fs: info radio / talking house II $60.00 shipped conus
fixed the Auto ATU and it sound decent when stuff recorded thru internal mic, but distorted when using live input. probably easy fix for the many techies here. thought someone may have use for it with medfer experiments.
paypal or usps money order or local p/u in SE Denver or Arvada
$60.00 shipped conus
$55.00 shipped conus if paying via usps money order or local p/u in denver with cash
contact
robert
kc8gpd hotmail
HiFER CA readable 9/1/11 PM in Austin, TX
(7) two (0) - Three (6) Five - (3) Nine (4) Four or (3) Zero (3) - (4) Two (1) - One (2) Three (0)
Posted by Nick W5FUA on September 01, 2011 at 13:12:57.
I've seen QSB from the noise level to +20 > noise level. No other HiFER signals present this afternoon, but several unidentified commercial modes present on the band. One is a broad-band chirp having a rep rate of 2/second.
New MedFer kit on market.
Posted by Robert P. Chrysafis on September 01, 2011 at 14:49:28.
there will be a new kit out on the market made by sstran called the amt5000. it should be out soon was slated for end of august but that day has come and gone. it runs class E uses a toroid tuning coil. it's very similar in design to the rangemaster but is an uncertified kit and a 3rd of the price.
here is the spec sheet
http://sstran.com/public/AMT5000%20Specification%20Overview.pdf
it was demonstrated at some pennsy hamfest not too long ago and even the outdoor units casing resembles the rangemaster.
i thought i would pass this news along. the medfer market has been needing something like this for a long time and i have been pushing for someone with the ability to take the idea and run with it. well phil b stepped up to the plate.
i put a pre order in so i will be getting one of the first units when he starts shipping.
maybe i will post a review of it when it arrives.
i hope his claims are accurate because this will definitely raise the bar considerably for medfer transmitters.
robert Re: New MedFer kit on market.
Posted by Robert P. Chrysafis on September 01, 2011 at 14:52:21.
In reply to New MedFer kit on market. posted by Robert P. Chrysafis on September 01, 2011
should be noted the rangemasters actually run class c not e so that alone with a larger toroid should greatly improve things over the hamilton.
Beacon JAM 187.000 schedule
Posted by Lee on September 02, 2011 at 12:52:21.
Beacon JAM 187.000 schedule. 1200 Fri to 1200 Mon weekends and Holidays weather permitting. Longer times for vac and such would be anounced. A new message for this season. QRSS30 and 5WPM. The letter J twice at QRSS30, a one minuit pause, the 5WPM message, another one minuit pause, and then back to the QRSS letter J twice. Over and over or until a power hit. Good Dx to all and remember to report often and tip your waitresses. Thanks.
73zzzzz YouTube video JAM big in Ethiopia
Lee
Posted by Lee on September 02, 2011 at 17:50:02.
YouTube video Amateur Radio Beacon JAM 187khz is popular in Ethiopia according to the view statistics data available below the video window. I have a couple of theorys about why that is. I was wondering if any one else had some ideas. My main theory is the AM88 kit is being used for LP voice broadcasting apps. Probably no antenna restrictions out in the boonies. The AM88 will tune up anywhere from 150khz to 1700khz. And can be made to go lower or higher. Any other thoughts.
Lee
Hifers copied today
Posted by Sal,K1RGO on September 03, 2011 at 09:03:33.
Heard SIW on 13.555 today wid QSB 329 to 439 qrss3/cw at 15:30 UTC and GNK 13.564 539 also. Re: HiFER CA readable 9/1/11 PM in Austin, TX
later......Sal,K1RGO
Posted by John Davis on September 03, 2011 at 10:15:07.
In reply to HiFER CA readable 9/1/11 PM in Austin, TX posted by Nick W5FUA on September 01, 2011
"HiFER CA" -- details?
30 Hz through 15Khz receiver
Posted by Kenneth G Gordon on September 03, 2011 at 14:59:04.
I just found a Stoddart NM-40 receiver in my pile. This thing covers from 30 Hz (!) through 15 Khz, continuous tuning.
Talk about low-low-lowfer!
Ken W7EKB
lowFER Beacon " XR " ... A trace in history
Posted by Andy - KU4XR on September 03, 2011 at 16:18:02.
