Reports on SAQ
Posted by John Davis on July 01, 2001 at 12:27:34
Here are some more European reports that came through the RSGB e-mail LF reflector Anybody on this side of the pond hear anything???
John
(Forwarded Messages:)
----------------------- From: Costas Krallis Date: Sunday, July 01, 2001 6:04 AM To: rsgb_lf_group blacksheep.org The morning hours of 1 July there was good propagation on LF and on 18.3 kHz VTX3 (Indian Navy) was very strong at 599 at my location. The SAQ transmissions at 0830 and 0845 were also very well received with RST 557 to 567. I also managed to contact Grimeton Radio/SA6Q on 14033 kHz in CW mode and report the reception.Here are the detailed logs: kHz Details 17.2 SAQ: Grimeton R., SWE, 0822, CW, Alexanderson Alternator Special Event, VVV, CQ + message (until 0853), 1/Jul/2001. (CK} 18.3 VTX3: Indian Ny, Vishakapatnam, IND, 0630, CW, VVV marker and encrypted/coded tfc, 1/Jul/2001. (CK) 14033.1 SA6Q: Grimeton R., SWE, 0915, CW, Alexanderson Alternator Special Event, wkg SV1XV w/ SAQ reception report, 1/Jul/2001. (CK) Antenna: 4 meters multiband vertical Radio: ICOM-706 and home made LF converter Regards Costas Krallis SV1XV ----------------------- Subj: LF: SAQ Date: 7/1/01 5:00:39 AM Eastern Daylight Time From: mike boxernet.demon.co.uk (Michael Probert) Sender: majordom post.thorcom.com Reply-to: rsgb_lf_group blacksheep.org To: rsgb_lf_group blacksheep.org (lf group) Excellent signals on 17.2 kHz received here in South West Wales, RST 5/8/9 at 0830 utc. Many thanks to all concerned Hope to work you on 136 73s Mike GW4HXO. ----------------------- Subj: LF: SAQ/SA6Q Date: 7/1/01 5:40:14 AM Eastern Daylight Time From: mike.dennison ntlworld.com (mike.dennison) Sender: majordom post.thorcom.com Reply-to: rsgb_lf_group blacksheep.org To: rsgb_lf_group blacksheep.org SAQ heard here about 569 on my loop antenna. The Rx is poor at that frequency and the antenna was tuned to 12 kHz (for previous Aplha tests), but all copied. SA6Q is 569 on 136 kHz, but he gave Christer SM6PXJ 379 and then lost him, so they still have receive problems. Many others calling but no replies by now (0936Z). Mike, G3XDV http://www.lf.thersgb.net ----------------------- Subj: LF: SAQ vy weak in Germany at 08.30 Date: 7/1/01 6:01:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time From: DK8KW compuserve.com ('Geri' Kinzel, DK8KW) Sender: majordom post.thorcom.com Reply-to: rsgb_lf_group blacksheep.org To: rsgb_lf_group blacksheep.org Hello LF-Group, strange enough, the signal here in JO52BH was barely readable with my umbrella antenna tuned with about 800 mH to 17.2 kHz. Report for SAQ at 08.30 was only 229 with the following (relative) signal levels: Callsign QRG Signal Strength SAQ 17,2 kHz -99,0 dBu Alpha 11,9 kHz - 94,6 fBu (first signal) - 84,6 dBu (second signal) Alpha 12,64 kHz - 84,0 dBu (first signal) - 94,0 dBu (second signal) Alpha 14,88 kHz - 80,0 dBu (first signal) - 90,0 dBu (second signal) GBR 16,0 kHz - 66,4dBu VTX3 18,2 kHz - 87,5 dBu RTTY 19,6 kHz - 71,0 dBu RTTY 21,77 kHz - 58,8 dBu RTTY 23,40 kHz - 37,9 dBu background noise at approx - 100 dBu SA6Q was - 79,0 dBu here on 136.750 kHz, which is 599 plus (but unfortunately he was unable to read any signal besides OZ8NJ). So lets wait for the second transmission today ... Thanks and vy 73 Geri, DK8KW (W1KW) ----------------------- Subj: LF: SAQ- Spain Date: 7/1/01 6:16:42 AM Eastern Daylight Time From: ea2hb bbvnet.com (FEDERICO OLAIZOLA ZABALA) Sender: majordom post.thorcom.com Reply-to: rsgb_lf_group blacksheep.org To: rsgb_lf_group blacksheep.org SAQ heard in SAN SEBASTIAN IN93ah (French border) in 17,2 kHz abt 429, noisy. Mni TNX fer all concerned. 