From listread at lwca.org  Fri May  1 00:48:34 2015
From: listread at lwca.org (JD)
Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2015 23:48:34 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] Audio recording of a PLC
References: <1430420586.14832.YahooMailBasic@web125306.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <B944148BC49D4BE4937190A0EE07655B@HPNOTEBOOK>

>>> I had one close to 177 KHz that was 40dB over S-9, The power company 
>>> came here and replaced my old meter a while back with a new smart meter, 
>>> and that carrier went away !!

Technically, Andy, that would not be a PLC as defined by the FCC for 
purposes of this rulemaking.  PLC systems are used on transmission lines 
(those that run from generating plants to substations, or from substation to 
substation).

Smart meters and other devices using RF on distribution lines (those feeding 
customers) do NOT have a general exemption from Part 15 emission limits, and 
some of those clearly exceed them, as seems to be the case with the one you 
had.

The kind of system Craig was talking about is one of the more advanced types 
of PLC available, but most legacy systems are much simpler and more limited 
in their capabilities.  Too bad we can't find out the specifics of what 
types are in use in our own vicinities...but if we could, then apparently 
the bad guys win. 


From cls at employees.org  Fri May  1 01:52:16 2015
From: cls at employees.org (Cliff Sojourner)
Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2015 22:52:16 -0700
Subject: [Lowfer] OT: Decoder software.
In-Reply-To: <007501d083b9$a69fbfe0$8254fb48@mainframe>
References: <1430408857.81381.YahooMailBasic@web125301.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>	<55429070.40402@meekfarm.us>
	<007501d083b9$a69fbfe0$8254fb48@mainframe>
Message-ID: <55431490.8060700@employees.org>


maybe http://www.polar-electric.com/DTMF/Index.html would work for you?

there's gotta be hundreds of others!

On 2015-04-30 19:20, KD7JYK DM09 wrote:
> I know we use a lot of different decoder software for various Long Time
> Intergration modes at LowFER, MedFER and HiFER frequencies...
>
> I'm looking for something simple that can decode US telephone DTMF
> frequencies from an audio file.  Scan file, show a string of numbers.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Kurt
>


From k3siw at sbcglobal.net  Fri May  1 08:08:37 2015
From: k3siw at sbcglobal.net (Garry Hess)
Date: Fri, 01 May 2015 07:08:37 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] 3 lowfers
Message-ID: <55436CC5.3030200@sbcglobal.net>

Not much coming through here on LF, despite lightning maps showing very 
little activity. But dependable sources MP and EAR are in there as usual 
along with local SIW. Plan to turn SIW off for the summer in a few days.
-- 
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
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From weazle at hurontel.on.ca  Fri May  1 08:52:04 2015
From: weazle at hurontel.on.ca (John Bruce McCreath)
Date: Fri, 1 May 2015 08:52:04 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] 3 lowfers
In-Reply-To: <55436CC5.3030200@sbcglobal.net>
References: <55436CC5.3030200@sbcglobal.net>
Message-ID: <06CA01C4-7E4B-4950-9874-6C2C3E5734E2@hurontel.on.ca>

Thanks for the report and Argo snip, Garry.  It's nice to know it's still getting out.

73, J.B., VE3EAR

LowFER Beacon "EAR"
188.830 kHz. QRSS30
EN93dr






From k3siw at sbcglobal.net  Sat May  2 07:39:12 2015
From: k3siw at sbcglobal.net (Garry Hess)
Date: Sat, 02 May 2015 06:39:12 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] 518 kHz Navtex
Message-ID: <5544B760.5060201@sbcglobal.net>

Conditions last night were quiet but propagation was dismal. Only copied 
area 4 stations and not very many. Decoded messages from stations 
A,B,C,E,F,G,N,R, and U. Guess H and P are off the air at the moment. 
This morning VLF looks bleak too. NWC on 19.8 kHz isn't bad, along with 
the 4 high powered US transmitters, but only see DHO38 weakly on 23.4 
kHz and a signal on 22.2 kHz (JJI?) is even weaker. NAU on 40.75 kHz is 
weak and NRK on 37.5 kHz is very weak. Nothing at all is seen at 1130Z 
from either CFH on 73.6 kHz or CKN on 76.2 kHz. DGPS from Colorado on 
307 kHz is just barely noticeable.
-- 
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL

From listread at lwca.org  Sat May  2 12:27:51 2015
From: listread at lwca.org (JD)
Date: Sat, 2 May 2015 11:27:51 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] The Friday Expedition
References: <55436CC5.3030200@sbcglobal.net>
Message-ID: <A378AA69AEB948A5A893D0707BEE59AE@HPNOTEBOOK>

While working on the fence row with the tractor yesterday, I let the CR-1 do 
what it does reasonably well...keep a watch on HF.  HiFER reception has been 
poor recently, but there were hopeful signs at mid-day yesterday.  NC and EH 
were fading in and out over roughly 3 minute cycles, and no SIW yet, but 
every so often I could see MP in there too, so I had hope.  I turned on 
captures and went outside to work.

At mid-to-late-afternoon, there was once capture showing a single very 
strong upstroke of SIW slant mode--nothing before, nothing after, just that 
one slope!  Meanwhile, down about 13555.3, there was a complete set of WM 
IDs on screen.  By late afternoon, SIW slant faded in abruptly and WM was 
consistent for a while.  Then, equally abruptly, the ionosphere kicked in 15 
or 20 dB of attenuation on the path from Elgin, IL, and a minute later did 
the same to WM.  That result can be seen here:

http://lwca.org/mb/msg/5115.htm

Everything at 22 meters seemed abrupt yesterday, in fact. Codar seemed to be 
switched on and dominate everything for a while, and then attenuation would 
be switched in again, leaving it just a mild clatter.

Today I'm on my way out to listen for daytime LF with the Kenwood, if the 
thunderstorms on the Nebraska-Iowa border aren't too noisy.

John 


From mbdittmar at comcast.net  Sat May  2 12:49:02 2015
From: mbdittmar at comcast.net (mbdittmar at comcast.net)
Date: Sat, 2 May 2015 16:49:02 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: [Lowfer] The Friday Expedition
In-Reply-To: <A378AA69AEB948A5A893D0707BEE59AE@HPNOTEBOOK>
References: <55436CC5.3030200@sbcglobal.net>
	<A378AA69AEB948A5A893D0707BEE59AE@HPNOTEBOOK>
Message-ID: <321475837.1264975.1430585342927.JavaMail.zimbra@comcast.net>

Hi John, 

I fired XNI up on 185.296 at QRS20 to give you something to listen for. I'll run it for a few hours while I'm mowing the grass ! 

73 Mark 

WG2XNI 

----- Original Message -----

From: "JD" <listread at lwca.org> 
To: "Discussion of the Lowfer (US, European, & UK) and MedFer bands" <lowfer at mailman.qth.net> 
Sent: Saturday, May 2, 2015 10:27:51 AM 
Subject: [Lowfer] The Friday Expedition 

While working on the fence row with the tractor yesterday, I let the CR-1 do 
what it does reasonably well...keep a watch on HF. HiFER reception has been 
poor recently, but there were hopeful signs at mid-day yesterday. NC and EH 
were fading in and out over roughly 3 minute cycles, and no SIW yet, but 
every so often I could see MP in there too, so I had hope. I turned on 
captures and went outside to work. 

At mid-to-late-afternoon, there was once capture showing a single very 
strong upstroke of SIW slant mode--nothing before, nothing after, just that 
one slope! Meanwhile, down about 13555.3, there was a complete set of WM 
IDs on screen. By late afternoon, SIW slant faded in abruptly and WM was 
consistent for a while. Then, equally abruptly, the ionosphere kicked in 15 
or 20 dB of attenuation on the path from Elgin, IL, and a minute later did 
the same to WM. That result can be seen here: 

http://lwca.org/mb/msg/5115.htm 

Everything at 22 meters seemed abrupt yesterday, in fact. Codar seemed to be 
switched on and dominate everything for a while, and then attenuation would 
be switched in again, leaving it just a mild clatter. 

Today I'm on my way out to listen for daytime LF with the Kenwood, if the 
thunderstorms on the Nebraska-Iowa border aren't too noisy. 

John 

______________________________________________________________ 
Lowfer mailing list 
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm 
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From wa3tts at verizon.net  Sat May  2 13:59:38 2015
From: wa3tts at verizon.net (Michael Sapp)
Date: Sat, 02 May 2015 13:59:38 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] SIW in EN90xn
In-Reply-To: <5544B760.5060201@sbcglobal.net>
References: <5544B760.5060201@sbcglobal.net>
Message-ID: <D62EE6CECB86465A890634A030DC9922@MichaelSappPC>


Garry & All: I finally managed to reconnect the FT-817 to the LF converter 
after last weekend's local 10GHz excursion...

SIW doing it's usual mid day signal strength on my NW EWE antenna 
transformer....

https://www.dropbox.com/s/nik3exyygmd0nfr/capt00078.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/cx7ctgo54q8wwyz/capt00079.jpg?dl=0


Apparently my lawn mower is fairly quiet as I was dodging RG6 cables and the 
EWE common ground wires at the time.....

Looks like I'm a half Hz high, sri I did not calibrate....

I switched over to 185.300, see what happens, never know if an X flare might 
show itself with an XNI siting (hi).....

73 Mike wa3tts



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Garry Hess" <k3siw at sbcglobal.net>
To: "lowfer list" <lowfer at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, May 02, 2015 7:39 AM
Subject: [Lowfer] 518 kHz Navtex


> Conditions last night were quiet but propagation was dismal. Only copied 
> area 4 stations and not very many. Decoded messages from stations 
> A,B,C,E,F,G,N,R, and U. Guess H and P are off the air at the moment. This 
> morning VLF looks bleak too. NWC on 19.8 kHz isn't bad, along with the 4 
> high powered US transmitters, but only see DHO38 weakly on 23.4 kHz and a 
> signal on 22.2 kHz (JJI?) is even weaker. NAU on 40.75 kHz is weak and NRK 
> on 37.5 kHz is very weak. Nothing at all is seen at 1130Z from either CFH 
> on 73.6 kHz or CKN on 76.2 kHz. DGPS from Colorado on 307 kHz is just 
> barely noticeable.
> -- 
> 73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
> ______________________________________________________________
> Lowfer mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/lowfer
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Lowfer at mailman.qth.net
> Post must be less than 50KB total for message plus attachment!
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html 


From listread at lwca.org  Sat May  2 14:34:33 2015
From: listread at lwca.org (JD)
Date: Sat, 2 May 2015 13:34:33 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] The Friday Expedition
References: <55436CC5.3030200@sbcglobal.net><A378AA69AEB948A5A893D0707BEE59AE@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<321475837.1264975.1430585342927.JavaMail.zimbra@comcast.net>
Message-ID: <354F4BF89441478082C4C3EE981D34F3@HPNOTEBOOK>

>>> I fired XNI up on 185.296 at QRS20 to give you something to listen for.

