From: Mark Durenberger <Mark4@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [NRC-AM] [IRCA] Building a "state of the art" MW DX station
To: am@xxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: "Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America"
<irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Monday, January 2, 2012, 8:19 PM
About 4:1 ratio should work.
Most folks like to roll their own but you can
also try:
http://www.minicircuits.com/products/Transformers.shtml
Should work if you're not near any high RF fields
Regards,
Mark Durenberger
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Les Rayburn" <les@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 6:39 PM
To: "Mark Durenberger" <Mark4@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: "DX @NRC" <am@xxxxxxxxxxx>;
"Mailing list for the International Radio
Club of America" <irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [NRC-AM] [IRCA] Building a "state of the art"
MW DX station
> Mark,
>
> Excellent points regarding the change in "mindset"
when using a SDR
> receiver. Hadn't really thought it about it that way.
>
> I might be able to erect a "fold over" vertical
antenna that I could
> deploy only during listening sessions. Assuming
something like 30 feet
> in length, what would I need for a matching
transformer?
>
>
> Les Rayburn, Director
> High Noon Film
> 130 1st Avenue West
> Alabaster, AL 35007-8536
> (205) 621-7500
> (205) 621-7505 FAX
> (205) 253-4867 CELL
> http://www.highnoonfilm.com
>
>
> On 1/2/2012 6:23 PM, Mark Durenberger wrote:
>> Hi Les...good for you!
>>
>> As a general comment addressing two of your
questions: The "real" SDR
>> is a tool you'll fall in love with.
However...you'll have to make
>> somewhat of a tradeoff from the original way of
thinking. We've all
>> used loops to pinpoint and tune a specific
frequency. That's sort of
>> counter-productive when you're using an SDR to
capture the entire band
>> because you usually don't want to favor a unique
channel.
>>
>> So if you're doing wideband with SDR you're
probably going to want to
>> do a Beverage or a vertical. Sounds like a
Beverage is out for you.
>> I've had tremendous luck with a 30-foot vertical
and a Perseus SDR.
>> No amplification needed; just a matching
transformer.
>>
>> It also sounds like you expect a lot of local
noise. So you'll
>> probably want to look at a real noise-cancelling
antenna.
>>
>> Google Dallas Lankford's vertical antennas and
some of Mark Connelly's
>> work.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Mark Durenberger
>>
>>
--------------------------------------------------
>> From: "Les Rayburn" <les@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 6:02 PM
>> To: <am@xxxxxxxxxxx>;
<irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>;
<Tvfmdx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Subject: [IRCA] Building a "state of the art" MW
DX station
>>
>>> iAfter an absence from medium wave dxing due
to a move to a new
>>> deed-restricted QTH, I find myself itching to
get serious again.
>>> While my present home is far from idea (HOA,
and high local noise
>>> levels), I'm determined to make the best of
it.
>>>
>>> Presently, I have the following equipment
available for us:
>>>
>>> Icom 746 Pro transceiver
>>> RF Space SDR-IQ receiver
>>> Wellbrook AL-1530 Loop antenna
>>> Radio Plus Quantum Phaser
>>> LF Engineering M-601C Active Whip antenna
>>> LF Engineering H-800 Active Whip antenna
>>> LF Engineering N-300 Group loop isolator
>>>
>>> My questions are numerous, but here are the
general ones:
>>>
>>> 1.) To build a state of the art system, would
you recommend
>>> up-grading the SDR-IQ to the Perseus or new
WinRadio SDR?
>>>
>>> 2.) Are there active whip antennas that
perform better than the LF
>>> Engineering models? (I have mounted these to
my roof vents, painted
>>> them black--and so far, no complaints from the
neighbors.
>>>
>>> 3.) I have a undeveloped drainage ditch next
to my home that offers
>>> the possibility of a beverage on the ground
antenna that would run
>>> N/S for 500-800 feet. What couplers would you
recommend for this use?
>>>
>>> 4.) Anyone tried the LF Engineering M-607
Active Loop antenna? Pricey
>>> at $390 but perhaps worth it?
>>>
>>> 5.) Any other station accessories that would
improve things for me?
>>>
>>> Primary interest is in domestic MW DXing,
though I don't mind logging
>>> TA signals when they "in" (rare here). Love to
DX stations in the
>>> Western part of the country most of all.
>>>
>>> Thanks for the advice, and 73,
>>>
>>> Les Rayburn, N1LF
>>> Alabaster, AL (Near Birmingham)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Les Rayburn, Director
>>> High Noon Film
>>> 130 1st Avenue West
>>> Alabaster, AL 35007-8536
>>> (205) 621-7500
>>> (205) 621-7505 FAX
>>> (205) 253-4867 CELL
>>> http://www.highnoonfilm.com
>>>
>>>
_______________________________________________
>>> IRCA mailing list
>>> IRCA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca
>>>
>>> Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing
list are those of the
>>> original contributors and do not necessarily
reflect the opinion of
>>> the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or
officers
>>>
>>> For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org
>>>
>>> To Post a message: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
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