- Subj: LOWFER Beacon "3ZIM" 183.333 kHz
Date: 98-12-29 15:28:04 EST
From: finniganidirect
Good-day. I have put on the air a low power beacon using a "Wandel &
Golterman" test generator, model AT 462 (used in telephony as part of a
generator/level meter set to measure channel bandwidth). The signal from
this is amplified by a Philips PM5170 "DC to 1 Mhz" amplifier, then
through an MFJ 901B tuner and Diamond SX-200 SWR-Wattmeter out to a 14
meter long-wire. The W&G is keyed by an AEA MM2 memory keyer with the
signal "3 ZIM". My grid square is FM04 (North Toronto, Ontario). I know
the beacon is transmitting, having checked with an Hewlett-Packard
HP3746A "Selective LevelMeter". The carrier is about 30 dB above noise
level, and keying (at 30% AM modulation) is about 5 dB over that.
Bandwith appears to be about 3 kHz around 183.333 before the carrier is
not seen, and signal floor drops to about -90 dBm. I have not detected
any "spurs" in signal from the carrier or during modulation.
My plan is to keep this signal on the air, until I can make some
"distance" receptions around the area. I'm sure I will make improvements
in the amount of power ( under 1 watt by Industry Canada R 210)
broadcast by making a better matching network between the final amp and
antenna, however, I'll leave it at 0.5 W as measured by the wattmeter
for now - until I can drive around and see how far the current signal is
propagating.
73 for now... de. ... VA3ZIM....Patrick
- Subj: LF Engineering converter availability
Date: 98-12-29 11:24:01 EST
From: (Henry H. Lee III)
WANTED: Any information on availability of the LF Engineering L101S LW
converter. Is Sal DeFrancesco, K1RGO still manufacturing it? OR does
anyone have a converter they would like to sell. Any help would be
appreciated.
73's,
Henry Lee,III, KB1PE
- Subject: Loggings and Greetings
Date: 98-12-28 14:44:37 EST
From: smerrigacompusmart.ab.ca (Shaun P. Merrigan)
Here are some loggings of northern Canadian NDBS. They are 400Hz
shift, DAID and all from NT (Northwest Territories of Canada).WY (222) Wrigley
YSK (208) Sanikiluak
RT (284) Rankin Inlet
YYH (290) Taloyoak
YHK (236) Gjoa Haven
CB (245) Cambridge Bay
SM (254) Fort Smith
YCS (341) Chesterfield Inlet
ZF (356) Yellowknife
I have been absent from the hobby for several years, so I am doing
bandscans (both day and night) to get a feel for the band. The above
logs are from those scans.
Happy New Year to All :)
Shaun P. Merrigan
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
53.43N 113.25W
- Subj: More LowFER loggings
Date: 12/28/98 9:04:53 AM Central Standard Time
From: bhkoehlermmm
I wish I had been at Shell Lake December 23 and 24 as it sounds like
band conditions were great. I was happy to hear that BK was heard by Bob
Hoffswell (BOB). I think that's the first DX report on BK since the lake
rose and forced me to move the cabin and the BK transmitting apparatus.
I listened on Christmas night and heard A3O again, and added two new
loggings; YHO and TH. The LowFERs I've heard so far this season are KRY,
BRO, A3O, JDH, LEK, BK, YHO, SAM, TH, RM, and OK. Roger Magnuson (RM)
also reported hearing A3O the evening of Dec 19. I usually only get to
listen to LF for DX on Friday and Saturday nights when I'm at Shell
Lake, WI. During the week, I'm in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and the
noise levels are much higher. From there, I can usually hear LEK, BK,
SAM, and often RM but that's it so far.
73, Happy Holidays and great DX -Bruce W0BK, BK
- Subj: Where to buy Nebraska ferrite rods?
Date: 12/28/98 7:08:40 AM Central Standard Time
From: MichaelOexnercompuserve
Hi all,
I'm looking for a dealer/distributor (address, phone/fax, e-mail/homepage)
of Nebraska ferrite rods (those mentioned in Bill Bowers' article in the
December 1998 Lowdown). Anybody knows of an European distributor??
