Engineering & DX'ing

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Last post

Misuse of Ham Radio

Last post by Turkeytop « Mon Jan 25, 2021 12:47 am
Replies: 6
by Turkeytop » Sat Jan 23, 2021 10:47 pm

I've heard reports that ham operators were among the Jan 6 terrorists and that they were using their hand held radios for communications.

I sure...

6 Replies

135 Views

Last post by Turkeytop
Mon Jan 25, 2021 12:47 am
Fixed antenna for CICO & CBET

Last post by n8fnr « Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:22 am
Replies: 35
by n8fnr » Fri Dec 11, 2020 2:07 pm
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I want to put up a fixed TV antenna at about 20 feet for CICO and CBET in Windsor. According to RabbitEars they are 27 miles from my house. Since...
35 Replies

1078 Views

Last post by n8fnr
Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:22 am
Below 88 mHz

Last post by k8jd « Tue Jan 19, 2021 4:15 pm
Replies: 4
by k8jd » Sun Jan 17, 2021 4:23 pm

A few nights ago I could not sleep so I put on the headphones and got my Teksun PL880 going. Surprized to hear some signal below 88.1, maybe 87.7?...

4 Replies

248 Views

Last post by k8jd
Tue Jan 19, 2021 4:15 pm
Field Intensity at 1 km vs. Transmitter Power

Last post by k8jd « Tue Jan 19, 2021 4:10 pm
Replies: 2
by Rich F. » Tue Jan 19, 2021 4:20 am

See post below...

2 Replies

123 Views

Last post by k8jd
Tue Jan 19, 2021 4:10 pm
Antennas Spotted On Helicopters

Last post by km1125 « Mon Jan 18, 2021 2:25 pm
Replies: 9
by Ben Zonia » Thu Jan 14, 2021 8:46 pm

Looks like a simple loop turnstile to me. Nothing fancy. Look at the frequency range and reach your own conclusions.

9 Replies

209 Views

Last post by km1125
Mon Jan 18, 2021 2:25 pm
MW DX

Last post by CK-722 « Sat Jan 16, 2021 12:23 pm
Replies: 21
by Turkeytop » Sun Dec 27, 2020 7:39 pm
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CBC Radio 1 Network has mostly moved to the FM band. One of their remaining AM transmitters is 560 KHZ in Dawson City Yukon.

Recently, the station...
21 Replies

748 Views

Last post by CK-722
Sat Jan 16, 2021 12:23 pm
Scanners

Last post by matt1 « Sat Jan 16, 2021 2:00 am
Replies: 77
by Turkeytop » Sat Nov 16, 2019 8:32 pm
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Are any of you scanner enthusiasts? It's one aspect of the radio hobby I've never tried but might want to introduce myself to.

I don't want to...
77 Replies

5413 Views

Last post by matt1
Sat Jan 16, 2021 2:00 am
Where's Art Bell When You Need Him?

Last post by SolarMax « Thu Jan 14, 2021 11:00 pm
Replies: 8
by Ben Zonia » Wed Dec 09, 2020 7:58 pm

What happened here?

Was this spontaneous or sabotage or what?

BTW, FOR THE THREAD TOPIC POLICE, THIS IS A PARABOLIC DISH ANTENNA. The parabolic...

8 Replies

383 Views

Last post by SolarMax
Thu Jan 14, 2021 11:00 pm
FM Tropo Opening in Much of the Lower Peninsula Area

Last post by paul8539 « Tue Jan 12, 2021 5:01 pm
Replies: 4
by CK-722 » Sat Jan 09, 2021 6:33 pm

Has anyone noticed that there is a tropo opening on FM this afternoon?

It's hard to tell without a very selective receiver though, since the band is...

4 Replies

537 Views

Last post by paul8539
Tue Jan 12, 2021 5:01 pm
Downriver AM transmitters

Last post by CK-722 « Fri Jan 08, 2021 6:58 pm
Replies: 46
by ZenithCKLW » Mon Apr 27, 2020 3:25 pm
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Can someone explain the strategy behind broadcasters placing an AM transmitter downriver, especially in SE Michigan? It seems the 50kw AM radio...
46 Replies

2399 Views

Last post by CK-722
Fri Jan 08, 2021 6:58 pm
A little help with plugging away

Last post by djb « Sun Jan 03, 2021 9:54 am
Replies: 14
by Mark Schirripa » Mon Dec 21, 2020 11:35 am

I ordered two of these cords with plugs:

VGA/HD15 Male Plug 15 pin to 3 RCA Audio AV Cable Adapter for HDTV PC DVD

I have a picture of it but I...

