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Tuesday, 10 March 2015

Skegness Log: 10-03-15 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 88.10 022  I  RAI Radio1, Monte Venda (RAI) (pd) 5201  1197km
 89.0 0232  I  RAI Radio2, Monte Venda (RAI) (pd) 5202  1197km
 89.9 0232  I  RAI Radio3, Monte Venda (RAI) (pd) 5203  1197km
 91.7 0232 POL PR 3, Czestochowa/Wreczyca (SL) 3233  1291km
 88.6 0251  I  Radio Radicale, Rocca di Papa/Monte Cavo vetta (rm) 5210 RA______  1568km
103.2 0715 POL PR Radio Olsztyn, Olsztyn/Pieczewo (WM) 39A1 __sz____  1334km
107.6 0715  I  Radio Maria, Multi-tx 51CC
106.0 0740  S  Mix Megapol, Helsingborg/Västhamn TM (sn) E243  857km **
105.4 0802  S  Mix Megapol, Likely Karlstad (vr) E243
 97.3 1942 POL Radio ZET, Plock/Rachocin (MW) 3205 SPAD____  1289km
 97.4 1942 POL PR 3, Koszalin/Gologóra (ZP) 3233 __Ra____  1085km
 97.6 1942 POL PR 2, Bydgoszcz/Trzeciewiec (KP) 3222 A-du____  1186km
 98.1 1942 POL PR 2, Plock/Rachocin (MW) Classical, as 97.6  1289km **

** Personal 'First'

Good DX!

John Faulkner
Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receivers:
Elad FDM-S2 (Meteor Scatter)
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c mod. (Tropo/Scatter)

Aerials:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.
Triax FM3, one metre above the ground as a phasing antenna.
Fringe Electronics 20dB & Labgear 30dB band 2 pre-amps.
HS Publications Antenna Phaser.

Software:
Elad FDM-SW2, SDR Console File Analyser & RDS Spy via VAC.
XDR-GTK v0.3.1 for the Sony XDR-F1HD

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical, horizontal, etc.

Monday, 9 March 2015

Skegness Log: 09-03-15 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 87.9 0300  I  Radio Sportiva, Bologna/Colle Barbiano/Via Santa Liberata (bo) 5244  1256km
 97.7 0338  E  Los 40 Principales, Pinto (MAD-M) E07C  1468km
 94.3 0431  E  Cadena Dial, Alija del Infantado (CAL-LE) E274 CA____AL  1251km
104.1 0749  E  SER, Segovia (CAL-SG) or Pont De Suert (CAT-L) E239 **
 94.7 1957  E  Onda Cero, Guadalajara (CAM-GU) E6EE ____CERO. PS appears before the PI !!  1416km

Band 2 General Scatter:
105.3 1301  D  B5 aktuell, Kreuzberg (Rhön) (bay) Scatter. YL news, as web  732km
107.9 1302  D  BR Klassik, Kreuzberg (Rhön) (bay) Scatter. OM news, as web. Mixing Munster
               732km

107.3 1315  D  hr4, Heidelstein (Rhön) [bay] (hes) Schalger, as web  729km
 98.0 1316  D  NDR 1 Niedersachsen, Torfhaus (Harz-West) (nds) Scatter. Over Lille, almost
               noise free.  707km

 94.2 1317  D  Deutschlandradio Kultur, Sonneberg/Bleßberg (thü) Scatter. Just audible. Soft
               pop song, as web  793km


** Personal 'First'

Barely any meteor scatter overnight with the 9.2 vertical to the south-west, but some welcome 700+km general aircraft/troposcatter during the early afternoon. Scatter from the Teutoburger Wald transmitter was particularly good today with some decent noise free peaks. So far this year, scatter seems to be well up compared to this time last year.

Good DX!

John Faulkner
Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receivers:
Elad FDM-S2 (Meteor Scatter)
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c mod. (Tropo/Scatter)

Aerials:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.
Triax FM3, one metre above the ground as a phasing antenna.
Fringe Electronics 20dB & Labgear 30dB band 2 pre-amps.
HS Publications Antenna Phaser.

Software:
Elad FDM-SW2, SDR Console File Analyser & RDS Spy via VAC.
XDR-GTK v0.3.1 for the Sony XDR-F1HD

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical, horizontal, etc.