Yup, it's there!

Due to some confusion with keys,* I didn't get set up to listen until almost 
12:20 PM CDT, but caught SIW in the upslope of a W and then the first 
downslope before the changeover at 12:24 PM.  It was quite a good signal 
with QRSS60 despite come occasional sharp pops of lightning static...and 
despite my accidentally having dialed in 20 dB of RF attenuation in transit. 
(In fact, I'm still running 10 dB, with a splendid s/n ratio.  The QRN is 
strong when it is present, but it's not there for very long and there are 
extended quiet gaps, fortunately. Not running the receiver at full gain 
seems to help AGC recovery from those brief pops and crashes.)

After the change, it took about two minutes for the 185.2993 oscillator to 
come up to temperature.  The SIW QRSS signal looked good enough to see at 30 
second Slow speed, so I started an addition instance of Argo to watch it. 
Good thing I did, too.  There was some kind of racket showing up right at 
the very bottom of the QRSS60 screen...which, on the QRSS30 screen, turned 
out to be XNI.  According to Argo, I'm getting 3-4 dB more from it than SIW.

*The confusion with keys also led to the memory stick being left here at the 
house, so I'll have to extract the picture when I get back to the farm.  Our 
predicted sunny day has suddenly turned overcast, so I don't know how much 
more listening I'll get to do.  But if all goes well, I also want to take a 
look at 137.78 in a while.

John




From k3siw at sbcglobal.net  Sat May  2 16:06:00 2015
From: k3siw at sbcglobal.net (Garry Hess)
Date: Sat, 02 May 2015 15:06:00 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] SIW in EN90xn
Message-ID: <55452E28.8090206@sbcglobal.net>

Thanks for the report Mike, and thanks to John too. Wonder if XNI is 
still running? If it going tonight I'll give a listen.
-- 
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL

From mbdittmar at comcast.net  Sat May  2 16:25:44 2015
From: mbdittmar at comcast.net (mbdittmar at comcast.net)
Date: Sat, 2 May 2015 20:25:44 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: [Lowfer] SIW in EN90xn
In-Reply-To: <55452E28.8090206@sbcglobal.net>
References: <55452E28.8090206@sbcglobal.net>
Message-ID: <545855790.1398140.1430598344194.JavaMail.zimbra@comcast.net>


Thunderstorms coming in, so just shut XNI down. 

Will let the list know if/when I turn it back on. 

73 ! 

Mark 
----- Original Message -----

From: "Garry Hess" <k3siw at sbcglobal.net> 
To: "lowfer" <lowfer at mailman.qth.net> 
Sent: Saturday, May 2, 2015 2:06:00 PM 
Subject: Re: [Lowfer] SIW in EN90xn 

Thanks for the report Mike, and thanks to John too. Wonder if XNI is 
still running? If it going tonight I'll give a listen. 
-- 
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL 
______________________________________________________________ 
Lowfer mailing list 
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/lowfer 
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm 
Post: mailto:Lowfer at mailman.qth.net 
Post must be less than 50KB total for message plus attachment! 

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net 
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html 


From wa3tts at verizon.net  Sat May  2 16:48:55 2015
From: wa3tts at verizon.net (Michael Sapp)
Date: Sat, 02 May 2015 16:48:55 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] SIW in EN90xn, one more
In-Reply-To: <55452E28.8090206@sbcglobal.net>
References: <55452E28.8090206@sbcglobal.net>
Message-ID: <7F409E81A9D445669686366F0E8A9465@MichaelSappPC>

You are welcome Garry. Thanks for running such a dependable LF reference 
signal all last fall-winter-spring.

One more capture after the switch to 185.2993, looks like my rx system just 
over .4Hz high on the capture....

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yjow4zg7binh2hs/capt00080.jpg?dl=0

73 Mike wa3tts


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Garry Hess" <k3siw at sbcglobal.net>
To: "lowfer list" <lowfer at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, May 02, 2015 4:06 PM
Subject: Re: [Lowfer] SIW in EN90xn


> Thanks for the report Mike, and thanks to John too. Wonder if XNI is still 
> running? If it going tonight I'll give a listen.
> -- 
> 73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
> ______________________________________________________________
> Lowfer mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/lowfer
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Lowfer at mailman.qth.net
> Post must be less than 50KB total for message plus attachment!
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html 


From listread at lwca.org  Sun May  3 01:19:03 2015
From: listread at lwca.org (JD)
Date: Sun, 3 May 2015 00:19:03 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] The Saturday Expedition
References: <55436CC5.3030200@sbcglobal.net><A378AA69AEB948A5A893D0707BEE59AE@HPNOTEBOOK><321475837.1264975.1430585342927.JavaMail.zimbra@comcast.net>
	<354F4BF89441478082C4C3EE981D34F3@HPNOTEBOOK>
Message-ID: <17A175C688C44D75AE4E6D4110DC6E40@HPNOTEBOOK>

The 1750 meter band was really good until the late afternoon thunderstorms 
started popping up within a few hundred miles.  SIW did great,and thanks 
also for the extra signal, Mark.  See:

http://lwca.org/mb/msg/5119.htm 

From mbdittmar at comcast.net  Sun May  3 11:42:59 2015
From: mbdittmar at comcast.net (mbdittmar at comcast.net)
Date: Sun, 3 May 2015 15:42:59 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: [Lowfer] The Saturday Expedition
In-Reply-To: <17A175C688C44D75AE4E6D4110DC6E40@HPNOTEBOOK>
References: <55436CC5.3030200@sbcglobal.net>
	<A378AA69AEB948A5A893D0707BEE59AE@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<321475837.1264975.1430585342927.JavaMail.zimbra@comcast.net>
	<354F4BF89441478082C4C3EE981D34F3@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<17A175C688C44D75AE4E6D4110DC6E40@HPNOTEBOOK>
Message-ID: <1518509139.1818333.1430667779564.JavaMail.zimbra@comcast.net>

John, thanks for the excellent capture / report ! 

73 ! 
Mark 
P.S. Let me know if you ever want me to turn XNI on for tests, either on 1750 or 630 meters. I can have a signal on the air on either band in a matter of minutes. 



----- Original Message -----

From: "JD" <listread at lwca.org> 
To: "Discussion of the Lowfer (US, European, & UK) and MedFer bands" <lowfer at mailman.qth.net> 
Sent: Saturday, May 2, 2015 11:19:03 PM 
Subject: [Lowfer] The Saturday Expedition 

The 1750 meter band was really good until the late afternoon thunderstorms 
started popping up within a few hundred miles. SIW did great,and thanks 
also for the extra signal, Mark. See: 

http://lwca.org/mb/msg/5119.htm 
______________________________________________________________ 
Lowfer mailing list 
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/lowfer 
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm 
Post: mailto:Lowfer at mailman.qth.net 
Post must be less than 50KB total for message plus attachment! 

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net 
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html 


From listread at lwca.org  Sun May  3 16:24:19 2015
From: listread at lwca.org (JD)
Date: Sun, 3 May 2015 15:24:19 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] The Sunday Expedition
References: <55436CC5.3030200@sbcglobal.net><A378AA69AEB948A5A893D0707BEE59AE@HPNOTEBOOK><321475837.1264975.1430585342927.JavaMail.zimbra@comcast.net><354F4BF89441478082C4C3EE981D34F3@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<17A175C688C44D75AE4E6D4110DC6E40@HPNOTEBOOK>
Message-ID: <B8E83BE11AE842A393E9D163C2D826BA@HPNOTEBOOK>

Was curious about the recent tendency to mid-afternoon fades of MP on 2200 
m, so that's what I've been concentrating on today.  I wanted to try to get 
to the field at or before solar noon in London, ON, but a line of 
approaching showers discouraged me.  They fizzled out, but not before I'd 
wasted a good hour.  Got set up right at solar noon here, and this is the 
first capture that resulted.  Looks like a bit of fading already, but it's 
too soon to say...came back to town to refuel the generator and myself, and 
will be on the way out there again in a moment to look further. 
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From listread at lwca.org  Mon May  4 01:34:57 2015
From: listread at lwca.org (JD)
Date: Mon, 4 May 2015 00:34:57 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] The Sunday Expedition
References: <55436CC5.3030200@sbcglobal.net><A378AA69AEB948A5A893D0707BEE59AE@HPNOTEBOOK><321475837.1264975.1430585342927.JavaMail.zimbra@comcast.net><354F4BF89441478082C4C3EE981D34F3@HPNOTEBOOK><17A175C688C44D75AE4E6D4110DC6E40@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<B8E83BE11AE842A393E9D163C2D826BA@HPNOTEBOOK>
Message-ID: <1BD61BC2FF644890BFF75A9C60A0B292@HPNOTEBOOK>

Only got two more MPs on 2200 m before the trace was obliterated this 
afternoon, but the QRN level increased significantly during that same time, 
making it impossible to tell if there was actually a change in propagation. 

From kd7jyk at earthlink.net  Tue May  5 00:39:29 2015
From: kd7jyk at earthlink.net (KD7JYK DM09)
Date: Mon, 4 May 2015 21:39:29 -0700
Subject: [Lowfer] OT: Decoder software.
References: <1430408857.81381.YahooMailBasic@web125301.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>	<55429070.40402@meekfarm.us><007501d083b9$a69fbfe0$8254fb48@mainframe>
	<55431490.8060700@employees.org>
Message-ID: <00bc01d086ee$3681d080$d855fb48@mainframe>

: maybe http://www.polar-electric.com/DTMF/Index.html would work for you?

Thanks, checking it out.

Kurt


From ve3ot.mp at gmail.com  Wed May  6 11:38:21 2015
From: ve3ot.mp at gmail.com (Mitch Powell)
Date: Wed, 6 May 2015 11:38:21 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] The Sunday Expedition
In-Reply-To: <1BD61BC2FF644890BFF75A9C60A0B292@HPNOTEBOOK>
References: <55436CC5.3030200@sbcglobal.net>
	<A378AA69AEB948A5A893D0707BEE59AE@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<321475837.1264975.1430585342927.JavaMail.zimbra@comcast.net>
	<354F4BF89441478082C4C3EE981D34F3@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<17A175C688C44D75AE4E6D4110DC6E40@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<B8E83BE11AE842A393E9D163C2D826BA@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<1BD61BC2FF644890BFF75A9C60A0B292@HPNOTEBOOK>
Message-ID: <CAL-Prc010c66a32dOEbuntYm597nvt-DFbf2xJ4oJyLn2N37qg@mail.gmail.com>

Good day JD - haven't been able t check reflector for a few days - and
noted your checks of the signal from M P.  FYI - just confirmed that
antenna current is normal, and  did touch up the tuning - but everything
returned to the same settings and current. In other words, there have been
no changes in the past several weeks to either the antenna or transmitter,.
  Normal DC current here in the "shack".  All the trees are bursting into
bloom now, and temperatures have been approaching the 65-70 degree mark -
so there may be some absorption taking place by the RF sponges popping out
on the branches.
Thanks for the continuing support in monitoring - to all .
73
Mitch  M P

On Mon, May 4, 2015 at 1:34 AM, JD <listread at lwca.org> wrote:

> Only got two more MPs on 2200 m before the trace was obliterated this
> afternoon, but the QRN level increased significantly during that same time,
> making it impossible to tell if there was actually a change in propagation.
> ______________________________________________________________
> Lowfer mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/lowfer
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Lowfer at mailman.qth.net
> Post must be less than 50KB total for message plus attachment!
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

From w1tag at charter.net  Wed May  6 14:00:40 2015
From: w1tag at charter.net (John Andrews)
Date: Wed, 06 May 2015 14:00:40 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] Playing TAG
Message-ID: <554A56C8.1040607@charter.net>

Lowfer TAG on 185.297 kHz in Raymond, Maine, will be shut down for the 
summer on May 8. It will return in late October.

