(Times are CDT. 800 = 13563.100 kHz.)
Re: VAN
Thanks for the report, John. I have not made any changes to the beacon.
Maybe some moisture got in, we had a big rain storm Saturday.
The battery might need a swap, using a 7 Ah gel cell and a 2.9 Ah gel cell.
The 7 Ah usually lasts 2 to 3 weeks.
Will inspect soon.
73 jim vm
Re: EDJ QRV 555.420
Posted by John Davis on October 01, 2019 at 04:36:46.
In reply to EDJ QRV 555.420 posted by Bob WA1EDJ on September 30, 2019
Thanks for the update, Bob. I've got an inconveniently timed doctor's appointment Tuesday, but will probably have a chance to try for EDJ on Wednesday before our next batch of storms.
Re: EDJ QRV 555.420
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on October 01, 2019 at 10:51:04.
In reply to Re: EDJ QRV 555.420 posted by John Davis on October 01, 2019
That's ok John, I appreciate your efforts. It looks like the WX on this end will be good but very dry all week here. I forget the WX on your end has to cooperate too.
Bob Re: VAN
EDJ
Posted by jim vm on October 01, 2019 at 17:43:43.
In reply to Re: VAN posted by jim vm on October 01, 2019
John,
I found the battery was at 4 Volts. Cleaned up the beacon and put in the spare 2.9 Ah
gell cell which should last about a week or so.
So I am back to full power and maybe the chirp is gone.
73 jim vm, VAN 13.563.1~
Lowfer SIW again QRV
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on October 02, 2019 at 21:22:43.
With the help of Bob, NK9M lowfer SIW began sending again yesterday. Some TX dropouts were noted at first but things settled down over night and ran correctly. It was unusually hot at first but overnight the ambient temperature dropped back to normal. A bias adjustment might be needed to transition from the low-level DDS output when running at 185.2993 kHz to CMOS 5v logic levels. Time will tell.
The schedule should be like 2 years ago: 185.2993 kHz QRSS30/QRSS60 cycle on T,Th,Sa,Su and 195.185 kHz wspr15/opera32/qrss25 hourly cycle on M,W,F. Switchover at 1800Z.
The beacon still has EbNaut capability if requested.
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
Hifers in ME
Posted by John, W1TAG on October 02, 2019 at 23:33:57.
After fixing a problem with my R-75, which has been sitting idle for a while, I spent some time today listening for Hifers at my Maine QTH. The results were not impressive, which correlates with conditions here lately on 20 meters.
This morning, NC was very loud around 1430Z, just above 13,555.49 kHz. By mid afternoon, it was gone, not to return. The most consistent station today was EDJ on 13,555.42 kHz, from morning through early evening, with a better signal late in the day. Similarly, MTI was visible and barely audible in the morning, but good copy by ear in the afternoon. EH made a brief appearance this morning around 1451Z, but at 200 miles, that's an iffy thing.
The surprise was being able to see FRC pretty consistently in the mid to late afternoon. It was just audible around 1850Z.
No other signals could be identified. The SIW's were strangely missing, as was WM and PBJ, all regulars. Will try some more this weekend. FYI - RY should return for the "winter" around October 29.
John Andrews, W1TAG/1
Re: Hifers in ME
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on October 03, 2019 at 10:37:19.
In reply to Hifers in ME posted by John, W1TAG on October 02, 2019
Thanks for the report John! I await RY's return. You and EH are ( or were ) a pipeline
into GA in the past. EH has made fewer appearances in the last few months. Lets see how RY does.
I'll probably take EDJ off line at times this weekend for some listening.
Bob Re: Lowfer SIW again QRV
EEDJ
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on October 03, 2019 at 12:16:43.
In reply to Lowfer SIW again QRV posted by Garry, K3SIW on October 02, 2019
Correction of typo: frequency is 185.185 kHz on M,W,F.
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
Re: VAN
Posted by John Davis on October 04, 2019 at 05:51:28.
In reply to Re: VAN posted by jim vm on October 01, 2019
(Times are CDT. 800 = 13563.100 kHz.)
Jim, that's a most interesting result. Full voltage inverts the direction of the "slow chirp."
This was the only appearance of VAN in the 7 or 8 times that I tuned in on Wednesday. (It was too rainy to go to the field today.)
Other Westerners made it here at various times of the day, too. The (probable) PVC dotted line showed up in the 9 AM hour; as did K6FRC, which returned faintly at mid-day and better about half an hour after sunset. AZ was faintly visible during the noon hour, and pretty good by 7:34 PM. Also, 7P was a regular from late morning into early evening.
---------------------------------------------------------------
File Attachment 1: 2octVAN.jpg
Re: EDJ QRV 555.420
It was drippy here nearly all day Thursday. Unfortunately, on Wednesday, we were deep in the aftermath of the weekend's G1 activity, and the usual moribund conditions were in effect, especially regarding stations inside the first skip zone.
My one current northeast "pipeline" station, EH, made it here...at S1 levels, in fact, for a time in early morning. NC didn't join in until later. ODX showed up briefly about half an hour before solar noon. And some of the westerners made it here at various times, as mentioned in the latest VAN report.
But there was no trace of anyone from IL, TX, TN, or GA...not even a single appearance of MTI, so I conclude that post-storm conditions include an expansion of the dead skip region.
I had plans to try again Friday morning because we were supposed to have a dry day. Some chance of showers just got added back to the forecast, though, so I'll have to play it by ear.
John
what antenna are using on your HiFer
Posted by michael tyler on October 04, 2019 at 11:00:43.
