File Attachment 1: 28may046.jpg
File Attachment 2: 28may053.jpg
Unusual propagation to AK
Noticed good reception of my 10.14 MHz 1/4W MEPT beacon this morning on the KL7L grabber well after local sunrise. Reception around 0300Z has been commonplace but haven't seen the signal hang in there to past sunrise before. Not aware of active hifer grabbers so don't know what, if any, impact there might be at 13.5 MHz.
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
Tuesday Evening
Posted by Ed Holland on June 01, 2016 at 17:45:01.
I had an opportunity to listen last evening between 02:00 and 03:00 UTC (7pm PST)
Firstly, the band was quite active with crashing static, about S2 to S3 on the receiving dipole. Hifer signals were plentiful, fading in and out on a minute for minute timescale:
Around the Watering hole, some very nice positive IDs of NC and EH, using Spectrum Lab setup for QRSS3, also a trace, possibly WM, lower in freq, but not readable. These were audible at times, but cannot be identified by this means! I will try and post a screenshot or two later, but the old laptop was playing suilly devils.
Further up the band, GNK was audible, but subject to rapid fade up and down, making whole copies of the ident almost impossible. Piecing it together over a few minutes confirmed the copy. Lastly, my friend Bill, and AA0RQ showed up beautifully several times, easy copy by ear and a beautiful Spectrum Lab trace. Bill, I have not forgotten your QSL - it is top of my to-do list ;-)
All in all a promising early evening-dusk listening session.
Cheers
Ed
Re: Unusual propagation to AK
Posted by John Davis on June 01, 2016 at 20:44:23.
In reply to Unusual propagation to AK posted by Garry, K3SIW on June 01, 2016
I would expect this to have some significance for 22 m, but have been unable to get to the field today to check it out. As I'm sure you have noticed on the lightning tracker sites, we're getting rain and thundershowers pretty much at random here today, so I'm avoiding the base of the antenna for now.
John
Re: Tuesday Evening
Posted by Bill Hensel on June 02, 2016 at 02:17:37.
In reply to Tuesday Evening posted by Ed Holland on June 01, 2016
Ed, LowFERs & HiFERs: Storm Watch
No hurry on the card and thanks for mentioning hifer AA0RQ in your report...in fact I got a report from Victorville, Ca yesterday on AA0RQ...and now he is excited to start listening for Hifers and intends to put one on the air...he was a ham so he had no problem copying by ear with no computer AA0RQ. I zipped a QSL card out to him today, he deserves a nice QSL card.
73 Thanks for listening...
Posted by John Davis on June 02, 2016 at 16:53:37.
From Spaceweather.com:
NOAA forecasters estimate a 75% chance of geomagnetic storms on June 4th and 5th when a solar wind stream hits Earth's magnetic field. Deja vu? This stream has been here before, on May 8th (Mother's Day), when it sparked the strongest geomagnetic storm of 2016. During that G3-class event, auroras were photographed in the USA as far south as Kansas and Arkansas. This time, analysts expect the storm to peak at G2--not as strong as the Mother's Day Storm, but still worth watching.This is great news for us HiFER monitors who need a bit of disruption to the status quo in order to see and/or hear certain stations during the down side of the solar cycle. And, it also impacts VLF and sometimes LF in various ways, so it could be an interesting weekend.
John
Saving RTÉ 252 Long Wave
Posted by Mike Terry on June 04, 2016 at 05:41:00.
Radio Survivor
By Paul Bailey
June 3, 2016
Listeners are campaigning to save a long wave radio station from closure, but the management are adamant it will close.
RTÉ Radio 1 is the general information and entertainment service of the Irish Republic’s public service broadcaster. UK listeners can currently hear the station on internet, Freesat (satellite radio) and 252 kHz long wave.
The main subject of our story – the long wave station at Clarkstown, Ireland – became the replacement for the much missed medium wave station at Athlone. RTÉ hoped the long wave signal would better reach the Irish diaspora as far as London to help them keep in touch with home.
A long wave service can cover distances of over 500 to 1,000 miles in daylight, and even further at night. Many European nations have citizens working and living in other European countries, who want to stay in touch with home. There are extensive seagoing industries — fishing, shipping, oil — and the LW signals warn them of storms coming. These days satellite communications are widely used and the LW broadcasts are less important.
The drawbacks of LW are that large antenna systems are needed, which take up a lot of space; high power is needed to produce a very strong ground wave for daytime reception; and only a limited number of stations can be fitted into the band, so they must all share frequencies and take steps to avoid interfering with each other.
Over the years radios coming onto the market in Europe frequently do not include the long wave band.
The LW station in Ireland was set up in 1989 as a commercial radio station called Atlantic 252, broadcasting rock music to the UK. It established a loyal audience, but could not compete with the UK’s established network of commercial local radio stations, and made a loss. It closed in 2002.
RTÉ saw the chance to acquire a long wave station — a long held ambition — and snapped it up. A period of re-engineering followed to improve the facility. The service quickly built up an audience in the UK, appealing to English as well as the diaspora. There were still reception issues.
The distance between Dublin and London is around 300 miles. In London, RTÉ began to suffer co-channel interference from the other user of 252 kHz: Tipaza, Algeria, some 1,000 miles from London.
Tipaza beams Chaine 1 to the Algerian diaspora in France. The transmitter was quite ancient and began to drift from the nominal frequency. The staff at Tipaza did their best to keep their station operating and on frequency.
Listeners in London and eastern England began to hear the morning call to prayer and other items from Chaine 1 clearly under RTÉ.
Then Tipaza failed completely and went off the air for months. A German transmitter company was awarded the contract to replace Algeria’s entire public broadcasting system. When Tipaza returned to the air, the signal was stronger and the co-channel interference moved closer to Dublin.
