TU ???
Posted by D. BECK on March 01, 2004 at 13:58:37
Just returned to LF listening after a long absence. Does anyone know the location of TU approx. 420 khz? Can't find it on the NAVAID site.
Thanks,
Dave K4PBN Birmingham, AL.
Re: TU ???
Posted by Jacques d'Avignon on March 02, 2004 at 07:28:57
TU is Tuppelo Mississipi on 420 kHz.
You will not find any 2 letter becons in the NAVAID listing.
Jacques
Hifer LP is back on
Posted by Larry Putman on March 02, 2004 at 19:47:28
All.
Hifer LP is back on the air as of 2100 UTC. March 2, 2004 Same frequency 13.5549.80 MHz. sawtooth wave form QRSS3.
All reports are most welcome!
73
Larry WB3ANQ FM19rc Pasadena, MD.
Larry Putman WB3ANQ wrote:
A small difference in this page...
Posted by Webmaster on March 02, 2004 at 22:25:39
In the past, when you chose to post a new message to the board, you basically scrolled to the bottom of the message board page to access a form in which you could compose your text.
Beginning today, we have made the message editing tool a separate page of its own. You can write in the separate window without affecting or being affected by whatever happens to the main message list.
We did this to cure a problem some users experienced when trying to write messages that took longer than the interval at which the Message Board refreshes itself. In addition, in the near future, it will let us implement even better protection against spamming of the message board.
As always, write to webmaster@lwca.org to report any difficulties in using the site. Thanks.
John
Re: Ireland - Blank 252
Posted by Mike Terry on March 03, 2004 at 02:46:56
from Media Network Weblog - Tuesday, March 02, 2004
RTÉ CONFIRMS MARCH 17 LONGWAVE LAUNCH
Irish media site Radiowaves reports that Irish public broadcaster RTÉ has confirmed it will launch its longwave service of RTÉ Radio 1 on St.
Patrick's Day, 17 March 2004. Transmissions will be audible throughout Ireland and much of the UK. The start of the longwave service will enable RTÉ to carry out maintenance work on the mast at the Tullamore transmitter site, necessitating the temporary suspension of mediumwave transmissions on
567 kHz. This work is scheduled for July through October 2004. RTÉ has also announced that in April it will take the mediumwave transmitter at Athlone on 612 kHz out of service. This frequency relays 2FM, and RTÉ says the number of mediumwave listeners is small.
More details on these stories:
Radiowaves: http://www.radiowaves.fm/news/index.shtml
# posted by Andy Sennitt @ 11:23 UTC
GBPSK Update
Posted by John Andrews on March 03, 2004 at 09:23:56
Work continues on GPS-synchronized BPSK ("GBPSK") using VE2IQ's AFRICAM program. As of this writing, LEK, NC, TAG and VD have transmit and receive capability. VE2IQ has mostly been receiving, but has done some GBPSK transmitting at HF.
The clear advantage has been the ability to use 1 and 2 second bit rates (MS1000 and MS2000) without long sync-up times. With Africam knowing the exact time, the bit and frame sync are set shortly after starting the program. No further sync-searching takes place, so that valid data can be received almost immediately. Without the GPS lock, it could take hours to sync to an MS1000 signal.
The slowest data rate thus far has been MS2000 with 32 bit error correction. That works out to 64 seconds per character, which seems slow until you realize that QRSS30 can be 8 times slower! MS1000 and MS2000 has produced good nighttime and overnight copy at all sites. Use of AFRICAM's "GRAB" function allows copy through fades during beacon-style operation with repeating text.
Distance is reduced with the faster data rates. VD and TAG have good daytime copy at 71 miles using MS100 with 8 bit error correction. That rate permits a decent QSO, something that we will do shortly.
In terms of weak-signal capability through noise, WOLF still appears to offer superior performance, though it is difficult to make a direct comparison. Stewart Nelson has announced that he is working on a new version of WOLF that will use the MS1000 data rate, GPS sync, and will run in real time.
We need to make better comparisons to JASON, though the feeling is that AFRICAM's MS1000 with ET3 (32 bit) error correction should be similar.
A GPS receiver with a 1 PPS output is necessary. Accurate transmit and receive frequency control is a must at the lowest data rates, but is not as critical at MS100. AFRICAM is a DOS program that must be run on a computer booted to DOS, not in a Windows DOS box. The catch is that your sound card must work in DOS mode, or you will have to use an external A/D converter. VE2IQ still has his Sigma-Delta board kits available...contact him for details. Presently, all participants except VE2IQ are using those boards. AFRICAM software is available at:
http://www.magma.ca/~ve2iq/
John Andrews, W1TAG
newbee
Posted by bryan (KG4ENB) on March 04, 2004 at 01:24:37
hello all I would just like to say hello. I just sent off my membership for lwca and cant wait to really get started. I need help, I am capable of putting a digram together into a working project but I am still having a hard time coming up with my own projects. You see I want to build a receiver solely for lf that is tunable from 80KC to 530KC but yet stable enough to receive rtty. If anyone can help please reply thanks bryan kg4enb
Re: newbee
Posted by John Andrews on March 04, 2004 at 09:00:38
Bryan,
Hello! Do you have an HF ham rig (transceiver or receiver)? If so, the easiest approach would be an up-converter. For example, if the converter had a conversion oscillator at 10 MHz, you would tune from 10.000 to 10.530 MHz to receive 0 - 530 kHz.
You might want to check Lyle Kohler's web site:
http://www.computerpro.com/~lyle/
He has some interesting projects that may be of interest.
If you don't have an HF receiver, you will have a fairly ambitious project on your hands. You might look at the "A LowFER Receiver Using a 'Software' IF" article at the above site.
Just a thought here. Most RTTY activity at LF is encrypted, so you may not be able to understand what is being sent.