Sunday, 8 March 2015

Skegness Log: 08-03-15 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
102.5 0649  E  RNE Radio Nacional, Quirós/Gamoniteiro (AST-O) E211 RNE_1___  1200km
103.0 0649 POR RFM, Serra da Marofa (gua) Brief music, as 104.0  1473km **
104.0 0649 POR RFM, Guarda/P.Vento (gua) 8231  1517km **
104.1 0719 POR RFM, Porto/Monte da Virgem (prt) Vlcal ID  1497km **
104.7 0742  I  RTL 102.5, Fiorano Modenese (mo) or Marano sul Panaro (mo) 5218.
               Both txs in Modena (mo)

102.4 0744  E  Factory FM, Madrid (MAD-M) E850 FACTORY_  1448km **
103.0 0744  E  Unika FM, Villaviciosa de Odón/Pinares Llanos (MAD-M) E42C UNIKA_FM  1458km
107.2 0744  E  Fiesta FM, Madrid (MAD-M) E033 ____2___  1448km **
102.4 0745  E  Onda Cero, Zaldiaran (PVA-VI) E2EE ONDA__RO. AFs point to this tx  1174km **
104.9 0745  E  RNE Radio Nacional, Villadiego (CAL-BU) E211 RNE_1___  1216km **

Band 2 Tropospheric:
102.1 0038  F  RCF, Lannion/Porz al Lan (22) YLs, as web  564km **
101.6 0044  F  Skyrock, Lannion/Croaz Dibenn (22) Dr Dre song, as web  553km **
 99.0 0050  F  Radio Bonheur, Lannion/Pradic Glaz (22) French pops, as web  554km
 96.5 0056  F  NRJ, Guingamp/Castel Pic (22) Club music, as web  565km **
 93.6 0101  F  MFM Radio, Brest/Place de Strasbourg (29) French song, as web  626km **
 89.0 0108  F  RCF, Brest/Croas ar Vossen (29) French YL, as web  624km
107.3 0112  F  BFM Business, Brest/Lescaouidic (29) French OMs talking business, as web  629km
100.8 0113  F  MFM Radio, Landerneau/Léavéan (29) French song, as web  611km **
 99.4 0115  F  RKB Radio Kreiz Breizh, Carhaix-Plouguer/Berrien (29) Local Breton music,
               as web  600km

101.8 0116  F  Skyrock, Brest/le Rody (29) Modern R and B stuff, as web  625km **
 98.1 0120  F  RTL 2, Guingamp/Castel Pic (22) French slow pops, as web  565km **
 95.0 0124  F  Radio Neptune, Brest/9 Rue Pierre Mac-Orlan (29) Jazz, as web  630km **
 87.8 0137  F  Radio Courtoisie, Cherbourg-Octeville/Bélier (50) French OM, as web  415km
104.7 0145  F  Europe 1, Brest/le Rody (29) Discussion, as web  625km **
104.3 0146  F  RTL, Brest/Lescaouidic (29) Ads, as web  629km
105.5 0148  F  France Info, Brest/Lescaouidic (29) French OM, as 105.2  629km **
105.9 0149  F  RFM, Brest/le Rody (29) Earth Wind and Fire song, as web  625km **
 92.0 0209  F  Radio Kerne, Douarnenez/Kermeur (29) Rock track, as web  656km **
106.5 0224  F  RKB Radio Kreiz Breizh, Guingamp/Ploumagoar (22) Romantic song, as web  567km **
 92.4 0232  F  RMC, Brest/11 Rue Pierre-Mac-Orlans (29) French OMs, as web  630km **
100.2 0235  F  Radio Nova, Brest/11 Rue Pierre-Mac-Orlans (29) Pops, as web  630km **
 95.9 0238  F  France Musique, Cap-de-la-Hague/Omonville-la-Petite (50) Plinky plonky
               violin music, 
as web  415km **
 91.4 0239  F  France Culture, Cap-de-la-Hague/Omonville-la-Petite (50) French OM,
               as web  415km **

 94.0 0251  F  Mouv', Brest/Lescaouidic (29) Rap track, as web  629km **
105.3 0511  F  France Info, Multi-tx Echo, so more than one tx. Antenna vertical so no
               Lille on 105.2

 95.1 0518  F  Variation, Guingamp/Castel Pic (22) Acoustic song, as web  565km **
 93.3 0531  F  France Culture, Le Havre/Harfleur (76) YL, as web  406km
102.9 0540  F  RKB Radio Kreiz Breizh, Callac/Maël-Pestivien (22) Sounds like Balkan music.
               Accordion 
and signing, as web  588km **

Unidentified:
 95.2 0440  F  UNID. French talks. Web address/ID for RFI (Radio France International)

** Personal 'First'

There was a big increase in signals from the Brest transmitter late evening yesterday, reading 58dBf on the XDR-GTK software. Take off 20dB for the pre-amp of course but that is still a healthy signal, the kind of strength where it's time to flip the antenna to vertical to look for local stations. Brest disappeared once the 9.2 was vertical, but it must have grown even stronger shortly after this as it managed to push through clearly despite the wrong polarisation.

