8820 Hz reception
Reporting a successful reception of W4DEX's carrier signal on 8820 Hz yesterday. Distance approximately 130 miles.
Receive antenna was a Clifton Labs active whip. Receiver was a Winradio G33DDC. Software was Argo set to QRSS120 slow. Dex's signal was GPS disciplined, my receiver is not, or I would have set Argo to an even slower mode.
Details on Dex's impressive setup can be found on his web page.
http://www.w4dex.com/ Re: MLS BACK ON
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on December 01, 2014 at 13:43:49.
In reply to MLS BACK ON posted by Mark on November 30, 2014
Mark, copy your signal fine here in EN52ta, Elgin, IL. Frequency centered on 186.200 kHz.
Deutschlandfunk and Deutschlandradio Kultur to close on LW
Posted by Mike Terry on December 01, 2014 at 21:13:40.
The German national public broadcasters Deutschlandfunk and Deutschlandradio Kultur will disappear from longwave at the end of this year. Wasteful channels are going off the air due to cost considerations. The money saved will be invested in digital terrestrial radio (DAB+). At the end of 2015 the mediumwave transmitters of Deutschlandfunk will also close.
Deutschlandfunk currently still broadcasts through longwave 153 and 207 kHz and seven mediumwave frequencies including 1269 and 549 kHz. Deutschlandradio Kultur broadcasts by means of the longwave frequency 177 kHz. The mediumwave frequency 990 kHz went off last year.
Keeping these transmitters on the air costs Deutschlandfunk and Deutschlandradio Kultur millions of euros a year in electricity costs. All these stations transmit with a fairly high power. The three longwave transmitters are each 500 kW, and the mediumwave transmitters range between 100 and 400 kW.
Meanwhile Deutschlandfunk and Deutschlandradio Kultur can be received on FM and DAB+ in large parts of the country. Further expansion of this network is proceeding rapidly. Earlier this year Deutschlandradio Kultur switched from the obsolete MP2 DAB standard to the modern DAB+, which is also used in the Netherlands.
In 2010 it was agreed that the public broadcasters will only get funding for the rollout of DAB+ if they cut down on other distribution methods. It therefore simply means that the medium- and longwave transmitters must be switched off. Meanwhile, several regional broadcasters have already turned off their AM stations. For example, MDR did so in March 2013.
In the Netherlands, the NPO will scrap the broadcast of Radio 5 via mediumwave in September 2015. Again listeners are advised to switch to DAB+.
[Radio.NL translated by Andy Sennitt via Facebook]
Re: RTE 252 to close
Posted by Mike Terry on December 01, 2014 at 21:38:56.
In reply to Re: RTE 252 to close posted by Mike Terry on November 13, 2014
RTÉ News
1 December 2014
Ministers are being urged to intervene and work with RTÉ to retain the broadcaster’s longwave radio service.
The service is due to end early next year after RTÉ postponed a decision to close the transmitter until 19 January.
Minister for the Diaspora Jimmy Deenihan, Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan and Minister for Communications Alex White are being asked to step in and get the national broadcaster to continue the service.
Founder of Globalirish.ie Noreen Bowden said it had received thousands of names as part of a petition to keep longwave.
Ms Bowden said the organisation had received around 1,000 names from Manchester in the UK alone.
She called on all the ministers involved to intervene and work with RTE to keep the service.
Fr Brian D'Arcy called for the service to be extended for five more years to facilitate some of those who still use the service.
He said it would be a Christmas present for a lonely man or woman sitting in London to know they will be retaining the service.
In a statement, RTÉ said it has met representatives from Irish community groups in the UK on the issue of transition from longwave and is considering their submissions carefully.
Mr Deenihan said he has written to RTÉ's Director General to make him aware of the depth of concerns among the Irish community in Britain regarding the longwave service.
In a statement this evening, Mr Deenihan said while he appreciates this is an operational matter for RTÉ, he hopes a way can be found to address these concerns over the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Mr White said that while the Government has no role in RTÉ's operational decisions his department has been briefed on the rationale for the cessation of the service.
Mr White said he is assured that RTÉ is working with the Irish Embassy in London to ensure it's audience in Britain is aware of the various ways to enjoy Radio 1.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/1201/663865-longwave-rte/ Re: RTE 252 to close
Posted by Mike Terry on December 02, 2014 at 11:19:14.
In reply to Re: RTE 252 to close posted by Mike Terry on December 01, 2014
New comment on the Save RTE Longwave Radio petition group
By Bill Shepherd
RTE Six One News – 1 December 2014 In an Oireachtas Committee hearing, RTE admitted they do not know how many of the 6M UK ethnic Irish listen to LW252. Re: 8820 Hz reception
Posted by Douglas Williams on December 02, 2014 at 11:33:09.
In reply to 8820 Hz reception posted by Douglas Williams on December 01, 2014
Dex did another transmission the following night. This time I tried QRSS600 with better results.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/33457409/DEX8830.jpg
Polish Radio to close its longwave transmissions
Posted by Mike Terry on December 03, 2014 at 16:59:38.
3 December 2014
According to the open_dx yahoo mailing list that the Polish Radio domestic service is going to switch off its longwave transmitter on 225 kHz by 1st March 2015. The reason, once again, are government cuts.
(via Bulgarian DX blog) MLS in Friendsville, TN.
Posted by Andy - KU4XR on December 03, 2014 at 19:12:41.
This is the first time I have seen MLS after several tries, and a couple of all nighters.. As the capture shows; copy is minimal, but distinguishable enough to know it's MLS.. Times shown are local time, and best copy is just before local sunrise..
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/49203948/MLS%20in%20Friendsville%2012-3-2014.JPG
73 all : Andy - KU4XR Re: HiFERs Saturday PM
Posted by Paul on December 04, 2014 at 07:05:44.
In reply to HiFERs Saturday PM posted by John Davis on November 30, 2014
Thanks, John!
Good to see ol' FRC still making it into the ether.
As a side note... I no longer have access to that site, so FRC is just going to run until it fails, then will be abandoned in place. I have already built a new beacon, and will install and activate it from a new site if/when the current one fails.
Re: MLS in Friendsville, TN. (also in Watauga, TN)
Posted by Douglas Williams on December 04, 2014 at 11:41:55.
In reply to MLS in Friendsville, TN. posted by Andy - KU4XR on December 03, 2014
Good copy 100ish miles east of you also, Andy. Thanks for reminding me about this one.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/33457409/120414.jpg
Re: Deutschlandfunk and Deutschlandradio Kultur to close on LW
Posted by Mike Terry on December 07, 2014 at 13:16:05.
In reply to Deutschlandfunk and Deutschlandradio Kultur to close on LW posted by Mike Terry on December 01, 2014
Kai Ludwig reports:
Deutschlandradio started to insert on 153, 177 and 207 kHz announcements that advise of the coming closure. For this purpose 207 kHz now takes the 153 kHz program audio instead of the DLF FM satellite feed. So they even bothered to again set up an audio circuit to Aholming only for the last few weeks.
(The Shortwave Transmitter Site Archive)
Hifer 13.560
Posted by Joe on December 07, 2014 at 19:09:10.
Beacon 9ZS on 13.560 to commerate the 100th anniversary of the time signal station operated by the Illinois Watch Company in Springfield, Illinois(January 1915). Watch shops and owners would use the signal to synchonize their timepieces. In addition, weather reports were given.
Re: Hifer 13.560
Posted by John Davis on December 07, 2014 at 21:36:26.
In reply to Hifer 13.560 posted by Joe on December 07, 2014
Hi Joe,
Sounds interesting. Is the beacon exactly on 13.560? That could make it hard to hear over any distance.
Also, what mode does it employ (CW, QRSS)? And, how long do you plan to have it on?
Thanks.
John
Re: Hifer 13.560
Posted by Joe K9ATG on December 07, 2014 at 23:09:38.
In reply to Re: Hifer 13.560 posted by John Davis on December 07, 2014
Thanks John
Yes 13.560 and 10wpm CW. I used the parts that I had on hand. ;-)
It's my first beacon so any advice to improve on it would be accepted and appreciated.
Thanks again.
Polish Radio won't terminate its longwave transmissions
Posted by Mike Terry on December 08, 2014 at 09:17:54.
In reply to Polish Radio to close its longwave transmissions posted by Mike Terry on December 03, 2014
7 December 2014
It appeared that the the information in the international DX press that the Polish Radio is going to switch off its longwave transmitter is wrong. It appeared first on the EuroRadio forum and later was passed to many DX circles and mailing lists, but there's no such information on the "Jedynka" website, nor in its Facebook page.