John Andrews, W1TAG
Part 5 Experimental Update
Posted by John Andrews, WD2XES on March 04, 2004 at 16:27:57
My Part 5 experimental application was granted today, and this means that only one application is pending for the 136 kHz band. That remaining app is Laurence Howell's request to modify his WD2XDW license to allow more frequencies and bandwidth. That's kind of moot right now, as he can no longer operate from the Alaska site.
The following applications have been granted since last summer:
WD2XES (John Andrews, W1TAG)
WD2XGI (Mike Reid, WE0H)
WD2XFE (Bob Bicking, W9RB)
WD2XGJ (Warren Ziegler, K2ORS)
WD2XFX (Eric Smith, KD5UWL)
WD2XDW (Laurence Howell, KL1X)
WC2XTC (Michael Troy, )
To my knowledge, only WD2XDW and WD2XFX have had any activity thus far. The 600 Meter Research Group has been active on 166.500, primarily through Ralph Hartwell, W5GJV. That group does not have a license for the 136 kHz range, however.
John Andrews, W1TAG/WD2XES
XES XSR
Posted by lloyd chastant on March 05, 2004 at 08:35:09
Last nite had copy on XSR 166.5 and newcomer XES 137.728 QRSS 30 hr in Maryland de Lloyd W3NF
XES and VE3OT
Posted by Roger Magnuson on March 06, 2004 at 10:36:57
I had nice copy here in Duluth, MN of XES and VE3OT on 137.728 Khz overnight. Congrats to John on getting his part 5 license and getting on the air. Nice to see Mitch in there too. Mitch is a regular here on the 137 band. Roger, (Beacon RM 189.8 Khz)
NDB Software
Posted by Bob Zyskowski on March 06, 2004 at 11:46:43
What is the best software with instructions for dummies to monitor NDB's overnight?
Where is it located?
Thanks,
Bob
Re: NDB Software
Posted by Steinar Aanesland on March 06, 2004 at 15:04:02
I am using "Spectrum Lab".
http://www.qsl.net/dl4yhf/
It is excellent :)
Steinar www.aanesland.com
Medfer(?) RR on 570 KHz.
Posted by Dave Childs on March 06, 2004 at 20:03:36
Has anyone besides me heard RR on this freq? The ID follows about a one second 400 Hz. tone. The ID (RR) repeats about every 60 seconds & is modulated at about 1 Khz. It's easy to hear in east-central MI.
Re: Medfer(?) RR on 570 KHz.
Posted by John Andrews on March 07, 2004 at 16:25:37
Dave,
That sounds like a Canadian aero beacon, but of course they would not be operating on 570 kHz. There is no "RR" listed in Pierre Thompson's Canadian database, however. My guess is that it's a transmitter gone wild or (more likely) a mixing product with one of your local AM stations. If you have an LF receiver, you might go searching for loud aero beacons that match what you're hearing on 570.
John Andrews
Re: Medfer(?) RR on 570 KHz.
Posted by Dave Childs on March 07, 2004 at 23:43:34
Hi John, my database shows 2 beacons w/IDs of RR, one in Russia on 300 KHz & the other in the Netherlands on 404.5 KHz. It seems unlikely that a mixing spur from either would be audible over the din of BCB stations on 570 KHz. Also, the format doesn't fit any other NDB I've heard: 1 min. cycle time, rapid ID given at 1 KHz modulation, then silent for nearly a minute until about a 1 second 400 Hz tone then the ID again. I wonder if this could be another clandestine beacon used by drug smugglers or the like.
Re: Medfer(?) RR on 570 KHz.
Posted by William Hepburn on March 08, 2004 at 06:09:28
The Radio Reloj AM network in Cuba transmits "RR" in Morse Code. I've heard this on several frequencies across the AM band.
Loop Antenna
Posted by Charles Weaver on March 08, 2004 at 10:24:54
Need to build a loop antenna for my upconverter.
This will be in the outside environment so it should be weather worthy. I have the plans for a
2 foot box type and a 4 foot frame type. The 4 foot might be a problem for my area but if it is the only type that will be effective then I'll do it.
Any ideas?
Re: NDB Software
Posted by Bob Zyskowski on March 08, 2004 at 10:43:26
Steinar,
Thanks for your input, I will check that program out.
Re: Loop Antenna
Posted by John Bogath on March 08, 2004 at 11:09:31
I say "the larger, the better", Charlie. It's capture area that you want. A circle has the greatest capture area for a given size. Next is something that would approximate a circle, like an octagon. In an outside loop, I would try to go larger than 4 feet, if possible. My inside loop is 6 feet in diameter; a bit awkward, but I wouldn't have it any smaller.
Re: Loop Antenna
Posted by Alan G3NYK on March 08, 2004 at 20:24:38
Hi Charles as John says, I echo, the bigger the better. I suggest you go and have a look at Rik Strobbe's web site...
www.qsl.net/on7yd In his 137kHz section he has a large technical "tutorial" on aerials of all sorts, together with a technical archive linking to 100s of articles relevant to LF hardware. The problem will be not the loop but the tuning, if you want to cover a wide listening spectrum. If the loop is big enough, and here 6feet diam is quoted, you will find you dont need any pre-amp on it. If you use a smaller loop a pre-amp can be an advantage depending on your local noise levels.
I am using a rather tatty 16 turn 4 foot indoor loop (made with 25pair telephone cable) with a simple preamp for receiving VO1NA in the east of England. The preamp has about 18dB gain which is probably too much. I can copy his QRSS20 nearly every night...a distance of 3600kms and he is only running about 100 watts, into a 50 foor high Marconi (inverted L).
There was an article recently(last year ? of maybe 2002 now) in Electronics World (used to be Wireless World in the good old days) by a couple of Italians which goes into the use of loops quite deeply with substantial measurements on experimental designs from 70cms diameter upwards.
Good Luck Cheers de Alan G3NYK alan.melia@btinternet.com www.alan.melia.btinternet.co.uk
Re: Medfer(?) RR on 570 KHz.
