76
SDR - Software Defined Radio / KiwiSDR and HFDL
« on: November 16, 2021, 1746 UTC »
The latest software build for the KiwiSDR has added a HFDL decoder.
Shortwave Pirate Radio In North America And Around The World, And Other Signals That Go Bump In The Night
We seek to understand and document all radio transmissions, legal and otherwise, as part of the radio listening hobby. We do not encourage any radio operations contrary to regulations.
Always consult with the appropriate authorities if you have questions concerning what is permissible in your locale.
Remember that LoG and BoG antennas need to sit ON GROUND and not under it. When they get subsumed into the ground, performance suffers. See Figure 39 here:
https://rudys.typepad.com/files/qexjul-aug-2016-bog.pdf
You can find free copies of Monitoring Times back issues here:
https://worldradiohistory.com/Monitoring-Times.htm
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77
SDR - Software Defined Radio / KiwiSDR updates
« on: November 16, 2021, 1719 UTC »
If you own a KiwiSDR, check the firmware version. The latest version is 1.474 (as of today); if you have that then no need to read further.
If your KiwiSDR is showing version 1.462, then the update process is broken and manual intervention is required. Details on what you need to do are here:
http://forum.kiwisdr.com/index.php?p=/discussion/2370/v1-462-manual-intervention-required-to-receive-future-updates/p1
If your KiwiSDR is showing version 1.462, then the update process is broken and manual intervention is required. Details on what you need to do are here:
http://forum.kiwisdr.com/index.php?p=/discussion/2370/v1-462-manual-intervention-required-to-receive-future-updates/p1
78
22 Meter Band HiFER Beacons / Re: YSO 13563.5 1852Z 2 NOV 2021
« on: November 03, 2021, 1223 UTC »
I was hearing YSO in Virginia yesterday as well, around noon local time. Strongest beacon I heard yesterday.
80
SDR - Software Defined Radio / Re: SDR issue with new antenna (RSP2)
« on: October 28, 2021, 1234 UTC »
I think everyone has hit the most likely problems:
— signal overload (do you have a nearby AM,FM, TV, Public Service, etc xmtr)
— SDR settings (critical - one incorrect setting can cause all sorts of problems - especially gain and decimation)
— common mode (which I feel is greatly under appreciated as a potential problem)
I would tackle the SDR settings first, common mode next, and then worry about adding external filters.
— signal overload (do you have a nearby AM,FM, TV, Public Service, etc xmtr)
— SDR settings (critical - one incorrect setting can cause all sorts of problems - especially gain and decimation)
— common mode (which I feel is greatly under appreciated as a potential problem)
I would tackle the SDR settings first, common mode next, and then worry about adding external filters.
82
Equipment / Re: PC problem after transmitting
« on: October 19, 2021, 1158 UTC »
While on the subject of USB, I’d like to offer this hint.
Sometimes when powering up the computer and rig, one of them doesn’t boot up fast enough and the result is that computer doesn’t recognize that the rig is plugged in. Rather than unplugging the USB cable and plugging it back in (which is needless wear and tear on the USB connection), I bought a two port electronic USB switch. Now I simply have to push the button to cycle the ports and get the computer to recognize the radio. Amazon has them cheap.
Sometimes when powering up the computer and rig, one of them doesn’t boot up fast enough and the result is that computer doesn’t recognize that the rig is plugged in. Rather than unplugging the USB cable and plugging it back in (which is needless wear and tear on the USB connection), I bought a two port electronic USB switch. Now I simply have to push the button to cycle the ports and get the computer to recognize the radio. Amazon has them cheap.
83
Equipment / Re: PC problem after transmitting
« on: October 19, 2021, 1146 UTC »
I don’t know if this will help or not, but you can buy USB isolators. Amazon sells several different types; this is one example:
https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-ADUM3160-Voltage-Isolator-Support/dp/B07235PR4V/ref=sr_1_7_sspa?
I would first try the ferrite chokes. Make sure you are using ferrites appropriate for the frequency range you are experiencing problems with. Often the ones you find on line use a mix designed for VHF frequencies. If you are having problems with 80 meters you are going to want to look for something using mix 75 or so. DXengineering has a good selection of mixes.
If the ferrite chokes aren’t successful, you might then want to try the USB isolator to see if it helps.
https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-ADUM3160-Voltage-Isolator-Support/dp/B07235PR4V/ref=sr_1_7_sspa?
I would first try the ferrite chokes. Make sure you are using ferrites appropriate for the frequency range you are experiencing problems with. Often the ones you find on line use a mix designed for VHF frequencies. If you are having problems with 80 meters you are going to want to look for something using mix 75 or so. DXengineering has a good selection of mixes.
If the ferrite chokes aren’t successful, you might then want to try the USB isolator to see if it helps.
84
Equipment / Re: Best MWDX antenna?
« on: October 03, 2021, 1519 UTC »
That said, it is not a copy on the 148' LoG. Hmmm. Might have to do a VNA sweep there to see if something is wrong. Admittedly, it has been deployed for years and is almost more like a loop-in-ground these days.