Dominique from Poland got interested in the issue and contacted Roman Czejarek, Polish Radio employee and active participant in the construction of the Solec Kujawski transmitter site.
Here is the answer: "I do not know anything about such a plan. No one has given such information, at least here in Poland."
He also gave some interesting facts: The longwave trans mitter is 40-50% cheaper for the Polish Radio than the network of FM transmitters. That's because the transmitter site in Solec Kujawski is wholly-owned by the Polish Radio and the FM transmitters are leased from a private company.
3 months ago marked the 15th anniversary of the PR1 longwave transmitter site. On the event, the general director of the Polish Radio said that more than 40% of the PR1 audience is listening to the station via longwave radio. He also said that they receive many listeners' letters from Poland and all over Europe.
In 2012, a new campaign for switching off the longwave transmitter began, but soon the station started to receive many letters of complain which were then read on the air and it was finally decided that the campaign should be terminated.
(Dmitry Mezin/via open_dx mailing list via Georgi Bancov on shortwaves@yahoogroups.com) Re: Hifer 13.560
Posted by Mike - N8OOU on December 10, 2014 at 15:18:33.
In reply to Hifer 13.560 posted by Joe on December 07, 2014
I read about this station while looking through old issues of the magazine Radio News. It was written up in the September 1920 issue. Included are pictures of a receiver and the transmitter.
R.E. magazines are archived here;
http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Radio_News_Master_Page_Guide.htm
It is an interesting read.
Mike - OOU
MLS TNX
Posted by Mark on December 11, 2014 at 21:27:55.
Hi all, Re: MLS TNX
I have been reading the reception reports of my beacon MLS on 186.204 KHz. I wanted to thank everyone for their efforts.
I have been thinking about trying a new antenna next year which would consist of a one turn loop about 35 feet high. Has anyone tried a loop antenna in the past? The antenna would be positioned in an east / west direction and I know there will be a null on it's broad side of about 20 db. Also, are there any FCC concerns for an antenna of this type? My reading of loop antennas states they are less affected by trees, fences, houses etc. and it might be worth testing one. Please let me know your thoughts and again, thanks for the reception reports. **** Mark AC8CL
Posted by John Davis on December 11, 2014 at 23:56:38.
In reply to MLS TNX posted by Mark on December 11, 2014
Whatever you're doing now seems to be working well, Mark. WA3TTS is about 76 miles from you and usually sees your signal OK, but he reported on another forum today that it is actually audible well above noise level.
John
Re: MLS TNX
Posted by Mark on December 12, 2014 at 00:42:02.
In reply to Re: MLS TNX posted by John Davis on December 11, 2014
Hi John,
Thanks for the info. I saw it posted on Mailman.qth. I still would like to do some testing with a new antenna system. What I have out there works ok but I have to keep my fingers crossed every time we get a heavy snow or freezing rain/ice. My idea is if I make a single loop then use capacitor banks to tune it, I can make it multi-band for 475 , 186 , and 137 KHz by plugging in layers of cap's with each layer tuning a frequency range. Almost like a mother board for 475 then plug / stack in extra layers of cap's for each band. Right now my short vertical on 186.2 sits dormant during the summer months and not used. Plus, I just like to be building stuff..... Ha Ha It's still in the planning stages but I'll let everyone know if I decide to proceed this coming Spring. Tnx Mark AC8CL
Re: Hifer 13.560
Posted by Joe K9ATG on December 12, 2014 at 02:30:44.
In reply to Re: Hifer 13.560 posted by Mike - N8OOU on December 10, 2014
Thanks Mike!
Wireless World has a 1915 article about it as well. That website has been in valuable at providing old articles such as these!
Webpage coming.....and also a beacon rebuild that will get me off 13.560
Thanks again
Re: MLS TNX - Frequency Stability
Posted by Andy - KU4XR on December 12, 2014 at 04:18:02.