Posted by John Andrews on March 09, 2004 at 10:29:58
I have heard the Radio Reloj interval signal as well. The catch is that I don't think they have a station on 570. WKAQ in San Juan is on 580, and they ID with Radio Reloj. I know because I used to hear them when making impedance measurements on a 4-tower AM directional array on 580. There's nothing like four 375 foot towers to collect a little signal at 2 A.M.!
Beyond that, I'm out of ideas. I very much doubt if this is anything clandestine or nefarious.
John Andrews
Phasing out of LW beacons?
Posted by Mike Terry on March 09, 2004 at 11:21:32
Are LW Beacons were going to be phased out in the US by 2008?
I'm sure I read this somewhere.
If so do you expect more transatlantic dx catches to result?
Mike
(UK)
Re: Phasing out of LW beacons?
Posted by John Davis on March 09, 2004 at 12:01:12
Maybe another of our readers will have more definite word on this than I do, but I doubt very much whether all LW beacons will be shutting down that soon. The Federal Aviation Administration may well discontinue their long-range beacons, which no longer serve much purpose, and perhaps discontinue LW beacons at major commercial airports.
However, small local airports operate many hundreds of lower power beacons that are not under the FAA's budget or direct supervision. Also, some of these have proven valuable as Automated Weather Observation Stations. I would guess that we'll see some NDBs go away, but others shift their primary function away from navigation and toward AWOS broadcasts.
John
Re: NDB Software
Posted by Mark on March 10, 2004 at 11:00:52
You can't beat Spectrum Lab for this. I have set it to run all night as it graphs NDB signal and noise levels. I have it hooked up to a portable set!
Re: Phasing out of LW beacons?
Posted by Alex Wiecek on March 12, 2004 at 12:16:44
Beacons up here in Canada should start to disappear soon. Company I work for (Nav Canada) has proposed a shutdown of all NDBs used for approach at the Toronto International Airport and few others in Ontario.
My guess is another 10 years or so and they will start dropping like flies (about the same time as ILS's)
Alex VE3GOP http://members.rogers.com/wiecek6010
WD2XES Across the Pond?
Posted by John Andrews on March 13, 2004 at 08:44:19
WD2XES was running DFCW90 last night, 0.5 Hz above VO1NA.
Brian, CT1DRP was posting captures to the web, and managed to snag XES (faintly) around 0300 UTC. Here's his screen shot:
http://webpages.charter.net/w1tag/files/XESNA1.jpg
This was evidently the best signal of the night for XES and VO1NA. I was only running 75 watts to a loop antenna. The distance appears to be 5123 km.
Thank to Brian for posting the captures, and to Jay, W1VD, for giving me the URL.
John Andrews, W1TAG/WD2XES WD2XES Status: http://webpages.charter.net/w1tag/
Report, 13 March
Posted by Ray, W2RS on March 13, 2004 at 16:45:10
Hi,
At 1630 local time today (2130Z), NWNJ was 559, about as strong as I can recall hearing John in some time. TH was 579. No copy on HS, and there was a carrier on JJX's frequency.
My 4-foot active, broadband loop (Wellbrook LFL-1010) remains pointed toward Europe, with peaks at roughly 50/230 and nulls at roughly 140/320. Neither NWNJ nor TH is favored or nulled.
73,
Ray
Hifer ESA, new antenna
Posted by Jim V. M. on March 13, 2004 at 19:33:19
Hifer ESA on 13.5658 MHz, testing 1/4 wave ground mounted vertical antenna. Plan to be on for 7 days, 24 hours/day.
73 Jim
RTE 252
Posted by Mike Terry on March 14, 2004 at 01:05:23
252 kHz longwave now carrying easy listening music interspersed with announcements saying : "This is a test transmission for RTE longwave 252,
which starts broadcasting on March the 17th". This is the first time I've heard anything apart from a carrier on the frequency from RTE for several weeks. Algeria is audible as slight background interference.
(BDXC, UK)
Re: RTE 252
Posted by Mike Terry on March 14, 2004 at 03:01:54
Here is the official announcement:
RTÉ is pleased to announce an extension of their radio services, with effect from March 17, 2004, St. Patrick's Day. From then, RTÉ Radio 1 will be available throughout the island of Ireland, in Britain and parts of Europe on Long Wave 252.
Following tests on LW 252 last September, RTÉ Radio received valuable feedback and considerable encouragement regarding the service from listeners throughout Ireland, the UK and further afield. Detailed observations on signal strength were posted and comments on the proposed service were very positive.
The launch of RTÉ Radio 1 on Long Wave 252 (khz) is an exciting opportunity for radio listeners in all of Ireland, who will now be able to hear Radio 1 on one single, strong frequency. This is also an opportunity to provide a better service to those listening in the UK and parts of Europe where the same output on LW252 will also be heard. This service is of particular benefit to car listeners to maintain the quality of station reception as they move through different transmission areas.
RTÉ Radio 1 is Ireland's most listened to radio station. It has been on air since 1926. The station contains an engaging mixture of talk radio, music,
news and current affairs and a broad range of drama, entertainment and features programmes. Daily shows include Morning Ireland, Marian Finucane,
the Creedon Show, Liveline with Joe Duffy, Today with Pat Kenny and Five Seven Live.
Programming on Long Wave 252 will include RTÉ Radio 1's sport and religious choices, currently available on Medium Wave in Ireland.
While recognising that its core remit is to domestic audiences, RTÉ has always maintained and funded overseas distribution with the purpose of bringing our content to a wider community of listeners. RTÉ provides a uniquely Irish voice and viewpoint, both on issues relating directly to Ireland and on events around the globe. RTÉ seeks also to reflect Ireland's increasing diversity, its place in the wider world and to serve as a progressive force in reflecting and shaping the cultural life of the nation.
RTÉ is excited about this initiative and hopes listeners everywhere will continue to enjoy RTÉ Radio 1 and experience a piece of Ireland wherever they are.
We'd like to hear from you if you can hear us!
