Re: Upconverter
Posted by Scott Tilley on February 01, 2004 at 01:40:19
Charles
I used an SRA-3 mixer in mine... I found a couple in some old telecom gear and it has slightly better specs... if you can try one (maybe one is floating around your dig lab?)
I found that once I connected the MPF-102 FET around the right way it worked fine! Try reversing the FET in the post mixer amp as the pinout diagram given in the web page is backwards... You might get some heating if it is connected backwards and it draws much more current...
Regards,
Scott VE7TIL...
Re: LF site at Black Canyon City, Arizona?
Posted by tom norris on February 01, 2004 at 13:31:24
And another thing, the GWEN towers were not center loaded, they were shunt fed. I don't remember the repeater site at Arnold AFB having an obvious capacity hat though, I seem to think it used part of the top guys for that. The tower and site are still there, but have a trunked radio system and CATV gear installed, the GWEN gear taken out but for the back up generator. The GWEN sites were fairly "plain" looking, if anyone want to take a look at one, this one is located off AEDC road between Tullahoma and Manchester, TN behind the old fire tower. Not much to see really, other than a plain looking tower and some beige buildings.
Tom
Beacon RM
Posted by Roger Magnuson on February 01, 2004 at 19:03:07
Beacon RM is now testing a new DDS exciter thanks to Bryce (BRO) and Lyle (LEK) for all of their help. RM is now sending slow CW, QRSS-30, and Hell modes. Operation may be intermittent but will leave it on at night for the time being. It's still on the workbench and not yet packaged.
Thanks Roger, (RM 189.8)
BCY On
Posted by Jerry on February 01, 2004 at 20:39:47
For some reason my emails to the lowfer reflector are being blocked , So I will post here.
BCY is back on ,however it is now on 187.553~ KHz. Only sending a continious carrier for the time being..
Jerry
GPS-linked BPSK
Posted by John Andrews on February 01, 2004 at 22:10:23
Bill de Carle, VE2IQ, has produced a new version of AFRICAM that accepts a 1pps signal from a GPS receiver. This allows the phase transitions in the BPSK signal to be synchronized to the GPS time ticks. This greatly simplifies the job of the decoding software as it no longer has to search for bit and frame sync. It should now be possible to use slower bit rates without having to wait until the next ice age for the decoder to sync up.
Lyle Kohler, K0LR, put the new arrangement on the air on LEK the first night it was available. The format was MS1000 (1 second per bit), with error correction in ET1 mode. Bill de Carle quickly decoded the signal, and held good copy overnight with only two periods of signal loss until sunrise. Distance should be about 800 miles, if my calculations are correct. MS1000 used to be considered a long shot, as the sync-up time frequently exceeded the period between fades.
As of this writing, NC, VD and TAG are preparing GPS-controlled BPSK receiving and transmitting setups, so more activity should be available in the next week. VE2IQ's software is available at:
http://www.magma.ca/~ve2iq/
John Andrews, W1TAG
PSK - New version of SpecLab
Posted by John Andrews on February 01, 2004 at 22:18:14
Wolf Buscher, DL4YHF, has made some improvements to the Digimode Terminal in his Spectrum Laboratory program. The new version is 2.4 b1. This adds a new PSK speed of 01, and has an option for beacon transmission with repeating text. The PSK decoder has also been improved.
Tests between TAG and VD show perfect copy through the evening noise over 71 miles in PSK01 mode. Accurate receiver and sound card sampling rate calibration is necessary. An article on sampling rate calibration may be found at:
http://webpages.charter.net/w1tag/SpecLabsamp.htm
Spectrum Lab is available at DL4YHF's site:
http://www.qsl.net/dl4yhf/
John Andrews, W1TAG
Re: Upconverter
Posted by Scott Tilley, VE7TIL on February 02, 2004 at 00:14:31
Hey all
I was in conversation with Timothy KF5CQ and his original pinout for the MPF-102 is correct... Charles, you may want to ensure it is connected the right way as it is common that you may have assumed (like myself) that it was a top view of the transistor...
Regards,
Scott
PSK01 in Maryland
Posted by lloyd chastant on February 02, 2004 at 07:13:06
well its nothing spectacular but I ran overnite with the new Spectrum Lab Ver 2.4b1 and used John's calibration on TAG at 185.8 and got a few scattered indications of TAG message..distance 337 mi... in PSK01
e* n&-1 TAGeldee MA lN46eh i ee e1 =ed o.
{10}TAG TAGH{29} teJmA Fu{3} el et sGh o- " t,n g toot ol o e dl 4ekaizt e eH aeet w{10}G =e {10}ae. rys bsoiitnhe n ..O Ar dea,df te eg e hn ciEo eieaetl8Get e he o s n{10}iVeaoi iat xto+ e{10} e thaool_o Ae adenMf lNto2 in e {10}tdeeo.t e,7eee TTp Holi yo=ea atd e otae moiii o{10}G wAi =oliee sA 4Nch n psk1 h de..s
{10}TAei TTG Ho eten MAs i u2aa oa a Et iVst nm{12}={23}aum ds s f2te{10}SWnm{10}iS
{10}Tet
,AG tte tien{28}eiFmcHit1t{10}_B o= {10}T,1 TyG Heldee {10}A etNtonh en o a en^ ~.. oriT9fmg,ednL n FNepen pinIsc taPeA n o a)ik e4eieo o˅t eloc e Men e [ txlqe{10}t{10}ea iroe. ip oo {30}{10} {10}rHyEl e{10}'{5}td Lt p
e{25}ev ft e e tC A e.o {24}te {10}; iA
h e B M, l otao2utti,eesae sG osdeWys {10}TAG iA
XolDfM,e i{10}'2ch=i m1 heu
{10}TAG lA1oliedM{15} 4m.h {11} pss 1 mode {10}wAG o mNolt eo ted Xii hi ie =sye`eoeeho(Te ei{22}A:=sn T{10}9, in psM1 mode...
