Re: [IRCA] TAs for 8-23-07
Dennis, Just out of curiosity, depending on your meter of course, it seems to me that a level 5 carrier would be significant enough to produce audio. Were you able to hear anything? Pete Taylor Tacoma, WA 12225w 4719n ICF2010 + Kiwa air core loop DX398; Palomar loop = You wrote: > Checked the 9 hz splits and heard a few carriers. The strongest > being 1386 with a level 5 carrier. Time listened 0355-0438 ut. > Aimed the Ewe in the NE direction. With the A & K indices at 0, > thought I give it a try. > > Carriers & levels: > > > 51386 > > 4693 > > 3225-774-1215 > > 2180-207-216 ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
[IRCA] TAs for 8-23-07
Checked the 9 hz splits and heard a few carriers. The strongest being 1386 with a level 5 carrier. Time listened 0355-0438 ut. Aimed the Ewe in the NE direction. With the A & K indices at 0, thought I give it a try. Carriers & levels: 51386 4693 3225-774-1215 2180-207-216 Dennis, Vancouver, WA JRC 545 Ewe NE & H-800 active whip ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] 1610 Aberdeen WA TIS
Thanks, Patrick, for the info about the ISS link. It will be helpful in tracking down some government TIS stations, which are not listed by the FCC. I guess for the Coast Guard stations on the coast, we will need to listen closely for the ID, with so many of them on 1610! 73, Gary ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] 1181 viewed from Scotland
Fascinating, but doesn't account for the all day reception up the west coast of Florida. Definitely groundwave, and that indicates the Keys or the western half of Cuba. Gerry Bishop Niceville, FL -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Glenn Hauser Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2007 9:35 AM To: irca@hard-core-dx.com; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [IRCA] 1181 viewed from Scotland Well, there is HIBE, R. Mil, 10 kW on 1180; nothing listed on 1180 in PR. Could those near the DR check if HIBE is off-frequency. It would also be helpful if someone to the west could make similar readings of when the 1181 signal fades out, i.e., is it too early for Cuba, even eastern Cuba? As of 1430 UT Aug 23, the latest map is at http://tonnesoftware.com/1180F.gif 73, Glenn Hauser, Enid Re: As promised, I checked for the emergence of the 1181 signal on SpecLab last night. Here is the plot: http://paulc.mediumwaveradio.org/images/11814.jpg Times are BST (deduct 1 hour for UT). The random yellow dots show that no signal is being received. The first evidence of a signal is at around 2250 UT and the signal is established at 2305 UT. The emergence of the signal is consistent with the previous night`s observations This map shows the greyline at 2300 UT: http://paulc.mediumwaveradio.org/images/sunset.jpg Sunset is just reaching Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic at this time, or Puerto Rico. I note that the two directional plots on Glenn's [sic] chart http://tonnesoftware.com/1180B.gif point rather more towards the Dominican Republic than they do towards Cuba (Paul Crankshaw, Troon, Scotland, Aug 23, IRCA via DXLD) Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell. http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/ ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
[IRCA] WWV Solar Report
:Product: Geophysical Alert Message wwv.txt :Issued: 2007 Aug 24 0006 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Environment Center # # Geophysical Alert Message # Solar-terrestrial indices for 23 August follow. Solar flux 71 and mid-latitude A-index 1. The mid-latitude K-index at UTC on 24 August was 0 (4 nT). No space weather storms were observed for the past 24 hours. No space weather storms are expected for the next 24 hours. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Trends -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Date 22 22 22 22 22 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 24 UTC 0900 1200 1500 1800 2100 0300 0600 0900 1200 1500 1800 2100 SFlx 69 69 69 69 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 71 71 A-in 44443333333321 K-in 12211100011000 ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] 1610 Aberdeen WA TIS
Glad to help Gary. ISS is a company that makes TIS stations. The ISS station list does show the 1500 TIS at Fort Lewis that you mentioned. I like this list because it shows some Federal installations that don't show up in the FCC database. It also has some very interesting clickable links about TIS stations embedded in it. Unfortunately it also has a disclaimer saying that it does not show the many DOT and National Park stations that they have provided. The list is at http://theradiosource.com/articles-news-ears-across-america.htm if you want to take a look. Patrick Griffith, CBT CBNT CRO Westminster CO http://community.webtv.net/N0NNK/ http://community.webtv.net/AM-DXer/ ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