Greetings all. Re: lowFER Beacon " XR " ... A trace in history
I hope everyone is well. Due to a " freakish " thunderstorm today; I had to drop the lowFER antenna...The storm came out of nowhere, with no notice at all. The direction of travel was 180 degress opposite from virtually every storm system that comes thru this region. The winds were pretty severe, and did a bit of damage that I have not experienced to date... nothing severe in nature, and fortunately, very little " real property " damage.. The wind snapped one of the guy ropes, and with this antenna being super top heavy, along with it leaning over the top of my mobile home; It was imperative that it come down, rather than risking it snapping, and falling thru the roof of my home...
I have had my fun with lowFER-ing, and have no plans to erect another antenna in the future.
Thanks to everyone in the past who gave reception reports of " XR " ... They truly were appreciated.
73 to all; and best wishes for the future.
Andy - KU4XR
Posted by John Davis on September 04, 2011 at 09:43:46.
In reply to lowFER Beacon " XR " ... A trace in history posted by Andy - KU4XR on September 03, 2011
Hi Andy. Sorry to hear of the abrupt end of XR. I was really looking forward to trying for your signal this winter.
Any chance we could persuade you to try some type of antenna that might be easier to put up and take down for occasional operation... maybe, say, a tethered weather balloon?
All the best in any case!
John HiFer L improvements
Posted by Kel on September 04, 2011 at 19:34:34.
Some improvements were made to Hifer Beacon "L" today, including a new loading coil to improve antenna efficiency (the old one was really hard to adjust, way out of tune and shunting a lot of signal to ground) a new battery pack (6 Ah pack swiped from a laptop with a dead MB which replaced the pack of 1 Ah AA NIMH's) and an additional solar panel. The beacon would run on cloudy days but best case scenario was running out of power about an hour after sunset. Now it should run 24/7 and the signal should be improved.
Look for it on ~13.5600 with a 8 WPM CW ID of "L".
It is off the air right now because the new batteries and panels were installed late in the evening with no sun, but it should be back up a little past sunrise ET tomorrow (Labor Day here in the US).
Re: 30 Hz through 15Khz receiver
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on September 04, 2011 at 22:46:09.
In reply to 30 Hz through 15Khz receiver posted by Kenneth G Gordon on September 03, 2011
Hey Ken. Is its weight proportionate to the wavelengths it covers? Ed
Re: HiFer L improvements
Posted by Paul on September 06, 2011 at 13:08:27.
In reply to HiFer L improvements posted by Kel on September 04, 2011
Hearing peeps of what might possibly be "L" over here in CA. Will monitor some more.
Re: HiFer L improvements
Posted by Paul on September 06, 2011 at 13:17:59.
In reply to HiFer L improvements posted by Kel on September 04, 2011
Almost forgot-
I'll be glad to email an Argo capture if you'd like. Just let me know you're email addy.
Paul
HIFER Beacon USC
Posted by Pat Bunn -N4LTA on September 08, 2011 at 15:03:38.
I am experimenting with a HIFER Beacon on 13.554 mhz located in upstate SC.
Beacon antenna coordinates are 34 55.649N, 81 50.447 W. Antenna is a dipole at 35 feet. Grid square is EM94
Beacon is transmitting "USC" with QRSS3. It is controlled with a PIC12F509 microcontroller keying a SG8002 programmed to 13.554 mhz. Output power is approximately 2 mW.
Reports appreciated to N4LTA
Pat Bunn
Hifer Beacon USC
Posted by Pat Bunn on September 16, 2011 at 17:34:23.
This weekend I plan to improve the Hifer "USC" with a ground plane antenna mounted approximately 1/4 wave above ground. The transmitter will be relocated to the feedpoint of the antenna. The beacon transmitts QRSS3 "USC"
at approximately 13.554 Mhz.
Reports to N4LTA are appreciated
HIFERs tonight
Pat Bunn
N4LTA
Posted by Ward K7PO on September 16, 2011 at 21:05:28.
Pretty good conditions to the AZ desert tonight. Around 0345Z, 17 Sep, I'm hearing GNK at 13564.4~, and SZX at 13562.7~. Both are steady at 439. Also hearing SIW, 13555.4 549. The qrss really stands out, and made SIW easy to find.
Ward K7PO Re: HIFERs tonight
Tonopah, AZ
Posted by Ward K7PO on September 16, 2011 at 21:37:49.