toyGMcQolden e {10}t oe2s t en psD l de.= n
{10}f eepG e dR {2}e {9}N42dh / eeaac aode.ofe^ 2T,ei ros eei s n e i a ipFaeTmodeEaw e tn T= eD vi{10}Fot[ i a ep b u1 a , foR{10}a DedtA =t e r a n TP4{9}born ng o o nolt aM l aT{10} -erdea yD c14eRh o e n N f iite eDftt TAGHoide,vp MN92cWin'skto i܂lnelAG To.staan sy 42cttin ns1 moie.eo {10}Ty( e n GDwtaee (A ieNr ota e ea
de Lloyd W3NF FM19MH
Re: PSK01 in Maryland
Posted by John Andrews on February 02, 2004 at 08:51:21
Lloyd:
Than*7Ks. It'z gr$5eate to& seee th#t I*m ge77ng 1ntoo M!D.
John $#@*& Andrews
Thank You
Posted by Charles Weaver on February 02, 2004 at 12:11:13
To all the responders, thank you for the help.
I've been a digital engineer for 30+ years and forgotten all my r-f stuff I might have known.
I'm proceeding as if the circuit will work and mounting in a metal box. Will be back for advice on loop antennas.
Glad I went looking for vlf circuits.
Charles Weaver
KB1JHB
Re: PSK01 in Maryland
Posted by lloyd chastant on February 02, 2004 at 14:44:31
Yes I understand....and this PSK mode does not look like it is a LF type mode..at least for any distance...stick with Wolf..If we could only get that converted in real time that would be the mode. -)
de Lloyd W3NF
Hifer TIL on the air...
Posted by Scott, VE7TIL on February 02, 2004 at 16:06:48
There is a new Hifer "TIL" in EN89lg. Hours of operation are presently weekdays only. It is a Epson K0LR type TX driving a dipole ~10m off the ground with a SE/NW favour. It IDs in QRSS3 and 10WPM CW.
The purpose is to assist in propagation studies between Vancouver and Southern Ontario.
We can QSY if the choosen freq. is interfering with other existing experiments on the band.
Please QSL to pussytat@telus.net
We will be going 24/7 within a couple of weeks once the 1/4 vert. is installed.
Regards,
Scott, VE7TIL
Re: Hifer TIL on the air...13.555420Mhz!
Posted by Scott VE7TIL on February 02, 2004 at 16:10:44
Opps!
Hifers HI and UWL
Posted by Frank Cathell on February 03, 2004 at 18:40:52
Heard Hifers HI and UWL multiple times this past weekend in Tucson. Best times were around sunrise and just before sunset. AZ is a constant (groundwave) signal here.
Hifer TIL on 13.555420MHz
Posted by Scott, VE7TIL on February 04, 2004 at 00:30:36
This is to comfirm that TIL is on the air at 13.555420Mhz.
We are running weekdays 24hrs until friday evening at which point the TX will be off and on again on Sunday evening.
My TX had an encounter with my cat and the 13.555475 osc. lost... It's in a box now and "cat proof" I hope...
I'm getting out as the signal can be heard on my Sony ICF-SW55's stock whip at about a 1km in the city...
Goodluck!
Scott, VE7TIL
Remote Tuning Caps
Posted by Dale Hobbs on February 04, 2004 at 15:06:36
A few months ago I built Lyle's (K0LR, my hero) balanced loop antenna and preamp. They're mounted about 30' from the shack. Remote tuning caps are very desireable to cover the lowfer and NDB band. Not having any of the neat but pricey MVAM108 varicap diodes, and being cheap by nature, I decided to see if I could instead remotely switch in fixed capacitors. I ended up using a 40cent LM339 voltage comparator at the front end of the preamp to allow diode switching of (4) sets of caps. A 0-12v signal from a pot in the shack causes the comparator to switch in more caps as the voltage increases. My circuit is probably not optimized nor unique, but it works well for me. One could easily cascade more LM339's to provide finer tuning.
I don't have a web page, but if you're interested in the circuit I can email my sketched schematic. qdh123 _at_ yahoo.
73, Dale KD7UO Seattle
Re: Remote Tuning Caps
Posted by Scott TIlley, VE7TIL on February 04, 2004 at 15:37:52
I'd be interesting is seeing your circuit!
Are you active on the Lowfer band down in Seattle?
Thanks
Scott
Re: Remote Tuning Caps
Posted by Roger Magnuson on February 04, 2004 at 16:16:12
Nice idea Dale. I use 6 MVAM109's in my loop tunining and it works very well. Tunes from about 120 Khz to about 300Khz. I see Dan's Small Parts has them again. For a while they were not available anywhere that I knew of. Again, I like your idea and would like to see how you did it. Thanks.
Roger, beacon RM 189.8
Hifer LP on new antenna
Posted by Larry Putman on February 04, 2004 at 18:10:31
I managed to put the vertical up over the steel container which should improve the signal!
It still needs some pruning to bring it into resonance and I hope to finish that up tomorrow,
I put info and some pictures on my web page.
I welcome any and all reports!
www.wb3anq.com
Thanks
Larry Putman WB3ANQ HIFER LP 13.554980 MHz.
