Argo V1 build 130 re-released as build 131
Posted by Alberto di Bene, I2PHD on December 01, 2002 at 10:27:30
Good afternoon all,
After having received positive feedbacks on the latest mods done to Argo relative to hangs on slow PCs, sometimes related also to the use of Win XP or 2000, I have re-released build 130 as build 131. Please download it from: http://www.weaksignals.com
As previously noted, one of the changes has a side effect that the format of the settings has changed, so you will have to resave all your preferred settings under the same or a new name.
Another minor change is that now, when choosing CW (NDB) as mode, the program will automatically switch the Visual Gain to Low, for best viewing results, which can be further optimized by adjusting the Sensitivity and the Contrast sliders.
Enjoy,
73 Alberto I2PHD
Re: back issues of Lowdown available?
Posted by Webmaster on December 01, 2002 at 18:14:44
:: If I join LWCA will I be able to order copies of issues that were published earlier this year? ::
Usually. You would need to ask the publisher which issues are currently in stock and available for backorder.
We also have a member who handles reprints of issues that are no longer directly available from the publisher.
John Davis
W2RS QRV with active receiving loop
Posted by Ray Soifer, W2RS on December 01, 2002 at 20:15:04
Hi,
I put up the Wellbrook LFL-1010 active receiving loop this weekend, with good results so far. TH, at 44 miles distance, was received RST 579. NWNJ, at about 40 miles, RST 559. JJX, at about 30 miles, RST 449, all on CW.
I've installed Argo build 1.31, and will be looking for more distant stations. The receiver is a Datong VLF converter into a Yaesu FT-102 with 250 Hz Fox-Tango filters.
73,
Ray, W2RS
Re: The AM transmitters of Radio Luxemburg
Posted by boris on December 02, 2002 at 13:37:11
very important!!!
please can you tell me how can I i hear radio luxemburg, and what is frequencies when i want hear from croatia
Re: The AM transmitters of Radio Luxemburg
Posted by Harald on December 03, 2002 at 05:48:52
There are two programmes: the French speaking is transmuitted on 234 kHz. Its reception should be no problem during night time at Croatia.
The other one uses the mediumwave frequency 1440 kHz. On this frequency there is during day time (I believe until 8 o'clock in the evening)the transmission of the popmusic programme of MEGARADIO (MEGARADIO transmits also on 693 kHz from Zehlendorf near Berlin, on 576 kHz from Woebbelin near Schwerin [this frequency disturbs the programme of SWR on 576 kHz, transmitted from Muehlacker], on 738 kHz with low power from Ditzingen-Hirschlanden, on 1431 kHz from Willsdruff near Dresen and on 1575 kHz from Burg near Magdeburg)and in the evening it is used for transmissions in English languages.
TMO copied in Minnesota
Posted by Roger Magnuson on December 04, 2002 at 08:12:52
Copied beacon TMO here in Duluth, Minnesota. Mikes signal came up quite nice during the night and with slightly wandering frequency. Nice to see TMO for the first time and I am sending Mike a couple of screens of his signal.
MP copied in Duluth, Minnesota
Posted by Roger Magnuson on December 04, 2002 at 22:21:06
Beacon MP is copied in Duluth, Minnesota tonight. Very nice signal but faded down after a while. I dont't know who this is yet to send a screen capture to. Freq 185.3. I'll keep watching.
MP and Family on 185.3
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on December 05, 2002 at 07:00:16
Here's a shot of MP, VD, TMO and the startup of WA from early this morning.
http://webpages.charter.net/w1tag/files/MP120502.jpg
John Andrews
Re: MP copied in Duluth, Minnesota
Posted by Lyle Koehler on December 05, 2002 at 10:32:36
That's our friend Mitch, VE3OT from London ON. He is transmitting on 185.2990.
185.3 crew
Posted by lloyd chastant on December 05, 2002 at 11:27:34
Had a nice capture set on WA TMO and MP here in Maryland this morning..only a spot check as I did not do overnite..de Lloyd W3NF FM19MH
TH copy in Maryland
Posted by lloyd chastant on December 05, 2002 at 19:36:30
Th has been a regular copy but this evening he is coming into Maryland with a nice signal.He has been on 189.5 but seems to be a bit lower tonite--189.45--
de Lloyd W3NF
73 kHz T/A Test Tonight
Posted by John Andrews on December 06, 2002 at 09:22:51
Laurie Mayhead, G3AQC, will be transmitting again tonight (6-7 Dec) on 72.401 kHz, starting at 2230 UTC. He will use DFCW with 0.1 Hz shift, and 180 second elements. If you use the ARGO software, set the screen for 120 second dots. For those not familiar with DFCW, dots and dashes are the same length (180 seconds in this case), but offset in frequency (0.1 Hz). An idea of what the signal would look like can be seen at:
http://webpages.charter.net/w1tag/G3AQC/AQC-6.jpg
You might want to set the screen so it shows 72.400 kHz as well, since others (such as G3LDO) sometimes join in the tests.
Good luck!
John Andrews, W1TAG
Re: RB
Posted by koehler, lyle on December 06, 2002 at 15:47:35
Me too. I finally looked for RB last night, starting at about 0300 local time. Bob's QRSS5 signals were in here solid from 0330 until 0815.
