From k3siw at sbcglobal.net  Tue Sep  1 16:42:45 2020
From: k3siw at sbcglobal.net (Garry)
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 2020 15:42:45 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] VLF Tacamo RTTY
References: <45d9ade2-0248-c540-8e01-7df0b3d33d59.ref@sbcglobal.net>
Message-ID: <45d9ade2-0248-c540-8e01-7df0b3d33d59@sbcglobal.net>

David, I do realize the shift is 50 Hz, not 85 Hz. But I didn't realize 
MMTTY defaults to 45.45 baud rate. One must edit the Demodulator setup 
in that program to remove the check mark on "Fixes 45.45 baud", then go 
to the Decode tab and select 50 for the baud rate. I've done that so 
hope next time I'll get better decoded output than MultiPSK gives.

73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL


From dwilson314 at verizon.net  Tue Sep  1 18:23:17 2020
From: dwilson314 at verizon.net (David L. Wilson)
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 2020 18:23:17 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] VLF Tacamo RTTY
In-Reply-To: <45d9ade2-0248-c540-8e01-7df0b3d33d59@sbcglobal.net>
References: <45d9ade2-0248-c540-8e01-7df0b3d33d59.ref@sbcglobal.net>
	<45d9ade2-0248-c540-8e01-7df0b3d33d59@sbcglobal.net>
Message-ID: <9d9622e3-c7d0-fe2a-565d-0c0104767630@verizon.net>



On 9/1/2020 4:42 PM, Garry wrote:
> David, I do realize the shift is 50 Hz, not 85 Hz. But I didn't realize 
> MMTTY defaults to 45.45 baud rate. One must edit the Demodulator setup 
> in that program to remove the check mark on "Fixes 45.45 baud", then go 
> to the Decode tab and select 50 for the baud rate. I've done that so 
> hope next time I'll get better decoded output than MultiPSK gives.

I have always edited the parameters to set to 50 Bd so it had not 
occurred to me that was the problem.

I recently saw that there are still ink stains on the floor from 
spattered ink in my former bedroom in my patents former house from when 
I used a ink-paper tape recorder to decode there old 5 Bd mode back in 
the 1970's. I still have one of those tapes somewhere.  I think I have 
mentioned, that mode was used with repeats in cw and the 50 Bd with the 
cw and 7 Bd going away when the higher baud MSK came into use.

I do not think I mentioned before: cw callsigns were "NOV" for Atlantic 
and "NJB" for Pacific.

-- 
David L. Wilson


From k3siw at sbcglobal.net  Fri Sep  4 07:09:29 2020
From: k3siw at sbcglobal.net (Garry)
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 2020 06:09:29 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] 518 kHz Navtex
References: <d0f3eb3b-948d-3050-ac26-9a4a1c55236b.ref@sbcglobal.net>
Message-ID: <d0f3eb3b-948d-3050-ac26-9a4a1c55236b@sbcglobal.net>

Listened for Navtex RTTY on 518 kHz over night. Found Miami, area 4, 
station A missing, which helped Bermuda come through. Also, the 3 US 
west coast stations (C, Q, and W) in area 12 all decoded. Overall not 
bad but looking forward to better signals as winter approaches.
-- 
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL

From k3siw at sbcglobal.net  Wed Sep  9 09:50:07 2020
From: k3siw at sbcglobal.net (Garry)
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 2020 08:50:07 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] Lowfers EAR and WM
References: <23b3b5a3-c622-3773-b939-71e7fbba6f2f.ref@sbcglobal.net>
Message-ID: <23b3b5a3-c622-3773-b939-71e7fbba6f2f@sbcglobal.net>

Lowfers EAR and WM have survived the recent storms and are coming in 
well here this morning.
-- 
Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
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From weazle at hurontel.on.ca  Wed Sep  9 10:00:13 2020
From: weazle at hurontel.on.ca (John Bruce McCreath)
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 2020 10:00:13 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] Lowfers EAR and WM
In-Reply-To: <23b3b5a3-c622-3773-b939-71e7fbba6f2f@sbcglobal.net>
References: <23b3b5a3-c622-3773-b939-71e7fbba6f2f.ref@sbcglobal.net>
	<23b3b5a3-c622-3773-b939-71e7fbba6f2f@sbcglobal.net>
Message-ID: <6DE6E88D-81C2-4C36-A65C-B57A05C24913@hurontel.on.ca>


Thanks for the report and Argo clip, Garry.  John had reported good
reception of EAR a few days ago on the LWCA message board, so
it seems all is working fine here.

