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Friday, 28 November 2014

Elad FDM-S2 Review

I have had the Elad FDM-S2 for almost three weeks and thought it was about time I gave a write-up. This SDR receiver has been discussed on the new Skywaves forum here and I have been giving a running account of my initial experiences with it. Plus I have had a lot of correspondence off the forum as well, with fellow DXers asking how I find it.

In a nutshell, I think I can say that my experiences with the FDM-S2 have been very positive on the whole and I have been hugely impressed by a number of things, but this is not a 'radio' in the traditional sense. There were a few small oddities with the software too, but I can put most of them, if not ALL of them, down to my own issues with Windows 7 and the fact that my computer is long overdue for a full re-installation. Here is a bit more detail:

First impressions: 
The S2 is a neat little unit, solidly constructed and pleasing on the eye. My main reason for buying the S2 was to use it on the FM broadcast band - 88 to 108 MHz. Selectivity is not an issue and is exactly as you would expect from an SDR. i.e. brick wall selectivity where you need it. IF bandwidth in FM mode goes from 100 Hz to 24 kHz and wideband FM takes you from 25kHz up to 192 KHz. Both ranges are continuously variable.

Personal Requirements:
Before I bought the S2 I had read reports that it was lacking in RF gain at band 2 frequencies and that it may require a pre-amp. This was exactly the case for me too. Without a pre-amp I found the sensitivity was poor and considerably lacking when compared with my XDR-F1HD, my Kenwood KT6040 and in fact all my other FM receivers and tuners. Such was the lack of sensitivity that I couldn't have done without additional amplification. An old Fringe Electronics 20dB band 2 pre-amp came to the rescue and this increased the sensitivity to match that of my XDR-F1HD (with Konrad modification), which is probably the most sensitive FM receiver I have known.

Strong Signal Handling:
Since I get strong signals from the Belmont transmitter, I was concerned that the pre-amp might cause a degree of overload to the S2 when beaming towards it, as does my XDR-F1HD which produces noise-free images of national BBC stations appearing around 70 MHz WITHOUT amplification. This did not happen at all with the S2. Belmont gives the S2 a -20dB signal WITH amplification. I suspect that if any DXers live close to 100kW"+ transmitters then overload may occur, but all reports I have read so far indicate that the S2 is virtually bomb proof. A friend gets a few spurious images when beaming at his nearby 240kW national BBC transmitter, but reports that they are few and far between. His directional antenna solves the problem when not beaming at this transmitter. Let's face it, all receivers will overload at some point, but the S2 does seem very solid in this department.

RDS Capabilities:
My other main requirement in an FM SDR receiver was to have good RDS decoding and I am pleased to report that this has been exceptionally good and beyond my expectations, though there are one or two points which I should probably raise here. All comments above relate to me using the S2's own "SW2" software, but I would like to bring in another excellent software package too and one which I would recommend - "SDR Console", produced by Simon Brown of Ham Radio Deluxe. Firstly, SW2 has delivered unparalleled RDS decoding to signals which have propagated by meteor scatter. Such signals are notoriously difficult to decode due to the nature of this kind of propagation. SW2 has usually been able to accurately decode RDS data at low level and more quickly than SDR Console did. BUT, SDR Console, which also offers enhanced RDS decoding, produced quicker and more accurate RDS with groundwave signals and was way ahead of the SW2 software in this area. I guess each software package has its own set of algorithms and, used together, I have a 'best of both worlds' scenario, so I would recommend DXers use both software packages when decoding RDS.

The SW2 software can route the RDS data to RDS Spy, thus offering another excellent RDS decoding method. You will need to use VAC (Virtual Audio Cable) to route the data from the S2, via your computer and into RDS Spy. Although the procedure to do this is not overly complicated, it has been a problem for some DXers, including myself, but there are videos available on YouTube and elsewhere which give step-by-step guides, showing you how to get this working.

Wideband Recording & Computer Requirements:
The S2 can be used to record wideband IF, just as the Perseus receiver does and offers a bandwidth of 6 MHz. This splits the FM broadcast band down into five bite-sized pieces, but be warned that you will need a fairly powerful computer and lots of hard drive space if you intend to run the S2 at this bandwidth.

It's not just processor speed which is required too. Some S2 owners have found that lesser spec'd computers can perform satisfactorily with the S2. It all depends on your computer's architecture. For instance, I have an old Toshiba Satellite laptop containing a Celeron mobile processor. This is VERY slow by today's standards and has only 4 MB RAM onboard. Yet this seems to handle the 6 MHz bandwidth reasonably well. There are a few stutters here and there but the laptop holds up very well considering, though struggles to run anything else at the same time. I believe Elad recommend an i5 processor and at least 6 MB RAM to get good performance at 6 MHz.

The use of a USB3 socket should help a lot, but USB2 should also deliver enough 'juice' to handle the S2.

Medium Wave Performance: (Updated!)
My experiences with the S2 on medium wave are few and far between, but I have had a quick tune around. The S2 doesn't feel quite as competent as the Perseus, for instance, but still performs well enough. I have found it sensitive but have not been impressed with the audio quality. Since my experiences so far on medium wave have been limited I shouldn't really be attempting to give too much information, but I don't see any major problems, and I understand the latest SW2 software has improved the AM audio quality by some margin. It should be extremely useful being able to record 6 MHz of IF on HF too, which would allow medium wave and the lower tropical bands to be recorded simultaneously, very useful for checking Asiatic medium wave signals against those around 3 - 5 MHz for instance.

Update:
I don't like giving negative reviews unnecessarily, especially when I haven't given something a fair trial. Initially I was unimpressed with the Am and SSB audio quality on the medium wave band, and therefore the whole of the HF spectrum. BUT, I was aware that some improvements were made to this but only today decided to give the medium wave another try. I must say that the audio HAS improved substantially, but more to the point, the audio is now sweeter than that of the Perseus. I was listening to Sunrise Radio on 972 from London - this is a very, very poor (nulled) signal off the back of my flag antenna. I can only make out the occasional word on the Perseus, but the audio is rendered to almost 100% intelligibility on the FDM-S2 since the improvements were made. That's quite a difference. The audio is much cleaner on the FDM-S2 too. And I can't help but feel that I would be able to add some level of signal amplification to this in order to boost signals further.

Bits and Pieces:
The only side which I have felt slightly disappointed with so far has been the operation of the SW2 software, BUT I must STRESS that many, if not ALL of the problems encountered could have been down to my computer and not due to any shortcomings with the S2 or the SW2 software. My computer throws many challenges at me anyway, so the S2 just pushes it to extremes all the more. Any disadvantages I have experienced so far are more than outweighed by the many advantages.

Ongoing Improvements:
I have been impressed by the dedication shown by the team at Elad. I subscribe to their Yahoo Group and have made one or two comments and suggestions over the last few weeks. These have been taken on board and improvements and bug- fixes have been dealt with swiftly. I have also been really pleased and impressed with the same level of service by Simon Brown, the creator of SDR Console. Combine this with Elad's own SW2 software and you have a powerful DX setup I cannot recommend highly enough.

Conclusion:
I would definitely recommend the S2, but so bear in mind the points I have raised above. This is NOT a typical radio (as we know it, captain) and needs to be treated very differently. If you are squeamish around computers then you might want to think again. The S2 has taken me a little more getting used to than I expected, but it has 100% been worth the effort.

The XDR-F1HD is still a force to be reckoned with, especially with the genius of the Konrad i2c Modification. The S2 doesn't have that beautiful soft mute you get with the XDR-F1HD, which I find quite desirable. Plus the automatic IF filtering is done to perfection with the XDR-F1HD. The S2 doesn't have these things, and doesn't necessarily need them, but so the overall feel of the sound and the tuning of the S2 is very different.

