EMP heard in Friendsville, TN. - WOW
Hi all: In the process of putting together my lowFER station to be able to send some digimodes; on Tues, 11/30/2010 at 11:30 pm Eastern, 04:30 UTC; I Re: EMP heard in Friendsville, TN. - WOW
switched from transmit to receive, and was going to shut down for the night. I thought that I heard a CW signal in the background, so I started listening more carefully. Sure enough; there WAS a CW signal in there. At first, the letters " M P " were very distinguishable, but I thought that I was hearing another letter too. Continued listening brought out the entire sequence: " E M P " I didn't know anything about that beacon, so I looked it up on RNA, and nothing came up in the search results. The signal was really pretty strong for 1750 meters, and was steady with very little fade at that time. I figured that I was getting an intermod signal, and just brushed it off. I was looking at the " on the air " list today, and that's when I found out who I was hearing. It was Darwins beacon in Empire, LA. He is about 550 miles, give or take, from me. I didn't hear the voice portion of the sequence, but wasn't listening for it either since I didn't know what I was hearing. I can now say that I have " HEARD " a lowFER beacon by ear after 3 years of listening. Good job Darwin; I'll listen again to see if I can catch the voice portion, AND, try to get a recording to send to you... 73 all; and Merry Christmas to everyone: Andy - XR
Posted by John Davis on December 01, 2010 at 13:00:52.
In reply to EMP heard in Friendsville, TN. - WOW posted by Andy - Beacon - XR on December 01, 2010
Just goes to show, Andy...at 1750m, our online On The Air list should be your first source. :-)
Congratulations to both you and Darwin! It's no small feat to get a Part 15 signal over such a distance in CW!
John; a possible addition to the Community Forum ??
Posted by Andy - XR on December 01, 2010 at 13:26:40.
John; I have been meaning to ask you about this possibility, and see if you think it would be a benefit to the Longwave Community Forum. It would to me in cases of unusual receptions. We have the ability to put screen captures up, and this may go over the limit, but being able to upload a small mp3 audio clip of events such as when I caught " EMP " may be a nice addition of service... Limit the file size to no more than 1 MB.. if the file is handled properly, this will accomodate about 30 seconds of audio... Could that be a possibility ?? 73: Andy
Re: EMP heard in Friendsville, TN. - WOW
Posted by Darwin Long on December 01, 2010 at 15:14:48.
In reply to Re: EMP heard in Friendsville, TN. - WOW posted by John Davis on December 01, 2010
Thanks so much for the reception report, Andy! Let me know if you collect QSL's.
The beacon alternates between 1 minute of straight CW, and 1 minute of alternating voice/SSB CW. To hear the voice portion during the alternating CW/voice cycle, tune to 186.000kHz, and switch to USB. The CW will be 415Hz tones, and the voice will have normal pitch.
Take care!
-Darwin Long Re: John; a possible addition to the Community Forum ??
EMP 185.585kHz
Empire, LA
Posted by Webmaster on December 01, 2010 at 16:38:43.
In reply to John; a possible addition to the Community Forum ?? posted by Andy - XR on December 01, 2010
Actually, an MP3 should be able to accomodate 30 seconds of audio in half a megabyte with good quality...maybe longer if not in stereo. Some good audio captures would be a nice addition indeed, so we'll see what can be done.
John
Re: EMP heard in Friendsville, TN. - WOW
Posted by Andy - XR on December 01, 2010 at 18:39:28.
In reply to Re: EMP heard in Friendsville, TN. - WOW posted by Darwin Long on December 01, 2010
Darwin: Yes I would like to have a card from " EMP " if you have any ready. Your's will be the first aurally received lowFER beacon since I started on LF in 2007. My address is correct on QRZ.com, or email me if you need my address... 73: Andy - Beacon " XR " Friendsville, TN. - EM75xr
Audio clip of " EMP " as received in Friendsville, TN. 12-1-2010
Posted by Andy - XR on December 02, 2010 at 13:06:46.