[IRCA] WWV Solar Report
:Product: Geophysical Alert Message wwv.txt :Issued: 2007 Aug 23 1839 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Environment Center # # Geophysical Alert Message # Solar-terrestrial indices for 22 August follow. Solar flux 70 and mid-latitude A-index 3. The mid-latitude K-index at 1800 UTC on 23 August was 0 (04 nT). No space weather storms were observed for the past 24 hours. No space weather storms are expected for the next 24 hours. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Trends -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Date 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 UTC 0300 0600 0900 1200 1500 1800 2100 0300 0600 0900 1200 1500 1800 SFlx 69 69 69 69 69 69 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 A-in 44444433333333 K-in 01122111000110 ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] 1610 Aberdeen WA TIS
Hello Patrick G., Thanks for the info about the Coast Guard TIS stations on 1610. During a recent trip to the Washington coast, I clearly remember hearing a Coast Guard station in Aberdeen on 1610, which I believe IDed as Aberdeen at the beginning of the recording. The station (as well as Fort Lewis-1500, another local military TIS) is not listed in the FCC database for TIS/HAR stations. 1610 is a very interesting frequency at night here, with a Yakima, WA HAR, a weather relay TIS (either a Coast Guard station or Pendleton, OR), and another weak WSDOT HAR. Thanks for your help in sorting them out. 73, Gary (N7EKX) ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
[IRCA] 1181 Tone
This should confuse the issue considerably! Checking at 1130 PDT (0630 UT) finds a tone cutting through very nicely on 1181 using LSB filter. Not heard using any other filter as KLOK-1170 IBOC is nasty. Not noted on 1180 using LSB, only 1181. The tone is not strong but not exactly faint either. It is easily audible and this just before noon local time... ??? Don Kaskey San Francisco CA ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] WWBA-1040
RF & fellow IRCAnauts - Notice here as well. WWBA does a double-tap power dump/pattern change. Two carrier cuts, BIgga-Blob hum, not local, when off, then back w/piffling signal, just pitiful. No combination of receivers & antennas, creative looping, can pull them post pattern change. z pvz manapower key fl ** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] 1181 viewed from Scotland
--- Paul Crankshaw <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > or Puerto Rico. > > Paul > > > > >Sunset is just reaching Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic at > this > >time. > > Your signal could be coming up as much as an hour or more before LSS at the transmitter though. All it needs is a path which is predominantly darkness. After all in the Fall here we will start hearing TA's well before dark. Russ Edmunds Blue Bell, PA ( 360' ASL ) [15 mi NNW of Philadelphia] 40:08:45N; 75:16:04W, Grid FN20id <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> FM: Yamaha T-80 & Onkyo T-450RDS w/ APS9B @15' AM: Hammarlund HQ-150 & 4' FET air core loop Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396545433 ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] 1610 Yakima HAR
I don't know if it is any help to you but the ISS web site says that it has provided the USCG with 9 TIS stations spread out along the OR coastline and 3 more along the WA coastline. All 12 are on 1610 kHz. Unfortunately it does not mention the actual site locations. Patrick Griffith, CBT CBNT CRO Westminster CO http://community.webtv.net/N0NNK/ http://community.webtv.net/AM-DXer/ ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Metal matching transformer box
Patrick Martin wrote: >I don't > think there is any issue there, as the wire from the pot fors directly > to the ground rod and the other wire goes directly from the end of the > EWE to the pot. Yup, I wouldn't worry about plastic enclosures at the far end at all. Rick Kunath ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
[IRCA] Installing CATV "F" connectors the right way
