Re: [Hifer] RY Back On
For anyone curious what "RY RY" looks like in DFCW:
That was late afternoon Monday (CDT). Over the next two days, I've witnessed unusually good signals from both NC and RY...both thoroughly audible at times, such as when this screen was snapped. The return of a little solar flux the past few days has certainly helped. Still struggling to find any of the western guys, though.
JD
HiFER On
Posted by Mitch Powell on June 03, 2011 at 23:31:05.
Gooday all:
Hifer " M P " is on 13555.4~ somewhere in between RY and NC.
Using EPSON oscillator chip , filter, then to antenna.
QRSS3 - with ID M P
Reports appreciated.
Thanks
Mitch London, ON EN92ix HiFer "OH"
Posted by Tom Lau on June 04, 2011 at 09:00:10.
John:
HiFer "OH" is again active from NW Ohio. Frequency 13.5566 MHZ. Mode QRSS3.
Beacon turned on at 1545 UTC.
Tom N8TL
RY Freq Change
Posted by John, W1TAG on June 04, 2011 at 11:45:32.
RY is now on 13555.420/425 kHz with DFCW. This better centers it between NC and MP.
John, W1TAG
Re: RY Freq Change
Posted by John Davis on June 04, 2011 at 16:46:39.
In reply to RY Freq Change posted by John, W1TAG on June 04, 2011
Excellent, John. This morning, I'm guessing you were still at the original frequencies. I couldn't see you clearly at that point, but I was copying MP just one or two Hz above what I believe was your dash. Farther up the dial, I caught what I suspect was bits of OH, but not clearly enough to identify. There were several unexpected carriers showing up hither and yon as well today.
I was just out in the field for my second attempt of the day a few minutes ago, but couldn't see anyone at all this time.
John D Hifer Beacon?? 13555.686
Posted by Mark on June 05, 2011 at 17:09:03.
Am copying a beacon on 13555.686 at 0000 utc Jun 6 that is sending a short dash followed by 69 69 69 69 BY BEACON 69 BY BEACON
interesting?
[Hifer] Copied in Maine
Posted by John,W1TAG on June 05, 2011 at 17:33:17.
The following were copied in Maine this weekend:
MP, NC, SZX, GNK, EH and FRC. EH is quite close, and prop is very sporadic, but can be quite good. GNK was very loud on Saturday evening, with nice copy by ear. FRC was a "just barely" on Saturday night. Reception on Sunday was limited by SWBC on 13570 and 13580. When the latter is on, there's no hope of hearing anything.
John, W1TAG
Re: Hifer Beacon?? 13555.686
Posted by EdWSlidell,La on June 05, 2011 at 19:15:06.
In reply to Hifer Beacon?? 13555.686 posted by Mark on June 05, 2011
Hi Mark. Yes I also heard this one today, right before 0000UT--so strong it was hard to miss--about S6 here in EM50cg. ID'ing as you noted, somewhere around 13555.5KHz. Someone in an earlier post suspected it was located in Central America. It sometimes is heard in the middle of the night here, and from its signal strength, I doubt that it is just running a few milliwatts. EdWSlidell,LA EM50cg
Hifers Heard, 5/6 June, 2011
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on June 05, 2011 at 19:30:57.
Was listening around 2330UT, and EH on ~13557 KHz came up to a very good 559 signal strength. Prior and after that, it was running only about 339, with a good deal of QSB. After 0015UT, GNK on ~13564 KHz, which was only a marginal 339, also came up to a really good 559 signal level for ten minutes or so. It then went back down to its earlier 339 with QSB. No other HiFers were heard through 0230UT, although I did hear the powerful "69 BY BEACON" on ~13555.5 KHz, noted elsewhere. EdWSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: Hifer Beacon?? 13555.686
Posted by Paul on June 07, 2011 at 07:07:44.
In reply to Re: Hifer Beacon?? 13555.686 posted by EdWSlidell,La on June 05, 2011
We have discussed that beacon here before. I QSL'ed it. It is located in S. America. Google was very helpful in finding the OP.