In reply to HIFERs tonight posted by Ward K7PO on September 16, 2011
OK, I think K7PO needs a reality check. I had been working some pacific stations on 12m, and decided to listen for beacons one more time before calling it a night. At 0418, GNK and SZX were gone, but SIW was louder than before. I had switched to my 20m antenna, a KT34XA at 80 ft, aiming about 235 degrees. I turned the antenna to the NE, and SIW went down to the noise level, although still OK copy. Antennas go back out to the pacific, and SIW is solid 539 again. This was repeated several times. So, is it possible I'm hearing SIW longpath, or is this some anomaly with my beam being 500 khz out of it's range? As an aside, VK's and ZL's were working into EY8 at the time on 12.
Ward K7PO
Re: HIFERs tonight
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on September 17, 2011 at 11:27:10.
In reply to Re: HIFERs tonight posted by Ward K7PO on September 16, 2011
Hi Ward. Yeh, I think that your reflector was probably acting more like a director element at the lower frequency. Re: HIFERs tonight
I also was listening yesterday, and from the period about 2000 to 2400UT/16 Sept., and after that from 0000 to 0400UT or so, was hearing quite a few of the beacons. EH on ~13557, MTI a bit higher, and NHVT on ~13559. No trace of "L" around 13560 KHz, but SZX on ~13563, GNK on ~13564, and K6FRC on ~13565 KHz were all clearly heard. None seemed to be as strong as usual(usually 449 or so), and at best were 339. MTI was weakest, but clearly heard with its slow ID, sounding like ' OI ' at times. Did not hear the AJO beacon--off the air? EdWSlidell,LA EM50cg
Posted by John Davis on September 17, 2011 at 11:33:31.
In reply to Re: HIFERs tonight posted by Ward K7PO on September 16, 2011
I would bet on it being a distortion of the beam's pattern half a MHz off resonance. Sidelobes and even front/back ratios can change quite dramatically... more so at high-gain spacing of the elements than for lower gain antennas, especially.
Garry's beacon installations are very good, but long path at 4 mW would be still a bit of a stretch. :)
John Re: HIFERs tonight
Posted by John Davis on September 17, 2011 at 11:39:25.
In reply to Re: HIFERs tonight posted by John Davis on September 17, 2011
By the way, Ward, congratulations on all those stations! I'm still mainly copying NC, RY, and MP on 22 m. I did manage a "W" at SIW's frequency early one evening, but it seems I'm at an awkward distance for good HF copy from him.
Your own signal seems to be linked to CODAR these days. Just as soon as it looks like I'm seeing something on your slot, those frustrating pulses begin fading in too!
John
Re: HIFERs tonight
Posted by Ward K7PO on September 17, 2011 at 19:55:32.
In reply to Re: HIFERs tonight posted by EdWSlidell,LA on September 17, 2011
Ed,
Now you see why I said I needed a reality check! It was interesting to see the increase in signal strength off the back of the beam. I don't normally use that antenna for HIFER hunting. I plan on trying this experiment again next time sigs are good. Not tonight though, I'm finishing up a 12 hour day after fixing lightning damage to a microwave link my company maintains for the AF. I did just go check for AJO, and it's chirping away like normal, so I guess conditions have just not been that good lately. Here at work, I'm 50 miles away from the beacon, so it's a good bet that if I receive it here all is well.
Thanks to you and John for the input. .
Ward K7PO Lowfer TAG Back On Air
Tonopah, AZ
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on September 18, 2011 at 07:15:47.
Lowfer TAG is back on 185.800 kHz, running WOLF(10) from the woods of Raymond, ME. A chip that squares up the output of the 10 MHz OCXO had a ragged output, leading to timing errors that prevented WOLF's famous build-up of copy. This had caused problems for most of the summer, but the frame timing and steady growth of signal to noise now look excellent.
Reports are always welcome. WOLF software may be downloaded at:
http://www.qsl.net/dl4yhf/wolf/index.html
John, W1TAG
Re: HIFERs tonight
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on September 18, 2011 at 10:05:02.
In reply to Re: HIFERs tonight posted by Ward K7PO on September 17, 2011
Hi Ward. OK on the AJO status. I was thinking that you have shut it down to monitor, but if it's fifty miles off, that wouldn't be necessary. Must just be the conditions, cause I have not heard it for a while. K6FRC seems to be in every night, ans well as MTI, which was rarely heard previously. Amazing how much damage lightning can do--and Seatrax cranes. EdWSlidell, LA EM50cg
Hifer USC now in permanent location
Posted by Pat Bunn on September 18, 2011 at 10:41:14.
