Receiver
Hello all, I would like to get a few ideas. I have a LF Engineering L111 Lf converter. I have been using it with a ft-990. I am intrested in getting something that may be a quieter receiver. I was looking at a IC-75 or one of the FRG'S would you have recommendations ???
Thanks for any info!! Re: Receiver
73
Posted by Lee on March 01, 2011 at 21:16:46.
In reply to Receiver posted by Tim Clapper K3XI on March 01, 2011
Seems like a lot of folks can't get enough of the R5000. Kenwood I believe. But most really good reviews I hear recently are about the SDR receivers. If you get one of those you can retire the LF Eng L111 upconverter. Re: Receiver
73zzzz
Lee
Posted by Paul on March 02, 2011 at 10:11:47.
In reply to Re: Receiver posted by Lee on March 01, 2011
I just started playing with SDRs (Software Defined Receivers). So far, the results are amazing. Since you're using the LF converter, all you really care about when using it is performance in the 4 MHz. range, so just about any will do.
Although, for copying the really, really weak stuff (like SAQ), I use an LF converter into an R-390A. With no microprocessor, it has zero internal noise, and I can hear things on the 390A loud and clear that the R-5000 cannot.
Although, for the solid state receivers available, I have found the R-5000 to be the absolute best.
Hope that helps,
73
Re: Receiver
Posted by John Davis on March 02, 2011 at 10:25:51.
In reply to Re: Receiver posted by Lee on March 01, 2011
I happen to have a Kenwood R-5000 of which I'm very fond, but if I were to buy a new receiver, I'd probably spring for an ICOM IC-R75. It's got about the best range of options (filters, high-stability LO, etc.) available for LF-intensive monitoring, and works well with upconverters.
While it's true that software-defined radios are becoming pretty popular, I prefer stand-alone receivers for their overall convenience. With the Kenwood, all I absolutely need to take with me to a remote listening post is the radio and a 12-volt source. If I want to display QRSS or WOLF or some FSK mode in near-real-time, then I also need a notebook computer to run the software--but that's kind of optional, and all it has to run is the decoding software. It's not having to also control a relatively "dumb" RF brick at the same time, plus simultaneously perform IF filtering, noise blanking, and demodulation in the complex frequency domain on the data stream coming from that brick.
It's true that those latter functions can be mighty sophisticated in an SDR, and might even be indispensible in some situations; but some software "radios" make tradeoffs in the A/D conversion that limit their dynamic range or compromise performance in other ways. The sooner in the signal chain that the digitization takes place, the more flexibility you have in processing, but also the harder it is to accurately recover very weak signal in very strong noise with sufficient precision and spectral purity.
It's not a case of SDRs simply being "better 'cause they're more digital," in other words. It's always a question of the right tool for a given job, and at this point, I personally like to keep things analog up to somewhere around the final IF. After that, the more DSP the merrier; although as a matter of personal preference, I'd rather the software handling those function be running within the radio itself and not on a separate PC. There's nothing wrong with software defining the functionality of a radio. I just think the emphasis should be on the radio aspect of it, and not the secondary fact that computation is involved.
I freely admit that I'm partial to working dials and knobs in hands-on fashion, rather than moving a mouse and clicking buttons on a screen. :)
John
DSCDecoder?
Posted by Bill KB9IV on March 02, 2011 at 19:48:45.
I was thinking of buying the DSCDecoder Software. Seems high priced at $38. Has anyone ordered this program that is a foreign source???
Best DX
Bill KB9IV
HiFer's 3 March, 2011
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 02, 2011 at 20:50:15.
Hearing all three HiFer's from the Western U.S. at the present time, 0400-0425 UT, 3 March, 2011. First noted was K6FRC, on 13565 KHz, good signals about 459. Then on the other side of the 13560 noise, AJO, ~13558 KHz, signals in the 449 range. Much weaker but definitely there, NDB, ~13562KHz, about 2/3-2/3-9. Present behind all three was the incessant sweeping signal, sounding like it had a tone modulation character, when heard using the wide AM bandwidth. Ed WSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: HiFer's 3 March, 2011
Posted by Jeff K8NDB on March 03, 2011 at 07:36:03.
