2281
Peskies / UNID Unknown Language 6980 kHz LSB 0130+ UTC 2 May 2017
« on: May 02, 2017, 0137 UTC »
Likely Spanish given the odd lack of Portuguese traffic this evening. Too weak to get a positive ID on language though...
Shortwave Pirate Radio In North America And Around The World, And Other Signals That Go Bump In The Night
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2282
Peskies / UNID Spanish Langauge 6990 kHz USB 0130+ UTC 2 May 2017
« on: May 02, 2017, 0134 UTC »
Doing another quick band scan...came across 6990 kHz USB. Spanish speaking OMs talking (hearing two stations having a QSO right now). Lots of space between transmissions indicating a possible third (unheard) station in rotation.
2283
Peskies / Re: 6905 kHz LSB Spanish Speaking Freebander Net 0050 UTC 2 May 2017
« on: May 02, 2017, 0116 UTC »
Tuned back at 0115 UTC. Heard a mention of California. Signals still very strong, MDK2, you're right about the stations speaking "deliberately". 6900 kHz LSB active at the same time as 6905 kHz LSB. Sporadic activity on 6910 kHz LSB as well. Possibility that some of these stations are moving back and forth between these two (three?) frequencies.
2284
North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: Old Time Radio 6770 AM 0050 UTC May 1, 2017
« on: May 02, 2017, 0114 UTC »
Have a carrier here on 6770 AM and very weak audio heard in the background. Strong data signal on 6765 kHz USB making use of USB mode to listen almost a requirement (at 0113 UTC).
2285
Peskies / UNID Spanish Language 6708 kHz USB 0100+ UTC 2 May 2017
« on: May 02, 2017, 0107 UTC »
Spanish language speaking stations on 6708 kHz USB / 6.708 MHz USB.
At least three different stations heard, considerably weaker than traffic heard in the 6900-7000 kHz range at the same time, indicating that these stations are possibly coming from a different enough location. As Old Time Radio is readable on 6770 kHz AM, I will deduce that lower-power stations are still able to make it "out" tonight - which would probably explain the busier higher frequencies. I know this is Spanish, but unfortunately it is too weak and obscured by the just-now-returning thunderstorm and lightning QRN noise static crashes
Heard a mention of "California" at 0107 UTC followed by a mention of Juarez (presumed reference to the city in Mexico).
SIO 111 or so. Several stations talking, but no sign of them talking over each other like the usual pescadores do. Doesn't mean they're not fishermen though, especially considering how far away they are from the usual freeband nets on 6900 LSB and nearby frequencies.
Tuned back in at 0118 UTC. Stations still chatting away, signal strength has not improved like it has on the 69xx frequencies.
At least three different stations heard, considerably weaker than traffic heard in the 6900-7000 kHz range at the same time, indicating that these stations are possibly coming from a different enough location. As Old Time Radio is readable on 6770 kHz AM, I will deduce that lower-power stations are still able to make it "out" tonight - which would probably explain the busier higher frequencies. I know this is Spanish, but unfortunately it is too weak and obscured by the just-now-returning thunderstorm and lightning QRN noise static crashes
Heard a mention of "California" at 0107 UTC followed by a mention of Juarez (presumed reference to the city in Mexico). SIO 111 or so. Several stations talking, but no sign of them talking over each other like the usual pescadores do. Doesn't mean they're not fishermen though, especially considering how far away they are from the usual freeband nets on 6900 LSB and nearby frequencies.
Tuned back in at 0118 UTC. Stations still chatting away, signal strength has not improved like it has on the 69xx frequencies.
2286
Peskies / UNID Spanish Language 6977 kHz USB 0100 UTC 2 May 2017
« on: May 02, 2017, 0101 UTC »
Possibly QSYed from 6978 USB (activity noted on this frequency roughly 1 hour ago). Heard a mention of Virginia. Mention of "52", possibly a callsign or handle-like identifier. Similar to traffic heard lower in frequency (see 6900 LSB, 6905 LSB, etc). Not sure if this is the same group of stations as accents seem to be different, although this could be due to stations being slightly-off frequency or my not-that-great Spanish or likely a combination of the two. SIO 222.
2287
Peskies / UNID Spanish Language 6915 kHz LSB 0055+ UTC 2 May 2017
« on: May 02, 2017, 0056 UTC »
Spanish speaking traffic with an off-frequency voice signal and a very strong data burst signal (possibly coming from 6912.5 or 6913 USB) causing significant QRM at 0056 UTC.