Email: longwave@rte.ie
http://www.rte.ie/radio1/lw252.html
80 meter Beacons
Posted by Robert, KB7AQD on March 14, 2004 at 16:09:57
With my indoor two-Slinkys-in-series QRP ham antenna, I can load up on 80M, and made some QRP contacts into California. My stock IC703 has a built-in beacon keyer, so I would like to operate an 80M beacon either in the Novice/Tech 3700 kHz area, or near 3999 kHz, where a CW signal would contrast against the normal SSB traffic.
Along with "KB7AQD/B" at 6 WPM, I could program a Morse "T", then three spaces, then another "T" to make a sort of CQSS single-letter beacon composed of "dits", like E, I, S, H or number "5" to make it easier for you to copy with visual waterfall software.
Have some ideas for a clear frequency in the 80M ham band for a General class operator to set up such a HiFER QRP beacon? Or, good times to schedule, since I must manually operate a beacon that resides outside the dedicated 10M beacon subband?
73 Robert Homuth KB7AQD
Re: 80 meter Beacons
Posted by John Andrews on March 14, 2004 at 16:25:45
Robert,
Your original message has been edited somewhat, as this site is not a proper forum to promote illegal operation. Your questions about beaconing on 80 meters have been left, and I'm sure you will get some response.
I think what you are proposing is entirely reasonable. The folks who hang around 3999 kHz on LSB tend to be rather defensive of their turf, and might not appreciate a CW signal. Maybe the CW segment would be a better choice. I would think that the evening and overnight hours would be better suited to a low power 80 meter beacon in this frequency range.
John Andrews, W1TAG
Re: 80 meter Beacons
Posted by Robert KB7AQD on March 14, 2004 at 18:40:31
Precisely! I'm not promoting illegal operation at all. Since the FCC amateur rules permit beacons anyway...that's what I wanted to do. It was just weird to me that someone would go to the trouble to put up a propagation beacon as a pirate station. If we don't know where it is, can't send the operator a QSL report, can't verify it's power...it's certainly NOT what I wanted to do.
Look forward to suggestions on possible frequencies that might be clear, and LEGAL!
73 Proud to be a LICENSED ham...
KB7AQD Robert Homuth
Re: Hifer ESA, new antenna
Posted by Ed Gelinas on March 15, 2004 at 00:01:08
Hi Jim, Let me know when it's officially 'on', I'll listen for it. Are you back on internet now?
Got lot's of losses out of the KHFB radiating system-perhaps you can hear it now. 73
Re: Hifer ESA, new antenna
Posted by Jim V. M. on March 15, 2004 at 12:00:24
Greetings Ed,
I plan to keep ESA Hifer on at least untill the next rainy day. I am working on building ESA Hifer into a PSK31 beacon. Have the stuff in breadboard now and need to adjust some of the levels. My internet e-mail is still the same.
Will use my Sony 2010 from work to listen for KHFB Hifer.
73 Jim
Re: 80 meter Beacons
Posted by Ray, W2RS on March 15, 2004 at 15:48:04
Robert,
As John points out, 3999 is a widely-used SSB frequency, at least on the East Coast, so would not be suitable for beacons.
Normal HF practice is to put beacons near the upper end of the CW/data sub-bands, which in the US on 80 meters would suggest somewhere around 3749. I note that, according to qrz.com, you have a General Class license, which permits operation at that frequency. If the current ARRL proposal is adopted by FCC (a BIG "if," IMHO), 3725-3800 would become Extra Class phone territory, so you would then probably want to move to, say, 3724, since even with an Extra ticket you wouldn't want to put a beacon in the middle of the phone band. Anyway, you can always deal with that if and when it happens.
Good luck,
Ray
73,
Ray
Re: Phasing out of LW beacons?
Posted by Michael Oexner on March 16, 2004 at 01:01:45
Hi all,
The current (as of 2001's planning) U.S. NDB strategy is detailed in the 2001 Federal Radionavigation Plan.
For a download of the PDF file go to:
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pubs/frp2001/default.htm
or more specifically directly to:
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pubs/frp2001/FRP2001.pdf
vy 73 + gd DX,
Michael
The next transmission of SAQ
Posted by Friedrich on March 16, 2004 at 10:11:37
When will take place the next transmission of SAQ on 17.2kHz?
Re: RTE 252
Posted by Paul Strickland on March 16, 2004 at 10:22:02
Good signal here in North West England, rather quiet audio though. I would guess the tests are at 100kw. Hopefully from 6am utc tomorrow (17th march-St patricks day) when they launch, they should be at 500kw and should be audible on the east coast of the US and canada, as Atlantic 252 was.
Regards,
Paul Strickland,
Nr. Liverpool, UK.
Re: The next transmission of SAQ
Posted by John Andrews on March 16, 2004 at 11:13:38
I can't read Swedish, but I think the following comment on their web site indicates that they are planning something for 4 July:
"Vi planerar redan för Alexandersondagen 2004 som blir den 4 juli 2004!"
John Andrews
Re: 80 meter Beacons -- 3724 kHz it is! QRSS Question...
Posted by Robert Homuth on March 16, 2004 at 18:15:48
Thank you for taking the time to respond. It's the lowest ham band I can work from my apartment QTH...since LOWFER and MEDFER are not practical here.
I will see when I can operate, and will let you know when I am available to turn the rig on. Since I can slow the keyer to six WPM, could that be detected with your CQSS software? How about Farnsworth spacing: "K B 7 A Q D / B C N"?
73 Robert Homuth KB7AQD
Phoenix, Arizona DM33
Re: 80 meter Beacons -- 3724 kHz it is! QRSS Question...
Posted by John Andrews on March 16, 2004 at 18:56:04
Robert,
The visual slow-speed CW programs like Argo, Spectran and Spectrum Lab aren't going to have a big advantage over copying by ear at 6 wpm. QRSS3, which is frequently used on the 13.55 MHz "hifer" beacons, is about 0.4 wpm. At that point, you'd be getting a significant boost with the DSP software.