Back in 1987 I bought the large 22.5" Radio West ferrite loop with
amplifier by mail order from Radio West in Vista CA. It does really give
good performance on the NDB frequencies, my main field of DX interest.
Out of curiosity I have a few questions:
1) Is Radio West still in business? I don't think so, but I'm not sure. Who
was owner/operator of Radio West?
2) Who was the person ("maker" and "mental father/inventor") of that
ferrite loop?
3) Does anybody know the brand (Amidon?) and material type of the ferrite
rods (7.5" length, 0.5" diameter) that were used for that antenna?
Thanks!
vy 73 + gd DX,
Michael
RX: ICOM R71A, Sony ICF-SW7600G
Antenna: Radio West 22.5" ferrite loop with amplifier, 20m longwire
Location: Roschbach, Germany N 49°15' E 8°07'
Member: CSDXC, DSWCI, EUNL, LWCA, MWC
- Subj: LW
Date: 12/28/98 5:36:57 AM Central Standard Time
From: colcalsrv (Francis Callahan)
I am very interested in the LW and need to find a kit for a transmitter for
the frequencies if there is one available please let me know as I listen in
that portion of the band but don"t hear anything here in Shelley Idaho. I
also live at 4695 feet above sl so should be able to hear something 73 and
thanks for any help you can render Cal KF7ET
- Subj: Lowfers
Date: 12/27/98 9:59:00 AM Central Standard Time
From: okbillbrightok (William Bowers)
John; First of all TEXAS comes in here in Oklahoma day and night, both in CW
and BPSK. I get 100% copy of TEXAS AGGIES in both COH and AFRICA any time.
Bill Cantrell is really putting out a nice signal.
Last night I did get a nice copy on ARK for the first time this year. It is
nice to have him back on.
Lyle Koehler is also putting out a nice signal. I get a good BPSK copy on
LEK every night.
OK will be off the air for about a week for a change over to alternate CW
and BPSK. This is only possible because of all the help from Bill Cantrell.
Bill Bowers
- Subj: Y3O???
Date: 12/26/98 5:18:40 AM Central Standard Time
From: mustangkickit.pgh (Mike Lamanna)
Y3O Bob??? could you mean A3O???
Mike (A3O)
- Subj: Merry Christmas!
Date: 98-12-25 12:57:29 EST
From: harveyprairienet.org (robert a. hoffswell)
Hi, John, and Merry Christmas to all!
LF has been pretty good this season in IL, with the lowfer-band starting to
sound like the NDB band further up the dial. The signals from the PA
long-rifles lead the pack, with Y3O the main-man and QYV a close second.
GIR was great, but I've not heard him for awhile.
BA has a new antenna and his signal is up a little here, but then again,
he's always Q5, anyway! RB is good again, after he fixed up his riggin',
and LEK filled in the gap on Christmas morning with a 559 signal. Bruce,
BK, was up the way with another S5 signal-the first time I've heard him.
Down the way, XJ was sending his Holiday greetings, and KRY was also Q5 and
solid copy. At the top end, OK was very good at 559, even in some QRM, and
the long-wave stations were easy listening, if you listen en francais.
Good conditions and signals on LF.
I wonder how many beaconeers listen, however. It use to be we could read
about QSO's between stations once in awhile, but not lately. (Even Brice
and I haven't had a QSO in almost a year, but we'll fix that soon.) I call
beacons I hear go off the air while I'm listening, but haven't raised
anybody. However, BOB isn't much of a big-gun, either! In the past, I've
heard XJ, BA, and LEK in qso's, but no more. Maybe it will get better, if
we get bigger antennae and more power, but first we need ear!
BOB is on
24hrs, and, if I'm not, call me!
73, peace, and dx to all de BOB
- Subj: Check the 'RW' Beacon 164KHz
Date: 98-12-24 17:07:29 EST
From: w0rwworldnet.att (Paul Signorelli)
Please listen again for the 'RW' Beacon on 164KHz.
Operating 1600 to 2300 MST from Colorado Springs.
CW Message every 2 minutes. Beacon ID 'RW'.
Special Long Wave QSL Card available.
We need LWL's (Long Wave Listeners) in Denver CO, Kansas, OK and TX to
listen.