73 de Federico EA2HB ----------------------- Subj: LF: SAQ better in DL at 12.30 and 12.45 Date: 7/1/01 9:06:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time From: DK8KW compuserve.com ('Geri' Kinzel, DK8KW) Sender: majordom post.thorcom.com Reply-to: rsgb_lf_group blacksheep.org CC: rsgb_lf_group blacksheep.org Hello LF group and SAQ/SA6Q crew, after further improving my receiving antenna, I was able to copy SAQ on 17.2 kHz at 12.30 and 12.45 with 369, approx. 70% of the text ok, however, with heavy QRN. Thanks again for the effort, chasing SA6Q now on LF! Best 73 Geri, DK8KW (W1KW) ----------------------- Subj: LF: RV: QSL SAQ Second msg 1-07-01 Date: 7/1/01 10:23:04 AM Eastern Daylight Time From: ea2hb bbvnet.com (FEDERICO OLAIZOLA ZABALA) Sender: majordom post.thorcom.com Reply-to: rsgb_lf_group blacksheep.org To: rsgb_lf_group blacksheep.org RST second transmission are 529 QRM QRN - solid copy. After SK at 12.53 UTC, 2 test transmission (v v v de SAQ) seems 2 different opperators of senior. HPE CUAGN, BEST 73 AND DX FER OPPERATORS AND "COOPPERATORS" Federico EA2HB
Re: Fwd: (LF) SAQ, VTX3, 1 July 2001
Posted by Gerhard Kircher on July 01, 2001 at 15:10:56
I have put a report of SAQ reception here in Austria on http://www.stormloader.com/gkircher/saq/ .
-gerhard
SAQ 17.2
Posted by Krister Eriksson on July 01, 2001 at 19:55:56
Sucessful transmissions from SAQ on july 1st, some pictures can be found on the website http://www.alexander.se please notice copyrights.
73 / SM6KRI Krister
Re: SAQ 17.2
Posted by Krister Eriksson on July 01, 2001 at 19:57:38
sorry, I have to correct the web URL:
http://www.alexander.n.se
typo mismatch by me. / SM6KRI
Reports on SAQ, 1 July 2001
Posted by Bill Ashlock on July 02, 2001 at 10:27:59
Received SAQ on July 1 at scheduled times of 830/845 and 1230/1245 UT here in Andover, MA. The signal strength was typical of three previous receptions including no fading but the S/N and readability was less due to continuous popcorn-like static resulting from numerous electrical storms that passed through this region on the previous day (Sat).
Equipment used was my 3ft diam balanced Lowfer band loop tuned to 17.2 kHz by adding parallel tuning capacitors (~100X the existing values), a simple NE602 up-converter, and my Lowfer band SVM.
Bill Ashlock
FS: PCS Electronics LW-Max VLF transmitter
Posted by Mark Aaker K6UFO on July 02, 2001 at 11:18:32
I have for sale a PCS Electronics LW-Max VLF transmitter.
Just received in May 2001. Works fine. It plugs into your PC, and is configured on-screen.
Fully configurable up to one watt output. I has a BNC jack for coax output, and includes instructions on how to build a remote amplifier at the base of an antenna. CW and QRSS (slow speed CW) with BPSK support coming soon by software update. Source code available on-line.
You can read about the LW-Max at:
http://www.pcs-electronics.com/Products/hams.shtml
Total cost to me was $124.98 with tax and shipping.
I'll ship it to you in the USA for half price of $62. I've found that my Silicon Valley location is just too noisy for good LF operation.
73,
Mark Aaker K6UFO
Re: Reports on SAQ, 1 July 2001
Posted by John Davis on July 02, 2001 at 12:22:15
Congratulations, Bill. That's excellent work.
I see from some overseas reflectors that other U.S. listeners like Frank Gentges and Sandy Sanders, who normally can hear most anything that's on the air, were pretty much stymied by the QRN at their locations.
We had off-and-on lightning throughout most of the night here, so I gave up even trying to elevate my longwire and hook up the ol' frequency-selective voltmeter.
I'm delighted that someone on our continent was in a good spot at the right time.