In reply to HiFer's 3 March, 2011 posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 02, 2011
Ed, Thank you for the NDB signal reports. I appreciate your time and efforts posting these reception reports. 73's Jeff
Re: HiFer's 3 March, 2011
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 03, 2011 at 18:14:35.
In reply to Re: HiFer's 3 March, 2011 posted by Jeff K8NDB on March 03, 2011
No problem Jeff. Your signals don't seem to be that strong here in LA, but that may just be poor propagation to the east, possibly mountains or the like. Don't have that problem here in SE LA. The conditions really seem to be improving with the flux up around 100, A closing in on 10, and K around 0 at times. Hopefully the propagation will continue to improve. Thanks to you and the others for running the beacons. Ed WSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: Receiver SDR brick PERSEUS
Posted by Lee on March 03, 2011 at 18:24:51.
In reply to Receiver posted by Tim Clapper K3XI on March 01, 2011
I am leaning toward the SDR camp for my next discretionary major radio purchase. May I suggest that folks check out the PERSEUS SDR brick radio. 10 khz to 30 mhz, all modes, RF DSP, auto record of spectrum snapshots, spectrum analyzer display, etc, etc. Crazy stuff for about $1300. Re: HiFer's 3 March, 2011
73zzz
Lee
Posted by Ward K7PO on March 03, 2011 at 18:33:18.
In reply to Re: HiFer's 3 March, 2011 posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 03, 2011
Ed,
I agree with Jeff, thanks for the reports. I was amazed that you heard AJO 2 days after it went on the air, with no details in advance. I'm hoping conditions will hold up for the next couple weeks as I'll be taking a road trip from AZ to Tampa, FL starting next wednesday. It would be really cool to hear the western beacons from back east. I'll be stopping in Rayne, La for the hamfest, anyone else going?
Re: HiFer's 3 March, 2011
Ward K7PO
Posted by Paul on March 03, 2011 at 20:53:23.
In reply to Re: HiFer's 3 March, 2011 posted by Ward K7PO on March 03, 2011
Add me to the list of beacons ops thankful for your report, and every report. Will gladly QSL also.
Re: HiFer's 3 March, 2011
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 04, 2011 at 07:16:10.
In reply to HiFer's 3 March, 2011 posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 02, 2011
Sure enough guys, glad to help out. It still amazes me that signals will less than 5 mW erp can be heard over such long distances, even if only at certain times(powerhouse stns EH, GNK and FRC excepted). Ed WSlidell,LA EM50cg
Beacon "JAM" 187 khz is up now
Posted by Lee on March 04, 2011 at 17:06:44.
Beacon "JAM" 187 khz is up now thru Monday 3/7 1200 pst. 5 wpm and QRSS30. Unless conditions improve I will be shuting it down at the end of March till next season. Of course any special requests to put it back up temp will be accepted. It might be down for about an hour Sat evening for receiver testing.
73zzzz
Lee
Re: HiFer's 3 March, 2011
Posted by Paul on March 05, 2011 at 06:57:03.
In reply to Re: HiFer's 3 March, 2011 posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 04, 2011
FRC a "powerhouse"??? Ha ha!!! ERP is calculated around 1.4 milliwatts. That's less power than a firefly's butt.
Rayne, LA Hamfest
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 05, 2011 at 13:52:14.
In reply to Re: HiFer's 3 March, 2011 posted by Ward K7PO on March 03, 2011
Rayne, LA, has just some severe weather pass through(5 March), with what looks like is severe damage, possibly from an EF3 tornado. Nothing more than wind and rain here in SE Lousiana. Ed WSlidell, LA
2200m Beacon
Posted by Joe on March 05, 2011 at 19:21:07.
VO1NA (GN37) is QRV at 5 WPM on 135.83 kHz with 1kW input and 5 amps to a 100m wire up 15 metres until dawn. Any reports will be gratefully received...
73&TNX Re: 2200m Beacon
Joe
Posted by Paul on March 06, 2011 at 09:49:09.
In reply to 2200m Beacon posted by Joe on March 05, 2011
Nothing copied here.