The usual methods of reducing co-channel interference were perfected by the FCC for the US’ AM band. They include using directional aerials, and cutting the power at night. Unfortunately those methods are not as effective on LW as they are on MW.
Ireland’s economy deteriorated and RTÉ’s finances were affected. In 2014 RTÉ announced they would close the LW station in a few weeks, saying it was obsolete and closure would save 250,000 euros (around US $280,000).
The listeners were having none of it. A huge outcry ensued which won them a stay of execution while other methods of reaching the diaspora were investigated. Somewhat miffed at having their plans thwarted, RTÉ reduced the power, badly affecting reception.
Then RTÉ joined a consortium to bid for the second UK national DAB digital radio multiplex. That would have given RTÉ national coverage in the UK.
Alas, the other bidders won and RTÉ is not included on the implemented multiplex.
There is a saying that the opera is not over until the lady sings. The campaign to save RTÉ on 252 continues; the Suits are insisting the switch will be pulled in 2017 — but the lady who sings, Madame Godot, has not yet arrived at the stage door.
Hopefully, as usual, she won’t.
http://www.radiosurvivor.com/2016/06/03/saving-rte-252-long-wave
Re: This Week's HiFERs - (Last) Saturday: WM
Posted by John Davis on June 04, 2016 at 18:07:14.
In reply to Re: This Week's HiFERs - Saturday posted by Garry, K3SIW on May 29, 2016
Before I head down to the farm and try to brave Lake Inferior and the Hokeypokey Swamp (you put your right foot in, you may not get your right foot out!) for today's possible geomagnetic opportunities, I thought I'd better follow up first on the promised reports from last Saturday, May 28. Two captures of WM are attached. After I first mentioned those in my post of Saturday night, I got a direct email from Mike with some surprising news!
N8OOU-Mike Meek wrote:I, too, wouldn't have expected anything at that power!
I have been running the U3S bias setting to give me a reading of .8-.9 V RMS. (The RF sample voltage at his test point that represents a calculated 4.5mW into the antenna terminals.)I reduced that output to .7V last Wednesday, which was followed by the report from John Hamer on Thursday. I reduced the output to .5V late Thursday, then midday Friday I dropped it just below .4V where my meter stops displaying a value. I believe the voltage drop of the diode is eating up the power, so nothing is left for the meter.
Anyway, that is where the power was set for your report on Saturday. I calculate and/or guess that is around .2 to .25 mW of power going out of my antenna.
I have been capturing all of this on my remote receive site about 5 miles away. The first couple drops were not very noticeable in Argo. The drop where my meter reading stopped on Friday was noticeable.
Sorry for being somewhat long winded here, I was not expecting to receive dx reports at these lower power levels.
The attachments below show WM at two different points in time late last Saturday afternoon. It started to fade in intermittently by 2:50 PM CDT, and reached its best and most consistent levels of the day right around 5 PM. Roughly half an hour later, the two SIW's began showing up again, and were at their best around 6 PM, when WM was having a bit more fading.
Well, let's see what we get today, assuming the truck can make it near enough to the antenna and building....
John
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File Attachment 1: 28may046.jpg
File Attachment 2: 28may053.jpg
HiFERs, Weekend of June 4-5
Our precip chances were supposed to end before 1 PM, but someone forgot to tell the clouds that. Not much seemed to be falling from any of them, but when I left the house after posting the followup to last weekend, it was obvious that some serious convection was going on. I went on down to the farm, but waited until there was clear sky for miles around before grabbing hold of any antenna leads!
If there had been either a morning or mid-day opening to IL, it was over. Shortly after 2 PM, the only HiFERs were USC, EH, and NC (in order of descending frequency), and sometimes faint snippets of GNK. By 3:30 PM, the same watering hole denizens were still around, WV could be heard faintly at times, and GNK was copyable about two-thirds of the time. Stil no sign of anyone else, but conditions appear to be improving as we work toward evening.
Whatever happens during the rest of today, I hope to get a really early start tomorrow. Would like to see FL once again. The last time I managed that was just after dawn back in early February. So, maybe an early enough start will help again, provided I can see the ground clearly enough to find my way between the saturated spots. That was triky enough this afternoon in full daylight.
John
Re: HiFERs, Weekend of June 4-5
Posted by John Davis on June 05, 2016 at 05:03:37.
In reply to HiFERs, Weekend of June 4-5 posted by John Davis on June 04, 2016
160604 2316 6 -26 -1.8 13.555407 K3SIW EN52 7 0 8012 -25That's the one and only decode from this afternoon. There was never what you could call an opening to Illinois today, but a few times briefly during the early afternoon I could see a spike rising up out of the combination of Codar lines and NC (which had drifted down into the mid 13,555.43 range) that had the right slant and timing to be SIW slash.
There was one brief partial appearance of WM during the afternoon, which did not coincide with SIW. I caught several seconds of the slow FSK at 4:05 PM, then a few minutes of basically a surplus of RF in the same vicinity, eventually becoming unrecognizable.
At 5:20 PM CDT, the Big Three at the watering hole were relatively strong and stable in level, with NC wandering back up in frequency by then and EH no longer also in collision with it, so I did another band scan. This time I heard WV with the best signal in weeks, but absolutely nobody higher up in frequency than that! Just after I returned to the watering hole, right about 5:30, SIW slant made a faint appearance, then returned off and on over the next hour, with relatively few Doppler effects (see attached file). During that time, SIW WSPR appeared faintly several times, with the 6:16 PM/2316 UTC time slot apparently being the only one solid enough to capture.