2288
Peskies / 6905 kHz LSB Spanish Speaking Freebander Net 0050 UTC 2 May 2017
« on: May 02, 2017, 0052 UTC »
6905 kHz LSB - 6.905 MHz LSB Spanish speakers freebander net alternate frequency for primary 6900 LSB frequency.
Two OMs chatting on 6905 LSB at 0050 UTC (tuned in at 0048 UTC). Mention of Dominican Republic, California, United States (in general) and Mexico. Similar traffic to QSOs heard on 6900 LSB, 6895 LSB, 6910 LSB and other nearby frequencies, usually +/- 5 kHz steps. Very similar to 11 meter freeband traffic, previous analysis of traffic on these frequencies indicates at least a casual connection to 11 meter freeband operators. Casual chatter about Mexicans and Americans. One station is a solid S9 the other is a S5-S6, both very good signals. Louder station has very hot audio with some background noise. 0052 UTC - chat about people migrating to the United States for work. Mention of Virginia at 0052-0053 UTC. Mention of the President of the United States at 0053 UTC as well. Political discussion (have heard similar traffic on 6900 LSB previously). Always interesting to hear the "other side" talk about American political discourse...anyway...
QSO still going strong with traffic popping up on 6900 LSB, 6910 LSB and other frequencies, indicating a busy band this evening. Storm static has subsided over the past hour or so (which is good).
Two OMs chatting on 6905 LSB at 0050 UTC (tuned in at 0048 UTC). Mention of Dominican Republic, California, United States (in general) and Mexico. Similar traffic to QSOs heard on 6900 LSB, 6895 LSB, 6910 LSB and other nearby frequencies, usually +/- 5 kHz steps. Very similar to 11 meter freeband traffic, previous analysis of traffic on these frequencies indicates at least a casual connection to 11 meter freeband operators. Casual chatter about Mexicans and Americans. One station is a solid S9 the other is a S5-S6, both very good signals. Louder station has very hot audio with some background noise. 0052 UTC - chat about people migrating to the United States for work. Mention of Virginia at 0052-0053 UTC. Mention of the President of the United States at 0053 UTC as well. Political discussion (have heard similar traffic on 6900 LSB previously). Always interesting to hear the "other side" talk about American political discourse...anyway...
QSO still going strong with traffic popping up on 6900 LSB, 6910 LSB and other frequencies, indicating a busy band this evening. Storm static has subsided over the past hour or so (which is good).
2289
Peskies / UNID Spanish Language 6910 kHz LSB 0000+ UTC 2 May 2017
« on: May 02, 2017, 0005 UTC »
6910 kHz LSB / 6.910 MHz LSB Spanish language freebanders possibly related to the group usually heard on 6900 LSB. Tuned in at 0000 UTC May 2nd, 2017.
6910 kHz LSB. Spanish logged here in the past, although this frequency (and nearby frequencies) have been used by the typical "peskie" pescadore fishing fleet radio chatter.Sounds like Spanish but I can't be 100% sure. Tell-tale "holaaa!!!" etc heard at 0002 UTC - 0003 UTC. Operators whistling into microphones and keying up carriers on 6910 kHz likely tuning antennas and doing other radio checks. Thunderstorm lightning QRN static crashes and noise levels have gotten considerably worse over the past 10-15 minutes.
6910 kHz LSB. Spanish logged here in the past, although this frequency (and nearby frequencies) have been used by the typical "peskie" pescadore fishing fleet radio chatter.
2290
Peskies / 6978 kHz USB UNID Unknown Language 1 May 2017
« on: May 02, 2017, 0000 UTC »
Very weak SSB traffic noticed on 6978 kHz / 6.978 MHz USB mode just before the 0000 UTC mark. As with other logs this evening, heavy thunderstorm QRN all over the band. 90% sure its Portuguese as far as the language goes but it could be Spanish...the frequency and mode don't help with the ID this time (as both groups seem to have discovered the USB mode recently...and a nearby log on 6972 kHz USB was Portuguese, however many nearby frequencies using both USB and LSB have been logged in the Spanish language.
So, with that in mind, I'll leave the language part as unknown.
