[Lowfer] Selective level rcvr VS receive converter???

Fri, 4 Jan 2002 16:25:57 -0800

I may have some good info.  I do all my "DXing" with an SVM.  I started in
radio (1.5 years ago)  LW DXing on a direct conversion receiver, homebrew.
I was lucky to have a low noise level even in a suburban area.  I picked up
40+ navaid beacons within a 500 mile radius as a lower level hobby.

My next step was an SVM.  This is what I have now.  The SVM is more
sensitive - I have now picked up another 40 or so beacons, but I am now
pushing the limits of the SVM.  My new QTH noise level is also really high
now.

With the LEK balanced preamp and 8' box loop, 15 turns center tapped, I can
audibly hear 25W beacons at about 500 miles.  Just barely, though. My good
figures are around 20 to 25 miles per watt.  I figure with a noise blanker I
could increase this a little bit, maybe by twice.

My SVM is about 1982, a Cushman CE-24.  I have no filtering other than the
L-C of the tuned loop.  My audio is unfiltered, too.  There is a 200 Hz
filter, but it isn't useful since I don't have a digital freq readout.  A
newer SVM may do much better than my setup. However, it would probably be
more useful for making measurements than serious DXing of Lowfers.  My
closest Lowfer is about 600 miles away since I'm in Oregon.

I would suggest an SVM only if it has a digital frequency readout, if you
are serious enough to calibrate it, and if you want to make measurements.
Okay, I haven't ever used a serious radio receiver, but when I see the
difference in screen captures between the hardcore DXers here, and the ones
I can get, I can only imagine that your Kenwood should blast my SVM away,
even with a cheap upconverter.

If someone else thinks differently, I would like to know.  I figure I could
get a newer SVM easier than a IC-706MKIIG!

----- Original Message -----
From: "WE0H" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2002 2:43 PM
Subject: [Lowfer] Selective level rcvr VS receive converter???

> Is there a difference in receiving performance between a Selective Level
> Voltmeter verses say a Kenwood TS-440 with a receive converter for the LF
> bands??? The converter is definitely cheaper, but there must be a great
> benefit to a SLV. I need help deciding on the choice.
> Thanks,
> Mike>WE0H
> http://www.geocities.com/we0h/index.html
>
>
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