Longwave Messages July 1997

• Subj: Homebrew decoder for DGPS beacons
  Date: 97-07-29 12:38:57 EDT
  From:
  Has anyone thought about designing a super-simple decoder that could be used to identify DGPS beacons? This would ideally consist of just a handful of components and be usable with a low-end computer (8088, 286, etc.) or even a "dumb" terminal.
  As it stands now, more and more beacons are going full-time DGPS, and the FAA beacons may not be far behind. Being able to once again identify these stations would re-open many DXing possibilities. I'd appreciate any comments others might have on this idea. I would also be happy to work with anyone to develop a construction article for this circuit.
  Thanks,
  --Kevin Carey

• Subj: update on DGPS beacon "AE", other news
  Date: 97-07-27 02:55:00 EDT
  From: Darwin Long
  Just wanted to give everyone a quick update on the status of a DGPS beacon I discussed a few months back from Pt. Atkinson, B.C. I was up in the Pacific Northwest and Canada again this past month. The DGPS beacon at Point Atkinson is STILL transmitting it's +400Hz shift I.D. "AE" on top of the main 320 kHz MSK carrier. I made another set of recordings if anyone is interested.
  Are there any other LWCA members out there in the Northwest area hearing this DGPS beacon? This beacon has been operating this way now for almost three years!
  I was able to pick up the Appleton, WA, DGPS signal (from the converted GWEN site), in Whitefish and Seeley Lake, MT, and also in Kamloops, B.C., via groundwave during the day.
  There seems to be an increase in "private" NDB's in southwest Canada this year. (NDB's with an alphanumeric two-digit I.D.) Most of these are little 25W NDB's with double sideband transmission of 400Hz shift. The umbrella-type antenna stands about 25' high and is center-loaded. The transmitter is in a small metal box, usually affixed to the base of the antenna mast. I guess these are "economy" NDB's, quick and easy to install and switch on. They do good for range, however- I could copy them easily for a radius of 200 mi. or more around them.
  I included a photo of beacon 6K (32kb), 302 kHz, DSB 400Hz shift, from Vernon, BC. It is a new private NDB belonging to a company called Swan Lake. (To view and/or save the picture, click here; or, to download via FTP, click here instead. It's about 34k. - JHD) I stumbled on it while trying to find NY 350. (By the way, has ANYONE ever successfully DF'ed NY 350kHz in Enderby, B.C.? I just COULDN'T find it- it seems to be up in the mountains to the west of Enderby).
  I now have my own internet account, instead of sharing one. Therefore, my e-mail address has changed YET AGAIN! (and will probably be the final change, too).
  DJL has been intermittant due to a blown final, and then a worn-out keyer relay, so I upgraded the 2A relay to a 10 A one, and went from a 2N3055 to a 2N3772 final. All is well at this point. Don't blow your ears with the lightning crashes, and have a good summer.
  -Darwin Long

• Subject: Re: Summertime Test
  Date: Fri, 25 Jul 1997
  From:
  BOB is still on 24 hrs with a ground-screen only. It works, but not very well, and acts as a leaky capacitor when the ground and it are wet, which affects antenna loading. Condx has been pretty summer-like, with lots of QRN. I've not heard BA for sometime, but hope to catch him again in August, as I did last year.
  I've done some initial work looking at grounds and have set up several rods here and there, all about 9' long, copper pipe. I did it to see how one-line telegraph worked, and it works fine! Although the appearant resistance varies with ground conditions, it's about 20 ohm or so for the rods and not a function of the distance between them-unlike a resistor. It's the earth condition in the immediate vicinity of the rod that counts, and not the path between rods. (5 ft or 500 ft makes little difference.) The earth acts like a source of electrons, sort of a big capacitor or battery-cell. I tried a Bunnell relay and a 6v. battery for the test, and later a resistor and the battery to give a 100mA. source for the test. Because of some polarizing effects with DC, an AC test would propably be better, and I hope to do that sometime soon.
  I found a copy of Terman's Radio Engineering Handbook (1942), and he has a lot to say about LF, including info that indicates the depth of field penetration into the earth as a function of frequency. i.e. at 180 kHz, the field at 50 ft down is about 75% of its value at the surface! It seems one could bury most of a lowfer antenna and still have a great antenna! (The FCC doesn't say how far down we can go!)
  So much do learn and so little time. C'est la vie!

