Re: Lowfer BR
Posted by Darwin Long on April 12, 2012 at 23:43:32.
In reply to Lowfer BR posted by Garry, K3SIW on April 12, 2012
Re: BC-1206
You will find a manual for the BC-1206 at
http://bama.edebris.com/manuals/military/bc1206/
The fun thing about these old Detrola radios is that ot: fcc taking comments on impediments to amateur radio
the plates are run at 28 volts.
Posted by robert c on April 06, 2012 at 14:26:53.
topic for the licensed hams in forum presently living under HOA's and CCR's and/or land use/deed restrictions
FCC is taking comments on impediments to amateur radio emergency communications.
http://www.arrl.org/news/view/fcc-seeks-public-comments-on-emergency-communications-by-amateur-radio-and-impediments-to-amateur-ra
MGY 600 meters
Posted by Brock Whaley on April 06, 2012 at 17:02:05.
Several other Titanic special event stations at this link:
http://coastradio.intco.biz/maritime/ships/titanic/Titanic-2012.htm
FORT PERCH ROCK MARINE RADIO MUSEUM has been given the special callsign of GB100MGY for the 100th anniversary of Titanic's sinking and will be on air from April 6th till April 26th on all amateur bands.
Operations will include the 501-to 504khz band using 502kHz between 12th to 18th april 2012. For those who cannot transmit in the 500kHz band, GB100MGY will also be listening on 3566kHz (or 7066kHz if conditions require) for crossband replies.
The station will particularly be on 502 khz overnight on the evening/morning of 14th/15th april marking precisely the 100 years since Titanic sent her CQD and SOS signals around the 500kc/s frequency
More information about the museum can be found at www.fortperchrockmarineradiomuseum.co.uk
via
Brock Whaley
Kandahar, Afghanistan
"Where LWBC reception is alive and well"
505 kHz 'NEED'
Posted by Bill on April 07, 2012 at 08:42:39.
Heard this morning 0430 EDT in Harrisburg, PA.
Re: 505 kHz 'NEED'
Posted by lloyd chastant on April 07, 2012 at 11:08:07.
In reply to 505 kHz 'NEED' posted by Bill on April 07, 2012
Yes nice copy hr near Baltimore also this morning
Re: 505 kHz 'NEED'
Posted by Bill on April 07, 2012 at 14:07:46.
In reply to Re: 505 kHz 'NEED' posted by lloyd chastant on April 07, 2012
I never knew much about this station, but I found one article that suggests it's in Virginia or North Carolina.
Re: 505 kHz 'NEED'
Posted by Sal,K1RGO on April 08, 2012 at 01:17:40.
In reply to Re: 505 kHz 'NEED' posted by Bill on April 07, 2012
A friend of mine "DFed" NEED and found out that it is in Virginia. It's a a government training facility. TITANIC 500-kHz special event
later Sal.....
Posted by Fritz Raab W1FR on April 08, 2012 at 19:36:39.
The ARRL WD2XSH experimental stations will be holding a special event on 500 kHz to mark the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.
Operations will occur on Friday night 04/13, Saturday night 04/14, and maybe Sunday night 04/15. Operations will occur in the bands from 472 to 478 kHz as well as 495 - 510 kHz. Operations will include calling on 500 kHz followed by QSY as well as beacon transmissions.
WA1ZMS (WF9XIH) will transmit a simulation of the MGY spark gap on 483 kHz. WE2XGR will also make a simulated spark-gap transmission.
Heritage stations WNE (472 kHz, MA) and NWVC (512 kHz, OH) will also be operating. Re: TITANIC 500-kHz special event
Posted by Paul on April 08, 2012 at 21:06:57.
In reply to TITANIC 500-kHz special event posted by Fritz Raab W1FR on April 08, 2012
And what exactly gave them the right to transmit on exactly 500 kc. with 'QSY', etc.?? The hambones are going WAY too far.
500 is sacred. Hambones should leave it alone.
Re: TITANIC 500-kHz special event
Posted by John Davis on April 09, 2012 at 00:10:34.
In reply to Re: TITANIC 500-kHz special event posted by Paul on April 08, 2012
The terms of their current Part 5 Experimental Radio Service license give them the right to transmit there, on a non-interference basis. And this particular operation is in commemoration of the original use of the frequency, let us remember; arguably just as valid a purpose for the occasion as the few heritage coastal and ship stations who have also publicly announced plans to mark the event.
The Amateur Radio Service does not currently, and will not in future, operate there. The International Maritime Organization pretty much has secured the frequency for a new NAVTEX-like service.
John Re: TITANIC 500-kHz special event
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on April 09, 2012 at 01:41:04.
In reply to Re: TITANIC 500-kHz special event posted by John Davis on April 09, 2012
Hi John. Have you neard any specifics on the proposed NAVTEX-like service, such as its purpose/function or expected implementation? I wonder what it will do that the current 518/490 KHz MF and 4209.5 KHz HF, as well as the Satellite-C EGC messages aren't already doing? Ed WSlidell,LA
NAVDAT (was-Re: TITANIC 500-kHz special event)
Posted by John Davis on April 09, 2012 at 10:16:30.
In reply to Re: TITANIC 500-kHz special event posted by EdWSlidell,LA on April 09, 2012
Hi Ed. I don't know how the new system stacks up against the satellite service, since I'm not familiar with the latter's capabilities. Compared to NAVTEX, though, it is said to be much faster. It utilizes the full 10 kHz of the 500 kHz channel for digital data transmission by means of OFDM, each of the subcarriers being modulated with 16-QAM. It should sound like white noise on conventional receivers. Data throughput is apparently around 25 kbps this way.
Kenta, the French company that developed the system, formally demonstrated it to the COMSAR subcommittee of IMO on March 12. (This was about a month after WARC-2012 approved the allocation of 500 kHz worldwide for maritime safety information, based largely on the specs of this proposed system.) Its claimed capabilities include the same meteorological and navigational warnings as NAVTEX, but at higher speed; along with transmission of charts and graphs, a database of iceberg positions, maps and warnings of piracy, search and rescue messages, and shipping information.
Messages can be broadcast to all ships, or addressed only to those sailing in specific geographic locales (this requires vessels to also utilize satellite positioning in order to sync up with those addresses), or even to individual specific ships, so users will receive only the relevant information on their terminals and won't have to wade through pages of information that doesn't apply to them. Encryption of proprietary information is also possible.
I have not heard how soon they plan to begin implementing it, and have no idea how fast it may be adopted internationally.
John
2200m captures 9 Apr 12
Posted by Neil on April 09, 2012 at 12:37:49.
The following were captured via Argo overnight into Northern Utah: MP, XGJ, XKO. I might have caught a couple more if I had dialed up another 1 or 2 hertz. Thanks to Eric, NO3M, who posted on the 600m reflector last evening.
Re: NAVDAT (was-Re: TITANIC 500-kHz special event)
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on April 09, 2012 at 13:44:57.
In reply to NAVDAT (was-Re: TITANIC 500-kHz special event) posted by John Davis on April 09, 2012
OK John, thanks for the clarifying information. It does sound like a complicated system, probably with associated complicated(and costly) implementation on both the shore and ship sides. Its necessarily limited range (200 day/ 400 night) might lessen its value. The Sat-C(EGC) seems to have most of the functions you stated with the exception of charts, etc, but those could be sent as data files for vessels requesting them. The EGC is also available in non-polar regions via the geostationary satellites, and is currently a requirement(in reality) for vessels further offshore than about 200 mi.(area A3). Just some more equipment to bother(and be ignored by) the bridge/pilot house personnel. Ed WSlidell,LA
German special Titanic event
Posted by Fritz Raab W1FR on April 10, 2012 at 00:50:19.
