Re: IK1WVQ HIFER GRABBER AGAIN ONLINE
Mauro, thanks for reactivating your hifer grabber. Unfortunately I haven't noticed any signals on it yet. Hifers EH, NC, and SIW are active in your tuning range so guess the MUF is just too high. See plenty of 10 meter WSPR activity but the 20 meter decodes from/to Europe are rather meager even with 5 W TX power.
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
HiFer Activity
Posted by Mark Garrett on December 01, 2012 at 20:56:39.
I have been wondering if the HiFer monitoring has shifted to the watering hole exclusively. I have not had a comment for a long time on my HiFer, SZX up on .563 yet ground wave performance has not changed or degraded.
Re: HiFer Activity
Posted by John Davis on December 01, 2012 at 21:55:10.
In reply to HiFer Activity posted by Mark Garrett on December 01, 2012
Hi, Mark. Probably the main reason for the drought of reports is that people don't think of this as a HiFER time of year and aren't listening as often. The 22 m band is no longer an evening band in the northern hemisphere, but still actually remains quite good many afternoons.
I had been wondering myself if SZX was on. I listened for it without success this Thursday afternoon, but that's not too uncommon, as I generally seem to be in a skip zone from where you are.
And, Thursday wasn't a particularly good day for HF in general. I was copying MP, EH, and NC fine near the watering hole, but neither of the SIWs was coming in well...could just barely see the slash mode ramp. Outside the hole, I also checked for WV, AJO, and GNK with no results either. The only non-watering-hole signal I heard Thursday was FRC, and that was usually only one or two letters at a time before QSB and/or Codar would break up copy again.
Conditions were better last weekend. I'd be out in my field listening again this afternoon, except the skies keep looking threatening and I don't want to be trapped in mud for days at the base of my antenna. :)
John
Re: IK1WVQ HIFER GRABBER AGAIN ONLINE
Posted by John Davis on December 01, 2012 at 22:10:14.
In reply to Re: IK1WVQ HIFER GRABBER AGAIN ONLINE posted by Garry, K3SIW on December 01, 2012
Actually, I would be inclined to think MUF is too low most of the time right now. The "Grayline and MUF Map" linked from our solar activity page has been showing contours above 13 MHz retreating from the North Atlantic as early as mid-morning in North America lately. That doesn't allow a very big window of opportunity for trans-Atlantic reception right now. Any path that requires more than one hop can't make the first reflection at all from here before that time of morning arrives, and will only make it about halfway across after that time passes.
Some days there is more solar flux that reaches the northern hemisphere, but it often seems to be accompanied by magnetic disturbances as well.
It never hurts to keep trying, however, as sometimes nature will let a signal slip through.
John
Re: HiFer Activity==1 Dec., 2012
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on December 02, 2012 at 00:54:37.
In reply to Re: HiFer Activity posted by John Davis on December 01, 2012
Hi Mark and John. By coincidence I did listen during the day today, 1 Dec., 2012, and heard both MTI around ~13557.5 KHz and SZX around ~13563 KHz, with both of them reaching the 449 or so signal level. MTI was heard both earlier in the morning, around 1500UT, and in the afternoon around 2100UT. SZX came in later around 2300 UT, was strong for a short period, then disappeared. The usual GNK and K6FRC stations have not been heard so far today. The billabong stations below ~13556 KHz were there during the day, but have not heard WV in quite a while. Ed WSlidell, LA EM50cg.
Transpolar and anywhere else long period 137.780 carrier test
Posted by Laurence KL1 X on December 04, 2012 at 20:15:24.
WE2XPQ will be conducting a continuous carrier test overnight on 137.7800 kHz from around 0100Z till around 1600Z Tonight 5th Dec (thats in a few hours time). Re: Transpolar and anywhere else long period 137.780 carrier test
Conditions over the Polar regions are getting better but less than fair at the moment but worth investigating. A no show is still a result :-)
Transmitter will be the GPS/10MHz disciplined HP3336B via 4046 squarer and 4426 driver to the Decca 5501 Amp at around 600W into a Fir tree 140m loop - ERP is likely to be less than 0.5W in the main lobe 040/220deg T
The loop will be modified this coming week if the weather breaks but its been blowing 40Kts gust and -25C so still nippy on the face and fingers to do long term outside work. We are also in a "Red Flag" warning area so have to be careful with sparks and flames..
Laurence KL 1 X Wasilla Alaska
Posted by Bill Marvin KB9IV on December 04, 2012 at 22:49:12.
In reply to Transpolar and anywhere else long period 137.780 carrier test posted by Laurence KL1 X on December 04, 2012
Hi Laurence Will give a few tries 0:700-13:30 UTC here in the UP of Mich. Will rotate the Pixel Pro loop for Alaska.
Bill KB9IV
Re: Transpolar and anywhere else long period 137.780 carrier test
Posted by John Davis on December 05, 2012 at 07:21:28.
In reply to Re: Transpolar and anywhere else long period 137.780 carrier test posted by Bill Marvin KB9IV on December 04, 2012
Tried here in Kansas from about 0045 - 0330 UTC when it got too chilly (nothing like -25 C, but still chilly by my standards). There was an unusual amount of static. I had to use QRSS120 to get a solid trace on MP, who is down in frequency tonight compared to Monday night. Got only a very slight trace of what might have been WE2XPQ for about 15 minutes, but it did not remain visible and was not quite as close to the specified frequency as I'd prefer before speaking with any certainty.
John
Re: Transpolar and anywhere else long period 137.780 carrier test
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on December 05, 2012 at 12:46:08.
In reply to Re: Transpolar and anywhere else long period 137.780 carrier test posted by John Davis on December 05, 2012
Like John, I looked using ARGO at QRSS120. From 0600-0800Z nothing was noted. Beginning 1200Z a second look produced only a spur just above 137778.5 Hz. Initially it was rather noisy from storms to the South but that has quieted down as local sunrise nears. Overnight 518 kHz Navtex copy from West Coast stations was mediocre and nothing was seen from Kodiak.
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
Re: Transpolar and anywhere else long period 137.780 carrier test
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on December 05, 2012 at 13:36:46.
In reply to Transpolar and anywhere else long period 137.780 carrier test posted by Laurence KL1 X on December 04, 2012
Laurence,
No luck here. Watched with Argo with its highest resolution (QRSS1200?)...sub milliHertz, anyway. Checked the frequency at the start and end of the run with my own gear.
John, W1TAG
Re: Transpolar and anywhere else long period 137.780 carrier test
Posted by Laurence Howell on December 05, 2012 at 20:40:53.
In reply to Re: Transpolar and anywhere else long period 137.780 carrier test posted by Garry, K3SIW on December 05, 2012
Chaps thanks for the looksee - the East and South is real difficult from here due to Topo and Geo but Ive left the carrier running and will run till Thursday 1600Z on 137.7800 - thank you!! Laurence KL 1 X
Re: Transpolar and anywhere else long period 137.780 carrier test
Posted by John Davis on December 05, 2012 at 23:05:41.
In reply to Re: Transpolar and anywhere else long period 137.780 carrier test posted by Laurence Howell on December 05, 2012
"A no show is still a result :-)"
Well, we've provided lots of results, then! ;-)
Thanks for giving us additional opportunities. I will try again tonight.
John D Re: Transpolar and anywhere else long period 137.780 carrier test
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on December 06, 2012 at 11:15:56.