To recap. Just remember that you may want to use a pre-amp for band 2 and if you live very close to strong signals then you could experience some overload BUT the S2 DOES handle strong signals extremely well. Overall, I would consider the S2 to be an FM DXer's dream. I have found it to be excellent for meteor scatter and there is the obvious huge potential with sporadic E. It is really nice to have the ability to leave the S2 recording while you are away from home. You need never miss an opening ever again! Just make sure you have plenty of hard drive space as 6 MHz of bandwidth creates around 2 GB of data every minute! You may also need a Time Expander. While no such thing exists at the moment it would be sp useful to have more hours in the day, as you might find yourself needing more time to analyse all the files.

Good DX! John

Here is a bit of spec:

* HF:  9kHz-52MHz MDS: -132dBm @14MHz, Clipping lev -8dBm
* FM:  74-108MHz sensitivity <2uV 12dB SINAD @98MHz, Clip lev -3dBm
* VHF: 135-160MHz MDS -137dBm @145MHz, Clipping level -19dBm

* Separate antenna inputs for HF/6m and FM/VHF/Bypass ranges
* Max. DDC Bw 6144kHz (Aliasing free viewable bandwidth up to 5 Megahertz)
  - currently available selectable bitstreams:
  192ksps-32bit, 384ksps-32bit, 768ksps-32bit, 1536ksps-32bit, 3072ksps-32bit, 6144ksps-16bit

* Special double DDC mode of 2 x 384kHz bandwidth to be placed within one of the input ranges.
* 4 virtual receivers freely tunable within DDC window
* Each virtual receiver holds settings for mode,bandwidth,volume,squelch and audio output routing.
* Patent pending Triple Tuning Bar for coarse and fine spectrum navigation
* CWU,CWL,USB,LSB,AM,SAM,FM,WFM,DSB,RTTY,DRM,RDS modes
* Interference rejection: Noise Blanker,Adaptive Noise Reduction and auto notch, special 2 manual
   notches (directly placed in DDC spectrum)
* Integrated DRM decoding, text and station schedule update.

Thursday, 27 November 2014

Skegness Log: 27-11-14 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 89.0 0226 DNK DR P1/DR P2, Sønder Højrup/Sdr. Højrupvejen 21 (sdk-fyn) 9201  700km
 92.5 0356  G  BBC Radio 4, North Hessary Tor?  C204. As others. North Hessary Tor 
               is the furthest possibility at 415 km **
 92.9 0356  G  BBC Radio 4, Multi-tx As others. Rowridge or Pontop Pike?
 93.5 0356 CZE Frekvence 1, Ústí nad Labem/Buková hora (US) 2205 F1  991km
 92.2 0411  D  MDR 1 Radio Sachsen, Dresden-Wachwitz (sac) D4C1  951km
 95.3 0411 NOR NRK P2, Bagn 1/Kjeldeknatten (op) F202 and opera  1019km
 96.4 0411 NOR NRK P2, Gausta/Gaustatoppen (te) Opera, as 95.3  902km **
 92.2 0412 POL PR 1, Plock/Rachocin (MW) 3211 JEDYNKA  1289km
 94.3 0412 POL RMF FM, Plock/Rachocin (MW) 3F44 Wysz  1289km
 96.6 0412 POL RMF FM, Walcz/Rusinowo (Pila) (ZP) Pops, as 94.3  1060km
 96.5 0414  D  SWR3, Waldenburg (bwü) D3A3  786km
 92.4 0420  S  SR P2, Hörby/Sallerup TM (sn) Classical music, as 92.8  913km **
 92.4 0420  S  SR P1, Stockholm/Nacka TM (st) Waves  1292km
 92.8 0420  S  SR P2, Östhammar/Valö TM (up) E402 SR_P2  1334km
 95.8 0420  S  SR P2, Västerås/Lillhärad TM (vm) E402  1219km
 96.5 0420  S  SR P3, Karlstad/Sörmon TM (vr) E203  1060km
 96.8 0420  G  BBC Radio Cymru, Wenvoe (WA-VGL) Rhod Sharp on Up All Night  309km **
 92.1 0421  G  BBC Radio 3, Multi-tx C203
 94.0 0443 FIN YLE Radio Suomi, Espoo - Esbo/Saunalahti-Tillinmäki (uu) 6403  1665km **
100.9 0453 LTU LRT radijas, Bubiai (Sia) C321 Ra  1497km **
 99.5 0503 NOR NRK P2, Jetta/Blåhø (op) F202  1108km
100.8 0513  S  SR P4, Tåsjö/Hoting-Tåsjöberget TM (jm) EF24  1518km **
 97.1 0514 NOR NRK P2, Nordhue (he) F202  1094km
 97.7 0529  S  SR P3, Karlskrona or Borlänge E203 and P3 Musik in radiotext **
 98.8 0529  S  SR P3, Varberg/Rolfstorp-Grimeton TM (ha) Pops, as 97.7  882km **
 99.1 0529  S  SR P3, Bäckefors (Mellerud)/Grönehög TM (vg) Pops, as 97.7  969km **
 99.9 0529  S  SR P3, Finnveden (Gislaved)/Bredaryd Skyttebo TM (jo) Pops, as 97.7  
               961km **
101.3 0529  S  SR P4, Borlänge/Teracoms mast Idkerberget (da) E624 and P4 Dalar in 
               radiotext  1204km
 97.8 0536  F  France Culture, Montpellier/Sainte-Baudille (34) Likely Montpeiler with 
               respective QRM to Holme Moss 101.1  1072km **
 98.1 0536  G  BBC Radio 1, Pontop Pike or Skriaig Pops, as 98.3 **
 98.5 0536  G  BBC Radio 1, Oban? Pops, as 98.3 **
 98.7 0536  G  BBC Radio 1, Ashkirk or Melvaig Pops, as 98.3
 99.1 0536  G  BBC Radio 1, Multi-tx Pops, as 98.3 **
 99.5 0536  G  BBC Radio 1, Probably Wenvoe Pops, as 98.3
100.0 0536  G  Classic FM, North Hessary Tor (EN-DVN) Classical, as 100.5  415km **
100.3 0536  G  Classic FM, Pontop Pike or Rowridge Classical, as 100.5 **
100.9 0536  G  Classic FM, Wrotham or Selkirk Classical, as 100.5 **
101.3 0536  G  Classic FM, Oxford, Kilvey Hill or Darvel Classical, as 100.5 **
 97.3 0538  S  SR P4, Halmstad/Oskarström-Slättåkra TM (ha) EA24  899km
 99.5 0538  S  SR P4, Markaryd/Hualtet (kb) E724  927km
100.9 0543  D  MDR JUMP, Ronneburg (Gera) (thü) D3C2  854km **
 97.2 0554 NOR NRK P2, Melhus/Vassfjellet Vassfjellvegen (st) F202 and Norwegian YL  
               1265km **
 98.4 0554 NOR NRK P2, Mosvik/Skavlen (nt) Norwegian YL, as 97.2  1329km **
 98.7 0554 NOR NRK P2, Bjerkreim/Urdalsnipa (ro) Norwegian YL, as 97.2  703km **
102.0 0611  S  SR P4, Gävle/Skogmur TM (ga) EB24  1310km
104.9 0622  D  Radio SAW, Leipzig Wiederau [sac] (san) D3D9  843km
102.7 0636 DNK Radio 24 syv, Aalborg-Frejlev/Svenstrupvej 25 (njy) 9204  740km **
102.8 0636  S  SR P4, Örebro/Lockhyttan TM (or) E424  1142km **
101.4 0648 FIN YLE Radio Vega, Turku - Åbo/Kaarina-Kuusisto, Vuolahdentie 137 (vs) 
               Finnish OM, as 103.0  1553km **
102.5 0648  S  SR P4, Uppsala/Vedyxa TM (up) E524  1299km **
102.6 0648 FIN YLE Radio Vega, Kristiinankaupunki-Kristinestad/Lapväärtti-Pyhävuo (po) 
               6905  1610km **
103.0 0648 FIN YLE Radio Vega, Eurajoki - Euraåminne/Korvenkulma-Porintie 899 (st) 6205 
               YL  1561km **
103.3 0648  S  SR P4, Stockholm/Nacka TM (st) EC24  1292km
103.7 0648 FIN YLE Puhe, Espoo - Esbo/Saunalahti-Tillinmäki (uu) Vocal ID  1665km **
103.9 0648 FIN Radio Nova, Turku - Åbo/Kaarina-Kuusisto, Vuolahdentie 137 (vs) Pops, as 
               104.7  1553km **
104.7 0648 FIN Radio Nova, Tampere-Tammerfors/Kämmenniemi-Vähä - Koveron Tie (pi) 
               6209 NOVA  1684km **
106.0 0648 FIN Radio SuomiPOP, Eurajoki - Euraåminne/Korvenkulma-Porintie 899 (st) 
               6460 SUOMIPOP  1561km
105.3 0659 HNG MR 3 Bartók Rádió, Budapest - Széchenyi-hegy (Bud) Vocal ID  1460km
107.2 0735  D  WDR Eins Live, Ederkopf (nrw) D391  592km **
103.5 0752  S  SR P4, Karlstad/Sörmon TM (vr) E824  1060km
105.3 0752 AUT KRONEHIT, Sankt Pölten/Jauerling (nie) A3FF  1181km
103.3 0810  D  Antenne Bayern, Unterringingen (bay) Light pops, as 103.5  863km
103.5 0810  D  Antenne Bayern, Brotjacklriegel (bay) D318  1021km
105.6 0810  D  MDR JUMP, Remda (Saalfeld) (thü) D3C2  788km **
106.4 0810 CZE CRo Ceské Budejovice, Ceské Budejovice/Klet - CRa (JC) 250D. Over Kiss 
               Mendlesham!!  1084km **
107.6 0810  D  Antenne Thüringen, Remda (Saalfeld) (thü) D3F8 ANT.  788km
105.1 0827 POL Radio Maryja, Konin/Zólwieniec (WP) 3232 and KATO in radiotext  1211km
107.1 0827 POL Radio ZET, Konin/Zólwieniec (WP) 3205  1211km
103.4 0833 LTU LRT Klasika, Bubiai (Sia) C322 Klasikos  1497km **
104.4 0833 LTU LRT Klasika, Anyksciai - Viesintos (Any) Opera, as 103.4. Weak and audible 
               either side of BBC Norfolk!  1611km **
105.3 0833 LTU LRT Klasika, Possibly Klaipeda Opera, as 103.4 **
106.2 1012 FIN Radio Nova, Espoo - Esbo/Saunalahti-Tillinmäki (uu) 6209  1665km **
105.2 1024  D  Radio Arabella, München-Ismaning (bay) D78A  970km
106.9 1037 POL PR Radio Pomorza i Kujaw, Brodnica/Cieleta (KP) 3401  1271km

