SMV 186.585 off-air temporarily
Due to severe damage to the tophat in a recent 60 MPH Santa Ana wind event, and today's further damage sustained to the tower during attempting repairs, SMV 186.585 is off until a new antenna can be constructed. I hope this can be completed by the holidays. It was really nice while the first antenna lasted.
-Darwin Long Is a beacon operating at 188.77089 KHz ?
SMV 188.585, Simi Valley, CA
Posted by KU4XR - Andy on December 01, 2007 at 22:20:28.
While monitoring the 188 KHz segment on 12/1/07 from 10:40pm until 12:45am I found a signal at 188.77089 KHz running what appeared to be QRSS-60. I was using Argo to decode the signal, and I'm still very new using the software. My problem is telling what letter was actually sent during a fade. " T's " can be made to look like " A's " , and " O " can look like " N M " From the best I can decipher, the call looks like " AOT " not certain. Anyone know who and where the beacon is? Thanks so much for any input. I do have screen captures if anybody thinks they can decipher them. Need help curing TVI in my reciever
73's - Andy Bell - KU4XR
Posted by KU4XR - Andy on December 02, 2007 at 11:05:00.
Does anyone have a reliable way of filtering and stopping TV and DVD / VCR interference to my reciever. I've tried the AC line interference filter from Rat Shack, DON't WORK, I've tried bypass caps on the AC lines with minimal to no sucess. Short of isolation transformers on every device ( too expensive ) all the typical remedies just don't work. I can unplug the DVD when not using it, but unplugging the TV !!! Not an option, and I have 2 TV's to deal with, so lots of interference. Has anyone had any sucess in this area. I would appreciate your input. Thanks & 73's. Andy Bell - KU4XR NO !!! it is TV Interference
Posted by KU4XR - Andy on December 02, 2007 at 14:01:11.
In reply to Is a beacon operating at 188.77089 KHz ? posted by KU4XR - Andy on December 01, 2007
I finally determined that I was hearing and seeing TV Interference. I found it out by turning all the TV's off & on while listening to the reciever and watching Argo. Kinda disappointing. Andy - KU4XR WD2XGJ quite strong,1750m sigs
Posted by Sal, K1RGO on December 03, 2007 at 11:38:06.
While playing with my new noise canceller design, I heard WD2XGJ the strongest yet on ~137.8 KHz 589 at 18:40 UTC, on CW.. ID and QTH heard.. Grabber now on 185.3 kHz.
The signal(s) I've been hearing on 1750m , 172,5 and 187 KHz have been carriers for a duration and fast cw sending ~30wpm T E E H , then they are gone for days...I haven't a clue what this is all about.Maybe somebody can fill me in. I'm getting set for 1750, my noise nuller is working quite well. Now to get some activity and have QSO's like in the 80's....I'm all ears...hi
Sal, k1rgo
Posted by Bryce, KI0LE on December 03, 2007 at 16:33:46.
I've decided to move the grabber to 185.3 kHz for a while. I haven't calibrated in a long time but I think it is close.
BRO (182.2 kHz) is off the air until I get a chance to work on the transmitter maybe I'll get it back on in a few weeks. LF filters for NDB
Posted by Helmet Skronitz on December 03, 2007 at 19:30:08.
http://www.qrp.pops.net/ndb_more.asp
Homebrew NDB Low pass filter for receivers. Looks intersting. SAQ on Christmas Eve 2007
H
Posted by Mike Terry on December 05, 2007 at 14:29:52.
There will be, as last year, a transmission with the Alexanderson alternator
on VLF 17.2 kHz from Grimeton Radio/SAQ on Christmas Eve, Monday December
24th 2007.
The message transmission will take place at 08:00 UTC and will be repeated
at 08:15 UTC. The transmitter will be tuned up from around 06:30 UTC, so you
will get time to test your antennas and equipment during that time.
There will be no activity on amateur radio frequencies with the call SK6SAQ
this time.
QSL-reports are kindly received:
- E-mail to: info@alexander.n.se
- or fax to: +46-340-674195
- or via: SM bureau
- or direct by mail to: Alexander - Grimeton Veteranradios Vaenner,
Radiostationen, Grimeton 72
S-430 16 ROLFSTORP
S W E D E N
Also read our web site: www.alexander.n.se
Yours
Lars Kalland
SM6NM
Re: SAQ on Christmas Eve 2007
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on December 06, 2007 at 07:07:27.
In reply to SAQ on Christmas Eve 2007 posted by Mike Terry on December 05, 2007
From what Mr. Kalland advised, the sunrise there in Sweden will be about 07:41UT. This will put the tune-up in a dark path, but the actual transmissions at 08:00and 08:15UT will be after Grimeton sunrise. I don't know how this will affect reception at VLF. Ed Re: SAQ on Christmas Eve 2007
Posted by Warren K2ORS on December 06, 2007 at 08:05:31.
In reply to Re: SAQ on Christmas Eve 2007 posted by EdWSlidell,LA on December 06, 2007
Ed,
Daylight shouldn't effect reception at vlf, should actually be ground wave!
73 Warren K2ORS
Re: Grabber now on 185.3 kHz.
Posted by PAUL DAULTON on December 07, 2007 at 17:15:34.
In reply to Grabber now on 185.3 kHz. posted by Bryce, KI0LE on December 03, 2007
THANKS FOR PUTTING YOUR GRABBER ON THE 185.3 WATERING HOLE.
LAST NIGHT I GOT A PARTIAL COPY ON "MP". I'LL BE CHECKING
THE WATERING HOLE FOR NEXT FEW NIGHTS AND COMPARING WITH
YOUR GRABBER.
I AM IN JACKSONVILLE AR. GRID EM34. DONT KNOW THE DISTANCE
TO YOUR QTH.
PAUL K5WMS SMV 186.585 Simi Valley, CA - BACK ON AIR
Posted by Darwin Long on December 08, 2007 at 20:50:04.
With the help of my wife, brother- and father-in-law (and a case of beer + BBQ), a new 38' tower and improved capacitance hat is up, and beacon SMV 186.585 is now back on the air 24-7 here in Simi Valley, CA as of today.
All schedule and format parameters remain the same as before.
To recap, the format is as follows:
CW Morse-ident frequency is 186.585 kHz
SSB center frequency for the voice ID is 187.000 kHz USB (and Morse ident is heard as 415 Hz tones).
