HiFer's Heard--30 June thru 1 July, 2011
Hi. Was hearing EH off and on all day, from ~1400/30 June thru 0300/1 July on 13557 KHz, with signals ranging from 339 up to 459. Also heard was AJO on ~13558 KHz, about 3/4-3/4-9, over the period 0230-0330 UT. The 'ditter' was stronger than ever in the range 14562-13564 KHz, going up to S9 at times. I wonder if this is just propagation, or a change in power level, or just the leakage level? The everpresent sweeping signal was there across the band, and it sounded like a tone going through the 6 KHz bandwidth in AM mode. EdWSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: HiFer's Heard--30 June thru 1 July, 2011
Posted by Paul on July 01, 2011 at 07:46:53.
In reply to HiFer's Heard--30 June thru 1 July, 2011 posted by EdWSlidell,LA on July 01, 2011
What is that blasted sweeping signal, anyway? That thing drives me nuts!
Re: HiFer's Heard--30 June thru 1 July, 2011
Posted by John Davis on July 01, 2011 at 13:02:14.
In reply to Re: HiFer's Heard--30 June thru 1 July, 2011 posted by Paul on July 01, 2011
Just a guess on my part, because I don't know the full system specs... but since it's far more continuous than is needed for ionospheric sounding, and is not pulsed in quite the same way most missile detection over-the-horizon radar signals are, I suspect it may be a CODAR oceanographic radar. Such a system is able to monitor ocean currents, wave heights and lengths, and even detect tsunamis.
John
Re: HiFer's Heard--30 June thru 1 July, 2011
Posted by Paul on July 01, 2011 at 13:36:32.
In reply to Re: HiFer's Heard--30 June thru 1 July, 2011 posted by John Davis on July 01, 2011
Hmmm... Interesting.
One of those CODAR installations is on the banks at the Bolinas transmitter site I help maintain. One of the antennas looks cut for 27 MHz. (112 inch long vertical and ground planes) the other looks like it could be for 22m band. I'll bring the tape measure next time.
Odd that they use omni antennas for that. But then again, it doesn't appear to be rocket science. The installation looks like it was done by Jr. High School CBers. RG-58 coax, old pipes stuck together, cables run along the ground to some box in a bush on the shore, etc. Really low-budget and hokey.
Thanks!
Re: HiFer's Heard--30 June thru 1 July, 2011
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on July 01, 2011 at 17:40:53.
In reply to Re: HiFer's Heard--30 June thru 1 July, 2011 posted by Paul on July 01, 2011
Hi. Interesting. Have been wondering like Paul what it was. From the 'www.codar.com' site, there must be small transmitters scattered around the world, monitoring sea states, currents, and even as JD indicated, Tsunami effects. The tone I noted with the wideband filter in AM must be the FMCW they mention in the discussions. The freqs. indicated for the longer-ranged versions are 5, 13, and 25 MHz, reaching out to 160 KM. I'm surprised it isn't more pervasive. Some real incidental radiation. EdWSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: HiFer's Heard--30 June thru 1 July, 2011
Posted by Paul on July 02, 2011 at 05:59:09.
In reply to Re: HiFer's Heard--30 June thru 1 July, 2011 posted by EdWSlidell,LA on July 01, 2011
Yep, lots of good info there. Seems the units are purchased, installed, and operated by private individuals or groups (mostly schools). No license to transmit 50 watts on the HF bands? That sounds weird. Here's specs from their site-
Radiated Signal Specifications
Operators must adhere to local radiated signal regulations and receive proper authorizations prior to operation. Contact company for more information.
Radiated Power: 40-50 watts
Transmit Frequency Range: 4.4 – 50 MHz
Modulation Format: Pulsed, Swept CW
Sweep Widths (Typical): 12-300 kHz
Sweep Repetition Frequency: 1-4 Hz
Polarization: Vertical
Transmitter Chassis: SSTX
Input RF Drive Level: 0 dBm
Output RF Power Level: 50 watts average
Input Requirements: 24 V DC
Transmit Cable
Single RG-8, 75m length
Transmitter electronics work at entire range of SeaSonde frequency bands.
Select Product Code based on the desired antenna operating range: Re: HiFer's Heard--30 June thru 1 July, 2011
4.3- 5.6 MHz: CODAR Product Code SSBT-100-0005,
12-14 MHz: CODAR Product Code SSBT-100-0012
24-27 MHz: CODAR Product Code SSBT-100-0025
40-44 MHz: CODAR Product Code SSBT-100-0042
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on July 02, 2011 at 12:25:24.
In reply to Re: HiFer's Heard--30 June thru 1 July, 2011 posted by Paul on July 02, 2011
Hi Paul. Yes, it's really a wide range system. I found one site where the base of the 5 MHz transmit antenna was shown(http://marine.rutgers.edu/cool/codar.html), and they appear to be using a Shakespeare 222 type vertical, mounted on a s/steel adapter flange. The ten radials used underneath it are only run on one side, rather than what I guess would be twenty over 360 degrees. That must give a lower angle of radiation toward the ocean. No close-up of the 13 MHz transmit antenna, so I'm not sure if the same is done for that band. EdWSlidell,LA
FINAL REMINDER SAQ BROADCAST JULY 3, 2011
Posted by Todd WD4NGG on July 02, 2011 at 16:53:55.
Hi All,
Here is a final reminder for the SAQ Broadcast on July 3, 2011
at 0900 and 1200 UTC on 17.2 KHz CW
There will be an online receiver in France set up by Lionel Loudet
if you would like to listen in to his live reception of SAQ.