John Andrews
Re: RTE 252
Posted by Nigel Homer on March 17, 2004 at 15:19:06
Is it me or is the signal on 252 very weal & noisy compared to what it once was ???
RTE's 675 Khz outlet always came in much better here in Birmingham.
Nigel
Beacon Hunter Update
Posted by Alan Gale on March 18, 2004 at 16:34:11
Thanks for giving my Beacon Hunter's Handbook such a good plug on the LWCA website, two UK radio magazines picked up on it and gave me a good review in their "radio websites" columns as a result.
I've just updated the book yet again, and version 2.0 is now available. The new edition now has 141 pages, and is a bit bigger at around 2.38MB - don't think I'll be updating it again until later in the year though":-)
73 for now, Alan.
Website: www.beaconworld.org.uk/
Has RTE 252 crossed the Atlantic?
Posted by Mike Terry on March 18, 2004 at 17:47:06
Any reports from the US?
Mike
(Bournemouth, UK)
Re: Has RTE 252 crossed the Atlantic?
Posted by MIke Terry on March 19, 2004 at 02:52:23
The anmswer is yes, this from longwaveradiolistening@yahoogroups.com
"I'm listening to it NOW!.. using a Sangean AST-818 on
252 kHz and random long-wire located in East Texas,
local time 2030 CST or 0030 GMT.
Reception is sparodic with fading to background to Good signal several times p/minute.
Program content is piano music with commentary."
Billings DGPS recv'd in Niagara
Posted by William Hepburn on March 20, 2004 at 03:23:38
I managed to decode the Billings DGPS on 313 kHz tonight (Friday 20th) at 0805Z with a great signal! Ref Station # 62 @ 100 baud. This was using Sky Sweeper software with an NRD535D and a temporary noisy random wire out in the forest out back. At the same time, the farthest beacon in to the west was only PG-353 Portage, MB. I was surprised to see this station show up through the noise and at this distance (1,400 miles) - I guess these things use decently high power. Whitney, NE on 310 kHz was also in. Has anyone else had much luck with long distance DGPS?
Re: Billings DGPS recv'd in Niagara
Posted by Jacques d'Avignon on March 20, 2004 at 09:14:22
Alan Gale in the UK has been able to intercept and decode DGPS signals from stations in Newfoundland. Of course it is over the water and at LW it helps!
Re: Hifer ESA, new antenna
Posted by Ed Gelinas on March 20, 2004 at 10:54:09
Copied "ESA" on 3-19 @ 12:30PM PST from my 'listening' area
close to SF bay. Using only a 'barefoot' DX-402 rx with built-in telescopic antenna and headphones, sig level was constant 459 with QRM and sideband interference from WINB (13570Khz).
Considering the 'quality' of the rx setup, a 12 mile path, and no elevation at either end, "ESA" has some REAL dx capabilities!
HiFER Beacon LP CW ID
Posted by Larry Putman on March 20, 2004 at 16:10:08
I have added CW ID to beacon LP(finally)
Along with the QRSS3 sawtooth wave there will be 10 WPM CW ID every 15 seconds.
The power output is also up to 4 mW now. Reports welcome!
73
Larry WB3ANQ FM19rc
Re: Has RTE 252 crossed the Atlantic?
Posted by John Andrews on March 20, 2004 at 19:01:09
Mike,
I have been "listening" to 252 kHz tonight, from 2330 to 2350 UTC. It is mostly music with little talk, but the interference is such that I can't distinguish what is being said or sung. I am getting fading on the order of 1 Hz from another carrier. What I can distinguish of the music sounds very non-Irish, so I'm not sure what I'm hearing!
QTH is in central Massachusetts.
John Andrews, W1TAG
Re: Billings DGPS recv'd in Niagara
Posted by Robert Homuth KB7AQD on March 21, 2004 at 22:41:12
Are DGPS stations running the same 25 to 100W of power that an NDB would? Or, are they running thousands of watts into large antennas?
Re: Billings DGPS recv'd in Niagara
Posted by John Davis on March 22, 2004 at 02:51:33
They tend to run hundreds of watts into very efficient antenna systems...regular towers a few hundred feet tall, with good ground systems around them.
John
Receiver opinions/comparisons
Posted by Al on March 22, 2004 at 15:25:25
Folks,
I've been "scouring" the Web for a long time now trying to find out what the best LW receiver is. I would like to get opinions from owners of multiple receivers. I know I'm always comparing the receivers I have/had
(ATS-909, RX-320, AR-3000A, R-75) and I know that there are other hobbyists out there doing the same thing. What I've been after for a while now is the receiver that performs best for pulling in distant NDBs. I've gotten some opinions (one from someone I consider an expert) that the AOR 7030 might be the way to go, but I'm curious about side by side comparisons with other receivers, etc. We all know that some of these radio's designs are not soo great for LW DX. I would consider any opinions or suggestions. I've decided agaist getting a Digital Selective Level Meter, probably due to the aesthetic standpoint. My current antenna is less than ideal: an RF Systems GMDSS (magnetic transfer) antenna mounted on the roof two stories up. It's rated for 100 kHz to 25 MHz.
I plan on ordering a Wellbrook loop very soon also, most likely the LA
530 indoor model. Unless, someone here thinks that a ALA 1530 will work just as well indoors... Please let me know. I'm also considering sending the R-75 to Kiwa for the MW Att. mod. I did the "quick" mod
(temporary) just for grins.
Any opinions would be greatly appreciated,
TIA and Good LW DX!
Al
Re: Receiver opinions/comparisons
Posted by Alan G3NYK on March 22, 2004 at 19:49:41
Hi Al, I may be a little biassed, but I have two AOR 7030s. Now it all depends what you mean by "best". It is my opinion that the 7030 is well up to professional specifications on dynamic range, it has a TCXO as standard, and a very good low noise DDS LO. Mine will track the Loran lines all night at 120 sec ARGO with drift much(much)less than 0.1Hz....I am besotted !!