Re: Remote Tuning Caps
Posted by Dale Hobbs on February 05, 2004 at 15:22:39
Hi Scott,
Yes...sort of. I have BEL beacon on my sailboat up in Bellingham (47' mast over salt water, you'd think that would be good) and a beacon SEA at home south of Seattle. Haven't advertised either one yet 'cause I haven't gotten the ant tuning right. But we need a few beacons up here in the NW - why should just the east coasters be having all the fun!?!
73, dale kd7uo
Re: Remote Tuning Caps-SCHEMATIC
Posted by Webmaster on February 06, 2004 at 00:44:32
Dale has been kind enough to send us an Adobe Acrobat PDF file containing the schematic. I have converted it to a smaller (24KB) GIF version for those whose connection speed is limited. Download it at:
( RemTune2.gif )
There's also a question or two about the diagram (see the other followup messages), which could result in a later update of the drawing, too. Please check back from time to time.
John
Re: Remote Tuning Caps
Posted by Alan G3NYK on February 06, 2004 at 10:50:08
Hi Dale, congratulations on your innovative loop tuning circuit.
I think I can see a couple of areas were there may be problems. If we assume a loop Q of 50, the bandwidth of the tuned loop is about 8kHz or less, which means that there will be places where the sensitivity is less than optimum. However this is probably better than no tuning at all. One solution may be to parallel tuning diodes as the larger ones are generally just bigger area diodes.
The other problem may be more serious and depends on the strength of local signals. The "on" voltage supplied to the diodes by the comparator will be about 150mV above ground, and as there is no bias on the diode switch anodes, the diodes will be operating in a very non-linear region of their characteristic. This could lead it intermod problems. You do not have BC stations in the 155 to 250kHz range so it may not be so important at your location. One thought would be to replace the cathode-to-cathode diodes with a single diode (loosing the symmetry, but I dont think that is important)and place V/2 bias on the anode with a pair of 10k resistors. The diodes will now be either reversed biassed with V/2 or forward biassed and carrying about 1 mA. I believe this will give less intermodulation susceptibility. I you want to retain symmetry you could bias all your diodes in a similar way. Like all varactor tuning supplies the supply must be very well smoothed.
I can't at present think of a simple way of applying some of the variable voltage to a varactor to get some interpolation between the switched capacitors.
I hope those ideas are of interest.
Have fun listening Cheers de Alan G3NYK alan.melia@btinternet.com
Re: Remote Tuning Caps
Posted by Lyle Koehler on February 06, 2004 at 12:30:38
That's a pretty neat idea. Alan's comments about loop Q are correct. However, with a large enough loop the sensitivity is good enough so that even though the signal strength is down when the loop is detuned, the signal to noise ratio may still be adequate. With my 8-foot loop tuned to somewhere around 185 kHz, it works reasonably well from 180 to 190 kHz.
Another option might be to use something like the LM3914 bar-graph voltmeter driver chip, which has 10 switched open-collector outputs. But with a little care in selecting capacitors, Dale's 4-step approach should do a pretty good job!
By the way, www.mouser.com still shows the NTE618 tuning diodes in stock, even though they may not be in the catalog.
Re: Remote Tuning Caps
Posted by Dale Hobbs on February 06, 2004 at 16:12:20
Thanks to all for the comments, both here and via email. Like I said, I know it isn't optimized but it seems to work pretty well for me. No local powerhouses near me so intermod isn't a problem. I had started with more resistors thinking I needed to help forward-bias the diodes, and then during tests performance improved as the resistor values dropped to zero. I like Lyle's idea of LM3914 10-stage.
Thanks again,
dale
Re: Remote Tuning Caps
Posted by Alan G3NYK on February 06, 2004 at 18:31:13
Nice Lyle, I did wonder about the 3914, the advantage is that the step-setting resistors are already included so you probably only need a "range" resistor.
I went on to try and think about a simple binary way of switching the caps.....to get more steps without too many more caps.... but it all got a lot too complicated !! Simple ideas like this are the best.
73 Alan G3NYK
Re: Remote Tuning Caps - CORRECTION
Posted by Dale Hobbs on February 07, 2004 at 22:57:47
John the Webmaster had sent me a message about maybe my leaving out a biasing resistor. This weekend I took apart my preamp because what he had said rang true, and sure enough, I had left out a resistor on the schematic. Please add a 10K resistor along the common connection of Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd to V+. I'll correct my schematic and do it in CAD so that it's easier to read. Just to set the record straight. Sorry for the confusion.
dale
Report, 8 February
Posted by Ray, W2RS on February 08, 2004 at 16:18:49
Hi,
At 1600 local time (2100Z) today:
TH 579 NWNJ 559 HS 449 JJX no copy, carrier on frequency
Good conditions today. The best copy I've had on NWNJ and HS in some time. Temperature was 28 F (-2 C), sunny with heavy snow cover remaining from past storms.
73,
Ray
Re: Remote Tuning Caps - CORRECTION
Posted by Alan G3NYK on February 08, 2004 at 18:15:01
Hi Dale, I am sorry but that does not do anything other than pass 1mA of current through half of the antenna. I believe the bias resistor needs to be on the junction of Ca and the diode anode...etc. This will bias the diode forwards when selected, as in my suggestion. It easy done I nearly suggested that myself, then realised that DC doesn't go through caps !! I suggested a pair of resistors as then the unselected diodes would be reverse biassed at about 6 volts which would reduce their capacitance and guard against big signal problems. The trouble is it requires a lot of resistors.....or maybe a SIL array.
