|
Re: Head to Head Testing - AR1690 v AR1733
Richard Allen <dx747j@...>
Paul:
Thanks for posting the article.
I’ve been FM DXing since 2010 using barefoot Tecsun ULR, primarily a PL-606. To date I’ve logged 876 stations from across North America. I have tried using the Crane Skywave but it isn’t as good as the PL-606.
Good luck in your research.
Richard Allen,
|
|
|
AM radio that use a chip for the receive circuitry
I'm following a thread on a group with an argument about whether new AM radios are now mostly designed with a chip
for the radio receive circuitry.
Does anyone have a website with either a list of radios using specific chips for the receive circuitry
or a list of the chips used for receive circuitry?
Thanks Mikek
|
|
|
Head to Head Testing - AR1690 v AR1733
Recently I have purchased a small A/B audio switch box, this is being used for direct audio / signal testing of various radios.
I have mounted this in a small case and have run two 3.5mm audio cables out the back to connect to my radios.
My testing process with the below was to tune both the AR1690 and AR1733 to the same strong local FM station and then adjust the volume levels of each to be as close as possible to identical. I then search the band with each radio and tuned them to the same stations at the same time, using the A/B audio switch box, I then compared the signal levels and audio quality between each.
The results are below.
|
FREQUENCY - STATION
|
DIGITECH AR1690
|
DIGITECH AR1733
|
|
95.3MHz - TAMAR FM
|
|
T
|
|
96.9MHz - MEANDER VALLEY FM
|
T
|
|
|
98.9MHz - 7AD
|
T
|
|
|
100.5MHz - ABC DEVONPORT
|
T
|
|
|
100.9MHz - 7BU
|
T
|
|
|
101.7MHz - SEA FM BURNIE
|
T
|
|
|
106.9MHz - RPH RADIO
|
|
T
|
|
107.7MHz - SEA FM DEVONPORT
|
T
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
As you can see from these test frequencies, the AR1690 worked the best, with the best audio and strongest signals on 6 of the 8 test frequencies.
Next I tuned across the whole FM band and focused on strong local stations. Out of the 14 stations I checked, the results for each are below.
AR1690 = Overall 10/14AR1733 = Overall 4/14
As a first test to develop and refine my process this worked well and produced some interesting results, once our COVID19 bans and restrictions are lifted, I will undertaking more of these tests from various locations.
-- Paul - Moderator UltralightDX
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gary DeBock
Hello Igvitk,
Litz wire and ferrite optimized for the MW frequencies really isn't recommended for SW performance. Especially in a sharp-tuning FSL antenna, going outside the recommended frequency range can really throw off performance, even causing the gain peak to fizzle out completely. My recommendation would be for you to use an FSL antenna design that has been thoroughly tested and proofed out, even if you need to substitute the 250/46 Litz wire for the (more expensive) 660/46 or 1162/46 type. As long as the coil inductance is the same (i.e. the number of coil turns is similar), the antenna should work fine, although the best sensitivity always is provided by the largest diameter #46 Litz wire you can use.
Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)
|
|
|
Hi all! I was trying to make 3 inch FSL antenna for MW band, but I ordered less than necessary of AWG 250/46 litz, and did not get the required inductance (just 180 uh instead of 350 uh). As a result, I had an idea to left small number of turns and make an antenna for shortwave band (maybe 80 or 40 m), adding variable capacitor and coupling coil for connect to reciever. But confuses the fact that the permeability of the rods is too large for SW (400 instead 100), and this type of litz wire is also suitable for frequencies below SW. Perhaps these factors will spoil the quality of the SW antenna and the best way out is to simply order a new litz?
|
|
|
Re: Portable Ultralight Radio DXing Case - March 2020
Portable Ultralight Radio DXing Case - March 2020 - An Update
After building my latest case, I found a couple of issues. I needed to protect the screens and cases of my radios and I also had an issue with the back section where my AR1690 was. As the AR1690 does not had a hand strap, it was hard to get it out. Based on this I made some changes.