WV is using a 12 foot ground mounted antenna with a home made L match...I was wondering what every body else is using??? thanks mike HiFer WV
Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time
Posted by Jerry Parker on October 04, 2019 at 14:18:07.
Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time Re: what antenna are using on your HiFer
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 October 04, 2019 at 16:03:20.
In reply to what antenna are using on your HiFer posted by michael tyler on October 04, 2019
PVC uses an inverted V dipole tuned to 22m. It has an isolating balun at the feedpoint, and the mast is on the house roof, placing the centre around 25 - 30 ft off the ground. It was matched using a low power ATU, but better results have been obtained with this removed.
Cheers,
Ed
Re: Lowfer SIW again QRV
Posted by John Davis on October 04, 2019 at 18:11:40.
In reply to Re: Lowfer SIW again QRV posted by Garry, K3SIW on October 03, 2019
By a miracle, and contrary to last night's forecast, today turned out to be sunny following the cold front passage. So, I went to the field to see what I could see on 1750 meters. Alas, as sometimes happens under these conditions, the band was filled with 60 Hz power line buzz! It was S9 in CW bandwidth, way higher that I've ever been able to see a LowFER under nighttime skywave conditions, let alone daytime groundwave.
I set up to monitor 22 meters instead for a while, hoping it might improve by the noon hour, so I could catch the 1 PM frequency & mode transition, but no joy then, either.
"Tomorrow," as we used to say Down South, "is anutha day." Maybe the insulators will all be dried out and/or the wind will be from a better direction by then.
John
Re: EDJ QRV 555.420
Posted by John Davis on October 04, 2019 at 18:30:31.
In reply to Re: EDJ QRV 555.420 posted by John Davis on October 04, 2019
Partial copy of EDJ by the noon hour. I planned to alternate between watching for EDJ on 22 m and SIW on 1750 m this morning, but powerline buzz kept me from doing much on 1750, so you had almost my full attention, Bob. :)
I probably would have had better copy except for NC stomping on 7P around 555.470, mixing with an unusually noisy EH just above .440. As strong as they both were, that put a lot of mixing products from audio chain distortion right on top of EDJ.
I'm continuing to monitor, so there's a chance EDJ may appear cleanly on its own at some point today.
John
Re: what antenna are using on your HiFer
Posted by John Davis on October 04, 2019 at 18:44:43.
In reply to Re: what antenna are using on your HiFer posted by Ed Holland on October 04, 2019
A very interesting topic, Michael, and one that I hope gets a lot of responses.
One request: For those who use ground or roof mounted vertical antennas, please also include information on your ground system or counterpoise, as applicable. That's bound to be a significant performance related factor at these frequencies.
Thanks.
John
Re: what antenna are using on your HiFer
Posted by Chris on October 04, 2019 at 22:28:27.
In reply to Re: what antenna are using on your HiFer posted by John Davis on October 04, 2019
I am running beacon into a halfwave inverted V dipole and feed point about 14 feet high. Not sure if I should have the beacon grounded at any point in this type configuration. I only hear beacon a mile away groundwave with a cheap hand held radio. Distance is probably greater. Lots of hills and valleys. Hifier Beacon “Abby”
Re: Hifers in ME
Posted by John, W1TAG on October 04, 2019 at 23:26:52.
In reply to Hifers in ME posted by John, W1TAG on October 02, 2019
More listening this afternoon and evening, again at the Maine QTH. Completely different results!
The SIW signals were very visible, especially in the early afternoon. The WSPR version was giving SNR's of -22 to -29 dB. No sign of EDJ.
From 1900Z on, had very good copy of WM on 13,555.300 kHz. Died out before sunset.
MTI ID's were visible until a half hour after sunset.
The surprise today was fragmentary copy of 7P from about 2240 to 2300Z on 13,555.470 kHz. The QSB was too fast for the whole ID, but it was pretty easy to piece the callsign together after a while.
No other intentional Hifer signals copied in tuning around the band.
John, W1TAG
SIW
Posted by swlem3 on October 04, 2019 at 23:41:33.
Hi Garry. Setting the sdr up for the wspr Hifers today netted 13 decodes of your K3SIW beacon into N Central Texas between the hours of 1916-2132z, Oct 4. Saw 3 decodes at -22db. Rx antenna was just an untuned 8m tall vertical. More decode details on the wsprnet website (when it works...hi).
Re: what antenna are using on your HiFer
Posted by Bill Stewart, K4JYS on October 04, 2019 at 23:49:12.
In reply to what antenna are using on your HiFer posted by michael tyler on October 04, 2019
Here at WAS I am feeding the black cat into a simple coax fed 22 mtr dipole up between trees at about 40ft and hoping a lobe falls where there is an active receiver. Re: what antenna are using on your HiFer
73 de Bill K4JYS/WAS
Posted by KM0NAS on October 05, 2019 at 02:09:38.
In reply to what antenna are using on your HiFer posted by michael tyler on October 04, 2019
MN is coax fed into a simple homemade dipole. I don't recall if I cut it for 22 meters or 20 meters but I use it for both and switch the beacon off if I am working 20 meters. It is suspended between two trees about 30 feet off the ground with the wire running essentially east-west.
Re: SIW
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on October 05, 2019 at 11:45:42.
In reply to SIW posted by swlem3 on October 04, 2019
Thanks for the wspr report from TX. My hifers have generally been on during the day but I've had them off over night so I can monitor FT8 transmissions on HF ham bands. If you can switch to the wspr-15 mode you might find my lowfer around 185.3 kHz. It was just turned back on now that the good time for LF reception has returned.
