File Attachment 1: 30maya1.jpg
File Attachment 2: 30maya2.jpg
Re: Watering Hole/Black Hole
It could have been those factors combined with QRN and/or a prolonged fade yesterday evening. (A little alarming in any case, because I didn't even see the usual PLCs.) I'll try again this evening for a few hours before checking on EAR.
Last night's 2200 m venture yielded only WH2XND all night. I was going to try 630 m WSPR tonight, but will hold off on that plan for another 24 hours.
John
Re: Watering Hole/Black Hole
Posted by John Davis on June 01, 2020 at 04:38:06.
In reply to Re: Watering Hole/Black Hole posted by John Davis on June 01, 2020
I added a QRSS60 window tonight to watch for WM. I could just see the two broken lines about 1/2 Hz apart; not well enough to copy, but at least it's better than no trace at all in the QRSS30 window. Probably doesn't help that the QRN seems a little stronger tonight, too.
I'm about to tune up to EAR now, but unless the static eases up far enough before daybreak, that may also be an exercise in futility. But at least it's exercise! :)
Re: New HiFER, or old mystery beacon... captures.
Posted by John Davis on June 01, 2020 at 05:11:34.
In reply to New HiFER, or old mystery beacon P with a new ident? posted by John Davis on May 31, 2020
"F" battles codar in the first capture, then shares the stage with WV in the second image from Saturday night.
Both were present together again late Sunday afternoon, but neither were as strong as Saturday nor lingered after dark.
---------------------------------------------------------------
File Attachment 1: 30maya1.jpg
File Attachment 2: 30maya2.jpg
Re: New HiFER, or old mystery...more captures.
Also Saturday night, SIW slant, VAN, and WM showed up for a while. SIW is noteworthy for the late-hour Doppler shift, which may also have been affecting the codar traces--or it may have been two different codar transmitters, one of which was not as tightly locked to GPS. Not only VAN's DAID was visible, but also some of the CW keying midway through, which was just barely audible but not quite decodable. WM's sudden appearance was followed by just as sudden a disappearance, but the CW ID in the middle was distinct.
And there will be more captures posted tomorrow.
---------------------------------------------------------------
File Attachment 1: SIWsl30May.jpg
File Attachment 2: VAN30May.jpg
File Attachment 3: WM30May.jpg
Luxembourg 234khz
It is not official yet, but it seems that RTL are considering closing down their LW transmitter on 234 kHz this year. This would leave Luxembourg, France and Belgium without any nationwide AM service - only Bretagne 5 (with a regional coverage), and RFI (not beaming Europe), would be left. One can wonder what would happen in case of a storm or other emergency.(Vincent F4HPZ via MediumWave.Info).
Illinois HiFERs Dominate (the airwaves today)
Posted by John Davis on June 03, 2020 at 19:15:28.
NDB2 was positively loud, WM was nicely audible, and the SIWs were present during the 1 PM hour, CDT, today. NC was also strong, there were hints of K5LVB, plus MTI was visible and sometimes audible. Other than those, however, nobody else was visible or audible at mid-day.
Re: "T" 13563.30 khz
Posted by Bill Hensel on June 04, 2020 at 14:17:05.
In reply to Re: "T" 13563.30 khz posted by John B in NC on May 22, 2020
Thanks, HiFer BNC1 back on the air
June 4, It is 1414 utc and T is pounding into the Sedona SDR at S 4 on its s meter.
Posted by John B on June 04, 2020 at 16:53:57.
BNC1 is back on the air with an improved antenna (1/4 wave vertical above chain link fence rail). Frequency is 13.55527 or thereabouts.
I'll be on 24/7 in CW mode, until I figure out how to burn a QRSS keyer into the ATtiny (or until it fills up with water like it did last year) :-)
I'd sure appreciate any reception reports.
John
Re: HiFer BNC1 back on the air
Posted by Bill Stewart, K4JYS on June 04, 2020 at 18:43:54.
In reply to HiFer BNC1 back on the air posted by John B on June 04, 2020
John, 30 May, 2020 Lowfer net (+/- 3929Khz Saturday 0800 California Time)
Saw a BNC1 rpt on the HF Underground list. You are getting off to a good start. Jolly good OM....73 de Bill K4JYS
Posted by Clint Turner on June 05, 2020 at 07:21:07.
Notes on 30 May, 2020 Lowfer net
Remember: You can participate virtually by listening to the WebSDR (KFS - go to http://69.27.184.62:8901/?tune=3929lsb +/- QRM ) and sending email comments - or sound files with you talking - before/during the net to Jerry via wa6owr@gmail.com
Present were:
Jerry, WA6OWR; John, AEØCQ; Clint, KA7OEI and Ed, KI6R
Jerry:
Jerry posited that it would be more appropriate to call the net the "Weekly LowFER Net" as participants need not be in the "West"
People can participate from anywhere via sending an email or sound file to Jerry. Perhaps use one's sound card interface to patch audio.
High winds - found worker taking awning(s) down.
Was going to put up vertical, but weather (winds) prevented this.
Building HiFER transmitter - going to put it on water tank on top of hill near where he plans to put the trailer - hopefully within the week.
1/4 wave vertical atop a 3000 gallon water tank, in the center - the beacon will be solar powered, at the antenna, using "OWR" as the callsign.
Frequency is not yet determined - will dodge QRM as needed - can nudge the crystal around a bit.
Was able to get a haircut! Is happy to get rid of the "60s hippie" look.
Looking into using Zoom as a venue for those who can't readily transmit - to patch audio from his station to over the air.
Tried to convince his local club to use Zoom for virtual meetings, no takers.
John (via email/audio file):
Not much to on the radio because of rain/storms.
Still looking into trying Zoom - will have to get a different laptop computer to do so.
Yesterday was dry - but had to run out to the RX site.
A lot of noise during storms - wanted to look for LowFER WM, but it was off air. LowFER EAR not audible due to noise.
Looking for antenna buffer amplifier - possibly left it out in the weather, perhaps at the base of the tower during last RX session
Likely to survive - possibly waterlogged.
Clint:
Noted that 80 meters sounded a bit like a summer evening - lots of storms in Northern CA and in the Pacific Northwest
A "live" lightning map may be seen here: http://en.blitzortung.org/live_lightning_maps.php?map=30
Not a lot of LF work other than WSPRing - did some 630 and 2200 meter transmitting:
Heard by only 2 stations on 2200 meters.
When I run on 630, am copied by about two dozen stations, depending on conditions and who still has their receiver online.
In response to Jerry mentioning Zoom for a possible venue for making the LowFER net more accessible, mentioned that we have used Zoom to hold the meetings for the Utah Amateur Radio Club:
Our club streams to YouTube - have done this for our April and May meeting.
