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Re: Strange night on the radio
Mark Roberts
On Wed, Apr 21, 2010 at 2:26 PM, Powell E. Way III <w4opw@...> wrote:
You should be able to find them by clicking on the "Correspondence" link in the full listing for the station - i.e. the full-page entry for a specific station. You will get a new CDBS window and, among any other correspondence for a station, there will be entries for "PSRA" and "PSSA." They'll contain the actual authorizations (in PDFs). |
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PL-360 Plug-in Loopstick Experimentation Update
Hello All,
The new Tecsun PL-360 AM-LW-FM-SW receiver (the latest Si4734 DSP chip
model) has somewhat average specifications in stock form, but it does offer one
unique advantage to AM-DXers-- a plug-in loopstick, which can be replaced and
greatly improved, to provide huge AM sensitivity boosts without any need to
modify the radio itself (or even open up the back cabinet).
After receiving a second PL-360 from the eBay seller Anon-co. yesterday,
PL-360 plug-in loopstick testing is now much easier to perform here, and
live-signal "shootouts" can now be conducted at will. One fact that
immediately became apparent is that the plug-in loopsticks provide better RSSI
and S/N readings when the ferrite bar is facing away from the front panel
(that is, as far removed from the digital display as possible), as shown in
the photo below. This orientation provides significantly better signal
quality in all cases, perhaps confirming the tests of many
experimenters showing that coil "Q" rises when the loopstick separation from the
radio increases.
As might be expected, the PL-360 7.5" plug-in loopstick provides a huge AM
sensitivity boost over the stock model, which has been found to equal that
provided by the 7.5" loopstick E100 Sliders and 7.5" loopstick PL-380's. The
fact that a DXer can obtain this superb AM sensitivity boost without any need to
modify the radio itself is fascinating indeed.
DXers switching plug-in loopsticks will need to re-tune the PL-360
off-frequency and then back on, an Si4734 chip quirk that requires
this practice before maximum AM sensitivity is provided (as most PL-310 and
PL-380 owners already know). Since the likelihood of Tecsun (or
Anon-co.) providing these upgraded PL-360 loopsticks is probably quite
low :-) extensive experimentation is being conducted to
determine the best physical and electrical loopstick designs for DXing
success. Since the PL-360 earphone jack is located on the top panel
adjacent to the plug-in loopstick jack, a design allowing free access
to either function will be required. When fully developed, however, the
system should provide unique opportunities for greatly improved PL-360 AM and LW
sensitivity, especially for those DXers not thrilled with the idea of
performing "surgery" on their radio.
73 and Good DX,
Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)
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Re: Strange night on the radio
Powell
Some daytime stations have a post sunset, up to 10 PM but never at full power. The AM Query on the FCC site often will NOT show these powers. But there's a lot that, well, just CHEAT. The Orlando area 1680 is one that comes to mind. The FCC has beat them up before.
Powell NNNN POP email is powell at backroads DOT net From: jim_kr1s To: ultralightdx@... Sent: Wed, April 21, 2010 4:47:19 PM Subject: [ultralightdx] Re: Strange night on the radio --- In ultralightdx@..., "nn4cw" wrote: > I don't know if the FCC got involved, but it was probably pumping out more than its nighttime 1kW max. Gil, I've got that HP 312B (has to be one of the heaviest transistor radios ever made). I know what I know about a few, but haven't called any engineers yet. I'd give them a chance, as once the station knows they're being watched they might clean up their act. This is so blatantly done I'm surprised there isn't more action. You can't always be sure about a distant 24h station, but a daytime-only shouldn't still be going at 10 pm in its local time zone (which isn't in the Arctic!). Too bad there isn't a bounty! 73, Jim, KR1S http://kr1s.kearman.com/ http://qrp.kearman.com/ |
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Re: Strange night on the radio
Gil Stacy
Jim,
The FCC website is sometimes in error. A coastal Ga station was listed as off the air, but there it sat on my dial. It was late in paying the license fee; lost the license; paid it late; got reinstated; but the FCC didn't update the site until I inquired. Gil |
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Re: Strange night on the radio
jim_kr1s <jkearman@...>
--- In ultralightdx@..., "nn4cw" wrote: > I don't know if the FCC got involved, but it was probably pumping out more than its nighttime 1kW max. Gil, I've got that HP 312B (has to be one of the heaviest transistor radios ever made). I know what I know about a few, but haven't called any engineers yet. I'd give them a chance, as once the station knows they're being watched they might clean up their act. This is so blatantly done I'm surprised there isn't more action. You can't always be sure about a distant 24h station, but a daytime-only shouldn't still be going at 10 pm in its local time zone (which isn't in the Arctic!). Too bad there isn't a bounty! 73, Jim, KR1S http://kr1s.kearman.com/ http://qrp.kearman.com/ |
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Ultralight Radio-related Column in IRCA's DX Monitor
Hello All,
Thanks to Phil Bytheway (IRCA Editor-in-Chief) for his generous support of
our Ultralight DX group, as shown by his initiative in drafting and publishing
"The World of Ultralight DXing" column in the current issue of IRCA's DX
Monitor.