73,
John
New Beacon in MA
Posted by Michael Koscak (FWD by Webmaster) on July 02, 2001 at 12:27:18
Freq:185kc 10 wpm CW or MCW alternating also AM usually on thur. eve. at 20:30 edst for a min of a half to 1 hour, listens for reply, will set up a sked. Call : WMT/wa1mtz hpe to have it automated in the fall to run every nite for a couple hrs or so. location: westfield, ma.
PS. my best DX so far has been an hour long crossband qso with w1cki, he was on 6m am 50.4 (where I am at sun eve.
at 20;30 edst) I was on 185 kc AM, he gave me a '3' on the meter of a heathkit transistor marine portable.anytime someone would like to try, send me an email and will get on.
wa1mtz vgernet.net 73,
Re: Reports on SAQ, 1 July 2001
Posted by Bill Ashlock on July 02, 2001 at 13:32:13
Thanks John,
It was very lucky for me that the timing of this event was sandwiched between two similar sets of storms on Saturday and Sunday. Not only was the static a problem with the storms ~5 hours away, but the lightening was a bit scary while the storms were overhead. I was surprised on the second broadcast Sunday morning at 7:30 EDT that the static was the same as it had been 4 hours before or even a bit worse, but this must have been due to the approaching Sunday storm.
Bill
Re: New Beacon in MA
Posted by Bill Ashlock on July 02, 2001 at 13:56:41
Hi Mike,
Congratualations on the new beacon. You are in a location that at least two active Lowfer listeners within 50 miles. John A. in Holden, MA and Paul C, west of Hartford. I am 93 miles east which is a bit far for surface wave with the soil conditions generally "poor" and also considering my local noise isn't too low. My Lowfer beacon at 185.3 is off at the monent but should be getting back on the air within a week. I have made it straight west on the Mass pike >100 miles to my portable SVM so there should be a fair chance for a copy.
73 Bill WA
Re: New Beacon in MA
Posted by John Andrews on July 02, 2001 at 20:14:36
Mike:
Welcome to the band! As Bill pointed out, I'm about halfway between you and him, being in Holden...just north of Worcester. He is easy copy at 40 miles, so I stand a chance of hearing you. Right at the moment, my LF loop is disconnected. Will be working out back tomorrow night and Wednesday, so will advise when I'm ready. Should be all set for Thursday night.
John Andrews, W1TAG
Loops
Posted by Mike Thompson (KG4JYA) on July 03, 2001 at 15:01:15
Hello All,
I feel as if I am forever ignorant in the ranks of Low Frequency receiving. Please tell me if I become a constant nuisance to this message base, with my questioning.
My most recent attempt to build a loop antenna seemed to have failed miserably. I tried using the RJELOOP3.EXE program to aid me in design and thought I made all the right moves. Either this program is completely off or I am misunderstanding what the program is telling me. I tend to think I am misunderstanding, since this program seems to be so widely used.
Anyway, I am no technical expert, as I'm sure most of you could gather. I tried designing the loop for the most recent transmission of SAQ on 17.2 kHz. Below is a screen scrape of my design.
L Length of one side of square frame, mm .... 862
N Number of turns of wire on the frame ...... 20 M(essages) toggles
D Diameter of wire, milli-metres ............ 0.4 this window on & off
R Ratio of (winding pitch)/(wire diameter) .. 8.00 only when it can be
F Frequency, kilo-hertz ..................... 17 seen on bottom line.
Inductance ................. 867.4 micro-henrys
Inductive reactance ........ 93 ohms
HF loss resistance of wire . 9.80 ohms
Radiation loss resistance .. 0.00 milli-ohms
Self-resonant frequency .... 2.0 mega-hertz, approximately
Total capacitance required . 101052 pico-farads for resonance
deduct stray capacitance 7 .. ..
Setting of tuning capacitor. 101045 .. .. .. ..
Approximate coil Q ......... 9
Receiving sensitivity ...... 111 decibels below 1/4-wave vertical
Width of winding ........... 61.2 milli-metres
Total length of wire ....... 68.96 metres
Impedance seen across loop . 0.9 K-ohms, when tuned to resonance
Impedance seen by Receiver . 0.0 K-ohms, via 1-turn coupling loop
I was planning on making the coil and hooking it in parallel with some decade boxes and then running this to the receiver with rg-8x.
My questions are. Should I be designing a loop for the highest possible Q? Should I sacrifice some of the Q for coil sensitivity? I designed this coil so the reactance would be close to 50 ohms. Am I in the wrong in doing this?
