Re: SJ,EH beacon status
" XR " received in CT.
nice copy hr in Maryland also ..will send jpg direct
Lloyd W3NF
Posted by Andy - XR on December 01, 2008 at 07:53:16.
Hey everybody; Hope you're enjoying the LF season so far. I am thrilled everytime I receive a report from someone. The last was from Jay - W1VD in Burlington, CT. He is about 726 miles from me. He captured the signals overnight, and sent one to me. Jay said that my signal was fairly consistent thru the nightime. The capture can be seen at my webstorage space:
http://webpages.charter.net/ku4xr ::: look in the reception reports folder.
73 all; and have fun:
Andy - KU4XR - Beacon " XR " Friendsville, TN. EM75xr G0NDB - WSPR partial decodes in TN.
184.322 KHz ( QRSS-60 )
Posted by Andy - KU4XR on December 01, 2008 at 11:35:47.
Greetings again all: I know this isn't LOWfer news, but I'm excited abt it;
After contacting Graham - G0NDB, and sending him a screen shot of my WSPR copy on 12-1-08 at 00:44 UTC, He and I both feel reasonably sure that I was beginning to decode his transmission just before his PA blew up. Graham and I are about 3,948 miles apart, and I'm located about 425 miles inland. I have uploaded the screen shot, and a readme file of my email to Graham, and his response back to my webstorage at:
http://webpages.charter.net/ku4xr :: look in the G0NDB - WSPR folder.
I believe, given a couple more hours into the night, and better Wx. on each end - fog and ice on Grahams end, and rain ( static crashes ) and freezing rain/snow mixed on my end, I can decode a clean copy of WSPR text from G0NDB. It was a heart pounding thrill getting confirmation of a
partial decode. I look forward to the next chance. 73, and have fun !!
Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr - Friendsville, TN. AVQ-245 DX Reception?
LOWfer Beacon " XR " @ 184.322 KHz ( QRSS-60 )
Posted by Bob on December 02, 2008 at 08:07:54.
Location, Marana, Arizona... 32.4118375/-111.2155864. AVQ-245 easy armchair copy through powerline data hum at Lookout Mountain Park, PHX, AZ. Have ATS505 Sangean receiver, BFO doesn't work on LF! Use Q-Stick loop antenna, and copy AVQ at 100 miles away in Phoenix, AZ on ground wave. Local SDL-224 at Scottsdale airport QRT, as it's now the site of another office building. Trying for RBJ-220, Robles Junction near Tucson, but so far no good. Parks only open sunrise to sunset, so can only hope for morning DX...or daytime LF DX? Can you hear AVQ-245 from your QTH? Don't have space for lowfer/medfer antenna, so look forward to your reports of my local remaining NDB's....73 Bob, Phoenix, AZ
Re: Beacon EAR info update
Posted by Paul Daulton on December 02, 2008 at 20:24:24.
In reply to Re: Beacon EAR info update posted by John Davis on November 30, 2008
Hello John
My beacon WMS is on 187492 hz QRSS 60. On the air 24/7 except when listening. My address is 9113 Centennial Rd.
Jacksonville, AR em34wu. Actual location is Warsaw, AR
an unincorporated communnity 7mi NW of Jacksonville.
I have listed my beacon as qrss 30 but it is actually slower
than 30 more like qrss60. Best copy is Qrss 30 slow. I am not temperature compensated so I have about 1hz drift.
Hope this update helps.
Paul
Re: how to build a loop for LW reception
Posted by Peter B on December 03, 2008 at 07:00:14.
In reply to Re: how to build a loop for LW reception posted by John Davis on November 30, 2008
John,
Re: Posting the HB LF Loop by Van Der Sluys
I read the article with interest, myself having made a few loops and having to surmount issues that the builder has adequately presented. I found the account well written, covering only the essence of theory and construction. I commend the builder for use of at-hand materials and intuitive solutions to pertinent construction issues, notably his stripping comms. cable for the loop winding. Not only is that an arduous (dangerous?) task but then to string the salvaged wire through the many holes on the loop spreaders, Wow: “A” for those efforts! The narrative fully describes this project.
I suggest this is a good starting point for those wanting better – and then some - than loop-stick antenna performance from basic tabletop radios into the LF spectrum.
Good thought on including this in LWCA’s library. Daytime NDB DX?
Posted by Bob on December 03, 2008 at 09:00:02.
Have an Sangean ATS505 rig, and a Quantum Stick antenna. My local parks in PHX, AZ open at sunrise, and the QRM causing street lights turn off then. Is there any possibility of morning or daytime DX in the 200-285 kHz range which the Sangean covers? When is daytime enhancement likely, or is it random? 73 Bob
Re: Daytime NDB DX?
Posted by Andy - KU4XR on December 03, 2008 at 12:48:43.
In reply to Daytime NDB DX? posted by Bob on December 03, 2008
Hello Bob; Easiest answer is; Morning time, from about an hour before sunrise, and up to 1 to 2 hours after sunrise, with the best time being late Nov. until early Feb. The evening time would be best about 2 hours before sunset when the lights come on. I don't know how you have the Q-Stick coupled to the radio, but remember the bar antennas are directional, and by simply rotating the radio on the table, you may be able to greatly reduce the street light QRN.
Hope this helps a little, 73:
Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr - Friendsville, TN. Re: Daytime NDB DX?
Beacon " XR " @ 184.322 KHz ( QRSS-60 )
Posted by John Davis on December 03, 2008 at 16:49:40.
In reply to Re: Daytime NDB DX? posted by Andy - KU4XR on December 03, 2008
I basically agree with what Andy said. In winter, particularly, late afternoons can be very productive on LF, especially if there are stations of interest to your east--and there should be plenty of those for someone located in Phoenix. The hour or so just after daybreak is also good, but mainly favors stations to the west.
Good luck!
A new place to view Beacon " XR " activity
Posted by Andy - XR on December 04, 2008 at 14:39:59.