Darwins beacon signal rose above the band noise around 11:54 pm EST ( 04:54 UTC ) and was in and out for about 45 minutes before disappearing. The signal was not as good as on Tues. night ( 11-30-2010 ) but it was good enough to get some audio from it.. I listened for 1 hour and 50 minutes waiting for the signal to show up, and it paid off, with proof in the audio clip which can be heard at: http://ku4xr.webs.com/audioclipsandvideos.htm ... 73 all: Andy - XR
Beacon "JAM" 187 khz is up now
Posted by Lee on December 03, 2010 at 17:02:09.
Beacon "JAM" 187 khz is up now till Monday noon 12/6/10 1200. QRSS30 and 5wpm. I have been told that Santa will deliver a real digital freq counter because I have been so good. Stand by for my 7 digit actual frequency. Re: Frequency Counter
73zzz
Lee
Posted by Andy - XR on December 03, 2010 at 17:34:04.
In reply to Beacon "JAM" 187 khz is up now posted by Lee on December 03, 2010
Lee; If you haven't ordered one already. Take the time to check out the Victor model: VC3165 Intelligent Frequency Counter. I bought one off the Bay, and it has performed flawlessly, and better than expected for less than a " Ben ". It comes with power cord, and cable with BNC on one end, and Alligator clips on the other... 73 to you: - Andy
Re: Beacon "JAM" 187 khz is up now
Posted by Lee on December 03, 2010 at 19:58:25.
In reply to Beacon "JAM" 187 khz is up now posted by Lee on December 03, 2010
Thanks for the tip Andy. The one I am considering on Amazon is 148 bones. I will check it out. Re: Frequency Counter
73zzzzz
Lee
Posted by Lee on December 05, 2010 at 02:40:12.
In reply to Re: Frequency Counter posted by Andy - XR on December 03, 2010
Hi Andy Re: Beacon "JAM" 187 khz is up now
I looked for the VC counter and found one at a good price. My only delema is the counter I was considering had a 10 mhz ref output. Do the folks outhere think having a 10 mhz ref output useful. I was thinking down converter. Thanks.
73zzzzzz
Lee
Posted by Mark on December 05, 2010 at 04:08:31.
In reply to Beacon "JAM" 187 khz is up now posted by Lee on December 03, 2010
Hi Lee, I let argo look for you on 187 thru the night. I think it found you, but conditions continue to be poor to mediocre in my newly developing RF hole here! Sure could use a couple solar blasts to stir the pot up and then let it settle down differently than what I have now!! hi hi! I will send along a screen grab to your email address so you can take a look at what came thru.
73, Mark Re: Frequency Counter
Posted by Rick KA2PBO on December 05, 2010 at 08:00:31.
In reply to Re: Frequency Counter posted by Lee on December 05, 2010
Great Idea Lee!! I have been using a downconverter for 2 years now . I was fortunate enough to get a 180khz xtal from an old carrier public address system . I dont need to divide down ; which is nice. But I think the idea of dividing down the 10mhz freq counter output is awesome! Especially when LF xtals are hard to come by. 10mhz is a nice round number to divide down as well.
73 Re: Frequency Counter
Rick
Posted by John Davis on December 05, 2010 at 14:57:56.
In reply to Re: Frequency Counter posted by Rick KA2PBO on December 05, 2010
There are a number of reasons why a reference output on a frequency counter is a good idea. First and foremost, you can confirm that the reference oscillator is zero-beated to WWV! Secondarily, it can be useful as a local oscillator for a downconverter, etc.
What may not be quite as great is using it as a frequency reference for the same transmitter whose carrier you are attempting to measure. It will always be right on frequency--whether it really is or not. ;)
John
" XR " is transmitting in WSPR mode on 1750 meters
Posted by Andy - Beacon - XR on December 05, 2010 at 17:01:41.
Hi Everyone: I have been trying for a long time to get a setup that I could transmit any mode. I finally have such. It is a crude pieced together setup for the moment, but it is working none-the-less. I have a YASEU FT757GX-II, driving a TDA7052B Audio amp as the PA stage. It is Class " AB " so it will not come up to the efficiency of the typical Class " D " QRSS setup. I have been transmitting in WSPR mode since about 10:00 UTC on Fri. 12/3/2010 continuously. So far only one reception decoded from Doug - KB4OER who is about 110 miles from me, but I am pleased with that distance. He is receiving me 10 to 11 dB above the WSPR stated limit of -28 dB, so I'm sure the signal is going much farther out. In this mode, I will consider 500 miles to be good DX reception. Tentative operation schedule for now will be; Nights during the week, and possibly continuous over the weekends for awhile. The dial frequency is 184.200 KHz, in USB mode....There will be times that I will try other modes too, and if it will be for any length of time; I will post it here. OK, 73 for now... Andy - XR
510 Khz USB Reception
Posted by Bill KB9IV on December 05, 2010 at 18:32:30.