In reply to Re: Transpolar and anywhere else long period 137.780 carrier test posted by Laurence Howell on December 05, 2012
Laurence, thanks for running the carrier another night. Looked using ARGO at QRSS120 and again saw no signal over 0400-0930Z. But conditions to AK were a bit better because the 518 kHz Navtex signal from Kodiak was weakly detectable at 0930Z, but not nearly strong enough to decode.
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
Re: Transpolar and anywhere else long period 137.780 carrier test
Posted by John Davis on December 06, 2012 at 17:26:57.
In reply to Re: Transpolar and anywhere else long period 137.780 carrier test posted by Garry, K3SIW on December 06, 2012
Also looked again from here last night. Got something of a late start, figuring to wait for the entire path between us to be in the dark for a couple of hours before starting. Then, either my audio cable or maybe the input connector to the notebook computer's sound card decided to act flaky. (The computer's internal whine right near 800 Hz showed up and got me all excited for a few minutes. Then I realized it wasn't recording MP, whose comings and goings were audible on speaker under all the static. If there are no MP dogbones, it's a clue something's amiss.)
Finally got to run Argo about 0545 UTC and watched until around 0830, with not even any hopeful looking lines at 137.780; nobody but MP made it through. Fortunately, the noise was down a bit from the night before. Tuesday night, it averaged S9 with excursions between S7 and S9+12. Last night it averaged S7 with swings from S5 to S9. Around the middle of my watch, it sometimes dropped below S5 for a second or two at a time.
After finally abandoning 2200 m, I went to the 1750 m watering hole and got a nice view of WMS, although it either began to fade or the static picked up again slightly by 0300, because the final "S" was a bit broken up. The S-meter was no longer showing dips below S5, either. Nobody else was visible but a faint PLC a few tenths of a Hz from where high SIW would be, if it had been the right night per its schedule. I simultaneously watched 185.185 with a second instance of Argo running but saw no sign of low SIW.
Before the Argo runs, DCF77 was very good by ear, and was still fair afterward. JJY 40 kHz was moderately good both before and after.
I also checked LWBC and heard strong signals from Iceland, Europe 1 and France Inter, plus a fair signal from Medi 1 prior to the Argo session. At the end of the runs, France was only fair, Tangier was poor, Europe 1 wasn't present at all, but Iceland was very strong. Last night was not only the first time I've heard Iceland clearly all season thus far, but also the best I've heard them in the past couple of years.
John
WSPR on 137.7 tonite...
Posted by Bob Raide on December 06, 2012 at 17:45:09.
WE2XEB will be firing up at 2330 tonight and hopefully thru the weekend. Dial 137.7 and Tx 138.2. all decodes appreciated-Bob
Re: WSPR on 137.7 tonite...
Posted by Douglas Williams KB4OER on December 06, 2012 at 23:11:37.
In reply to WSPR on 137.7 tonite... posted by Bob Raide on December 06, 2012
Decoded, Bob, in spite of your frequency hopping. ;-)
Actual dial: 136.200 kHz.
Good signal here in east Tennessee. You must have quite an antenna up there.
73 de KB4OER
Re: Transpolar and anywhere else long period 137.780 carrier test
Posted by Laurence on December 07, 2012 at 04:36:48.
In reply to Re: Transpolar and anywhere else long period 137.780 carrier test posted by John Davis on December 06, 2012
John etal - all thanks for your efforts. It was still poor long haul up here and even mysig down the west coast was weak. Safe to say there will be other opportunities. Laurence
transmitting on 137.7 tonite
Posted by Bob Raide on December 07, 2012 at 22:29:10.
WE2XEB will again be on 137.7 Tx freq and 136.2 Dial freq with WSPR 2.11. Any and all decodes appreciated.
Start; 2300Z till at least 0500Z @ 10W ERP-Bob, W2ZM
137.7
Posted by Bob Raide on December 08, 2012 at 17:05:07.
WE2XEB on 137.7 Tx freq and 136.2 Dial freq for couple hours ground-wave test-Bob
2200m
Posted by John VE7BDQ on December 09, 2012 at 01:53:47.
FYI VE7BDQ will be on Op-era 8 from now until approximately 09_0600 utc TX frequency 137.650 kHz receive on 136.000 usb. beacon every 24 minutes
73 John / VE7BDQ Re: 137 kHz amateur radio allocation in the U.S.A.?
Posted by Douglas Williams KB4OER on December 09, 2012 at 12:49:36.
In reply to Re: 137 kHz amateur radio allocation in the U.S.A.? posted by John Davis on November 22, 2012
The ARRL's latest "quick poll" has a question about how we feel about a possible amateur LF allocation.
Please take the time to answer this question. All it takes is a single mouse click. I am unsure if you have to be an ARRL member or not (I am a member) to take the poll. Try it and see.
If the ARRL believes there is significant interest in an amateur LF allocation in the USA, they might put more effort into "making it happen" with the FCC.
73, Doug KB4OER
Chage back to 498 kHz...
Posted by Bob Raide WE6XGR on WSPR- on December 10, 2012 at 23:17:03.
WE2XGR/6 [WE6XGR on WSPR because of room restriction] on 498 Dial-499.5 Tx freq for the evening. All decodes appreciated-Bob
WSPR results tonite...
Posted by Bob Raide on December 11, 2012 at 19:15:50.
In reply to Chage back to 498 kHz... posted by Bob Raide WE6XGR on WSPR-[WE2XGR/6] on December 10, 2012
Very decent condx on 500 tonite. Nearly 400 decodes and 10 decoders-5 from "across the pond". WSPR tonite...
Just by a quick look at the head count on MF [500] and LF [137] there was no comparison. 600 Meters is where the action is at the moment.
Thanks to the decoders;
F59706
EI0CF
G8HUH
PA0O
G0KTN
KB9IV
RLS [CALIF.]
W3NF
WA8EJH
K3SIW
Hope to catch ya'all agn tomorrow hear-starting 2300Z-Bob
Posted by Bob Raide on December 11, 2012 at 22:08:08.
WE6XGR NY start 2230Z usual 499.5 Tx Freq 498 Dial-will be on till at least 0500Z depending on condx-any and all decodes appreciated-Bob
LEK et al
Posted by Denis on December 12, 2012 at 02:49:09.
What ever happened to LEK, WM, BRO et al on the 185.3 watering hole?
Denis Cote Re: LEK et al
W1WV
Posted by John Davis on December 12, 2012 at 03:22:42.
In reply to LEK et al posted by Denis on December 12, 2012
LEK simply discontinued his LowFER activity after many years, as I believe did BRO. Sadly, WM became a silent key last winter.
John
Re: HiFer Activity==1 Dec., 2012
Posted by Mark Garrett on December 12, 2012 at 05:02:37.
In reply to Re: HiFer Activity==1 Dec., 2012 posted by EdWSlidell,LA on December 02, 2012
Ed:
Nice to know that you can hear SZX. I agree, I think John might be a little close to hear it but I want to say John has heard it in the past. I am thinking about moving this beacon to a ham stick type of antenna mounted on top of a building in hopes of having a higher profile. Re: HiFer Activity
I do hope others do look around from time to time.
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on December 12, 2012 at 14:02:28.
