Messages

1441

Equipment / Re: Modifying the SW receiver for a lower noise figure

« on: November 22, 2013, 1104 UTC »

Looking at the datasheet, the J310 has 3dB of noise figure at 450 MHz, the 2SK124 is spec'd at 1.8 at 100 MHz; Hard to say what will happen if you replace them.  It does appear plausible that you may pick up about 3-4 DB more power gain, but its hard to tell without modeling it.  Its kinda like tuning a bike without a dyno...

...Just my 2¢

+-RH

1442

Equipment / Re: HF in the car?

« on: November 20, 2013, 2012 UTC »

A little birdie brought a kenwood to the car recently, I'll let you know how it turns out.

+-RH

1443

Equipment / Re: Modifying the SW receiver for a lower noise figure

« on: November 20, 2013, 2010 UTC »

I could be wrong, but I thought that at these frequencies, noise figure is of little merit, as the noise power present at the input to a receiver is generally higher than the self-induced noise figure of the receiver front end.  Usually when your worried about noise figure is north of 400 MHz, and into the C and KU ranges.

+-RH

1444

General Radio Discussion / Re: Solar Flare?

« on: November 17, 2013, 0522 UTC »

I did notice that WWV on 5 MHz was particularly strong last night, also cuba on 5025 was coming in great and fade free.  I contemplated "playing" tonight, but the A index was kinda high so I decided against it.  I have lots of QSL's to catch up on anyway.

+-RH

1445

The RF Workbench / Re: Cypress CY22150 Programmable frequency generator

« on: November 15, 2013, 1024 UTC »

We do live in the modern age of programmable oscillators.  Digikey can program these for free in single quantities for about $8. http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/CPPC4-HT5RT/CPPC4-HT5RT-ND/387814  Use a 74LS04 or something similar and it will direct drive a mosfet in say a grenade.  Phase noise specs aren't great, but few people will be doing stereo or DRM with them.

+-RH

1446

The RF Workbench / Re: DJ Mixers

« on: November 13, 2013, 1841 UTC »

I know the lazy condition all-too-well.  My give a damn aint what it used to be.

Anyway, I own a pair of RS 32-118's, the latest mixer with all the BS sound effects, a horrible EQ, and lit faders.  All was well until I tried to mount it in a rack.  The chassis is an off size, and the holes don't really line up.

Agreed, had a 1200 for many years until I wound up with a Harris Stereo 80.  Its still in pieces in the garage, following an attempt to add control room mute to it.  I just wish you could find a decent radio-featured console for under 600 bones, but I've yet to find one.  I'm actually considering building one.  You can have all the hard work done by front panel express, the rest is just faders, vca's and switches.  Of course it would have to have;

-Real on-off switches with remote starts.
-Balanced in's and out's help alot.
-NO EQ or BS Sound Effects.
-A way to monitor off air in headphones and control room.
-A cue bus.
-6 channels or so.

Nothing fancy, just enough to do the job.

+-RH

1447

General Radio Discussion / Re: Pirate Radio Archive of Full Programs Downloads - Where Do I Go?

« on: November 13, 2013, 0215 UTC »

swling.com has a bunch of full length airchecks as well.  More recent stuff, but worth the dig.

=-RH

1448

General Radio Discussion / Re: KHAQ FM running at 50% power due to bullet holes in the transmission line

« on: November 13, 2013, 0213 UTC »

It used to be fairly common to see beacons shot out in this way.  Sometimes they miss and hit the feedline.  Years ago there was an article in Radio Guide about a tower that kept having their tower beacon shot out.  A climber was sent up and was able to line up the two holes in the beacon and figure out what yard the bullet came from.  A bill for the repairs was sent to the offending landowner, and the problem never happened again

+-RH

1449

General Radio Discussion / Re: What type of antenna is this?

« on: November 13, 2013, 0210 UTC »

It used to be common for cable TV headends and microwave providers with large antennas to have cross-supported towers like that.  You don't see them much anymore, but there are a few out there.  Also note how there is nothing mounted on it.

+-RH

1450

Huh? / Re: more on sun spots via The WSJ

« on: November 13, 2013, 0206 UTC »

It never ceases to amaze me how these wackjobs in the media can sneak global warming into everything.  It must be the new religion of our time.

<rant_off>

+-RH

1451

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: Liquid Radio 6935 AM 2241 UTC 8 Nov 2013

« on: November 09, 2013, 0124 UTC »

A steady S9 here on the loop with fades to S7.  Lots of pesky and data traffic on the bands tonight.  I don't understand why those guys can't pick somewhere else to roost.  I was able to notch out 6940 which is too weak to RX ATM.

+-RH  

1452

North American Shortwave Pirate / X-FM 6870 KHz AM 0355z 11-1-2013

« on: November 01, 2013, 0134 UTC »

Waaay down on 6870 if anyone can hear us.

Too much traffic other places.

+-RH

1453

European Pirates and Private Stations / Re: unid 6305 KHZ am 0232 Oct 27, 2013

« on: October 27, 2013, 0248 UTC »

About S6 here, but buried in local RFI and storm noise, so no audio for me.

+-RH

1454

North American Shortwave Pirate / X-FM 6870 KHz AM 0355z 10-20-2013

« on: October 20, 2013, 0357 UTC »

Waaaaayyyy down here if anyone can hear us.

+-RH

1455

Huh? / Re: I wish someone would mix me a cockatiel

« on: October 18, 2013, 2012 UTC »

...But if I mix you one, what am I gonna drink?

+-RH