Negative copy from W7SVJ in Scottsdale, AZ.

Used HP3568,HP8566B, R-389, and RAL fed from a multicoupler I’ve used in the past, tried both the loop and my shunt loaded tower, no joy, local QRM and QRN were terrible.

Scott W7SVJ

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Christopher Bowne
Sent: Sunday, July 2, 2023 15:01
To: B. Smith <[email protected]>
Cc: Military Radio Collectors Association <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [MRCA] SAQ July 2

It was somewhat tough with the QRN, probably would have been very good without it. Having a pretty good path from Sweden to here helps. My understanding is that they tried to set up the original circuit between there and Long Island NY, well, I’m right down their bearing line!

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 2, 2023, at 16:59, B. Smith <[email protected]> wrote:

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 <[email protected]> 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 <[email protected]> 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 <[email protected]> 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 <[email protected]> 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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