73, Garry, K3SIW
Re: what antenna are using on your HiFer
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on October 05, 2019 at 12:52:41.
In reply to what antenna are using on your HiFer posted by michael tyler on October 04, 2019
GP at 12 ft (made from a long extendable HD painting pole), 4 wire counterpoise drooping to the ground not supported. Best SWR is 1.5:1.
Bob Re: EDJ QRV 555.420
EDJ
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on October 05, 2019 at 12:57:42.
In reply to Re: EDJ QRV 555.420 posted by John Davis on October 04, 2019
Interesting John. I think at that time I was using the 10M Ringo vert antenna not the GP for 22M. I was doing some 10M listening and did not get out to swap the 1 coax I have!
About 8 PM last night 10/4 I went back on the 22M GP, which I am on now.
TNX!
Bob Re: Re: SIW
EDJ
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on October 05, 2019 at 13:08:24.
In reply to Re: SIW posted by Garry, K3SIW on October 05, 2019
Garry,
You mention FT8. I have a a little idea I'd like to try on 22M. I've got a QRP Guys digital DSB transceiver on order. It is a new cheap kit for FT8 mostly. It is xtal control on 40.30.20M. Since 13.560 xtals are readily available, and I have a bunch, I see no reason why this would not work on 22M, lowering the power of course to our limits.
Generally the filter values for 20M work just fine. I still have to figure how to "trick" WJST-X into doing a beacon type transmission on FT8. I've never used FT8 but wanted to give it a try. I suspect it will not be that much "fun" since it is just 2 computers having a QSO but might be an interesting experiment on 22M if I can get a beacon mode running.
Bob
EDJ
Re: Re: SIW
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on October 05, 2019 at 14:27:56.
In reply to Re: Re: SIW posted by Bob WA1EDJ on October 05, 2019
Bob, I'm using a QRP-Labs Ultimate 3S to generate wspr-2. Perhaps they'll add FT8 to the list of modulation choices in their next offering. Otherwise, one could tie up an HF rig and mix the output frequency into the hifer band. I think normally FT8 code generates CQs every other 15 seconds. Not sure how best to stretch that out so you don't hog the band, not that QRM would be likely, hi.
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
Re: Lowfer net 3927Khz Saturday morning
Posted by Clint KA7OEI on October 05, 2019 at 16:52:51.
In reply to Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time posted by Jerry Parker on October 04, 2019
Notes on LowFER Net for 5 October, 2019.
Jerry, WA6OWR; John, AE0CQ (via email); Clint, KA7OEI; Ed, KI6R (via email).
Sorry for omissions/errors.
73, Re: what antenna are using on your HiFer
Clint KA7OEI
Posted by John, W1TAG on October 06, 2019 at 00:52:34.
In reply to what antenna are using on your HiFer posted by michael tyler on October 04, 2019
RY uses a vertical dipole cut for the low end of the 20m band. It is fed with RG58, and the feedline loss is offset by raising the transmitter output power. The antenna is hung from a tree branch, and the feedline heads off at a right angle to our cottage. The bottom insulator is about 15' off the ground.
John, W1TAG
EDJ QRT for 10/7
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on October 07, 2019 at 10:45:15.
Lawn mowing time....Coax must be out of the way for the day. Should be QRV again by 2000 10/7.
EDJ
Re: what antenna are using on your HiFer
Posted by Sal,K1RGO on October 07, 2019 at 13:07:20.
In reply to what antenna are using on your HiFer posted by michael tyler on October 04, 2019
I use a cut tuned 22m dipole up ~18ft high
5th/6th October Hifers
Posted by Ed Holland on October 07, 2019 at 16:24:58.
Hi Folks,
A very brief report from this weekend's monitoring. I have to go through the files again, but a quick flash through the (expected) best hours of the days revealed very meager conditions for the most part. NC, EH and WM made brief appearences, but there were no long periods of reception - instead, very much on-off conditions. NC was audible yesterday, around 5 pm PDT. Another factor in the results was the sudden appearance of QRM here at PVC. It sounds like power line noise, and seems to appear as either long periods of constant rasping, or periods where the amplitude undulates quite regularly, over the period of a couple of seconds. Either way, it does spoil the weak signal work somewhat, although Hifers including NC were visible on the FFT trace above the noise floor.
Aside from that, I reworked the antenna distribution box for improved switching functionality between the dipole and long wire. Also, I played with a ferrite rod antenna and noise bridge to try and understand the impedance it presents at resonance. The antenna's coil, designed for transistor radio circuits, has a main, resonated with a tuning capacitor, and a coupling coil at which the system impedance was measured. Depending on coil positioning, anywhere from 25 to 250 Ohms could be achieved, albeit with very varied strength of coupling. Interesting stuff.
Cheers
Ed
PVC uncertain operation this week
Posted by Ed Holland on October 09, 2019 at 04:59:41.
Our electricity supplier has informed us that large areas of California, including our address, may be subject to power shut off from tomorrow, noon PDT. The action is being taken to safeguard against wildfire, ahead of a forecast of hot dry and windy conditions, and may last up to 5 days.
So, PVC may well disappear from the airwaves without noticed. Possibly also without being noticed :)
Re: PVC uncertain operation this week
Posted by Ed Holland on October 10, 2019 at 22:37:08.
In reply to PVC uncertain operation this week posted by Ed Holland on October 09, 2019
PVC is still on. No power interruptions have been imposed upon us. Yet...
Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time
Posted by Jerry Parker on October 11, 2019 at 13:28:25.
Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time SZX returning to air
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 Mark Garrett on October 11, 2019 at 20:02:11.