Re: 73 kHz T/A Test Tonight
Posted by John Andrews on December 06, 2002 at 21:39:30
G3AQC's signals were good here from 2240 until 0130. Laurie then developed antenna problems and had to quit between a "Q" and a "C". During the time he was on the air, the copy equalled the best night of last winter.
Note for the record that the solar activity has been fairly quiet for the last week, and the geomagnetic Kp index has been dropping, though it appears to be back up to 2.67 tonight.
John Andrews, W1TAG
BRO LEK in Maryland
Posted by lloyd chastant on December 08, 2002 at 07:39:43
Interesting seeing LEK's MT Hell mode..Had nice captures on both BRO and LEK(MT Hell)on 182.2 this morning(7AMlocal) hr in Maryland.Used QRSS30 in Slow mode.de Lloyd W3NF FM19MH
LEK --MTHell mode
Posted by lloyd chastant on December 08, 2002 at 22:18:38
Seems this is a nice capture of LEK with his multi-tone Hellschreiber mode along with BRO. Captured this at QRSS30 in Slow speed.
de Lloyd W3NF
Re: LEK --MTHell mode
Posted by Bryce Ofstie on December 09, 2002 at 19:41:33
Nice capture Lloyd. I'm in the process of changing service providers but I hope to get some QSL cards out and post some news about who has heard me, and who I have heard, to my website once I have moved it.
Thanks again Lloyd for the reception report.
Bryce (BRO)
US NDB offsets, part 1
Posted by Michael Oexner on December 10, 2002 at 03:20:10
Hi all,
I'd appreciate if you could help me fill some gaps in my database. Please let me know all offset info (gained from own loggings, please) you have for the following NDBs (sorted by state/frequency). As with 99.9% of all US NDBs 1020 Hz modulation will be the most likely value.
Please let me know whether the list contains any obsolete beacons.
This is part 1 covering 5 states starting on the "right coast". We'll move to the "left" coast in due course :-)
Call,kHz,Station,State
EK,417.0,Worcester/Gozzr,MA BO,375.0,Boston/Miltt/Milton,MA FIT,365.0,Fitchburg,MA LI,346.0,Boston/Hullz,MA HY,342.0,Hyannis/Bogey,MA BE,332.0,Bedford/Bedds,MA CQX,279.0,Chatham/Nauset,MA RS,279.0,Worchester/Dunca,MA EW,274.0,New Bedford/Nefor,MA TOF,269.0,Beverly/Topsfield,MA SKR,251.0,Bedford/Shaker Hill,MA AC,248.0,Nantucket/Waivs,MA RZP,232.0,Provincetown,MA BA,230.0,Westfield/Wesie,MA TAN,227.0,East Taunton,MA IHM,220.0,Mansfield,MA PMX,212.0,Palmer,MA ORE,205.0,Orange/Athol,MA
RL,399.0,Waterville/Bracy,ME PW,394.0,Portland/Orham,ME SF,349.0,Sanford,ME BH,330.0,Bar Harbor/Surry,ME EPM,260.0,Eastport,ME LE,240.0,Auburn/Lewie,ME XQA,236.0,Greenville/Squaw,ME BG,227.0,Bangor/Totte,ME SZO,227.0,Fryeburg/Sebago/Hiram,ME RQM,221.0,Rangeley,ME LRG,216.0,Lincoln,ME
IVV,379.0,Lebanon/White River,NH AS,359.0,Nashua/Chern/Amherst,NH DRY,338.0,Manchester/Derry/Londonderry,NH LC,328.0,Laconia/Blnap,NH LAH,276.0,Lebanon/Hanover,NH CO,216.0,Concord/Epsom,NH
FR,407.0,Farmingdale/Frikk/Plainview,NY RO,400.0,Rochester/Breit,NY UR,385.0,New York/Orchy,NY MS,359.0,Monticello/Monga/Liberty,NY SW,335.0,Newburgh/Neely,NY BG,332.0,Binghampton/Smite,NY LG,332.0,New York/Peths/Maspeth,NY BK,329.0,Utica/Plein/Becks Grove,NY IA,329.0,Niagara Falls/Kathi,NY MP,286.0,Montauk Point LS,NY OZ,279.0,Oneonta/Kring,NY MS,278.0,Massena/Misse,NY BBN,275.0,Babylon,NY CJY,275.0,Utica/Clay,NY EL,269.0,Wellsville/Halos,NY GTB,257.0,Fort Drum (Army),NY ALP,245.0,Elmira/Alpine,NY SY,242.0,Syracuse/Kirki,NY IW,226.0,New York/Laurel,NY AL,219.0,Albany/Hawky,NY FZ,219.0,Syracuse,NY GF,209.0,Glen's Falls/Queensbury/Ganse,NY
AR,356.0,Providence/Armin,RI PV,335.0,Providence/Rench,RI SFZ,241.0,Pawtucket/Central/Smithfield,RI BID,216.0,Block Island,RI
-- vy 73 + gd DX,
Michael
Editor of "The European NDB Handbook" & "The North American NDB Handbook"
e-mail: michael.oexner@web.de
"NWNJ" increasing hours
Posted by John Bogath on December 10, 2002 at 12:13:19
LowFER beacon "NWNJ" will be increasing its transmitting hours from 24 to 65 hours per week. Transmissions will start on Fridays at 4:00 PM-EST and stop on Mondays at 9:00 AM-EST. It is hoped that the increased transmitting time will give more people the opportunity to copy its signal. The frequency is still 189.650 KHZ, as listed previously. I will QSL all new reports.
