1396
Shortwave Pirate Radio In North America And Around The World, And Other Signals That Go Bump In The Night
We seek to understand and document all radio transmissions, legal and otherwise, as part of the radio listening hobby. We do not encourage any radio operations contrary to regulations.
Always consult with the appropriate authorities if you have questions concerning what is permissible in your locale.
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1397
European Pirates and Private Stations / Re: The Vault 6985 AM 1811 utc 16 Sep 2020
« on: September 16, 2020, 2245 UTC »
2250 - ”Foxy Lady" by Jimi Hendrix
Peaking S9+10 via the 31' vertical and preamp. Strong modulation, though some static crashing from regional storms plus occasional powerful peskies on 6987.
Thanks for the broadcast! :)
Peaking S9+10 via the 31' vertical and preamp. Strong modulation, though some static crashing from regional storms plus occasional powerful peskies on 6987.
Thanks for the broadcast! :)
1398
North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: MRI 12080 USB 2130 UTC 16 Sept 2020
« on: September 16, 2020, 2213 UTC »
2209z - ID as Mix Radio International
2256z - Jazz, fusion, nu, etc.
232?z - Moved to 12075 USB | https://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,71711.0.html
Peaking around S9+30 at 2256z via the 31' vertical and preamp. SINPO 55555. Armchair copy with strong modulation.
Thanks for the broadcast! :)
2256z - Jazz, fusion, nu, etc.
232?z - Moved to 12075 USB | https://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,71711.0.html
Peaking around S9+30 at 2256z via the 31' vertical and preamp. SINPO 55555. Armchair copy with strong modulation.
Thanks for the broadcast! :)
1399
Equipment / Re: YouLoop | NanoVNA Sweep | R+jX | 500KHz-30MHz
« on: September 08, 2020, 1356 UTC »
Thanks for the verification. 
Speaking of NanoVNA apps, I need to get around to trying the webapp as it looks more user-friendly for my admittedly rather basic usage.
Speaking of NanoVNA apps, I need to get around to trying the webapp as it looks more user-friendly for my admittedly rather basic usage.
1400
MW Loggings / WQMY912 1630 LPAM Lecanto Florida
« on: September 07, 2020, 0209 UTC »
Been a regular copy here for several weeks now. Apparently it is a looped LPAM broadcast for Covid info at a testing site in Citrus county.
1401
North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: Sycko Radio 5150 USB 0145 UTC 7 Sept 2020
« on: September 07, 2020, 0155 UTC »
0149z - rock music
Right at the edge of the noise floor here, too, though that is via a indoor YouLoop antenna near a window since I am under local thunderstorms right now. I am surprised to be picking it up at all. o.0
Probably would be an easy copy on one of my outdoor antennas. Maybe later or next time.
Thanks for the broadcast! :)
Right at the edge of the noise floor here, too, though that is via a indoor YouLoop antenna near a window since I am under local thunderstorms right now. I am surprised to be picking it up at all. o.0
Probably would be an easy copy on one of my outdoor antennas. Maybe later or next time.
Thanks for the broadcast! :)
1402
Equipment / YouLoop | NanoVNA Sweep | R+jX | 500KHz-30MHz
« on: September 06, 2020, 2326 UTC »
A huge YMMV applies here, as I am just playing around with a recently acquired NanoVNA-H 4" model. I am still poking through the config, settings, etc. Antenna was placed horizontally flat on a carpeted floor for simplicity's sake.
1403
SDR - Software Defined Radio / Re: SDR recommendation......
« on: September 06, 2020, 2202 UTC »
My personal interest still remains where the LTC2208 chip is being sourced to build a ~$200 SDR. o.0
Dynamic range aside, I am somewhat curious about image rejection and selectivity when trying to simultaneously sample ~32MHz of RF space with a SDR architecture designed to generate profit at a ~$200 price point, especially when a huge chunk of the production budget theoretically should be the LTC2208 chip alone.
Also I would consider VHF and above simply as an added bonus given those ranges are using a R820T2 chip, so up there think more along the lines of a RTL-SDR with a higher sampling rate via the USB 3 interface.
Dynamic range aside, I am somewhat curious about image rejection and selectivity when trying to simultaneously sample ~32MHz of RF space with a SDR architecture designed to generate profit at a ~$200 price point, especially when a huge chunk of the production budget theoretically should be the LTC2208 chip alone.
Also I would consider VHF and above simply as an added bonus given those ranges are using a R820T2 chip, so up there think more along the lines of a RTL-SDR with a higher sampling rate via the USB 3 interface.