In reply to HiFer Activity posted by Mark Garrett on December 01, 2012
Nothing seen on the IK1WVQ grabber but early this morning local time both EH (13555487, low tone) and NC (13555595, low tone) hifers were coming in well to NE IL. Nothing else noticed here except SW splatter above 13560000.
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
Re: HiFer Activity--11 and 12 Dec., 2012
Posted by EdWSlidell, LA on December 12, 2012 at 14:58:36.
In reply to Re: HiFer Activity==1 Dec., 2012 posted by Mark Garrett on December 12, 2012
Hi Mark. I was listening yesterday, and after 2300 UT, 11 Dec., heard both GNK(~ 13564) and K6FRC(~13565) coming through better than 3-3/4-9, but with a lot of QSB. MTI(~13557.5) was in and out all day on the 11 th. No sign of SZX though. This morning, 1000 UT, 12 Dec., there were both SZX(~13563) and GNK coming through about the same level(3-3/4-9), with much less QSB. I believe that MTI was also there with a very weak signal around 229 or so. Generally the signals are only readable for less than an hour before fading away. Only MTI seems to be in for extended periods of time. GNK used to be like this, but maybe due to changing conditions it's only in at limited times now. Ed WSlidell, LA EM50cg
Re: HiFer Activity--11 and 12 Dec., 2012
Posted by John Davis on December 12, 2012 at 19:47:44.
In reply to Re: HiFer Activity--11 and 12 Dec., 2012 posted by EdWSlidell, LA on December 12, 2012
"I agree, I think John might be a little close to hear it but I want to say John has heard it in the past. I am thinking about moving this beacon to a ham stick type of antenna mounted on top of a building in hopes of having a higher profile."
That couldn't hurt. The fewer possible obstructions in front of the departing signal, the better, I would think.
The times I've heard SZX in the past were mostly early summer. My guess is that the F-layer is a little thicker and the bottom extends lower, so the first skip zone doesn't leave me "in the dark" quite so often at the spacing that exists between us. This winter, both GNK and the SIWs have been similarly afflicted, whereas the more distant guys like MP, EH, and NZ have continued to do OK this winter. I hope for a turn-around by late March, assuming we're not in the rainy season then and I can't get out into the field. :)
WSPR tonite...
Posted by Bob Raide on December 12, 2012 at 21:52:25.
WE6XGR [WE2XGR/6] NY back at it again-498 Dial freq-499.5 Tx freq. Start at 2230Z till at least 0500Z. All decodes appreciated-Bob
WSPR tonite...
Posted by Bob Raide on December 13, 2012 at 21:57:34.
WE6XGR NY starting at 2230Z-usual 498 Dial freq-499.5 Tx till at least 0500Z-Bob
Can the JUMA TX136 be modified to work with PSK easily?
Posted by John-R on December 14, 2012 at 23:42:09.
Does any one know if the JUMA TX136 transmitter can be easily modified to support PSK31?
http://www.jumaradio.com/juma-tx136/
Thanks
Re: LEK et al
Posted by Denis on December 15, 2012 at 00:15:51.
In reply to Re: LEK et al posted by John Davis on December 12, 2012
Bill was building a home in NH, this is sad news!
WSPR Tonight...
Posted by Bob Raide on December 15, 2012 at 01:32:21.
WE6XGR on with WSPR till 0600 any decodes certainly appreciated 498 Dial Freq and 499.5 Tx freq-Bob
Re: Can the JUMA TX136 be modified to work with PSK easily?
Posted by John Davis on December 15, 2012 at 17:22:23.
In reply to Can the JUMA TX136 be modified to work with PSK easily? posted by John-R on December 14, 2012
Not very easily, sorry to say. It's a very solid design, but the Class D final looks to be strictly intended to operate CW and QRSS modes. You might ask at their forum (link below), but I don't hold out a lot of hope.
http://board.jumaradio.com/
WSPR for the evening...
Posted by Bob Raide on December 16, 2012 at 01:21:53.
WE6XGR on for the evening usual 498 Dial and 499.5 Tx-all decodes appreciated-Bob
Saturday HiFERs
Posted by John Davis on December 16, 2012 at 21:38:03.
I was out in my field Saturday afternoon and caught the following group at the watering hole from approximately 3:57 - 4:09 PM CST (more text after the picture). The frequency scale was calibrated at the end of the scan to show 800 Hz for 13555.400 kHz. There's thermal variation of perhaps as much as a hertz prior to that point.
The image was stitched together from several screenfuls each of two separate instances of Argo running at different sensitivities, aligned in terms of time and frequency. I also had an Argo instance watching NC, but it was submerged in the CODAR noise most of the time anyway, so I didn't include it. This was the first time in a few weeks that I've seen the two SIWs so clearly. In case you're not familiar with slant mode, that's "SIW S" on screen. Just below it at 13555.430 is a W, followed by four repetitions of the CW ID and "SIW" in QRSS6. Both MP and EH were experiencing more QSB than is usual for them.
Others heard yesterday: MTI (quite clear for one ID at a time, then in the background for one or two more cycles), AJO (Morse broken up badly by the pulses, but the DAID was distinctive), GNK (fair most of the time, occasional fades), FRC (one or two letters at a time), and one or two letters at a time of SZX, although more rarely than FRC under the QRM.
John
WSPR starts now!
Posted by Bob Raide on December 16, 2012 at 21:56:38.
WE6XGR NY on for the evening start 2200Z 498 dial freq 499.5 Tx...
LW Conditions
Posted by Bill KB9IV on December 17, 2012 at 00:35:23.
Hi Group This season so far has been sub-par from the UP of Mich. Only (1) 137 Khz LowFer and ZERO 185 Khz LowFers logged. Little or no LWBC stations from across the pond.
I am learning the Pixel Pro-1B Loop but so far it works very well 100 Khz-28 Mhz. Last night the NDB's were 2-4 beacons per frequency. I did log "JT" from NewFoundland 390 Khz once I rotated the loop to the 45 degree bearing. The Pixel is a real hoot to use.
Hopefully conditions will improve in the coming months. Best Holidays to all.
73
Bill KB9IV
Re: LW Conditions
Posted by Ralph KD8GBK on December 17, 2012 at 01:50:38.
In reply to LW Conditions posted by Bill KB9IV on December 17, 2012
Hello Bill, my 22A beacon is operational 24/7 on 185.1 kHz with a 5 wpm CW id from EN56st. I hope to operate a QRSS or DFCW mode in the near future and will keep the gang posted. 73 Ralph KD8GBK..
xko copied in N. Utah
Posted by Neil Klagge on December 17, 2012 at 04:49:38.
0445 UTC, 17 DECEMBER 2012, XKO COPIED IN GRID DN41ac by w0yse/7 on qrss30 on aprox 137.77x kHz.
who's in this picture at 137.xxx
Posted by Neil Klagge on December 17, 2012 at 15:57:34.
THis is a link to an ARGO capture last night. Can anyone tell me who is above XKO?
This link takes you to my SkyDrive Public folder.
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=c5dbc8db73e7d762#!/?cid=C5DBC8DB73E7D762&id=C5DBC8DB73E7D762%21501!cid=C5DBC8DB73E7D762&id=C5DBC8DB73E7D762%21633
Thanks.
Re: who's in this picture at 137.xxx
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on December 17, 2012 at 16:20:42.