In reply to Re: MLS TNX posted by Mark on December 12, 2014
Hi Mark : I see from others captures that your beacon frequency stability has " Really " improved.. No more Up-Hill swing... hi - hi ... I am watching you tonite ( 12-11-14 ) and it is stable with no jitter.. Have you made some improvements in the Oscillator ?? Band conditions here are very poor, but mostly from lawn toys, and lights, and an extremely noisy powerline closeby.. 20 dB over S-9 !! Keep the Fire in the Wire... we have fun watching.. 73 - Andy - KU4XR , Friendsville , TN. - EM75xr
MLS again in Friendsville, TN.
Posted by Andy - KU4XR on December 12, 2014 at 14:19:25.
Despite very severe local noise levels; " MLS " rose above the noise to copyable levels several times thru the night.. I posted a capture of the best overnight copy in the community forum.. follow this link :
http://lwca.org/community/YaBB.pl?num=1418393699
73 all : Andy - XR
Re: MLS TNX - Frequency Stability
Posted by John Davis on December 12, 2014 at 18:07:04.
In reply to Re: MLS TNX - Frequency Stability posted by Andy - KU4XR on December 12, 2014
Congratulations on the improved frequency stability. While the uphill slope was distinctive visually, drifting across multiple FFT bins during a given character element means each bin doesn't receive as much energy as it would otherwise. A steady signal (both at the transmit and receive end) improves Argo's detection sensitivity.
John
Re: MLS TNX - Frequency Stability
Posted by Mark on December 13, 2014 at 01:26:21.
In reply to Re: MLS TNX - Frequency Stability posted by Andy - KU4XR on December 12, 2014
Hi Andy, MTI received in Springfield IL
When I had the antenna storm damage the beacon went off line. I thought it was caused by the antenna being way out of tune. I troubleshot the beacon and found that the .1 uf coupling cap from the output transistor to the output pass filter had gone open. I replaced it and the beacon returned to normal. I believe the cap was failing for some time because my field strength meter was slowly going down. Now it's back up where it should be and my signal is nice and "level". I don't know if a simple coupling cap could cause the ramping effect so we'll have to wait and see if the problem comes back. I kept thinking the problem was in the oscillator and I have a better one ready to install from an old Motorola base station. I might not need it but I'll wait to see if "Murphy's Law" says other wise. Thanks for the signal reports. **** Mark AC8CL
Posted by Joe K9ATG on December 14, 2014 at 14:06:46.
MTI received in Springfield IL 12/13/14 2:16pm CST (2016 UTC)on 13.55754 MHz
Email sent with audio file
Re: Deutschlandfunk and Deutschlandradio Kultur to close on LW
Posted by Wastl on December 14, 2014 at 17:55:29.
In reply to Deutschlandfunk and Deutschlandradio Kultur to close on LW posted by Mike Terry on December 01, 2014
They do not even hide their page http://www.deutschlandradio.de/frequenzliste-deutschlandfunk.214.de.html which shows that they broadcast more than 1.6 MW on VHF for their FM broadcasting, which does not even cover all the country's area, compared to 1 MW (even less at night, when the 153 kHz is switched down - to half, AFAIK) on the longwave, which does. Then they call the longwave wasteful. What shameless propaganda.
Re: Deutschlandfunk and Deutschlandradio Kultur to close on LW
Posted by John Davis on December 14, 2014 at 18:50:33.
In reply to Re: Deutschlandfunk and Deutschlandradio Kultur to close on LW posted by Wastl on December 14, 2014
It is worth remembering that power levels for FM broadcasting are given as Effective Radiated Power (ERP), based on field intensity in the main radiation lobe, thus taking antenna gain into account; whereas power ratings for long and medium wave stations are actual RF power into the antenna.
The antenna gain at VHF can be quite significant--sometimes as great as a factor of 10 or 12 where a single-polarized wave is emitted, or half that for dual (circular) polarization. A VHF antenna will generally consist of more vertically stacked radiating sections ("bays") over flat terrain, while one intended to cover hilly terrain will possess fewer bays and/or be designed for greater null fill at low angles of radiation, thus reducing its gain.
From the power levels and types of locations shown on the Deutschlandradio list, I estimate that they are probably employing an average antenna gain of about 4, meaning that the 1.6 MW total ERP only requires about 400 kW of RF to produce, spread out amongst all the stations of the FM network.
The long wave stations each put out more power than that, generated in a single transmitter that is necessarily larger and more expensive to maintain than any one of the FM stations. Also, amplitude modulation is less efficient to generate because of the necessity of providing audio power to modulate the carrier wave. Therefore, a long or medium wave station requires even more mains power to produce a given radiated power than does an FM station.
