SJ lowfer beacon
Well its getting to the end of the season and I have'nt got any reports on SJ lately, so I'm winding things down. SJ will run by request only starting as of now and I may do some testing at times. However EH hifer and medfer will be running as usual. Re: SJ lowfer beacon
later....Sal, K1RGO
Posted by Rick KA2PBO on March 03, 2010 at 18:06:02.
In reply to SJ lowfer beacon posted by Sal, K1RGO on March 01, 2010
Hey Sal;
I havent been able to copy SJ since the last report I gave ya. I usually setup on your freq during the day on the weekends. I even tried a few times last week when I played hooky from work a few days.I was using your signal earlier in the season to check my antennas and stuff .Thats how I knew if things were ok ; you always dog-boned here in PA. But I havent been able to copy a single character for at least a month now so I just assumed you were already QRT. I may ask you to fire up soon .When this snow melts Ill go check the antennas and see what gives .
Thanks Re: SJ lowfer beacon
Rick
"PBO"
Posted by Sal, K1RGO on March 03, 2010 at 18:46:53.
In reply to SJ lowfer beacon posted by Sal, K1RGO on March 01, 2010
Hi Rick, Re: SJ lowfer beacon
I wasn't on much in the last month maybe a few times, and after listening I left it off for a week and didn't know it.So I guess by request, I'll run it again.I,ll turn it on tomorrow morning, got to make a note....I'm at work now. What times do you tune me in? I could run 24/7 or set up on a timer.I'll check the msg board to see if you copied.. I have had lots of noise on 1750 lately even on 600 meters at times ,probably someone welding locally. Iv'e been busy with other things and not that active on lowfer....Later.... Sal
Posted by Rick KA2PBO on March 03, 2010 at 19:38:35.
In reply to Re: SJ lowfer beacon posted by Sal, K1RGO on March 03, 2010
Sal , Re: SJ lowfer beacon
You usually come boomin around at around 11:00 am local time and fade out around 5pm. I am at work mon-fri and usually just put the SpectrumLab to capture continuisly .
Its been pretty noisy here also .I can only pull out WM and sometimes XR in the watering hole lately.
Im just going to set up for SJ 24/7 for a week or so and whenever you get around to firing it up for a few hours that will be fine.
This has been my first full lowfer season since I only started messing around down here last March but man this has been fun.As soon as conditions get bad I think Ill try my luck at Medfer or Hifer stuff!
Talk to ya soon
Rick
Posted by Sal,K1RGO on March 03, 2010 at 19:51:54.
In reply to Re: SJ lowfer beacon posted by Rick KA2PBO on March 03, 2010
Ok Rick, MP temporarily off
I'll set the timer for 10 AM to 5PM for this week hope it comes thru. I should check my ground conductivity, it's probably not as good as when the ground was frozen.
later...
Posted by Mitch Powell on March 03, 2010 at 20:47:12.
Hello:
MP 185301 will be off air for a week - maintenance and shoveling snow.
Mitch
Re: SJ lowfer beacon
Posted by Rick KA2PBO on March 04, 2010 at 19:03:15.
In reply to Re: SJ lowfer beacon posted by Sal,K1RGO on March 03, 2010
Hi Sal;
SJ was copied all day here!!I had the colors on Spectrum Lab out of adjustment but solid captures all day. I was using the Lyle downconverter with a single turn 10ft loop and the pre-amp on low gain setting.The loop is ground mounted just like Lyles single turn loop.Ill post the capture link here and e-mail it to you just in case .Good to see everything still working well on both ends!
http://www.ka2pbo.com/captures/SJ%203-4-10.jpg Re: SJ lowfer beacon
73
Rick
Posted by Sal,K1RGO on March 04, 2010 at 19:52:38.
In reply to Re: SJ lowfer beacon posted by Rick KA2PBO on March 04, 2010
Cool, I'll leave it running, should I let it run over night so you can check night propogation? Re: SJ lowfer beacon
later........
Posted by Rick KA2PBO on March 05, 2010 at 18:22:55.
