[Premium-Rx] Beacon Hunting

[John Reed]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sid Leben" <sid at leben.com>
To: <premium-rx at ml.skirrow.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2005 6:48 PM
Subject: [Premium-Rx] Beacon Hunting


Guess I might as well put my two cents worth in also.  I've tried quite a 
few receivers on LF.  I have problems with power line noise, and any 
receiver that I use on LF must have a good noise blanker.  I designed a 
special blanker for my Harris RF-590 and it makes an excellent LF receiver. 
I also have an old CEI 357.  It  has a good blanker, not quite as good as my 
homebrew but still effective, and very sensitive.  Recently a friend loaned 
me his Icom R75 with narrow filters added.  I'm impressed with this little 
receiver.  The blanker is good, sensitivity on LF is also good.  You can 
engage the preamps at LF, but may hear some IMD from the broadcast band. 
With the narrow filters added, you have a lot of control over the bandwidth. 
The most effective audio filter for LF beacons is an HP 3581C selective 
level meter.  It has a 10 Hz bandwidth with synchronous tuned filters and 
audio output.  No ringing, even at 10 Hz.  With this audio filter, IF 
filters become less important.

John Reed

> Greetings all,
>
> I am new to the group and thought I would introduce myself as well as
> ask a question..
>
> I live in Spring, TX and besides being a Ham, I have become an avid Low
> Frequency (NDB) Beacon hunter.  I have not tried many receivers but my
> current Icom ProIII with external DSP (Timewave 599zx) seems to be the
> best that I currently own.
>
> Not having experience in using many different receivers, I was wondering
> what some of the opinions might be for under 500Kc reception of these AM
> DSB beacons.  I listen on CW with narrow BW's.
>
> I have always wanted the CEI/WJ 340A7 receiver without knowing the
> performance.  I have issues with older radios such as these that I can
> not repair..
>