However the ergonimics are total rubbish if you are an "operator"..the menu system is a complete pain. For instance it takes three button-pressings to switch the AGC off. If you are willing to accept these points (and learn to memorize where fuction are in the menu)it is a great performer. Another positive point is that it will take several extra Rockwell-Collins filters...I have both mine fitted with 300Hz bw filters. The radio will calibrate a filter from an inbuilt routine and then align it with all the others, so a homebrew addition is quite easy. I have a friend locally who says it is the best "non-valve" receiver he has ever used on 40m, and he hasn't any of those still in his shack to compare with. Of course it was designed in the UK !! Try and borrow one to play with before you buy anything and I am sure you will agree.
Cheers de Alan G3NYK alan.melia@btinternet.com
Re: Receiver opinions/comparisons
Posted by Jacques d'Avignon on March 23, 2004 at 06:41:08
If you get a Wellbrook loop, get the 1530. Then if you need to install it outside you will not have any problems. The 1530 works very well inside.
I have to agree with Alan the AR 7030 is a "challenge" but a very good receiver down to 9-10 kHz.
Jacques
Re: Receiver opinions/comparisons
Posted by Ray, W2RS on March 23, 2004 at 08:58:05
Al,
I have a Wellbrook LFL-1010, the "pure LF" version of the 1530. I find that, as Wellbrook suggests, it works much better outdoors than indoors. I have it mounted on a 5 ft pipe, about 30 ft from the house.
73,
Ray, W2RS
LF Propagation update
Posted by Alan G3NYK on March 25, 2004 at 08:59:18
Hi all, after a prod from John, W1TAG, I though it might be worth sharing this with you all. It may be particularly interesting the night-time NDB hunters.
Just as Ed's Vladivostok expedition on 136kHz draws to a close with their successful 10,000+kms QSO with ZL, it seems that conditions are getting even better. The Kp index has been low for 15 days now. I have also been monitoring another index, Dst, since January, this seems to track the Kp peaks. It does however seem to give a better indication of the radio conditions recovery after a geomagnetic storm. Whereas the Kp index can drop rapidly to quiet levels, after a storm ,the Dst index, which may be considered as a measure of the "Equatorial Ring current" (controversial) returns from the storm high-levels much more slowly. Dst levels are now almost as low as the "legendary Jan 2003" conditions. I believe that this shows that the "reservoir" of ions giving night-time absorption has decayed to a low value.
Note the slight paradox that "high" (Storm) Dst levels are actually high negative values. More information and a monthly table of values, in my Propagation Report at...
www.alan.melia.btinternet.co.uk/latest.htm
Cheers de Alan G3NYK alan.melia@btinternet.com
www.vlf.it update
Posted by Renato Romero on March 25, 2004 at 17:56:22
A new article:
"HOW DOES AN EARTH DIPOLE WORK?" Is on line.
73, Renato
BBC Radio 4 on LW
Posted by Roy Farrow on March 26, 2004 at 05:23:42
I am a Brit living in Holland. I receive BBC programmes on the Internet, but about the house I am reliant on a small portable radio, where local interference is a big problem.
Does anyone have experience of modifying such a radio to use an external aerial?
WD2XES Copied in UK
Posted by John Andrews on March 26, 2004 at 12:48:26
Jim Moritz, M0BMU, copied an "XES" ID on 137.7775 kHz this morning around 0520 UTC. More details at:
http://webpages.charter.net/w1tag/TA.htm
John Andrews, W1TAG/WD2XES
Re: WD2XES Copied in UK
Posted by Larry Putman on March 26, 2004 at 18:01:27
Congratulations John!
Your making radio history!
73
Larry WB3ANQ
HIFER YEN
Posted by AL K2SSE on March 26, 2004 at 20:25:34
HI
HIFER YEN IN CENTRAL FL IS DOWN FOR MAINTENANCE.
I'LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN IT COMES BACK TO 13558033 KHZ
AL
HiFER LP Status
Posted by Larry Putman on March 27, 2004 at 10:07:57
I am testing a PC-VFO on an ISA PC card for use as a HiFER transmitter. Rf output is 4 mw into a 1/4 wave vertical.
Hifer LP will be sending CW ID at QRSS 3 on 13.5549.80 Mhz.
for the weekend. After the test I will switch back to a saw-tooth wave on the HP-3336 generator.
All reports are welcome!
73
Larry WB3ANQ Pasadena, MD. FM19rc
VD Wolf in Maryland
Posted by lloyd chastant on March 27, 2004 at 20:50:03
Here is a nice copy on Jay's VD in Wolf this early evening(7PM local) in Maryland
C:\Wolf>wolf -q vd1.wav -r 8001.65 -f 800.059 WOLF version 0.61 Wolf copy on VD March28,2004 0000z by W3NF FM19MH t: 24 f:-0.629 a: 1.5 dp: 90.5 ci: 1 cj: 27 I FD4 SB FR7 I ?
t: 48 f:-0.059 a: 0.4 dp: 86.5 ci: 3 cj: 35 SNK.E*3MVJV.QN1 ?
t: 96 f:-0.250 a:-1.5 dp: 84.5 ci:11 cj:206 92W???J3Y???Y7V ?
t: 192 f: 0.000 pm: 52 jm:823 q: -8.1 -8.1 *XSGOSKBM*GUNZE ?