Contained in this first column is information regarding Joseph
Trapasso's recent qualification for 3 Award Certificates (10 US States Heard, 20
US States Heard, and 5 Latin American Stations Heard, all in the Barefoot
Class), John Cereghin's current ULR-DXer Scoreboard Totals, Rob Ross'
qualification for the 40 Latin American Stations Heard Award Certificate
(Unlimited Class), and the qualification of Chris Knight and Jim Kearman for the
10 Countries Heard and 10 States Heard Award Certificates, both for stations
heard during outdoor DXing in the Unlimited Class.
All of the medium-wave DXing clubs (IRCA, NRC, and MWC) have been very
generous in supporting the Ultralight DXing movement, and in publishing
our ULR-related equipment reviews (and other articles). Thanks to
Phil for once again demonstrating the IRCA's support.
73 and Good DX to All,
Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA)
ULR Group Co-founder
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Re: Strange night on the radio
Gil Stacy
Jim,
A ham friend was asked by an out of state extended band station to monitor with a field strength meter the output of a station located in the ham's hometown to determine if there was a night/day difference. The out of state station was receiving listenor complaints of interference at night from the ham's hometown station. (He declined the request.) The station was almost a 1000 miles from my home and I could hear it regularly on my xtl set during the winter--apparently this was when the complaints were being made by the affected station. I found this out when I told my ham friend that I could no longer hear his hometown on my xtl set. Apparently the complaints resulted in compliance. I don't know if the FCC got involved, but it was probably pumping out more than its nighttime 1kW max. 73 Gil |
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Re: Strange night on the radio
jim_kr1s <jkearman@...>
Gil,
--- In ultralightdx@..., "nn4cw" > > > > Jim, > KDIA is listed 10kW, 24/7. At the time I heard it, I believe it was running 1kW at night. > Gil > Can't help thinking many stations take those night-time powers with a grain of salt. I listen to a fair number of Florida stations at their specified sunsets and there is often no drop in signal level. Even if they're dropping in increments, it should be obvious over 15-20 minutes. They must figure a fine, if they get caught, is a cost of doing business, and being stronger in their local area is worth the risk. 73, Jim, KR1S http://kr1s.kearman.com/ http://qrp.kearman.com/ |
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Re: Altazimuth base for loop
jim_kr1s <jkearman@...>
Scott,
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--- In ultralightdx@..., "sdwillingham" wrote: > > For a tilting support, it seems to me that some of the mini camera tripods on the market could be ideal. As a birder/photographer, I have several tripods! Here in the condo though, the loops want to be near a window, and the best window is obstructed by my workbench. They must have used metal studs when they built the place, because even a few feet inside the window, signals drop off. That's why the Hoop Loop stands atop the parts cabinet on my bench in the photo. Actually, right now it's on top of the freq counter, which is on top of the signal generator, which is on a shelf on top of the sweep generator... :) Anyone building a Hoop Loop should consider a tripod, though. There's a gap between the sides of the clamp on the outer hoop. You can sweat-solder a 1/4-20 brass nut to a piece of hard copper alloy and fasten that to the clamp with wood screws. I had my PVC loop on a tripod when I was using it outdoors, but it was too top heavy for single-point mounting. Quilting hoops have almost no mass above the clamp, so even a lightweight tripod would be fine. The 9-inch Copco #2555-0191 turntable I found on Amazon.com for $5.99 works very well with small radios and loops. Perfect accessory if you have a Terk or similar antenna, and much cheaper than the ones sold for radio use. 73, Jim, KR1S http://kr1s.kearman.com/ http://qrp.kearman.com/ |
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Re: Strange night on the radio
Gil Stacy
Jim,
KDIA is listed 10kW, 24/7. At the time I heard it, I believe it was running 1kW at night. Gil |
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Re: Strange night on the radio
jim_kr1s <jkearman@...>
Hi, Gil,