Here is the address to the online receiver in France :
http://spectrumlab.loudet.org/
Here is the official reminder from SAQ :
73 - Todd WD4NGG
REMINDER!
We will remind you of the Grimeton Radio/SAQ transmissions on 17.2 kHz, CW, with the Alexanderson alternator on Sunday July 3, 2011 ,“Alexanderson Day”, at 09:00 UTC and 12:00 UTC.
We will start tuning up some 30 minutes before message.
The radio station is open to visitors.
QSL-reports are kindly received:
- E-mail to: info@alexander.n.se
- or fax to: +46-340-674195
- or via: SM bureau
- or direct by mail to: Alexander - Grimeton Veteranradios Vaenner,
Radiostationen
Grimeton 72
SE-432 98 GRIMETON, SWEDEN (NB: new address)
Also read our web site: www.alexander.n.se
Yours
Lars Kalland
SM6NM
sm6nm@telia.com
lars.kalland@telia.com HiFer's 2 and 3 June, 2011
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on July 02, 2011 at 19:20:24.
Heard several of the HiFer's today, with very readable signals. EH on 13557, SZX on 13563, GNK on 13564, and K6FRC on 13565 KHz. The last one, just starting to come in around 0200 UT. The sweepy signal is there also, but at least nothing like the nest of them around 13450 KHz. Hope they're not on 17.2 KHz tonight. EdWSlidell,LA
Re: Reminder about SAQ transmission 2011-07-03
Posted by Alan Gale on July 03, 2011 at 00:07:10.
In reply to Re: Reminder about SAQ transmission 2011-07-03 posted by Paul on June 22, 2011
Just heard them briefly testing the TX at 0700 utc.
SAQ 3rd July 2011 Broadcast
Posted by Alan Gale on July 03, 2011 at 01:46:14.
SAQ has just started tuning up for the 0900utc broadcast at 0843, with "vvv vvv vvv de SAQ SAQ SAQ" and long dashes.
Re: SAQ 3rd July 2011 Broadcast
Posted by Alan Gale on July 03, 2011 at 02:13:54.
In reply to SAQ 3rd July 2011 Broadcast posted by Alan Gale on July 03, 2011
0900 utc Broadcast ended at 0906 with notice of the next broadcast at 1200utc. Good luck to anyone who is looking out for it.
Re: SAQ 3rd July 2011 Broadcast
Posted by Rich KB8TVB on July 03, 2011 at 08:10:18.
In reply to Re: SAQ 3rd July 2011 Broadcast posted by Alan Gale on July 03, 2011
Nothing heard here just north of Detroit, MI U.S.A. Very high QRN from last nights storms that came thought southeast Michigan
Re: SAQ 3rd July 2011 Broadcast
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on July 03, 2011 at 19:37:42.
In reply to Re: SAQ 3rd July 2011 Broadcast posted by Rich KB8TVB on July 03, 2011
Also nothing heard in SE Louisiana. Didn't expect much as the LF/MF beacon ranges were terrible with atmospheric noise from the storms up north and south out in the Gulf. Weakest signal heard was the one around 21.5 KHz. EdWSlidell,LA EM50cg
SAQ failed setup
Posted by Lee on July 04, 2011 at 23:40:27.
Hi folks Re: SAQ failed setup
Tried for SAQ but got only lots of noise. You can see almost full scale noise on the Rycom on the -70db setting. I had a cap decade box across the my lowfer loading coil to sort of tune the 15 meter top hat vertical. The cap decade box value made a large difference. Disconnecting it from the coil and the noise dropped by more than 6db. You can see that I had a LW ENG preamp in line and was using a Rat Shack brick audio amp/audio DSP. I knew I was doomed but gave it a shot anyway. At least now all the parts are together in one box.
Picture is at the Longwave Community "Station photos" catagory.
Lee
Posted by Lee on July 07, 2011 at 20:31:44.
In reply to SAQ failed setup posted by Lee on July 04, 2011
Question. For my next SAQ attempt should I go with an e-probe type antenna 30 ft in the air, or get one of those giant prewound ferrite rods from stormwise. Consider I am located in a residencial area with power lines close by. Or just give up. Whadaya think. Re: SAQ failed setup
Lee
Posted by Paul on July 10, 2011 at 00:15:51.
In reply to Re: SAQ failed setup posted by Lee on July 07, 2011
Shielded loop! Only way to go on LF and VLF.
73,
Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12
Posted by Paul on July 10, 2011 at 00:19:18.
In reply to Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12 posted by Paul on June 30, 2011
Work began today preparing for Night of Nights on Tuesday.
Magic will literally fill the air, don't miss out! Stations WLO and KLB will be on, as well as a few ships. Hams are invited to call in on the K6KPH frequencies and make contact. SWLs are asked to send in reception reports and get one of the snappy QSL's on real RCA Radiogram letterhead forms.
Night of Nights is better than your birthday, anniversary, and retirement party combined!
VY 73
Re: SAQ failed setup
Posted by Krystallo on July 10, 2011 at 08:09:13.
In reply to SAQ failed setup posted by Lee on July 04, 2011
Been there.
My SAQ attempts ran at about a 90% failure rate. But I DID get a "small fractional" copy once and a "partial" another time .
I had fun but am sort of done trying for them.
By FAR this was my toughest weak signal Dx catch in 40+ years of dxing.
K
HiFer "L" beacon on the air
Posted by Kel Mac on July 10, 2011 at 14:52:32.
As of 5PM ET July 10. 2011. The beacon is solar powered with 6 AA NIMH batteries for reserve power.