Re: 2200m Beacon
Posted by joe on March 06, 2011 at 13:28:16.
In reply to Re: 2200m Beacon posted by Paul on March 06, 2011
Thanks for listening, Paul. Will try again tonight at 0300 until 1100 utc.
73 & GL
Joe VO1NA
HiFER EH
Posted by Domenic on March 06, 2011 at 13:29:39.
Hello all, Used my HiFER antenna and found "EH" at about 439 with some QSB on the frequency of 13557.05 at 21:20. First HiFER reception, will have to look more often.
Domenic, KC9 GNK
LF Beacon VO1NA 135.8 KHz
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 07, 2011 at 06:59:09.
Hi Joe. Listened for the beacon last night(7 Mar.) over the 0300-0500 UT time period, and again this morning from about 1045-1215 UT, just in case it might have still been on. The atmospheric noise was terrible, peaking up to about S9 on the R5000, using a 143 ft. LW/ENE and tuner, but there were periods when it fell to S1. Unfortunately nothing was heard except weak carriers over the range 130-140 KHz, with possibly some digital characteristics at time. The storms in the NE must have been the source of the noise, as it decreased dramatically as dawn approached here. Ed WSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: LF Beacon VO1NA 135.8 KHz
Posted by Paul on March 07, 2011 at 07:12:07.
In reply to LF Beacon VO1NA 135.8 KHz posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 07, 2011
I listened too. Nothing heard in CA.
Re: LF Beacon VO1NA 135.8 KHz
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on March 07, 2011 at 08:12:42.
In reply to LF Beacon VO1NA 135.8 KHz posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 07, 2011
Ed,
Just to clarify -- VO1NA has been running on 137.777 kHz, with QRSS60 or 30. Joe is brilliantly visible at 1000 miles here in Massachusetts using Argo, Spectrum Lab, etc. Actually, his carrier is easily seen on a QRSS3 screen at my QTH. I've listened by ear and have not detected anything, however.
John, W1TAG
SJ going QRT
Posted by Sal,K1RGO on March 07, 2011 at 08:38:01.
Well it's getting to the end of the season and SJ will be on only by request. I'm not seeing anything in the watering hole, or in other 1750m areas when grabbing and QRN is increasing.So CU next season. Re: LF Beacon VO1NA 135.8 KHz
Later...Sal
Posted by John Davis on March 07, 2011 at 09:06:41.
In reply to Re: LF Beacon VO1NA 135.8 KHz posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on March 07, 2011
I wondered myself if 135.8 in Joe's earlier post might have been a typo. I tried listening here in SE Kansas last night, out on the farm at the base of the 40' verrtical, but with the same result as Ed. The static was horrendous at MF and LF.
My attempts at using Argo on 1750 meters were not very successful...just a few dits and dahs on likely frequencies, but with the rest of the calls obscured. Up in the aeronautical band, there was still plenty of noise, but signals were also blasting in loud enough to be copied with only minimal ear damage. Snagged a few new ones, though not at nearly the distances as the other night when I caught GUA from Guatemala City.
Interestingly, the QRN fell off pretty rapidly above the AM broadcast band. On 75 meters, I spent a fair while listening in on an informal pre-dawn net from the UK, with several stations in England and Scotland checking in, a few stateside visitors as well, and one Australian! Some of the stations were having a little trouble hearing each other, but they were all coming in fine here. (The antenna resonates right in the middle of 75m according to my new network analyzer. Higher order resonances don't fall very close at all to the expected harmonics, though, which I expect must be an effect of the top loading.)
John
Re: LF Beacon VO1NA 135.8 KHz
Posted by Joe VO1NA on March 07, 2011 at 16:23:26.
In reply to LF Beacon VO1NA 135.8 KHz posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 07, 2011
Thanks to John Davis, Paul and W1TAG for listening. The QRN was very heavy here also. The 5 WPM beacon will resume on 135.8 kHz tonight at 0200 UTC 8 Mar after QRSS on 137.777 kHz. The CW frequency is about 2 kHz lower to avoid the QRSS beacons near 137.8 kHz.
