[R-390] KPH, KFS and WLO

[Forrest Myers]

Hello ALL,
 Played around with the R-390A today using a piece of wire about 20 feet
long for an antenna. I was also running an ICOM M710 on a 9-band vertical
antenna, ground mounted with plenty of radials. At noon local time here in
West TN, Jackson, I picked up a very weak but very readable signal from WLO
on both radios. As time went on, the signal strength improved to the point
where it would move the carrier meter needle every once in a while.
 I kept looking for KPH but didn't have much luck. On 12808.5 there was a
very weak CW signal. It was so weak that I couldn't read it reliably. I
could read it well enough to tell it wasn't KPH though. The signal strength
and readability was about the same on both receivers. Every once in a while,
I'd hear someone tuning up on 12808.5. Suddenly,at 23:36z I heard ,"VVV DE
KPH" and that was it.  I was wondering if it was really KPH or someone
playing around.
 Later on, at about 00:20z on 07/13/2003 I tuned the 390A to 12808.5 and
there was a very strong KPH calling. At 01:00z I started checking other
frequencies and KPH was quite readable on 6477.5, 12808.5, and 17016.8 on
both the R390A and the ICOM M710. Tried for KFS on 17016.5 and it was quite
strong as well on both receivers at 01:05z.
 The R390A has a poor antenna and needs to be aligned and re-capped.
However, it compares favorably with my ICOM M710 which has a good antenna.
BTW the ICOM M710 is a commercial grade solid state marine SSB transceiver.

73 and good listening,

Forrest Myers
AG4ND