Early Winter 2015 NDB logs

[jFarley]

New or interesting NDBs added to the logbook.

201.0    RI       Riviere Du Loup, QC, CAN    (2015-12-10 0344z; 1594 Km  200W)
204.0    YFY     Forbay - Iqaluit, NU, CAN    (2015-11-25 0308z; 2741 Km  1500W)
205.0    LNH    Millen, GA, USA    (2015-12-14 0340z; 1127 Km  25W)
209.0    SYS    Stoystown' Somerset, PA, USA    (2015-12-14 0350z; 788 Km  25W)
213.0    YRC    St. Honore' Chicoutimi, QC, CAN    (2015-12-18 0450z; 1513 Km  25W)
216.0    ME      Matane, QC, CAN    (2015-11-24 0308z; 1771 Km  100W)
221.0    BJT     Bulldog' Athens, GA, USA    (2015-12-14 0409z; 973 Km  25W)  
221.0    HS      Hanco' Bay Saint Louis, MS, USA    (2015-12-03 0332z; 1275 Km  25W)  
221.0    YAS    Kangirsuk, QC, CAN    (2015-12-18 0505z; 2367 Km  500W)
224.0    QM     Moncton, NB, CAN    (2015-12-14 0117z; 1929 Km  400W)
227.0    CPC    Camp' Whiteville, NC, USA    (2015-12-14 0418z; 1168 Km  25W)  
227.0    UZ      Rally' Rock Hill, SC, USA    (2015-12-17 0254z; 980 Km  25W)  NEW
236.0    BW     Noora' Bowling Green, KY, USA    (2015-12-14 0425z; 729 Km)   NEW
237.0    EZF    Shannon' Fredericksburg, VA, USA    (2015-12-14 0430z; 979 Km  25W)  NEW
242.0    LE      Blayd' Lexington, KY, USA    (2015-11-24 0321z; 515 Km)    
245.0    ARM    Wharton, TX, USA    (2015-12-18 0403z; 1579 Km)   NEW
245.0    JYL     Sylvania, GA, USA    (2015-12-14 0328z; 1166 Km  25W)
245.0    PTN    Patterson, LA, USA    (2015-12-18 0408z; 1381 Km)   NEW
245.0    UDG    Darlington, SC, USA    (2015-11-25 0316z; 1085 Km  25W)  
248.0    PQF     Mesquite, TX, USA    (2015-11-25 0357z; 1257 Km  25W)  
251.0    BR      Larew' Brainerd, MN, USA    (2015-12-15 1241z; 706 Km)   NEW
252.0    SMS    Sumter, SC, USA    (2015-11-26 0317z; 1098 Km  25W)  
257.0    CEU    Clemson, SC, USA    (2015-11-26 0323z; 911 Km  25W)
257.0    DT      Pinck' Denton, TX, USA    (2015-12-18 0414z; 1253 Km)   NEW 
260.0    UFX    St. Felix de Valois, QC, CAN    (2015-12-18 0421z; 1257 Km  25W)
263.0    BGF    Boiling Fork' Winchester, TN, USA    (2015-11-24 0329z; 758 Km  25W)    
263.0    RO     Rogers, AR, USA    (2015-11-29 0255z; 793 Km)    
272.0    GLS    Galapagos, , GAL    (2015-12-15 0507z; 4711 Km)   NEW
275.0    RU      Rovdy' Salisbury, NC, USA    (2015-12-04 0348z; 941 Km)    
278.0    AUR    Sulfy' Sulphur, LA, USA    (2015-12-10 0422z; 1386 Km)    
278.0    CEP    Capitan' Ruidoso, NM, USA    (2015-12-18 0429z; 1789 Km  25W)
280.0    QX      Gander, NL, CAN    (2015-12-10 0306z; 2695 Km  1000W)
311.0    DVK    Goodall' Danville, KY, USA    (2015-12-16 2309z; 547 Km)   NEW  
317.0    ZZR    Trenton (Apt)' Severn, ON, CAN    (2015-12-01 0210z; 878 Km  50W)
326.0    ZEF    Zephyr' Elkin, NC, USA    (2015-12-09 0154z; 878 Km)    
329.0    BQP    Bastrop, LA, USA    (2015-11-24 0344z; 1066 Km  25W)    
329.0    RVN    Rogersville, TN, USA    (2015-11-24 0345z; 744 Km  25W)    
330.0    BH      Surry' Bar Harbor, ME, USA    (2015-12-01 0235z; 1622 Km  25W)  
332.0    CZX    Crosbyton, TX, USA    (2015-12-18 0433z; 1480 Km)   NEW
332.0    DKA    Kenan' Kenansville, NC, USA    (2015-12-08 0223z; 1152 Km  25W)  
335.0    CK      Snuff' Clarksville, TN, USA    (2015-12-09 0207z; 593 Km)    
336.0    BDB    Accomack' Melfa, VA, USA    (2015-12-09 0220z; 1145 Km)    
338.0    CYR    Caidy' Cairo, GA, USA    (2015-12-08 0233z; 1265 Km  25W)  
338.0    POB    Pope' Fayetteville, NC, USA    (2015-11-24 0354z; 1074 Km  50W)    
339.0    MKR    Milk River' Glasgow, MT, USA    (2015-12-07 1126z; 1625 Km)    
339.0    OP      Yates' Thomaston, GA, USA    (2015-12-01 0254z; 1044 Km)    
340.0    OIA    Oiapoque (AP), , BRA    (2015-12-01 0317z; 5548 Km  100W)   very lucky to see a quick fadeup on this