Thanks and 73 Beacon "JAM" 187 khz is QRT till next season
Joe
Posted by Lee on March 07, 2011 at 17:28:23.
Beacon "JAM" 187 khz is QRT till next season. Will take the time to play/build a downconverter to use with a 10 meter transceiver I have. My lowfer umbrella antenna tunes up easily on 10 meters so I might play beacon there for a while. Re: LF Beacon VO1NA 135.8 KHz Sill No Luck
Certainly any requests to run "JAM" temp will be no problem. Planning on being back up weekends in September with an actual 6 digit frequency.
73zzzz
Lee
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 08, 2011 at 07:51:30.
In reply to Re: LF Beacon VO1NA 135.8 KHz posted by Joe VO1NA on March 07, 2011
GM Joe. Tried to copy the beacon after 0300 UT, 8 Mar., but was unable to detect it despite much lower atmospheric noise. A lot of carriers, including one almost on the same freq. sending varying digital bursts at intervals. Also listened this morning after 1100 UT to see if the Gray Line propagation might help, but only noticed the many carriers slowly fading-out with the dawn. Also, the atmospheric noise was picking up again as the next storm is pushing into LA from OK and TX. John/TAG is probably correct when spoke about the difficulty of CW reception by ear over such distances-->2000 mi. between us. The only signals I have ever heard from that area on similar freq. was CFH in the 120-130 KHz range. I suspect that they were using a little more power, a slightly bigger antenna, and a larger ground plane. Thanks for the chance to try copying your beacon. Ed WSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: LF Beacon VO1NA 135.8 KHz Sill No Luck
Posted by Joe VO1NA on March 08, 2011 at 15:46:21.
In reply to Re: LF Beacon VO1NA 135.8 KHz Sill No Luck posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 08, 2011
Thank-you Ed for your efforts. It will be most impressive if you could copy LF CW 2000 miles over land. Even 2000 miles over ocean is very rare. The beacon will be on again tonight 135.83 kHz 5 WPM.
73 and thanks K6FRC Hifer
Joe
Posted by Jeff on March 08, 2011 at 18:02:53.
Copying the K6FRC HiFer into Southwest Arizona with a RST of 529 at 0034Z on 9 March 2011. Tuned the receiver between 13.553 MHz and 13.567 MHz but did not copy any other HiFers. 73, Jeff K8NDB
Re: LF Beacon VO1NA 135.8 KHz Still No Luck
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 08, 2011 at 19:48:33.
In reply to Re: LF Beacon VO1NA 135.8 KHz Sill No Luck posted by Joe VO1NA on March 08, 2011
Hello Joe. Too much weather activity locally to try again tonight. Might you know if there was an LF distress frequency, such as 150 Kc/2000m, prior to the adoption of 500 Kc/600m for distress signalling? This might be one that Paul could answer also. I wonder what sort of range they had at the lower frequency, or was that primarily a coast station band? Believe that the "Titanic" was using 600m during its distress in 1912. Ed WSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: LF Beacon VO1NA 135.8 KHz Still No Luck
Posted by Paul on March 08, 2011 at 20:45:51.
In reply to Re: LF Beacon VO1NA 135.8 KHz Still No Luck posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 08, 2011
Yes, Titanic was on 600m (500 kc.) calling for help.
In the spark days, comms were broad-band. In the Alexanderson alternator days, most comms were below 100 kc.
600m was adopted in the 1920's. It was standardized soon after. It remains the Holy Grail.
Re: K6FRC Hifer
Posted by Ward K7PO on March 09, 2011 at 17:28:36.
In reply to K6FRC Hifer posted by Jeff on March 08, 2011
I'm hearing K6FRC on 13.565~ while mobile in southern AZ south of Tucson. Sigs were 5 2 9 at 0110Z, 10 Mar. I should be far enough east tomorrow to have a chance of hearing AJO and NDB.
Ward K7PO Re: K6FRC Hifer
somewhere on I-10 heading east
Posted by Jeff K8NDB on March 09, 2011 at 18:38:51.
