[HCRA] Tune a remote receiver in the Netherlands

[Jim - KK1W]

Ever wonder what your signal sounds like on the 'other side of the pond'?

 

Here's a way to find out, and in real time too. Point your browser over to
http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/ and check it out. The University of
Twente has a WebSDR on seven bands, tunable by multiple users. Talk about
way cool! Type in your call, pick a band and mode and listen away. There's
even a logging applet for you to log the stations you hear. Besides the
obvious fun factor think about this:

 

1.	Have two different antennas for the same band? Tune your signal in
on the WebSDR RX and you can hear the difference between the two.
2.	Ever wonder what the beamwidth of you antenna is? Tune in your
signal while rotating the beam.
3.	Do you actually have processor and mic gain set correctly? Listen
for yourself.
4.	You've been calling a station (perhaps in a contest) but they never
come back to you. If they're near the Netherlands tune in that frequency and
see if there's a lot of stronger stations. Same goes for calling CQ on what
you think is a clear frequency.

 

Of course your signal actually has to make it to the Netherlands for this to
happen but hey, you won't know if you don't try. I'll bet you can think of
other uses but to be honest it is just fun to play with the receivers. 

 

This isn't your grandparent's ham radio any more, isn't it exciting where
things are heading? Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for an exciting
ride! Who said ham radio isn't 'kewl'?

 

'73.

 

Jim, KK1W