I have added silver cloth tape to each section, I have also made a basic strap from cloth tape which is attached to the middle section, this goes under my AR1690 and allows me to lift it up.
Photos: https://ultralightradiodxing.blogspot.com/2020/03/portable-ultralight-radio-dxing-case.html
-- Paul - Moderator UltralightDX
|
|
|
FM BCB Loggings - 01/04/2020
-------------------------**FMDXerDB - Report**Report Date: 04/01/2020Report Time: 19:30:30
Freq / Name: 087.6MHz - TOTE SPORTSSite / Type: Abels Hill, Launceston Tasmania - LPONNotes: Logged 01/04/2020 - Home, Launceston Tasmania
Freq / Name: 087.8MHz - LC FMSite / Type: Launceston College, Tasmania - CommunityNotes: Logged 01/04/2020 - Home, Launceston Tasmania
Freq / Name: 088.0MHz - LPONSite / Type: Multiple - CommunityNotes: Logged 01/04/2020 - Home, Launceston Tasmania. Low power religious broadcasts.
Freq / Name: 089.3MHz - LA FMSite / Type: Mt Barrow, Tasmania - CommericalNotes: Logged 01/04/2020 - Home, Launceston Tasmania
Freq / Name: 090.1MHz - Chilli FMSite / Type: Mt Barrow, Tasmania - CommericalNotes: Logged 01/04/2020 - Home, Launceston Tasmania
Freq / Name: 090.9MHz - Triple JSite / Type: Mt Barrow, Tasmania - NationalNotes: Logged 01/04/2020 - Home, Launceston Tasmania
Freq / Name: 091.7MHz - ABC Northern TasSite / Type: Mt Barrow, Tasmania - NationalNotes: Logged 01/04/2020 - Home, Launceston Tasmania
Freq / Name: 092.5MHz - ABC News RadioSite / Type: Mt Barrow, Tasmania - NationalNotes: Logged 01/04/2020 - Home, Launceston Tasmania
Freq / Name: 093.3MHz - ABC Classic FMSite / Type: Mt Barrow, Tasmania - NationalNotes: Logged 01/04/2020 - Home, Launceston Tasmania
Freq / Name: 094.1MHz - ABCSite / Type: Mt Barrow, Tasmania - NationalNotes: Logged 01/04/2020 - Home, Launceston Tasmania
Freq / Name: 095.3MHz - Tamar FMSite / Type: Mt George, George Town, Tasmania - CommunityNotes: Logged 01/04/2020 - Home, Launceston Tasmania
Freq / Name: 096.5MHz - City Park RadioSite / Type: Z - CommunityNotes: Logged 01/04/2020 - Home, Launceston Tasmania
Freq / Name: 096.9MHz - Meander Valley FMSite / Type: Gardners Ridge, Westbury - CommunityNotes: Logged 01/04/2020 - Home, Launceston Tasmania
Freq / Name: 098.9MHz - 7ADSite / Type: Devonport, Tasmania - CommericalNotes: Logged 01/04/2020 - Home, Launceston Tasmania. AR1690 / External FM Aerial
Freq / Name: 100.3MHz - LAFMSite / Type: CBD, Launceston Tasmania - Commerial (translator)Notes: Logged 01/04/2020 - Home, Launceston Tasmania. AR1690 / External FM Aerial
Freq / Name: 101.7MHz - SEA FMSite / Type: Table Cape, Tasmania - CommericalNotes: Logged 01/04/2020 - Home, Launceston Tasmania. AR1690 / External FM Aerial
Freq / Name: 102.7MHz - ABC Northern TasSite / Type: East Launceston, Tasmania - National (Translator)Notes: Logged 01/04/2020 - Home, Launceston Tasmania. AR1690 / External FM Aerial
Freq / Name: 103.7MHz - City Park RadioSite / Type: Z - CommunityNotes: Logged 01/04/2020 - Home, Launceston Tasmania. AR1690 / External FM Aerial
Freq / Name: 105.3MHz - WAY FMSite / Type: Z - CommunityNotes: Logged 01/04/2020 - Home, Launceston Tasmania. AR1690 / External FM Aerial
Freq / Name: 106.9MHz - RPH Print RadioSite / Type: West Launceston - CommunityNotes: Logged 01/04/2020 - Home, Launceston Tasmania. AR1690 / External FM Aerial
Freq / Name: 107.7MHz - SEA FMSite / Type: Devonport, Tasmania - CommericalNotes: Logged 01/04/2020 - Home, Launceston Tasmania. AR1690 / External FM Aerial
-- Paul - Moderator UltralightDX
|
|
|
Re: Radio listening as a career
Tom Crosbie G6PZZ <tom@...>
Paul,
I was keen on radio as a child, inducted into the hobby by my father from the age of about 6. Whilst still at school, I applied for a monitoring position at the BBC’s Caversham Park
site. Told them all about my 10 years operating experience shortwave equipment and my O Level in French and other subjects.. They did send me an application form and pages from a local newspaper indicating house prices. Perhaps I should have mention I was
only 16!
