hifer beacon copy
GOOD COPY TODAY ON HIFER BEACONS GA RY AND MP HERE IN CENTRAL ARKANSAS
ANY ONE WANTING TO SEE CAPTURE SCREENS EMAIL ME AND I WOULD BE GLAD TO
SEND THEM.
DO WE HAVE A WAY TO POST SCREEN CAPTURES HERE ON LWCA SITE?
ALSO COPIED BEACON HI ON 13558 CW AUDIBLE ABOUT S2.
I AM ONLY HOME ON WEEKENDS THESE ARE FIRST COPIES I HAVE
MADE THIS SUMMER. PROPAGATION HAS BEEN POOR. USING TS50
WITH 75/40 DIPOLE.
73 PAUL DAULTON Re: hifer beacon copy
K5WMS
Posted by John Andrews on September 10, 2006 at 21:37:41.
In reply to hifer beacon copy posted by PAUL DAULTON on September 10, 2006
Paul,
Thanks for the report on RY -- there haven't been many this year. I'll be running the beacon for the next month or so, and will probably take it down for the winter.
There is no way to post a picture here directly, but if you email a shot to me, I'll see what I can do with it.
John Andrews, W1TAG 160m beacons
Posted by David / WD4KPD on September 13, 2006 at 12:08:58.
hello...qth is eastern NC. if you are running a beacon on the top end of 160m, please drop me an email with freq/mode.
i wish to play lower, but no ant yet.
david/wd4kpd
wd4kpd@cox.net
500 KHz license issued
Posted by Warren K2ORS/WD2XGJ/WD2XSH on September 14, 2006 at 10:14:31.
WD2XSH has issued for 505-510 kHz!
73 Warren K2ORS/WD2XGJ/WD2XSH WMG on 184.325 kiloHertz
Posted by Bill Bradrick on September 14, 2006 at 16:12:50.
WMG is back on the air. 184.325 Locator: EM27pj SouthEast Kansas. 10 second dots QRSS. New 1 turn copper loop favors East-West, twice the enclosed area of 2004 version. New direct antenna coupling system hoped to be an improvement. Best DX in fall and winter 2004 was 41 miles. QBASIC software keys xmtr through com1 port. ARRL Experimental License for 500 kHz Research by Radio Amateurs
Posted by Mike Terry on September 16, 2006 at 01:11:12.
Source: The ARRL Letter Vol. 25, No. 37 September 15, 2006
(via) http://www.eham.net/articles/14812
Excerpted:
The FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology on September 13 granted Part 5 experimental license WD2XSH to the ARRL on behalf of a group of radio amateurs interested in investigating spectrum in the vicinity of 500 kHz. The two-year authorization permits experimentation and research between 505 and 510 kHz (600 meters) using narrowband modes at power levels of up to 20 W effective radiated power (ERP). ARRL Member Fritz Raab, W1FR, of Vermont, will serve as experimental project manager for "The 500 KC Experimental Group for Amateur Radio"
"I'm kind of excited to see how we can apply modern technology to 'classic part' of the radio spectrum," Raab told ARRL this week. He pointed out that 500 kHz - the traditional maritime emergency frequency - is roughly geometrically halfway between the 136 kHz experimental band and the 160 meter amateur allocation.
"In contrast to 160 meters, 500 kHz is low enough to offer good groundwave propagation, but in contrast to 137 kHz it is high enough to allow us to engage in real communication with realistic equipment." Raab eventually would like to see at least a secondary 600-meter amateur allocation from 495 to 510 kHz.
500 kHz remains designated as an official maritime emergency CW frequency, although the vast majority of maritime users have shifted to satellite-based systems.
In addition to experimentation and regional emergency work, Raab says he believes that the 505-510 kHz spectrum could serve as "an historic band" that could support various commemorative special event-type operations. Proposals are under consideration in the UK and Ireland to establish an experimental Amateur Radio allocation in the vicinity of 500 kHz.
The WD2XSH project calls for operation from 21 discrete fixed sites spread throughout the US. The group eventually will be seeking reports from non-participants.
Raab was a co-author of the article "A 100-W Class-D Power Amplifier for LF and MF," which appeared in the March-April edition of QEX http://www.arrl.org/qex/2006/03/toc.pdf. He's using an amplifier of that design for his WD2XSH operations.