Paul KA2XRM
P.O. BOX 6069
Colorado Springs, CO 80934
- Subj: Re: Band conditions -- an early Christmas present
Date: 98-12-24 13:13:07 EST
From: dmcintyreatt (Dexter McIntyre W4DEX)
Lyle, You didn't hear NC because the antenna had and still has about
half an inch of ice on it. I hope it melts before the wires break.
Merry Christmas, Dex
- Subj: Band conditions -- an early Christmas present
Date: 98-12-24 11:21:35 EST
From: lylemlecmn (Lyle Koehler)
Very good conditions on the LowFER band last night and this morning.
Heard XJ and ARK last night; BA and TH this morning, all of them for the
first time this season. Also heard JDH (copied his Christmas message),
GIR (now near 189.6), BOB, BK, YHO, QYV, SAM, RM, OK, TEXAS (BPSK only
this week), BRO, X, KRY and A3O this morning between 0540 and 0615 CST.
Probably the best night ever for LowFER loggings at my location. It's
really great to hear that much activity among the LowFERs, both
old-timers and relative newcomers.
Happy holidays to all
Lyle, K0LR
- Subj: Change of Site URL for R390A Page
Date: 98-12-23 16:00:21 EST
From: AVSLerols (AVSL)
I changed the URL for the R390A page. It's now:
http://www.avslvb.com/R390A/index.html
Merry Xmas !
Chuck
- Subj: QYV and JDH Q5 in NC
Date: 98-12-23 10:57:30 EST
From: dmcintyreatt (Dexter McIntyre W4DEX)
Early this morning (3 am est) QYV (188.570) and JDH (184.500) were both
very good copy here in NC. QYV was again about 10 db above the noise.
I copied solid JDH's special message which I won't disclose which might
ruin the challenge to other LF listeners.
73 es Happy Holidays to all!
Dex, W4DEX, LF Beacon "NC" 187.050 KHz
- Subj: LW transmitter
Date: 98-12-22 18:06:59 EST
From: DanN0FPEaol
I am looking for a source or someone with one to sell. A LW transmitter suitable for beacon service. I would like to put a beacon on here in the Midwest. Any and all help would be welcomed.
73 Dan/N0FPE
- Subj: LF DX
Date: 98-12-22 17:29:54 EST
From: bhkoehlermmm
Early sunday morning at around 2:30AM CST I was tuning around through
the LowFER band and heard A3O, JDH, KRY and OK from Shell Lake, WI. I
found A3O at about 182.9 KHz which is not the frequency that's published
in the latest LOWDOWN.
A couple of the Pennsylvania guys seem to have been trying other frequencies, without publicizing it. -JHD
I've heard OK several times this season, but
this time on 189.99 KHz. I was beginning to wonder if I was going to
hear any LF DX this season. After replacing capacitors in my IC751
display board and switching to battery power during listening, noise
levels were low enough to hear some DX!
I've been experimenting with
the BK transmitter, and exchanging BPSK messages with LEK on weekends.
BK is running on 187.500 KHz this week, but I may settle on a different
frequency in the future. Local LowFERS LEK, SAM, RM, and BRO are all
putting in good signals at Shell Lake, WI. Last night in Maplewood MN
at about 5:30 PM CST I could hear LEK, BK, SAM and RM using just the 80M
dipole connected to the Kenwood TS440S/AT. Usually I listen with a
remote tuned loop in the back yard, but the noise levels were so low
that I thought I'd try the bare dipole. Sure helps when the neighbors
aren't home so their light dimmers are off.
73, Bruce W0BK, BK
- Subj: Copied Christmas greeting from BOB
Date: 98-12-22 12:07:15 EST
From: lylemlecmn (Lyle Koehler)
I copied the special holiday message from BOB this morning at 0615 CST.
Happy holidays from Lyle K0LR
- Subj: LF in Italy
Date: 98-12-22 10:11:36 EST
From: benscosmiol.it (BENVENUTI Vittorio)
Dear friend,
from 26.3.98 also in Italy is permitted operation......
Band: 135.7 - 137.8 Khz
Power: 1 W e.r.p. max Use on secondary basis .....
From my side some effort to listen somebody ....
