HFU HF Underground

Loggings => HF Beacons => Topic started by: kidgradius on April 12, 2018, 1306 UTC

Title: Unknown on 7268.00
Post by: kidgradius on April 12, 2018, 1306 UTC
Hi folks,
7268.00
2018-04-11
17:28 utc
Gaithersburg Md

I just purchased my first HF receiver, and just getting into the hobby. This is my first post, so please correct me if this is not the correct location.

I was tunning around the 40m HAM band, and found a beacon of some sort at 7268.00 kHz, and was surprised to hear it on this frequency.

Excited to start this hobby.

Title: Re: Unknown on 7268.00
Post by: GC on April 12, 2018, 1310 UTC
Welcome to the hobby and hfunderground.

I wonder if what you are hearing is a once per second PIP?

There is a thread here on such a signal: https://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,41025.0.html

It was active all day yesterday on 7285kHz  (carrier frequency - you would tune + or - 1 khz for USB or LSB respectively to hear it)

cheers, Graham
Title: Re: Unknown on 7268.00
Post by: kidgradius on April 12, 2018, 1335 UTC
Hi GrahamC nice to meet you.
Thank you...

I am just starting and a little unsure of myself yet; however, I did say 'yet', so excited to keep learning and moving forward.

I believe it is just as you discribe. Sort of goes

bip bip bip on the second.

Since I am new.... What do you mean by 'carrier frequency' and tune +/- 1kHz to hear it? Do you suggestion any books I should be reading? I sort of got into the hobby on a Whim... and just purchased an affordable  receiver.

Thank you
Title: Re: Unknown on 7268.00
Post by: GC on April 12, 2018, 1519 UTC
by carrier frequency I am referring to the actual frequency of the signal. If you were tuning in a shortwave broadcast station which was transmitting on 7285kHz where it's mode was AM (amplitude modulation) then 7285kHz would be it's carrier frequency.

In the case of an on-off keyed signal like the PIP or a CW signal, if your radio is set to USB or LSb (upper or lower side band) and you tune the signal so that you are hearing a tone of about 1kHz (1000 hz) then your radio would be set to a frequency 1kHz below 7285kHz or 7284kHz if you were in USB mode and if you were in LSB mode then your radio would be tuned 1kHz high from the carrier frequency.

Make sense?

There is a mailing list on groups.io  called UDXF which you might find interesting (if you haven't already stumbled across it)

http://www.udxf.nl/forum.html   on how to subscribe

http://www.udxf.nl/ute-info.html  lots of info to get you going. There was a beginners guide somewhere but I can't put my finger on it at the moment.  You might find the FAQ useful:

http://www.udxf.nl/UDXF-FAQ-v4_6.pdf

Oh, and one tip, whenever you post something it would be helpful to others if you included an indication of where you are located. Specific coordinates are not needed just something general to give an idea on your location. It is helpful for others who might see your post and have a listen to try and hear what you are reporting. It gives them an idea as to whether or not they might be able to hear it as well.


cheers, Graham near ottawa Canada





Title: Re: Unknown on 7268.00
Post by: kidgradius on April 12, 2018, 1554 UTC
Hi GrahamC,

Yes all that you say makes sense and thank you for taking the time to detail all that you did.


I put my location in the message - I am in MD USA. Should I put the location in the title of the message? What is more helpful to others?

Thank you
Title: Re: Unknown on 7268.00
Post by: GC on April 12, 2018, 1645 UTC
oops missed that, overlooked it, my mistake.

My preference is to add it to the  signature line.  I am generally pretty good about it but I sometimes forget.

I guess it really doesn't matter, what you find useful.  Maybe someone else will speak up with a good suggestion.

cheers, Graham near ottawa Canada
Title: Re: Unknown on 7268.00
Post by: kidgradius on April 12, 2018, 1651 UTC
Ok understand...

That is very interesting that you heard it all the way in Ottawa. However, I believe the 40m band has a 'fair' status during day according to QRZ.
Title: Re: Unknown on 7268.00
Post by: Teotwaki on April 13, 2018, 1318 UTC
Welcome to the hobby!

Welcome to the forum!

What radio did you buy and what antenna are you using?

Jim
Title: Re: Unknown on 7268.00
Post by: kidgradius on April 16, 2018, 1301 UTC
Welcome to the hobby!

Welcome to the forum!

What radio did you buy and what antenna are you using?

Jim
Hi Teotwaki,
Thank you...

I purchased the Alinco DX-R8 since it was a good entry level price point.

Thinking about getting the GMRS lic and a CB; however, not sure yet. Small steps first.
Title: Re: Unknown on 7268.00
Post by: Terry on April 17, 2018, 0206 UTC
Welcome aboard. You can put a general location and other basic info in your signature line. See below on this post. Go to your profile then to edit profile, then use the drop down menu to edit and add any information you like. Teotwaki also has information in his signature line.