[Boatanchors] Available Tube VLF Rcvrs

[Carl]

I forgot to mention that a Panadaptor is a big help as well as a noise 
cancelling antenna/phasor.

Even 100 Hz IF BW wont help with many of the 138, 160 and 500 KHz 
experimenters running various PC based TX and RX software.

But for casual listening with a TRF many of the ideas mentioned in this 
thread will give suprisingly good results and the antenna is the first step.

Dont overlook grayline DXing either, its as effective down below as it is 
higher up.

Carl
KM1H



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Nickels" <ranickel at comcast.net>
To: "Carl" <km1h at jeremy.mv.com>
Cc: "Bob Young" <youngbob53 at msn.com>; <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, July 10, 2009 12:50 PM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Available Tube VLF Rcvrs


> Carl wrote:
>> A Collins R-389 or SP-600 VLF are others that requires a 2nd mortgage.
>>
> Having DX-ed the LF beacon band for over 20 years, I guess I'll chime in 
> on this topic.    I own and use all the above (and more) in addition to 
> Selective Level Meters, LF converters, and a number of receivers (with and 
> without tubes) that tune the bands below 500 khz.  After years of 
> searching for the ultimate LF/VLF receiver and observing the range of gear 
> used by the best DXers, I realized that the receiver is simply not the key 
> to success.   Many of them will do a good job, and it's hard to find much 
> difference between some of the more exotic and commonplace ones.
>
> LF and VLF listening is indeed as much "art" as science, requiring an 
> understanding of propagation and limiting factors to optimize your 
> receiving setup.  For most of us this puts the focus on the antenna - a 
> neverending quest for optimal signal-to-noise ratio, and selectivity (down 
> to well under 100hz).  Rather than blather on, I'll refer anyone 
> interested in learning more to Sheldon Remington's excellent series of 
> articles, "On the Art of NDB DXing" which offers a number of tips of use 
> to anyone exploring the basement band:
>
> http://frodo.ce-service.biz/ka2qpg/kh6sr/index.html
>
> And the "go-to" source for LF/VLF enthusiasts:  http://www.lwca.org/
>
> 73, Bob W9RAN