Juergen Gerpott DL8PFB sends word of a cross-band event. The weather-service station DDH47 in Pinneberg- Hamburn will send Morsecode keying from 14th April 22:30 gmt until 15th April 02:00 gmt. After a broadcast to all ham radio amateurs might contact ddh47 on amateur hf bands and have qso with ddh47/dl0swa. During the silence periods of former maritime service the names of radio officers will be keyed at very low speed ( qrss3 one dot at 3 seconds) for long distance and below noise level recognition of signals. Reports from US and Canadian stations are very welcome.
http//:www.doese-apprt.de/mrd/titanic.html Lowfer BR
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on April 12, 2012 at 12:20:41.
Excellent signals before local sunrise this morning from lowfer BR on 185.570 kHz. The CW ID was audible with full sideband bandwidth. Nice to see the VLF Alpha signals coming through again too.
Re: Lowfer BR
Posted by Darwin Long on April 12, 2012 at 23:43:32.
In reply to Lowfer BR posted by Garry, K3SIW on April 12, 2012
Thanks so much for the report! Glad the signal is still getting out, and is being heard so well into the spring months.
-Darwin
New LowFer Beacon 22A
Posted by Ralph KD8GBK on April 14, 2012 at 03:38:16.
Hello, I will have my Beacon operational this weekend 14/15 April on 185.1kcs, callsign "22A" 5wpm CW. Looking forward to some reports! loc EN56st 73 DE KD8GBK
PBO - Off the Air
Posted by Rick KA2PBO on April 15, 2012 at 15:28:37.
I am shutting PBO down till the fall.Thanks to all who copied and those who tried!
73 NDB SC Stockton, CA
Rick
Posted by Paul on April 15, 2012 at 18:39:56.
Anybody know what happened to NDB "SC" near Stockton, CA?
I used it as a calibrator since I knew the exact bearing from my QTH, but now it's gone. And, I cannot find a thing about it being decommissioned or anything online.
Thanks! Lowfer "6R" is back on-the-air 180.580 kHz from CM98
Posted by Ed Larsen on April 15, 2012 at 23:42:44.
"6R" is back on-the-air after about 1 month off. I found a bad solder joint on a final amp FET lead. It will operate 24/7 unless I am listening on VLF. It is sending "6R" in slow CW, about 4 WPM, followed by a 4 second dash, then repeats. 73s all, Ed, KI6R.
Re: Lowfer "6R" is back on-the-air 180.580 kHz from CM98
Posted by Paul on April 16, 2012 at 01:41:01.
In reply to Lowfer "6R" is back on-the-air 180.580 kHz from CM98 posted by Ed Larsen on April 15, 2012
Good copy from CM97, OM.
Re: LORAN still going
Posted by Steve on April 17, 2012 at 06:23:46.
In reply to Re: LORAN still going posted by SalK1RGO on March 29, 2012
Have been hearing Loran again on 4-15-12 at 0548 UT and Re: LORAN still going
again on 04-16, 0729 to 0940 UT with lot of QRN ...anybody
else hear it ?....Thanks
Posted by Paul on April 17, 2012 at 15:10:24.
In reply to Re: LORAN still going posted by Steve on April 17, 2012
I've been listening for it off and on. Not a peep on the west coast.
Re: LORAN still going
Posted by Steve on April 17, 2012 at 15:57:24.
In reply to Re: LORAN still going posted by Paul on April 17, 2012
Thanks for your input..forgot to mention I'm located in NW Indiana
Re: LORAN still going
Posted by Steve on April 17, 2012 at 16:20:58.
In reply to Re: LORAN still going posted by Paul on April 17, 2012
#2...
Paul, I'm just curious about (1)what type of signals you receive below 100 KHz on the west coast ?
(2) Type of receiving equipment you use for LW , in general.
Here the Man-made QRM seems to be horrendous even with the noise blanker ON; then there's the QRN, especially now,during spring . Even the NDB portion of the spectrum has been a real challenge but managed to log some 60 or so stations within about a 500 mile radius; no dx not even LW Bcst stations. NDB heard in south Wyoming
So, any info you can provide will be appreciated.
Posted by Robbie on April 18, 2012 at 21:50:14.
Hey All, Was wondering where NDB JNA on 392KHZ is from? It`s a regular catch here in Rock Springs.(about 200 miles north-east of Salt Lake City) Have looked everywhere(the useual list of suspects) and can`t seem to find any references to it. The signal is weak at my rx station, but there most nights. Thanks and good dx. 73 Robbie
Re: NDB heard in south Wyoming
Posted by John Davis on April 19, 2012 at 01:37:15.
In reply to NDB heard in south Wyoming posted by Robbie on April 18, 2012
Is there a chance it could be JNM with maybe an accidentally short dash at the start of the M?
Re: NDB heard in south Wyoming
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on April 19, 2012 at 01:43:23.
In reply to NDB heard in south Wyoming posted by Robbie on April 18, 2012
Robbie, you're probably copying NDB PNA located in WENZ, Wyoming (grid DN52ct). The current offsets are about +1028 and -1055 Hz with a repeat interval of 8 seconds. You can list all active NDBs on 392 kHz via appropriate search entries to http://www.classaxe.com/dx/ndb/rna/.
73, Garry, K3SIW
Re: LORAN still going
Posted by Paul on April 19, 2012 at 15:18:33.
In reply to Re: LORAN still going posted by Steve on April 17, 2012
Mostly, I listen for NDB's. I have a list of all the NDB's around the world, and would just check them off as I copied them, nothing very scientific.
Although, I am apparently the only confirmed copy of SAQ in California.
Equipment here isn't as important as the QTH, that's where the 'magic' is. QTH was chosen around 2000 specifically for it's SWL reception performance in mind. We shopped dozens of hilltop properties, and I carried equipment to make measurements for a couple years. When we found this hilltop, we bought it and began installing ground radials long before the first structure was even planned. The whole layout was painted on the bare ground (where each tower would go, each antenna, the house, etc.) and then copper wire was laid into (and sometimes onto) the ground. Then, the first building went in, which later became the communications building next to tower #2, that I lease space on for additional income.
Noise floor is almost immeasurable, and ground conductivity is very high. Nothing around, and very quiet. Signals come booming in here, like a big RF magnet. It defies logic and physics at times.
Now, with that said...
LW equipment is mainly a LF Engineering L-202 into an LF Engineering L-111 setup into an R-390A receiver. Main LW antenna is a 160 foot inverted L over about 3 miles of buried copper radials. Also have a commercial loop antenna and lots of other types, but the inverted L seems to be about the best. If it's there, I can hear it.
Scanning the MW band, every 10 kc. is a station, without fail. In between them are European stations almost every night. It's like cheating.
73, PS
HiFER "NC" seen in VK
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 21, 2012 at 04:55:34.
G'day All - I am pretty sure this is Dexter's HiFER beacon making it all the way downunder (15,400 km). A larger detailed capture can be viewed at the Grabber site I am in the process of setting up. http://www.qsl.net/vk2xv
73 Steve VK2XV
Re: HiFER NC seen in VK
Posted by John Davis on April 21, 2012 at 18:12:28.
In reply to HiFER NC seen in VK posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 21, 2012
Conratulations, Steve! ...and also to W4DEX, the beacon's operator.