I ran across some links that graphically show the proper (and some improper) ways to install "F" connectors on to CATV-type coaxial cables. Here is one link: http://www.interstateelectronics.com/howto/coaxterm.html The first two examples are correct. The top example shows a good connector type and IMHO one of the only acceptable way to install an "F" connector on RG-6 quad-shield cable. This shows one of the connector you can use. These type connectors will be typical of what your cable company has migrated to over the last few years, and away from the crimp-type shown down lower on the page. The proper stripper and crimp tool is also pictured. There are still better connectors and tools that I describe later, though. The older type shown in the middle example are OK, but not as weatherproof. They also tend to allow the shield to lose contact with the connector body over time, and there goes your shielding. The first two examples are OK as far as the described cable installation goes. The last example for quad-shield RG-6 and a standard crimp-type "F" connector is *all wrong*. Do not install quad-shield coax this way or you'll defeat most of the benefit of the extra shielding you bought. This is the *wrong way* to install RG-6 quad-shield cable. The reason the guy had to cut off the shielding material as he describes, is that he has the wrong type "F" connector for the quad-shield cable. There are crimp-type connectors available for RG-6 quad that have a larger barrel size to accommodate the additional shielding bulk without cutting shielding off and defeating the purpose of the better quad-shielded cable in the first place. If you need these type of connectors, they are just as cheap as regular "F" connectors, and will work with a standard RS-type crimper. You'll see that the standard RG-6 and RG-59 crimp-on connectors have circular ridges to allow them to be used in a standard crimping tool. Connectors made for RG-6 quad don't have these ridges, instead the barrel of the connector is smooth, and these *just* fit into a standard crimping tool. If you plan to use RG-6 quad, I'd encourage you to get the right connectors and the right crimping tool. That would be as pictured at the top example. These work and last a lot better. A pro-grade stripper also helps (your crimper may have one built-in) because if you nick either any of the shielding as you strip, or nick the center conductor, you are building in a failure at the get-go. But again, there are better connectors and a better tool, as described below. Here's a link to some better descriptions and a much better connector than the cheap ones pictured at the top of the first link: http://www.arrisistore.com/digicon/Digicon-F-Connector-Installation-Guide.pdf Here's the right Digicon "F" connector for quad RG-6 (the top link shows standard foil/braid RG-6 connectors): http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=WMFDIGI-SQ Here's the connector installation tool (it's pricey but that's what a decent tool with precision jaws and a ratchet for the old-style crimp connectors will cost at least): http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=TLDIGIS Here is a kit of everything needed to get started right with RG-6 quad-shield cable. You get the connectors for RG-6 quad, the right connector tool, the right stripper, and some cable. After that, all you need to order is more cable: http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=DIGICOMBOQX This above Digicon stuff works great. I don't know if Ebay would have lots cheaper prices? The really important thing to keep in mind is that while the stuff is pricey, what you are buying is proper shielding and long-lasting relatively weatherproof connections. It does little good to get the best cable and then compromise it's performance to just what single braid/shield cable will provide because of connector installation. I can say from experience, *proper cable prep and connector installation* is critical to coaxial cables doing their job. With a good metal box and proper cable with properly installed connectors, you are going to get at least 100 dB of shielding, and maybe a bit more with sleeve-type choking on the coax at each end (a proper box will provide in the neighborhood of 120 dB of attenuation via shielding). That's the difference between hearing a new one and having it buried by stuff the antenna isn't picking up, but is being leaked past the otherwise excellent antenna installation. Anyway, it's food for thought when looking for that last dB of performance improvement. It's a lot harder to get small incremental improvements via the antenna once you have it pretty well adjusted and installed the best you can, but just by not sacrificing any antenna advantages in feedline issues, you at least are getting everything the antenna can deliver. A group of guys could make out pretty cheaply with a shared set of tools if they lived close en