Years later a friend and I made some beer money repairing car radios for a local dealer, during which time I acquired a CB radio. After a week of banality, I traded that in at a
Ham radio store for a receiver, a Drake SSR 1. I met a ham at a local tyre dealer who introduced me to a local club and I was soon licenced as G6PZZ.
One evening another friend and I had something in bits on the kitchen table when my almost-four year Old some came into the room and dragged a chair and asked my friend what he was
doing. When he just patronisingly said I’m taking this thing out, my son replied you mean that carbon resistor? The 22k Ohm 20% tolerance one? That really threw him for six. So proud of my son!
During my varied career I spent about 25 hears in the ham radio business, during which time I was Communications Product Manager with Navico, launching the first fully featured 2m
transceiver. The Las 15 years were with Lowe Electronics, famous for their range of general coverage receivers.
In the meantime my son has put his knowledge of the resistor colour codes to Good use by joining our RAF as an Avionics tech, cutting his teeth on Tornados and now back to Typhoons
for a second time. He spent 5 years with NATO teaching people to use all sorts of radios and threat detectors and recognising different types of radar and missile tracking signatures.bits radio Jim, but not as we know it!
Radio can be a good career and there are many facets to it. It’s finding what puts the spark in someone to ignite the passion to take it forward. With me it was sales!
Tom G6PZZ
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: main@UltralightDX.groups.io <main@UltralightDX.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Paul Blundell
Sent: 30 March 2020 21:59
To: main@ultralightdx.groups.io
Subject: Re: [UltralightDX] Radio listening as a career
That sounds very interesting and something I would have loved to have done.
On Tue, 31 Mar 2020, 12:12 a.m. Ron Layton via Groups.Io, <micron327=zoho.com@groups.io> wrote:
Just curious to see if anyone else here has made a career of radio listening. I have been doing it professionally for about 40 years. I started out when I joined the US Army Security Agency and trained as an intercept operator, both voice
and Morse and years later data intercept. I was stationed in places all over the world and my tours of duty usually lasted from 2 to 3 years so I moved around a lot. My main radio was the Collins R390-A URR. I also was trained on a TRD11 direction finder and
some early solid state high tech radios. It was an interesting career. I later worked off and on as a civilian and retired in 2013. It sure played hell with my hearing since we had to turn the radios up so we could try and dig signals out of the QRM and QRN.
I loved to listen to AM and was an avid SWL when I was a kid and had a very helpful uncle who gave me a big old Hammarlund HQ-180 for my 10th birthday! I was sure got hooked on DX then! That's what started it and the rest is history.
--
Paul - Moderator
UltralightDX
|
|
|
Re: Radio listening as a career
That sounds very interesting and something I would have loved to have done.