HiFer beacon SZX is coming back on the air later today running CW and moving down to 13.561 MHZ (measuring 13.560994 MHZ). This beacon is a Epson SG-8002DC programmable oscillator. Operations were on 13.563 MHZ but after six years of operation the Epson would quit and run hot to the touch. I am not sure what caused the failure, possibly due to keying the chip. I may consider adding a stage to key, leaving the Epson on continuously. If anyone has any comments on their efforts with these devices I would like to hear about them. Drop a note here if you happen to hear the new effort.
Re: what antenna are using on your HiFer
Posted by Paul on October 12, 2019 at 15:14:35.
In reply to Re: what antenna are using on your HiFer posted by Sal,K1RGO on October 07, 2019
A 20m Hamstick (original made by Lakeview) on the metal roof of a shipping container on top of a 2,400 foot ridge. Fed with about 25 feet of LMR-240 coax cable.
Re: what antenna are using on your HiFer
Posted by jim vm on October 12, 2019 at 19:19:14.
In reply to Re: what antenna are using on your HiFer posted by Sal,K1RGO on October 07, 2019
Using a cheap MFJ hamstick mounted on a metal pole up about 6 feet at the bottom. SAQ to transmit on UN-Day October 24th, 2019
Using 2 1/4 wave radials 180 degrees apart.
Posted by Mike Terry on October 13, 2019 at 20:20:17.
Join us in celebrating UN Day on October 24 at the World Heritage Grimeton!
This year, hundred years have passed since equal voting rights for men and women were introduced in Sweden. It is a human right that everyone can make their voices heard in fundamental issues and is prerequisite for creating a democratic and peaceful society. On this occasion, we want to raise the power of women in peace issues. Therefore the organization Acting 4 Change, that works with the project womens empowerment in Casamance in Senegal, is invited to talk about women’s participation in the peace process from a Senegalese perspective.
During the evening, a peace message is sent with the old long-wave transmitter SAQ and finally we listen to Senegalese rhythms performed by Kilimandiarou.
The event is held in the radio station building with free admission. Arrive at the event on time, as there is a limited number of seats.
Tonight’s program 6 pm – 8 pm
Welcome – CEO Grimeton World Heritage, Camilla Lugnet
Women’s Participation in the Peace Process – Women’s Empowerment in Casamance – President Acting 4 Change, Linda Ohlsson*
The long wave transmitter is started – President Alexander GVV, Jan Steinbach
Peace message sent ** (17.00 UTC)
Concert with Kilimandiarou Welcome to an evening of signs of community and peace!
* More info about Acting for Change can be found here www.actingforchange.org
The arrangement is made possible with the help of project funds from Varberg Municipality.
More information about the transmission
The transmission is on 17,2 kHz CW.
Startup of the transmitter around 16.30 UTC
Transmission of a message at 17.00 UTC
You can also watch a live video stream of the transmission on www.alexander.n.se.
No QSL-cards will be given this time and no List of Reports will be constructed but we accept shorter Listeners Report to e-mail info@alexander.n.se.
*The world heritage site Grimeton is a living cultural heritage. All transmissions with the long-wave transmitter SAQ are therefore preliminary and may be cancelled with short notice.
Re: Lowfer net 3927Khz Saturday morning
Posted by Clint KA7OEI on October 14, 2019 at 01:58:00.
In reply to Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time posted by Jerry Parker on October 11, 2019
Notes on October 12 Net.
Present were: Jerry, WA6OWR; John, AEØCQ; Dave, WD4PLI; Paul, K6FRC
Pardon omissions/errors.
73,
Clint KA7OEI NRK 153
Posted by Mike Terry on October 16, 2019 at 19:15:46.
According to Wikipedia NRK P1 transmits in longwave at 153 kHz via the Ingøy radio transmitter (opened in 2000), which serves the country's fishing fleet in the Barents Sea. Previously with its 1176 FM transmitters using 124 different frequencies, NRK P1 was the largest radio network in Europe. However, all NRK's radio stations were gradually digitised during 2017 and are now transmitted via DAB+ and internet.
http://www.radionordkapp.no/nyheter/10865/nrk-slukker-langbolgesenderen/
Re: NRK 153
Posted by Mike Terry on October 16, 2019 at 19:19:18.
In reply to NRK 153 posted by Mike Terry on October 16, 2019
153 kHz is ceasing transmissions for NRKP1 Dec 1st. Will there be anybody else interested in leasing the facility? (via Svenn Martinsen on Facebook).
HiFERs Thursday 17 Oct.
Posted by John Davis on October 17, 2019 at 20:30:31.
Remarkable band conditions at mid-day despite low solar flux and Kp=1. I arrived at the field shortly before solar noon and intended to set up an LF experiment, but took a moment to listen to 22 m fist. I've been tuned there ever since.
The first thing that caught my eye was SIW slant mode, despite EH wandering all over it. NC was strong, so was 7P, WM was faint to fair, and MTI was making it through from time to time. SIW WSPR was visible at times, with one decode. Tuning downward, WV was prominent, as was NDB2, although both tended to be loud for one or two characters at a time, then surprisingly weak for one or two. Both the first-skip-zone opening from Illinois and the rapid fluctuation in levels are typical of minor geomagnetic storms, but none was in progress according to NOAA.
Higher up the band, TON and FRC were faintly visible, WAS was often good but with wide fluctuations, and ODX was fair. At 13557.6, there was a signal that first appeared to be about QRSS10 but turned out to be keying on and off randomly and drifting too.
RTÉ's longwave radio service returns tomorrow
Posted by Mike Terry on October 17, 2019 at 21:48:00.
