Re: 630m Crossbanders Tonight
I heard you last night on 630m, 559, attempting to get info from K6TOP, who I didn't hear (nor sure what freq he was on). I heard sporadic frequencies being transmitted, but not sure from whom or to whom ...3566 & 7066. I was listening on my TS-870 using my HB 20m triangular yagi. I was listening on 630m only...didn't try any of the other frequencies for crossbanding swling.
Re: 630m Crossbanders Tonight
Posted by Ed McKnight on November 01, 2014 at 14:04:25.
In reply to Re: 630m Crossbanders Tonight posted by Ed McKnight on November 01, 2014
Oh, I almost forgot, I'm Ed in Kuna, Idaho...W7LW
Re: Special event 630/600 meters
Posted by Tom Lau on November 01, 2014 at 16:53:41.
In reply to Special event 630/600 meters posted by Fritz Raab W1FR on August 10, 2014
I put the new E-Probe into action last night. Stations CW Stations
copied are:
WG2XKA 0027 UTC 473.1 Khz QSL by Request
WE2XGR/2 0030 UTC 473.7 Khz Via W1VD
WD2XSH/31 0037 UTC 478.2 Khz
WG2XJM & WG2XIQ in qso 0050 UTC 475.3 Khz
VVV de WH2XRA 0055 UTC
CQ de WG2XIQ 0111 UTC 474.8 Khz
WG2XKA 1027 UTC 473.1 Khz
WH2XHY 1028 475.2 Khz
WD2XSH/31 1029 UTC 478.1 Khz
Unknown Station 1030 UTC 474.7 Khz
Did not hear the Canadian cross band project stations.
73,
Tom N8TL
Re: Special event 630/600 meters
Posted by John Davis on November 01, 2014 at 16:58:05.
In reply to Re: Special event 630/600 meters posted by Tom Lau (fwd) on November 01, 2014
Remember, everyone, if you didn't get in on the first night of the event, W1FR's announcement indicates it officially runs to 23:59 on Nov. 2 (6:59 PM EST, Sunday), so even though the cross-band activity may not still be going on, there will be stuff to listen for.
Hifers copied today
Posted by Sal,K1RGO on November 01, 2014 at 18:19:06.
At 1800 UTC today, good copy on USC,NC,SIW and MP. All pounding in here. Re: Hifers copied today
Later.........Sal,K1RGO
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on November 02, 2014 at 13:53:32.
In reply to Hifers copied today posted by Sal,K1RGO on November 01, 2014
Sal, thanks for the Hifer report. Glad to know something is still getting out of the back yard. On the lowfer front I've had SIW on for a couple of weeks now. Are you going to fire up SJ again?
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
Re: Hifers copied today
Posted by Sal,K1RGO on November 02, 2014 at 19:33:55.
In reply to Re: Hifers copied today posted by Garry, K3SIW on November 02, 2014
Well the weather is starting to become miserable , so I'm back inside trying to keep my sanity. I hope this winter is not as severe as the last 2 years. I could'nt even hike or let alone walk outside with > 2' Ft of ice covered snow. collins r-389 vlf receiver
I am testing SJ, it was on last night, seems ok. I will run it over night tonight and all this week , take some readings for reference, do a few more tests on cw and go 24/7 mid november. I'm also running a 50 watt 160 meter beacon, cw 7 wpm, K1RGO/B on 1999 kHz for the helluv it.
73.......later... Sal
Posted by Tim Calhoun KU4YY on November 02, 2014 at 19:49:12.
I have a collins r-389 vlf receiver , it is in working condition Re: collins r-389 vlf receiver
i have checked most of the tubes in it and replaced a couple.
it works pretty good right now, i am sure it would work better with a complete alignment and check all of the tubes. it has around 40 tubes in it and I have checked 35 of them and the ones that were hard to get to i did not check.
I live In hasard Ky and would be willing to travel up to 125 miles from home to meet or deliver this radio to avoid shipping. i would also ship but it is a heavy radio around 80 lbs and it would cost alot to ship.
I am not sure what a good price is on this radio
if you would like pics of it send me an e-mail and i will send you pics and can answer any questions you may have.
e-mail is timelizabeth@windstream.net.