Hifer TAG is now back on the air on 13,555.414 kHz, with QRSS3 from 
Holden, Massachusetts (FN42ch). It will run through the summer, with 
only occasional interruptions.

Reports are always welcome.

John, W1TAG

From w1tag at charter.net  Wed May  6 14:29:11 2015
From: w1tag at charter.net (John Andrews)
Date: Wed, 06 May 2015 14:29:11 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] The Sunday Expedition
In-Reply-To: <CAL-Prc010c66a32dOEbuntYm597nvt-DFbf2xJ4oJyLn2N37qg@mail.gmail.com>
References: <55436CC5.3030200@sbcglobal.net>	<A378AA69AEB948A5A893D0707BEE59AE@HPNOTEBOOK>	<321475837.1264975.1430585342927.JavaMail.zimbra@comcast.net>	<354F4BF89441478082C4C3EE981D34F3@HPNOTEBOOK>	<17A175C688C44D75AE4E6D4110DC6E40@HPNOTEBOOK>	<B8E83BE11AE842A393E9D163C2D826BA@HPNOTEBOOK>	<1BD61BC2FF644890BFF75A9C60A0B292@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<CAL-Prc010c66a32dOEbuntYm597nvt-DFbf2xJ4oJyLn2N37qg@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <554A5D77.6000407@charter.net>

Mitch,

LF MP copy has been beautifully normal here in Massachusetts.

John, W1TAG

On 5/6/2015 11:38 AM, Mitch Powell wrote:
> Good day JD - haven't been able t check reflector for a few days - and
> noted your checks of the signal from M P.  FYI - just confirmed that
> antenna current is normal, and  did touch up the tuning - but everything
> returned to the same settings and current. In other words, there have been
> no changes in the past several weeks to either the antenna or transmitter,.
>    Normal DC current here in the "shack".  All the trees are bursting into
> bloom now, and temperatures have been approaching the 65-70 degree mark -
> so there may be some absorption taking place by the RF sponges popping out
> on the branches.
> Thanks for the continuing support in monitoring - to all .
> 73
> Mitch  M P

From ve3ot.mp at gmail.com  Wed May  6 16:29:22 2015
From: ve3ot.mp at gmail.com (Mitch Powell)
Date: Wed, 6 May 2015 16:29:22 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] The Sunday Expedition
In-Reply-To: <554A5D77.6000407@charter.net>
References: <55436CC5.3030200@sbcglobal.net>
	<A378AA69AEB948A5A893D0707BEE59AE@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<321475837.1264975.1430585342927.JavaMail.zimbra@comcast.net>
	<354F4BF89441478082C4C3EE981D34F3@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<17A175C688C44D75AE4E6D4110DC6E40@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<B8E83BE11AE842A393E9D163C2D826BA@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<1BD61BC2FF644890BFF75A9C60A0B292@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<CAL-Prc010c66a32dOEbuntYm597nvt-DFbf2xJ4oJyLn2N37qg@mail.gmail.com>
	<554A5D77.6000407@charter.net>
Message-ID: <CAL-Prc02PEQ+K7QR_8AwM9FQThtxo7806ObcCQjSw6ovxRvE5Q@mail.gmail.com>

Thank you John
That's what I like to hear  :-)
Mitch


On Wed, May 6, 2015 at 2:29 PM, John Andrews <w1tag at charter.net> wrote:

> Mitch,
>
> LF MP copy has been beautifully normal here in Massachusetts.
>
> John, W1TAG
>
> On 5/6/2015 11:38 AM, Mitch Powell wrote:
>
>> Good day JD - haven't been able t check reflector for a few days - and
>> noted your checks of the signal from M P.  FYI - just confirmed that
>> antenna current is normal, and  did touch up the tuning - but everything
>> returned to the same settings and current. In other words, there have been
>> no changes in the past several weeks to either the antenna or
>> transmitter,.
>>    Normal DC current here in the "shack".  All the trees are bursting into
>> bloom now, and temperatures have been approaching the 65-70 degree mark -
>> so there may be some absorption taking place by the RF sponges popping out
>> on the branches.
>> Thanks for the continuing support in monitoring - to all .
>> 73
>> Mitch  M P
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Lowfer mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/lowfer
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Lowfer at mailman.qth.net
> Post must be less than 50KB total for message plus attachment!
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

From wa3tts at verizon.net  Wed May  6 19:37:56 2015
From: wa3tts at verizon.net (Michael Sapp)
Date: Wed, 06 May 2015 19:37:56 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] MP this afternoon
In-Reply-To: <CAL-Prc010c66a32dOEbuntYm597nvt-DFbf2xJ4oJyLn2N37qg@mail.gmail.com>
References: <55436CC5.3030200@sbcglobal.net>
	<A378AA69AEB948A5A893D0707BEE59AE@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<321475837.1264975.1430585342927.JavaMail.zimbra@comcast.net>
	<354F4BF89441478082C4C3EE981D34F3@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<17A175C688C44D75AE4E6D4110DC6E40@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<B8E83BE11AE842A393E9D163C2D826BA@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<1BD61BC2FF644890BFF75A9C60A0B292@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<CAL-Prc010c66a32dOEbuntYm597nvt-DFbf2xJ4oJyLn2N37qg@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <4E24F40044DA4567B136531C4EE97CE6@MichaelSappPC>

Mitch & All:  Here is a view of MP this afternoon....

https://www.dropbox.com/s/hcxzrbvpuwy0zvx/capt00087.jpg?dl=0


and a previous view from Feb 8, 2015....

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vyl5cu1uuv7hbkh/capt00029.jpg?dl=0


SNR about 5dB higher this afternoon for what it's worth....

73 Mike wa3tts



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mitch Powell" <ve3ot.mp at gmail.com>
To: "Discussion of the Lowfer (US, European, & UK) and MedFer bands" 
<lowfer at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2015 11:38 AM
Subject: Re: [Lowfer] The Sunday Expedition


> Good day JD - haven't been able t check reflector for a few days - and
> noted your checks of the signal from M P.  FYI - just confirmed that
> antenna current is normal, and  did touch up the tuning - but everything
> returned to the same settings and current. In other words, there have been
> no changes in the past several weeks to either the antenna or 
> transmitter,.
>  Normal DC current here in the "shack".  All the trees are bursting into
> bloom now, and temperatures have been approaching the 65-70 degree mark -
> so there may be some absorption taking place by the RF sponges popping out
> on the branches.
> Thanks for the continuing support in monitoring - to all .
> 73
> Mitch  M P
>
> On Mon, May 4, 2015 at 1:34 AM, JD <listread at lwca.org> wrote:
>
>> Only got two more MPs on 2200 m before the trace was obliterated this
>> afternoon, but the QRN level increased significantly during that same 
>> time,
>> making it impossible to tell if there was actually a change in 
>> propagation.
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Lowfer mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/lowfer
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Lowfer at mailman.qth.net
>> Post must be less than 50KB total for message plus attachment!
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Lowfer mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/lowfer
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Lowfer at mailman.qth.net
> Post must be less than 50KB total for message plus attachment!
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html 


From wa3tts at verizon.net  Wed May  6 19:45:41 2015
From: wa3tts at verizon.net (Michael Sapp)
Date: Wed, 06 May 2015 19:45:41 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] EAR this afternoon
Message-ID: <6F57524F83CD49FDB2680477FC18B3BD@MichaelSappPC>

J.B. & All:  A look at EAR this afternoon....

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gdwuss4mrduux1f/capt00085.jpg?dl=0

And from Feb 22, 2015...

https://www.dropbox.com/s/veqtujmfainqed5/capt00003%20%282%29.jpg?dl=0



73 Mike wa3tts

From weazle at hurontel.on.ca  Wed May  6 20:28:26 2015
From: weazle at hurontel.on.ca (John Bruce McCreath)
Date: Wed, 6 May 2015 20:28:26 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] EAR this afternoon
In-Reply-To: <6F57524F83CD49FDB2680477FC18B3BD@MichaelSappPC>
References: <6F57524F83CD49FDB2680477FC18B3BD@MichaelSappPC>
Message-ID: <D956DEFB-3CC7-433E-99D7-20A639160111@hurontel.on.ca>

Thanks for the report and Argo screen shots, Mike.  I noticed earlier today
that the FSM on my bedroom window sill is showing a reduction in the out-
put of EAR.  Likely due to the drying out of the ground around the helix
house....it doesn't go squish-squish when I walk out there now, LOL.

73, J.B., VE3EAR

LowFER Beacon "EAR"
188.830 kHz. QRSS30
EN93dr






From wa3tts at verizon.net  Thu May  7 23:20:44 2015
From: wa3tts at verizon.net (Michael Sapp)
Date: Thu, 07 May 2015 23:20:44 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] Playing TAG
In-Reply-To: <554A56C8.1040607@charter.net>
References: <554A56C8.1040607@charter.net>
Message-ID: <482416D23C8B4B9B898FB2B2EDA6984E@MichaelSappPC>

John & All : TAG coming in a bit early this evening. Usually I have to wait 
until later hours...Tricky to set the argo level at this shorter skywave 
distance. TAG seems to either be too strong or too light.  I monitored .297 
through the daylight hours and not a trace to be had....

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4zy55vsqmvxym91/capt00105.jpg?dl=0

I will monitor overnight through sunrise and report in late AM ....