TheJournal.ie
17 October 2019
Chairsperson of the Oireachtas Communications Committee Hildegarde Naughton has welcomed confirmation from RTÉ that the longwave radio service will return tomorrow.
RTÉ announced plans to end its longwave radio service in 2014 which sparked criticism from groups who said the move would isolate elderly people, particularly those in Britain, who rely on it to keep up to date with Irish news and current affairs.
A group in Manchester signed a petition calling for it to be saved so Irish expats could continue to receive the service abroad, with some saying “having a voice from home” helped solve loneliness.
Cancelling the service would have seen some older radio sets unable to pick up RTÉ Radio 1, with RTÉ’s director general Dee Forbes at the time saying it made the decision in keeping with “evolving technologies”.
Representations were then made to the Oireachtas communications committee on behalf of the Irish diaspora in Britain, and chair of that committee, Fine Gael TD Hildegarde Naughton confirmed last month that works had begun to ensure the broadcast continues for at least another two years.
The service has been unavailable since 7 September this year as RTÉ undertook “significant remedial work” on transmission equipment to ensure the continuance of the service for at least another two years.
The longwave service is now turn to return tomorrow.
“RTÉ committed earlier this year to maintaining the service following engagement with the Committee,” Naughton said.
“Following the temporary suspension of the service, to allow the works to be carried out, I am pleased that the service has resumed and listeners in the UK and beyond cna be assured that service will continue for a minimum of two years,” she said.
“We will continue to work with RTÉ to ensure longwave has a viable future.”
RTÉ has been contacted for comment.
https://www.thejournal.ie/rte-longwave-radio-returning-4855598-Oct2019/
Re: HiFERs Thursday 17 Oct.
Posted by John Davis on October 17, 2019 at 22:55:04.
In reply to HiFERs Thursday 17 Oct. posted by John Davis on October 17, 2019
The Illinois opening continued through the afternoon, with most of the other stations hanging on as well. My most recent band scan was 4:30 PM CDT, just two hours before sunset. There had been several decodes of SIW WSPR, and WM was solid by then, its CW ID and that of MTI being readable by ear most of the time.
WV and NDB2 were still sometimes audible, though not as strong as before. AZ was gone, and FRC was barely visible. WAS seemed absent at first, but later faded up a bit, and ODX was fair.
LowFER WM
Posted by John Davis on October 18, 2019 at 18:21:10.
Not my first sighting of the season, but the first one I've gotten around to reporting...unusual for this time of year because it's one of the rare times during the fall that WM has been stronger on-screen than SIW. (I'm not sure but what SIW may have been off until just before 10:25 PM CDT.) After this, I tuned to EAR, but didn't manage a full ID the rest of the night.
---------------------------------------------------------------
File Attachment 1: 17octWM.jpg
Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time
Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time Re: HiFERs Thursday 17 Oct.
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 your thoughts to Dave Curry WD4PLI your net control for this week at davecurry -a- charter.net
73,
Jerry WA6OWR
Posted by John Davis on October 19, 2019 at 06:17:59.
In reply to Re: HiFERs Thursday 17 Oct. posted by John Davis on October 17, 2019
Astonishing! The IL-KS opening continued after dark, right up until the band closed for the night.
At 7:31 PM CDT, an hour after dark, 7P went away rather rapidly...and EH was much weaker than during the afternoon, disappearing just a couple of minutes later. That left only NC (still strong), the two SIW's, MTI and WM. They continued for nearly two more hours, with NC holding fairly steady in strength and the others fading out and back in at times. SIW slant had undergone considerable Doppler spreading much of the day, but abruptly split into two separate traces 0.5 Hz apart just before 8 PM (see file attachments). SIW WSPR decoded as late as the 7:44 PM timeslot (see all the day's decodes following my signature).
As late as 9:22 PM, the MTI and WM CW IDs were still readable by ear at times, but SIW WSPR was gone and the slant mode was about to disappear entirely too. I attempted a quick band scan before it closed entirely. WV was visible, but poor aural copy. There was one visible ID from NDB2, and then it was gone too. Nobody else remained after that except a rapidly deteriorating NC, and MTI, which remained audible for several more minutes.
The band was back to its recent normal during the 9 o'clock hour this morning (Friday)...the Big Three Pipeliners at the watering hole (NC, 7P, EH), a rather better-than-average WV, a little FRC, no WAS for some reason, and fair copy of ODX. There were a few minor surprises in the afternoon, however. More in a later post.
John
SIW WSPR: 1824 -33 -1.2 13.555401 0 K3SIW EN52 7 1844 -27 -1.4 13.555404 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2000 -26 -1.2 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2016 -27 -0.4 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2024 -28 -1.2 13.555407 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2032 -31 -0.6 13.555405 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2232 -30 -0.8 13.555401 0 K3SIW EN52 7 2236 -33 -0.8 13.555401 0 K3SIW EN52 7 0044 -28 -1.0 13.555401 0 K3SIW EN52 7
---------------------------------------------------------------
File Attachment 1: 17octSIW.jpg
File Attachment 2: 17oct-mid-evening.jpg
Re: Lowfer net 3927Khz Saturday morning
Notes on 19 October, 2019 LowFER net
Present were: Dave, WD4PLI; Clint, KA7OEI; John, AEØCQ
Jerry, WA6OWR, asked to be excused due to family obligations with Dave acting as net control.
73, SAQ - 24 October
Clint KA7OEI
Posted by Mike Terry on October 20, 2019 at 19:02:24.