Posted by Tim Calhoun KU4YY on November 02, 2014 at 19:51:13.
In reply to collins r-389 vlf receiver posted by Tim Calhoun KU4YY on November 02, 2014
I had mis spelled Hazard Ky in the post
Re: 630m Crossbanders Tonight
Posted by Steve on November 03, 2014 at 23:50:44.
In reply to Re: 630m Crossbanders Tonight posted by Ed McKnight on November 01, 2014
Tnx for the report Ed. I was listening on both 3566 and 7066 for answers to my CQ's while VE7BDQ was listening on 3536.
FYI, I've posted a summary of the Friday night event on today's blog:
http://ve7sl.blogspot.ca/
Hope to work you next time or we can try a crossband QSO any evening if you like...would be fun!
Steve / 73
Re: Hifers copied today
Posted by Peng Wang on November 06, 2014 at 14:06:14.
In reply to Hifers copied today posted by Sal,K1RGO on November 01, 2014
Dear sal, Hifer NDB
Sorry to bother you. I want to buy some LF antennas from your company. I can not get in touch with William Greeley.I am glad to know that you are here. I wish you all the best and I will wait for your return.
Peng Wang
Posted by Jeff K8NDB on November 06, 2014 at 16:12:44.
Hifer beacon NDB is pounding away on 13.56208 MHz at 10 WPM CW from the Somerton, AZ airport. The antenna is a 1/8 wave vertical mounted on the metal hangar roof. Reception reports are always welcome. 73's Jeff K8NDB
Re: Hifers copied today
Posted by Sal,K1RGO on November 06, 2014 at 17:28:02.
In reply to Re: Hifers copied today posted by Peng Wang on November 06, 2014
Hi Peng, Montronics Model 220-1 VLF Receiver
Bill is the sales contact. He handles the orders. I will try to contact him and tell him about your inquiry as he is probably out of the state this week closing his cottage for winter in Maine.
I handle production, engineering, and tech issues.
later........Sal
Posted by Denis Cote on November 07, 2014 at 20:07:30.
I own a Montronics Model 220-1 VLF receiver. Never used it before but it powers ok and would like to see it in operation. I have no manual. It fits in a 19" rack. The unit has a rear antenna BNC connector along with a 100Kc input and two output BNC connections with Hi/Lo settings on the front panel. There is also a multi-turn pot for Gain setting. There is also a 1/4" phone jack but no label. No xtal input or VFO so I am going to guess this may be a downconverter but unknown of what IF frequency.
Has anyone worked with one of these before? Looking for guidance. Email me back, thanks!
Denis, Hifers in EN52
W1WV
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on November 07, 2014 at 21:34:11.
Nice copy of hifers NC, EH, and USC at the 13.5554 MHz watering hole here today. But MP was also in there, just below EH. Don't hear Mitch's beacon often because we're so close. Up the band PBJ and MTI were coming through well too.
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
Introduce myself and a question.
Posted by Walter M. Meek on November 08, 2014 at 15:33:14.
Hello all, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Mike, amateur radio callsign N8OOU. I live in Southern Illinois. I have had an interest in the lowfer bands since the 70's but never actively pursued that interest until retiring in the 2000's. Since that time I have improved my receiving station and have had moderate success in receiving dx stations in the 30 to 500 Khz range.
I have been an occasional reader of this forum, and an occasional contributor on a Lowfer maillist. Earlier this year Warren K2ORS put out an offer for someone to take ownership of the Bill Ashlock Wm beacon. I replied and was offered the opportunity to put the beacon back on the air.
I now have the equipment in my possession, and have started putting the station together by getting an antenna hung in the sky. I plan to have the beacon operational for this “2014/15 lowfer season”, and establish a web site as a memorial to Mr. Ashlock who was one of the early lowfer pioneers.
My first question to this group is may I operate the beacon on the 185.3 frequency that Mr. Ashlock previously used. The beacon will remain a part 15 operation with the original QRSS Wm graphic.
At this time I have no idea for how well my antenna will perform and what my coverage area will be. I hope to become a good player in this hobby, in the manor that Mr. Ashlock established.