WOW!!! My noise from hell dropped out at 8:03 and low & behold Warren you were loud & clear in So. MN!! I made a .wav recording of most of the QSO. It's 14 Mb if anyone wants to email me for it at wmarvin@hickorytech.net
Best DX
Bill KB9IV What am I hearing on 171 khz?
Posted by Ward K7PO on December 06, 2010 at 08:19:28.
I know, that's not a good way to start a post. I have returned to long wave listening after 20+ years. My location, 40 miles west of Phoenix is quiet, so I'm hearing like never before. The station is an active antenna (PA0RDT design), an upconverter (KF5CQ design) and an Icom 756 Pro II for RX. When I lived in Phoenix, I could not hear any longwave broadcast stations due to noise. Last night, around 0330Z, I heard a station at 171 khz. I also heard one at 189 khz last week in the early morning, around 1200Z. Both times, the announcer was weaker than the music and I was unable to ID either station. Any educated guesses out there as to which stations these might have been? Sorry if this is a 'newbie' question but as I said I've been out of the hobby for a long time.
Re: What am I hearing on 171 khz?
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on December 06, 2010 at 09:56:12.
In reply to What am I hearing on 171 khz? posted by Ward K7PO on December 06, 2010
Ward,
The stations I usually hear in Massachusetts on 171 and 189 kHz are in Amsterdam and Iceland, respectively. That might not be the case in AZ, though. There are longwave broadcast stations on 171 kHz in Morocco, Russia, Siberia, and elsewhere. I don't know of a good up-to-date guide, but if you just do a web search on "171 kHz" or "long wave broadcasting", you'll find plenty of information.
John, W1TAG
Re: What am I hearing on 171 khz?
Posted by Shawn Axelrod on December 06, 2010 at 14:36:12.
In reply to What am I hearing on 171 khz? posted by Ward K7PO on December 06, 2010
171 FF / AA Medi 1 - Radio Méditerranée Intl
5FN MRC Nador-Tangier 24H
171 RR Radio Èechnja Svobodnaja
RUS Krasnodar, RU 1700-2100
171 RR Radio Novosibirsk (Radio Rossii)
RUS Oyash, RU 2200-1800
171 RR Radio Rossii
RW369 RUS Kaliningrad, RU 0400-2100
171 RR Radio Sakha (Radio Rossii)
RW62 RUS Yakutsk, RS 2000-1600
189 GEO Saqartvelos Radio
RW7 GEO Tbilisi 24H , off Mo 2200-0300
189 ISL RÚV Rás 1 (Rás 2)
TFU ISL Gufuskálar 24H
189 RR Radio Amur (Radio Rossii)
RW767 RUS Konstantinogradovka-
Blagoveshchensk, RU 2000-1600
This is a list I have. Hope it helps
EMP reception in TN
Posted by Darwin Long on December 09, 2010 at 10:19:31.
Andy- I popped your QSL in the mail today.
I'll be leaving for Antarctica / South Georgia Is. tomorrow, and will be chasing penguins there for 3 weeks (I'll have a Sangean G8 and LF loop, too). When I get back in Jan, I'll try for XR in CW if you want (slow or normal), and will try a spec scan around 184.2 in the meantime.
EMP will continue to operate 24-7 while I'm away.
Happy Holidays!
Darwin Long
EMP 185.585kHz CW, 186.000 SSB voice
Empire, LA USA
EL59ej 29.392591°N, -89.603222°W
WM copied
Posted by Sal,K1RGO on December 09, 2010 at 15:18:05.
Today from 12:30 t 13:30 EST I copied the WM graphical in the watering hole using spectran QRSS30 mode. My noise floor was finally down to an acceptable level and maybe with the better setup I can have some good copy this season. Re: EMP reception in TN
Later.......Sal
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on December 09, 2010 at 17:50:59.
