Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational
Either way I should catch your signal if it is there. I don't start monitoring until 6 or 7 pm PDT, so your enormous beacon output stages should be nicely warmed up by that point, hi hi.
/Ed
Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time
Posted by Jerry Parker on August 02, 2019 at 14:18:11.
Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational
Or listen online at kfs:
http://69.27.184.62:8901/?tune=3927lsb
or
KPH Point Reyes:
http://198.40.45.23:8073/
or
Utah Web sdr:
http://websdr1.utahsdr.org:8901/
If you cannot get into the net on 80 meters you can listen and participate by
sending net control your thoughts at wa6owr@gmail.com
73,
Jerry WA6OWR
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 02, 2019 at 20:00:26.
In reply to Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational posted by Ed Holland on August 01, 2019
My U3S is now on 558 780 running QRSS3 sending EDJ. I keep it on until storms hit. Was on all last night and today (so far).
Maybe you can catch it.
Bob Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational
EDJ
Posted by Mike N8OOU on August 02, 2019 at 23:11:53.
In reply to Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 02, 2019
Bob,
I have powered down the WM Hifer and set up to listed for your signal this evening. I have my fingers crossed for good propagation.
Mike 73
Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational
Posted by Ed Holland on August 04, 2019 at 11:05:42.
In reply to Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 02, 2019
Good luck Bob,
Hopefully someone will catch it.. alas I am out of earshot for a couple of weeks on travel.
Cheers
Ed
Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational
Posted by Mike N8OOU on August 04, 2019 at 15:32:04.
In reply to Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational posted by Mike N8OOU on August 02, 2019
Bob,
I have put a few Argo captures of your signal online. You can find them in the "QRSS Argo capture" folder at ===> photos.meekfarm.us
To summarize, photos aug20050.jpg thru aug20053 were from 08/03/19 02:53 thru 03:11 UTC.
Photos aug00358 thru aug200362 were from 08/04/19 02:47 thru 03:06 UTC. The best capture was aug200360 with two full ID's. In the last 48 hours or so those are the only times that I have seen your signal.
I will end this receiving event and put the WM Hifer back on the air.
Mike 73
Re: Lowfer net 3927Khz Saturday morning
Posted by John Davis on August 04, 2019 at 16:02:56.
In reply to Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time posted by Jerry Parker on August 02, 2019
No notes from Clint, so here's a recording of this week's net. Also a couple from last week, because it was a rather long net with lots of technical details.
As always, it's best to right-click and download to your computer before playing. These files will not reside on the server permanently.
Sept. 27 Net (large file. ≈13 MB)
Sept. 27 After-net QSO (discussion of ProgRock kit)
Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational
Posted by John Davis on August 04, 2019 at 16:18:35.
In reply to Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational posted by Mike N8OOU on August 04, 2019
Good captures, Mike. My own efforts to snag the EDJ PSK31 transmissions ended by mid-week when the flooding storms arrived. It should be dry enough to get to the farm today, so I hope to resume monitoring, and will now look for the FSK3 transmissions.
John
Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 05, 2019 at 17:43:43.
In reply to Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational posted by John Davis on August 04, 2019
Thanks John and Mike!
I'll run the FSKCW mode on the U3S for a few more days on 558 780 so John can spot it.
When both are seeing it I'll switch to PSK31. I'm not too concerned about a decode.
If you can hear it or see it on the waterfall, it will decode.
It is off right now since I'm at work. I'll get it going when I get home about 5 PM EDT and leave it on as storms permit.
TNX...Bob EDJ
Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational
Posted by John Davis on August 06, 2019 at 03:35:13.
In reply to Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 05, 2019
I'll get it going when I get home about 5 PM EDT and leave it on as storms permit.
Have an extended monitoring session underway now. Please advise if you shut it down during work hours Tuesday. Tnx.
John
WM Lowfer on-air
Posted by Mike N8OOU on August 06, 2019 at 12:24:37.
ALL;
I have reinstalled the WM Lowfer beacon. No changes have been made to the antenna system. Changes have been made to the transmitter to improve it's output. It looked good on the bench into the dummy load, but I'm not sure with it now connected to the real antenna. Reports will be appreciated to assess the changes.
Mike 73
Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 06, 2019 at 16:02:34.
In reply to Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational posted by John Davis on August 06, 2019
It went back on the air at 1730 EDT Monday night. Very few storms today so it is on right now, FSKCW. If you confirm reception, I'll switch to PSK31, same freq. It would be tonight about same time though since I am at work. Bummer....
TNX Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational
Bob
EDJ
Posted by John Davis on August 06, 2019 at 18:08:48.
In reply to Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 06, 2019
I had the startup time as 4:21:25 PM CDT, but who's counting? ;)
Am hoping to do 24 hours of continuous monitoring to establish a baseline for reference.
Last night the signal remained around, off and on, until after 11 PM; then it faded back in around half an hour after sunrise this morning. (The new, faster codar-like signal was really annoying just before daybreak.) By 11 AM, EDJ had about the strongest appearance of the last three days. More detailed analysis later.
John
---------------------------------------------------------------
File Attachment 1: 5augb0048.jpg
Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational
Ok, thanks John! Looks good. I'm going to switch to PSK31 tonight about 6:00 PM EDT.
It should be very close to the same freq. Power is less so lets see.....
TNX Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational
Bob
Posted by John Davis on August 06, 2019 at 20:34:46.
In reply to Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 06, 2019
It'll be interesting to look, though I don't have high hopes. I know I won't see anything on the Argo display (the BPSK phase transitions will cancel out the carrier entirely in QRSS3 bandwidth), and it'll be a challenge at best to see anything here on the MultiPSK waterfall. AFAIK, I've not yet been able to see the QRSS3 FSK on it, and given that PSK31 looks at a BW about 180 times greater, I suppose it shouldn't be surprising.
I have downloaded Digipan now, which should work significantly better than MultiPSK for semi-unattended monitoring (Multi doesn't mute in the absence of signal phase transitions, for instance, but generates lots of false decodes)...yet it may or may not ever get set up correctly on my notebook machine!
Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 06, 2019 at 22:09:05.
In reply to Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational posted by John Davis on August 06, 2019
Warbling started at about 1805 EDT.
Bob Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational
Posted by Mike N8OOU on August 07, 2019 at 03:21:46.
In reply to Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 06, 2019
Bob;
08/07/19 : 03:20 UTC
I tried listening and watching the waterfall on most of the KiwiSDR online receivers in the SouthEast portion of the US. Nothing seen or heard on your frequency.
Mike 73
Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time
Posted by Jerry Parker on August 09, 2019 at 13:34:13.
Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time Re: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday
Or listen online at kfs:
http://69.27.184.62:8901/?tune=3927lsb
or
KPH Point Reyes:
http://198.40.45.23:8073/
or
Utah Web sdr:
http://websdr1.utahsdr.org:8901/
If you cannot get into the net on 80 meters you can listen and participate by
sending net control your thoughts at wa6owr@gmail.com
73,
Jerry WA6OWR
Posted by John Davis on August 10, 2019 at 17:44:14.
In reply to Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time posted by Jerry Parker on August 09, 2019
Four of us today: WA6OWR, WD4PLI, KI6R, and AEØCQ (via Web). Here is today's recording; as always for large files, you'll likely get best results if you right-click to download before playing.
websdr_2019-08-10_3927kHz.mp3
Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational
Posted by John Davis on August 10, 2019 at 18:15:54.
In reply to Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational posted by John Davis on August 06, 2019
About to return to the field; first try since Tuesday when a thunderstorm chased me from there at 7 PM. Since then, it's been more a matter of flooding than anything else.
On Tuesday, copy of EDJ FSK ended just before 5:01 PM CDT. I couldn't really tell whether it switched off or faded away for the last time at that point. I'd had pretty good copy most of the afternoon, but signals started fading significantly 10-15 minutes before 5 o'clock. Less than three minutes after EDJ FSK ended, even the codar-like 10 Hz spectral lines finished fading away too.
I did a band scan just before 7:00, barely hearing mid-band noise, and neither seeing nor hearing any HiFERs except for a faint ghost of EH.
It's late enough today (solar noon) that I know I'm past prime time for EDJ, based on last weekend's reception, but I'll try anyway for a while, and will attempt to get an earlier start on Sunday.
[EDIT:] P.S. - Not only was it 118 °F in the barn (!), but the band had already ceased to be very cooperative this afternoon when I got there. Only EH and NC were visible at the watering hole, with the occasional partly-audible MTI, and the visible but not audible WV. Will try again in the morning, weather permitting.
John
Re: WM Lowfer on-air
Posted by John Davis on August 10, 2019 at 18:20:36.
In reply to WM Lowfer on-air posted by Mike N8OOU on August 06, 2019
As I mentioned in the EDJ thread over on the HiFER side just now, I'm headed to the field to see if it's practical to monitor from there, now that the rains have given us a break today.
It's already far enough into the afternoon that QRN may be picking up, but if so, I'll try again earlier tomorrow.
[EDIT:] P.S. - QRN was already high on LF; not as high as at night, but neither was signal strength. I did capture what looks like it could possibly be a broken "WM" sent at QRSS60 rate, but unfortunately, I'm out of the habit of monitoring 185.3 kHz and did not think to run Argo at both 30 and 60 second Slow speeds...only 30, so the result is too ambiguous. Will try again tomorrow.
John
Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 11, 2019 at 14:13:27.
In reply to Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational posted by John Davis on August 10, 2019
I'm still sending PSK31 on 558 780. If no results today, I'll go back to FSKCW and move back down to the watering hole area. Details will follow when I QSY.
I should be able to stay on air through today. Some storms yesterday but none close.
Bob Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational
EDJ
Posted by John Davis on August 11, 2019 at 16:34:55.
In reply to Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 11, 2019
Bob, I would encourage you to try for another week if possible.
Band conditions in general have not been too good the past few days, and listening opportunities have been even scarcer, a situation that is likely to persist for a while longer. Even today, when I had planned to already be in the field before now, we had a rain storm come through that was not predicted last night, so it'll be a little while yet..and tomorrow I've got a doctor's appointment that could require me to stay in cool air for a few days.
John
Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 12, 2019 at 12:22:36.
In reply to Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational posted by John Davis on August 11, 2019
Ok, will do John. No rush here. I did not QSY and it's still on. As long as WX holds, I'll leave it.......
Take care.
Bob Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational
EDJ
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 14, 2019 at 13:49:41.
In reply to Re: EDJ PSK31 Beacon Operational posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 12, 2019
PSK31 beacon is QRT for now. Storming last night required shut down.
Bob Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time
EDJ
Posted by Jerry Parker on August 16, 2019 at 21:54:32.
Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time Re: Lowfer net 3927Khz Saturday morning
Or listen online at kfs:
http://69.27.184.62:8901/?tune=3927lsb
or
KPH Point Reyes:
http://198.40.45.23:8073/
or
Utah Web sdr:
http://websdr1.utahsdr.org:8901/
If you cannot get into the net on 80 meters you can listen and participate by
sending net control your thoughts at wa6owr@gmail.com
73,
Jerry WA6OWR
Posted by John Davis on August 17, 2019 at 21:43:56.
In reply to Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time posted by Jerry Parker on August 16, 2019
Today's recording has a gap at about 16:35. The audio is blank for only 3 seconds, but the actual loss of information is about 3 minutes, during which time my Internet access was out during a storm. Apologies to Ed KI6R for loss of some of his transmission. I had to quickly download the first recording and start another when the connection returned. This recording is a merger of those two.
There is another gap of a few seconds duration later in the recording when the WebSDR muted for unknown reasons. As always for such a long MP3, you'll get best results if you right-click and save to your local drive before playing.
websdr_2019-08-17_3927.mp3
PVC operation and monitoring
Posted by Ed Holland on August 19, 2019 at 04:28:10.
Hi folks,
We returned to station PVC this evening after two weeks away. The beacon has been QRT for an undisclosed period, thanks to a power outage. Operation is now restored.
I will also recommence listening & monitoring 22m, so hope to be reporting again very soon.
Cheers
Ed
19 August Evening HiFERs
Posted by Ed Holland on August 20, 2019 at 17:41:41.
Just a quick report, as there was only a lone HiFER reaching California yesterday evening. Listening commenced at ~18:15 PDT and the feint trace of EH was just visible. Over the course of the next half hour, the path opened up significantly, and at times the signal was quite audible with a standard SSB speech filter. Fade-ups lasted several seconds. No other signals were received, although there were some hints of another trace in the noise. I looked for Bob's signal above 13,558 kHz to no avail.
Cheers
Ed
Re: 19 August Evening HiFERs
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 21, 2019 at 12:30:00.
In reply to 19 August Evening HiFERs posted by Ed Holland on August 20, 2019
Thanks Ed,
I took the PSK31 EDJ off air days ago due to WX. Have not returned. I really don't think I had enough power out to be heard. I also have a long coax to the antenna.
I'll get the FSKCW EDJ back on soon. We're back into a stormy spell down where in GA.
I'll QSY to 555 425 area when I do though.
If I can find a way to boost the TX power of the PSK31, I'll try it again. Just need some help with the design of a low ( mW range ) power amp. Not sure how to impedance match it.
Updates when I get FSKCW back on......
Bob Re: 19 August Evening HiFERs
EDJ
Posted by Ed Holland on August 21, 2019 at 17:08:28.
In reply to Re: 19 August Evening HiFERs posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 21, 2019
I understand Bob.
My setup runs a long feeder of cheap 75ohm TV coax, up to an inverted V on the roof. At first, I obsessed over impedance matching, and added an ATU, baluns and the like. Later, I simply fed the TX direct to the coax, via the attenuator needed to bring power down to the permitted level.
This simpler setup has been the most successful.
I'm using a Vectronics 20 m transmitter kit adapted with a 22 m crystal, or alternatively direct feed from a signal generator. Output is attenuated from the ~1.25 W nominal. It could use some rationalisation... but it was a quick way to get on air.
As to output, with 75 ohm load, one is looking at about 0.4 V across the load for 2 mW into a dipole. Perhaps a simple emitter-follower would work? Matching could be just a series resistor, then adjust feed to the drive transistor for the correct output level?
Just a thought.
Ed
22 m beacon QSY
Posted by Ian VA3KAH on August 23, 2019 at 15:53:06.
22 m beacon KAH is now back on air after QSY to 13.560. We were out of band unintentionally. Thanks for the heads up.
Power 150 mW to a quarter wavelength vertical. Ground mounted on an island in Georgian Bay. See VA3KAH on QRZ.com for details.
Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time
Posted by Jerry Parker on August 23, 2019 at 17:07:22.
Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time New 22m Beacon Testing
Or listen online at kfs:
http://69.27.184.62:8901/?tune=3927lsb
or
KPH Point Reyes:
http://198.40.45.23:8073/
or
Utah Web sdr:
http://websdr1.utahsdr.org:8901/
If you cannot get into the net on 80 meters you can listen and participate by
sending net control your thoughts at wa6owr@gmail.com
73,
Jerry WA6OWR
Posted by Alex Engelke / N9QIW on August 23, 2019 at 18:43:37.
I have placed my first 22 meter beacon in service. It's running at approximately 13.5607 mhz, but does drift a bit as it is solar powered/crystal heats up/etc. The beacon is running 13 WPM (for now) under callsign N9QIW/13. The location is grid DM06 in Fresno, California USA. Signal reports can be e-mailed to me at awengelke@gmail.com. THe antenna is a wire 1/2 wave dipole about 6 feet above ground (for now as well) Happy Hunting / Thanks.
Dead in GA
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 24, 2019 at 00:18:34.
Not hearing a thing down here in GA. Normally, EH, RY (when on) and SIW are coming through daily, but lately I've seen nothing. This is in the 5 to 9 PM EDT window due to work. Been using a HB RX that has worked well, but switched back to the BIG Yeasu 757GX RX to to confirm. So far, no better than my HB RX.
Any one hearing much?
TNX SAQ receives 438 listener reports
Bob EDJ
Posted by Mike Terry on August 24, 2019 at 05:59:46.
Alexanderson Alternator station SAQ says it received 438 listener reports — 'an incredible amount' — for its June 30 Alexanderson Day transmissions from Sweden including 8 'super' DX reports, five from the USA and three from Canada.
The historic electro-mechanical transmitter, which dates back to the 1920s, is fired up periodically throughout the year on 17.2 kHz.
“We are very thankful for all your enthusiastic and positive feedback, with images, recordings, videos, and even Morse ink writer strips,” SAQ said.
The station is a World Heritage Site in Grimeton, Sweden and SAQ’s June 30 message commemorated the 100th anniversary of the first east-to-west transatlantic voice transmission from the Marconi station in Ireland to Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia.