14 Replies

530 Views

Last post by djb
Sun Jan 03, 2021 9:54 am
Best setup for reliable radio communications over 30 or 60 miles?

Last post by CK-722 « Thu Dec 31, 2020 3:07 pm
Replies: 26
by bmw » Sat Dec 26, 2020 10:55 am
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So yesterday on Christmas, 2 family members of mine (who live roughly 60 miles apart straight-line distance) get to talking about various world...
26 Replies

614 Views

Last post by CK-722
Thu Dec 31, 2020 3:07 pm
FCC sets $35 fee for Amateur applications

Last post by SolarMax « Thu Dec 31, 2020 10:55 am

by SolarMax » Thu Dec 31, 2020 10:55 am

From ARRL:
In a Report and Order (R&O), released on December 29, the FCC scaled back to $35 the fee for a new license application, a special...

0 Replies

103 Views

Last post by SolarMax
Thu Dec 31, 2020 10:55 am
DIY antenna designs for attic?

Last post by jimh « Fri Dec 11, 2020 4:06 pm
Replies: 52
by km1125 » Fri Jan 03, 2020 7:18 pm
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Wondering if there are any updated designs for DIY UHF antenna that focus on the 470-600MHz frequencies that might be optimized over the old 470-890...
52 Replies

3265 Views

Last post by jimh
Fri Dec 11, 2020 4:06 pm
Ham Radio Question

Last post by Turkeytop « Sat Nov 28, 2020 11:42 am
Replies: 5
by Turkeytop » Fri Nov 27, 2020 9:12 pm

I'm listening right now to the local repeater on the 70 cm band. There are operators on from Australia. How can they work a repeater in Canada from...

5 Replies

296 Views

Last post by Turkeytop
Sat Nov 28, 2020 11:42 am
Earth Conductivity vs. Groundwave Field Intensity

Last post by Turkeytop « Thu Nov 26, 2020 1:31 pm
Replies: 10
by Rich F. » Wed Nov 25, 2020 5:18 am

The graphic below is pretty much self-explanatory, and shows maybe some surprising results for the relative coverage areas of those two almost...

10 Replies

287 Views

Last post by Turkeytop
Thu Nov 26, 2020 1:31 pm
Universal Radio closing November 30

Last post by Turkeytop « Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:14 pm
Replies: 4
by SolarMax » Sun Nov 22, 2020 1:54 pm

Long-time SWL and ham gear retailer Universal Radio, outside of Columbus, OH has announced it is closing on November 30, as the owners are retiring....

4 Replies

298 Views

Last post by Turkeytop
Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:14 pm
Built some Hovermans

Last post by km1125 « Wed Nov 18, 2020 3:41 pm
Replies: 14
by km1125 » Mon Oct 26, 2020 1:59 pm

I've been meaning to build a couple DIY antennas to use in the attic. I was going to use an antenna design that seems to be pretty popular that's...

14 Replies

564 Views

Last post by km1125
Wed Nov 18, 2020 3:41 pm
The Most Complete Single Conductivity Study Of Northwest And Northern Lower Michigan

Last post by CK-722 « Tue Nov 17, 2020 12:38 pm
Replies: 9
by CK-722 » Fri Nov 13, 2020 11:51 am

Every 5 degrees from the WTCM site, done by Khanna and Guill going back to 1981 when WTCM moved to 580 and 1984 when they increased from 2.5 to 5 kW,...

9 Replies

503 Views

Last post by CK-722
Tue Nov 17, 2020 12:38 pm
Mini DXpedition 2020

Last post by Turkeytop « Fri Nov 13, 2020 7:28 pm
Replies: 13
by Turkeytop » Sun Oct 18, 2020 9:34 pm

Every fall I pick a day and head out into the country for a few hours to do some DXing on the short wave bands. I take along a radio or two and some...

13 Replies

682 Views

Last post by Turkeytop
Fri Nov 13, 2020 7:28 pm
What About This Antenna Is Superior Enough To Justify Cost?