In reply to who's in this picture at 137.xxx posted by Neil Klagge on December 17, 2012
Neil, your capture has XKO at 699.5 Hz. Dex's actual frequency is about 137.7775 kHz. From the spacing on the two signals higher in frequency it's clear that they are MP (702.4 Hz, actually about 137.7805 kHz) and WG2XJM, sending "XJ" in DFCW (centered about 703.4 Hz). Earlier in the evening Eric was sending "JM" at QRSS30. Also, WD2XES was sending DFCW between MP and XKO (137.779 kHz) for awhile and NA (VO1NA) using DFCW was coming in here on 137.777 kHz. It was a busy night on 137 kHz!
Re: who's in this picture at 137.xxx
Posted by John, W1TAG on December 17, 2012 at 16:24:21.
In reply to who's in this picture at 137.xxx posted by Neil Klagge on December 17, 2012
Neil,
That's a new signal, WG2XJM, Eric (NO3M). Think he's at EN91wr. There was message traffic on the QTH.net Lowfer reflector last night.
John, W1TAG
WSPR starts @ 2200Z...
Posted by Bob Raide on December 17, 2012 at 21:49:02.
WE6XGR on usual 498 Dial freq-499.5 Tx freq-appreciate all decodes-Bob
2200m
Posted by John VE7BDQ on December 18, 2012 at 01:47:39.
FYI VE7BDQ testing on ~137.776 for the next few hours sending 90 second dashes.. Reports appreciated if anyone notices
73 John / VE7BDQ
WG2XJM WSPR
Posted by Eric on December 18, 2012 at 22:07:04.
Trying WSPR this evening, QRV 137.550 kHz (136 kHz USB dial).
73 - Eric NO3M, WG2XJM
WSPR tonite...
Posted by Bob Raide on December 18, 2012 at 22:25:54.
WE6XGR on 498 Dial-499.5 Tx freq for the evening-all decodes appreciated-Bob
Re: WSPR tonite...
Posted by Ralph KD8GBK on December 19, 2012 at 01:08:36.
In reply to WSPR tonite... posted by Bob Raide on December 18, 2012
Hello Bob, -11db WE6XGR FN12 47 @ 0044z, report filed with 600 meter group. 73 Ralph KD8GBK..
PBO - QRT for a bit
Posted by Rick KA2PBO on December 20, 2012 at 01:15:52.
Hi ALL,
Will be shuttin down for a day or so to make some changes.
73 WSPR starts @ 2200Z...
Rick KA2PBO
Posted by Bob Raide on December 20, 2012 at 21:45:13.
WE6XGR NY 498 Dial freq-499.5 Tx freq for the evening-all decodes appreciated-Bob
WSPR tonite...
Posted by Bob Raide on December 21, 2012 at 22:08:34.
WE6XGR NY on usual 499.5 Tx freq 498 Dial for the evening. 137 WSPR tomorrow nite-Bob
SAQ TRANSMISSION ON CHRISTMAS EVE DECEMBER 24TH, 2012
Posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 22, 2012 at 02:04:36.
Hi All, I received this official message from Lars Kalland SM6NM at SAQ.
The actual time for East Coast USA listeners will be very early Monday morning
Dec. 24 at 0300 EST with tune ups starting around 0230 EST.
There will be a transmission with the Alexanderson 200 kW alternator on VLF 17.2 kHz from Grimeton Radio/SAQ on Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24th, 2012.
The message transmission will take place at 08:00 UTC. The transmitter will be tuned up from around 07:30 UTC.
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-432 98 GRIMETON
S W E D E N
WG2XJM copy in Denver
Posted by Mark D on December 22, 2012 at 06:09:21.
Copying WG2XJM around 474 khz tonight, calling CQ, about 549 in Denver, Colorado. Around 11 pm MST.
Re: WG2XJM copy in Denver
Posted by John Davis on December 22, 2012 at 06:26:14.
In reply to WG2XJM copy in Denver posted by Mark D on December 22, 2012
Congratulations, Mark...and also to Eric for putting out such a good signal. IMO, that's what we need on 600 m to support rulemaking toward a future ham band--actual efforts with modes that have some shot at communicating, not just comparing propagation-spotting software.
John
Re: WG2XJM copy in Denver
Posted by Mark D on December 22, 2012 at 06:48:58.
In reply to WG2XJM copy in Denver posted by Mark D on December 22, 2012
Yes, I agree, old-fashioned CW is the way to go for communications on these frequencies. It has worked great on these frequencies for the last 100 years or so ! There are so many digital modes now, most of them beacon modes, and not that many signals on the air, so things are spread pretty thin. I read the LF/MF blacksheep reflector based out of Europe, and it seems like there is a different digital mode for every operator. Not sure how much communication really goes on. The new modes are interesting from an engineering perspective, of course, and I understand why experimenters are attracted to them. Anyway, to each his own !
World Still Here Editorial
Posted by Lee on December 22, 2012 at 10:13:41.
We are all hear. I think you were to easy on the Oxicotin addicted radio talk show radio personality but thats ok! We are all still here. But thank you for pointing out that a lot of people behind this web radio push are complete wack jobs. Thanks. Re: World Still Here Editorial
Lee
BEACON, JAM 187.015khz
Posted by Bill KB9IV on December 22, 2012 at 15:03:45.
In reply to World Still Here Editorial posted by Lee on December 22, 2012
Hi Lee If the Mayan's had such a accurate calender then why didn't it predict thier own demise....duhhhhh
Best Holiday's
Bill KB9IV
Re: World Still Here Editorial
Posted by John Davis on December 22, 2012 at 20:10:16.
In reply to World Still Here Editorial posted by Lee on December 22, 2012
Not just web radio, too, but all kinds of media... including social media.
The pseudo-grassroots approach is very popular on social media and email, for instance, especially for political ideologues. If people hear something utterly ludicrous from somebody they know (or perhaps they don't know, but who claims to be from somewhere nearby, at least), they seem even more willing to believe it...without ever asking where that person heard it from. The more ludicrous it is, the more likely there must be something to it, right?
(Why off-the-wall stuff seems more believable to some people is beyond me, but it seems like every Internet banner advertises some "weird trick" for losing weight, or a "weird trick" for saving on car insurance, or a "weird trick" to lower your mortgage rate. If it's a trick, why should I think it'd work? And if it's truly weird, how is that supposed to make it appealing? What does that say about your opinion of me?)
Some of the most bizarre e-mail chain letters I've seen even try to add verisimilitude by including a link to a fact-checking site like Snopes--knowing full well most people will just take their word and won't check out the link, which as often as not directly contradicts the very thing the chain-letter says. But when all those dire predictions prove baseless time after time, nobody ever seems to notice, because there's a newer, wilder one out there to dither about.
But ultimately, it IS the professionals spreading paranoia through broadcast, cable, webcasting and similar organized media outlets who are doing it most deliberately and for motives of personal gain. And because it's organized, and in some cases licensed, they appear solid and credible, even when making up total nonsense with reckless disregard. At least, they appear credible to those who WANT to believe. (It's a good thing few people abroad actually listen to shortwave any more, or there'd be a global push to have our entire nation committed to a mental institution.)
Sorry to be so vocal about the state of the world right now. That's not what we're here for, and I will retire the editorial soon for that reason. But in light of recent events, it alarms me to think that if people are being fed all kinds of preposterous scenarios that DON'T come to pass, and yet still accept new ones so gullibly, then how are they ever going to make sense of the REAL problems that inevitably crop up? How are they going to sort out fact from fiction in dealing with them?
