Messages

1246

VHF/UHF Logs, including satellites and radiosondes / Re: Aircraft listening tips

« on: November 02, 2021, 2312 UTC »

https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap4_section_2.html

Given your proximity to an airport and apparently flight paths, you might also find ACARS and ADS-B to be interesting.

https://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-radio-scanner-tutorial-receiving-airplane-data-with-acars/
https://www.rtl-sdr.com/adsb-aircraft-radar-with-rtl-sdr/

1247

10/11 meters / Re: 11m Activity 2 Nov 2021

« on: November 02, 2021, 2108 UTC »

I am thinking about improving my 11m operating situation with a small beam. Eventually I might mod a MFJ-1890 for 11m or spend a little more for a Maco V-Quad. Either would be light enough for an affordable television antenna rotor like the RCA VH226E.

1248

10/11 meters / Re: 10M Contacts

« on: November 02, 2021, 2041 UTC »

10m SSB activity noted at 2036z. Multiple frequencies. 25425u, 28435u, 28480u, etc.

1249

10/11 meters / Re: 26775 kHz Radio Station??

« on: November 02, 2021, 2029 UTC »

I suppose it could be a harmonic or spur, but still, it would not surprise me if it is a freebander relaying a broadcast station or similar.

I have activity on 26775, but it is Spanish-language ops on LSB.

1250

VHF/UHF Logs, including satellites and radiosondes / Re: VHF/UHF general listening antenna

« on: November 02, 2021, 1416 UTC »

I posted a very basic lightweight VHF receiving antenna in your NOAA/NWS thread.

A discone has no inherent gain, but like Josh said, you can use a remote preamp to help the situation.

Height is the important factor for VHF, since you are typically dealing with line-of-sight transmissions. Get whatever antenna as high as possible.

^All that said, I tend to use the lazy approach for local to regional VHF, as in just using my existing 9' ground-mounted vertical. I have a discone, crossed FM dipole, etc. collecting dust in storage.

1251

VHF/UHF Logs, including satellites and radiosondes / Re: 162 Mhz NWR distance

« on: November 02, 2021, 1408 UTC »

If NOAA/NWS transmissions are circularly polarized, your might actually fair okay if a station is within one of the many lobes your OCFD presents at VHF.

In the meantime, you might consider a basic coaxial vertical dipole. It is lightweight enough to hang on even a rather small branch of a tree. Receive bandwidth should be rather wide at VHF, too, so one cut for VHF air should suffice for the weather band as well. Example here:

https://vk1nam.wordpress.com/2018/02/10/portable-2m-144-mhz-coaxial-dipole-antenna/

I would make some improvements like using a lower sleeve instead of the coax shield if transmitting, but otherwise building it as described with even cheap RG-6 would be okay for receiving, and you even could replace the turned choke with just 2-3 snap-on chokes for simplicity's sake if desired.

1252

10/11 meters / Re: 11m Activity 2 Nov 2021

« on: November 02, 2021, 1346 UTC »

European DX on 38l starting to be heard at 1345z, though the band us not yet open enough for me to work it.

Doubt I will be on the radio much, if any, working DX today.

----------------

In the den with the Airspy HF+ Discovery and active miniwhip at 2036z. Lots of DX activity, especially above the 11m CB band up to 27975. 27425u in particular sounds about like a radio zoo with numerous ops talking over each other, plus ongoing QRM.

----------------

California ops calling an Australian op on 38l at 2047z. At least one has been successful thus far.

1253

10/11 meters / Re: 11m Activity 1 Nov 2021

« on: November 01, 2021, 2134 UTC »

I am not talking due to being in the den, but I did take a quick skim of the 11m band with an Airspy HF+ Discovery and an active miniwhip antenna.

The usual CB frequencies for DX are active.

Someone tuning a radio on 26862.5a. Other activity on 25675u, 25725a, 26005a, 25985l, 26585a, 26760l, 26845l, etc.

Brazil on 27520u and 27555u. Other activity on 27405u, 27455u, 27465u, 27475u, 27480u, 27485u, 27665u, 27965l, 27700u, 27765u, 27865u, etc.

10m activity on 28540u and 28460u.

1254

10/11 meters / Re: 11m Activity 31 Oct 2021

« on: October 31, 2021, 1707 UTC »

Tuned on the radio for a quick skim. Worked England on 36L.

1255

10/11 meters / Re: Re: 11m Activity 22 Oct 2021

« on: October 30, 2021, 1327 UTC »

Still mostly Ireland, Scotland, etc. here.

Not sure I ever worked Italy from Florida on 11m. Will keep a lookout. Thanks!

1256

10/11 meters / 11m Activity 22 Oct 2021

« on: October 30, 2021, 1257 UTC »

A few of the powerful Caribbean stations on 27025 AM at 1257z.


Starting to hear signs of activity on 27555 USB.


I just worked Scotland on 27490 USB with a 59 report. I would say conditions are hopefully improving.


Now signs of activity on 27385 USB.

I am not sure it he was talking to me or another FL op, or both, but Ireland is rolling into 38L.

Might have heard Germany. 38L is becoming its usual DX jumble.


Worked England on 27405 LSB.

1257

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: Ball Smacker Radio 4030 AM 0054 UTC 30 OCT 2021

« on: October 30, 2021, 0154 UTC »

Roy Orbison music at 0150z. Up to ~S8 peaks (when there) and SINPO 35222 via an active miniwhip. Occasional deep fades and moderate static crashing. Good modulation when propagation cooperates.

Thanks for the broadcast! :)

1258

Equipment / Re: Best MWDX antenna?

« on: October 30, 2021, 0148 UTC »

MW is thus far active tonight. I should have adjusted the waterfall contrast, but anyway, ya' should get the point. Antenna is one of my active miniwhips.

1259

10/11 meters / Re: 10M Contacts

« on: October 30, 2021, 0135 UTC »

10m could prove interesting with the CQ SSB contest this weekend.

1260

10/11 meters / Re: Local CB activity Morning 29 OCT 2021

« on: October 30, 2021, 0037 UTC »

I am in the den now, so an Airspy HF+ Discovery and an active miniwhip.

Sounds like locals on 27205. Short blips of activity on 27025 and 27385 at times.

That is with the SDR preamp engaged, too.

G'night. Enjoy the fishing.