When I hooked this coil up in parallel with my capacitor decade boxes, it seemed as if they had no effect at all. The only thing I got was that pesky 60Hz hum. The coil was mounted to the top of a house and was clear of everything. Is there a place where I can learn more about how these types of antennas work, that is explained in somewhat simple terms?
I’m confused, can anyone shed some light?
Thanks Mike T.
Re: Loops
Posted by Bob Gaye K2LGJ on July 03, 2001 at 15:17:23
Mike - It should work... You might check the AMRAD web site. In the LF section is a "Attic Loop" article that I think you will find interesting. Feed the loop with a 2-wire shielded line. RadioShack sells a audio cable that works fine (278-513). It comes in 50 foot lengths. Use your Cap box at the receiver end of the line to tune. Some sort of balancing transformer on a type 75 toroid may help the match situation. Good luck!
73 - Bob, K2LGJ
Re: Loops
Posted by Lyle Koehler on July 03, 2001 at 16:33:08
If you tried parallel tuning the loop and feeding it directly into a 50 ohm resistor, the resulting Q would be less than 1, and the tuning capacitors would have almost no effect. The actual input impedance of a 17 kHz receiver is probably anything but 50 ohms resistive, but it's likely to be fairly low. Parallel tuning works best when used with a high-impedance input such as a FET preamp. For operation without a preamp, I would use a bigger loop in order to get some sensitivity, design it so that the *series* resistance at resonance was close to 50 ohms, and then try putting the tuning capacitor(s) in series with the loop and the receiver input, rather than in parallel. If you stick with your present loop dimensions and use 50 turns close wound, the series impedance will be about 30 ohms, which should be a reasonable match for a low-impedance receiver input. The required tuning capacitance will be around 0.012 uF.
To test the loop, tune around 24 kHz for the US Navy's powerful RTTY signals. In most areas of the US, they are much stronger than any other signals in the VLF range.
Re: Loops
Posted by Mike Thompson (KG4JYA) on July 04, 2001 at 19:11:35
Hello All,
I figured I’d reply to both these messages in one post and save some message base space.
>Mike - It should work... You might check the AMRAD web site. In the LF section is a >"Attic Loop" article that I think you will find interesting. Feed the loop with a 2-wire >shielded line. RadioShack sells a audio cable that works fine (278-513). It comes in >50 foot lengths. Use your Cap box at the receiver end of the line to tune. Some sort >of balancing transformer on a type 75 toroid may help the match situation. Good >luck!
Bob:
I actually once had a 4 turn loop made of some old phone cable that worked just great, however with the decade boxes I have, the loop wouldn’t tune down quite that far. It pretty much bottomed out at around 100 kHz. The balancing xformer sounds like a good idea and I’d like to make one. Thanks for the tip.
Lyle:
Your reply made a lot of sense.
>If you tried parallel tuning the loop and feeding it directly into a 50 ohm resistor, >the resulting Q would be less than 1, and the tuning capacitors would have almost >no effect.
The above statement is probably the reason why I didn’t receive anything. The loop seemed pretty insensitive when the decade box was in parallel.
>The actual input impedance of a 17 kHz receiver is probably anything but 50 >ohms resistive, but it's likely to be fairly low.
The receiver I am using is a modified TenTec RX-320. By modified I mean I wound a new xformer, so it can receive down to 10 kHz. The antenna input states that it is 50 ohms. I’m not sure how that varies with frequency though.
>For operation without a preamp, I would use a bigger loop in order to get some >sensitivity, design it so that the *series* resistance at resonance was close to >50 ohms, and then try putting the tuning capacitor(s) in series with the loop >and the receiver input, rather than in parallel. If you stick with your present >loop dimensions and use 50 turns close wound, the series impedance will be >about 30 ohms, which should be a reasonable match for a low-impedance >receiver input. The required tuning capacitance will be around 0.012 uF.
Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll have to try this. It seems the loop itself would work but I just hooked everything up wrong.
>To test the loop, tune around 24 kHz for the US Navy's powerful RTTY signals. In >most areas of the US, they are much stronger than any other signals in the VLF >range.
Receiving that Navy transmitter has been a long pursued goal of mine. I’d really like to hear itJ Thanks again all for your suggestions and help Mike T. KG4JYA
Hifer TAG on the Air
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on July 04, 2001 at 19:33:43
I'm not at all happy with the antenna, but Hifer "TAG" is now on the air from Holden, MA (FN42ch), on 13555.600 kHz. Current mode is DFCW, with 5 Hz shift, sending the "TAG" ID.