It doesn't solve the country's problems to call your political foes nasty names, and then either manipulate half-truths or invent totally made-up tales about what they "secretly plan to do" if they get elected. It doesn't give you any power over the future to seek after every peyote-smoking guru who claims to have a vision of doomsday...even if he's managed to get a tax number and made a prosperous celebrity religion out of it.
My favorite example of media cynicism about public credulity is a supermarket tabloid I saw back in the 90s with a huge headline: BIBLE PROPHECY PROVES WORLD WILL END NEXT MONTH, with subheads about how it's absolutely certain this time, we're all doomed, everything's going to perish, not even dust and ashes remain. Right under _that_ was "A Slimmer You This Time Next Year."
It's fun to look back at that one and chuckle. But this time around it was such a self-reinforcing feeding frenzy that we had supposedly respectable cable channels like TLC and History getting in on the act, and National Geographic "reporting" on the doomsday phenomenon, without ever questioning what's really behind it. You get enough sources saying, "hey, here's what other people are doing," eventually for some it turns into the thought, "why aren't I doing it too?"
The Science Channel's slogan is "question everything." Well, the first question to ask in most cases is, "who said so?" And the second is, "how would they know?" That first one alone rightfully ought to eliminate about half the nonsense being spread on any given day, seeing how seldom most cable and radio hosts cite ANY definite, named source for their "facts." The other question is harder to sort out, but if the only answer you get boils down to some vague generality like "because I heard somebody else say he's an expert," you can safely take that to mean, "actually, it's because he says stuff I already agree with."
(Or if the answer is something specific like, "well, he predicted the market crash of 2008," the next logical questions is, "where is that documented," followed by, "what else did he predict that HASN'T happened?" I predicted that one myself, as did others...it just seemed obvious*...but I had no publicity machine hard at work, so nobody paid any attention to me after it came true, nor should they have. One lucky guess does not a prophet make.)
IMO, people who still have a little common sense about them sometimes need to push back a bit against the encroaching superstition and ignorance. They need to (politely, of course) call bull when they encounter it, and ask those two questions frequently.
John
Re: World Still Here Editorial
Posted by John Davis on December 22, 2012 at 20:30:05.
In reply to Re: World Still Here Editorial posted by Bill KB9IV on December 22, 2012
>>> Best Holidays
Amen to that, for all our readers.
Re: World Still Here Editorial
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on December 22, 2012 at 22:14:20.
In reply to Re: World Still Here Editorial posted by John Davis on December 22, 2012
GA John and all. My question now is where do I get my new 'long-count' calendar, so as to prepare for the next time? WSPR Tonight...
Not hearing much on the 13.56MHz band today, just SIW cw ID, MTI on ~13557.5, and GNK on ~13564.0 KHz. Not sure if they are weaker than usual, or there is simply more noise locally masking them. Ed WSlidell,LA EM50cg
Posted by Bob Raide on December 22, 2012 at 22:23:03.
WE6XGR NY on 498 Dial freq 499.5 Tx freq for the evening-Decodes certainly appreciated-Bob
Great NDB Evening
Posted by Bill KB9IV on December 23, 2012 at 16:04:52.
Hi Group Late last evening I did a very slow receive sweep from 450-383 Khz with my Icom 765, Timewave 599zx and Pixel Pro-1B Loop. It took 3 hrs to sweep slowly because some freq's had 3-4 NDB's per frequency. The LW noise was S-2 or less mainly low level QRN.
Clear reception of Canada was BC,AB,SK,MT,ON,QC,NL,NB and NU....only missing NS and the Yukon of course I'm in the UP of Mich. Most logged were 5x2-5x5.
My loop was pointed SE-NW and heard the following with excellent levels. TX,LA
NC,KS,MO,Ill,IND,Miami FL,MT,SD,Wash and many others close by. Often the more distant NDB's were stronger than the locals.
Only DX NDB's were Puerto Rico and the Cayman Isl.
My quest this season is reception from Alaska,Yukon,Greenland,ISL and perhaps Europe.
I have yet to show any 185 Khz activity checking morning,afternoon and evening??? Why I don't know.....MP and SIX aren't far away yet at 13.555 Mhz I can log "MP" and "EH" no problem.
Best Holidays!!
Bill KB9IV
PBO --Back on the air
Posted by Rick KA2PBO on December 23, 2012 at 17:33:26.
No real improvements but will leave it running anyway.
73 BBC 4 LW in North America?
Rick KA2PBO
Posted by Gary on December 23, 2012 at 18:23:43.
Is it ever possible to pick up BBC 4 on 198kHz in the SE USA? I live in NE Florida and am using a SONY 2210 with built-in whip antenna - nothing external.
Re: Great NDB Evening
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on December 23, 2012 at 21:15:51.
In reply to Great NDB Evening posted by Bill KB9IV on December 23, 2012
Hi Bill. Are you able to get the DIW beacon around 198 KHz, and the CLB beacon around 216 KHz? Perhaps these are close enough to the 1750m band to give an indication of the loop's performance in that frequency range. Ed WSlidell,LA EM50cg
WSPR tonite...
Posted by Bob Raide on December 23, 2012 at 22:04:26.
WE6XGR NY starts 2230 for the evening-usual 498 Dial 499.5 Tx freq all decodes appreciated...
Re: BBC 4 LW in North America?
Posted by Krystallo on December 24, 2012 at 02:24:59.
In reply to BBC 4 LW in North America? posted by Gary on December 23, 2012
Hey Gary,
I just checked long wave here on the apt. 75 ft. antenna- France is "fair" on 162 Kc . Britain on 198 was "there" but ultra weak.
Same ultra weak for 153 Kc. and possible ultra weak trace on 252 Kc. Not a good night here for LW.
Of all the "regular" LW stations I get (especially in the winter), 162 France is the best bet and UK 198 is fairly rare, even AT the MA coast on a good antenna /gnd set up.
None of these stations are ever STRONG, maybe topping at S-5 or so under the best of conditions.
K
Re: BBC 4 LW in North America?
Posted by EdWSlidell,LA on December 24, 2012 at 04:23:38.
In reply to Re: BBC 4 LW in North America? posted by Krystallo on December 24, 2012
Hi Gary and K. I see from the Vaisala Lightning site that there are zero(0) lightning events at the present time. However I am hearing some from outside its display area apparently. I am wondering if Gary has any copy from the big NDB's CLB on 216 KHz, or DIW on the 198 KHz, BBC4 frequency? Both of these are easy copy here in LA, but I have only once heard the LW stations where they were strong enough to tell that there was voice and music, and not just the normally heard carrier. DIW might pose a problem for 198 KHz reception being so close to you in N.Carolina. Todd would know, but he is probably out on the beach getting ready for the 17.2 KHz broadcast. Ed WSlidell, LA EM50cg
Re: BBC 4 LW in North America?
Posted by John Davis on December 24, 2012 at 04:58:52.
In reply to Re: BBC 4 LW in North America? posted by EdWSlidell,LA on December 24, 2012
"Is it ever possible to pick up BBC 4 on 198kHz in the SE USA?"
It is extremely difficult from the southeast! The DIW beacon is right on 198, and much stronger within a few hundred miles of Dixon, NC, than BBC will ever be on this side of the pond.