Streaming to FaceBook from Zoom is possible - but not both at once.
We prefer YouTube as anyone can watch on YouTube without need a login.
May meeting discussed the Northern Utah WebSDR - what is there, how it works - you can see that meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btLTfcUFyuQ&t=316s
(FWIW, Utah Amateur Radio Club's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-zXimUZAog6eyBcU8tj4rg )
In comment to Jerry's mention of possibly using QRP-Labs gear, there are several possibilities:
ProgRock - Use in lieu of crystal.
VFO Kit - probably a bit of overkill, but easier to set the frequency.
Ultimate 3 beacon - Will do about any mode one wishes on any frequency from VLF to VHF - can be equipped with GPS to stabilize frequency/timing.
One can also retrofit the QRP labs units with TCXOs so that they stay put pretty well even with no GPS. (With standard oscillator with no GPS, they tend to drift a bit.)
May not be around for next week's net: Planning to do work at the Northern Utah WebSDR:
Paint the building white to reduce solar thermal effects.
Open a trench and bury coax in the ground to make it (more) cattle-proof.
Ed:
Via mobile from near Lake Havasu, heading toward El Dorado Hills, CA - signal OK, but lightning static from storms in No. Cal and Pacific Northwest putting up a bit of a fight.
Headed up to do another house-showing - going up to get it ready, do a bit of cleanup.
Re: Illinois HiFERs Dominate (the airwaves today)
73,
Clint
KA7OEI
Posted by Jeff K8NDB on June 05, 2020 at 10:26:50.
In reply to Illinois HiFERs Dominate (the airwaves today) posted by John Davis on June 03, 2020
Thanks for the NDB2 signal report John. It was good to see that the beacon is still alive and well in Illinois. 73's Jeff (Hifers AN, AN2, NDB, NDB2).
Reminder: Lowfer net + or - 3929Khz Saturday morning 0800 California t
Posted by Jerry Parker on June 05, 2020 at 21:06:06.
Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3929Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time
Or listen online at kfs:
http://69.27.184.62:8901/?tune=3929lsb
or
KPH Point Reyes:
http://198.40.45.23:8073/
or
Utah Web sdr:
http://www.sdrutah.org/websdr1.html
If you cannot get into the net on 80 meters you can listen on KFS and participate by sending net control your thoughts to wa6owr@gmail.com
73,
Jerry WA6OWR
New Hifer beacon BCN
Posted by jimvm on June 06, 2020 at 16:19:48.
In reply to Re: Illinois HiFERs Dominate (the airwaves today) posted by Jeff K8NDB on June 05, 2020
Heard hifer beacon 'BCN' on 13.562.29~ MHz.
Is this Mike old Z2?
Good signal on the Utah beahive SDR.
jim vm HiFer Beacon archive project
Posted by Jerry Parker on June 07, 2020 at 19:04:11.
HiFer archive Project
I am working on putting together HiFer
Beacon station histories with pictures.
If you have or are running a HiFer Beacon
please send me the history of the Beacon
how it is configured and any pictures you would
like to share and reception reports.
Please email me at wa6owr@gmail.com
John Davis is helping me with this project.
Thanks everyone.
Jerry Parker Re: HiFer Beacon archive project
805 239 1850
Posted by Chris Kc3gfz on June 07, 2020 at 20:41:48.
In reply to HiFer Beacon archive project posted by Jerry Parker on June 07, 2020
Hi Jerry,
Sent details of hifer “Abby” via email.
Chris
Re: HiFer Beacon archive project
Posted by Jerry Parker on June 07, 2020 at 21:45:47.
In reply to Re: HiFer Beacon archive project posted by Chris Kc3gfz on June 07, 2020
Thank you so much,,,catch u on the email
73
Jerry Re: "T" 13563.30 khz
805 239 1850
Posted by Bill Hensel on June 08, 2020 at 17:03:19.
In reply to Re: "T" 13563.30 khz posted by Bill Hensel on April 30, 2020
Another unique reception on the Sedona SDR at times s4 time 1700 utc. Codar and 7P
E skip I would think.
Posted by Ed Holland on June 08, 2020 at 19:29:23.
Hi folks,
I tuned in on Saturday in the hopes of catching a late-day lift. Alas, almost all I could receive was a battering of CODAR. 7P was just visible in the swath of lines. It has never appeared so strongly here to my knowledge, and perhaps the deployment was connected with the windy conditions experienced over the last few days.
There should be some screen captures waiting for review from last (Sunday) evening and this morning. Although no beacons were evident yesterday, there was more atmospheric noise than usual, which provided some hope that propagation was better. More on that later.
As of 7 am PST, PVC is returned to the airwaves.
Sunspots are a coming???
Posted by Bill Stewart, K4JYS on June 08, 2020 at 20:07:38.
Below is a snippet courtesy of WRAL-TV Raleign, NC:
"Largest solar flare since 2017 may indicate renewed solar activity.
Posted June 5, 2020 5:54 p.m. EDT
Updated June 5, 2020 6:00 p.m. EDT
On May 29, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured a new family of sunspots produced the largest solar flare observed since October 2017.
The flare was not strong enough to meet NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center threshold to issue an alert. It was also pointed away from Earth and posed no threat. But scientists and space weather forecasters are keeping their eye on this new cluster of sunspots to see whether they grow or quickly disappear........."
Hope this bodes well for HIFER listening and amateur radio activities.
73 de Bill K4JYS
Beacon EAR off the air
Posted by John Bruce McCreath on June 09, 2020 at 14:40:58.
The WinXP PC, in which the QRS keyer for beacon EAR was run, has crashed. I don't know when it will return to the air, as I have several other more pressing issues to deal with first. At least it didn't happen during the LF active season!
73, J.B., VE3EAR Re: Sunspots are a coming???
Posted by Ed Holland on June 09, 2020 at 16:13:35.
In reply to Sunspots are a coming??? posted by Bill Stewart, K4JYS on June 08, 2020
It would be nice to see a lift in conditions. HiFERs reaching CA have been few and far-between of late.
/Ed
Commercially available LF transceivers
Posted by Zanthu on June 09, 2020 at 18:31:21.
Are there any good radio transceivers out there on the market that can TX/RX longwave? I have found a few that can receive signals as low as 30Khz but so far none that transmit in that band. Is so, do tell me the make and model(#)!
Re: Sunspots are a coming???
Posted by john brewer on June 09, 2020 at 20:02:48.
In reply to Sunspots are a coming??? posted by Bill Stewart, K4JYS on June 08, 2020
"Experts" (definition: Someone who wants to sell a story to the news media) might be wrong about this woeful minimum after all! :-)
John K5MO
Grimeton SAQ - Alexanderson Day 2020
Posted by Mike Terry on June 09, 2020 at 21:57:49.