That is the right spacing and timing to be NC, and the slight upward drift in frequency over the duration of the capture is typical of the nighttime cooling to be expected at the transmitter site at this time of year. I would have to say that is indeed most likely NC's signal.
I imagine most readers will probably be as curious as I am about your receiving setup.
Regards, Re: HiFER
John
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 21, 2012 at 20:37:01.
In reply to Re: HiFER posted by John Davis on April 21, 2012
G'day John,
I was pleased to get Dex's beacon on the second attempt. I did see it the previous day as a faint wisp. Testing locally with a weak signal allowed optimisation to some degree of ARGO settings for the second attempt.
Today I only saw a couple of shift cycles, so the lesson is not to give up after one or two attempts...
The receiving setup is an MFJ-1786 at 7m height horizontally polarised feeding an FT-847 and thence to a PC via a homebrew audio interface and external USB soundcard (UA1eX). And of course ARGO. Pretty ordinary HF setup except perhaps for the MFJ-1786.
The MFJ-1786 Hi-Q is only 1m in diameter (see my QRZ.COM page) and is my best ever receive antenna for HF.
The next stage is to go hunting for other HiFERs. They would ideally, like NC, need to possess a distinctive signature with, preferably, non-slanting waveforms. QRSS speeds would probably need to be about 3 given the path characteristics. I went for Dex's beacon first-up as I knew the signature and I knew it was on courtesy of Dex's "beacon status page". To know whether the beacon is operational is essential as it takes more strength of will than I possess to spend days searching for a needle in a haystack that might not actually be in the haystack.... :-)
73 Steve VK2XV
HiFER - further details...
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 21, 2012 at 21:37:48.
G'day All,
I see the internet won't let you hide :-) As alluded to on another list I had been playing with HiFER around 2001 under the callsign VK2ZTO. I was experimenting with my "Wandjina" FDK mode with the assistance of Lyle K0LR as shown by my docs below:-
22/Aug/2001
- TX Frequency - 13.555450 MHz +/- 5Hz.
- TX Output Power - 2mW
- Antenna - 1/4 wave vertical - base at 6m.
- Transmission Mode - currently experimenting in Wanjina mode using WaHiFer S/W.
- 2mW Wanjina signal decoded by K0LR (Lyle) in Minnesota USA (dist. 14500km).
I had already been playing with VFSKCW at an estimated 8mW. These signals were received by a number of stations (K0LR, VE3OT, W1JHJ, ZL2CA, W4DEX).
After the FDK experiments I came up with the IFK mode idea, which was subsequently built into working programmes by others (e.g. JASON and DominoEx).
I see from the Archives I reported seeing RY in August 14, 2001. Unfortunately it was only a tentative report on my part with no feedback as to the validity of the report. The capture of the signal is in an unknown location somewhere. I will look for it - but I hold no great expectation of finding it now. I rate the RY report as a "maybe".
The NC report I currently view as an "almost certainly"...
Further reports might be forthcoming if I know the mode (at least QRSS 3 or equivalent), status and frequency (quoted accurate to +/- 100Hz) of other US HiFERs.
73 Steve Olney VK2XV/VK2ZTO
HiFER/EH
Posted by Ralph KD8GBK on April 22, 2012 at 01:03:10.
Good copy by ear this evening of EH QSA3, 22 April 2012 0030z on 13.557 from my location in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan EN56st. Using IC-718 and loop for receive. FB OM ES 73 DE KD8GBK..
Re: HiFER/EH
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on April 22, 2012 at 02:57:33.
In reply to HiFER/EH posted by Ralph KD8GBK on April 22, 2012
Hi Ralph. Also having good copy today(21 Apr.) and this evening(22 Apr.) UT. Have copied SIW CW ID on ~13555KHz, WV on ~556, EH on ~557, MTI on ~557.5, as well as SZX on ~13563KHz, GNK on ~564, and K6FRC on ~565(just starting to come in here, 0230UT). All signals are at least 3/4-3/5-9 when peaking, and EH and GNK seem consistently to be at least 459. How do the stations closer to you(GNK and SZX) seem to do in signal strength? Ed WSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: HiFER/EH
Posted by Ralph KD8GBK on April 22, 2012 at 04:00:00.
In reply to Re: HiFER/EH posted by EdWSlidell,LA on April 22, 2012
Hi Ed, Not a peep other than EH this evening on 22 meters, tried my Spectran software also, nil at EN56st. Most of my OP time is gray line LW/MW, but have now been "bitten" by the 22 meter bug(lol) so will be listening and will keep the gang posted. 73..
HiFER: UNID
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 22, 2012 at 07:09:28.
Who's on 13,555,445 (+/-5Hz) ? Looks like QRSS3, but no way to decode it.
BTW- NC appears to be lower than last time (now 13,555,550, was 13,555,570).
73 Steve VK2XV
Re: HiFER: UNID
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 22, 2012 at 08:16:42.
In reply to HiFER: UNID posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 22, 2012
The signal on 13,555,445 has an 'S' in it - no other letter/number can be decoded... ?
Any clues ?
This is when a distinctive waveform helps.
Steve VK2XV
Re: HiFER: UNID
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on April 22, 2012 at 11:14:54.
In reply to HiFER: UNID posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 22, 2012
Steve, I'm running a hifer on about 13,555,440 Hz that sends "SIW" at QRSS3, then "SIW EN52 IL" in CW, then repeats. The time taken to send the CW is on the order of a single QRSS3 dash. The dipole antenna is oriented NE/SW so Australia should be reasonably in the pattern.
NC puts out a great signal, but as you noted it shifts frequency noticeably with temperature. My beacon is driven by an OCXO so it's quite stable in frequency.
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
Re: New Lowfer Transmiter
Posted by John Davis on April 22, 2012 at 18:40:40.
In reply to New Lowfer Transmiter posted by John Hamer on March 29, 2012
"I will keep everyone updated on the antenna. Once the antenna is made I should be up 24/7."
Hi John. Just checking to see if you've had any progress with that antenna yet?
John
Re: New LowFer Beacon 22A
Posted by John Davis on April 22, 2012 at 18:53:34.
In reply to New LowFer Beacon 22A posted by Ralph KD8GBK on April 14, 2012
Hi Ralph. Will your beacon be 24/7, or do you have another schedule in mind?
John
Re: HiFER: UNID
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 22, 2012 at 21:42:26.
In reply to Re: HiFER: UNID posted by Garry, K3SIW on April 22, 2012
Garry, I will go back and look at the grabs to see if I can make out a callsign. If I find a good match I will post it.
My method for determining receive QRG is a little crude at the moment. It is derived via a hop-step-and-jump from a zero beat WWV on 10MHz, so is only accurate +/-5Hz or so.
73 Steve Olney VK2XV
HiFERs "SIW" and "NC" seen in VK
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 22, 2012 at 22:15:11.
Garry, I went back through my ARGO archives and found the best grab of your SIW beacon.
Go here...
http://www.qsl.net/vk2xv/
and scroll down to the third picture on the page.
Dex, I also found a better capture of NC which is the second picture down.
My apologies for the clunky picture posting on my yet-to-be commissioned grabber page. I am starting up a HiFER blog shortly which should be better for viewing and perusing past captures.
73 Steve VK2XV
Re: New LowFer Beacon 22A
Posted by Ralph KD8GBK on April 22, 2012 at 22:21:32.