73's de i3vfj, Vittorio
- Subj: Harry's Homebrew Homepage
Date: 98-12-22 08:20:07 EST
From: Harold.Lythallera.ericsson.se (Harold Lythall (ERA))
Unfortunately the (February, 1998) reference to my homepage is no longer valid. I have three sites on the net, the data you
want is in the same place of the same page, but on a different server:
http://hem2.passagen.se/sm0vpo/#rx
best regards from Harry SM0VPO
- Subj: Great LWCA Pages
Date: 98-12-21 04:42:11 EST
From: GREG6FZHaol
They keep getting better and better!
Seasons greetings.
Greg Greenwood, WB6FZH/KH6 Kaneohe Bay, Ohau, HI
(Visit Greg's pages at: http://members.aol.com/greg6fzh/ -JHD.)
- Subj: DX Camp
Date: 98-12-21
From: "Jacques d'Avignon"
Good morning:
The results of the DX camp were FANTASTIC! The LW band was hot and
on Saturday night the conditions were so good that we could listen on
the speaker, to Anne Murray's songs being broadcasted by Iceland on
189. Many Icelandic Xmas songs were heard during the evening.
Iceland on 189 normally appeared around 21:00 UTC and could still be
heaed around 11:00 UTC. The best quality was in the middle of the
night here.
I personnaly logged close to 100 beacons and the following countries
were logged on LW:
Ireland, France (2), Britain, Germany (2), Morocco (2), Iceland and
possibly Turkey and Poland.
One Lowfer was copied on Friday afternoon: KRY.
Missing was the "Bubbler"!!! See Lyle's message...
The camp is located at 44 47N 77 46W. Antenna was a 1000ft Beverage terminated in a counterpoise aimed at
Europe, an unterminated 500ft Beverage aimed due south, the receivers
used were a mix of Icom, Drake and Kenwood. Ancillary equipment
ranged from DSP filters, active antenna for phasing purposes, Datong
LF converter and many others.
Reception conditions were excellent till Saturday afternoon when a
buzz appeard on the LF band. This happened after a rainfall and we
suspect that it was leakage across the insulators of high voltage
feeder lines but the LF signals could still be copied in the buzz.
Personnaly, I feel that the conditions were the best that I have seen
on LF in the last 5 to 10 years.
Hopefully the new year will bring more action on the low band, in the
meantime I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a
peaceful New Year.
Jacques d'Avignon
- Subj: Propagation
Date: 98-12-20 21:40:25 EST
From: stealthnetnitco (stealth)
I have been noting very good propagation on the LF bands into Europe and
Africa. Friday evening at about 7:00 p.m. central, I was copying
broadcasting on 153, 189, 198, 207 kc. I believe 153kc is Bechar,
Algeria. The BBC was on 198kc with news. Tonight, 12/20/98, Bechar is in
again on 153kc with talk and music. Modulation is low on these sigs, but
maybe it's my Hi-Q tuned circuits, I don't know. Just thought I'd see if
anyone else noticed these good conditions!
Ken Berkebile....(NB9I)
- Subj: LowFERs heard
Date: 98-12-20 10:53:34 EST
From: lylemlecmn (Lyle Koehler)
I've been a bit lax in providing reception reports this season. Here is
a list of LowFER beacons heard at Aitkin, MN, from Dec. 11th through Dec.
20th:
| KRY | X | BRO | A3O | JDH |
| GIR | RB | NC | BK | YHO |
| QYV | SAM | RM | OK | TEXAS (BPSK & CW) |
73 from Lyle, K0LR
- Subj: ZL3FJ 177 kHz beacon up and running at last
Date: 98-12-20 04:56:16 EST
From: tractorbihug.co.nz (David Brown)
The ZL3FJ 177 kHz beacon is up and running from its location at the old
Gebbies Pass AM transmitting site just outside Christchurch in the South
Island of New Zealand. This beacon will be on the air until the end of
January 1999 when the antenna towers are due to be dismantled.
The beacon is currently running a conventional CW ID and QBF message at
around 10 wpm. Power is around 50 watts ex the tx and feeds into a 300
foot (approx 90 metres) high folded monopole antenna arrangement made up of
one of the original support towers(grounded) for the old AM antenna and a
down wire which terminates in a matching network and low pass filter. This
configuration was originally used as a standby antenna.
