[R-390] Winter Listening Target, low band

[Don Reaves]

The FCC has authorized an ARRL experimenters group to operate on 505-510 KCs

here in the US.  The good news is that your R-390 can listen in on these 
frequencies without any mods or converters.  The activity is just beginning 
and much more is expected as winter comes on and propagation improves
for this band.   More good news is that regular CW conversations will be
taking place, so you can actually hear real Morse code signals where silence
and static has been the norm for several years.  QRSS as well as some
digital
modes are authorized, for which you will need some readily available ham
software, 
and an audio line from your receiver to LINE IN on your sound card. 

The ARRL announcement is here:   

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/09/15/104/?nc=1

These will be low power stations (less than 20W ERP) so should be a nice 
challenge for listening and testing the limits of your R-390 or of course
the upper band on your R-389.  
 
There are already sporadic beacons running nightly on 507.5, a few 
transmissions on 506 but only a few of the 23 participants are up and
running so stay tuned.  All the stations will use the same call sign,
WD2XSH followed by a slash and their assigned experimenter's number.

I think there is at least one other member of the R-390 list besides me
who is in the experimental group, and he is already on the air with a
chirpy CW signal.  

Have a listen.  I'm currently working on my Mackay 2010 marine transmitter
and
should be on the air within a week or two.  Not much heard yet here, as
it is still warm and stormy in the South.  It doesn't get quiet until
November.  

Regards,

Don W5OR
WD2SXH/15
don at reatek.com
w5or at militaryradio.com

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Don Reaves  R-390 list administrator
<mailto:r-390-admin at mailman.qth.net>
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