73, J.B., VE3EAR

LowFER Beacon "EAR"
188.835 kHz. QRSS30
EN93dr






From k3siw at sbcglobal.net  Fri Sep 11 21:16:05 2020
From: k3siw at sbcglobal.net (Garry)
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2020 20:16:05 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] FTA63 on 63.85 kHz
References: <7cd62ff5-fba0-1293-50a3-2506f19e648d.ref@sbcglobal.net>
Message-ID: <7cd62ff5-fba0-1293-50a3-2506f19e648d@sbcglobal.net>

Station FTA63 on 63.85 kHz from Sainte-Assise, France is coming through 
tonight. Seldom see that one. A few others not seen a lot have been in 
there too: NSY on 45.9 kHz from Niscemi, Italy; GYW on 51.95 kHz from 
Thurso, Scotland; NRK on 57.4 kHz from Grindavik, Iceland; and FUG on 
62.6 kHz from Brest, France. Notable by it's absence is TFK on 37.5 kHz. 
It used to be a regular but haven't seen that signal for quite a few 
weeks now.
-- 
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL

From weazle at hurontel.on.ca  Fri Sep 11 23:21:43 2020
From: weazle at hurontel.on.ca (John Bruce McCreath)
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2020 23:21:43 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] FTA63 on 63.85 kHz
In-Reply-To: <7cd62ff5-fba0-1293-50a3-2506f19e648d@sbcglobal.net>
References: <7cd62ff5-fba0-1293-50a3-2506f19e648d.ref@sbcglobal.net>
	<7cd62ff5-fba0-1293-50a3-2506f19e648d@sbcglobal.net>
Message-ID: <05FA7062-4153-490E-A2B2-9B2242E45283@hurontel.on.ca>


Hi Garry?.what antenna and receiver are you using at those frequencies?

73, J.B., VE3EAR

LowFER Beacon "EAR"
188.835 kHz. QRSS30
EN93dr






From ratzlaffsteve at gmail.com  Sat Sep 12 00:32:05 2020
From: ratzlaffsteve at gmail.com (STEVE)
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2020 21:32:05 -0700
Subject: [Lowfer] FTA63 on 63.85 kHz
In-Reply-To: <7cd62ff5-fba0-1293-50a3-2506f19e648d@sbcglobal.net>
References: <7cd62ff5-fba0-1293-50a3-2506f19e648d.ref@sbcglobal.net>
	<7cd62ff5-fba0-1293-50a3-2506f19e648d@sbcglobal.net>
Message-ID: <d1948109-048d-c280-d984-38be4dcd84e2@gmail.com>

I was hearing (aurally) the 63.85 France station at 0130 utc and nothing 
else, but now several others are being heard--45.9, 62.6 and 63.85 at 
0415 utc. Thanks to Garry for the notice.

73,

Steve AA7U

S. AZ with AR-7030 and active whip

On 9/11/2020 6:16 PM, Garry wrote:
> Station FTA63 on 63.85 kHz from Sainte-Assise, France is coming 
> through tonight. Seldom see that one. A few others not seen a lot have 
> been in there too: NSY on 45.9 kHz from Niscemi, Italy; GYW on 51.95 
> kHz from Thurso, Scotland; NRK on 57.4 kHz from Grindavik, Iceland; 
> and FUG on 62.6 kHz from Brest, France. Notable by it's absence is TFK 
> on 37.5 kHz. It used to be a regular but haven't seen that signal for 
> quite a few weeks now.

From k3siw at sbcglobal.net  Sat Sep 12 13:01:03 2020
From: k3siw at sbcglobal.net (Garry)
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2020 12:01:03 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] FTA63 on 63.85 kHz
References: <68119e17-08f7-5f7b-cafa-069501600b63.ref@sbcglobal.net>
Message-ID: <68119e17-08f7-5f7b-cafa-069501600b63@sbcglobal.net>

Hi J.B.,

Just using an eprobe here up 10' from ground level and the receiver is 
an SDR-IQ to Windows 7 PC running SpectraVue.

Propagation is looking up. Decoded LU1DOW and K9FD in Hi on 474.2 kHz 
wspr2 over night. Also saw VK4YB on 136 kHz wspr2 this morning after 
switching to that frequency but too weak to decode. Others with better 
antennas did decode the signal.
-- 
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL

From weazle at hurontel.on.ca  Sat Sep 12 16:19:52 2020
From: weazle at hurontel.on.ca (John Bruce McCreath)
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2020 16:19:52 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] FTA63 on 63.85 kHz
In-Reply-To: <68119e17-08f7-5f7b-cafa-069501600b63@sbcglobal.net>
References: <68119e17-08f7-5f7b-cafa-069501600b63.ref@sbcglobal.net>
	<68119e17-08f7-5f7b-cafa-069501600b63@sbcglobal.net>
Message-ID: <FF18219D-F98B-44A9-84A9-471BD48047DC@hurontel.on.ca>


> Just using an eprobe here up 10' from ground level and the receiver
> is an SDR-IQ to Windows 7 PC running SpectraVue.