342.0    ST      Hussk' St Cloud, MN, USA    (2015-12-04 0409z; 631 Km)    
343.0    YGO    Gods Lake Narrows, MB, CAN    (2015-12-04 0412z; 1495 Km  25W)  
349.0    AAF    Apalachicola, FL, USA    (2015-12-08 0308z; 1372 Km  25W)  
350.0    D7      Kincardine, ON, CAN    (2015-11-26 0334z; 579 Km  25W)  
350.0    RB      Resolute Bay, NU, CAN    (2015-11-24 0357z; 3679 Km  3000W)
353.0    VV      Junne' Greensboro, GA, USA    (2015-12-01 0337z; 1009 Km)  
355.0    CS     Fenix' Columbus, GA, USA    (2015-12-08 0700z; 1077 Km)    
356.0    AY      St Anthony, NL, CAN    (2015-11-24 0409z; 2632 Km  25W)  
356.0    GMZ    Grindstone Mountain' Bowie, TX, USA    (2015-12-18 0537z; 1258 Km)   NEW
356.0    PTT    Pratt, KS, USA    (2015-12-10 0435z; 1025 Km  25W)   NEW
356.0    ZXE    Barnes (Saskatoon), SK, CAN    (2015-11-29 0238z; 1810 Km  39W)  
357.0    IM       Keans' Asheville, NC, USA    (2015-11-24 0403z; 842 Km)    
359.0    FXY    Forest City, IA, USA    (2015-11-28 0413z; 490 Km  25W)  
359.0    HHH    Devine, TX, USA    (2015-11-28 0413z; 1725 Km  25W)  
359.0    LXL    Little Falls, MN, USA    (2015-12-04 0418z; 688 Km  25W)  
359.0    YQZ    Quesnel, BC, CAN    (2015-11-24 0411z; 2844 Km)    
362.0    YZS    Coral Harbour, NU, CAN    (2015-11-24 0416z; 2502 Km  500W)
369.0    CXU    Camilla, GA, USA    (2015-12-17 0101z; 1227 Km  25W)  NEW
369.0    ZDX    Coolidge Saint Johns, , ATG    (2015-12-17 0101z; 3710 Km  1200W)  
370.0    HYW    Horry' Conway, SC, USA    (2015-12-17 0109z; 1183 Km  25W)  NEW
371.0    FQW    Walter Hill' Murfreesboro, TN, USA    (2015-11-25 0335z; 666 Km  25W)  
372.0    CQD    Cascade' Erie, PA, USA    (2015-12-17 0408z; 650 Km)   NEW
372.0    ZPA    Glass (Prince Albert), SK, CAN    (2015-11-24 0422z; 1823 Km  25W)    
374.0    HY      Nette' Hays, KS, USA    (2015-12-02 0323z; 1013 Km)  
375.0    PSN    Palestine, TX, USA    (2015-12-15 0437z; 1314 Km  25W)  NEW
375.0    RYB    Raymond, MS, USA    (2015-12-15 0432z; 1081 Km  25W)  NEW
375.0    SPH    Springhill, LA, USA    (2015-12-15 0430z; 1099 Km)
378.0    UX      Hall Beach, NU, CAN    (2015-11-24 0423z; 3025 Km  400W)  
379.0    DL      Pykla' Duluth, MN, USA    (2015-12-17 1220z; 660 Km)   NEW
385.0    CPZ    Chaparrosa Ranch' La Pryor, TX, USA    (2015-12-18 0548z; 1806 Km  25W)  NEW
385.0    DXB    De Ridder, LA, USA    (2015-12-18 0544z; 1322 Km)   NEW
385.0    TKL    Tikal' Santa Elena Y Flores (Peten), , GTM    (2015-12-18 0547z; 2782 Km)   
388.0    CDX    Cumberland River' Somerset, KY, USA    (2015-12-14 0219z; 608 Km  25W)
388.0    H7      Manitoulin East (Manitowaning), ON, CAN    (2015-12-14 0219z; 663 Km  25W)  
390.0    OWC    Coffee County' Douglas, GA, USA    (2015-12-10 0443z; 1244 Km  25W)  NEW
391.0    GXD    Nacogdoches, TX, USA    (2015-12-18 0556z; 1282 Km  25W)  NEW
392.0    JNM     Monroe, GA, USA    (2015-12-18 0554z; 976 Km  25W)  NEW
394.0    MK      Mersy' Jackson, TN, USA    (2015-12-18 0558z; 708 Km)   NEW
402.0    M3      Kindersley, SK, CAN    (2015-12-15 0519z; 1938 Km)   NEW
406.0    TT      Leeco' Sanford, NC, USA    (2015-11-26 0351z; 1044 Km)    
406.0    YLJ     Meadow Lake, SK, CAN    (2015-11-26 0351z; 2048 Km  15W)  
407.0    BZ      Bullo' Statesboro, GA, USA    (2015-11-26 0349z; 1187 Km  25W)  
408.0    HBD    Hubbard, OH, USA    (2015-11-26 0356z; 624 Km)    
408.0    LQK    Lake Keowee' Pickins, SC, USA    (2015-11-26 0355z; 906 Km  25W)  
410.0    JU      Ashee' West Jefferson, NC, USA    (2015-11-26 0359z; 832 Km  25W)  
414.0    AZE    Hazlehurst, GA, USA    (2015-11-26 0405z; 1203 Km)    
424.0    RVJ    Prison' Reidsville, GA, USA    (2015-11-28 0140z; 1204 Km  25W)  