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--- In ultralightdx@..., "nn4cw" wrote: > I was looking at Whamlog and noticed that extended band in the US now permits 10kW power at night. According to FCC, WTNI is still 1 kW night. http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?list=0&facid=87159 I heard them after their sunset. They make it through occasionally, but my comment related to how well the loop now nulls the TIS a few miles away. It isn't running much power, though. TIS stations annoy me. They have two in Melbourne, broadcasting essentially the same info. One is on 1610, and kept Chris and me from hearing the Ghost of Gene Scott. > homebuilt one tube superhet Nice going on that one! ULRs are fun, but homemade radios are better! 73, Jim, KR1S http://kr1s.kearman.com/ http://qrp.kearman.com/ |
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Altazimuth base for loop
sdwillingham
Jim,
For a tilting support, it seems to me that some of the mini camera tripods on the market could be ideal. There are some with a so-called tilt-pan head on them that seem ideal and probably have smooth adjustment mechanisms. A quick web search finds several that are under $20. -Scott- |
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Re: Strange night on the radio
Gil Stacy
Jim,
I was looking at Whamlog and noticed that extended band in the US now permits 10kW power at night. I had always thought that the restriction was 1kW at night. WTNI Biloxi is the 500 lb. gorilla on my xtl set and one tube superhet. However, several years ago, WTNI was off the air, and the number of active stations on 1640 was one or two less than now appears on the list. KDIA in Vallejo, CA, came in on my homebuilt one tube superhet (Jack Bryant design), a distance of 2400+ miles. My antenna was a 150' random wire, up 70'. I didn't hear an ID, but was able to confirm it via webstream. At the time, the station was business news programming. That same night I was able to pick up the rest of the stations on 1640. Quite a night for the one tuber; KOA (1400 miles) and KSL (1800 miles) were also snagged. 73 Gil Savannah GA |
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Strange night on the radio
jim_kr1s <jkearman@...>
Took a pass on Nova, took a pass across the band. On 1620, looking for USVI, hearing loud, funky instrumental music, very strong. WNRP on the Gulf Coast was in, and so was USVI, but the funk was much louder. Carrier kept dropping. Got it recorded, finally went off-air, no ID. Oh, boy, we have a pirate in town.
Moving up to 1640, discovered a very sharp null in the Hoop Loop, much better than previously. Over a couple of degrees it will null the Turnpike TIS here in Stuart and let me hear WTNI in Biloxi while they're still on daytime power. Neat! Down on 650, HIAT was very strong, about an hour after my sunset. Kept thinking, man, WSM is weak tonight, I can barely hear them on any bearing. After about 5 minutes of music on HIAT (wasn't CMBA, could verify by looking for parallel on 610, wrong bearing for HKKH in Bogota), all of a sudden WSM just exploded. They must have blown a tube and gone down for a few minutes. No way it was a SSS thing, it was too sudden. Now I'm not sure about HIAT because I didn't get an ID. The music sure didn't sound Cuban, but they play musical chairs with their stations and it may have been. My bearing to Santo Domingo is 130 degrees, so 180 around is 310, and Nashville is at 330. Nulling Nashville puts HIAT too far off the beam. But the antenna definitely nulls better now, so things are looking up! 73, Jim, KR1S http://kr1s.kearman.com/ http://qrp.kearman.com/ |
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Re: Bifilar matching transformer
Powell
That's special feat since there really is no one monitoring at night. It's all automated. I have, however the phone numbers to the Atlanta FCC office. NNNN One of the persons working there told a friend of mine who sells broadcast equipment (they were at a convention) that everything I tell them is always right. Some stations have a graduated power down in maybe up to 5 steps. This won't always show on their license. Also the FCC lost the records of many stations pre sunrise and post sunset allocations to "daytimers". If you have that paperwork you are fine. If you lose it you lost your pre and post authority. Powell POP email is powell at backroads DOT net From: jim_kr1s The radio now sits on a large piece of stainless steel, and that is working pretty well. We'll see after Nova tonight, when the loudenboomers will be coming through. I'm down to hearing two locals with no antenna, and one of them is allegedly going to 64 W at sunset. I've got the FCC Enforcement Bureau on speed dial. |
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Re: Using DSP radios as tuners? - FARMERIK
sdwillingham
Connecting a modern headphone output to a modern line-in or aux-in should not be a problem. The headphone outputs are made to drive low-impedance earbuds, which are generally 16 to 32 ohms. The line and aux inputs usually present a load of 10k to 100k ohms. A low impedance driving high impedance is fine and won't damage anything. In line-level audio circuits, impedance-matching concepts are rarely used and not required.