During late afternoon, USC and NC dominated the watering hole, with EH having its moments too. By sunset, USC was barely visible, NC was fair to poor, and EH was fair to good for a while, then began declining too. A final bandscan at 8:30 PM got my hopes up when I heard FRC blasting in, but that only lasted for a couple of IDs before a fade to marginal visibility. Like EH shortly before that, its QSB period was about 90 seconds, but none of the subsequent cycles were as strong as the one I tuned into.
No sign of MTI or PBJ at all today.
Evidently, the weekend's anticipated G2 event did not transpire today. Maybe Sunday, then, but hopefully while I'm monitoring and not before daybreak when it'll merely produce aurorae.
John
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File Attachment 1: 04jun008.gif
Re: HiFERs, June 5
Got started just as the sun was peering over the horizon. Faint traces of NC, then also USC a couple of minutes later, shortly after 6 AM CDT. Both grew to fair visibility over the next half hour. No other HiFERs visible or audible at that time, but the "machine gun" pulser turned up several times, and codar came in a few times.
By 7 AM, EH showed up and began uniformly increasing in level as if someone were turning up a volume control very slowly. Still no other HiFERs by 7:30 AM.
John
Re: LowFERs & HiFERs: Storm Watch
Posted by John Davis on June 05, 2016 at 13:03:59.
In reply to LowFERs & HiFERs: Storm Watch posted by John Davis on June 02, 2016
The current forecast from SWPC is for Kp reaching 5 between 1800-2100 UTC and 6 from 2100-2400 today.
Re: LowFERs & HiFERs: Storm Watch
Posted by Bill Hensel on June 05, 2016 at 22:04:34.
In reply to Re: LowFERs & HiFERs: Storm Watch posted by John Davis on June 05, 2016
A quick scan though the CW hifers yielded on K6FRC at 2200 utc...
Re: LowFERs & HiFERs: Storm Watch
Posted by John Davis on June 05, 2016 at 22:20:04.
In reply to Re: LowFERs & HiFERs: Storm Watch posted by Bill Hensel on June 05, 2016
I wish our terrestrial weather foreasts were as good as this space weather prediction turned out to be! ...right on schedule, with nice openings to IL and elsewhere. Ironically, though, FRC is the only one of my regulars that I haven't heard this weekend. MTI and PBJ were back, GNK was great at times just before 2200, and WV has been audible several times.
Thought I could detect keyed carrier at times near 13563.5 late this morning and again around 2115 this afternoon. The earlier instance seemed to match a visible trace at .530, while the later one seemed to be nearer .560, but neither was quite strong enough to copy by ear with all the other carriers around that spot. Will try further during this storm.
John Re: HiFERs, June 5
Posted by John Davis on June 06, 2016 at 02:50:35.
In reply to Re: HiFERs, June 5 posted by John Davis on June 05, 2016
I summarized the afternoon's activity briefly in Message #6061 a little after 5 PM CDT, and may try to post some of the more interesting captures later. For now, here is the result of the SIW WSPR monitoring, which pretty much brackets the time frame of the geomagnetic storm.
2028 -25 -1.5 13.555407 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2032 -19 -1.5 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2040 -20 -2.1 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2044 -28 -1.9 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2048 -23 -1.7 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2052 -28 -1.5 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2112 -27 -1.5 13.555404 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2140 -25 -2.2 13.555400 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2144 -21 -2.0 13.555404 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2148 -28 -2.0 13.555404 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2152 -23 -1.8 13.555403 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2200 -18 -2.0 13.555403 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2204 -22 -1.8 13.555403 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2216 -17 -2.1 13.555404 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2220 -21 -2.2 13.555404 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2224 -20 -2.0 13.555404 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2228 -21 -1.9 13.555406 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2232 -25 -1.7 13.555404 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2244 -24 -2.0 13.555404 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2256 -22 -2.3 13.555406 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2300 -22 -2.2 13.555404 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2304 -24 -2.0 13.555404 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2308 -19 -2.0 13.555404 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2316 -24 -2.3 13.555404 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2320 -20 -2.2 13.555404 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2324 -23 -2.0 13.555404 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2328 -23 -2.0 13.555404 0 K3SIW EN52 7 0024 -26 -1.8 13.555404 0 K3SIW EN52 7Signal levels fluctuated drastically, and there were times the Doppler effects were destructive to the signal, but it seems a G1 or better event is the only way to do this with solar flux so low.
EH was gone much of the afternoon, but by 5 PM USC and NC were very loud; and in fact each signal sometimes produced audible beat notes with itself as Doppler shift created two equally strong copies separated by 0.75 to 1.5 Hz at times! This isn't enough to produce the visible bifurcation effect I've witnessed so many times on EH and otherw arriving from the northeast, but it was pretty impressive to see how fat the traces got at QRSS3 and simultaneously examine the separation in QRSS30 mode. This much Doppler effect is fairly rare on signals whose skywave midpoint is as far south as these.
EH returned later. USC faded, leaving EH and NC. The latter experienced a little spreading again from time to time, but EH was the one that got really loud and fat. After sunset, NC was in decline, but EH was still going fairly strong. WV was faintly detectable before sunset, and FRC made an appearance too, with 100% copy once or twice a minute and about 30% the rest of the time. All in all, a fun weekend.
John
Re: Saving RTÉ 252 Long Wave
Posted by Mike Terry on June 06, 2016 at 19:52:32.
In reply to Saving RTÉ 252 Long Wave posted by Mike Terry on June 04, 2016
No commitment to keep RTÉ longwave service as survey findings revealed
Irish Post
By Catherine McNally
June 6, 2016
The long-awaited findings of a Government-funded survey into RTÉ longwave radio listenership in Britain have been revealed – but they come with no commitment to save the service.