After midnight, once vertical, local Breton stations started to appear, bringing me my largest personal haul from the region. The band started to resemble Land's End! I knew I was in for a long, sleepless night. Daylight was well upon me before I finally pulled the plug and even then I left the FDM-S2 recording.

Having holidayed in Brittany several times over the last 15 years or so I have become sort of familiar with some of the stations over there. Hearing the beautiful Breton music on Radio Kreiz Breizh and Radio Kerne is a joy. They both have web streams, but to hear them live via a tropo is just amazing, even if the signals were mostly quite weak.

Needless to say when I awoke at midday this morning I was bleary eyed, extremely lethargic and totally incoherent. I have discovered a new use for matchsticks! The problem for me though is that it usually takes two days for the effects of a lack of sleep to catch up on me.

I didn't expect to hear any meteor scatter as the band was full of inland UK stations by local sunrise, nevertheless, there was some activity and I uploaded some videos of this to https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp

Hopefully somebody knows who relays RFI (Radio France International) on 95.2 overnight. This one is a real mystery.

Zzzzzz!

John Faulkner
Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receiver:
Elad FDM-S2
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c mod.

Aerials:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.
Triax FM3, one metre above the ground as a phasing antenna.
Fringe Electronics 20dB & Labgear 30dB band 2 pre-amps.
HS Publications Antenna Phaser.

Software:
Elad FDM-SW2, SDR Console File Analyser & RDS Spy via VAC.
XDR-GTK v0.3.1 for the Sony XDR-F1HD

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical, horizontal, etc.

Saturday, 7 March 2015

Skegness Log: 07-03-15 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 89.9 0234 HNG Dankó Rádió, Komádi / Heréskert (HaB) B206 D  1649km **
 96.5 0347 DNK DR P4, København-Gladsaxe/Isbanevej 4 (hvs) 9602  836km
 97.3 0415 HRV HRT-HR 1, Psunj (sb) C201 __T-HR__  1500km
 97.5 0447 AUT Ö1, Linz 1/Lichtenberg (obe) A201  1111km
103.0 0516 HRV HRT Radio Zadar, Celevac (zd) C31B R-ZA____  1499km
 99.5 0532 CZE CRo Radiožurnál, Zlín/Tlustá hora (ZL) 232F  1281km
100.9 0532 SVK Europa 2, Poprad/Králová hola (PO) 534F  1459km
102.0 0532 CZE CRo Dvojka, Brno/Kojál (JM) 232E R-DVOJKA  1219km
103.0 0532 CZE Radio Krokodýl, Brno/Hády (JM) 20A2 __KO____  1217km
103.2 0532 CZE CRo Dvojka, Votice/Mezivrata (ST) 232E ______KA  1069km
103.5 0532 SVK SRo 1 Rádio Slovensko, Žilina/Krížava (ZA) 5201  1363km
104.0 0532 SVK Fun Rádio, Banská Bystrica/Suchá hora (BB) 5340 FUNRADIO  1392km
104.1 0532 ROU SRR Radio România Actualitati, Oradea=Nagyvárad (BH) EE00 RR__TU__  
               1677km
104.3 0532 SVK SRo 4 Rádio_FM, Poprad/Králová hola (PO) 5202 __DI____  1459km
104.5 0532 CZE Frekvence 1, Brno/Kojál (JM) 2205 F1_104,5  1219km
104.7 0532 CZE Rádio Blaník, Plzen/Radec (PL) 233C  993km **
105.0 0532 CZE Frekvence 1, Zlín/Tlustá hora (ZL) 2205 F1_105,0  1281km
105.1 0532 HNG MR 3 Bartók Rádió, Komádi / Heréskert (HaB) B202  1649km **