** Personal Skegness 'First'

Some very pleasing meteor scatter catches overnight.

The Lithuanians were a nice surprise, especially the Anyksciai transmitter on 104.4 as this is the frequency of a strong BBC Radio Norfolk. I didn't know there was anything on 104.4 at the beginning but I could hear the same operatic music as the Bubiai transmitter on 103.4 which had full RDS. I was tuned to 104.5 at the time but no carrier was visible. I reduced the S2 bandwidth to around 50 kHz and immediately heard the classical music on both edges of Norfolk 104.4. Luckily, the Anyksciai transmitter was wider than BBC Radio Norfolk so I could get in either side. This demonstrates the selective ability of the S2 very nicely.

I have omitted lots of the regular transmitters this time to avoid repetition. I am still slightly in shock of the capability of the S2 and once again find myself reporting a record number of personal meteor scatter firsts, 39 no less!

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
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification.

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.
Fringe Electronics 20dB band 2 pre-amp

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

Wednesday, 26 November 2014

Skegness Log: 26-11-14 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 91.7 0216  S  SR P2, Bollnäs/Arbrå-Kyrkberget TM (ga) E402  1323km
 91.7 0217 POL PR 3, Czestochowa/Wreczyca (SL) 3233  1291km
 89.0 0222 POL PR Radio Wroclaw, Bogatynia/G.Wysoka (DS) 3403 R  1033km **
 90.4 0245  S  SR P1, Varberg/Rolfstorp-Grimeton TM (ha) Waves  882km **
 91.8 0245  S  SR P2, Västervik/Fårhult TM (ka) E402  1132km **
 89.9 0250 AUT Ö2 - Radio Wien, Wien 1/Kahlenberg (wie) AC0C  1247km
 91.4 0250 CZE Radio Impuls, Plzen/Krasov (PL) 2203  947km
 90.6 0259  S  SR P1, Sveg or Älvsbyn Waves
 88.1 0317 DNK DR P1, Århus/Søsterhøj/Ny Moesgårdsvej 61 (mjy) 9201  715km **
 92.8 0548  S  SR P2, Östhammar/Valö TM (up) E402  1334km
 93.3 0548  S  SR P2, Uppsala/Vedyxa TM (up) Classical, as 92.8  1299km **
 95.5 0548  S  SR P3, Östhammar/Valö TM (up) E203  1334km
 95.8 0548  S  SR P2, Västerås/Lillhärad TM (vm) E402  1219km
 96.3 0548  S  SR P2, Göteborg or Skellefteå Classical, as 95.8 **
 96.6 0548  S  SR P3, Uppsala/Vedyxa TM (up) YLs, as 95.5  1299km **
 97.8 0846  S  SR P3, Örnsköldsvik/Åsberget TM (vn) E203  1547km **
 97.9 0846  S  SR P3, Borås, Sveg or Kalix E203 **
 98.0 0846  S  SR P3, Västerås/Lillhärad TM (vm) E203  1219km **
 98.1 0846  S  SR P3, Sollefteå/Multrå-Flugtjärnshöjden TM (vn) E203. Morg in radiotext
               1497km **

 98.7 0846  S  SR P3, Norrköping or Lycksele E203 **
 99.6 0846  S  SR P3, Örebro or Ånge E203 SR_P3
101.2 0846  S  SR P4, Sollefteå/Multrå-Flugtjärnshöjden TM (vn) EE24  1497km **
 97.1 0901 NOR NRK P2, Nordhue (he) F202 NRK P2 KULTURKAN in radiotext  1094km **
100.0 0901 NOR NRK P2, Oslo/Tryvann (os) F202  Norwegian YL  987km **
 99.5 0903  S  SR P4, Markaryd/Hualtet (kb) E724 and F--rm in radiotext  927km **
 98.7 0911  G  BBC Radio 1, Probably Ashkirk or Melvaig C201
104.1 1004 CZE Frekvence 1, Plzen/Krasov (PL) 2205  947km
106.2 1004  D  hr3, Heidelstein (Rhön) [bay] (hes) D363  729km **
102.5 1006  D  NDR 1 Radio MV, Garz (Rügen) (mev) D371  865km
103.7 1006 POL PR Radio Gdansk, Gdansk/Chwaszczyno (PM) 309C suddenly over an enhanced
               Lille  1195km