Re: [Hifer] Copied in Maine
Posted by Paul on June 07, 2011 at 07:08:37.
In reply to [Hifer] Copied in Maine posted by John,W1TAG on June 05, 2011
Thanks for the report, John!!!
Will be glad to QSL if you provide the details I need to send it.
Re: Hifer Beacon?? 13555.686
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on June 08, 2011 at 07:27:21.
In reply to Re: Hifer Beacon?? 13555.686 posted by Paul on June 07, 2011
Hi Paul and Mark.
A posting by Ward, K7PO, March 25, 2011, reported it to be in Costa Rica. Paul, did you get a QSL back from the operator? Any information on the power and antenna being used. Must be using mucho milliwatts. EdWSlidell,LA
Solar Flare arriving tonight
Posted by Lee on June 08, 2011 at 17:46:30.
Just saw on the news that NASA is predicting a solar flare to smack earth tonight. FYI Re: Hifer Beacon?? 13555.686
Lee
Posted by Paul on June 08, 2011 at 22:15:35.
In reply to Re: Hifer Beacon?? 13555.686 posted by EdWSlidell,LA on June 08, 2011
Still waiting for the QSL. Yes, you're right, Costa Rica. And, yes, it is more than a couple milliwatts. Should be a good one.
Re: Solar Flare arriving tonight/HiFers Heard 8&9 June.
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on June 09, 2011 at 06:36:12.
In reply to Solar Flare arriving tonight posted by Lee on June 08, 2011
I saw the report on local news regarding the flare, so listened from 2300UT/8 June until around 0330UT/9 June. Only signals heard well were EH on 13557 KHz, and NHVT on 13559 KHz Pieces of GNK on 13564 and K6FRC on 13565 KHz were also noted, but infrequently. This morning, EH, NHVT, and GNK were all copied well(4/5-5-9)...until the SWBC on 13570 KHz came on around 1200 UT, and splatter made it difficult to copy the HiFers. It was cloudy last night, so don't know if the aurora was visible. EdWSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: Solar Flare arriving tonight
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on June 09, 2011 at 08:03:00.
In reply to Solar Flare arriving tonight posted by Lee on June 08, 2011
Just a reality check here... The solar flare in question happened at 0641Z on June 7. There is a chance that some of the mass ejected will hit us on Thursday or Friday. While the actual flare and CME were very impressive, we will likely only get a glancing blow, as the CME wasn't aimed toward the Earth. Widespread aurora or HF propagation events are not expected.
Here are a couple of highly-recommended web sites for keeping up with this sort of thing:
http://www.spaceweather.com/
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/
The information there will generally be more accurate than that sent through the wire services to be interpreted by local weather people. For effects on low-frequency propagation, I highly recommend Alan Melia's site:
http://www.alan.melia.btinternet.co.uk/latest.htm#Latest%20Propagation%20Report
John, W1TAG
Re: Solar Flare arriving tonight
Posted by John Davis on June 09, 2011 at 13:38:24.
In reply to Re: Solar Flare arriving tonight posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on June 09, 2011
Good resources. In fact, Spaceweather.com and SWPC are included as links in our own Solar Activity Page,
lwca.org/sunpage.html, which also includes the geophysical alerts broadcast on WWV and solar wind and auroral oval status.
(The grayline and Maximum Usable Frequency map is also rather useful at times.)
The movie of the CME on Spaceweather is pretty dramatic, but it's far from being one of the bigger flares we've had in recent years. More communication tools don't necessarily mean better communication, unfortunately. Local reporters who don't know all that much about this sort of thing, seeing such good footage for the first time, can get overly excited about it...and copy editors, knowing the public's recent fascination with all things apocalyptic, are aware it will be received eagerly (even if not accurately). News is entertainment, now, and it's all just a commodity you have to get people to buy.
Plus, 2012 is just around the corner, and now that everyone has heard about the "Mayan calendar," even the History Channel is eager to get in on the act with shows espousing new interpretations of Nostradamas to tie in with that date too. But before the human race goes getting too suicidal because of all the prophets of doom, though, I'd love to know why anyone puts ANY credence in supposed Mayan prophecies anyway. What sort of track record do they really have if they didn't see the Spanish coming in time to do something about it, eh?