In reply to Re: SJ lowfer beacon posted by Sal,K1RGO on March 04, 2010
Re: SJ lowfer beacon
Hey Sal,
Well its 7:30 pm and you are boomin in here! Sure, let her
run all night.Im curious to see how propagation is between us at night.Ill monitor all night and sent you any captures in the morning.Here is tonights post-dinner shot:
http://www.ka2pbo.com/captures/capt837.jpg
cya later
Rick
Posted by Sal, K1RGO on March 05, 2010 at 19:40:14.
In reply to Re: SJ lowfer beacon posted by Rick KA2PBO on March 05, 2010
I'm curious myself, should be interesting. I'll run it thru tonite and over the weekend. It will just be off a bit when I take my ground measurement tomorrow morning at some time. Hi-Fer K6FRC--6 March, 2010
later....Sal
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 06, 2010 at 05:37:12.
The K6FRC Hi-Fer beacon on 13565 KHz coming through this morning. First heard around 1240 UT around 2/3-3-9 strength, but taking several ID cycles to confirm because of fast QSB. Still coming in and out as this is written, 1330 UT. Low local noise today, normal for Saturdays. Really good signal for a short 8 ft. antenna. The usual powerhouse beacons WV and EH not heard this morning. EdWSlidell, LA EM50bk
Re: SJ lowfer beacon
Posted by Rick KA2PBO on March 06, 2010 at 06:38:30.
In reply to Re: SJ lowfer beacon posted by Sal, K1RGO on March 05, 2010
Hi Sal,
SJ was strong for most of the night .There was a fade out between 2:30am and 4:15 am but I could still copy.Keep in mind I have the gain set real low to eleiminate some of the noise here .I f the gain were up where I usually keeep it for the watering hole; I probably wouldnt have noticed the fade at all.
Here are 2 captures.One is from 2am the other from 450 am.
http://www.ka2pbo.com/captures/SJ%202AM%203610.jpg Re: Hi-Fer K6FRC--6 March, 2010
http://www.ka2pbo.com/captures/SJ%20450AM%203610.jpg
As Im writing this; SJ is dog-boning in here ----big signal.
I know you mentioned you were shutting down for the season but if you want I can post captures on the reflector so everyone alse knows you are on.
Ill keep monitoring all weekend so if you make any ground changes I can give you a report.
cya later
Rick
Posted by Paul on March 06, 2010 at 14:02:35.
In reply to Hi-Fer K6FRC--6 March, 2010 posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 06, 2010
Thanks, Ed!! Send me your address, and I will gladly send one of the snappy HiFer QSL cards.
SJ lowfer march sked
Posted by Sal, K1RGO on March 09, 2010 at 16:04:46.
After reports gathered from Rick,PBO I am going to try running SJ on 186.85kHz at 5PM to 12 midnght(appears to be the best propogation) local week days for March and also by request,and some testing on the weekend before the lowfer season ends. Canadians on 136kHz
later....
Posted by Keith VA3QF on March 10, 2010 at 20:43:23.
Per an e-mail from Radio Amateurs of Canada:
Industry Canada has approved access by Canadian radio amateurs to
the Low Frequency (LF) band 135.7 ? 137.8 kHz, subject to
certain conditions. The Revised Canadian Table of Frequency
Allocations, promulgated in December 2009 to incorporate changes
arising from decisions taken at World Radiocommunication Conference
(WRC) 2007, permits amateur use on a Secondary basis subject to
Footnote 5.67A.
The Footnote states: "Stations in the amateur service using frequencies in the band 135.7-137.8 kHz shall not exceed a maximum radiated power of 1 W (EIRP) and shall not cause harmful
interference to stations of the radionavigation service operating
in countries listed in No. 5.67. (WRC-07)". Industry Canada has advised that Canadian radio amateurs may now use the band and that Schedule I of RBR-4 Standards for the Operation of Stations in the Amateur Radio Service will be amended in due course.
Regards, Beacon "JAM" 188khz
Keith VA3QF
CAMBRIDGE, Ontario
EN93tj
Posted by Lee on March 10, 2010 at 21:25:04.
Beacon "JAM" 188khz will be reverting back to its "mostly weekends" schedule. Mostly weekends meaning somtime Friday thru Monday morning weather permitting and I'm not working. 188khz plus or minus a couple of hz. Now 2 messages. First message qrss30, second message 5 wpm.