ID cycle: 60.00 sec
0 - 46.8 seconds: Morse ID of "SMV" repeated 12 times
47.0 - 52.0 seconds: 5-sec dash
52.2 - 60 seconds: USB voice ID "This is radiobeacon SMV, Simi Valley, California, USA". Every other minute alternates between a male (my) and female (my wife's) voice ID.
A stronger capacitance hat had to be constructed that could withstand our 60-80mph Santa-Ana winds. Will do a field-strength check on a trip to a job in Monterey tomorrow.
-Darwin Long LWBC Logs, 09 Dec 2007
SMV 186.585
Simi Valley, CA
Posted by Jeff W0ODS on December 10, 2007 at 08:03:22.
What a night!
Last night (09 December CST) was the single best night I have ever had for LW dx'ing. Signals were heard on nearly every channel from 153 to 252 kHz at some point during the night.
We started listening at about 2315z and heard stations on the following frequencies:
153 kHz Algeria (strong & Clear)
162 kHz France Inter (strong & Clear)
171 kHz Morocco (strong & Clear)
177 kHz Germany (Intelligible in LSB)
183 kHz Germany (French programming)
189 kHz (faint)
198 kHz (faint)
207 kHz Germany (heavy NDB QRM)
216 kHz (faint)
252 kHz Algeria (strong & Clear)
Prior to last night only France Inter and Morocco had come in strong enough to comfortably listen from across the room. BBC4 on 189 had been heard weakly as had occasional snippets on 183 kHz.
Later on in the evening, around 0300z, BBC4 was "armchair copy" on 198. I confirmed it by listening to the streaming audio off the internet. The LW signal arrived about 20 seconds before the digital stream. 189, presumed Iceland, was also booming in with music at that time. Propagation on 252 had shifted to favor Ireland, but Algeria could be heard underneath as well.
In a most fortunate coincidence, a curious friend had stopped by last night as well to have a listen. This was his first time ever listening to LW signals and he was quite impressed. He logged many of those stations at his home station (shorter ham-radio optimized beverages) later that same evening. He may have to come over more often - he's obviously good luck.
Equipment:
Kachina 505DSP fed by an 800m long single-wire beverage at 42 degrees azimuth.
QTH: Near Cedar Rapids, Iowa
.:W0ODS:. Confirmed reception of MP in EM75xr
Posted by Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr on December 10, 2007 at 09:53:54.
" MP " mitch powell - VE3OT in London, Ont. Can. confirmed my reception of his QRSS60 beacon signal off the side of his loop here in the Knoxville Tn. area. LOWFER Beacon 'DPC'
The signal was solid for over 2 hours when I closed down for the night. Got some good ARGO screen captures. He's on 185301.1 KHz.
Posted by Denis Cote on December 10, 2007 at 13:38:23.
ALL;
Beacon 'DPC' 173.500Kc FN22vs is tempoarily off the air due to transmitter final problems. Will return to ON AIR status weather and time permitting.
Denis Cote Re: SMV 186.585 Simi Valley, CA - BACK ON AIR
W1WV
'DPC'
Delanson, NY
Posted by Ed Phillips on December 11, 2007 at 08:27:00.
In reply to SMV 186.585 Simi Valley, CA - BACK ON AIR posted by Darwin Long on December 08, 2007
CW copy about S-2 here in DM04 [San Gabriel, probably at about 50 miles. No evidence of the voice ID but it's pretty noisy here. I would suggest a change in schedule with one whole minute devoted to voice and the next to CW, which is much easier to copy. I think this is a reincarnation of DJL who used to be somewhat stronger and whose voice ID I could read OK.
Ed Re: SMV 186.585 Simi Valley, CA - BACK ON AIR
IZJ
W6IZJ
Posted by Darwin Long on December 11, 2007 at 20:15:59.
In reply to SMV 186.585 Simi Valley, CA - BACK ON AIR posted by Darwin Long on December 08, 2007
Ed,
SMV is indeed a reincarnation of my former beacon DJL out in Newbury Park. Thanks for the reception report! I am still tweaking a few things, so hopefully will get every last milliwatt out into the ether - the replacement tower and reinforced tophat (to withstand high winds) works beautifully. I think in your case, you may have had a stronger signal from the Newbury Park-based DJL 188.0 because there was a fairly "straight shot" out to your locale and no hills to the immediate east of the beacon. From here, 2000' Santa Susana Ridge towers high above Simi Valley just a couple of miles to the east of here, so there is probably some added earth absorption going on in your direction. Then again, I also have more radials going northwestward from the tower base (I get markedly stronger copy northward with SMV than I did with DJL).
I was able to achieve skywave last Sunday evening while listening 270 miles to the northwest up in Monterey (I work there at the Aquarium on weekends). The signal is audible daytime on the Peninsula and is readily copyable (CW only). Immediately after sunset, the signal faded up to S-4 with the voice portion also clearly audible (I recorded an MP3 of it on my phone).
For your IZJ beacon, the farthest I have received it so far was in Morro Bay a couple years back (used a DSP and 4' box loop plugged into the bar antenna input of a DX-440 with doubled-up crystal filters).
I plan to re-process and enhance the audio for the "male" voice ID, which seems to be much less compressed than the "female" ID. The ID cycle is timed at 60.00 sec so that I can use a stopwatch in really low signal conditions, and locate the start, stop, ans "dash" portions of the CW while listening or using a spectrum analyzer to detect tracings of the 415-Hz tone. It's just a matter of running out to the Dogloo and plugging my laptop into the MP3 player sitting next to the transmitter board to update it. The CW portion of the ID cycle was fashioned after the old US marine beacon format.
130 Khz
Posted by john ferro on December 11, 2007 at 21:55:01.
12:52 am - palm coast florida. i'm hearing --- on or around 130khz LBS. about 6 seconds between transmissions. has anyone heard this or know where its coming from - Great Site! thx, john Re: 130 Khz
Posted by Warren K2ORS on December 12, 2007 at 12:40:16.
In reply to 130 Khz posted by john ferro on December 11, 2007
Hi John,
Can you be more specific? Are you hearing "LBS" in cw? If so, it could be a mixing product as there are no ndb's or experimental stations on 130kHz.
If you can provide more specific info such as the exact frequency or modulation we might be able to make some progress.