73/136 kHz Tests
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on December 11, 2002 at 11:54:46
Most of you are aware that some of the European guys have been beaconing on 73 or 136 kHz in an effort to learn more about transatlantic propagation at amateur power levels at those frequencies. Some of the tests are happening on fairly short notice. If you want to listen, be sure that you watch the RSGB LF mail reflector, as there is no guarantee that announcements will always be made on the Lowfer list or here on the LWCA site. If you don't already subscribe to that LF list, go to:
http://www.g3wkl.freeserve.co.uk/lf/lf_index.htm and follow the instructions.
Reports to that list would be welcome.
John Andrews
185.3--==7 group capture
Posted by Lloyd chastant on December 12, 2002 at 06:44:20
Had a nice 7 set capture about midnite hr in Maryland on-
IP,TMO,VD,WA,MP,NC,TAG(DFCW). Wow! getting crowded..
de Lloyd W3NF FM19MH
Hifer GA copy in Texas
Posted by Tony Levstik on December 12, 2002 at 20:41:46
Was able to copy Hifer GA 13.555450 Mhz in Sherman Texas at 1:20 UTC
Here is the link to the screen capture.
http://home.att.net/~levstik1/hifer.jpg
The signal had pretty good signal strength.
Tony Levstik.
Re: Hifer GA copy in Texas
Posted by Gilles Auger on December 13, 2002 at 18:41:59
Hi Tony.
It is always a pleasure to receive good reception report like yours.
The solar panel and battery system here in Montreal are still working very well even if there is a small amounth of snow over the solar panel.
Finaly i will make this beacon alive all the year, it is alone on the top of a 3 floors building.
Thanks again for this Christmas gift Tony and excuse my English.
Gilles Auger VE2DRW
WE
Posted by Lewis on December 14, 2002 at 13:23:11
WE came South last night, got a good Cap. in South Ms.
must be cold up their.started about midnight and lasted till about 6:00 AM central. Lewis
Re: 185.3--==7 group capture
Posted by lloyd chastant on December 14, 2002 at 13:51:58
Capture jpg is at
www.geocities.com/lacwman/185.3Dec11seven.jpg
de Lloyd W3NF
FS: Jtech 27 MHz Digital Numeric TX/RX boards
Posted by Rob Bellville on December 14, 2002 at 18:20:47
Check out:
http://www.qsl.net/n1nte/jtech.html
I have a large number of these boards for sale and to trade. The TX boards have a 5 MHz bandwidth so they could also be a great 10 Meter beacon.
Anyone who happens to find a schematic for these units will get a free RX/TX pair!
Make offers - I'm open to offers of cash or trade for just about anything! Would like to trade for beacon ID'ers as well.
Shipping to US addresses is $4.00 via US Priority Mail.
- Rob, N1NTE
FCC-kosher Part 15 AM xmitters ID numbers
Posted by Arnold Kessler on December 15, 2002 at 19:32:02
Guys, what's all the hullaballoo about the Part 15 AM xmitters? The FCC granted type acceptance to at least 4 of them, here are the numbers below. -- Arnie
FCC ID: DLB5LTT98 (granted 9/4/97) Realty Electronics 195 N. Main St., Fon du Lac, WI 54935 range: 0.53-1.7 MHz description: "real estate transmitter"
FCC ID: NWXAM1000 (granted 7/17/98)
Hamilton PCB Design
213 Caraway Ln. Cary, North Carolina 27519 1.2-1.7 MHz description: "low-power AM broadcast transmitter"
FCC ID: KNE393 (granted 5/3/93) Infotech Systems 6513 Churchill Way, Dallas, TX 75230 range: 0.53-1.62 MHz description: "advertising transmitter"
FCC ID: DPD624TA100 (granted 1/24/96) Ultra Sensors, Inc. 24136 East Cedar Lake Drive, New Prague, MN 56071 range: 0.51-1.705 MHz description: "AM transmitter"
Re: FCC-kosher Part 15 AM xmitters ID numbers
Posted by John Davis on December 15, 2002 at 20:11:31
:: Guys, what's all the hullaballoo about the Part 15 AM xmitters? ::
Thanks for posting those equipment authorization numbers, Arnie. At least three of them are old enough that they could indeed be Type Acceptance numbers. Today they would be issued on the basis of Certification instead.
In any case, the hullabaloo was not fundamentally about the transmitters. It was about how at least some of the manufacturers are using those magic words "Type Acceptance" to mislead customers into believing the hardware can therefore be used in ways that are clearly contrary to the Part 15 Rules!
That's why the thread has been removed. No posts will be accepted in this board about "microbroadcasting" or "LPAM" or similar topics if those posts in any way advocate operating practices that are, on the face of it, outside the Rules as they are written.
John H. Davis Webmaster@lwca.org
Help and more help
Posted by Richard on December 17, 2002 at 07:15:18
Does anyone know where I can get a full operation/service manual for the WJ HF1000 (otherwise known as the WJ8711) which is my favorite Rx for VLF/LF?