104.6 1006  D  Antenne Niedersachsen, Cuxhaven Otterndorf (nds) D389  571km **
102.5 1021 NOR Radio Norge, Multi-tx F21A -N
103.1 1021  S  SR P4, Ånge/Alby-Snöberg TM (vn) EE24 F--rmiddag i in radiotext  1363km **
103.9 1021 NOR Radio Norge, Oslo/Tryvann (os) F21A. More likely Oslo  987km **
104.9 1021 NOR P4 R Hele Norge, Greipstad/Eidsåvegen (va) F214  734km **
105.2 1021 NOR Radio Norge, Skien 1/Vealøs (te) F21A. Suddenly over Lille  889km **
103.4 1158 POL PR Radio dla Ciebie - RDC, Siedlce/Losice (MW) 3B3B  1512km **
103.6 1158 POL PR Radio Merkury, Walcz/Rusinowo (Pila) (ZP) 3755 and corrupted scrolling PS
               1060km

105.4 1158 POL Radio ZET, Siedlce/Losice (MW) Radio Zet ID  1512km
103.9 1207  D  MDR Figaro, Ronneburg (Gera) (thü) D3C3  854km
104.0 1207  D  MDR Figaro, Wittenberg/Gallunberg (san) Classical music, as 103.9  839km **
107.4 1207  D  MDR Figaro, Magdeburg/Burg Kapaunberg (san) Classical, as 103.9  782km **
103.6 1220  S  SR P4, Kisa or Vännäs most likely E224 **
101.4 1350  S  SR P4, Hörby/Sallerup TM (sn) E424  913km

Band 2 Tropospheric:
 87.6 0015  D  hr3, Sackpfeife (Biedenkopf) (hes) Pops, as web  612km
 88.0 0016  D  WDR 5, Bonn/Venusberg (nrw) D395 WDR_5  538km
 90.7 0019  D  WDR 4, Bonn/Venusberg (nrw) Light German pops, as web  538km
 91.1 0022  D  SWR1 Rheinland-Pfalz, Scharteberg (Eifel) (rlp) Light pops, as web  550km
 92.4 0027  D  SWR1 Rheinland-Pfalz, Linz (Rhein)/Ginsterhahner Kopf (rlp) Rodney Stewart song,
               as web  560km

 93.4 0028  D  Bayern 3, Pfaffenberg (bay) Pops, as web  712km
 93.5 0029  D  WDR 2, Nordhelle (nrw) Pops, as web  553km
 93.6 0030  D  SWR4 Rheinland-Pfalz, Scharteberg (Eifel) (rlp) Rogers/Parton song, as web  550km
 94.4 0033  D  hr1, Großer Feldberg (Taunus)/hr (hes) D361 hr1 Beggin von Madcon  647km
 94.8 0034  D  SWR3, Linz (Rhein)/Ginsterhahner Kopf (rlp) Pops, as web  560km
 95.3 0036 HOL Slam!FM, Amsterdam/Alticom Toren (nho) Slam FM jingle  320km
 95.4 0037  D  SWR2, Bad Marienberg (rlp) Opera  592km
 95.8 0038  D  WDR 5, Ederkopf (nrw) YL and soft pops, as web  592km
 96.7 0042  D  hr2, Großer Feldberg (Taunus)/hr (hes) D362  647km
 97.0 0043  D  WDR 3, Teutoburger Wald/Bielstein (nrw) Opera  591km
 97.4 0043  D  SWR4 Rheinland-Pfalz, Linz (Rhein)/Ginsterhahner Kopf (rlp) Light pops, as web
               560km

 98.1 0044  D  WDR 3, Nordhelle (nrw) D393 WDR_3  553km
 98.6 0045  D  WDR 5, Olsberg (nrw) German OM, as web  592km
 98.7 0047  D  AFN Wiesbaden-The Eagle, Großer Feldberg (Taunus)/hr (hes) D04E AFNEAGLE  647km
 99.1 0048  D  SWR1 Rheinland-Pfalz, Donnersberg (rlp) Light pops, as web  656km
 99.6 0051  D  hr-info, Sackpfeife (Biedenkopf) (hes) YLs talk, as web  612km
100.4 0052  D  WDR 2, Bonn/Venusberg (nrw) Comedy, as web  538km
100.7 0053  D  WDR 4, Ederkopf (nrw) Country song, as web  592km
100.8 0053  D  WDR 2, Aachen/Stolberg (nrw) Light pops, as web  483km
101.0 0053  D  WDR 2, Bärbelkreuz (Eifel) (nrw) Light pops, as 100.8  519km
101.7 0054  D  WDR 4, Kleve/Bresserberg (nrw) Country song, as 100.7  420km
101.8 0055  D  WDR 2, Ederkopf (nrw) Pops, as 101.0  592km
102.5 0056  D  hr4, Großer Feldberg (Taunus)/hr (hes) Country song, as web  647km
102.7 0056  D  Deutschlandfunk (DLF), Nordhelle (nrw) Jazz, as web  553km
102.8 0056  D  Deutschlandfunk (DLF), Wesel-Büderich (nrw) Jazz, as 102.7  456km
102.9 0056  D  RPR 1., Bad Marienberg (rlp) OM on phone, as web  592km
103.5 0057  D  RPR 1., Ahrweiler/Schöneberg (rlp) OM on phone, as 102.9  553km
103.7 0057  D  WDR Eins Live, Kleve/Bresserberg (nrw) YL, as 106.7  420km
103.8 0058  D  WDR 4, Nordhelle (nrw) Cher song, as 100.7  553km
104.0 0058  D  big fm (Rheinland-Pfalz), Koblenz/Kühkopf (rlp) Phone caller, as web  590km
104.1 0059  D  WDR 4, Olsberg (nrw) Cher song, as 103.8  592km
104.3 0059  D  hr4, Sackpfeife (Biedenkopf) (hes) Cher song, as 104.1  612km
104.7 0100  D  WDR Eins Live, Nordhelle (nrw) D391  553km
104.9 0100  D  big fm (Rheinland-Pfalz), Ahrweiler/Schöneberg (rlp) Big FM Goes Gospel promo
               553km

105.5 0100  D  WDR Eins Live, Teutoburger Wald/Bielstein (nrw) OM news, as 106.7  591km
105.6 0101  D  SWR4 Rheinland-Pfalz, Donnersberg (rlp) OM news  656km
105.9 0102  D  Hit Radio FFH, Großer Feldberg (Taunus)/hr (hes) Pops, as web  647km
106.6 0102  D  big fm (Rheinland-Pfalz), Scharteberg (Eifel) (rlp) OM news, as 104.9  550km
106.9 0104  D  Radio Euskirchen, Schleiden/Broicher Höhe (nrw) OM and YL news, as web  514km
107.0 0104  D  WDR Eins Live, Olsberg (nrw) Weather  592km
107.2 0105  D  WDR Eins Live, Ederkopf (nrw) D391  592km
107.4 0106  D  Radio Wuppertal, Wuppertal/Westfalenweg (nrw) OM, as web  508km
107.9 0106  D  WDR Eins Live, Münster/Baumberge (nrw) Its All About The (irritating) bass! As
               106.7  493km

107.4 0107  D  SWR4 Rheinland-Pfalz, Koblenz/Dieblich-Naßheck (rlp) Honey Honey song. Mixing
               Radio Wuppertal.   590km