In reply to Re: New LowFer Beacon 22A posted by John Davis on April 22, 2012
Hi John, My LowFER beacon 22A is operational 24/7 5wpm CW on 185.1 from EN56st, and i will post any changes on the LW message board. FB ES 73 DE KD8GBK..
HiFER hunting...
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 23, 2012 at 00:00:00.
G'day, following the capture of "NC" and "SIW" HiFERs I am looking for others.
Some distinctive pattern (ala "NC") or QRSS3 (ala "SIW") is sought.
Distilling the responses from John D's request for beacon updates I have two possible candidates I will be hunting for: "USC" (QRSS3 24/7 13.554~) and "MP" (QRSS3 24/7 13.55539~).
At this stage I am looking for 24/7 beacons running at least QRSS3 or some distinctive pattern.
Any others ?
73 Steve VK2XV
Re: HiFERs "SIW" and "NC" seen in VK
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on April 23, 2012 at 00:44:52.
In reply to HiFERs "SIW" and "NC" seen in VK posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 22, 2012
Steve, many thanks for the DX capture! I work HF WSPR often and connecting with Australia on 20 meters isn't hard with 5 W and a beam, but lately SNR reports haven't been particularly impressive so your receive ability is impressive. Thanks to John Davis for reporting SIW missing in his recpetion reports a while back. That prompted a check of the feedline and sure enough I found a faulty BNC connector. Wasn't sure if it was really working right again but your report confirms it must be.
73, Garry
Re: HiFERs "SIW" and "NC" seen in VK
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 23, 2012 at 01:25:18.
In reply to Re: HiFERs "SIW" and "NC" seen in VK posted by Garry, K3SIW on April 23, 2012
Garry, thanks goes to yourself for running the QRSS3 beacon !!!
HiFER has long been a favourite here as I know I am working with bona-fide QRPp signals. Mind you, here in VK we are allowed 100mW EIRP in the 22M ISM band - which in my book is QROo, not QRPp ;-)
I have been away from HiFER for a while, but once I get a few more US HiFERs under my belt I might be looking at putting a HiFER signal on the air myself.
73 Steve VK2XV
Re: HiFER hunting...
Posted by John Davis on April 23, 2012 at 07:13:57.
In reply to HiFER hunting... posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 23, 2012
Right now, Steve, the only HiFERs with distinctive patterns or QRSS3 and consistent 24/7 operation are the four you've already named. They are my benchmark signals here. If I cannot see them, I know there's little point listening for the ones in normal CW.
HiFER COM is a reasonably good performer as well, but is not consistently on the air. FRC is consistently on and is frequently visible here, but it is mainly CW. It will be a more likely DX catch when it has the anticipated new keyer with more QRSS in the ident cycle.
Once RY returns to the air for the season, it too will be an excellent candidate.
John
Re: HiFER hunting...
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 23, 2012 at 10:54:29.
In reply to Re: HiFER hunting... posted by John Davis on April 23, 2012
Thanks John, I have been watching on the "USC" frequency (13554000) and I see a pretty strong trace - but it doesn't appear to be keyed. Looks more like a continuous carrier.
Nothing can be identified from the trace.
So my next target will be "MP" and then "RY" when it starts up.
73 Steve VK2XV
Re: HiFER hunting...
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on April 23, 2012 at 15:40:00.
In reply to Re: HiFER hunting... posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 23, 2012
Steve,
RY will be back on May 12 at the latest -- perhaps earlier. The mode will be DFCW, which should be pretty easy to distinguish. If the area around 13555.410 is clear, it'll go there. The frequency is usually within 1-2 Hz of nominal. Unfortunately, I can rarely see the thing at home (209 km), so must depend on others for reports.
John, W1TAG
hifer EH change to QRSS3
Posted by Sal, K1RGO on April 23, 2012 at 17:46:00.
I think I'm going to try QRSS3 mode for hifer EH on 13557.1 kHz for a change. Any new reports welcome...... Re: HiFER hunting...
later, Sal
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 23, 2012 at 19:07:19.
In reply to Re: HiFER hunting... posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on April 23, 2012
John (W1TAG),
Thanks for the info. I will look out for it when it is on.
Actually, MP, RY and SIW can be covered in a 160Hz-wide window of ARGO in QRSS3 mode, and so that will be the default QRG here unless looking specifically for others on other QRGs.
For example, I see Sal might come up using QRSS3 on EH. When I know it is on I will go looking.
73 Steve VK2XV
Re: hifer EH change to QRSS3
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 23, 2012 at 19:21:24.
In reply to hifer EH change to QRSS3 posted by Sal, K1RGO on April 23, 2012
G'day Sal, when are you going to try QRSS3 ? If EH stays in QRSS3 mode for the near future (and 24/7) I will look for it on 13557.1 kHz.
73 Steve VK2XV
HiFers heard....maybe
Posted by Paul on April 24, 2012 at 01:28:47.
Copying some signals now that I believe are HiFers in QRSS mode. Unable to ID due to an average attention span. Frequencies are in the 13.558 to 13.560 range.
The R390A receiver isn't stable enough to work with Argo when in QRSS mode (unless I leave it on all day first). Argo bandwidth goes so narrow when switched to QRSS, it is unusable.
Does anyone make QRSS software that I can use with my tube radios? Re: hifer EH change to QRSS3
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on April 24, 2012 at 01:30:28.
In reply to Re: hifer EH change to QRSS3 posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 23, 2012
Hi Steve. I'm hearing a fairly strong QRSS3 signal(569 at times) where EH/Sal is usually sending his 'EH'(~13557 KHz). Don't have ability to decode it, but likely it is his signal. Good luck with it. Ed WSlidell,LA
Re: hifer EH change to QRSS3
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 24, 2012 at 01:51:20.
In reply to Re: hifer EH change to QRSS3 posted by EdWSlidell,LA on April 24, 2012
Thanks Ed, I'll look there. Steve VK2XV
Re: hifer EH change to QRSS3
Posted by Paul on April 24, 2012 at 02:11:33.
In reply to Re: hifer EH change to QRSS3 posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 24, 2012
That might be what I'm seeing too.
Re: hifer EH change to QRSS3
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on April 24, 2012 at 02:48:27.
In reply to Re: hifer EH change to QRSS3 posted by Paul on April 24, 2012
Hi Paul and Steve. I was able to listen to the QRSS3 when the QSB wasn't too severe, and it IS sending "EH". If my 'frequency check' using CHU on 14670 KHz is correct, Sal's freq. seems to be right about 13557.16/.17 KHz--if that helps with the setting. MTI is coming in just above that frequency. Ed WSlidell,LA
Re: hifer EH change to QRSS3
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 24, 2012 at 04:43:31.
In reply to Re: hifer EH change to QRSS3 posted by EdWSlidell,LA on April 24, 2012
Thanks Ed - good to know.
73 Steve VK2XV
Re: hifer EH change to QRSS3
Posted by Paul on April 24, 2012 at 14:16:37.
In reply to Re: hifer EH change to QRSS3 posted by EdWSlidell,LA on April 24, 2012
I was listening on a 'cold' R-390A receiver, so the frequency can be off +/- 2 kc. After it was on for about an hour, I re-tuned and still heard the QRSS signal around 13.557, but that's as close as I can get.
The solid state receiver gets hammered on 13.560 (center freq.) from the FM broadcast station on my tower. Even with no antenna connected, it makes no difference. Some weird mix in the receiver.