In reply to EMP reception in TN posted by Darwin Long on December 09, 2010
Have fun on your trip Darwin. Be careful of the anthropophagous penguins around King Haakon Bay--they're the ones with the toothy grins. From the photos of the Island, it looks COLD. Let us know if you can hear anything in the LF/MF range from down there. GL EdWSlidell,LA EM50cg
PBO - QRT
Posted by Rick KA2PBO on December 09, 2010 at 18:22:56.
PBO will be off the air tonite so I can try out a new receiver. Should be back on this weekend.
73
Rick KA2PBO e-mail address update
Posted by Rick KA2PBO on December 11, 2010 at 14:12:29.
Hi John
I noticed my old e-mail address is listed for my operator info. My new one is (shown above).
Thanks HI is back
Rick KA2PBO
Posted by Sal, K1RGO on December 15, 2010 at 19:39:58.
I am hearing medfer HI on 510.1 kHz coming through nicely, 549. I thought he lost interest or went SK. www.vlf.it update
later....Sal
Posted by Renato Romero on December 21, 2010 at 12:24:39.
A new update of www.vlf.it site is online: "EXPLORER E202, A simple but effective portable device for natural radio signal reception", by Renato Romero
73 de IK1QFK, Renato
REMINDER SAQ TRANSMISSION DEC 24 0800UTC
Posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 22, 2010 at 14:51:56.
Hi All,
Here is a reminder for the upcoming SAQ Christmas Eve transmission on Dec 24 at 0800UTC. For us listeners in the USA this will be early Friday morning 0300EST, 0200CST etc.
SAQ operates on 17.2KHz and they will be sending a message in CW starting 0800UTC. They will be tuning up and sending strings of V's and VVV de SAQ starting about 30 minutes before the official message at 0800UTC. The official message usually lasts only about 5 minutes so they will be QRT a only few minutes after 0800UTC.
You can check out their website at:
73 and Merry Christmas to all - Todd WD4NGG
GPA Hifer testing
Posted by Robert KC8UCH on December 23, 2010 at 16:43:11.
I have a Hifer on the air right now using an Epson programmable oscillator. The oscillator is programmed for 13.560 Mhz, but I think it's actually closer to 13.560750 Mhz (sorry, my test equipment here is pretty sad - so I'm not positive about the frequency).
The beacon is transmitting "GPA" using QRSS3. Location is Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Any reception reports would be greatly appreciated!
Robert Re: GPA Hifer testing
KC8UCH
Posted by Paul on December 23, 2010 at 18:49:15.
In reply to GPA Hifer testing posted by Robert KC8UCH on December 23, 2010
That's excellent! What are you using for antenna, etc.?
VY 73.
Re: REMINDER SAQ TRANSMISSION DEC 24 0800UTC
Posted by Paul on December 23, 2010 at 18:49:58.
In reply to REMINDER SAQ TRANSMISSION DEC 24 0800UTC posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 22, 2010
Thanks for the reminder! Looking forward to copying SAQ again here on west coast (hopefully).
VY 73.
Re: GPA Hifer testing
Posted by Robert KC8UCH on December 23, 2010 at 19:07:11.
In reply to Re: GPA Hifer testing posted by Paul on December 23, 2010
A bit embarrassing to say, but merely a rather short, random length of wire at the moment. I don't have an attenuator of any kind hooked up to this at the moment, so I was worried about going over the Part 15 limits with a better antenna.
The circuit I'm using is based on something published by Lyle a long time ago... I happened to have an old K-ID that I had ordered five or six years ago and so I slapped it altogether on a protoboard tonight.
Suggestions for improvements are most welcome - I know my way around APRS trackers and high-altitude balloons, but this stuff is still quite mysterious to me!
Re: GPA Hifer testing
Posted by Robert KC8UCH on December 23, 2010 at 22:17:22.
In reply to Re: GPA Hifer testing posted by Robert KC8UCH on December 23, 2010
I've improved the antenna a bit, but I'm quite certain now that the frequency which I mentioned in my initial message was inaccurate.