73 Warren K2ORS
Re: 130 Khz
Posted by john ferro on December 12, 2007 at 19:41:40.
In reply to Re: 130 Khz posted by Warren K2ORS on December 12, 2007
warren, i am sorry for not being more clear -i'm hearing what sounds like sss or --- on 130khz with the radio in LSB mode - i will listen again tonight for it.
john, Re: 130 Khz
AOR 7030plus
Posted by john ferro on December 12, 2007 at 19:53:13.
In reply to Re: 130 Khz posted by john ferro on December 12, 2007
10:52pm EST -
warren i just fired up the radio and sure enough it's there again tonight. its either ... or --- about every 5 or 6 seconds. i can also hear it on 134 on USB so its in that freq. range, give or take a few kilohertz. thx, john Re: 130 Khz
Posted by Warren K2ORS on December 13, 2007 at 06:15:30.
In reply to Re: 130 Khz posted by john ferro on December 12, 2007
Hi John,
Around 130kHz all there is really are data transmissions, such as DFC-39 in Germany, the exception being the FAX and RTTY weather from CFH in Halifax,NS. As an educated guess I would say that its something being generated locally. The best way to test that theory is either to go portable or have someone a few miles away listen for it.
BTW, I just got a 7030+ this past Friday, great radio!
73 Warren K2ORS
CLB carolina Beach
Posted by dave w1vr on December 14, 2007 at 06:15:20.
CLB a high powered beacon is heard 24 hours a day. What is the propagation mode during mid day to late day? The beacon is string, estimated to be 24-30 db over noise around 1-2 hours before sunset here in central Florida. This is a path of about 420 miles and 95% over water. My qth is inland about 25 miles. Just curiuos... 73 dave Re: CLB carolina Beach
Posted by Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr on December 14, 2007 at 07:06:53.
In reply to CLB carolina Beach posted by dave w1vr on December 14, 2007
Hello Dave: Most likely groundwave during the day, especially over water. I am 362 areonautical miles from the CLB beacon and also hear it 24/7, very strong. And my path is over land and the Appalachian mountain range. West coast LOWfer beacons
73 - Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr
Posted by Andy Bell - KU4XR - EM75xr on December 14, 2007 at 07:16:32.
Has anyone in the east U.S. copied any of the West coast LOWfer beacons ?? I wouldn't assume this to be an everyday occurence. Re: CLB carolina Beach
73: Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr
Posted by dave w1vr on December 14, 2007 at 07:31:53.
In reply to Re: CLB carolina Beach posted by Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr on December 14, 2007
Thanks Andy! I figured it was Ground Wave, but appreciate another opinion. I use a simple indoor wire about 30 feet long and a passive tuner. The rx is a TS870 Re: best longwave radios??
Thanks again 73 Dave
Posted by Dora Ahrends on December 14, 2007 at 16:50:05.
In reply to Re: best longwave radios?? posted by Warren K2ORS on October 17, 2007
Can anyone give me some information on the R75 that everyone seems so happy with. Who makes it and where can I locate information on it. I am looking for a good basic VLF (500kc<)receiver. My present "equipment" is all Rube Goldberg stuff. Thanks. Re: CLB carolina Beach
Dora
Posted by Les Layton on December 15, 2007 at 19:13:08.
In reply to Re: CLB carolina Beach posted by dave w1vr on December 14, 2007
CLB on 216 kHz really puts out a signal...easily heard lately in Las Vegas, NV at around 0300Z. Tonight I am using a WW2 vintage National RBL-5 receiver and 18 ft. vertical antenna up about 20 ft. off the ground. Callsign and frequency of Guardamar VLF/LF-transmitter in Spain
Posted by Harald on December 15, 2007 at 22:26:10.
Near Guadamar in Spain, there is at 38°4'19"N 0°39'53"W a 370 metres tall radio mast, the such called "Torreta de Guardamar", which is according to http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=557407 used for the transmission of orders to submerged submarines. Re: Callsign and frequency of Guardamar VLF/LF-transmitter in Spain
Unfortunaetely, I was not able to find a transmission frequency and a callsign for this location, which is also known as "Campamento de Santa Ana" in any table. Does anyone know on which frequency under which callsign does or did it work?
Posted by John Davis on December 16, 2007 at 00:07:11.
In reply to Callsign and frequency of Guardamar VLF/LF-transmitter in Spain posted by Harald on December 15, 2007
Guardamar del Segura is (or was) an LF facility, as the large antenna consists only of a single base-insulated tower. I have not been able to locate any specific frequency. Not being on U.S. soil, it may have had a tactical identifier but no registered call sign.
There has been speculation among scanner monitoring enthusiasts in Spain suggesting that the U.S. military no longer operates the facility. I cannot find confirmation of that.
Whether or not America is still involved, it appears the Spanish army provides security for the base and are therefore more visible than any American personnel, who would be on-site intermittently at best. Guadamar was remotely controlled from US Naval Communication Station Spain in Rota from its beginning around 1962. (Rota also controlled HF receiving and transmitting sites in other locations.) It is even possible that the equipment is now operated by remote control from another location via satellite, as it is said that there are dishes on the base as well.
broadcast reject filter
Posted by dave sampson on December 16, 2007 at 08:34:34.
hello Re: Callsign and frequency of Guardamar VLF/LF-transmitter in Spain
would like some opinions on the most effective design for a broadcast band reject filter for lf listening
Posted by Harald on December 16, 2007 at 15:10:19.
In reply to Re: Callsign and frequency of Guardamar VLF/LF-transmitter in Spain posted by John Davis on December 16, 2007
Which other VLF-/LF-transmitters have also like Guardamar LF-transmitter no ITU frequency allocation? Re: Callsign and frequency of Guardamar VLF/LF-transmitter in Spain
Posted by John Davis on December 17, 2007 at 00:27:58.
In reply to Re: Callsign and frequency of Guardamar VLF/LF-transmitter in Spain posted by Harald on December 16, 2007
I think the question may be a little misleading, as it has not been established that the station exists any more.
The control point at Rota had many of its functions taken away during the 1990s, and many of the sites it controlled were shut down (including a very fascinating radio direction finder/triangulation system). That must have included Guardamar, because the most recent list of VLF/LF submarine broadcast stations released by the US Navy (around 1998) no longer shows any VLF/LF facilities in Spain. There is a somewhat newer one in Italy, however; but I have no technical information on it.