So, for HiFer listening, I have no choice but to use the R-390A because it is unaffected by the FM. Until there is QRSS software available that is OK with a drifting receiver, I'm hosed. Becaons sending CW at something above 3 WPM, I can copy by ear. QRSS, I cannot copy.
Re: hifer EH change to QRSS3
Posted by Sal,K1RGO on April 24, 2012 at 15:34:56.
In reply to Re: hifer EH change to QRSS3 posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 23, 2012
Hi Steve, Re: HiFers heard....maybe
I am runnng EH 24/7 QRSS3 right now. There is a +/-10 to 20 Hz drift noted with temp changes, and few Hz downward shift noted now on the 3 second dots giving a unique look to EH.
Hope you can copy me. ant is a 22m dipole, pwr ~7dBm.
later.......Sal
Posted by Darwin Long on April 24, 2012 at 17:03:37.
In reply to HiFers heard....maybe posted by Paul on April 24, 2012
You're in the same boat I am... don't have a decent enough radio capable of staying stable long enough for super-slow QRSS using a very narrowband setting on the radio, and then also on ARGO. Not fun having to sit on the sidelines. I've tried, and when the air conditioner kicks in, or the computer screen shuts off, or the sun changes angle, or anything that causes a 1 degree or more temperature change inside the house, the BFO drifts several hertz on all my radios. Nothing much to do about it except find a decent receiver. Situation's worse for working in a vehicle.
-Darwin Long
Re: HiFers heard....maybe
Posted by John Davis on April 24, 2012 at 19:49:06.
In reply to Re: HiFers heard....maybe posted by Darwin Long on April 24, 2012
Paul, perhaps the solution to your receiver conundrum might be the opposite of the upconverters a lot of LowFER listeners employ to overcome deificencies in their radios at LF. If you built a pre-amp tuned to 13.56 and drove a mixer from a TCXO module, you might be able to either shift signals out of the range where the FM is giving you trouble on the solid state receiver...or else to a much lower frequency, where stability would be less of a concern with the tube radios.
As for software, it would be very difficult to devise a routine that could track a specific QRSS signal over wide frequency swings. It's not that hard to simply follow a wandering signal around, of course...as long as it remains on continuously, at an adequate level. But if the signal ever fades or is keyed off, the "chain of evidence" is broken, and the software would have no idea where to begin looking for it again. Is this signal that just came on a hundred Hz higher a continuation of the original, or is it that other one down a hundred Hz lower? Or are they both some other signal entirely? The software would have no way to tell for sure.
The power of QRSS or any weak-signal mode depends on knowing as much as possible about the properties of the signal before you try to detect it.
If you can count on every bit of information to either be present or absent on a given (stable) frequency, then QRSS can use the mathematical "bins" of FFT routines to integrate the energy within those narrow slices of spectrum over the course of time, and build them into a picture that can be distinguished from random noise. But if the signal frequency behaves randomly with time--particularly over the time scale being integrated--then it is, functionally, the same thing as noise, and the detection threshold deteriorates badly.
This is why there is no substitute for stability with slow modes.
John
Re: hifer EH change to QRSS3
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 24, 2012 at 19:55:37.
In reply to Re: hifer EH change to QRSS3 posted by Sal,K1RGO on April 24, 2012
G'day Sal,
I saw a trace at 1345 utc near 13557.1 kHz. I have uploaded it to
http://www.qsl.net/vk2xv
Scroll down to the last image. Unfortunately it doesn't look like a QRSS3 signal, especially if you compare it to the SIW QRSS3 capture just above it.
I'll do another run covering the next 24 hours to see if I can copy you.
BTW - I have seen traces of NC and SIW during the times when the short path is in daylight (9:00 am local here). Some view this as long path reception on these frequencies, but I find that hard to believe.
73 Steve VK2XV
VK2XV HiFER Blog
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 24, 2012 at 23:20:17.
I have started up a blog for my HiFER activities.
http://vk2xv-hifer.blogspot.com
Captures and comments will be posted there.
73 Steve VK2XV
Re: HiFER hunting...
Posted by Pat Bunn on April 25, 2012 at 01:48:41.
In reply to Re: HiFER hunting... posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 23, 2012
USC is 24/7 QRS3 - hope you see it.
Pat Re: HiFER hunting...
N4LTA
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 25, 2012 at 01:58:45.
In reply to Re: HiFER hunting... posted by Pat Bunn on April 25, 2012
Thanks Pat - today I am doing a run for "EH". Tomorrow I will do a run for "USC".
Thanks for the info.
73 Steve VK2XV
vk2xv-hifer.blogspot.com
HiFER Tuesday
Posted by John Davis on April 25, 2012 at 05:46:44.
Finally got a few minutes to go to the field today, but it was only about an hour before sunset. On 22 meters, even MP was absent! For a while there was no sign of NC, either, but eventually it showed up. Still no MP, SIW, USC or COM on Argo this evening, though.
EH materialized out of the background in its new QRSS3 incarnation for a while before fading back. Its frequency started out about 13557.009 kHz and drooped to 13557.004 during each dot. While the pattern is distinctive when the signal is strong enough (I could hear it by ear anyway during this maximum), the slope is steep and rapid enough that the signal cannot fill any of the FFT bins very thoroughly. Unfortunately, this makes very weak signals harder to recover. Time shown on the capture is Central Daylight.
Among the CW stations, I could hear MTI and AJO from time to time, and almost enough of FRC to identify.
Going to try to get a much earlier start tomorrow! :)
John Re: HiFER Tuesday
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 25, 2012 at 07:42:49.
In reply to HiFER Tuesday posted by John Davis on April 25, 2012
John - thanks for the grab of "EH". It pretty much shows for DX stations like myself it would be way down on others running similar ERP.
At least I now know that those faint, but straight lines I am looking at near the "EH" QRG can be positively eliminated...
I have switched to looking for "USC" as I see it is a better prospect at this stage.
73 Steve VK2XV
USC
Posted by Pat Bunn on April 25, 2012 at 12:50:04.
In reply to Re: HiFER Tuesday posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 25, 2012
I had the antenna blown down a few months ago and there was a little damage to several of the radials. I may try to get them back to like they were to improve things a tiny bit this weekend. Might also do a little maintenance on the system.
Pat Re: LORAN still going
N4LTA
Posted by Steve on April 25, 2012 at 18:42:24.
In reply to Re: LORAN still going posted by Paul on April 19, 2012
Hi,Paul....
Thanks for info re your excellent set-up..sounds ideal.Your
pre-planning and emi testing paid off very well.
R-390; read many good things abt that Rcvr...excellent sensitivity, selectivity and audio, at least on SW frequencies compared /outperforming many current state of the art radios. Price seems a bit steep for tube radios.
Since you're mainly on LW freqs., wonder how an R-389 might perform, although i haven't seen any for sale.
Wrt the L-111, have you noticed any spurs or other signs of
overload etc .,& would it be sensitive enough w/o the L-202 pre-amp. ?
L-202; Does it truly receive well down to abt 10Khz ?
What's the best source for NDB frequency lists ?
Thanks , again..Steve
Re: LORAN still going
Posted by Paul on April 25, 2012 at 19:18:54.
In reply to Re: LORAN still going posted by Steve on April 25, 2012
Hi Steve,
Yes, the R-390A is extremely sensitive, and highly resistant to overload and adjacent channel signals. Everything they say about it is true. And, in my opinion, it is worth every cent.
