Click for book information.
500 kHz may be designated a maritime memorial frequency
According to the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB), the Irish Radio
Transmitters Society has applied to Irish communications regulator ComReg
for a small allocation in the region of 500 kHz for Amateur Radio
experimentation. The move follows a similar proposal made by the RSGB to UK
regulator Ofcom in 2004. Ofcom has not yet made a decision on the RSGB
proposal, but the society is hopeful of an allocation between 501 and 504
kHz. There is also a possibility that Ofcom might designate the spot
frequency of 500 kHz as a maritime memorial frequency. In recent years,
there has been little traffic on the band 415 to 526.6 kHz, after most
countries stopped using it as a Morse emergency maritime frequency in the
1990s.
Source: Ham.net
JJY Japan Time Signal 40 KHz
Posted by Todd WD4NGG on August 06, 2006 at 12:34:52.
I was wondering if anyone in the Eastern U.S. has been able to hear the Japan JJY time signal on 40KHz? Their format is a bit different than WWVB but the signal does pulse every second and they include a cwID every 15 and 45 minutes after the hour. Their power is listed as 50KW input and 10KW ERP using a 250 meter tall umbrella antenna. I just started listening for them but no luck yet. Probably the best time of year to catch them is in the winter months. Should be a good challenge. 73 Todd WD4NGG Re: 500 kHz may be designated a maritime memorial frequency
Posted by Bill Bibeau, K1FPV on August 06, 2006 at 16:57:45.
In reply to 500 kHz may be designated a maritime memorial frequency posted by Mike Terry on August 05, 2006
I'd love to see a permanent CW amateur allocation there in the USA. Ten Tec RX-350
Posted by Ko Versteeg on August 10, 2006 at 06:23:23.
I wonder if the Ten Tec RX-350 is usable for lf use. Beta Transmitters on Google Map
Does it have a TCXO built in as i don't see it as option?
73 Ko, NL9222
Posted by Wotan on August 10, 2006 at 18:00:43.
RJH69 in Molodechno in Belarus
http://maps.google.com/maps?t=k&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=54.462356,26.769218&spn=0.044301,0.117073
RJH77 in Archangelsk
http://maps.google.com/maps?t=k&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=64.360491,41.568489&spn=0.03298,0.117073
RJH63 in Krasnodar
http://maps.google.com/maps?t=k&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=45.403904,38.155689&spn=0.013378,0.029268
Look how large they are! Re: 500 kHz may be designated a maritime memorial frequency
Posted by Wotan on August 10, 2006 at 18:20:07.
In reply to Re: 500 kHz may be designated a maritime memorial frequency posted by Bill Bibeau, K1FPV on August 06, 2006
According to http://lwca.org/mbarchiv/msg0905.htm , there was at Shirley Bay a station for monitoring UFOs equipped with a receiver for 530 kHz. If 500 kHz would get a frequency on which no transmitter may work according to international laws, it would be excellent for UFO monitoring.
Re: 500 kHz may be designated a maritime memorial frequency
Posted by John Davis on August 11, 2006 at 10:37:48.
In reply to Re: 500 kHz may be designated a maritime memorial frequency posted by Wotan on August 10, 2006
: If 500 kHz would get a frequency on which no transmitter may work according to international laws, it would be excellent for UFO monitoring. :
To paraphrase the old joke about exercise being able to kill germs... how do we persuade UFOs to transmit there? Re: 500 kHz may be designated a maritime memorial frequency
Posted by Clive Carver on August 15, 2006 at 11:06:51.
In reply to Re: 500 kHz may be designated a maritime memorial frequency posted by Wotan on August 10, 2006
Do you mean a frequency within the old maritime band? 500KHz is a frequency by definition. Also 518KHz is used for NAVTEX transmissions. (Weather and Navigational Warnings transmitted using FEC radiotelex - sitor - RTTY whatever you wish to call it.) Vectronics VEC-221K Beacon Keyer?
Posted by Bow on August 16, 2006 at 08:09:51.
Anyone ever used a VEC-211K memory Keyer as a beacon keyer?
I picked up one on sale yesterday and am going to build it up today, if time permits.
I was just wondering if anyone else has had any success with using one. Re: getting started in longwave
Posted by Jeff Philipp on August 16, 2006 at 21:59:38.
