Topics

1

Propagation / RW write-ups on FM DX'ing Meteor Scatter.

« on: December 10, 2024, 1810 UTC »

https://www.radioworld.com/global/the-geminids-on-fm-a-celestial-symphony-you-can-hear     Huh... The longest FM burst that I've heard was about 2sec. Not exactly good to station ID'ing. However, there were, and still are, FM DX Freaks, out there, that leave-on for like +24hrs a slow recorder to try and catch a Meteor Burst with an ID. In the 70's and 80's, slow Open-Reel decks did that, then those C Crane slowed-down cassette recorders in the 90's. Today, a low bitrate MP3 recorder. So, if you can't see meteors, due to cloud cover, you could still listen for them. 

2

Huh? / Progressive Concepts Acquires Norwalk Electronics? Another RW rip...

« on: December 07, 2024, 1655 UTC »

https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/headlines/progressive-concepts-acquires-norwalk-electronics    Hey... Progressive Concepts still puts out mini zine-like catalogs. https://progressive-concepts.com/request-a-printed-catalog/

3

Equipment / Useful audio DSP gear? Could be. Taramps Pro 2.4D Dynamic Peak (audio DSP)

« on: December 04, 2024, 1805 UTC »

https://tarampsusa.com/products/taramps-pro-2-4d-dynamic-peak-audio-processor    Not too sure that it could be like a BHI Audio DSP, but the price of this thing look attractive and could be useful somewhere.

4

Part 15 AM and FM Station Operation / Radio World interview of Bill Defelice, “Wannabes” Should Consider Part 15?

« on: December 04, 2024, 1612 UTC »

You may have heard Bill on an early podcast of Radio Survivor. Well, here he is on a Radio World interview.  https://www.radioworld.com/columns-and-views/guest-commentaries/wannabes-should-consider-part-15     (I'll see if I can re-post the Radio Survivor podcast link that he was on a few years back.)   BTW, who asked about 'Bleeder Cable FM"? This article, Bill talks about that as well. (Oh yeah... THANKS Boomer, for alerting me to this!) 
(UPDATE):   That Radio Survivor, with Bill Defelice is RS podcast #120,   https://www.radiosurvivor.com/2017/12/podcast-120-tiny-radio-station/    Enjoy!!!!

5

Equipment / A 'Poor Man's Optimod'? Um, maybe.... Meant for HAM and Part 15.

« on: December 01, 2024, 1650 UTC »

https://www.internetwork.com/MAX/    Boomer found this. Looks cool.

6

Part 15 AM and FM Station Operation / Tis the season for Part 15 'Light Display' stations?

« on: November 27, 2024, 1754 UTC »

Anyone seen these out yet? Signs that say, "TUNE IN TO ----" for music to various X-mas light displays. Most seem to be those FM ones, but someone might try AM as well. Usually, you will see them at an event like this,   https://salights.com/   However, folks that have their houses decked-out might display a sign for accompanying music.

7

Huh? / Bose Speakers buys out McIntosh Audio?

« on: November 20, 2024, 2116 UTC »

https://www.bose.com/pressroom/bose-acquires-mcintosh-group-announcement?srsltid=AfmBOooVHe196sDv1GzzGCBkZHtsCBTa-PJBeQMq69IeTwek4D4SyKPE     Well, that's different. I have audio from both. I was sad, when Clarion acquired McIntosh 20-some years ago. Hopefully, this is a good thing.

8

Part 15 AM and FM Station Operation / 35,000 Watts, the podcast, free to air for Part 15'ers!

« on: November 19, 2024, 1911 UTC »

Actually, I've known about Michael Millard's, 35,000 Watts, College Radio INFO Podcasts, for months now, but griped to him that I couldn't download it. https://www.35000watts.com/podcast/   The tricks, hit SHARE, then you'll see that download arrow / line icon, and it should take. Or, right-click on it, and hit 'SAVE LINK AS', and label and put the download where you want it. Worked, for me. COOL!!!!! (THANKS Michael!!!!)

