Re: [IRCA] Beverage Antenna in Utah Part Two

[Alex P <winston376@xxxxxxxxx>]

Mark,

Was wondering about the high noise level. Would you have an opinion on it's origin?
Alex



________________________________
 From: Mark D Mobile <Mark4@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: MDXC@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; Putrich Greg <gregp@xxxxxxxxx>; DX-IRCA <irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; "DX @NRC" <am@xxxxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Wednesday, May 9, 2012 5:23 PM
Subject: [IRCA] Beverage Antenna in Utah Part Two
 
REPORT 2:   We concluded our work on Monday 5/7 and 'struck the set'.  SDR recordings had been made over several evenings on both the elevated Beverage and the BOG (1800 feet).  Mike's suggested antenna azimuth was validated by the high number of stations received in the corridor: Eastern Washington--Western Montana.  I'll post the catch-list later as we look for the unlikely Alaska catches.  I say unlikely BECAUSE:

In addition to the weather issues we encountered an abnormally high noise level throughout the weekend.  With the bandwidth we used (6 khz), the SDRs were displaying noise around -75 to -80 dbm.  (I'm used to Beverage noise floors below -110.)  This was one difficulty we just couldn't overcome.  The noise (certainly QRN) was broadband and continuous, as opposed to the spiky stuff you hear when it's primarily atmospherics.

Other measurements involved switching an SDR between the elevated Bev and the BOG and recording signal levels; both broadband and narrowband.  These results and other data will be published later.  To be determined on further playback is whether the BOG was performing as an electrically-longer antenna than the elevated...on this very dry desert floor.

On one occasion when we lit up in daytime we heard a rhythmic interference spike several db above that dreaded broadband noise.  Of interest is that this noise was greatly reduced when we switched from the elevated to the BOG.

The single-wire remote beverage terminator worked very well, as noted earlier.


Further Facts Follow From us Fools in the Field.


Mark Durenberger
On the road


From: Mark D Mobile 
Sent: Sunday, May 06, 2012 11:22 AM

.REPORT 1:

My friend Mike and I set up two 1800-foot Beverages in the Eastern Utah 
desert...one is a BOG and the other elevated about 3 feet.  Beverages are at 
320 degrees; we're looking for Alaska.   Counterpoises on the ends are four 
300-foot radials of copper supplemented by ground rods.

The new single-wire remote termination control has proved a great success. 
Even though the DC resistance on our dry-desert-earth path measures close to 
2 megohms (!) the 'current amplifier' works well and drives a Vactrol for 
ideal termination.  (Of course "ideal" is only for one frequency but the SDR 
does a nice job of showing the overall front-to-back changes.)

We already know that it's working...those of you who've been in this area 
know how tough it can be to remove KOB 770 in favor of KTTH, and KOKC in 
favor of KKXA, without phasing...using only the F-B termination.

Today's work will include measurements (with two SDRs) comparing the 
elevated Beverage and the BOG, logging RF levels across the MW band in 
various conditions of connectivity.  Of particular interest is what we learn 
when the BOG (running directly under the elevated wire) is used as a 
counterpoise.  Audio reports will appear on DXAS.

The weather has been semi-adverse.  Nice temps...but strong winds have meant 
DUST!  Today however appears a bit more benign.

We hope to share today's results in the next report.


Mark Durenberger
_______________________________________________
IRCA mailing list
IRCA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca

Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers

For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org

To Post a message: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
_______________________________________________
IRCA mailing list
IRCA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca

Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers

For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org

To Post a message: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx