Hifer RIC
Posted by Steinar on September 01, 2002 at 12:12:49
Do any one know if the Hifer beacon RIC is still active on 22 meter?
(Yes I know, -it is foolish even to think about receiving the beacon, so I am just curious..)
Steinar
Long wave transmitter schematic
Posted by Brad Mechem on September 04, 2002 at 23:08:32
Hello Lowfers.
I have an old tube transmitter, I built as a kid. I am trying to locate an old issue of Popular Electronics magazine, approximately 1972. The article had the schematic and construction details for a 1 watt AM transmitter.
A companion receiver was in a later issue. I have the receiver parts, but never put it together. Might be fun.
A copy or a date of the issues would help.Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the use of the board.
Brad
Russian test transmissions at 14.0 kHz and 30.5 kHz
Posted by Trond at ALFLAB, Halden in Norway on September 05, 2002 at 17:12:02
Thre has been several Russian test transmissions today (5 september ) on 14.0 kHz and 30.5 kHz. Bearing and strenght from Norway indicates a far-east Russian site. Vladivostok could be a suitable QTH of origin. Any of you with similar observations. Bearings towards the signal very welcome for identification of true origin. Last on at 14.0 kHz at 205950 8 still on right now.
VLF site question
Posted by Richard Gagnon on September 08, 2002 at 20:00:18
I have been considering building a VLF receiver but I am not sure I have a good area for listening. My back yard has many trees ranging from 26mm to 304mm in diameter, about 3m to 22m high. I am also about 600m from a transformer (60Hz)
substation. All the utilties in this area, phone, cable, power are underground. Would an E field receiver be the only way to go or would it be a waste of time?
Thank you.
Richard Gagnon Easthampton, MA USA 01027
New transmitter on 19 kHz - source GQD Anthorn?
Posted by Harald Lutz on September 10, 2002 at 23:35:49
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today I received for the first time a signal on 19 kHz (look on the spectrogramme below).
A transmitter for this frequency is listed on www.vlf.it/trond2/15-20khz.html as GQD Anhorn, UK.
Is the signal on 19 kHz a local noise source or coming from a transmitter? I never found a signal on 19 kHz like this on my spectrogrammes before. Is GQD active again on this frequency?
Yours sincerely,
Harald Lutz
Re: VLF site question
Posted by John Andrews on September 12, 2002 at 13:11:42
Richard,
Give me a little more information about what you'll be trying to hear. VLF is generally defined as frequencies below 30 kHz. This includes "natural radio" sources such as whistlers, as well as a host of man-made radio communication. The latter tends to be pretty cryptic, and you are usually only able to identify the source by its frequency vs. published lists.
Most of the natural radio reception IS done with e-field whips at remote sites. Trees do take a hunk out of the signal, and you should be as far as possible from power lines. Useful work can be done with loop antennas, however, and they are less affected by the trees. Sometimes the loop can be oriented to minimize hum pickup and still allow you to hear real signals. I have done some useful work from home because it's easier to play with filters and record big .wav files there. It's nothing like being out in the open wilderness, but is far from a waste of time. Your description of your home QTH sounds very much like mine, and we're not that far apart.
For the man-made stuff, loop antennas again might be a good choice at your home, unless you could get the e-field antenna considerably up in the air.
And one major piece of advice from a guy who pleads guilty to the offense: Don't over-think the problem...just try something. Jury-rig stuff together and give it a shot. I've wasted a great deal of time over the years planning for all eventualities, when I could have learned more from getting some half-a**ed lash-up working. End of rant.
John Andrews, W1TAG (near Worcester, MA)
Re: VLF site question
Posted by Richard Gagnon on September 13, 2002 at 19:03:15
Hi John
I am interested in natural radio and you pretty well answered my questions. The part about "over thinking" is very revealing. I am guilty of that quite often.
I think I will connect a long wire to my sound card and start with that.
Cheers
Richard
Transmission power of ALPHA versus transmission power of OMEGA
Posted by Harald on September 16, 2002 at 03:11:01
Is it correct that the Russian ALPHA transmitters transmit their signals with a power of 500 kW while the former OMEGA transmitters only used a power of 10 kW?
If yes, what can be the reason for this?
Why did OMEGA use much less powerful transmitters than the Russian ALPHA system still uses?
Re: VLF site question
Posted by Mike Thompson on September 16, 2002 at 08:04:39
I have had some decent success with just a long wire and my sound card. I even got a little fancy and put a 1:1 xformer so I could isolate them from one another. :)
Re: Transmission power of ALPHA versus transmission power of OMEGA
Posted by John Davis on September 16, 2002 at 11:06:05
:: Is it correct that the Russian ALPHA transmitters transmit their signals with a power of 500 kW while the former OMEGA transmitters only used a power of 10 kW? ::
No. The transmitters were, as I recall, a megawatt.