Nothing heard since 2359 UTC. Possibly lost in the thunderstorm static crashes
So, with that in mind, I'll leave the language part as unknown.
Nothing heard since 2359 UTC. Possibly lost in the thunderstorm static crashes
2291
Peskies / 6972 kHz USB UNID Portuguese Chatter 1 May 2017
« on: May 01, 2017, 2356 UTC »
6972 kHz USB heavy static crashes due to heavy local (and distant!) thunderstorm and lightning activity. Portuguese chatter heard 6972 kHz 6.972 MHz USB mode. SIO 111 to SIO 222 at best due to the heavy lightning QRN static crashes. I've noticed increased use of USB mode by pescadore fishing fleet radio nets in the 6-7 MHz region lately.
2292
Peskies / 6900 kHz LSB Spanish Speaking Freebander Net 2350 UTC 1 May 2017
« on: May 01, 2017, 2354 UTC »
First tuned in at 2350 UTC frequency 6900 kHz mode LSB.
Unusually weak signals for this frequency although it is still relatively early in the evening for monitoring the peskies. Heavy thunderstorm static crashes making listening very difficult.
EDIT: Tuned back in at 0110 UTC. Listening is considerably easier now due to a slight reduction in storm QRN and a significant increase in signal strength of the received signals. Net-like "ragchew" format, roundtable discussion involving several stations, similar to identified use of this frequency in the past. Likely the same stations received night after night on 6900 kHz LSB and alternate frequencies (6905 LSB and 6910 LSB are both very busy at the same time). Mention of Mexico on 0111 UTC, followed by musings on stations contacted in both the United States and Mexico, followed by a station intentionally jamming/causing QRM over another....sounds like 11 meters to me.
Unusually weak signals for this frequency although it is still relatively early in the evening for monitoring the peskies. Heavy thunderstorm static crashes making listening very difficult.
EDIT: Tuned back in at 0110 UTC. Listening is considerably easier now due to a slight reduction in storm QRN and a significant increase in signal strength of the received signals. Net-like "ragchew" format, roundtable discussion involving several stations, similar to identified use of this frequency in the past. Likely the same stations received night after night on 6900 kHz LSB and alternate frequencies (6905 LSB and 6910 LSB are both very busy at the same time). Mention of Mexico on 0111 UTC, followed by musings on stations contacted in both the United States and Mexico, followed by a station intentionally jamming/causing QRM over another....sounds like 11 meters to me.
2293
North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: Unid, 6.880 AM, 2340 utc, 1 May 2017
« on: May 01, 2017, 2351 UTC »
AC/DC with some deep fades but generally good signal at 2350 UTC tune-in. Nearby data burst signal on 6885 kHz. S6-S7 signal with almost no noise on the peaks.
2294
Equipment / Re: 11 meter rig
« on: May 01, 2017, 1924 UTC »
I have an older-generation (made in the Philippines) Superstar 3900 (clone of the famous Superstar 360FM, it itself a clone of the Cobra 148 GTL-DX) and it is surprisingly solid on SSB. I know these radios have a rep as splatterboxes but if they're not hit with the golden screwdriver, they're excellent radios. I can't say that for the newer 3900s. Running a stock or mildly-tuned 3900 with a quality aftermarket microphone will give you quality AM audio and not compromise your SSB capability. Don't buy a new (built in China) Superstar 3900 radio, I've read some horror stories about the Chinese ones.
If you're looking at modern equipment, I recommend the CRE 8900. I operate that as my primary SSB radio with the Superstar 3900 and Galaxy 959 as backup SSB 11 meter radios. It has been sold under several other brand names, including Alinco DR-135CB and Alinco DR-10. This radio performs as well as modern amateur radios on SSB and doesn't suffer from the drift issues of older Ranger/RCI radios. If you're looking for a "traditional" SSB radio, Looking-Glass' list is excellent. I've used the President Grant (aka Superstar GR, Uniden Grant in some markets) mobile, which, if can be found, is highly recommended.
My primary AM 11 meter rig is a modified Galaxy DX 959 with an Astatic 636L or Astatic M6B amplified microphone. Regardless of which radio you get, look at getting an aftermarket microphone. The Galaxy 959 is a classic "trucker radio" and really screams on AM. When running the Galaxy with an amplified microphone, I have to drop the mic gain down to 50-60% to prevent the radio from overmodulating. Once warmed up, it holds its own on SSB. I've talked all over the USA on 27.385 LSB and all over North America on the high band (27.415-27.855 MHz) on a Galaxy DX 959 with the 120 channel frequency kit. That's a lot of money to spend on an 11 meter radio though. If you live in an area where AM operations are popular, I recommend getting a "loud" AM radio, or a standard radio and an amplified microphone.