The transmitter uses an Analog Devices AD9850 DDS chip, run by an 80C51 style microcontroller. It has an LCD display and a keypad, allowing menu selection of modes, IDs, speeds and frequency. About 1900 lines of code, thus far. Not at all worth the work for this application, but I can now easily move this setup over to LF.
Reports are most welcome!
John Andrews, W1TAG
Forwarded news of trans-Pacific tests
Posted by Lyle Koehler on July 05, 2001 at 13:53:10
Subj: Forwarded news of trans-Pacific tests Date: 7/5/01 8:54:27 AM Eastern Daylight Time From: lyle mlecmn.net
At the request of Bob Vernall, I am forwarding this report of the reception of ZL6QH by Steve, VE7SL. Congratulations to all involved in this LF DX achievement!
Lyle, KØLR
CLAIM OF ZL TO VE AMATEUR LF DX On Saturday 30 June ZL1WB, ZL6QH, ZL3VN, ZL3FJ, ZL3PN, ZL3JE, ZL4OL and AX2TAR (VK7ZAL) transmitted test signals in the 160 - 190 kHz band, for so-called trans-Pacific tests. Various DX listeners had prior knowledge of the schedule of individual test frequency and coding used by each station. Steve VE7SL, located on Mayne Island, some 40 km northwest of Victoria, British Columbia, managed to capture some interesting signals using an Icom IC-R75 receiver along with a PC with sound card, running Argo software. From an analysis of the screen capture, it is claimed that VE7SL received and positively identified signals from ZL6QH (operators were Andrew ZL2BBJ and Bob ZL2CA). It is also very likely that signals were received from Mike ZL4OL, but co-channel interference made the result too indistinct to obtain positive identification of coding. The propagation opening was around VE7 sunrise time. The path length from the ZL6QH transmitter, at Quartz Hill, near Wellington, New Zealand, is estimated as being 11,709 km. A three page WORD file, an Argo screen capture and a graphic of the VE7SL 10 foot loop receiving antenna can be privately emailed to those who request copies. Bob Vernall ZL2CA Organiser of the Trans-Pacific tests
5 July 2001
AWV copied in Maryland
Posted by Lloyd Chastant on July 05, 2001 at 16:52:18
I was running Spectrogram but had not saved and copied AWV on 13555.5 at 0330Z 5 July. When I went back and started a save the signal had faded..Will keep trying for save copy.
Thats listed as Ft. Lauderdale,FL..Any call or email so if I get a good saved copy I could send it?? Lloyd W3NF FM19MH
How I resurrected on LF my TS-950SDX
Posted by Alberto di Bene, I2PHD on July 06, 2001 at 07:55:56
Hi all,
a few weeks ago I vented here my dissatisfaction about the performance on the LF band of my TS-950SDX,
searching for help on how to wind a replacement toroidal transformer for its input stage.
Now this story has come to an end, a positive one.
If you want to read how my 950 has been resurrected to a new (LF) life, thanks to the contrbutions of two very kind OMs, please have a look here :
http://www.qsl.net/i2phd/TS950/change.html
73 Alberto I2PHD
Re: AWV copied in Maryland
Posted by Don Burns on July 06, 2001 at 15:05:38
Hey Lloyd, thanks for the report. I don't regularly monitor this board so it took someone on the lowfer mail list to wake me up and steer me here.
Thanks again!
Don Burns K9AWV Plantation FL (just west of Ft Lauderdale)
new Lowfer
Posted by Lewis Denton on July 06, 2001 at 17:59:51
Hi Everyone,
Got my Lowfer up and running, at least i think so.
189.6 kc 5 wrds/min cw.
I built me a portable antenna, a resonant 6/ft whip lots of coil and cap.
I was able to copy for 1 mile mobile. does that mean my antenna is working ?
Thanks.
Lewis wa4lip datasync.com PS I am in south Ms.
How do I build a LW broadcast receiver.
Posted by Adam E on July 07, 2001 at 00:48:46
Hello I have heard of regular MW band radios work the same character as a LW radio BCB receiver. I just want to know: How do I build a LW broadcast receiver that covers 150 kHz to 320 kHz using a current AM radio receiver from a flashlight. The circuit consists of a TDA 1083 chip. Is it the OSC tuning coil and the ferrite coil, doe's that need to be changed? Would I need a longer ferrite rod? Let me know Thanks. LWLer since 1992.