I have two R-390A's, both have been completely restored. One of them I have mid-4 figures invested. I still don't feel ripped off. Considering the zilch noise floor of my location, the 390A can hear things that the Kenwood and others cannot. If your noise floor is like -90 or worse, you'd never notice the major improvement of the 390A over something else. So, those people that say the 390A isn’t any more sensitive or quiet than xx radio, ask them what their noise floor is. If they don’t know or if it’s high, then their opinion of the 390A is void.
The most noticeable difference is how quiet the receiver is. Since there are no solid state devices or processors within, no noise is generated internally. If I turn on the Kenwood receiver right below the 390A, I can actually see a slight increase in the noise floor caused by the processors in the Kenwood being picked up by the 390A receiver. Amazing!
As for the R-389, I have a friend that brought one over, and it outperformed my expectations. It is better than the 390A with the upconverter, no question.
I do not spend as much time on LF as it sounds. I spend most of my time listening on BC, SW, and maritime bands. Maybe 10% of the time on LW. I should have said, “I spend most of my LW listening time on NDB’s”.
The L-111 will overload. A stepped attenuator in front of it helps. Although, since I am so far away from BCB sources (other than FM), it isn’t much of a problem. Most of the time, the attenuator isn’t necessary in my experience.
I have never tried listening down to 10 kHz., no help, sorry. Hey, I can HEAR that high! So, I retract my statement. The only thing I copy around 10 kHz. is my own ringing. Re: USC
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 25, 2012 at 21:41:31.
In reply to USC posted by Pat Bunn on April 25, 2012
Pat - I starting looking for USC around 0700 utc with 13554.000 as centre frequency. From that time until about 1400 utc there was a trace with the strongest at about 1230 utc. The problem is that QSB and other propagation effects at this distance means that even a constant carrier can be broken up into what appears to be a morse character if enough screens are looked at...
To determine whether a signal is the one looked for it is necessary to look for parts of the signal that shouldn't be there, rather than look for parts that should be there. In this case of the signal near 13554 kHz I could see at various times separate "U"'s , "S"'s and "C"'s (but never together) leading to a notion it could be your signal. However, I see several strong instances of an 18 second dash. QSB can turn a constant carrier into dots and dashes, but cannot turn QRSS3 into an 18 second dash. So I guess it is not your signal.
I'll keep looking.
73 Steve VK2XV
Re: LORAN still going
Posted by EdWSlidell, LA on April 26, 2012 at 01:25:01.
In reply to Re: LORAN still going posted by Paul on April 25, 2012
Hi Steve and Paul. I have agree with Paul on this. The R-390A was able to maintain sensitivity of better than 0.4uV across the 500KHz to 30MHz range. Unlike the normal solid state receivers(my TS-850S included), it did not require a 10-16dB attenuator pad to prevent overload in the AM broadcast range. The Collins people really did a good job when they designed the preselection for the RF amplifier stage. I understand that the mechanical filters(2-16KHz bandwidths) used in the R-390A's were some of the best that Collins ever made. The earliest production was done by Collins, and then others like Stewart-Warner, EAC, etc. produced them. All were good. The tuning was 100KHz per turn, which made SSB tuning a process, but it could be done. The external CV-591 SSB converters never seemed to be much of an improvement over the basic receiver tuning. They did have a heater circuit to stabilize the PTO used for tuning(main source of drift), but sometimes the thermostat would stick, and the PTO coil would be fried. They might not be the best for QRSS required stability, but if you can find one at an affordable price, they are really nice. Ed WSlidell,LA
Re: LORAN still going
Posted by Steve on April 26, 2012 at 14:28:11.
In reply to Re: LORAN still going posted by EdWSlidell, LA on April 26, 2012
Hi Ed & Paul..
Thanks to both of you for posting R-390 info. Apparently,
judging by e-bay , it seems to be very popular rcvr...much sought after. Some of the radios seem to have been professionally and beautifully restored and seem to go for
a handsome price; some of them looked beautiful both inside and out. It seems to be quite a task to completely overhaul
one of them, repaint the front panel etc.I guess it's no wonder that the prices are high.
Aside from an R-390 with the L-202 and L-11 added to receive
down in the LW portion of the spectrum, what are some of the better recivers that perform the best in that region ?
Tnx...Steve
Re: LORAN still going
Posted by Paul on April 26, 2012 at 15:42:35.
In reply to Re: LORAN still going posted by Steve on April 26, 2012
R-389! ha ha!
I have had some luck with my old Zenith M660 receiver. It isn't nearly as sensitive as the R-390A, but it is every bit as quiet. And, it tunes the LW band without any converters needed. VLF band will need a converter.
EH tweek/change
Posted by Sal, K1RGO on April 26, 2012 at 16:34:11.
I'm back to tell of the EH mode change. Now running FSK QRSS3 5Hz shift, where the lower frequency shift shows the 3 second dots IDing EH. This is much cleaner than previous QRSS3. 24/7 and tweekwd freq to ~13557.2 unfortunately the u procesr xtal drifts, I may try an oven if it's an issue which I don't think it will be. Re: LORAN still going
later, Sal
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on April 26, 2012 at 18:13:57.
In reply to Re: LORAN still going posted by Paul on April 26, 2012
Hello again Paul and Steve. Re the R-389, I had the chance to use one of these, and aside from the great weight of the unit, it performed very well( after a tune-up of the RF and IF circuits). The IF coils seemed to do as well as the mechanical filters in the R-390A, which I have heard is also true of those in the R-390(original model). Both the R389 and R390 were very expensive to produce, so I think that the military went for the less weighty R390A model, and discontinued the R-389 altogether. They were mainly found being used by labs as a high performance VLF-MF detector/receiver, and this is where you can still come across them. Since they didn't have much use outside, they are generally in excellent condition. As Paul snickered, bring your checkbook. EdWSlidell,LA
Re: EH tweek/change
Posted by K3SIW, Garry on April 26, 2012 at 18:54:36.
In reply to EH tweek/change posted by Sal, K1RGO on April 26, 2012
Sal, I'm seeing your FSK/QRSS3 with QSB as of 1850Z. High frequency is running 13.557094 at the moment. Re: EH tweek/change
73, Garry, Elgin, IL EN52ta
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 26, 2012 at 19:29:10.
In reply to EH tweek/change posted by Sal, K1RGO on April 26, 2012
G'day Sal - the change to the "EH" format should make it easier to ID your signal over here. For one thing it will distinguish it from the common spurious lines that can tantalisingly mimic a straight QRSS signal. I also suspect the chirp will be either reduced greatly or virtually eliminated as the oscillator will be on all the time. That should make it "brighter".
The frequency uncertainty can be an issue as the ARGO screen is only 180Hz from top to bottom - so if ARGO is centred on 13557.200MHz then the beacon QRG needs to lie within the range 13.557.110MHz to 13.557.290Mhz to be seen.
73 Steve VK2XV
Re: EH tweek/change
Posted by John Davis on April 26, 2012 at 23:53:39.
In reply to Re: EH tweek/change posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 26, 2012
This is how EH looked in southeast Kansas a little after mid-afternoon. Extended deep fades similar to yesterday and Tuesday, but this mode makes it a little easier to follow what's happening, at least until the fade gets too deep.
At the time of my observation, the mark frequency (low) was 13,557.004 kHz and the space (high) was 13,557.009 with a slow sinusoidal drift of approximately ±0.5 Hz superimposed.
John
Re: HiFER Tuesday - Wed. & Thur., too...
Posted by John Davis on April 27, 2012 at 00:06:32.