1404
Equipment / Icom AH-705 Compact Antenna Tuner
« on: September 05, 2020, 0204 UTC »
Icom has announced the compact AH-705 tuner as an option for the Icom IC-705 portable transceiver. Admittedly it is not as ideal as an integrated tuner, though at least it does look rather small and has latching relays for reduced power consumption. Power is "alkaline batteries" or 13.8 external. Pricing remains to be seen.
https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/17050705.html
https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/17050705.html
1405
Part 15 AM and FM Station Operation / Re: Introducing Parking Lot Radio!
« on: September 04, 2020, 2347 UTC »
Typical USB switching noise is bad enough, but inside the computer is a whole other mess for RFI mitigation, power conditioning, etc. o.0
Take a look at the RF shielding on even an old-school basic WinTV PCI card compared to the often pratically non-existent shielding of a cheap RTL-SDR USB tuner.
^There are several interesting VHF/UHF tuner, demodulator, etc, chips on those old WinTV cards. Too bad any serious interest did not take off in the SDR community, as the cards often can be found for around $10 or less these days.
Take a look at the RF shielding on even an old-school basic WinTV PCI card compared to the often pratically non-existent shielding of a cheap RTL-SDR USB tuner.
^There are several interesting VHF/UHF tuner, demodulator, etc, chips on those old WinTV cards. Too bad any serious interest did not take off in the SDR community, as the cards often can be found for around $10 or less these days.
1406
General Radio Discussion / Re: Air Force Research Laboratory Tracks Sporadic E
« on: September 04, 2020, 2324 UTC »
Down into upper HF bands as well. Worked lots of great sporadiac E contacts back in my 11m operating days.
Also I remember when 10m was considered a "big deal" among amateurs. Tech license access. Lots of mobiles due to smaller antennas. Even numerous FM repeaters.
Sporadic E probably is the dominate form of 12m and 10m DX during the currently low sunspot cycle, too. Some amateur ops keep a CB or receiver tuned to 27025, 27385, 27555, etc. to keep tabs on possible upper HF openings, but sadly the adjoining amateur bands still often go neglected even when 11m is hopping with DX activity. Sigh.
I think we have before briefly discussed the topic, but are there any significant 11m (25670–26100) shortwave band broadcasters anymore?
Likewise I seem to remember mentioning previously if any pirates have seriously considered the 11m during sporadic E openings. Antennas requirements are certainly small enough for hit-and-run broadcasts, plus a compact yagi or moxon would be easy enough for additional directivity and gain. Just a few watts could cover hundreds of miles during an good opening.
I used to occasionally stumble across STL transmissions around 25000, but most HF-band STLs have long since been replaced with newer technologies. Been quite awhile since hearing one here.
Chris, thanks for the FYI on the research.
Also I remember when 10m was considered a "big deal" among amateurs. Tech license access. Lots of mobiles due to smaller antennas. Even numerous FM repeaters.
Sporadic E probably is the dominate form of 12m and 10m DX during the currently low sunspot cycle, too. Some amateur ops keep a CB or receiver tuned to 27025, 27385, 27555, etc. to keep tabs on possible upper HF openings, but sadly the adjoining amateur bands still often go neglected even when 11m is hopping with DX activity. Sigh.
I think we have before briefly discussed the topic, but are there any significant 11m (25670–26100) shortwave band broadcasters anymore?
Likewise I seem to remember mentioning previously if any pirates have seriously considered the 11m during sporadic E openings. Antennas requirements are certainly small enough for hit-and-run broadcasts, plus a compact yagi or moxon would be easy enough for additional directivity and gain. Just a few watts could cover hundreds of miles during an good opening.
I used to occasionally stumble across STL transmissions around 25000, but most HF-band STLs have long since been replaced with newer technologies. Been quite awhile since hearing one here.
Chris, thanks for the FYI on the research.
1407
Equipment / $50 tinySA Spectrum Analyzer + Signal Generator
« on: September 02, 2020, 0221 UTC »
Specs and other info at the project wiki:
https://www.tinysa.org/wiki/
Video demo here:
https://tinysa.org/video/intro.mp4
Purchase links:
https://tinysa.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.Buying
I have one on preorder from R&L.
https://www.tinysa.org/wiki/
Video demo here:
https://tinysa.org/video/intro.mp4
Purchase links:
https://tinysa.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.Buying
I have one on preorder from R&L.