In reply to Re: K6FRC Hifer posted by Ward K7PO on March 09, 2011
Ward, thanks for the post. I have been listening for your HiFer but have not heard it yet. Guess we are to close but I will keep trying. 73, Jeff
Hifer roadtrip
Posted by Ward K7PO on March 10, 2011 at 15:59:23.
We're about 20 miles west of Rayne, LA, our stop for the next couple days. Hearing SZX 449 on 13563~ mobile on I-10 at 2345Z Mar 10. Heard bits of AJO all day after getting east of Kerrville, TX, only got a few complete ID's however. No other hifers copied today.
Re: LF Beacon VO1NA 135.8 KHz Still No Luck
Ward K7PO
Posted by Joe VO1NA on March 10, 2011 at 17:13:21.
In reply to Re: LF Beacon VO1NA 135.8 KHz Still No Luck posted by Paul on March 08, 2011
Thanks to all who tried to copy the CW on 135.8 kHz. The TX is now back on 137.777 kHz with QRSS30. Reports welcomed.
73 HiFer NDB
Joe
Posted by Paul on March 12, 2011 at 16:50:46.
Got home, sat down in front of the receiver this evening (now 4:46 PM PST) before heading to the gym. Looked at the 10m band spots posted on the DX Summit today and see that the band was really hopping! Did a quick scan of 10m and see that I apparently missed another great 10m opening. But... I did faintly hear some peeps around 28.2493 MHz... Was able to cobble together an ID of K8NDB/B. Excited by the N/S path still somewhat available on 10, decided to try for NDB on the 22m band. Bingo! Copied enough bits and pieces to make a full ID before QSB took it away completely. Signal was maybe S-1.5 at the peak. Nice job, Jeff!
73, Re: Hifer roadtrip
Posted by Ward K7PO on March 12, 2011 at 17:10:16.
In reply to Hifer roadtrip posted by Ward K7PO on March 10, 2011
Passing through Gulfport, Ms right now, 0100Z 13 Mar. Hearing EH very clear on 13557~, 549 at times. Not hearing any other Hifers.
Re: Hifer roadtrip
Ward K7PO
Posted by Ward K7PO on March 12, 2011 at 18:31:34.
In reply to Re: Hifer roadtrip posted by Ward K7PO on March 12, 2011
Just when you think it's quiet. . . At 0145Z while passing through Mobile, AL, AJO came up out of the noise. It was in for about 15 minutes, peaking 549. Really cool to hear my beacon this far away, but even better when I'm hearing EH at the same time. Looked for NDB and FRC, but no luck. EH has been pounding in down here for over an hour. Got some really good mp.3 captures.
Ward K7PO
Re: Hifer roadtrip
Posted by John Davis on March 12, 2011 at 18:38:59.
In reply to Re: Hifer roadtrip posted by Ward K7PO on March 12, 2011
Congratulations, Ward! Some folks seem to have their best HiFER reception while mobile, for some reason.
The recent mud dried enough that I was finally able to get out in my field late this afternoon and listen again. None of the "usual suspects" in CW, but while playing with Argo, I did manage to snag NC unmistakably for the first time. Screen capture of this one and LowFER SIW later tonight in the Community Forum.
John
Re: HiFer roadtrip
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 12, 2011 at 20:11:52.
In reply to Re: Hifer roadtrip posted by Ward K7PO on March 12, 2011
Looks like the conditions are good for a trip Ward. Today(12 Mar/UT) and this evening(13 Mar/UT), have been hearing EH, AJO, NHVT(all getting up to 559 when strongest), and a weaker FRC(3/4-3/4-9 at best). Mobile in Mobile? Ed WSlidell,LA
JJY is off-the-air in Japan
Posted by Barry on March 17, 2011 at 20:24:09.
JJY on 40 kHz is off-the-air in Japan due to the earthquake. JJY on 60 kHz is still on-the-air. I heard about this on World of Radio #1556.
-Barry
Re: HiFer NDB
Posted by Jeff K8NDB on March 18, 2011 at 07:02:00.
In reply to HiFer NDB posted by Paul on March 12, 2011
I appreciate the signal reports Paul, thanks! 73, Jeff
Re: HiFer roadtrip
Posted by Ward K7PO on March 18, 2011 at 14:07:36.