Operating frequency is 177 kHz, plus/minus less than 30 Hz. Not measured
accurately as yet.
I intend adding power stepping and other enhancements after Christmas and
the format of the ID will change then but I will advise details via the
internet. If there is enough interest I may try manning the site for live
bothway LF contacts but LF reception there is as yet an unknown quantity.
Two operational 10 kW BC band txs on another mast 500 metres down the hill
could make things a bit difficult!
Reports etc to ZL3FJ, Dave Brown
- Subj: AWG beacon: No more bubbles?
Date: 98-12-18 16:40:56 EST
From: lylemlecmn (Lyle Koehler)
When I talked to Gary of Fairchild Communications on Wednesday, Dec.
16th, he checked the files and found that AWG is one of a few beacons
that use a synthesizer rather than crystal control. It was late
afternoon when he called, and AWG had not returned to its proper
frequency all day. Gary said he would fly to Washington, IA to check it
out the next day (Dec 17th). Shortly before noon on the 17th, AWG was
still bubbling on 216 kHz, but when I returned from a shopping trip late
in the afternoon, it was back to normal operation on 219 kHz and has
been there every time I checked since then. Looks like the skies over
Iowa are safe again :-)
Thanks to Jerry, KD0CA for all the help in chasing this one down.
Lyle, K0LR
- Subj: DCH back on.
Date: 98-12-17 20:50:18 EST
From: dav3yayshore.intercom (dave holland)
Beacon DCH is back on the air, same freq. 187.336kc. Medfer beacon "DD"
is off for now, just to many BC stations using our band. Hope all have a
safe holiday.
Dave K3YAY, DCH
- Subj: AWG Beacon: Update
Date: 98-12-15 09:25:05 EST
From: jbartacmax.state.ia.us (Jerry Bartachek)
To: lylemlecmn.net
CC: LWCANews
Dear Lyle,
I found out a little more about the non-directional aviation beacon
"AWG" in Washington, IA. The company that maintains the beacon is
Fairchild Communications, in Boone, IA (Tel 1-800-262-3833).
I spoke with Gary at Fairchild Comm., and he told me a lot about the
beacon after I told him the info you e-mailed to me. He firmly believes
that the beacon is not changing freq when you hear the strange
abberations on the signal. He said the antenna is so high Q that it is
often hard to get a modulated signal thru the antenna without it cutting
off some of the sidebands! The VLF antennas are often set up with a
series resistor in them to broaden the bandwidth and lower the Q. (This
was a big surprise to me, but does make sense considering the low freq
and the small antennas)
Gary said that this beacon is a dual carrier 25 watt beacon with
carriers on 219 Khz and 220.020 Khz. Gary was surprised you folks go
SWL-ing in the VLF bands! He also said that he thinks what may be
happening, is that at dusk, other beacon sigs may be heterodyning at
your location, as their signals are propagated to you via dual
propagation modes at sun down. These beacons are primarily groundwave
stations, Gary said, but thinks that there may be some additional
skywave propagation from beacons causing the odd-sounding out-of-phase
signals.
Gary also says there are US Coast Guard navigation beacons located in
Illinois that you may be hearing in the form of harmonics, or
heterodying with the aviation beacons. Wow, this is heady stuff! I
wonder if you VLF buffs can do some research or measurements to find out
what is causing the signals you are hearing.
P.S. Gary says the AWG beacon is never off by more than 6 or 7 Hz in the
annual frequency checks. Very stable, xtal controlled transmitters, he
says.
73, _ _ __ __ / __ _
| |/ / | \ | / | / \
| \ | | | /| | |___|
|_|\_\ |__/ |/_| |__ | |
/
Jerry L. Bartachek KD0CA <><
Washington, IA
IA QRP #10
QRP ARCI #5166
- Reply 1: Most interesting. Thanks for CC'ing to the message board, Jerry. I suspect that, even though the unit is crystal-controlled, the final frequencies are probably derived by PLL synthesis. The PLL could have an intermittent problem that would produce the sort of effect being reported. I'm not inclined to think heterodynes or harmonics are involved, since the spectrum of the detected signal as posted on Lyle's Web page pretty distinctly indicated frequency shift. - JHD
- Subj: Beginner info.