73 Beacon - XR Status
Lee
Posted by Andy - Beacon XR on March 11, 2010 at 10:14:44.
Hi Everyone:
Beacon " XR " hasn't fallen off the side of the earth, I just
haven't had it on for awhile. As many of you already know; I
have been experimenting with WSPR oh 160 meters for a few days
now, and the purpose, and intention is to hopefully get a WSPR
signal on 1750 meters, and again hopefully, very soon.
Charlie - " CV " , and myself have been constructing the exciter
to do digital signals on LF. We were both doing bench testing as
of last night - 3/10/2010. Neither one of us saw any of the good
smoke escaping, so preliminary testing was encouraging.
I'll let Charlie give the particulars on his setup when he is ready
to post them. We have been trying to work together, and coordinate
our projects to try to go on the air testing WSPR at the same time.
I am not fully sure that my exciter is operational, and bug free.
I tested it with a cheap signal generator, and it didn't have
enough output to adequately drive the exciter. The exciter that I
chose to " TRY " to build is the VK5BR HF to LF Down Converter.
You can see the completed project, just before testing at:::
http://webpages.charter.net/ku4xr/HF%20to%20LF%20Down%20Converter.JPG
I am not an experienced builder, and this is my first attempt at
building something a little more complicated than the QRSS beacon.
It took 2 evenings to complete, and the most challenging part of the
construction, was building it from a schematic onto a perfboard.
Premade kits come with the PCB ready to go, parts at hand, and
step by step - put this here, now put that there instructions.
So this made me have to think about the layout, and wiring, and I
made some layout decisions that could have been better. Some things
are crammed too close together on the board.
My next testing step will be to get the Radio Shack HTX-100 10 meter
mobile modified for low power, and variable transmit frequency, rig
up the cabeling to the computer, and then connect it to the down
converter and do some low level testing while monitoring with the
HF rig.
Still aways to go here, but moving forward.
73 to all for now :::
K6FRC HiFer Heard
Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr - Friendsville, TN. USA
LOWfer Beacon " XR " @ 185.29875 KHz ( QRSS-60 )
Coordinates: N: 35º 43' 54" - W: 84º 3' 16"
Posted by Rob Steiger on March 12, 2010 at 13:24:29.
K6FRC heard Mobile Ford County, IL. 07:50CST 579 slight QSB
Sorry couldn't post til now.
Rob
EH HiFER Heard
Posted by Rob Steiger on March 12, 2010 at 13:27:32.
EH HiFer heard Mobile Ford County, IL. 07:55 CST 229 Deep fading. Had to listen for several cycles to be sure. Sorry I couldn't post til now. Ferrite bar/rod source?
Rob
Posted by Lee on March 12, 2010 at 17:22:03.
Anybody know of a source for ferrite rods. I have found a couple places on the internet but I'm not sure about the business's credibility. Looking for rods made of #33 material or material rated at 800 permeability? 12 inchs up to 18 inchs. I have a couple projects brewing that require ferrite bars.
Re: Ferrite bar/rod source?
Posted by Sal, K!RGO on March 12, 2010 at 18:21:41.
In reply to Ferrite bar/rod source? posted by Lee on March 12, 2010
Did you try Amidon?, they are reliable. I get all my ferrite from them donuts, beads , rods etc.... Re: Ferrite bar/rod source?
later...
Posted by Lee on March 12, 2010 at 20:52:12.
In reply to Re: Ferrite bar/rod source? posted by Sal, K!RGO on March 12, 2010
I have not tried them. But I recognize the name. Thanks for the tip.
Re: K6FRC HiFer Heard
Posted by Paul on March 13, 2010 at 13:00:35.
In reply to K6FRC HiFer Heard posted by Rob Steiger on March 12, 2010
Thanks, Rob!! QSL on the way.
UWL on
Posted by Eric Smith on March 14, 2010 at 17:19:55.
UWL is on 185302 from EM15gp at 1W, QRSS30.
SJ off, antenna down
Posted by Sal,K1RGO on March 15, 2010 at 15:45:37.
Well during the weekend storm , my lowfer antenna took a hit, along with lots of branches down and water in the basement. I will post when SJ gets on again....If the weather ever straightens out..... Beacon " XR " status Update
later...Sal
Posted by Andy - XR on March 16, 2010 at 09:17:07.