The survey received a response rate of almost 3,200 people when conducted among the Irish community across Britain last year.
Its key findings were released last Friday, June 3, revealing that for the majority of listeners, RTÉ longwave is seen as a ‘lifeline’ to Ireland.
In total, 76 per cent of those respondents stated that the service ‘maintains a link with Ireland’ for them, while 79 per cent indicated that it was valuable as it brings them news from Ireland.
The survey further showed that just over 70 per cent of listeners to the RTÉ longwave service in Britain are aged over 60; that a similar number of listeners were born in Ireland and that just over 60 per cent are retired.
Despite Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan acknowledging this week that the findings “demonstrate the very significant role that RTÉ Longwave Services play in providing a link with home for many within the Irish community in Britain” no commitment has yet been made by RTÉ or the Government regarding safeguarding its future.
Instead, the Government has confirmed that “a further meeting of the Consultative Group will take place over the coming months to consider the research findings in detail and to discuss the next steps.”
RTÉ Director of Operations JP Coakley also refused to commit to saving the service this week, stating: “This is a strong insight into an important community. These listeners are engaged and technically quite savvy. We look forward to working more closely with the Irish community in Britain and with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to chart a path forward.”
The news comes as a devastating blow to the Irish community members across Britain who have been at the forefront of a campaign to save the at-risk service.
Myra Butler, a volunteer at the Irish World Heritage Centre is Manchester, told The Irish Post: “We’ve been waiting so long for the results of this survey and we were so hopeful for a positive result. To hear that we don’t even have a firm answer is devastating.”
She added: “It feels like the Government doesn’t even care about us. We will keep fighting though, to save the service.”
RTÉ first announced plans to close its longwave services in 2014.
This plan was postponed until 2017 after a successful campaign was launched in Britain – led in part by The Irish Post – to save it.
A survey was then commissioned by the Department of Foreign Affairs into the viability of the longwave service, which took place last year.
Funded by the Department of foreign Affairs and Trade, and in partnership with Irish in Britain organisation, the survey was carried out by the Social Policy Research Centre at Middlesex University Commenting on its findings, Foreign Affairs Minister Flanagan said: These findings also offer a strong basis from which to move forward on this issue over the period ahead and I am hopeful that a positive outcome can be achieved.”
Minister of State for the Diaspora Joe McHugh added: “While any decision on the future of Longwave Services in Britain is ultimately an operational matter for RTÉ, I hope that it will be informed by awareness of the role that the Service plays in preserving and enhancing links with Ireland.’’
KEY FINDINGS: RTÉ Longwave Audience in Britain*
The age profile of the survey respondents shows that participants predominantly belonged to the older age groups: 70-79 years (32%), 60-69 years (27%) and 40-59 years (24%)
62% of respondents are retired and 27% are employed full time
No commitment to keep RTÉ longwave service as survey findings revealed - Irish Post
The majority of survey respondents lived in North West England (34%), followed by London and the South East (22%) and the Midlands (18%)
Most of the survey respondents are in good health but one in five reported their health as being no better than “fair”, 22% of survey listeners have mobility problems, 33% live alone
Participants in this study primarily listened to Longwave to maintain a sense of Irishness and a link with Ireland and to keep up to date with news and current affairs ‘back home’
RTÉ Radio 1 on Longwave was seen as a ‘lifeline’ for the majority of respondents
92% of respondents listen “every day” or “most days”. Listening is strongest during the day and at home, though almost half of the survey respondents (44%) also listen in the car or other vehicle
Portable, car or kitchen radios were typically used by Longwave listeners of RTÉ Radio 1, whereas digital devices were much less likely to be used
http://irishpost.co.uk/no-commitment-keep-rte-longwave-service-survey-findings-revealed/
R4 LW in Gernany
Posted by Ed Holland on June 07, 2016 at 21:02:56.
Hi Folks,
I'm travelling at the moment, so threw the Grundig into the suitcase. Here in Dusseldorf, British stations are audible, with MW improving after dark.
My ultimate intention was to enjoy a few days of Radio Four at the proper time of day. This was a great success, despite thunderstorms in the area, and my vantage point on the 7th floor of the hotel. Radio 5 live on 693 kHz was just audible in an otherwise very lonely MW band. This changed at night, (10-11 UTC) with more UK stations, including Absolute Radiuo on 1215kHz.
Not super "DX" I suppose, but a happy taste of home, Especally Radio 4 :)
HiFERs June 8
Posted by John Davis on June 09, 2016 at 06:29:31.
On the night of June 5-6, I wrote:
...it seems a G1 or better event is the only way to do this with solar flux so low.