Anyone On 500 KHz Yet??
Posted by Larry WB3ANQ on September 17, 2006 at 14:41:54.
In reply to 500 KHz license issued posted by Warren K2ORS/WD2XGJ/WD2XSH on September 14, 2006
Congradulations Guys!!
Has anyone fired up on 500 KHz yet??
73
Larry WB3ANQ
Re: Anyone On 500 KHz Yet??
Posted by Warren K2ORS/WD2XGJ/WD2XSH/23 on September 17, 2006 at 15:23:47.
In reply to Anyone On 500 KHz Yet?? posted by Larry WB3ANQ on September 17, 2006
Hi Larry,
Fritz Raab has been on 507.5 kHz cw the past few evenings.
73 Warren K2ORS/WD2XGJ/WD2XSH/23
Re: ARRL Experimental License for 500 kHz Research by Radio Amateurs
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on September 18, 2006 at 08:49:30.
In reply to ARRL Experimental License for 500 kHz Research by Radio Amateurs posted by Mike Terry on September 16, 2006
"In contrast to 160 meters, 500 kHz is low enough to offer good groundwave propagation, but in contrast to 137 kHz it is high enough to allow us to engage in real communication with realistic equipment."
Many Amateur operators in Europe and Canada, as well as Experimental operators in the U.S., have been engaging in real communication on 137 kHz for years. Most of that communication has involved the very same CW modes likely to be used at 505 kHz. Perhaps he is referring to some of the more arcane modes that involve SSB exciters and computer sound cards. If so, since that is "realistic equipment" on 20 meters...why not on 2200 meters?
John Andrews, W1TAG/WD2XES Planning medfer beacon in SF bay area
Posted by Ed Holland on September 18, 2006 at 21:06:56.
Hi Folks,
I'm rather new to this interesting area of radio, and am keen to set up a 160m beacon transmitter. Location is close to Mountain view in the SF bay area. It is great that unlicenced operations are permitted under Part 15, something not available in the UK from where I originate. The construction and use of low power equipment also adds a personal interest.
Having checked the medfer list I see that there is only sporadic activity in this region, and note that the list is not updated often. With this in mind, I'd like to know of anyone operating a medfer nearby, so that I don't inadvertantly cause interference. Receiving equipment is currently limited to a Sangean ATS818 using its internal antenna, so there may be signals out there that I'm unable to copy at present.
As for the beacon, this is to be based initially around the Ramsey electronics AM broadcast kit. However, this was found to be have rather unstable frequency source, so the output from the local oscillator of a Sony radio receiver will be used in its place - found to be very stable (and available free!). The signal will feature a slow morse ident (as yet undecided) either CW or perhaps AM DSB.
I need time to figure out the best antenna location and loading, within the 10 foot Part 15 restrictions of course, but this seems to be half the fun. I hope to be up and running in mid-late October and will post an update then.
Any advice (especially do's and dont's) is very welcome indeed.
Regards,
Ed
Re: Planning medfer beacon in SF bay area
Posted by John Davis on September 18, 2006 at 21:53:58.
In reply to Planning medfer beacon in SF bay area posted by Ed Holland on September 18, 2006
Hi Ed,
The reason the list is not updated often is exactly because there is so little activity. Any time an operator reports commencing or modifying their Part 15 activities in the band, we immediately update the list.
There was a "golden age" of MedFERing a decade or more ago, during the time when the 1610-1700 kHz band was being vacated by radionavigation users in North America, but before broadcasters began migrating there. Two or three dozen Part 15 stations could be found on the air at any given time, and there was some surprising DX with regular Morse code, typically around 5-10 WPM. (It would be fascinating to see what QRSS could have achieved there, but the software was not then available.)
Now that all the broadcasters have taken up their positions in the Expanded Band, it is a much greater challenge to squeeze our weak signals through the sideband splatter of multi-kilowatt sports-talk and oldies stations. Fewer experimenters today accept that challenge.
Those who want to be protected from interference tend to keep their listings with us accurate. Those who are too clueless to care, don't, and tend not to be around all that long. Therefore, the list can be taken pretty much at face value.
Your concern over choice of frequency should be more a question of what frequency will be free of broadcast sidebands where you hope to have listeners.
