Messages

31

MW Loggings / Re: 1710 am WQFG689 Hudson County 0150 utc 5 Sep 2021

« on: October 13, 2021, 1300 UTC »

Hey All,

While certainly not a NIGHTLY occurrence, '689 became almost "ho hum" here as well.

I have heard rumors of other  TIS/Info stations (lower down in the band) that were supposed to be "temporary", yet are left to drone on and QRM a frequency LONG after they were supposed to QRT. As Pinto said,  it's  been a loooooong 90 days.

It's kind of like the WWW, folks are quick to put stuff up , but almost never bother to pull it down after it expires.

Perhaps we should send a petition to the FCC stating that '689 has "run  WAAAY long  past it's supposed 90 day permit" and that it is interfering with other "services" ("legitimate" pirates like CHIM , etc ).

K

32

General Radio Discussion / Re: 1710 CHIM Radio vs Canadian "Official" Top End at 1700-1705 KC

« on: October 13, 2021, 1249 UTC »

Hey All,

Thanks  for the replies.

I figured it was PROBABLY an "unauthorized" use of 1710, but wasn't quite sure.

The real sticking point  was they seemed to be the only ones "allowed" to use 1710 for broadcast, an unlikely reality. But I kept an "open mind" (until now ).

I appreciate the info.

K

33

General Radio Discussion / Re: 1710 CHIM Radio vs Canadian "Official" Top End at 1700-1705 KC

« on: October 12, 2021, 1233 UTC »

Hey Chris,

Interesting.

It looks like CHIM is an "anomaly"-either the ONLY licensed "non info" station  in North America  on 1710  -OR- simply an unauthorized repeat of  their licensed FM operations .
 

I would THINK that a good FM operation would get a larger audience than a lonely / low power outpost would  way up on 1710 but who knows.

ANY engineer worth his field strength  meter would know that there  would be  a "near zero" response off of skywave at "64" watts. So pretty much scratch coverage into the boonies.

Not really getting it.

If I had a "chain" of FM  stations like they do, I am not sure I would "push things" by having a non licensed operation on a frequency that is probably NOT going to be such a HUGE addition to their  numbers.

"Different".

K

34

General Radio Discussion / Re: 1710 CHIM Radio vs Canadian "Official" Top End at 1700-1705 KC

« on: October 11, 2021, 1335 UTC »

Hey Chris,

Do you think 1710 is TRULY legit for them (special permit ? )or did they just "show up" because it was clear and  available on all modern radios ?

IF (IF) they are squatting on frequency , they are pretty bold  since 1710 is published openly  on their web site.

Hmmmm.

Your thoughts  ?
 
FWIW, I have done a good bit of MW reading lately    re who gets what and  who can operate where : ie  in depth  TIS/ Info station regs  , the Pt 15 regs and  also info re  the regular broadcast stations.This how CHIM came to my  attention.
 
I can see  the CRTC maybe granting INFO station license ( like WQFG 689), but a full BROADCAST privilege ??

de N1NQC

35

General Radio Discussion / 1710 CHIM Radio vs Canadian "Official" Top End at 1700-1705 KC

« on: October 10, 2021, 1647 UTC »

Hey All,

Anyone know anything about  1710 CHIM ,ONT, Canada ?

Supposedly 84 watts. Yet the Canadian spectrum assignments list the TOP frequency as 1705 Kc ( 1700 centered), just the same as the USA .

The only known  North American  exception above 1705 Kc  I know of is  WQFG 689     centered on 1710 Kc in NJ.

Special permit ? Pirate  outlet  carrying  their licensed FM operations ?

Hmmmm,

K

36

Shortwave Broadcast / Re: Things Picking Up a Bit ?

« on: October 08, 2021, 1429 UTC »

Hey All,

Thanks  for the replies. 

I am keeping my ears  open.


K

37

Shortwave Broadcast / Re: Things Picking Up a Bit ?

« on: October 07, 2021, 1627 UTC »

Hey '36,

I used to run a lot of 10/12 M . Nice to hear those bands were open !

de N1NQC

38

MW Loggings / Improving Conditions / Casual Log

« on: October 06, 2021, 1414 UTC »

Hey All,

Things getting better here.

Recents on the Super Radio I / Select-A -Tenna :

CMLA  Cuba 640 hit and miss  a few nights  , but  all super weak. Mix w / co channel  weak/super weak regional WNNZ ,MA

WSM 650  TN fair at times during fair or better regional Co channel WSRO's MA silent  periods. Nice to hear "The Legend " from Nashville.
 
CFZM 740 ONT.  Fair or better ( at times) in deep QSB when local line of sight Co channel WJIB is nulled out. FWIW, Zoomer is in full pattern null in my direction.

WSB  750 GA good  (!). This one  can be  a  "fringe" distance  toughie at times and is often my max Dx for a particular night.

WCRN  830 MA regional,  I sometimes park here for good music. Some selective fade/ QSB at times but overall good /very good at night.