73 Mike wa3tts

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Andrews" <w1tag at charter.net>
To: "Discussion of the Lowfer (US, European, &amp; UK) and MedFer bands" 
<lowfer at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2015 2:00 PM
Subject: [Lowfer] Playing TAG


> Lowfer TAG on 185.297 kHz in Raymond, Maine, will be shut down for the 
> summer on May 8. It will return in late October.
>
> Hifer TAG is now back on the air on 13,555.414 kHz, with QRSS3 from 
> Holden, Massachusetts (FN42ch). It will run through the summer, with only 
> occasional interruptions.
>
> Reports are always welcome.
>
> John, W1TAG
> ______________________________________________________________
> Lowfer mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/lowfer
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Lowfer at mailman.qth.net
> Post must be less than 50KB total for message plus attachment!
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html 


From k3siw at sbcglobal.net  Fri May  8 06:51:34 2015
From: k3siw at sbcglobal.net (Garry Hess)
Date: Fri, 08 May 2015 05:51:34 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] Lowfer SIW off for the summer
Message-ID: <554C9536.5080900@sbcglobal.net>

Lowfer SIW was turned off yesterday afternoon. Plan to return it to 
service next Fall, probably in September. Thanks to all who reported 
reception.
-- 
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL

From wa3tts at verizon.net  Fri May  8 11:25:16 2015
From: wa3tts at verizon.net (Michael Sapp)
Date: Fri, 08 May 2015 11:25:16 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] TAG overnite in EN90XN
Message-ID: <CC9A47EF83B9412FBAD6CA7B02889AEE@MichaelSappPC>

John & All: Looks like TAG was putting in a better signal earlier in the overnite.....


https://www.dropbox.com/s/7l09asomioq4m6q/capt00107.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uvmtnea5dcg4kba/capt00108.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/v60bjjlywnq73o8/capt00109.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vl1i56348brmeqa/capt00110.jpg?dl=0


Tnx for the beaconing this season....73 Mike wa3tts

From ve3ot.mp at gmail.com  Fri May  8 12:14:17 2015
From: ve3ot.mp at gmail.com (Mitch Powell)
Date: Fri, 8 May 2015 12:14:17 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] MP this afternoon
In-Reply-To: <4E24F40044DA4567B136531C4EE97CE6@MichaelSappPC>
References: <55436CC5.3030200@sbcglobal.net>
	<A378AA69AEB948A5A893D0707BEE59AE@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<321475837.1264975.1430585342927.JavaMail.zimbra@comcast.net>
	<354F4BF89441478082C4C3EE981D34F3@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<17A175C688C44D75AE4E6D4110DC6E40@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<B8E83BE11AE842A393E9D163C2D826BA@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<1BD61BC2FF644890BFF75A9C60A0B292@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<CAL-Prc010c66a32dOEbuntYm597nvt-DFbf2xJ4oJyLn2N37qg@mail.gmail.com>
	<4E24F40044DA4567B136531C4EE97CE6@MichaelSappPC>
Message-ID: <CAL-Prc0kps1xk1uLo5_tMaH-oHcptFRmK1-h0e=g_06jBJkR7A@mail.gmail.com>

Thanks Mike - Nice records.
73
Mitch

On Wed, May 6, 2015 at 7:37 PM, Michael Sapp <wa3tts at verizon.net> wrote:

> Mitch & All:  Here is a view of MP this afternoon....
>
> https://www.dropbox.com/s/hcxzrbvpuwy0zvx/capt00087.jpg?dl=0
>
>
> and a previous view from Feb 8, 2015....
>
> https://www.dropbox.com/s/vyl5cu1uuv7hbkh/capt00029.jpg?dl=0
>
>
> SNR about 5dB higher this afternoon for what it's worth....
>
> 73 Mike wa3tts
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mitch Powell" <ve3ot.mp at gmail.com>
> To: "Discussion of the Lowfer (US, European, & UK) and MedFer bands" <
> lowfer at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2015 11:38 AM
> Subject: Re: [Lowfer] The Sunday Expedition
>
>
>  Good day JD - haven't been able t check reflector for a few days - and
>> noted your checks of the signal from M P.  FYI - just confirmed that
>> antenna current is normal, and  did touch up the tuning - but everything
>> returned to the same settings and current. In other words, there have been
>> no changes in the past several weeks to either the antenna or
>> transmitter,.
>>  Normal DC current here in the "shack".  All the trees are bursting into
>> bloom now, and temperatures have been approaching the 65-70 degree mark -
>> so there may be some absorption taking place by the RF sponges popping out
>> on the branches.
>> Thanks for the continuing support in monitoring - to all .
>> 73
>> Mitch  M P
>>
>> On Mon, May 4, 2015 at 1:34 AM, JD <listread at lwca.org> wrote:
>>
>>  Only got two more MPs on 2200 m before the trace was obliterated this
>>> afternoon, but the QRN level increased significantly during that same
>>> time,
>>> making it impossible to tell if there was actually a change in
>>> propagation.
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> Lowfer mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/lowfer
>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>> Post: mailto:Lowfer at mailman.qth.net
>>> Post must be less than 50KB total for message plus attachment!
>>>
>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>
>>>  ______________________________________________________________
>> Lowfer mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/lowfer
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Lowfer at mailman.qth.net
>> Post must be less than 50KB total for message plus attachment!
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Lowfer mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/lowfer
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Lowfer at mailman.qth.net
> Post must be less than 50KB total for message plus attachment!
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

From k3siw at sbcglobal.net  Wed May 13 07:55:31 2015
From: k3siw at sbcglobal.net (Garry Hess)
Date: Wed, 13 May 2015 06:55:31 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] Lowfers
Message-ID: <55533BB3.8040505@sbcglobal.net>

Lowfers MP and EAR are still plugging away nicely as usual here in early 
daylight.

VLF signals have become few and far in between, but last night it was 
nice to see both NAU on 40.75 kHz and NRK on 37.5 kHz coming in well, 
and NWC on 19.8 kHz present 24/7.

Had good decodes from DGPS stations on 303 kHz (UT), 307 kHz (CO), and 
313 kHz (MT) last night, but saw nothing from MT on 287 kHz and WA on 
316 kHz. That despite numerous 474.2 kHz WSPR decodes from WH2XGP in WA.

-- 
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
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From weazle at hurontel.on.ca  Wed May 13 09:00:15 2015
From: weazle at hurontel.on.ca (John Bruce McCreath)
Date: Wed, 13 May 2015 09:00:15 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] Lowfers
In-Reply-To: <55533BB3.8040505@sbcglobal.net>
References: <55533BB3.8040505@sbcglobal.net>
Message-ID: <44518991-BFC3-43EA-BADD-08A455759666@hurontel.on.ca>

Looking good from here!  Thanks for the report and Argo snip, Garry.

73, J.B., VE3EAR

LowFER Beacon "EAR"
188.830 kHz. QRSS30
EN93dr






From weazle at hurontel.on.ca  Sat May 16 08:41:21 2015
From: weazle at hurontel.on.ca (John Bruce McCreath)
Date: Sat, 16 May 2015 08:41:21 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] A different approach
Message-ID: <6589F985-8D7D-4BCB-8B85-4EAAC5533F94@hurontel.on.ca>

With propagation being the pits of late, I thought I try a different approach.
I'm running WSPR-X in the WSPR-2 mode on 474.200 kHz. for the week-
end, just to see if it does any better than the "plain vanilla" WSPR-2 app.
Overnight Friday/Saturday I decoded XIQ, XKA and XGP. 

73, J.B., VE3EAR

LowFER Beacon "EAR"
188.830 kHz. QRSS30
EN93dr






From jlangridge at sbcglobal.net  Sat May 16 08:43:36 2015
From: jlangridge at sbcglobal.net (John Langridge)
Date: Sat, 16 May 2015 12:43:36 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: [Lowfer] A different approach
In-Reply-To: <6589F985-8D7D-4BCB-8B85-4EAAC5533F94@hurontel.on.ca>
References: <6589F985-8D7D-4BCB-8B85-4EAAC5533F94@hurontel.on.ca>
Message-ID: <42597437.161426.1431780216293.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com>

woo hoo!? thanks JB!
yeah, its been the pits but we just have to keep plugging away as the wx allows... no where to go but up!
73,
XIQ

      From: John Bruce McCreath <weazle at hurontel.on.ca>
 To: LowFER (US European <lowfer at mailman.qth.net> 
 Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2015 7:41 AM
 Subject: [Lowfer] A different approach
   
With propagation being the pits of late, I thought I try a different approach.
I'm running WSPR-X in the WSPR-2 mode on 474.200 kHz. for the week-
end, just to see if it does any better than the "plain vanilla" WSPR-2 app.
Overnight Friday/Saturday I decoded XIQ, XKA and XGP. 

73, J.B., VE3EAR

LowFER Beacon "EAR"
188.830 kHz. QRSS30
EN93dr





______________________________________________________________
Lowfer mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/lowfer
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Lowfer at mailman.qth.net
Post must be less than 50KB total for message plus attachment!

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html


  

From wa3tts at verizon.net  Sat May 16 09:38:21 2015
From: wa3tts at verizon.net (Michael Sapp)
Date: Sat, 16 May 2015 09:38:21 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] A different approach
In-Reply-To: <6589F985-8D7D-4BCB-8B85-4EAAC5533F94@hurontel.on.ca>
References: <6589F985-8D7D-4BCB-8B85-4EAAC5533F94@hurontel.on.ca>
Message-ID: <650243D3407B4F398D0150D3DABEAF11@MichaelSappPC>

J.B. Yes I prefer to use WSPR-X as it seems to be a dB or 2 better in 
pulling the weak ones out of the noise....

Replaced one F connector on the RG-6QS here at the SW EWE antenna xfrmr last 
evening.  DC loop resistance through
the antenna transformer came down about half an ohm...

Likewise a few BNC (silver) center pins on filters and isolation transformer 
in the shack were cleaned with deoxit via hobby store
microbrushes....

Rewarded with several XGP decodes overnight, best at -25, it pays to keep 
all the RF connectors very clean....

73, Mike wa3tts


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Bruce McCreath" <weazle at hurontel.on.ca>
To: "LowFER (US European" <lowfer at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2015 8:41 AM
Subject: [Lowfer] A different approach


> With propagation being the pits of late, I thought I try a different 
> approach.
> I'm running WSPR-X in the WSPR-2 mode on 474.200 kHz. for the week-
> end, just to see if it does any better than the "plain vanilla" WSPR-2 
> app.
> Overnight Friday/Saturday I decoded XIQ, XKA and XGP.
>
> 73, J.B., VE3EAR
>
> LowFER Beacon "EAR"
> 188.830 kHz. QRSS30
> EN93dr
>
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Lowfer mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/lowfer
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Lowfer at mailman.qth.net
> Post must be less than 50KB total for message plus attachment!
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html 


From lowfer at mailman.qth.net  Sat May 16 14:20:26 2015
From: lowfer at mailman.qth.net (Andy - KU4XR via Lowfer)
Date: Sat, 16 May 2015 11:20:26 -0700
Subject: [Lowfer] A different approach
In-Reply-To: <6589F985-8D7D-4BCB-8B85-4EAAC5533F94@hurontel.on.ca>
Message-ID: <1431800426.4711.YahooMailBasic@web125305.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>

https://www.dropbox.com/s/s1oh6hpjqcyhcmi/WSPR%20X%20and%204%20compilation%205-16-15.JPG?dl=0

Greetings all:  I don't use WSPR-2 anymore, I now use the WSPR-4 version.. 
I did a quick, head to head comparison using both WSPR-X and WSPR-4 together..