In reply to Re: HiFER Tuesday posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 25, 2012
Today was the third in a row with fairly lousy HiFER conditions here, as well as the third day I haven't been able to get out to the antenna site until fairly late in the afternoon and with limited time to listen.
Wednesday, USC was the only beacon I saw or heard. And as it turned out, the only really clear part of the capture was one good, solid C, and then a total blackout. Looked for MP, SIW and NC at the watering hole before and after seeing USC, but not a trace in the available time. Did not have time to listen for the CW beacons, either.
Toda (Thursday), I started out seeing faint traces of MP. Later, there was what appeared to be a weak "S" where I expected to see SIW, and later just one dit or dah at a time. (I still haven't copied SIW fully since Garry's latest repair, but today was at least a hopeful sign.) Shortly after that, NC began fading in out of nowhere but never got particularly strong. USC was pretty fair today, compared to earlier in the week.
The star of the show was EH once again. You can see a capture of the new, new EH in my other message for today.
Among the CW-only beacons today, WV was pretty good for a few seconds at a time with long fades between. Thought I heard MTI, but couldn't swear to it in court. AJO was faintly audible during most of the dashes after ID, which also showed up on Argo, but I never heard the complete CW identifier.
John
Re: EH tweek/change
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 27, 2012 at 00:18:39.
In reply to Re: EH tweek/change posted by John Davis on April 26, 2012
Thanks John for the capture - this format is excellent as it is distinctive and also has a nice 20 second burst at the space frequency in between "EH"'s.
BTW - my reference to my HiFER blog is not an attempt to divert people away from this message board, but merely to reduce the sometimes long posts I tend to do about HiFER stuff on what is, after all, a LowFER message board. I have posted a couple of entries there about my thoughts on beacon formats.
73 Steve VK2XV
http://vk2xv-hifer.blogspot.com
Re: EH tweek/change
Posted by Sal,K1RGO on April 27, 2012 at 13:26:32.
In reply to Re: EH tweek/change posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 26, 2012
Hi Steve Re: EH tweek/change
I checked the calibration of my freq std and it was off quite a bit. so I recaled wid WWV and also tuned in the hifer rig . It's running on 13557.1 so hopefully this will work and stay within +/- 20 Hz. hope you get a copy.......
later....Sal
Posted by Sal, K1RGO on April 27, 2012 at 13:35:03.
In reply to Re: EH tweek/change posted by John Davis on April 26, 2012
Nice copy John, This will be the format from now on and when medfer season starts I'll run QRSS3 for EH there, that should help........Later, Sal
Re: EH tweek/format change
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on April 27, 2012 at 14:16:07.
In reply to Re: EH tweek/change posted by Sal, K1RGO on April 27, 2012
Hi Sal. Your signal has been "in" fairly consistently during the poor conditions of the past few days. What had you been using as a 'keyer' for the CW ID during the past? I think someone mentioned a mechanically operated code wheel in a past posting. EdWSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: EH tweek/format change
Posted by Sal,K1RGO on April 27, 2012 at 15:49:28.
In reply to Re: EH tweek/format change posted by EdWSlidell,LA on April 27, 2012
Hi Ed, I always and still use a unique shift register design that I designed back in the 80's using cmos 4021's and a clock. It's now used just to key a "gimmmick" capacitor across the xtal instead of keying the osc on and off. I use the same scheme for SJ as well. Re: EH tweek/change
later,,,,Sal
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 27, 2012 at 20:55:04.
In reply to Re: EH tweek/change posted by Sal,K1RGO on April 27, 2012
G'day Sal - I did an "EH" run overnight using two instances of ARGO to cover about a 280 Hz band. Nothing seen, although momentarily I thought I had a copy. See blog for captures.
Not sure whether conditions are as good as when I copied "NC" and "SIW". I will keep looking.
73 Steve VK2XV
Re: EH tweek/change
Posted by Sal,K1RGO on April 28, 2012 at 00:16:44.
In reply to Re: EH tweek/change posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 27, 2012
Hi Steve, I'm trying a temporary SW 22m slopeing dipole just for the helluv it, put it up today and running wid it now. The standard dipole is South and North only 16' high in the attic. May as well give it a try. Condx may have been better or rare...?? Re: EH tweek/change
later.....Sal
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 28, 2012 at 00:42:40.
In reply to Re: EH tweek/change posted by Sal,K1RGO on April 28, 2012
OK - I will do another "EH" run today. The time slot for best propagation is 0600 utc to 1400 utc, so it will about another 20 hours from now (0030 utc) before I can give a report as I get up about 5:00am local (1900 utc).
I think sunspots are down a bit and the A and K indices are up compared to when I received "NC" and "SIW", so we might have to be patient...
73 Steve VK2XV Re: When Medfer Season Starts
http://vk2xv-hifer.blogspot.com
Posted by Lee on April 28, 2012 at 00:45:38.
In reply to Re: EH tweek/change posted by Sal, K1RGO on April 27, 2012
"This will be the format from now on and when medfer season starts" I know when Lowfer season starts. I always considered Lowfer and Medfer season to coinside.
Re: Excellent VLF/LF receiver to sell
Posted by wayne lukhard on April 28, 2012 at 02:59:21.
In reply to Excellent VLF/LF receiver to sell posted by Larry Lanberg on January 12, 2012
Did you ever sell this radio?
Re: EH tweek/change
Posted by John Davis on April 28, 2012 at 04:52:18.
In reply to Re: EH tweek/change posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 28, 2012
Domestically, conditions were better today. MP returned to full strength (including frequent audibility) after antenna repairs; NC was consistently visible; EH was audible at times with only a relative few fades today; and USC behaved similarly to EH. No SIW, however!
Copied WV better by ear today than yesterday, and thought I heard one "2" from Z2, but it was not followed by anything else over the course of several minutes. No other regular CW HiFER beacons heard today. Plenty of CODAR, though.
All this was between 7 and 8 PM CDT, as I had been tied up earlier in the day. Captures from this evening may be posted tomorrow.
John
Re: Excellent VLF/LF receiver to sell
Posted by Webmaster on April 28, 2012 at 04:58:47.
In reply to Re: Excellent VLF/LF receiver to sell posted by wayne lukhard on April 28, 2012
Wayne,
Might be wise to contact Larry directly via one of the means provided in his message. It has been so long since he posted, the odds are good that he either (1) found a buyer, or else (2) gave up; and in either case, no longer checks back here very regularly.
Good luck.
John
my junque sale - moved to qsl.net
Posted by rev robert c on April 28, 2012 at 05:25:45.
well i tried to locate my original thread to post update under but could not find it. must have got buried. i moved my electronics sale to http://www.qsl.net/kc8gpd have a look there are hi res pics of many items and other i can post or email on request. for a recap of original post. i'm cleaning out my 10 x 10 x 8 climate controlled storage unit of over 20 years worth of collecting.
HiFER "EH" seen in VK...
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 28, 2012 at 11:30:42.
I am pretty sure I can see "EH" on the screen now (1128 utc). I will go through the captures tomorrow morning and pick the best one(s) and post to my blog. [Thumbnail view added below.] Baby-sitting the sub-harmonics (grandkids) at the moment.
73 Steve VK2XV
Re: HiFER "EH" seen in VK...
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 28, 2012 at 11:41:58.
In reply to HiFER "EH" seen in VK... posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 28, 2012
I see from the published locator FN31nh that "EH" is a little further away from here (QF56ik) than "NC" and "SIW" and I make it as 16,132 km.
