[Elecraft] K3 birdies

[Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO]

LOL

It just sounds like a carrier wave, Dale -- a tone that changes audio 
frequency as you tune through it.

There are two definitions of "birdie" in ham radio lingo. The definition 
being used here means a signal that is being generated INSIDE the receiver. 
In other words, if you disconnect the antenna, you still hear it. 
Superheterodyne receivers equipped with microprocessors generate a lot of 
different signals internally, and it's virtually impossible to keep some of 
them from mixing together to put a "signal" where you don't want it: in the 
middle of a ham band. Receiver designers simply try to minimize this 
occurrence by applying good RF engineering practices.

The other definition often used is simply broader: any signal (carrier) 
picked up by your receiver from outside that is not an actual, intentional 
communications signal. Can be generated by computer equipment, consumer 
electronics, and other "unintentional radiators." Mostly these are of 
concern to weak-signal VHF/UHF operators who are listening for signals at or 
below the noise floor -- i.e., in the sub-microvolt range -- where any tiny 
little "birdie" of this sort in the wrong place can wreak havoc.

Bill W5WVO

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Dale Harding    K7DNH" <dh2849 at sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2010 8:43 PM
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 birdies

>
> ok - please dont laugh - on second thought I guess this may be somewhat
> amusing to many of you...
>
> I'm somewhat new to ham radio - and having no "elmer" around -
>
> what exactly does a amatuer radio "birdie" sound like??  I have an idea 
> ...
> but there are a lot of different sounds "real feathered birdies" make - so 
> I
> am kind of at a loss to what I may be trying to listen for exactly - and I
> have searched the web trying to find a sound bite of one to no avail.
>
> I may have them in my radio also - but since I can get all sorts of weird
> noises at different times on different bands - (especially the ones that
> sounds like a '60's era television flying saucer is coming in for a 
> landing
> is always interesting to listen to for a minute) - I really never thought
> that it was in the radio  -  just something normally "out there" 
> sometimes.
>
> Anyone know where I can download the darn sound so I know what the heck it
> is??
>
> Now stop chuckling!!
> -- 
> View this message in context: 
> http://n2.nabble.com/K3-birdies-tp4927074p4934852.html
> Sent from the [K3] mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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