Thanks for that, Garry.  My PA0RDT is 21 feet above the real ground,
but only 7 feet above the RF ground, my PV array frame, on the roof.
Before you ask, no, there appears to be no noise issues from them.

73, J.B., VE3EAR

LowFER Beacon "EAR"
188.835 kHz. QRSS30
EN93dr






From w1tag at charter.net  Wed Sep 16 10:05:50 2020
From: w1tag at charter.net (John Andrews)
Date: Wed, 16 Sep 2020 10:05:50 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] EAR in ME
Message-ID: <b2657ddf-2613-c6d8-f6da-1e3a15c5ff05@charter.net>

Looked for EAR last night, and the best copy was around 0350Z. Southern 
Maine, so not great DX.

John, W1TAG
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From weazle at hurontel.on.ca  Wed Sep 16 12:17:13 2020
From: weazle at hurontel.on.ca (John Bruce McCreath)
Date: Wed, 16 Sep 2020 12:17:13 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] EAR in ME
In-Reply-To: <b2657ddf-2613-c6d8-f6da-1e3a15c5ff05@charter.net>
References: <b2657ddf-2613-c6d8-f6da-1e3a15c5ff05@charter.net>
Message-ID: <FF88FD8D-26AD-4E35-A669-88A2275E41D4@hurontel.on.ca>


> Looked for EAR last night, and the best copy was around 0350Z.

Hi John?.thanks for the report and Argo snip.  It?s nice to have 
someone give me a report once in a while, so I know that EAR 
is getting out of my back forty!

73, J.B., VE3EAR

LowFER Beacon "EAR"
188.835 kHz. QRSS30
EN93dr






From k3siw at sbcglobal.net  Thu Sep 17 07:38:34 2020
From: k3siw at sbcglobal.net (Garry)
Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2020 06:38:34 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] 518 kHz Navtex
References: <84e81cfe-069d-6764-9fb7-d318e27c154f.ref@sbcglobal.net>
Message-ID: <84e81cfe-069d-6764-9fb7-d318e27c154f@sbcglobal.net>

The Area 4 Miami station A was still missing last night, allowing 
Bermuda B to decode nicely. Not much copied here from the east but 
signals from the west were good. Area 12 stations Q and W on the US west 
coast decoded often along with one decode from station D Prince Rupert, 
BC, Canada. Only got bits from station H in Tofino, BC, Canada but 
station J in Kodiak, AK decoded a couple times.
-- 
73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL

From listread at lwca.org  Wed Sep 23 13:55:54 2020
From: listread at lwca.org (J D)
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2020 12:55:54 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] test-disregard
Message-ID: <355f7bdd-a48b-0039-e462-0f2836beee47@lwca.org>

Thunderbird has been messing up my outbound mail.

From paul at n1bug.com  Sun Sep 27 17:03:52 2020
From: paul at n1bug.com (N1BUG)
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 2020 17:03:52 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] Fwd: Release Candidate: WSJT-X 2.3.0-rc1
In-Reply-To: <4ba38868-50e6-8596-9b6d-9d832f613ca6@princeton.edu>
References: <4ba38868-50e6-8596-9b6d-9d832f613ca6@princeton.edu>
Message-ID: <4058fc57-2ca9-f0c7-9f15-d928b2dd9c85@n1bug.com>

The first public candidate release of WSJT-X 2.3.0 is now available for 
download and use by beta testers.  This release is your first chance to
try two new modes designed especially for use on the LF and MF bands, 
and to provide feedback to the WSJT Development Team.  The new modes are:

  - FST4, for 2-way QSOs.  Options for sequence lengths from 15 seconds
    to 30 minutes, with threshold sensitivities from -20.7 to -43.2 dB in
    a 2500 Hz reference bandwidth.

  - FST4W, for WSPR-like transmissions.  Sequence lengths from 2 minutes
    to 30 minutes, threshold sensitivities from -32.8 to -44.8 dB.