Date: 98-12-13 22:49:31 EST
From: edolenawtco (Edward A. O'Lena)
I had a Lafayette reciever when I was in High School in the mid 70's and
I used to listen to all the stuff on the LF band. I am interested in
learning more of this part of the spectrum including the Part 15
sub-band. Could someone recomend a book or two for the beginner?
Something that could tell how to find gear to operate..
Tnx,
Ed N1YLN
************************************************************************
Edward A. O'Lena http://www.qsl.net/n1yln/ ARS: N1YLN
Southbury, CT ICQ#: 13921213 10-10#:68982
If the People Lead, The Leaders will Follow
************************************************************************
- Subj: equipment......
Date: 98-12-13 10:37:14 EST
From: N9smjcrfaol
Hi everyone. Just wondering how I can get into this without too much cash outlay. Any comments would be appreciated.
Used to listen back in the 1960's on my old Knight-Kit Star Roamer, that Dad & I built.
Tnx & 73......N9SMJ
- Subj: Information Update
Date: 98-12-13 13:37:51 EST
From: hhliiibcpl (Henry H. Lee III)
I am a current LWCA member, and would like to submit my e-mail address
as: ------------ . I do plan to put on a beacon sometime. I wonder if
anyone likes to listen to the Art Bell radio show; he often has
interesting guests, like Charlie Plyler. I have a friend in the
Harrisburg,PA area who records longwave-related programs for me. Happy
Holidays to all and best for 1999.
- Subj: GIR frequency change
Date: 98-12-11 09:52:54 EST
From: lylemlecmn (Lyle Koehler)
I haven't seen a posting regarding a frequency change for GIR (maybe I
slept through it), but this morning he was good copy on 186.38 kHz.
That's my best guess, since the IC-751A readout is only good to 100 Hz.
Very good signals between the static crashes. This a much better
frequency at my location; last night at 2200 CST the Iceland LW
broadcast station on 189 kHz was nearly 50 dB over S9!
Lyle, K0LR
I don't think you slept through a posting regarding the change. Thanks for passing it on! - JHD
- Subj: Amateur Radio on the LF Bands
Date: 98-12-09 20:03:28 EST
From: steve.rawlingscableol.co.uk (Steve Rawlings)
I am active on the 136 kHz band and provide details of my LF station at:
http://www.cableol.net/alg/radio/136/intro.htm
Of course, you would be very welcome to include a link to my LF pages
from your web site.
With best regards,
Steve Rawlings, GW4ALG
- Subj: at CNN - Scientists: Radiation belts threaten
Date: 98-12-09 18:29:26 EST
From: eric.vogeleds (Vogel, Eric S)
Found at http://cnn.com/TECH/space/9812/08/radiation.belts/ :
Once thought to be a slumbering cocoon of charged particles
embracing the Earth, new research shows these radiation belts
can become extremely powerful in a matter of seconds.
Detected 40 years ago, the doughnut-shaped particles belts
extending more than 20,000 miles around the planet were thought to
be very stable, waxing and waning over a period of months.
New observations by an array of satellites show changes in
the planet's own magnetic field can accelerate electrons in the belts
to nearly the speed of light, transforming them into what some
researchers describe as "killer electrons."
I'm not sure whether this has long wave implications or not but seems like
it might. Any comments? Any way to detect this from the ground?
Eric Vogel
972-605-3303
8, 835-3303
eric.vogeleds.com
- Reply 1: Hi, Eric. Yes, it seems entirely possible that this phenomenon might have LF implications, as any acceleration of a charged particle results in electromagnetic radiation. Anyone have further information on this discovery? - JHD
- Subj: The Ultimate QSL?
Date: 98-12-08 20:27:07 EST
From: n4zvroanoke.infi (n4zv)
I've had a lot of fun lately, sending WAV files along with reception
reports to some of the beacon operators I've heard.
There's also the special kick for the recipient of HEARING his beacon at
a distant location.
Since my computer room is located some distance from the shack, I keep a
cassette recorder handy while monitoring...then dump it in the machine
at e-mail time.
It's fast, easy, and actually cheaper than snail-mail.
If you're Media Ready...you're ready.
If not, a sound card makes a nice addition to your Christmas
"wish-list".