Cheers de Alan G3NYK alan.melia@btinternet.com LF bits and boobs at www.alan.melia.btinternet.co.uk
RTE 252 will be operational in mid-March
Posted by Mike Terry on February 11, 2004 at 11:06:24
Here's the latest from RTE:
Quoting Mike Terry :
Hi Mike
Re; Longwave service
Thank you for your e-mail.....I am happy to be able to tell you that the longwave service will be operational in mid-March and we shall have an announcement in the next week or so.
regards
Mary Byrne INFORMATION OFFICE
> Are you shortly to make an announcement regarding the date when the 252
> kHz
> Radio 1 service is to become operational please?
> > Thank you
QSL'ing NDB's
Posted by Chris Waldrup on February 11, 2004 at 12:39:07
Can anyone advise me what is the best way to QSL LF navigational stations? When I QSL AM BCB stations it is usually straightforward as I send them a list of the songs/commercials/ID's that I hear, but when all you hear is a morse ID on a NDB how is that usually handled?
Re: QSL'ing NDB's
Posted by John Davis on February 11, 2004 at 15:24:47
One way is by timing; that is, how long it takes for five or ten repetitions of the ident. If it's a station with AWOS, you may be able to copy air temperature or wind conditions, which would be good to include.
Anything else you can tell them about unique properties you observe on the signal may also help. But of course, most won't have anything unusual about them, so ident timing is generally your most useful tool.
John
3rd Rus LF DXpedition
Posted by Ed RU6LA on February 12, 2004 at 06:02:31
#1 (1500z, 11 Feb, 2004)
Our club RU6LWZ with the assistance several UA0-HAMs finishes preparation to 3-rd Rus LF DXpedition to a Far East part of Asian Russia (UA0L). QTH nr Vladivostok.
Prospective dates of work of expedition on 136kHz: March, 16-28.
We shall work QRSS(russian limitation) and CW for xband/QSO,
also we plan beacon's tests.
Call - UA0LE (under long QRSS UATLE 0=T as in contests)
Tower is 90m
Now I make the prospective time-table of DXpedition on days.
What best frequencies should be for a beacon for NA?
I assume to make beacons for NA on frequency 135.922-923 in our joint dark time (sunset abt 0840z and sunrise abt 22z at Vladivostok under DXpedition's) QSL?
73! Ed RU6LA ed@dx.ru http://136.73.ru
Re: QSL'ing NDB's
Posted by Keith VA3QF Ottawa, Canada on February 12, 2004 at 12:25:31
...which also begs the question - where does one find the addresses to send the reception reports? A source for both US and Canadian NDB's (as well as DX!) would be appreciated.
73 - Keith VA3QF
Re: QSL'ing NDB's
Posted by Scott, VE7TIL on February 12, 2004 at 12:37:14
Try looking in Flight Supplements. These books used by pilots have the location and owner info on every run way and dirt strip in Canada with the beacon freq and ID...(perhaps there's a US version?) I used to get mine by going to the local airport and asking a pilot or two for their old one...
Scott
Re: QSL'ing NDB's
Posted by Robert on February 12, 2004 at 20:08:36
Look up "FAA Flight Service Station" for the city mentioned. Make a prepared QSL card and include an SASE since beacon operators usually are not hams, and may have no idea why anyone would want to monitor their station. I have tried travel bureaus, too, as they often have addresses for major airports. That's how I got a neat QSL card for "RG" on 351 kHz from Rarotona, South Cook Islands. Al, ZK1AN, once read my callsign on the ham packet network, and said my QSL report is in a frame in the airport main lobby. He sent a letter, rather than a QSL card. Some other stations apparently had no idea what to do with my report, and merely signed the blank QSL card, returning it in the SASE, with no data.
And, I even got a QSL from WWVB on its seventh 420 kHz harmonic. Steven Pair, the station technician, said he measured about 1 to 10 watts out on that harmonic, down from the 13 kilowatt carrier. Other LF hobbyists received a form letter informing them that WWVB had NO harmonics, and their radio was obviously in need of serious repair....
73 and good QSL'ing. I have about 70 QSL's from all over the USA and Canada, plus some DX targets.
Robert
Upconverter
Posted by Charles Weaver on February 13, 2004 at 15:25:43
Built the upconverter with help from your readers, now it is finished but when I hooked up to the ICOM 718 I get a tone at the 4 MHZ frequency with sideband tones. The unpconverter is built in an metal box with 2 single side copper clad boards. One is for the oscillator and the other for the amplifier. The in/out is done with SO RF connectors on the metal box.
The power supply leads are brought in thru the box with a 3 pin molex connector with separate power leads to each board.The oscillator output to the amplifier board is done with coax cable about 4 inches long grounded at both ends.
I've purchased some copper flashing and will make a box/shield over the oscillator board which I will ground. I've viewed the output going to the HF receiver and see the 4 MHZ.
Question: What mode do I run the ICOM (SSB)?? Any ideas on a fix??
Charles Weaver
KB1JHB
Re: Upconverter
Posted by John Andrews on February 13, 2004 at 16:25:26
Charles,
You may not be able to get rid of the 4 MHz "zero frequency" tone. It should not be an issue unless you are trying to do something down in the audio frequency range. WWVB, for example, would appear at 4060 kHz (and 3940 kHz), which is well away from 4000 kHz.
In terms of mode, if you use CW mode on most Icom gear, you will get the signal at the BFO pitch. Again using WWVB as an example, if your BFO offset was 700 Hz, you would hear their signal as a 700 Hz tone when the receiver was set to 4060 Hz. That assumes that your 4 MHz crystal oscillator is accurately set.
John Andrews, W1TAG
Re: Upconverter
Posted by Lyle Koehler on February 13, 2004 at 18:27:00
As John points out, you may not be able to get rid of the 4 MHz feedthrough, and its presence is perfectly normal. It would take an extreme degree of balance and shielding to get rid of it. And even if you did, you'd probably hear all sorts of hash near 4 MHz as soon as you attach an antenna, because you will be picking up 60 Hz and its harmonics. All that means is that the converter is working all the way down to almost DC!