9

Huh? / SWL'ing hits-up Franken FM, 'ol CH6's.

« on: November 10, 2024, 1748 UTC »

https://swling.com/blog/2024/11/channel-6-fm-radio-stations/    Question is, how much longer can they exist?  They are certainly not bothering anyone where they are, at 87.750MHz. Well, with the exception of envy from some commercial broadcasters that want to see them squashed. Uh-huh.

10

General Radio Discussion / Are Internet Radios Still a Thing? RW rip...

« on: November 08, 2024, 1851 UTC »

https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/are-internet-radios-still-a-thing     I still use it, and use that Grace Digital Mondo Elite as a stream link for programs. BTW, it does seem to work well with Starlink Internet. (Thanks for referring this Boomer!)

11

SDR - Software Defined Radio / The Ultra-Portable ATS25 max-Decoder Receiver? Updated?

« on: October 19, 2024, 1720 UTC »

https://www.elektormagazine.com/review/ats25-max-decoder-receiver-review   Sound intriguing, but I understand that you'd have to pay for the software upgrades.  Anyone tried this SDR yet?

12

Huh? / So, what's up with Archive .ORG? Been down since the start of the month.

« on: October 16, 2024, 1751 UTC »

https://archive.org/details/@thadood      That sucks... Can't access my uploads. WBCQ must be in the same boat.  https://archive.org/details/@splatterbox3200   For now, I can kind of fall-back to my Brighteon.Social page,  https://brighteon.social/@RealFreeRadio   There, non-members can still view TEXT and PIC's, but not .PDF's, or A/V files. Huh...

13

Equipment / User Report: SEPsoniX Brings Big Sound to Small Station? RW rip.

« on: October 16, 2024, 1745 UTC »

https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/buyers-guide/user-report-sepsonix-brings-big-sound-to-small-station     COOL!!!! That would be neat for either LPFM, or Part 15, stations. Always good to know what's out there. (THANKS, Boomer!)

14

Part 15 AM and FM Station Operation / A look at an LPB, Inc., 25C Tube Transmitter and Coupler from 1975.

« on: October 14, 2024, 1848 UTC »

https://steampoweredradio.com/pdf/lpb/manuals/LPB%20Model%2025C%20AM%20Broadcast%20Transmitter%20Manual.pdf    COOL!!! I'd still would take both today.

15

Equipment / Anyone tried the Sirio re-issued Starduster 11M / 10M Antenna? Just ordered one.

« on: October 10, 2024, 1809 UTC »

I was trying to build a better, lower-gain, antenna for 11M CB and 10M local Chit-Chat, that goes on in my area on 28.415MHz USB. Being in this valley bottom, low-gain antennas seem to be the best way on VHF / UHF to talk out of here. Currently, I'm using a free Cushcraft AR-10 10M 1/2-Wave GND-Plane, which does pretty good, at +2dbd gain, but I believe that I could do better in my geographically challenged areas to my South and East. Anyway, by the time I get the parts together, and the time to do it, I might as well pay for an old tried & true antenna that the Italian company Sirio has re-issued, the old antenna design from Antenna Specialist, The Starduster.  https://www.sirioantenne.it/en/products/hf/starduster-m-400   I ordered mine from Copper Electronics.   https://www.copperelectronics.com/cart/M400-10-11-Meter Thus far, I've had good luck with them and they still have my INFO. So, an antenna that was all-the-rage in the late 70's and early 1980's with the CB'ers of the time. Quite a few friends of mine, back then, had one and loved them. So, a pretty Unity-Gain, 1/4-Wave, antenna for the upper HF band, with a higher angle of radiation, to take better advantage of Knife-Edge-Refraction and even Sporadic E propagation. The down-side that I've observed of this original antenna is that it may easily brake in wind storms. However, they seemed to be easily repairable and most were put back up. So, I have to ask, have any of you tried the 'ol Starduster, or even the newer Sirio version? What do you think?