Hi all:
A quick note on the progress here. I have completed the VK5BR design" HF to LF converter " I found some wiring mistakes I made and fixed them,Finally got it to oscillate at 10 MHz,. Made some changes to the circuit to accomadate some planned filter experiments at a later time. I found the reason why the SA612 wouldn't oscillate at 28 MHz using the circuit as designed by Mr. Butler and corrected that issue, too much shunt capacitance for the 28 MHz crystal to oscillate. I lowered the schematic value from 47pF down to 12pF, and now getting a good solid output from the exciter on LF with a 28 MHz input signal. I have done some bench testing using MultiPSK and the exciter is stable in all the different modes. Still a ways to go, but slowly getting there.
73 to all for now :
Beacon " XR " status Update - Correction
Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr - Friendsville, TN. USA
LOWfer Beacon " XR " @ 185.29875 KHz ( QRSS-60 )
Coordinates: N: 35º 43' 54" - W: 84º 3' 16"
Posted by Andy - XR on March 16, 2010 at 09:24:58.
In reply to Beacon " XR " status Update posted by Andy - XR on March 16, 2010
Correction on the shunt capacitance issue. I changed the ground reference capacitor, a 270pF , and replaced it with a 12pF to ground. The shunt capacitor is still 47pF.
FRC HiFer heard
Posted by Rob Steiger on March 17, 2010 at 09:33:12.
FRC HiFer heard today 0805 CDT mobile ford county, IL. 459 deep cycling QSB.
Rob
Beacon " XR " status - Converter Note
Posted by Andy - XR on March 17, 2010 at 14:36:23.
In reply to Beacon " XR " status Update - Correction posted by Andy - XR on March 16, 2010
I thought that this might be usable information. The VK5BR HF to LF converter as designed by Lloyd Butler, was intended I believe mainly for the 2200 meter band, as his article at: UWL temporarily off
http://users.tpg.com.au/users/ldbutler/HFtoLFConverter.htm
shows that he designed the circuit to cover from 100 KHz to 200 KHz. As designed; it does work in the lowFER band, but the good news is that it will work anywhere you want it to from ZERO to 999.999 KHz with modification to the Low Pass Filter. Noted; there is really no reason for it to operate above the 600 meter band, unless you would have the intentions of operating a medFER beacon in the low end of the BCB; NOR, is there really any reason for it to operate below the 2200 meter band. I mainly wanted to note that the converter has great capabilities, is very economical to build, and can be adapted to use what you have on hand as the IF input signal. An HF rig, a cheap 10 meter mobile, or a cheap CB radio that's been modified to operate into the 10 meter band ( a dime a dozen ), Even an old signal generator, if you could keep the frequency stable would output a signal on LF thru the converter. The possibilities are in the minds of the experimenters. 73 to all, and build one up, and give it a try. Andy - Beacon " XR "
Posted by Eric Smith on March 20, 2010 at 13:52:17.
In reply to UWL on posted by Eric Smith on March 14, 2010
UWL is off due to problems associated with high winds. I'm glad this didn't happen while operating at 2200m with the higher power I use there. Working to rectify now (in the blowing snow) -- should be back up in a couple of hours.
UWL back on
Posted by Eric Smith on March 20, 2010 at 19:18:07.
In reply to UWL temporarily off posted by Eric Smith (fwd) on March 20, 2010
Made some improvements that should help the antenna wire stay connected in
the wind. I'm not going to say it would withstand an F5 since we actually get those here -- but it should do much better than it did.
The mast and guy line system did great -- no problems in the wind at all.
73 PBO back on the air
Eric KD5UWL / WD2XFX
Posted by Rick KA2PBO on March 21, 2010 at 17:45:36.
Im firing "PBO" back up for a bit .I want to make some loop readings now and when the leaves come back.
Another unorthadox relative field strength test
73
Rick
KA2PBO
"PBO" 187.2 Khz QRSS 60
Posted by Lee on March 21, 2010 at 21:41:12.
We had another earthquake here recently. I decided to anchor the last 2 remaining large pieces of furniture to the walls. So I broke out my trusty Harbor Freight #92375 5 in 1 stud finder sensor. I set the sensitivity and started draging to find a stud. Imagine my surprise when it starts beeping at 5wpm my beacon message. I new these devices were ultra sonic, but it appears they can work as a receiver! Who new! I'm tempted to tear it apart and connect a large loop ant to it.