Last post by k8jd « Sat Nov 07, 2020 11:47 pm
Replies: 11
by CK-722 » Tue Nov 03, 2020 11:50 am

I don't see any specs that are that impressive-like 8.2 dB over isotropic, not even over a tuned dipole.

11 Replies

602 Views

Last post by k8jd
Sat Nov 07, 2020 11:47 pm
The FCC Will Vote This Month on All-Digital AM

Last post by SixPlusOne « Tue Nov 03, 2020 12:56 pm
Replies: 23
by SixPlusOne » Sat Oct 10, 2020 7:08 pm
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The FCC Will Vote This Month on All-Digital AM

The Federal Communications Commission will vote this month on whether to allow AM stations in the...
23 Replies

1426 Views

Last post by SixPlusOne
Tue Nov 03, 2020 12:56 pm
WWV / WWVH

Last post by k8jd « Sun Nov 01, 2020 11:58 am
Replies: 13
by Turkeytop » Sat Mar 07, 2020 11:27 pm

I've been going around resetting the clocks for DST.

WWV is weak on 10 MHZ. On 5 MHZ I'm getting a good signal from WWVH, with a weaker WWV in the...

13 Replies

1243 Views

Last post by k8jd
Sun Nov 01, 2020 11:58 am
DX in reverse?

Last post by Turkeytop « Thu Oct 29, 2020 9:44 pm
Replies: 16
by ADD in TC » Tue Aug 04, 2020 11:27 am
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Sunday,at around 1:15,while listening to 98.9 WEMP over the Tune in app,the music I was hearing suddenly was replaced by a statical signal from the...
16 Replies

924 Views

Last post by Turkeytop
Thu Oct 29, 2020 9:44 pm
Distant stations on local AMs

Last post by Turkeytop « Thu Oct 29, 2020 7:28 pm
Replies: 7
by fuzzpower » Wed Oct 21, 2020 5:08 am

I’m not talking about puny Class D stations allowed to stay on at night with 17 watts, this is for actual locals who are getting interference from...

7 Replies

524 Views

Last post by Turkeytop
Thu Oct 29, 2020 7:28 pm
The End of an Era

Last post by Turkeytop « Thu Oct 29, 2020 3:16 pm
Replies: 3
by Turkeytop » Sat Oct 24, 2020 10:14 pm

The Universal Radio catalog has no desktop short wave radios now. Only SDRs.

Anyone wanting a regular radio has to look in the potables section.

Of...

3 Replies

357 Views

Last post by Turkeytop
Thu Oct 29, 2020 3:16 pm
Early Development Of AM BC DAs

Last post by k8jd « Tue Oct 27, 2020 4:13 pm
Replies: 6
by CK-722 » Sat Oct 24, 2020 11:25 pm

39 DAs were operating before the start of World War II. In Michigan, there were 3 to 5 operating, WWJ, WXYZ, WFDF, and possibly WKZO and WOOD, by...

6 Replies

383 Views

Last post by k8jd
Tue Oct 27, 2020 4:13 pm
Solar Cycle 25 Is Upon Us

Last post by Turkeytop « Sat Oct 24, 2020 10:07 pm
Replies: 7
by Turkeytop » Sat Oct 03, 2020 10:59 pm

So long, cycle 24. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

But, they're predicting #25 will be even weaker than 24.

7 Replies

432 Views

Last post by Turkeytop
Sat Oct 24, 2020 10:07 pm
AM Daytime And CH NW Straits Area Of Michigan

Last post by CK-722 « Sat Oct 24, 2020 3:50 pm
Replies: 35
by TC Shuts Up » Fri Sep 18, 2020 9:36 pm
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Alone Groudwave

580 WTCM
620 WTMJ
680 WDBC
790 WSGW
940 WIDG
1110 WJML
1240 WCBY
1270 WMKT
1310 WCCW
1340 WMBN

Alone Borderline

760 WJR
960 WHAK...
35 Replies

1232 Views

Last post by CK-722
Sat Oct 24, 2020 3:50 pm
Vintage Sony Portable

Last post by Turkeytop « Fri Oct 16, 2020 9:11 am
Replies: 2
by Turkeytop » Wed Oct 14, 2020 9:54 pm

Found this image in a google search

I had this very radio back in the early 60s. Five transistor, pocket size, AM only. Loved it.

It was about a...