KDKA 1020 PA good. KDKA usually  delivers  an ""OK to decent" signal  here , but the real issues are blow torch local WBZ on 1030 and "wanna be  band bully" WINS on 1010. Not a problem now.

WMEX 1510 MA local. Often park here for good music, their new format is VASTLY better than before.Some QRM from1500 Kc WFED DC at times, MEX is only 100 W / single omni  antenna at around 
                                   10 mi. Some other issues noted  on their night time  signal , but  usually not a big deal. During 10 Kw daytime it honks in here ! 1960's format /style of radio LIVES  here!!!
 
CHHA 1610 ONT. Usually  weakling in the past , but fair at times recently.

A number of other stations logged, just the "highlights" here.
 
Two  MW antennas and other projects (BIG crystal set , etc) "on the bench" , building as time allows.

de N1NQC

39

Shortwave Broadcast / Things Picking Up a Bit ?

« on: October 06, 2021, 1337 UTC »

Hey All,

Not so much specific loggings, but a general comment  I have had some People's Rep of China  regionals  on  morning Gray line the last few days , especially in 31 M. One or two actually fair or better.

Supposedly gray line isn't cycle related , but it's SOMETHING  in what used to be  pretty quiet band. Other "non gray"  bits  and pieces rolling in as well. Things SEEM to be picking up , at least a BIT. Things were flat, dead buried here until  very recently.

Right now, I am just running a Trans Oceanic on the built in telescopic antenna  in a noisy apt.

So if I (!) am starting to copy stuff, I imagine those who actually have REAL antennas may also being hearing that much more now  (I would think).

How is everyone else doing on HF ?

de K

40

MW Loggings / Re: FSL Antennas/Ultralights/Alaska In Spectrum Monitor

« on: October 06, 2021, 1321 UTC »

Hey Paul,

Unfortunately, I do not subscribe to "Spectrum Monitor".

But I have gone  with the Ultra light "spirit" at times  by using pocket MW radios ( maybe "approved" types, maybe not) and something small , like a Select -A Tenna (or other air  coil) or an outboard   big single bar ferrite  antenna, etc .

I had read some years ago about FSL antennas. Some folks absolutely swear by them , others feel the cost / hassle ( even if they DO work well ) isn't worth it and that other approaches are "better".

 I have never built one ,so I can't comment one way or another.

The closest thing I  built  was a small sized "novelty" crystal radio  constructed on  a mouse  trap. #20 cotton was wound over the trap, but it just couldn't QUITE make the inductance needed.So a single ferrite rod was slipped in to make up the difference. Coil ended up sort of like a right triangle.

BUT- the all  mouse trap windings only encounter  the rod for maybe 1/4  turn or less.The FSL is similar because  each winding lays  "on" the rod for just a bit  ( nothing is wound  AROUND a rod).

The  RF / EM physics of a 360 degree  wound rod vs one that is just laid on a bit would be fascinating to hear about.

Alaska must be an awesome place to Dx when polar  conditions allow.


K

41

MW Loggings / Re: CMLA

« on: October 06, 2021, 1256 UTC »

Hey Don,

This one has always been a puzzle .

Supposedly "10" Kw and "at" Las Tunas. I have gone back to this Cuban frequency  for years, it is the most "dependable" (which still doesn't mean COMMON).

 I have heard of supposed "sweet" ionospheric distances where a certain region is within a dependable coverage due to a "correct" geometry of transmitter vs receiver. "Maybe". But at only TEN Kw ?

Hmmmmm.

I am not sure if the published info about ANY of the Cuban nets (Progesso, Rebelde, Reloj ) is 1000% accurate.  640  in Cuba is certainly a Progresso network station. I have heard ID's a zillion times. The location to me is somewhat irrelevant and it "MAY" not actually be in Las Tunas. Whatev.

I have more of problem with the alleged power  level. Is 10 Kw really going to do SO "well" year after year, even with a good salt water  path and  possibly  being at a    "sweet" distance ? Again , Hmmmm.

All other Caribbean MW Dx  here seemed to "require" a LOT more horse power than 10 Kw.

Just going with it though,


K

42

MW Loggings / CMLA

« on: September 09, 2021, 0233 UTC »

Hey All,

8 Sep 21 0210 UTC 640 KC:

CMLA /Radio Progresso Cuba -poor to fair in QSB/ slight Co channel QRM, slight  beat note,  QRN lightning at 100 mi.


One of my favorite Dx targets.

Played Guantanamera and other vocal songs.

Straight audio ( no processing) from recently acquired Trans Oceanic / Select-A-Tenna.

First audible copy of the season.

Dust off the headphones boys, AM season seems to be on the way.

K

43

MW Loggings / New Transoceanic Shootout w/Sangean 803A

« on: September 06, 2021, 0126 UTC »

Hey All,

Compared my recently acquired T/O 3000-1 (please see HFU General Radio Discussion) with the venerable and sensitive Sangean 803A.

