Messages

661

MW Loggings / Re: New DKAZ antenna & new catches 8/10/2014

« on: August 16, 2014, 0212 UTC »

Regarding the D-KAZ, the CAT5 isn't part of the antenna but rather serves as the feedline for each end of the antenna when used in a reversible configuration.  At each corner, or at the ends of the antenna, you'll have some kind of matching transformer to match the antenna impedance to the impedance of the CAT5.  From each matching transformer I have two long runs of equal length CAT5 that run to the shack near the receiver.  Each CAT5 cable has four twisted pairs.  I'm only utilizing one pair per cable.  Inside the shack, both CAT5 runs terminate into a little control box I made with a null pot, reverse/forward switch, and another matching transformer the takes the CAT5 impedance and matches it to the Perseus.  Here's a shot of the control box:



You can see the CAT5 going into the box and coax going out to the Perseus.  You could probably substitute coax for the CAT5 with the appropriate matching transformers at each of the antenna.

Does this help or did I make it more confusing?  I didn't deviate from the article I linked to above, except compromising a bit for the overall length of the antenna.

662

MW Loggings / Re: New DKAZ antenna & new catches 8/10/2014

« on: August 11, 2014, 0106 UTC »

KK;

Out to my antenna garden I ran a couple lengths of direct burial rated F6, a couple of runs of 7-wire sprinkler cable, and also a run of burial rated Cat-5.  The Cat-5 has held up here for over a year, so maybe this is an option for you.

I didn't really "bury" it; I just split the grass and topsoil down around 6" with a square shovel, pushed the cable bundle in, and held it all in place with bio-degradable anchors.  It only took a couple of hours to do the 200 foot run with my far better half.

Direct burial Cat 5 - great idea, I didn't know there was such a thing.  I'll have to look into that.  That would be much easier than burying conduit.  Thanks for the tip.

663

MW Loggings / Re: New DKAZ antenna & new catches 8/10/2014

« on: August 10, 2014, 2351 UTC »

The article recommends using a preamp.  Indeed I found the signal levels to be relatively low compared to my BOG setup.  With the low signal levels also comes a very low noise floor, so I'm not so sure I need a preamp just yet.  I'll make that decision after I've had some time to play with the antenna.  I just wanted to get it in the air and see if all the elements worked together (antenna, baluns, feed lines, control box, etc.), and it did rather nicely, well into the lower shortwave bands.  I used two runs of Cat 5 of equal length to feed each end of the DKAZ.  The Cat 5 then runs into the shack to a homebew control box with a null pot (to fine tune the null) and switch that allows the antenna to be "reversed" and fine tuned in the shack.  Now that I tested all of this, and it works(!), I'll need do something with the feedlines to protect them.  Cat 5 is a bit fragile to just leave out in the elements, especially during the winter months.  So, still some stuff to button up before it becomes a semi-permanent installation this winter, but I'm generally impressed with how it performs.

664

MW Loggings / New DKAZ antenna & new catches 8/10/2014

« on: August 10, 2014, 2045 UTC »

Finally finished the DKAZ loop this weekend and almost immediately picked up a few new ones for the log book that I was never able to receive before using the BOGs:

600 CJWW Saskatoon, SK. - 8/10/2014 0159 UTC - With slogan "Today's Best Country, Country 600", fair and mixing with WCHT (Escanaba, MI.) 1134 miles.

910 WAKO Lawrenceville, IL. - 8/10/2014 1059 UTC - With legal sign-on / ID and mention of FM 103.1, poor under WFDF. 500w days / 50w nights. 318 miles.

920 WMPL Hancock, MI. - 8/10/2014 0200 UTC - With station ad for local high school sports coverage and mention of "Mix (FM) 93". Strong during signal peak. 1000w days / 206w nights. 295 miles.

Also, 1566 khz TWR Benin produced some bits of audio last night around midnight EDT, also received on the new DKAZ.