:-)
John
HiFer's Heard 8/9 June, 2011
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on June 09, 2011 at 20:36:01.
However the CME may affect us, propagation has been unusual today. EH on 13557, NHVT on 13559, and GNK on 13563 KHz have all been quite good at around 449 today(after the SWBC/13570KHz disappeared early), while K6FRC ha been weaker, in the 339 range on 8 June. As of 0300 UT, 9 June, K6FRC is the only one still being heard, with max. signal in the 449 range, but deep fades. Another rather unusual situation today is WWVH on 15 MHz. It has been consistently stronger than WWV at this location(EM50cg), beginning last night, local time. I have never heard it so strong. WWV, much weaker, has a distinct, slow flutter on its signal--almost choppy. It should be interesting to see if the Solar physicist Young, quoted in "Space Weather", is correct in calling this an amazing, amazing event. EdWSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: Radio broadcast on ELF band in Northern Virgina?
Posted by Larry Lanberg on June 10, 2011 at 19:00:30.
In reply to Re: Radio broadcast on ELF band in Northern Virgina? posted by John Davis on May 16, 2011
There is a local BCB station in Leesburg that transmits relays of Radio China International. I think its frequency is 1190 kilohertz. I can pick it up here in Richmond. I'm almost positive that's what you're getting an image of.
Re: Solar Flare arriving tonight
Posted by Paul on June 12, 2011 at 11:53:29.
In reply to Re: Solar Flare arriving tonight posted by John Davis on June 09, 2011
Perhaps Harold Camping gave the Mayans the incorrect date of the Spanish arrival?
Corrections to Lowdown
Posted by Paul on June 13, 2011 at 15:55:48.
Hi John,
Noticed the picture in last month's Lowdown showing the small group
that had breakfast at the Marconi Center, and then toured the facility
with the two gentlemen from station SAQ Grimeton. Thank you for
sharing that news with the LWCA membership.
Your text indicated that you were unsure of the persons in the photo.
Standing on the left is Mr. Kjell Markström (front) and Dr. Lars G.
Johansson (rear), from SAQ. On the right is Paul Shinn (front) and
coast station KSM Chief Operator Richard Dillman (rear), from the
Maritime Radio Historical Society.
Kjell and Lars came to the U.S. to tour the Marconi transmitter site
built in 1913 in Bolinas, and the two receive sites. The original
receive site is in Marshall, CA built by Marconi in 1913. After WWI
RCA took over the Marconi assets. In 1929, RCA built the Point Reyes
site for point-to-point receive and utilized the Bolinas site for
point-to-point and KPH marine transmit. After WWII the KPH operations
and receivers were moved from Marshall to the Point Reyes site in a
small room not being used by the point-to-point operations. Both the
Bolinas and Point Reyes sites are still in use today for coast station
KSM, and maintained by the Maritime Radio Historical Society
in partnership with the Point Reyes National Seashore, National Park
Service. KSM uses the original transmitters, antennas, and receivers
of KPH. Information can be found on the group's website at
www.radiomarine.org . The Marshall site is now the Marconi Conference
Center.
The Grimeton team discovered a great deal of information at the
California site that they can also relate to their own. Plans are
being formed to work together with the Grimeton facility to create
educational exhibits and outreach to better understand and share the
history of both facilities.
VY 73,
Paul
Re: Corrections to Lowdown
Posted by Paul on June 13, 2011 at 15:57:01.
In reply to Corrections to Lowdown posted by Paul on June 13, 2011
Oh, as a side note..
The wife and I are now planning a trip to Sweden to visit SAQ and see it in operation. Will have a report upon return.
VY 73,
Paul
Re: Corrections to Lowdown
Posted by John Davis on June 13, 2011 at 16:51:58.
In reply to Re: Corrections to Lowdown posted by Paul on June 13, 2011
Thanks for the additional information, Paul. And, I hope you have a great trip to Sweden!