Both versions were running simultaneously on the same PC using the same sound card,
and of course the same radio, and antenna... Input levels were set for the same reading
on both versions, and the Radio BW was 2.4 KHz..

WSPR-X won by 2 extra spots, but also noted is the decodes that were missed by each
version that the other one grabbed.. Except for a couple of instances, the SNr was identical
on both versions of WSPR..

I realize that for better data accuracy; the test would need to be repeated several times,
and under varying conditions.. What this test proved to me is that my WSPR-X version
still works.... hi - hi

73 :

Andy - KU4XR

From wa3tts at verizon.net  Sat May 16 20:12:35 2015
From: wa3tts at verizon.net (Michael Sapp)
Date: Sat, 16 May 2015 20:12:35 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] MP this afternoon
In-Reply-To: <CAL-Prc0kps1xk1uLo5_tMaH-oHcptFRmK1-h0e=g_06jBJkR7A@mail.gmail.com>
References: <55436CC5.3030200@sbcglobal.net>
	<A378AA69AEB948A5A893D0707BEE59AE@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<321475837.1264975.1430585342927.JavaMail.zimbra@comcast.net>
	<354F4BF89441478082C4C3EE981D34F3@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<17A175C688C44D75AE4E6D4110DC6E40@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<B8E83BE11AE842A393E9D163C2D826BA@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<1BD61BC2FF644890BFF75A9C60A0B292@HPNOTEBOOK>
	<CAL-Prc010c66a32dOEbuntYm597nvt-DFbf2xJ4oJyLn2N37qg@mail.gmail.com>
	<4E24F40044DA4567B136531C4EE97CE6@MichaelSappPC>
	<CAL-Prc0kps1xk1uLo5_tMaH-oHcptFRmK1-h0e=g_06jBJkR7A@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <D473E624EB204941B8BEDAFC8A85F0B8@MichaelSappPC>

Mitch & All:  Continued my spring cleaning and found some oxidation on the 
NE EWE transformer connections ---including one steel nut vs stainless. 
Replaced, cleaned and
treated with silicon oil...

https://www.dropbox.com/s/nikrh2h3z8rxox0/MPM15.jpg?dl=0

A few db better with QRSS30 slow vs last check was QRSS normal.  Sorry no 
cal check, the FT-817 was off for a few days so I just let it run a few 
hours on the MP frequency

until the receiver flat-lined....

Tnx for the beaconing....73, Mike wa3tts


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mitch Powell" <ve3ot.mp at gmail.com>
To: "Discussion of the Lowfer (US, European, & UK) and MedFer bands" 
<lowfer at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, May 08, 2015 12:14 PM
Subject: Re: [Lowfer] MP this afternoon


> Thanks Mike - Nice records.
> 73
> Mitch
>
> On Wed, May 6, 2015 at 7:37 PM, Michael Sapp <wa3tts at verizon.net> wrote:
>
>> Mitch & All:  Here is a view of MP this afternoon....
>>
>> https://www.dropbox.com/s/hcxzrbvpuwy0zvx/capt00087.jpg?dl=0
>>
>>
>> and a previous view from Feb 8, 2015....
>>
>> https://www.dropbox.com/s/vyl5cu1uuv7hbkh/capt00029.jpg?dl=0
>>
>>
>> SNR about 5dB higher this afternoon for what it's worth....
>>
>> 73 Mike wa3tts
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mitch Powell" <ve3ot.mp at gmail.com>
>> To: "Discussion of the Lowfer (US, European, & UK) and MedFer bands" <
>> lowfer at mailman.qth.net>
>> Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2015 11:38 AM
>> Subject: Re: [Lowfer] The Sunday Expedition
>>
>>
>>  Good day JD - haven't been able t check reflector for a few days - and
>>> noted your checks of the signal from M P.  FYI - just confirmed that
>>> antenna current is normal, and  did touch up the tuning - but everything
>>> returned to the same settings and current. In other words, there have 
>>> been
>>> no changes in the past several weeks to either the antenna or
>>> transmitter,.
>>>  Normal DC current here in the "shack".  All the trees are bursting into
>>> bloom now, and temperatures have been approaching the 65-70 degree 
>>> mark -
>>> so there may be some absorption taking place by the RF sponges popping 
>>> out
>>> on the branches.
>>> Thanks for the continuing support in monitoring - to all .
>>> 73
>>> Mitch  M P
>>>
>>> On Mon, May 4, 2015 at 1:34 AM, JD <listread at lwca.org> wrote:
>>>
>>>  Only got two more MPs on 2200 m before the trace was obliterated this
>>>> afternoon, but the QRN level increased significantly during that same
>>>> time,
>>>> making it impossible to tell if there was actually a change in
>>>> propagation.
>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>> Lowfer mailing list
>>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/lowfer
>>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>>> Post: mailto:Lowfer at mailman.qth.net
>>>> Post must be less than 50KB total for message plus attachment!
>>>>
>>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>>
>>>>  ______________________________________________________________
>>> Lowfer mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/lowfer
>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>> Post: mailto:Lowfer at mailman.qth.net
>>> Post must be less than 50KB total for message plus attachment!
>>>
>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Lowfer mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/lowfer
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Lowfer at mailman.qth.net
>> Post must be less than 50KB total for message plus attachment!
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Lowfer mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/lowfer
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Lowfer at mailman.qth.net
> Post must be less than 50KB total for message plus attachment!
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html 


From weazle at hurontel.on.ca  Sun May 17 08:53:49 2015
From: weazle at hurontel.on.ca (John Bruce McCreath)
Date: Sun, 17 May 2015 08:53:49 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] WSPR overnight, just one!
Message-ID: <59AA29C7-A6F3-487D-98D7-E0C9F79538FC@hurontel.on.ca>

WSPR-X in WSPR-2 mode Sunday 17 May 2015

0228  -26  -0.9    0.475617    0   WG2XIQ        EM12     37
0236  -29  -1.0    0.475617    0   WG2XIQ        EM12     37
0252  -31  -0.9    0.475617    0   WG2XIQ        EM12     37

73, J.B., VE3EAR

LowFER Beacon "EAR"
188.830 kHz. QRSS30
EN93dr






From weazle at hurontel.on.ca  Mon May 18 08:38:30 2015
From: weazle at hurontel.on.ca (John Bruce McCreath)
Date: Mon, 18 May 2015 08:38:30 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] Overnight WSPR decodes
Message-ID: <DCEE5B0B-4E76-46E8-8D17-97EBEBAFAF4C@hurontel.on.ca>

Looking a little more like "normal" overnight 18 May 2015

0342  -26  -0.5    0.475614    0   WG2XIQ        EM12     37
0348  -20  -0.2    0.475725    0   WG2XKA        FN33     30
0350  -10  -0.8    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
0358  -18  -0.2    0.475725    0   WG2XKA        FN33     30
0358   -3  -0.7    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
0406  -24  -0.1    0.475725    0   WG2XKA        FN33     30
0410    1  -0.8    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
0416  -15  -0.1    0.475725    0   WG2XKA        FN33     30
0420    0  -0.8    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
0426  -23  -0.1    0.475725    0   WG2XKA        FN33     30
0428    0  -0.8    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
0434  -27  -0.2    0.475671    0   WH2XND        DM33     30

73, J.B., VE3EAR

LowFER Beacon "EAR"
188.830 kHz. QRSS30
EN93dr






From wa3tts at verizon.net  Mon May 18 11:51:06 2015
From: wa3tts at verizon.net (Michael Sapp)
Date: Mon, 18 May 2015 11:51:06 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] Overnight WSPR decodes
In-Reply-To: <DCEE5B0B-4E76-46E8-8D17-97EBEBAFAF4C@hurontel.on.ca>
References: <DCEE5B0B-4E76-46E8-8D17-97EBEBAFAF4C@hurontel.on.ca>
Message-ID: <B6DB887DFEA64600A40D25EEFD6D8B4E@MichaelSappPC>

JB: I took a peak at your overnight captures with the wspr database search 
tool and you had quite a few XND captures last night....

The other evening you were copying XIQ through all the QRN when I could 
not....interesting how the propagation moves around at 630m.

Made a few EAR captures yesterday afternoon as antenna checks after 
connector maintainence.  In QRSS30 slow mode EAR shows some
dog bones....

https://www.dropbox.com/s/u9cu97qhxgvgtm8/capt01061.jpg?dl=0

EAR signal about the same on NW and NE antenna legs as well as omni mode 
(EWE unterminated), not much more than 1 dB change.  Switching to SW 
direction EAR goes into the noise.

I dont think my F/B ratio is that good (~20dB seems unrealistic), but I did 
notice my background noise to the SW was peaking -54 in Argo QRSS30 slow 
versus -60 to -62 when pointed NE. So apparently a combination of 13~15 F/B 
ratio and several extra dB of broadband noise would cause my rx to only 
detect noise to the SW...

Not sure if that result is a local noise source or the EWE antenna looking 
into "hot sky" across it's elevation angle pattern at mid-day.....(2 pm 
ish)....

73, Mike wa3tts


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Bruce McCreath" <weazle at hurontel.on.ca>
To: "LowFER (US European" <lowfer at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2015 8:38 AM
Subject: [Lowfer] Overnight WSPR decodes


> Looking a little more like "normal" overnight 18 May 2015
>
> 0342  -26  -0.5    0.475614    0   WG2XIQ        EM12     37
> 0348  -20  -0.2    0.475725    0   WG2XKA        FN33     30
> 0350  -10  -0.8    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
> 0358  -18  -0.2    0.475725    0   WG2XKA        FN33     30
> 0358   -3  -0.7    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
> 0406  -24  -0.1    0.475725    0   WG2XKA        FN33     30
> 0410    1  -0.8    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
> 0416  -15  -0.1    0.475725    0   WG2XKA        FN33     30
> 0420    0  -0.8    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
> 0426  -23  -0.1    0.475725    0   WG2XKA        FN33     30
> 0428    0  -0.8    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
> 0434  -27  -0.2    0.475671    0   WH2XND        DM33     30
>
> 73, J.B., VE3EAR
>
> LowFER Beacon "EAR"
> 188.830 kHz. QRSS30
> EN93dr
>
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Lowfer mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/lowfer
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Lowfer at mailman.qth.net
> Post must be less than 50KB total for message plus attachment!
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html 


From weazle at hurontel.on.ca  Mon May 18 14:13:32 2015
From: weazle at hurontel.on.ca (John Bruce McCreath)
Date: Mon, 18 May 2015 14:13:32 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] Overnight WSPR decodes
In-Reply-To: <B6DB887DFEA64600A40D25EEFD6D8B4E@MichaelSappPC>
References: <DCEE5B0B-4E76-46E8-8D17-97EBEBAFAF4C@hurontel.on.ca>
	<B6DB887DFEA64600A40D25EEFD6D8B4E@MichaelSappPC>
Message-ID: <DAE30D5A-E9F8-47E5-BE5E-9C7AB4C70F26@hurontel.on.ca>

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the report and Argo screen shot.  EAR did indeed come in solid at your QTH!
The weather here has been much better than what was forecast, with no lightning noise
to spoil reception!  This weekend is what we Canadians call the May 2-4, the first three
day weekend of the summer.  Having the Monday off is great for those still working,
but it's just another day of retirement for me!