Thus, in the end, considerations of efficiency do not really favor high power AM broadcasting. On the other hand, as you rightly pointed out, such broadcasting does cover areas that FM cannot as a practical matter. That's the trade-off any national broadcaster must ponder carefully.
John
HiFERs in mid-December
Posted by John Davis on December 16, 2014 at 08:35:53.
On Sunday, I had solid copy of USC, both SIW signals, EH, NC, and MTI.
On Monday afternoon, USC, only the slant mode SIW, EH (drifted down over slant SIW), and NC showed up at the watering hole. Up the dial, MTI was audible most of the time, and SZX and GNK both came in for a while. PBJ has not been visible lately, though.
I'd like to present the screen captures to give a visual indication of how my new CommRadio CR-1a works on HF, but it may take a couple of days before I have a chance, due to the rapidly approaching LOWDOWN deadline.
John
VLF SAQ Transmission Coming Dec. 24
Posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 16, 2014 at 12:28:47.
Re: HiFERs in mid-December
SAQ TRANSMISSION ON CHRISTMAS EVE
DECEMBER 24TH, 2014
There will be a transmission with the Alexanderson 200 kW alternator on VLF 17.2 kHz from Grimeton Radio/SAQ on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24th, 2014.
The message transmission will take place at 08:00 UTC (03:00 AM EST). The transmitter will be tuned up from around 07:30 UTC (02:30 AM EST).
There will be activity on amateur radio frequencies with the call SK6SAQ on any of following frequencies:
- 3,755 SSB
- 7,035 CW
- 14,215 SSB
- 14,035 CW
QSL- reports on SK6SAQ are kindly received:
- via SM bureau or direct to Grimeton Radio
QSL-reports on SAQ are kindly received via:
- E-mail to: info@alexander.n.se
- 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
The radio station will be open to visitors. No entrance fee.
Also read our website: www.alexander.n.se
Yours
Lars Kalland
SM6NM
Posted by Chris Waldrup on December 16, 2014 at 13:07:45.
In reply to HiFERs in mid-December posted by John Davis on December 16, 2014
Hi John,
Thanks for the post. I just ran out and swapped out PBJ's gel cell for a freshly charged one.
The old one was down to 2.67 V. Ouch!
Chris Re: HiFERs in mid-December
KD4PBJ
Posted by Garry, K3SIW on December 16, 2014 at 16:01:23.
In reply to Re: HiFERs in mid-December posted by Chris Waldrup on December 16, 2014
PBJ is coming through fine to NE IL at 1600Z, about 20 Hz above MTI.
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
Re: HiFERs in mid-December (Tuesdaythe 16th)
Posted by John Davis on December 17, 2014 at 07:22:21.
In reply to Re: HiFERs in mid-December posted by Garry, K3SIW on December 16, 2014
Some of today's visual results, and more:
Watering Hole with NC, SIW, USC (large!); no EH today, but plenty of SSB voice QRM.
PBJ and MTI, both audible most of the time; PBJ shows some Doppler bifurcation in places.
GNK was the most extraordinarily loud that it has ever been here in SE Kansas. This is not QRSS...it's Argo in CW(NDB) mode, with sensitivity turned down about as low as it can go!
Also heard this afternoon were FRC (just a couple of characters out of each ID cycle, but you could make out the whole thing over several repetitions), and AZ for the first time in quite a while here, around 5:20 PM CST! I'd get a couple of complete IDs in a row from AZ, then there'd be a prolonged fade, then a couple more IDs. It seemed to be a little above 13,554 kHz, though, based on the pitch and the fact that I couldn't see a carrier on the QRSS3 screen I was watching at the time.
John Re: HiFERs in mid-December (Monday the 15th)
Posted by John Davis on December 17, 2014 at 07:53:32.
In reply to HiFERs in mid-December posted by John Davis on December 16, 2014
Here's one of the captures to illustrate my report from yesterday. It's only of the lower watering hole, with EH atop slant SIW (no QRSS6 SIW), and USC also booming in. Out of range of this shot is NC, which was also consistently strong.
Monday was also the day that MTI and GNK were audible most of the time, and SZX made one of its rare appearances in SE Kansas.
