Messages

91

Utility / Re:

« on: May 15, 2017, 2102 UTC »

Sorry, I'm not familiar with a lot of the signals I hear, will keep that in mind before posting. This was heard via the University of Twente SDR.

After several repetitions there were different transmissions along the line of "QSL NR05 BT BT AR AR DT40" (The BT and AR presumably being prosigns)

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

92

Utility / 4XZ

« on: May 15, 2017, 1943 UTC »

19:40 utc, 6607.00 "V V V DE 4XZ 4XZ BT   BT" then a string of letters too fast for me to copy.

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

93

General Radio Discussion / Re: Re: New user, great forum

« on: May 04, 2017, 1724 UTC »

Nearly every day at work, I listen via to the Univ of Twente's WebSDR to various things, and usually the VoG in the afternoon. In the morning, there are stations at 6005, 6070, 6085, and 6150 that have a variety of things. When I get lucky, I can catch a firedrake¹.


For numbers stations:
http://numbersoddities.nl/
http://www.priyom.org

And poke around the boards here on HFU often, especially on weekends.




¹ http://www.satdirectory.com/firedrake.html

About the same for me. Got my uncles SX71 around 1986, and a year or two later also got a used Realistic DX160 (I think that's what it was). Got my amateur licence in 1989.

I've played with some SDRs online. University of Twente seems to be the only one that works reliably for me. I hear UVB 76, and found Radio Cuba (or Radio Havana? I forget) but it was way down in the 100khz range. Not sure if it was an image or if they actually broadcast down there.

94

General Radio Discussion / Re: Re: New user, great forum

« on: May 04, 2017, 1720 UTC »

Also, I got out of swl'ing due to the ridiculous amounts of pobucker-religious brainwashing hailfire + brimstone was dominating.
Luckily I have a mediocre portable that'll get some pirate stations, especially with an antenna that is 100-feet in length.

Have you noticed how a lot of Hams (esp. in the 7190-to-7200 range) have practically no dignity or professionality? Kinda annoying. I enjoy hearing hams discussing equipment that works & doesn't work.

Yes, when I was younger I enjoyed listening to BBC World Service on 9915 khz in the evening. Always came in very strong. Don't know if they still use that freq. I still have QSL cards from Radio Cuba, WWV, and WWVH. Would also listen to Radio Moscow and VOA regularly. From what I've read it does seem like the majority of broadcast stations are all religious in nature which I really have no interest in.

Haven't listened to 7190-7200 but I remember 14313 being a mess for many years. Part of what attracted me to amateur radio as a kid was the technical skill, and discipline of the operators. I'm hoping that hasn't been degraded over time.

95

Huh? / Re:

« on: May 02, 2017, 1520 UTC »

A lot of that is just the "lo fi" style that became popular in the mid 2000's, I think. It's a nod to older pop music, analog synths, etc. I think it's cool to a point but like anything else, gets overdone and then becomes a caricature of itself.

96

Equipment / Re:

« on: May 02, 2017, 1517 UTC »

I wonder why the power limits are so low? If nothing else it could make for some interesting listening. I don't know of anything able to transmit that low that the average amateur operator could get their hands on, unless it involves modding commercial gear.

97

Equipment / Re:

« on: May 01, 2017, 0041 UTC »

You're probably right. I'd really love to work 80 and 160 but I don't see a way around it right now. I think the US is getting some MW bands below 160 meters that would be interesting, but unless one has a few acres in the country, I don't see it happening.

98

Equipment / Re:

« on: April 30, 2017, 2247 UTC »

The attic and roof have no metallic shingles or coating, so a dipole would work. I'm wondering what the fire hazard would be with higher voltages on the ends of the dipole. I won't be running more than 100 watts.

I saw plans for a home made multi band trap dipole. Could be a good project.

The Mag loop antennas get great reviews but are pricey.

The MFJ 1622 seems a less expensive and quick way to get going, but not sure how good it is

99

Equipment / Re:

« on: April 30, 2017, 1452 UTC »

I've been looking at some loop antennas. If they can be ground mounted, that would be a good solution. As long as it doesn't peak above the fence it would be fine

Don't think the roof has any metallic lining, but I'll check.

In my current apartment I have a balcony on the second floor and attic access.

100

Huh? / Re:

« on: April 29, 2017, 2311 UTC »

Pigment, you brought up a good point about tube amps and audio equipment. My home stereo is modest, but I have a friend who is an audiophile, and is really into all that stuff. He and I agree that the degree to which vinyl sounds better, or different is dependent on the playback equipment and how the album was originally recorded. So, a recently recorded LP in a modern studio, and played back on a cheap turntable won't really sound much different from a CD. Whereas, an original Miles Davis album that's clean, played on a good turntable and stylus, with a tube amp etc, will.

101

Equipment / Re:

« on: April 29, 2017, 1912 UTC »

From what I read, it died in Congress and was reintroduced this year. It was passed in the House so I guess it's waiting it's turn in the Senate. Given the worse than usual mess in Congress, I'm not holding my breath.

102

Huh? / Re:

« on: April 29, 2017, 1827 UTC »

RSD was partly a response to vinyl, I think. I always thought it was silly that people would want to sell a stack of dusty, warped, scratched records and expect big bucks for them, just because records are popular again.

103

Equipment / Re:

« on: April 29, 2017, 1821 UTC »

Also, I hate HOAs as much as everyone else, but it will be the reality for now. I asked this same  question on another forum, and got a few useful replies and about 20 pages of irrelevant comments and people flaming each other.

104

Equipment / Re:

« on: April 29, 2017, 1818 UTC »

So, I'm currently I'm an apartment. My girlfriend and I are planning on moving in together. She has a house but the HOA expressly forbids antennas that "send or receive any ham radio signal" (my head exploded when I read that). I'm thinking some kind of loop, and a multiband dipole in the attic after I move. If I'm creative enough I might find a way of doing something outside. After the dust settles on the move I might consider asking for a variance as I suspect many of these rules are just a "copy and paste"

105

Equipment / Re:

« on: April 27, 2017, 1535 UTC »

Those loops look interesting. I suppose the compromise is a narrow band with and they likely aren't as efficient foe transmitting.  Back in a previous life I had a Kenwood TS140S (Great little radio, I now regret selling it) and a multiband vertical mounted in my parents back yard. Worked really well. As far as transmitting, I am concerned about RF exposure. I have yet to do any calculations, but am hoping that with an antenna in the attic, 100 watts will be a possibility.