Hello all: Due to the limited storage space that Charter gives me; I run out of storage too quickly, and have to delete things I want to keep on the net, just to make room for newer captures and such. SOOOO!!! as an experiment, I'm going to try using my space, and see how it works. The only thing I don't really like about it so far, is that there is no place to upload audio clips too, I suppose due to possible copyright infringement from illegal music, they just don't allow any audio uploads at all. The photo storage is great though, so I can post all my captures without limit. It's east to get there, just go to:
http://www.myspace.com/beaconxr ::: 73, everyone !!!
Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr - Friendsville, TN.
LOWfer Beacon " XR " @ 184.322 KHz ( QRSS-60 )
http://www.myspace.com/beaconxr
Re: A new place to view Beacon " XR " activity
Posted by Gregg on December 04, 2008 at 14:50:03.
In reply to A new place to view Beacon " XR " activity posted by Andy - XR on December 04, 2008
Congratulations, yours is the first Myspace page that doesn't lockup my browsers ;-)
Whatever you did, keep doing it!
A trick for the audioclips (at least it works at freehost sites) is to zip them or even just change the extension.
Cheers!
Fwd: SAQ extra transmission 2008-12-06
Posted by Johan Bodin on December 04, 2008 at 20:14:14.
EXTRA
GRIMETON RADIO/SAQ TRANSMISSION
There will be a transmission with the Alexanderson alternator on 17,2 kHz on December 6 2008 at 10:45 UTC.
The reason for the extra transmission is the opening of a new "Alexanderson Institute" at Campus Learning Centre in Varberg, the nearby city.
We do not require any QSL-reports this time and will not verify.
Regards.
SM6NM/Lars
P.S.We still intend to continue with our annual transmission on Christmas Eve (morning), Dec 24, at 08:00 UTC with tuning up from 07:30 Putting audio clips on my space
UTC. D.S.
Posted by Andy - XR on December 04, 2008 at 22:14:21.
Hey Everyone:
Still trying to find out how to do what I want to do on my space.
I found out how to get audio clips uploaded; you have to make them
into a video !! Check it out, go to my page, and under the photo
on the left click on video. Let me know what you think.
73 for now:::
Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr - Friendsville, TN. Snagged First TX NDB from new QTH!
LOWfer Beacon " XR " @ 184.322 KHz ( QRSS-60 )
http://www.myspace.com/beaconxr
Posted by Bob on December 05, 2008 at 08:35:42.
With the Sangean ATS505 and Quantum Stick + loop antenna, finally logged an NDB outside of AZ. Got GLS-206, Galveston, TX, with a clear, and slowly fading signal around 0500z, and better around 0600z, with easy copy. 10.0 second ID cycle, 1020Hz ident. Two thousand watts, a large tower antenna, and saltwater marsh all around helps on the Galveston end! Lots of ITV, computers, and hash at my apartment, so can only hear local AZ beacons AVQ-245 Marana, and FFZ-281 Falcon Field, Mesa, AZ. Looking at airnav dot com, and FCC files, lots of local NDB's gone QRT, so anything I can hear is DX. 73 KB7AQD
SAQ remote receiver online for Dec 6 10:45 UTC transmission
Posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 05, 2008 at 15:31:43.
For anyone interested, there will be an online receiver streaming
a spectrumlab display of the upcoming SAQ VLF transmission on
17.2 KHz Saturday morning Dec 6 at 10:45 UTC. Remember this
will be at 05:45 EST in USA. Probably best to start checking around
10:30UTC.
Lionel Loudet is located in France and is streaming the receiver online at
this address :
http://spectrumlab.lionelloudet.homedns.org/
You can choose the refresh rate depending on your download speed.
His remote receiver will also stream audio of SAQ if it is on the air
at the time.
If you only want to listen to audio you can choose between the MP3
or OGG format at these addresses :
http://spectrumlab.lionelloudet.homedns.org/saq.mp3
http://spectrumlab.lionelloudet.homedns.org/saq.ogg
His receiver is up and running now if you want to check it out
and will be running at least through the scheduled time of the SAQ
broadcast.
73 - Todd WD4NGG
Re: Snagged First TX NDB from new QTH!
Posted by Paul Daulton on December 05, 2008 at 21:34:07.
In reply to Snagged First TX NDB from new QTH! posted by Bob on December 05, 2008
try for DS on 376 khz. De Moines Ia. ndb runs 250 watts
I can usually pick it up daytime on my Radio Shack DX400
Portable.
Paul
Re: SAQ remote receiver online for Dec 6 10:45 UTC transmission
Posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 06, 2008 at 02:16:26.
In reply to SAQ remote receiver online for Dec 6 10:45 UTC transmission posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 05, 2008
Listening overnight I could hear SAQ make a test transmission between 0815-0840 UTC on the remote receiver. Sending long dashes, strings of the letter V and VVV de SAQ. Signal sounded very good on the remote online receiver located in France. Noise and static seems very low in France overnight and signal-to-noise ratio very good!
I could also hear SAQ live here in SC with the R75/Active Whip setup but signal weak and noisy. Getting ready for the scheduled transmission for 1045 UTC.
73 Todd WD4NGG
Re: SAQ remote receiver online for Dec 6 10:45 UTC transmission
Posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 06, 2008 at 03:19:14.
In reply to Re: SAQ remote receiver online for Dec 6 10:45 UTC transmission posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 06, 2008
The scheduled SAQ transmission for 1045 UTC was heard nicely over the remote online receiver in France!
The transmission seemed to run from about 1042-1100 UTC and included a message welcoming the Alexanderson Institute at the Campus Varberg and looking forward to exciting cooperation with the institute.
Propagation to my location at SC coast was so bad at the time I was not able to hear even a trace of SAQ with the R75/Active Whip setup. Just goes to show what a difference time of day makes when receiving distant signals on VLF.
I hope SAQ will consider making a special night time transmission to listeners here in the USA sometime this winter.
73 Todd WD4NGG
Re: Snagged First TX NDB from new QTH!
Posted by Peter B on December 06, 2008 at 05:52:29.