There would be hope if one could null DIW with a good external directional antenna, but even that won't work from Gary's location. The Great Circle path from northeast Florida to Droitwich, UK, is almost due northeast...which happens to be only a couple degrees from the path to the North Carolina coast.
In the New England states, the odds are much better. From there, England is north-northeast and North Carolina is southeast, meaning that directional antennas of various sorts could be used to null the interference.
John
Europe 1
Posted by Mark D on December 24, 2012 at 07:01:13.
Europe 1 on 183 khz coming in very strong tonight here in Denver, CO, about 12:00 am local time
Re: BBC 4 LW in North America?
Posted by Krystallo on December 24, 2012 at 10:25:44.
In reply to BBC 4 LW in North America? posted by Gary on December 23, 2012
Yup, I have grabbed a number of these over the years :
Iceland, Ireland, UK, France,Germany,Morocco,Algeria, etc.
I've been so sidetracked that last night was the first night I thought to check.
K
Re: Europe 1
Posted by Bill KB9IV on December 24, 2012 at 14:41:32.
In reply to Europe 1 posted by Mark D on December 24, 2012
Hi Mark Nice catch from your location. Thanks for the heads-up for tonight. Last night at 10PM CST no carriers were detected here in the UP of Mich.
Best Holidays
Bill
Re: IK1WVQ HIFER GRABBER AGAIN ONLINE
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on December 24, 2012 at 14:53:09.
In reply to IK1WVQ HIFER GRABBER AGAIN ONLINE posted by IK1WVQ Mauro on November 27, 2012
I've been checking Mauro's grabber from time to time for hifer activity since 20 meters to Europe has been open well in the morning. Haven't seen any signals but should have paid attention to the date stamp - it's frozen at 12/14/2012.
Re: Great NDB Evening
Posted by Bill KB9IV on December 24, 2012 at 15:19:44.
In reply to Re: Great NDB Evening posted by EdWSlidell,LA on December 23, 2012
Hi Ed Last night seemed to be noisy below 250 Khz? I managed to receive CLB and DIW but not strong....3x3 and 4x2. The IC765 has better RX spec's than the R75 below the BCB.... .7uV on SSB/CW. As a alternate method I use a Palomar Converter.....output 3.5 Mhz. That gives me a MDS of about -142dBm with the 10dB Pre-Amp on. The Pre-amp doesn't work on the BCB/LW by design. Recepption of WWVB on 60 Khz is about 10dB over 9 because the radio rolls-off below 100 Khz.
My LW scan began @ 450 Khz downword not because reception is poorer at 200 Khz. I'm still refineing my set-up.
Kinda funny....when I turned on the radio from the previous nights listening the VFO was tuned to 376 Khz and I found the beacon "ZIN" the Bahamas 5x4 strong.
I'll keep trying to receive the 185 Khz gang, perhaps it is
a "Blackhole" for me.
Best Holidays
Bill
Re: IK1WVQ HIFER GRABBER AGAIN ONLINE
Posted by IK1WVQ Mauro on December 24, 2012 at 15:25:14.
In reply to Re: IK1WVQ HIFER GRABBER AGAIN ONLINE posted by Garry, K3SIW on December 24, 2012
yes,
I apologise for this problem.
the PC is broken.
In this Christmas vacations I shall change the power supply and , I think, the grabber will start again.
Merry Christmas to all ..
73 de Mauro IK1WVQ
WMS and SIW captures last night
Posted by Mark D on December 24, 2012 at 16:06:29.
Was able to capture WMS and SIW last night on QRSS between about 1:30 a and 5:30 a local time MST, Denver, CO. SIW was quite strong around 5 am. Looks like he was alternating between QRS60 and QRS30.
Captures linked below. Sorry, the Argo frequency scale was not calibrated in these.
Using a 20' transformer-coupled vertical into a low pass filter, 22db preamp, converter, and ICOM 746.
WSPR tonight...
Posted by Bob Raide on December 24, 2012 at 22:31:21.
WE6XGR NY on for the evening-usual 498 Dial Freq-499.5 Tx freq-all decodes appreciated-Bob
Re: WMS and SIW captures last night
Posted by Douglas D. Williams on December 25, 2012 at 12:06:51.
In reply to WMS and SIW captures last night posted by Mark D on December 24, 2012
Good captures, Mark. SJ was probably just off the top of your screen.
BTW, there is a newer version of ARGO out now, build 142, with a couple of improvements over the previous version.
IK1WVQ HIFER GRABBER RESTARTED
Posted by IK1WVQ Mauro on December 26, 2012 at 08:45:03.
Hi to all,
my hifer grabber is restarted from now.
I apologise again for the inconvenient.
Because this is a remoted system, and I do not control it daily, nor I can read this list daily, please report any problem directly to: ik1wvq@stmb.it
thanks again.
Happy 2013 !
73 de Mauro IK1WVQ
Re: BBC 4 LW in North America?
Posted by Krystallo on December 26, 2012 at 16:36:11.
In reply to Re: BBC 4 LW in North America? posted by John Davis on December 24, 2012
Hey All,
I've never bothered to use loops on LW (yet). But just BEING so far NE in the U.S. and therefore that much closer to the Euros makes a difference.
Perhaps the Africans might be better for you guys(?).
Also by simply traveling TO the beach and getting a clear low angle shot seems to make a fairly big difference on "equivalent" antennas (ie my apt. 75 ft long /15 ft high above flat rubber/wood roof works is "fair' on LW b'casts -vs- a 75 ft'er AT the beach which works "good", even fairly low above Earth).
Being even 5 or 8 Mi inland seems to degrade things.
K
Quad HiFer's
Posted by Bill KB9IV on December 26, 2012 at 17:49:00.
Had a strong decode of 4 Hifer's from NW Mich this morning 12/26. Decoded
"MP with CW audible" "EH","USC" and "NC"
Best
Bill
Re: IK1WVQ HIFER GRABBER RESTARTED
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on December 26, 2012 at 19:05:23.
In reply to IK1WVQ HIFER GRABBER RESTARTED posted by IK1WVQ Mauro on December 26, 2012
Many thanks Mauro for restarting your hifer grabber. Don't see any signals making it today but will keep monitoring. Over on this side NC,EH,SIW-slant,SIW-QRSS,MP, and USC are all active.
Happy New Year, Re: IK1WVQ HIFER GRABBER RESTARTED
Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
Posted by Bill KB9IV on December 26, 2012 at 19:16:59.
In reply to Re: IK1WVQ HIFER GRABBER RESTARTED posted by Garry, K3SIW on December 26, 2012
Hi Garry Since moving to the UP of Mich from So MN I have yet to see "SIW" on either 13.555 Mhz or 185 Khz yet I have no problem hearing "MP"
Best Holidays
Bill
Re: IK1WVQ HIFER GRABBER RESTARTED
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on December 26, 2012 at 21:13:01.
In reply to Re: IK1WVQ HIFER GRABBER RESTARTED posted by Bill KB9IV on December 26, 2012
Bill, my Hifers are too close to expect to see very often. You didn't give your grid square but using EN46vl the distance is 319.9 mi. I seldom copy Mitch's MP hifer which is 372.3 miles away, but 502.7 miles from you.
As to the lowfer, if you listen on the right frequency/day you should be able to copy it. In fact I copy EAR well in daylight at 575 km. Got reception reports from CO, CT, NC, and TN recently so I know it's working fine.