SAQ, the world heritage radio station, is to transmit on UN-Day, the 24th of October. The transmission will be on 17.2kHz CW. The startup of the transmitter will be around 1630UTC and the transmission of the message will be at 1700UTC. No QSL cards will be send out for this transmission and no List of Reports will be constructed, but they do accept shorter Listeners Reports by email to info@alexander.n.se.
Re: LowFER WM
Posted by Mike N8OOU on October 21, 2019 at 13:38:35.
In reply to LowFER WM posted by John Davis on October 18, 2019
John,
Thanks for the WM Lowfer report. The weather conditions this year has seemed to have delayed the trees from turning and dropping their leaves. At this time they are turning straight from green to brown but have not yet fallen. Hopefully the signal improves as they fall.
73 Mike
20th and 21st Weekend Hifers
Posted by Ed Holland on October 21, 2019 at 20:53:23.
Hi Folks,
There was some reasonable activity on 22m this weekend, with fair sustained periods of watering-hiole regulars EH, NC and 7P through much of Saturday. Sunday's files still await a check, so I'll be back.
John's notes from 17th about late openings were interesting, as yesterday, when I went to close down monitoring and restart PVC, 7P was still a clear visual trace well above the noise, at around 20:10 hours PDT. This is well after local dark, and usually past the point where the band goes quiet.
Cheers
Ed
630 m operations
Posted by Ed Holland on October 23, 2019 at 17:31:17.
Hi Folks,
Are any LWCA people operating/listening on 630 m? I've found a few web sources suggesting there is current activity, but nothing posted here. I want to make an effort to monitor the band, and am wondering what are the chances of catching some activity. This source: njdtechnologies.net/category/630-meter-daily-reports/ gives some hope that there is almost daily traffic on the band.
Next, I have to make a sensible assessment of the receiving capabilities here at PVC. I have a tuned loop and a receiver with TXCO which should be a good place to get started.
I'd be interested to hear from anyone who is an active operator or listener.
Cheers
Ed
Re: 630 m operations
Posted by Tom on October 23, 2019 at 20:08:56.
In reply to 630 m operations posted by Ed Holland on October 23, 2019
Hi Ed,
Generally activity on 630m as well as 2200m isn't posted on this site. There's plenty of activity on 630m as shown by the link you've provided. Signals are present mostly in the evening... wspr2 and JT9. You'll have no problem copying it anywhere in the US with any decent rx/antenna system.
Re: 630 m operations
Posted by Ed Holland on October 23, 2019 at 20:31:04.
In reply to Re: 630 m operations posted by Tom on October 23, 2019
Thanks Tom.
Looks like I just need to get my act together and turn the radio on!
Cheers
Ed
Re: 630 m operations
Posted by Tom on October 23, 2019 at 20:37:30.
In reply to Re: 630 m operations posted by Ed Holland on October 23, 2019
Yep, lots of activity awaits. :-)
RY QRV?
Posted by John Davis on October 24, 2019 at 03:03:35.
Today was the first time since Sunday that I'd been to the farm, and with storms and cold air coming tonight I didn't have a lot of time to be in the shack with the radio. But when I returned to the listening position this evening, there was a strange signal on the Argo screen at 13,555,390. It first materialized several seconds before 5:26 PM CDT, when 7P and EH still dominated the watering hole. It continued in a broken fashion until 5:45, when it began a long fade, and was gone entirely by 5:51 PM. The R was unmistakable several times, and the Y could be pieced together over several repetitions.
It then faded back in rapidly at 5:57PM (see capture), and back out by 6:05, by which time only 7P and codar remained. That's about when I returned to the radio and saw what was going on. By 6:21, the dotted line that looks like PVC was visible for several minutes, but wasn't strong enough for aural copy.
There were no later appearances of presumed RY by the time I gave up shortly after 8:30. By then, no one was visible or audible on the band, and even the center-of-band noise was negligible.
---------------------------------------------------------------
File Attachment 1: 23octa50.jpg
Re: 630 m operations
No reason why we can't have posts about 630 and 2200 meter news on this board. That, along with 1750 m Part 15 activity, NDB monitoring, etc. are what it was set up for.
The NJD Technologies site is one of the places to get good background information on the "state of the (ham) art" on the new bands, as is KA7OEI's blog at BlogSpot.com. A lot of the guys transmitting on the bands seem to communicate via the RSGB LF email reflector, but there's so much other stuff there that it's major work to try to keep up with the salient information. And, of course, WSPRnet is a good place to keep with who's being heard where in WSPR.
But I for one would be happy to see a lot more LF ham posts, especially from listeners, right here.
John Re: RY QRV?
Posted by John, W1TAG on October 24, 2019 at 11:50:42.
In reply to RY QRV? posted by John Davis on October 24, 2019
JD,
Sharp eyes! RY will be intermittent until Tuesday, when it goes on for the winter.
John, W1TAG
Re: 630 m operations
Posted by Ed Holland on October 24, 2019 at 20:22:56.
In reply to Re: 630 m operations posted by John Davis on October 24, 2019
Promising results last night.Listening using the 80ft long wire, several signals came in well above the S3 noise level, obviously digimodes or DFCW of some kind. After that, I rushed off to download WSJT-x and give myself a crash course. Amazingly, it runs on the ancient XP machine I keep at the radio desk. A diversion was made to 40 and 80 m bands to see how it worked where signals were more prevelant revealed a lot of FT8 activity.
On returning to 630 m, the band was quieter and I was unable to decode anything which did appear. More time learning which modes are which is needed.
But, a promising start down a new path :-)
Re: 630 m operations
Posted by Tom on October 24, 2019 at 21:50:07.