CW mode is preferred for narrowband signals, especially if you have a CW filter installed in your 718. However, you can use any mode that is appropriate for the kind of signal you want to hear. For example, if you have any NDBs carrying voice weather broadcasts in your area, you'd want to use AM or SSB.
So how much LW content is there REALLY in the USA?
Posted by Huskymaniac on February 14, 2004 at 18:24:17
I am looking at a variety of used and new portable receivers. Of course, there are tradeoffs. Some have SSB capability, some don't and some do but stink. Some have LW capability and some don't. Some are more sensitive than others.
So, I have heard that good SSB capability is critical and I have heard others say that it occupies only about 10% of their listening.
What do you guys, the experts so to speak, have to say about LW capability? Is there enough content in the USA (I am in upstate NY) to make this capability high priority in my purchase?
For cost reasons I am leaning between a new Degen 1102 or a used Radio Shack DX-390. The Degen doesn't have LW capability but I am not sure how critical that really is.
Thanks.
Re: So how much LW content is there REALLY in the USA?
Posted by John Andrews on February 14, 2004 at 18:44:02
LF is generally included on portable receivers for listening to AM broadcast stations in Europe and Asia. There is no LF broadcasting in the U.S. It is certainly possible to hear European stations in the Eastern U.S., but it's unlikely on a portable set without a well designed and placed external antenna.
Some folks make a hobby out of copying aeronautical beacons at LF, and there are plenty of those in the U.S. There is some low power experimental activity in the 160-190 kHz range, but the weak signals and specialized modulation schemes are not well suited to portable radios.
So I would say that if you are looking for a portable set, and are not interested in DXing aeronautical beacons, you can probably do without the LF band.
John Andrews
BOB
Posted by bob hoffswell on February 15, 2004 at 12:51:44
Howdy, all!
Just a quick note to say that lowfer BOB is still on the air all the time, but I haven't heard from anyone in a long time. I did have an LF QSO with BA on New Years Day, but nothing since, although I have been hearing YHO at 188.8kHz pretty regularly and with a good signal. Brice (BA) was having trouble with power line QRN and a bum antenna. He did get a new car, however!
73 es tnx
Re: BOB
Posted by bob hoffswell on February 15, 2004 at 12:57:32
YHO is at 188.1kHz cw. Sorry!
Re: QSL'ing Canadian NDB's
Posted by Richard, VE7ZEP on February 16, 2004 at 22:32:31
If it's theirs, you could also try the Canadian Coast Guard. During the 1990's I was a bi-weekly backpacker to Cape Scott Park on the northern tip of Vancouver Island. They had a 500 watt beacon "ZES" on 353 kHz which has since been decommissioned. But a fellow ham and I got a tour of the beacon and I noticed about a dozen letters and QSL cards taped on the wall next to the transmitter. Most were from the USA, some of them hams.
The technicians and the families who lived there thought the reports were neat, especially when they came from overseas, but were a bit mystified about the hobby in general and sometimes would write back the sender thanking them for the report when it was asked for. By the way, they do not know what "PSE QSL" means!
You could try and send an SASE directly to the lightstation of interest c/o the Canadian Coast Guard in Victoria, BC as most lightstations get their mail by helicopter via the head office.
I almost volunteered to "adopt" the ZES beacon reports the staff were willing to pass on to me and send out a QSL card for it but it never worked out with school and stuff.
Re: Upconverter
Posted by Tim Brannon on February 17, 2004 at 00:03:41
Charles,
As John and Lyle say, some pickup of the 4 MHz LO is perfectly normal. This doesn't mean the DBM isn't working.
What kind of receive antenna are planning to use?
A matched antenna, be it an active whip, a tuned loop with a preamp, or a simple tuner for your "random wire" antenna can make a big difference over just a random wire alone.
Have you found the frequency of your nearest NDB? That's a good place to start for checkout. An NDB on 365 kHz will be heard at 4.365 MHz on the '718, etc, assuming a 4 MHz IF...
Re: BOB
Posted by Peter Barick on February 17, 2004 at 10:23:19
QRZ - BOB
Copied in Sycamore IL 02-17/7:30-8:00AM (about 110 miles N-S)
After seeing your post, I gave it another try and got it. Using top-loaded T and R8 rx. Was trying to get copy on Argo software but instead start hearing 10wpm cw, R-4, S-5, then Argo didn't matter. Some PL buzzing too.
This is the first cw LowFER reception for me. I've heard other strong sigs, namely RB and LEK but were in QRS mode and were first ID'd on Argo.
Peter
Re: BOB
Posted by John Davis on February 17, 2004 at 12:36:53
When you think about it, Peter, aural copy of a signal whose ERP is measurable in microwatts, over a distance of 110 miles, is nothing short of amazing. Gives you quite a feeling of accomplishment, doesn't it?
:-)
John
tunnel / underground communications
Posted by Darrin Quaschnik on February 18, 2004 at 17:13:04
Im researching different types of comm.gear for using underground in bus/train tunnels while they are under construction.The Seattle Fire Dept will be the prime rescue agency for a ten year public trans. project.We currently use 800mhz trunked and 450 mhz radio s .Any ideas or suggestions on different systems would help.