Have a nice day. DE N8OOU Mike Meek 73
Re: Hifers copied today
Posted by Peng Wang on November 08, 2014 at 15:57:56.
In reply to Re: Hifers copied today posted by Sal,K1RGO on November 06, 2014
Dear Sal Hifers AZ & FRC
Thank you very much! I am very intersted in LF engineering and wish to consult you about tech issues in the future.
Peng Wang
Posted by Jeff K8NDB on November 10, 2014 at 03:51:15.
Hifers AZ & FRC were copied Friday, Saturday & Sunday near Julian, CA while camping in the area. Re: Introduce myself and a question.
Posted by John Davis on November 10, 2014 at 18:23:29.
In reply to Introduce myself and a question. posted by Walter M. (Mike) Meek on November 08, 2014
Welcome, Mike. Much success with your new beacon. As you have been told on the qth.net reflector, Bill's old frequency should be fine to use. Do let us know when you're on the air so I can put you in the list of active beacons.
I will e-mail you directly in a few days concerning LowFER history and Part 15.
John
F4DTL QRSS3 beacon tonight 475,573 kHz
Posted by F4DTL Nicolas on November 12, 2014 at 00:39:16.
Hello friends, my QRSS3 beacon is on air tonight. Re: RTE 252 to close
French NDB transmitter 40W modified: CW ID + F4DTL TEST (QRSS3)
Start at 0000 UTC until 0700 UTC with frequency: 475,573 kHz
QTH : JN18FP or 25 km south of Paris.
Americans reports are welcome.
Thanks you F4DTL Nicolas
Posted by Mike Terry on November 13, 2014 at 08:06:16.
In reply to Re: RTE 252 to close posted by Mike Terry on October 13, 2014
The Irish Post
By James Martin
November 12, 2014
excerpt:
The newly-appointed Chair of RTÉ is set to appear in front of the Irish Government to explain her position on the impending closure of its longwave 252 service.
Moya Doherty, the co-creator of Riverdance, was last week announced as chairperson of the RTÉ Board in a move which saw seven new members appointed to the broadcaster’s authority.
The Board was nominated by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications, of whom Senator Paschal Mooney is a member.
Mr Mooney told The Irish Post that he hoped to “maintain the pressure” against the closure of the radio station.
http://www.irishpost.co.uk/news/rte-face-longwave-questions SJ on the air
Posted by Sal,K1RGO on November 13, 2014 at 17:15:59.
It's that time of year again so SJ will be on 185.303 kHz, QRSS 20 in the watering hole. The xtal was a bit funky to start but seems ok for now, I guess it is getting old, like me.........hi........ Re: sdrsharp
I'm also running a 160 meter beacon on 1999.1 kHz as well, a mosfet class E 50W rig sending K1RGO/B.
73.....later.........Sal
Posted by John Davis on November 13, 2014 at 18:14:27.
In reply to sdrsharp posted by marky on October 31, 2014
Sorry to see no one has had an answer for you yet. Whether it implements filters narrow enough to be useful in interference rejection is an unknown because they don't tell you up front, so I'm afraid no one but an actual user of the software could tell you. It seems to be oriented more toward VHF and UHF hardware. It's also allegedly written to use the Microsoft .NET Framework, which is not the most efficient use of computing power, IMO.
Personally, I distrust any software package that doesn't give me its specs and installation requirements ahead of time...and which doesn't even let you download, inspect the "readme" file or user manual, or virus scan the files prior to installation! The "Download" button basically only gives you a DOS batch file and an executable called httpget that then goes out across the Web and gathers files onto your machine, bypassing all the usual Microsoft installation procedures and safety checks--such as they are--thereby potentially opening you up to unintended malware as well. I'd recommend caution.
John
Beacon JAM 187.015 khz up
Posted by Lee on November 14, 2014 at 21:25:30.
Beacon JAM 187.015 khz is up. Sending the letter J once at QRSS60 and a 5WPM message. Friday 1200 thru Monday 1200 and all off days and Holidays. My cheap chinese counter reports 187.015 khz but reports suggest 187.016 or 187.0165. Whats 1.5 hz amoung friends. Unlike last year, I am putting out maximum skippy right now. Used the analyzer and curren meter to good use! Good luck to all who look. Re: SJ on the air
KE6PCT
Lee
Posted by Douglas Williams on November 15, 2014 at 17:34:43.
