Messages

2116

General Radio Discussion / Re: The FRN

« on: August 29, 2011, 2059 UTC »

Snow is better by the yard

2117

Equipment / Re: AN/FRR-22, FRR-23, etc.

« on: August 23, 2011, 0138 UTC »

Hi OW,
Thanks much for the info! I had no idea that I'd get an experienced answer right away! Yeah, the SP-600 is much easier to scan quickly through the bands than the R-390A. But I like SSB reception with the BFO in the R-390A MUCH better! I could get about zilch with the BFO on the SP-600 when I was messing around in the ham bands with it yesterday. This SP-600 is in fair condition. Dents & scratches, no cabinet, no dial lock, and the crystal control has been electronically disconnected. On the plus side, it seems to work really well: signals are strong, audio is loud, no problems with scratchy controls or "crunching" when changing bands, works fine on all filters and all bands. Also, it seems that all of the black beauty caps have been replaced (at least the ones in the underside of the chassis have been), but I haven't opened up the decks or cans to see if those have been replaced. One cosmetically weird thing about this one is that the apparently original paint on this is all medium gray--including the dial escutcheons.

Thanks for the info on the SRR-21. Really interesting stuff. Funny that it's not nearly as good as an SP-600 or R-390A. It looks like lab-grade equipment...and then 29 tubes? You'd think this would be a monster receiver. Now the soldered-in tubes? Just idiotic design for maintenance compared to the other two. I don't think I'll go out of my way to get one of those receivers!

Thanks again for the info!
Andrew

2118

Equipment / AN/FRR-22, FRR-23, etc.

« on: August 22, 2011, 2125 UTC »

I bought a Hammarlund SP-600-JX26 yesterday at a hamfest. While searching around a little for variations between the different versions, lot numbers, etc., I found some info on other military receivers that are interesting.

Specifically, the SP-600, R-388, R-390, R-390A, & R-392 are hugely popular receivers. But, I never see anything about the AN/FRR-22 & An/FRR-23. These are general-coverage receivers (but no AM or 160m) made by RCA with 29 tubes (!) from the early '50s. They seem to have some interesting features (6 filter positions, dimmer control on the front-panel lights, 2 headphone jacks, separate volume control for headphones, etc.)

I found a pic at: http://www.navy-radio.com/rcvrs/images/frr22-01.JPG

Anyone have one of these receivers or know why they don't seem to be for sale? Were they much more expensive than the R-390As and SP-600s of the day? Did they have a design flaw?

Thanks & have a great day!
Andrew

2119

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: UNID - 11920khz @ 0430 UTC

« on: August 14, 2011, 1633 UTC »

I haven't checked out their full sked, but on a quick search, I see that HCJB uses 11920 kHz and they do broadcast in low German

2120

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: Radio True North 6925 AM

« on: August 10, 2011, 1335 UTC »

I had someone here at about 0415 or so. Not strong enough to easily hear an ID. I've been hearing RTN, NRS, and Southern Relay Svc frequently in this time frame with similar signal levels. But I believe it was a few hundred Hz lower than 6925, which would probably mean that RTN came back on. Guess I'll have to check my recording more closely. It seemed to go off (or faded out) around 0530.

Thanks for the log!
Andrew

2121

General Radio Discussion / New Artem's World Music

« on: August 08, 2011, 1506 UTC »

I received this e-mail from Artem, a regular pirate DXer & program producer in Russia:

Hi all again,

Here:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/k2xq08

You can find my program prepared for relay by any pirate or just for listening of all who is interested in. It is dedicated to World Music. Hope, you'll like it.

Yours,

Artem

2122

General Radio Discussion / Re: Investigation by ARRL OOs, Researchers Leads to Resolution of 60 Meter Interfere

« on: August 04, 2011, 2327 UTC »

It's great to see the CODAR move out of 60m, but I didn't realize that some channels were available for ham use!
I wrote to Josh Kohut a few years ago to complain about CODAR interference to tropical band stations. Thought you might like to read his very nice and informative response:

Andrew,

     Thanks for your interest in the site.  We at Rutgers operate 4 systems
along the New Jersey coast, one site on Block Island, and another on
Nantucket Island.

A few years ago when we started operating these systems we had some
communication with several shortwave radio listeners who asked that we try
and avoid the 60-meter band.  At that time we had four sites all operating
at different frequencies between 4.4 and 5.2 MHz.  The shortwave listeners
that we spoke with had the same request as you, to stay below 4.8 MHz.  So
in our applications to the FCC we applied for frequencies below 4.8 MHz as
well as the 4.8 MHz band.  We kept the 4.8 MHz band in the license because
that is a frequency that the FCC has asked to use in the past.

