Best MWDX antenna?

[~SIGINT~]

No blocking in effect, it is your browser setting. Images are hosted over http and the HFU is over https. This is called "mixed mode". There will be a setting somewhere in the browser to allow "mixed mode" browsing. I am willing to bet that you are using a Chrome based browser. Google, the self proclaimed "Internet police", at some point elected to disallow mixed mode browsing therefore by default, all Chrome based browsers have that function disabled.

It's a scam if you ask me. There is no need for https (encrypted traffic between the server and browser) unless processing / accessing sensitive data such as on-line banking or on-line shopping yet Google has forced everyone to adopt https so that they can get that pretty little "green shield" next to the URL bar that gives people that false fuzzy safe feeling that the content they are viewing is "safe". That couldn't be any further than the truth. But hey, certificate authority companies love it. They are raking in the cash by issuing people / sites certificates. For me, my hosting provider wants $100s of dollars to install a certificate. They won't even allow me as the site owners to install my own like Let's Encrypt . BS that is. Some day I have to find another provider.

[RobRich]

Makes sense. I did not look closely at the URLs, as like you noted, most larger sites use SSL these days.

I have added your domain to my own local treat as secure list.

chrome://flags/#unsafely-treat-insecure-origin-as-secure

BTW, I am using Chrome Canary on this tablet at the moment, but I tend to use my own optimized dev releases of Chromium on Linux, plus I do cross builds for Windows. I apply higher SIMD baselines, opt level tweaks, various additional LLVM passes, PolIy loop optimizations, etc. I have been building Chromium for years, even well before my GitHub repo releases.

https://github.com/RobRich999/Chromium_Clang
https://chromium.woolyss.com/


As I suspected, sensitivity is way down on the Kenwood R-2000 on a few HF bands. Suspect a failing cap or few, plus maybe the front-end amp and/or follower.

Tested against my R-600, which I rarely use, so naturally it is now drifting a little too much for my liking. Warm up helps, but that is annoying. Probably needs recapped as well, though I probably will check the usual R-600 suspect of cracked solder joints first.

So, want to figure out how to fit a Yaesu FRG-7 on a nightstand? lol Might have to toss a portable on there for awhile.

[~SIGINT~]

LOL, that is why I have the ICOM IC-R75 on the nightstand. The clock / timer function in that receiver is perfect for me. I have it set to 1 hour and the radio turns off automatically.

I see you have been busy with Chromium_Clang. I personally despise Chrome and most derivatives. The only version I occasionally touch when I have issues with my old locked down version of Firefox ESR is a portable version of Iron Browser. The key being "portable", no traces of Chrome junk left behind.

Now, back to scanning the house for sources of EMI / RFI. I found an unused telephone jack at the service entrance yesterday that has a buzz to it so it has my curiosity peaked. I am using an ultrasonic probe to look for leakage.

[ThaDood]

Actually, one of the best MW antennas that I remember making was to shunt-feed the 50ft tower that I had at the time. In the middle of the day, the NYC Big-3, (AM660, 770, and 880.), all came in at S9 from 300 miles away. Extremely low noise, being a couple hundred feet from the nearest powerlines. Originally, I did that to get on 160M, 75M, and 40M. On TX, a manual MFJ-941D tuner tuned all that in, but my GND losses were bad for transmit. However, on RX´ing, it was quite good. https://www.qsl.net/w9rb/webdoc9.htm

[RobRich]

My 148' LoG was a decent MW antenna. Still the isual nighttime issues with an omnidirectional on MW, though phasing against one of verticals could help.


Tossed a Tecsun PL-330 on the nighstand last night. Reception works okay for the particular purpose, and I used a portables on a nighstand with a grasswire antenna for quite awhile years ago. Just annoying to deal with small buttons.


Just noticed my -20dB variable attenuator was fully engaged, thus some of the low signal reports in my shortwave loggings this morning. o.0 Oh well.

[RobRich]

Anyone want to take a guess on the type of RFI? It reminds me of a switching power supply due to the relatively even spacing.

I have yet to locate the source, but it is immediately nearby going by the AM radio in the car. I will try to snag a recording later.