Conditions seemed to have turned the corner, storm noise is way down, and we are starting to see more consistent appearances of middle tier Canadian NDBs in or above the auroral zone.  It's Winter in my book!

[jFarley]

Things are proceeding nicely on the loop and its control software.  When things are running well, it is proving to be a very productive system.  It was anticipated that communications with the SBC server in the loop head would be the toughest part of the project, and that is indeed the case.  I have gone through a number of revisions or methods for communication with the loop server.

ATTEMPT 1:  Since I had a buried shielded CAT5 out to the site, the initial attempt here was to do a TCP link to the server.  Not so good.  This has exposed a number of issues with the Arduino Ethernet library, and I would need to rewrite a portion of the library to be compatible with the 3rd party library I generally use for TCP comms.  I am not going to do this in season, and this remains on the back burner for a summer project.

ATTEMPT 2:  A reliable PC USB to Arduino USB link was put in place.  I used a pair of inexpensive USB to CAT5 converters, one each at the upstream and downstream ends.  This works nearly flawlessly - I can even remotely upload firmware patches to the server Arduino - but is noisy.  At each end is a UIC4102 line converter which unfortunately employs a crystal resonator oscillator to drive the state machine controlling the USB half duplex link.  There appears to be a copious amount of spurious noise by the state machine clocking.



This noise can easily be seen in the above screencap around 305 and 350 kHz; it shows up in other places also, and can be seen on a Wellbrook loop about 2 meters away.  For the most part it is not too difficult to DX around the noise.

ATTEMPT 3:  I put in an RS485 link over CAT5 to see if I could get rid of the noise.  It did, but I also lost reliable comms with the server.  RS485 comms with the Arduino server requires intensive use of its interrupts, some of which were in conflict with things such as general timing and Stepper Motor control.  I kaboshed this for the time being, and have fallen back to the USB to CAT approach.

Both the USB over CAT5 and RS485 approaches share an additional problem.  By necessity, the CAT5 cable was buried along with the cable which connects to a pair of 3 wire rotors.  Moving a rotator while the server is connected to the PC USB port will occasionally generate enough noise to shut down or reset the PC USB port.  This requires a re-open of the port and a re-sync of the server, a 1.5 minute process.  We will just live with this for a while, until the next comm link is built.  This will be an 868 MHz wireless link, I hope.  I have picked out a pair of inexpensive transceivers which should be compatible with both ends, and have more than adequate range with their builtin chip antennas.  If not, there are many designs for DYI Yagi antennas floating around which should be cheap and easy to build.

What a long strange trip it's been.

[ChrisSmolinski]

jFarley: I like the use of a high tech UHF radio link to control an antenna for receiving [mostly CW] signals on long wave. But then I wrote software to perform long term integrations on LORAN-C transmissions  

[jFarley]

 

I'll do anything to break a groundloop!

[ChrisSmolinski]

Have you considered a fiber optic link?

[jFarley]

I have indeed thought about a fiber link, and that remains a possibility in the future.  I was planning to trench in a couple more RF cables to replace older above-the-ground runs which have become a little crusty.  It's a little too late in the season to do trenching here.  Maybe at that time I will add in a F/O run, and there is plenty of time to study the technology.

For the mean time, the 868 MHz link looks like the way to go in the short term.  The devices I have picked out seem to show low BER over a 50M line of sight using only the inherent on board chip antennas.  This range does increase nicely by using a pair of rubber duckies - the boards have provisions for mounting an SMA connector - and this is what I will do initially.  If all else fails, I could build a pair of YAGIs for about 10 bucks each.