Re: broadcast reject filter
Posted by Peter B on December 17, 2007 at 09:10:43.
In reply to broadcast reject filter posted by dave sampson on December 16, 2007
Hi Dave,
You might have some luck viewing this passive filter setup. Although made for 506kHz work, the author (Jay Rusgrove) says it can be tuned as desired. As described it offers selectivity and rejection. Time to get that soldering hot :=))
http://www.w1vd.com/500khzpreselector.html
Peter
Lowfer SJ now on24/7
Posted by Sal, K1RGO on December 17, 2007 at 16:31:24.
For those of you who want a new one to "grab", SJ,(FN31nh) is now on 24/7, QRSS10, except for receive breaks or requested slow cw or testing on 186.850 KHz. I have an LF pipeline SW of me here and had many a QSO down to MD. Now only to stir up some activity in this area. In the past, lowfers HB,HRM,JR,WI,TH,DCH,VP,MOO to name a few are now long gone. Bring back any memories?
Sal, K1RGO
Re: Lowfer SJ now on24/7
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on December 17, 2007 at 18:52:46.
In reply to Lowfer SJ now on24/7 posted by Sal, K1RGO on December 17, 2007
Sal,
Here's a screenshot taken tonight around 2145 EST. I'll take a look/listen in the morning when things are quieter.
John Andrews, W1TAG Re: Lowfer SJ now on24/7
Posted by Sal, K1RGO on December 17, 2007 at 19:36:48.
In reply to Re: Lowfer SJ now on24/7 posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on December 17, 2007
Hi John..the screenshot looks good to me, I guess the frozen ground helped reduce my losses after all... hi..
Sal
Re: broadcast reject filter
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on December 17, 2007 at 20:02:16.
In reply to broadcast reject filter posted by dave sampson on December 16, 2007
A couple of low-pass filters which attenuate the MW bcst band appear on the 500kc.com site: Re: Lowfer SJ now on24/7
http://500kc.com/500kc-lpf/index.htm
the excellent curves shown, and low insertion loss likely only achievable with matched impedances, and well shielded enclosures.
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on December 18, 2007 at 04:45:12.
In reply to Re: Lowfer SJ now on24/7 posted by Sal, K1RGO on December 17, 2007
Sal,
SJ is nicely audible here this morning in Holden, MA. At the moment, I'm listening in a very tight 3 Hz audio BW, but I can still pick the signal out with much wider settings. These cold winter mornings are ideal for groundwave copy. That's when I used to here many of the stations you mentioned in your original post. Good luck, you should receive more reports.
John A. Re: Callsign and frequency of Guardamar VLF/LF-transmitter in Spain
Posted by Harald on December 18, 2007 at 11:53:21.
In reply to Re: Callsign and frequency of Guardamar VLF/LF-transmitter in Spain posted by John Davis on December 17, 2007
The mentioned facility is at Miscemi, more information on http://www.sicily.navy.mil/ncts/depts.htm . Nevertheless my detailed frequency list from the German book "Lang- und Längstwellenfunk" from Gerd Klawitter (ISBN3-92222-1-48-3), which was publlished in 1991 and contains an excellent frequency list contains as only frequency for a Spanish transmitter below 100 kHz an entry or a 8 kW transmitter with callsign EAA working at Aranjuez on 72.45 kHz. Beside this, the list contains some entries for DECCA-stations in Spain and five entries for a transmitter with callsign GYW at Gibraltar for 44.95 kHz, 46.58 kHz, 82.75 kHz, 86.95 kHz and 97.45 kHz with 40 kW transmission power. Re: Lowfer SJ now on24/7
Posted by Sal, K1RGO on December 18, 2007 at 13:49:29.
In reply to Re: Lowfer SJ now on24/7 posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on December 18, 2007
Thanx John, I'm hoping to get some activity started again and have some QSOs. My latest noise nulling scheme using 2 L-400B active antennas has worked wonders, even at night I can almost completely null out the horrendous noise and it has inspired me for getting back on 1750 meters.
Sal D.
Re: Lowfer SJ now on24/7
Posted by Warren K2ORS on December 18, 2007 at 19:06:43.
In reply to Re: Lowfer SJ now on24/7 posted by Sal, K1RGO on December 18, 2007
Sal,
Congrats !
We should have a QSO - WE2XEB/2 is authorized for 2-way with Part 15 stations!
73 Warren K2ORS
WE2XEB/2 (among others)
" S J " Solid copy in EM75xr
Posted by Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr on December 18, 2007 at 19:37:57.
I started getting Sal's signal around 6:30pm EST 12/18/07 by 9pm it was pretty much solid copy, and to my surprise at times I could even hear the carrier going on & off ( when I turned my monitor off !! ). ARGO captures were good. The distance calculates out to 715.5 areonautical miles. Not Bad !!! Re: broadcast reject filter
73 all: Andy - KU4XR
Posted by Andy - KU4XR on December 18, 2007 at 20:01:43.
In reply to broadcast reject filter posted by dave sampson on December 16, 2007
Hello Dave: Check out the following link, you may find it useful: www.qrp.pops.net/ndb-files/ndb-morelowpass2.gif Re: Lowfer SJ now on24/7
73 - Andy Bell - KU4XR
Posted by Sal, K1RGO on December 19, 2007 at 13:57:18.
In reply to Re: Lowfer SJ now on24/7 posted by Warren K2ORS on December 18, 2007
Hi Warren, for a sked I'm available for 10 to 11 am est, I normally work evenings (we run rotating shifts here running the particle accelerator at Yale Univ.)how about friday or this weekend at the mentioned time? Also I'm off next week for a try . If you can QSY to near my freq. or above (PLCs are the weakest above 186KHz at my QTH)and briefly run your cw beacon and I can also run my cw beacon briefly ( 1 or 2 minutes)for starters. I'm not set up for grabbing and my PC has corrupted software issues I have to work on and I can't access the web from home(I'm at work now).
Sal D.
Balloon supported 4,200 foot aerial - 55.5 kHz
Posted by Clive S Carver on December 19, 2007 at 15:30:31.
Last year there was a post 21 Sept 2006 regarding a test transmission on 55.5 kHz using a 4,200 foot aerial carried by a balloon.