John
Re: Corrections to Lowdown
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on June 14, 2011 at 06:58:56.
In reply to Re: Corrections to Lowdown posted by John Davis on June 13, 2011
Enjoy your trip Paul. Don't forget to get a piece of the old tuning coil they replaced. And bring back some Akavit--or is Absolut the functional equivalent in Sweden? EdWSlidell,LA
EMP Temporarily Off
Posted by Darwin Long on June 14, 2011 at 16:33:42.
Today, our mowing company accidentally snagged a guy line of the EMP beacon antenna tower with a mower tractor. The mishap caused the tower to collapse, and beacon EMP is currently off the air. After testing, all systems of the transmitter are OK, and luckily it's now a DX-poor time of year for longwave (we have thunderstorms nearly every day). I hope to have EMP back on the air in a couple months in time for DX season again.
-Darwin Long
Re: EMP Temporarily Off
Posted by Paul on June 14, 2011 at 22:48:44.
In reply to EMP Temporarily Off posted by Darwin Long (fwd) on June 14, 2011
Are they going to replace the structure? Hope they have insurance...
Sorry to hear about that, OM.
new guy
Posted by craig palmer on June 16, 2011 at 05:48:46.
I am also a new Ham ,general ticket. Tihs long wave sounds almost to good to be true. I almost want to go get a door opener right away,but I should learn code first.
CraigP
Re: new guy
Posted by Lee on June 16, 2011 at 18:34:46.
In reply to new guy posted by craig palmer on June 16, 2011
Hi Craig Re: HiFer NDB Transmitting QRSS-3
Why wait to have fun. Nowdays anybody can make or copy code. By using computer programs or purpose built hardware anybody can play. Go have fun.
73zzzzz
Lee
Posted by John Davis on June 17, 2011 at 22:29:57.
In reply to Re: HiFer NDB Transmitting QRSS-3 posted by John Davis on May 29, 2011
Well, I finally got a better capture of AZ...and then forgot to post it for 10 days! Most of this month, I've had better results on 22 m after dark than during daylight. The evening of the 7th was no exception. I managed to tune in during a "Z" that was strong enough for copy by ear, but the signal dropped back down a bit and remained only moderate and sometimes broken by static over the next half hour. Still, it was exciting to see one of the westerners again!
John RF power amplifier.
Posted by olympios on June 19, 2011 at 07:34:44.
Hello. Re: RF power amplifier.
I'm looking for a 25W (or higher)RF power amp schematics (or the amplifier) that can be used to boost the signal of a 1W transmitter. Freqs 160KHZ to 1750KHZ.
Thanks
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on June 19, 2011 at 08:53:00.
In reply to RF power amplifier. posted by olympios on June 19, 2011
For what application? Unlicensed operation at that power level in that frequency range would not be legal in the U.S.
John, W1TAG
Re: RF power amplifier.
Posted by olympios on June 20, 2011 at 01:11:11.
In reply to Re: RF power amplifier. posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on June 19, 2011
It will be used without an antenna. The output of the RF amp will be used to modulate a 30,000 volt argon lamp system. In other words, the antenna will be the argon tube. It will be used for medical experiments.
Re: RF power amplifier.
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on June 20, 2011 at 08:11:07.
In reply to Re: RF power amplifier. posted by olympios on June 20, 2011
Hi. A source for the amp. might be one of the lower-powered NDB's now being phased-out by land based aviation users. The lower-powered NDB's are in the 25 watt range, and cover nominally cover the range you specified(190-1750KHz). Usually they also have low pass filters selected to eliminate on-air harmonics, but that might not be a problem for your intent. I believe the SA250(Southern Avionics) was a 25 watt unit, and others I have seen are in the 100 watt range. Drilling company vessels are also changing-out the earlier models of the Southern Avionics NDB 's with newer digital models, so some discarded ones might be obtained there, along with their documentation. EdWSlidell,LA
Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12
Posted by Paul on June 20, 2011 at 08:50:53.
