Messages

106

Huh? / TX Factor #29 is back, and visits the last UK operating SW Station.

« on: July 09, 2023, 1804 UTC »

Yes, this is normally an excellently produced show for Amateur Radio ops. However, they visit the UK's last remaining shortwave station. So, looks like an interest for all SWL'ers. Enjoy.  https://swling.com/blog/2023/07/tx-factor-episode-29/

107

Huh? / Shortwave Modernization Coalition: Public comment period on new proposal? SWL'in

« on: July 05, 2023, 1702 UTC »

https://swling.com/blog/2023/07/shortwave-modernization-coalition-public-comment-period-on-new-proposal/   This might be of concern. Interesting comments afterwards.

108

Equipment / Re: Grounding receiver ??

« on: July 04, 2023, 1811 UTC »

The best grounding that I've ever had was when I pounded an 8ft GND Rod in the Genesee River. Below 10MHz, that seemed to really help, and during drought conditions, being pounded in a river bank, was nice. It was also superb for grounding the AM Carrier-Current station, AM600, years ago. That spoiled me, compared to the very poor soil continuity of West Virginia today. So, if you happen to be next to a stream, creek bed, pond, river, lake, or even the ocean, pound-in as close to the water line as possible, and water tighten those connections. You'll love the low-band performance.

109

The RF Workbench / Sometimes simple works . . . really well! Exploring the CCrane EP PRO! SWL'ing.

« on: July 04, 2023, 1759 UTC »

https://swling.com/blog/2023/07/sometimes-simple-works-really-well-exploring-the-ccrane-ep-pro/         This could be the GE Super Radio of today?

110

Propagation / Re: Will last week of Summer be great for Tropo on VHF / UHF? Now, for 2023?

« on: June 29, 2023, 1944 UTC »

It's here!!! That heatwave from Texas has, and still is, heading east. (Yuk...) However, could make for some nice Tropo for VHF / UHF. So, happy DX'ing!!!

111

General Radio Discussion / FCC Will Open a New Window for LPFMs?

« on: June 28, 2023, 1707 UTC »

Boomer, cued me in on this RW article:  https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/fcc-will-open-a-new-window-for-lpfms

112

General Radio Discussion / Re: AM STEREO ? When possible.

« on: June 26, 2023, 1840 UTC »

When time allows, I've simulcasted my Part 15 stations' programming to the Sean Cuthbert C-QUAM AM Stereo transmitter. https://radiojayallen.com/cuthbert-am-stereo-c-quam-transmitter/   I want to change mine over to a different, metal, case. And, I've modified a Sony SRF-42 AMAX Walkman to be an AM / FM Stereo VU OTA Monitor. https://www.minds.com/group/876322093051867136/feed     (Scroll wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy down when the page finally loads-up.) I'm set-up in my audio chain for 2 Channel audio, where the only MONO sections are the AM transmitters. So someday, I hope to be AM Stereo full time.

113

Amateur Radio / Re: Field Day 2023? Did it from home.

« on: June 25, 2023, 1935 UTC »

I didn't get on the bands until midnight. Waited for an early evening storm to pass, before we fired-up the grill for BBQ chicken. 75M was rough, with lightning crashes tearing that up, even with Attenuators. Also, rough on 40M, and could still hear crackles on 20M and even 15M. 10M and 6M, dead... Still, any station that I heard on attenuated S-Units strength I was able to nab on 1st tries with 65W. 40M seemed harder to do so, with station getting lots of pile-ups. I even worked the local club, at the new location set-up, from Liberty, WV on 7270kHz. Worked a few West Coast and "5"-land stations on 20M. And, heard no one on 15M, but still lightning crackles there. (Huh...) Worked that, until 3AM, here. When I got-up, there was a weak 10M "E" opening to Arkansas, but was only able to work a couple of stations there, until it seemed to take a dump at noon, here. Heard something quick on 50.200MHz, but no repeat. Someone tuning up??? Hey... That's the contester's Murphy's Law, the propagation sucks, until after the contest.
         Anyway, this tells me that at modest 'barefoot' power that I can still get-out and work 'em. So, a nice gauge. And, I'm working on a battery powered system to work the power sipper Xiegu G90 rig. The power sippers that I have for VHF / UHF are HT's to outdoor antennas. You can do a lot with 5W.

114

Amateur Radio / Field Day 2023!