In reply to Snagged First TX NDB from new QTH! posted by Bob on December 05, 2008
Hi Bob, Re: SAQ remote receiver online for Dec 6 10:45 UTC transmission
Fine on GLS, yup it's a biggy. Here in N IL I use reception of GLS and DIW (NC?) first indicators of good conditions. Don't get discouraged w/ the local interference that presently plagues your rx. May consider filtering (ferrite core), grounding, different antenna orientations worthy considerations. Others have reported like conditions and novel solutions that allowed good listening. Then too there's going portable, all run from the trunk or back of the car. At a good location with a portable tuned box loop should produce improved results. I saw a mast holding frame/bracket that is held down by rolling on it w/ the car's wheel. A mast slips inside the holder, WaLah!
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on December 06, 2008 at 08:57:32.
In reply to Re: SAQ remote receiver online for Dec 6 10:45 UTC transmission posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 06, 2008
Using a LOT of audio filtering, I have been able to pick out some VVV's and SAQ's from the warmup period. A few characters from the message will pop out every now and then, but there's no way to get the whole thing.
Have done better from this QTH on earlier events, though never in the summer.
John Andrews (central MA)
Re: Snagged First TX NDB from new QTH!
Posted by Bob on December 06, 2008 at 10:31:16.
In reply to Re: Snagged First TX NDB from new QTH! posted by Peter B on December 06, 2008
Portable sounds great! Have a big blob of noise at apartment from 206-279 kHz, blocking everything. But, notice much less static at the top end of the AM BCB and 160M. Too bad the Sangean has no BFO. 73 Bob, PHX, AZ
Re: Snagged First TX NDB from new QTH!
Posted by Paul Daulton on December 06, 2008 at 14:18:42.
In reply to Re: Snagged First TX NDB from new QTH! posted by Bob on December 06, 2008
Bob
A bfo can be made with a 455 if transformer or a 455 ceramic
filter and a single generic transistor and a few parts. placed next to the radio it will give you the beat note.
Circuits are in the ARRl qrp books by Doug Demaw W1fb.
For portable operation look at the PA0RDT mini whip. this is an active antenna that gives great performance. Mine cost way less than $10.00 to build. It is small, being built
in a 6 inch lenght of pvc pipe. Google pa0rdt mini whip and
you can find the plans.
Good luck
Paul
XR signal
Posted by Sal, K1RGO on December 06, 2008 at 18:58:17.
I think I copied XR faintly today between 0130 and 0145 UTC, the X appeared to be most legible. I'll try again ...I'm using Spectran, my noise nulling scheme with 2 L-400Bs and an FRR-21 LF receiver. I later tried the watering hole but a noise source came on and couldn't be totally nulled so I ended the session. Re: XR signal
later.....Sal, K1RGO
Posted by Paul Daulton on December 07, 2008 at 17:30:39.
In reply to XR signal posted by Sal, K1RGO on December 06, 2008
Sal
describe your noise nulling scheme for us please. What is the FRR-21? military surplus?
Paul K5wms
Re: XR signal
Posted by Sal, K1RGO on December 08, 2008 at 07:49:54.
In reply to Re: XR signal posted by Paul Daulton on December 07, 2008
Hi Paul Re: XR signal
My noise nuller consists of 2 phantom couplers to supply the L-400B active antennas. Input #1 has a phase reversal switch(180deg) which feeds into an OP amp phase shifter,and is fed into a torroid , Input#2 is fed to the torroid secondary. Both inputs are varied by pots (1K to 5K ok), a third winding is the output. The rx ant is in the clear up 15' and the noise ant is in the shack at various locations as needed. It works well most of the time except for multiple noise from the new mercury curly light bulbs on the same line at close proximity and at tmes an unknown extertnal source.
Th FRR-21 is a 1950's Naval LF Receiver and tunes 15kHz to 600kHz in 4 bands.
later.......Sal
Posted by Bill Marvin on December 10, 2008 at 18:48:30.
In reply to Re: XR signal posted by Sal, K1RGO on December 08, 2008
Hi Sal Would you know the source of a FRR-21?. I know they are heavy!
Best Bill KB9IV
Re: XR signal
Posted by EdWSlidell, LA on December 10, 2008 at 20:15:13.
In reply to Re: XR signal posted by Bill Marvin on December 10, 2008
Hi Bill. I have seen the shipboard version, SRR-11, offered from time to time. This may be more readily available, though no less heavy.
EdWSlidell,LA
Re: XR signal
Posted by Sal, K1RGO on December 11, 2008 at 05:13:02.
In reply to Re: XR signal posted by Bill Marvin on December 10, 2008
Hi Bill, Perseus SDR on LW
I really don't know. I picked up this receiver back over 20 years ago at a flea market for $10, it needed some repair and parts are near impossible to find.
later
Posted by john on December 11, 2008 at 09:40:14.
can someone comment on the performance of the perseus SDR radio on LW. I thinking of purchasing one, but will have to sell some of my traditional raduos to do it - my fear is that the perseus isn't good down in this part of the spectrum. i already have an sdr-iq and its mediocre at best on LW, but i do like it alot for its recording features and AM BCB dxing. If the perseus is that much better i will take the plunge, but LW performance will be a deciding factor. thanks in advance, john
When Radio Transmitters Were Machines
Posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 11, 2008 at 12:08:45.
Just saw this article in the January, 2009 issue of QST Magazine. The author Bob Shrader, W6BNB wrote a very nice article with some background on the history of Alternators as RF transmitters. He includes a brief description of how an RF Alternator works along with some information on the Alternator and antenna system at SAQ. Good reading!
73 Todd WD4NGG
Re: When Radio Transmitters Were Machines
Posted by John Davis on December 11, 2008 at 14:06:43.
In reply to When Radio Transmitters Were Machines posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 11, 2008
Sounds great, Todd. Maybe QST will arrive out here in the hinterlands before long.
Re: Perseus SDR on LW
Posted by Bill Marvin on December 11, 2008 at 17:23:10.
In reply to Perseus SDR on LW posted by john on December 11, 2008
Hi John Check this out.
http://www.kongsfjord.no/bm/Perseus%20SDR.pdf
Best Dx
Bill
Keyer help
Posted by Rick KA2PBO on December 11, 2008 at 20:10:43.
Hi all,
Does anyone have a schematic for a simple 2 or 3 character keyer that DOESNT use a computer to program it? Maybe something using old fashioned CMOS chips?
