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Author Topic: Pirate logged on 920 KHz  (Read 4497 times)

Offline BDM

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Pirate logged on 920 KHz
« on: July 29, 2012, 1537 UTC »
I labeled this station part 15 but I know he's far from that. The reception gets better later in the recording along with station ID.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WH3jPeHGV8Y
« Last Edit: July 29, 2012, 1540 UTC by BDM »
Radios -- Perseus SDR // SDRPlay RSPdx // Icom IC-7300 // Tecsun PL-660 // Panasonic RF-5000A --Antennas-- Pixel Pro 1B loop - 82' fan-dipole at 40' - tuned MW/BCB 40" loop and 100' receive only dipole
-Brian--North of Detroit--MI-
1710/KHz the MW Pirate Clear Channel (not so much anymore "sigh")

Offline Kilokat7

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Re: Pirate logged on 920 KHz
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2012, 1815 UTC »
Very cool catch BDM!  Thanks for sharing the videos too.  I wonder why he choose 920 KHz though?  That'll be a challenge here with WOKY just a stone's throw across Lake Michigan.

Here's some info and other recordings I found:

http://archive.org/search.php?query=creator%3A%22ionosonde+recordings%22
PLS QSL kilokat7(at)gmail.com
Location: Western Michigan
Perseus SDR / DKAZ loops
1980s pirate off-air archive
West Michigan DX

Offline BDM

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Re: Pirate logged on 920 KHz
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2012, 2040 UTC »
Here is a better vid with more talking. He really has a great signal and great programming. May not be everyone's taste but hey, that's what free broadcasting is all about. I'll say this. I do NOT know him nor exactly where he is at. He's never given out any contact info. From my location he is around 5 miles away as the crow flies. I'm not at all sure what his equipment is. But I have heard him up to 8 miles away as the crow flies when there is no DX. So given the freq of 920 KHz. I'm VERY interested in what kind of antenna allows that. I know this. The area he lives in has lot sizes 150'x150' at best. And that is at best! Many are half that size. So while having 5 acres would allow for an antenna that would work well. It has me wondering hard what HE is using ??? I really wish he would move up the dial to 1710 KHz.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV3P4NyKPXQ
« Last Edit: July 29, 2012, 2042 UTC by BDM »
Radios -- Perseus SDR // SDRPlay RSPdx // Icom IC-7300 // Tecsun PL-660 // Panasonic RF-5000A --Antennas-- Pixel Pro 1B loop - 82' fan-dipole at 40' - tuned MW/BCB 40" loop and 100' receive only dipole
-Brian--North of Detroit--MI-
1710/KHz the MW Pirate Clear Channel (not so much anymore "sigh")

Offline Beerus Maximus

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Re: Pirate logged on 920 KHz
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2012, 1404 UTC »
It's possible he's using a vertical, which would not require any significant real estate.

Read this to get an idea: http://www.sstran.com/pages/sstran_buildant.html

# Genetically engineered sentient sausage & undisputed inventor of the end-fed dipole. I also invented the schlumpy dipole.
# KiwiSDR, NetSDR, Airspy HF+, Airspy HF+ Discovery, TS-590, IC-7610, FTDX10, ANAN 7000 DLE MKII
# beerusmaximus@gmail.com * North Shore, Massachusetts

Offline BDM

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Re: Pirate logged on 920 KHz
« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2012, 2110 UTC »
Beerus that thought crossed my mind but it would still need to be fairly large at the freq with a good size loading coil. Plus I'd bet he's using more than say 10 watts (hihi)............In fact I would bet that is all he could be using at this point. Simply put, his area just wouldn't allow a large enough wire.
Radios -- Perseus SDR // SDRPlay RSPdx // Icom IC-7300 // Tecsun PL-660 // Panasonic RF-5000A --Antennas-- Pixel Pro 1B loop - 82' fan-dipole at 40' - tuned MW/BCB 40" loop and 100' receive only dipole
-Brian--North of Detroit--MI-
1710/KHz the MW Pirate Clear Channel (not so much anymore "sigh")

Offline Beerus Maximus

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Re: Pirate logged on 920 KHz
« Reply #5 on: July 30, 2012, 2301 UTC »
Yeah, no doubt, it would be a hefty vertical. The choice of 920 is definitely and interesting one. Moving up towards 1710 opens up potential DX reception, but this would come with a lot more risk. I'm assuming that 920 is a pretty clear frequency in your area. If so, it's a good option for staying below the radar.
# Genetically engineered sentient sausage & undisputed inventor of the end-fed dipole. I also invented the schlumpy dipole.
# KiwiSDR, NetSDR, Airspy HF+, Airspy HF+ Discovery, TS-590, IC-7610, FTDX10, ANAN 7000 DLE MKII
# beerusmaximus@gmail.com * North Shore, Massachusetts

Offline BDM

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Re: Pirate logged on 920 KHz
« Reply #6 on: July 30, 2012, 2330 UTC »
If all he wants is lets say a 3 mile radius with strong reliable reception without the possible DX footprint. Then he's found it.

« Last Edit: July 31, 2012, 0216 UTC by BDM »
Radios -- Perseus SDR // SDRPlay RSPdx // Icom IC-7300 // Tecsun PL-660 // Panasonic RF-5000A --Antennas-- Pixel Pro 1B loop - 82' fan-dipole at 40' - tuned MW/BCB 40" loop and 100' receive only dipole
-Brian--North of Detroit--MI-
1710/KHz the MW Pirate Clear Channel (not so much anymore "sigh")

Offline Beerus Maximus

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Re: Pirate logged on 920 KHz
« Reply #7 on: July 31, 2012, 0004 UTC »
It's fun to speculate about what goes into an operation but I'd just sit back and enjoy the show. Trying to sniff around might spook the operator off the air. My 2 cents anyways.
# Genetically engineered sentient sausage & undisputed inventor of the end-fed dipole. I also invented the schlumpy dipole.
# KiwiSDR, NetSDR, Airspy HF+, Airspy HF+ Discovery, TS-590, IC-7610, FTDX10, ANAN 7000 DLE MKII
# beerusmaximus@gmail.com * North Shore, Massachusetts

Offline BDM

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Re: Pirate logged on 920 KHz
« Reply #8 on: July 31, 2012, 0211 UTC »
This is true. Back to the receiver ;)
Radios -- Perseus SDR // SDRPlay RSPdx // Icom IC-7300 // Tecsun PL-660 // Panasonic RF-5000A --Antennas-- Pixel Pro 1B loop - 82' fan-dipole at 40' - tuned MW/BCB 40" loop and 100' receive only dipole
-Brian--North of Detroit--MI-
1710/KHz the MW Pirate Clear Channel (not so much anymore "sigh")

Offline Pigmeat

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Re: Pirate logged on 920 KHz
« Reply #9 on: July 31, 2012, 0245 UTC »
If you went dusk to dawn with ten watts you could have decent sized audience,and be fairly stealthy,depending on where you are.


 

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