The annual transmission on Alexanderson Day with the Alexanderson Alternator on VLF 17.2 kHz with the call sign SAQ will take place Sunday, July 5th, 2020.
Two transmissions are scheduled as follows:
Startup and tuning at 10:30 (08:30 UTC) with a transmission of a message at 11:00 (09:00 UTC).
Startup and tuning at 13:30 (11:30 UTC) with a transmission of a message at 14:00 (12:00 UTC)
Watch both transmission events live on our YouTube Channel.
QSL-reports to SAQ (please no E-mails) are kindly received via:
– Reception report form
– or via: SM bureau
– or direct by postal mail to:
Alexander Association
Radiostationen
Grimeton 72
SE-432 98 GRIMETON
S W E D E N
The Amateur Radio Station with the call “SK6SAQ” will be QRV on the following frequencies:
– 7.035 kHz CW or
– 14.035 kHz CW or
– 3.755 kHz SSB
QSL-reports to SK6SAQ are kindly received via:
– Email to info@alexander.n.se
– or via: SM bureau
– or direct by postal mail (see address above)
Two stations will be on the air most of the time.
Due to the Corona pandemic, there will be no visitors to the radio station and there will be no visitor activities. Instead you can watch both transmission events live on our YouTube Channel. The association will try to carry out the two broadcasts to the world from the old Alexanderson alternator SAQ with minimal staffing in place.
World Heritage Grimeton Radio station and The Alexander Association
For further details, se grimeton.org or alexander.n.se
https://alexander.n.se/alexanderson-day-2020/?lang=en
Re: Commercially available LF transceivers
Posted by John Davis on June 10, 2020 at 20:04:12.
In reply to Commercially available LF transceivers posted by Zanthu on June 09, 2020
So far as I can tell, there has been no change since our friend Clint Turner KA7OEI wrote this blog nearly 18 months ago:
http://ka7oei.blogspot.com/2019/01/a-transmit-converter-and-amplifier-for.html
All commercially available rigs still seem to consider themselves nothing more than exciters at any LF frequency, meaning that external user-provided amplification and filtering is required.
Re: Sunspots are a coming???
Posted by John Davis on June 11, 2020 at 16:42:32.
In reply to Re: Sunspots are a coming??? posted by john brewer on June 09, 2020
I'm not sure what "experts" (possible better definition: since X is often the unknown variable in an equation, and a spurt is a discharge of a small quantity of pressurized liquid, an expert would be some unknown drip under pressure*) you've been listening to, or what they have been saying, but it looks like the transition of solar cycles is right on schedule. After nearly two years of nearly constant solar flux and average sunspot-free days in excess of 70%...slightly worse numbers than the 2008-2009 minimum...it's finally time for a gradual turnaround.
There were signs of that last year, when the first reversed-magnetic-polarity spot of the new cycle was noted on the face of the sun, interspersed among ones of the previous polarity. I believe Jan Alvestad said that the solar minimum would most likely be found in December 2019, with a smaller chance that it would be determined to be in the preceding month. Nobody can declare a semi-precise date until months later, of course, since the definition is based on rolling averages for sunspot number and 2800 MHz flux, which fluctuate slightly from day to day under the best of conditions. But one of the indicators supporting a mid-to-late November 2019 date would be if the June sunspot average ends up ≥10.9, which looks like it could possibly be on track to do.
Still, it is entertaining to note the solar inactivity has gone on so long that a B-class flare, which is so minor as to show up in the stats but normally receives no specific textual mention on spaceweather.com, earned a spot on the evening news solely by virtue of its recent rarity.
(*The proximal thanks...or blame...for that definition goes to sometime LOWDOWN and FLASH columnist Mr Answer Guy; although I believe it originated with Sam Cowling, a comedian on Don McNeil's Breakfast Club radio show on ABC in the 1960s.)
Re: Sunspots are a coming???
Posted by Edward Holland on June 11, 2020 at 16:55:51.
In reply to Re: Sunspots are a coming??? posted by John Davis on June 11, 2020
Any astronomical "event" these days seems to be talked up out of proportion. This used to be reserved for comets, which are notorious for vanishing after the promise of being the best ever in our lifetimes. Now it is Solar flares and Super Moons.
I do recall the reversed polarity Sunspot last year, and at least that has some significance in terms of the Solar cycle.
Expert, in a definition by the notable UK bomb disposal and explosives technician "Blaster" Bates, was given as Ex - something that once was, and Spurt - a drip under pressure.
Re: Sunspots are a coming???
Posted by John Davis on June 11, 2020 at 17:58:07.
In reply to Re: Sunspots are a coming??? posted by Edward Holland on June 11, 2020
Ex - something that once was
All too apt a description for many bomb disposal experts, back in the day.
Re: Illinois HiFERs Dominate (the airwaves today)
Posted by John Davis on June 11, 2020 at 20:16:23.
In reply to Re: Illinois HiFERs Dominate (the airwaves today) posted by Jeff K8NDB on June 05, 2020
I meant to post this clip of NDB2 on June 3 sooner. As is, I'm finally getting around to posting it on the anniversary of my 2019 NDB2 reception.
When I first started recording, the signal had been strong and steady for several repetitions, like the first one in this clip. I lowered the receiver's gain a bit after the first one, so naturally that's when the QSB decided to kick in. Thereafter, signal level fluctuated dramatically, sometimes within individual characters.
---------------------------------------------------------------
File Attachment 1: NDB2-Jun3.mp3
Re: Beacon EAR off the air
I'm glad I caught my June reception early in the month (the morning of the first), even if only one complete ID made it through all night. That's it in the shot above made at QRSS30.
The second file attached shows all the signal fragments captured through the entire night at QRSS60, magnified ×2 for clarity. There was nothing visible on-channel until 11 PM CDT, and nothing between 1:30 and 3:00 AM either. In this version, there were two more IDs that came close to being complete, at 11:30 and 1:15 AM. Times are Central Daylight.
I'll miss EAR, and hope it can be back in July.
John
---------------------------------------------------------------
File Attachment 1: EAR1jun.jpg
File Attachment 2: EAR_31may1jun.jpg
DIW 196.950
Hi,
It's been a long time since I checked into this board. Tonight at 0121 UTC 6/12/2020 (2121 EDT, 6/11) I am receiving CW beacon 'DIW' on 196.950Kc with very good copy, no QSB. It's not a MCW AM carrier, just 100% CW. My RX QTH is East Berne, NY in FN22 and picking it up via 160m horizontal loop and FTDX5000. Any ideas who and where this beacon may be located? I did not see this ID on the active LOWFER beacon list.
