More HF Tricks - Testing Antennas and Dead Bands
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- Опубліковано 1 лис 2020
- When you hear no signals, are the bands really dead or just lacking activity? We show how you can check band conditions any time of the day, and decide whether calling CQ is worth trying, or perhaps better to try another band. You can also make sensible checks on antenna performance, comparing one with another, in real time,
- Наука та технологія
I’m glad I watched this. A very useful testing tool.
you are getting very good at this Peter, always a great tip. many thanks.
Thanks 👍 73 Peter
Thanks for the very useful reverse beacon network info on a dead 20m ve ,w , so not so dead. Always enjoy your video's thanks
I had no idea this was available. Set this up on my 7300 and behold, I'm getting out. Thank you so much for all your videos but most especially this one. Cheers from your cousins across the pond. 73 de WB2O.
Glad to help 73 Peter
I learn something new every day! Thanks, good tip.
Thanks Pete well you have just taught an old dog a new trick, so easy to set up with the IC 7300 too.
Wow thanks for the reverse beacon tip. I am going to use it to check band conditions every time I need to. VE5EE
Yes its a great tool. 73 Peter
Another great video. I’m learning so much.
Again Sir brilliant video ! It has sorted out my issue as well, I just started CW few months back, at the moment I use straight key most of the times and it becomes pretty tiring at times giving CQ calls for long duration, so I guess what I will do now is to simply record it in the memory like you did and my problem will be solved...TNX
Thank you ,these videos have got me back on h.f. After many years away(M1ECP).
Glad to hear it 73 Peter
Always enjoy your videos! I've been using RBN like this for years. It's also useful as a check on frequency if I'm working on a radio and not sure of the display. I set my keyer up for 35 wpm - the RBN skimmers can read it just as easily and it produces less potential interference.
Great tip!
Toujours bon à rappeler. Merci Peter. 73 from Normandy de f5row
Fascinating. I never knew you could do this :-)
You can
Thank you for the interesting idea of evaluating a radio propagation and equipment. One more step to an adaptive radio channel. It would also be useful to have practical SNR/BER value when going from CW to other types of modulation/protocols like SSB, FM, FT8 etc. with the same condition to determine the possible use of these modes.
Great info. I have been an active cw op for 62 years and just found out about the RBN. Thank you sir. WA6MOW
Glad to help
Thank you Sir, that's a great tip!
You bet!
That's a fantastic way to do it
Thanks Peter, another good idea! Many thanks G8XDD
Helpful video Peter 👍👏👏
Glad it was helpful! 73 Mark
Brilliant and thank you..G4MCL...Dave.
Many thanks
Great idea, thank you very much for another excellent advice. Keep up the good work, Peter! Vy 73 de Mike DL1BJW
Many thanks!
another great video. thanks
Glad you enjoyed it
Great... I had heard about this but did not know how to use it.. I do now.. thanks Peter.. Cheers.. Craig vk3ncr
can also do this with software keyers if connected to PC, laptop,phone or notepad
Very good advice, thank you OM Peter. BTW, we don't hear many Italians at the Southern tip of Africa when CONDX are poor!!
Thanks Garth
Nice. I'm Maritime Mobile. Would I break the system since I'm a long way from home? Any way of including location in the transmission?
I use PSK reporter to test prop from my location, usually check 10m early morning to see it open but bereft of signals coming in :/ but the band is open...
Many thanks
Wow, I didn't know that.
Glad it will help. 73 Peter
I had never heard of the RBN before. How does it work? Does is rely on operators typing in reports or is it automated with wide band SDR receivers?
Automatic - SDR 73 Peter
@@watersstanton Thanks and 73
Nice tip. Another thing you can do is listen on the FT8 frequencies. If you can hear a digital racket, then you know there's propagation :) Same applies for checking antenna performance, I used to use wspr, but FT8 gives much quicker results and you're not transmitting for so long.
Thanks. 73 Peter
How did you decide what frequency to send your test transmission on? What frequencies do the reverse beacons operate on?
Anywhere in the CW section is fine. The veacons scan the segments.
@@watersstanton That is amazing. Thank you for this very interesting video.
Fantastic tip! - KD5QZG
VERY good video sir! Another good way is to monitor FT8. Throw out a cq and wait a few minutes to see where your signal goes. Very useful! And fun! I'll probably be ordering an IC-7300 eventually.
Many thanks. 73 Peter
Very useful video, the only comment I have is that would you not want to transmit "QRL?" before transmitting a test signal to ensure you're not stepping on anyone? Often on cw there may be a QSO going on, but you can't hear the other station.
Yes indeed but I cant remember the last time I heard that. And of course non CW operators would not be able to read it anyway. But good point. 73 Peter
I add 'nil' after asking if the frequency remains clear and do NOT put a 'K' at the end of your test transmission as you're inviting response. I've been using this method for about two years .. and increasing my cw usage as well. Your callsign will appear as well as the 'skimmer' ID.
Just tried it myself and the site is constantly 'hourglassing', de G6MWQ
Never ever had that myself. Try again on ipad, or smart phone.
Ok tried again today and now getting spots, thanks for all your informative videos Peter, de G6MWQ
Thanks for the demo. de WB0RSZ
Thanks Gene 73 Peter
1st of April?
No 2nd October !
Thanks for the RBN tip Peter, that is very useful. My personal preference is PSK Reporter - pskreporter.info/pskmap.html. It provides a visual, geographic display of your signal reports in any mode (cw, digital, SSB, etc) worldwide leveraging any transceiver that's actively listening on their network (normally thousands around the world). I typically can see hundreds of reports instantly and can filter by 'over the last x mins/hours', any band, any mode and any callsign. I always have this on my second computer screen while I on the air and it gives instant propagation visuals. It also shows those stations that your receiver can hear but cannot receive you. An amazing and useful web-based solution! 73 KJ6ER, Silicon Valley
Thanks Greg. I am sure others reading this will be interested to try it. 73 Peter
I use ft8 on all bands then check psk reports via GridTracker.
OK thanks for info. 73 Peter.
I use GT too on FT8 & FT4 but I am keen cw operator, so its easy to use.
Too many commercials!
Sorry