On Net

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Summary

From this station today (G4IYK), signals on both 80m and 60m were down below the noise although on 80 meters signals were reasonably audible using the Kenwood TS570D with the attenuator switched in.

Very different on 60 Meters using the PRC320 – where very little was heard.

For both sessions I ended up using the Hack Green Web SDR to receive and the audio is published below.  As you will hear – mostly good copy except for some fading on 60m.

Mixing it

Have spent some time now (Sunday) setting up the computer to use the Windows 7 Audio mixer to compare results with.  The link (see here) is to a screenshot.  On the left is the Hack Green Rx showing the waterfall display and on the right my own local receiver (using Power SDR) with its waterfall display.   The mixer is overlaid.

Using the mixer I can now compare the audio from both Receivers through the same headset.  (I had to fix the Bluetooth issue first.)

The difference is quite overwhelming – on 80m, tuning the same station resulted in nothing but QRM on my own Rx but S9+20 signals at Hack Green.  See also correspondence below.  I did get a better result on the 60 and 40m bands.

Now I can see what is going on using the waterfall display.  This shows up broadband noise characteristics – as you can see in the screenshot on the right it is showing interference across the 40m band,  displaying vertical stripes at intervals across the spectrum.  A bit like turning up at a swimming pool to find an oil slick.

On Net Today

Mike, G3RE (G4ICC).  Gordon, G3WOV. Jack G3PWK.  Tom, G4CMG, Bill, G4NRE and Derek, G3XWD.

Today’s Audio

80m between 0745 and 0800 and 60m between 0800 and 0830 from the hack green site.

80M

60m

Correspondence Received

The following message was sent to the sysops at Hack Green.

“Just a note to let you know we are enjoying your set up at the secret nuclear bunker.  It has not escaped us how quiet the receiver is compared to the urban noise  levels being experienced by most of us.  For the last several weeks we have learnt some interesting things from it.  Thanks – I hope you keep it going.”

Reply received from Joe Bell, G4PMY:

“Many thanks for your kind comments. We have worked hard on the system, particularly software embedded in the SDR receivers which were of our own design, and aerial distribution system with filters. An aerial upgrade is planned in the near future.

The plague of urban noise is simply not going to go away, and the flood of cheap Chinese equipment adds greatly to the problem. We not only stream amateur HF/VHF onto the web but also by request “other” traffic for MoD and MARS radio service

I am going to live in New Zealand next year, so I do hope the SOT radio club keep the system going as it would be good to tune into the UK from time to time.

Cheers & 73s

Joe Bell G4PMY”

80M

G3RE called CQ at 0730 Hrs Local on 80m and I heard Gordon, G3WOV come back to his call but not much after that – conditions were poor even at the Hackgreen Secret Nuclear Bunker.  QSY (Change Frequency) to 60M at 0800Hrs.

60M

Listen here:

60M Net

Better on 60 Meters.  I tuned in and recorded the net from a samsung galaxy tablet in the comfort of the bedroom.  I wasn’t transmitting as my radio station has some faults – not with the rigs but I use a piece of software called Synergy to control two PCs running the rigs – From one Keyboard and Mouse.  It’s an over complicated arrangement but I get to see what I want where I want it and the mouse and keyboard work on all four screens.  The interesting thing is synergy works across the LAN and when it stopped working I was forced to use 2 Keyboards and 2 different mice.  My brain being so used to one it confused the hell out of me which one to use and after the week I have had at work I was in no mood to fix it. So after about the fiftieth time of picking up the wrong keyboard I retired to the house and used the tablet.

Part of the set up here is described in this document.  The other thing that went wrong was my bluetooth headset after I installed another driver and to cap it all I have forgotten how some things work.  So I have some things to do and learn when the time is available.

Gordon emailed to say how well the experiment with hack green is going and has his son Gerald tuning in from Germany.  Also created some interest with his local club.

Derek G3XWD called in with some news about Geordie Rose.

Thanks to Mike – G4ICC for running the net today.  His account of his QSOs with the Medway Queen on the anniversary of Dunkirk are quite special and his contacts with various special event stations commemorating VE Day made for interesting conversation with memories from Upnor hard and Watermanship training.

Put a note of thanks in to the Stoke on Trent ARC for the use of the site.

73 de Stu

A link to the 60 M Net recording is below.

On Net today:

G3RE – Mike in Northampton

G4CMG – Tom in Hindhead.

G3WOV – Gordon in Nafferton

G3PWK – Jack in Harrogate

G3XWD – Derek in Hinkley

Calling in on 60M Bruce, G0DMB in Leicester.

Report by G4IYK – Stu in Gravesend.

My experiment with the Hack Green Software defined Radio continues (HGR) continues.

I discovered two novel features:  You can see people logged in on screen and tuned in on frequency which is handy.  But also you can give yourself a report:).

80M – 0730 – 0800 Local.

1st Over.  

After hearing mike call and others joining I opened up using the Kenwood TS570D, (Dipole and 60Watts).  Signals were fairly well under the noise from everyone on the receiver.  The noise was wavering between S7 and S9 on the S Meter.  Signal reports were quite mediocre at this point and I was straining to hear with headsets.

Regrettably I missed the opportunity to record the session, but subsequent to switching over to HGR, all signals were 5 and 9 Plus for the duration of the session up until 0800 when we changed frequency.