In reply to SJ on the air posted by Sal,K1RGO on November 13, 2014
Hi Sal. Good copy on SJ in TN.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/33457409/111414.jpg
SJ is up at the top edge of the screen capture. Yes, I know my frequency scale is a couple of Hz high. Correcting that this weekend.
-Doug KB4OER Re: SJ on the air
Posted by Sal,K1RGO on November 15, 2014 at 18:21:05.
In reply to Re: SJ on the air posted by Douglas Williams on November 15, 2014
Happy to see you are copying SJ, Doug Re: sdrsharp
later..........
Posted by Marky on November 16, 2014 at 01:17:00.
In reply to Re: sdrsharp posted by John Davis on November 13, 2014
Thank you for the reply.
The base reason for using the sdrsharp and dongle is that it's cheap. The dongle and software covers VHF/UHF, covering 24mhz to 1700 mhz. The software is free and the dongle costs about $10.
There is an upconverter (the ham it up)that upconverts 0.1 MHz to 60 MHz signals to 125mhz to 185 mhz. It's a little more expensive(about $50).
Think I'll play with it for LF. Let you know what I find out!
Marky
Wm Beacon testing
Posted by Mike Meek on November 16, 2014 at 16:32:29.
Hello all, I am progressing with making the Wm beacon operational again from my home qth. The beacon is operating on a temporary, small loop antenna. The antenna is installed in a less that ideal location but convenient to access. At this phase I am trying different things, to learn about operating this equipment. That includes different size loops, support structure, loop material, and the like. These tests are being performed during the daytime and the beacon operation will be up and down. I will leave it on overnight if the antenna is in working shape.
On the chance that a signal is being radiated past my county lines it would be found between 185.3002 and 185.3007. It is a graphic Wm sent in QRSS30. If you see something in this range there is a small possibility it could be my signal.
Thanks for reading this. 73 N8OOU Mike
MLS ANT BROKE
Posted by Mark on November 20, 2014 at 02:30:29.
Hi all, Re: Wm Beacon testing
My beacon MLS @ 186.204 was working well until the first big snow storm hit my area. Like last year, I had some cap hat damage due to heavy snow. I had to take it off line till this weekend when the temperature will raise high enough where I can make repairs and retune the antenna. I monitor my field strength and it dropped way down due to the damage. This is the third time it's happened due to the harsh weather conditions over the last couple of seasons. I'm considering trying a loop antenna next year because I can design it to be a lot stronger. I'm getting to old to be out in bad weather. Ha Ha.... As soon as it's back on I'll let everyone know. TNX ..... Mark
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on November 20, 2014 at 06:57:19.
In reply to Wm Beacon testing posted by Mike Meek on November 16, 2014

Mike, I'm seeing your lowfer tonight in EN52ta, as shown in this cropped screen capture. SJ is coming in well at the moment but only see hints of TAG. WM is nicely placed just below SJ.
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
Hifers
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on November 20, 2014 at 15:26:57.
Copying NC, MP, and USC at the 13555.4 kHz watering hole. Surprisingly no sign of EH at the moment. Higher up, MTI, PBJ, and FRC are coming through.
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
Re: For Sale: AMRAD Converter
Posted by Steve on November 20, 2014 at 15:27:12.
In reply to For Sale: AMRAD Converter posted by Bill KB9IV on October 17, 2014
Hi Bill... Re: Wm Beacon testing
Missed your email earlier...do you still have the converter ?
Tnx...Steve
Posted by Mike Meek on November 21, 2014 at 04:28:59.
In reply to Re: Wm Beacon testing posted by Garry, K3SIW on November 20, 2014
Thanks Gary, I had bumped the frequency up a little from Bill's original setting, to not crowd SIW at .2993. Based on your capture I went a little farther up than expected. Today, (11/20) I dropped it down a smidgen hoping to get the W bottom a little below 185301.
MLS BEACON STATUS
Posted by MARK on November 24, 2014 at 03:20:18.
Hi all, Would this be a good MF-/LF-transmission antenna?