t: 288 f: 0.000 pm: 88 jm:823 q: -4.7 -2.4 VD VD VD FN31IS -
t: 384 f: 0.000 pm: 96 jm:823 q: -4.1 -2.3 VD VD VD FN31IS -
t: 480 f: 0.000 pm: 104 jm:823 q: -3.8 -2.4 VD VD VD FN31IS -
t: 576 f: 0.000 pm: 128 jm:823 q: -2.6 -1.9 VD VD VD FN31IS -
t: 672 f: 0.000 pm: 172 jm:823 q: -1.4 -1.4 VD VD VD FN31IS -
t: 768 f: 0.000 pm: 212 jm:823 q: -0.3 -0.4 VD VD VD FN31IS -
t: 864 f: 0.000 pm: 259 jm:823 q: 0.7 0.5 VD VD VD FN31IS -
t: 960 f: 0.000 pm: 309 jm:823 q: 1.4 1.1 VD VD VD FN31IS -
t:1056 f: 0.000 pm: 345 jm:823 q: 2.1 1.6 VD VD VD FN31IS -
t:1152 f: 0.000 pm: 361 jm:823 q: 2.6 1.9 VD VD VD FN31IS -
t:1248 f: 0.000 pm: 390 jm:823 q: 3.2 2.4 VD VD VD FN31IS -
t:1344 f: 0.000 pm: 421 jm:823 q: 3.4 2.4 VD VD VD FN31IS -
t:1440 f: 0.000 pm: 437 jm:823 q: 3.7 2.7 VD VD VD FN31IS -
t:1536 f: 0.000 pm: 437 jm:823 q: 3.9 2.5 VD VD VD FN31IS -
de Lloyd W3NF FM19MH
Re: QSL'ing NDB's
Posted by Robb wb8bhu on March 28, 2004 at 01:02:16
All good points!
I have heard that many NDB dx'ers send a self prepared card to be filled in and signed by someone at the site. Perhaps a friendly letter explaining exactly what is wanted, along with the card would help.
Verie signer/address web site
Posted by Robb WB8BHU on March 28, 2004 at 01:10:29
Hi,
I am new to NDB dx'ing. Logging the beacons is no problem, but getting them QSL'd sure is! Is there a web site or group devoted to posting addresses and signers for NDB QSL's received? Info on type of QSL (card, letter, prepared card) received etc. would be helpful to all of us and give those "super" dx'ers a chance to display their prowess in ferreting out such valuable info.. just a thought!
Robb
unid on 411a
Posted by Robb WB8BHU on March 28, 2004 at 15:30:48
Who id's with IAUU cw on aprox 411? Heard here s-8 during day.
Re: unid on 411a
Posted by John Andrews on March 28, 2004 at 16:28:42
Robb,
Could it be messed up keying from VFU (411 kHz) at the municipal airport in Van Wert, OH?
John Andrews, W1TAG
Re: Verie signer/address web site
Posted by Webmaster on March 28, 2004 at 16:58:37
That's a very good thought, Robb.
I have seen plenty of sites on the Web that feature loggings, but not any that are mainly concerned with QSL issues. Such a site could be very helpful. If any of the readers here know of one, I'm sure they'll advise us.
*** But if there aren't any, that's a feature we could add here quickly and easily if someone would like to be the moderator for it! ***
Any interactive feature we add needs a moderator... basically, someone who can check the contents every day or two and make sure nobody's added something inappropriate. These days, spammers will attack any e-mail system, message board or other user-interactive service a Web site tries to host. This board alone recently received 275 spam messages in a single day. Our automatic filtering method is very effective in keeping you from having to endure them. But every month or so, one will get through, and then it's the moderator who makes sure those junk posts don't hang around, along with any others that are out of bounds.
In the case of your idea, Robb, the moderator would probably want to proofread, edit and/or trim some of the information, too, from time to time. I think we could provide tools to make that fairly easy and non-time-consuming. Anyone willing???
Offline sources of address and contact information for NDBs are kind of rare also. The Malmoe Shortwave Club in Sweden publishes a directory of that sort for European beacons, but I'm not aware of one on this side of the Atlantic.
John
Re: unid on 411a
Posted by Robb WB8BHU on March 28, 2004 at 19:41:49
Hi John,
Nope, that's not it. I could copy VFU with no problem in background. The unid may have been somewhat higher near 412. I'm still hearing it this evening after dark.
The last dash in the last u runs into a long tone, so may be I A U I tone Robb
Re: unid on 411a
Posted by John Davis on March 28, 2004 at 21:20:58
>>> The last dash in the last U runs into a long tone, so may be I A U I tone >>>
Hi Robb,
This is probably not VFU, then, but it definitely has the hallmarks of a defective beacon keyer. Too many letters, most of them consisting of short groups of dits and dahs, followed by an extended dash where the space between idents normally should be, surely sounds like a "negative image" of the correct keying sequence... modulating tone on when it should be off, and vice-versa.
Sheldon Remington's "On The Art of NDB DXing" contains information on deciphering this sort of defect in Chapter 9. To use the technique Sheldon describes, one has to pay particular attention to the spacing between the extended dash and the start and end of the seeming letters in the inverted ID, because it will make quite a diffence sometimes whether the first real character begins with a dit or a dah, and whether the last real character ends with a dah or a dit.
The first letter could be either an F or a C. The middle one appears to be a D. I don't think I can make a good enough guess about the last one, based on the description of the timing, but perhaps that will be enough of a clue to help point toward the correct ident.
John Davis
Re: unid on 411a
Posted by Robb WB8BHU on March 29, 2004 at 00:43:48
Hi,
I tried the method you explained to decipher the unid ID.
_ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ ___________
space (i) (a u i tone) There is no spacing between the a,u,i,tone they run together.
This looks like it might work out to be CSS which is on 414 in Washington Courthouse, OH. I jumped up there and found it operating normally. Then I tried tuning between the two signals and was able to hear both at the same time. No apparent correspondence was observed between the two. Do you think the ID could be both correct and inverted lower in freq at the same time? I think I will investigate this signal on another receiver to see if I can attribute it to some problem in my receiver. I'm using a Palomar converter ahead of a Kenwood R-1000.
Thanks to all for assistance.
Robb
Short-range indoor transmission question
Posted by J. Jason Wentworth on March 29, 2004 at 15:34:18
Hello All,
I have a question regarding an unusual indoor transmission application. (I know it's not Long Wave-related, but the folks on this board are well-versed in radio in general.)