73, J.B., VE3EAR

LowFER Beacon "EAR"
188.830 kHz. QRSS30
EN93dr






From weazle at hurontel.on.ca  Tue May 19 09:02:43 2015
From: weazle at hurontel.on.ca (John Bruce McCreath)
Date: Tue, 19 May 2015 09:02:43 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] WSPR-2 overnight May 19th.
Message-ID: <ECF505EC-45C6-4467-8E26-3ACF6BFCF84B@hurontel.on.ca>

0904  -26  -0.1    0.475725    0   WG2XKA        FN33     30
0906  -27  -0.2    0.475671    0   WH2XND        DM33    30
0908    -4  -0.7    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
0910  -25  -0.2    0.475671    0   WH2XND        DM33    30
0918    -8  -0.8    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
0930  -15  -0.9    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
0938  -13  -0.8    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
0946  -15  -0.9    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
0954  -21  -0.8    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
1006  -19  -0.7    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
1014  -11  -0.8    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
1026  -17  -0.7    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
1038  -27  -0.9    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
0236  -27  -0.5    0.475613    0   WG2XIQ         EM12     37
0242  -23  -0.7    0.475613    0   WG2XIQ         EM12     37

73, J.B., VE3EAR

LowFER Beacon "EAR"
188.830 kHz. QRSS30
EN93dr






From wa3tts at verizon.net  Tue May 19 10:32:29 2015
From: wa3tts at verizon.net (Michael Sapp)
Date: Tue, 19 May 2015 10:32:29 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] WSPR-2 overnight May 19th.
In-Reply-To: <ECF505EC-45C6-4467-8E26-3ACF6BFCF84B@hurontel.on.ca>
References: <ECF505EC-45C6-4467-8E26-3ACF6BFCF84B@hurontel.on.ca>
Message-ID: <B3CF4F6D7E294E37B52E0D99727A8A8B@MichaelSappPC>

JB & All: Conditions seemed to really perk up here after 0700 UTC...I 
noticed the improvement (was building an e-probe on the bench at the time) 
and switched from my old netbook with 16 bit internal sound card to my newer 
Win 7 notebook and 24 bit external USB sound card....one obvious mis-read 
capture at 0802...

I almost botched the overnite session as both computers were running on 
their batteries (unplugged from AC due to approaching T-storms earlier in 
the day) until I realized the oversight when the old network went into 
low-power hibernation....

Using my NW EWE antenna at the time...(which puts XND down 3~4 dB)

Total of 8 VE7BDQ captures (likely one of my best openings to CN89 )

2015-05-19 08:02   015RFC   0.475669   -30   0   FE07   1   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   9239   359
 2015-05-19 07:28   VE7BDQ   0.475742   -20   0   CN89la   5   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   3470   89
 2015-05-19 07:48   VE7BDQ   0.475742   -25   0   CN89la   5   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   3470   89
 2015-05-19 07:58   VE7BDQ   0.475742   -26   0   CN89la   5   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   3470   89
 2015-05-19 08:18   VE7BDQ   0.475742   -24   0   CN89la   5   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   3470   89
 2015-05-19 06:58   VE7BDQ   0.475742   -27   0   CN89la   5   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   3470   89
 2015-05-19 08:28   VE7BDQ   0.475742   -25   0   CN89la   5   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   3470   89
 2015-05-19 08:38   VE7BDQ   0.475742   -26   0   CN89la   5   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   3470   89
 2015-05-19 07:18   VE7BDQ   0.475742   -26   0   CN89la   5   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   3470   89

Some 24 XGP captures

 2015-05-19 08:38   WH2XGP   0.475688     -7   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   3227   89
 2015-05-19 08:34   WH2XGP   0.475688   -10   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   3227   89
 2015-05-19 08:44   WH2XGP   0.475688   -11   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   3227   89
 2015-05-19 08:14   WH2XGP   0.475688   -11   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   3227   89
 2015-05-19 08:00   WH2XGP   0.475688   -12   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   3227   89
 2015-05-19 06:42   WH2XGP   0.475688   -12   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   3227   89
 2015-05-19 06:28   WH2XGP   0.475688   -13   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   3227   89
 2015-05-19 07:28   WH2XGP   0.475688   -13   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   3227   89
 2015-05-19 09:40   WH2XGP   0.475688   -14   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   3227   89
 2015-05-19 09:40   WH2XGP   0.475688   -14   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   3227   89

 2015-05-19 07:54   WH2XGP   0.475688   -15   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   3227   89
 2015-05-19 06:36   WH2XGP   0.475688   -15   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   3227   89

2015-05-19 08:24   WH2XGP   0.475688   -24   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   3227   89

Best of  29 XND captures

2015-05-19 08:26   WH2XND   0.475670   -18   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   2915   66
 2015-05-19 09:38   WH2XND   0.475670   -16   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   2915   66
 2015-05-19 08:34   WH2XND   0.475670   -11   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   2915   66
 2015-05-19 09:46   WH2XND   0.475670   -22   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   2915   66
 2015-05-19 08:22   WH2XND   0.475670   -15   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   2915   66
 2015-05-19 08:58   WH2XND   0.475670   -21   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   2915   66
 2015-05-19 08:42   WH2XND   0.475670   -18   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   2915   66
 2015-05-19 08:54   WH2XND   0.475670   -15   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   2915   66
 2015-05-19 09:06   WH2XND   0.475670   -17   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   2915   66
 2015-05-19 09:30   WH2XND   0.475670   -17   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   2915   66
 2015-05-19 09:10   WH2XND   0.475670   -14   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   2915   66
 2015-05-19 09:22   WH2XND   0.475670   -15   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   2915   66

A few XSH/15 captures (surprising using NW antenna)

 2015-05-19 07:06   WD2XSH/15   0.475729   -27   0   EM34rt   2   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   1270   56
 2015-05-19 09:20   WD2XSH/15   0.475729   -30   0   EM34rt   2   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   1270   56
 2015-05-19 09:24   WD2XSH/15   0.475729   -29   0   EM34rt   2   WA3TTS/2 
EN90xn   1270   56

And a few XND XGP captures with the 16bit internal sound card before I 
switched over to the 24bit external card...

 2015-05-19 05:50   WH2XGP   0.475692   -24   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS 
EN90xn   3227   89
 2015-05-19 04:56   WH2XGP   0.475692   -33   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS 
EN90xn   3227   89
 2015-05-19 06:06   WH2XGP   0.475692   -21   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS 
EN90xn   3227   89
 2015-05-19 05:18   WH2XGP   0.475692   -28   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS 
EN90xn   3227   89
 2015-05-19 05:34   WH2XGP   0.475692   -28   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS 
EN90xn   3227   89
 2015-05-19 05:28   WH2XGP   0.475692   -24   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS 
EN90xn   3227   89
 2015-05-19 05:06   WH2XND   0.475674   -28   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS 
EN90xn   2915   66

 Who would think condx would be so good near peak QRN season....

Not sure if it made a difference, but the few hours I spent over the weekend 
taking a Scotch Brite pad and silicon oil to all the
antenna and cable connections seemed to be well spent....

 73, Mike wa3tts


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Bruce McCreath" <weazle at hurontel.on.ca>
To: "LowFER (US European" <lowfer at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 9:02 AM
Subject: [Lowfer] WSPR-2 overnight May 19th.


> 0904  -26  -0.1    0.475725    0   WG2XKA        FN33     30
> 0906  -27  -0.2    0.475671    0   WH2XND        DM33    30
> 0908    -4  -0.7    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
> 0910  -25  -0.2    0.475671    0   WH2XND        DM33    30
> 0918    -8  -0.8    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
> 0930  -15  -0.9    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
> 0938  -13  -0.8    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
> 0946  -15  -0.9    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
> 0954  -21  -0.8    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
> 1006  -19  -0.7    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
> 1014  -11  -0.8    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
> 1026  -17  -0.7    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
> 1038  -27  -0.9    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
> 0236  -27  -0.5    0.475613    0   WG2XIQ         EM12     37
> 0242  -23  -0.7    0.475613    0   WG2XIQ         EM12     37
>
> 73, J.B., VE3EAR
>
> LowFER Beacon "EAR"
> 188.830 kHz. QRSS30
> EN93dr


From wa3tts at verizon.net  Tue May 19 10:39:44 2015
From: wa3tts at verizon.net (Michael Sapp)
Date: Tue, 19 May 2015 10:39:44 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] WSPR-2 overnight May 19th.
In-Reply-To: <B3CF4F6D7E294E37B52E0D99727A8A8B@MichaelSappPC>
References: <ECF505EC-45C6-4467-8E26-3ACF6BFCF84B@hurontel.on.ca>
	<B3CF4F6D7E294E37B52E0D99727A8A8B@MichaelSappPC>
Message-ID: <92078DC426FB42928C9D56563089E43F@MichaelSappPC>

network = netbook....

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Sapp" <wa3tts at verizon.net>
To: "Discussion of the Lowfer (US, European, & UK) and MedFer bands" 
<lowfer at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 10:32 AM
Subject: Re: [Lowfer] WSPR-2 overnight May 19th.