Also where do I find the appropiate ferrite coils for LW? And OSC coils? I don't know where to look on the web. Would a Hamfest steer me below 500 kHz??
Re: How do I build a LW broadcast receiver.
Posted by John Andrews on July 09, 2001 at 10:23:02
Adam,
Are you in Europe? If you are in the U.S., I doubt that you'll hear much of the European LF broadcast stuff on a one-chip receiver with a ferrite rod antenna. Not impossible, but not very likely.
John Andrews
Hifer beacon
Posted by Jim Vander Maaten on July 09, 2001 at 13:46:11
My HIFER beacon is on 13.565 MHz.
Current ID is 'ESA' DAID4 (8 wpm). Antenna is 40 meter inverted V.
Power out is 2 milliwatts.
24 hour / day planned operation.
QRSS mode on request.
73 Jim
Re: Hifer beacon
Posted by Bill Ashlock on July 09, 2001 at 18:45:47
Hi Jim,
Welcome to the HiFer band. I will be looking for you 13.5650 but unless your signal is exceptionally strong it is typically very difficult to make a definite identification. Therefore, would recommend QRSS(3), if possible.
What is your location?
Bill WA
Re: Hifer beacon
Posted by Jim Vander Maaten on July 09, 2001 at 19:06:18
I forgot my location. It's San Jose, CA grid square CM97BJ. Present transmitter is a 74HC02 ic configured as a keyed oscillator, lpf, 2 milliwatts output. Using K-ID keyer with several messages including one for QRSS .2 wpm. I'll be making minor changes for a while to test various antennas, etc. Present concern is TVI to channel 4, minor but noticable!
73 Jim
Reports on SAQ, 1 July 2001
Posted by Steve Barreres on July 09, 2001 at 22:43:50
John,
Second year in a row SAQ copied. This time we had a great time setting up, Field Day style for the July 1 SAQ transmission. It was a teat to get permission from the NY State Department of Enviormental Conservation to operate from the original site of RCA's Rocky Point site.
The following is the report sent via the Internet to SA6Q. Would have set up more of a station to send a radio report, but you can only do so much with 3 guys. Look forward to next year for a chance with some more prep and equipment.
Gentleman,
This is to confirm our reception of Grimeton station SAQ on July 1, 2001 from
the former site of the historic RCA radio installation in Rocky Point, New York. Technical information as follows:
0830 - 0845 UTC transmission received very weak, RST 229 Receive level of
approximately 1 microvolt with QRN peaks of 20 microvolts
1230 - 1245 UTC transmission received extremely weak, RST 119 Receive level
not measurable.
Location of receiving set: Grid Square FN30 former RCA site Rocky Point, New
York
Receiver: US Navy Surplus Radio Test Set AN/URM-6 Frequency Selective
Level Meter
Antenna: BEVERAGE Traveling Wave antenna 1.6 Kilometers long (1.0 miles)
Submitted by:
Steve Barreres - K2CX
Robert Tolentino - N2MPJ
Gary Huenlich - K2CCX
Re: Hifer beacon
Posted by Les Rayburn, N1LF on July 10, 2001 at 15:00:02
Not to pick on Jim...but John and I need to remind everyone.. PLEASE SEND AN E-MAIL REGARDING ANY NEW BEACONS, BEACON CHANGES, ETC.
to:
Part15 lwca.org
This address sends messages to both John and I so that the Lowdown listing and the web site listings will be correct.
We shouldn't have to check our e-mail, and the lowfer list, and this message board just to stay current on our listings. At some point, it becomes like work.