Band 2 Tropospheric:
105.3 0926  D  B5 aktuell, Kreuzberg (Rhön) (bay) YL, as web  732km
102.6 0929  D  NDR 2, Stadthagen/Bückeberge (nds) Ads, as web  606km
101.2 0930  D  Bremen Vier, Bremen-Walle (bre) Bremen ads  565km
101.4 0930  D  Radio SAW, Brocken (san) Whispered ID jingle  712km
 98.0 0931  D  NDR 1 Niedersachsen, Torfhaus (Harz-West) (nds) NDR Eins 
               Niedersachsen ID  707km
 97.8 0932  D  NDR 2, Lingen-Damaschke (nds) OM ID, not // 98.0  477km
 97.4 0933  D  SWR4 Rheinland-Pfalz, Linz (Rhein)/Ginsterhahner Kopf (rlp) 
               D6A4 __R4_K__  560km
 95.4 0936  D  SWR2, Bad Marienberg (rlp) OM, as web, mixing UNID German  592km
 96.8 1000  F  France Inter, Reims/TDF Hautvillers (51) Briefly over 
               Ijsselstein  516km
 99.0 1004 BEL Randstad FM, Mechelen/Douaneplein (vlg-ant) Kim Wilde song, as per 
               their new web player  370km
 99.6 1005  D  hr-info, Sackpfeife (Biedenkopf) (hes) YL speech, ID  612km
104.9 1006  D  Antenne Niedersachsen, Aurich (nds) Pops, as 105.7  478km
105.9 1007  D  Antenne Niedersachsen, Osnabrück/Schleptruper Egge (nds) ID and 
               Aerosmith song  525km
107.4 1008  D  Radio Wuppertal, Wuppertal/Westfalenweg (nrw) OM ID (Noise free)  
               508km
 87.6 1018 HOL Omroep Brabant, Mierlo/Torenweg-Alticom (nbr) Fears For Tears 
               song, as web  406km
 88.9 1020 HOL RTV NH, Amsterdam/Alticom Toren (nho) OM talk, as web  320km
 91.5 1022 HOL BNR Nieuwsradio, Eys/Alticom Toren (lim) OM, as 95.4  462km
 91.8 1023 HOL FunX, Rotterdam/Alticom Toren (Waalhaven) (zho) YL phone caller, 
               as web  313km
 87.8 1028  F  Radio Courtoisie, Cherbourg-Octeville/Bélier (50) French OM and 
               YL, as web  415km
 93.0 1032  F  France Bleu Breizh Izel, Brest/Roc Trédudon (29) F205 BLEU-BZH  
               604km
 92.9 1037  F  France Musique, Villers-Cotterêts/Fleury (02) OM and YL, as 88.7  
               474km
 89.8 1040  F  France Musique, Abbeville/Limeux (80) OM and YL, as 88.7  364km
 92.2 1102 HOL Omrop Fryslân Radio, Jirnsum/Rijksweg (fri) 8411 OMROP___ 
               FRYSLAN_ 92.2_FM_  365km
104.9 1106 HOL Radio Purmerend, Purmerend/Mast Centrum (nho) Pops and jingle 
               with OM ID  320km
105.6 1108 HOL RTV SLOGO, Ouddorp/Hofdijksweg (zho) OM commentary, as web  
               287km **
107.0 1111  G  Heart, Redruth (EN-CNW) Heart jingle. Virtually RDS level  504km
102.8 1114  G  Pirate FM 102, Redruth (EN-CNW) Promo for "Neil and Tina's 
               Thousand Pound Minute on Pirate FM"  504km
107.1 1128 HOL Radio Enkhuizen, Enkhuizen/Gerard Brandtweg (nho) Rod Stewart and 
               Bryan Adams track, as web  335km
104.7 1140 HOL Radio Continu, Leeuwarden/Avéro-Residentie (fri) Jingle, rock 
               song, as web  365km
 90.8 1143 HOL Radio Drenthe, Smilde/Alticom Toren (dre) YL and OM phone caller, 
               as web  407km

** Personal 'First'

Meteor activity was low, considering I was beaming east/horizontal, usually the most favourable direction. Some new frequencies were noted from regular transmitters.

Tropo took hold at last, bringing in a few of the more regular tropo stations. Nice to see that Randstad FM 99.0 now has a web stream, so easy // checks can be made. More usually, RPV/RCV from Lille are the continentals heard on 99.0 when vertical.

