reply to Re: WG2XLP posted by John Davis on January 19, 2014
John
Yes QRSS 60. I have the new transmitter running now at 100 watts for a burn it into a dummy load key down for an hour or so. Later I will start at 100 watts and slowly crank it up and see how my loading coil stands up to the voltage.
The transmitter look good so far. An easy 400 watts out at 9 amps in. Pretty sure it will be good at 500 watts output. The new filter seems to be good.
Pat
Re: WG2XLP
Posted by Pat Bunn on January 19, 2014 at 20:32:40.
In reply to Re: WG2XLP posted by Pat Bunn on January 19, 2014
Ran about an hour of testing and am having some problems with the antenna/transmitter interface. Will shut down until I get it figured out. Transmitter behaves nicely into the dummy load but doesn't like the antenna. The scope match says it is resistive but not 50 ohms and no position on my matching transformer will get it close. The transmitter is doing a weird 3 sec current change back and forth like clockwork - changing about 3 amps back and forth. The frequency output is rock stable and a sine wave that changes just a little in magnitude as the current changes - not as much voltage change as I would expect.
Need to get a good resonant 50 ohm antenna to start with.
Re: WG2XLP
Posted by John Davis on January 19, 2014 at 23:12:56.
In reply to Re: WG2XLP posted by Pat Bunn on January 19, 2014
Sorry to hear that, but I have confidence you'll sort it out.
I was being bugged by some software difficulties (pun intended) and didn't get to the field until just after you shut down, but at least it was a pleasant afternoon to be out there for a change.
John
Re: New MF/LF Band status
Posted by Sal, K1RGO on January 20, 2014 at 00:18:49.
In reply to Re: New MF/LF Band status posted by John Davis on January 19, 2014
Well I guess I won't hold my breath and the rig will just gather lots of dust for now....bummer Sampling Rate / Frequency Calibrations
later........
Posted by John, W1TAG on January 21, 2014 at 15:16:07.
Loran-C having pretty much gone away in North America, questions about how to calibrate sound card sampling rates and audio frequency outputs from receivers have arisen. I have written up an article on a fairly simple way to do this, and posted it at:
http://www.w1tag.com/Calibrator/Freq_Cal.htm
John, W1TAG
Hifer GNK !!! again in DN10tx
Posted by Brian nb9e on January 21, 2014 at 23:36:00.
Nice copy this afternoon on Hifer GNK off the discone w/ Icom pcr-1000 at the work qth DN10tx.Still copying as I type !!!
MFI logging
Posted by Joe K2JT on January 25, 2014 at 13:55:58.
MFI heard at 13.557.54 with 559 signal,easy copy at 8:45 this morning Need ideas on a cheap, quick HiFER TX
RCVR TS570D Ant 80 Mtr dipole with MFJ tuner
Loc. - Northeast corner of New Jersey, 2 blocks from the NY state border.
Would like a confirmation.
Posted by Andy - KU4XR on January 28, 2014 at 00:26:42.
I have never even considered TXing in the 22 meter band, but what the hey.. I might just give it a try.. It doesn't look like I'm going to get a lowFER beacon back on anytime soon. IF.. I attempt this, I want it down, and dirty, - quick, and cheap.. I was shocked when finally on the air, at how much money I had spent getting " XR " up and running.. From you guys who have, and are running; I would like some ideas on a transmitting system.. I'll most likely Preamp for VLF/LF
use a dipole antenna for simplicity sake.. I can handle simple QRSS for the mode, also to keep it simple.. Maybe a PIC chip, and eliminate the need for a keyer ?? Definitely want frequency stability.. as little drifting as possible, because I would like to join the gang at 13,555.55 MHz and not drift on top of someone.. I'll assume that the TX needs to be mounted in the center of the dipole to get MAX Pwr on the air.. Thanks to anyone who will take the time to reply with your ideas..
Posted by Larry Lanberg on January 28, 2014 at 00:28:19.
Was wondering if an audio amplifier can be used as a preamplifier for my loopstick, for VLF/LF? Anyone ever used one for this? Thank you.
Re: Need ideas on a cheap, quick HiFER TX
Posted by John Davis on January 28, 2014 at 00:44:17.
In reply to Need ideas on a cheap, quick HiFER TX posted by Andy - KU4XR (FWD) on January 28, 2014
Andy,
You might want to use the search feature to look up some past threads on this same subject, where you'll find a lot of good information from Pat Bunn, Paul K6FRC, Ward K7PO, and the other guys. One recent thread's answers begin here, as an example, and continue on for several posts: Hifer on a budget.
>>> "Definitely want frequency stability.. as little drifting as possible, because I would like to join the gang at 13,555.55 MHz and not drift on top of someone.."
This is an admirable goal, which I wish were more common (the drifty signal you captured earlier is a prime reason why). It would not be compatible with putting the TX at the center of a dipole, however, and there's no real need to do that anyway.
Unlike other Part 15 alternative provisions, the limit at 22 m is on radiated field strength, not on power and antenna length. Transmission line is not a big deal here; you simply take its loss into account in the engineering calculations to determine your power, along with compensating for antenna gain. Locate the transmitter in a temperature controlled environment for stability, and simply make sure the output cannot exceed the radiated limit, however you choose to get power to the antenna. As for the antenna, a dipole works but needlessly limits your coverage in some directions. As you'll notice in messages about beacon FRC, there are effective ways of making simple verticals work inexpensively.
John
Re: LWCA
Posted by Andy - KU4XR on January 29, 2014 at 02:45:50.
In reply to Re: LWCA posted by Lee on January 02, 2014
Quoting Lee: Re: Preamp for VLF/LF
The PDF archive concept sounds like a great idea but then I would not be involved in creating it. Sounds like a lot of work.
______________________Actually, it's not that difficult..
With all the free software available today; it's as easy as downloading a PDF converter, then scanning the original page, Using the software, and converting it to a PDF file.. It would be even easier if the original page is created on computer.. no scanning involved, just finish the page, and convert it to PDF. then put the pages together in sequence as a single PDF file that can be uploaded for members to download.. Andy - KU4XR
Posted by Lee on January 30, 2014 at 07:01:13.
In reply to Preamp for VLF/LF posted by Larry Lanberg on January 28, 2014
I think that a typical audio amp would not be sensitive enough or have the bandwidth. Even a phono preamp would probably not be sensitve enough and again bandwidth issues. There are many loop preamp designs on the internet. Possibly some in the LWCA archives as well. Re: Preamp for VLF/LF
Lee
Posted by John Davis on January 30, 2014 at 18:57:50.
In reply to Re: Preamp for VLF/LF posted by Lee on January 30, 2014
Good advice, Lee. And indeed, a few preamp designs can be found here at this site.
A search for the words loop preamp using the Site Search feature on our home page will turn up some of them, along with another article or two that talk about coupling methods between loop antennas and receivers or preamps.
(I've lately begun adding metadocuments to different parts of our library so that Site Search will recognize and return non-Web-page documents as well, such as PDF files or relevant images that are independent of a Web page. It used to overlook all such files, and any documents that were too many layers deep in the directory structure.)
A couple of notes about the search results: In the Lyle Koehler universal preamp, the input is unbalanced, which can affect loop performance, but Lyle taks about techniques for coping with that in his other article that the search will turn up. In the K3SIW page, the updated Ralph Burhans preamp shows the new Mouser Electronics part numbers.
John
potrzebie