FST4-60 is about 1.7 dB more sensitive than JT9, largely because it uses 
multi-symbol block detection where appropriate. With AP decoding in FST4 
the advantage can be as much as 4.7 dB. Additional sensitivity details 
with respect to path Doppler spread are illustrated in the following 
graph comparing JT9 and FST4-60:
https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/jt9_vs_fst4.pdf

FST4W-120 is about 1.4 dB more sensitive than WSPR, and FST4W submodes 
with longer transmissions have proportionally better sensitivity. 
Decoding probabilities are plotted as a function of SNR on the additive 
white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel for WSPR and all FST4W submodes 
here: https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wspr_vs_fst4w.pdf

Tests over the past several months have shown FST4 and FST4W frequently 
spanning intercontinental distances on the 2200 m and 630 m bands. 
Further details and operating hints can be found in the "Quick-Start 
Guide to FST4 and FST4W":

https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/FST4_Quick_Start.pdf

We strongly recommend that users of JT9 and WSPR on the LF and MF bands 
should migrate to the more sensitive modes FST4 and FST4W.


Links to installation packages for Windows, Linux, and Macintosh are 
available here:
http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html
Scroll down to find "Candidate release:  WSJT-X 2.3.0-rc1".

You can also download the packages from our SourceForge site:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/wsjt/files/
It may take a short time for the SourceForge site to be updated.

WSJT-X is licensed under the terms of Version 3 of the GNU General 
Public License (GPL).  Development of this software is a cooperative 
project to which many amateur radio operators have contributed.  If you 
use our code, please have the courtesy to let us know about it.  If you 
find bugs or make improvements to the code, please report them to us in 
a timely fashion.

We hope you will enjoy using this beta release of WSJT-X 2.3.0.  Please 
report bugs by following instructions found here in the User Guide:
http://www.physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/wsjtx-doc/wsjtx-main-2.3.0-rc1.html#_bug_reports

      -- 73 from Joe, K1JT, Steve, K9AN, and Bill, G4WJS

From k3siw at sbcglobal.net  Mon Sep 28 12:20:25 2020
From: k3siw at sbcglobal.net (Garry)
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 2020 11:20:25 -0500
Subject: [Lowfer] NRK-TFK active again on 37.5 kHz
References: <52f76158-a88e-94c2-5016-e46b02b68fb6.ref@sbcglobal.net>
Message-ID: <52f76158-a88e-94c2-5016-e46b02b68fb6@sbcglobal.net>

After a lengthy absence VLF station NRK-TFK is active again on 37.5 kHz. 
Rather than the usual continuous FSK spectrum the current transmission 
consists of 5 distinct carrier lines.

73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL

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From dwilson314 at verizon.net  Mon Sep 28 12:59:32 2020
From: dwilson314 at verizon.net (David L. Wilson)
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 2020 12:59:32 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] NRK-TFK active again on 37.5 kHz
In-Reply-To: <52f76158-a88e-94c2-5016-e46b02b68fb6@sbcglobal.net>
References: <52f76158-a88e-94c2-5016-e46b02b68fb6.ref@sbcglobal.net>
	<52f76158-a88e-94c2-5016-e46b02b68fb6@sbcglobal.net>
Message-ID: <e0deff32-35f7-d1e1-26b2-f660234c81c2@verizon.net>



On 9/28/2020 12:20 PM, Garry wrote:
> After a lengthy absence VLF station NRK-TFK is active again on 37.5 kHz. 
> Rather than the usual continuous FSK spectrum the current transmission 
> consists of 5 distinct carrier lines.

I have seen USN VLF/LF with similar during tests for long periods of 
time.  One sees such when one transmits simple reversals on MSK (where 
the shift is less than the baudrate by a factor of two.  I am rather 
certain that there is no actual traffic in the signal.

(You meant MSK rather than FSK for the regular spectrum.)

-- 
David L. Wilson
dwilson314 at verizon.net

From paul at n1bug.com  Tue Sep 29 14:36:54 2020
From: paul at n1bug.com (N1BUG)
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2020 14:36:54 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] 2200m FST4W-1800
Message-ID: <1725e491-a6bc-d67b-94eb-5f87f7be222e@n1bug.com>

With propagation being very poor after a prolonged geomagnetic 
disturbance, tonight I am going to switch to transmitting FST4W-1800, 
137437 (136.0 + 1437 Hz), 2nd period (2/2). This might be a good chance 
to see if your receiver is stable enough for this speed. 1800 second 
periods worked really well for DX during the mid summer QRN.

In a few days when the ionosphere recovers I will switch to faster 
speeds again.

73,
Paul N1BUG
FN55mf

From jrusgrove at comcast.net  Wed Sep 30 22:49:17 2020
From: jrusgrove at comcast.net (jrusgrove at comcast.net)
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2020 22:49:17 -0400
Subject: [Lowfer] WA9CGZ K3SIW FST4W 137 kHz
Message-ID: <1UWGhhjVBu.B4pI9v1A0MR@optiplex980-pc>

Garry, Joe

Good to see reports of your FST4W-120 on 137 kHz! Hope to snag a decode. 

Jay W1VD 