More later on the blog.
73 Steve VK2XV
HiFers Heard 27_28 April, 2012
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on April 28, 2012 at 14:10:16.
In reply to Re: EH tweek/change posted by John Davis on April 28, 2012
Hi John. Signals seemed better than past few days, although not as good as when the earlier record was set. No sign of WV here but did catch CW ID from SIW, about 3/4-4-9. The carrier that is the old sw EH, also about 449. MTI was heard from time to time, but only about 239 at best. No AJO today, nor the possible next DX best, NHVT. Did hear the new Z2 station ID, and was trying to make it into SZX, without much success. Only 2-2/3-9 when peaking. The powerhouse stations, GNK, and K6FRC later(0100-0200UT) during its short window, were doing 4/5-4/5-9 when maximum,. Paul's FRT-5 is really putting out. As Sal might say...bis spater. EdWSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: HiFER "EH" seen in VK...
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 28, 2012 at 16:06:01.
In reply to HiFER "EH" seen in VK... posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 28, 2012
Sal - the capture of "EH" is up on my blog.
Well done !!! Nice signal !!
You are the longest distance for me so far this decade... ;-)
If I get "RY" when it comes on in several weeks you will be pipped by about 200 kms - so enjoy... ;-)
Thanks for making the change/tweak.
73 Steve VK2XV Re: HiFER "EH" seen in VK...
http://vk2xv-hifer.blogspot.com
Posted by Sal,K1RGO on April 28, 2012 at 17:40:28.
In reply to Re: HiFER "EH" seen in VK... posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 28, 2012
Good copy Steve,I checked out your blog and that's my signal, I did't think it would be that strong. You inspired me to change my mode of transmission .........hi.... later.........Sal
Long Path US - VK ?
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 28, 2012 at 22:58:07.
G'day All - not being an active DX-er I am under the impression that the propagation path on 22M (like 20M) is always a short darkness path between the US and VK. Trouble is - I am seeing "EH" now (2230 utc) which is either a daylight short path or a darkness long path. I have previously seen traces of "NC" and "SIW" at these times (2200 utc-ish). At first I thought it must be daylight short path, but now I am not so sure. Using W6ELProp gives a signal strength for the long path at this time about 20dB better than the short path signal strength.
I'll put up graphs and captures on my blog later today.
Can anyone shed some light on this ? (Apart from saying it is hard to believe milliwatt signals can go long path - I already know it is hard to believe...).
I see ARRL documents which say that sometimes long path signals can be stronger than short path signals on the 20M band.
73 Steve VK2XV
Hifer RY Back on Air
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on April 29, 2012 at 00:34:23.
With any kind of luck, RY is back on the air with DFCW3 on 13555.410 kHz from Raymond, ME (FN43sv). We made our first trip of the season up there today, but without any of my usual radio gear. I put the RY antenna back up, kludged a connector, and fired up the Hifer rig. But I had no way to check the frequency, and it's a rare event when I can see the signal here at home, where we're back tonight.
I will be going back up in two weeks, armed with the usual goodies. Hopefully, the thing's on a frequency that won't bother anyone. As the synthesizer runs from a 10 MHz proportional OCXO, I'll bet that it's within a couple of Hz of the above frequency. But, reports would be very welcome!
John Andrews, W1TAG
Re: Hifer RY Back on Air
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on April 29, 2012 at 01:31:07.
In reply to Hifer RY Back on Air posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on April 29, 2012
John, your hifer RY is coming in fine to EN52ta, Elgin, IL at the moment (0130Z, 4/29/12). Freq is centered about 13,555,007 Hz.
73, Garry
Re: Hifer RY Back on Air
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 29, 2012 at 01:41:42.
In reply to Hifer RY Back on Air posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on April 29, 2012
Can I have a QRG double-check on "RY". Currently I have one ARGO instance window setup centred on 13555400 as per John A's post. However, Garry reports "RY" as centred on 13555000 which is outside that ARGO window. My second instance is looking for "USC" (13554000 )...
73 Steve VK2XV
Re: Hifer RY Back on Air
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on April 29, 2012 at 01:44:56.
In reply to Re: Hifer RY Back on Air posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 29, 2012
Steve and John, my mistake. Forgot to add in the 400 Hz offset I use when I quoted the frequency for RY. Your ARGO is centered fine. Re: Hifer RY Back on Air
73, Garry
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 29, 2012 at 02:08:33.
In reply to Re: Hifer RY Back on Air posted by Garry, K3SIW on April 29, 2012
Cool - thanks. Hifers in NE IL
73, Steve
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on April 29, 2012 at 02:28:04.
Excellent copy here tonight from RY (13,555,407 Hz, center), NC (13,555,550 Hz, low tone), USC (13,554,018 Hz, QRSS3), and EH (13,557,075 Hz, hi tone).
73, Garry, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
"EH" beacon LP to VK ?
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 29, 2012 at 04:44:52.
I have posted the W6ELProp SP & LP prediction graphs and 2300 utc capture of "EH" to my HiFER blog. Comments welcome.
73 Steve VK2XV Re: Long Path US - VK ?
http://vk2xv-hifer.blogspot.com
Posted by John Davis on April 29, 2012 at 06:09:20.
In reply to Long Path US - VK ? posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 28, 2012
Although it is theoretically possible for long path to be stronger sometimes, it is difficult in any specific case to know what is actually happening...unless you either have a way to ascertain the direction of arrival, or else are able to time the path delay. Given the imprecise nature of the signal sources in question, timing their arrival is not practical; so it may be the only way to determine the path would be by direction-finding.
John
Re: Long Path US - VK ?
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 29, 2012 at 07:58:24.
In reply to Re: Long Path US - VK ? posted by John Davis on April 29, 2012
Yes - I guess this question will remain unanswered going by the diversity of view I have found online. Even using some directional means would not decide the matter for all.
Not really fussed - whether it is SP or LP is only a matter of curiosity for me - receiving milliwatt beacons on both daylight SP and darkness SP is sufficiently satisfying for this bunny.
Mind you, it is intriguing to see W6ELProp say pretty decidedly that if you see a 22M signal at 2300 utc for the US-VK path then it will be LP. If it is not LP, given the 20dB level margin and the different probability rating, one wonders why you would bother with propagation prediction programs at all...
73 Steve VK2XV
HiFER/MTI
Posted by Ralph KD8GBK on April 29, 2012 at 14:18:15.
Hi Gang, Experimenting with Spectran this morning and picked out MTI on 13557.5, at 1355z, not audible by ear from my location at EN56st, but good CW id on my spectran software. 73..
HiFER/WV
Posted by Ralph KD8GBK on April 30, 2012 at 00:05:16.
Hi Gang, Nice ear copy of WV QSA2 on 13555.8 this evening into EN56st. 73..
Re: Hifer RY Back on Air
Posted by John Davis on April 30, 2012 at 18:16:12.
In reply to Re: Hifer RY Back on Air posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 29, 2012
Sure would enjoy seeing RY again myself, but it has been too soggy to get into the field over the past few days, and more rain is on the way over the next 24 hours. Will try again around mid-week.
John
HiFER "RY" Partial ID Seen in VK
Posted by Steve Olney VK2XV on April 30, 2012 at 23:11:09.
Not a formal ID report, but a bit of fun with graphics which amounts to a positive result for my money ...
See http://vk2xv-hifer.blogspot.com
73 Steve VK2XV
potrzebie