> JB & All: Conditions seemed to really perk up here after 0700 UTC...I 
> noticed the improvement (was building an e-probe on the bench at the time) 
> and switched from my old netbook with 16 bit internal sound card to my 
> newer Win 7 notebook and 24 bit external USB sound card....one obvious 
> mis-read capture at 0802...
>
> I almost botched the overnite session as both computers were running on 
> their batteries (unplugged from AC due to approaching T-storms earlier in 
> the day) until I realized the oversight when the old network went into 
> low-power hibernation....
>
> Using my NW EWE antenna at the time...(which puts XND down 3~4 dB)
>
> Total of 8 VE7BDQ captures (likely one of my best openings to CN89 )
>
> 2015-05-19 08:02   015RFC   0.475669   -30   0   FE07   1   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   9239   359
> 2015-05-19 07:28   VE7BDQ   0.475742   -20   0   CN89la   5   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   3470   89
> 2015-05-19 07:48   VE7BDQ   0.475742   -25   0   CN89la   5   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   3470   89
> 2015-05-19 07:58   VE7BDQ   0.475742   -26   0   CN89la   5   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   3470   89
> 2015-05-19 08:18   VE7BDQ   0.475742   -24   0   CN89la   5   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   3470   89
> 2015-05-19 06:58   VE7BDQ   0.475742   -27   0   CN89la   5   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   3470   89
> 2015-05-19 08:28   VE7BDQ   0.475742   -25   0   CN89la   5   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   3470   89
> 2015-05-19 08:38   VE7BDQ   0.475742   -26   0   CN89la   5   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   3470   89
> 2015-05-19 07:18   VE7BDQ   0.475742   -26   0   CN89la   5   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   3470   89
>
> Some 24 XGP captures
>
> 2015-05-19 08:38   WH2XGP   0.475688     -7   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   3227   89
> 2015-05-19 08:34   WH2XGP   0.475688   -10   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   3227   89
> 2015-05-19 08:44   WH2XGP   0.475688   -11   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   3227   89
> 2015-05-19 08:14   WH2XGP   0.475688   -11   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   3227   89
> 2015-05-19 08:00   WH2XGP   0.475688   -12   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   3227   89
> 2015-05-19 06:42   WH2XGP   0.475688   -12   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   3227   89
> 2015-05-19 06:28   WH2XGP   0.475688   -13   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   3227   89
> 2015-05-19 07:28   WH2XGP   0.475688   -13   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   3227   89
> 2015-05-19 09:40   WH2XGP   0.475688   -14   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   3227   89
> 2015-05-19 09:40   WH2XGP   0.475688   -14   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   3227   89
>
> 2015-05-19 07:54   WH2XGP   0.475688   -15   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   3227   89
> 2015-05-19 06:36   WH2XGP   0.475688   -15   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   3227   89
>
> 2015-05-19 08:24   WH2XGP   0.475688   -24   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   3227   89
>
> Best of  29 XND captures
>
> 2015-05-19 08:26   WH2XND   0.475670   -18   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   2915   66
> 2015-05-19 09:38   WH2XND   0.475670   -16   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   2915   66
> 2015-05-19 08:34   WH2XND   0.475670   -11   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   2915   66
> 2015-05-19 09:46   WH2XND   0.475670   -22   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   2915   66
> 2015-05-19 08:22   WH2XND   0.475670   -15   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   2915   66
> 2015-05-19 08:58   WH2XND   0.475670   -21   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   2915   66
> 2015-05-19 08:42   WH2XND   0.475670   -18   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   2915   66
> 2015-05-19 08:54   WH2XND   0.475670   -15   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   2915   66
> 2015-05-19 09:06   WH2XND   0.475670   -17   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   2915   66
> 2015-05-19 09:30   WH2XND   0.475670   -17   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   2915   66
> 2015-05-19 09:10   WH2XND   0.475670   -14   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   2915   66
> 2015-05-19 09:22   WH2XND   0.475670   -15   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   2915   66
>
> A few XSH/15 captures (surprising using NW antenna)
>
> 2015-05-19 07:06   WD2XSH/15   0.475729   -27   0   EM34rt   2   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   1270   56
> 2015-05-19 09:20   WD2XSH/15   0.475729   -30   0   EM34rt   2   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   1270   56
> 2015-05-19 09:24   WD2XSH/15   0.475729   -29   0   EM34rt   2   WA3TTS/2 
> EN90xn   1270   56
>
> And a few XND XGP captures with the 16bit internal sound card before I 
> switched over to the 24bit external card...
>
> 2015-05-19 05:50   WH2XGP   0.475692   -24   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS 
> EN90xn   3227   89
> 2015-05-19 04:56   WH2XGP   0.475692   -33   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS 
> EN90xn   3227   89
> 2015-05-19 06:06   WH2XGP   0.475692   -21   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS 
> EN90xn   3227   89
> 2015-05-19 05:18   WH2XGP   0.475692   -28   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS 
> EN90xn   3227   89
> 2015-05-19 05:34   WH2XGP   0.475692   -28   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS 
> EN90xn   3227   89
> 2015-05-19 05:28   WH2XGP   0.475692   -24   0   DN07dg   10   WA3TTS 
> EN90xn   3227   89
> 2015-05-19 05:06   WH2XND   0.475674   -28   0   DM33xt   1   WA3TTS 
> EN90xn   2915   66
>
> Who would think condx would be so good near peak QRN season....
>
> Not sure if it made a difference, but the few hours I spent over the 
> weekend taking a Scotch Brite pad and silicon oil to all the
> antenna and cable connections seemed to be well spent....
>
> 73, Mike wa3tts
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "John Bruce McCreath" <weazle at hurontel.on.ca>
> To: "LowFER (US European" <lowfer at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 9:02 AM
> Subject: [Lowfer] WSPR-2 overnight May 19th.
>
>
>> 0904  -26  -0.1    0.475725    0   WG2XKA        FN33     30
>> 0906  -27  -0.2    0.475671    0   WH2XND        DM33    30
>> 0908    -4  -0.7    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
>> 0910  -25  -0.2    0.475671    0   WH2XND        DM33    30
>> 0918    -8  -0.8    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
>> 0930  -15  -0.9    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
>> 0938  -13  -0.8    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
>> 0946  -15  -0.9    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
>> 0954  -21  -0.8    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
>> 1006  -19  -0.7    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
>> 1014  -11  -0.8    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
>> 1026  -17  -0.7    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
>> 1038  -27  -0.9    0.475778    0   WG2XJM        EN91     37
>> 0236  -27  -0.5    0.475613    0   WG2XIQ         EM12     37
>> 0242  -23  -0.7    0.475613    0   WG2XIQ         EM12     37
>>
>> 73, J.B., VE3EAR
>>
>> LowFER Beacon "EAR"
>> 188.830 kHz. QRSS30
>> EN93dr
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Lowfer mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/lowfer
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>
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From jgibbs at telus.net  Tue May 19 18:41:35 2015
From: jgibbs at telus.net (John Gibbs)
Date: Tue, 19 May 2015 15:41:35 -0700
Subject: [Lowfer] WSPR-2 overnight May 19th.
In-Reply-To: <B3CF4F6D7E294E37B52E0D99727A8A8B@MichaelSappPC>
References: <ECF505EC-45C6-4467-8E26-3ACF6BFCF84B@hurontel.on.ca>
	<B3CF4F6D7E294E37B52E0D99727A8A8B@MichaelSappPC>
Message-ID: <555BBC1F.2060808@telus.net>

Mike... Thanks for posting your spots..  The band just seemed to stretch 
out enough to get to your QTH.  I am not on every night and often shut 
down by 0900utc  .. could have got a couple more spots if I held in a 
bit longer.


73 John / VE7BDQ



From k3siw at sbcglobal.net  Wed May 20 09:29:10 2015
From: k3siw at sbcglobal.net (Garry Hess)
Date: Wed, 20 May 2015 08:29:10 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] LF signals
Message-ID: <555C8C26.8030506@sbcglobal.net>

Nice copy this morning of lowfer EAR and MP. Last night was noisy but on 
474.2 kHz WSPR got decodes from the 4 active western stations anyway.

OT, the QRSS6 hifer I moved to 10.140015 MHz showed nicely on Laurence's 
Alaskan grabber (http://kl7l.com/Alaska.html) through much of the night. 
Not bad for 1/4 W and a dipole.
-- 
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
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From weazle at hurontel.on.ca  Wed May 20 15:43:47 2015
From: weazle at hurontel.on.ca (John Bruce McCreath)
Date: Wed, 20 May 2015 15:43:47 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] LF signals
In-Reply-To: <555C8C26.8030506@sbcglobal.net>
References: <555C8C26.8030506@sbcglobal.net>
Message-ID: <D4AB490E-0DD9-443E-9A9A-7D0D1C8A6A62@hurontel.on.ca>

Thanks for the report and Argo snip, Garry.

73, J.B., VE3EAR

LowFER Beacon "EAR"
188.830 kHz. QRSS30
EN93dr






From jlangridge at sbcglobal.net  Sat May 23 09:59:12 2015
From: jlangridge at sbcglobal.net (John Langridge)
Date: Sat, 23 May 2015 13:59:12 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: [Lowfer] nice improvement in 630m condx
Message-ID: <1067971221.144062.1432389552122.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com>

GM all...
Conditions have been much improved during the previous two sessions.? Thanks for all the reporting stations.? It seems QRN has shifted, if only temporarily, to the PNW but maybe this crazy wx will calm down shortly...the band was relatively quiet here last night.? Even with all the rain and storms,? its still better than 100+ degree temps here in South Central...

Couple of items:
Field Day is coming up and I suspect that many of us that sent FD greetings via CW on 630m last year will do it again this year.? I think we would like to again take advantage of publicity to further our cause and make people aware and if you are interested in participating as a transmitting station, please make that known so you can be included in those news communications to the ARRL and other outlets.? If you are attending a FD with a club, please consider taking the time to listen for the messages and send NTS traffic to the ARRL to let them know you heard us (you get FD points for sending NTS traffic!) or at least an email, copying the station you heard.? More about this as it gets closer.? Last year there was a last minute email blitz to clubs plus distributions from various ham radio news outlets and proved pretty successful.
Finally, I will be moderating a 630m discussion forum at hamcom 2015 in Irving, Texas at the irving convention center on June 13th at 10am to 10:50 in Room 1 on the second floor. ? details at?hamcom.org .? I will be joined via the magic of technology by XKA and XJM.? This will be a Q & A and basically a different perspective from what I alone have been providing this crowd for the past few years.? At the moment I am planning on doing a drawing/giveaway at the end of the talk. ? If you are able to attend, please come say hello and I will be making a recording of the event and posting on my website shortly after I can get the audio processed.
73 and lets hope that condx continue to improve a little!
John KB5NJD / WG2XIQ..

From weazle at hurontel.on.ca  Mon May 25 08:51:01 2015
From: weazle at hurontel.on.ca (John Bruce McCreath)
Date: Mon, 25 May 2015 08:51:01 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] VE7BDQ returns!
Message-ID: <AAE38E9D-05B0-4D58-A1E9-A7CCED338CAC@hurontel.on.ca>

I'd all but given up on any DX until next fall, but then I found this one decode!

0748  -28  -0.8    0.475744    0   VE7BDQ        CN89     37

73, J.B., VE3EAR

LowFER Beacon "EAR"
188.830 kHz. QRSS30
EN93dr






From jgibbs at telus.net  Mon May 25 16:39:58 2015
From: jgibbs at telus.net (John Gibbs)
Date: Mon, 25 May 2015 13:39:58 -0700
Subject: [Lowfer] VE7BDQ returns!
In-Reply-To: <AAE38E9D-05B0-4D58-A1E9-A7CCED338CAC@hurontel.on.ca>
References: <AAE38E9D-05B0-4D58-A1E9-A7CCED338CAC@hurontel.on.ca>
Message-ID: <5563889E.8050407@telus.net>

Almost like winter conditions.. Thanks to all these fine spotters last 
night...