73 Lee
SJ antenna back up
Posted by Sal, K1RGO on March 24, 2010 at 17:29:16.
I got the antenna up and SJ running, but now at the end of the lowfer season I'm only running by request, you may hear me testing or on cw at times. til next season...... Added Message Board Feature
C.U. later, Sal
Posted by Webmaster on March 25, 2010 at 21:44:32.
As of tonight, there is now a window on the Threaded Messages page in which you can also view the most recent messages near the top, even if they are embedded deep within a large thread that began some time ago. Now it should be easier to tell if there have been new messages since your last visit.
This combination of the reverse chronological list with the threaded list is, I hope, a bit of the best of both worlds. Please let me know if you find it useful.
John Future beacon freq
Posted by Domenic on March 26, 2010 at 01:21:23.
Hello All, Re: Future beacon freq
I am thinking of putting up a hifer beacon in Wisconsin's capitol city and am looking at three freqs. 13.5640 13.5550 13.5627. If anyone knows of problems with the any of the three please let me know. Also if anyone has a better idea, I would be open to it.
Thank you,
Domenic KC9GNK GNK 1704.3 KHz
Madison, Wisconsin EN53
Posted by Paul on March 26, 2010 at 07:23:23.
In reply to Future beacon freq posted by Domenic on March 26, 2010
The 555 freq. is sometimes noisy, but the other two look good.
Re: Future beacon freq
Posted by John Davis on March 26, 2010 at 11:33:07.
In reply to Re: Future beacon freq posted by Paul on March 26, 2010
In many parts of the country, anything above 13.560 is subject to splatter from the broadcaster on 13.570.
In theory, SW broadcasters in the U.S. are supposed to limit audio modulating frequencies to a little over 6 kHz (the international spec is 5 kHz). However, a little extra distortion from the audio processor or the modulator will splatter well beyond that. Bcn H I
Posted by Krystallo on March 27, 2010 at 08:04:41.
Hey All,
I copied a CW Bcn last night in the CW mode of the Icom, which read as 506 Kc.
Reception was fairly good,but my morse is pretty rusty. It seemed to send W A
2 2(?) H I which really didn't make much sense to me.Also the listed frequency
for HI/ Monroe, CT doesn't quite match up,but maybe this was due the mode I was
using on my rcvr vs the way beacons are listed(dunno).
Overall I'd still say 90% it indeed WAS Monroe though.
I have heard almost nothing on 700M over the years,so it was kind of a big deal
copy ANYTHING down there.
Comments?
FWIW, my station is a mediocre affair ,I have a 75 ft end fed long wire
(single wire feed) 15 ft above a flat apt bldg rubber/wooden roof .Often
mod to high QRN (electrical + other sources).I use various series loads.
de K
Re: Bcn H I
Posted by John Andrews on March 27, 2010 at 12:25:55.
In reply to Bcn H I posted by Krystallo on March 27, 2010
I doubt very much that you were copying HI. That beacon uses a very simple keying arrangement involving a motor, and only sends HI -- no other text. It is regularly copyable in southern New England, always between 510 and 511 kHz.
It's much more likely that you copied one of the WD2XSH or WE2XGR experimental stations sending CW. You might look at the log of 600 meter reception reports to see if any of them match what you think you were copying:
http://www.500kc.com/datafiles.htm
John Andrews, W1TAG / WE2XGR/3
Re: Bcn H I
Posted by John Davis on March 27, 2010 at 13:27:47.
In reply to Re: Bcn H I posted by John Andrews on March 27, 2010
Ageed. Given the frequency the signal was reported to be on, it is much more likely to be one of the experimental licensees.
RIX hifer heard
Posted by Sal, K1RGO on March 27, 2010 at 16:27:07.
On Friday 3/26 at 17:09 UTC I copied RIX 429 0n ~13.560 MHz. Alot of QSB but I did copy for a while. The frequency was clear of the usual crud for a change. HiFer's WV and EH strong signals-- 27 March, 2010
later...
Posted by EdW Slidell,LA on March 27, 2010 at 17:43:17.