Re: tunnel / underground communications
Posted by Alan G3NYK on February 18, 2004 at 19:40:48
Hi Darrin see this month's (March 2004) Radio Communication (RSGB RadCom) There is an article by Mike Bedford of Cave Radio & Electronic Group about experiments in the old Standedge (Pennine) railway tunnel. I am sure Mike would e-mail you details...his address bedfordmd@aol.co.uk My own experience is limited to a short tunnel where we made 170MHz work with a 5 el beam pointed at the entrance, but it wasn't that long....probably no more than 800yds.
Cheers de Alan G3NYK alan.melia@btinternet.com
Re: tunnel / underground communications
Posted by Richard, VE7ZEP on February 19, 2004 at 15:19:13
Hi Darrin,
Near where I live, 880 MHz cellular systems are in use in the tunnels that use log-periodic arrays pointing 180 degrees from each other (looking both directions of the tunnel). I believe they are micro-cells in practice.
I do know that CP Rail uses 160 MHz for their voice comms and 450 MHz for their EOT's (End Of Train device) and use transponders thru some of their larger tunnels in the Canadian Rockies. Some of their tunnels curve and they have several of these transponders in place at various points of the tunnel.
Aeronautical 25W NDB Daytime Range
Posted by Mark on February 22, 2004 at 15:11:47
I am testing the sensitivity of an old portable RDF and would like to know what a good range is for a 25W NDB operating in poor ground during the day (groundwave). Also, how far can the really good receivers (non-portable ham-type) pick up a 25w NDB during the day?
Closest Station
Posted by Charles Weaver on February 23, 2004 at 08:22:13
I live in the border of N.H. and Mass. about 20 miles west of Boston. I've completed an upconverter that seems to work with a signal generaator set at 150 KHZ. I have a
102 foot dipole, center feed, G5V. I can use the tuner MFJ 926 or direct. What I need is a station that is close enough to be sure of the reception. Any ideas what station might be the closest with sufficient output?
Charles Weaver
KB1JHB
Re: Closest Station
Posted by John Andrews on February 23, 2004 at 09:08:00
Charles,
The nearest LF experimental ("Lowfer") station to you is Bill Ashlock's "WM" in Andover. You should be able to hear his signal as a very slowly keyed carrier on 185.300 kHz. It's not CW, but a frequency shifting carrier that traces out the letters W and M when viewed on spectral analysis software. But he's close enough that you should be able to hear the carrier.
John Andrews, W1TAG
Re: Closest Station
Posted by Tim Brannon on February 23, 2004 at 22:55:41
Charles,
I used the www.AirNav.com website to find some NDBs in the Boston area to hopefully find a LOUD! signal to test your converter. The NBD callsign TUK used to be on 194 kHz from Nantucket with 4000 watts! but I think they are off the air now. Frequencies below are in kHz. I confess I don't know what they mean by "Var" below, since most common NDBs in my area use 25 watt transmitters. Your G5RV may need a simple tuner, but with components beyond the range of an MFJ HF model. Let us know.
73,
Tim
NDB name Freq Var ID LYNDY 382 16W LQ .-.. --.- SHAKER HILL 251 16W SKR ... -.- .-. TOPSFIELD 269 16W TOF - --- ..-. MARSHFIELD 368 16W IMR .. -- .-. MANSFIELD 220 16W IHM .. .... -- TAUNTON 227 16W TAN - .- -. PLYMOUTH 257 16W FFF ..-. ..-. ..-. CENTRAL 241 15W SFZ ... ..-. --.. DERRY 338 16W DRY -.. .-. -.-- FITCHBURG 365 15W FIT ..-. .. - PROVINCETOWN 389 16W PVC .--. ...- -.-.
Re: Aeronautical 25W NDB Daytime Range
Posted by Tim Brannon on February 23, 2004 at 23:14:53
A lot depends on the antenna connected to the receiver. I don't have any experience with RDF receivers, but I have an older Radio Shack (Sangean) radio with an internal loopstick that can easily receive 25 watt NDBs in the 40 mile range using the radio in CW (i.e. MCW) mode. A ham rig with a converter and active whip should have little trouble in the 100 mile range, and I have fair daytime copy of a 300 watt beacon in Oklahoma City at 200 miles with a 50 foot random wire and a tuner.
73,
Tim
Isle of Man radio is go....!!
Posted by Mike Terry on February 24, 2004 at 12:42:50
(Via BDXC News at 16.40 this afternoon ..... great news at last!!!!)
This just in from manxradio.com news:
Long Wave broadcaster gets the go ahead
A long-wave radio station is to be set up in the North of the Island,
and could be on air by the end of the year.
A short time ago at Douglas Courthouse, Isle of Man International Broadcasting PLC was told it could proceed with its plans.
Bride resident, Nick Cussons, had attempted to block them by lodging a petition of doleance challenging the Communications Commission's decision to award a substantive long wave broadcasting licence to IMIB.
However, Acting Deemster, Roger Kaye, threw out the petition and said he saw no reason why the licence should be revoked.
IMIB chief executive Paul Rusling is delighted with the verdict.
After his petition was dismissed, Mr Cussons said he was disappointed with the findings and is considering his options.
He now has six weeks to consider whether or not to file an appeal.
He does not intend to make a further statement at this time.
(Manx Radio news)
Information may only be reproduced if full credit is given to the original source, contributor AND to the British DX Club (BDXC-UK).
Fwd: LF: Overnight transatlantic on 135.9245
Posted by Brian Rogerson on February 24, 2004 at 14:04:33
>
>Happy to report clean copy of CT1DRP's signal overnight
>on 135.9245 Khz. Signal was received in Ontario, Canada.
>
>Brian was running GPS-sync'd BPSK with an ASCII ID (no FEC) repeating
>every 2 minutes and using 1-second per bit. Brian was using his own
>system, not AFRICAM, although this shows AFRICAM would work well for
>trans Atlantic tests under similar conditions.