The tropo peaked during the late morning as distances decreased, bringing in a few Dutch locals at the top of the band. All stations heard were identified. After this, conditions tried to peak to the south-west with Cornish stations trying. The Brest transmitter in Brittany was also on the increase but conditions soon fizzled around midday. Will it pick up later?

Good DX!

John Faulkner
Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receiver:
Elad FDM-S2
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c mod.

Aerials:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.
Triax FM3, one metre above the ground as a phasing antenna.
Fringe Electronics 20dB & Labgear 30dB band 2 pre-amps.
HS Publications Antenna Phaser.

Software:
Elad FDM-SW2, SDR Console File Analyser & RDS Spy via VAC.
XDR-GTK v0.3.1 for the Sony XDR-F1HD

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical, horizontal, etc.

Friday, 6 March 2015

Skegness Log: 06-03-15 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 99.5 0549  S  SR P4, Markaryd/Hualtet (kb) E724  928km
100.2 0549  S  SR P4, Visby/Follingbo TM (go) E824 ___G____  1238km
100.0 0605  D  Radio PSR, Chemnitz/Geyer (sac) D3C8 ____OP__  904km
102.7 0605  S  SR P4, Västervik/Fårhult TM (ka) E624  1132km
103.0 0609 HNG MR 1 Kossuth Rádió, Komádi / Heréskert (HaB) B203 KO______  1649km
104.1 0609 ROU SRR Radio România Actualitati, Oradea=Nagyvárad (BH) EE00 RR__TUAL  1677km
107.6 0710 ROU Pro FM, Oradea=Nagyvárad (BH) E059  1677km
103.9 0743 SVN Slovenija 3, Kum (ce) 9203 __AR____  1317km
107.5 0743  D  SWR4 Baden-Württemberg, Buchen/Walldürner Str. (bwü) DC04  743km
107.7 0743  D  Antenne Bayern, Hochries (bay) D318 AN______  1034km

Band 2 General Scatter:
 95.3 1913 HOL L1 Radio, Hulsberg/Emmaberg (lim) OM phone conversation, as web  455km
 94.0 1922 IRL RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Mount Leinster (CW) Decent peaks. Almost noise
               free at times. Gaelic music, as web  480km

103.0 1928  D  BFBS Radio, Bielefeld/Hünenburg (nrw) Pops, as web  564km
104.9 1930  D  big fm (Rheinland-Pfalz), Ahrweiler/Schöneberg (rlp) Pops and jingle ID.
               Brief noise free peaks.   553km


It was a horizontal easterly direction for the 9.2 overnight. I have included only the less common catches.

Scatter improved during the evening, with conditions stabilising into tropo as I type this at 23:50. Hopefully conditions will improve by sunrise.

Good DX!

John Faulkner
Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receiver:
Elad FDM-S2

Aerials:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.
Triax FM3, one metre above the ground as a phasing antenna.
Fringe Electronics 20dB & Labgear 30dB band 2 pre-amps.
HS Publications Antenna Phaser.

Software:
Elad FDM-SW2, SDR Console & RDS Spy via VAC.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical, horizontal, etc.

Thursday, 5 March 2015

Skegness Log: 05-03-15 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 87.9 0201  E  Cadena 100, Pamplona=Iruña/El Perdón (NAV-NA) E2CE  1168km **
 95.4 0318  E  Cadena Dial, Toledo/Cerro de los Palos (CAM-TO) E237 ____AL__  1517km
104.0 0445  E  Radio Castilla La Mancha, Chinchilla de Monte Aragón (CAM-AB) E396  1590km
103.9 0600  F  France Bleu, Multi-tx F20A

** Personal 'First'

Good DX!

John Faulkner
Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receiver:
Elad FDM-S2

Aerials:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.
Triax FM3, one metre above the ground as a phasing antenna.
Fringe Electronics 20dB & Labgear 30dB band 2 pre-amps.
HS Publications Antenna Phaser.

Software:
Elad FDM-SW2, SDR Console & RDS Spy via VAC.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical, horizontal, etc.