73, Re: DIW 196.950
Denis, W1WV
Posted by John Davis on June 12, 2020 at 06:13:24.
In reply to DIW 196.950 posted by Denis Cote on June 12, 2020
DIW is a long range (2000 W) aeronautical NDB located at Dixon, NC.
You don't mention which filter you were using in the Yaesu, but if detecting only the CW identifier at the frequency specified, it would appear you were tuned to the lower sideband of the signal.
The carrier frequency is 198 kHz. If you were to tune to 198, you should be able hear it much the same in either AM, USB, or LSB modes.
John
Beacon TGR
Posted by Kelli K2TGR on June 12, 2020 at 13:49:04.
TGR is on the air 24/7 currently on frequency listed ~13.56492. Beacon transmitter is a modified DC20B. Antenna is short fiberglass former CB antenna mounted on the front of our bus.
Bus is currently parked in Lancaster, NY but we will be shoving off for parts unknown by end of summer at the latest. We are seriously considering wintering near the Mojave Air & Space Port. Will update when anything changes. Reminder: Lowfer net + or - 3929Khz Saturday morning 0800 California t
Posted by Jerry Parker on June 12, 2020 at 14:20:45.
Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3929Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time
Or listen online at kfs:
http://69.27.184.62:8901/?tune=3929lsb
or
KPH Point Reyes:
http://198.40.45.23:8073/
or
Utah Web sdr:
http://www.sdrutah.org/websdr1.html
If you cannot get into the net on 80 meters you can listen on KFS and participate by sending net control your thoughts to wa6owr@gmail.com
73,
Jerry WA6OWR
Friday Night WSPR
Posted by John Davis on June 13, 2020 at 20:42:40.
[EDIT: To paraphrase the group Chicago, 'Does anyone really know what day it is?' I went to post the real Saturday night results on Sinday morning, and found I'd mis-titled this message as Saturdat. Corrected now.]
Nearly 300 decodes overnight: 15 unique call signs on 630 m and one HiFER. A few of the calls are new to me, such as W6GJB, WB0TEM, and N9RU.
Timestamp Call MHz SNR Drift Grid Pwr km az # Spots 2020-06-13 12:40 AA5IT 0.475736 -8 0 EM20vd 5 778 354 33 2020-06-13 11:02 K9FD 0.475617 -26 0 BL11je 1 6173 59 4 2020-06-13 10:40 W6GJB 0.475700 -27 0 CM87wa 5 2388 82 2 2020-06-13 09:06 W3TS 0.475622 -25 -1 FN10ml 5 1615 262 6 2020-06-13 08:52 WB0TEM 0.475722 -21 0 EN12rt 1 646 169 3 2020-06-13 08:18 K4SV 0.475600 -12 0 EM85wf 5 1184 284 1 2020-06-13 07:00 ZF1EJ 0.475696 -26 0 EK99ig 2 2396 329 1 2020-06-13 05:14 K3MF 0.475796 -17 0 FM19sr 5 1649 266 19 2020-06-13 05:14 W7XU 0.475670 -9 0 EN13lm 2 732 167 81 2020-06-13 05:14 N9RU 0.475769 -17 0 EM57mp 1 548 266 14 2020-06-13 05:14 K5DNL 0.475690 +1 0 EM15lj 5 256 42 104 2020-06-13 05:12 NV4X 0.475725 -25 -1 EM77sx 1 945 267 16 2020-06-13 05:10 WD8DAS 0.475719 -27 0 EN52hx 1 816 219 11 2020-06-13 05:06 W0IOO 0.475709 -20 -1 EN10qu 0.2 437 162 6 2020-06-13 05:04 WB3AVN 0.475638 -21 0 FM19og 5 1617 267 8 2020-06-13 03:02 K5LVB 13.555384 -23 0 EM10 0.005 758 13 14
BNC1 now QRV as QRSS
I finally got the Tiny 85 programmer to work and BNC1 is now transmitting QRSS. Right now it's programmed for 6 second dits.
As always, it would be great to know I'm making it out of the back yard. :-)
Re: BNC1 now QRV as QRSS
Posted by John B on June 14, 2020 at 14:34:46.
In reply to BNC1 now QRV as QRSS posted by John B on June 14, 2020
...and that would be on 13.5556 plus or minus an Epson tolerance!
Re: BNC1 now QRV as QRSS
Posted by John Davis on June 14, 2020 at 15:31:52.
In reply to Re: BNC1 now QRV as QRSS posted by John B on June 14, 2020
Fine business, John. I'll begin looking for it today.
One thought, though: at 22 m, 6 second dots don't seem to offer an advantage over 3 seconds, because the short-term fading periods tend to chop up QRSS6 dashes into false dots fairly often.
Re: Beacon TGR
Posted by John Davis on June 14, 2020 at 18:35:45.
In reply to Beacon TGR posted by Kelli K2TGR on June 12, 2020
I haven't had much luck with TGR since my first report on May 1 (dated May 2 because the Board uses UTC timestamps), but last night just before 10 PM CDT, I caught a few seconds of keyed carrier at the right spot. It faded away again before I could 'sync up' my ears and copy anything more than a single "G." I'll try earlier this evening.
Real Saturday (as opposed to "Fake Saturday") WSPR
Posted by John Davis on June 14, 2020 at 19:17:44.
In reply to Friday Night WSPR posted by John Davis on June 13, 2020
Timestamp Call MHz SNR Drift Grid Pwr Reporter RGrid km az #Spots 2020-06-14 13:32 WH2XND 0.137577 -13 0 DM33xt 20 AE0CQ EM27kc 1573 72 82 2020-06-14 11:56 NO3M 0.137488 -15 0 EN91wr 1 AE0CQ EM27kc 1385 253 51 2020-06-14 10:52 N6LF 0.137420 -27 0 CN83lt 1 AE0CQ EM27kc 2463 98 15 2020-06-14 09:50 K3MF 0.137406 -20 0 FM19sr 1 AE0CQ EM27kc 1649 266 41 (I'm pretty sure I got the day right for THIS post, finally.)I was hoping Saturday might see more folks on 2200 m than just WH2XND, unlike my prior Sunday night attempts, and sure enough! Nothing against XND, of course; it's just that his signal gets here day or night anyway, so there need to be others on too, to keep things interesting.
I started on 137.5 at 10 PM CDT, with immediate decodes (well, two minutes later) of WH2XND, NO3M, and K3MF. N6LF joined in at the 0450 UCT time slot (just before midnight CDT).
The final decode of K3MF was in the 0950 timeslot; N6LF ended with the 1052 slot; and NO3M was still at a healthy -20 through 1156 UTC, so I presume Eric went QRT then. After that, only XND remained into the morning.