Paul
On Tue, 31 Mar 2020, 12:12 a.m. Ron Layton via Groups.Io, <micron327= zoho.com@groups.io> wrote: Just curious to see if anyone else here has made a career of radio listening. I have been doing it professionally for about 40 years. I started out when I joined the US Army Security Agency and trained as an intercept operator, both voice and Morse and years later data intercept. I was stationed in places all over the world and my tours of duty usually lasted from 2 to 3 years so I moved around a lot. My main radio was the Collins R390-A URR. I also was trained on a TRD11 direction finder and some early solid state high tech radios. It was an interesting career. I later worked off and on as a civilian and retired in 2013. It sure played hell with my hearing since we had to turn the radios up so we could try and dig signals out of the QRM and QRN. I loved to listen to AM and was an avid SWL when I was a kid and had a very helpful uncle who gave me a big old Hammarlund HQ-180 for my 10th birthday! I was sure got hooked on DX then! That's what started it and the rest is history.
--
Paul - Moderator
UltralightDX
|
|
|
Radio listening as a career
Ron Layton <micron327@...>
Just curious to see if anyone else here has made a career of radio listening. I have been doing it professionally for about 40 years. I started out when I joined the US Army Security Agency and trained as an intercept operator, both voice and Morse and years later data intercept. I was stationed in places all over the world and my tours of duty usually lasted from 2 to 3 years so I moved around a lot. My main radio was the Collins R390-A URR. I also was trained on a TRD11 direction finder and some early solid state high tech radios. It was an interesting career. I later worked off and on as a civilian and retired in 2013. It sure played hell with my hearing since we had to turn the radios up so we could try and dig signals out of the QRM and QRN. I loved to listen to AM and was an avid SWL when I was a kid and had a very helpful uncle who gave me a big old Hammarlund HQ-180 for my 10th birthday! I was sure got hooked on DX then! That's what started it and the rest is history.
|
|
|
Re: "Shelter at Home" -- A Tinkering Nerd's Dream!
Ron Layton <micron327@...>
Thanks for the info, Gary. I just got a very good deal on a GE Super Radio 1 so I'm hoping to get some good DX with it. I know its not UL, but at this point I can't afford to put a lot of money into ferrite and litz wire. I have a PL-600, again, not UL that works fairly well with my home made milk crate loop. My only UL radios are a PL-380 and a Kaito WRX-911. I built a 7.5" ferrite rod antenna and it really pulls in stations with the WRX-911. I'll read your articles on FSL construction and maybe someday bite the bullet and order Litz and rods. Thanks again.
|
|
|
Re: "Shelter at Home" -- A Tinkering Nerd's Dream!
Gary DeBock
Hi Todd (and Michael),
<<< I never knew how many MW FSL antennas you have stored at home. The development process seems to have gone through multiple iterations. There are enough FSLs to sell online as a business. >>>
Well, you are probably correct, Todd, but since it's a labor of love I've certainly given away far more FSL's than I've ever sold. Financially there doesn't seem to be a need to do so, although my wife (in her zeal to free up more space) would be the first to agree with you!
<<< I am still using a 40 inch side length table-top 4-leg style PVC tunable air core box loop with 9 turns. What would be the equivalent size FSL antenna that would offer comparable MW DX gain? >>>
The 5" FSL antenna full construction project (posted at the link in the previous message) was extensively tested against a 4 foot (48") air core box loop here, and demonstrated equivalent gain, with a slightly better S/N ratio. However, the 5" FSL has much sharper tuning than an air core loop, and takes some DXing practice in order to get the best performance out of it. The new, razor-sharp "384P" variable caps transform the 5" FSL into a tiny little DXing firecracker, but without serious practice most DXers will probably be left longing for a broader-tuning air core loop. The latest 5" FSL antennas will provide exception gain once you carefully tune in the DX, but without practice you will find it tough to even locate the gain peak.
<<< One possible drawback with the current COVID-19 stay at home guidelines, is increased local QRM. More people staying at home translates to more electrical devices operating. So far there hasn't been a notable increase in MW noise. If anything, electrical storm static last night rendered 558 KHz 6WA Wagin almost unlistenable. >>>
Definitely true, even here, Todd. With so many families "sheltering at home" there has been an explosion of RFI of all types, as families try anything and everything to entertain themselves... indefinitely. To make matters worse, the Governor has placed all ocean beach state parks off limits-- pretty much locking you into the RFI at your home location.
