Category: Amateur Radio

with amateur radio is on full display daily on 7.200mHz, then on 3.860mHz at night. Of course the FCC is fully aware of problem. Have been for years. However the situation took a turn toward more vulgarity from the 2 LID stations (both of which are located in Tennessee) in 2019. Keep in mind those 2 are only part of the problem. There are a handful of other stations that stir the pot. Although most of the pot stirring LIDS are operating within Part 97, their presence and comments are not helping to solve this disgrace to amateur radio. The FCC will act. When? As we all know, they move slowly.

WW4DX

2 of my favorite shortwave stations are WRMI Radio Miami International, and WBCQ “The Planet” in Monticello, Maine. WRMI has some good 60’s and 70’s rock music, and WBCQ airs W5KUB.COM’s Amateur Radio Roundtable live each Tuesday night at 9PM eastern. Both station broadcast on multiple frequencies, so check both websites for additional programming that may be of interest to you.

WW4DX

Checking in with some 40 meter service nets this morning.

WW4DX

Since re-setting up the RSP1A as a ‘receiver’, I’ve been playing around with several software packages to work with the RSP1A. Personally I much prefer SDR Console over SDRuno that was packaged with the RSP1A. SDR Console is aesthetically pleasing to my eyes, has just the right amount of on-screen data I need to operate the SDR efficently. The displayed data from SDRuno is very unpleasant to view, and the screens are just way to busy. Your mileage may vary..

WW4DX

Have used it as a band scope, and as a stand alone SDR. Found that I very seldom used it as a band scope, so I re-set it back up as a stand alone receiver. I never saw much benefit in SEEING a signal on a screen. I’d rather HEAR it in my speaker. However as a receiver, it’s a wonderful device. Just wish there was more support for Linux. I had a bunch of old pc components in my junk box, so I pieced together an old Intel Core 2 Quad box, with Windoze 7, and the RSP1A runs fine.

WW4DX

Worked VK4SX Dennis on the Pacific east cost of Australia on 20 meters. Was tuning around and heard him say he was beaming North America via long path, so I figured I’d give him a call. Easy 5/9 conversation.

If you’re not familiar with the term ‘long path’, that simply means both of us were aiming our antennas the opposite of the shortest distance between the 2 points. Short path to Australia from North America is approx 270 degrees, or west. I was aiming my antenna approx 90 degrees, or east. The station in Australia was aiming his antenna west. Both of our signals probably made a hop or two on the continent of Africa before reaching each others location.

WW4DX

Into Europe this morning. Worked several stations with ease.

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