Re: BNC1 now QRV as QRSS
Posted by John B on June 14, 2020 at 19:29:39.
In reply to Re: BNC1 now QRV as QRSS posted by John Davis on June 14, 2020
OK John, that's good to know. I had it set to 3 sec, then a QRSS friend suggested that I change it to 6! :-) . Assuming it gets heard other than the backyard, I'll change it for the Hifer suggested 3 . Hope you hear it.
Re: Beacon TGR
Posted by Kelli K2TGR on June 15, 2020 at 02:25:19.
In reply to Re: Beacon TGR posted by John Davis on June 14, 2020
Awesome! Thank you for the report. The antenna is super short, so I'm really happy it's being heard at all. Once we are on the road and find a new place to call home for at least a few months, I will figure out a better antenna.
Feint traces..
Posted by Ed Holland on June 15, 2020 at 03:36:27.
Hi Folks,
Still rather quiet conditions, but there were a few very feint and broken traces visible in the Spectrum Lab display analysis of the audio from the Icom receiver. Using indicated frequency as a guide it seems likely there were traces of the following beacons: 13,555.32 (WM), 13555.40 (SIW), 13555.490 (7P, Morse identified) and 13555.50, (NC, Square wave apparent). Time was approx 1930 hrs local (Daylight Savings).
Certainly, they were not thundering through, but at least something to see. Since I left the receiver running, I'll flip through the scheduled captures and see if there were any other visitors.
Cheers
Ed
BNC1 on 13555.285 !
Posted by John Davis on June 15, 2020 at 05:37:29.
In reply to Re: BNC1 now QRV as QRSS posted by John B on June 14, 2020
It's 300 Hz from where advertised, but a very good location. First partial appearance was at 8:00 PM CDT, about 40 minutes before local sunset. The call became recognizable around 8:30. The signal improved over the next half hour, peaked at approximately the time of this capture, then began to decline, disappearing about 9:30.
WM can also be seen in this capture. Times are CDT and the frequency scale is within ±1 Hz. Also present but not shown here were MTI, K5LVN (both QRSS3 and WSPR), SIW slant, EH and NC (considerable Doppler spread; not typical of this path). WV was audible but also seemed smeared wider than usual for a short time before settling down; possibly more Doppler. TON appeared for three ID cycles and was almost audible, then faded again.
Three hours before this session, PVC was fair on 13555.495, meaning a couple of letters at a time were visible; and 7P was visible but being battered by EH.
In neither of the evening sessions could I find anyone above the middle of the band, even though VAN had shown up about the same time the night previous.
---------------------------------------------------------------
File Attachment 1: BNC1_14jun.jpg
Re: BNC1 on 13555.285 !
Good Morning John,
Thanks for the first ever report John. I can see I have some significant work to do in regards frequency stabilization but I'm glad I'm not on top of another signal. When it stops raining I'll reprogram the ATtiny for 3 second dits and try insulating the Epson.
Fun stuff!
Re: BNC1 on 13555.285 !
Posted by John Davis on June 15, 2020 at 16:30:57.
In reply to Re: BNC1 on 13555.285 ! posted by John B on June 15, 2020
It seems counterintuitive, but insulating the oscillator may actually be the opposite of what you want to do.
For an oscillator that runs continuously and does not have a keyed amplifier stage in the same package, insulating the oscillator circuit makes sense. By slowing down heat transfer, thermal insulation helps stabilize the oscillator against short-term temperature fluctuations that occur in the external environment.
That's kind of a loaded sentence that begs for elaboration. The key phrases are: "slowing down," because heat flow can't be entirely stopped; "heat transfer," which is a bidirectional process, depending on which side of the material has the greater temperature; "short-term" meaning that without active thermostatically controlled heating or cooling inside the enclosure, the transition from winter freezing to summer heat is eventually going to force a new equilibrium within the system anyway; and most significantly, "external environment," because if the oscillator itself is a variable heat source due to keying, trapping those fluctuations inside the insulation only makes the instability worse.
Hence, if the oscillator is keyed, or if it is unavoidably packaged with the stage that is being keyed, heat sinking is often a better approach than insulating.
The above capture from this morning (not as early as I wanted to get up, but a lot earlier than I've done in months) contains evidence to support this view. The signal had been slowly fading in for over an hour. In the nice solid trace from last night, it was the keying itself that caught the eye immediately. But this one, being more of a dotted-line effect, lets the eye visualize the overall frequency curvature better. After the two minute gap between idents, we can see that the initial dash of the "B" exhibits a steeper curve with exponential properties, compared to subsequent key-down intervals, then the curve transitions to a more linear slope for the remainder of the ID. Insulating the IC would slow down the cooling of the chip between ID cycles, decreasing the initial slope...but it would also allow for more internal heat buildup during the on intervals, thereby maintaining the overall tilted effect.
There was another QRSS6 beacon I used to be able to see who had his rig insulated to begin with, that showed much the same sort of tilt. After some years, he started losing insulation from the enclosure, and surprise--the tilt began to level out. The signal shifted a little more frequently from causes such as a cloud passing in front of the sun, but seasonal variations were largely unchanged.
---------------------------------------------------------------
File Attachment 1: b155.jpg
Re: BNC1 on 13555.285 !
Hello John,
That is very
helpful, thank you. It will be easy enough to do some heat sinking on that oscillator chip. I can just superglue some scrap aluminum onto the body of the IC (dip 8) and see what happens, once the rain stops. Since there's not a ton of dissipation to begin with, I'd think that even modest means to pull heat away from the chip might be noticeable.
The ambient temp inside of the enclosure is likely pretty stable. It's a 4"x 5"x 3" OD die cast metal box that is ~waterproof. That box is wrapped in bubble wrap and the whole works stuffed into a piece of white painted aluminum gutter downspout used as an additional weather shield.
By the way, voltage into a 50 ohm carbon comp was measured at +/- 0.4 V Peak , so it's between 1.5-2 mW , so I believe I'm operating in both the spirit and metrics of an intentional radiator in the ISM band.
I'm surprised that the signal was there this morning. That's quite promising! Thank you for the great and informative report and suggestions.
73 Re: Lowfer net + or - 3929Khz Saturday morning
John
Posted by John Davis on June 17, 2020 at 19:50:55.