Wednesday, 4 March 2015

Skegness Log: 04-03-15 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 88.6 0303  I  Radio Camaldoli Stereo, Vico Equense/Monte Faito (na) 5006 __..__**  1751km
 87.9 0313  E  Europa FM, Ponferrada (CAL-LE) E2ED ______FM  1286km **
 91.7 0313  E  COPE, Villafranca del Bierzo (CAL-LE) E2CA   1287km **
 89.2 0325  E  Onda Cero, A Coruña (GAL-C) E2EE ONDACERO  1264km
 90.6 0325  E  Los 40 Principales, Santiago de Compostela (GAL-C) E235 CU______  1321km
 91.0 0325  E  Los 40 Principales, A Coruña (GAL-C) Pops, as 90.6  1268km
 89.5 0334  I  Radio Mater, Sappada (bl) or Monte Argentario (gr) 5158 **
 88.6 0417  I  Radio Capital, Three sites listed 5219
 90.75 0417 I  Radio Mater, Barzanò/Cascina Giovanna (lc) 5158 R.__AT__  1050km
 91.6 0421  E  RNE Radio Clásica, Culleredo/Monte Xalo (GAL-C) Classical, 92.1  1277km
 92.1 0421  E  RNE Radio Clásica, Moaña/Monte Faro Domayo (GAL-PO) E212 RN______  1379km **
 92.6 0421  E  Radio Voz, A Coruña (GAL-C) E0C5 ____OV__  1266km
 94.2 0451  E  Onda Cero, Pamplona=Iruña/El Perdón (NAV-NA) E2EE  1168km
 98.5 0452  E  Cadena Dial, Ferrol/Monte As Penas (GAL-C) E274  1247km
100.8 0606  E  Onda Cero, Toledo (CAM-TO) E888 ON____RO  1510km
103.0 0606  E  Unika FM, Villaviciosa de Odón/Pinares Llanos (MAD-M) E42C UNIKA_FM  1458km
104.6 0606  E  Melodía FM, Leganés (MAD-M) E2DA   1461km **
104.9 0606  E  RNE Radio Nacional, Villadiego (CAL-BU) or Navacerrada (MAD-M) E211 RNE_1___
104.7 0618  I  Radio Antenna Uno (Torino), Moncalieri (to) 5B67 ANTE__A1  1050km

** Personal 'First'

Antenna south/vertical.

Good DX!

John Faulkner
Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receiver:
Elad FDM-S2

Aerials:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.
Triax FM3, one metre above the ground as a phasing antenna.
Fringe Electronics 20dB & Labgear 30dB band 2 pre-amps.
HS Publications Antenna Phaser.

Software:
Elad FDM-SW2, SDR Console & RDS Spy via VAC.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical, horizontal, etc.

Tuesday, 3 March 2015

Skegness Log: 03-03-15 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 91.1 0407 HOL Slam!FM, Hilversum/Media Park-Alticom (nho) 82A5 ____!FM_  341km
103.2 0728 POL PR Radio Olsztyn, Olsztyn/Pieczewo (WM) 39A1 5264____ __sz____  1334km
103.0 0735 POL PR Radio Zachód, Zielona Góra/Jemiolów (LU) 3267 __AC__D*  1008km
104.2 0857  S  Mix Megapol, Multi-tx Pops, as 105.4 **
104.9 0857  S  Mix Megapol, Gävle/Skogmur TM (ga) Pops, as 105.4  1310km **
105.4 0857  S  Mix Megapol, Karlstad/Svinbäcksbacken VT (vr) E243 __GAPOL_  1068km
107.0 0857  S  Mix Megapol, Lund or Säffle Pops, as 105.4 **
105.1 2045  F  France Info, Multi-tx F206. Tempted to think this is Grenoble as AFs:
               105.5, 105.6, 105.8, 105.9, 103.0  103.4  

103.0 2124  E  Unika FM, Villaviciosa de Odón/Pinares Llanos (MAD-M) E42C __IKA_FM  1458km

** Personal 'First'

The 9.2 was to the north-east in the morning and to the south in the evening, both vertical.

Good DX!

John Faulkner
Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receiver:
Elad FDM-S2

Aerials:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.
Triax FM3, one metre above the ground as a phasing antenna.
Fringe Electronics 20dB & Labgear 30dB band 2 pre-amps.
HS Publications Antenna Phaser.

Software:
Elad FDM-SW2, SDR Console & RDS Spy via VAC.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical, horizontal, etc.