Frequency is 13.5605 transmitting callsign in 8WPM CW.
Availability limited to available sun and reserve power.
See FB page for updates and info: http://www.facebook.com/pages/HiFer-L-Beacon-135605-mHz/237854672906355
"L" is a solar powered Part 15 radio beacon located in Lancaster NY
Description The transmitter is completely homebrew, using 4017 and other IC's to generate the International Morse Code keying and a Casio RF oscillator to generate the RF. The transmitter is keyed using a reed relay in the output stage as opposed to keying the Transmit+ line on the RF oscillator, to eliminate chirp. It was actually originally designed and built around 2001 and has sat in a box for the last 10 years.
The beacon utilizes a 1.8 watt solar panel and 6 AA NiMH batteries for power.
The beacon is located in Grid Square FN02. It is on the air as long as there is sun and the batteries last.
Re: SAQ failed setup
Thanks. I sort of new that but needed to hear it again. I have already thrown together plans for a 4ft square shielded loop. My first question is how critical is the shield gap. Does the gap need to be feeler gauge small or can it be 1/8 to 1/4 wide. Thanks. Re: HiFer "L" beacon on the air
Posted by Paul on July 11, 2011 at 07:22:00.
In reply to HiFer "L" beacon on the air posted by Kel Mac on July 10, 2011
Wow, good job, OM! I am QRV.
Re: SAQ failed setup
Posted by Paul on July 11, 2011 at 07:23:18.
In reply to Re: SAQ failed setup posted by Lee on July 10, 2011
Not critical at all. Just a break in the shield! I have seen commercial antennas with gaps as small as a few thousandths of an inch and as wide as 2 inches or so.
Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12
Posted by Paul on July 12, 2011 at 08:22:37.
In reply to Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12 posted by Paul on July 10, 2011
Things went very smoothly yesterday as we prepped the transmitter site for Night of Nights. All but one of the vintage 20 KW RCA transmitters woke up without complaints from their long slumber. The other eventually saw things our way and decided to comply.
FYI, if you do get a chance to work K6KPH on 7.050 MHz., the transmitter will be a 1950's vintage RCA (throttled back to 1.5 KW) complete with mercury vapor rectifiers and thyratrons.
Please give the station a call. Use commercial calling procedures. Make sure freq. is clear, then call "K6KPH" repeatedly (leaving space between to listen for reply). The commercial receivers are in a constant scan mode, so eventually, when they roll across your calling frequency, the op will stop the scan, enable the transmitter for the freq. and reply with "DE". You then send your call and any traffic.
The QSLs sent out from K6KPH will be just like the KPH ones, via mill on an RCA Radiogram form. They are worth framing and hanging on the wall, and always start a conversation!
VY 73 DE PS Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12
Posted by John, W1TAG on July 12, 2011 at 11:41:34.
In reply to Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12 posted by Paul on July 12, 2011
Paul,
I ran an RCA BTA-5H AM transmitter with thyratrons for years. 5563's, if memory serves. Not nice puppies if they didn't see regular use and weren't sufficiently pre-heated. We had a homebrew checker that would pulse-test them for voltage drop -- anything greater than 22V got tossed. It was a regular pain to keep the spare tubes heated and tested. But in regular use, they were fairly long-lived.
Good luck tonight!
John, W1TAG
Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12
Posted by Krystallo on July 13, 2011 at 13:29:41.
In reply to Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12 posted by John, W1TAG on July 12, 2011
Hey All,
I copied KPH,KFS,KSM and K6KHP sometimes fair, but mostly weaker or very weak.
I also grabbed WLO fair and KLB weak.Nothing heard from KKUI.
And (no surprise) nothing heard on LW here.Anybody (particularly inland) copy the LW ?
Rcvr Icom R-71a on a "compromise" 75 ft long wire. Had some lcl QRN .Overall propagation not so great.
Still a fun event though.
de N1NQC Boston
Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12
Posted by Paul on July 15, 2011 at 14:01:56.
In reply to Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12 posted by Krystallo on July 13, 2011
I copied the LW on my belt buckle, wedding ring, and fountain pen! Ha ha.
Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12
Posted by Lee on July 15, 2011 at 17:12:26.
In reply to Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12 posted by Paul on July 15, 2011
You are "Night of Nights" adjacent right. Just down the road a piece.
Lee
Re: HiFer "L" beacon on the air
Posted by Kel Mac on July 15, 2011 at 18:49:17.
In reply to Re: HiFer "L" beacon on the air posted by Paul on July 11, 2011
I did a little work to it tonight. Moved it a about 15 feet to the SE and exchanged the wire antenna for one made of 3/4" copper pipe. It's a little more permanent now.
Sample of audio here: http://www.eccentriccat.com/beacon_l_13.5605_lancaster_ny.mp3
Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12
Posted by Paul on July 15, 2011 at 19:46:00.
In reply to Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12 posted by Lee on July 15, 2011
I was one of 3 people operating the transmitter site.
Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12
Posted by Lee on July 15, 2011 at 22:39:28.
In reply to Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12 posted by Paul on July 15, 2011
Cool beans. The spouse and I drove past the RCA/Point Reyes site in the early 90's and I remember thinking....I wonder if that thing is still operational. Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12
Posted by Paul on July 17, 2011 at 10:07:10.
In reply to Re: Reminder- Night of Nights coming up July 12 posted by Lee on July 15, 2011
Wonder no more...
hifer NHVT copied
Posted by Sal, K1RGO on July 18, 2011 at 07:09:48.