(Sorry to pick on Jim...but lots of folks are guilty of this one)
73,
Les
Medfer LEA 1704.811
Posted by Mick Reed on July 11, 2001 at 01:41:48
I have just finished a rough install of my new Medfer called LEA on 1704.8111 kHz:
* Epson programmable oscillator (www.digikey.com)
(1.704800 MHz)
* PTC thermistor for crystal (p.n. KC002P-ND
www.digikey.com)
* NTE transistor final 290AMCP (matched complimentary pair)
* Litz wire coil (48/34) (www.sciplus.com)
* Homemade 20 second recordable keyer (32K RAM)
* 'EMT' vertical with clamp-lamp shade for top hat
I just got the system up Tuesday night. I did a rough peak tuning. My coil is about 16 inches from the ground, made of styrofoam, with a ground stake which helps support the mast. My electronics are inside an ammo box, which has its lid and body grounded, sitting under the coil right now. I doubt I am getting very far yet, but anyone nearby could check it out. CW right now, the ID takes about 20 seconds to make all three letters. I'm going to keep tuning it and try to make some better measurements in the next couple days. My grid is CN84lw Salem, OR 44.943239N 123.055872W
Re: new Lowfer
Posted by Bob Gaye - K2LGJ on July 15, 2001 at 21:02:13
Hi Lewis - I'm surpised that you posting hasn't generated any comments. I'd say the first mile is the hardest. Congrats. I'm still in the "planning" stage :-) Have fun and good luck with the next mile.
Bob
Beacon "MPK"
Posted by Don Moth on July 16, 2001 at 11:20:54
Update:
Beacon "MPK"
Frequency 177.9 kHz
Location Chittenango, NY 13037 Grid Square FN-23bb Mode CW Hours of operation..........Presently OFF the air due to new antenna construction.
Note: Have purchased LW-MAX transmitter and expect to be operational for the fall-winter-spring season.
Don Moth W2MPK
Thank You.
HiFER Update
Posted by John Andrews on July 16, 2001 at 11:23:46
(Temporary beacon) RY is now on the air from Raymond, ME. Frequency is 13555.370 kHz, full time. Mode is QRSS, 3 sec dots. Grid square is FN43.
John Andrews, W1TAG
(HiFER 'TAG' is off this week.)
Re: HiFER Update
Posted by Lloyd Chastant W3NF on July 17, 2001 at 13:49:32
John nice Argo and Spectrogram copy of RY here in Maryland this morning-7/17/01 at 1135Z..FM19MH de Lloyd W3NF
Re: HiFER Update
Posted by John Andrews on July 17, 2001 at 17:03:25
Lloyd:
Thanks very much for the report. Conditions seem pretty good this week. Will be happy to QSL when I get back home.
Again, thanks.
John Andrews RY - Raymond, ME
Re: new Lowfer
Posted by Lewis on July 18, 2001 at 15:31:27
Thanks Bob for the comments, with a little tweeking i have now got up to 3 miles.
The neighbors think i am crazy rideing arround with that big coil and antenna on my truck. I have got it where i can take it of easly. can't wait till this fall when things quiet down.
Lewis wa4Lip
Beacon "WV"
Posted by michael tyler...wa8ywo on July 22, 2001 at 16:51:48
I have been working on LowFer Beacon WV. I am about ready to erect the antenna and Capacity Hat..Been wondering if the new ham regs coming soon for the LowFer band will require the present beacons to shut down?? If so , should I "wait and see"? I have the grounds in place, the loading coil ready to mount, and the mounting post and capacity hat ready. Just starting to assemble the antenna pipe.Any ideas if I should continue? Thanks. Mike. WA8YWO & "WV" (maybe).
Re: Beacon "WV"
Posted by Joe T. Penrod on July 22, 2001 at 17:23:02
The FCC moves slower than molasses in January. They've been considering LW ham operations now for >>years>very<< long wait indeed! If worst comes to worst, you could still use the antenna for LW ham.
Re: Beacon "WV"
Posted by John Davis on July 22, 2001 at 19:01:51
Mike,
I'd go ahead with the project. There's been no indication so far that the FCC would shut down the Part 15 users in this band. There are other bands where hams, Part 15 users, and even Industrial-Scientific-Medical users all share the same spectrum.
And as Joe says, there's no telling when (or if) they will do anything at all.
73,
John
Re: Beacon "WV"
Posted by michael tyler on July 22, 2001 at 23:44:25
Thanks John and Joe for the info.....I built the transmitter and keyer as shown on my lowfer web page http://access.mountain.net/~mtyler/LFbeacon.html and i am setting it up in a small field beside my home. My thoughts are that if I am gonna loose the LowFer part 15 then i would rather use the space for a Hifer or medfer . I really enjoy QRP and have operated a 100 milliwatt 10 meter beacon for about 6 years now. Thanks for the input. mike.
TLTX 184.283 kHz // 13.560 MHz
Posted by Tony Levstik on July 23, 2001 at 15:40:41
TLTX 184.283 kHz will be off untill Fall.