Noise vs Conditions – Listening Experience

I realised, listening to the quality of signals coming via Hack Green and reports others were giving that, where we were experiencing problems with “band conditions”, in the main signals were pretty well consistent throughout using the HGR which is located the Cheshire countryside and fairly noise free.

The conclusion I drew from this was that Urban Noise Level is the cause of poor listening experience and not band conditions.  This experience occurs when conditions are actually quite reasonable, (although checking the forecast, 80m conditions were to be poor this particular morning).

My experience was “Armchair Copy” i.e. no headset necessary.  Actually I was listening to the audio from HGR through the clansman headset sonovalve so I could hear both receivers.

This has implications for shortwave listeners and everyone trying to use local equipment with nearby noise sources.  Jack, Spike and Gordon are experimenting with local noise filters.  It should be interesting to compare results.

Net Content

Jack reported receiving a lot of political SPAM Mail and related his experiences with vibratory power supplies from various sources.

I was relating my experience with a neighbour who I caught on camera severing the end of my dipole.  I will post the video when I am sure it won’t prejudice my case but he now has a criminal record.  (Same guy who I caught off camera a few years ago when the police failed to act.)

I mentioned Alan M3XREs exploits.  Gordon  mentioned his exploits with HGR and some fun working Cyprus and various DX during the Royal Signals Contest.  Tom is restoring his Racal Sets.

60 Meters – 0800 to 0830 Local.  

It was a bit noisier on 60M but it was good to Hear Derek at reasonable strength where he reports problems with his 80m Antenna to resolve.  Using My PRC 320 was as difficult to hear anyone as the 570 but I got some good reports using the 200W linear and auto atu.  You can hear the complete session in the link below.

60M Net Audio

From Tom G4CMG

thanks Stu for your earlier e-mail.  Hope you managed to put in a few ‘zeds’ and your day isn’t too fuzzy.

80 Meters

In order of appearance on 80m were; Jack, Gordon, Mike and myself.  Derek found us and called in after we moved to six.

80 metres at 0730 (LT) was difficult at times with very deep qsb causing some signals to go from five and nine down to nuffin.

There was the usual interference from continental stations, but they didn’t cause us much of a problem.

After the move to six metres at eight o’clock, signals were marginally better, the five-and-nines lasting longer and the deep qsb not quite so deep.  The noise level on both bands hovered around strength six at this station.

Old Comrades

Thanks to Derek for information of an old friend – Geordie Rose, very much appreciated.

Other matters including the Model Engineering Exhibition at Harrogate, Airborne Engineers meeting at Wakefield,

various hobby and gardening subjects were discussed.  And if you want more details then you should try getting out of bed on a Saturday morning.

(Noted: ED  who was QRM’d by garden and decorating duties on the day:)

Jack – whilst you are fixing the HRO PSU’s vibrator, you may like to know there is a company that supplies kits to convert old vibrators to solid state ones. If you wish I will send on the details.

Stuart G4IYK Said:  Try also VMARS or the WS19 Group at Yahoo who are always hawking around modern substitutes for components.  See Links.

ON NET

On Net is turning into an irregular Bulletin about Radio Communications in the Royal Engineers focussing currently on Amateur Radio Activity and published by the Royal Engineers Association Radio Branch. 

Net Activity on 80m and 60m this week (25^th April).

Net timings were tested this week and a reasonable net was opened on 3.722 at 0730 Local continuing on 5.3715 at 8AM for half an hour.

I continued my experiment with WebSDR and found near perfect reception.  The topic of the net included Noise Filtering and Jack G3PWK gave us a tip about a device he uses from BHI.  I later found a video on you tube here which gave a demonstration.  If you have been following my experiments with Web SDR then this would be a worthwhile option to buy into but as I got “Armchair copy” from a receiver in Nantwich, streaming via the internet  I felt absolutely spoilt by having an excellent signal with great audio available.  I will be taking steps here to deal with the noise but this is proving to be both interesting and educational. I was interested to be able to see who else was logged into our frequency via the WebSDR.

It was interesting to hear news about absent friends and peoples various other exploits from Jack G3PWK, Gordon G3WOV and Derek G3XWD and their RSI Course (Number 14).

Generating More Activity

Mike Gater G4ICC wrote:

(In On Net Today…dated 18th April) You have covered a lot of ground regarding future activities and I think consideration should be given for an additional net during the week.  There are numerous nets for RSARS members and Wednesday afternoons appear to be free.  (This would certainly fit in with sports afternoon for serving soldiers  – SD Said that).

3.722 and/or 7.100 might be suitable and could also be used as calling frequencies.  Similarly, nominated REARB calling frequencies could be selected for the HF bands.  A CQ call from G3RE (Royal Engineers) could produce numerous contacts.

(On this point Mike that is a very interesting prospect – if the station operator uses the G3RE call it will generate some regular contacts for the Log.  What do others think?)  I proposed we should set up central logging in an earlier communication – SD – said that)

I am not keen on the idea of of operating a high power DX station remotely and I am not sure if there is provision for this in the current Licence.  It is different from remotely operating one’s home station.

Its not everyone’s cup of tea I agree.  But it is covered in the current licence, and very modern amateur radio and I was thinking more of using the technique to encourage new people into the hobby from the corps and implementing a station on one of our own sites.