As a reception check you should confirm copy not only of high-powered MP on 137.780 kHz, QRSS60 but lowfer EAR on 188.830 kHz, QRSS30 too. Recently there have been a lot of other strong stations on 137 kHz like WG2XJM, WD2XNS, WD2XES, and WD2XKO. In there often also but weaker is VO1NA.
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
Re: IK1WVQ HIFER GRABBER RESTARTED
Posted by John Davis on December 26, 2012 at 23:13:52.
In reply to Re: IK1WVQ HIFER GRABBER RESTARTED posted by Garry, K3SIW on December 26, 2012
Saw a beautiful signal from USC today here in Kansas, and heard HiFER MP quite well, too. No sign at all of the SIWs today, however.
John
2200m
Posted by John VE7BDQ on December 27, 2012 at 05:03:57.
FYI VE7BDQ txing Op-era 32 137.550 kHz continuous beacon for next few hours. KL1X/Laurence copies at 2153 km. Receive dial is 136.000 kHz USB
73 John / VE7BDQ Transmitter Boards
Posted by Matt Burns on December 27, 2012 at 05:13:24.
Hi All,
I have about 15 printed circuit boards that may be useful as lowfer, medfer, or hifer transmitters. The boards are 2"x4" and include a place for a crystal oscillator with varactor vxo control, buffer, hcf4017 or 74hc4017 frequency divider, final rf amplifier, 5 pole low pass filter, and an am modulator (which could also be used as part of a cw keying circuit with slight modification). The frequency divider is especially useful for lf and mf operation and could be bypassed for hf. The boards are made by FAR Circuits and not silk screened.
I have put up some files here: http://www.cycle24kits.com/amtx/ with the pc board artwork, a layout diagram for the am transmitter, and a couple crude schematics. If needed I can dig up a little more documentation for the boards but I think it's a pretty straightforward layout.
These boards were for a part 15 am transmitter kit that I never put up for sale due to a few small problems that I have since worked out. Right now I don't have the time or money to put together a run of kits for this transmitter so I am offering the boards for sale and will order new boards when I have time to offer a proper kit.
I am asking $6.50 post-paid (within the US) for a board, anybody outside the US or needing multiple boards will be priced at $5 per board plus actual shipping USPS first class. I can accept paypal, cash, check, or trade (sorry, no livestock). I'll also throw in a 13.500 and/or 14.31818 MHz crystal with the board if anybody is interested.
If interested email me at support at cycle24kits dot com
Thanks and 73's,
Matt Burns Re: Transmitter Boards
kc8com
Posted by Matt Burns on December 27, 2012 at 05:16:00.
In reply to Transmitter Boards posted by Matt Burns on December 27, 2012
Just a correction to the original post; the boards are 2.5"x4" and not 2"x4"
Matt MP received in Denver, CO
Posted by Mark D on December 27, 2012 at 16:19:19.
This morning (12/27/2012 )received beacon MP 137.7806 khz into Denver, CO, DM79kv, most of the early morning, from about 12 AM to 7 AM local time. Also there may have been some DFCW ( maybe VO1NA ?) around 137.777 but not clear enough to make a definitive call. MP peaked in intensity about 5:30 A local (MST).
20' transformer coupled vertical into 22 db preamp, homebrew converter, Icom IC746
73 Mark AB0CW
Lowfer MBD
Re: WMS and SIW captures last night
Posted by Mark D on December 27, 2012 at 18:59:39.
In reply to WMS and SIW captures last night posted by Mark D on December 24, 2012
Had another good capture of WMS and SIW Tuesday night/Wednesday AM. This time I had the freq calibrated. See below.
WMS and SIW captured 12-26-12 near Denver, CO ( DM79kv) around 3 am local time. Using 20' transformer-coupled vertical into a low pass filter, 22db preamp, converter, and ICOM 746.
73 Mark AB0CW, lowfer MBD
OPERA OP8 Tonite...
Posted by Bob Raide on December 27, 2012 at 19:30:41.
WE6XGR NY staying on 498 Dial Freq with latest OPERA mode OP8 [download at rosmodem.wordpress.com 1.4.7.zip at usual 498 dial freq 499.55 Tx upper sb. EAR in Denver, CO
Start 2200 for the evening-Bob
Posted by Mark D on December 28, 2012 at 18:37:40.
Brief trace of lowfer "EAR" received last night in Denver ( DM79kv ) around midnight local time.
20' transformer-coupled vertical into a low pass filter, 22db preamp, converter, and ICOM 746
Mark AB0CW
Lowfer MBD
Re: EAR in Denver, CO
Posted by J.B. McCreath on December 28, 2012 at 18:54:29.
In reply to EAR in Denver, CO posted by Mark D on December 28, 2012
Thanks for the report, Mark. I see that somehow EAR was missed on the LowFER list, so John, if you're reading this I'm still plugging away 24/7/52 with QRSS30 on 188.830 kHz.
73, J.B., VE3EAR Re: EAR in Denver, CO
Posted by John Davis on December 28, 2012 at 19:39:10.
In reply to Re: EAR in Denver, CO posted by J.B. McCreath on December 28, 2012
Oops. I'm not entirely sure how EAR went missing, because it surely is copied regularly, but I'll remedy that this afternoon.
When I convert the word processor document for the print edition to a graphic for the Web list, I have to piece it together in two parts. Very possibly I stitched it together in the wrong place.
John
Best LW Converter??
Posted by Bill KB9IV on December 28, 2012 at 21:42:37.
Has anyone used a LW Converter that is excellent?? I have a Palomar in use but seems to have a bit of a conversion loss above 400 Khz and below 200 Khz.
Thanks & HNY
Bill
OPERA OP8 Tonite...
Posted by Bob Raide on December 28, 2012 at 22:18:42.
WE6XGR starts 2230 for the evening with OP8 opera mode usual 498 Dial-499.55 Tx freqs-Bob
PBO--Back on air
Posted by Rick KA2PBO on December 28, 2012 at 23:51:21.
I noticed the lowfer page was updated today but I guess my "back on the air" announcement Sunday was missed. I am still trying out the vertical for a while longer but I think the trees are sucking all my antenna current. I will most likely go back to a loop before seasons end.
73 Re: PBO--Back on air
Rick KA2PBO
Posted by John Davis on December 29, 2012 at 00:57:02.
In reply to PBO--Back on air posted by Rick KA2PBO on December 28, 2012
Not missed...just not updated in enough locations. It shows correctly on the printed version,for instance, which is in the printing plant right now. This afternoon, I tacked on the missing EAR to the Web list, but hadn't completed all the other changes to it which got made at the last moment in the print version. Should be fixed now.
John
Lowfer MBD QRS30 testing tonight- 187.505 khz
Posted by Mark D on December 29, 2012 at 03:17:04.
Hi-
Lowfer "MBD" now transmitting QRS30 mode on 187.505 khz from DM79kv, near Denver, CO. Will try to keep the beacon on overnight. Any reception reports gladly accepted.
73 Mark AB0CW, lowfer MBD
Re: Best LW Converter??
Posted by Douglas Williams KB4OER on December 29, 2012 at 17:33:29.
In reply to Best LW Converter?? posted by Bill KB9IV on December 28, 2012
Yes, I have, two of them in fact. The first one I built myself from an article by Doug Demaw and Jay Rusgrove in the June, 1977 issue of QST. This design was later revised and updated with more modern components in 1996 by Tim Brannon. "A High Performance Low Frequency Converter".