I'm using a cheap digital SW receiver (AM only) and dumping the audio into Spectran. If I tune the receiver to 13.560, the clearest and most intense trace on Spectran is at 750hz. I am using the preset QRSS3 mode in Spectran.
Does this then translate to 13.560750? I'm guessing not - and I'm open to being educated! :)
73, Re: GPA Hifer testing
Robert
Posted by John Davis on December 23, 2010 at 23:31:36.
In reply to Re: GPA Hifer testing posted by Robert KC8UCH on December 23, 2010
>>> Does this then translate to 13.560750? I'm guessing not -
Sorry to say, your guess is correct. In AM mode, without a BFO to beat against the carrier and produce a distinct note, there is really no way to tell very closely what the signal frequency is.
You are monitoring pink noise, basically, of the sort produced by an AM detector when given only a carrier. The spectrum analyzer display is thus only telling you where the audio frequency response of the radio happens to peak.
As soon as someone with a well calibrated setup monitors your signal, we can hope they will post a report with the frequency in it.
Re: GPA Hifer testing
Posted by Paul on December 24, 2010 at 00:54:25.
In reply to Re: GPA Hifer testing posted by Robert KC8UCH on December 23, 2010
Yep, and what John said is true.
Although, I have found the programmable osc. chips to be quite accurate. The FRC HiFer is made up of one of those Epson chips driving a filter into a bandpass (helical cavity) filter into a "Hamstick" vertical. It is just barely under the radiated RF field strength limit on an FIM. The frequency is only a few cycles off.
The regulated power supply, keyer, transmitter, and first filter fits inside a 2" x 2" aluminum enclosure screwed to the wall. That's the nice part about the Epson chips, they are really small!
73,
Re: REMINDER SAQ TRANSMISSION DEC 24 0800UTC
Posted by Paul on December 24, 2010 at 10:30:13.
In reply to Re: REMINDER SAQ TRANSMISSION DEC 24 0800UTC posted by Paul on December 23, 2010
Copied some of SAQ here. Real tough band conditions last night (this morning, west coast time). Not quite enough signal to be able to copy message, but could certainly tell there was CW on frequency.
Merry CHRISTmas all!
Re: REMINDER SAQ TRANSMISSION DEC 24 0800UTC
Posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 24, 2010 at 12:03:29.
In reply to Re: REMINDER SAQ TRANSMISSION DEC 24 0800UTC posted by Paul on December 24, 2010
Glad a few folks were listening for SAQ overnight!
I am pleased to report hearing SAQ also here along the SE USA coast overnight. Conditions were fairly good here and SAQ copy was RST 339 with some static as usual. Their transmission lasted from about 0740-0807UTC with tuneups and a few long steady carriers before the official transmission at 0800UTC.
Here is a transcript of their message at 0800:
CQ CQ CQ de SAQ SAQ SAQ =
This is Grimeton radio/SAQ in a transmission using the Alexanderson 200kW alternator on 17.2kHz.
In this annual Christmas transmission we are glad to inform our listeners about on-going renewal of certain equipment at our station.
The six large coils in the aerial-circuit will be replaced. We hope that this will increase the efficiency.
With this report we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. =
Signed: Alexander-Grimeton + =
For QSL info please read our website: www.alexander.n.se =
de SAQ SAQ SAQ VA
Re: REMINDER SAQ TRANSMISSION DEC 24 0800UTC
Merry Christmas to all - 73 Todd WD4NGG
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on December 24, 2010 at 19:56:54.
In reply to Re: REMINDER SAQ TRANSMISSION DEC 24 0800UTC posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 24, 2010
Hi Todd and Paul. No luck at all in SE Louisiana, with hearing SAG on 17.2 KHz. I set up the L-400B LF Engrg. antenna on a 20 ft. pole, beside the bayou, in hope of a little less in the way of power line/digital harmonics. With the CEI VLF-351, I didn't even imagine that I heard the CW. Perhaps with those new tuning coils it will be possible sometime in the future. EdWSlidell,LA EM50cg
Re: REMINDER SAQ TRANSMISSION DEC 24 0800UTC
Posted by Paul on December 24, 2010 at 21:55:33.
In reply to Re: REMINDER SAQ TRANSMISSION DEC 24 0800UTC posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 24, 2010
You copied that?? We must have listened to completely separate transmissions.