Alan G3NYK remarked about the UK CAA and NOTAMS.
Eventually, I decided to look into this a little more.
I submitted a Freedom of Information Request to the MOD who accepted the frequency as above and advised that the allocated callsign was GQV The test commenced on 17 March 2003 and were completed by 8 April 2003.
They also referred me to a newspaper report (and enclosed a cutting) believed to be from the Worcester News. This showed the ballon and some of its associated kit.
Holding a PPL myself, I thought that I would also try the aeronautical route for information as well, I had already tried for a copy of the NOTAM, from UK AIS, but due to it having been long archived was not available. They suggested the CAA's Airspace Utilization Section of the CAA.
The CAA kindly advised me of the NOTAM which referred to this exercise and also the UK Aeronautical Information Circular AIC 11/2003 (Mauve 72) 6 February which referred to the tests and supplied copies.
The location was QinetiQ Pershore, Worcester at UK Grid Ref SO 977 499
The operators of the balloon being British Telecommunications Ignite Solutions & 2 Signal Sqn (V)
A Google of 2 Signal Sqn (V) produced:- http://army.mod.uk/royalsignals/2sigsqn/index.html
And there is the balloon for all to see.
Sorry for the delay in posting this.
Clive
GW4EYO
beacon UDR at 315Khz?
Posted by john on December 19, 2007 at 19:37:58.
beacon UDR heard at 315khz on dec. 19, 07 @ 10:22pm. listing on RNA website shows this beacon with one other receive report with country code of XUN?? has anyone logged this beacon and where is it originating from? thanks, john Re: beacon UDR at 315Khz?
Posted by Andy Bell - KU4XR on December 20, 2007 at 09:04:05.
In reply to beacon UDR at 315Khz? posted by john on December 19, 2007
Hello John: according to airnav.com; there is a beacon on 315 KHz with the callsign of " USR " Simones NDB, located in Quince Y Medio, Cuba. It is owned and run by the Cuban Government Authority. 73 - Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr best antennas for LW
Posted by john on December 20, 2007 at 10:52:10.
i am pretty much just getting involved in serious LW dxing - right now i'm just using a Longwire antenna - are there better antennas for pulling in weaker signals on LW? - i am hooked on NDB hunting - i was looking at the lf engineering antenna line-up - they sell two or three actine LF antennas - anyone using these with any success? would love to hear what you are using.
thx, john rfspace sdr-iq receiver
Posted by john on December 20, 2007 at 10:54:26.
anyone using this receiver and how does it compare with some of the better LW radios such as the icom r75 etc. i am hearing great things from the MW crowd, but i cannot find anything about the LW performance of this radio.
thx john Re: rfspace sdr-iq receiver
Posted by Clive S Carver on December 20, 2007 at 14:52:23.
In reply to rfspace sdr-iq receiver posted by john on December 20, 2007
I have a RFSpace SDR-IQ Receiver and am very happy with it on VLF/LF.
Currently I am in need of a suitable aerial. The SDR-IQ has a 50 ohm input impedance and therefore will not operate at its best with a Hi-Z aerial - which most aerials other than loops are at VLF/LF.
My next project being an active aerial based on http://www.vlf.it/cr/differential_ant.htm which should be ideal for an SDR-IQ Re: best antennas for LW
Posted by Peter B on December 20, 2007 at 18:04:53.
In reply to best antennas for LW posted by john on December 20, 2007
Hey John,
I have heard several LowFERs on this board using the lf engr. e-probe-type antenna. Their success likely included a proper installation: out-of-doors, away from electrical noise, and raised above surounding objects, ie, buildings, trees, esp. trees. Then they work FB. That same type can be home made. Several diagrams available on member Web pages.
But too, another tpe of antenna may suit your needs, a multi-turn box loop antenna. These may be as small as 3-ft SQ to 8-10 feet SQ. Small ones are used indoors, if no local noise. Else need to locate them away from common house/building electrical noise. I have built them with and without an amplifer for NDB listening. A loop can be rotated to reduce a point-source of interference. Strip out a length of CAT-5 cable for no. 22 wire. May need to join up several hundred feet of it to wind the box loop.
Check the Web under Multi Turn Box Antenna.
Good Luck -Peter
Re: best antennas for LW
Posted by Sal, K1RGO on December 20, 2007 at 18:58:19.
In reply to best antennas for LW posted by john on December 20, 2007
Hi John,
I like the L-400B (LF Eng. co), it outperforms my 250' long wire antenna, and it works exceptionally well on the NDB band where it peaks and unless you are on top of high power BC stations, there is no intermod issues. I use one for portable operation (BNC option) and one installed the side of my house which has been up there since 1985. I also combine them for noise nulling on 1750 meters.
Sal, k1rgo
Re: best antennas for LW
Posted by Don Moth W2MPK on December 21, 2007 at 19:44:20.
In reply to Re: best antennas for LW posted by Sal, K1RGO on December 20, 2007
I also use the L-400B antenna and it works the best of any I have tried so far including small loops and longwires Re: SAQ on Christmas Eve 2007
Posted by ph0hm on December 22, 2007 at 06:47:54.
In reply to SAQ on Christmas Eve 2007 posted by Mike Terry on December 05, 2007
Hello,
Thanks for the good works ..
73' Cor van Soelen PH0HM Focus elf waves
http://www.ph0hm.nl
Posted by FJdeAN on December 22, 2007 at 13:34:23.
Is the a way to focus radio waves to a point, especially elf waves which are dispersed, if so pleae any idea on what to do? Re: Focus elf waves
Thank you
Posted by John Davis on December 22, 2007 at 17:21:36.
In reply to Focus elf waves posted by FJdeAN on December 22, 2007
Basically, no. Higher radio frequencies can be directed to a large extent, and microwave energy can be focused quite precisely. However, the lower the frequency, the longer the wavelength, which means it would take an astronomically large reflector to focus ELF waves. Listen for migrating birds on LW
Posted by Mike KW1ND on December 23, 2007 at 07:41:39.