106.3 0109  D  SWR4 Rheinland-Pfalz, Bad Marienberg (rlp) German song, as web  592km
105.3 0110  D  B5 aktuell, Kreuzberg (Rhön) (bay) YL interviewing OM  732km
 87.8 0111  D  WDR 2, Schwerte/Sommerberg (nrw) Its still all about the damn bass!
               AAAAAGHHHH!!!   525km

 89.2 0113  D  NDR 2, Osnabrück/Schleptruper Egge (nds) Soft rock, as web  525km
 89.8 0113  D  SWR1 Rheinland-Pfalz, Bad Marienberg (rlp) Light pops, as web  592km
 90.6 0114  D  WDR 5, Teutoburger Wald/Bielstein (nrw) OMs talking about England and America
               591km

 91.0 0114  D  hr1, Sackpfeife (Biedenkopf) (hes) Sigma song, as web  612km
 91.6 0115  D  SWR3, Koblenz/Dieblich-Naßheck (rlp) Sigma song, as 91.0  590km
 92.8 0115  D  SWR3, Bad Marienberg (rlp) Sigma song, as others  592km
 93.2 0116  D  WDR 2, Teutoburger Wald/Bielstein (nrw) Rock song, as web  591km
 94.0 0116  D  SWR2, Koblenz/Dieblich-Naßheck (rlp) Classical, as web  590km
 94.6 0117  D  MDR 1 Radio Sachsen-Anhalt, Brocken (san) Bruce Springsteen song, as web  712km
 95.1 0118  D  WDR 3, Langenberg/Hordtberg (nrw) Squeezing in over Stoke Holy Cross  504km
 96.3 0120  D  Bayern 3, Kreuzberg (Rhön) (bay) Pops, as web  732km
 97.3 0120  D  WDR 3, Kleve/Bresserberg (nrw) Classical, as others  420km
 98.5 0121  D  SWR3, Scharteberg (Eifel) (rlp) Pops, as others  550km
 98.8 0122  D  NDR Kultur, Osnabrück/Schleptruper Egge (nds) Classical, as web  525km
 99.8 0122  D  NDR 2, Steinkimmen (nds) POps, as web  543km
101.4 0123  D  Radio SAW, Brocken (san) Jingle ID  712km
102.0 0123  D  Deutschlandfunk (DLF), Lingen-Damaschke (nds) YL, as 102.8  477km
102.3 0124  D  Radio ffn, Steinkimmen (nds) Pleas, NO MORE BASS!  543km

** Personal Skegness '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
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification.

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.
Fringe Electronics 20dB band 2 pre-amp

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

Tuesday, 25 November 2014

Skegness Log: 25-11-14 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 88.1 0345  I  RAI Radio1, Monte Venda (RAI) (pd) 5201  1197km
 89.0 0345  I  RAI Radio2, Monte Venda (RAI) (pd) 5202  1197km
 89.9 0345  I  RAI Radio3, Monte Venda (RAI) (pd) 5203  1197km

There was a lot more more meteor activity overnight but it was mostly very weak and below the RDS threshold. Also, I decided to go vertical for a change and see if it made any difference. I guess it probably did with the regulars being absent or weaker but also I heard more Italian speech than usual. Worth trying this again I think when meteor activity improves.

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
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification.

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.
Fringe Electronics 20dB band 2 pre-amp

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

Monday, 24 November 2014

Skegness Log: 24-11-14 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 89.5 0141 HNG Music FM, Budapest - Széchenyi-hegy (Bud) Vocal ID   1460km
 91.4 0141 CZE Radio Impuls, Plzen/Krasov (PL) 2203  947km
 92.1 0145  G  BBC R3, Wenvoe or Black Hill C203  
 89.9 2059  I  RAI Radio3, Monte Venda (RAI) (pd) 5203  1197km

A much quieter night for meteor scatter!

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
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification.

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.
Fringe Electronics 20dB band 2 pre-amp

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

Sunday, 23 November 2014

Skegness Log: 23-11-14 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 87.7 0333  F  France Culture, Strasbourg/TDF Nordheim (67) F202  709km
 88.1 0333  I  RAI Radio1, Multi-tx 5201
 89.5 0333  I  RAI Radio1, Bologna/Colle Barbiano (RAI) (bo) 5201  1256km
 91.7 0333  I  RAI Radio2, Bologna/Colle Barbiano (RAI) (bo) 5202  1256km
 88.4 0338  F  France Culture, Bar-le-Duc/Willeroncourt (55) F202  607km
 89.0 0338  F  France Culture, Multi-tx French OM, as 88.4
 90.4 0339 AUT Hitradio Ö3, Klagenfurt 1/Dobratsch-Villacher Alpe (kae) A203  1199km
 89.1 0350 CZE CRo Radiozurnál, Plzen/Kraxov (PL) 232F  947km
 87.7 0355 POL PR 1, Konin/Zólwieniec (WP) 3211  1211km
 92.2 0359 POL PR 1, Plock/Rachocin (MW) 3211  1289km
 89.5 0401  D  Bayern 2, Wendelstein (bay) D312  1024km
 95.4 0421 AUT Ö2 - Radio Steiermark, Graz 1/Schöckl (ste) A902  1261km
 97.7 0504 CZE Kiss Jizní Cechy, Votice/Mezivrata (ST) 2556  1069km **
100.7 0505 LUX Radio 100,7, Dudelange/Ginsterberg (lux) 7212  573km
100.2 0531 POL RMF FM, Bialystok/Krynice (PL) 3F44  1506km **
 98.1 0532 HRV HRT-HR 1, Celevac or Beli Manastir C202
103.6 0811 POL PR Radio Merkury, Walcz/Rusinowo (Pila) (ZP) 3755  1060km
103.3 0828  D  Antenne Bayern, Unterringingen (bay) Guten Morgen Bayern programme ID in 
               long, fluttery burst  863km **
102.9 0829 CZE Radio Impuls, Ceské Budejovice/Klet - CRa (JC) 2203  1084km
103.8 0829 AUT FM 4, Wien 1/Kahlenberg (wie) A213  1247km
103.0 0842 HRV HRT Radio Zadar, Celevac (zd) C31B  1499km **
105.3 1014 AUT KRONEHIT, Sankt Pölten/Jauerling (nie) A3FF  1181km
105.8 1014 AUT KRONEHIT, Wien 1/Kahlenberg (wie) Pops, as 105.3  1247km **
103.8 1021 ROU SRR Radio România Actualitati, Arad/Siria (AR) EE00  1706km **
106.8 1021 ROU SRR Radio România Cultural, Arad/Siria (AR) EE01 CU  1706km **
104.1 1035 CZE Frekvence 1, Plzen/Krasov (PL) 2205  947km
104.8 1035 CZE CRo Vltava, Ostrava/Hostálkovice (MO) 232D  1287km
104.8 1042  D  hr1, Heidelstein (Rhön) [bay] (hes) D361  729km
105.0 1042 HNG MR 3 Bartók Rádió, Kab-hegy (Ves) B202. Csal in radiotext  1405km
107.3 1042  D  hr4, Heidelstein (Rhön) [bay] (hes) D364  729km **
 90.3 2248 POL PR 3, Opole/Chrzelice (OP) 3233  1229km
 89.4 2252  F  France Inter, Montpellier/Sainte-Baudille (34) F201  1072km **
 91.4 2252  F  France Musique, Troyes/les Riceys (10) F203  643km

** Personal Skegness '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
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification.

