HFU HF Underground
Loggings => North American Shortwave Pirate => Topic started by: SW-J on January 03, 2009, 0344 UTC
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Could not get more as I caught the tail end of something!
Now muffled, w/reverb, cannot make it out .... too much compression.
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Update: a minute's worth of the last part of the broadcast -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd3ltLlIDwY
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Good catch SWJ, thanks for the post.
Steve
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Thanks Steve.
Also, here is a recommendation to 'those' out there: follow the lead of Ann Hoffer, not so much compression, but a well balanced audio signal stressing more the mid-range frequencies so that voices are understandable with the -weak- signals that we usually have ...
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An exciter works just fine for that. :)
Compression is not the problem, most of the time. Over-modulation is the culprit.
Since most good transmitters have a line audio input, there's occasionally the temptation to boost the signal, just to make it louder. Just enough will do exactly that. Too much and you just get unintelligible crap. (Technically called "clipping".)
Amateur equipment usually doesn't have a VU meter to monitor that stuff, so it's just a matter of tweaking the volume on your input source.
It's trial and error, but part of what makes the hobby so damn much fun.
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Well, 'clipping' is a form of compression (allbeit a non-intended form technically usually involving the PA stage), defined as a non-linear state where x no longer equals y with some scaling factor 'a' where a represents the gain (amplification) factor of the amplifying stage.
The only to really have told if it was the final amplifier stage being in a state of 'compression' (e.g. the 1 dB compression point as a figure of merit in dealing with 'linearity' in the design of equipment) or if the station was actually running too much compression from an audio processor of some sort would be to have obsserved any 3rd or 5th IMD products (commonly called splatter) that were output from the transmitter. I surely didn't have enough signal strength here to deermine that!
Sorry for the long response; too many years dealing with these technical issues up close ...
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That was Toynbee Radio. The Web got better copy. Between us I was able to transcribe most of it, including the segment with heavy reverb. Here's my FRN log:
1/3/09, 6925 USB
0305 UTC: Toynbee Radio with more cryptic comments, either quotes from or influenced by the Toynbee Tiles. Only a few phrases intelligible through noise: "...Freedom of Information Act..." and "...it's clear in my mind..."
0315z: Back with comment about Palstar R30 "...to listen to old friends... I'm hoping you're listening and will respond to the transmitter. Goodbye."
0320z: Hmm... Toynbee Radio seems to be advising me to get a radio with tubes, the better to enjoy electromagnetic pulses. "All you have is your silly computer radio."
Gotta admit, these cryptic messages are intriguing. Kinda like watching a Samuel Beckett play.
(Gopher Stomp, TX - via the mystical Palstar R30C and fugloop antenna)
Not sure if same op, but since around 0338z, occasionally hearing voice with heavy reverb sound fx. Not able to copy any words clearly, but vocal patterns seem similar.
Transcript of Toynbee Radio segments, based on my audio clip and Web's better quality clips:
The first segment or two were familiar Toynbee themes - "When I caught a fatal disease they gloated over its death," "...hellions...", evil corporations and their lackeys in the news media.
After that, Toynbee Radio began riffing on themes that seemed to incorporate the Tile-style and pirate radio.
"...in need of a radio...get a Palstar...Palstar Radio...(for seven) hundred dollars...Palstar...(?)...the best bang for the buck...trying to make contact with long lost friends. Toynbee Radio."
"...Palstar R30...that is the radio... (which is the best for the money)... to listen to old friends...intercept them...I am hoping they are listening and will respond to the transmitter. Goodbye."
"...why did you get a non-existent WinRadio, you worthless piece of crap. Get something with tubes, something that glows, something that will re-... resolve among the electromagnetic pulse when it (?)...all you have is your silly computer radio...(?) jungle...yeah...Toynbee idea...Kubrick 2001...resurrect dead on planet Jupiter!"
Echo/reverb fx segment:
"...you are listening...I know you are...(unintelligible)...General Electric, GE, you stand accused of the same horrible maladies (inflicted?) on Jupiter... the revolution...know what it is...Toynbee Radio...will (faded)..."
Thanks, Toynbee Radio! Always ... intriguing!
Edited 8 minutes, only clear at beginning, otherwise lost in muddy static: http://www.mediafire.com/?ihjw2ywdgqi
For those who dare delve into the mysteries of Toynbee, here's a link to the first known log of 2008: http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,519.0.html (http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,519.0.html)
There are a few others, searchable via the HFU archives.
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Wow - thanks again Lex for the yeoman's work!