I have a friend who has an indoor riding arena ^housed in a steel building^, and she would like to use a Part 15 low-power FM transmitter with FM ear radio receivers to coach student riders. It would be less stressful to the horses than her using a bullhorn to shout instructions to the riders.
To ensure a good line-of-sight FM signal throughout the building, I'll install the transmitter on one of the solid wooden jumps in the center of the arena. To boost the signal strength, I'd like to use a standard FM folded dipole antenna, stapled to the jump. ^I know that adding the folded dipole antenna will boost the transmitter's signal strength above the Part 15 limits, but since the transmitter will operate inside the steel building the signal will never be heard outside.^
Here's my question: How do I connect the folded dipole antenna to the FM transmitter's stereo audio output cable? ^the audio output cable serves as the antenna.^
Many thanks in advance to anyone who can help. -- Jason
Check out for a signal of a Russian(?) transmitter on 22.5kHz on April
Posted by Harald on March 29, 2004 at 16:22:09
According to my analysis of older VLF-spectrogrammes it seems to be that on the 2nd day of each month a Russian(?) transmitter is between 11o'clock and 12o'clock UTC during winter time, respectively 10o'clock and 11o'clock UTC during summer time for some short transmissions activated. So watch on April 2nd, 2004 between 10o'clock UTC and 11o'clok UTC for transmissions on 22.5kHz. I cannot guarantee if there are some, but I presume that there is a good possibility to catch such transmissions!
If there are some, try to find out their origin by RDF-methods!
Re: Short-range indoor transmission question
Posted by Ed Gelinas on March 29, 2004 at 21:02:44
Hi Jason,
I trust you've already purchased some type of transmitting device. Perhaps just adding a 27-30 inch piece of wire, placed vertically, and connected to the 'hot' ring of the audio input jack might do. otherwise you may have to actually open up the unit and connect the dipole(with a dc blocking cap) to wherever the actual RF output is located.
As far as operation within an all steel building, NEVER say never, as far as the signal getting thru to the outside world. Check it out with a good quality FM broadcast rcvr. On a perimiter basis,outside the bldg, it really shouldn't be copyable beyond 250 to 300 ft. Hope this helps.
Ed G. KLFB/KHFB A-M
Re: Short-range indoor transmission question
Posted by J. Jason Wentworth on March 30, 2004 at 08:27:39
Ed, I thank you for your suggestion. The "RF-hot" contact on the 3.5 mm stereo audio plug is the rearmost one, yes?
I have a few of the FM "audio modulators" (Part 15 low-power FM transmitters) that broadcast audio from CD players and MP3 players to car or home FM receivers. They all use the audio cable as the antenna.
My friend's horse farm/riding school is about five miles outside of town, so any FM signal that might "leak" out of the metal building would be inaudible to anyone else--her nearest neighbor is over three miles away! -- Jason
Re: BBC Radio 4 on LW
Posted by John Davis on March 30, 2004 at 21:38:54
On a few occasions, I have used an external aerial with small portable radios. A ferrite loopstick antenna, with one end connected to the aerial and the other connected to earth, can be placed in proximity to the radio to provide coupling from the big aerial. An air variable capacitor in series, of adequate value to achieve resonance at the frequency of interest, can be of further help, especially if the external aerial is not particularly long.
John
Spectran V2 build 212
Posted by Alberto di Bene (fwd) on March 31, 2004 at 13:05:08
Date: 3/31/04 12:48:40 PM Eastern Standard Time From: dibene@usa.net (Alberto di Bene)
Spectran V2 build 212 has been just uploaded to the weaksignals site :
http://www.weaksignals.com
It has a few changes and corrections, thanks to the first reports received by downloaders of build 210. A special thankyou to Johan Bodin for the collaborative spirit demonstrated, and for the extensive tests.
73 Alberto I2PHD
RTE 252 IMPROVE RECEPTION IN LONDON
Posted by gabriel on March 31, 2004 at 15:27:20
Hi Folks
I work with a lot of elderly disadvantaged Irish people in North London. These people have been without any cultural Irish representation in the main stream media until the arrival of RTE 252 LW. Therefore I would be grateful for any advice as to how the best reception can be obtained as on my basic radio reception is somewhat poor.
Slainte....
Re: RTE 252 IMPROVE RECEPTION IN LONDON
Posted by Mike Terry on March 31, 2004 at 16:22:12
Hi Gabriel,
I hope to let you know soon if the station answer my enquiry on your behalf.
Regards
Mike
Re: RTE 252 IMPROVE RECEPTION IN LONDON
Posted by Ray, W2RS on March 31, 2004 at 17:19:19
Mike,
I haven't been back in London since RTE 252 started up, so I'm afraid I don't have anything to contribute (yet) on that specific question.
I did want to report, though, that I've been listening from here (FN20WW) at various times of night from 0000 to 0700 GMT, and have yet to hear anything more than a carrier. No recognizable audio. I was interested to see John, W1TAG's report that he could hear audio but couldn't understand what was being said. He is about 200 mi closer and his antenna is larger, so that might explain some of the difference.
I'm using a 4 ft loop (Wellbrook LFL-1010).
I should also note that there is a local NDB on 254 kHz, so when listening for RTE audio I can only do that on lower sideband.
73,
Ray
Re: Short-range indoor transmission question
Posted by Ed Gelinas on March 31, 2004 at 23:13:11
Hi Jason,
The rf "hot" may or may not be one of the rings, it may be the actual common of the plug-it probably doesnt make too much difference anyway. A 30" wire hooked to the battery minus connection as a ground(counterpoise) might really help. That way, you'd have a center-fed dipole with the 'magic box' right in the center. You'll probably have to do some trial-and-error stuff to get the most out of it.
3 miles out- Yeah, I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you had a "Ramsey" kit(they boast a rock-solid stereo FM signal out to at least a mile) I'd really start to worry. I suspect those devices are illegal, but they sell plenty of 'em! Good luck with it, 73 Ed G.
www.lwca.org
potrzebie