Re: [IRCA] 1181 viewed from Scotland
Well, there is HIBE, R. Mil, 10 kW on 1180; nothing listed on 1180 in PR. Could those near the DR check if HIBE is off-frequency. It would also be helpful if someone to the west could make similar readings of when the 1181 signal fades out, i.e., is it too early for Cuba, even eastern Cuba? As of 1430 UT Aug 23, the latest map is at http://tonnesoftware.com/1180F.gif 73, Glenn Hauser, Enid Re: As promised, I checked for the emergence of the 1181 signal on SpecLab last night. Here is the plot: http://paulc.mediumwaveradio.org/images/11814.jpg Times are BST (deduct 1 hour for UT). The random yellow dots show that no signal is being received. The first evidence of a signal is at around 2250 UT and the signal is established at 2305 UT. The emergence of the signal is consistent with the previous night`s observations This map shows the greyline at 2300 UT: http://paulc.mediumwaveradio.org/images/sunset.jpg Sunset is just reaching Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic at this time, or Puerto Rico. I note that the two directional plots on Glenn's [sic] chart http://tonnesoftware.com/1180B.gif point rather more towards the Dominican Republic than they do towards Cuba (Paul Crankshaw, Troon, Scotland, Aug 23, IRCA via DXLD) Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell. http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/ ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Metal matching transformer box
Rick, No pot in this box, just the F fitting and the two banana jax. The pot is in the plastic termination box at the end of the antenna. I don't think there is any issue there, as the wire from the pot fors directly to the ground rod and the other wire goes directly from the end of the EWE to the pot. 73, Patrick Patrick Martin KAVT Reception Manager ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Metal matching transformer box
Patrick Martin wrote: > I will have to use a bolt or plug in the hole and that should take care > of any issues. The trickness of the box varies. The cover has two screws > in it. It is just a conduit box that you would install a socket in a > house, but I covered it with a couple tricknesses of foil and then taped > it up well. As long as you have metal-to-metal contact on the cover edges you'll be OK. Some of the cast boxes have a sort of cast slot that a tongue on the cover slides into, sort of a tongue-and-groove thing. These are really well shielded. The key for shielding is the inner and outer surface separation. So the foil would have to have a solid contact with the box or the coax connector to be fully effective. Likely if the cover contacts the box all around it's edges, you're fine. > The holes will not have any wires running through them, just > holes, but I will put some kind of plug in them to keep bugs out. I will > just have to remove the plug and shake the water out. I guess the inside > will be damp, but not much I can do about it. There is always electrical fungus-proofing varnish. That stuff works pretty well. You could spray that over the innards of the box, masking off the potentiometer. I've used Krylon spray on clear acrylic coatings too in the past. Not lacquer, this stuff is a spray on acrylic plastic. It sprays like the clear lacquer, but it's an acrylic plastic. I had hardware outside for years and it looks new after being sprayed with this stuff. Rick Kunath ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] IRCA Digest, Vol 40, Issue 89
I wont be attending the IRCA Convention.? The History of Idaho Broadcasting Foundation has a last minute open house we are going to do next week and I need to stay in town and work on some displays.? Fortunately this will be added as? one of the tours? for the NRC/WTFDA Convetion next week. 73 Frank Boise -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: irca@hard-core-dx.com Sent: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 10:05 pm Subject: IRCA Digest, Vol 40, Issue 89 Send IRCA mailing list submissions to irca@hard-core-dx.com To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can reach the person managing the list at [EMAIL PROTECTED] When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of IRCA digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Re: ANNUAL CAR RADIO QUERY (C B) 2. Re: Metal matching transformer box (Patrick Martin) 3. Re: Sealing against moisture (Patrick Martin) 4. Re: Metal matching transformer box (Patrick Martin) 5. Old Car Radio ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) 6. Coax update (Patrick Martin) 7. Ground termination ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) 