In reply to Re: 630 m operations posted by Ed Holland on October 24, 2019
Nearly all the activity is wspr2 or JT9 with a little cw. If you set wsjt-x for either digi-mode you will get decodes. If you don't get decodes when wsjt-x is set up properly, then the only thing left is "timing". Your pc must be within a second or so of exact time or the rx signal most likely won't decode.
RY in EM83du
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on October 24, 2019 at 21:52:15.
Good sig down here in GA at 1730 local. Good to hear/see you back!
I believe EH is quite strong just below RY, having a bad time today with erratic FSK.
Audibly strong, 547 RST.
All this off a long wire tuned to 80M!
I'm QRT for now. Too many antennas, 1 coax....
Bob Re: RY in EM83du
EDJ
Posted by Bob WA1EDJ on October 24, 2019 at 22:35:34.
In reply to RY in EM83du posted by Bob WA1EDJ on October 24, 2019
Correction!
EH is above RY, both still going strong. Wrong side band selected.
EDJ
Re: 630 m operations
Posted by Ed Holland on October 25, 2019 at 00:25:07.
In reply to Re: 630 m operations posted by Tom on October 24, 2019
Thanks Tom,
I'll keep trying. By the time I'd figured out novice operation of the software, I think all the JT9 signals had disappeared. Timing might be an issue, we'll see. Some were plenty strong enough that S/N should be fine.
Meanwhile, I need to practice reading CW. I was getting quite good with a training app, but on-air listening really shows up a lack of fluency.
Cheers
Ed
Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time
Posted by Jerry Parker on October 25, 2019 at 13:23:04.
Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time Re: 630 m operations
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 on KFS and participate by sending net control your thoughts t wa6owr@gmail.com
73,
Jerry WA6OWR
Posted by Sal,K1RGO on October 26, 2019 at 15:11:31.
In reply to Re: 630 m operations posted by John Davis on October 24, 2019
I will be running my K1RGO/B beacon on 476.5 kHz QRSS7 and cw ~8 wpm at times and also operate cw on 473 to 474.5 kHz this season (evenings). The beacon is a HB divide by 4 stable vfo gated by my HB matrix id-er. The main rig is a HB transverter and FTdx1200 on the 80 meter band, cw mode,running ~ 1 watt EIRP with a class E amp PA into a 160 m inverted V. Re: Lowfer net 3927Khz Saturday morning
later......Sal
Posted by John Davis on October 27, 2019 at 06:18:55.
In reply to Reminder: Lowfer net +/- 3927Khz Saturday morning 0800 California time posted by Jerry Parker on October 25, 2019
No Clint's Notes available this week, so here's a recording of most of the net. Participants were net control Jerry WA6OWR, Dave WD4PLI, Clint KA7OEI, Ed KI6R mobile, and yours truly AEØCQ via KFS and email. Asian SWBC sidebands from 3925 kHz were pretty rough at first, but improved later in the recording. As usual, right-click and save to your local drive for best playback.
websdr_2019-10-26_3927kHz.mp3
Re: 630 m operations
Posted by Ed Holland on October 27, 2019 at 16:47:09.
In reply to Re: 630 m operations posted by Ed Holland on October 25, 2019
I was successful last night in receiving and decoding WSPR transmissions at around 0640z (2340 PDT). Stations listed were VE7BDQ, K5DNL and VE7JKZ.
This morning, N1VF at 1644z just came in as I was typing.
Good stuff!
Re: 630 m operations
Posted by Tom on October 27, 2019 at 20:16:43.
In reply to Re: 630 m operations posted by Ed Holland on October 27, 2019
Good to hear Ed. Just fyi, it's possible to open up a second "instance" of wsjt-x and set it up to decode JT9 at the same time you're decoding wspr2. That second box is opened by using the windows "command line". I forgot the text of the command, but you can look it up in the "help" section most likely. That way you can catch more activity at the same time. Btw, off topic, but I thought I'd mention that 2200m activity has picked up lately... same thing... wspr2 and JT9. Something you can try after you're satisfied that you have 630m "down pat".
Re: 630 m operations
Posted by Ed Holland on October 28, 2019 at 01:47:54.
In reply to Re: 630 m operations posted by Tom on October 27, 2019
Thanks Tom - I appreciate the help.
2200m might be workable here, but I think the transformer on the long wire aerial could use an upgrade for more serious LF work.
630m Spots
Posted by Ed Holland on October 29, 2019 at 05:47:26.
More WSPR success this evening.
Fortunately a couple of nearby stations were in evidence, N1VF, very close by in the Bay Area, and K7RO about 150 miles away near Fresno, CA. Later, decodes came in from KM5SW in New Mexico, and then K9FD in Hawaii.
The 80 ft long wire is doing well so far, but I am eager to test a tuned loop again for comparison.
Cheers
Ed
Clean EARs (plus WM & SIW)
Posted by John Davis on October 29, 2019 at 06:24:47.
I began to think October was never going to yield good enough copy of EAR to continue my newly restarted every-calendar-month quest, but Sunday night/Monday morning did the trick!
July gave only partial copy, August was nil, but one night in late September was good enough to see a couple of complete IDs. With the arrival of October, happy days (or at least quiet nights) should have been here again. But although storm systems grew fewer and lightning counts diminished, 1750 meters did not grow quieter. We began having cold front passages just days after the equinox, which particularly reduced the lightning count over central North America, but on those nights a new noise source took over: power line buzz, up to 20 over S9 in CW bandwidth, and far worse in SSB or AM! Never could pin it down to any one area of the rural lines, but it seems one or more power poles have something on them that responds badly to the combination of moisture and strong north winds.