The weather warmed up a little today and I had a chance to repair and retune my antenna. Everything went well but then I found that the beacon transmitter suffered some damaged. The antenna was shorted out for a few hours before I noticed what was going on in the back yard with all the snow and freezing rain. Anyway, the transmitter is on the bench under repair and as soon as it's fixed I'll be back on. I'll keep everyone informed. Thanks...... Mark
Posted by Hermann on November 25, 2014 at 15:53:34.
If I wind around a cylindrical body of non-conducting material, for example a wooden broom-handle, a insulated wire of quater wave-length, for example 40 metres long wire,for a 160 metres-band antenna, would I get so a well-working compact LF-/MF-transmission antenna? Re: Would this be a good MF-/LF-transmission antenna?
I know helical antennas are used for transceivers working in VHF and I know for electrical enlengthening a loading coil is required. But would it not be possible to extend the coil so, that it is as well antenna as loading coil?
Posted by John Davis on November 25, 2014 at 19:23:03.
In reply to Would this be a good MF-/LF-transmission antenna? posted by Hermann on November 25, 2014
Short answer: the merit of such an antenna depends on how low a frequency you are trying to transmit, and what practical and regulatory limitations exist on its size. Helical antennas have been used with some success at HF and upper MF frequencies by amateur radio operators. It is a misimpression to think that they or any other loading coil will work to lengthen the antenna electrically, however. The main purpose is to achieve resonance, with impedance matching sometimes as a secondary goal.
In some cases, elevating part of the inductance may promote a better impedance match and help reduce power loss due to ground system resistance. However, this is a trade-off that becomes harder to realize at longer wavelengths. The factors which contribute to the antenna's own impedance, the loading coil's transformation effect, resistive loss in the coil winding, ground system loss, and the ability to lengthen the physical structure in proportion to wavelength, no longer mathematically scale in the same way. What works well at VHF is harder to replicate at HF, and what works at HF becomes even harder to do efficiently at LF.
In cases where the physical length of the support is a very small fraction of a wavelength (as it will be at LF) the effective height of the antenna is still one-half the physical length, just as with a conventional short antenna. This can be improved with a capacitive top hat, just as with a typical base loaded vertical. Without at least some top loading, the current distribution in the coil tapers to zero at the top almost as linearly as it does in a conventional base-loaded short antenna; thus, there is little improvement in signal for all that work. Further, top loading is advisable anyway to minimize corona discharge, which is quite capable of turning a helical antenna into a self-destroying Tesla coil with only a few watts of applied RF.
Those issues are not so problematic at VHF, where the typical helical whip--even though physically small--is still a somewhat larger fraction of a wavelength.
In practice, I recall hearing of hams who use helical antennas with some success at 160 meters. The ARRL Handbook, in fact, once contained some guidance on construction thereof, and I think the ARRL Antenna Book probably still does have an article on the subject.
Helicals have also been tried by experimenters in the license-free LF and MF bands here in the States, sometimes with acceptable results and sometimes not, but the bigger problem nowadays is one of regulatory interpretation. Thanks to certain so-called microbroadcasters stretching the Part 15 Rules to the breaking point in recent years, the FCC has issued opinions to the effect that the total length of wire used in constructing the antenna counts toward the limit stated in the Rules. Similar language has actually been formalized in the wording of Industry Canada's RS-210 Rules.
Most experimenters under Part 15 may not be aware of this shift in attitude because they haven't drawn regulatory attention to themselves yet, but our understanding of what complies with the rules has gotten a little more complicated lately. If a loading coil is functionally part of the transmitter tank circuit...as it is in most experimenters' installations...it is arguably a discrete component. But if the coil basically is the antenna, then someone using such a system under Part 15 on highly shaky ground. Even a center mounted loading coil is of debatable legitimacy for license-free compliance these days. And an antenna consisting of a single piece of conductive material, such as a metal sheet or large diameter metal pipe, is now supposed to be measured on the diagonal for compliance purposes. That might seem needlessly picky, but it just goes to show that someone blatantly bending the rules for their own benefit can have consequences on everyone else, eventually.
John Re: Beacon JAM 187.015 khz up
Posted by Lee on November 27, 2014 at 09:34:23.