TLTX 13.560 MHz back on the air. I have decided not to change it's frequency.
Schedule will be week nights and weekends. When I'm not short wave listening.
Same location EM13 same modes QRSS // RTTY.
Tony Levstik
need info
Posted by matt / kc5dpk on July 24, 2001 at 11:01:51
i need an elmer to guide me on finding "poor boy" lf equipment, kit, old govt, or other.
73's matt
Re: TLTX 184.283 kHz // 13.560 MHz
Posted by John Andrews on July 24, 2001 at 13:00:26
Tony:
Based on recent listening, you should probably try to get off 13560 kHz. There's still something there with significant sidebands in both directions. One kHz either up or down would make a big difference.
John A.
Re: TLTX 184.283 kHz // 13.560 MHz
Posted by Tony Levstik on July 24, 2001 at 17:01:31
Thanks for the infromation John.
Looks like 13.563 MHz is clear.
I also did not see any other Hifers listed for that freq.
If it seems to be clear for the next few days I will order a xtl.osc. for 13.563 MHz
Tony Levstik
Ten-Tec RX-320 Transformer Replacement?
Posted by Mark Aaker K6UFO on July 24, 2001 at 18:37:49
Does anyone have a spare transformer to improve the Ten-Tec RX-320 as described in the AMRAD article at: http://www.amrad.org/projects/lf/RX320LFMod.html
Before I start gathering wire and toroid and straining my vision, I thought I'd check if someone has a spare.
Mark Aaker K6UFO
22303 N De Anza Circle Cupertino, CA 95014 Tel. (408) 974-4347 aaker apple.com
Re: Ten-Tec RX-320 Transformer Replacement?
Posted by Mike Thompson on July 28, 2001 at 10:06:40
Mark,
I don't know about anyone else, but due to my lack of patience in winding torroids I only managed to produce one, and get it into my RX-320 as quickly as possible.
It wasn't as hard as I thought, but it did require a little skill and of course the wait for the proper core to arrive in the mail.
Good luck if you end up winding it. It is deffinitly worth the modification.
73's Mike KG4JYA
HiFer Heard?? Need update.
Posted by Charlie Conner on July 28, 2001 at 17:28:27
Not sure but think I heard a "hiFer" today on 13.5555 MHz. Sounded like "NC calling HV". The "NC" was quite clear often. Lots of QRM. One sounds kinda like a machine gun. Where can I find recent information re HiFers.
Thanks. 73 DE KØNG, Lincoln NE
Re: HiFer Heard?? Need update.
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on July 28, 2001 at 20:08:18
Charlie,
That was NC you were hearing, all right. It's run by W4DEX, and is in Stanfield, NC. He's currently playing with regular speed CW -- the usual format is slow speed, with 3 second dots.
A list of the stations in current operation:
http://www.highnoonfilm.com/xmgr/medferbeacons2.htm
The LWCA site has some more information, as well:
http://lwca.org
You might want to subscribe to the Lowfer mailing list at:
http://www.qth.net That list carries most of the current activities. You can browse through the archive to see what's been going on.
This is a summertime diversion for folks who are waiting for the cooler weather and quieter conditions in the 160-190 kHz band.
John Andrews, W1TAG Hifer "RY" , Raymond, ME
Re: HiFer Heard?? Need update.
Posted by Charlie Conner--K0NG on July 28, 2001 at 21:19:36
John: Thanks very much for the information. Will check it out. I sent W4DEX a QSL/SWL report by e-mail. Found him here on this site. 73 DE Charlie, K0NG
Modified TERK AM Advantage Antenna ?
Posted by Bill on July 31, 2001 at 14:50:05
Hi,
I was able to modify a TERK AM loop antenna from 530-1700 to 320 - 420. I took the antenna apart and added several feet(10's to 100's) of wire, more wire equaled lower frequencies. However I lost bandwidth, anyone know how this might be overcome ?? The small size of this antenna is the most appealing factor to me. I do understand the limitations of such a small loop, and am not expecting it to perform like larger loops with amps. I just thought it would be fun to see how low I could push this antenna.
I know very little about the TERK antenna as far as what tuning cap is used. But it did work well on my Sony 7600G. Stations that I NEVER heard leaped out as I tuned the small loop(just like on the AM Broadcast band). Any ideas would be welcome.
Thanks,
Bill
www.lwca.org
potrzebie