I know there are pre-programmed chips I can buy but I would rather build something.
Thannks Re: Keyer help
Rick
KA2PBO
Posted by Andy - XR on December 12, 2008 at 11:36:27.
In reply to Keyer help posted by Rick KA2PBO on December 11, 2008
Rick: The cheapest cost user programmable keyer I have found is the " 10 minute timer " , with shipping, it runs around $ 14.00. I have one, but am using the K1EL keyer. The 10 min timer will run in QRSS modes as a beacon keyer, and is programmable by the user by just using a set of paddles or switches and using morse to type what you want it to send. An instruction manual is available on their website for download. Just go to this website to read about it: http://home.att.net/~jacksonharbor/10mintim.htm ::: Re: Keyer help
Hope this helps, 73: Andy - KU4XR - Beacon " XR "
Posted by Rick KA2PBO on December 12, 2008 at 16:07:03.
In reply to Re: Keyer help posted by Andy - XR on December 12, 2008
Thanks much Andy.! I will check it out.
Rick
Lowfers CV, MP, And WEB Copied Tonight
Posted by Jerry on December 12, 2008 at 20:29:05.
Got some decent captures of 185.298 CV (Coffeyville, KS), 185.301 MP (London, ON), and 189.95 WEB (Stafford, TX) tonight between 01:30 and 02:30 UTC. Argo screenshots can be seen at:
http://www.underwesternskies.net/lowfers/
These are some of the first Lowfer beacons I've copied from my QTH in Longmont, CO. New antenna here, a high performance active whip at 40' designed by Steve Ratzlaff has made a night and day difference in my longwave monitoring.
73, Jerry, KD0GS
Re: Lowfers CV, MP, And WEB Copied Tonight
Posted by John Davis on December 12, 2008 at 23:23:32.
In reply to Lowfers CV, MP, And WEB Copied Tonight posted by Jerry on December 12, 2008
Congratulations, Jerry. Must be a pretty quiet receiving location there at this time of year.
Re: Keyer help
Posted by John Davis on December 12, 2008 at 23:33:01.
In reply to Re: Keyer help posted by Rick KA2PBO on December 12, 2008
That's a neat idea, Andy. Glad to hear it will work for QRSS, too.
There's one idea that some of our members have used in the past for conventional CW, though I don't have a schematic handy at the moment. It involved analog voice message recorder chips (such as you could buy at Radio Shack at one time, and are still available elsewhere). What they did was record their message and ID with a code practice oscillator. They'd set the playback to loop mode, fed the output to a small audio amplifier, rectified and filtered the audio, and used the pulsating DC to switch a keying transistor on and off. I suppose if you had patience and a chip with long enough capacity, you could do the same for QRSS that way too, but it really worked best for around 5 wpm CW. Lowfer WMS Also Copied Tonight In Colorado
Posted by Jerry, KD0GS on December 12, 2008 at 23:54:40.
Copied WMS, Jacksonville, AR at 187.492 KHz starting at about 11:30 PM MST (0630 UTC) using Argo running QRSS-30. Signal was fair rising to good by time the ID had finished.
The Argo screenshot can be viewed at:
http://www.underwesternskies.net/lowfers/WMS_12-12-2008_0724UTC.jpg
73, Jerry Sharp, KD0GS
Re: Lowfers CV, MP, And WEB Copied Tonight
Posted by Jerry, KD0GS on December 13, 2008 at 00:06:52.
In reply to Re: Lowfers CV, MP, And WEB Copied Tonight posted by John Davis on December 12, 2008
John, believe it or not, my area is anything but quiet. I live in a typical suburban neighborhood, houses packed all around me. And two blocks away I've got 100 KV power lines!
But my noise level is fairly low. I attribute it to two things - first, the wonderful active antenna supplied by Steve Latzlaff, and two, the noise blanketer on the SDR-1000 is by far the best I've even seen on any radio! I'm also running some good high pass and low pass filters, which keep most of the AM BCB, LORAN, and WWVB junk away.
I've been scanning the lowfer band for years, using various radios and wire antennas. Until last night, I had never copied one. Now all of a sudden I have 4 to my log! In two nights! :)
73, Jerry Sharp, KD0GS
Re: Lowfer WMS Also Copied Tonight In Colorado
Posted by Peter B on December 13, 2008 at 06:45:40.
In reply to Lowfer WMS Also Copied Tonight In Colorado posted by Jerry, KD0GS on December 12, 2008
Good capture Jerry, "EAR" returns!
I also had an Argo screen running, same time in N IL. I had a capture on WMS, however the dots didn't show up. Mine appears dah-dad gap dah-dah. Using your .jpg it matches otherwise. Plus I noticed your Argo sensitivity slider setting full on. Mine was at half scale producing a darker screen. I'll adjust accordingly.
-- Peter
Posted by J.B. Weazle McCreath on December 13, 2008 at 09:24:54.
Beacon "EAR" has returned to the air as of 17:15 UTC,
December 13th., 2008. Take a look on 188.830 kHz.
and send any reports of reception to me please.
73, J.B., VE3EAR Re: "EAR" returns!
Posted by Peter B on December 13, 2008 at 10:51:37.
In reply to "EAR" returns! posted by J.B. Weazle McCreath on December 13, 2008
J.B. Lunch-time Lowfer DX
Indeed it has. Showing well on Argo 30Sec screen. 7Ft 18-turn loop.
Peter
Posted by Jerry, KD0GS on December 13, 2008 at 12:23:49.
It's very weak, but I managed to catch an Argo copy of CV 185.298 South Coffeyville, OK in the midday period between 12:15 and 1:00 PM MST (1915 - 2000 UTC). Even though CV transmits QRSS-30, I used QRSS-60 in order to inhance the brightness of the signal.
My Argo capture is here:
http://www.underwesternskies.net/lowfers/CV_noon_12-13-2008_1915UTC.jpg
That's about 570 miles from Longmont to South Coffeyville. Who says you have to wait until night for DX? :)
73, Jerry, KD0GS
Re: Lunch-time Lowfer DX
Posted by Paul Daulton on December 13, 2008 at 13:11:40.