Here's what I copied (note spelling errors are how it was sent):
VVV VVV (etc.) CQ CQ CQ DE SAQ SAQ SAQ
BT
THIS IS GRIMETON RADIO IN A TRANSMISSION USING THE ALEXANDERSON 200 KW ALTERNATOR ON 17.2 KHZ.
BT
THIS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TRANMISSION WE ARFLAD TO IN FORM OUR LISTENERS ABOUT AN ONGOING RENEWAL OF CERTAIN EQUIPMENT AT OUR STATION. THE SIX LARGE COILS IR THE AERIAL - CIRCUIT WILL BE REPLACED. WE HOPE THAT THIS WILL INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY. WITH THIS REPORT WE WISH YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
BT
SIGNAL OS ALXANDER-GRIMETON AR
BT
FOR QSL INFO PLEASE READ OUR WEBSITE OS WWW.ALEXANDER.N.SE
BT
DE SAQ SAQ SAQ SK
SAQ SPECIAL TRANSMISSION FOR NORTH AMERICAN LISTENERS
Posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 27, 2010 at 08:30:21.
Hi All,
I am pleased to report that SAQ has agreed to a request to run a
special Night-Time transmission for North American listeners. I am
waiting to learn the time and date but it will be around Midnight UTC
or 1900 EST ( 7PM EST ) or perhaps an hour later.
This should take advantage of improved VLF propagation to North
America from Europe in the early evening hours USA time and hopefully
there should be lower static at that time also.
73 - Todd WD4NGG
Powerful XGJ
Posted by Bill Marvin on December 27, 2010 at 08:54:59.
Early this morning (5:30 AM CST) I captured "XGJ" nicely despite heavy local noise. It takes one powerful signal to override my noise crap for sure.
I've posted a Spectran Capture on the forum.
Best New Year
Bill KB9IV
Re: GPA Hifer testing
Posted by Robert KC8UCH on December 27, 2010 at 09:10:39.
In reply to GPA Hifer testing posted by Robert KC8UCH on December 23, 2010
Oops - I just noticed that I posted the wrong frequency. The Epson oscillator is programmed for 13.556, not 13.560 as previously posted.
Sorry about that!
SCHEDULE FOR SPECIAL SAQ NIGHT TIME TRANSMISSION
Posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 27, 2010 at 09:18:05.
EXTRA
GRIMETON RADIO/SAQ TRANSMISSION
There will be an extra transmission with the Alexanderson alternator on 17,2 kHz for, in particulary, listeners in North America, at:
* 16:00 PST (Pacific Standard Time) in USA.
Monday, January 3rd, 2011
* 19:00 EST (Eastern Standard Time) in USA.
Monday, January 3rd, 2011
* 00:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) Western Europe. Tuesday, January 4th, 2011
* 01:00 CET (Central European Time) and local time in Sweden. Tuesday, January 4th, 2011
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 Re: SAQ SPECIAL TRANSMISSION FOR NORTH AMERICAN LISTENERS
SM6NM
Posted by Paul on December 27, 2010 at 09:33:06.
In reply to SAQ SPECIAL TRANSMISSION FOR NORTH AMERICAN LISTENERS posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 27, 2010
Excellent! Thank you for the info!
--------------------------------------
EXTRA
GRIMETON RADIO/SAQ TRANSMISSION
There will be an extra transmission with the Alexanderson alternator on 17,2 kHz for, in particulary, listeners in North America, at:
* 16:00 PST (Pacific Standard Time) in USA.
Monday, January 3rd, 2011
* 19:00 EST (Eastern Standard Time) in USA.
Monday, January 3rd, 2011
* 00:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) Western Europe. Tuesday, January 4th, 2011
* 01:00 CET (Central European Time) and local time in Sweden. Tuesday, January 4th, 2011
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
PBO back on the air
Posted by Rick KA2PBO on December 27, 2010 at 10:55:15.
PBO will be running until my next listening session. SAQ will be firing up again next week for a few special North American transmissions so Ill probably shut down for that.
73
Rick KA2PBO Part 5 license 525-550 khz
Posted by Robert Chrysafis on December 28, 2010 at 17:11:26.