9/5/21 2330 UTC

560 WGAN weak.                   Tie T/O  vs 803.
570 WMCA fair/weak.            Tie T/O vs 803.
580 WTAG QRM from 590.      Advantage 803 in narrow mode.
610 WGIR fair.                        Advantage 803 in wide mode.
770 WABC strong.                 Tie. Good music on  Joe Piscopo show.
1610 CHHA weak.                   Advantage T/O

0100 UTC :
1020 KDKA fair in QSB.           Tie. NO QRM from 1010  and a tiny bit from  1030.

(FWIW, KDKA is often  a tough  catch at this QTH. If a rig here has good 1020 Kc separation from local flamethrower WBZ on 1030 and  night time biggie WINS on 1010, it's considered pretty good).

Overall : Fairly close in performance. The T/O has  bright and crisp audio, a real pleasure to listen to. Mechanically it has a rock solid  and bullet resistant feel to it. A really nice addition to the collection and a  great keep sake from Cuttyhunk  Island.

K
 

44

General Radio Discussion / DXpedition to Cuttyhunk Island, MA

« on: September 05, 2021, 0109 UTC »

Hey All,

I just returned  from a Dxpedtion  in the town of Gosonold on Cuttyhunk Island , Buzzard's Bay , MA.

Since Island life is really laid back , so was the  logging .  Highlights  from 9/1/21 through 9/3/21, no particular order.

Gear:  Sangean ATS 803 A ,  single tuned crystal set ( R.S. 28-177 coil  but  with air variable) , hand held scanners, home brew  ferrite tuner /coupler,  misc small  goodies, 400 ft "D.O.G" antenna ( "Dipole - On- Ground "), 40 ft HF end fed, , etc, etc.

640 CMLA /R. Progresso Cuba   copied   before full  darkness, but beat up by local /regional WPRO 630.
 
8503 NMG /New Orleans Wefax

6095 USB bootleg maritime net, OM swearing   like a sailor (hi).

10, 15  WWV

11780 R Amazonas/ R Nacional Brazil

5025 R. Rebelde Cuba
 
6000 R. Havana  (in  full daylight ! )

US MW kind of  a mess. Pile ups on  the long DX frequencies . Open to  Eastern  of US half (or a bit  less) ie only  GA to TN to IL arc.

Only one HF broadcast each  on 16, 19 or 22 M. Beyond dead any higher in frequency.

Ham :20 M.  40 M (even in daylight). Both   open to Eastern  1/2 half  of    US , especially on CW.

NO audio off any Transatlantic Broadcast Dx, but  copied a few aligned beat notes (FWIW) :

198 BBC, 639 Senegal, 837 Senegal, 954  Spain, 1044 Morocco,1107 Spain. Basically - LW b'cast was dead (or gone !) and MW b'cast was extremely poor (near dead)  to the Afroeuro .Also US MW opened up MUCH sooner than expected ,crushing what little Afro Euro action that could have been had . I have had trans Atlantic  MW and LW very good at times in years past, but not on this round .

Crystal set DX : the usual 50 Kw suspects from around the NE 1/3 or so of the U.S.

7 KC lightning / "Tweeks" / "Natural Radio" copied ( confirmed at 700 miles and maybe a out  LOT further to thousands of miles) by a pair of NICE  Hi Z "crystal " earphones in series ,shorted by 1 M bleed pot. RF input  by  one leg of D.O.G. antenna onto each side of pot .

Notice to Mariners  on VHF marine channel 22A. Not heard this one in 15 or 20 years !

Also the owner of the Bed and Breakfast were I stayed (who I've known for  many years ) gave me a Trans Oceanic Royal 300-1. It didn't work on the island , but  I cleaned up battery holder  at home  and VIOLA  -  a working T/O !  So I went down there with one HF rig and came home with TWO !

Very late Wednesday /  Thursday  ( 9/1, 9/2) impacts from Ida : TORRENTS of rain - around 5 " in 5 hours . Gusts 45 to 55 (estimated). Waterspout 3 miles to our East  over ocean  .2nd water spout 12 miles East over ocean. Tornado  at Falmouth , Cape Cod MA 6 or 10 mi  Northeast. Vicious  cloud to ground white lightning on Island and Northward  into Buzzard's Bay.Yet ALL three day light hours were nice -  cloudy/dry -or- sunny /dry.

Ate lots of  seafood , fairly warm water  ocean swimming , relaxing , long walks with wife, etc. Took night trip on boat  going back to New Bedford.

GREAT trip, REALLY needed it !

K

45

MW Loggings / Re: Another Espanol AM Music Station on 1050kHz. And, KDKA1020 bowled over?

« on: August 26, 2021, 1015 UTC »

Hey Dood,

KDKA puts in a “ moderate “ signal here , but not often great.I can RF null most 1010/1030 problems quite well or clean up audio in QRF -1 filter(s).  ( I have 106 KW effective WBZ in my “back yard “ at 8 miles).

The real issue is not QRM- it’s just that ‘DKA is not really big here that often.They use a 50 KW single tower at a good distance.Good, but not huge.

I use 1020 as a test frequency for home brew rigs etc. If it gets KDKA = a good rig.

K