558-6WA is one of our annual targets at the plunging Rockwork Cliff each August, so I certainly hope the virus will wrap up before then!
<<< The Australian government today announced a new maximum two person gathering rule. This effectively puts a lid on club DX gatherings. I've been using Zoom software for my local Cong bi-weekly meetings. This software could also be used for DXer meetings. Any large DX club or local DX group could set up a meeting by using an assigned Zoom software log-in number. The audio and video quality is surprisingly good. >>>
Well, Oz DXer Chris Rogers and I were very fortunate to have our Hawaii DXpedition in November-- before the entire world went into a pandemic meltdown! Come to think of it, my wife was trying to talk me into a luxury cruise about now-- but somehow she never mentions that idea any more.
73, Gary
|
|
|
Re: "Shelter at Home" -- A Tinkering Nerd's Dream!
Gary DeBock
<<< I'm really interested in any "exotic" antenna that will work with my PL-600. Any ideas? Whats a ballpark price for the construction of one of the small FSL and are the materials readily available? 73's >>>
Hi Ron,
There have been several "full construction" articles published for small FSL antennas, with all of them using the Russian surplus 140mm and 160mm ferrite rods (which are still available on eBay).
A 5 inch diameter FSL model with a "design price" of $95 (construction parts only) was published in 2012, and is linked at http://www.mediafire.com/file/9ze98h293s85p86/5_inch_FSL.doc/file
That particular model is being upgraded as one of the current design projects, with 1062/46 Litz wire (significantly more sensitive) and a "384P" variable cap from Mike's Electronic Parts (significantly higher Q). Together, the two upgrades provide a big difference in performance.
A 3.5 inch "Frequent Flyer" FSL model was designed (and a full construction article was published) in 2017. It is essentially a shrunken-down 5" FSL with slightly longer ferrite rods and more sensitive Litz wire-- resulting in exactly the same gain. It is a TSA-friendly model designed for overseas air travel in hand carry luggage, and the full construction article is posted at http://www.mediafire.com/file/pnfm8909c77zjoy/3.5inch-FF-FSL.doc/file
Because of the increased component costs that model will run about $150 in construction parts.
The 5 inch "Frequent Flyer" FSL models that Craig Barnes and I use for Hawaii DXpeditions are built with the lightweight Russian surplus 100mm x 20mm x 3mm ferrite bars, which unfortunately have not been available commercially since 2012. There are very scarce (even among experimenters), so no more articles using them have been published recently.
73, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)
|
|
|
Re: "Shelter at Home" -- A Tinkering Nerd's Dream!
Now we know why many of us are receiving weak signals : Gary's FSL array is sucking in most of the RF energy :-) Michael UK On 30/03/2020 03:45, Todd via Groups.Io wrote: Hi Gary,
I never knew how many MW FSL antennas you have stored at home. The development process seems to have gone through multiple iterations. There are enough FSLs to sell online as a business. ... Regards,
Todd
Sydney, Australia
|
|
|
New Sub Group - ultralightdxSocial
Hi all. To help both keep the main group "on topic" but also allow some more "social" interactions, especially with how the world is at the moment around COVID-19, I have created a sub group, it can be found here: https://ultralightdx.groups.io/g/ultralightdxSocial-- Paul - Moderator UltralightDX
|
|
|
Re: "Shelter at Home" -- A Tinkering Nerd's Dream!
Hi Gary,
I never knew how many MW FSL antennas you have stored at home. The development process seems to have gone through multiple iterations. There are enough FSLs to sell online as a business.
I am still using a 40 inch side length table-top 4-leg style PVC tunable air core box loop with 9 turns. What would be the equivalent size FSL antenna that would offer comparable MW DX gain?