• Subject: The 1750 meter band
  From: "Dick Wilder (K3DI)"
  Date: Sat, 26 Jul 1997 19:37:11 (EDT)
  In a few weeks, I should be on LF.
  I have a transmitter going (subject to more revisions) and really just have to put in a grid-block keying circuit and put up an antenna. The rig is VFO controlled so my first task will be to find a frequency. I'll start on 180.000 kHz but let you know my final frequency.
  I expect to ID with my Ham call, K3DI. I notice that nobody seems to use their Ham call but I know of no reason why not. *
  Initially, I will come on when scheduled either day or evenings (I'm retired) but subsequently I expect to get into 24-hour beacon mode.
  For now: 180.000 K3DI Arnold, MD FM19 Dick Wilder. VFO. By sked.
  73,
  Dick Wilder, K3DI
  913 Shore Acres Road, Arnold, MD 21012-1724
  410-757-6706 FAX: 410-757-6720
  • ( * Reply 1: Many U.S. hams use the final letters of their call sign. The FCC issued a "clarification" of the Part 15 rules 20-some years ago that indicated a Part 15 transmission could be identified in almost any way, so long as it could not be mistaken for the transmission of a licensed station. To be on the safe side, therefore, most hams do not use their entire call. - JHD)

• Subject: WWVB
  Date: Fri, 25 Jul 1997
  From: Matthew Deutch (NIST, Boulder, CO)
  Dear Mr. Davis,
  Your e-mail was forwarded to me this week for a reply.
  When we incorporate the WWVL antenna into the WWVB system it will create a slight directional pattern. Some computer modeling shows that the east to west pattern will be about 1db stronger than the north to south. We are also hoping to post, at our web site, some of the projected signal contours. These too will be computer generated.
  I enjoyed reading your article in this month's LOWDOWN. I regret that I must inform you that our new projected high power testing date is Dec. 1997. It was becoming apparent that September was just not realistic.
  We may also be able to provide you with some information on the FRT-72. The 72's are new to us so we are still learning.
  Best regards,
  Matt Deutch WWVB

• Subj: natural radio
  Date: 97-07-21 18:14:01 EDT
  From: d.jones160
  Scientific American (Aug. 1997) has two articles on lightning. One is about instigating lightning with lasers. The second is about sprites and blue-jets. Stanford U. has been recording the radio frequency from Walt Lyons' lookout over the Great Plains this summer.
  David Jones

• Subj: New Member
  Date: 97-07-15 22:18:03 EDT
  From: (N4JS)
  OK, I joined up, and just got my July Lowdown. Very interesting. I also ordered the Curry Electronics CW Transceiver, so come cool weather, should be ready to go. (I enjoy putting stuff together). I have a spare Autek QF1 to use with it. May even think about beaconing on 184.4 Khz. Anyway, new fields are the spice of this radio hobby. I really would like to make some 2 way contacts on LowFER, if there is anyone around South Jersey, DE, MD or PA that wanted to try.
  John N4JS

• Subject: LowFER beacon MIN
  Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 08:51:04 -0500
  From: Lyle Koehler
  Hi John,
  LowFER beacon MIN is off the air and will remain off indefinitely. LEK and MedFER beacon MIN are still operating continuously except for brief shutdowns during thunderstorms.
  I'm currently in the process of trying to sell the hobby farm. If I'm successful in selling the farm, it will undoubtedly have an impact on my future LF activities. No takers on the farm so far, though. There don't seem to be many buyers who are impressed with the fact that this is a great longwave DX listening site.
  73 from Lyle, K0LR

• Subject: RI
  Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 14:01:03 -0700
  The RI beacon (184.320 KHz, grid FN21) is nearly ready for testing. However, it will only go on the air continuously on October 1, after the thunderstorms have diminished. We had one here last week that would have fried the beacon for sure. The hill where the antenna is located was struck twice, causing damage to phones, computers, and other electronics in a quarter mile radius. I was glad the RI transmitter was disconnected and sitting on my workbench at the time!
  73 for now,
  Pierre Thomson

• Subj: Audio tape on LF/VLF radio
  Date: 97-07-11 16:54:57 EDT
  From: Jim Clarke
  F.Y.I - I have just listened to an excellent audio tape on LF/VLF radio. It includes information about, and sound samples of, signals ranging from NAVTEX and Beacons, to Omega and Natural radio. The tape provides a comprehensive look at the LF/VLF range of radio signals, describing where to find signals, what the signals are used for, and also some history. The tape was prepared by Kevin Carey, the author of the "Below 500 kHz" column in Monitoring Times magazine. I have been listening to this part of the spectrum for almost 15 years and have found Kevin's tape useful and enjoyable. Its a 'must listen' for novice as well as advanced LF/VLF listeners.
  Anyone interested in obtaining a copy can do so by sending a check or money order for $9.95 payable to Kevin Carey, include your return address of course, to:
  Kevin Carey
  P.O. Box 56
  West Bloomfield, NY 14585
  I think you'll enjoy the tape, I sure did!
  • Reply 1: A bit of a commercial, but I don't mind at all for this item. :-) LWCA members can also find this offer on page 15 of the July issue. - JHD