On 7/17 at 21:30 UTC, I copied NHVT for the first time ....signal 539 wid QSB. The hifer band has been full of noise , crud and sweeping signals , no other hifers heard. Shielded Loop Ant Designs on line
later.....Sal, K1RGO
Posted by Lee on July 22, 2011 at 17:33:15.
I have been looking at shielded loop antenna designs on line. A couple designs use audio transformers to balance/isolate the loop from the coax or amp. These designs claim to be sorta wide band. Like for instance 10khz to 400khz. Checking the specs on the audio transformers being used and you discover they are only are rated 300hz to 3.5khz. Audio isolation transformers. I'm thinking that these el- cheapo audio transformers could not possibly work in a longwave shielded loop antenna. Any thoughts. I do have access to some fancy smanzy golden ear audio transformers that have 3db BW points of 120khz and 180khz that I could play with. Re: Shielded Loop Ant Designs on line
73zzzz
Lee
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on July 22, 2011 at 19:50:40.
In reply to Shielded Loop Ant Designs on line posted by Lee on July 22, 2011
Hi Lee. I suspect that the frequency ratings you mentioned were for operation at the rated power level for those transformers, and would be wider at the levels you have on the loop antenna(microvolt to millivolt range). It might work fine up through the VLF range. An alternative would be the radar interstage pulse transformers found in surplus. The smaller ones are rated for the 500Hz-4KHz pulse repetition rate, with the pulse width from 1 mSec down to 100uSec. This would allow you cover the VLF range up to 100Khz, with the tuning done using a cap. on the loop turns. Again, you would not want anything large that would make the loop difficult to handle. WA1OMI recommended avoiding untuned loops, including an untuned pickup loop, as it will catch local AM bcst stations. He used a ferrite toroid transformer to do the coupling from loop to coax/amplifier, and got down to 30KHz range with his loop. I had to put the tuning cap. in the loop opposite from the transformer, in order to get a symmetric pattern, with a good null. If you have more than one noise source, I don't know if that would do what you want. The alternative is to have a an available receiving place like Todd, which is noise free, or be in New England with its lower atmospheric noise, and shorter, saltwater reception path. Hope all that might be of some use to you Lee. If you are just in a very noisy location, you may just be doomed as far as SAG reception is concerned. EdWSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: Shielded Loop Ant Designs on line
Posted by Lee on July 22, 2011 at 20:26:12.
In reply to Re: Shielded Loop Ant Designs on line posted by EdWSlidell,LA on July 22, 2011
Thanks. Good info all that. And yes I probably am doomed. But I am always looking for the next project to build in my limited spare time. Re: Shielded Loop Ant Designs on line
Lee
Posted by John Davis on July 23, 2011 at 13:18:12.
In reply to Re: Shielded Loop Ant Designs on line posted by Lee on July 22, 2011
I can confirm what Ed wrote. It's surprising what sort of frequency response you can get from some of those little audio transformers at low levels. The operative word is "some," so you might want to stick with the part numbers recommended by someone who has tested and used them in their designs...unless you have a good signal generator and RF millivoltmeter or scope to test them yourself.
FSK signal on 18.3 kHz
Posted by Larry Lanberg on July 25, 2011 at 08:45:01.
Hi there, I'm located in Richmond, VA. I'm get a weak (but readable) continuous FSK signal on 18.3 kHz, or 18.4 kHz. When using a ferrite loopstick for directionality, I can determine that its roughly N-NE of Richmond VA. But the signal is nowhere near as strong as NAA 24 kHz.
Any idea what station this is? The only official ID I can find published is that of a French navy station.
Thank you.
Re: FSK signal on 18.3 kHz
Posted by John, W1TAG on July 25, 2011 at 09:47:58.
In reply to FSK signal on 18.3 kHz posted by Larry Lanberg on July 25, 2011
Larry,
Yes, it's HWU in France. Take a look at:
http://www.w1vd.com/vlf.html
John, W1TAG
Re: FSK signal on 18.3 kHz
Posted by Larry Lanberg on July 25, 2011 at 12:46:38.
In reply to Re: FSK signal on 18.3 kHz posted by John, W1TAG on July 25, 2011
Thank you John. Wow, I'm impressed. With this Mackay 3030A receiver.
SAQ Active 26 July 2011 1725Z
Posted by Jay on July 26, 2011 at 10:34:12.
SAQ was copied via the Delft SDR station at 1725Z today. Station ID'd on 17.2 kHz as SAQ and sent test carrier, VVV's and brief set of numbers.
Web Site says this may be part of Tuesday evening demos, but normally there are no transmissions.
Thanks a lot to the Delft Group for allowing us on the other side of the world to hear this piece of history.
73s!
HiFer's Heard, 27 and 28 July, 2011
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on July 28, 2011 at 06:27:14.
Several of the HiFer's were heard yesterday, with K6FRC on ~13565 KHz heard with good signals in the 0100-0330 UT period, and again last night(28 July, UT)during the same period. Signals in the 339 to 449 range. ET on ~13557 was heard on and off all day, and until about 0100 UT on the 28th. Signals nearing 559 when peaking. Also heard on and off was NHVT, ~13559KHz, with signals up to 449 at maximum, and finally AJO around 13558.6 KHz, also with 449 signals when peaking. Listened for the ' L ' beacon around 13560.5 KHz, but there is too much general carrier interference around that part. EdWSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: HiFer's Heard, 27 and 28 July, 2011
Posted by John Davis on July 29, 2011 at 18:55:46.