One possible drawback with the current COVID-19 stay at home guidelines, is increased local QRM. More people staying at home translates to more electrical devices operating. So far there hasn't been a notable increase in MW noise. If anything, electrical storm static last night rendered 558 KHz 6WA Wagin almost unlistenable.
The Australian government today announced a new maximum two person gathering rule. This effectively puts a lid on club DX gatherings. I've been using Zoom software for my local Cong bi-weekly meetings. This software could also be used for DXer meetings. Any large DX club or local DX group could set up a meeting by using an assigned Zoom software log-in number. The audio and video quality is surprisingly good.
Regards,
Todd
Sydney, Australia
|
|
|
Re: "Shelter at Home" -- A Tinkering Nerd's Dream!
Ron Layton <micron327@...>
I'm really interested in any "exotic" antenna that will work with my PL-600. Any ideas? Whats a ballpark price for the construction of one of the small FSL and are the materials readily available? 73's
|
|
|
Re: "Shelter at Home" -- A Tinkering Nerd's Dream!
I can not agree more. I love trying the different areas of the radio hobby and seeing what I can hear. You are an asset to the hobby and always bring new ideas.
On Sun, Mar 29, 2020 at 7:58 PM Gary DeBock via Groups.Io <D1028Gary= aol.com@groups.io> wrote: On Sun, Mar 29, 2020 at 01:21 AM, Paul Blundell wrote:
Based on that photos, do you think you have a problem? :)
Thanks Paul,
I've always figured that the best way to keep excited about the radio hobby (and DXing in general) is to constantly push the limits in weird antenna construction, repeatedly attempting to construct something that others think is impossible. 99% of the time "the others" end up being correct, but about 1% of the projects end up being raging DXing successes, proving to be technical breakthroughs that provide a lot of fun and excitement for others. A couple of recent examples are the 7.5" loopstick transplant projects in portable radios, and the lightweight "Frequent Flyer" FSL antennas, designed for astonishing performance during overseas air travel. A similar mindset in exploring ocean coast sites led to the discovery of enhanced transoceanic propagation at plunging ocean cliff sites, demonstrated by exceptional reception of New Zealand MW signals every summer at the Rockwork Cliff in Oregon, and similar exploration at Japan's Cape Taitosaki.
Anybody that really wants to have exceptional fun in this hobby needs to get out of his comfort zone, and try something really new and challenging. DXing with the same antennas at the same place(s) for decades will make anyone feel bored. Constantly pushing the limits in weird new antennas, DXing sites and receiver modification is wild, wacky and thrilling-- but never boring!
Gary
--
--
Paul - Moderator
UltralightDX
|
|
|
Re: "Shelter at Home" -- A Tinkering Nerd's Dream!
Gary DeBock
On Sun, Mar 29, 2020 at 01:21 AM, Paul Blundell wrote:
Based on that photos, do you think you have a problem? :)
Thanks Paul, I've always figured that the best way to keep excited about the radio hobby (and DXing in general) is to constantly push the limits in weird antenna construction, repeatedly attempting to construct something that others think is impossible. 99% of the time "the others" end up being correct, but about 1% of the projects end up being raging DXing successes, proving to be technical breakthroughs that provide a lot of fun and excitement for others. A couple of recent examples are the 7.5" loopstick transplant projects in portable radios, and the lightweight "Frequent Flyer" FSL antennas, designed for astonishing performance during overseas air travel. A similar mindset in exploring ocean coast sites led to the discovery of enhanced transoceanic propagation at plunging ocean cliff sites, demonstrated by exceptional reception of New Zealand MW signals every summer at the Rockwork Cliff in Oregon, and similar exploration at Japan's Cape Taitosaki. Anybody that really wants to have exceptional fun in this hobby needs to get out of his comfort zone, and try something really new and challenging. DXing with the same antennas at the same place(s) for decades will make anyone feel bored. Constantly pushing the limits in weird new antennas, DXing sites and receiver modification is wild, wacky and thrilling-- but never boring! Gary
|
|
|