>
>Here's the message:
>
>01100011 01110100 00110001 01100100 01110010 01110000 00100000 01100011
>01110100 00110001 01100100 01110010 01110000 00100000 00000000
>ct1drp ct1drp [00]
>
>Bill VE2IQ
IOM long wave radio mast will be safe
Posted by Mike Terry on February 25, 2004 at 04:51:10
The chief executive of the company behind the long-wave radio station to be set up in the north of the Island insists there are no safety risks involved.
Isle of Man International Broadcasting PLC was yesterday given the go-ahead to proceed with plans, after a petition of doleance, challenging the Communications Commission's decision to grant a substantive licence to IMIB,
was dismissed.
IMIB will site its radio mast four kilometres off the coast of Cranstal in Bride.
Although concern has been expressed about radiation risks from the site,
Paul Rusling says residents should have no fears.
http://www.manxradio.com/
Ireland - Blank 252
Posted by Mike Terry on February 25, 2004 at 13:32:12
Wednesday 25th February 2004
A blank carrier has appeared on 252kHz, the long wave frequency on which RTÉ
Radio are planning to run Radio 1 programming. RTÉ have been making a bit of noise recently about an impending announcement concerning this frequency,
and had already indicated that March 17th (St Patrick's Day) was a very possible start date.
http://www.radiowaves.fm/news/index.shtml
HiFER LP Status
Posted by Larry Putmaan on February 26, 2004 at 09:30:40
All,
HiFER LP will be off till March 2, 2004 next Tuesday.
73
Larry WB3ANQ FM19rc LP 13.554980 MHz.
Re: HiFER LP Status
Posted by Larry Putman on February 26, 2004 at 09:32:36
Gee I spelled my name wrong :-)
Re: IOM long wave radio mast will be safe
Posted by Mike Terry on February 26, 2004 at 10:26:33
26 February
The Island's Radio Mast Concern group is calling for a full public inquiry to be launched into the siting of a mast for a new long-wave radio station.
Isle of Man International Broadcasting PLC hopes to launch a Ramsey based station within the next 12 months and will site its mast four kilometres off the coast of Cranstal in Bride.
However, John Watson, Chairman of the concern group set-up after IMIB announced its plans, says further action has to be taken to prevent the transmitter being sited in Ramsey Bay.
http://www.manxradio.com/
LF Propagation
Posted by Alan G3NYK on February 26, 2004 at 10:34:38
Hi all, the following was posted to the RSGB LF Group, but it occurred to me that there might be some interest among LowFers chasing daytime DX catches. So after a success with the 1000+ km daytime QSO between John and Dex I am sticking my neck out.
------------------------------
Hi all, Long distance propagation seems to be good on the night-time paths ...see Joe VO1NA's report from Sam RN6NB at 6600km. Steve W3EEE shows reasonable received levels of DCF39 but not "the best".
We have had a period of about 10days since the last minor storm (Kp=5) which occurred 4 days after a Kp=6 event. It would generally take a few more days for conditions to really settle in to the "good" category. Unfortunately a sun-spot appeared, grew rapidly and ejected a Class X1.1 X-ray flare this morning (26th Feb). The spot is Earth-facing so the CME will collide with the Earth in about 2 days time, say Saturday 28th. It will take a couple of days for the effects to show on LF radio propagation, so we can expect a deterioration in long-distance night-time conditions by about the 1st March. As a consolation shorter distance daytime paths should improve for at least two days, with up to 6dB (maybe as high as 10dB) enhancement timed when the sun is at its zenith (mid-day) at the mid-path point.
------------------------------
Good Hunting Cheers de Alan G3NYK alan.melia@btinternet.com
BCY
Posted by Jerry on February 27, 2004 at 11:23:33
BCY Beacon is on at 169.375 KHz QRSS30 with 12 WPM ID. Haven't had too much time to test or change much on the antenna since there has been a change in my work schedule.
I do have plans to do work on the antenna and radial system this spring. Will most likely be changing the final and adding more radials.I Kinda started this thing late in the year so maybe this year I can get more of the bugs worked out.
Of course any receptions reports would be welcome .
Thanks Jerry
Re: BCY
Posted by John Bogath on February 27, 2004 at 11:42:45
I will be looking for you here in northwest New Jersey (NWNJ), Jerry.
Re: Aeronautical 25W NDB Daytime Range
Posted by Mark on February 27, 2004 at 11:45:26
Thanks, Tim for your help. What I have is a 1960's solid state RDF that was made primarily for boating. It has a 12" x 2" (approx) rotatable ferrite loop on the top. AM mode only. I bought it at a junk store and it was coated with 40 years of dust. Tunes down to about 150 KHZ. Cost me $20. Works great.
I can get every 25w NDB within a 68 mile radius during the day, so I guess it is a fairly good portable set. Ground is horrible here (just rock and clay).
I notice that if I clip my 60' attic longwire to the chassis, the noise level can, depending on frequency, DROP to incredibly low levels. I assume I am basically providing a better ground circuit for the set? If I wrap the longwire around the ferrite loop, I get an INCREASE in noise (I assume it is picking up the e field when I do this), but at times I can get some signals doing this that I can't get on the ferrite loop alone.
It is fun to play with and I am wondering if an even longer wire clipped to the chassis may work even better? Even if I lay it on the ground, who knows.
