Bob - Thanks for running that down. And you are exactly right - I could not get seem to get a signal strength peak at any compass heading.
At 06:49 PM 2/8/2011, Bob Bruninga wrote: > > Has anybody else heard this -- > > http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeqe0l7/Signal_436MHz.wav > > The signal strength is not constant - > > and peaks about every 10 seconds - - > > A new radar perhaps? > >The 10 sec rotation rate nails it as an E6C Radar plane. Probably operating >off the East Coast. I have been hearing it periodically for years, and >getting ready for a satellite receive lab this week, it would have >completely spoiled the lab. So I spent over an hour on the web and on the >phone and finally got in touch with the right folks and when I said "10 >seconds" they didn't need any more. That nailed it to an E6. > >They are not supposed to operate on the UHF channel that overlaps the >400-420 MHz band anywhere near land, but it is unclear what the guidance is >for the band 430-450 where HAMS ARE SECONDARY. > >The above is my understanding, might not be exact. > >To locate it would be hard... Swinging the beam doesn't help much, because >the radar is rotating at the same time and giving all kinds of fluctuations >per second... which would mask your attempts at peaking on it. > >My best guess to locate it would be to get two hams on the phone separated >by several hundred miles and to TIME the difference between the peak. That >would establish an angle from the radar between the two hams. Then both >hams compare signal strengths to an OMNI antenna (must be omni) and both >must be calibrated for equal S meter readings. The difference in peak >signal strength would get an idea of range ratio between the two stations. >That and the angle (and ignoring the mirror solution over land) would get >you a good idea where he is operating. (Maybe?) > >Bob, WB4APR _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