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.
Fringe Electronics 20dB band 2 pre-amp

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

Saturday, 22 November 2014

Skegness Log: 22-11-14 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 87.6 0211  S  SR P1, Storuman/Norrberg TM (vb) E201  1618km
 87.7 0211  S  SR P1, Halmstad/Oskarström-Slättåkra TM (ha) Waves  899km
 88.0 0211  S  SR P1, Vislanda (Alvesta)/Nydala TM (kb) Waves  983km **
 90.6 0211  S  SR P2, Vislanda (Alvesta)/Nydala TM (kb) Classical, as others  983km **
 91.2 0211  S  SR P2, Halmstad/Oskarström-Slättåkra TM (ha) Classical music, as 90.6
               899km **

 91.2 0211  S  SR P2, Storuman/Norrberg TM (vb) Noisy. Probably a mix of Storuman & Halmstad
               1618km **

 87.7 0214 SVK Fun Rádio, Kosice/Dubník (KE) 5340  1544km
 90.3 0229 POL PR 3, Opole/Chrzelice (OP) 3233 T  1229km
 90.5 0229 POL PR 3, Siedlce/Losice (MW) As 90.3  1512km **
 91.5 0229 POL PR 3, Luban/Nowa Karczma (DS) As 90.3  1035km
 87.6 0231  I  Virgin Radio, Multi-tx 5241 **
 88.0 0231  I  Virgin Radio, Likely Lombardia region. Ads, as 87.6. 
               Thanks FM Franco for help **
 88.6 0231  I  Radio Capital, Multi-tx. Emilia-Romagna region. 
               Thanks FM Franco for help. 5219 **
 89.7 0231  I  Virgin Radio, Probably Lecce. Ads, as 87.6 **
 87.9 0233  S  SR P1, Malmo, Orebro or Ostersund E201
 88.1 0233  S  SR P1, Gävle/Skogmur TM (ga) E201 SR_P  1310km
 88.4 0233  S  SR P1, Bollnäs/Arbrå-Kyrkberget TM (ga) Waves  1323km
 88.5 0233  S  SR P1, Multi-tx Waves **
 88.9 0233  S  SR P1, Skövde/Billingen TM (vg) Waves (Not Overkalix)  1023km
 89.1 0233  S  SR P1, Karlskrona or Osthammar Waves
 89.4 0233  S  SR P1, Borlänge or Arvidsjaur Waves
 89.9 0233  S  SR P1, Uddevalla or Tåsjö Waves **
 90.0 0233  S  SR P1, Norrköping/Kolmården-Krokek Orrbergen TM (og) E201  1174km
 90.3 0233  S  SR P1, Karlshamn or Uppsala Waves **
 90.5 0233  S  SR P1, Karlstad or Kisa Waves **
 90.7 0233  S  SR P1, Västerås/Lillhärad TM (vm) Waves  1219km
 91.1 0233  S  SR P1, Motala/Ervasteby TM (og) E201  1098km **
 91.5 0233  S  SR P2, Orebro or Ostersund E402. Over Holme Moss **
 90.6 0235 POL PR 2, Czestochowa/Wreczyca (SL) 3222 OP  1291km
 91.4 0239  I  RMC - Radio Monte Carlo, Castel San Pietro Terme/Monte Grande (bo) Vocal
               ID. 
Thanks Hannu and Franco for confirming the ID  1272km **
 87.6 0246 NOR NRK P1, Nordhue (he) F201 and NRK in radiotext  1094km
 88.2 0246 NOR NRK P1, Skien 1/Vealøs (te) F201  889km
 90.2 0246  S  SR P2, Hudiksvall/Forsa-Storberget TM (ga) Classical, as others  1365km **
 91.7 0246  S  SR P2, Bollnäs/Arbrå-Kyrkberget TM (ga) E402  1323km
 92.2 0246  S  SR P1, Mora/Eldris TM (da) E201  1211km
 87.7 0248 POL PR 1, Konin/Zólwieniec (WP) 3211  1211km
 88.5 0248  G  BBC Radio 2, Skriaig (SC-HIL)  628km
 89.1 0248  G  BBC Radio 2, Melvaig (SC-HIL) Likely Melvaig  648km **
 90.3 0248  G  BBC R3, Unsure which site Classical, as others
 90.7 0248 POL Radio Plus, Radom/Komin CM Pólnoc (MW) 321F  1427km **
 91.3 0248  G  BBC Radio 3, Melvaig (SC-HIL) Classical, as others  648km
 91.6 0248 POL Radio ZET, Ryki/Janiszewska (LB) 3205  1473km **
 91.3 0251  S  SR P1, Kalix/Långträskryggen TM (no) Waves  1909km **
 93.4 0423 NOR NRK Petre, Mosvik/Skavlen (nt) F203  1329km **
 94.3 0423 NOR NRK Petre, Tron (he) Indie music, as 93.4  1175km **
 93.9 0424 DNK DR P3, København-Gladsaxe/Isbanevej 4 (hvs) 9203  836km
 92.7 0431  S  SR P1, Backefors or Sundsvall Waves **
 94.0 0431  S  SR P3, Östersund/Brattåsen TM (jm) E203. Ten second burst  1382km **
 92.9 0432  S  SR P1, Lycksele/Knaften-Rålidsberget TM (vb) Waves  1629km **
 93.2 0434  S  SR P1, Ånge/Alby-Snöberg TM (vn) Waves  1363km **
 92.4 0444  S  SR P1, Stockholm/Nacka TM (st) Waves  1292km **
 92.8 0444  S  SR P2, Östhammar/Valö TM (up) E402 SR_P2. Notturno in radiotext  1334km **
 95.5 0444  S  SR P3, Östhammar/Valö TM (up) E205 SR  1334km **
 96.5 0444  S  SR P3, Karlstad/Sörmon TM (vr) Pops, as 95.5  1060km **
 96.8 0444  S  SR P2, Bäckefors (Mellerud)/Grönehög TM (vg) Choral, as 92.8  969km **
 93.8 0446  D  SWR2, Waldenburg (bwü) D3A2  786km **
 97.4 0756 CZE Frekvence 1, Pardubice/Krásné (PA) 2205  1127km **
 99.9 0817 POL PR 3, Gdansk/Chwaszczyno (PM) 3233 RO 09:17  1195km **
 97.6 0827  I  Radio Capital, Bagno a Ripoli (fi) ID "... a diretta ... capital.it"  
               Thanks FM Franco for help 1320km **
 97.5 0834 DNK DR P4, Næstved - Øverup/Køgevej 291 (sjl) Danish OM  782km
 99.6 0834 DNK DR P3, Næstved - Øverup/Køgevej 291 (sjl) Danish OM  782km **
105.3 0919  D  NDR Info, Schwerin (mev) Vocal ID  739km
102.7 0923  S  SR P4, Västervik/Fårhult TM (ka) E624  1132km **
103.7 0929 POL PR Radio Gdansk, Gdansk/Chwaszczyno (PM) 309C  1195km
104.9 0929  D  Radio SAW, Leipzig Wiederau [sac] (san) D6D9  843km
101.3 0938  S  SR P4, Borlänge/Teracoms mast Idkerberget (da) Presume Borlange  1204km
102.0 0938  S  SR P4, Gävle/Skogmur TM (ga) E224  1310km **
103.5 0938  S  SR P4, Karlstad/Sörmon TM (vr) Norwegian song, as 102.0  1060km **
101.6 0946 DNK Radio 24 syv, Næstved - Øverup/Køgevej 291 (sjl) Presume with Danish YL  782km
101.7 0955 CZE CRo Dvojka, Plzen/Krasov (PL) 232F R-DVOJKA  947km
104.1 0955 CZE Frekvence 1, Plzen/Krasov (PL) 2205 F1_104.1  947km
106.0 1004 FIN Radio SuomiPOP, Eurajoki - Euraåminne/Korvenkulma-Porintie 899 (st) 6460
               1561km **