Even with a general HF ham rig, many people want to have a dedicated CB or 11 meter rig. I'm one of those people.
Short version:
The Cobra 980 radio is great. Look at the President Grant II, it is the open-banded version of the Cobra Bearcat 980 SSB radio.
My recommendations:
-older Superstar 3900 and similar radios (literally dozens of brand names / model numbers) EPT3600-series main board radios built by Ranger
-CRE 8900
-Yeticom Optima
-Galaxy DX 959 w/ modifications (if you want a loud AM radio)
-President / Uniden Washington (base station with classic style and AM/SSB)
-President / Uniden Grant / Superstar GR (classic style radio, the Superstar GR is about as rare as the radios Looking-Glass mentioned)
-President Jackson / Superstar JA (classic style radios)
-President Jackson II and President Grant II (modern SMT style radios, same quality as high-end Cobra and Uniden offerings)
If you're looking at modern equipment, I recommend the CRE 8900. I operate that as my primary SSB radio with the Superstar 3900 and Galaxy 959 as backup SSB 11 meter radios. It has been sold under several other brand names, including Alinco DR-135CB and Alinco DR-10. This radio performs as well as modern amateur radios on SSB and doesn't suffer from the drift issues of older Ranger/RCI radios. If you're looking for a "traditional" SSB radio, Looking-Glass' list is excellent. I've used the President Grant (aka Superstar GR, Uniden Grant in some markets) mobile, which, if can be found, is highly recommended.
My primary AM 11 meter rig is a modified Galaxy DX 959 with an Astatic 636L or Astatic M6B amplified microphone. Regardless of which radio you get, look at getting an aftermarket microphone. The Galaxy 959 is a classic "trucker radio" and really screams on AM. When running the Galaxy with an amplified microphone, I have to drop the mic gain down to 50-60% to prevent the radio from overmodulating. Once warmed up, it holds its own on SSB. I've talked all over the USA on 27.385 LSB and all over North America on the high band (27.415-27.855 MHz) on a Galaxy DX 959 with the 120 channel frequency kit. That's a lot of money to spend on an 11 meter radio though. If you live in an area where AM operations are popular, I recommend getting a "loud" AM radio, or a standard radio and an amplified microphone.
Even with a general HF ham rig, many people want to have a dedicated CB or 11 meter rig. I'm one of those people.
Short version:
The Cobra 980 radio is great. Look at the President Grant II, it is the open-banded version of the Cobra Bearcat 980 SSB radio.
My recommendations:
-older Superstar 3900 and similar radios (literally dozens of brand names / model numbers) EPT3600-series main board radios built by Ranger
-CRE 8900
-Yeticom Optima
-Galaxy DX 959 w/ modifications (if you want a loud AM radio)
-President / Uniden Washington (base station with classic style and AM/SSB)
-President / Uniden Grant / Superstar GR (classic style radio, the Superstar GR is about as rare as the radios Looking-Glass mentioned)
-President Jackson / Superstar JA (classic style radios)
-President Jackson II and President Grant II (modern SMT style radios, same quality as high-end Cobra and Uniden offerings)
2295
Other / Re: Experimental FCC license SSTV 6951 USB 1544 UTC 30 Apr 2017
« on: May 01, 2017, 1909 UTC »
Experimental license WI2XJP
WI2XJP 0254-EX-PL-2016 WARREN H. ZIEGLER
New experimental to operate in 4.75 - 4.85, 5.005 - 5.060, 6.765 - 7.00 and 9.90 - 9.995 MHz for
testing HF communications system.
Mobile: Within 250kM of 157 Plain Rd Wayland, MA
Interesting..
WI2XJP 0254-EX-PL-2016 WARREN H. ZIEGLER
New experimental to operate in 4.75 - 4.85, 5.005 - 5.060, 6.765 - 7.00 and 9.90 - 9.995 MHz for
testing HF communications system.
Mobile: Within 250kM of 157 Plain Rd Wayland, MA
Interesting..