1408
SDR - Software Defined Radio / Re: Perseus replacement
« on: September 02, 2020, 0128 UTC »
The Perseus architecture is several years old, but being realistic, it still is one of the best SDRs available in the sub-$1000 price range. :)
Is there a particular feature or whatever not offered by the Perseus you are wanting? It might help narrow down a replacement, assuming you really want one.
BTW, much of the recent developments in consumer-market SDRs have been towards more affordable solutions, such as the Airspy HF, SDRplay RSPdx, RX888, etc.
Is there a particular feature or whatever not offered by the Perseus you are wanting? It might help narrow down a replacement, assuming you really want one.
BTW, much of the recent developments in consumer-market SDRs have been towards more affordable solutions, such as the Airspy HF, SDRplay RSPdx, RX888, etc.
1409
Equipment / Re: Ideal height and polarisation of MLA30 for best DX performance?
« on: August 30, 2020, 0332 UTC »
The big issue for weak signal work with the FRG-7 is the very wide stock filter(s). Great for broadcast radio audio quality. Not so great for digging signals out the noise floor. It does at least have a potentially useful selectable attenuator, plus its Wadley loop circuit design still is subjectively better than even many modern superhet portables.
BTW, be careful with static discharge into the FRG-7. I recently had to replace the front-end FET in mine. It is a common issue, especially since the original FET lacked internal diodes for static protection. There are newer equivalents and compatibles, but I managed to find a new-old-stock 3N211 that was the recommended replacement back in the day. Includes integrated diodes, too.
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Alpard, you might not need an active antenna at all, particularly if targeting the tropical bands. I suspect your wire antenna(s) have more than enough gain for the purpose. If the noise floor appreciably increases when hooking up the antenna to the receiver for the desired band, then you likely have enough viable SNR to start hunting and listening.
Curious, do you have a balun, choke, etc. on the passive longwire antenna? If not, I suggest winding or buying one. A basic 9:1 balun for a random length longwire can be purchased for like under $15 on eBay. There might be better ratios for your particular antenna, but 9:1 is a good generic place to start for receiving longwires. It should help limit common mode noise if nothing else.
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I live in Florida next to the tropics, complete with routine thunderstorms, static crashing, etc. The below link is a quick video of the 80m amateur radio band taken earlier tonight using a Airspy HF+ Discovery and a mere 9' vertical ground mounted over just four 9' radials. No preamp, yet note even it has more than enough gain for the purpose. My larger 31' vertical should increase the detected signal strengths, but SNR likely would be similar since it would increase the noise floor as well, so it largely is a wash.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG0WvQuNiVc
BTW, be careful with static discharge into the FRG-7. I recently had to replace the front-end FET in mine. It is a common issue, especially since the original FET lacked internal diodes for static protection. There are newer equivalents and compatibles, but I managed to find a new-old-stock 3N211 that was the recommended replacement back in the day. Includes integrated diodes, too.
----------------
Alpard, you might not need an active antenna at all, particularly if targeting the tropical bands. I suspect your wire antenna(s) have more than enough gain for the purpose. If the noise floor appreciably increases when hooking up the antenna to the receiver for the desired band, then you likely have enough viable SNR to start hunting and listening.
Curious, do you have a balun, choke, etc. on the passive longwire antenna? If not, I suggest winding or buying one. A basic 9:1 balun for a random length longwire can be purchased for like under $15 on eBay. There might be better ratios for your particular antenna, but 9:1 is a good generic place to start for receiving longwires. It should help limit common mode noise if nothing else.
----------------
I live in Florida next to the tropics, complete with routine thunderstorms, static crashing, etc. The below link is a quick video of the 80m amateur radio band taken earlier tonight using a Airspy HF+ Discovery and a mere 9' vertical ground mounted over just four 9' radials. No preamp, yet note even it has more than enough gain for the purpose. My larger 31' vertical should increase the detected signal strengths, but SNR likely would be similar since it would increase the noise floor as well, so it largely is a wash.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG0WvQuNiVc
1410
Equipment / Re: Ideal height and polarisation of MLA30 for best DX performance?
« on: August 29, 2020, 1412 UTC »
Regarding the inquiry about propagation, yeah, it has been in a deep hole in the past day or so. There was a geomagnetic store with a residual high Kp index for many hours.
Ray also offers sound advice. There should be no metal objects near your active loop. Get a plastic pvc pipe, wooden broom handle, or similar to mount the antenna.
Ray also offers sound advice. There should be no metal objects near your active loop. Get a plastic pvc pipe, wooden broom handle, or similar to mount the antenna.