In reply to Lunch-time Lowfer DX posted by Jerry, KD0GS on December 13, 2008
Jerry
I got a dayllight copy on WEB last year in FEB.
Dave Bixler put his 500kc grabber on me last feb and
copied WMS for about 40 hours straight , 192 miles.
Season is just getting started , just wait.
I some times got copy on WEB and MO just before sundown, for
a couple of hours, then they would come back in at 10pm local time. I believe that is called the gray line effect.
Waiting for lowfer propagation is like waiting for
christmas.
Paul
W3eee grabbers
Posted by Paul Daulton on December 13, 2008 at 17:54:16.
Nice to see Steve's grabbers back on 185.3 and part 5.see www.w3eee.com
Thanks Steve.
Great way to check propagation out of my range.
Paul k5wms
Great Night
Posted by Bill Marvin on December 15, 2008 at 10:50:09.
Last evening was a real eye opener here in So. Minn. I was putting my old 1943 Navy RBL-5 through it paces. Most all HP LW Broacasters were going up and down all night with startling levels. Some sounded HiFi. Finally logged
the BBC on 198Khz(said BBC R4) what was most interesting is that the BBC had adjacent QRM from NDB's DIW (NC) and UAB (BC Canada) at the same time!
The RBL-5 receiver is a real LW Broadcast-NDB Killer. I can hear MNB's 3-4+deep per frequency. And the TRF is a joy to use.
The most single valuable item that makes my use on longwave possible is the LF Engineering N-300 Ground Isolator. Why? With my 80 Mtr G5RV at 50ft (E-W) no isolator local and internal noise exceeds all but moderate signal....a sound of miser two fold. With the N-300 attached, initially it sounds too attenuated but in reality useable sensitivity gain is high with greatly reduced manmade noise overall. The DSL (chug-a-lug) is minimal.
One thing I've noticed with DSL noise and the L-300 is some receivers benifit
by removing the receiver ground.
Safe Holidays
Bill
Re: Great Night
Posted by Gregg on December 15, 2008 at 18:06:47.
In reply to Great Night posted by Bill Marvin on December 15, 2008
Hi Bill,
Nice catch! I have yet to snag a LW broadcaster.
UAB on 200 puts out a killer signal, especially near dawn here near Vancouver. Where's your QTH?
Cheers,
Gregg
Re: Great Night
Posted by Gregg on December 15, 2008 at 18:22:36.
In reply to Re: Great Night posted by Gregg on December 15, 2008
Sorry, I missed the S. Minn.
Re: Great Night
Posted by Bill Marvin on December 15, 2008 at 19:10:44.
In reply to Re: Great Night posted by Gregg on December 15, 2008
Hi Gregg My location is So. Central Minn. A town called
Waseca......60 miles SSW of Mpls/ St. Paul.
From here the two strongest LWBC's are Morocco (171 Khz)peaking 10 PM Local and Iceland (189 Khz) peaking after
12 AM local till unrise......3AM vry strong!!
Great Dx Gregg
Holidays
Bill KB9IV CV into Duluth
Posted by Roger on December 16, 2008 at 08:49:16.
Copied LOWFER CV in the 185.3 watering hole. Capture sent to Charlie. Roger, Duluth,MN EN36uu
Re: CV into Duluth
Posted by Andy - XR on December 16, 2008 at 16:21:09.
In reply to CV into Duluth posted by Roger on December 16, 2008
Congrats. Charlie: evidently the ice isn't stoppin your signal. - Andy - " XR "
TAG Decoded in Friendsville, TN.
Posted by Andy - XR on December 16, 2008 at 20:18:21.
Hey Everyone: It took some waiting, but I decoded TAG in WOLF-10 mode around 02:15 UTC ( 9:15pm EST ) 12/16/08. The distance is 915 miles, and this is the first time I've been able to decode TAG running WOLF. Pretty stoked about that one. I also ran ARGO for about an hour and saw " MP " and " CV " in there. I have a screen capture of my TAG Decode on my space if anyone wants to look. Beacon " XR " Antenna Changes
www.myspace.com/beaconxr . 73 all: Andy - KU4XR - " XR "
Posted by Andy - XR on December 18, 2008 at 15:36:43.
Hello All:
After getting tired of losing power everytime it rains, and my
antenna gets wet, I saw where my problem was at, so I made some
hasty changes in the ant. configuration with abt 45 min of light
left. The power output meter is now showing full power again, even
with extremely wet ground, and drizzly rain outside. I hope it
makes a difference in what's getting into the ether. TNX to anyone
who tries to pick it up: 73 for now from the soggy southland.
Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr - Friendsville, TN. UUP NDB
LOWfer Beacon " XR " @ 184.322 KHz ( QRSS-60 )
Coordinates: N: 35* 43' 54" - W: 84* 3' 16"
http://www.myspace.com/beaconxr
Posted by Richard on December 21, 2008 at 07:01:04.
Does anyone remember the frequency of the old UUP Uplands NDB? I am thinking 535, but am not sure.
Re: UUP NDB
Posted by lloyd chastant on December 21, 2008 at 09:48:47.
In reply to UUP NDB posted by Richard on December 21, 2008
Found this ... The best DX night for " XR " this season
UUP 3 CA 1 UPLANDS CY 263 B 025X HA U U WGE WGE N451906// 45.318333 W0754024// -75.673333 W01400190 W014076 0101
Posted by Andy - XR on December 21, 2008 at 11:51:25.
Hey Everyone: 1185 miles to Longmont, CO. from Friendsville.
Hope your day is well; I was thrilled to check my emails this
morning, and see that Jerry in CO. had gotten a capture from
" XR ". And it was right after I rewound the lower section of
my variometer, and the output went up. That was at 10pm EST,
Garry in Il. also said the signal was the strongest he had seen
so far. I plan to rewind the upper section of the variometer
to get rid of spaces in the windings where I put screws for
tap points, only to find they were not needed. From all I've
read on the subject, this evidently improves the " Q " of the
coil, and helps lower coil loss.