In reply to Re: getting started in longwave posted by Kevin H. Phillips on January 05, 2005
Hi all, I'm new! I was wondering how to block out the Re: getting started in longwave
AM BCB? I live in los angeles and I get bleed over all the way down to 30hz.
i'm using an Icom R-75.thanks
Jeff
Posted by John Andrews on August 17, 2006 at 06:53:44.
In reply to Re: getting started in longwave posted by Jeff Philipp on August 16, 2006
Jeff,
What are you using for an antenna?
John Andrews Re: getting started in longwave
Posted by Jeff Philipp on August 17, 2006 at 07:28:19.
In reply to Re: getting started in longwave posted by John Andrews on August 17, 2006
I am using a 66' windom with coax YMW-366/Maniwaki, QC
Posted by Peter Q. George on August 17, 2006 at 09:40:57.
Greetings! This is my first visit to the website and I'm enjoying every minute of it. I have a question. Every night here in the Boston area, I get a very strong signal from Beacon "YMW" on 366 kHz. Would anyone have a snail-mailing address for YMW? And while I'm at it, are their some websites with actual audio (minus BFO) of beacons available? Many thanks!
73,
Pete Re: YMW-366/Maniwaki, QC
Posted by Warren K2ORS/WD2XGJ on August 17, 2006 at 10:04:39.
In reply to YMW-366/Maniwaki, QC posted by Peter Q. George (K1XRB) on August 17, 2006
Pete,
YMW is operated by NAV Canada. For contact info try their web site:
http://www.navcanada.ca/NavCanada.asp?Language=en&Content=ContentDefinitionFiles%5CAboutUs%5Cdefault.xml
73 Warren K2ORS/WD2XGJ
http://www.w4dex.com/wd2xgj.htm
Longwave Net 3814 Thursdays 900 EDT (0100 UTC Fri)
Posted by Warren K2ORS/WD2XGJ on August 17, 2006 at 10:08:09.
There is a net every Thursday evening on 75 meters to discuss longwave topics.
Frequency is 3814 kHz (lsb) +/- QRM all are welcome.
73 Warren K2ORS/WD2XGJ
http://www.w4dex.com/wd2xgj.htm
Re: getting started in longwave
Posted by John Andrews on August 17, 2006 at 14:42:10.
In reply to Re: getting started in longwave posted by Jeff Philipp on August 17, 2006
Jeff,
That's not a great antenna for LF/VLF work. I can see how the desired signals would be quite low, but I'm less sure about the AM mixing products. Probably you are quite close to one or more AM broadcast transmitter sites. Most likely, you are not hearing individual stations, but mixing products of various signals. You can confirm that by subtracting the frequencies of the local stations, and looking for the difference at LF. For example, a station at 640 kHz and another at 770 kHz could produce a 130 kHz signal in an overloaded amplifier at your location.
Don't run the Preamp 2 on the R75 if you have strong incoming AM signals. Preamp 1 may be OK, as it's a lot more bullet-proof.
If you are in an RF-dense environment, you may need to low-pass filter the antenna feed to your receiver, or tune the antenna to the desired frequency. The tuning would have to be done with an inductor-capacitor combination. In your case, it might be best to short the ends of the coax together, and tune the antenna against ground.
If you are contemplating serious LF listening, you may want to look into tuned loop antennas. Given your present problem, I'd stay away from "active whip" antennas, as they are usually prone to AM broadcast overload.
John Andrews, W1TAG North Dakota 25.2KHz Off The Air?
Posted by Todd WD4NGG on August 18, 2006 at 00:44:41.
I have noticed for the past few days, possibly a week now that 25.2KHz LaMoure, ND has been off the air. Don't know if they are down for maintenance or due to some big changes in operation. 25.2KHz was a real powerhouse here in the SouthEast, second only to Cutler, ME on 24.0KHz. Re: getting started in longwave
Posted by Jeff Philipp on August 18, 2006 at 02:42:18.
In reply to Re: getting started in longwave posted by John Andrews on August 17, 2006
Thanks so much for the info. Is there an antenna out there that I could buy for this vlf band. I don't have the expertise to make one yet. NDB "BC"-414 kHz, Baie-Comeau
thanks
Jeff
Posted by Peter Q. George on August 21, 2006 at 14:30:57.
