Messages

196

Equipment / Re: Inexpensive VNA

« on: February 01, 2020, 1118 UTC »

One thing I've noticed from the brief reading and short videos is that , it seems to me measuring and trimming antennas to proper SWR is going to be a bit more complex than say the MFJ analyzers where you just set the frequency and adjust from there. I'm hoping i'm wrong and that it will be easy to learn on this new contraption I already ordered. If any one has any insight to this normally easy procedure please share. Thanks

It's very easy.
If you're using the SWR setting, it will display a curve that shows you exactly where the antenna is resonant. You can see instantly whether it's too long or short.
The only part which may seem slightly tedious is the calibration. It must be calibrated for the frequency range that you using it on or the results may not be accurate.
You can save up to 4 (I think) calibrations.
I calibrated mine to cover the 2 HF frequencies that I usually use (+/- about 100 Khz), the FM broadcast band and the section of the MW broadcast band that I transmit on.
Once calibrated, it shouldn't require re-calibration unless you need to use it on a different band.

197

European Pirates and Private Stations / Re: Sunshine Radio 5800 AM 1540 utc 30 Jan 2020

« on: January 30, 2020, 2131 UTC »

Thanks all.I hope to improve things in a few days.

198

European Pirates and Private Stations / Re: Unid 5800 AM 1540 utc 30 Jan 2020

« on: January 30, 2020, 1621 UTC »

Hi Ray. That's me . Testing the audio. I have made some alterations.

199

Equipment / Re: Wellbrook help

« on: January 25, 2020, 1642 UTC »

Yes. I would go with the best coax for the loop since its such a small length to purchase. It seems a bit odd to me that coax would be used for the loop. Why would you want to use something so insulated to receive with? I'm sure theres a good reason, I just don't what it is.

On my homemade loop, the outer braiding is connected to the inner core.

200

European Pirates and Private Stations / Re: Coast FM 1494 AM 0717 utc 23 Jan 2020

« on: January 25, 2020, 1333 UTC »

   But you hit them! What was the readability.
In those years I did not expect pirates there, although many years ago they broadcast in the BC band.
I wonder - they dared to enter BCMW without a license, or maybe they got it?

There are 2 24hr MW broadcast band pirates in Ireland broadcasting with 1 KW or more.  Radio Star Country and Radio North. There are several part time stations that broadcast with lower power.

I've just managed to receive the weak signal too.. will probably disappear completely when the sun is higher, still... a MW groundwave is child's play for authorities to triangulate and a 1kw mediumwave TX is like saying "helloooo, I'm over here" ... allthough the probable antenna efficiency means real output power will be lower than input power... most likely.  Listenership on MW is now quite low.... interesting for tests... but SW is so much easier and less dangerous.

They already know where we all are.
SW is probably more dangerous than MW as it attracts the attention of other countries.
Once you stay off FM, you should be OK.

201

Equipment / Re: Wellbrook help

« on: January 24, 2020, 1708 UTC »

Your post is a little difficult to understand but for receive, you only need RG58.
LMR 400 is a much heavier cable.


When in Glasgow, check out my friends, Celtic Music Radio, on 95 FM.

202

European Pirates and Private Stations / Re: UNID 6215 AM 1433 UTC 24 January 2020

« on: January 24, 2020, 1542 UTC »

S7-S9 at Weston UK SDR
1433   All Stood Still by Ultravox
1435   Like toy soldiers  by Eminem
1439   Shut down suddenly CD

And stay shut down!
We don't need idiots on these frequencies.

203

European Pirates and Private Stations / Re: Coast FM 1494 AM 0717 utc 23 Jan 2020

« on: January 24, 2020, 1142 UTC »

   But you hit them! What was the readability.
In those years I did not expect pirates there, although many years ago they broadcast in the BC band.
I wonder - they dared to enter BCMW without a license, or maybe they got it?

There are 2 24hr MW broadcast band pirates in Ireland broadcasting with 1 KW or more.  Radio Star Country and Radio North. There are several part time stations that broadcast with lower power.

204

European Pirates and Private Stations / Re: UNID 5810 AM 1535 UTC 17 January 2020

« on: January 17, 2020, 2156 UTC »

Thanks Ray and cj468.
Yes, audio level was a bit low. This will be fixed in the next week or 2. I need a new audio amp.
The new mod transformers have a bit more bass than the old ones but they are capable of a lot more power so im hoping that the transmitter will sound better when I sort out the bass issue.
More tests over the weekend.

205

European Pirates and Private Stations / Re: UNID 5810 AM 1535 UTC 17 January 2020

« on: January 17, 2020, 1550 UTC »

Music, large signal at 1535 UTC

That is me testing a new modulation transformer.
How's it sounding?

206

General Radio Discussion / Re: Pirate Act Passes Senate

« on: January 10, 2020, 1432 UTC »

Duh, does this mean that operating outside of those bands are not pirate activities?

Not as defined by this law with the higher penalties, but still in violation of existing laws.

Thanks for clarifying.

207

General Radio Discussion / Re: Pirate Act Passes Senate

« on: January 09, 2020, 2211 UTC »

Duh, does this mean that operating outside of those bands are not pirate activities?

208

European Pirates and Private Stations / Re: Sunshine One-Oh-One FM 5810 AM 1608 utc 30 Dec 2019

« on: December 30, 2019, 1650 UTC »

Relay of old Irsh pirate recordings from the 1980's.

209

General Radio Discussion / Re: Calibrated receive frequency

« on: December 21, 2019, 2200 UTC »

I switch to USB and tune for min beat.

210

SDR - Software Defined Radio / Re: Kiwi SDR Map Question

« on: December 14, 2019, 1817 UTC »

Somebody in my neck of the world operates 2 SDRs from the same location but only one shows up on the map.