NB9E
W1VD
WH2XRR
WG2XJM
VE3EAR
VE3IQB
WE2XPQ
WA3TTS/2
WH2XND
W1TAG/1
W0JW
WH2XHY
W7WKR
W7MY
WH2XGP

These are who I spotted with the loop favouring the SE - NW direction

WH2XGP    
WH2XND
WE2XPQ
WG2XIQ
WG2XSV


73  John / VE7BDQ  cn89la



From L.Howell at conocophillips.com  Mon May 25 17:04:11 2015
From: L.Howell at conocophillips.com (Howell, Laurence J)
Date: Mon, 25 May 2015 21:04:11 +0000
Subject: [Lowfer] [EXTERNAL]Re:  VE7BDQ returns!
In-Reply-To: <5563889E.8050407@telus.net>
References: <AAE38E9D-05B0-4D58-A1E9-A7CCED338CAC@hurontel.on.ca>,
	<5563889E.8050407@telus.net>
Message-ID: <19848FAD-229C-426F-A83E-83A4B66CFD82@conocophillips.com>

Strong cw  workable levels John! Rarer than rocking horse pooh :-)



> On May 25, 2015, at 12:40, John Gibbs <jgibbs at telus.net> wrote:
> 
> Almost like winter conditions.. Thanks to all these fine spotters last night...
> 
> NB9E
> W1VD
> WH2XRR
> WG2XJM
> VE3EAR
> VE3IQB
> WE2XPQ
> WA3TTS/2
> WH2XND
> W1TAG/1
> W0JW
> WH2XHY
> W7WKR
> W7MY
> WH2XGP
> 
> These are who I spotted with the loop favouring the SE - NW direction
> 
> WH2XGP    WH2XND
> WE2XPQ
> WG2XIQ
> WG2XSV
> 
> 
> 73  John / VE7BDQ  cn89la
> 
> 
> ______________________________________________________________
> Lowfer mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/lowfer
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Lowfer at mailman.qth.net
> Post must be less than 50KB total for message plus attachment!
> 
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

From listread at lwca.org  Sun May 31 17:39:10 2015
From: listread at lwca.org (JD)
Date: Sun, 31 May 2015 16:39:10 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] Rulemaking Ruminations - ONE: Permanent Fixed Location?
Message-ID: <B086ADEBC71C4534BD321DAB1B0C69AB@HPNOTEBOOK>

This is probably a good time to get discussion reactivated on the MF and LF 
ham proposals.  Although I continue not to see publication of the NPRM in 
the Federal Register as yet, the FCC EFCS Web page for the proceeding is 
open and accepting filings.  Until FR publication, we won't know the closing 
dates for comments and replies, but you can already see what's been going 
at:
http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/proceeding/view?name=15-99

Although I've been awfully tied up with other things recently, my reading 
thus far brings to mind three points I believe we really, earnestly need to 
address with the Commission.  This proceeding will set the exact rules for 
2200 m, and very probably also 630 m, so it behooves us to make the best 
case we can, now, right up front.  If the initial rules are too restrictive 
on amateur activity, it could be very difficult and time consuming to get 
them changed.  Here are my initial concerns, split into three parts to make 
threaded discussion of each part easier..

* ONE:  In paragraph 168, the FCC states that in addition to separation 
distances and power limits, "we propose to limit amateur stations to 
operations at fixed locations only to ensure that this separation distance 
can be maintained reliably."  That's stricter than it may first sound.  The 
FCC's actual proposed wording for ? 97.303(g)(1), for both 2200 and 630 m, 
is: "Amateur stations are restricted to use at permanent fixed locations." 
Permanent fixed locations.  That goes way beyond my suggestion that mobile 
operation be prohibited.  It explicitly precludes temporary fixed operation, 
such as Field Day activities, or tests of ground characteristics for future 
potential antenna sites, or other legitimate short-term experiments.   In my 
view, this is needlessly restrictive, and could also open the door to 
full-fledged coordination requirements that might allow the utilities to 
paint us into a corner, figuratively speaking, at our original QTHes.

We need to make a strong case that hams are able to identify and keep 1 km 
(or other specified distance) away from transmission lines.  This also 
relates to comments the FCC seeks in par. 176: "Amateur licensees will have 
to determine the location of transmission lines in their vicinity to 
determine if they are permitted to operate stations using these frequency 
bands. .... High voltage transmission lines are typically attached to large 
steel towers that are easy to identity. However, lower voltage transmission 
lines are typically attached to wooden poles. Although the wooden poles used 
for transmission lines are usually taller than the wooden poles used for 
distribution lines, we recognize that distinguishing the two types may not 
always be straightforward. We seek comment on whether amateur licensees will 
be able to identify the transmission lines in their locality."

Obviously, just glancing around from a proposed operation location and 
saying, "nope, I don't see a transmission line from here" is not enough. 
But I think we're smart enough to do responsible surveys of all lines within 
a mile or so in all directions, identify any substation locations, and tell 
which poles have customer connections (practically the definition of 
distribution lines) and which don't (assumed to be transmission lines).  We 
need to convince the FCC that we can tell the difference.

(more) 

From listread at lwca.org  Sun May 31 17:40:48 2015
From: listread at lwca.org (JD)
Date: Sun, 31 May 2015 16:40:48 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] Rulemaking Ruminations - TWO: Supporting Data Needed
Message-ID: <82448162536E494F8CDF2E48D3D9FC6E@HPNOTEBOOK>

* TWO:  We need more technical showings this time, with as many hard numbers 
as possible.  I hope the Part 5 licensees are prepared to crunch numbers, 
but those of us who only monitored are also able to contribute.  (Much more 
on this in future correspondence, I expect.)  In par. 169. the FCC enquires: 
"to meet our goal of providing for the coexistence of amateur services and 
PLC systems in these bands, we seek detailed comment on the technical 
characteristics of both the PLC systems and the amateur stations. This 
information will allow us to set an appropriate separation distance."  The 
very next sentence, though, I recognize as a somewhat worrisome bit of 
FCC-speak: "Although the Commission in the WRC-07 NPRM inquired into the 
technical rules and methods that would assure coexistence, commenters 
provided little in the way of concrete information."  Read that with a 
slightly scolding tone of voice, but with a facial expression that says 
they're keeping an open mind.

The utilities, IMO, provided no concrete technical information at all.  ARRL 
cited the 1985 NTIA study on which the 1 W EIRP and 1 km separation idea is 
based, but the FCC is concerned whether that's still valid.  Well, one would 
HOPE that any changes made to PLC operation the past 30 years would be 
toward making the system more robust, not more vulnerable to evildoers and 
natural disasters, but this could prove an area of contention.  That may be 
something the big guys have to fight out; I don't know how much we as 
individual licensees or observers can contribute to that.  But there ARE 
other technical matters the FCC needs and wants to know, which we may be 
able to furnish.

For instance, what sort of PLC interference levels have we actually 
experienced in the proposed bands?  How have PLCs been coped with in actual 
operation?  Also at paragraphs 171, 178, and 178, the FCC is asking for some 
really fundamental, crucial data.  What sort of power levels have the Part 5 
licensees actually radiated, and at what actual separations from 
transmission lines?  What maximum size should an amateur antenna be, 
and--the biggie, in my view--what is the true efficiency of both "typical" 
and potential amateur antenna systems?

Those operators who have the capability of measuring their true field 
strength are in an especially excellent position to help quantify current 
practice.  Those who can't do that, but are able to measure their ground 
losses accurately, can make reasonable calculations to show the maximum 
efficiency possible with antennas of various heights.  (That's likely 
preferable to doing it all in an NEC-based model, since not all such 
software is really good at predicting ground system losses, especially at 
LF.)  I'll gladly offer my own ground system's numbers to anyone who wants 
to do the math, for instance, as its 32 radials of 104 to 135 ft length in 
15 mS/m soil are probably representative of a fairly decent ground for 
antennas up to 100 feet high...and I'll be doing another set of readings 
very soon, which can include measurements at 2200 m in addition to the runs 
I usually do at 1750 m.

(more)

From listread at lwca.org  Sun May 31 17:44:22 2015
From: listread at lwca.org (JD)
Date: Sun, 31 May 2015 16:44:22 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] Rulemaking Ruminations - THREE: Don't Fence Us In
Message-ID: <C4650F35FC7F4D82A3DE61ABA088FB0B@HPNOTEBOOK>

* THREE: At 172, the FCC observes: "If we were to adopt our proposal to 
permit amateur operations only when separated by a specified distance from 
transmission lines, when a new transmission line is built close by an 
amateur station, the station either would have to relocate farther away from 
the transmission line or cease operating."  Scary, huh.  But they go on to 
ask: "How should our rules address the potential for new transmission lines 
to be constructed closer than the specified distance to pre-existing amateur 
stations? We do not want to inhibit the ability of either PLC systems or 
amateur services to grow and expand without imposing unnecessary burdens on 
either. Is it possible for utilities to refrain from geographically 
expanding their PLC operations within the relatively small portion of the 
9-490 kHz band that we are making available for amateur operations, and is 
this something utilities would do on their own accord, given the Part 15 
status of PLC systems? Should our rules explicitly prohibit utilities from 
deploying new PLC systems in these bands?"

My short answer: yes, please.  Look back at par. 26, in the WRC-07 R&O 
section where the Commission explains their basis for adding the 2200 m 
allocation:  "We intend to structure these service rules to promote shared 
use of the band among amateurs and PLC systems. Amateurs will not be able to 
use their allocation status to force unlicensed PLC operations out of the 
band, and utilities will have no cause to abandon or incur large costs to 
modify existing PLC systems."  Read part of that again: "Amateurs will not 
be able to use their allocation status to force unlicensed PLC operations 
out of the band."  That's the reality of the matter, but I think it also 
works in our favor.

So far as I know, this is unique in the history of radio regulation.  I 
can't think of another example where an incumbent, but unlicensed and 
unallocated, user of radio spectrum has been afforded such protection from 
any allocated and licensed service.  However, most of us who commented in 
the 2013 proceeding DID AGREE with the Commission that PLC technology has 
been a special case for a long time, and most recognized that acceptance of 
its existence would be the only way to move the discussion off dead center 
and get to the point where we are now.

But I maintain this coin has two sides.  If we in a licensed, allocated 
service accept that we will not displace existing PLCs now or in the future, 
then it is ONLY FAIR that the unlicensed, unallocated users should not be 
able to displace the licensed ones, either...now or in the future.  Letting 
someone use a resource only until you decide you want it for 
yourself...that's not sharing.

The only way I can see to guarantee such protection to the licensed users is 
to modify Part 15 to impose a formal freeze on any changes in power, 
transmission mode, route of existing PLC systems, or installation of new 
ones, within a reasonable guard band encompassing and immediately adjacent 
to the new amateur allocations.  That achieves the stated goal of not 
displacing existing systems or burdening the utlities by forcing any 
changes, while only removing two small slices of spectrum for consideration 
for future installations.  That seems an entirely reasonable compromise to 
me.

Your comments welcome--and necessary!

73
John D 