In reply to Reminder: Lowfer net + or - 3929Khz Saturday morning 0800 California t posted by Jerry Parker on June 05, 2020
Here is a recording of the June 6 net. Present were Jerry WA6OWR, Clint KA7OEI, Jim WB6QZL*, John AEØCQ*, and Dave WD4PLI*. (* These via email and KFS WebSDR.) This MP3 should not be considered a permanently available file, so along with making playback more reliable, you should probably right-click and download it to your local drive first. (approx. 26½ min after dead air trimmed)
websdr_2020-06-06_3929kHz.mp3
Notes for the June 13 LowFER Net
Posted by Clint Turner on June 17, 2020 at 20:37:20.
Notes for the June 13 LowFER Net
Present* were:
Jerry, WA6OWR; Dave, WD4PLI; John, AEØCQ; Jim, WB6QZL
Note: You need not be able to transmit on 75 meters on the West coast to participate - you can send email or audio files of your voice to Jerry before or during the net at wa6owr@gmail.com
*Note: I (Clint, KA7OEI) was near a computer, but not a radio with enough power to be heard in CA at that time of day so I was able to record the net via KFS and produce these notes. Didn't make it to the SDR this weekend due to obligations - possibly this coming weekend.
Clint
WV vy strong 13553.48
Posted by John B on June 18, 2020 at 23:46:08.
Really nice signal on WV on a quiet band right now. I hear another one in there too, but no ID yet.
Please update BNC1
Posted by John B on June 19, 2020 at 14:33:48.
John, could you please update the info on BNC1 to QRSS6, and freq 13.55528 Mhz +/- drift?
Also, I would very much appreciate being added to distribution of the FLASH.
73 Reminder: Lowfer net + or - 3929Khz Saturday morning 0800 California t
John B
Posted by Jerry Parker on June 19, 2020 at 14:52:37.
Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3929Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time
Or listen online at kfs:
http://69.27.184.62:8901/?tune=3929lsb
or
KPH Point Reyes:
http://198.40.45.23:8073/
or
Utah Web sdr:
http://www.sdrutah.org/websdr1.html
If you cannot get into the net on 80 meters you can listen on KFS and participate by sending net control your thoughts to wa6owr@gmail.com
73,
Jerry WA6OWR
Loop Antenna
Posted by Bob on June 19, 2020 at 22:53:49.
Some years ago there was an article in the Lowdown on making a loop antenna out of 1/2 inch copper pipe with a non-tunable amp. on the bottom of the loop. I made it and it worked great for NDB's. Does anyone have the info on building this antenna? It has 8 sides. Cheers, Bobzee
WM Lowfer Problem
Posted by Mike N8OOU on June 20, 2020 at 01:39:07.
WM Lowfer is not up to full power at this time. (Friday 6/19) It is radiating a signal stronger than the exciter produces, but less than the PA outputs. I am not sure what has happened, but can not work on it this evening.
Tomorrow while I investigate the Lowfer, I will attempt to run 630m/QRSS on that antenna.
Mike 73
PBJ Hifer temporarily down
Posted by Chris Waldrup on June 21, 2020 at 16:38:53.
Hi,
I had lost the giant oak tree that supported the PBJ Hifer inverted V a couple years back.
I moved it to another apparently less favorable location on my property. This morning when I went out to change the battery I put my antenna analyzer on it and it has a horribly high VSWR. Looking up a tree branch had fallen and broken part of the antenna.
Hopefully between now and the long July 4th weekend I'll get it back up in a better location and will post when it goes back up.
Chris PBJ Hifer temporarily down
KD4PBJ
PBJ
Tennessee
Posted by Chris Waldrup on June 21, 2020 at 16:56:51.
Hi,
I had lost the giant oak tree that supported the PBJ Hifer inverted V a couple years back.
I moved it to another apparently less favorable location on my property. This morning when I went out to change the battery I put my antenna analyzer on it and it has a horribly high VSWR. Looking up a tree branch had fallen and broken part of the antenna.
Hopefully between now and the long July 4th weekend I'll get it back up in a better location and will post when it goes back up.
Chris QRSS Movie :-)
KD4PBJ
PBJ
Tennessee
Posted by John B on June 22, 2020 at 12:40:52.
I got the OK from Andy to post the link to his QRSS movie. This was assembled from grabs off a SDR (Kiwi I think) in Ottawa yesterday . Pretty amazing steady prop!
https://qsl.net/g0ftd/other/temp/hiferband-using-ottawa-kiwi.mp4
630m FSKCW test transmissions
Posted by Mike N8OOU on June 22, 2020 at 13:59:04.
All;
I am currently transmitting on 630m using a new loading coil for my Lowfer antenna. I seem to have resolved RFI issues that caused the U3S uP to lock up on this band. It has been running overnight. As this is the first real test it could fail at any time.
The transmission details are Frequency 475300 Hz with a 4 Hz frequency shift. The shift was chosen to better recognize the signal if it is received on grabbers that are not using Argo. If using Argo, set screen to display 475.300 just above the time ticks and 475.304 will be visible at the top of the screen. Transmitter input power is just a couple watts, The Antenna RF Current is significantly higher than my Lowfer on a good day though.
The transmission format is a FSKCW60 letter "W" followed by my call sign in 15wpm cw, then the FSKCW60 letter "M" followed by my call sign in cw.
So far I have not detected the signal on any remote receiver. It may not be able to break out of my property boundaries. Even if no one receives the signal, I am able to use this time to correct any issues in the hardware. I am able to raise the power a little if all goes well.
Any reports would be appreciated.
Mike N8OOU 73
Re: RY Off for Season
Posted by Paul on June 22, 2020 at 20:32:49.
In reply to Re: RY Off for Season posted by John Davis on May 30, 2020
K6FRC HiFer hasn't been off the air once since 2002. Isn't that "reliable"?
Re: RY Off for Season
Posted by John Davis on June 23, 2020 at 06:23:03.
In reply to Re: RY Off for Season posted by Paul on June 22, 2020
Exceedingly reliable for any transmitter, and highly valued here as a propagation indicator.
The reference to RY was "my most reliable frequency reference." When it's on, it is always well within ±1 Hz, providing me a near-instant frequency correction factor; especially for other signals at the watering hole that wander a bit, like NC, EH, and to a lesser extent, K5LVB. It's also lined up nicely with the "New England Pipeline" path, so basically if I can see any other station at all from Back East, there's enough RY signal on the Argo screen to reliably mark the 13555.390 spot.
When RY is off, I have to instead hope for an ensemble of 7P (+2/-0 Hz) and/or MTI (roughly ±1 Hz) and/or WM (approx. +1.5/-0 Hz) and/or TON (±1 Hz) in order to derive similar accuracy with slightly more calculation; and an overall accuracy that is limited by the number of them visible on a given day, which is normally only a fraction of that list at any given time...frequently only one of them, and many times none at all. In that case, the alternative (if one needs that tight a measurement) is to measure the receiver audio output frequency when tuned to WWV and apply a proportional correction for the target frequency, which is a mite more tedious.
