[MRCA] SAQ July 2

Sun Jul 2 18:40:15 EDT 2023

Steve, I doubt that at 17.2 kHz, an HF G5RV would have any significant directivity!  Don’t sweat it!

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 2, 2023, at 18:02, highpwr at bellsouth.net wrote:
> 
> 
> Could not copy here in Tennessee on my HP 3586B, did copy many other VLF freqs before and after SAQ.  WWVB was running -72 dbm on theG5RV, I can frequently hear WWVB down in my basement with a 27Mhz 12 inch rubber duckie antenna on the 3586B.  Haven’t run them in a while but have several different older SPECTRACOM WWVB disciplined OCXO freq standards.  (as well as GPS disciplined OCXOs)  All great fun and very useful additions to the shack / bench
>  
> As I was typing this it came to me that my G5RV is not oriented very well for Sweden, should have tried other antennas…..oh well maybe this winter.
>    
> Steve
> KM4V
>  
> From: mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net <mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of B. Smith
> Sent: Sunday, July 2, 2023 4:56 PM
> Cc: Military Radio Collectors Association <mrca at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [MRCA] SAQ July 2
>  
> 
> Congrats Chris
> I was not able to try, did not even make it out of the drive way.
> Great report. Any video or audio? I will try and post it some where on my pages. I have never been successful with SAQ during the summer hours. You are de man.
> 73
> breck
> 
> On 7/2/2023 9:43 AM, Christopher Bowne wrote:
> Just got back from Barn Island Boat Launch about a mile from our place here in Stonington CT.  Successfuly copied both of today’s Alexanderson Day SAQ transmissions using the W&G AT-611.  First transmission copied at about Q3-4 in heavy -80dBm thunderstorm static using a 200 foot trailing wire on ground (TWOG). Copied 2nd transmission Q5 with lower signal levels but higher SNR using the 80 meter Hamstick on the roof of the Volvo.  Much less QRN using the Hamstick.  Also successfully powered the AT-611 using a standard Ryobi 18V Lithium Ion 4 AH battery and a 50 buck Ryobi 18V DC to 120 VAC inverter that can be powered from either the 18V LiIon battery or from a vehicle 12V convenience outlet.  Only used 25 percent of the 4AH 18V battery charge over 45 minutes of receiver
> operation.
>  
> At end of the 2md transmission, I tuned up
> frequency and was shocked to hear ANOTHER Morse CW signal, appeared to be possibly a Morse station ID with FSK vice on off keying, on about 18.1 kHz   Shortly after the Morse keyed characters, the signal shifted to the typical MFSK mode that is commonly heard from the various naval communications stations on VLF.  First time I’ve ever heard anything other than MSFK on VLF.  The Morse just sounded like random 5 letter alphanumeric characters.
>  
> How did you make out Breck?
>  
> BTW, after looking at the RAK ID tag that included “ 74 pounds “ and the one that said “ 41 pounds “ on the RAK power supply, decided to pass on taking them out of the shack this time!
>  
> Maybe at Christmas…
>  
> 73 de Chris AJ1G Stonington CT
>  
> 
> 
>  
> Sent from my iPhone
>  
> On Jun 30, 2023, at 15:40, Christopher Bowne <aj1g at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>  
> I wouldn’t think so….keep in mind VLF signals penetrate salt water, the main reason for the continued existence of the naval VLF stations!
>  
> We have just a bit of haze up here today, but suspect it’s worse to our west and maybe down in Chickenland.
>  
> Sent from my iPhone
>  
> On Jun 30, 2023, at 15:22, B. Smith <smithab11 at comcast.net> wrote:
>  
> Hi Chris
> We will add you to the SAQ reception Honor Roll.Thanks for all the great info on your operation. I am considering using my RCA AR 8510 it is easy to lift and power by battery.
> Does the smoke interfere with low frequency radio waves?
> Z
>  
> On 6/29/2023 1:39 PM, Christopher Bowne wrote:
> As noted on the link to the SAQ operations on 2 July, the second transmission will commence as per my previous reply
> on this thread, at 0730 EDT here on the East Coast.
>  
> Perhaps there is a chance of working SK6SAQ on 20 meters around the time if the 2nd transmission at 0730 EDT.  I’ve heard them during previous SAQ activities on 80 and 40 meters but never made it through the pile of EU stations calling on those bands.  20 might be open to EU at 0730 EDT.
>  
> 73 de Chris AJ1G
> Stonington CT.
>  
> Sent from my iPhone
>  
> On Jun 29, 2023, at 10:00, Christopher Bowne <aj1g at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>  
>  I’m in!  BTW there will be two transmissions on the 2nd.  COMEX for the first is at 0430 EDT and (I believe) the second one COMEX is at 0730 EDT.
>  
> I haven’t been active much on the MRCA list in the last few years until recently, but I have fairly consistently been copying the SAQ transmission very solidly over the last 5 years or so up here from shoreside locations like Stonington Point and Barn Island here in Stonington, CT and from Weekapaug Point, Watch Hill Point, and Quonnie Salt Pond, RI using a Wandel and Goltermann AT-611 Selective Level Meter, powered from a small 100 watt 12VDC to 120V AC inverter and a (stand alone from  vehicle) 12V Group 24 battery.  To keep things Swedish, usually operate from our Volvo XC60.  Have successfully copied SAQ with just a 75 meter Hamstick, but best results are with a 200 foot mini terminated Beverage or the same wire just deployed as a “trailing wire” lying on the ground.  The trailing wire arrangement is fairly directive, with significantly higher signal levels when the receiver is at the head of the wire axis lined up on the bearing to SAQ.  Even though the system including the battery is standalone from the vehicle electrical system, I have to ground the receiver chassis to the vehicle body to minimize EMI from the inverter. The vehicle is completely shut down during reception to minimize/eliminate EMI from the vehicle electrical/electronic systems.
>  
> A VERY EMI quiet background noise location is necessary to copy SAQ.  Received levels indicated on the SLM are typically -90 to -100 dBm, with typically about 10-20 dB SNR.  Usually, and especially this time of year, thunderstorm static is the limiting factor on successful reception.  Time of day is usually not a factor, I’ve copied some
> SAQ transmissions that have occurred in late
> morning local time here on the East Coast. Both the upcoming 0430 and 0730 EDT transmissions should be copyable here, QRN
> permitting.
>  
> I usually watch their YouTube livestream on my iPhone during the transmitter startup to know exactly when the RF is being put onto the antenna, usually can hear it right away if conditions are good.
>  
> I’m challenging myself this time to also copy them on a Navy RAK WW2 vintage VLF receiver along with the W&G.  The biggest challenge will be getting that beast out of the
> shack and into the Volvo! Despite its weight, it doesn’t draw much power, might be able to power it from the 100 watt inverter or definitely a 700 watt one I have.
>  
> Game on!
>  
> Chris AJ1G
> Stonington CT
>  
>  
> Sent from my iPhone
>  
> On Jun 28, 2023, at 22:19, B. Smith <smithab11 at comcast.net> wrote:
>  
>  I know everyone is tuckered out from Field Day but here is a Low Frequency challenge.
> SAQ is scheduled to make a transmission on 2 July (dark thirty Early). Info can be found at the link below.  As far as I know the only members of our group who have successful received the transmission on 17.2 kcs are N3FRQ, K4CHE, and W2AMI.
> Z
> semk4che.gif
>  
>  
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