John
Re: Transmission power of ALPHA versus transmission power of OMEGA
Posted by Jacques d'Avignon on September 16, 2002 at 12:41:41
If I recall some of the Omega transmitters were operating at over 5 MW. I cannot put my finger on the reference but the power were listed somewhere.
Re: Transmission power of ALPHA versus transmission power of OMEGA
Posted by Mike KB6WFC on September 16, 2002 at 16:22:10
Here's an *interesting?* site on the Darriman, Victoria, Australia station:
http://www.abovetopsecret.com/pages/omegabase.html
And, a better one describing the antenna at the Haiku, Kaneohe, O`ahu Island, Hawai`i station:
http://naio.kcc.hawaii.edu/jflanigan/Final_Report_Omega_Station.html
Perhaps as stated in the later it was 10kW ERP making the larger transmitter power(s) mentioned more plausible.
73 de Mike KB6WFC
Re: Transmission power of ALPHA versus transmission power of OMEGA
Posted by John Davis on September 16, 2002 at 17:59:58
Mike,
I'm glad you referenced the site on the Australian OMEGA facility as *interesting?* because there's almost nothing accurate in it except the 10kW ERP figure. Its author doesn't understand the loss factors of VLF antennas, thinks ground radials are "secret" antennas, can't distinguish between near-field and radiated energy, and doesn't even have a very good grasp of the operational time frame of the system. Oh well.
By contrast, the Hawaii article is beautifully written and factually correct. The only thing that could make it better is if they had included some of the many fascinating-sounding illustrations mentioned on the page. Sure would love to see some of those.
John
The (possible) design of the aerials of the ALPHA
Posted by Harald on September 17, 2002 at 03:26:58
Although I do not think that the ALPHA stations operate with a transmitting power of 1 MW or greater, because the signals of ALPHA on my spectrograms appear much weaker than the signals of other VLF transmitters like e.g. the Russian transmitters on 18.1 kHz, I do not want to exclude that they can (and perhaps did sometimes during cold war) work with a power of 5 MW. For which voltage must the aerial be insulated, if this is true?
Does anybody know which kind of aerial the ALPHA stations use?
Which signals of transmitters on frequencies below 24 kHz can I use practica
Posted by Harald on September 17, 2002 at 03:51:44
Which signals of transmitters on frequencies below 24 kHz can I use practically or decode?
Can I use the frequency modulated signal of RJH63 on 20.5 kHz to determine the time?
If yes, with which software?
If not: what kind of information are transmitted with the frequency modulated signal of RJH63?
Can I determine with my PC soundcard and a special software the geographical coordinates of my reception site by analysing the signals of the ALPHA transmitters?
If yes, which software would be required? Is this possible with all kinds of soundcards?
Is it possible to decode signals from VLF transmitters working in MSK mode as most transmitters in the Western hemisphere do?
Is it possible to decode signals from VLF transmitters working in F1B – mode as used sometimes by JXN and GBZ? If yes, with which software?
Is it possible to decode the signals forming the signals of GBZ forming the “fishes” and “garlands” I mention on http://www.vlf.it/harald/strangerec.htm and which seems to come from an A2 – transmission without carrier? If yes, with which software?
Is it possible to decode the signals of Russian transmitters as RDL, RKS, etc. working on 18.1 kHz, 18.9 kHz and 21.1 kHz? If yes, with which software?
[Hifer] GA copied in Norway September 17.
Posted by Steinar Aanesland on September 17, 2002 at 15:23:03
The Spectran screen capture can be seen at http://www.aanesland.com
Steinar Aanesland
Haiku radio station on Hawaii – what is there now?
Posted by Harald on September 18, 2002 at 14:27:16
What is now on the area of Haiku radio station on Hawaii?
Is the area still used for radiotechnical purposes? If “yes”, what kinds of transmitters are there for what kinds of radio services on which frequencies in operation?
If “no” what is there now on the site?
[FWD] ZL6QH beacon test 21 September
Posted by Bob Vernall on September 19, 2002 at 21:17:07
Subj: LF: ZL6QH beacon test 21 September Date: 9/19/02 1:18:33 AM Eastern Daylight Time From: vernall@xtra.co.nz (Vernall)
To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org
ZL6QH 137.7888 kHz BEACON TEST ON 21 SEPTEMBER
ZL6QH will be carrying out beacon tests on 21 September, starting before local sunset and going all night, till after local sunrise. Hours of local darkness for ZL6QH are from nominally 0610 UTC (sunset) to 1813 UTC (sunrise).