8. Re: Yakima, WA-1610 HAR ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) 9. Re: Ground termination (Patrick Martin) 10. Coax update ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) 11. Re: Yakima, WA-1610 HAR (Patrick Martin) -- Message: 1 Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 19:52:32 -0700 (PDT) From: C B <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [IRCA] ANNUAL CAR RADIO QUERY To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 I liked the analog Delco in my old 1982 Buick Electra. I logged several new Mexican stations on that radio. The selectivity wasn't the greatest, but it was reasonably sensitive. The radio in my 2000 4-Runner is pretty decent also. Craig Barnes --- Michael Hawkins <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I still remember my 1965 Chevrolet stock car radio > that allowed me to listen to WCBS/NY from the San > Francisco area, and once even let me catch a play on > BBC/881 (or 882) while cussing about the QRM from > WCBS. This WAS back in the late 60s but still thats > pretty good! > > 1999 Honda car radios were really good, but the > up/down tuning button is definitely not designed for > DXers, as they break down over time. I replaced it > with a Blaupunkt Casablanca for the added "gusto" > when chasing FM signals. The directional antenna in > the car helps a lot too, but confuses the hell out > of people who watch me doing extremely slow-speed > U-turns to get lined up just right. > > Two weeks ago, my car was in the shop and there > happened to be TV and FM skip at the same time. My > 2007 VW Jetta rental had a great radio for audio > quality, but it took the lower adjacent, higher > adjacent or the frequency you actually asked for and > that's what you got. My housemate's 2003/2003 > Toyota Camry radio was no better. > > The Blaupunkt Casablanca is worth the $150 or > so...definitely worth it. > > Mike Hawkins > > Pete Taylor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I know we go through this annually but things > change as new radios > come out. I am in the market for a "new" pre-owned > (aka "used") car > so would appreciate your sharing your experiences: > > A. What "old" car radios have been the best for > DXing for you? I > wouldn't buy a car specifically for the radio but as > long as I am > looking around, I might as well make this a > consideration. > B. Regardless of the car, what reasonably functional > car radio would > you (or did you) go out of your way to buy? > > In all cases, I don't care about CD or cassette > capability since I > use cassette and CD players in conjunction with a > little FM stereo > transmitter for this. > > Currently I am driving a 92 Buick Park Avenue which > is average but > which is dreadful when it comes to overload near > transmitters. I test > drove a 99 Buick last week; it was absolutely > deathly. > > Thanks. If response is sufficient, I will keep a > file on it for next > year when someone else asks the same question. > > Pete Taylor > Tacoma, WA > 12225w 4719n > ICF2010 + Kiwa air core loop > DX398; Palomar loop > > > > > > ___ > IRCA mailing list > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > > Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list > are those of the original contributors and do not > necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its > editors, publishing staff, or officers > > For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org > > To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com > > > > > - > Take the Internet to Go: Yahoo!Go puts the Internet > in your pocket: mail
Re: [IRCA] Coax update
Rick, I used one of the bigger, longer F fittings made for RG6. I pushed it on well and crimped it. I have a regular crimper tool. There is better, but the shield of the F fitting does cover back over the jacket pretty well. It is all I have anyway. 73, Patrick Patrick Martin KAVT Reception Manager ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Metal matching transformer box
Rick, I will have to use a bolt or plug in the hole and that should take care of any issues. The trickness of the box varies. The cover has two screws in it. It is just a conduit box that you would install a socket in a house, but I covered it with a couple tricknesses of foil and then taped it up well. The holes will not have any wires running through them, just holes, but I will put some kind of plug in them to keep bugs out. I will just have to remove the plug and shake the water out. I guess the inside will be damp, but not much I can do about it. 73, Patrick Patrick Martin KAVT Reception Manager ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Sealing against moisture