1536 -23 -1.4 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1544 -23 -2.3 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1548 -33 2.2 13.555343 -2 YSO9GD 21 1548 -26 -1.6 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1556 -28 -1.4 13.555406 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1604 -26 -2.3 13.555408 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1608 -24 -1.8 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1612 -26 -1.7 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1620 -24 -1.4 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1624 -22 -2.3 13.555407 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1628 -21 -2.3 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1636 -20 -1.6 13.555407 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1640 -20 -1.5 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1644 -27 -1.4 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1656 -23 -1.5 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1700 -21 -1.5 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1704 -21 -1.4 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1708 -30 -2.5 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1712 -22 -1.8 13.555407 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1716 -20 -1.7 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1720 -22 -1.7 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1724 -26 -1.6 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1728 -20 -1.2 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1732 -20 -1.9 13.555407 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1736 -19 -1.7 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1740 -25 -1.5 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1744 -17 -1.6 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1748 -18 -2.4 13.555407 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1756 -15 -1.7 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1800 -14 -1.7 13.555406 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1812 -23 -2.0 13.555406 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1816 -18 -1.7 13.555406 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1820 -16 -1.7 13.555406 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1824 -20 -1.4 13.555407 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1828 -24 -1.4 13.555406 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1836 -22 -1.7 13.555406 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1840 -21 -1.5 13.555406 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1852 -25 -2.0 13.555407 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1900 -28 -1.8 13.555406 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1904 -27 -1.7 13.555406 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1916 -22 -1.8 13.555406 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1920 -28 -1.5 13.555406 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1924 -26 -1.4 13.555406 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2252 -26 -1.9 13.555406 0 K3SIW EN52 7 0008 -33 -2.0 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 0012 -27 -1.9 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 0016 -29 -1.8 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7I first tuned in about 10:30 AM CDT and immediately saw the line of SIW slant, so I went ahead and started the Argo window for WM's frequency and began getting immediate response. Attached is one of those captures. It wasn't an opening to much of anywhere else, though; USC, EH, and NC struggled to be seen through heavy codar. There was a faint visual trace of WV, and I could detect some characters by ear, and GNK was coming through with wide level variations from character to character. These frequencies were scanned during the two minute intervals between SIW WSPR transmissions which, at that point, were still interrupted by deep QSB, but some slots decoded anyway.
For the next few hours I had work to do on the farm, but when I took a break a little after 2 PM, SIW was evidently going into a prolonged fade, so I did another band scan. This time, MTI showed up faintly, and one or two characters at a time could be heard by ear. WV was gone, and so was everyone else but a faint trace from FRC that was just barely audible enough to tell that Morse was being sent, but copy wasn't possible.
I resumed work for the next three hours, during which SIW reappeared again. There was a different Doppler manifestation on the slant mode signal that I haven't witnessed before...a very granular sort of spreading over a rather narrow bandwidth around the carrier, but with at least one instance of a wider spaced copy of the carrier. A capture of the granular effect is also attached. A little after 5 PM CDT, SIW was on hiatus for a while again, so I looked around once more and came up with no one outside the watering hole but very faint carriers from WV and FRC...although in the watering hole, USC, EH, and NC were each quite loud at times. There was intermittent noise sounding like sideband splatter, but I couldn't identify a likely source.
My last in-person check was when I packed everything up to bring home for the night. SIW slant had changed to displaying pure single traces late in the afternoon, or the more common close dual or triple traces at times. It had put in a five minute appearance from 8:30 to 8:35 PM, just as the sun was beginning to set. WM had been back faintly for a while from 7:00 - 7:30 PM. USC and NC were gone by 9 PM, but EH was still holding on fairly strongly. This time there was a surprising amount of what sounded like classic QRN, plain ol' lightning crashes.
John
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File Attachment 1: 08juna.gif
File Attachment 2: 08junc.gif
Re: HiFERs June 8
John, thanks for the interesting captures and WSPR decodes. Glad propagation is still occasionally connecting IL and KS.
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
Re: HiFERs June 8
Posted by Mike N8OOU on June 10, 2016 at 12:08:48.
In reply to HiFERs June 8 posted by John Davis on June 09, 2016
John,
Thanks for taking the time to listen and report on the beacons. I have completed testing on WM and discontinued the JT9 mode. The beacon has been restored to it's normal operation.
73, Mike
HIfer beacon back on the Air.
Posted by HIfer Beacon on June 10, 2016 at 19:19:41.
My Hifer beacon is back on the air, look for GNB on 13.5562 running Morse CW at 5-WPM
Please report any signal reports to: garybabcock69@yahoo.com
Location is Hagerman, New Mexico and running 5-milliwatts to a vertical ground plane
73's to all !!!!
Re: HIfer beacon back on the Air.
Posted by Ed Holland on June 10, 2016 at 22:08:20.
In reply to HIfer beacon back on the Air. posted by HIfer Beacon on June 10, 2016
Hi Gary,
I'll certainly listen out. There is a good chance you will reach California.
Cheers,
Ed New HiFer Listener Hearing Signals in S. CA!
Posted by Jack Roblin on June 11, 2016 at 05:28:01.
Hi Everyone - I am new to Hifer listening, and have already heard a couple beacons here in Victorville, CA DM14. On June 1, at about 0130Z, I heard GNK and AA0RQ on my Icom 718 and G5RV antenna up 20 feet. I was amazed! I was not quick enough to shoot a video of AA0RQ as it faded out (next time I'll get it Bill!!), but I was able to record my reception of GNK. If I am allowed to post the Youtube video link here, I will do it on my next post if anyone is interested in seeing it. 73, Jack WA6KYO
Re: New HiFer Listener Hearing Signals in S. CA!
Posted by John Davis on June 11, 2016 at 17:10:35.
In reply to New HiFer Listener Hearing Signals in S. CA! posted by Jack Roblin on June 11, 2016
Good work, Jack. Congratulations!
I think it would be fascinating to see your reception in progress, as it were.
By the way, are you also operating a new HiFER beacon in the Victorville area, or do you know someone who is?
John
HiFERs June 11
Posted by John Davis on June 11, 2016 at 21:15:26.
Thought I'd visit the field to listen and watch for HiFERs because NOAA was predicting a chance for a G1 storm around mid-afternoon. I was also going to begin well before solar noon, just in case a more typical mid-day opening occurred...but a flat tire on one of the vehicles had to be dealt with first, so I didn't get set up until about 15 minutes past solar noon. (And it didn't help that the temperature inside the little building was 110 °F. That slows an old guy down a little bit too.)