This from the ARRL (American Radio Relay League) 12/21/07 newsletter:
* Help Scientists Save the Shrikes: If you live in an eastern state and can tune away from the ham bands for a few minutes a day, you could help scientists study an endangered bird species. Every year, Eastern Loggerhead Shrikes (http://www.shrike.ca/) leave their nesting grounds in Ontario, Canada, but fewer and fewer are returning in the spring. Researchers at the University of Guelph in Ontario have placed radio tags on 16 young shrikes. They are asking for assistance from hams and monitoring enthusiasts to find out if the tagged birds end up in Florida as expected, or somewhere else. You can help by tuning in regularly to the tag frequencies, which are between 172-173 MHz. The primary target area is Tennessee, North Carolina and states to the south. The complete frequency list is published (http://www.homingin.com/), along with articles to help you distinguish the pulsed tags from other signals you may hear there. Please listen now, because these Loggerhead Shrike transmitters are slowly decreasing in power output and will begin to fail in mid-February 2008. -- Joe Moell K0OV, ARRL ARDF Coordinator
Re: beacon UDR at 315Khz?
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on December 23, 2007 at 09:20:46.
In reply to beacon UDR at 315Khz? posted by john on December 19, 2007
John, when peaking, the 'UDR' beacon is clearly heard here in LA, using LSB on 316KHz. It is competing with 'GGU' heard slightly lower on 315.5KHz in CW. Both heard(0530UT/20071223) with R-5000/2.1KHz bandwidth/141 ft. LW ENE, and both competing with the numerous DGPS signals around the freq. Not sure where the beacon might be. I didn't hear the 'USR' beacon mentioned by Andy. Ed Re: Listen for migrating birds on LW
Posted by John Davis on December 23, 2007 at 11:17:40.
In reply to Listen for migrating birds on LW posted by Mike KW1ND on December 23, 2007
A very neat project and I hope they will get good participation, but note that they are operating between 172 and 173 MHz, on VHF rather than longwave. Time to dig out the trusty ol' scanner if one lives in that region.
John
" TAG " beacon received in Friendsville, Tn.
Posted by Andy - KU4XR on December 23, 2007 at 11:44:20.
On 12-23-07 at 2am EST, I received Johns " TAG " beacon signal running QRSS-30 here in the Knoxville, Tn. area. According to the ARGO captures it was in for about an hour and a half. This is my longest reception to date since being back on 1750 monitoring for about a month, calculated at 913.5 areonautical miles from EM75xr. SAQ Full Transmission Heard 12/24 on Hilton Head,SC
73 all, de: Andy - KU4XR
Posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 24, 2007 at 01:16:21.
Here is a copy of my report to the Lowfer List :
Hi All, Re: " TAG " beacon received in Friendsville, Tn.
I can confirm hearing the full SAQ transmission from Hilton Head Island, SC
SAQ started tuning up from about 0745UTC - several long key downs with noticeable change in pitch of the carrier. Several strings of VVV DE SAQ SAQ SAQ and long keydowns until 0800UTC. Then a nice Christmas message to all the listeners.
The message lasted about 7 minutes, then several more stings of VVV DE SAQ SAQ SAQ then message repeat at 0815UTC.
Final sign off about 0825 UTC.
RST here about 439 with much static mixed in.
Receiver setup here Ratzlaff active whip, 500KHz lowpass filter, 17KHz bandpass filter, AMRAD clone converter, Icom R75 with cascaded 250Hz filters and an MP3 recorder.
Merry Xmas to all - 73 Todd WD4NGG
Posted by John Davis on December 24, 2007 at 16:18:51.
In reply to posted by Andy - KU4XR on December 23, 2007
Good work, Andy. Congratulations! Re: beacon UDR at 315Khz?
Posted by Andy - KU4XR on December 24, 2007 at 18:46:16.
In reply to beacon UDR at 315Khz? posted by john on December 19, 2007
Hey John: My curiosity got to me and I did a little quick googleing and came up with the following info from www.classaxe.com/dx/ndb/reu/index.php?mode=show_itu#xx this is apparently a UNID beacon, UNID means Un-identified, the country code XUN means possibly located in N. America coordinates not known or verified. Re: broadcast reject filter
73 and happy DXing: Andy - KU4XR
Posted by Warren K2ORS on December 25, 2007 at 07:39:02.
In reply to broadcast reject filter posted by dave sampson on December 16, 2007
Check out W1VLF's filters, I have one and its very effective (I live within 10 miles of five 50kW BC stations!)
Also very reasonably priced.
http://www.rescueelectronics.com/RF_Filters.html
identify this beacon on 252khz pleeeeeease
Posted by Erich on December 25, 2007 at 23:15:36.
hey all. so i pulled out the sangean ATS-505 for kicks (its been like 8 years since i last mediumwave dx'd) and popped over to longwave. I scanned the whole band (1khz increments) and received on transmission....this beacon. i dont know code, can someone identify this for me? BTW, I'm just outside downtown boston, massachusetts. thanks so much in advance. I appreciate it greatly!
http://www.tec01.tc/_random/252khz_unid_12-26-07.wav
Re: identify this beacon on 252khz pleeeeeease
Posted by Erich on December 25, 2007 at 23:25:43.
In reply to identify this beacon on 252khz pleeeeeease posted by Erich on December 25, 2007
you know what? nevermind LOL. i found an online morse code translater and found it to be coding "SKR". More research gave me the answer - NDB "SKR" is in Bedford, Massachusetts on 251 khz.
thanks anyway Re: best longwave radios??
Posted by Douglas Williams on December 26, 2007 at 03:45:26.
In reply to best longwave radios?? posted by john on October 10, 2007
I can fully recommend the Icom R-75 as an all around excellent LF/VLF receiver. The bottom end of it's receiving range is 30khz, so you would need a converter if you want to receive lower frequencies.
Another excellent option would be the AOR 7030+. It is significantly more expensive than the R-75, however. This one receives with good sensitivity to below 20khz.
I have owned both of these receivers, and they are both good choices for LF/VLF. Re: SAQ Full Transmission Heard 12/24 on Hilton Head,SC
Posted by Mike W8RKO on December 26, 2007 at 07:55:21.
In reply to SAQ Full Transmission Heard 12/24 on Hilton Head,SC posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 24, 2007
Hi Todd,
The West Chester Amateur Radio Club made an attempt to copy SAQ From the former VOA Bethany site. The signal was not strong enough to hear the CW but we detected the carrier using FFT software. I recorded a WAV file and post processed the data to come up with the final results. I tried various filtering to hear any CW but was unsuccessful. Now I need to confirm that the signal we detected was actually SAQ. The timing matches your references as well as the frequency shift. Do you have a WAV file of the transmission? If I could post process your WAV file the same way I did mine I could correlate the frequency shift as a way to confirm what I have is actually SAQ.