SAQ has posted an interactive map showing the locations of all received listener reports from recent transmissions and video of the Alexanderson Day transmission event has been posted to its YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/user/AlexanderSAQ/videos
(Via Southgate http://www.southgatearc.org/news/)
Re: Dead in GA
Posted by Ed Holland on August 25, 2019 at 15:28:08.
In reply to Dead in GA posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 24, 2019
I set up an all day monitoring session yesterday. There was very little to see or hear, save some rare and sporadic fade in of EH around mid morning. That lasted less than a minute. Possibly also a snippet of 7P.
Later, there was a long period where the band was afflicted by multiple traces all drifting around in unison. I thought they might be local noise, but therr was definitely a change in strngth at times which appeared to be related to propagation.
I concur, rather a quiet day.
Ed
Re: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning
Posted by John Davis on August 25, 2019 at 16:34:47.
In reply to Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time posted by Jerry Parker on August 23, 2019
This week's recording. Right-click and Save to your drive for best results.
websdr_2019-08-24_3927kHz.mp3
Sunday 25th Aug HiFERs
Posted by Ed Holland on August 26, 2019 at 15:34:37.
Hi Folks,
Another long monitoring session was run yesterday, from around 09:30 to 20:30 PDT. For the most part, it was a very quiet day, but there were some occasional strong traces. EH made several appearences, usually presenting a steady signal for one to two minutes of before vanishing. Later in the day, 18:00 to 19:00 hours, WM EH and NC were readable, again for a short but steady duration.
One burst of over the horizon radar was caught, with a possible fade up of 7P following after about a minute. Probably coincidence, but I recall John Davis mentioning something along these lines.
There was also a return, albeit brief, of the harmonic wavy lines.
Not too inspiring, but at least there were some catches.
Re: SAQ receives 438 listener reports
Posted by Paul on August 26, 2019 at 17:50:19.
In reply to SAQ receives 438 listener reports posted by Mike Terry on August 24, 2019
Do you know if they got any reception reports from California? Last I heard, I was the only station in California to positively copy SAQ.
73, K6FRC
Re: 22 m beacon QSY
Posted by Paul on August 26, 2019 at 17:55:18.
In reply to 22 m beacon QSY posted by Ian VA3KAH on August 23, 2019
"Power 150 mW to a quarter wavelength vertical" Does that stay within the ERP limits under your governing authority?
Re: New 22m Beacon Testing
Posted by Paul on August 26, 2019 at 17:55:56.
In reply to New 22m Beacon Testing posted by Alex Engelke / N9QIW on August 23, 2019
Excellent! I am QRV.
Re: Sunday 25th Aug HiFERs
Posted by Mike N8OOU on August 26, 2019 at 19:13:03.
In reply to Sunday 25th Aug HiFERs posted by Ed Holland on August 26, 2019
Hi Ed,
Thanks for the report of hearing the WM Hifer. I watch the captures from the WA5DJJ 22m grabber and the past several days have not had a lot of activity. As reported in another thread propagation has been poor. For my notes regarding reception reports would you refresh me with your receive location. I may have known it at one point, but it now escapes me. Grid square, city/state, general location, what ever you are comfortable with.
Thanks for listening.
Mike 73
Some activity here in EM83du
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 26, 2019 at 23:44:17.
Last 2 nights EH, WM and SIW WSPR (briefly) at 1930 EDT. Better than the last week.
Bob Re: 22 m beacon QSY
EDJ
Posted by John, W1TAG on August 27, 2019 at 00:05:05.
In reply to Re: 22 m beacon QSY posted by Paul on August 26, 2019
Ian,
My calculation would be 2.3 mW into a quarter wave vertical to meet FCC Part 15 regulations. You may certainly raise the transmitter output power to cover feedline loss, as the 2.3 mW is at the antenna feedpoint. Canadian regulations should be similar, but check. That's based on 13,848 uV/M at 30 Meters.
John, W1TAG
Re: 22 m beacon QSY
Posted by John, W1TAG on August 27, 2019 at 15:05:31.
In reply to Re: 22 m beacon QSY posted by John, W1TAG on August 27, 2019
Typo: 15,848 uV/M, not 13,848!
John, W1TAG
Re: SAQ receives 438 listener reports
Posted by Ed Holland on August 28, 2019 at 16:44:44.
In reply to Re: SAQ receives 438 listener reports posted by Paul on August 26, 2019
Hi Paul,
That is impressive - and encouraging. What setup are you using for VLF reception? If SAQ is detectable in CA, I would like to give it a shot.