I could see WM quite nicely at the start and SIW a little less strong, but by 1:40 PM CDT the WSPR signal was strong enough to get a decode--but with (what I hope is) a slight error, as I believe grid square QE97 would be roughly halfway between Tasmania and New Zealand. Note that the Argo trace shows significant gaps in the WSPR signal beginning right after the header at 1840 UTC/1340 local before picking up again midway through the slot. Not bad considering how much was missing.
It was 20 minutes before the next successful decode, which showed the correct locator. (Note on the Argo screen how much of the second half of this time slot was missing.) By the time of the next attached screen capture, WM wasn't doing quite as well and NC was drifting down right on top of SIW slant. From then until I returned to town to file this report, there were several more decodes that I'll post later tonight.
In addition to the watering hole, I used the non-SIW-transmission slots between 1:40 and 2:00 PM to scan the band for other signals. WV was slightly visible but never audible. MTI was visible and slightly audible on a highly intermittent basis. PBJ would materialize nice and strong in the middle of a character and continue a while, then disappear just as abruptly. GNK was visible much of the time, and copyable between a half and a third of the time.
Returning to the field now to see if the coronal hole particle stream has arrived yet.
John
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File Attachment 1: 11jun01.jpg
File Attachment 2: 11jun02.jpg
Re: New HiFer Listener Hearing Signals in S. CA!
Thanks John!! Also, thanks for your detailed dedication to Hifer listening. Your updates are awesome and greatly appreciated.
No, I am not operating a Hifer beacon....YET. I plan to, as I will do some research on a homebrew transmitter, building an OHR WM-2 wattmeter kit, etc... You guys will be the first to know.
73, Jack WA6KYO
Video: GNK Reception in So. CA
Posted by Jack Roblin on June 11, 2016 at 23:00:33.
Video: GNK received on June 1, 2016 at about 0130Z.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9i8SIm60Zk
I am located in Victorville, CA DM14.
With the video camera handy, your CW beacon could be next! Stay tuned.
73, Jack WA6KYO
Re: HiFERs June 11
Posted by John Davis on June 12, 2016 at 04:24:42.
In reply to HiFERs June 11 posted by John Davis on June 11, 2016
Below is today's collection of WSPR captures at 22 m. There was a four hour gap in the middle, even though the SIW slant was at least partially visible most of the afternoon. Then things picked up again as the sun got lower, then SIW eventually faded away entirely about 15 minutes after sunset. USC was gone by then, too, while EH never showed up at all today. It was NC's turn to be the last one visible after dark at the watering hole, I guess.
At sunset, WV was fair to solid copy. So was MTI at times, while at other times it was barely visible. PBJ was quite good, except when QSB would cause a chunk ranging in length from a dot to half a dash long to suddenly disappear. GNK was present, quite good for some full IDs, but only one or two letters in others. FRC was at the edge of visibility and never became audible before I had to take things apart for the night.
1840 -21 -1.3 13.555407 0 K3SIW QE97 7 1900 -23 -2.2 13.555407 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1904 -23 -1.8 13.555407 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1908 -28 -1.7 13.555407 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1912 -23 -1.6 13.555407 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1916 -22 -1.5 13.555407 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1920 -23 -2.3 13.555407 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1924 -20 -1.8 13.555407 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1928 -20 -1.5 13.555407 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1932 -19 -1.4 13.555407 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1940 -20 -2.2 13.555407 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2344 -26 -1.9 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 0000 -29 -2.1 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 0008 -26 -1.8 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 0020 -28 -1.9 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 0024 -24 -1.7 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 0036 -23 -2.1 13.555407 0 K3SIW EN52 7 0040 -27 -1.9 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 0044 -26 -1.8 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 0100 -25 -2.0 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 0124 -25 -1.9 13.555406 0 K3SIW EN52 7
Re: Saving RTÉ 252 Long Wave
IRELAND
From: James Robinson
June 10, 2016
RTÉ 252 kHz is currently off air. Currently no info on this and no idea when it is returning.
I will try to find out and update when known.
http://mediumwave.info/news.html
Re: Saving RTÉ 252 Long Wave
Posted by Mike Terry on June 14, 2016 at 16:52:07.
In reply to Re: Saving RTÉ 252 Long Wave posted by Mike Terry on June 14, 2016
Good news - it's back
Quiet in CA
Posted by Ed Holland on June 15, 2016 at 22:43:26.
I managed a little listening yesterday evening, and again this morning. Alas nothing to report, very quiet conditions on the path across the USA to California on 22m.
This was in stark contrast to Radio Australia on 17.840 and 15.240 MHz, S9+ and super clear on both frequencies, better quality than some of the AM local stations!
Hopefully some more time to listen tonight as I restore the PSU for the Yaesu FRG-8800 I just acquired.
Beacon List Update : Beacon K6FRC
Posted by Jack Roblin on June 17, 2016 at 03:58:32.
Today I copied Hifer Beacon K6FRC at 2100Z. The beacon list needs to be updated. Instead of FRC, the beacon was transmitting K6FRC.
Tnx in advance to the person who keeps the list updated! Who does the updates? I am new to the message board. 73, Jack WA6KYO
Videos: Beacons K6FRC and AA0RQ
Posted by Jack Roblin on June 17, 2016 at 20:50:49.
Beacon K6FRC: received June 16, 2016 at 2100Z. It was an amazing reception of this 0.001 watt beacon down here in southern CA. At times, it was 569 or so.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwXCiuRfIY8
Beacon AA0RQ: received June 14, 2016 at 0330Z. I've heard Bill's beacon a couple times now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYJPEkoWzTk
73, Jack WA6KYO
Re: Videos: Beacons K6FRC and AA0RQ
Posted by Bill Hensel on June 18, 2016 at 14:43:11.
In reply to Videos: Beacons K6FRC and AA0RQ posted by Jack Roblin on June 17, 2016
Thanks for posting little Hifer AA0RQ on youtube...