The only thing to do was wait until we have nights that are simultaneously without storms on the Plains and without north winds locally. That must have been the case Sunday night. EAR was already visible when I first tuned to it about 10 PM CDT, and continued to be visible and decipherable despite occasional QSB until 45 minutes before sunrise (see attachment '28oct-fade.jpg').
Actually, you can see that EAR came up in level for one last hurrah at 75 minutes prior to sunrise. It began coming down from that high at 6:30 AM, almost exactly an hour before sunrise, just as something else happened that I'd never observed before. The sawtooth signal just above 185.305 (Δf ≈ 0.3 Hz, τ ≈ 15 minutes), which is a regular daytime fixture here, underwent a sudden enhancement during the 25 minutes or so that it took EAR to fade to oblivion. Once EAR was gone, the sawtooth abruptly dwindled too. I had always assumed it to be a groundwave signal that was obscured by nighttime static and returned to visibility when QRN was attenuated by the approach of sunrise. Clearly, I need to reconsider that hypothesis now.
Before I even started listening/watching for EAR that night, I'd been watching the 1750 m watering hole because I'd seen both WM and SIW there during the afternoon. Both of those remained mostly visible, although trading places in signal strength a couple of times, during the sunset transition. You can see that period in both QRSS60 and 30 speeds in the attachment '27oct-WMSIW.jpg'. Note the wandering spurs that seem to take fiendish delight in walking through WM's channel.
All month long, I'd been able to see snippets of one of these three stations on almost any given day, but this was the first time in months that all three were present with repeatably recognizable IDs on the same night. Now, if only SJ were there too....
73,
John
---------------------------------------------------------------
File Attachment 1: 28oct-EAR.jpg
File Attachment 2: 28oct-fade.jpg
File Attachment 3: 27oct-WMSIW.jpg
Re: Clean EARs (plus WM & SIW)
That's some interesting observations, John. My Navtex monitoring results seem to have followed a similar pattern.
Thanks for the detailed report and Argo screen snips!
73, J.B., VE3EAR
RY On for the Winter
Posted by John, W1TAG on October 29, 2019 at 14:10:59.
Hifer RY in Raymond, ME is back on the air on 13555.390 kHz until May, 2020. I did a rough check on the frequency, and it seems to be pretty close. Nicely sandwiched between MTI and the low side of SIW's WSPR signal. As always, the RY site is uninhabited during the winter, so stuff may happen, though the frequency stability is pretty reliable.
Recent watching from Maine of the "watering hole" area from 13555.300 to 13555.500 has shown Wm, MTI, the SIW's, an occasional burst of EH, and NC. Have not seen EDJ in some time, though MTI is a regular.
John, W1TAG
Re: 630m Spots
Posted by Tom on October 29, 2019 at 23:44:28.
In reply to 630m Spots posted by Ed Holland on October 29, 2019
Fine Ed on the 630m decodes. Perhaps you'll catch some of the VE7's soon. Not one to discourage experimentation but... Re: 630m Spots
IMHO, the loop won't outperform the 80 ft. wire unless you have a local QRM source that needs to be nulled (that the wire is exposed to). That wire should deliver plenty of signal above your receivers noise floor. The antenna I'm using is only one quarter of the length of yours... but vertically polarized.
But hey... if you like to experiment "have at it". That's the fun of the hobby. Let us know how it goes.
Posted by Ed Holland on October 30, 2019 at 16:03:23.
In reply to Re: 630m Spots posted by Tom on October 29, 2019
Thanks Tom,
I fired up again last night, and was having no luck until I realised the computer's clock was not synchronised properly. That was fixed, and some reliable signals found on 30 m during a very quiet period on 630 m
I then missed a few JT9 bursts, not appreciating the slight bandwidth difference - figuring out the multiple instance operation of WSJT will be helpful.
On antennas, your comments are noted, but I do like to experiment, and loops are fun. Certainly the 80 ft wire delivers plenty of signal. It is transformer coupled at a feedpoint away from the house with coax shield and antenna ground kept separate. Noise here isn't too bad, but last evening power line buzz began to increase, up to about S3 after a very quiet S1 at the start of listening. There is one possible local source - the HV line to our house has an intermittent discharge somewhere, but it could also have been more distant.
More practice!
Cheers
Ed
Re: 630m Spots
Posted by Tom on October 31, 2019 at 13:27:14.
In reply to Re: 630m Spots posted by Ed Holland on October 30, 2019
The pc clock situation has baffled many that are new to the wsjt-x software suite. Without proper timing... no decodes. Good that you have a normally quiet noise level at your qth. For the times that the noise level isn't so quiet, as you mention, perhaps the loop will prove to be a better performer. Btw, here's the command I use in the "dos mode" to bring up the second instance of wsjt-x.
C:\wsjtx\bin\wsjtx.exe -r=2
Using the "run" command mode, navigate to the directory that the executable for wsjt-x resides in. The directory that your program resides in will most likely be different than mine so adjust the command accordingly. When the second instance comes up, you'll be able to set it for something other than wspr ... JT9 or FT8 for example.
Re: 630m Spots
Posted by Ed Holland on October 31, 2019 at 16:39:56.
In reply to Re: 630m Spots posted by Tom on October 31, 2019
Thanks for the windows knowledge - it makes sense.
I have a routine now, and last night had very reliable WSPR decodes. First step in a session is to sync the clock, which is a trivial two or three click operation.
Last evening pulled in at least 40 decodes over a couple of hours from the following calls:
VE7BDQ, KD6RF, WI6P, KK6PR, KR6LA, K5DNL, , KR7O, KM5SW, KM5SW, VA7MM
potrzebie