In reply to Beacon JAM 187.015 khz up posted by Lee on November 14, 2014
Hellow JD. What does a guy have to do to get activated on the Lowfer List? Re: Beacon JAM 187.015 khz up
KE6PCT
Lee
Posted by John Davis on November 27, 2014 at 16:51:03.
In reply to Re: Beacon JAM 187.015 khz up posted by Lee on November 27, 2014
Sorry. Sometimes there's a little lag in online updates during deadline week for the printed publication, in order to make sure it's as accurate as it can be, since the MS Word document is itself the reference database. The online versions of the lists get temporarily updated from time to time throughout the month (the Message Board serving as a way of getting out word in the interim), and then the beacon lists are totally regenerated again once the print list is in fixed form. That will occur today in time for most folks' holiday listening enjoyment. :)
John
(Fwd) Watering hole in NC 28 Nov 14
Posted by Dexter McIntyre W4DEX on November 29, 2014 at 00:09:09.
Best WM of the night:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/15095569/w4dex/lowfer/185300_28nov14.jpg
Best TAG:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/15095569/w4dex/lowfer/185300b_28nov14.jpg
SIW bright all night.
Dex (Fwd) Beacon GNK at 13.564 MHz
Posted by Dexter McIntyre W4DEX on November 29, 2014 at 00:17:58.
Copy Q5 in NC at 2240 UT
Dex Wm Beacon update
Posted by Mike Meek on November 29, 2014 at 14:12:25.
I have swapped out the loop for a Vertical Flattop antenna. That has made an improvement in the near field signal strength. I have also weather proofed the outside equipment, so I can leave the beacon up during most rain/snow events. I will still need to take it off the air during severe lightning.
I am continuing to test and try improvements to the system. That will normally occur during the daytime, with occasional short outages. I hope to always have it operational overnight.
Thanks to all who listen, and especially those posting reports.
73 M.Meek
Re: Beacon JAM 187.015 khz up
Posted by Mike Meek on November 29, 2014 at 14:16:16.
In reply to Re: Beacon JAM 187.015 khz up posted by John Davis on November 27, 2014
John, I was about to ask the same question. Thanks for the explanation, and including the Wm Beacon in the list. All my info looks good.
Thanks 73 M.Meek
LowFER watering hole
Posted by Garry Hess K3SIW on November 29, 2014 at 15:49:46.
In addition to XNI, found signals from SJ, WM, and TAG fading in and
out. SJ had a frequency stability issue - the signal often abruptly
shifted. Attached is a capture as local sunrise neared.
--
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
HiFERs Saturday PM
Posted by John Davis on November 30, 2014 at 08:09:29.
Tuned in to the watering hole right about sunset and caught USC solid, MP some of the time, EH most of the time, and NC except for a couple of fades.

No other beacons were either audible or visible in the lower half of the band...not even MTI or PBJ...and only FRC (K6FRC) was audible in the upper end. It even shows up somewhat in the Argo NDB mode capture below, although all the characters were audible by ear most cycles.

John
LowFERs in SE Kansas Saturday Night
Posted by John Davis on November 30, 2014 at 08:17:05.
Tuned in 1750 meters a little after 6 PM CST / 2400 UTC and immediately began getting a solid trace from SIW, plus an unexpected early enhancement on SJ's signal. The latter only lasted for a single ID cycle, but it returned roughly every 40 minutes during the evening. Around 0130 UTC, I saw my first unmistakable squiggles from WM. Early in the evening, QRN was so negligible that everything was below S1 on the meter, but by the last capture of the evening, below, noise picked up to a median level of S3, with excursions between S1 and S5. As a result, I didn't get much more out of SJ (note the final sorta-clear "J" at upper left). It also looked as if I might be about to get traces of TAG until the noise increased around 0440 UTC, but interestingly, the path to Illinois recovered quickly, so I resumed getting good traces from both SIW and WM anyway.

John
MLS BACK ON
Posted by Mark on November 30, 2014 at 20:41:55.
Hi all,
I repaired the storm damaged beacon MLS @186.204 KHz this morning and when the rain finally stopped I re-installed it. It's back on line again. Please let me know if you receive my signal. Thanks..... Mark
potrzebie