In reply to Re: HiFer roadtrip posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 12, 2011
On the road again. . . Hearing GNK and EH, of course. Heard EH every day while in Tampa this week, but no others. At 2130z 18 Mar, south of Atlanta on I-75, EH is 539, while GNK is up and down peaking 429 a couple times. We are going to stop at the hamfest in Marietta tomorrow morning, and then work our way to I-40 and back to AZ.
Ward K7PO
HiFers Today 18/19 March, 2011
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 18, 2011 at 20:35:09.
Similar to Ward's report, hearing EH on ~13557 KHz, with good signals up to S4/569 at times, from 1100 UT/18 March, into 19 March, 0030 UT or so. Also managed to catch NDB on ~13562 KHz, about 339, for only 10-15 minutes around 2300 UT, 18 March. GNK heard up around ~13564 KHz, also weak about 339. No other HiFers heard, but a lot of NE fishing vessel R/T activity around 13560.5 KHz, both in the morning and evening--strong signals, S9 at times. Ed WSlidell, LA EM50cg
Re: HiFers Today 18/19 March, 2011
Posted by Paul on March 20, 2011 at 08:55:53.
In reply to HiFers Today 18/19 March, 2011 posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 18, 2011
Wow! Nice work, OM.
Re: HiFer roadtrip
Posted by Ward K7PO on March 20, 2011 at 17:51:30.
In reply to Re: HiFer roadtrip posted by Ward K7PO on March 18, 2011
Just east of Midland, TX (we changed our route back to AZ) hearing GNK 449 and bits of NDB. AJO is 559 right now, 0140z 21 Mar, the strongest I've heard it. K6FRC is 429, first time heard in over a week for me. Heard EH on and off during the day. I've been doing so well mobile on this trip, maybe I need to move the shack out into the car at home :-)
Ward K7PO
Hifer
Posted by Glenn WØLUS on March 20, 2011 at 18:02:14.
Hearing " EH " on 13.557 now in St. Paul, MN. Signal is weak but copyable....
Hifer
Posted by Glenn WØLUS on March 20, 2011 at 18:52:08.
Beacon NHVT at 13.559Mhz also coming in weak but copyable.
Re: HiFer roadtrip
Posted by Ward K7PO on March 20, 2011 at 20:29:19.
In reply to Re: HiFer roadtrip posted by Ward K7PO on March 20, 2011
Just before stopping tonight, around 0158z 21 mar, NDB on 13.562~ came up to 539 for about 6-8 minutes. I finally got a good mp.3 recording of it. AJO was strong before and after NDB peaked, but no copy while NDB was in. Interesting to me as they are about 100 miles apart in AZ, and around 700 miles from me here in TX, so I keep expecting to hear them both at the same time.
Ward K7PO
HiFers GNK & K6FRC
Posted by Jeff K8NDB on March 23, 2011 at 17:38:43.
03/23/11, 1912Z-2036Z, copied K6FRC on 13.565 MHz, RST 539. Tonight 03/24/11 at 0028Z copying GNK on 13.564 MHz, RST 519. First time I have copied GNK here in Yuma, AZ. 73, Jeff K8NDB
Re: HiFer NDB
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 23, 2011 at 19:43:22.
In reply to HiFers GNK & K6FRC posted by Jeff K8NDB on March 23, 2011
Jeff, I was able to hear the NDB (~13562 KHz)beacon fairly well this weekend, about 339 on 19 March, and much better, about 449, almost 459 at times on 20 March. The everpresent sweeping signal,kept it from being nearly 559. As usual it only comes in for a short periods before 2400 UT when the day is ending. I have not heard it as strong before this time. Ed WSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: HiFer NDB
Posted by Jeff K8NDB on March 24, 2011 at 11:53:20.
In reply to Re: HiFer NDB posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 23, 2011
Ed, Thank you for the NDB report. I copied the GNK beacon around 0028Z and suspect that conditions to the mid west will be good that time of day. K6FRC beacon usually pops up around 1900Z and is up and down for a few hours. I look forward to copying other HiFers as sunspot conditions improve. Thanks again! 73, Jeff K8NDB 69 BY
Posted by Ward K7PO on March 25, 2011 at 19:17:11.
