[Spooks] SK01 17435 13/1621 UTC

[Hugh Stegman]

17435.0 AM Turned on rx at 1621 to find huge N0N carrier, actual 
zero-beat freq of 17435.87.  S9+30, with a rare fade, deepest ones +10. 
  Propagation allows this kind of signal from Cuba, but it's still 
awesome to hear.

No mod.  SK01 in RDFT mode at 1626, perfect reception in AM, tones right 
  on the proper audio frequencies, of course.  Missed the pilot tones 
before I could get DIGTRX going.  Perfect on waterfall but no decode due 
to the late start.

When I hear signals like this, I wonder if the US west coast is in fact 
the target area.  This is a good time and frequency to do it, especially 
when signal levels indicate that the transmitter is obviously one of R. 
Havana's.

Carrier dropped at 1627. The usual V02a carrier remains on frequency at 
this time, far weaker. Yes, it is on a slightly lower frequency, 
certainly explaining the loud heterodyne I'd been notching out. 
Presumably Atencion will come on as always at 1700.  Frequently there 
are odd artifacts for a few seconds at 1659 like yesterday's "Tres, 
tres, tres, tres, tres... ."  Buffer being flushed?

Weak QRM from unknown backscatter radar, also normal for this time of 
day, and your occasional chirp sounder in case you nod off at the speaker.

(13 March 08)

-hugh