Monday, 2 March 2015

Skegness Log: 02-03-15 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 87.9 0307  E  Espy FM, Madrid (MAD-M) EC72 ESPY_FM_ 87.9_FM_  1448km
 88.4 0307  E  Ecuatoriana FM, Madrid (MAD-M) FFFD  1444km **
 90.3 0307  E  RNE Radio Nacional, Isaba/Sierra de Arrigorrieta (NAV-NA) E211 RN______  1150km **
 90.7 0307  E  Onda Cero, Aranjuez (MAD-M) or Alcázar de San Juan (CAM-CR) E2EE ______RO 
               Difficult to know which tx, but only one AF - 90.7 (Filler) **
 92.7 0307  E  Radio Marca, Fuenlabrada/Polígono Niño del Remedio (MAD-M) B002 R.__RCA_  1463km
 88.6 0321  I  Radio Radicale, Rocca di Papa/Monte Cavo vetta (rm) 5210 RADI__LE  1568km
 90.4 0329  E  Onda Cero, Yecla (MUR-MU) or Mérida (EXT-BA) E2EE. Unsure wich site.
               AFs 104.7 91.5 **

 91.7 0424  E  Radio Euskadi, Bilbao=Bilbo/Ganeta (PVA-BI) E302  1130km
 98.0 0442  E  MegaStar FM, San Sebastián=Donostia/Monte Ulía (PVA-SS) E2DC ______1_  1105km
 94.3 0447  E  Cadena Dial, Alija del Infantado (CAL-LE) E274  1251km **
 95.4 0453  E  Radio del Principado de Asturias, Boal/Pico Penouta (AST-O) EA86  1199km **
 97.6 0453  E  M80 Radio, A Coruña/Peñamoa (GAL-C) E230  1266km **
 97.6 0453  E  Cadena Dial, Santiago de Compostela (GAL-C) E537  1315km
 98.5 0453  E  Cadena Dial, Ferrol/Monte As Penas (GAL-C) E274  1247km
 98.8 0553  E  RNE Radio Clásica, Tolosa (PVA-SS) or Navacerrada (MAD-M) E212 RN______ **
103.6 0647  E  Máxima FM, Alpicat (CAT-L) E236  1277km **
102.4 0703  E  Melodía FM, Valladolid (CAL-VA) E2DA  1333km **
103.5 0703  E  Onda Cero, Palencia (CAL-P) E2EE ONDA__RO  1291km
102.5 0712  E  RNE Radio Nacional, Calahorra/La Plana (RIO-LO) E211 RNE_1___  1217km

** Personal 'First'

Good DX!

John Faulkner
Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receiver:
Elad FDM-S2

Aerials:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.
Triax FM3, one metre above the ground as a phasing antenna.
Fringe Electronics 20dB & Labgear 30dB band 2 pre-amps.
HS Publications Antenna Phaser.

Software:
Elad FDM-SW2, SDR Console & RDS Spy via VAC.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical, horizontal, etc.

