Messages

1741

General Radio Discussion / Re: Antenna wire, get your cheap antenna wire

« on: August 01, 2020, 1323 UTC »

I have been using copper-clad aluminum speaker wire for several years now. Mostly for ground radials and some temporary receiving antennas. I am not sure how it would fair for a more permanent install in the air, though. Anyone else using CCA wire for antenna projects?

1742

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: UNID 6950 USB 1211 1 Aug 2020

« on: August 01, 2020, 1228 UTC »

Maybe a carrier, though I am across the house using a RTL-SDR on a 9' vertical right now, so a huge YMMV there.

Anyway, I can confirm via the K3FEF websdr in Pennsylvania. Slightly above 6950 and around S5 signal.

Sounded like an ID at 1226z, though I missed it. Anyone else?

Texas Radio Shortwave ID at 1241z.

Thanks for the broadcast! :)

1743

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: Zekey's Attic 6937 USB 0023 UTC 1 Aug 2020

« on: August 01, 2020, 0329 UTC »

Caught the Elvis track earlier tonight while I was putting my 9' vertical back into service. Was testing with a Grundig G3 portable.

No signal level report, but the audio sounded good with plenty of modulation. Easy copy.

Thanks for the broadcast! :)

1744

Equipment / Re: The Best Active Loop Antenna 2019 = MLA-30?

« on: July 31, 2020, 1722 UTC »

The discussion inspired me to continue modifying the MLA-30. I removed the attached coax and installed a connector at the preamp. Now I can use RG-6 or whatever.

Linked below are a couple of pics showing the MLA-30 as a preamp for a YouLoop simply hanging on a kitchen chair near a sliding glass door. Worked about as expected for an indoor antenna here.

https://imgur.com/a/fGCz3Yk

Now to get the MLA-30 outside sometime. Maybe over the weekend.

1745

Equipment / Re: The Best Active Loop Antenna 2019 = MLA-30?

« on: July 28, 2020, 2235 UTC »

As Chris noted, it is an inexpensive video amp IC with a bias tee power feed.

There is no particular reason it even has to be used for a loop as shipped. It could be used as a remote preamp for a variety of antennas, though I would suggest sticking with something balanced like a dipole, T2FD, loop-on-ground, or similar. It might suffice for a reduced-length beverage as well, though I suspect it might actually lower the actual resulting SNR of a quiet antenna given the amp design. YMMV.

I have a MLA-30 of whatever revision, though I have not done much with listening with it. It worked "okay" in a quick test with an indoor scrap wire loop near an exterior sliding-glass door.

Of note I removed the USB port and bypassed the regulator to feed DC without the voltage conversion. I have not done any testing at difference voltages, but a 9v battery seems to work okay. Lower voltage into the amp might even improve the noise, phase distortion, etc. Again, YMMV.

@alpard, if opting for a horizontal solution, either get it high as possible with a small loop like the one packaged with it to help limit ground losses, or alternatively consider trying it with a loop-on-ground of moderate size.

1746

Equipment / Re: IC-7300 as a SWL receiver

« on: July 28, 2020, 2213 UTC »

AFAIK, the IC-705 is approved but delayed for release due to the pandemic.

It is looking like the 705 at launch could cost more than the 7300, especially with current rebates on the later.

Still the 705 very well could become the "better" modern Icom option of the two for those predominately interested in receiving; IMO of course. It has the same size display, sports a much smaller size footprint, supports off-the-shelf li-ion battery packs, and likely is derived from 7300 tech anyway. It also add reception for a good chunk of VHF plus a slice of UHF.

1747

Equipment / Re: Icom IC-735 not tx, meter pegs hard left on mic key

« on: July 27, 2020, 0059 UTC »

Got it figured out.  Simple oversight.

Could you please, please tell the rest of us what that simple oversight was? I was given a used IC-735, and am experiencing the exact same issue you described.

Many thanks in advance!

As noted here....

https://forums.radioreference.com/threads/new-ic-735.359237/

....check the mic plug for a lose wire.

1748

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: Radio 48 5150 USB 0011 UTC 27 July 2020

« on: July 27, 2020, 0055 UTC »

Modulation at 0054z. Right inside the edge of my current noise floor on my 148' loop-on-ground.

I will try to keep checking. Either way, thanks for the broadcast!

1749

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: Zekey's Attic 6937 USB 2336 utc 26 July 2020

« on: July 27, 2020, 0020 UTC »

Commentary about Les Paul into music around 0012z. Peaking S7 on the 31' vertical. Occasional fades and static crashes, as in the usual tropical HF noise for Florida summertime, though still an easy copy with good modulation. SINPO 45444.

Thanks for the broadcast!

1750

Equipment / Re: DRM pirates

« on: July 26, 2020, 1938 UTC »

On a related tangent, FreeDV might be of interest for spoken-word and similar low-complexity content.

1751

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: UNID 6925 USB 2103 UTC 30 Nov 2019

« on: November 30, 2019, 2218 UTC »

~S5 but well underneath rather powerful UTEs here.

2240z - Intermittent UTEs, but now peaking up to S9 with a much better copy and clear modulation.
2241z - SSTV

1752

North American Shortwave Pirate / Argyle Radio 6937 USB 2211 UTC 30 Nov 2019

« on: November 30, 2019, 2214 UTC »

"Patrick Jr." playing hip-hop, rap, and rock. Commentary about transmitter repairs and a new antenna needing trimmed.

S9+10 at SINPO 55455 via the 148' loop-on-ground antenna and preamp. Strong modulation.

2215z - Multiple SSTV if anyone has decodes.
2230z - Said to be transmitting from Ireland.
2235z - Off air.

1753

General Radio Discussion / Re: 49 MHz Range Testing Part 15 Experimentation

« on: October 05, 2019, 0424 UTC »

Add a connector and build a basic wire j-pole. Lots of j-pole plans and calcs on the net. Opt for a BNC if you want to retain handheld use of a rubber duck or similar.

You can use 450-ohm twinlead for the antenna, 50-ohm coax for the feedline, and air-wound coax for a simple choke. Get a slingshot or fishing pole, and raise the antenna via a tree.

Do the same for two units, and you might successfully complete line of sight comms up to several miles assuming enough height and no significant obstructions, even with just milliwatts of radiated power.

I recommend a wire j-pole for being lightweight, easy to build, and readily deployable with a single support. It is also vertically polarized (unless hung sideways ;), which is a plus for talking with other typical handheld users in your expected comms group.

BTW, 49MHz also can do over the horizon even at QRP just like the nearby 6m amateur band, but think more along the lines of using multi-element yagis at decent height on each end of the connection.

1754

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: Electric Circus Shortwave 4090 USB UTC 0210 5 Oct 2019

« on: October 05, 2019, 0313 UTC »

Rock music peaking S9+ and SINPO 45344 at 0309z via the 148' loop-on-ground and preamp. ID a minute or two later.

Considerable static crashing, but that is generally expected for the tropic bands at my location this time of year. Otherwise, a decent to good copy with clear modulation.

Thanks for the broadcast.... and shoutout! :)

1755

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: Mix Radio International 6916 USB 2326 UTC 04 OCT 2019

« on: October 05, 2019, 0029 UTC »

Chillout, downtempo, jazz, etc. music peaking S7+ and SINPO 35434 at 0032z via the 148' loop-on-ground with preamp. Some significant fades but a decent copy. Clear modulation, too.

0033z - Audio breakups noted.
0035z - Audio restored. :)

Thanks for the broadcast!