I just had an interesting conversation with a ham today. he stated something about being able to obtain a part 5 license in the 525-550 band.
anyone shed some light on this?
i knew about the 200khz area long-wave stuff but not the bottom end of am broadcast.
anyone have any info? i think this guy was miss informed of the frequencies available.
Re: Part 5 license 525-550 khz
Posted by John Davis on December 28, 2010 at 20:58:05.
In reply to Part 5 license 525-550 khz posted by Robert Chrysafis on December 28, 2010
Actually, Robert, most any frequency is available for license in the Experimental Radio Service, provided that (a) there is some valid research program, and (b) it can be done on a non-interference basis on the desired frequencies.
For the latter reason, however, it is very rare that the FCC authorizes frequencies in the broadcast bands, except to broadcasters and broadcast equipment makers. There are just too many users listening for signals in those bands to allow the kind of operation on arbitrary frequencies and at random times that are typical of amateur radio operation.
What the fellow may have been thinking about is the Part 5 licensed operation being conducted as part of the ARRL research program into the feasibility of a new mediumwave ham allocation; or, perhaps, some private individuals who are also doing similar experimentation. This operation is being done on frequencies of 505 kHz up to around 520, but only where it is possible to do so without interference to NAVTEX and the few aerobeacons that also operate in that general range. You can find information on a lot of these stations at www.500kc.com/
John
Re: PBO back on the air
Posted by Sal, K1RGO on December 29, 2010 at 07:35:21.
In reply to PBO back on the air posted by Rick KA2PBO on December 27, 2010
Hi Rick Re: PBO back on the air
I have a more stable receiving setup now and when the noise floor is down I have had some better results, so I will tune in to your 187.2KHz and see what happens. I have a 127C FSVM, preamp, noise nuller, using 250' long wire with spectran now...
later....Sal
Posted by Rick KA2PBO on December 29, 2010 at 08:49:13.
In reply to Re: PBO back on the air posted by Sal, K1RGO on December 29, 2010
Hi Sal ,
Good luck with your new setup! I need to get a long wire up soon myself.I have a n Amrad e-probe and a single turn loop cut for 185khz but a long wire would be another option.
I was looking for SJ last weekend but couldnt find you.Usually you dogbone in here.I dont know if your up 24/7 like last season.Im not listening this week with PBO running but I will be when SAQ fires up again.
I hope your Sierra works better than my Rycom 6040 does with QRSS .Mine isnt stable enough but does well on Navtex and NDBs.
73 RE: 600 meters band Dxing from Cuba
Rick
Posted by Prof. Arnaldo Coro Antich on December 29, 2010 at 16:00:42.
Dear amigos: Re: Part 5 license 525-550 khz
For the past three years I have been monitoring the 600 meters band and its vecinity with the object of verifying its possible use for handling amateur radio emergency communications in the Caribbean. I am the International Amateur Radio Union Emergency Coordinator for Region II Area C, that spans from Mexico to the northern Caribbean Antilles islands, including Cuba, Jamaica , Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
My main objetive is to try to obtain at least a temporary authorization to operate several amateur radio stations on 600 meters, in order to check in practive the possibilities offered by that band using digital narrowband communications modes . Any information about your experiences on frequencies below 530 kiloHertz as regards to coverage using modes like PSK31, and the more sophisticated and rugged JT65, Olivia and Ros will be most appreciated.
Wishing you all a very happy 2011
73 and DX
Arnie Coro
CO2KK
Posted by Robert Chrysafis on December 29, 2010 at 16:15:03.
In reply to Re: Part 5 license 525-550 khz posted by John Davis on December 28, 2010
thats it.
Re: RE: 600 meters band Dxing from Cuba
Posted by Paul on December 29, 2010 at 19:35:34.
In reply to RE: 600 meters band Dxing from Cuba posted by Prof. Arnaldo Coro Antich on December 29, 2010
Arnie,
My only experience with 600m band was maritime CW. It works quite well over salt water.
It is my sincere hope that the FCC will not allow amateur operations (or "experimenting") anywhere near 500 kc.
73,
Re: RE: 600 meters band Dxing from Cuba
Posted by Lee on December 29, 2010 at 21:36:22.