73,
Bart N4ZV/VA
- Subj: AFRICA
Date: 98-12-08 12:51:32 EST
From: lylemlecmn (Lyle Koehler)
I finally gave AFRICA a fair test, running on a computer that's close
enough to the radio so I wasn't radiating crud from the interconnecting
cables. Last night at about 10 PM CST, TEXAS was 30 per cent copy with
the COHERENT decoder, and over 90 per cent copy with AFRICA. Just for
kicks I tried again at 11:20 AM CST today. COHERENT was able to sync on
TEXAS and start printing fragments of the ID within a few seconds.
Switching to AFRICA, with AUTOFREQ on, SYNC off and the time constant
set to 20 seconds, copy improved to about 90 per cent (one line of 80
characters had only 4 misses). No frame grabber -- real-time copy at
MS100, ET1, over a daytime path of about 950 miles. There isn't an awful
lot of sea water between Texas and Minnesota, either. I could not detect
any signal on 189.900 by ear, even with the narrowest filter bandwidth.
Congratulations to Bill de Carle for his excellent software and to Bill
Cantrell for a great LowFER signal.
Lyle, K0LR
- Subj: QYV Q5 in MI
Date: 98-12-07 20:55:32 EST
From: tkennedy8csi (Tom Kennedy)
To: LWCANews
CC: snozsgi.net (Bob Sethman)
Hi Bob,
Returning to LW monitoring after more than 10 years. Using R8B and 600 ft
Beverage. Operated beacon TK (K8TK) back in mid 80's near Jackson Michigan.
Hearing QYV, YHO, GIR AND A3O.
73, Tom
- Subj: Bubbles is back!
Date: 98-12-07 19:10:59 EST
From: lylemlecmn (Lyle Koehler)
The bubble signal is back on 216 kHz this evening (December 7th). Its
return coincided roughly with the onset of cooler weather here in the
upper Midwest. That gives some support to the idea that beacon AWG is
having a temperature problem. However, the bubble signal appeared before
sunset on December 6th and was gone again later in the evening (at which
time AWG was on its normal frequency). Anyway, those who missed hearing
it have another chance.
Lyle, K0LR
- Subj: Re: QYV Q5 in NC
Date: 98-12-07 00:44:30 EST
From: snozsgi (Bob Sethman)
Dexter,
Tnx for report, and yes frequency is correct that you monitored. 188.57
Moved freq. again to get away from crud....
Bob
- Subj: QYV Q5 in NC
Date: 98-12-06 03:49:25 EST
From: dmcintyreatt (Dexter McIntyre W4DEX)
I just spent a few hours of serious early morning LF beacon monitoring.
The only beacon I heard was QYV and the signal was better than 10 db
above the noise! QYV's frequency is listed as 188.165. I found it at
188.570. The signal was consistent over the few hours from about 1:30
to 3:30 a.m. est.
73, Dex, W4DEX, LF Beacon NC on 187.050 KHz
- Subj: Maritime Question
Date: 98-12-05 20:33:54 EST
From: RFCOMMSYSaol
Hi,
I am a new member, and am returning to LW DX after a few years hiatus. I'm
sure all of you seasoned DXers out there will think this is a stupid question,
but ... what happened to all those marine (maritime) beacons I used to hear
around 300 khz or so? I am located in the Great Lakes area, and used
to enjoy squeezing those 5-watt midgets out of the static. Have they all
been abandoned to GPS?
Rich
- Reply 1: 'Fraid so. The powers that be consider LF beacons obsolete for marine use these days. Maybe one of the other readers can give us a better account of the timeline, but I believe virtually all of them are gone now. - JHD
- Subj: New LowFER
Date: 98-12-05 20:14:28 EST
From: w0rwworldnet.att (w0rw)
Please listen for "RW" Beacon CW on 164 KHz from Colorado Springs...
1600 to 2300 MST.
Send your signal reports to:
WA2XRM
P.O. BOX 6069,
Colorado Springs, CO 80934.
Paul Signorelli
- Subj: 1641.5 MPK Beacon
Date: 98-12-05 12:48:28 EST
From: w2mpkdreamscape (Don Moth)
This is to inform you that my MPK beacon 1641.5 is now off the air due
to cover-up by the broadcast station on 1640 Khz. If I can find a suitable
frequency I will start it up again and notify you.