As for other hints, the closer you can make the ground system appear to be a 20-foot diameter or larger sheet of copper beneath the antenna, the better; odds are, you can't actually do that (!), but that's the goal to simulate as closely as possible. And, the more free you can keep it from surrounding obstructions, the better.
Those are just some general considerations. If you have some specific questions as you proceed with the project, feel free to ask. Someone will probably be able to help.
John
Re: WMG on 184.325 kiloHertz
Posted by Bill AShlock on September 19, 2006 at 02:12:54.
In reply to WMG on 184.325 kiloHertz posted by Bill Bradrick on September 14, 2006
Hey Bill,
I don't usually find time these days to get over here.
but just happened to be looking at the Message Board and saw your posting about a TX loop. I see that you are using Qbasic on a com port to key your loop signal and that is what I am also doing here in Andover, MA! I also can use the program to handle control signals that allow for sequential signals on two loops, and a number of other experimental control functions such as automatic power modification and frequency shifting.
I'm interested in the type of direct coupling you are using on your loop. Also, what would it take to encourage you to move WMG over to 185.300 plus or minus 4 Hz this winter where a number of other guys are sending? I can guarantee there will be a quite a number of 'lookers' at this frequency range this coming season including Steve's Grabulator.
Bill Ashlock Re: Planning medfer beacon in SF bay area
Beacon Wm
Posted by Jim Vander Maaten on September 19, 2006 at 13:24:13.
In reply to Re: Planning medfer beacon in SF bay area posted by John Davis on September 18, 2006
Ed, send me e-mail and I can tell you about my Medfer beacons
used in San Jose, CA. I have a Ramsey kit AM xmtr that I made
crystal controlled, can assit you in stabilizing yours.
John is right, the hi end Medfer band is full, that's why I
decided to go off the air. Had 'ESA' on 1700 kHz, but that
frequency is occupied by Moffett Field and Oakland airport.
73 Jim Re: Planning medfer beacon in SF bay area
Posted by Ed Holland on September 19, 2006 at 13:46:28.
In reply to Re: Planning medfer beacon in SF bay area posted by John Davis on September 18, 2006
Hi John,
Thanks for taking time to respond to my message. What you say about the region from 1610 to 1700 kHz and medfer activity during the past is rather interesting. I was indeed concerned by the issue of finding a frequency that is not overshadowed by broadcast sidebands. It might be possible to squeeze in around 1702.5
Your advice regarding an efficient (in the broadest sense of the word...) antenna setup is duly noted.
Perhaps I should get organised and plan a lowfer RX/TX setup - there is so much more going on down there.
Cheers,
Ed Re: Planning medfer beacon in SF bay area
Posted by ed holland on September 19, 2006 at 13:48:37.
In reply to Re: Planning medfer beacon in SF bay area posted by Jim Vander Maaten on September 19, 2006
Jim,
Thanks - I'll get in touch. At present I'm just fascinated by the prospect of setting something up.
Ed New NPL MSF 60 kHz Aerial
Posted by Clive S Carver on September 19, 2006 at 17:46:27.
I recently went to a meeting at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) where the new MSF transmission on kHz from Anthorn by VT Communications were discussed.
The aerial and transmitter are designed by R G Nash & Associates of San Diego.
Output power 50KW.
One interesting fact, is that the new aerial conductors are made from aluminium coated steel wire.
This new aerial will be a three wire "T" strung between two pre-existing masts. Approx 150 metres high and with a 300 metres top section. The tuning helix at the base of the "T" is about 650 metres from the transmitter building. The Bandwidth of the aerial is designed to be 80Hz at kHz
Experiment with balloon carried antenna on 50 kHz in UK
Posted by Heron on September 19, 2006 at 19:17:35.
Somewhere in the message board archive, there was a test transmission on 50 kHz (?) described, which took place around 2002 in the UK and for which an approximately 900 metre long balloon carried antenna was used. Does someone know more about it? What was the used power? Re: New NPL MSF 60 kHz Aerial
Posted by Alan G3NYK on September 20, 2006 at 19:15:25.