In reply to Re: RE: 600 meters band Dxing from Cuba posted by Paul on December 29, 2010
I am curious why you don't want an amateur allocation around 600 meters. Most of the Official / Government / Maritime freq's have been decommisioned, obsoleted, betamaxed, and replaced by Sat technology. Personally I am waiting to buying a decent transceiver in anticipation of a new allocation.
Lee
Re: RE: 600 meters band Dxing from Cuba
Posted by Paul on December 30, 2010 at 08:51:00.
In reply to Re: RE: 600 meters band Dxing from Cuba posted by Lee on December 29, 2010
The truth is, 600m has not been abandoned, and is still in use. In fact, if you examine the FCC database, you will find that two new maritime licenses for 500 kc. coast stations were granted this year alone.
Amateurs have been under the impression that the band is no longer used, but that is very untrue. Stations like WCC, KPH, and the coast guard all keep MW facilities operational. Newbies like KSM keep a weekly schedule, and monitor most of the time. Some vessels maintian their MW equipment in working order. Even the newly launched USNS Wally Shirra has MW gear and is CW capable.
If the band and mode was truly "obsolete", then they would not have gone through the expense to install that equipment.
The problem is, there is NO backup plan to the satellite comms., except MW. There may not be as much traffic on Maritime MW as there once was, but it is still in use. Any interference to the "Holy Grail" is unacceptable.
Re: RE: 600 meters band Dxing from Cuba
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on December 30, 2010 at 10:32:15.
In reply to RE: 600 meters band Dxing from Cuba posted by Prof. Arnaldo Coro Antich on December 29, 2010
Arnie,
I will try to answer your question, rather than get into the debate about whether existing uses preclude the possibility of a ham band in the 600 meter range.
The two enemies to stable communication in this range are noise and fading. Noise would be a much greater issue for the Caribbean area than it would for us in the northern U.S.
PSK31 is not well-suited for this band, particularly at low latitudes, due to its susceptibility to noise (static crashes, etc.). For emergency communication, you would want a text-based mode with forward error correction. Modes designed for short duration ham QSO's, focusing on call signs, reports, etc., would not be suited for sending blocks of text, such as emergency information. That would seem to rule out JT65, WSPR, etc., which are structured for QSO's.
There are several variants of forward error corrected PSK based on the PSK31 Varicode set. All are better than the uncorrected versions. PSKFEC31 is very nice, but only does upper-case characters, which might be a problem in sending official emergency documents. Do remember that linear PA's are required for any PSK mode, and that home-brewers seem to prefer non-linear solutions like Class D or E circuits.
On the other hand, bandwidth is an issue if relatively narrow bands are authorized. Modes such as MFSK16 work well, but are probably at the upper limit of desired bandwidth. MFSK8 is narrower, but can be slow to sync after a fade. DOMINO EX8 or EX4 are also good. The slowness of EX4 would probably not be an issue in this application. THOR is an MFSK variant that works well. I have not tried some of the newer OLIVIA types, but the 4-250 version had limited weak-signal capability.
ZL1BPU's CMSK modes do work, take up small bandwidths, and permit the use of non-linear PA's. But thus far, similarly designed PSK modes seem to offer more reliable decoding through noise and fading.
Great things are being claimed for ROS, but there are issues about the emission type that have kept us from trying it here in the U.S., as our Experimental licenses have to be specific about mode and maximum BW.
I hope this is of some help.
John Andrews, W1TAG / WD2XES /WE2XGR/3
Re: PBO back on the air
Posted by Sal,K!RGO on December 30, 2010 at 14:05:57.
In reply to Re: PBO back on the air posted by Rick KA2PBO on December 29, 2010
Hi Rick Beacon "JAM" 187 khz is up now
Today (12/30) I copied you quite well before 4pm local,then the noise, even with the nuller....game over. I used spectran QRSS30 mode, I will try sending a screenshot to you on email with this laptop ,its kind of funky on the web at times.
later....Sal
Posted by Lee on December 31, 2010 at 16:27:09.
Beacon "JAM" 187 khz is up now thru Tuesday 1/4/11 1200 weather permitting. 5 wpm and QRSS 30. Good DX and Happy New Year to everyone.
73zzzzzz
Lee
potrzebie