2 Replies

366 Views

Last post by Turkeytop
Fri Oct 16, 2020 9:11 am
Nice Map If This Link Works

Last post by CK-722 « Tue Oct 13, 2020 1:34 pm
Replies: 18
by Ben Zonia » Sat Oct 10, 2020 1:41 am
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18 Replies

713 Views

Last post by CK-722
Tue Oct 13, 2020 1:34 pm
Sleeping Bear Dunes Bandscans (600+ mi.)

Last post by cckadlec « Mon Oct 12, 2020 11:15 am
Replies: 9
by cckadlec » Wed Oct 07, 2020 11:45 am

The catches of August 27th from my Empire Bluff site south of Empire, Mich., 445 feet above Lake Michigan, included some big signals up to 600+ miles...

9 Replies

456 Views

Last post by cckadlec
Mon Oct 12, 2020 11:15 am
Environment Canada to end weather radio.

Last post by k8jd « Sat Oct 03, 2020 12:13 pm
Replies: 22
by Turkeytop » Mon Sep 14, 2020 5:12 pm
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Environment Canada operates a system of weather radio stations, similar to NOAA. They have announced they will end this service within six months....
22 Replies

1017 Views

Last post by k8jd
Sat Oct 03, 2020 12:13 pm
09/26-27 Tropo

Last post by djb « Thu Oct 01, 2020 5:55 am
Replies: 4
by ChrisWL1980 » Sun Sep 27, 2020 3:35 pm

Heard in Whitmore Lake:

Star 88.3 (unable to tell whether this was WEAX Angola or WLAB Ft. Wayne)
88.7 WICR Indy
90.1 WFYI Indy mixing with WUCX...

4 Replies

333 Views

Last post by djb
Thu Oct 01, 2020 5:55 am
Virtual endec

Last post by k8jd « Wed Sep 23, 2020 12:22 pm
Replies: 7
by bobhuge » Mon Sep 21, 2020 11:04 am

Hello someone smarter than me, I need to move my automation to my tower and with that I'll need to install some form of EAS with it.

Does anyone...

7 Replies

449 Views

Last post by k8jd
Wed Sep 23, 2020 12:22 pm
Fires Threaten Mt. Wilson Radio TV Microwave Towers And Observatory

Last post by Ben Zonia « Wed Sep 16, 2020 3:35 pm
Replies: 2
by Ben Zonia » Tue Sep 15, 2020 10:49 pm

Strange that KNX is mentioned but their tower is not there.

Wonder how many have auxiliaries. Anyone know where? Hollywood Hills?

2 Replies

245 Views

Last post by Ben Zonia
Wed Sep 16, 2020 3:35 pm
The Big Opening To The East

Last post by ftballfan « Tue Sep 15, 2020 9:01 am
Replies: 5
by cckadlec » Sun Sep 13, 2020 2:49 pm

Here's a summary of tropo happenings in Fremont from the afternoon of Sept. 11th into the morning of the following day.

A duct broke open into...

5 Replies

354 Views

Last post by ftballfan
Tue Sep 15, 2020 9:01 am
Beer Goes Nerdy

Last post by audiophile « Tue Sep 15, 2020 6:30 am

by audiophile » Tue Sep 15, 2020 6:30 am

Heathkit and MFJ could have made a mint - both had cantennas aka dummy loads..

0 Replies

118 Views

Last post by audiophile
Tue Sep 15, 2020 6:30 am
DX late morning (9/3/20)

Last post by CK-722 « Fri Sep 04, 2020 1:13 pm
Replies: 4
by MWmetalhead » Thu Sep 03, 2020 10:04 pm

Was picking up 98.5 WUPS at full quieting with RDS around Fowlerville and Webberville around 10:45a this morning.

Was also picking up a pretty good...

4 Replies

350 Views

Last post by CK-722
Fri Sep 04, 2020 1:13 pm
EAS malfunctioning Friday morning or just Verizon?

Last post by MWmetalhead « Sun Aug 30, 2020 12:21 pm
Replies: 4
by MWmetalhead » Sat Aug 29, 2020 7:11 am

I live in the section of Oakland County for which a flash flood warning was issued around 6:20a Friday morning, yet I *never* received the emergency...

4 Replies

301 Views

Last post by MWmetalhead
Sun Aug 30, 2020 12:21 pm
VHF DX From A Mist From The Smoke Of A Distant Fire

Last post by audiophile « Sat Aug 29, 2020 7:29 am
Replies: 7
by CK-722 » Mon Aug 24, 2020 6:31 pm

Any predictions about the effect of the smoke from the forest fires out West on VHF DX? In the past, volcanoes and fires have had an effect. The...

