NDB logs from portable ops.

[Looking-Glass]

Propagation seems to be still an issue on the NDB band with the long distances achieved around this time last year lacking in substance.

I decided to go portable over the Easter break.  The radio employed was the Yaesu FT-2000D base radio, I decided to take this in preference to the Tecsun S-2000.  Some 380 feet of wire was tossed between tree branches in a rough "U" ship configuration.  

First stop was Mount Werong (QF45wu) around 3,000 feet ASL.  Result could have been better but severe interference from "energy saver" light bulbs (incandescent "pig tail") used in the amenities building virtually washed out a lot of the band up to and including 6MHz.  These light bulbs are compulsory in Australia, the older style glass bulbs with a filament were banned a number of years back. Still got some nice loggings despite that.

Second stop was my work colleagues "cabin" on 12 acres at Glen Davis (QF56bu) an isolated rural area.  Results were a big improvement on Mount Werong.  Due to a lack of trees the wire was slung between the water tower and three pine trees towards the roadway.  Noise was very low and so was propagation!  Band struggled to get above 1,700kms.

Third and last stop was Brogans Creek (QF47xa) staying in the "sheep shearers quarters" which was like living in a freezer at night due to no heating, had plenty of jackets etc.  Antenna was mounted from the TV antenna mast some 50 feet off the ground across to some neighbouring trees in an "L" configuration.  Propagation was very much in/out with 100-700kms range beacons very strong but beyond that was a challenge.  Heavy fade outs noted on the long distance (800-3,000kms) beacons.

Highlight was logging beacon US on 242KHz at 1230z, location and purpose unknown.  Very clear and audible 529 to 539 report, was transmitting out of phase with LT in Launceston also on 242KHz.

Mount Werong:

260KHz  NF   Norfolk Island 549 report 1,798kms
272KHz  LHI  Lord Howe Island 539 report 902kms
372KHz  GIG  Gingin, Western Australia 319 report 3,185kms.
233KHz  AYE  Ayres Rock NT 329 report, 2,050kms.


Glen Davis

310KHz  HK   Hokitika New Zealand 319-419 report 2,110kms
311KHz  NTN Normanton QLD 319 report 1,944kms
395KHz  CBA Cobar NSW 419-519 report 444kms
238KHz  KT   Kaitaia New Zealand 319 report 2,148kms

Brogans Creek:

486KHz  LTV  Latrobe Valley 319 report on evening Grey Line 661kms
350KHz  ESL  East Sale 319 report on evening Grey Line 625kms
263KHz  CB   Canberra (Fairbairn) 559 report on lolcal scatter 267kms
242KHz  US   Location unknown, maybe military, 529 report, very clear.
242KHz  LT    Launceston, Tasmania, 519 report out of phased with "US". 983kms
332KHz  KII   King Island, Tasmania 569 report 940kms
335KHz  MA   Mount Isa QLD 319 report 1,712kms
308KHz  MK   Mackay QLD 519 report 1,320kms
310KHz  HK   Hokitika, New Zealand 319 report 2,150kms
238KHz  KT   Kaitaia, New Zealand 219-319 report 2,169kms.

The above are a selection from the log, lots more "local beacons" 100-700kms were heard but are just the usual NDB's for around here.

[pinto vortando]

Looks like you have the same problem there that we have here...  namely the electronic lamps and ballasts.     They not only radiate hash but also couple it back into the mains which then serve as a big antenna spewing the noise especially on the LW and MW bands.  Anyway, good luck with your portable ops.  Will be doing that here myself this summer in attempt to get away from all the noise.   

[Looking-Glass]

Pinto Vortando:  Last year I had severe interference on the six metre band, after due investigation is was found to be coming from the electricity grid which is 240VAC.  Rang the power company and they sent out a technician with tracking equipment.

He found two sources, one was a cracked insulator on a junction pole, and a defective joiner on another pole, all very close to my house. 

With the first one, the cracked insulator, it would go quiet during damp nights or wet weather days, when things dry out the noise climbs. 

All in all, good public relations from my local electricity supplier, they even rang two weeks later to see if the problem hadn't returned.