Remember that LoG and BoG antennas need to sit ON GROUND and not under it. When they get subsumed into the ground, performance suffers. See Figure 39 here:
https://rudys.typepad.com/files/qexjul-aug-2016-bog.pdf
85
General Radio Discussion / Re: Dumb it down for this crusty, 72 year old fart still, for the most part, living
« on: October 01, 2021, 1437 UTC »They might be available elsewhere, but Scribd has both copies of the Monitoring Times.
https://www.scribd.com/document/374637105/Monitoring-Times-1998-05
https://www.scribd.com/document/374637100/Monitoring-Times-1998-06
Scribd is a paid service, but a 30-day trial is available if anyone is interested. Looks like a 60-day trial coupon code might be available, too.
https://www.retailmenot.com/view/scribd.com
You can find free copies of Monitoring Times back issues here:
https://worldradiohistory.com/Monitoring-Times.htm
86
SDR - Software Defined Radio / Re: Waterfall images
« on: October 01, 2021, 1424 UTC »
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/3zen9b/encoding_images_in_waterfall_displays/?
Easypal and FLdigi have some capabilities to do this.
Easypal and FLdigi have some capabilities to do this.
87
Other / Re: WWL 8th harmonic 6969.977 AM 2200 UTC 26 Sep 2021
« on: September 27, 2021, 1254 UTC »
The 3rd harmonic of WWL 870 would be 2610 kHz, so it is not that.
The 8th harmonic of WWL 870 would be 6960 kHz, but you are reporting a frequency almost 10 kHz away, so probably not that.
I imagine that you receive a very strong signal from WWL on the fundamental considering your location. Does your loop have an amplifier? Could this be overload? A mixing product?
The 8th harmonic of WWL 870 would be 6960 kHz, but you are reporting a frequency almost 10 kHz away, so probably not that.
I imagine that you receive a very strong signal from WWL on the fundamental considering your location. Does your loop have an amplifier? Could this be overload? A mixing product?
88
Bacon, BBQ, Beef, And More / Blasted Steaks
« on: September 21, 2021, 1220 UTC »
Anyone use explosives as part of their cooking?
https://electronicprojectsforfun.wordpress.com/silly-circuits/measuring-the-impedance-of-blasted-steaks/
https://electronicprojectsforfun.wordpress.com/silly-circuits/measuring-the-impedance-of-blasted-steaks/
89
Amateur Radio / Re: PSK31
« on: September 15, 2021, 1256 UTC »
Yes! I have always liked PSK31. NN1G designed the “Warbler” transceiver which fascinated me at the time because it was so cheap and PSK31 worked so well with it. It seemed like a great entry level xcvr for new hams.
https://www.qsl.net/l/lu7did/docs/QRPp/ARRL_Warbler_Design_Article0103037.pdf
Despite my feeling that FT8 is eroding ham radio, I have a great deal of respect for the technology behind it. In the commercial world, Eb/No is the figure of merit we use to measure the performance of modems and receiving systems. The theoretical limit on how small a signal can be and still be decoded error free is -1.59 dB. The improvement in performance of the new modes and their progress towards reaching the theoretical limit is under appreciated by most hams. PA3WFM had a great summary here:
https://www.pa3fwm.nl/technotes/tn09b.html
https://www.qsl.net/l/lu7did/docs/QRPp/ARRL_Warbler_Design_Article0103037.pdf
Despite my feeling that FT8 is eroding ham radio, I have a great deal of respect for the technology behind it. In the commercial world, Eb/No is the figure of merit we use to measure the performance of modems and receiving systems. The theoretical limit on how small a signal can be and still be decoded error free is -1.59 dB. The improvement in performance of the new modes and their progress towards reaching the theoretical limit is under appreciated by most hams. PA3WFM had a great summary here:
https://www.pa3fwm.nl/technotes/tn09b.html
90
Amateur Radio / Re: Age of ham radio operators
« on: September 11, 2021, 1224 UTC »
I had a ham license before I was old enough to get a drivers license. I had many ham friends who were teenagers like myself….and getting a license was more difficult then, including morse code, “secret” test questions and having to go downtown to the FCC offices to take the test. You were proud to have earned the license as it wasn’t a trivial accomplishment and you did something many adults couldn’t.
You don’t see many young hams these days despite it being easier than ever to get a license. The kids that would have been prime candidates get distracted by other things like gaming or computers. The mystery of talking to people hundreds or thousands of miles away seems unremarkable in the days of the internet. FT8 takes almost all the skill out of making contacts so that it becomes little different than pinging a server somewhere.
People don’t value things that come too easy.
For a variety of reasons, including an aging ham population and new demands for RF spectrum, Ham Radio’s future doesn’t look good. Which saddens me…
You don’t see many young hams these days despite it being easier than ever to get a license. The kids that would have been prime candidates get distracted by other things like gaming or computers. The mystery of talking to people hundreds or thousands of miles away seems unremarkable in the days of the internet. FT8 takes almost all the skill out of making contacts so that it becomes little different than pinging a server somewhere.
People don’t value things that come too easy.
For a variety of reasons, including an aging ham population and new demands for RF spectrum, Ham Radio’s future doesn’t look good. Which saddens me…