According to NavCanada, NDB station "BC" 414 kHz was decommissioned as of August 3, 2006. This was a killer signal that covered a lot of real estate. I could have sworn that I got this station last week and logged it accordingly. Maybe they did not shut it down yet. Does anyone have any photos or sound files of "BC" ? If so, they are now collector's items. If anyone does, please drop me a line or post a link to them. Thanks!
That was a GREAT propagation beacon for me. (DAMN!)
73,
Peter Q. George (K1XRB) Re: NDB "BC"-414 kHz, Baie-Comeau
Whitman, Massachusetts
Posted by John Davis on August 21, 2006 at 17:08:43.
If NavCanada is anything like our FAA, the beacon is serviced by a contractor who makes the rounds every few weeks. It may be on his list to shut down any time after August 3, whenever he next makes his way to the site.
Catching it during this brief, temporary reprieve would be quite a treat.
Q re caps for V/ULF
Posted by Kevin on August 22, 2006 at 01:24:53.
Hi Everyone. I am interesting in building VLF/ULF coils for lightning and possibly ,interior earth sourced emissions. I am not SUPER technically inclined, but have some good basics down. I know to get the right mix of core material for the wavelength of interest. ( I am going with bars for directivity) .I also know that I should wind a vast amount of wire ( ie 3 mi or more of # 28 magnet wire) over my PVC pipe form.A specific resonant frequency isn't really sought out (or probably going to be reached anyway), I'm just going for a rough approximate number as LOW as possible to near zero ( DC).Of course there will be NO detector, the audio is just directly extracted. The missing link is what type of cap to use when coil capacitance isn't enough. I have build some very high performance broadcast band crystal sets ie Hi Z types with 660/46 litz, mircowave diodes, sound powered phones, etc and also some good LW crystal sets too( for 80 to 150 KC lightning work). I would like to know if Q is an issue at near DC and what the Q situation is for an layer wound extreme lenght coil and /or the cap to needed to "tank" it. I am thinking about one fard caps. Should I just buy whatever type of one farad caps are out there and not worry about ANY of this??? Or should one seek a "high" Q type ie silver mica or etc, IF it was (ever) available .I have seen Q make a difference (on amp'ed commercial LW receivers and on LW crystal sets) from around 150 to 500 KC but again, don't know if it applies with such primative extreme low frequency gear of this type.Any help is greatly appreciated.Kevin Lightning propagation distances/properties
Posted by Kevin on August 22, 2006 at 02:05:54.
Hi. I am was wondering the following: Suppose one has a "good" lightning /"natural radio" set up. This could mean a wide variety of equipment. At a recent radio meet we took a VLF coil ( 500 ft? on PVC with AM broadcast 60 mix ferrite bar core) and played it in different configurations. The coil excited by a LITZlongwire antenna worked quite well.The coil alone copied crashes but not really well. I have also used a LF Engineering natural radio square loop,a LF Eng natural radio whip, , tree antennas , extreme longwires, misc pick up coils etc, etc. On one of my LW crystal sets using a 125 ft longwire I tracked definate lightning to Texas ( I'm in Boston) and "probable" crashes from off the coast of Peru.What type of distances can one POSSIBLY expect from say a 80 KC crash compared to a 7 KC one? Are the paths aligned to favor signals on a N-S axis? Are they usually just, say, between the Americas or are we talking about possible stuff from along the same longtitudes, both West AND East,via one or both poles? . How about "diagonal" propagation probablities not paralelling the magnetic lines ie Eastern Equatorial Africa from Boston? I know that I have asked one general question about a WIDE range of equipment ,frequencies and situations. But ANY input re this would be helpful. Kevin Re: Q re caps for V/ULF
Posted by John Davis on August 22, 2006 at 11:20:01.
In reply to Q re caps for V/ULF posted by Kevin on August 22, 2006
What sort of application are you envisioning in which it would be desirable to resonate such an antenna?
Unless you are already sure of what you will find, it would seem broadband reception would be preferable.
Re: Lightning propagation distances/properties
Posted by John Davis on August 22, 2006 at 11:45:51.
In reply to Lightning propagation distances/properties posted by Kevin on August 22, 2006
Kind of an apples/oranges/kiwi fruit sort of question, since the propagation modes vary considerably over such a wide range of frequencies.
