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.

Author Topic: A comparison of three low power AM shortwave pirate transmitters  (Read 1421 times)

Offline ChrisSmolinski

  • Administrator
  • Marconi Class DXer
  • *****
  • Posts: 31106
  • Westminster, MD USA
    • View Profile
    • Black Cat Systems
Recently shortwave free radio station Channel Z Radio conducted test broadcasts using three different transmitters, all on the same frequency with the same antenna, a half-wave horizontal dipole cut for 6925 kHz, mounted about 40 feet high. As described in a recent article, this setup should be ideal for NVIS or regional operation.

It was interesting to see how closely theory predicted real world performance for signal intelligibility and propagation...

http://www.hfunderpants.com/?p=271
Chris Smolinski
Westminster, MD
eQSLs appreciated! csmolinski@blackcatsystems.com
netSDR / AFE822x / AirSpy HF+ / KiwiSDR / 900 ft Horz skyloop / 500 ft NE beverage / 250 ft V Beam / 58 ft T2FD / 120 ft T2FD / 400 ft south beverage / 43m, 20m, 10m  dipoles / Crossed Parallel Loop / Discone in a tree

Offline Sealord

  • Global Moderator
  • DX Legend
  • *****
  • Posts: 2338
  • North East Florida
    • View Profile
Re: A comparison of three low power AM shortwave pirate transmitters
« Reply #1 on: December 21, 2011, 0135 UTC »
Cool article Chris - I always dig it when Channel Z does those DX test :)
Indoors: WR-G33DDC & TT RX-340_DX Eng. 4-Square Array / Outdoors: Belka-DX_Whip / Poolside: SMC HF-150_MMD-40 (D.O.G.) / Off Air/Studio Recordings

Offline Andrew Yoder

  • DX Legend
  • ******
  • Posts: 2129
    • View Profile
    • Hobby Broadcasting Blog
    • Email
Re: A comparison of three low power AM shortwave pirate transmitters
« Reply #2 on: December 21, 2011, 1428 UTC »
Really nice comparison & interesting article. Yeah, I always really enjoy the Channel Z DX tests, so it's really cool to see the side-by-side comparisons (especially because I missed this particular one).
Thanks for the article!
Andrew
Please QSL to: POB 109, BRS, PA 17214
Hobby Broadcasting Blog: http://hobbybroadcasting.blogspot.com/
Drake R8, AOR AR-7030, R-390A, R-388, SX-28A, Philco 44 + some others    Horizontal loops & 1/2-wave inverted V