I use various receivers for VLF, including Watkins Johnson (WJ345 and HF1000), and Racal (RA6790, RA1772, RA1792). I am based in England - not much VLF going on here yet, but I would be interested to hear of any test transmissions so that I can try to monitor from here. Would be happy to give signal reports (if possible). Thanks..... Richard
Re: Help and more help
Posted by John Andrews on December 17, 2002 at 09:29:10
Richard,
I can't help you with the manual, though I have asked a friend who will look around.
Regarding VLF activity, frequencies below 9 kHz are unregulated here in the U.S., but my understanding is that this is not true in the U.K. The U.S. experimentation in this range would not be audible/visible at intercontinental distances.
At LF, until June, 2003, some amateur operation in the 73 kHz range continues in the U.K. Details of the allocation can be found at:
http://www.g3wkl.freeserve.co.uk/lf/73kHz.html
News of current activity there is best obtained from the RSGB LF news reflector. Details on subscribing are at:
http://www.g3wkl.freeserve.co.uk/lf/lf_index.htm
There is also significant amateur activity in the 136 kHz range, as you are probably aware.
One of the best VLF sites may be found at:
http://www.vlf.it/
Hope this is of some help.
John Andrews
No manuals
Posted by John Andrews on December 17, 2002 at 11:54:45
Richard,
My friend went through all of his resources, and could find no Watkins Johnson manuals. He did mention one web site as a possible resource:
http://members.fortunecity.com/swradios/wj8711.html
John Andrews
M0BMU Transatlantic Jason Reception
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on December 17, 2002 at 21:36:38
In what I believe is the first transatlantic LF Jason reception, I was greeted with the following when I returned home tonight:
http://webpages.charter.net/w1tag/files/BMU-JAS.jpg
I'm not sure that Jim's whole message appears intact in one place. I'll let him decide that, as I only have a rough idea of what was being sent.
The above was captured between 2230 and 0200 on the evening of 17-18 December on 137.500 kHz. Best copy was after 0000. Conditions were excellent, much quieter than the previous nights. I have a .wav file of the 2300 - 0200 period, and will be tweaking it for possible better copy.
John Andrews, W1TAG
Digital Recorders
Posted by Frank Carson on December 17, 2002 at 22:07:54
Does anyone have any experiance using digital recorders for recording observations and receptions? More to the point I'm referring to the recorders that store the sound on a chip, as opposed to a DAT of some sort. Any comments would be appreciated.
Frank Carson
Re: Digital Recorders
Posted by Mike KB6WFC on December 18, 2002 at 19:16:44
I've had success recording NDBs with my Archos MP3 recorder, see http://www.archos.com/lang=en//products/prw_500297.html
Most other digi recorders limited record time & that time gets shorter the higher the quality or sampling you desire.
Built-in mic picks up the whirr of the drive too much so hardwire connections are highly recommended in any recording situation.
73 de Mike KB6WFC
Re: Digital Recorders
Posted by Frank Carson on December 19, 2002 at 07:01:11
Thanks for the info - it is starting to look the MP3 types are the way to go.
Thanks!
Re: Digital Recorders
Posted by John Andrews on December 19, 2002 at 07:56:10
Frank,
One limitation worth mentioning. If you are recording a signal for later analysis on a computer, using programs like Argo, Jason, WOLF, etc., you should use a "lossless" recording medium like .wav files. MP3 is a wonderful thing, but it uses psychoacoustic processing to save space by eliminating things that aren't important to your ears. It may not be kind to audio tones, and I would expect that the phase reversals used in BPSK and WOLF might get messed up.
On the other hand, if you are recording for listening purposes, your brain can probably ignore any artifacts that are created.
John Andrews, W1TAG
Re: Digital Recorders
Posted by Mike KB6WFC on December 19, 2002 at 12:37:58
Hi John & Group,
Agreed. Have a look/see at http://www.stanford.edu/~udara/SOCO/lossy/mp3/
to decide if the loss might be acceptable for you recording/playback application.
It needs to be tested. Anyone game?
73 de Mike KB6WFC
Re: Digital Recorders
Posted by Jacques d'Avignon on December 19, 2002 at 20:09:52
I might be old fashion, but I have looked at many possible formats to replace using a tape recorder and after a long review I will stay with tape.
If I need an MP3 and can always save one from the digital WAV file that I make from the tape.
Jacques
WOLF copy of TAG
Posted by lloyd chastant on December 19, 2002 at 20:44:31
Had a nice WOLF copy from TAG(185.8) this evening hr in Maryland.Printout can be seen at
www.geocities.com/lacwman/tag.txt
de Lloyd W3NF FM19MH
Re: Digital Recorders
Posted by Mike KB6WFC on December 20, 2002 at 19:13:56
Hi Jacques & Group,
FB Here's a recording of Russian RSDN-20 ALPHAs just made today Dec 20, 2002 around 2200UTC. Can't seem to hear/see (using Spectran) what was lost?