Of course, K6FRC is no slouch in terms of stability. I've never encountered it more than +2.5/-2 Hz from nominal, myself, which is better than 0.25 ppm. It's not subject to short term frequency deviations, either, so it provides some fair guidance when it's present here.
73 Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions
John
Posted by John Davis on June 23, 2020 at 06:34:22.
In reply to 630m FSKCW test transmissions posted by Mike N8OOU on June 22, 2020
Wasn't able to go to the field tonight, but may get a chance to go Tuesday if you'll be on again then.
Re: Loop Antenna
Posted by John Davis on June 23, 2020 at 06:48:15.
In reply to Loop Antenna posted by Bob on June 19, 2020
Can you pin down the time frame a little closer, or come up with at least part of an author's name? So far, I've come up with 8-sided antennas involving multi-turn wire loops, but not copper pipe; and I found two copper tubing loops, one for medium wave DX and one for 22 meter reception, but those were not octagonal.
Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions
Posted by Mike N8OOU on June 23, 2020 at 12:58:53.
In reply to Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions posted by John Davis on June 23, 2020
John,
It is still running this morning (Tue) so it has been on the air now 36 hours. I will check the battery which is supplying power and plan to switch this to more of an endurance test. I think I have made it passed the infant death stage.
I received an email report showing daytime coverage about the same as the Lowfer.
Thanks in advance for any listening attempts.
Mike N8OOU 73
Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions
Posted by Ed Holland on June 23, 2020 at 18:31:03.
In reply to Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions posted by Mike N8OOU on June 23, 2020
Mike Thanks for the reminder... I keep meaning to set up and have a listen.
Ed
Re: Loop Antenna
Posted by BOBZEE on June 23, 2020 at 23:53:37.
In reply to Re: Loop Antenna posted by John Davis on June 23, 2020
Hi John, Thanks for your reply. I have looked at hundreds of loops on the web, but no luck. I have a long answer to your reply, would you email me so I don't tie up this message board? If you rather use the M/B it's ok with me.
Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions
Posted by Ed Holland on June 24, 2020 at 18:15:26.
In reply to Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions posted by Ed Holland on June 23, 2020
I tried last evening, but no luck yet. This was using the transformer isolated long-wire, Icom R-72 and Spectrum Lab set to QRSS10 and QRSS3. More listening soon
73s
Ed
Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions
Posted by John Davis on June 24, 2020 at 22:04:41.
In reply to Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions posted by Mike N8OOU on June 23, 2020
The greater antenna current and the higher radiation resistance at 630 meters produced a significantly stronger signal at my antenna than the LowFER does...but unlike 1750, only at night.
At this distance, 630 meters is apparently skywave-only over the path between us. I didn't see the slightest trace during daylight yesterday. I started the evening by monitoring 22 meters (HiFER WM was fine copy at times), then switched over to 630 after 11 PM. At that point, WM was already quite visible through both the storm static and a bit of temporary noise from my generator, and remained so except for some QSB until around 5:20 AM CDT. It made one more brief appearance for five minutes at 6:20 AM. By then, nearly all the QRN was gone. No further reappearances during the morning.
Attached are QRSS60 and 30 Argo captures around 4 AM. I will see if I can catch WM's first appearance after sunset this evening.
---------------------------------------------------------------
File Attachment 1: WM60fsk.jpg
File Attachment 2: WM30fsk.jpg
Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions
Thanks for the listening effort Ed. When you said you would be watching, I didn't expect there would be any chance of my signal reaching your antenna. Now with John's report, I am crossing my fingers for your success. The amount of signal John is seeing just blew me away. I now think it is possible, even at summer solstice.
The PA is holding on at 11.8v and 260mA giving an input power of a smidge over 3 watts. I plan to bump that up over the next couple days. Of course the antenna won't couple anywhere near that to the air.
This is big fun when it's successful.
73 Mike
Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions
Posted by Mike N8OOU on June 25, 2020 at 03:43:46.
In reply to Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions posted by John Davis on June 24, 2020
John;
These are great captures. I really appreciate your hours at the radio. I had no expectation of a signal that strong, especially in the summer.
The hardware is holding strong. I am using my most stable TCXO module. (same used in the Hifer and Lowfer) I don't have as good of enclosure for this transmitter, so sudden frequency shifts are the result of ambient temperature changes. My weather station recorded a quick drop in temp at 3:30 which relates to the drop in freq in your captures. It may not be related but the barometer shot way up between 3 and 6am. Wind was calm, not a factor. I reported the transmitter power in Ed's reply, I won't repeat it here.
Good to hear that the Hifer continues to perform normally.
Mike 73
WV beacon reception
Posted by Steve VA3SC on June 26, 2020 at 00:16:29.
In reply to Re: RY Off for Season posted by John Davis on June 23, 2020
Just heard WV beacon on 13.555.40 MHz 00:05 UTC(June 26/20) ....its listed slightly higher I believe but this is what was best for me. QSB but it did rise up to about 5-4-9 signal...then faded out. Using a combination of 80 meter loop, 20 meter vertical and 160' inverted L....the vertical seemed slightly better! I had just shut my beacon ODX off to see what was going on...bonus! Way to go WV! Burlington Ontario FN03BH 73 Steve VA3SC
Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions
Posted by Ed Holland on June 26, 2020 at 00:18:08.
In reply to Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions posted by Mike N8OOU on June 25, 2020
OK Mike, I'll continue to try. You just never know what radio might do
/Ed
Re: WV beacon reception
Posted by John Davis on June 26, 2020 at 04:41:18.
In reply to WV beacon reception posted by Steve VA3SC on June 26, 2020
So that's why I didn't hear ODX this evening, but congratulations.
WV was very close to its listed frequency of 13554.980 at that time, but had been as high as 13555.010 at mid-day. I expect the discrepancy may be due to using a fairly wide CW filter and finding a bit of a resonance peak in the audio response of the receiver.
That's why I always run a couple of Argo instances even when listening by ear. By calibrating against WWV, I know the offset of the product detector output ("BFO frequency," nominally 800 Hz for either my Icom or Kenwood) when the receiver is tuned to 10 MHz, so I can scale the error in Hz ×1.356 for 22 meters and adjust Argo accordingly. Then, with the radio tuned to a specific frequency, I can tell with a quick glance at Argo how far above or below the dial frequency that the signal actually is, because that's how many Hz it will be above or below the 800 Hz line.
John
Re: WV beacon reception
Posted by Steve VA3SC on June 26, 2020 at 11:11:47.