106.9 1017  D  Hitradio RTL Sachsen, Leipzig Wiederau (sac) D3C9  843km
107.9 1029 POL Radio Maryja, Suwalki/G.Krzemianucha (PL) 3232  1483km
106.0 1038 CZE Radio Impuls, Pardubice/Krásné (PA) 2203  1127km
103.3 1042  S  SR P4, Stockholm/Nacka TM (st) E224  1292km **
103.5 1044 DNK Radio 24 syv, Årsballe/Aarsballe By 55 (sjl-bor) 9204 24syv  971km **
103.9 1054 CZE CRo Vltava, Liberec/Jested (LI) YL, as 104.8  1038km
104.8 1054 CZE CRo Vltava, Ostrava/Hostálkovice (MO) 232D  1287km
105.6 1054  D  Hitradio RTL Sachsen, Löbau/Schafberg (sac) D3C9  1006km **
107.6 1054  D  Radio Lausitz, Löbau/Schafberg (sac) 14C1  1006km

Band 2 Tropospheric:
107.4 0041  D  SWR4 Rheinland-Pfalz, Koblenz/Dieblich-Naßheck (rlp) D6A4  590km
104.0 0047  D  big fm (Rheinland-Pfalz), Koblenz/Kühkopf (rlp) D3A9  590km
104.9 0125  D  big fm (Rheinland-Pfalz), Ahrweiler/Schöneberg (rlp) Pops, as 104.0  553km
105.1 0126  D  Hit Radio FFH, Hoher Meißner (hes) Pops, as web  684km
 91.6 0130  D  SWR3, Koblenz/Dieblich-Naßheck (rlp) Pops, as web  590km
101.7 0133  D  hr4, Hoher Meißner (hes) Oldies, as web  684km


** Personal Skegness 'First'


Tropo was a surprise during the late evening of the 21st/early morning 22nd. Signals were not great but the SW2 software revealed a few PI codes. Bonn, Barbelkreuz, Aachen, Munster and Langenberg were also slightly enhanced.

A few bits and pieces about my meteor scatter loggings.

Some of the stations logged share the frequency with other stations on the same network. It can sometimes be a gamble deciding which site has been received. The methods I used to determine the sites involve checking the other frequencies of those transmitters to either confirm or eliminate them, if that makes sense, so just a quick explanation of why I claim to have received certain sites when others might be possible.

At the moment I am reporting many personal firsts from Poland and Finland. My lack of Polish and Finnish meteor scatter loggings in the past have been due to the shortfalls of the StreamWriter software. StreamWriter seemed to be the best software of its kind that I could find, but it was unable to record web streams encoded in the .asx format. These formats are used by the Polish and Finnish national networks so I was never able to record them.

One minor problem with the RDS display on the S2, which you may have noticed, is not having the full eight character PS display when not all eight characters are transmitted, so I am not always able to report accurate positioning of the PS name. For example, if a station has the PS name "__LBC___", the S2 simply displays it as "LBC". This will be rectified if I am ever able to get RDS Spy configured via the SW2 software.

Finally, just to stress the value of the File Analyser software. This comes with SDR Console and has saved me an enormous amount of time. Using File Analyser I can see an image of the whole of an overnight S2 recording. The meteor bursts are easy to see and if I hover my mouse pointer over the burst I can see the exact time it occurred. So I can note down the time of the burst and go straight to it in the SW2 software. I would not consider meteor scatter DXing if I had to play back an entire recording in realtime!

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
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification.

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.
Fringe Electronics 20dB band 2 pre-amp

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

Friday, 21 November 2014

Skegness Log: 21-11-14 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 91.4 0113  E  Radio Surco, Tomelloso (CAM-CR) E206 R.SURCO_  1579km **
 94.2 0245  E  Los 40 Principales, Toledo or Valencia Pops, as 95.3   **
 95.3 0245  E  Los 40 Principales, Zaragoza/Juslibol (ARA-Z) E275. Very likely Zaragoza  1277km
 96.4 0325  F  France Culture, Niort/Maisonnay (79) F202  774km **
 94.2 0333  F  France Musique, Marseille/Grande Etoile (13) F203. Classical music  1149km
 98.5 0716  E  RNE Radio 3, Zamora/El Viso (CAL-ZA) E203. Spanish OM and YL  1374km **
 99.0 0739  F  France Culture, Marseille/Grande Etoile (13) YL, as 98.0  1149km
105.1 0917  F  RTL, Bayonne/la Rhune (64) F211 and vocal ID  1104km **
103.7 2139 POL PR Radio Gdansk, Gdansk/Chwaszczyno (PM) 309C  1195km **
103.6 2148  F  France Bleu Provence, Marseille/Grande Etoile (13) F405  1149km
106.9 2158 POL PR Radio Pomorza i Kujaw, Brodnica/Cieleta (KP) 3401 RadioPiK  1271km

** Personal Skegness 'First'

Videos from the 21st:

 91.4 Radio Surco, Tomelloso: http://youtu.be/SPTdGJePZfE
106.9 PR Radio Pomorza i Kujaw, Brodnica: http://youtu.be/aZieUYJkL6U

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
Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification.

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.
Fringe Electronics 20dB band 2 pre-amp

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

Thursday, 20 November 2014

Skegness Log: 20-11-14 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 89.5 0223  D  Bayern 2, Wendelstein (bay) D312  1024km
 92.1 0223 HRV HRT-HR 1, Zagreb/Sljeme (zg) C201  1381km
 87.7 0236  F  France Culture, Strasbourg/TDF Nordheim (67) French OMs  709km
 88.3 0236  F  France Inter, Carcassonne/Pic de Nore (11) F201. French OM and YLs and associated 
               QRM to BBC R3 on 90.9  1093km **
 90.5 0236  F  France Culture, Chambéry/Mont du Chat (73) French OMs, as 87.7  922km **
 92.1 0236  F  France Inter, Perpignan/Pic de Neulos (66) OM and YLs, as 88.3  1202km
 91.4 0255  F  France Musique, Troyes/les Riceys (10) F203 and opera  643km
 87.7 0300  E  Europa FM, Valverde de Alcalá (MAD-M) E5ED  1441km
 91.7 0300  E  Radio Euskadi, Bilbao=Bilbo/Ganeta (PVA-BI) E302  1130km **
 88.2 0330  E  RNE Radio Nacional, Madrid/Torrespaña (MAD-M) E211  1447km **
 93.3 0600 HRV HRT-HR 1, Beli Manastir (os) C201  1552km
 92.1 0613  S  SR P2, Nässjö/Teracom mast Berg (jo) E402 SR_P____  1031km **
 95.8 0613  S  SR P2, Västerås/Lillhärad TM (vm) Classical, as 92.1  1219km **
 99.0 0756  F  France Culture, Marseille/Grande Etoile (13) OM, as 98.0  1149km
104.2 2052 BEL AFN PowerNet, Casteau-Shape (wal-hnt) 6037. English ad snippet suddenly over BBC 
               Kent. 100% MS  386km **

** Personal Skegness 'First'

Beaming the antenna slightly further to the south overnight gave more in the way of Spanish and French DX. I was very surprised to see the PI code of AFN pop u on 104.2 though. Here is a video of this: http://youtu.be/O0KeXbBIYFE (104.2 AFN The Eagle, Casteau (SHAPE) 4kW 386 km 2014-11-21 0016)

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, Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification.