Recording at http://www.geocities.com/silversmj/ALPHAs.mp3
Happy Holidays de Mike KB6WFC Daly City, CA USA CM87sq 37:40:26N 122:28:32W RX: HP3586B (3100Hz filter mode), set at 11.5kHz USB ANT: AA7U Steve Ratzlaff active (8' LORAN-C) whip, base @ 16'
Re: WOLF copy of TAG
Posted by Lyle Koehler on December 20, 2002 at 21:48:56
After trying a variety of parameters unsuccessfully on more than a dozen 26-minute captures, I got the attached results this evening. This particular capture ended at 8:22 PM CST. Yesterday's measurements on BRO (unfortunately not on this evening) showed that my frequency offset with an 800-Hz BFO pitch was about +0.2 Hz, and the actual offset was shown in some of this evening's earlier captures when it looked like WOLF was almost able to lock on to the signal. Thanks to Lloyd for posting last night's capture to the LWCA message board, which encouraged me to try some of the command-line parameters that I had forgotten (or had never understood)!
Lyle, K0LR
E:\wolf>wolf -q tag5a.wav -f 800.225 -t .05 -b 8000 -c 3 WOLF version 0.61 t: 24 f:-0.018 a:-0.5 dp:103.0 ci: 9 cj: 82 RVJ2NBF*HF4QBDE ?
t: 48 f:-0.018 a:-0.6 dp:103.2 ci: 8 cj: 82 EU*1/N8G3N*0BX7 ?
t: 96 f: 0.033 a: 0.8 dp:103.0 ci: 4 cj:120 TVIJS0EMIMT2HIT ?
t: 192 f: 0.039 pm: 115 jm:550 q:-13.7 -8.4 O0SJNLOFQ2CM8.9 ?
t: 288 f: 0.039 pm: 171 jm:332 q:-14.6 -6.3 UPO18I0XLDQI0FR -
t: 384 f:-0.049 pm: 174 jm:599 q:-13.4 -5.9 MPOA4BLBY3 6SLN ?
t: 480 f:-0.049 pm: 231 jm:599 q:-11.9 -9.6 CP64WGFUF6Z/OZH ?
t: 576 f: 0.039 pm: 242 jm:796 q:-11.8 -8.9 9D*19TGPMVFBDY5 ?
t: 672 f:-0.049 pm: 249 jm:599 q:-11.9 -8.3 4O85P5GN83HCP14 ?
t: 768 f: 0.059 pm: 282 jm:157 q:-11.4 -8.7 YQN1HZMT.ZYXSLK ?
t: 864 f: 0.000 pm: 294 jm:451 q:-12.0 -8.3 5Q7ZSLKH9QQIAIJ ?
t: 960 f: 0.000 pm: 369 jm:347 q: -7.3 -8.2 4HPVIG HJ96.0EB ?
t:1056 f: 0.000 pm: 411 jm:348 q: -6.7 -6.9 CDF/9N955JT4IAW ?
t:1152 f: 0.000 pm: 469 jm:348 q: -6.0 -5.9 YLWEALL87YZPVXN -
t:1248 f: 0.000 pm: 490 jm:348 q: -5.5 -8.4 6BLNS6SUN*K7SPB ?
t:1344 f: 0.000 pm: 630 jm:348 q: -4.9 -5.9 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t:1440 f: 0.000 pm: 765 jm:348 q: -4.4 -5.5 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t:1536 f: 0.000 pm: 829 jm:348 q: -3.9 -5.2 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t:1632 f: 0.000 pm: 934 jm:348 q: -3.2 -4.9 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
Wolf Processing/Results
Posted by lloyd chastant on December 21, 2002 at 08:34:13
I thought it might be interesting to show how various parameters affect the Wolf results,especially since TAG has been sending WOLF on 185.8.Lyle noted some of this in his last message here.
I used my WAV capture on Dec 20 as a sample of how what appears to be not too good results can turn out to be fairly nice.
If you look at the results I have posted at:
www.geocities.com/lacwman/wolfprocess.txt
the first processed result was done with just the basic -q wav file processing and then I have the second with the -b (noise blanker)parameter set and finally the last shows results with both the -b and -c(coherent processing) values set.
I don't profess to know how all these parameters work so you may have to go to the Wolf site and review theseHI!!
Keep in mind that these were all obtained from the one WAV capture(I use CoolEdit) .
It has been my experience that many times when processing a Wolf capture the initial processing shows either nothing or only marginal results..so don't stop with just that==try these other parameters.Also I note if the frequency(f) is within the 1 hz on the processing you don't need to correct for frequency,but it may also be necessary to try -f at 2 or 3 if your recording is not right on the 1 hz accurate frequency..
Whew!! hope I haven't confused you but just thought I'd pass this along from my experience.
de Lloyd W3NF
Re: WOLF copy of TAG
Posted by W4DEX on December 21, 2002 at 23:57:31
Good copy of TAG's WOLF signal in North Carolina this evening.
Thanks for the processing tips Lloyd.
Dex
C:\Dex\WOLF>wolf061 -q tag221202.wav -f 1999.9 -r 8000.4 -b 10000 WOLF version 0.61 t: 24 f:-0.291 a: 0.2 dp:113.4 ci: 3 cj:409 52P3DI9W4W40SAX ?
t: 48 f:-0.296 a: 0.6 dp:113.6 ci: 1 cj:429 D48XPIC9JRVTZEN ?
t: 96 f:-0.162 a: 1.4 dp:109.3 ci: 2 cj: 88 YY/MB7GCT H1J/A ?
t: 192 f: 0.137 pm: 534 jm:607 q: -8.9 -6.7 JHW V228*IYFCZB ?