Rick, A plug or bolt, screw, etc should do the trick. As I mentioned earlier, spiders love to build in boxes like that. 73, Patrick Patrick Martin KAVT Reception Manager ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Metal matching transformer box
Craig, I guess I wont worry about it then. I still like the plug idea, to keep the bugs out and spiders, earwigs, ants, would love to live in one of the boxes, especially the spiders. No dangerous ones here, but still a mess. They get into everything. Around here the outside of houses, cars, etc get to look like The Addams Family. :) 73, Patrick Patrick Martin KAVT Reception Manager ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
[IRCA] TP/DU DX 8/23
What isn't in this morning should be the question? I guess no TA's, but about everything in the TP/DU collection. A great start to the season, to say the least! 531-2PM-Port MacQuarrie, NSW is S9 with two other DUs behind it. One is PI in Samoan, and other is pop music. Two or three stations on 657, Dem Korea mainly on top, but a jumble underneath. Also a weak garbled audio on 654.8, probably Ho Chih Minn City, Vietnam that I had heard in the past, but always too weak to ID. Someone is u/KGO-810 with mx, China in Russian on 963 at S8, Then there is KICY 850 Nome holding its own very nicely next to 840 KSWB with Rel mx, KBBI-890-Homer also good. If I did not have to get ready for the flight to SLC, I would stay at the dials. But boy, it sure looks like a great season coming up. But on the downside, I had IBOC on 1044 & 1062 (from 1050-KTCT) that wasn't fun. However, as it gets later in the season, the signals from the TPs will be stronger and it will be getting daylight later, after CA stations are long in daylight. That will help. Also, almost forgot, Longwaves all over, Russians on 153, 171, 180, 189, 234, and 279. Plus traces on audio on 162 and 207, presume Mongolia. Not a bad morning. I may have even nabbled someone new, if I had more time. But there is always next time. But Wow, a great morning! 73, Patrick Patrick Martin KAVT Reception Manager ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
[IRCA] TPsd for 8-23-07
Good Day, Listened from 1123-1307 ut. Conditions not that good considering the A & K indices. TP signals dropped shortly before 1300 ut. DU carriers not as strong as yesterday. 153Russia, Radio Rossii at 1127 weak with woman in Russian. Fair at 1214. 180Russia, Radio Rossii at 1140 very weak. fair at 1215. 189Russia, Radio Rossii at 1142 good // 153,180. 279Russia, Radio Rossii at 1144 weak. 774Japan, JOUB weak at 1150. Weak also at 1236. Much Splatter. 1377 China, CRN 1 weak at 1253 // 4460. Woman Chinese? 1566 Republic of Korea, HLAZ very weak at 1210. 1575 Thailand, VOA very weak 1211. Carriers and levels, 5 594-738-828-1053-1098-12871323-1458 4 702-729-846-873-1008-1089-1116-1123-1134-1206-1359- 1422-1467-1593 3 639-657-747-1017=1071-1179-1269-1395-1404-1503-1584 Dennis, Vancouver, WA JRC 545 & R-8B 58.6 F 87 RH Sunrise 1320 ut Sunset 0305 ut ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Coax update
Patrick Martin wrote: > I found double shield and a good foil wrap glued inside. It > looks like at least 3 or 4 covers of shielding. This sounds like the good stuff. > So I put a F fitting on > it along with a termination and check for leakage. Still not perfect, > but better. Can you describe for us the exact "F" connector type? Was this an "F" connector made for quad-shield coax, or whatever the shielding was? How did you prep the coax? I.e., did you do a 1/4-inch standard prep based on the coax type? What did you use to crimp the "F" connector? Rick Kunath ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Metal matching transformer box
Patrick Martin wrote: > OK, 1/10th of a wavelength. I wouldn't want to see anything larger than 1/50 wavelength hole in the box. Still bigger than the box at mediumwave, even at the high end. Thickness of the box also makes a difference when you are drilling holes in it and affects the attenuation of any hole. Seams are bad, holes are good, that's why I wanted to make sure you had metal to metal contact with the cover and the box. Since there is no way this is going to look like a waveguide at mediumwave, we are safe in assuming you are well below any Fco/3 frequency, so the hole won't be acting like a waveguide. So for a box 1/4-inch thick and a hole 1/16-inch diameter (and no conductor going through the hole), you'd have something like 120 dB of attenuation with the hole in the box. If you decreased the box thickness to 1/8-inch with that same 