The second, and even more modern, design, and the one I use now, is the AMRAD version, which appeared in the April, 2002 issue of QST.
If you are an ARRL member, you can look up the articles in the online archive. If not, e-mail me.
If you are at all interested in receiving QRSS signals, then you can greatly improve these designs by replacing the standard crystals with OCXOs.
Todd Roberts, WD4NGG, builds and sells (at least he used to) the AMRAD unit with a very hefty OCXO. This is the one I use and it is a very well constructed unit that performs extremely well. I think Todd reads this message board.
If you are looking for a commercially produced unit, sorry. I don't know of any that I would bother with at the moment.
Re: Lowfer MBD QRS30 testing tonight- 187.505 khz
Posted by John Davis on December 29, 2012 at 20:53:41.
In reply to Lowfer MBD QRS30 testing tonight- 187.505 khz posted by Mark D on December 29, 2012
Mark, is there a chance you might be able to operate MBD Sunday night as well? It got too cold too early for me to listen last night (and will probably do the same tonight), but it's supposed to be more moderate tomorrow evening.
John
Re: Lowfer MBD QRS30 testing tonight- 187.505 khz
Posted by Mark D on December 29, 2012 at 21:23:59.
In reply to Re: Lowfer MBD QRS30 testing tonight- 187.505 khz posted by John Davis on December 29, 2012
Hi John,
Yes, I plan to run the beacon tonight (12/29) and sunday night, starting around 10p local time both nights, and shutting down around 8 am or so the following mornings. 187.505 khz, QRS30. Hope you can get a capture of it!
Mark
OPERA TONITE!
Posted by Bob Raide on December 29, 2012 at 22:27:50.
WE6XGR NY on with OP8 now and all evening-usual 498 Dial Freq 499.55 Tx freq-all and any decodes appreciated-Bob
Re: Lowfer MBD QRS30 testing tonight- 187.505 khz
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on December 30, 2012 at 12:30:16.
In reply to Re: Lowfer MBD QRS30 testing tonight- 187.505 khz posted by Mark D on December 29, 2012
Hi Mark, the lightning map was practically empty over night and the lower noise floor compared to the previous night certainly helped. MBD peaked around 1100Z here. Thanks for running it at QRSS30.
LYQ beacon 
Posted by David Frantz wa4SZE on December 30, 2012 at 17:11:36.
Greetings to all!! We are going to let LYQ NDB beacon stay on the air for your listening pleasure. The LYQ beacon is used for our Aviation activities. Details: The beacon is located at 529 KHZ the power is 25 watts. the antenna is a 'typical' NDB beacon 'flat top' antenna with the vertical wire portion that does the radiating a vertical run of 150 feet high. We installed an VERY extensive ground radial system, the loading coil is 5/8 inch copper tube. The antenna system has little loss...if any! We are thinking of converting the LYQ ndb beacon to a 'Four Course Radio Range' or A/N L/MF range just like in the 1940's I invite to to see a Video on the four course radio range at www.wa4sze.com let me know how you like the video & PLEASE send me reception reports on the LYQ beacon via of radiostationwwrb@gmail.com pictures of all kinds of aviation electronics are on our web page www.wwrb.org photo gallery including LYQ beacon. thank you all from one radio bug to another!!!! good dxing!!! loving radio & Dx since 1967!!!
Re: Lowfer MBD QRS30 testing tonight- 187.505 khz
Posted by Andy KU4XR on December 30, 2012 at 19:26:18.
In reply to Re: Lowfer MBD QRS30 testing tonight- 187.505 khz posted by Garry, K3SIW on December 30, 2012
MDB peaked here at 12:00 UTC as it did at K3SIW QTH
1183 miles to Friendsville, TN.
73: Andy - KU4XR
WSPR tonite...
Posted by Bob Raide on December 30, 2012 at 22:18:12.
WE6XGR starts now on 498 Dial as usual for tonite-499.5 Tx freq-Bob
"6R" Beacon is back on-the-air, 180.580, Sacramento
Posted by Ed Larsen on December 31, 2012 at 02:30:21.
Lowfer beacon "6R" is back on-the-air on about 180.580 kHz from El Dorado Hills, Ca. It is sending slow (~3 WPM) CW "6R" followed by a 4-second dash. Output power seems down since I'm only lighting about 4 neon bulbs on a voltage stick. I hope to rebuild the transmitter early next year. 6R will remain on 24/7 unless I am listening on VLF. 73s, Ed, KI6R.
2200 meter reception report
Posted by Mark D AB0CW on December 31, 2012 at 04:17:12.
Lots of activity tonight on 2200 meters with good copy into Denver CO DM79kv. XNS, MP, XES (DFCW), and WD2XKO. Also copy what I assume is the ID of "SETI" in DFCW between XES and WD2XKO. Maybe I'm just reading it wrong !
73 Mark AB0CW, MBD
Screen Capture
Re: 2200 meter reception report
Posted by John Davis on December 31, 2012 at 08:51:52.
In reply to 2200 meter reception report posted by Mark D AB0CW on December 31, 2012
If you look at it again, Mark, I think you'll find "ETI" is actually L. It appears we both had a path to British Columbia tonight, although SL would have been clearer here without so much sideband energy from WD2XKO (below). Now that I've seen your capture (link added to your message this morning), it appears you had less of XKO and more of SL, and got a really great catch.
When I returned to the field tonight, it was mainly to listen for MBD. However, static levels were three to four S-units higher than they had been right after sunset, so 1750 meters didn't show anything much.
The static started easing up about 1:30 CST, but that's when our freezing rain and sleet started. By 2:00, it was so heavy I packed up and returned to town before the roads started getting messy.
John
Re: Best LW Converter??
Posted by Bill KB9IV on December 31, 2012 at 16:26:56.
In reply to Re: Best LW Converter?? posted by Douglas Williams KB4OER on December 29, 2012
Hi Doug Thanks for all the helpful info. I contacted Todd and he will make me one of his quality LF converters...Great!!
HNY & 73
Bill
HAPPY 2013 TO ALL YOU !!!
Posted by IK1WVQ Mauro on December 31, 2012 at 17:20:37.
Re: Best LW Converter??
73 de Mauro IK1WVQ
Posted by Douglas D. Williams on December 31, 2012 at 17:27:35.
In reply to Re: Best LW Converter?? posted by Bill KB9IV on December 31, 2012
Todd is a prince among men. If you don't already own a good quality 500 kHz low pass filter, be sure to get him to build that also. I'm sure he told you that.
Re: Best LW Converter??
Posted by Sal,K1RGO on December 31, 2012 at 19:37:31.
In reply to Best LW Converter?? posted by Bill KB9IV on December 28, 2012
The L-111 converter /antenna system 4-4.5 MHz i-f out or just the L-111 pcb if on a budget works quite well using either an active antenna (L-400B included in the system) or a long wire antenna. That's what I use. I tested a palomar and found it full of AM-BC intermod as well as poor sensitivity. It also tested Burhans converter which works well much better than the Palomar, but the L-111 offers the best performance over all. MLS ON QRSS MODE
Later..........Sal,K1RGO
Posted by Mark on December 31, 2012 at 23:38:42.
Beacon MLS on 186.200 is now transmitting on QRS mode from NE Ohio. If you receive it, please let me know. The "DITS" are about 15 seconds long. TNX Mark
potrzebie