HFU HF Underground

Loggings => Longwave Loggings => Topic started by: ChrisSmolinski on December 07, 2017, 0123 UTC

Title: Some NDB Logs 0000 UTC 7 Dec 2017
Post by: ChrisSmolinski on December 07, 2017, 0123 UTC
I actually started at the top end of the NDB band , and worked my way down... until I ran out of time. Wow... there are a lot of beacons!

It's interesting how many came from NC/SC. Is that due to lots of beacons in that area, or propagation? Very few from the northeast.  I now understand how the different ID periods are a good thing, if you have two beacons on the same frequency, you can pick out the IDs as the relative phase between them changes.

362 SB ON 636
363 RNB JN 156km
365 DYB SC 799 km
366 YMW QC 723 km
367 FVX VA 295 km
368 ZYZ ON 484 km
373 2Q  QC 774 km
375 7B  ON 489 km
376 BHC GA 1016 km
376 LC OH 510 km
377 YRR ON 627 km
378 RJ  QC 1049 km
379 BRA NC 695 km
379 YPQ ON 517 km
385 EMR GA 827 km
384 F8  QC 815 km
388 CDX KY 745 km
388 RNW NC 467 km
389 PVC MA 620 km
390 JT  NL 1741 km
391 FIQ TX 1836 km
392 ML QC 1024 km  (very confusing there is an ML from LA on the same frequency! At least different sidebands)
394 DTE TN 851 km
397 CIR IL 1111 km
402 LW  MA 577 km
401 Y8  QC 775 km
404 YSL NB 1103 km
404 CKI SC 716 km
407 IL  ON 583 km
407 FR  NY 315 km
407 ZHU QC 710 km
409 YTA ON 677 km
410 JU  NC 529 km
42 CTZ NC 542 km
414 FDW SX 708 km
414 3U QC 654 km
415 CBC Cayman 2245 km
417 HQT NC 502 km
417 SLP NC 646 km
420 CFY SC 700 km
420 TU  MS 1220 km
423 SIF NC 447 km
426 IZS GA 1039 km
426 UV  MS 1272 km
432 IZN NC 596 km
515 OS  OH 538 km
516 YWA ON 687 km
521 GM  SC 732 km
Title: Re: Some NDB Logs 0000 UTC 7 Dec 2017
Post by: ChrisSmolinski on December 07, 2017, 0142 UTC
I should mention, these were monitored on the new AirSpyHF+, using SDR Console on a (gasp!) Windows machine. Also using the new Crossed Parallel Loop antenna. So basically everything is new.

OK a few more, now I am done for the evening. This is too addicting  ;D

344 YGV QC 1566 km
344 JA  FL 1119 km
346 VU  NC 546 km
349 APG MD 70 km
350 DF  NL 1860 km
351 MSQ VA 165 km
353 LI  AR 1470 km
356 AY  NL 2062 km
356 HEU NY 426 km
360 PN QC 1495 km
361 HB NC 479 km
362 SUR GA 1070 km
Title: Re: Some NDB Logs 0000 UTC 7 Dec 2017
Post by: KaySeeks on December 07, 2017, 0845 UTC
I now understand how the different ID periods are a good thing, if you have two beacons on the same frequency, you can pick out the IDs as the relative phase between them changes.

Yes, that and the tone frequency differences (1 KHz vs. 400 Hz).

An SDR and ability to adjust the passband really helps, IMO.

The CW speed is slow enough that you can read many of the characters right off the SDR screen if the scroll rate is fast enough and SNR is high enough.
Title: Re: Some NDB Logs 0000 UTC 7 Dec 2017
Post by: pinto vortando on December 07, 2017, 0951 UTC
Seem to observe the same thing here regarding NC/SC...  and also Iowa.   ???
Title: Re: Some NDB Logs 0000 UTC 7 Dec 2017
Post by: Josh on December 07, 2017, 2034 UTC
From a bit north of Iowa down to Texas is some of the most conductive soil in the US, it just may help sigs get to your rig. Also, Iowa may not have much in the way of population but there's small town airports just about everywehre.
Title: Re: Some NDB Logs 0000 UTC 7 Dec 2017
Post by: pinto vortando on December 07, 2017, 2114 UTC
From a bit north of Iowa down to Texas is some of the most conductive soil in the US, it just may help sigs get to your rig. Also, Iowa may not have much in the way of population but there's small town airports just about everywehre.

Hmmm, tnx Josh,  interesting observations.
Title: Re: Some NDB Logs 0000 UTC 7 Dec 2017
Post by: jFarley on December 07, 2017, 2116 UTC
IA does indeed have a large number of NDBs known to be active.  There are about 26.  But this pales in comparison with NC/SC (about 63 total), TX (about 60), and GA (about 49).  Some of the Canadian provinces have far greater than these.

Re your comment about there being a lot of beacons: more than one would suspect.  Since the start of my season (1Aug17) I have been able to log just over 900, and TBH, props have been awful.

Chris, it sounds like your initiation into the Dark Side is almost complete.  Log a few from South America and you may be hooked.  Best bets are:

GPI 309 (CLM)
PAL 365 (EQA)
SLS 415 (EQA)

All are common in the evening hours.

You are also in a good location to hear SAL 274 (CPV).  Note that this is A1A, but it is reportedly 3 kW.