Heard 69 BY beacon this afternoon, on 13.555~ at 2300z 25 Mar 11. It was very strong for 10 - 15 minutes, then went off. GNK was in 439 as well. Any info on 69 BY?
69 BY
Ward K7PO
Tonopah, AZ
Posted by Ward K7PO on March 25, 2011 at 19:36:26.
I did some searching on the net and found 69 BY in Costa Rica. There is a you tube video of it operating on 27.550 mhz. The ID is the same one I heard today on 13.555 mhz. Anyone know if I have the correct info on this one?
Re: 69 BY
Ward K7PO
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 26, 2011 at 15:01:45.
In reply to 69 BY posted by Ward K7PO on March 25, 2011
Hello Ward. I have heard this signal in the past, although initially it was sending CW something like "69 BY Beacon", and repeating this. More recently, I have heard the voice giving the ID in ICAO phonetics. Also have heard the voice ID include some additional digits of "ID" after a 'CQ'. Don't think I have ever heard any responses. As you indicated, the signals have been quite strong at times, reaching up to S9, even in the middle of the night. The freq. you mentioned, 27555KHz, is listed as the 'general calling frequency' for the "Upper CB" band, used for initial contact, as 500KHz had been used. Since the 13555KHz frequency doubles to 27110KHz, and the industrial equipment frequency (similar to 13560KHz)is shown as 27120KHz, maybe someone has gotten hold of an industrial RF generator, and is using it for hobby communications--occasionally with some leakage/mistuning resulting in 13.56MHz band emission. I have not been able to think of another likely reason for the lack of twoway conversations. I have heard the NE fishing vessels on ~13561KHz or so, but they are likely using 2-25MHz marine band transceivers,set for 'open frequency' operation. Ed WSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: 69 BY
Posted by John Davis on March 26, 2011 at 16:37:18.
In reply to Re: 69 BY posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 26, 2011
I copied that same...er, signal...here yesterday in SE Kansas, Ward and Ed. It's the filthiest, most hum-ridden piece of alleged RF I've encountered in years. Obliterated NC and everything else for hundreds of Hertz around. I think I managed to get Argo to save a .wav file of some of it. If I can find an MP3 converter, I may post a copy, so prospective HiFERs everywhere can see how NOT to make their beacons sound! :)
John Re: 69 BY
Posted by Paul on March 27, 2011 at 09:24:27.
In reply to Re: 69 BY posted by John Davis on March 26, 2011
I'm copying a beacon IDing as "69 CO" right now. I wonder if this is the same OP?
Freq is right around 13.556 MHz. Unable to tell exact freq. because I am listening on the R-390A. The Kenwood can't hardly tell it is there, but it is 519 on the 390A.
Also picking up a "dasher" about 529 on 13.562 MHz. or thereabbouts. Jeff, is this yours?
Re: 69 BY
Posted by Paul on March 27, 2011 at 09:29:17.
In reply to Re: 69 BY posted by Paul on March 27, 2011
Hit "Submit" too soon.
Also hearing "69 BY" on about 13.555 MHz., just below "69 CO". Signal is about the same, RST 519.
My location is about 50 miles SE of Sacramento, the capital of the land of fruits and nuts.
HiFers heard this morning
Posted by Paul on March 27, 2011 at 09:49:43.
It's just before 10 AM PDT, and HiFers are really starting to come in!
Copying:
AJO with a rock solid 529 RST
69CO RST 519
69BY RST 519
Unknown beacon sending "dits" around 13.560 MHz. RST 519
Unknown beacon sending "dahs" around 13.562 MHz. RST 529
And, as usual, a groundwave 519 copy on FRC (70 miles away)
I'm staying parked on 13.562 now waiting to see if NDB makes an appearance.
Receiver is an R-390A, antenna is a 160 foot inverted L over dozens of buried radials. QTH is hilltop 50 miles SE of Sacramento, CA. Re: 69 BY
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 27, 2011 at 10:42:51.