7 Replies

389 Views

Last post by audiophile
Sat Aug 29, 2020 7:29 am
AM reception question

Last post by k8jd « Wed Aug 26, 2020 12:38 pm
Replies: 37
by Deleted User 24 » Mon Jul 27, 2020 12:02 pm
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I have a GE Superadio in my kitchen that I use mainly to listen to WWJ. The signal almost always has a buzz or static. In particular, there's a...
37 Replies

1917 Views

Last post by k8jd
Wed Aug 26, 2020 12:38 pm
Late Summer NOAA WX Station DX

Last post by SolarMax « Tue Aug 25, 2020 4:18 pm
Replies: 12
by CK-722 » Thu Aug 06, 2020 1:12 am

Since translators, IBOC, and other interference, it is becoming more difficult to DX the FM Band.

We recently put my late relative's Scanner back...

12 Replies

587 Views

Last post by SolarMax
Tue Aug 25, 2020 4:18 pm
The Larger Topic Of Electrical Noise Suppression

Last post by SolarMax « Mon Aug 24, 2020 11:10 pm
Replies: 4
by Ben Zonia » Sun Aug 23, 2020 12:20 pm

This is a good link. The items are kind of pricey though. I like the idea of suppressing noise on each phase of the circuit breaker box. If your...

4 Replies

298 Views

Last post by SolarMax
Mon Aug 24, 2020 11:10 pm
Long Wave Broadcast Radio

Last post by k8jd « Mon Aug 24, 2020 12:45 pm
Replies: 1
by Deleted User 15342 » Sun Aug 23, 2020 5:41 pm

Has anyone ever received any European broadcast on the long wave broadcast band 148 kHz-283 kHz, just curious. I know here in the U.S it’s mainly...

1 Replies

206 Views

Last post by k8jd
Mon Aug 24, 2020 12:45 pm
The Climbing Of Island View Hill

Last post by CK-722 « Sun Aug 23, 2020 7:53 pm

by CK-722 » Sun Aug 23, 2020 7:53 pm

Last week, I decided to take a ride along the M-119 Tunnel Of Trees. I had always wanted to see where the short lived WMBN-FM 96.3 site (mid-1980s)...

0 Replies

235 Views

Last post by CK-722
Sun Aug 23, 2020 7:53 pm
WDMJ STA

Last post by Deleted User 15342 « Wed Aug 19, 2020 11:02 am
Replies: 1
by Ben Zonia » Tue Aug 18, 2020 9:44 pm

WDMJ reportedly has had a complete antenna failure and is operating with a long wire antenna wit 200 watts. That old WJPD 1240 facility is looking...

1 Replies

267 Views

Last post by Deleted User 15342
Wed Aug 19, 2020 11:02 am
antenna lift

Last post by Rich F. « Tue Aug 18, 2020 4:17 pm
Replies: 16
by SolarMax » Tue Jun 16, 2020 4:05 pm
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For those fascinated by such things, there might be a chopper doing antenna lift Saturday 6/20 on the 8 Mile/Meyers tower, around 8am.
16 Replies

979 Views

Last post by Rich F.
Tue Aug 18, 2020 4:17 pm
WMT 600 Cedar Rapids Legendary Self Supporting Tower Collapses In A Storm

Last post by audiophile « Sat Aug 15, 2020 11:42 am
Replies: 21
by CK-722 » Wed Aug 12, 2020 9:51 am
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WMT has applied for <=25% Power nondirectional Night STA after the legendary self supporting tower collapsed in a storm.

WTVN 610 has been on...
21 Replies

819 Views

Last post by audiophile
Sat Aug 15, 2020 11:42 am
WWJ sounds great right now! Full 10 kHz analog bandwidth!

Last post by Ben Zonia « Sat Aug 15, 2020 10:08 am
Replies: 16
by MWmetalhead » Sat Apr 11, 2020 9:29 am
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I-BLOC has been off for a while, and until recently, analog bandwidth was still brickwalled at 5 kHz.

To my delight, this morning, WWJ is using a...
16 Replies

1460 Views

Last post by Ben Zonia
Sat Aug 15, 2020 10:08 am

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