I have completed the final installation of the Hifer "USC"
It is feeding a ground plane antenna approximately 24 feet above average ground with 4 sloping radials. Antenna is close to 50 ohms at 13.554 Mhz (51-j1 Ohms) which was close enough for me. I had to lengthen the antenna about 5 inches when moved from ground level to the roof. Nothing like tuning a vertical antenna while stradling a steep roof peak up 25 feet.
The transmitter is an Epson programmable oscillator keyed with a PIC12F509 built on a small PC board and enclosed in a small Hammond cast box. It is located at the antenna feedpoint.
Beacon frequency is approximately 13.554 Mhz located in EM94 in upstate South Carolina. Output power is 4 mW.
Location is N35 55.678, W81 50.455
Reports to N4LTA are appreciated
Re: Hifer USC now in permanent location
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on September 18, 2011 at 12:16:16.
In reply to Hifer USC now in permanent location posted by Pat Bunn on September 18, 2011
Pat,
I have sent you a separate email with a screen shot from southern Maine.
Also, MP, SIW and NC are all audible and visible at mid-afternoon today.
John, W1TAG
Re: Hifer USC now in permanent location
Posted by John Davis on September 18, 2011 at 12:38:33.
In reply to Hifer USC now in permanent location posted by Pat Bunn on September 18, 2011
Excellent work, Pat. I'm glad you were able to manage more than 18 feet. A quarter wavelength above ground would not have been ideal. That elevation generally results in additive reflection straight upward, and cancellation at low angles just above the horizon. The way you have it now will be better for DX.
73 and much success, Re: Hifer USC now in permanent location
John
Posted by Pat Bunn on September 18, 2011 at 13:50:50.
In reply to Re: Hifer USC now in permanent location posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on September 18, 2011
John,
Thanks for the report and screen shot. Looks like the frequency is pretty close to 13.554.
Also the antenna work seems to have been worthwhile.
Pat
Re: Hifer USC now in permanent location
Posted by Pat Bunn on September 18, 2011 at 13:57:37.
In reply to Re: Hifer USC now in permanent location posted by John Davis on September 18, 2011
Thanks for the encouragement. With the report from John in ME it seem your analysis is correct.
I have been buttering up my wife for three days, because I knew I would be lucky if she would "put up" with the antenna mounted at the peak of the roof. If not it would have been 8-10 feet lower. I put it up and she came out and said" well you got it up there without getting killed" and went back inside.
A small victory
Pat
N4LTA
Re: Hifer USC now in permanent location
Posted by Paul on September 18, 2011 at 18:04:48.
In reply to Re: Hifer USC now in permanent location posted by Pat Bunn on September 18, 2011
Pat,
If it's any help...
Years ago, my wife made mention of all the antennas popping up on our multi-acre hilltop. I told her, "Don't worry dear, I'll keep all the antennas on MY half of the property." Not another word was spoken about it.
73, Re: Hifer USC now in permanent location
PS
Posted by Paul on September 18, 2011 at 18:14:55.
In reply to Hifer USC now in permanent location posted by Pat Bunn on September 18, 2011
Hi gang,
Question for the group-
Is running an Epson clock osc. into a 1/4 wave ground plane antenna going to meet the part 15.225 rules regarding signal strength?
I'm running an Epson clock chip through a bandpass filter, then through some LMR-240 coax to a "hamstick" loaded mobile antenna on top of a metal shipping container. Using a Potomac Instruments FIM, measured field strength was just barely under the maximum limit of 15,848 microvolts/meter at 30 meters.
I assume if I was to swap out the small antenna for a full-size quarter wave antenna and remove the bandpass filter, it would be way above the limit. How do you guys stay below the limit running dipoles and 1/4 wave groundplane antennas with an Epson clock?
73, PS
Re: Hifer USC now in permanent location
Posted by Pat Bunn on September 18, 2011 at 19:42:59.
In reply to Re: Hifer USC now in permanent location posted by Paul on September 18, 2011
I have an Epson chip feeding a 100 ohm carbon trimpot which
then feeds a 50 ohm 7 pole lowpass filter.
The output is a very clean sine wave with the highest harmonic down about 52dB.