LowFERs in SE Kansas, Mon & Tues
Posted by John Davis on December 17, 2014 at 08:29:04.
These are with the new CommRadio CR-1a and the Todd Roberts AMRAD upconverter clone. (The CR-1a is too eaten up with digital noise at LF to use barefoot, but does OK with upconversion to HF.) Wish I had the means to compare the combo's performance simultaneously with my Kenwood R-5000, but it looks to be fairly close. - John
MP and SIW on Monday the 15th (times are CST):
SIW on Tuesday the 16th: Re: LowFERs in SE Kansas, Mon & Tues
Posted by Doug Williams on December 17, 2014 at 21:17:27.
In reply to LowFERs in SE Kansas, Mon & Tues posted by John Davis on December 17, 2014
That combo looks like a winner, John. Even QRSS60 "slow" looks stable.
Were these captures done "in the field"?
Re: LowFERs in SE Kansas, Mon & Tues
Posted by John Davis on December 18, 2014 at 02:34:28.
In reply to Re: LowFERs in SE Kansas, Mon & Tues posted by Doug Williams on December 17, 2014
Yes indeed, these were field captures. The worst one of the bunch for stability was the QRSS60 Slow one of LowFER SIW. In that instance, the radio had been in the house before I took it down to the farm late in the afternoon. It cooled almost 25 degrees in the process, and the temperature in the building continued to slide downward as the sun dipped lower in the sky. That's the biggest temperature change it has endured thus far. Wish I'd thought to check WWV first to be able to measure the actual drift over that time.
John
Yellowknife Logged
Posted by Bill KB9IV on December 18, 2014 at 17:17:05.
Hi Group This morning @ 10:48 UTC I logged "ZF" Yellowknife on 355.400 Khz on my Pixel Pro-1B and my QS1R receiver. At 06:30 only "ZXE" was noted. I recorded this logging. It was interesting to hear it fade into audibility.....no sign of "ZXE".
Best Ho;idays
Bill KB9IV
Re: Yellowknife Logged (Correction) "356.400 Khz"
Posted by Bill KB9IV on December 18, 2014 at 17:22:29.
In reply to Yellowknife Logged posted by Bill KB9IV on December 18, 2014
"356.400 Khz"
RTÉ is extending its LW service until 2017
Posted by Mike Terry on December 19, 2014 at 12:52:46.
RTÉ News
19 December 2014
RTÉ is extending its LW service until 2017
The RTÉ longwave service is to be extended until at least 2017.
Chair of the Oireachtas Transport and Communications Committee John O’Mahoney said he was delighted at the decision of the RTÉ board to retain the service.
RTÉ Radio 1 LW will operate a full service in 2015, with reduced hours in 2016 before working towards a full shutdown in 2017.
The service was due to end early next year after RTÉ postponed a decision to close the transmitter until 19 January.
RTÉ had previously announced that it would be ceasing its Longwave 252 service from the Clarkstown longwave transmitter on 27 October and migrating its Radio One service to digital platforms.
In a statement, the broadcaster said that in slowing the pace of the longwave shutdown, it has considered contact from listeners and submissions from a range of groups who highlighted that more time was needed to "understand and enable the migration to digital platforms for all listeners".
Head of RTE Radio 1 Tom McGuire said: We've listened particularly to the concerns raised by and on behalf of the elderly Irish in the UK.
"Cost-reduction remains a key priority for RTÉ and we remain convinced that, in the longer term, Longwave has had its day.
"Nonetheless and despite the mid-term cost impact, RTÉ believes it is necessary to take a collaborative approach and slow this transition."
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has announced it is prepared to work with RTÉ to commission specific research to better understand the community in the UK who listen to the longwave service.
The research will be conducted next year, will be funded by the department and will include perspectives from community groups representing the Irish elderly in the UK.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/1219/667931-rte-longwave/
137 KHz Check
Posted by Bill KB9IV on December 19, 2014 at 23:28:20.
Hi Group The Only station noted on 137.78 KHz was "MP" blazing away. Nothing else noted in the UP of Mich.
Bill
Re: RIP Radio Shack
Posted by Mike Lynn on December 21, 2014 at 03:32:54.