Cheers
Ed
EDJ back on 555.420 FSKCW3
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 29, 2019 at 00:01:45.
Looks like storms are out of the area for a few days.
Back on 555 420 FSKCW3
Bob EDJ
France/Monaco - 216 kHz
Posted by Mike Terry on August 29, 2019 at 18:43:34.
From Roumoules RMC on 216 kHz 0456-2308 (local time). RTÉ LW will be off air 10/09 to 17/10/19
Power: 900 kW day time and 600 kW night time.
Reports are welcomed by M. Pascal Penella, Chef de Centre - Émetteur de Roumoules:
mcradio@wanadoo.fr
Christian Ghibaudo (29/8-2019)
(via Ydun's Medium Wave Info)
Posted by Mike Terry on August 29, 2019 at 19:20:17.
Ireland - RTÉNL Technical Information
Service Notification:
2rn - Summerhill, Co. Meath
Due to extensive engineering work on the transmission mast infrastructure at our station at Summerhill, Co. Meath, the RTÉ Radio 1 LW service will be off air from 09:00 on 10/09/19 to 17:00 17/10/19.
2rn apologise for any inconvenience caused by this necessary infrastructural work.
https://www.rte.ie/aertel/desktopxhtml/169-13.html
ISM Band at 40.660 MHz?
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 29, 2019 at 19:26:06.
I just bumped into this. Anyone know about an ISM band at 40.660 - 40.700 MHz?
Not sure of US regs but looks like 10mW ierp?
Bob Re: ISM Band at 40.660 MHz?
EDJ
Posted by John, W1TAG on August 29, 2019 at 20:42:01.
In reply to ISM Band at 40.660 MHz? posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 29, 2019
Bob,
I calculate 183 nanoWatts into a half wave dipole.
John, W1TAG
Re: ISM Band at 40.660 MHz?
Posted by Ed Holland on August 29, 2019 at 20:49:34.
In reply to ISM Band at 40.660 MHz? posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 29, 2019
Interesting. As always, the regulatory document is a joy to read. It seems intentional radiators in this band are limited to "Periodic operation":
+++++++
(1) A manually operated transmitter shall employ a switch that will automatically deactivate the transmitter within not more than 5 seconds of being released.
(2) A transmitter activated automatically shall cease transmission within 5 seconds after activation.
(3) Periodic transmissions at regular predetermined intervals are not permitted. However, polling or supervision transmissions, including data, to determine system integrity of transmitters used in security or safety applications are allowed if the total duration of transmissions does not exceed more than two seconds per hour for each transmitter. There is no limit on the number of individual transmissions, provided the total transmission time does not exceed two seconds per hour.
(4) Intentional radiators which are employed for radio control purposes during emergencies involving fire, security, and safety of life, when activated to signal an alarm, may operate during the pendency of the alarm condition
++++++++
Field strengths permitted are rather low: 2250 uV/M at 3 meters!
Radio control devices may operate on this frequency, and it seems there is a bit of leeway on duration of output, however predetermined scheduled operations - e.g. a beacon seem to be excluded specifically.
I'll keep reading - It'll help me sleep...
Cheers
Ed Re: ISM Band at 40.660 MHz?
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 29, 2019 at 22:41:06.
In reply to Re: ISM Band at 40.660 MHz? posted by Ed Holland on August 29, 2019
Thanks guys! I did not have a chance to look up the regs as I spotted this late at work. Does not sound like a viable beacon band. Probably why I'd not heard of it sooner!
Later...Back to 22M with it's "high" power (relatively).
Bob WA5DJJ Grabber
EDJ
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 30, 2019 at 12:34:13.
I do use Daves 22M grabber more lately since sigs are scarce.
I encourage anyone who uses it to drop him an email and let him know it is getting used.
We don't have many resources dedicated to 22M.
If you have not seen it, check it out. He is grabbing most bands QRSS segments.
dhassallATzianet.com
Bob Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time
EDJ
Posted by Jerry Parker on August 30, 2019 at 13:55:33.
Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time Re: ISM Band at 40.660 MHz?