Very cool...it's always neat to see their are still listeners that enjoy copying CW by ear and not relying on some computer....
Whats your distance from K6FRC?
Re: Videos: Beacons K6FRC and AA0RQ
Posted by Jack Roblin on June 18, 2016 at 18:47:27.
In reply to Re: Videos: Beacons K6FRC and AA0RQ posted by Bill Hensel on June 18, 2016
The distance between K6FRC, which is near Patterson, CA, and my location in Victorville, CA is 295 miles.
The reception of K6FRC was kind of shocking. I flipped on my Icom 718, which was already tuned to 22 meters, and immediately heard K6FRC. It was quite loud at that moment too. The tiny 0.001 watt was booming in, with a signal of about 569 at peaks. Conditions were absolutely perfect.
Anyone else heard K6FRC?
Being new to the HiFer band, so far I have heard GNK, AA0RQ, and K6FRC. Right now I only listen for the traditional CW beacons. I am amazed by the HiFer band. As a Ham, I enjoy operating CW QRP and one watt now feels like QRO!!
73, Jack WA6KYO
Re: Videos: Beacons K6FRC and AA0RQ
Posted by Bill Hensel on June 19, 2016 at 00:28:00.
In reply to Re: Videos: Beacons K6FRC and AA0RQ posted by Jack Roblin on June 18, 2016
NVIS on 22 meters if that is what was occurring, boy an interesting event...you can truly do some research and see how will you can predict FRC visiting your antenna...
Re: Videos: Beacons K6FRC and AA0RQ
Posted by John Davis on June 19, 2016 at 20:45:23.
In reply to Re: Videos: Beacons K6FRC and AA0RQ posted by Jack Roblin on June 18, 2016
Jack WA6KYO wrote:
Anyone else heard K6FRC?
John
Sunday Evening Hifers in CA
Posted by Ed Holland on June 20, 2016 at 03:02:20.
Hi Folks,
Rather quiet here, nothing audible but I did see a few signals from the watering hole: Please view the attached file for details.
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File Attachment 1: capt02.jpg
HiFer MTI Received in So. CA tonight!
Hi again everyone!
I copied MTI for the first time tonight, at 0140Z. It was extremely weak, but my trusty Icom 718 pulled it out with the 500 Hz. filter engaged and the IF shift adjusted to help reduce noise.
Stone Mountain, GA to Victorville, CA = 1887 Miles. This is my best DX catch to date, and my fourth beacon copied since I started listening a few weeks ago. Right now, I only listen for CW beacons.
I cannot find a webpage on MTI. Can anyone tell me the power output and antenna details?
Youtube video of MTI reception: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDP76tsNPvQ
It's a little difficult to hear but I captured two full IDs. I am hoping my videos will help generate more interest about the HiFer band among SWL's and Hams.
73, Jack WA6KYO
Re: HiFer MTI Received in So. CA tonight!
Posted by Bill Hensel on June 20, 2016 at 14:46:44.
In reply to HiFer MTI Received in So. CA tonight! posted by Jack Roblin on June 20, 2016
I have heard MTI many many times in the fall and winter while hiking in the National Forest with nothing more then a KA 1103 portable with its little whip antenna...seems if the band is open, it is open...
Anyhow MTI is still a great catch...MTI Qsled me and it is on the wall in the shack... edward.holland1@btinternet.com
Posted by Ed Holland on June 23, 2016 at 16:43:08.
Hi folks,
A little listening on a rather quiet 22m band last night, circa 04:00 UTC. Conditions were a bit unstable, but I did hear (and see) snippets that added up to AA0RQ. Some hints around the watering hole, but nothing to which I could attribute a positive ID.
Lower down, I did look at the 30m Ham band, and there are quite a few FSK/QRSS beacons there. Something I plan to read/learn more about.
Ed
Re: edward.holland1@btinternet.com
Posted by Bill Hensel on June 23, 2016 at 19:10:50.
In reply to edward.holland1@btinternet.com posted by Ed Holland on June 23, 2016
Ed, Nice Sigs into SoCal
Thanks for the report......
Posted by Jack Roblin on June 24, 2016 at 04:15:18.
6-23-16 @ 0230Z
GNK received nicely tonight.
But tonight was the strongest I have ever heard AA0RQ. Nice signal, with a few good complete IDs before the QSB kicked in.
Other than this, no other CW beacons were copied. I have discovered that about 45 minutes or so before sun down is a pretty good time to copy HiFers. I'll have to try an early morning sometime.
73, Jack
Re: Nice Sigs into SoCal
Posted by Ed Holland on June 24, 2016 at 16:11:12.
In reply to Nice Sigs into SoCal posted by Jack Roblin on June 24, 2016
Nice observations Jack.
I've noticed similar patterns for evening reception. Early morning is certainly worth a try, often bringing good signals into Northern California. During the Spring season, quite a few copies were made during ~8:00 - 8:30 hours PST before heading out for work. Earlier would probably have been good too, but wasn't possible.
Ed
WM Lowfer Field Day Message
Posted by Mike N8OOU on June 25, 2016 at 16:04:33.
ALL;
For Field Day, I have put a special Message in the WM Lowfer Beacon. It is repeated every 30 minutes. I have changed the antenna to a full size Ashlock Loop using the PA Built by Bill.
Thanks for reading and listening. Re: Videos: Beacons K6FRC and AA0RQ
Mike N8OOU 73
Posted by Paul on June 25, 2016 at 18:50:00.
In reply to Videos: Beacons K6FRC and AA0RQ posted by Jack Roblin on June 17, 2016
Thank you for the video of FRC, Jack. I left a thank you comment as well.