In reply to RIP Radio Shack posted by Douglas Williams on September 19, 2014
As much as I hate to say it . For many years I have been dealing with radio shack as an electronics enthusiast. They are or have been doing there best to move away from the sales of Electronics parts. Which at one time years ago is all they sold. Personally if they go under I bid them farewell. I have been buying my stuff from Ebay much cheaper and I can find the parts I need . I have pretty much given up on the shack !!
Re: VLF SAQ Transmission Coming Dec. 24
Posted by Steve on December 21, 2014 at 18:15:10.
In reply to VLF SAQ Transmission Coming Dec. 24 posted by Todd WD4NGG on December 16, 2014
Thanks for the post , Todd !! 13.55525 9ZS New Frequency
Steve
Posted by Joe K9ATG on December 21, 2014 at 22:36:43.
9ZS on 13.55525 MHz Springfield, Illinois
"9ZS" [QRSS3] Pause 30 Sec "9ZS" [CW 10WPM] Pause 30 Sec Repeat
Re: 13.55525 9ZS New Frequency
Posted by John Davis on December 21, 2014 at 23:59:34.
In reply to 13.55525 9ZS New Frequency posted by Joe K9ATG on December 21, 2014
Hi Joe,
That should be a good frequency here, at least. Will try looking for you tomorrow if the weather cooperates so I can get to the field.
One further suggestion, if you don't mind: would it be feasible to shorten the gap between the different parts of the message, to maybe 10 or 12 seconds? Given how low in level HiFER signals are to begin with, sometimes you only get a matter of seconds worth of decent signal at 22 m before propagation goes away again, so it's advantageous to repeat the message as many times as possible in a given unit of time.
73 Re: 13.55525 9ZS New Frequency
John
Posted by K9ATG on December 22, 2014 at 00:09:41.
In reply to Re: 13.55525 9ZS New Frequency posted by John Davis on December 21, 2014
Thanks John for the suggestion. I'll get a new chip ordered and installed as soon as possible.
SAQ this morning
Posted by Steve Sykes on December 24, 2014 at 13:19:46.
I believe I heard SAQ this morning very weak buried in noise at my location in Upstate NY. It was not above the noise enough to decode though. I am sure I could see characters on Argo but didn't get it recorded properly. I can't claim a QSL but, I am sure I heard something.
My receiving setup is a Harris RF-590A and Clifton Labs active antenna.
Did anyone else have any luck?
73
Steve
KD2OM
Re: SAQ this morning
Posted by Steve on December 24, 2014 at 16:33:06.
In reply to SAQ this morning posted by Steve Sykes on December 24, 2014
Hi...Steve SAQ Christmas Eve
Tnx for the post; heard something here in NW Indiana vic Chicago, also; possibly some keying but no discernible.
At on point , thought i was imagining things. Pls contact me at...castor 137 at att dot net.Seems to have stopped at/ by 08:30 UT.Very disappointing....Steve
Posted by KB8TVB on December 24, 2014 at 16:59:40.
As per-usual - Nothing heard in Detroit. Gess I'm beginning to wounder if the Detroit area is a VLF dead spot. Ha ha
Merry X-mas 73's 9ZS in SE Kansas
Rich KB8TVB
Posted by John Davis on December 25, 2014 at 06:34:33.
A nice Christmas treat! Finally got out to the field this afternoon, and this was waiting for me, very first thing.
Illinois to here is sometimes a difficult path for months at a time, and QSB was certainly unpredictable today. Had fair copy of the first ID cycle, then a strong looking start to the next "9" until almost 3:28 PM CST...followed by 25 minutes of nothing.
The worst thing today, though, was the CODAR noise. Really overwhelming, perhaps made moreso because its repetition rate may have interacted with the sampling rate or DSP filtering algorithms in the CommRadio CR-1a.
At the watering hole,USC and EH were strong. The latter was down over the SIW slant signal. SIW QRSS showed up in bits and pieces, and saw one I believe to be MP just above SIW slant by barely 10 Hz.
Away from the watering hole, PBJ and MTI were visible and sometimes audible. GNK was fair to good.
John
Re: 9ZS in SE Kansas
Posted by John Davis on December 26, 2014 at 01:05:33.