Both the WV beacon on 13556, and the EH beacon on 13557 were coming in with strong signals this afternoon(1800-2000 UT)--both easily 449 when peaking. Listened for other signls, but nothing else heard, even with the SW Bcst on 13570 being off today.
Hifer NDB copied this morning
Posted by Mark on March 28, 2010 at 09:58:32.
Began hearing Hifer NDB around 1420 utc this morning here in Northern UT (NUT). Have not heard it awhile.
Mark Re: Hifer NDB copied this morning
Posted by Mark on March 28, 2010 at 10:18:23.
In reply to Hifer NDB copied this morning posted by Mark on March 28, 2010
I neglected to mention that is it sending NDB in CW and AZ in QRSS3. Good prop to my south this morning.
Mark 2010 edition of the ENDBH & NANDBH handbooks and CDs
Posted by Michael on March 29, 2010 at 02:11:41.
Hi all,
The 2010 edition of the ENDBH & NANDBH handbooks and CDs is now available.
The new ENDBH 2010 contains the data of more than 6700 NDBs on 160+ spiral-bound pages in A4 format and the NANDBH 2010 shows the data of
more than 5800 NDBs on 130+ pages.
The CD contains a Google Earth compatible NDB waypoint file that has been updated with the latest NDB coordinates so that you can "visit" NDB locations around the globe. The multimedia contents of the CD version have been expanded to a total of more than 170 NDB pictures and more than 230 NDB sound clips from around the world.
In case you're interested in ordering a handbook or CD for other parts of the world please don't hesitate to ask, I'm able to produce customized versions for your special needs.
Delivery of the CDs will be via download. In case you still want a physical copy of the CD please indicate this when ordering.
Prices in Euro remained stable once again and foreign currency prices have been adjusted per the latest exchange rates. When using PayPal for payment please add the indicated amount to cover PayPal fees. Please find all relevant details by right-clicking this link to download an informative ZIP file:
www.lwca.org/miscdocs/oexner/NDB_info.zip
Once again I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all DXers who have sent me comments and updates, suggested improvements, pointed out errors, or provided NDB pictures and sound clips etc. Your continued support is very much appreciated!
--
vy 73 + gd DX,
Michael
ENDBH & NANDBH editor
http://ndbchangeblog.blogspot.com
Re: Hifer NDB copied this morning
Posted by Jeff K8NDB on March 29, 2010 at 08:46:34.
In reply to Hifer NDB copied this morning posted by Mark on March 28, 2010
Thanks Mark, your reports are always appreciated.
Jeff K8NDB
Re: Added Message Board Feature
Posted by Andy - Beacon - XR on March 29, 2010 at 10:21:14.
In reply to Added Message Board Feature posted by Webmaster on March 25, 2010
I like the idea of the " Most Recent " box on the message board, I myself just figured that after a message dropped out of view, you probably wouldn't get any more responses to it without reposting it at the top of the list. And being able to click on the message link and go straight to it no matter how far down it is on the list is very good, along with the ability to post a reply, and it show up as a
new message;;;; Great idea !!
73 to everyone; Andy - KU4XR - Beacon " XR " Friendsville, TN.
NB Beacon
Posted by Shawn Axelrod on March 30, 2010 at 05:45:26.
I was going through some old logs and found this UNID from 1986
530 kHz NB
Anyone know who this was?
Any help appreciated. Re: RIX hifer heard
Shawn
Posted by Rob Steiger on March 30, 2010 at 06:41:21.
In reply to RIX hifer heard posted by Sal, K1RGO on March 27, 2010
Thanks for the report Sal. I yet have to make up QSL cards for it, but you are on the list. K6FRC HiFer Heard
Rob
Posted by Rob Steiger on March 30, 2010 at 06:45:42.
K6FRC HiFer copied at 07:50 CDT mobile Ford County, IL. Re: NB Beacon
RST 349, QSB, QRN, QRM (digital)
Posted by Michael on March 30, 2010 at 08:03:13.
In reply to NB Beacon posted by Shawn Axelrod on March 30, 2010
Hi Shawn,
This should have been North Bay/RCAF ON N46 25 19 W079 14 31 FN06JK
Kind regards,
Michael
potrzebie