t: 288 f: 0.137 pm: 644 jm:607 q: -7.7 -5.0 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t: 384 f: 0.137 pm: 803 jm:608 q: -7.0 -3.6 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t: 480 f: 0.137 pm: 1061 jm:608 q: -5.8 -3.2 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t: 576 f: 0.137 pm: 1213 jm:608 q: -5.2 -2.7 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t: 672 f: 0.137 pm: 1266 jm:608 q: -4.7 -3.3 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t: 768 f: 0.137 pm: 1436 jm:608 q: -4.3 -3.0 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t: 864 f: 0.137 pm: 1464 jm:608 q: -4.0 -3.7 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t: 960 f: 0.137 pm: 1465 jm:608 q: -3.9 -4.7 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t:1056 f: 0.137 pm: 1483 jm:608 q: -3.8 -4.7 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t:1152 f: 0.137 pm: 1532 jm:608 q: -3.4 -5.0 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t:1248 f: 0.137 pm: 1576 jm:608 q: -3.2 -5.5 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t:1344 f: 0.146 pm: 1715 jm:611 q: -4.2 -5.8 MR8CBR.GELGWDOQ ?
t:1440 f: 0.146 pm: 2213 jm:611 q: -3.1 -7.0 OJKR1WT9TYL6ZGD ?
t:1536 f: 0.146 pm: 2405 jm:611 q: -2.5 -5.4 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t:1632 f: 0.146 pm: 2825 jm:611 q: -1.8 -4.4 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
MØBMU Captured in JASON mode in Norway
Posted by Steinar Aanesland on December 22, 2002 at 11:41:02
Hi
I captured MØBMU in JASON mode on 137.500 kHz in Norway this morning. I used JASON in record mode and read the information back from a .wav file around 1200 local time
(UTC+ 1h).
See http://www.aanesland.com
Steinar
Re: WOLF copy of TAG
Posted by lloyd chastant on December 22, 2002 at 23:24:05
Here is the TAG WOLF copy tonite-Sunday(0330z) hr in Maryland.May be his last nite but a nice copy...
C:\Wolf>wolf -q 1223.wav -b 8000 -c 4 WOLF version 0.61 t: 24 f: 0.313 a: 0.2 dp:128.5 ci: 8 cj:356 ???H5BUXD GW2K0 ?
t: 48 f: 0.316 a:-0.1 dp:125.8 ci: 7 cj:286 ZACA24???TG5MWR ?
t: 96 f: 0.317 a:-0.3 dp:123.9 ci: 8 cj:180 1RVYSZZ2RCYO16C ?
t: 192 f: 0.195 pm: 4095 jm:798 q: -4.8 -4.5 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t: 288 f: 0.195 pm: 7825 jm:798 q: -3.1 -4.8 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t: 384 f: 0.195 pm: 9860 jm:798 q: -3.1 -3.4 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t: 480 f: 0.195 pm:13955 jm:798 q: -0.8 -1.4 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t: 576 f: 0.195 pm:18050 jm:798 q: -0.1 -0.3 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t: 672 f: 0.195 pm:22145 jm:798 q: 0.8 0.4 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t: 768 f: 0.195 pm:26240 jm:798 q: 1.2 1.2 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t: 864 f: 0.195 pm:30335 jm:798 q: 2.3 1.9 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t: 960 f: 0.195 pm:33489 jm:798 q: 2.3 2.0 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t:1056 f: 0.195 pm:34320 jm:798 q: 2.3 1.9 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t:1152 f: 0.195 pm:35448 jm:798 q: 2.0 1.5 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t:1248 f: 0.195 pm:35799 jm:798 q: 2.2 1.7 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t:1344 f: 0.195 pm:38483 jm:798 q: 2.5 1.7 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t:1440 f: 0.195 pm:42027 jm:798 q: 3.0 2.2 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
t:1536 f: 0.195 pm:43829 jm:798 q: 3.1 2.2 MERRY CHRISTMAS -
135.7-137.8 proposal
Posted by Mitch VE3OT on December 23, 2002 at 18:00:06
Season's Greetings:
I have just received RadioAmateurs of Canada Jan/Feb 2003 magazine and found a very interesting note about 135.7-137.8 kHz
"Amateur Band".
I quote"
Industry Canada Supports 135.7 - 137.8 kHz Amateur Band
Following two years of joint proposal development by Radio Amateurs of Canada and Industry Canada, at the November 2002 meeting of CITEL ( the inter-American Telecommunication Commission), Industry Canada will table a formal proposal that the Amateur service around the world be authorized to operate in the band 135.7-137.8 kHz, subject to certain conditions.
Approval of this meeting is a first step toward seeking approval at the World Radiocommunication Conference in Geneva, Switzerland in June 2003 (WRC 2003), where the proposal will have to be added to the WRC-2003 agenda.
"unquote"
There is a further, more detailed note explaining the activity in Europe and around the world - with notes about the ITU Region 2
( the Americas ) activity with transatlantic experiments.
A hopeful start for an early Christmas present - maybe.
Best wishes and a happy and merry Christmas to all on the list.
Good health and may you all have low noise levels !
73 Mitch VE3OT
Re: Tracor 599K
Posted by Gilles Masson, VE2AMN on December 23, 2002 at 23:23:05
Hi Frank. I have a 599R, and I thought that I could use it to receive time sigs on VLF. This receiver is for the Omega navigation system.