Sunday, 1 March 2015

Skegness Log: 01-03-15 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 87.7 0329  E  Radio 4G FM, Santander (CNT-S) E295 ____ad__  1119km **
 92.5 0336  E  RNE Radio Nacional, Vitoria=Gasteiz/El Castillo (PVA-VI) 
               E211 RN_____.  1172km **
 89.2 0351  E  Onda Cero, A Coruña (GAL-C) E2EE  1264km
 87.9 0356  I  Radio Sportiva, Bologna/Colle Barbiano/Via Santa Liberata (bo) 
               5244 ____TI__  1256km
 89.5 0356  I  RAI Radio1, Bologna/Colle Barbiano (RAI) (bo) 5201 ____IO__  1256km
 90.7 0406  E  Onda Vasca, Eibar (PVA-SS) D2DE __VASCA_ GIPUSCOA  1126km **
 88.0 0424  E  Radio Galega Música, Valga/Monte Xesteiras (GAL-PO) E4E1 __MUSI__  1339km **
 89.1 0424  E  Los 40 Principales, Pontevedra/Monte Castrove (GAL-PO) Pops, as 90.6. 
               Conditions point strongly to this tx  1362km **
 90.6 0424  E  Los 40 Principales, Santiago de Compostela (GAL-C) E235   1321km
 91.0 0424  E  Los 40 Principales, A Coruña (GAL-C) Pops, as 90.6  1268km **
 91.6 0424  E  RNE Radio Clásica, Culleredo/Monte Xalo (GAL-C) E212  1277km **
 98.0 0432  E  MegaStar FM, San Sebastián=Donostia/Monte Ulía (PVA-SS) E2DC  1105km **
 93.6 0502  E  COPE, Ribadeo/O Mondigo (GAL-LU) E2CA  1205km **
 95.2 0502  E  Rock FM, Ciudad Real (CAM-CR) E2CF _R______  1610km **
 96.9 0502  E  Radio María, Madrid/Torre de Valencia (MAD-M) OM, as 97.5  1447km **
 97.5 0502  E  Radio María, Aranda de Duero (CAL-BU) E1CC R.MA____  1336km **
 99.1 0502  E  esRadio, Madrid/Torrespaña (MAD-M) E287  1447km **
 97.6 0520  I  Radio Sound (Ferrara), Codigoro/Portomaggiore (fe) 58A1  1261km
 97.7 0533  E  Los 40 Principales, Pinto (MAD-M) E07C __AR____  1468km **
104.0 0610  E  Radio Castilla La Mancha, Chinchilla de Monte Aragón (CAM-AB) E396 CASTIL__  
               1590km **
100.3 0710  E  COPE, Santa Marta de Tormes (CAL-SA) E2CA  1429km **
100.8 0710  E  Cadena Dial, Zamora (CAL-ZA) E231  1373km **
101.3 0710  E  Radio María, León (CAL-LE) E1CC  1252km **
102.9 0710  E  RNE Radio Nacional, El Cabaco/Peña de Francia (CAL-SA) E211. AFs point to 
               this site  1488km **
103.1 0710  E  Onda Cero, Cuéllar (CAL-SG) E2EE  1354km **
103.5 0710  E  Onda Cero, Palencia (CAL-P) E2EE __DA__RO  1291km **
 97.4 2100  S  SR P2, Gävle/Skogmur TM (ga) E402 ___P____  1310km
 98.2 2100  S  SR P2, Svinesund/Strömstad-Svinesund TM (vg) Laurie Anderson, as 97.4  
               944km **
 99.8 2100  S  SR P3, Gävle/Skogmur TM (ga) E203  1310km **
 99.9 2100 FIN YLE Radio Suomi, Tampere-Tammerfors/Kämmenniemi-Vähä - Koveron Tie (pi) 
               6203 YLES__MI  1684km **
101.6 2100  S  SR P4, Östhammar/Valö TM (up) E224  1334km
102.0 2100  S  SR P4, Gävle/Skogmur TM (ga) E224  1310km

** Personal 'First'

An excellent haul overnight, plus some very pleasing results to Scandinavia following a simple modification to the antenna system this afternoon.

In an effort to rid the band of some of the noise I have been getting recently, I mounted the Fringe Electronics pre-amp on the mast about a metre below the antenna. I was very brave and managed to climb FIVE steps up the ladder! That's five small steps for man, but one big improvement in signal to noise.

When the pre-amp was behind the computer monitor in the shack, I had between S9 to S9+10dB when the FDM-S2 was tuned to an empty frequency. Belmont nationals would reach S9+50dB when I pointed the 9.2 at it. Using the same frequencies and beam heading, moving this pre-amp on to the mast has reduced the noise down to between S6 and S7 and Belmont is a full S9+60dB or -29dBi!! That's a serious improvement, as demonstrated by the reception of the low power Svinesund transmitter which displayed the PI code!

And to think, a couple of people told me that it probably wouldn't make much difference if I put the pre-amp on the mast as the coax cable is only a few metres long! I agreed, but the noise/losses being picked up through the extra cables and adapters was more than I had realised. Most of the noise has now gone, but there are still a few bursts every now and again.

I also managed to reduce Belmont 98.3 down to S9 this evening, but still nothing got through on meteor scatter. Something weird happens too when I phase down Belmont. The signal breaks up in such a way that only one half of it is visible on the waterfall. It looks like the USB side has been chopped off.

Good DX!

John Faulkner
Skegness, Lincolnshire (JO03dd) <3m ASL.
Blog: http://skegnessdx.blogspot.co.uk
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/g1vvp
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/skegnessdx

Receiver:
Elad FDM-S2

Aerials:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.
Triax FM3, one metre above the ground as a phasing antenna.
Fringe Electronics 20dB & Labgear 30dB band 2 pre-amps.
HS Publications Antenna Phaser.

Software:
Elad FDM-SW2, SDR Console & RDS Spy via VAC.

Rotator:
Yaesu G-5500 azimuth & elevation rotator, allowing antenna to be vertical, horizontal, etc.