« on: June 22, 2023, 1850 UTC »

Tis that time of year, already. The HF / VHF / UHF, and even microwave, HAM bands will be going absolutely nuts. https://www.arrl.org/field-day   Of course, if you want to get away from that, there's the WARC bands, 60M, and 2M National Simplex. Me??? I like to use the contest as a gauge to see how well my station gets out there, or doesn't.
(There... I've put the subject in the right category. Oooops...)

115

Huh? / 5G Repeller? I don't think so...

« on: June 21, 2023, 1800 UTC »

Oh boy... JG Tiger asked me about this,   https://5grepeller.com/     So, here's what I've written back to him:

"I really have doubts about how that would work. You don't want to repel 5G microwave signal, you want to attenuate it, a.k.a. make it much weaker, so it could be useful, by not have you bathing in RF. Above 1GHz, just about anything does attenuate that,
 windows, (Especially with tinted lead in it.), our aluminum-sided house, tree foliage, concrete, thick wood, etc. True, that these surfaces also bounce the signal, but every reflected signal will be attenuated to a degree. Now, are they trying to emit RF to cancel RF? That means, using a fire to fight a fire, which you don't want to be next to. Want to get away from intense 5G RF? Go into the deep woods, keep your windows rolled-up in the vehicle, go into a building, go underground in a cave, or go underwater. Attenuate RF, not some gizmo that claims to fight it. WTF?!?!? Don't believe the hype, but I'm open to what actual Field Strength Test Reports would show, if any. Demand that from that site!"

OK... So, let me be open enough to ask, is there anything to this, or a bunch of BS for the ignorant to suck-up? If anything, thought this to be a neat lesson to put out there. (Meaning, I did not post this here to bonk anyone, or to play on their intelligence, but to use the subject for an educational purpose.)
There, my C.Y.O.A...

116

The RF Workbench / Re: All Electronics going out of business? NO!!!!! I'll miss them!

« on: June 21, 2023, 1751 UTC »

Damn... I've dealt with them for over 33 years. And, up until this year, they've sent out printed catalogs. Yes, you still have Mouser and Digikey, but I've really never liked dealing with them that much.

117

Huh? / Re: NASBA on Loss of AM in Cars? AM Owners: The Next Move Is Yours?

« on: June 18, 2023, 1738 UTC »

And then, SWL'ing put these RW articles together:   https://swling.com/blog/2023/06/radio-waves-my-fathers-radio-am-listenership-by-state-and-longevity-of-am-in-cars/  Keep talkin' about it!

118

10/11 meters / Re: FM in the USA? Ooops....

« on: June 16, 2023, 2016 UTC »

Whoops.... I stand corrected. I haven't been monitoring up in the Outband Channels in quite a while, and none of my 40CH CB's are modified to go up there. So, I have to rely on an HF rig to monitor up there. Anyway, THANKS!!!!

119

10/11 meters / Re: FM in the USA? 0215UTC, 27.565MHz NBFM, "E" Skip.

« on: June 15, 2023, 1738 UTC »

Sporadic "E" started on 11M at around 00:00UTC, last night, from WI, then IL, then OK, AR, TX, then finally LA, just before 03:00UTC. (Interesting North to South "E" tracking.) SSB CH38LSB was just bonkers. Very little 10M activity. However, scanning through the Outband area, around 02:15UTC, I ran into a round-table talk of four locals, (Presumably from "5"-land.), using NBFM. Only one station giving a decent signal, while everyone else MAX'ed-out to maybe a couple of "S" units. The YL in there was pretty subtle on the mic, and pretty much mainly in the noise level. Still, interesting to monitor NBFM on Outband CH65. Kind of wish now that I checked on 6M.

120

Huh? / 60 years of the Compact Cassette brings some surprises, today!

« on: June 12, 2023, 2005 UTC »

Uh-huh... Love 'em, or just hate them, the Compact Cassette hits 60 years ago this September 2023. And, surprise, they are still made in Missouri by NAC.  https://www.nationalaudiocompany.com/    Looks like you could order just replacement cassette cartridge shells and the hinged cases. Albeit, I'm a little tempted to try and test their CrO2 formula. This link has a VID on NAC,  https://www.wsj.com/articles/cassettes-are-making-a-comeback-but-there-s-a-kink-nobody-makes-tape-1509723435
A lot of cassette gear is still restorable.