The pot is adjusted until I get a .6 volt sine wave across a 50 ohm resistor. (measured peak to ground)
I convert this to RMS by multiplying by .707 to get .43 volts RMS across 50 ohms.
Power is then V squared/R or .185/50 3.7 mW
Since my antenna is very close to 50 ohms - measured not estimated - I am supplying a little less than 4 mw to a full size vertical antenna - which is what the literature says meets the FCC requirements. Measurement was done with a 400 Mhz Tek Scope and verified with a Spectrum analyzer.
I didn't use my old thermocouple power meter because I figured things were good enough and it is a pain to use.
I can easily change the level if it is not appropriate.
Re: Hifer USC now in permanent location
Posted by John Davis on September 18, 2011 at 20:26:47.
In reply to Re: Hifer USC now in permanent location posted by Pat Bunn on September 18, 2011
Your reasoning and methodology are excellent, Pat.
Use of a field intensity meter is the ideal case, and would definitely be among the many requirements if you were certifying the device prior to commercial marketing, of couse. But the Rules make provision for our situation as well in Part 15.23, which includes this wording: "It is recognized that the individual builder of home-built equipment may not possess the means to perform the measurements for determining compliance with the regulations. In this case, the builder is expected to employ good engineering practices to meet the specified technical standards to the greatest extent practicable."
I would certainly say you have employed the best engineering practices in this circumstance.
John
Re: Hifer USC now in permanent location
Posted by Pat Bunn on September 19, 2011 at 09:41:54.
In reply to Re: Hifer USC now in permanent location posted by John Davis on September 18, 2011
Thanks John,
Nice to know and am close to being on the right track.
I hate to have to buy an accurate field intensity meter to make the measurements. If we all had to do that - I doubt we would have many beacons.
I was using a 3 element 6 meter beam to monitor the beacon ( just because that is what the receiver was hooked up to)
It is horizontially polarized and I was reading about S8-S9 with the dipole.
With the vertical - it drops to S7 but the change in polarization is likely the reason.
The beacon ran for a week on the dipole with no reports and the vertical got a dx report from ME in about 5 hours.
Lots of fun experimenting on propogation. I am mostly an experimenter and enjoy building equipment.
BTW - I have just layed out a PC Board for your limiter and just finished it. It came out looking nice. I hope to use it in the next few days. I'll send you a photo if you would like to see it.
I am looking for a good RX antenna and am thinking about a shielded loop as I have a roll of 3/4 copper tubing. Hope to use it from 2 mhz and lower.
I also am thinking about putting up a medfer at my office. It has about 2000 square feet of metal roof and should make a nice ground plane.
Re: HIFERs tonight
Posted by Garry Hess on September 19, 2011 at 11:45:40.
In reply to HIFERs tonight posted by Ward K7PO on September 16, 2011
Thanks Ward for the report of hifer SIW. Thanks to John for his report as well. Now that the 10 GHz & Above contest is over and LF conditions are improving (less noisy) I'll get the lowfer SIW ready to reactivate. Don't think the hifer desenses my LF reception so will keep it running.
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
Re: Hifer USC now in permanent location
Posted by Garry Hess on September 19, 2011 at 14:27:04.
In reply to Re: Hifer USC now in permanent location posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on September 18, 2011
Pat, I just turned my hifer off to look for you signal and there it was. A bit of QSB but nice copy thanks to QRSS3. Will send a screenshot via separate email.
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
330 KHz rtty
Posted by Dan Yemiola on September 19, 2011 at 20:28:39.
While searching for beacons, at approximately 0304 UTC September 19,2011, I came across what sounded to me like 170 Hz RTTY on 330 KHz.Unfortunately I did not have a decoder ready to go, so i could not copy the text.
I was surprised, because I have never received a RTTY signal on LW before.
Is this just a fluke do to some agencies' XMTR tuning error, or is this a regular occurance?
73 Re: 330 KHz rtty
Dan
AI8O
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on September 20, 2011 at 05:48:12.
In reply to 330 KHz rtty posted by Dan Yemiola on September 19, 2011
Dan,
Those are Differential GPS (DGPS) signals. See:
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=dgpsMain
An excellent article on DGPS decoding (though not all of the software is "freeware"):
http://www.ndblist.info/datamodes/dgpsguide.pdf
John, W1TAG
Re: 330 KHz RTTY
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on September 20, 2011 at 07:44:25.