In reply to HiFer's Heard, 27 and 28 July, 2011 posted by EdWSlidell,LA on July 28, 2011
Good work, Ed. I've been concerned, myself, about L's location in that crowded slot full of carriers.
Is 13559.0 significantly quieter at your location? Due to circumstances that may have me amplitude modulating mine in addition to beaconing, I've been wanting to locate just below the center of the band, several Hertz away from NHVT. (It will ID with frequency shift keyed Morse at both normal and QRSS speeds--if it ever cools off enough for me to spend time in the garage working on it!)
John Re: HiFer's Heard, 27 and 28 July, 2011
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on July 29, 2011 at 21:24:31.
In reply to Re: HiFer's Heard, 27 and 28 July, 2011 posted by John Davis on July 29, 2011
Hi John. No, the 13559 KHz region is really NOT too quiet. It is only the strength of the NHVT beacon at times that allows it to be copied through the carrier(s) around 13560 KHz. It is similar for the AJO beacon--sometimes it is strong enough to get through the interference, and can be copied well. The area below 13556 KHz is generally free of signals, except for a carrier or two(qrss?) with qsb making ID difficult, and the 69BY stations booming in at times. EdWSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: HiFer's Heard, 27 and 28 July, 2011
Posted by John Davis on July 29, 2011 at 21:36:35.
In reply to Re: HiFer's Heard, 27 and 28 July, 2011 posted by EdWSlidell,LA on July 29, 2011
Thanks for the insight. Here, the worst of the interference is between 13560 and 13561, with only a little below and a fair amount for another kilohertz above. I need to allow for a minimum of 5 kHz baseband, and preferably 6 kHz, so that's why I'm looking at 13559± as a carrier frequency possibility.
Beaconing will be secondary for a while. On the other hand, FSK could be a little easier to follow through noise than on-off keying, so that might help a little.
All this assumes I ever actually get it built. Got all the RF parts ready to put together, but not yet the keyer. If the weather stays too hot right up to LF DX season, I may have to switch my attention abruptly and come back to the HiFER later.
John
Re: HiFer's Heard, 27 and 28 July, 2011
Posted by Ward K7PO on July 30, 2011 at 15:33:34.
In reply to Re: HiFer's Heard, 27 and 28 July, 2011 posted by John Davis on July 29, 2011
FWIW,
I'm mobile in OKC right now, and below 13559 is pretty quiet here. 13560 - 13561 is impossible due to noise. 13559 would work for me out west in AZ as well, it's fairly quiet most of the time at the home qth. I'm hearing AJO right now, in and out, up to 529. No other hifers at this time. Heard 69 BY yesterday, much weaker than usual, 339, around 13555.
Ward K7PO Hifer SIW
/m Oklahoma City
Posted by Garry Hess on July 31, 2011 at 09:08:26.
I activated a hifer beacon on 13.55544 MHz today using a dipole antenna roughly broadside to E-W. It sends a 10 wpm CW ID followed by "SIW" at QRSS3 rate, then repeats. I've tried to place it between NC and RY. Since the frequency reference is an OCXO it should stay put. But if the frequency is a problem it's easy to QSY via the N3ZI DDS.
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
SPECIAL SAQ TRANSMISSION AUG 5, 2011
Posted by Todd WD4NGG on August 01, 2011 at 09:34:23.
Hi All. I just received an announcement from Lars Kalland over at SAQ :
EXTRA
GRIMETON RADIO/SAQ TRANSMISSION
There will be a special transmission with the Alexanderson alternator on 17.2 kHz on Friday, August 5th, 2011 at 09:00 UTC.
Start up and tuning from about 08:30 UTC.
This time we do not require any QSL-reports and will not verify.
Regards.
SM6NM/Lars Re: Hifer SIW
Posted by Mark on August 02, 2011 at 11:32:30.
In reply to Hifer SIW posted by Garry Hess on July 31, 2011
Hi Garry! Tuned in here today at 1830 utc and copying your QRSS signal at the moment.
73, Mark, Ku7z ONLINE RECEIVER WILL BE RUNNING FOR SAQ TRANSMISSION
DN41af
Ogden, Northern UT (NUT)
Posted by Todd WD4NGG on August 04, 2011 at 16:35:30.
Hi All,
Lionel Loudet tells me he will have his online receiver located in France tuned to the SAQ extra transmission on Friday morning, August 5. As mentioned before the transmission is scheduled for 0900 UTC but startup and tuneups may begin as early as 0830 UTC. Here is the address for Lionel's online receiver :
http://spectrumlab.loudet.org/
Be sure to click the speaker button to "on" to activate the audio.
Re: SPECIAL SAQ TRANSMISSION AUG 5, 2011
Posted by Costas SV1XV on August 05, 2011 at 03:57:53.
In reply to SPECIAL SAQ TRANSMISSION AUG 5, 2011 posted by Todd WD4NGG on August 01, 2011
Excellent signal from SAQ today, 0840-0909 UTC. I used
the same setup as last July, a modified BBB-4 and SM6LKM
soundcard VLF receiver. During the long dash sent before
the message, SAQ was as strong as any other station between
12 and 24 kHz, as seen in the capture below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/g7ahn/6010758175/in/photostream
73 DE SV1XV
Athens, Greece (KM18UA)
Re: SPECIAL SAQ TRANSMISSION AUG 5, 2011
-- PGP key: 0x07F2AAD0 (available on keyservers)
Posted by Paul on August 06, 2011 at 08:58:48.
In reply to Re: SPECIAL SAQ TRANSMISSION AUG 5, 2011 posted by Costas SV1XV on August 05, 2011
Nice work, OM!