I have always thought that Ham radio was fun, but LOWfer-ing
is absolutely the most addictive thing I've done so far.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE, and 73
Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr - Friendsville, TN. Re: When Radio Transmitters Were Machines
LOWfer Beacon " XR " @ 184.322 KHz ( QRSS-60 )
Coordinates: N: 35* 43' 54" - W: 84* 3' 16"
http://www.myspace.com/beaconxr
Posted by John Davis on December 22, 2008 at 15:36:42.
In reply to Re: When Radio Transmitters Were Machines posted by John Davis on December 11, 2008
The magazine arrived several days ago, and it is a fascinating description of alternator transmitters of various sorts...albeit with a tendency to jump back and forth between other types and the description of SAQ.
I cannot recommend the author's analysis of the multi-tuned vertical antenna system at all, however. The first paragraph suffers from poor editing, for one thing; but the fundamental misperception that it is some sort of multi-turn wavelength-plus loop is simply incorrect.
strange or malfunctioning beacon?
Posted by dave sampson on December 23, 2008 at 07:01:44.
hello all
2 nights ago i heard a strange signal on 508 kc at about 11;30 pm est. it sounded like 2 or more stations on or about the same frequence all sending the letter o three to five times (it was difficult to tell because the signal/signals were out of phase or distorted)...followed by a very clear and undistorted letter s . LYQ-529 and Photos, including SWBC Stn WWRB
did anyone else here this and was i hearing several stations or one that was malfunctioning?
happy dxing and merry christmas
Posted by Mike Hardester on December 23, 2008 at 09:03:27.
In some convoluted manner, I received a message that was posted on rec.radio.shortwave regarding the NDB LYQ, 529 kHz, in Morrison, TN. However, the apparent poster was shortwave station WWRB. In part, the post stated, "By the way try hearing our Aircraft Non Directional Beacon (NDB) LYQ 530 (sic-MH) khz see if you can hear the Morse Code.... LYQ ....... repeating every 8 seconds.... try on your car radio during your commute to work." The link to the original posting is http://tinyurl.com/7wt2h9. (Mike Hardester, NC) SAQ Transmission DEC 24 Online Receiver
Posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 23, 2008 at 15:30:03.
Here is an update for the Dec 24 SAQ transmission:
For anyone interested, there will be an online receiver streaming
a spectrumlab display of the upcoming SAQ VLF transmission on
17.2 KHz Thursday morning Dec 24 at 08:00 and 08:30UTC. Remember these
times will be at 03:00 and 03:30 EST in USA. Probably best to start checking around 07:30UTC for tuneups which will be 02:30 EST.
Lionel Loudet is located in France and is streaming the receiver online at
this address :
http://spectrumlab.lionelloudet.homedns.org/
You can choose the refresh rate depending on your download speed.
His remote receiver will also stream audio of SAQ if it is on the air
at the time. Click on the button in the upper left-hand corner of the page to turn the audio on. The audio will be in CW mode so you can hear the morse code transmission.
If you only want to listen to audio you can choose between the MP3
or OGG format at these addresses :
http://spectrumlab.lionelloudet.homedns.org/saq.mp3
http://spectrumlab.lionelloudet.homedns.org/saq.ogg
His receiver is up and running now if you want to check it out
and will be running at least through the scheduled time of the SAQ
broadcast.
73 - Todd WD4NGG Re: The best DX night for " XR " this season - #2 !!
Posted by Andy - XR on December 23, 2008 at 19:14:43.
In reply to The best DX night for " XR " this season posted by Andy - XR on December 21, 2008
Hello All:
" XR " made it into CO. again, better signal this go around.You can see the capture on MySpace. What makes it even more fascinating is that I found out that I am only getting about 600 mWatts out of the PA. Plan to build a higher voltage supply soon and get it on up to a Watt.
Also, a comment from Jerry - KD0GS says; " Andy, you're not doing bad for 1/2 watt from almost 1200 miles away! And
the fact that I'm running a 36" active whip living in a crowded suburban neighborhood doesn't help either! I must say that Jerry has one heck of a receive setup. Peter Barrick in IL. was also getting some traces of " XR " the same night. Thanks guys for your time monitoring. You are what makes it worthwhile to the beacon operators. 73 all !!
Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr - Friendsville, TN.
LOWfer Beacon " XR " @ 184.322 KHz ( QRSS-60 )
Coordinates: N: 35* 43' 54" - W: 84* 3' 16"
http://www.myspace.com/beaconxr
Re: When Radio Transmitters Were Machines
Posted by Clive Carver on December 24, 2008 at 05:05:54.
In reply to Re: When Radio Transmitters Were Machines posted by John Davis on December 22, 2008
Does anyone have a web link to a good description of SAQ's aerial system?
I remember seeing a basic description somewhere, but cannot even find that now.
Many Thanks & Seasons Greetings
Clive
Re: UUP NDB
Posted by Richard on December 24, 2008 at 07:51:03.
In reply to Re: UUP NDB posted by lloyd chastant on December 21, 2008
Thanks for the info. They must have moved after CJSB 540 Ottawa came on. I remember hearing UUP, along with NB 530 North Bay & YWA 516 Petawawa many years ago while DXing mediumwave. I am located in central PA.
EXP-1750a Longwave Transceiver
Posted by Brian, KG8CO on December 24, 2008 at 13:15:22.
Does any one have construction information on discontinued EXP-1750a longwave transceiver?
Thank you
SAQ -No Joy
Brian, KG8CO
Posted by krystallo on December 24, 2008 at 13:59:41.
Hey All.
SAQ no joy on 75 ft apt longwire despite using ALL the weapons in the arsenal (QF_1 filter,LF Eng amp and the REALLY BIG coil ,+ etc) . A FEW bits of possible morse (or QRM tone bursts) ,but certainly NOT enough to call QSL. (75 ft antenna was a "long shot" anyways!)
Did anybody else try/ succeed/ fail ?
I DID copy last summer's transmission (on a 2000 ft longwire and long ocean cpoise/gnd).
They sure are a tough catch here in N. Amer. !
MERRY CHRISTMAS de N1NQC
Re: When Radio Transmitters Were Machines
Posted by Ray on December 24, 2008 at 14:52:47.
In reply to Re: When Radio Transmitters Were Machines posted by Clive Carver on December 24, 2008
How about this?
