Technical Topics > Propagation

Is my radio dead though?

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Kage:
I've never heard it this bad before. The last week has been a clustersuck of thunderstorms and local stations only. I'm not talking just SW either but even the MW band that I trust in has been getting weak in the X-band range.

I seriously thought for a bit that it was my radio or antenna or a lightning storm that deafened my radio because I have never heard it get this quiet. Doesn't help that this data station on LW around 300Kc I use as a test station to make sure everything is fine that usually gives me a full signal strength reading is now gone quiet but I think it finally went off air.
The only station that helped me confirm things are still working somewhat was the pirate X-FM with his booming signal and WBCQ, but even those were below the norm I am used to (outside of the superstation).

It's not my radio though, I tested a few radios, then really thought either I am losing my mind or my antenna broke connection somewhere. I have an inverted L up 35' with about 100' horizontal that I also use for AM pirating when the itch hits. Well just for shits I ran a low power TX test through my usual untouched tuning unit and sure enough my SWR was fine through the old wire, so it's not my antenna or ground system.
It is REALLY THIS QUIET! Time to toss the radios and go to stringed can communication? :'(

ChrisSmolinski:
I have a few reference stations I use to check antennas/etc to make sure nothing is wrong.  Local MW stations are best for that, even on HF antennas. You just need to know what the normal signal strength is, then check for any major deviation from that.

Propagation has been different lately, but I would not personally label it all bad. 11 and 22 meter have been open for periods each day, for example. And I had great signals on 48 meters from Europirates last night, but marred by the usual summertime static.

Pigmeat:
Sounds like it's dead, but check it out per Chris's instructions. The front end of my good ol' Sangean 404 went last weekend due to tornado spawning storms kicking out some serious lightning. The whip was retracted and it wasn't near wires leading outside. Now it growls on FM, is dead on SW, and eats batteries in minutes on AM.

Josh:
Generally if the noise comes up when attaching an antenna, that's about all the sensitivity you need. If the noise doesn't come up when you attach the antenna, you have a problem.

In the last few weeks it's been fairly quiet on hf, meaning weak sigs all around save for the typical bcasters, these are the times when a rx with a good s/n front end would be useful, but hf is usually so noisy a low s/n amp is irrelevant.

Kage:
Last night things were mostly back to normal. Lots of strong SW stations and every MW channel packed pegging my S meter.
I think it's just these summer conditions and I should know that since it's nothing new to me during this time of year. I do think the solar cycle is playing a hand in it though because when things get quiet they get real quiet. Sure there's static when connecting the aerial but there are times when I wonder if my radio is dead but of course it isn't. I have other rigs and antennas to compare it to  8)

Even my friend who I helped convince to buy an ATS909 like mine asked me the other day if there are less stations to listen to or what the deal was. He's new to DXing so he was confused why he wasn't pulling in the stations he normally hears in winter. Had to explain to him that summer kind of sucks to begin with for MW and that we're at the lowest part of the 11 year cycle which effects SW. Glad I'm not the only one living here wondering.

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