I'm fairly new here and have a renewed interest in the 1750 meter band. I was first interested in my teens before I got my ham ticket (novice class for almost 20 years before upgrading to general). I am curious...is there a simple/easy kit for a 1750 receiver? I also am possible interested in an AM transmitter in the 136 KHz range, and would want a simple receiver (maybe direct conversion) to complement it...I'm currently getting an AM Broadcast band station running on 1000 KHz, 2 FM stations at 92.1 and 87.9 MHz...meanwhile, a regular home-brew collage of CW and AM transceivers and transmitters on 160, 80, and a few beacons (down) on 10 meters. I have most of the parts for a 6 meter beacon as well, but haven't built the keyer yet...wow, I just realized that I'm WAY behind on projects...any help would be GREATLY appreciated for a young (old) ham (OM) trying to get his feet re-wet...thanks!
Dave KA0VQX
SWMO
We have some good news, amradioman!
We have at least one and perhaps more threads devoted to long wave (LW) and before I link you let me give a quick sketch of where things are.
After members of this forum designed a Shortwave transmitter known as "Big Talker", we decided to build a LW transmitter named "Deep Voice", which you will read about. The project is 90% complete, the circuit still lacks a definite oscillator for the front-end.
http://www.part15.us/node/3006
I found the plans for a direct conversion (and superheterodyne as well) on the internet, but now, my only question is: "136 KHz or 171 KHz?" Where is most of the action found in the Midwest? Thanks for any help out there, it would be greatly appreciated...
Dave KA0VQX
FCC 15.217 allows 1-Watt in the band 160 to 190kHz.
As kc8gpd has shown, all of these frequencies are used by active HAM or part 15 users.
A logical approach would be to listen to each of these frequencies and avoid frequencies being used by someone else.
It is allowed to transmit with 9kHz or 10kHz spacing. Europe uses 9kHz spacing on LW. The U.S. has never established a spacing standard for LW.
One guideline is to note that LW digital radios are set for 9kHz spacing, so one might choose an even frequency that adapts to either 9kHz or 10kHz, such as 180kHz.
its permitted to use any modulation digital technic or stepping you wish so long as you keep any emmissions in the band and obey power and antenna limits
With the restrictions in place for 1750, is it me, or is AM pretty much out? I mean, with QRN (and QRM too) would CW and/or RTTY/or other digital modes be better? I'm new to this and wondering...
Dave VQX
As kc8gpd said a few notes back, any modulation technique is ok for the 1750 experimental band. It's a great band for trying different things.
When I finish my LW transmitter, now 2/3 built, it will be AM.
Back in the beginning the question was "Is there a 1750 receiver kit", but I think we have talked mainly about 1750 transmitters.
I did check the Ramsey catalog, I thought they had a LW radio kit, but I don't see it now.
"With the restrictions in place for 1750, is it me, or is AM pretty much out? I mean, with QRN (and QRM too) would CW and/or RTTY/or other digital modes be better? I'm new to this and wondering."
Although you can find a consumer radio sporting the LW band at the wally world and even rattle shackles, what is the ratio of common public listening to that band versus their iPod or 40 channels of digital cable radio or satellite radio or internet radio versus the very small number of folks actually listening to the static and buzz noises?
Those radios available at the stores with LW are built to demod AM, not QRM or CW or RTTY or other "HAM" type modulation methods.
So if the intent is to draw public attention, AM will be the way to go, otherwise they tune in, hear buzz crackle pop and tune out..or better yet..turn off and return to the other "better" methods of hearing something on the radio.
RFB
Very often I flip through the long wave numbers and listen for the pops, beacon beeps and other buzz.
This morning I ran across a loud and clear conversation at 234kHz, and it did not resemble anything familiar from the medium wave band, so I thought I had discovered a true long wave station! The topic was Bible related, and it was done in the style of an infommercial, where one guy was clueless but curious, and the other guy knew all about it and was more than ready to explain everything.
Just to make sure, I used a 2nd radio to compare each AM station on the dial, and "zing!", what I was hearing was coming from 1320kHz, a dollar a holler Christian station.
Strange, they never showed up on long wave before, something must be out of calibration at their transmitter, 5kW, somewhere not far away.