Great article on the DKAZ: http://www.durenberger.com/documents/DKAZ070314.pdf

665

Shortwave Broadcast / Solomon Islands 5020 1123 UTC 8/10/2014

« on: August 10, 2014, 2037 UTC »

Fair copy this morning on the newly built DKAZ loop when reversing direction to favor Northern reception.  The nearby Cuban blaster on 5025 was reduced to almost nothing while boosting SIBC at the same time.  S6-S7 copy with choral music and EE inspirational talk between songs.

666

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: Old Time Radio on 6770 AM Aug 10 0845 UTC

« on: August 10, 2014, 1136 UTC »

1136 UTC: Coming in pretty good right now, S5-S6 and clear.

667

MW Loggings / Re: Music on 1710 kHz 8/9/14 0110Z

« on: August 09, 2014, 0145 UTC »

0142z: I've got something on 1710am but the noise is terrible here tonight.  It's tough to tell if it's one of the usual suspects or something different.  Sounds like high energy dance music through the static crashes right now, lots of thump thump thump...

0158z: Music continues with rock song now, maybe from the 1980s, though I can't place it through the noise.  Come to think of it, I'm probably tuned into W807 Chicago.

0204z: Bingo, "W-8-0-7" ID, and back into the rock tunes.  Time to move on...

668

General Radio Discussion / Re: X-FM's history now has a wiki page

« on: August 08, 2014, 2338 UTC »

Nice read, Thanks for sharing the history! 

669

MW Loggings / Re: Trans-Pacific hets and some new graveyard logs this weekend

« on: August 05, 2014, 0137 UTC »

Thanks!  Seems I noticed T-P sunrise conditions were really kicking in beginning in mid August last year.  So begins another season of chasing these elusive signals...

670

MW Loggings / Trans-Pacific hets and some new graveyard logs this weekend

« on: August 04, 2014, 0124 UTC »

The MW DX season is getting closer.  I started early and caught four news ones this weekend including three new ones on the graveyard channels:

1060 WKMQ Tupelo, MS. - 8/2/2014 0305 UTC - Clear call letter ID coming out of a local ad with mention of 101.1 FM. Weak but clear and mostly alone during ID.  960w days / 12w nights - very happy to catch this one!

1230 WXCO Wausau, WI. - 8/2/2014 1059 UTC - With TOH ID "Your hometown, your radio station, AM 1230 W-X-C-O Wausau."

1230 WSAL Logansport, IN. - 8/2/2014 1103 UTC - With local ad for Indiana Beach and into local weather for Logansport, call letter ID.

1240 CJCS Stratford, ON. - 8/2/2014 0105 UTC - Presumed with ads mentioning Ontario and Canadian public service type announcement. Good during brief signal peak.

Sunrise skip was interesting on Saturday morning with several trans-pacific carriers noted on the high end of the band on 1017 (likely Tonga), 1035 & 1503 (both probably New Zealand).

671

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: YHWH 9600 AM 0331 UTC July 20 2014

« on: July 20, 2014, 0352 UTC »

Poor to no copy here but I can some words being spoken on signal peaks.  Thanks for the tip.

672

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: UNID 6925u 0212z 7/19/2014

« on: July 19, 2014, 0221 UTC »

This is L0de Radio Hour.  He is taking calls live at an announced phone number, and via something on Craigslist.

T!

Thanks Token, this is a new one for me.

673

North American Shortwave Pirate / L0de Radio Hour 6925u 0212z 7/19/2014

« on: July 19, 2014, 0215 UTC »

Faint talk, interview format, man speaking with woman,"signals bouncing off the moon around the world" and "broadcasting live from the (Ukraine?)"  Tough copy and just about even with the static.

674

10/11 meters / VHF low band is hot - 1600z

« on: July 06, 2014, 1617 UTC »

Seeing and hearing lots of low band activity on the Perseus waterfall above 30 mhz, which is highly unusual for me.  Go get 'em!

675

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: Generation Wild 100: 6925U, 7/6, 0219+

« on: July 06, 2014, 0234 UTC »

ID at 0233z and back into relaxing jazz.  S6-S7 and sounding really nice here.  Thanks!  Some light pesky interference at times from 6930 lsb.