Or listen online at kfs:
http://69.27.184.62:8901/?tune=3927lsb
or
KPH Point Reyes:
http://198.40.45.23:8073/
or
Utah Web sdr:
http://websdr1.utahsdr.org:8901/
If you cannot get into the net on 80 meters you can listen and participate by
sending net control your thoughts at wa6owr@gmail.com
73,
Jerry WA6OWR
Posted by Ed Holland on August 30, 2019 at 21:12:12.
In reply to Re: ISM Band at 40.660 MHz? posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 29, 2019
There is this group as well... useful resources about the band's use and rules.
Quite a few devices use, or have used this band, including toy walkie talkies, baby monitors, cordless phones etc. Strict, and very low power restrictions make sense for these applications, but don't leave much for beaconeers.
Cheers
Ed
Magnetic storm on the way
Posted by Ed Holland on August 30, 2019 at 21:15:18.
Hi Folks,
According to the Space Weather website, there is a magnetic storm on the way, possibly arriving on Aug 31st (tomorrow) or Sept 1. This is a result of a coronal hole that has been directed at the Earth over the last few days. The effect on HiFERs will be interesting.
Cheers
Ed
Re: Magnetic storm on the way
Posted by Bill Stewart, K4JYS on August 30, 2019 at 21:44:13.
In reply to Magnetic storm on the way posted by Ed Holland on August 30, 2019
Hi Ed and all,
I hate to admit it but after 60+ years as an active ham, 160m thru a little on 6m and 40+ years as a DXer, I still don't know beans about what these WWV indices mean for propagation. I am, of course, aware that blackouts can occur during some of the storms, but mainly I don't know how the WWV indices affect various band condx. Frankly, I have never paid much attention to these numbers and just went my merry way....if bands were open, I played, if not I went to the work bench.
Ed, can you or anyone else shed some light on what these WWV numbers mean for band condx?
Solar-terrestrial indices for 30 August follow.
Solar flux 67
estimated planetary A-index 11.
The estimated planetary K-index at 2100 UTC on 30 August was 3.
Tnx, 73 de Bill K4JYS Re: Magnetic storm on the way
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 31, 2019 at 00:14:22.
In reply to Re: Magnetic storm on the way posted by Bill Stewart, K4JYS on August 30, 2019
Well, lets see what happens. I'm in TX mode at the moment but will be watching DJJ grabber.
Bob Re: WA5DJJ Grabber
EDJ
Posted by jim vm on August 31, 2019 at 02:50:03.
In reply to WA5DJJ Grabber posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 30, 2019
The link does not work! Re: WA5DJJ Grabber
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 31, 2019 at 13:11:58.
In reply to Re: WA5DJJ Grabber posted by jim vm on August 31, 2019
Thats his email. Just Google WA5DJJ grabber.
Re: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning
Posted by John Davis on August 31, 2019 at 17:13:25.
In reply to Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time posted by Jerry Parker on August 30, 2019
This week's recording. Right-click and Save to your local drive for best playback.
websdr_2019-08-31_3927kHz.mp3
Re: WA5DJJ Grabber
Posted by John Davis on August 31, 2019 at 17:39:06.
In reply to Re: WA5DJJ Grabber posted by Bob WA1EDJ on August 31, 2019
The page is qsl.net/wa5djj/ but be aware that it contains over 20 big grabber images, and 22 meters is near the bottom of the bunch.
Re: Magnetic storm on the way
Posted by Ed Holland on August 31, 2019 at 23:13:56.
In reply to Re: Magnetic storm on the way posted by Bill Stewart, K4JYS on August 30, 2019
Hi folks,
Well I'm not so sure myself, how these things affect propagation, vs. the numbers. I know that high X ray and UV fluxes resulting from flares are often associated with Sudden ionospheric disturbance. This causes the D layer ionisation to increase, resulting in more absorption at MF and HF, and poor propogation.
On the other hand, Sunspots are also associated with increased solar UV, X rays and charged particles, yet typically lift propagation - presumably because a different profile of ionisation results in comparison to the effects of a flare.
The K index and A index are a measure of magnetic disturbance, and I learn that lower numbers (no magnetic storm activity) are associated with better propagation, and vice versa. Currently, the sites are reporting a G2 magnetic storm, and a K index greater than 4.
Observations so far today - I've been in listening mode - show no HiFERs received so far (as of 4 pm local time). It seems the activity may have suppressed our 22 m signals.
potrzebie