In reply to Re: 69 BY posted by John Davis on March 26, 2011
Hi John(in the land of the supercells) and Paul(in granola). I listened around 1600 UT, 27 March, and the '69 BY BEACON' was coming in a solid 559, with little or no QSB. It faded by 1700, leaving only EH heard above it. It did have a sight gurgle, from p/supply ripple or some digital sidebands, which I have not heard on it before. Must be having some problems now. I did not notice the 69CO. Ed WSlidell,LA EM50cg
HiFers NDB and AJO
Posted by Paul on March 27, 2011 at 10:44:30.
At 10:40 AM PDT, Copying:
AJO RST 509
NDB RST 529
Unknown beacon "dasher" (approx. 13.562 MHz.) RST 509
FRC RST 519 (70 miles groundwave)
On my last scan about 40 minutes ago, I could hear AJO with RST 529 and nothing from NDB. Now, NDB is 519 and AJO is weak but there.
Receiver is an R-390A. Antenna is 160 foot inverted L over lots of buried radials. QTH is hilltop, 50 miles SE of Sacramento, CA.
Re: HiFers heard this morning
Posted by Ward K7PO on March 27, 2011 at 20:14:37.
In reply to HiFers heard this morning posted by Paul on March 27, 2011
Paul, I thought I heard the "dits" and "dahs" a couple days ago, but very weak with lots of qsb. Glad to see I wasn't imagining it. Also, thanks for the very nice qsl. I have an mp3 of FRC as heard mobile in southern AZ if you'd like me to email it to you.
Ward K7PO Re: 69 BY
Tonopah, AZ
Posted by Jeff K8NDB on March 27, 2011 at 21:08:24.
In reply to Re: 69 BY posted by Paul on March 27, 2011
Paul, That dasher is not mine. I am only sending NDB at 10 WPM and nothing else. I have copied that dasher a few times and thought I was just imagining things. Good to hear others are copying it also. 73, Jeff K8NDB Five character groups on ~13561 KHz
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on March 28, 2011 at 05:14:21.
Was listening for NDB, and just heard a station sending five character groups, on ~13561.5 KHz. I guess the speed was 15 wpm or so, and it used some characters not used in English code (like .-.-, ---. & ----). It came on suddenly about 1154 UT and finished about 1155 UT. Signals were about 559, with no QSB, and later the SWBC on 13570 KHz started on time at 1200 UT. Ed WSlidell,LA EM50cg
Ken Cornell's LF scrapbook
Posted by MARK DITTMAR on March 28, 2011 at 12:17:30.
Not sure if this has been mentioned before, but the 1977/78 version of Ken Cornell's LF scrapbook is free for viewing and downloading at scribd.com:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/39405306/The-Low-and-Medium-Frequency-Radio-Scrape-Book-by-Ken-Cornell-W2IMB-1977
and
http://www.scribd.com/doc/39405675/The-Low-and-Medium-Frequency-Radio-Scrape-Book-by-Ken-Cornell-W2IMB-Addendum-1977-1978
These books are hard to find and are a treasure of LF lore.
73 Mark AB0CW Lowfer MBD
NDB and AJO
Posted by Paul on March 30, 2011 at 18:29:09.
Copied NDB and AJO while mobile on my way to a transmitter site today. NDB was about RST 519 and AJO was 509. Receiver is an Icom IC-R1500 (SDR), antenna is a 6m quarter wave whip fed with LMR-240 cable mounted on the ladder rack of the work truck. Location was Northern California. Speed was 60 MPH.
ditter and dah'er are back on 22m
Posted by Paul on March 31, 2011 at 11:35:44.
The stations sending dahs (about 30 per min) and the ditter are coming in loud and clear today in CA. Frequency is right around 13.562 MHz.
Also, a new one, on 13.560 is a station that was sending real fast dits, then broke into what sounds like SSTV. I do not have a means of decoding the SSTV (and the signal is too weak anyway), but curious if anyone else caught this.
Also interesting, while mobile yesterday, had the receiver locked on 13.562 Mhz. while heading back home froma hilltop and noticed that the ditter got stronger when near certain power lines. Could be inductive coupling, etc. but still interesting.
potrzebie