HFU HF Underground

Loggings => MW Loggings => Topic started by: BDM on July 29, 2012, 1537 UTC

Title: Pirate logged on 920 KHz
Post by: BDM on July 29, 2012, 1537 UTC: I labeled this station part 15 but I know he's far from that. The reception gets better later in the recording along with station ID.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WH3jPeHGV8Y
Title: Re: Pirate logged on 920 KHz
Post by: Kilokat7 on July 29, 2012, 1815 UTC: Very cool catch BDM! Thanks for sharing the videos too. I wonder why he choose 920 KHz though? That'll be a challenge here with WOKY just a stone's throw across Lake Michigan.

Here's some info and other recordings I found:

http://archive.org/search.php?query=creator%3A%22ionosonde+recordings%22
Title: Re: Pirate logged on 920 KHz
Post by: BDM on July 29, 2012, 2040 UTC: Here is a better vid with more talking. He really has a great signal and great programming. May not be everyone's taste but hey, that's what free broadcasting is all about. I'll say this. I do NOT know him nor exactly where he is at. He's never given out any contact info. From my location he is around 5 miles away as the crow flies. I'm not at all sure what his equipment is. But I have heard him up to 8 miles away as the crow flies when there is no DX. So given the freq of 920 KHz. I'm VERY interested in what kind of antenna allows that. I know this. The area he lives in has lot sizes 150'x150' at best. And that is at best! Many are half that size. So while having 5 acres would allow for an antenna that would work well. It has me wondering hard what HE is using ??? I really wish he would move up the dial to 1710 KHz.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV3P4NyKPXQ
Title: Re: Pirate logged on 920 KHz
Post by: Beerus Maximus on July 30, 2012, 1404 UTC: It's possible he's using a vertical, which would not require any significant real estate.

Read this to get an idea: http://www.sstran.com/pages/sstran_buildant.html
Title: Re: Pirate logged on 920 KHz
Post by: BDM on July 30, 2012, 2110 UTC: Beerus that thought crossed my mind but it would still need to be fairly large at the freq with a good size loading coil. Plus I'd bet he's using more than say 10 watts (hihi)............In fact I would bet that is all he could be using at this point. Simply put, his area just wouldn't allow a large enough wire.
Title: Re: Pirate logged on 920 KHz
Post by: Beerus Maximus on July 30, 2012, 2301 UTC: Yeah, no doubt, it would be a hefty vertical. The choice of 920 is definitely and interesting one. Moving up towards 1710 opens up potential DX reception, but this would come with a lot more risk. I'm assuming that 920 is a pretty clear frequency in your area. If so, it's a good option for staying below the radar.
Title: Re: Pirate logged on 920 KHz
Post by: BDM on July 30, 2012, 2330 UTC: If all he wants is lets say a 3 mile radius with strong reliable reception without the possible DX footprint. Then he's found it.
Title: Re: Pirate logged on 920 KHz
Post by: Beerus Maximus on July 31, 2012, 0004 UTC: It's fun to speculate about what goes into an operation but I'd just sit back and enjoy the show. Trying to sniff around might spook the operator off the air. My 2 cents anyways.
Title: Re: Pirate logged on 920 KHz
Post by: BDM on July 31, 2012, 0211 UTC: This is true. Back to the receiver ;)
Title: Re: Pirate logged on 920 KHz
Post by: Pigmeat on July 31, 2012, 0245 UTC: If you went dusk to dawn with ten watts you could have decent sized audience,and be fairly stealthy,depending on where you are.