• Subj: S. NJ Lowfers?
  Date: 97-07-09 16:48:27 EDT
  From: John L. Sielke (N4JS)
  Just looking for a new challenge. Considering building the Curry CW transceiver, but first, is there any activity within say, 100 miles? I am in Vineland, NJ, between Philly and Atlantic City. Very active QRP on ham bands. Let me know, your input may mean a sale for Curry Comm. ;-)

      _  _  _ _      _  ___   John L. Sielke n4js@amsat.org n4js@pobox.com
     | \| || | |  _ | |/ __|  n4js@n4js.ampr.org  NJ Grid:FM29LN
     | .` ||_  _|| || |\__ \       http://www.qsl.net/n4js
     |_|\_|  |_|  \__/ |___/  NJ-QRP #57  QRP-L #884  QRP-ARCI #9328
     NE-QRP #507 G-QRP #9544  NorCal #1989 CQC CQRP  QCWA  FISTS #2781

• Subject: RL Beacon, 1996 Lowdown index
  From: RLLaney
  Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 18:49:24 -0400 (EDT)
  Hope your summer is going well. I have attached (finally) the 1996 index text file titled prnind96.txt. (Will be in the August LOWDOWN, and will soon be in the file libraries on the LW Home Page. - JHD)
  Wish I had a lot of good stuff to report on my Lowfer activities. Unfortunately, RL has been off the air more than it has been on since the T-storm season has begun. However, last weekend I got the last of the rotted pressure-treated posts replaced that are attached to the antenna guys. So, I guess that is some news. I was shocked how rotted that wood can get. A good T-storm puff and the whole thing could have come crashing down. Haven't had all that many storms, mainly potential threats. In fact, our lawn is getting pretty dry in places and could use some summer rains. Hope to report more later in the summer.
  Regards, Bob

• Subject: Re: no see fer long time!
  Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 10:32:50 -0700 (PDT)
  From: Clifford Buttschardt
  Johan Forrer, KC7WW is the moderator of the HF special interest group for TAPR and has joined us in BPSK experiments. Most of the activity occurs on 7081 at about 0230 UTC. We seems to have North American coverage then (including a pesky Mexican phone station!). Johan is very advanced in most techniques and is attmepting to find a better modulator for BPSK since that modulation scheme is inherently rather broad.
  I would suppose mention that COHERENT is being used for laser communications is a bit more than LOWDOWN might be interested in, but it certainly is useful information. Also, I learned that DeCarle has been comparing notes with G3PLX in the UK. J.P. Martinez is the father of the AMTOR system now extensivly used. Something good will come of that!! 73 again and thanks--back to the TV for more Mars pictures! Cliff K7RR

• Subject: no see fer long time!
  Date: Sun, 6 Jul 1997 14:14:57 -0700 (PDT)
  From: Clifford Buttschardt
  We have been doing very well with the BPSK transmissions on all ham frequencies. The Most popular are 3591, 7081, 10141, 14091 and 18091 KHz. The 40 meter frequency looks like a missprint but it is not. We had to move down ten KHz. The standard call up uses MS25 and no ET which is the default in any of the latest software from Bill DeCarle. Any version past five will not contain any CCW as all the emphasis is on BPSK now.
  Another craze using COHERENT is the use of lasers for a transmitter. That should make the code-less types happy! Especially active is our own AA1A who advocates the use of a subcarrier of 160 to 190 KHz. Nothing wrong with that notion for the LOWFERS.
  The HDO(nul) remains on 167.65 KHz which is a good place to start if you need a signal on BPSK using MS1000.
  More later when there is something worthwhile John. Cliff K7RR

• Subj: DRI
  Date: 97-07-05 14:21:09 EDT
  From: CBernth (not usable for return)
  Just rec'd July Lowdown & read reference to the Digital Recorders test on 1630 khz. I ran a search on the Net & found them located in North Carolina. Call to them met with stonewall. "I'll check & call you back", which they didn't. You mentioned that the station was referring to a Rhode Island route in a transmission on 6/10. My hearing is not what it used to be, but on the same night I thought I heard them announce they transmitting from a location at I-75 & Clay Ave. Which is no help since I-75 extends from Sault Ste. Marie, MI to Naples, FL & is nowhere near RI. Perhaps there is more than one test. (Very possibly. When I attempt to listen through the static from down here, there sometimes seems to be very low beat notes, as of multiple carriers. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean a lot with all the new activity on the band. - JHD)
  On 1620 I usually only hear WCTD, Westerly, RI or the two Shenandoah Valley tapes. On one occasion I did hear an ID that sounded like WPKL402 for a HAR on that freq but nothing from DRI.
  This ought to add to the confusion. Mine.
  Best regards,
  Charles Bernth, Eastport, NY

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