Since the receiver module seems to be essentially an audio amp, using filters for selectivity, and having no means of varying the received freq.,
I don`t think that it is usable for the purpose that I envisioned. I have no literature or schematics for this unit. I just threw away money.
73, de Gilles, VE2AMN
TH Heard on 189.5
Posted by Warren Ziegler on December 25, 2002 at 19:33:33
I heard Lowfer "TH" last night and today (Christmas day) here in Staten Island. I'm using a Lowe HF-150 receiver and a Radio West loop antenna at my Mom's house in Staten Island. (No cw filter, just a 2.2 kHz ssb filter in the Lowe).
73 Warren K2ORS
Beacon FNZ-239
Posted by Al Burzynski on December 26, 2002 at 18:27:28
In San Antonio, Tx. I am receiving beacon FNC on 239kHz. In checking various sources I find listings for FNZ on 239. I am convinced that I am seeing (via Spectran) FNC. If anyone could shed some light on the subject I would appreciate it.
This is my first post here, is this a fair question for this group or am in the wrong place? Thanks for all info.
Al KA5JGV
Re: Beacon FNZ-239
Posted by Tony Levstik on December 26, 2002 at 23:25:42
I am also coping FNC on 239khz. Here in Sherman TX.
Tony Levstik
sloper advice for extreme novice
Posted by Tony G on December 27, 2002 at 00:17:08
Dear Listers: I'm a sometime shortwave listener and want to improve reception--more broadcasts, from greater distances, with greater clarity. I listen to a little handheld Grundig FR-200 (3.2 MHz - 22.0 MHz) receiver, and only recently heard that I could increase the ability to receive with a sloper. I'd like to simply replace the factory antenna with a wire extending outdoors. A sloper? I don't have the first notion of how to proceed. What k/o wire? How long? Any other specifications? Any thoughts?
Very sincerely, Tony
ZL6 QH Test 27 Dec
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on December 27, 2002 at 07:49:32
I have two screen shots of the ZL6QH tests from this morning (27 Dec), taken between 0935 and 1035 UTC.
90 sec/dot screen:
http://webpages.charter.net/w1tag/files/ZL6QH90.jpg
120 sec/dot screen:
http://webpages.charter.net/w1tag/files/ZL6QH120.jpg
The 120 second screen shows more identifiable "Q" signals.
John Andrews, W1TAG FN42ch
ZL6QH Test
Posted by lloyd chastant on December 27, 2002 at 08:43:24
Here are two screen shots at 120QRSS which seem to have brief indications of the Q from the ZL6QH test last nite
www.geocities.com/lacwman/ZLtestdec27.jpg
www.geocities.com/lacwman/ZLtestdec27a.jpg
Best that I could do here in Maryland FM19MH de Lloyd W3NF
Re: sloper advice for extreme novice
Posted by John Andrews on December 27, 2002 at 08:54:20
Tony,
There's nothing all that fussy about what you want to do. Your basic goal is just to get some wire up in the air. I'd suggest 50 - 75 feet for length, and as much height as you can do without risking life and limb. Keep the wire away from other metal and wiring (particularly power wires). The far end should have a plastic or glass insulator (you can conjure something out of a PVC pipe fitting), so that it is not electrically connecting to the tree or whatever is holding it up. The type of wire is completely unimportant -- it just needs to be strong enough to stay in one piece. 18 guage should be a good size, and you can get rolls of it at places like Home Depot. The wire can be run horizontally, or on a slope. You won't see much difference in this application.
John Andrews
Isle of Man Longwave Radio
Posted by Mike Terry on December 27, 2002 at 09:32:10
From http://www.longwaveradio.com/News.html
"Happy New Year.
We anticipate being able to make a major statement on the direction of the project early in January 2003.
Until then, we wish all our supporters a very happy New Year."
Re: sloper advice for extreme novice
Posted by Tony G on December 27, 2002 at 14:38:26
Thanks, John. A follow -up question for the board: does a sloper wire have to be soldered to the wire (inside the radio) that is currently soldered to the base of the existing, factory antenna? That is, should a sloper replace the built-in antenna? Or, alternatively, would a wire used as an antenna (or sloper) work as well simply wrapped around the top of the factory-built-in antenna? Sincerely, and with thanks in advance for the advice to an admittedly and obviously exreme novice, --Tony
Defective Mexican Beacon?
Posted by Al Burzynski on December 27, 2002 at 15:17:42
In San Antonio Texas I am copying beacon AGNE on 245kHz. Careful settings show the carrier to be about 80Hz low, placing it at 244.92kHz. I can see (using Spectran) both sidebands which are 1kHz away from the carrier. I suspect the ID of AGNE is really AGG from Leguas, Mexico (my loop is best positioned at 180/360 bearing, supporting this guess). If this is the case then the second dah of the second G (dah-dah-dit) is coming across as a dit causing that letter to look like NE. Is anyone else seeing this?
I guess beacons are on the way out (replaced by gps?) and as they age little is done to take care of them. Any other theories?
Al KA5JGV
Re: sloper advice for extreme novice
Posted by John Andrews on December 27, 2002 at 15:31:41
Tony,
Assuming that the radio doesn't have terminals for an external antenna (the usual labels would be Ant. and possibly Gnd), then your next choice would be to collapse the whip down, and connect right to it. A clip lead would be a good idea. You can go to Radio Shack and get an alligator clip to put on the end of your antenna wire, or you can buy pre-made clip leads with clips on both ends.