Lightning crashes you hear above 20 or 30 kHz will mostly be arriving by the usual groundwave or skywave modes that apply to mandmade signals. The main directionality will be due to the usual day/night propagation difference, and reception distances will be comparable.
Down in the range of audible sferics, ducting by the magnetosphere is a significant factor. This is the reason whistlers arise, in the first place. As such, there is a general directionality corresponding to the alignment of magnetic lines of force.
I recommend checking out Robert Helliwell's classic work on the subject, Whistlers and Related Ionospheric Phenomena:
Click for book information.
You may find additional data relating to your questions at www.vlf.it.
John
Re: North Dakota 25.2KHz Off The Air?
Posted by Todd WD4NGG on August 24, 2006 at 00:03:48.
In reply to North Dakota 25.2KHz Off The Air? posted by Todd WD4NGG on August 18, 2006
Noticed 25.2KHz back on the air Saturday 08/19. Signal strength is excellent. Must have been down about a week for maintenance. Usually check the 15 - 60KHz range several times a week. Many interesting pictures of former longwave transmitter Gabin, Poland
Posted by Harald on August 25, 2006 at 15:04:34.
On http://jerzyjedrzejkiewicz.webpark.pl/str01/galerie/rcn/index_05.html (Webmaster please activate link) there are many interesting pictures and informations of the Gabin longwave transmitter, whose 646 metre tall mast, which collapsed in 1991 was the tallest thing ever built so far.
Further pictures of Gabin longwave transmitter
the 646 metre tall mast of Gabin longwave transmitter
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/01%2001.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/01%2002.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/01%2006.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/01%2009.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/01%2010.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/01%2013.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/01%2014.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/01%2016.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2005.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2009.jpg
the basement of the 646 metre tall mast of Gabin longwave transmitter
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/01%2012.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/01%2015.jpg
the radio frequency transmission line from the transmitter building to the mast
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/01%2003.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/01%2004.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/01%2005.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/01%2007.jpg
the directional radio tower of Gabin longwave transmitter, used for the directional link to the studio in Warszaw (may be still standing)
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/01%2008.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/01%2011.jpg
the transmitter itsself, wich consisted of 2 1000 kilowatt units
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/02%2001.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/02%2002.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/02%2003.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/02%2004.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/02%2005.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/02%2006.jpg
building the 646 metre tall mast
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/02%2006.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2002.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2003.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2004.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2006.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2007.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2008.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2009.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2011.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2012.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2012.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2014.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2015.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2016.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2017.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2018.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2019.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2020.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2021.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2022.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2023.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/03%2024.jpg
debris of the collapsed 646 metre tall mast
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2001.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2002.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2002.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2004.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2005.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2006.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2007.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2008.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2009.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2010.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2011.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2012.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2013.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2014.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2015.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2016.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2017.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2018.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2019.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2020.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2021.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2022.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2023.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2024.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2025.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2026.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2027.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2028.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2029.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2030.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2031.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2032.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2033.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2034.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2035.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2036.jpg
http://www.ols.vectranet.pl/~kargul/maszt/04%2037.jpg
Lualualei VLF-Transmitter - directional radiation?
Posted by James Brown on August 28, 2006 at 12:56:21.
Lualualei VLF-Transmitter uses two masts as transmission antenna. Does it have directional radiation? If yes, in which direction points its maximum and in which its minimum? Or do the masts just carry a T-antenna? Re: Lualualei VLF-Transmitter - directional radiation?
Posted by John Davis on August 28, 2006 at 20:37:01.
In reply to Lualualei VLF-Transmitter - directional radiation? posted by James Brown on August 28, 2006
I am not sure whether they support a top load, or whether they are independently fed insulated vertical radiators. Either method is adequate to significantly reduce ground system losses.
However, the masts are not separated far enough to give significant directionality at VLF, even if that were desirable. It is safe to assume the system is non-directional.
Spectrograms of transmissions
Posted by Harald on August 29, 2006 at 04:55:05.
In reply to SAQ successfully received! posted by Harald on July 03, 2006
Spectrogram of transmission on July 2nd, 2006 8.30 UTC
http://gabinmast.ga.funpic.de/saq/saq2006_1.jpg
Spectrogram of transmission on July 2nd, 2006 10.30 UTC
http://gabinmast.ga.funpic.de/saq/saq2006_2.jpg
potrzebie