In reply to Re: WV beacon reception posted by John Davis on June 26, 2020
I typically turn off ODX and my ten-meter beacon (28.185 MHz VA3SRC) when I get home from work...it kind of messes up listening on HF with the antennas so close by. They would both be on 24/7 if I could find a place for them in the area.
Reminder: Lowfer net + or - 3929Khz Saturday morning 0800 California t
Posted by Jerry Parker on June 26, 2020 at 13:23:53.
Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3929Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time
Or listen online at kfs:
http://69.27.184.62:8901/?tune=3929lsb
or
KPH Point Reyes:
http://198.40.45.23:8073/
or
Utah Web sdr:
http://www.sdrutah.org/websdr1.html
If you cannot get into the net on 80 meters you can listen on KFS and participate by sending net control your thoughts to wa6owr@gmail.com
73,
Jerry WA6OWR
Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions
Posted by Ed Holland on June 26, 2020 at 21:02:37.
In reply to Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions posted by Ed Holland on June 26, 2020
No luck yesterday night. I reviewed (quickly) a series of captures from around 21:00 to 06:30 local time. Will keep trying.
Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions
Posted by Mike N8OOU on June 27, 2020 at 17:03:34.
In reply to Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions posted by Ed Holland on June 26, 2020
Thanks Ed. I'm still transmitting. I think I have capability for a little more power out, but right now I am at the limit of my power supply.
Mike 73
HiFER Beacon KAH
Posted by Ian Baines VE3DJI on June 27, 2020 at 17:57:59.
I retuned, and am now operating at my original QTH which is Kah She Island, Georgian Bay, Ontario. 13566.050± kHz, EN95wc
Ian
Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions
Posted by Tom on June 28, 2020 at 19:27:19.
In reply to Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions posted by Mike N8OOU on June 27, 2020
Mike, not trying to be pessimistic, but it's a difficult time of the year/season to be heard at night on 630m. The qrn has been terrible at night for a number of days. The range of the "regulars" on 630m wspr has been really cut short since the noise level has been so high lately. Activity has been sparse on jt9 on the band also... just some very tough conditions that we're in right now. Hang in there... just have to wait out the summer condx.
Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions
Posted by John Davis on June 28, 2020 at 22:03:04.
In reply to Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions posted by Tom on June 28, 2020
The detection efficiency of QRSS60 helps a lot over other modes, if properly implemented (ie, approx. 11.44 mHz FFT bin widths and corresponding integration times...something I question on receivers that cram a whopping 4 Hz shift into a narrow width). All three nights I tried for it last week, WM was nice and solid at 427 miles...even Thursday when all the WSPRs wimped out.
Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions
Posted by Tom on June 28, 2020 at 23:13:55.
In reply to Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions posted by John Davis on June 28, 2020
John, I see you had very good copy from your screenshots. I guess QRSS60 is doing the job... much better than the wspr mode in cutting through the qrn. I think I'll give it a try to decode WM, but I'm about double the distance from WM that you are. It will be a challenge.
Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions
Posted by Mike N8OOU on June 29, 2020 at 01:07:19.
In reply to Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions posted by Tom on June 28, 2020
Tom;
Thanks for your comments and insite. Yes I am aware of how much more of a challenge LF and MF are in the summer. I have watched my Lowfer reports get weaker in the spring, and then go into reverse in the fall. But that is exactly why I am running the test. The challenge and then satisfaction of getting a weak signal report.
I also think the summer conditions are similar to conditions on 10 and 6m. Very few on air because wisdom says the bands are dead. In reality over a period of time a signal will get thru. Upon close inspection Signals get thru more frequently than expected.
So far I have a good daytime report at 200 miles, John's report, and a night report from Ottowa CA. at 700+ miles. There is propagation out there.
I hope you can find time to give a listen. I appreciate any report, even a sorry, nothing heard.
Thanks 73 Mike
Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions
Posted by Mike N8OOU on June 29, 2020 at 01:35:10.
In reply to Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions posted by John Davis on June 28, 2020
John,
Thanks for your additional nights listening. I'm glad to hear that there is some consistency in propagation. I finally got the LOPORA program working here and displaying QRSS60. I have created a test wav file that simulates my lowfer transmission. Inputting that file into LOPORA paints a different image than when input to Argo. There seems to be different logic applied in the processing, LOPORA doesn't display the detail that Argo does.
Tomorrow I think I will alter the transmission format to a 1 Hz shift, and give up on a couple grabbers that are using LOPORA.
I made a change today to hopefully improve the frequency stability. The 630m transmitter environment was a little different than the 1750m transmitter. Now they are insulated about the same.
Mike 73
Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions
Posted by Tom on June 29, 2020 at 14:06:54.
In reply to Re: 630m FSKCW test transmissions posted by Mike N8OOU on June 29, 2020
Thanks for your reply Mike. I agree that often poor conditions are assumed, so sometimes good opportunities are missed because no one gives it a try. Your 700+ mile report is very encouraging.
I did have "light" copy on your signal overnight here in Texas. I checked the screen when I woke up briefly around 3 am local time. Unfortunately, I set up the parameters in Argo to capture properly, but (absent mind-lessly) failed to actually press the capture software button to save the screenshots before going to bed. :-(
I'll see what I can do to get an overnight screenshot, assuming your going to continue the transmissions.
EAR back on (maybe)
Posted by John Bruce McCreath on June 29, 2020 at 21:47:10.
I got the replacement PC today and am slowly downloading and installing my favourite apps. My highest priority was to get EAR back on the air again. I can’t remember how to set up the “repeat text” parameter. Do I set it to 0 times so that it will run endlessly? What about the setting for interval? I know that to send EAR at QRSS30, a full cycle is 12 minutes, so I’ve set it for that temporarily.
73, J.B., VE3EAR Re: EAR back on (maybe)
Posted by John Davis on June 30, 2020 at 01:06:42.
In reply to EAR back on (maybe) posted by John Bruce McCreath on June 29, 2020
What software are you using, JB?
As I recall, EAR repeated exactly four times per hour, so I'm guessing the interval was 15 minutes...but that's just a guess.
Re: EAR back on (maybe)
Posted by John Bruce McCreath on June 30, 2020 at 01:55:30.
In reply to Re: EAR back on (maybe) posted by John Davis on June 30, 2020
Hi John....using ON7YD's QRS program to key EAR's transmitter via the COM1 port on the new Win7 PC. It seems to be working OK with the "repeats" value set to zero and a 12 minute interval. A window popped up telling me that it has sent the ID 20 times as of 21:52 EST and it will do it endlessly, so my guess was right. I went out to the helix house and was able to confirm that it was indeed transmitting. All I need now is a few reports telling me that it's making it out of my back 40, LOL.
73, J.B., VE3EAR
potrzebie