1/16-inch hole (and no conductor going through the hole), you are down to only 60 dB attenuation, not enough. Go to a 1/32-inch hole with the 1/8-inch box thickness (and no conductor going through the hole) and you are back in the area of 120 dB again. As a general guide for holes with no conductor and at a frequency of at least Fco/3 (of the hole or slot size) the formula is: dB attenuation approximates 30 * (t/L) Where: t = Thickness L = Length or diameter of the opening Since L = the larger dimension of the two of either "diameter of the opening" or the "length of the seam", you can see why open seams are really bad. They look like holes with a diameter of the seam length. A cover without metal-to-metal contact to the rest of the box is next to useless for shielding. Since your quad-shield coax will probably have shielding of somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 dB (hardline is even better shielded), this is OK. Though you can likely increase the shielding effectiveness of the coax with the use of a sleeve-type choke on each end of the run at the connectors. Still you in good shape with a small hole in a fairly thick box. Keep in mind that you are looking for some extreme attenuation in your shielding, lots more than the average enclosure designer. Thick boxes are good. Small holes are good. Again, I'd cement some aluminum screening over any hole on the inside of the box to keep the crawlies out of the box. Hopefully some of this makes sense. Rick Kunath ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Sealing against moisture
Patrick Martin wrote: > As Craig said that a couple small holes in the bottom would have no > effect on the shield of the box. Small holes won't compromise the shielding of the box. Small, being the key. But do cement or silicone some aluminum screening over the area with the holes on the inside of the box to keep the creepy crawlies out of the box. Rick Kunath ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Metal matching transformer box
> How big a hole can you get away with? At AM, probably far larger than the box. (grin) Craig Healy Providence, RI ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] 1181 viewed from Scotland
or Puerto Rico. Paul > >Sunset is just reaching Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic at this >time. > >I note that the two directional plots on Glenn's chart >http://tonnesoftware.com/1180B.gif point rather more towards the >Dominican Republic than they do towards Cuba. > >Paul >Troon, Scotland > ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] 1181 viewed from Scotland
As promised, I checked for the emergence of the 1181 signal on SpecLab last night Here is the plot:http://paulc.mediumwaveradio.org/images/11814.jpg Times are BST (deduct 1 hour for UTC). The random yellow dots show that no signal is being received. The first evidence of a signal is at around 2250 UTC and the signal is established at 2305 UTC. The emergence of the signal is consistent with the previous nights observations This map shows the greyline at 2300 UTC: http://paulc.mediumwaveradio.org/images/sunset.jpg Sunset is just reaching Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic at this time. I note that the two directional plots on Glenn's chart http://tonnesoftware.com/1180B.gif point rather more towards the Dominican Republic than they do towards Cuba. Paul Troon, Scotland Paul Crankshaw wrote: >I used SpecLab to examine the signal on 1181 overnight here. > >Signal strength trace: >http://paulc.mediumwaveradio.org/images/11811.jpg (The frequency trace >is, I suspect 2 Hz too high - I didn't have time to calibrate for MW and >I was using my LW setting) > >The time axis shows local time (deduct 1 hour for UTC) > >I switched on just after midnight local time (2300 UTC) by which time >the signal was just beginning to build. It eventually faded at 0715 UTC >(sunrise here was 0502 UTC so the signal lasted a full two hours after >sunrise here. > >With the signal appearing at around 2300 UTC (I'll check again tonight >to see exactly when) this is about 30 minutes before sunset in Santiago >de Cuba and almost an hour before sunset in Havana.. > >Paul >Scotland >___ >IRCA mailing list >IRCA@hard-core-dx.com >http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > >Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original >contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its >editors, publishing staff, or officers > >For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org > >To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com > > > > ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