Sadly, I was unable to be close to a receiver during their broadcast. Still looking forward to seeing the station in person soon. Working around the wife's school schedule.
Which Receiver?
Posted by Bill Marvin KB9IV on August 08, 2011 at 16:27:53.
Hi Group In about 2 months I'll be moving to NW Mich from (Noisey) So. MN. I'm preparing to start over with receiver and proper antenna. Which makes the most sense for a receiver. A SDR-IQ or a R75. I enjoy 10Khz-500KHz. For the bang for the buck and performance??
Bill (So. MN)
HiFer K6FRC
Posted by Jeff K8NDB on August 08, 2011 at 21:26:21.
08-08-11, 0415Z. Nice copy tonight of K6FRC on 13.565 MHz, RST 519. No other HiFers copied at this QTH. 73, Jeff K8NDB
Re: Which Receiver?
Posted by Paul on August 10, 2011 at 09:12:23.
In reply to Which Receiver? posted by Bill Marvin KB9IV on August 08, 2011
A lot of people are opting for the SDR's these days. I admit to becoming an SDR owner a few months ago, and absolutely love it. I expected a ton of noise from processors, etc. But, it is much quieter than expected.
That is not to say that it is totally quiet... I can hear things on the R-390A with VLF converter that the SDR cannot even tell is there. If you truly have a low-noise site, you might be better off with an older rx. If your site has some inherent noise, you would be better served by the SDR.
Re: HiFer K6FRC
Posted by Paul on August 10, 2011 at 09:12:57.
In reply to HiFer K6FRC posted by Jeff K8NDB on August 08, 2011
Thanks, Jeff!!!
VY 73,
AM BCB noise
Posted by Paul on August 10, 2011 at 09:23:47.
So much noise on the AM BCB yesterday afternoon, on the way home from an FM hilltop site, I had to call the remote control for my AM sites to make sure they were actually on the air at full power. Seriously, places where I normally hear them just fine, couldn't even tell if we were on the air.
The only audible AM stations were the 50KW blowtorches, and even they had audible background noise. Tried other receivers, same thing. Noise sounds like a switching power supply type interference. That's unusual when listening while mobile.
It's no fun explaining to your GM why listeners are having trouble hearing us. Some impressive solar flare this one turned out to be.
Re: AM BCB noise
Posted by Jim VM on August 10, 2011 at 10:01:44.
In reply to AM BCB noise posted by Paul on August 10, 2011
Heard you this morning on KSFO talking about cell phone
chargers inside prisons and how to locate them using a BCB
portable receiver. I use a Terk AM loop to receive bay area
stations from my QTH near Marysville.
Thanks for your HF beacons, I can copy your 10 and 6 meter
beacons on ground wave. Always there when the bands seems
dead.
73 jim wb6qzl
Re: AM BCB noise
Posted by Paul on August 10, 2011 at 10:20:38.
In reply to Re: AM BCB noise posted by Jim VM on August 10, 2011
Thanks Jim,
Yes, occasionally nice to have engineering expertise utilized for the programming side of station ops. Glad to help the programming dept. when I can. However, I prefer to stay on the other side of the microphones as much as possible.
Notice I accidentally called O.V. by his real name. Ummm, oops!
73,
Paul "6R" 182.868 kHz is on-the-air, El Dorado Hills, Ca
Posted by Ed Larsen on August 14, 2011 at 17:56:36.
Beacon "6R" is on-the-air from El Dorado Hills, Ca. The beacon is on 182.868 kHz transmitting slow cw "6R + 4-second dash." The antenna is a 38 foot vertical with a large 12 foot diameter top hat and 55 radials 34 to 43 feet in length. Operation will be 24/7 unless I am receiving VLF. I will be making improvements to the radial system in the near future. Ed, KI6R.
Re: "6R" 182.868 kHz is on-the-air, El Dorado Hills, Ca
Posted by Paul on August 15, 2011 at 19:48:10.
In reply to "6R" 182.868 kHz is on-the-air, El Dorado Hills, Ca posted by Ed Larsen on August 14, 2011
Loud and clear in CM97.
Beacon JAM 187.000 khz up Labor Day weekend
Posted by Lee on August 15, 2011 at 23:14:08.
Beacon JAM 187.000 khz will be back on the air Labor Day weekend. You might catch me tuning up and cleaning up over the next 2 weekends. I will post the planned weekend schedule and new keyer sequence just before Labor Day. And the freq is actually 187.000 khz. I will post a picture af the AM88 xmitter hooked up to my new freq counter. I took the picture after letting it run for about 3hrs. I was surprised also.
Lee
Re: Beacon JAM 187.000 khz up Labor Day weekend
Posted by Paul on August 16, 2011 at 07:06:06.
In reply to Beacon JAM 187.000 khz up Labor Day weekend posted by Lee on August 15, 2011
How come JAM is up, down, up, down, etc.??
Is it possible to just keep JAM on the air?
Re: Beacon JAM 187.000 khz up Labor Day weekend
Posted by Lee on August 16, 2011 at 17:51:15.
In reply to Re: Beacon JAM 187.000 khz up Labor Day weekend posted by Paul on August 16, 2011
It is really a matter of supervision and not loosing my equipment. My urban resedential area is crawling with less than adequately documented creeps and thiefs. I have had people try to steal tools and equipment from my front yard while I was working in my front yard. And because I am playing by the rules all my equipment is on the ground next to the mast. Just a 20 yard sprint to the street. A Friday thru Monday schedule is the best I can do when working. I have left it up for extended periods for holidays and vacation times. When I move to a remote/rural area I will leave it up 24/7. Re: Beacon JAM 187.000 khz up Labor Day weekend
Lee
Posted by Paul on August 16, 2011 at 22:30:01.