[RobRich]

Still not exactly where I would like it, but the RFI looks better.... for now? My LG dishwasher has a "night dry" feature that apparently keeps the electronics active and periodically runs a ventilation fan after washing. Stopped the dishwasher, and the noise floor dropped dramatically. A little attenuation or even baseband noise blanking in SDR# knocks down much what is left.

Noise is still a little elevated around 3-5MHz, but adding some attenuation around there is nothing really new here. I need to get a loop-on-ground redeployed.

Anyway, hopefully it is resolved or at least decreased for awhile.








Around S2-S4 on 40m and S3-S4 on 80m at 1540z. I am on the 31' vertical at the moment, plus that is with no attenuation, so that is not too bad IMO. Well under S1 on 10m and floating around S1 on 2m during a quick skim. I will take it compared to yesterday. ;)

[~SIGINT~]

The dishwasher --- LOL. Just can't elude the modern day EMI/RFI emitters.

[ChrisSmolinski]

The dishwasher --- LOL. Just can't elude the modern day EMI/RFI emitters.

We had to replace ours a year ago, and I got a GE with a mechanical rotary knob (just like our old one) rather than an electronic control.  No RFI, and I am extremely dubious of mixing electronics with hot steamy water. I know too many people who have had their fancy dishwashers die after just a few years.

[RobRich]

I am thinking about moving the 31' vertical back to a ground-level mount over a moderate radial field.

That would free up the existing mast. Maybe add another 10.5' section, and finally deploy the delta loop design I mentioned months ago. It should work decently at mid-HF, along with becoming more like a magnetic loop as frequency decreases. I could use a preamp to deal with the wideband matching if needed.

I would like to get another LoG deployed. I have been saying that for what, a couple of years now? o.0 Oh well, it is just a hobby.

[kris]

The dishwasher --- LOL. Just can't elude the modern day EMI/RFI emitters.

In my summer house in the evening there was a huge broadband noise on HF. I was furious until I accidentally discovered that it was a Chinese LED bulb screwed into the kitchen on the lower floor.
       My cousin wanted to do the right thing, but he's not a radio amateur .
 Also check the nearby switched on chargers - they can even give the S2 the noise visible on the waterfall.        I am trying to replace them with a version built on a traditional transformer.

[RobRich]

Finally got the 18' "end-fed" vertical back online. :) The antenna system including its old Belden RG-8 feedline checks okay via the NanoVNA.

https://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,115496.0.html

That particular RG-8 coax drop has been through multiple antennas and locations over probably 30 or more years now. I did get around to changing connectors a few years ago.

The eight ~9' on-ground radials are now copper instead of CCA wire. Lowes has 500' rolls of 20-gauge, high-tensile solid copper RF pet fence wire for around $30.

[RobRich]

The 18' end-fed vertical is working decently enough IMHO. I have already worked contacts in NA and SA.

https://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,115636.0.html
https://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,115688.0.html

I have been thinking about deploying an 18' monopole vertical with a YCCC feedpoint preamp for LW+MW. IOW, I have a S9v18 vertical collecting dust.

[alpard]

The 18' end-fed vertical is working decently enough IMHO. I have already worked contacts in NA and SA.

https://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,115636.0.html
https://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,115688.0.html

I have been thinking about deploying an 18' monopole vertical with a YCCC feedpoint preamp for LW+MW. IOW, I have a S9v18 vertical collecting dust.

What is the frequency cover range on this antenna in reception?

[RobRich]

If talking about the 18' end-fed 11m vertical, it is an old Shakespeare 318-GBT. 26-30MHz, though the workable SWR curve of mine is somewhat narrower due having a radial field under it.

If talking about the S9v18, it is just an 18' wire inside extending fiberglass tubing. Frequency range would be largely based upon how it is fed. I mentioned a YCCC preamp, which is essentially unity gain. The YCCC is desgined to establish a ~75-ohm connection bewteen a moderate, yet still electrical short antenna and the coaxial feedline.

Ideally the YCCC setup was designed be a multiple-antenna phased vertical array. That said, I previously noted decent LW to 160m receive performance with just a single end-point antenna preamp and my 31' vertical. Just no directivity, and 31' is well longer than intended thus subject to increased preamp overloading. 18' is more inline with the preamp design specs.