We used an HP 3586C as the receiver. The antenna was a connection of long wire and dipole on site at VOA. We had a parallel tuned circuit to peak at 17.2 KHz as well as a trap for WLW. WLW's 50KW transmitter is just a couple of miles down the road. Fortunately the HP did not appear to be bothered by a near by 50KW signal.
Mike Re: " TAG " beacon received in Friendsville, Tn.
W8RKO
Posted by Peter Barick on December 27, 2007 at 13:58:51.
In reply to posted by Andy - KU4XR on December 23, 2007
Nice haul Andy... Re: " TAG " beacon received in Friendsville, Tn.
Last night I also found TAG on the same Argo scren as MP, ~185.300. Saw traces after 6pm and solid after 8:30. Then it stopped, possibly the switch got pulled for his other LF digital activities of late.
I'm in N IL, EN51.
Peter
Posted by John Andrews on December 27, 2007 at 18:42:54.
In reply to Re: posted by Peter Barick on December 27, 2007
Peter,
Nope...it should have kept running. It's 130 miles away from me, and my control would be limited to a 3 hour drive and some great exercise on snowshoes.
Must have just been a fade...
John Andrews, W1TAG Re: Listen for migrating birds on LW
Posted by Mike on December 28, 2007 at 11:38:39.
In reply to Re: Listen for migrating birds on LW posted by John Davis on December 23, 2007
MHz?!?! I only read that article twice trying to decide if it was suitable for posting here...
Guess I had I had LW on my mind that night.
Mike What's the best audio bandwidth for ARGO
Posted by Andy Bell - KU4XR on December 28, 2007 at 16:30:37.
I would like to know from the collective experience of the experimental community, what would be an optimum audio bandwidth to use with ARGO, Spectran, or any DSP software? 500, 250, 180Hz, etc. I am already using a 1.1KHz filter but still hear a lot of noise of course. Everyones thoughts will be appreciated. Re: What's the best audio bandwidth for ARGO
73 - Andy - KU4XR
Posted by John Andrews on December 28, 2007 at 18:22:42.
In reply to What's the best audio bandwidth for ARGO posted by Andy Bell - KU4XR on December 28, 2007
Andy,
ARGO doesn't really care. It's job is to set a much narrower bandwidth, and there's nothing you can do that will really help.
BUT, if the extra selectivity prevents nasty things from happening to your receiver, use whatever you want. I do most of my LF/MF work with the 250 Hz filter engaged, because I can have some strong local signals in or near a wider passband. If that's not the case at your QTH, then the filters won't help the visual copy much at all. The EU guys actually tend to leave their receivers in USB, and leave the receiver open to a wide swath of spectrum.
John Andrews, W1TAG Re: What's the best audio bandwidth for ARGO
Posted by J.B. Weazle McCreath on December 29, 2007 at 05:23:02.
In reply to What's the best audio bandwidth for ARGO posted by Andy Bell - KU4XR on December 28, 2007
Hi Andy,
I use a Timewave DSP-59+ here and find that 250 Hz.
works well for Argo, MultiPSK, SpecLab, etc., but
it would be better if it was done in the rx with
a filter in the IF stages.
73, J.B.
Re: What's the best audio bandwidth for ARGO
Posted by Andy - additional question on December 29, 2007 at 18:44:54.
In reply to What's the best audio bandwidth for ARGO posted by Andy Bell - KU4XR on December 28, 2007
I agree the filters would be better in the rig, but at $100.00+ dollars on eBay, can't afford that. Homebrewed filter in the audio line helps with noise " I assume to the ear only ?? " since it's not filtered before the audio stage. Am I correct to think that noise in the IF, & RF stages is what will De-sense the rcvr?? That is where the narrow filters do the job to shave off adjacent freq. interference that could cover a desired signal?? Filtering the audio will not help the received signal, only the pain to your ears::: What say someone ?? Thanks for the input. " XYW " receieved in Friendsville, Tn
Andy - KU4XR
Posted by Andy - KU4XR on December 29, 2007 at 18:55:52.
I felt good to be able to finally capture Ted's - KC3OL " XYW " beacon on 137.777KHz on Fri. 12-29-07, around 11pm EST. After winding a new coil that added about 15dB extra gain in the antenna setup, the signal came above the noise floor for a respectable ARGO capture, even with thunderstorms causing 20dB over 9 static crashes. The distance is 632 areonautical miles from my QTH. Re: What's the best audio bandwidth for ARGO
73 to all: Andy - KU4XR
Posted by Peter B on December 30, 2007 at 08:49:55.
In reply to What's the best audio bandwidth for ARGO posted by Andy Bell - KU4XR on December 28, 2007
Hey thar Andy,
FB on attacking your noise problem. I agree with the other comments by John and JB. I can add that all of us come to the table from own perspectives, ie, local noise issues. I don't have much, though I feel your pain. <g> From years of reading this List, I can add one more hint -- try to seperate the noise as received signals from the input steam to the rx by: 1) check out condx around the clock - even seasonally for noise levels. 2) relocate the ant. or make a portable one for sniffing noise vs. quiet locales. 3) are you using noise filtering methods, eg, isolation x-fmrs, ferrite line chokes, well installed coax (or even prpoerly done twisted pair line, ie CAT-5)? Well, there's three for a start.
Peter
Re: Listen for migrating birds on LW
Posted by John Davis on December 30, 2007 at 13:24:26.
In reply to Re: Listen for migrating birds on LW posted by Mike on December 28, 2007
> Guess I had I had LW on my mind that night.
Can't fault you for that. :-) XGJ Strong in EN51
Posted by Peter B on December 30, 2007 at 17:29:34.
Re: XGJ Strong in EN51
Switched to 137 from 186 for a while, first thing I noticed was WD2XGJ at 6pm in blazing display on Argo screen. Backing down Argo's sensitivity restored a semblance of screen normalcy. Nothing else showing up, but still early.
Peter - N IL
Posted by Warren K2ORS on December 30, 2007 at 20:30:08.