In reply to Re: Beacon JAM 187.000 khz up Labor Day weekend posted by Lee on August 16, 2011
Understand. Thanks, OM! lowFER Beacon " XR " on now in the Watering hole
Posted by Andy - KU4XR on August 18, 2011 at 09:13:08.
Hi All: I have put the QRSS Beacon back on the air in the watering hole. It is running QRSS-60, and should be very close to 185.298.48 KHz +/- a tiny bit. I plan to just let it run 24/7 for a while....Unless it goes " poof " or something similar...73: Andy - KU4XR - Friendsville, TN.
Re: Beacon JAM 187.000 khz up Labor Day weekend
Posted by John Davis on August 18, 2011 at 09:51:35.
In reply to Re: Beacon JAM 187.000 khz up Labor Day weekend posted by Lee on August 16, 2011
"I have had people try to steal tools and equipment from my front yard while I was working in my front yard."
Good grief! Out on the farm, at least, they have the decency to wait until you go into town to get supplies.
I can relate to what you're saying, Lee. Making my installation inconspicuous is the last big hurdle I face before getting on the air this fall. The mast is pretty obvious, of course, but it's not anything of value by itself, so it has been safe enough. Everybody's grown accustomed to seeing me out there in the car whenever I'm using it to receive, and packing everything up when I go. But the moment I leave something out there unattended, it'll be a different story...and I don't want to have to be out there myself all the time the beacon is on the air.
Most of the transmitter can be disguised and/or made nearly invisible from a distance. But I've concluded there is no way to make a decent loading coil at or near ground level appear to be anything other than a tempting pile of copper wound around an easily destroyed form! Enclosing it in a dog house or rabbit hutch would merely shift the focus to would-be dog or rabbit thieves. (Not that our local criminal element really specialize too heavily. They're a pretty versatile bunch.)
So, I'm thinking this mast may have to come down and be replaced by something where I can get the coil up in the air...which has advantages electrically speaking, as well.
John WI and TH return to the air!
Posted by John Hoopes on August 19, 2011 at 02:57:22.
Greetings!
I just received an email from long time LOWFER Walt Glazar "WI". It seems he has WI back up and running on 188.7 KHz. He also stated that Carl, owner of the infamous TH beacon in Colts Neck, NJ, is now located in SC and is transmitting as well. Walt didn't mention what frequency TH is on but I would imagine it's the same as when he operated from NJ, which is 189.36 KHz. I am also to assume they are both transmitting slow CW, which, if you're old school is what I would do.
QSL info should be forthcoming.
73
John
73 27.2 kHz
John
Posted by Larry Lanberg on August 19, 2011 at 06:49:44.
Last night noted 2 different, back to back signals on 27.2 kHz, both of short duration. The first was clearly MSK, the second, which followed that (in response to?) God knows what mode that was...it was like a scratchy gargling sound. These were between 0055 and 0120 UTC. I did find reference of 27.2 being a TACAMO channel.
Please note that I don't use any PC-based stuff, just a radio receiver with good filters and my headphones.
Also I had a steady, albeit weak copy of MSK on 45.9 kHz. Reference says this is a station in Italy. If that's so, then it will be my farthest catch to date. I am located in Richmond Virginia.
Re: WI and TH return to the air!
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on August 19, 2011 at 07:24:19.
In reply to WI and TH return to the air! posted by John Hoopes on August 19, 2011
John,
Great news! I will start looking for TH in the 189.25 to 189.50 range, over which his crystal used to move with temperature. But there will be no daytime signal up here like there was from NJ.
Now all we need is JDH -- still have the QSL on the wall...
John, W1TAG
Re: WI and TH return to the air!
Posted by John Hoopes on August 20, 2011 at 06:00:08.
In reply to Re: WI and TH return to the air! posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on August 19, 2011
Hi John!
It would nice to get JDH on the air but, I have moved and now live in a sub-division. Yeah, never thought that would happen.
BTW, the QSL I sent you, what did it look like? It's been so long I don't recall any more. lol
Best Regards, Re: WI and TH return to the air!
John
Posted by John, W1TAG on August 21, 2011 at 06:14:17.
In reply to Re: WI and TH return to the air! posted by John Hoopes on August 20, 2011
John,
The QSL was for a Jan. 3, 2001 reception on 184.514. 935 miles!
See: http://www.w1tag.com/files/JDH-Front.jpg
John, W1TAG
Re: WI and TH return to the air!
Posted by John Hoopes on August 21, 2011 at 06:26:07.
In reply to Re: WI and TH return to the air! posted by John, W1TAG on August 21, 2011
I remember that card! I think I still have a few lying around somewhere.
Thanks for posting the link! Brought back some fond memories.
John
WD2XFJ beacon , Burbank, Ca heard near Sacramento
Posted by Ed Larsen on August 21, 2011 at 15:09:41.
Copied WD2XFJ, Dave Curry's beacon from Burbank, California today around noon. Q3/S3 and fading up and down. Ed, KI6R, El Dorado Hills, Ca
HiFers Heard -- Weekend 19-21 August, 2011
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on August 21, 2011 at 16:09:38.