Since that time CODAR Ocean Sensors (the manufacturer) has developed some
new hardware/software that allows us to operate many sites at the same
frequency, without any interference.  This is great for everyone because the
4 frequencies we were occupying for four sites reduced to one frequency.  It
uses GPS timing (pretty cool stuff).

Up until this past summer we were able to operate all of our four sites in
New Jersey at 4.55 MHz and the two sites in New England at 4.47 MHz (well
below 4., taking advantage of the GPS synchronization.  This changed when
the FCC instructed us to discontinue our use of the 4.47 band and switch to
another frequency.  Our only other choice in the license was the higher
frequencies (around 4.8 MHz).  So we had to move the sites in Block Island
and Nantucket to 4.8.

We are only one out of several groups around the US (including Gulf of
Maine, Gulf of Mexico, San Diego, Monterey Bay, and the Gulf of Alaska) who
are operating these systems.  I am not sure how many of these other sites
are operating with frequencies in the upper 4 MHz region.  The interference
in Texas could be from any of these stations (including us).

These stations are being used by a diverse user group including us (the
geeky scientists), the Coast Guard, NOAA Hazmat, local police, k-12
education.  Because of the large user base, these systems are beginning to
multiply along the coast.  With this large number of systems being deployed,
there is a need for us, as a community, to explore primary bands with the
FCC.  These bands would include frequencies that you suggest (4.4-4.7 MHz).
This way we can't be kicked off like we were last summer.  This is a long
process, we have to go beyond the FCC to the ICU for approval.

Our intention is certainly not to interfere with your transmissions.  We
have tried in the past and will continue to try to work with shortwave
listening community so that we can both operate without interference.  If
you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to ask.


Regards,

     Josh

2123

General Radio Discussion / Re: SPY VS. SPY – 20th CENTURY STYLE

« on: August 02, 2011, 1207 UTC »

But were their cupcakes tasty?

2124

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: UNID Quebec Pirate 6950 AM and later 6925 AM 2318z

« on: July 26, 2011, 1902 UTC »

Hi Flibustier,
Sorry to reply here, but I don't have your e-mail address and I didn't see it in your profile. Could you send any information about your station for the 2012 edition of the Pirate Radio Annual to ayoder at hobbybroadcasting dot com  ? or

Andrew Yoder
POB 109
BRS, PA 17214
USA

Sorry I missed your show last night. I went up to the radio room & heard Captain Morgan blasting in on 6950, but unfortunately I didn't tune in any earlier.

Thanks for broadcasting & have a great day!
Andrew

2125

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: UNID 6925u

« on: June 25, 2011, 1305 UTC »

Hi Lance,
This was KARR. Very few IDs & those that were played were electronic & difficult to copy unless you had a great signal.

2126

General Radio Discussion / Re: 2011 Pirate Radio Annual presales starting

« on: June 13, 2011, 1756 UTC »

Cabinet Communications or Andrew Yoder...either will work.

Thanks!

2127

General Radio Discussion / Re: 2011 Pirate Radio Annual presales starting

« on: June 08, 2011, 1437 UTC »

Update: After a few weeks of printer delays, the boxes of books finally arrived last night at 6. I printed some labels & have just started assembling & packing up the books. It'll probably take me a few days to get them all ready and out the door, but I hope to have most done tomorrow.

So, if you ordered and you're from the Northeast, expect your copy early next week. My guess is mid-week or late next week elsewhere. If you didn't order and want to, there are plenty of copies available right now )

Thanks!

2128

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: UNIDS Last Night

« on: May 31, 2011, 1801 UTC »

LHH is possible on 6945. I recorded it overnight a couple of weeks ago & had a few very brief bits of music come through. Not enough for a report, but it's possible on the East Coast

2129

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: unid 6.9255am?

« on: May 29, 2011, 0238 UTC »

Hi Mystery,
Thanks for the info about your station. Interesting all around. Maybe I'll hear you sometime.

I have heard LHH directly, but that was several times about a decade ago. In fact, I think those times were back on 6220. The times that I've LHH recently were via web receiver in the UK.

Thanks & have a great evening!
Andrew

2130

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: unid 6.9255am?

« on: May 28, 2011, 2024 UTC »

Not necessarily. It might have been a relay. I've heard Liquid Radio relayed on 6900 by the Bowling League Relay Service earlier this year.