Will gladly QSL if you like.
Re: Beacon List Update : Beacon K6FRC
Posted by Paul on June 25, 2016 at 18:59:13.
In reply to Beacon List Update : Beacon K6FRC posted by Jack Roblin on June 17, 2016
Thanks, Jack.
To answer your question:
The beacon first went on the air many years ago as a simple dash-dash-dash. Once I discovered PIC chips, it seems like a good idea to put the ham call on it. Some OM's commented (translation- Complained) that using a ham callsign on a part 15 HiFer might not be legal. I consulted with the (at the time) FCC/ham liaison Riley Hollingsworth. I was informed that as long as it is my callsign, and it is an experimental beacon, it was OK. So, I continued.
After numerous comments (translation- Complaints), I decided to build a new HiFer beacon that ID'ed only as 'FRC'. That beacon, for whatever reason, was a failure almost immediately after installation, so the original beacon was plugged back in. Since the HiFer is located upon a very difficult to access hilltop, I figured I would just let the current beacon run until it dies, and I am forced to install the new one. Well, the old beacon has never died. Going on 13 years now of continuous beaconing without failure from the top of one of the most inhospitable radio tower sites you have ever seen. I finally decided, "Who am I to mess with success?" It is clearly the will of God that the beacon remain on the air as it is now in its present form. So, to make me feel better, everyone just continues to call it "FRC" so the OM's leave me alone about the ham callsign on the HiFer beacon. I haven't had any OO comments (Complaints) about it in 5 or 6 years, so they all must have finally received the memo.
CW Audio Filter
Posted by Al Rugel on June 26, 2016 at 19:46:59.
Looking to purchase an Audio CW Filter to use with an Icom IC-R75 for NDB Beacon DXing. Thanks! Al W6JHO
Re: Beacon List Update : Beacon K6FRC
Posted by Ed Holland on June 26, 2016 at 23:58:53.
In reply to Re: Beacon List Update : Beacon K6FRC posted by Paul on June 25, 2016
Hi Paul,
I just caught a few strong instances of FRC ~00:45 UTC (16:45 PST), I believe this is the first time I have copied your beacon. Alas, it faded away again as quickly as it appeared..
73's
Ed
Re: CW Audio Filter
Posted by Dave Childs on June 27, 2016 at 06:01:33.
In reply to CW Audio Filter posted by Al Rugel on June 26, 2016
Try to get an Autek QF-1A, apparently Autek's out of business but the QF-1As are still available on eBay & elsewhere. I've been using mine since 1980 with good results.
Re: CQ LowFER Beacon Ops
Posted by N1KGY on June 27, 2016 at 21:22:29.
In reply to Re: CQ LowFER Beacon Ops posted by N1KGY on May 02, 2016
OK, now that FD is over, I've looked at my EWEs, and the wire replacement has turned into replacing them entirely - RG6 and wires of one totally destroyed by deer, and a destroyed transformer on one, too. I got a number of years out of the EWEs, but not without some challenges. so I think this time around I'm going to do a pennant/flag type arrangement, as those are much less sensitive to soil variations than beverages and EWEs, which have been challenging for me in the past.
Also, the pennant/flag arrangements are smaller, and easier to make reversible, from what I'm reading.
I've been reading up, and was thinking to do a pair of phased flags. So, I'd appreciate any comments/observations from those who have/are using a pennant/flag setup, as this is a new antenna type for me...
Thanks es 73 Re: CW Audio Filter
Chuck
Posted by Jack Roblin on June 29, 2016 at 00:20:47.
In reply to CW Audio Filter posted by Al Rugel on June 26, 2016
The Datong FL-2 and FL-3 are superb audio filters and highly recommended. The peak function really works well for NDB DXing. You can often find these older filters, used of course, for sale on the internet.
Good luck, Jack
Re: R4 LW in Gernany
Posted by Mike Terry on June 30, 2016 at 08:14:20.
In reply to R4 LW in Gernany posted by Ed Holland on June 07, 2016
Its great to know that UK radio can be heard well in Europe, another reason why AM is preferable to DAB.
Re: Saving RTÉ 252 Long Wave
Posted by Mike Terry on June 30, 2016 at 08:17:19.
In reply to Re: Saving RTÉ 252 Long Wave posted by Mike Terry on June 14, 2016
The debate continues about the future of this station, its clear that its the older generation who listen in the UK, sadly in time I expect the station will close. LW in Europe is becoming quieter as the months pass.
Re: Beacon List Update : Beacon K6FRC
Posted by Paul on June 30, 2016 at 21:31:31.
In reply to Re: Beacon List Update : Beacon K6FRC posted by Ed Holland on June 26, 2016
Thank you, Ed.
I have pre-printed QSL cards for the HiFer and will gladly send one to you, if you like.
73,
Night of Nights
Posted by Paul on June 30, 2016 at 21:48:24.
Reminder:
Night of Nights is fast approaching! KSM, KPH, KFS, WLO, and two coast guard stations have already RSVP'ed to be on the air.
July 12 at 00:01 UTC.
KPH, KSM, and KFS will be using some vintage commercial transmitters from the 1940's and 1950's in addition to transmitters from the 1980's.
It's such a pleasure to scan the bands and hear commercial morse operations alive again.
See www.radiomarine.org for frequencies and more info.
Night of Nights
Posted by Paul on June 30, 2016 at 21:50:40.
Reminder:
Night of Nights is fast approaching! July 12 at 00:01 UTC. KSM, KPH, KFS will be on 500 kc. and 426 kc. (alternating). The coast guard is planning to have at least 2 stations on 500 kc.
See www.radiomarine.org for frequencies and more info.
potrzebie