It's a little ways off, but plenty of time to get ready for Night of Nights on July 12th, 2011. Take the day off and stay up all night listening to coast stations proving that morse is not dead, despite what the critics say.
Operations begin at 17:01 PDT, so that's 20:01 ET. Station KSM will be on as well as KPH and KFS. Others usually join in as well including NOJ, WLO, etc. It's a magical night, and always a ton of fun! Some of the stations QSL nicely on authentic radiograms.
See www.radiomarine.org for more.
VY 73,
ZUT! Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on June 20, 2011 at 14:28:09.
In reply to Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12 posted by Paul on June 20, 2011
Hi Paul. What kind of power will the West coast stations be using on MF? I could only barely hear some CW on 600 m in times past. As an aside, the 22 m beacons EH, AJO, NHVT, GNK, and that one on ~13565 Kc/s were all coming in 449 or better yesterday afternoon/evening and this morning. EdWSlidell,LA EM50cg
Reminder about SAQ transmission 2011-07-03
Posted by Todd WD4NGG on June 22, 2011 at 11:50:55.
Hi All,
I received this reminder about the upcoming SAQ transmission scheduled
for July 3, 2011 :
REMINDER!
We will remind you of the Grimeton Radio/SAQ transmissions on 17.2 kHz, CW, with the Alexanderson alternator on Sunday July 3, 2011 ,“Alexanderson Day”, at 09:00 UTC and 12:00 UTC.
We will start tuning up some 30 minutes before message.
The radio station is open to visitors.
QSL-reports are kindly received:
- E-mail to: info@alexander.n.se
- or fax to: +46-340-674195
- or via: SM bureau
- or direct by mail to: Alexander - Grimeton Veteranradios Vaenner,
Radiostationen
Grimeton 72
SE-432 98 GRIMETON, SWEDEN (NB: new address)
Also read our web site: www.alexander.n.se
Yours
Lars Kalland
SM6NM
Re: Reminder about SAQ transmission 2011-07-03
Posted by DUO Creative Communications on June 22, 2011 at 20:49:51.
In reply to Reminder about SAQ transmission 2011-07-03 posted by Todd WD4NGG on June 22, 2011
We are a Japanese TV production company based in
San Francisco, California, currently producing
a news program aired nationwide in Japan.
We are developing a news segment on the late
Mr. Ernst Alexanderson and the event dedicated in
his honor, Alexanderson Day.
For this program, we are looking to interview people
in the U.S. who plan to receive the transmissions on
Alexanderson Day which falls on July 3rd this year.
If you are interested, Please respond to:
tkshishido@gmail.com
Thank you for your time, and we'll look forward
hearing form you.
DUO Creative Communications, Inc. Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12
870 Market St. #1224, San Francisco, CA94102
Tel: 415.433.1048 Fax: 415.433.1049
www.duocc.com
Posted by Paul on June 22, 2011 at 21:54:16.
In reply to Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12 posted by EdWSlidell,LA on June 20, 2011
We will be running 5 KW on 600m (426 and 500 kc.) Also 5 KW on SW 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, and 22 megs. Will be operating on ham freqs 3.550, 7.050, 14.050, 21.050 at 1.5 KW.
You should be able to copy no problem.
Re: Reminder about SAQ transmission 2011-07-03
Posted by Paul on June 22, 2011 at 22:00:30.
In reply to Re: Reminder about SAQ transmission 2011-07-03 posted by DUO Creative Communications on June 22, 2011
Be advised...
Copying SAQ in California is extremely rare. I believe I may be the only SWL that has successfully copied SAQ in California more than once.
If you want to interview people that copy or will be copying SAQ, you might take your crews to the opposite coast.
HiFers 6/23
Posted by Paul on June 23, 2011 at 08:20:07.
Hi Gang,
For some unknown reason, the FM BCB station that uses my tower isn't saturating the Kenwood this morning, so took advantage and scanned the HiFer band real quick about 08:00 PDT.
