Search found 129 matches

by 13dka
Wed Oct 23, 2024 2:06 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: The SULA antenna
Replies: 65
Views: 203611

Re: The SULA antenna

I was wondering if it would be worthwhile to minimize losses within the antenna elements and if that's even possible? For example, I was using PE or PVC insulated stranded wire with a velocity factor of maybe 0.7 or something. Somewhere I picked up the idea that this slowdown in the dielectric comes...
by 13dka
Wed Oct 23, 2024 1:25 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Using AI and KiwiSDR TDoA
Replies: 1
Views: 2746

Re: Using AI and KiwiSDR TDoA

Sounds intriguing. My personal experience with the multilateration option isn't great though, there are many practical problems (such as receiver availability and their often less than optimal QRM situation, quality of GPS reception and whatnot) that seems to render this method very unreliable. I on...
by 13dka
Thu Mar 07, 2024 11:02 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Another directional RX loop
Replies: 14
Views: 51931

Re: Another directional RX loop

For a fixed installation - looks like a worthwhile project! For portable usage and small spaces, well -> SULA! :)
by 13dka
Mon Sep 11, 2023 9:21 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: A nice and simple regen receiver
Replies: 3
Views: 30352

Re: A nice and simple regen receiver

At times I regret not having gone down the DIY electronics rabbit hole and I still find the thought of making simple but powerful radios interesting. What curbs my enthusiasm though is the mechanical side, how to make not only something that works well and looks good, but something that has a proper...
by 13dka
Fri Sep 08, 2023 12:14 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: The Belka (-DSP/-DX/-v3) appreciation thread
Replies: 34
Views: 110718

Collection of misinformation on reddit about the Belka

Reddit, the self-proclaimed "homepage of the internet" is known to be a pretty toxic place. Since it has some "subs" related to all of my hobbies, e.g. r/shortwave, r/amateurradio and r/hamradio I occasionally read the newest posts there anyway, but more for the entertaining crin...
by 13dka
Fri Sep 01, 2023 5:15 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: The Belka (-DSP/-DX/-v3) appreciation thread
Replies: 34
Views: 110718

Belka - whip vs. SULA vs IC-705

I figured this would fit best here, even though it could also fit in "Utility" or the "SULA" thread(s): Last Monday I took the chance to compare the Belka and its whip with the IC-705 and the SULA (and also the whip against the SULA on the Belka alone), with some results that cou...
by 13dka
Wed Aug 02, 2023 4:41 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Oddity on WWV's 10MHz frequency June 30, 2022 05:10Z
Replies: 11
Views: 41561

Re: Oddity on WWV's 10MHz frequency June 30, 2022 05:10Z

Doubt a relay or airtime broker or pirate would fire up square on 10mhz. Certainly not intentionally! If not overload, a mixing product. Weird thigns happen when bombarded with strong signals or a peice of your gear failing. Well I'm pretty familiar with these failure modes. "Mixing" and ...
by 13dka
Wed Aug 02, 2023 12:59 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Best Region for SWL Hobby
Replies: 6
Views: 29354

Re: Best Region for SWL Hobby

I'd say alaska, bar none! That could be true, due to low population density (low noise and plenty of space) and being on top of a ring of continents framing the Pacific ocean with e.g. interesting MW activity, so a lot of true DX targets with nothing in between. Your very high latitude (62°N) offer...
by 13dka
Wed Aug 02, 2023 12:09 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Oddity on WWV's 10MHz frequency June 30, 2022 05:10Z
Replies: 11
Views: 41561

Re: Oddity on WWV's 10MHz frequency June 30, 2022 05:10Z

Hi Paul, Nice to see you here on our little board! Of course intermodulation is the first thing coming into mind when you hear something like this, that's why you can see me turning down the RF gain (which acts directly on the RF input stage on this radio) in the video. But besides intermodulation p...
by 13dka
Mon Jul 31, 2023 11:41 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: The Belka (-DSP/-DX/-v3) appreciation thread
Replies: 34
Views: 110718

Re: The Belka (-DSP/-DX/-v3) appreciation thread

Ah yeah I know that super fine brown Sahara dust, I have it on my car every early summer but that's not it. Apparently high electric charges under rain clouds long before they reach the thunderstorm charge levels are known, for example I found kite surfers reporting that they got shocks when they en...