In reply to Re: 330 KHz rtty posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on September 20, 2011
Hi Dan. From what I have heard and read, the DGPS band extends from about 283 to 325 KHz, so this may have been a different type of transmission you were receiving. Here in EM50cg, sometimes there is a fairly strong signal on 330 KHz, but with a pulsing, then sweeping/swooping type of transmission. This is above the PKZ beacon(Pensacola) on about 327 KHz, and stronger than PKZ. The listing of DGPS beacons below (similar to W1TAG's link) seems to be fairly recent:
http://www.ndblist.info/datamodes/worldDGPSfreqorder.pdf
A lot of the high accuracy users seem to be obtaining the WAAS GPS corrections provided through Geostationary satellites. I saw some speculation regarding replacement of the 'Beacon Band' DGPS transmissions by the 'Wide Area Augumentation System', perhaps as a moneysaving measure similar to the Loran C shutdown. What's next...inertial? EdWSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: HIFERs tonight
Posted by Kel on September 20, 2011 at 09:50:21.
In reply to Re: HIFERs tonight posted by Garry Hess on September 19, 2011
I'm wondering if the short antenna on L is working to my disadvantage. L uses a 10 foot bottom-loaded vertical about 6 feet off the ground. I'm thinking the angle of radiation is so low that it can't be heard here in the states very well. Maybe time to re-think this?
Re: HIFERs tonight
Posted by John Davis on September 20, 2011 at 11:26:33.
In reply to Re: HIFERs tonight posted by Kel on September 20, 2011
An electrically short antenna is no heavier on low angle radiation than a quarter-wave resonant one; if anything, slightly less. A ten foot vertical at 13.56 MHz can actually be a very efficient radiator if (a) the ground plane is adequate, and (b) there are no obstructions in the vicinity.
I would investigate those two things, along with maybe changing to a clearer frequency.
Right now, you are dead center amongst raspy carriers from all the diathermy machines and RFID readers and whatnot that also occupy the band in this hemisphere. It's very hard to be heard at any distance over such things, especially when using normal speed CW.
Best of luck, Re: HIFERs tonight
John
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on September 20, 2011 at 12:46:22.
In reply to Re: HIFERs tonight posted by John Davis on September 20, 2011
Hello Kel. I think that John has the best point there. I have tried to copy your 'L' beacon, and left the receiver set in varying spots around your frequency. Unfortunately it has never 'faded-in' when the other carriers around 13560 KHz 'faded-out'. Too many of them in too many locations around the country, I guess. If you can get below 13559 or above 13561 KHz you should have a better chance of being heard. K6FRC really does OK with his short vertical. Wish you luck. EdWSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: Hifer USC now in permanent location
Posted by Paul on September 22, 2011 at 08:07:33.
In reply to Re: Hifer USC now in permanent location posted by Pat Bunn on September 19, 2011
Wow, Pat. You certainly did do as the rules say "employ good engineering practices"! No question.
I just happen to have a FIM for work that I could use for the beacon. Otherwise, I'd have to call you!
And, using the metal roof for a ground plane is an awesome idea. I did that many years ago, and the results were astonishing. And, the readings were very consistent through rain and wind.
73,
LOW FREQ tonight
Posted by Ward K7PO on September 24, 2011 at 23:10:19.
Some new stuff for me tonight on the low freqs. First, around 0425Z to 0445Z the 171 khz broadcast station (I assume Morocco by the listings and the programming) was booming in to the AZ desert. Then, a little later, starting at about 0525Z, WD2XFJ was in on 185.3 or so, about 439. I have not checked the LO in my homebrew converter, so I could be off a little on the freqsuency. It took a couple passes to get the call and message, but that's only because of the lightning noise here in the SW tonight. Without the storms, WD2XFJ would have been easy armchair copy.
Fun stuff!
Ward K7PO Re: LOW FREQ tonight
Tonopah, AZ
Posted by Ward K7PO on September 24, 2011 at 23:53:45.
In reply to LOW FREQ tonight posted by Ward K7PO on September 24, 2011
Ok, I took the converter out to the shop and set the LO on frequency, and I show WD2XFJ on 183.3. I think I'm pretty close now with freq calibration. XFJ is up to 549 here in AZ, at 0645Z, easily getting over the storm noise.
HiFER Sunday
Ward K7PO
Tonopah, AZ
Posted by John Davis on September 25, 2011 at 19:55:31.
