Messages

1

22 Meter Band HiFER Beacons / Strong RTTY or similar on 22m

« on: March 17, 2023, 1850 UTC »

Hi Folks,

Lately, I've been noticing strong RTTY (or similar FSK mode) signals within the ISM 22m band - at least two sources were apparent last weekend (11/12 March 23). Please add your observations to this thread.

Thanks

Ed

2

22 Meter Band HiFER Beacons / Whooper

« on: October 31, 2022, 1709 UTC »

Observed 30th Oct 22 "Whooper" signal Circa 13,555.200. A rising tone when heard in USB mode. Seems to be on for a short while, 5-10 minutes then disappear, rather than fade in and out.

Ed

3

Equipment / Re: The secret antenna of the Russian Amateur Unlis Radio 27 Oct 2022

« on: October 28, 2022, 2217 UTC »

From what I've read, and understand from my education, it is based on flawed physics. Although the antenna might radiate, it is not because of the theory claimed for it.

Basically, you cannot make EM radiation by creating separate magnetic and electric fields. Radiation is created in the form of linked E and H fields by the fundamental physics of accelerating charge. You can't force that link to happen from separate sources.

A good run down on some of the details here, along with why it appears to work https://www.w8ji.com/e-h_antenna.htm

4

22 Meter Band HiFER Beacons / Re: TSN

« on: October 28, 2022, 2003 UTC »

TSN has been a regular during weekend monitoring here on the Left Coast. Certainly up to 22/23 Oct. Using the Belka DX portable and its 29" telescopic antenna, TSN was audible during during fade-ups on the 23rd, early evening PDT. AZ was also heard during the same session.

EH

5

22 Meter Band HiFER Beacons / Re: TSN

« on: September 26, 2022, 2128 UTC »

TSN was prominent during 22m monitoring this weekend. Long periods of audibility here on the SF Peninsula. Random wire dipole transformer matched to 75 Ohm Coax. RX used on this occasion was Icom R-72.

6

The RF Workbench / Re: Turn Off the Stereo and See What Happens? Radio World???

« on: September 08, 2022, 1613 UTC »

Interesting. With digital quality (whatever that is..) everywhere, no-one knows much about the analogue world, except perhaps for a few vinyl enthusiasts. I recently restored a Fisher receiver, and had to learn about how the FM stereo circuitry operated, to understand what was really going on in the alignment of the MPX decoder, and its correct operation. This being mid 60's equipment (of quality), the selector allowed for Mono, MPX permanently active and an automatic mode driven by a detector for the 19kHz pilot. Nicely implemented, and very effective in practice.

7

22 Meter Band HiFER Beacons / Re: Midnight Hifers

« on: August 23, 2022, 1735 UTC »

That would certainly tally with recent observations. Very interesting, Thanks!

8

22 Meter Band HiFER Beacons / Re: Midnight Hifers

« on: August 16, 2022, 0010 UTC »

It is quite repeatable, even. Monitoring over 13th/14th August this weekend demonstrated beacon reception and WSPR decodes throughout the night.

9

HF Beacons / Re: Coastal Slider Back On 4109.5

« on: July 18, 2022, 0420 UTC »

Receiving the Coastal Slider here on the SF Peninsula with no difficulty this evening. S3 to S5.

10

HF Beacons / Re: New whooper beacon on 4095.65

« on: July 18, 2022, 0412 UTC »

Jum[img in a bit late, but I just started looking for Beacons outsides 33 m. The DW signal is very readable here in Northern California after dark, S3  S5, equal to the noise. Antenna is an 80 ft random wire with transformer isolated feeder back to various radios. The higher frequency "desert slider", 4108 kHz is also easy copy, similar strenghts.

Ed

11

The RF Workbench / Re: Pyrite Radio, Dispatch? Radio, from a piece of iron pyrite? Yep...

« on: July 01, 2022, 2150 UTC »

I like that.

A transmitter is possible, bringing us the low power pyrite pirate.

Negative resistance oscillator: http://www.sparkbangbuzz.com/els/iposc-el.htm

12

22 Meter Band HiFER Beacons / Re: hifer SIW in slant mode

« on: June 21, 2022, 1948 UTC »

Good Catch Ray!

13

22 Meter Band HiFER Beacons / Midnight Hifers

« on: May 25, 2022, 1615 UTC »

I've been allowing my receive setup to run overnight at weekends, with some interesting results seen, on occasion, through the night. More details are available, along with screenshots, over at LWCA.

It's not uncommon at the moment to see longer path HiFERs here at my NorCal QTH late into the evening and sometimes into the early hours.

14

22 Meter Band HiFER Beacons / HiFER Screenshots from 10 April 2022

« on: April 12, 2022, 2316 UTC »

Reception improved markedly in the (local) afternoon and evening of 10 April here in Northern California. Screenshots (and WSJT) captured several HiFERs:

Those can be seen over at LWCA.org: https://www.lwca.net/mb/msg/12547.htm

15

22 Meter Band HiFER Beacons / PCO, W8AC, 7P

« on: April 05, 2022, 0030 UTC »

Heard yesterday (April 3rd, ~ 1400 PDT) in Northern California

PCO - Audible sometimes good readability between fades

7P - Well above the noise for long periods.

W8AC - several WSPR decodes during late afternoon local time. A new logging at this location.