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But don't short L+R together. If you need a mono signal, it would be better to combine them using a couple of 100-1000 ohm resistors. -Scott- --- In ultralightdx@..., "farmerik" <farmerik@...> wrote:
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Re: Bifilar matching transformer
sdwillingham
Actually, my balun is a stack of 3 FT37-61 toroids. With 50 turns of #32 magnet wire, I get an open-circuit inductance of 354 uH. It's not bad for such a tiny thing, but I've got some better plans . . .
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--- In ultralightdx@..., "jim_kr1s" <jkearman@...> wrote:
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Using DSP radios as tuners? - FARMERIK
Rik
There is no line level output, and I guess, but do not know that my PL-310 would have a small stereo headphone amp. I was wondering if shorting the R+L channels with an 1/8th inch adapter is likely to cause distortion or damage to the headphone amp in the radio if I use it that way a lot?
In a tube radio, I have many times added a line out off the feed to the volume control, but I don't know if that would work on these sets, and they are WAY to small for me to work on anyway. Some of my modern transistorized PA amps say in the manual the Aux input matches the impedance of what ever you connect it to. My son says that suggests to him it uses an 'OP AMP'. I really like the tone controls on PA amps for filtering out noise above and below voice frequencies, EXACTLY as needed. I am also getting back a 1980's Harmon Kardon reciever which had a very good AM tuner in it from my brother in VT. Since that is stereo, I could connect the R + L channels to its AUX inputs. But wouldn't that still be mismatched impedance? I also considered using a Y adapter, and leaving stereo headphones on one side, but I don't know if that is necessary or not. I did find some music on SW, and the PL-310 has a wider audio band width on more than one setting than one of my Zenith InterOceanics, which surprised me. It is hard to make comparisons by ear, since the selectivity rolls off very gradually on the Zeniths, and sharply on the DSP radios. RCA Globetrotters have MUCH sharper filters. I think I will really like the PL-310 as a 'Hi-Fidelity' SW tuner, but I don't want to damage it. - FARMERIK |
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Re: Can small be wonderful for FM Dxing?
Rik
John - I am impressed with the results with the SONY tuner. My brother lives in your town, and gets very little on FM. I think he likes classical music on NPR. Next time I get up there, I was planning on bringing my DSP radios, to see how they perform. Do you have a G8 or PL-310?
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Did you notice the instructions to build a MOXON antenna for FM in the files of this group? I bought a long 'speaker' cable with an 1/8 th inch phone plug, and plan to lay in out on masonite or cardboard. That should work on the Tecsun DSP radios and other modern portables. FM is so crowded here in CT, I could use a directional antenna to sort out stations on the same channel. - FARMERIK --- In ultralightdx@..., "sdwillingham" <sdwillingham@...> wrote:
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Re: Bifilar matching transformer
jim_kr1s <jkearman@...>
Scott, all,
When I'm DXing, I plug a short Y-cable into the headphone jack. The headphones go to one of its jacks, and the MP3 recorder is connected to the other one through a short cable. Of course, that arrangement doesn't work as well. I'm going back to LW, where the strongest stations are >4000 miles away. :) The radio now sits on a large piece of stainless steel, and that is working pretty well. We'll see after Nova tonight, when the loudenboomers will be coming through. I'm down to hearing two locals with no antenna, and one of them is allegedly going to 64 W at sunset. I've got the FCC Enforcement Bureau on speed dial. Say, that reminds me. Aren't you using a wimpy little FT37-61 toroid of about 150 uH? That would explain why you're doing so well on the locals. 73, Jim, KR1S http://kr1s.kearman.com/ http://qrp.kearman.com/ |
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