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:JpazRtBKi20J:www.alexander.n.se/saqwharticle2.pdf+SAQ+aerial+system&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us
from page 2:
Six 127 metre high towers with 46 metre long booms carried Re: EXP-1750a Longwave Transceiver
twelve 2,200 metre long wires that fed six vertical antenna elements from the top of each tower.
Posted by Gregg on December 24, 2008 at 18:14:41.
In reply to EXP-1750a Longwave Transceiver posted by Brian, KG8CO on December 24, 2008
Wow, only four results on Google for it.
It looks like a neat little rig. I wonder why it's dicontinued?
Cheers!
Re: EXP-1750a Longwave Transceiver
Posted by John Davis on December 25, 2008 at 10:35:33.
In reply to Re: EXP-1750a Longwave Transceiver posted by Gregg on December 24, 2008
> "I wonder why it's discontinued?"
It's been gone for over a decade. Dave Curry, the fellow who offered the kits on a part-time basis, got married and started a family and didn't have time to bother any more.
He hasn't completely gotten out of radio, but doesn't participate in any of the online groups I'm aware of.
Losing valuable resources like his designs when someone loses interest, becomes otherwise occupied, or dies, is why I've been trying to encourage active experimenters for years to let us archive their work here on this site, which is likely to continue not just through my lifetime but as long as the club exists.
Re: EXP-1750a Longwave Transceiver
Posted by Brian, KG8CO on December 25, 2008 at 12:13:04.
In reply to Re: EXP-1750a Longwave Transceiver posted by John Davis on December 25, 2008
Gregg:
I can understand how things in life change. By the sounds of your posting, it sounds like you may know Dave.
After my initial posting on this site along with another posting on the lowfer e-mail reflector on QTH.net, it looks like there are others interested in the EXP-1750a.
If we could at least ask Dave for the diagram to build the EXP-1750a a person could build one on their own and put it on the air. And at that point, he wouldn't be bothered any longer.
I have been trying to find a valid e-mail address for him, but no luck. If nothing comes up, I will just send him a letter in the mail.
Brian, KG8CO
Re: When Radio Transmitters Were Machines
Posted by John Davis on December 25, 2008 at 20:52:52.
In reply to Re: When Radio Transmitters Were Machines posted by Ray on December 24, 2008
Thanks for reminding me of this, Ray. Here's the same article by Mr Walde, except in a PDF version with the photos included: Re: EXP-1750a Longwave Transceiver
lwca.org/library/global/SAQ/SAQarticle_Walde.pdf
Posted by Gregg on December 26, 2008 at 00:52:45.
In reply to Re: EXP-1750a Longwave Transceiver posted by John Davis on December 25, 2008
Hi John,
One reason I love open-sourcing everything I do... guaranteed if the project is useful to someone, it doesn't need me to continue on :-)
Cheers!
Re: EXP-1750a Longwave Transceiver
Posted by Gregg on December 26, 2008 at 00:53:21.
In reply to Re: EXP-1750a Longwave Transceiver posted by Brian, KG8CO on December 25, 2008
Not me?
Did you mean John?
Cheers!
Hifer beacon HI heard today
Posted by Mark Ku7z on December 26, 2008 at 12:43:20.
Copied HI on 13558 today at 2030 utc 12/26/2008. Been quite awhile since I last heard it here earlier in the year. Looking now for some of the others but not sure whats on the air still.
73, Mark, Ku7z WMS off tonight
DN41af
Ogden, Northern UT (NUT)
Posted by Paul Daulton on December 26, 2008 at 15:00:58.
Wms beacon will be off tonight so I can look for UWL, CV, and XR
Thanks Fwd: UWL on
Paul K5wms
Beacon wms Qrss 30 187492 hz
Posted by Eric Smith on December 26, 2008 at 18:43:34.
UWL is on with QRSS30 at 1 watt near 185302.
Eric KD5UWL / WD2XFX EM15go
UWL Copied In CO Tonight
Posted by Jerry KD0GS on December 26, 2008 at 19:07:48.
Starting around 6:45 PM MST (01:45 UTC) I managed to catch a weak copy of UWL. Conditions at the "watering hole" seem kind of stinky so far, lots of QSB and just traces of CV being received. No sign of MP at all.
I'm showing a frequency of 1852997 ± 1.0 Hz.
My Argo screen capture can be seen at:
http://www.underwesternskies.net/lowfers/UWL_12_26_2008_0145UTC.jpg
Radio - Flexradio SDR-1000
Antenna - 36" high performance active whip.
Software - Argo
Various filters to keep the nasties below 150 KHz and above 200 KHz out.
73, How about an EXTRA !! Watering Hole ??
Jerry Sharp, KD0GS
Longmont, CO
DN70ke
Posted by Andy - XR on December 26, 2008 at 19:33:59.
Hello All:
I would like to give a word of encouragement to the OP's that I sold the LOWfer parts kits to. An extra LOWfer watering hole would be opened up if the 7 kits I sold were to be put on the air. The lowest frequency sent out was 184.315 KHz, up to my freq. of 184.322 KHz. That would be a 7 cycle window, and the transmitters would be spread out from the South East U.S. New England area, Mid West, and Southern Rocky Mtn area. If all 7 of the beacons were running together; it would provide for some interesting propagation watching.
73; and Good LOWfering
Re: SAQ -No Joy
Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr - Friendsville, TN.
LOWfer Beacon " XR " @ 184.322 KHz ( QRSS-60 )
Coordinates: N: 35* 43' 54" - W: 84* 3' 16"
http://www.myspace.com/beaconxr
Posted by Les on December 28, 2008 at 12:05:46.
In reply to SAQ -No Joy posted by krystallo on December 24, 2008
Also no joy, did not really expect to receive SAQ here in Nevada, but was still fun trying. Receiver used was ancient National RBL-5 with vertical antenna.
A couple of hours before SAQ was due to transmit, did hear the usual Russian Alfa signals on several frequencies below 17 kHz, as well as another lower approximately .5 second tone at about a 38 per minute rate that started out around 16.4 kHz and later moved upward to above 17 kHz. It was no longer heard at 0730 UTC.