Dual frequency keying will be used, with 0.4 Hz frequency shift. The coding is for an ID character of Q, sent as hi, hi, lo, hi, key up. This code cycle is sent repeatedly.
hi = 137.7890 kHz
lo = 137.7886 kHz Each element is 120 seconds (dot length) so sending a Q takes 10 minutes. Each Q will start on the hour, and also keep close to 10 minute cycles, which could be useful for analysis of difficult reception situations during a short lift in propagation.
Listening out with a receiver set to 137.7888 kHz centre frequency and using Argo software to process demodulated audio fed to a PC sound card is the recommended way to try for DX reception. As Argo displays only 2.6 Hz bandwidth for 120 second dot lengths, careful setting of receiver and sound card frequency is needed to arrange for 137.7888 kHz to be near the centre of the displayed output.
Good luck to all listeners.
73, Bob ZL2CA
[Hifer] GA in Norway September 19. NC back on air ?
Posted by Steinar Aanesland on September 20, 2002 at 13:04:39
The screen capture can be seen at http://www.aanesland.com as usual :)
Dexter: Is it possible that NC will be back on air again?
Steinar Aanesland
Re: Transmission power of ALPHA versus transmission power of OMEGA
Posted by Mike KB6WFC on September 20, 2002 at 19:26:35
Hi John & others interested,
Here's a knarly shot looking down the "Stairway to Heaven":
http://www.discoveringhawaii.com/FeatureArticles/FeatureArticle/OAHaikuStairs.html
But really, check these out, I think they may belong with the previously mentioned site:
http://naio.kcc.hawaii.edu/jflanigan/hispic.html
Be sure to click on the 'Next' Hypertext Link at the bottom of each sucessive webpage.
73 de Mike KB6WFC k ..
What is the source of these signals?
Posted by Udo Maier on September 22, 2002 at 00:48:23
What is the source of the signals on 9.5 kHz shown on http://home.datacomm.ch/hcbaer/themen/VLF/AlphaGepulst1.jpg?
A transmitter?
LEK and WA in Maine
Posted by John Andrews on September 22, 2002 at 20:22:04
Successfully copied LEK on 185.3005 this morning at 0920 UTC, from Raymond, ME. Lyle figures the distance as 1138 miles.
The clip of the screen shot may be seen at:
http://webpages.charter.net/w1tag/files/LEK-WA.JPG
John Andrews, W1TAG
elf ,vlf receiver newbie
Posted by bob maloy on September 23, 2002 at 19:34:50
i would like to know where i might be able to buy a decent elf-vlf receiver or receiver kit. thanks , bob
AM band signal?
Posted by Ed on September 24, 2002 at 11:06:22
Neo-newbie question: I’ve run across this signal numerous times over the last few months in the Washington DC area. The signal (interference) moves down the AM band. When it shows up on frequency, it sounds like frying bacon, then more like heavy rain on pavement, then max-out with more zipping sounds (data?). Opposite order of sounds as it moves down frequency. This morning, while driving 25 miles, I followed it down frequency from 980 Khz; took 30 minutes to move 50 Khz. Any ideas? Have copied this signal at various locations, and it's strong enough to be heard over weak stations. Yes, I shut the engine off, and it was still there.
Re: AM band signal?
Posted by Roger Magnuson on September 24, 2002 at 12:09:00
Try unpluging your cell phone charger. Mine makes similar sounding noises that wander around the BC band, especially the low end.
Beacon "IP" copied in minnesota
Posted by Roger Magnuson on September 24, 2002 at 18:58:56
I'm very happy to report copying beacon "IP" from Agricola, MS this morning at approx 6am. Lewis's signal was in for about a half an hour. I sent him a couple of screens of IP just barely below "LEK" in freq. He replied " Thats me", Nice work Lewis!!!
Roger, beacon "RM" 189.8
RU6LWZ LF DXpedition
Posted by John Andrews on September 25, 2002 at 08:55:05
Ed Lesnichy , RU6LA, has announced that the RU6LWZ club will be doing an LF dxpedition to Machta, which is about 50 km north of Taganrog,Russia (NE corner of the Black Sea). They plan to run a QRSS120 beacon on 135.922 kHz from 2230 to 0330 UTC on the night of 28-29 September. This represents the overlap in "dark hours" between them and the eastern U.S. They will be running 100 watts into a "big vertical" antenna, so who knows what we might hear? Give it a shot!
John Andrews, W1TAG
Re: The (possible) design of the aerials of the ALPHA
Posted by Trond at ALFLAB, Halden in Norway on September 25, 2002 at 17:30:27
The RSDSN-20 aka ALPHA transmitters use vertical antennas.