See the "ditter" in with an S-2 on peaks. Actual freq. seems to be 13.562.60 MHz. Until now, I wasn't certain, but had enough signal on it today, that I am very certain it isn't all "dits". Actually, it sends "EEEEET EEEEET EEEEET EEEEET" over and over. Noticeable "T" after 5 "E"s, then a short pause before the next group.
Other than the ditter and FRC at 70 miles groundwave, no others heard.
VY 73,
Paul
Re: HiFers 6/23
Posted by Garry Hess on June 24, 2011 at 20:45:38.
In reply to HiFers 6/23 posted by Paul on June 23, 2011
Hi Paul,
I'm hereing the "ditter" on 13562.6 kHz too. Not sure where you're at but I'm in NE IL, grid EN52ta. Also hearing MP around 13555.4 kHz sending QRSS3 very well this evening despite only being 600 km away. As usual the NC square waves are coming in well too a bit higher in frequency.
73, Garry K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
Re: HiFers 6/23
Posted by Paul on June 25, 2011 at 09:00:32.
In reply to Re: HiFers 6/23 posted by Garry Hess on June 24, 2011
I'm in California, the land of fruits and nuts (and taxes). The nation's leading exporter of conservative small business owners.
73,
Re: HiFers 6/23
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on June 25, 2011 at 12:22:20.
In reply to Re: HiFers 6/23 posted by Paul on June 25, 2011
Hi Paul. Add some flakes and you'd have a nice bowl of Granola there. About how long does a group of dits/dash take? I'm hearing something that takes several seconds at least, but it sounds like I can hear it over several KHz near 13560 KHz. I assumed that it had something to do with the normal signals around that freq., although not as strong--S2 at best. EdWSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: HiFers 6/23
Posted by Paul on June 26, 2011 at 14:13:28.
In reply to Re: HiFers 6/23 posted by EdWSlidell,LA on June 25, 2011
I dunno... Maybe 10 seconds?? 5 dits and a dah.
73, Re: HiFers 6/23
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on June 29, 2011 at 20:47:24.
In reply to Re: HiFers 6/23 posted by Paul on June 26, 2011
OK Paul. Hearing it tonight(30 June/0330UT) with very strong signal up to at least S8. It seems to be synchronized with a buzzy signal(data?) up about 2 KHz from the CW ditter-- ~13562.5 vs. ~13564.5KHz. The dash occurring at the same time as the longer data burst. There seems to be a small delay between the buzzy characters and the CW. I have never heard it as strong before, so didn't notice this. K6FRC is coming in tonight, but it is somewhat covered by the buzzy signal. EH is still readable around 339 on ~13557 KHz tonight. Previous night(29 June/0500UT), FRC was still readable at mignight local time, while EH and AJO were both good copy this morning around 1400UT. Rcvr TS-850S, 2.4 KHz b/width, 20 ft.vertical. EdWSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: HiFers 6/23
Posted by Paul on June 30, 2011 at 20:09:36.
In reply to Re: HiFers 6/23 posted by EdWSlidell,LA on June 29, 2011
Interesting obervation, OM. Good catch! I'll be sure and listen up a couple kc. when I hear the ditter next time.
Also, I am programming a new PIC for the FRC beacon. It will finally be IDing as "FRC" at about 10 WPM like it should with the full "www.K6FRC.com" at 15 WPM about once per minute. Had to get a friend to help with the code! I'm just an RF guy, not much of a computer or software guy.
Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12
Posted by Paul on June 30, 2011 at 20:11:30.
In reply to Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12 posted by Paul on June 22, 2011
The full announcement has been posted- http://www.radiomarine.org/gallery/show?keyword=nonxi&panel=pab1_5#pab1_5
I'm already doing the potty dance in anticipation!
VY 73
ZUT!
HiFERs on June 30
Posted by John Davis on June 30, 2011 at 21:38:30.
Coming into SE Kansas this evening... MP, NC, and finally about 10:55 PM CDT, good old AZ! The latter appeared to be there earlier in the evening, but it and the broadband pulsed interference faded in and out together for a time. At long last AZ stood out on its own.
John
potrzebie