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.

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

Wednesday, 19 November 2014

Skegness Log: 19-11-14 (FM)

Band 2 Meteor Scatter:
 89.6 0242  S  SR P1, Nässjö/Teracom mast Berg (jo) E201  1031km
 90.0 0242  S  SR P1, Norrköping/Kolmården-Krokek Orrbergen TM (og) Waves  1174km
 92.2 0247  D  MDR 1 Radio Sachsen, Dresden-Wachwitz (sac) D4C1  951km **
 87.7 0248 FIN YLE Radio Yksi, Eurajoki - Euraåminne/Korvenkulma-Porintie 899 (st) Classical,
               as 87.9  1561km **

 87.9 0248 FIN YLE Radio Yksi, Espoo - Esbo/Saunalahti-Tillinmäki (uu) 6201  1665km
 89.1 0248  S  SR P1, Östhammar/Valö TM (up) E201 SR_P____  1334km **
 89.8 0248 FIN YLE Radio Yksi, Turku - Åbo/Kaarina-Kuusisto, Vuolahdentie 137 (vs) 6201
               1553km **

 89.9 0248 FIN YLE Radio Yksi, Jyväskylä/Taka-Keljo Ronsuntaipaleentie (ks)
               Classical, as others  1793km **

 90.7 0248  S  SR P1, Västerås/Lillhärad TM (vm) E201  1219km **
 90.7 0248 FIN YLE Radio Yksi, Tampere-Tammerfors/Kämmenniemi-Vähä - Koveron Tie (pi)
               Classical, as others  1684km **

 87.8 0254 POL PR 3, Zagan/Wichów (LU) Jazz, as 90.3  1037km
 91.5 0254 POL PR 3, Luban/Nowa Karczma (DS) Jazz, as 90.3. Briefly toppling Holme Moss
               1035km **

 91.7 0254 POL PR 3, Czestochowa/Wreczyca (SL) 3233  1291km
 88.1 0259  S  SR P1, Gävle/Skogmur TM (ga) E201  1310km **
 89.0 0259 CZE Radio Impuls, Ostrava/Hostálkovice (MO) 2203  1287km
 88.3 0315 POL PR 1, Opole/Chrzelice (OP) 3211  1229km
 90.3 0315 POL PR 3, Opole/Chrzelice (OP) 3233  1229km **
 92.2 0315  S  SR P1, Mora/Eldris TM (da) Waves  1211km **
 88.1 0342  D  MDR 1 Radio Sachsen-Anhalt, Wittenberg/Gallunberg (san) MDR Musiknacht ID  839km
 88.4 0342  S  SR P1, Bollnäs/Arbrå-Kyrkberget TM (ga) Waves  1323km **
 91.7 0342  S  SR P2, Bollnäs/Arbrå-Kyrkberget TM (ga) E402  1323km **
 88.5 0350  G  BBC Radio 2, Skriaig (SC-HIL) Pops, as others  628km **
 90.7 0350  G  BBC Radio 3, Skriaig (SC-HIL) Classical, as others  628km **
 91.3 0350  G  BBC Radio 3, Melvaig (SC-HIL) Classical, as others  648km **
 88.4 0356  D  MDR Figaro, Leipzig Wiederau (sac) D3C3  843km
 90.4 0356  D  MDR JUMP, Leipzig Wiederau (sac) D3C2 MD______  843km **
 89.1 0402 CZE CRo Radiozurnál, Plzen/Krasov (PL) 232F  947km
 95.3 0820 NOR NRK P2, Bagn 1/Kjeldeknatten (op) F202. Norwegian OM  1019km **
 92.0 0829 POL PR 1, Przysucha/Kozlowiec (MW) Polish OM, as 92.0  1388km **
 92.9 0829  G  BBC R4, Unsure which site. As others. Very short MS
 94.6 0829 POL RMF FM, Poznan/Srem (WP) 3F44  1127km
 94.8 0829 POL RMF FM, Zagan/Wichów (LU) Pops, as 94.6  1037km **
 96.4 0829 POL PR 3, Poznan/Srem (WP) 3233 _TRO____  1127km
 92.1 0833  D  Bayern 1, Brotjacklriegel (bay) D811. Very long burst  1021km
 92.8 0833  D  Deutschlandfunk (DLF), Korbach/An der Strother Str. (hes) Vocal ID in promo in
               pile-up in long burst  620km **

 93.5 0842  S  SR P2, Norrköping/Kolmården-Krokek Orrbergen TM (og) E402  1174km **
 95.0 0842  S  SR P2, Karlskrona/Vämö-Bryggareberget TM (bl) OM, as 93.5  1036km **
 93.8 0843  S  SR P3, Hudiksvall/Forsa-Storberget TM (ga) E203  1365km **
 95.1 0843  S  SR P3, Härnösand/Vårdkasberget TM (Härnön) (vn) Swedish rap, as others  1472km **
 96.0 0843  S  SR P3, Bollnäs/Arbrå-Kyrkberget TM (ga) E203 SR_P____  1323km **
102.7 1008  S  SR P4, Västervik/Fårhult TM (ka) E624  1132km **
101.3 1013 LVA LR 2, Kuldiga (Kul) 9222  1434km **
103.6 1016  G  BBC Radio 4 FM, Rosemarkie (SC-HIL) BBC R4 programme  570km **
104.9 1916  G  BBC Radio Nan Gaidheal, Rosemarkie (SC-HIL) Bagpipes  570km **
105.1 1100 POL Radio Maryja, Konin/Zólwieniec (WP) 3232. Likely transmitter  1211km **
105.4 1100 POL Radio ZET, Siedlce/Losice (MW) Vocal ID by OM presenter  1512km
103.3 1103 POL PR 3, Konin/Zólwieniec (WP) 3233  1211km **
103.6 1103 POL PR Radio Merkury, Walcz/Rusinowo (Pila) (ZP) 3755  1060km **
105.3 1103  D  NDR Info, Schwerin (mev) D384 ND______  739km
106.9 1103  D  Deutschlandradio Kultur, Aurich-Haxtum (nds) (1kW) D220  475km **
105.5 1104 CZE Evropa 2, Votice/Mezivrata (ST) 2204 EV______  1069km
103.8 1111  S  SR P4, Bollnäs/Arbrå-Kyrkberget TM (ga) EB24  1323km
107.0 1111  S  NRJ, Hudiksvall/Forsa-Storberget TM (ga) E220  1365km **

** Personal Skegness 'First'

Another amazing night of MS activity, thanks to the S2 and lots of nice surprises.

There was a short burst of what sounded like Gaelic singing on 104.7 at 1017 which I believe might be BBC Radio Nan Gaidheal from Skraig. Skraig was a frequent visitor elsewhere overnight so this is highly likely. Also received via the same burst were stations on 102.5, 102.3 and 102.1. Now this is pure speculation, but I can't help but wonder if 102.5 was Moray Forth Radio from Caithness (1.2kW), 102.3 was Nevis FM from Mallaig (800 watts) and 102.1 was NECR from Meldrum (1.25 kW). 104.7 and 102.5 were easily at RDS levels but, since the UK transmitters radiate less data than Europeans, this did not form - another clue maybe? Perhaps I should check this direction more often.

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, Sony XDR-F1HD with Konrad i2c modification.

Aerial:
Körner 9.2 @ 5.5 metres agl. QTH is 3 metres asl.

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