The ionosphere was still a bit perturbed late this afternoon, but sometimes it let a few strong ID cycles come through from various folks. Using two Argo instances running simultaneously, I managed to snag MP, RY, SIW, and NC at the same time. I'll stitch these two together and post them in the Community Forum later.
New HiFER USC came into SE Kansas just fine about 5:45 PM CDT ...my first capture of Pat's signal!
Another first for me today was GNK, beautifully audible for a while either side of 5:58 PM CDT.
Couldn't hear or see either Arizona HiFER, but K6FRC was showing on Argo for quite a while, and was just barely audible. If I hadn't known who it was, though, I would have doubted the occasional "R" and "C" that I managed to decipher. Kind of suspect I heard NHVT for a little while, but I couldn't testify to it in court.
Although I didn't get to listen very long, it was the best day for HiFERs here since mid-June.
73 Re: HiFER Sunday - USC Capture
John
Posted by John Davis on September 26, 2011 at 10:00:19.
In reply to HiFER Sunday posted by John Davis on September 25, 2011
Here's Pat's excellent signal as it reached Kansas yesterday afternoon:
The flat line interruption is the WWV carrier at 10 MHz for calibration purposes. With 800 Hz as the nominal receiver output and WWV reading 6 Hz high on Argo, the receiver error is 0.6 ppm, or roughly 8 Hz off at 13.554 MHz. Thus, this establishes Pat's frequency as 13.554003 MHz at the time, give or take 1/2 Hz.
Re: New MedFer kit on market.
Posted by Rev. Robert P. Chrysafis on September 27, 2011 at 16:25:27.
In reply to Re: New MedFer kit on market. posted by Robert P. Chrysafis on September 01, 2011
i have received my amt5k kit. pic's are located here.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.103542016422103.6631.100002989142408&l=ba53b1b50f&type=1
it uses a toroid almost twice as large as the rangemaster and what appears to be a PN2222A driving an IRLL014N. it's suppose to run in class E mode but i'm guessing the novice kit builder will not get full class E out of the amt5k. it will take me some time for me to fully assemble and test the kit. could be after christmas when i get it assembled. household obligations and the fact i have to work on it in the dining table means i can't do ten hours on it in a week.
i will post pics when i have completed the kit and will report results of how it compares to the rangemaster.
preliminary impressions is its a nice well designed kit and a well written manual. the experts here should have no problem assembling and getting some good results from the kit.
rev. chrysafis
Re: LOW FREQ tonight
Posted by Krystallo on September 30, 2011 at 03:17:01.
In reply to LOW FREQ tonight posted by Ward K7PO on September 24, 2011
Hey Ward,
Great catch on 171 Kc ! Morocco was good on and off here a few weeks back, but nothing much on LW b'cast here(at least when I tried) lately.
I am in Boston around 7 mi W of the harbor. I have found that LW b'cast is a lot easier AT the shore and even a few miles inland makes a notable difference.
So your QTH being 2500 mi (?) "inland" meant a VERY good opening.
de N1NQC
HiFer Copied in SW AZ
Posted by Jeff K8NDB on September 30, 2011 at 17:49:04.
10/01/11, 0035Z, Good copy on K6FRC HiFer, RST 519, no other HiFer beacons copied at this QTH. 73 Jeff K8NDB
Re: lowFER Beacon " XR " ... A trace in history
Posted by PAUL DAULTON on September 30, 2011 at 18:06:55.
In reply to Re: lowFER Beacon " XR " ... A trace in history posted by John Davis on September 04, 2011
Andy have you thought about an Ashlock loop. Very easy to put up and tune, much easier than my lowfer verticle.
Dave WA5WKO has put one up at Heber Springs Ark. Copying him 24 hours a day with my new loop.
Paul k5wms
M0ayf loop
Posted by PAUL DAULTON on September 30, 2011 at 18:13:15.
I have built a 14 turn 8ft dia loop and adapted the amp from m0ayf's loop . It really works well.
See http://www.pm.keirle.com/3_radio/hf_loop_ant/hf_loop_ant.htm
for details on the loop and amp. It is a simple bipolar differential amp using common transistors. For lowfer work I used my 14 turn loop instead of the single turn loop described for hf.
I can now copy Beacon HSA, 38 miles away, 24 hours a day. Before with long wire or pa0rdt mini whip I might catch it a couple hours a day in the morning.
Best loop tuner I have found.
Paul k5wms
potrzebie