In reply to XGJ Strong in EN51 posted by Peter B on December 30, 2007
Peter,
Thanks for the report! On the little 250 watt transmitter the past few days, but have upgraded the antenna this Fall.
Would be interested to see what the 1.5kW transmitter would do at your QTH!
73 & HNY Warren K2ORS/WD2XGJ
SMV heard
Posted by Don on December 30, 2007 at 20:38:18.
Heard SMV on 186.595 kHz @ 0420Z 30/12/07 in Simi Valley, CA, operated by Darwin Long - from my location in Upland, CA. Very good signal in CW and polytones. Thanks to Hugh Stegman for the tip! Re: XGJ Strong in EN51
Posted by Andy - KU4XR on December 31, 2007 at 08:52:31.
In reply to Re: XGJ Strong in EN51 posted by Warren K2ORS on December 30, 2007
Warren : - 250 WATTS !!!!! You were almost doing phosphorous burn in on my monitor screen OM, And totally audible aurally, could've had a plain old cw QSO, I beleive SSB would have been Q5 copy too. Can you do SSB on 137KHz for a test transmission ??? OH yes: If you switch to 1.5Kw you'll burn out my antenna coils. Pleeeezzzzeeee spare me the heartache, or let us know when you plan on switching xmtrs and I'll switch over to a paper clip, hi hi hi !! Great job, and by the way, I was also getting Ted's " XYW " beacon coming thru again Sun. night from Kansas. 73 to all: Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr eton e1 LW performance
Posted by john ferro on December 31, 2007 at 10:01:51.
has anyone tried the eton e1 for LW dx work? i have one on the way and am wondering if anyone has put it through its paces on LW? argo and spectran type programs
Posted by john ferro ki4ucw on December 31, 2007 at 11:09:06.
could someone explain the use of these programs in working LW dx - up until now i do most of my dx work with a good receiver antenna and a pair of headsets - i see loggings on the board for beacons in the experimental bands below 200 khz, but i can't seem to hear anything down hear, except dixon NC and the longwave euro broadcasts - occasionally i hear what appears to be beacons, but they are way in the mudd and hard to make out - ears can play tricks on ya! i've logged mostly central american, caribean, canadian and mid west beacons in the traditional mode - is that pretty much the limit as far as conventional equipment or are lw dxers actaull logging worldwide beacons with just good conventional equipment (i.e. no software programs)? would really like to hear more about this. thx again for your patience and happy new year!, john Re: XGJ Strong in EN51
Posted by Warren K2ORS on December 31, 2007 at 13:13:39.
In reply to Re: XGJ Strong in EN51 posted by Andy - KU4XR on December 31, 2007
Hi Andy,
Thanks for the report!
There are (at least) two problems with ssb on 137kHz,
I don't have an exciter capable of ssb (only class-D switching type transmitters) and WD2XGJ is only licensed for narrow-band modes like cw, QRSS, and PSK-31.
HOWEVER,
I have a transmitter capable of ssb and digital modes that will cover the 160-190kHz band and another license WE2XEB/2 that permits such modes on that band. At the moment the only obstacles are that I need to retune the transmitter which is now on 505kHz and reconfigure the antenna tuner. With luck I may be able to do both this weekend.
73 Warren K2ORS/WD2XGJ/WE2XEB/2 etc
Re: argo and spectran type programs
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on December 31, 2007 at 13:27:37.
In reply to argo and spectran type programs posted by john ferro ki4ucw on December 31, 2007
John,
Argo and Spectran have two principal uses:
1. To assist in copying regular speed Morse signals, such as those sent by aeronautical beacons. The human ear, particularly when assisted by an appropriately narrow filter, is just about as good as Argo in NDB mode, or a similar setting on Spectran. But when trying to pick out a very faint CW id through noise and competing signals, the visual backup may be useful. It also serves as a confirmation that you indeed copied the beacon in question. In addition to aero beacons, there is some similar beacon activity by "lowfer" operators in the 160-190 kHz range, sending regular speed cw.
2. To enable copy of slow speed CW signals, typically with dots that are 3 seconds or longer (up to about 120 seconds at the extreme). The program effectively becomes a very narrow band filter that records signals that would be too weak to hear in a conventional bandwidth. Use of such modes is confined to Lowfer operators and licensed Amateur or Experimental Service operators trying to extend the distance of their beacon signals. This style of operation is called QRSS, implying slower than slow CW.
If your primary interest is in copying aero beacons, you will find Argo's NDB mode useful. Spectran is much more flexible, but the various settings may be confusing to folks not familiar with DSP terminology.
Among the other tools used by beacon DXers are narrow audio filters and antennas selected and placed for minimal noise pickup. The most important tool is patience, however, and is not available in software form!
John Andrews, W1TAG Re: argo and spectran type programs
Posted by Warren K2ORS on December 31, 2007 at 14:00:05.
In reply to Re: argo and spectran type programs posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on December 31, 2007
John covered the uses of Argo and Spectran really well but I'd like to add that with Argo and Spectran and slow cw you'll be able to pull out signals 25dB or so BELOW what you can hear. It's really something to hear nothing but static out of the speaker yet see a clear sharp trace on the computer screen.
Worth a try and the software is free!
73 Warren K2ORS Re: argo and spectran type programs
Posted by Andy - KU4XR on December 31, 2007 at 16:06:44.
In reply to Re: argo and spectran type programs posted by Warren K2ORS on December 31, 2007
Hello John: A couple of other notes: along with the software being free, it's easy to interface to your transceiver / receiver. All you minimally need is an audio cable from your headphone or speaker jack to your line input on your soundcard, no hack work needed to any equipment. You can use your PC speakers to listen with if you desire. As far as computer goes, a 200MHz machine will work respectfully well, but the faster the better. Windows-95 or later works. Also ARGO and Spectran works when you don't. Set it up to take screen captures, and go about your bussiness. I do a lot of mine overnight, and then look at what happened when I was asleep. One word of caution !! be careful LOWfering with ARGO is addictive! hi hi. " EAR " received in Friendsville, Tn.
73, and have fun: Andy - KU4XR
Posted by Andy - KU4XR on December 31, 2007 at 20:57:41.
Another one for the logs, I copied " EAR " Mon. 12/31/07 around 10pm EST on 188830KHz - QRSS30. The signal was weak but pretty much solid. The distance is 566 miles. On to the next one !!
73 - Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr
potrzebie