My LOWFER beacon is back on 177.9 Khz operating 24/7 at the present time.
Thank you,
Don
- Subj: Final status report of DJL's new operation
Date: 98-12-04 01:23:37 EST
From: DJL4LOONSaol
Just a note- I now have my SSB /CW transmitter up and running (a Curry Communications EXP 1750). My fiance Amy Caputi and I both built this same model side-by-side...and guess whose worked first... HERS! Guess whose spat fire (literally) after turning it on... MINE! (oops) I had hers running on my frequency and format to test it out, but ours are both up and running now. Works great- I had to replace a few parts on mine... a capacitor exploded and a chip popped...after I realized I had the power polarity reversed accidentally- a most basic mistake- but mine is now fixed and in action on 188.000 kHz!
Good DX to all!
-Darwin Long
- Subj: DJL Beacon
Date: 98-12-03 23:16:54 EST
From: Lovedjlaol
Hi everybody!
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Amy Caputi, and it is is who
am responsible for the construction of the current DJL transmitter. Unfortunately,
Darwin had some problems with the kit supplied to him by Dave Curry-nothing
serious, just a couple of defective parts. At any rate, I agreed to let him use
the one I built from an identical kit. Anyway, I'm surprised that someone of
my lacking electrics knowledge and mechanical ineptitude was able to make the
project succeed, but here we are, and I'm now technically a longwave operator!
Darwin should have his up and running shortly, and I'll keep you all posted as to what
my new call letters will be. One last thing: please don't inundate me with too much
technical jargon! I'd love to be able to talk to you all in depth, but I'm new at this,
so let's stick to the basics. It will truly be a pleasure to share such an interesting
hobby with everyone!
Best regards, Amy
- Subj: Tower Base Insulators and Shunt Fed Towers
Date: 98-12-02 19:50:33 EST
From: bickingmwci (rbicking)
I'm shunt feeding my 50+ ft. tower supporting a Mosley Pro 67C on the 80
and 160m ham bands and it gets out very well. The 67C acts like a big top
hat (44 ft. elements). For the lowfer band, the tower with top hat will
look capacitive (unless it is prohibitively tall which wouldn't be legal)
so a series inductor will be needed between the tower base and ground, even
when shunt feeding it, and tower base insulation will be needed.
My tower
is from Glen Martin Eng. and is aluminum so weighs only about 175 lb. plus
antenna so it should be possible to insulate it. However, to keep life
simple, I'm using a separate telescoping tubular antenna with an inductance
coil at the bottom for lowfer "RB". If you want to find out more about
shunt feeding towers, "Antennas and Techniques for Low Band DX'ing"
available from the ARRL covers it in detail (as well as almost everything
else about low frequency antennas).
73,
Rob, W9RB
- Reply 1: Thanks for the additional thoughts on this subject. I'm glad you pointed out the need for insulation and a base inductor when shunt-feeding a short tower this way at LF. Otherwise, the whole arrangement would behave only like a very small loop antenna and not be nearly as effective. - JHD
- Subj: Re: Bubble signal gone?
Date: 98-12-02 14:06:54 EST
From: tabutleruswest (Todd Butler)
Lyle Koehler wrote:
> The bubble signal near 216 kHz has not been present for the past
> several nights. Maybe they fixed the AWG transmitter??
>
Maybe they heard us discussing it.....(Darn) bureaucrats can't leave bad
enough alone!
Todd N0NCL
- Subj: New version of HAMVIEW
Date: 98-12-02 11:15:48 EST
From: dibeneusa (Alberto di Bene)
Gentlemen,
This message is to make you aware the version 2.10 of
the program HAMVIEW has been uploaded to the site:
http://www.freeyellow.com/members/padan
This freeware program is expecially suited for detecting weak signals
below the noise floor (EME, VLF).
73,
Alberto di Bene, I2PHD
- Subj: Bubble signal gone?
Date: 98-12-02 09:44:52 EST
From: lylemlecmn (Lyle Koehler)
The bubble signal near 216 kHz has not been present for the past several
nights. Maybe they fixed the AWG transmitter??
Lyle, K0LR