In reply to New NPL MSF 60 kHz Aerial posted by Clive S Carver on September 19, 2006
Hi Clive I missed that T&F Club meeting at Teddington (I presume) That doesn't sound too promising, though I think some tests were done originally. The current single top-wire "T" is up at about 700feet, about one section down the original 870 footers. A drop to 500 feet and a move doubling the distance from most of the users sounds a bit like bad news. About -12dB bad news !! I see the copper price bug has bitten again too. That is a sea-side site I hate to think what their maintenance will be like with ally coated wire. I dont think the present Rugby TX is much different from that 50kW.
I presume all this will be in the next Newletter.
It will be interesting to see what the coverage is like next year.
Cheers de Alan G3NYK
www.alan.melia.btinternet.co.uk
Re: ARRL Experimental License for 500 kHz Research by Radio Amateurs
Posted by Alan G3NYK on September 20, 2006 at 19:31:32.
In reply to Re: ARRL Experimental License for 500 kHz Research by Radio Amateurs posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on September 18, 2006
Hi John Yes but it sounds good to the pen pushers.
It will be interesting to see what ground wave is actually radiated. My guess is that most amateur sized antennas will radiate mostly above horizontal so it will soon get too far from ground to be slowed , by the ground permitivity, and "bent" to follow the Earth's curvature. Thus most "ground wave" qsos will in fact be D-layer skywave in daytime.....just like 136kHz. But it should be 10dB easier than 136kHz. Maybe the same propagtion predictions will work!
Cheers de Alan G3NYK
Re: Experiment with balloon carried antenna on 50 kHz in UK
Posted by John Davis on September 21, 2006 at 00:34:02.
In reply to Experiment with balloon carried antenna on 50 kHz in UK posted by Heron on September 19, 2006
It was a test by BT for the Ministry of Defense, according to a report after the fact. An anonymous poster here described it this way: "Antenna was 4400 feet long kept up by balloon. Tx was on from 17th march till 8th April (2003)continuous with some short tx breaks. Callsign GQV, Power averaged 30 kw input." There's no way to confirm that information, so far as I know.
Re: New NPL MSF 60 kHz Aerial
Posted by Clive S Carver on September 21, 2006 at 04:39:13.
In reply to Re: New NPL MSF 60 kHz Aerial posted by Alan G3NYK on September 20, 2006
Hi Alan
Yes, it was at last weeks T&F Club.
When VT's project manager started speaking of a steel aerial I initially thought that he was referring to the supporting masts, so I clarified that in one of my questions. The aerial is being supported by existing masts.
They are working on a 10 year + lifetime of the total project, with minimal down time <4 hrs per annum.
The PA's are S11-64 from: http://www.instrumentsinc.com/s11.htm
The Anthorn site will be unmanned, with H24 control from their HF Centre at Skelton. Their is also a secure IP link from Anthorn to Teddington.
There was also some talk of adding data bits to the transmission for commercial purposes. I asked whether this had come from the DTI, NPL or VT and was told NPL. Nothing else known other than this for possible future use.
National Grid Wireless, gave a presentation as a MSF user. Seems that they rely on the 60KHz transmission for maintaining frequency of their transmitters. BBC, Virgin, etc. Especially for Virgin, which is on a common frequency. They have a purpose built frequency counters referenced to MSF which enable virtually a phase comparison of their MF transmitters.
At present they have problems receiving Rugby MSF at some Scottish locations, they are concerned that following the move to Anthorn, they will have problems with their south coast area transmitters, which outnumber their Scottish ones.
I'm looking forward to the next Newsletter. Re: Experiment with balloon carried antenna on 50 kHz in UK
Posted by Alan G3NYK on September 22, 2006 at 16:57:48.
In reply to Re: Experiment with balloon carried antenna on 50 kHz in UK posted by John Davis on September 21, 2006
Hi John, interesting, I dont remember that one. I did remember a test on, I think, 55kHz which I assumed was to do with possible moves of MSF. One thought if anyone is interested further that should be announced in "Notes for Aviators" or whatever it is called....a regular list of modifications and changes to navigation maps and such like. This is probably published by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) which controls airspace in the UK. Their notes would of course give the location of the test as well.
Alan G3NYK
Beacon EAR new frequency
Posted by J.B. Weazle McCreath on September 24, 2006 at 07:51:29.
Lowfer beacon EAR has returned to the air with a new frequency. Due to modifications, it is now on 188.940 kHz. Operation is 24-7 using QRSS30.
potrzebie