Conditions seem to be improving. Have heard EH on ~13557 KHz, and even MTI on ~13557.5 KHz with its slow ID. AJO on ~13558, NHVT on ~13559 , GNK on ~13564, and K6FRC on ~13565 KHz were also heard. All but MTI were peaking in the 449 range, while MTI was 339 at best when audible. This one is almost never heard here in EM50cg. EdWSlidell,LA
Power Line Communications
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on August 23, 2011 at 13:30:31.
An interesting article in EETimes:
http://www.eetimes.com/design/industrial-control/4218852/What-is-Power-Line-Communication-?Ecosystem=analog-design
Just thinking about a 137 kHz Amateur band...we didn't get it in 2003 because of old PLC systems. Want to bet that the electric transmission people would now argue that we shouldn't get it due to new PLC systems?
John, W1TAG
VLF reception and earthquakes
Posted by Larry Lanberg on August 23, 2011 at 15:04:23.
As you know there was an earthquake near here today (here = Richmond VA). I regularly monitor the signal strength of VLF stations: 24 NAA in Maine, 25.2 in North Dakota and 40.8 in Puerto Rico. I monitor these nightly by S-meter, ear and pencil & paper.
The night before last 24 NAA barely came in at all – really odd because its consistently my strongest station, pushing the S-meter to its limit. As I wrote in my log “Hardly anything at all.” The other 2 stations (Puerto Rico and ND, USA) came in good as normal.
Is it possible a connection between that odd/freak occurrence (a strong dip in NAA reception here) an this 5.9 earthquake we had here today? Did anyone else in this area notice any oddities the last 24-48 hours or so?
Ps. Yes it shook hard enough to scare people here. If only I had a camera…the looks on everyone’s face as this was going on.
Re: VLF reception and earthquakes
Posted by Paul on August 23, 2011 at 21:27:30.
In reply to VLF reception and earthquakes posted by Larry Lanberg on August 23, 2011
Sympathies with you and your neighbors, Larry.
However, I have to admit some amusement by all the people fraked out by a little 5.8. Over here in California, a 5.8 is just an appetizer. Nobody even looks up from their morning paper over a little one like that.
73,
HiFER FRC
Posted by John Davis on August 25, 2011 at 23:25:40.
At 11:30 PM CDT tonight, there were times when I was getting the clearest copy of K6FRC I've yet heard.
This was the first time in over two months that I've actually heard Paul's signal, and about two months since I've seen it. Even twice earlier (in the afternoon and evening) I wasn't able to detect anthing there. Even though the band had died to the East about 90 minutes earlier, I tuned to the frequency again, just for the heck of it.
Argo started showing traces of carrier with sideband products typical of Morse keying, and after a few ID cycles it started looking pretty solid on screen. So, I unplugged the cord that runs from the speaker output to the computer (during the current experiment, anyway), and voila! Solid aural copy as well for a few cycles.
When fading occured, there was no hearing or seeing the signal whatsoever, but after a few minutes it would return for three or four audible IDs and several visual ones before fading again. Not bad for the middle of the night.
John
Re: HiFER FRC
Posted by Paul on August 26, 2011 at 07:10:18.
In reply to HiFER FRC posted by John Davis on August 25, 2011
Awesome! Thanks for the report, John!
Will gladly QSL if you like.
VY 73,
Re: VLF reception and earthquakes
Posted by Larry Lanberg on August 26, 2011 at 13:53:35.
In reply to Re: VLF reception and earthquakes posted by Paul on August 23, 2011
Oh sure, that's what you say :)...but in reality there are folks here from both California and Japan who said the shaking scared them.
But in regard to my original post, I did find some reading about using VLF radio reception to 'predict', so to speak, earthquakes. Apparently the Russians pioneered that research. Maybe that doesn't interest anyone else but me, I don't know.
Re: VLF reception and earthquakes
Posted by F. H. Raab on August 27, 2011 at 12:24:10.
In reply to Re: VLF reception and earthquakes posted by Larry Lanberg on August 26, 2011
IEEE Spectrum Dec. 2005 has a nice article about using ULF noise to warn of earthquakes.
PBO on air:: testing on 187.2559 QRSS60
Posted by Rick KA2PBO on August 29, 2011 at 18:07:32.
Hi ALL,
I am burning the spiders off of my loop! I wasnt going to fire up till fall but its 50 degrees here in the Poconos. Sure feels like fall! I am NOT on my usual frequency .I am currently on 187.2559 . I will tweak it maybe tomorrow back onto 187.2 . I am also running at lower voltage but higher current than usual but the input power is still just under 1 watt. I also have lots of tree trimmming to do but Ill wait to the leaves fall off .Just glad the loop made it through Irene. PBO Off air... for a few hours
73
Rick KA2PBO "PBO"
Posted by Rick KA2PBO on August 30, 2011 at 13:56:54.
Ok loop looks good. Just have to get it tuned in on 187.2 . For some reason my step down transformer is screamimg--sounds like a flyback. Guess its saturating.
Hope to fire back up tonight or tomorrow
VLF/LF receivers
73
Rick KA2PBO
Posted by Kenneth G. Gordon on August 31, 2011 at 16:48:55.
Some time ago, I came into the possession of a number of Stoddart VLF, LF, HF, VHF, and UHF "RI-FI" "meters".
These are actually unusually well-designed, and well-built receivers with added circuitry to enable accurate measurement of RF field strength. These are tube-based receivers. They have external power supplies and various accessories, including a large 36" diameter loop and a large wooden tripod. I also have documentation on all of the different models.
The various models I have cover frequency ranges from 14 Khz through 1000 MHz.
Might there be any interest in such receivers out there? They are beautifully made.
Ken Gordon W7EKB
potrzebie