Les Layton
WebSDR now covers LF!
Posted by Robert on December 28, 2008 at 15:44:23.
http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/
The WebSDR at the University of Twente now has 10 to 150 kHz coverage for a short while. Monitor LF from Europe while it lasts, before he takes it down for experiments. I snagged HBG from Switzerland, German power grid telemetry, LORAN, and other digital comms among others. 73
Re: SAQ -No Joy
Posted by krystallo on December 28, 2008 at 16:43:58.
In reply to Re: SAQ -No Joy posted by Les on December 28, 2008
Hey Les,
The Boston receiver from the World Wwide Lightning net DID copy SAQ but again, I did not (even though I am in Boston also).
Dunno what I am going to do next time. I DID copy last summer's transmission but the lightning crashes were horrible.
This time around I THOUGHT that I heard some bits and pieces during the time window,but careful review of the tape recording didn't net any real morse- just random tones and noise.
Again , SAQ is a real toughie here in N. America. Despite their high power, I feel that because they use such a short antenna (compared to their frequency) that maybe a lot of power is lost rather than radiated.
Right now I don't plan to try for next summer's transmission and if (IF!) I DO try for Dec 24 2009,it seems that it would require going (back) out onto Dxpedition to a remote and quiet beach with a LONG wire antenna /ocean (counterpoise) gnd.
This is something that I am not really fuzzy about doing so close to Christmas,but...
Re: UUP NDB
K
Posted by Dave Childs on December 28, 2008 at 21:48:44.
In reply to Re: UUP NDB posted by Richard on December 24, 2008
Yeah, I remember hearing them & FZ back in the '60 on an old Hallicrafters S-38E &, later, on a Heath GR-64. [FZ was from St. Hubert, PQ as I recall.] 73s
Re: SAQ -No Joy
Posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 29, 2008 at 19:35:51.
In reply to Re: SAQ -No Joy posted by krystallo on December 28, 2008
Hi K,
I was able to copy SAQ during their Dec 24 transmission.
Signal report here in South Carolina was RST 249 using a Steve Ratzlaff active whip up about 40 feet, + AMRAD VLF converter clone and Icom R75 with 2 x CW filters.
Reception was a bit choppy with some static but not too bad. I was listening at the same time to an online receiver run by Lionel Loudet in France. His copy was 599 in France except for some local intereference he has at times.
I have done some studies on VLF propagation from Europe to the USA and find there is quite a difference in signal strength levels from day to night.
I used a test signal from the 19.6KHz VLF station in Skelton, UK to chart signal strength. Propagation begins to peak here starting in the early evening about 5PM EST and builds to a peak from about 7PM-2AM, then takes a nose dive from about 2AM-4AM. This corresponds to sunrise in Europe.
So when SAQ makes their transmission at 3-4AM EST the propagation is dropping and sometimes drops even below daytime levels. It is often the worst time of the day for VLF propagation from Europe. Static is often the worst that time of night also. That is why SAQ is such a hard catch here in the USA.
The optimum time for SAQ to make a transmission to the USA would be early evening our time probably around 7-8PM EST or 0100-0200 UTC. I have passed that information along to the operators of SAQ for their consideration.
73 - Todd WD4NGG
Re: SAQ -No Joy
Posted by krystallo on December 30, 2008 at 06:08:38.
In reply to Re: SAQ -No Joy posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 29, 2008
Hey Todd,
Well it's good at least SOMEONE in the U.S. heard them!
K
Re: SAQ -No Joy
Posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 30, 2008 at 08:31:38.
In reply to Re: SAQ -No Joy posted by krystallo on December 30, 2008
If anyone wants to hear what SAQ sounds like, I have an MP3 recording of their transmission on Dec 6, 2008. This was recorded by a VLF receiver in France run by Lionel Loudet. The transmission is about 8 minutes long in CW mode. I converted the recording to a 32kbps MP3 file so the file is less than 2mB long.
Send me an email and I will be glad to send back an MP3 copy of their transmission.
73 - Todd WD4NGG
Hi beacon heard in AR
Posted by Paul Daulton on December 30, 2008 at 14:22:02.
HI beacon was audible on 13.558 mhz this morning 0700 to 1000 local.
Paul k5wms Re: Hi beacon heard in AR
Jacksonville,AR
Posted by John Davis on December 30, 2008 at 16:41:58.
In reply to Hi beacon heard in AR posted by Paul Daulton on December 30, 2008
I guess Bradley has decided against shutting it down just yet. You might want to send him a report by postal mail, as he has no computer... or telephone, for that matter.
Now the LF section is QRT....
Posted by Robert on December 30, 2008 at 21:02:09.
In reply to WebSDR now covers LF! posted by Robert on December 28, 2008
The operator of the site took down the six band SDR receiver and replaced it with the homemade three band 80/40/20M SDR. WMS back on the air
73 kb7aqd
Posted by Paul Daulton on December 31, 2008 at 15:51:13.
WMS is back on 24/7 187492 hz qrss 30.
I listened to 185.3 while I was off the air. I did capture
MP,CV, and UWL but captures were nothing to brag about. Lots
of missing dits. Strong carrier on 185.00 and noise just below
that may be desensing me. Not comming from my house best I can
tell. WEB was very strong and clear on these nights at 189950 hz.
Parts are on the way to build ADA active antenna. Hope to improve
my rec capabilities befor season is over.
Have a happy new year.
Paul k5wms Beacon " XR " Power Increase
Jacksonville,AR
em34wu
Posted by Andy - XR on December 31, 2008 at 18:58:53.
Happy New Year Everyone !!
I found a dual voltage power supply on ebay and it was exactly
what I was needing, so I bought it ( very cheap ), it works
perfect so far. I'm now running 31 volts on the PA, and up to
full power. A 3dB increase in output. I hope it helps in the
ionesphere. 73, and good LOWfer-ing.
Andy - KU4XR - EM75xr - Friendsville, TN.
LOWfer Beacon " XR " @ 184.322 KHz ( QRSS-60 )
Coordinates: N: 35* 43' 54" - W: 84* 3' 16"
http://www.myspace.com/beaconxr
potrzebie