JXN in Norway – what kind of aerial does it use?
Posted by Udo Maier on September 26, 2002 at 10:16:14
What kind of aerial does the transmitter JXN in Norway, which is active on 16.4 kHz, use?
Are there pictures available of it in the internet?
Is for 16.4 kHz only one site in use?
Tracor 599K
Posted by FRank Carson on September 26, 2002 at 17:34:05
Does anyone have any info on a Tracor 599K VLF/LF Reciever? Would it be worth getting for VLF/LF reception? Thanks!
Re: JXN in Norway – what kind of aerial does it use?
Posted by Trond at ALFLAB, Halden in Norway on September 26, 2002 at 18:18:08
Due to the local conditions, JXN at Novik use a fjord span antenna.
XSR,VD,LEK,IP,WA
Posted by llopyd chastant on September 27, 2002 at 09:27:43
Looked at 166.5 around 11:00PMlocal and nice XSR coming through. Then set up for overnite on 185.3 hangout.WA and VD seemed to be coming in and out throughout the nite,one fading in, the other coming in.Then aound 5:30 to 6:30 this morning all four began to come through and got VD,LEK,IP and WA in two or three captures.Nice ,first time on IP for me and been awhile for LEK..de Lloyd W3NF FM19MH
Re: elf ,vlf receiver newbie
Posted by Peter on September 27, 2002 at 16:56:54
Hi Bob,
You're asking a broad question when asking for a good VLF rcvr or a kit. My answer is I don't know of any kit rcvrs and there are many rcvrs that could be put to LF use, although these can be costly.
At an introductory level a table model Sony 2010 will listen down to 100(?)kHz. Some of the ham rigs will receive VLF also. If you have a non-VLF rcvr of some sort, there are a few converters that would be a possibly. [See this site for plans, other member sites and the AMRAD site.]
More than the rcvr, Bob, is a suitable antenna, used mostly to get away from house generated noises that plague LF listening, A.C. hums and the like. Many LowFers here use loop antennas and some use what is called an E-field probe type antenna with preamp.
But if this all really new, Bob, be sure to check the offerings on techniques that this LWCA site offers. The ABCs of LowFER-ing are found here.
Best of Luck,
Peter, LWCA member
"WE" is on tonight again...
Posted by Mike Reid WE0H on September 27, 2002 at 22:37:46
I have my new final amp running tonight. The loop current is not normal yet as I have to change transformer taps. I can't do that in the dark, so it will have to wait until daylight. I hope to have it sorted out for Saturday night. Loop current is a bit higher than last nights experimental transmitter. Have a listen, Mitch seen it early Friday morning.
73's, Mike.
Re: "WE" is on tonight again 185.3026kc...
Posted by Mike Reid WE0H on September 27, 2002 at 22:41:05
Forgot to mention the freq. It is QRSS-30 and 15wpm CW on 185.3026kc. It transmits a CW message and then QRSS-30 and finally repeats over and over.
Mike.
Unidentified signal on 17.8 kHz
Posted by Harald on September 28, 2002 at 11:42:47
What is the source of the unidentified signal on 17.8 kHz shown on http://www.e-online.de/forum/messages/14602.htm, which can I sometimes receive at home? TACAMO?
Has anyone also received this signal?
A site for publishing your spectrograms
Posted by Harald on September 28, 2002 at 14:01:39
You have a spectrogram showing an interesting signal and no webspace for publishing it?
Then go to http://www.e-online.de/forum/messages/14071.htm and publish it there!
Picture and informations of GBR Rugby
Posted by Harald on September 28, 2002 at 14:08:50
On http://tx.mb21.co.uk/rugby/index.asp you find many interesting information of GBR Rugby, more pictures of this facility are on http://tx.mb21.co.uk/rugby/photos.asp .
The history of the station is described on http://www.alan.melia.btinternet.co.uk/rugbyrs.htm .
Beacon Format Change
Posted by Roger Magnuson on September 29, 2002 at 17:08:15
Beacon RM 189.8 is now sending QRSS-30 and CWID 8 WPM
"WE" has normal loop current now...
Posted by Mike Reid WE0H on September 29, 2002 at 20:26:16
Finally I got the time to do it right. Thanks to all of Bill's encouragement, the loop current is right were it is supposed to be. Freq is 185.3026kc in QRSS-30 and a 15wpm CW message.
73's,Mike.
Re: Hifer RIC
Posted by John Davis on September 30, 2002 at 03:01:22
Hi Steinar,
I noticed your question is still here. We had word just this month that RIC is now off, and Steve asked us to remove its entry from our lists.
73 and much continued success with SAA.
John
www.lwca.org
potrzebie