LEK wolf
Posted by Lloyd Chastant on February 28, 2004 at 22:49:27
Here is what I was able to squeeze out of Lyles Wolf tonite
C:\Wolf>wolf -q lek.wav -r 8001.65 -f 800.049 -b 8000 WOLF version 0.61 LEK Wolf copy 2/29/2004 0230z by W3NF FM19MH t: 24 f: 0.259 a: 0.6 dp:114.9 ci:13 cj:447 TI.BK3IA88U500B ?
t: 48 f: 0.137 a:-1.6 dp:111.0 ci: 6 cj: 50 *8AKDHV*D5CTJ*C ?
t: 96 f:-0.917 a: 1.3 dp:109.8 ci: 8 cj:110 0Z3RQDAP66*UZZB ?
t: 192 f: 0.264 pm: 555 jm:121 q:-15.0 -8.1 C IBX9YIU YVL5D ?
t: 288 f:-0.381 pm: 599 jm:309 q:-12.0 -8.7 JR7X20LZQLYHXMM ?
t: 384 f: 0.879 pm: 765 jm: 20 q:-10.0 -7.8 M6F7EN/*ZRD*R F ?
t: 480 f:-0.791 pm: 845 jm:956 q:-10.1 -7.2 POKO.4Y1E0Y983J ?
t: 576 f: 0.020 pm: 924 jm:421 q: -9.3 -8.3 L/EX*6QVVE3UJ9O ?
t: 672 f: 0.020 pm: 934 jm:421 q: -8.8 -8.4 /NL 0BKCZ84/1MV ?
t: 768 f: 0.879 pm: 978 jm: 20 q: -7.2 -6.2 9JXBRQ7SA8V15U4 -
t: 864 f: 0.879 pm: 1030 jm: 20 q: -6.9 -7.0 G23SW.0X1.5U81U ?
t: 960 f: 0.010 pm: 1105 jm: 60 q: -6.8 -8.9 /2WFFQV8WCE58Z7 ?
t:1056 f: 0.010 pm: 1327 jm: 60 q: -5.9 -5.8 HMZTXQTKI.8Y34 ?
t:1152 f: 0.010 pm: 1739 jm: 60 q: -4.8 -5.9 HMZTXQTKIMYE7.P ?
t:1248 f: 0.010 pm: 1802 jm: 60 q: -4.1 -6.7 FN1YE1ZZAS4LQ.Q ?
t:1344 f: 0.010 pm: 2025 jm: 60 q: -3.5 -5.8 LEK AITKIN MN -
t:1440 f: 0.010 pm: 2089 jm: 60 q: -3.2 -5.5 LEK AITKIN MN -
t:1536 f: 0.010 pm: 2157 jm: 60 q: -3.2 -5.2 LEK AITKIN MN -
de Lloyd W3NF
Re: LEK wolf
Posted by John Andrews on February 29, 2004 at 12:54:19
I recorded three hours of LEK from 0800 to 1100 UTC. When divided into six half-hour segments, LEK was plainly copied in four of the six .wav files. A printout of the results may be seen at:
http://webpages.charter.net/w1tag/LEKWOLF.htm
Having spent a LOT of time copying LEK in WOLF a few years ago, this is a typical result. The best propagation between us usually lies in those hours, and it is rare not to lose a half hour or two due to fading or interference.
John Andrews, W1TAG
Fwd: LWBC in NC -and- TAG in Africam
Posted by Dexter McIntyre (via Webmaster) on February 29, 2004 at 20:37:29
(Readers: Here are two messages that Dex apparently sent to the board last week via e-mail, one of which I thought made it onto the board but isn't there now, and the other of which just recently came in. Sorry for the delays. -John)
Subj: 162 and 177 kHz BC in NC Date: 2/22/04 9:25:49 AM Eastern Standard Time From: dmcintyre@att.net (Dexter McIntyre W4DEX)
While copying TAG running GBPSK on 185.800 kHz with 400 Hz IF last night I couldn't help noticing the strong sidebands from Europe 1. The 183 kHz was very strong but not in the clear. I could not determine if there was another BC signal on the frequency or if I had something local distorting the audio. So I tuned down band and found a useable signal from Germany on 177 kHz and a very good signal from France on 162 kHz.
I have uploaded a few short clips cut from recordings I made between 0400 and 0500 UT. The 177 kHz signal was much better at 0430 but I did not record that frequency until after 0500 UT. It isn't real good but couldn't mistake hearing the Beetles "I Want to Hold Your Hand".
WAV files are available from this directory:
http://w4dex.com/lfbc/22feb04/
Dex
Subj: GBPSK MS2000 ET3 Africam reception of TAG Date: 2/22/04 8:15:03 AM Eastern Standard Time From: dmcintyre@att.net (Dexter McIntyre W4DEX)
Caught a bunch of TAGs and a TOG on the overnight GBPSK run.
Dex
AFRICAM log opened: Sun Feb 22 2004 at 03:14 Local Time
03:14:57 AG TAG TAG TAG TAG TLG TAG EAG[0C]BDG[0C]M&TDE&[18]@-ej'[1B]fp04:07:29 [04]Tfl[04][17]gl#TAl#TK U&L%[11][12]D[02]U[12]D-UAr TAG TAG T
04:52:17 AG TAR [1D]_[ [1C]_[17]Q[1C]@Q.[1C][01][0D].]r
[1A]cu
5c4O+cee05:32:49 ++
[10]+3[05]xD>t$<[16]L3<%L3 %[05][07] T F TAG TOG TAG TAG TA06:22:57 G TAG TAG TAG TAG TAG [0A]AG SAG SQ Qg[07][0A]QcG[0B]QA[05] D
07:13:06 AG=[0E]AG&
AG&[0A]AG+
A[16]"
A@&
A_&[16]A
[01]T d [15]
www.lwca.org
potrzebie