In reply to 9ZS in SE Kansas posted by John Davis on December 25, 2014
Yesterday was better for propagation than today, but I did see 9ZS again a few times this afternoon. Also saw USC (and heard it--the loudest signal most of the time), slant SIW, EH (still parked right on top of SIW), a few pieces of QRSS SIW, and NC. Up the dial, MTI and PBJ were visible most of the time but audible only a small fraction. SZX and GNK were both audible every so often.
John
Re: 9ZS in SE Kansas
Posted by Joe K9ATG on December 27, 2014 at 20:45:10.
In reply to 9ZS in SE Kansas posted by John Davis on December 25, 2014
Good to hear, John! Thanks for the reception report. It's always good to get the first one and to realize your efforts are amounting to more than warming the clouds!
9ZS down for the day (12/27/14)
73
Joe Armstrong 9ZS
K9ATG
Posted by Joe K9ATG on December 27, 2014 at 20:46:49.
Doing some maintenance, etc
Re: 9ZS in SE Kansas
Posted by John Davis on December 28, 2014 at 01:16:27.
In reply to Re: 9ZS in SE Kansas posted by Joe K9ATG on December 27, 2014
As of today, I would say those clouds need warming. :)
John
crossband
Posted by Robert Rode on December 29, 2014 at 06:52:26.
any new knowledge of cross band ops 630M to Ham Bands ?
Re: crossband
Posted by John Andrews, W1TAG on December 29, 2014 at 17:15:05.
In reply to crossband posted by Robert Rode on December 29, 2014
Robert,
No change. Countries (not the U.S.) which have created a ham band at 630M permit amateur to amateur communications within that band or between other ham bands. U.S. experimental licensees in the 630M band can talk with other experimental licensees only. No experimental/amateur communication is permitted. Of course, the parties may choose to ignore the regulations, or seek official permission to allow the contacts. Sometimes, asking the government for exceptions to rules produces unwanted effects, though.
John, W1TAG
Hifers copied
Posted by Sal,K1RGO on December 29, 2014 at 20:51:33.
At 0830 utc, NC,SIW and USC all good copy with QSB. German stations close tonight
I haven't had any luck on 1750 due to noise at the QTH.
later....Sal
Posted by Mike Terry on December 31, 2014 at 17:03:47.
On 153 khz, 177khz and 207 kHz - DLF and Deutschlandradio Kultur - will finally closedown at 2300 UTC (Midnight in Germany).
Last Chance: 2014 Fessenden Commemorative Broadcast
Posted by John Davis on December 31, 2014 at 17:23:42.
Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, put his 600 meter Experimental Station WG2XFQ on the air for his annual Christmas Eve transmission, marking the 108th anniversary of Reginald Fessenden’s first broadcast from Brant Rock, MA, in 1906.
We have word, not yet confirmed directly from Brian, that WG2XFQ plans to transmit again on 486 kHz from Forest, VA, tonight to mark Fessenden's repeat broadcast on New Years Eve in 1906. If it is on, will use a recreation of a 1921 AM ham rig. Reports will be welcome.
Re: German stations close tonight
Posted by Mike Terry on December 31, 2014 at 17:43:15.
In reply to German stations close tonight posted by Mike Terry on December 31, 2014
(forwarded:)
Of course this will open up 153 for either Romania, Norway or Algeria; also 207 for Iceland or Morocco. Any word on when Europe 1 will move to 180, where they will be the only station in the world on that frequency?
Stephen Luce ...also, LF New Years Eve activity.
Houston, Texas
(via DX Listening Digest)
Posted by John Davis on December 31, 2014 at 22:05:00.
In reply to Last Chance: 2014 Fessenden Commemorative Broadcast posted by John Davis on December 31, 2014
On Wednesday afternoon, Warren Ziegler K2ORS announced that he plans to operate his Part 5 licensed station WH2XIL on 137.7798 in QRSS60 mode, a little below VE3OT's "MP" beacon. Other Part 5 licensees and Canadian hams may join in around that same dial location. That is usually the case on or near the winter holidays, although bad weather in the northeast discouraged activity at Christmas time this year.
John ...and, a real VLF feat!
Posted by John Davis on December 31, 2014 at 22:08:30.
In reply to ...also, LF New Years Eve activity. posted by John Davis on December 31, 2014
The first actual message transmitted by a private individual across the Atlantic below 9 kHz is now a reality. Read the story and get links to additional information at the LWCA Home Page.
potrzebie