Do be advised that if the radio was made without terminals for an external antenna, it may be subject to overload from strong shortwave (or even AM broadcast) signals. The only way you'll know is to try it. That's why I would suggest not over-engineering the antenna. You'll feel really stupid if you go to a lot of work on the antenna, and find that the radio goes crazy with anything but the built-in whip. Get some wire outside, and give it a try before you get fancy.
John Andrews
Re: sloper advice for extreme novice
Posted by Tony G on December 27, 2002 at 18:06:10
Many thanks, John.
LowFER & MedFER antenna matching: A better way?
Posted by J. Jason Wentworth on December 28, 2002 at 07:30:09
Hello All,
I have a basic question about LowFER and MedFER antenna matching. Our electrically-short antennas have feedpoint impedances of just a few ohms or even less than one ohm, which requires us to use loading schemes such as loading coils and/or capacitance hats to try to match them to the 50 ohm or 75 ohm transmitter outputs.
Wouldn't our total transmitter/antenna/ground systems be more efficient if the LowFER and MedFER transmitters were designed with, say, 5 ohm or 10 ohm outputs? We could then conceivably use Part 15 size antennas with *no* matching transformers or loading coils, or at least much smaller and less lossy ones. Is there any fundamental reason why LowFER and MedFER transmitters with lower "ohmage" outputs wouldn't work?
Many thanks in advance to anyone who can shed light on these questions. -- Jason
Re: LowFER & MedFER antenna matching: A better way?
Posted by John Andrews on December 28, 2002 at 09:30:09
Jason,
The issue is not so much the RF resistance at the feedpoint, but that it is accompanied by so much reactance. The loss is incurred in tuning out that reactance, not in matching to 50 ohms. Since the reactance of a short vertical is capacitive, you need to provide an inductor that will not significantly add to the RF resistance of the antenna circuit. If your ground system is very good, and that RF resistance is low, then you've got to work extra hard on the inductor design to avoid wasting the work you put into the grounding.
If the above doesn't persuade you, then try a test. Take your favorite audio power amp (which probably has an output impedance in the milliohm range) and connect an 8 ohm speaker with a 0.047 uF capacitor in series. Feed a 1000 Hz tone into the amp. Hear much? (Hint: you just built a 53 dB attenuator.) The reactance of that cap is 3400 ohms at 1 kHz. 8 -j3400 ohms would represent a very good 180 kHz lowfer vertical, probably one with many ground wires and top loading.
John Andrews, W1TAG
Re: LowFER & MedFER antenna matching: A better way?
Posted by John Bogath on December 28, 2002 at 22:54:51
I would just like to add that your system ground-resistance/loss ADDS to the impedance that your transmitter sees at the antenna feedpoint. A ground loss of 20 ohms would be fairly good for most LowFER installations, and that would automatically raise your feed impedance by 20 ohms (as far as your transmitter is concerned). Many installations have ground losses around 40 or 50 ohms, and thusly, present a good match to a 50 ohm transmitter-PA, once the antenna's capacitive reactance is tuned out.
Re: LowFER & MedFER antenna matching: A better way?
Posted by J. Jason Wentworth on December 29, 2002 at 09:27:26
Thank you both for this information. I'm not sure I understand it fully, but the two-part impedance expression sounds very much like the "a + bi" form of expressing imaginary numbers, where "a" and "b" are real numbers and "i" is the square root of -1. -- Jason
Ken Stryker's Beacon Guide
Posted by Bob on December 29, 2002 at 11:24:12
Is Ken Stryker's Beacon Guide still available / up-to-date? I did a bit of LW DXing 10-12 years ago and this guide was a great reference...even had some loggings posted in the Monitoring Time LW column.
Am getting back to LW with some better equipment and am hoping a current edition of this guide is still available.
Re: LowFER & MedFER antenna matching: A better way?
Posted by John Andrews on December 29, 2002 at 16:48:56
Jason,
Yes, impedance is a vector, and can be expressed as a complex number (R +/- jX), or in polar form as a magnitude and an angle. The impedance of a 50 ohm resistor in series with a .01 uF capacitor would be 50 -j88.4 ohms at 180 kHz. That could also be expressed as a magnitude of 101.6 ohms and a phase angle of -60.5 degrees.
John A.
Re: Ken Stryker's Beacon Guide
Posted by Al Burzynski on December 30, 2002 at 08:52:26
An excellent database, updated regularly, of beacons is available here:
http://members.rogers.com/wiecek6010/
Go to the section on WWSU.
Al KA5JGV
Re: Ken Stryker's Beacon Guide
Posted by Al Burzynski on December 30, 2002 at 08:57:37
Pardon the double post but a good source of information on beacons is available in this pdf document"
http://www.alan.gale.clara.co.uk/files/hunter.pdf
Al KA5JGV
Re: The AM transmitters of Radio Luxemburg
Posted by Jon Clay on December 31, 2002 at 17:49:29
Unfortunately 1440Khz MW broadcasts by RTL/Luxembourg are extremely limited now from what I can gather as the english language broadcasts on 1440khz at night are made by CRI who, I believe, are a chinese radio company and, from what I can gather, also do French and Chinese broadcasts on the frequency as well.
Jon
www.lwca.org
potrzebie