I have a radio sitting around that
is called an Aqua Guide 705 radio
direction finder. It was meant to be
used on a boat.
It has some other bands, but where it
I have a radio sitting around that
is called an Aqua Guide 705 radio
direction finder. It was meant to be
used on a boat.
It has some other bands, but where it
really shines is on the longwave band.
It was procured at a tag sale for about
ten dollars.
I'm in Connecticut on the east coast. I've
gotten a few longwave BC stations here and there.
But I've always had to take the radio outside
in the back yard because the signals are so
weak and get covered by house electrical noise.
So last night I turned it on and MOROCCO was
in very strong on 171 kHz. Music and news (?)
I have NEVER heard a LWBC station in the house.
The transmitter power is listed as 2 million watts.
I guess this is a good one to keep an eye on.
It was late, and I was too tired to roll tape or
get it onto the computer as a file. Hopefully
it will be in again.
It faded out at about 1:30 AM my time. That's
about 45 minutes before sunrise in Morocco.
Good LW DX for a $10.00 radio. And right inside
the Part 15 160 -190 band.
By the way, I'm trying to find a schematic
for a Longwave Part 15 tube transmitter from
the early 1970s. I'll let you know if I find it.
Bruce, Dog Radio Studio 2 - I've mentioned this a
few times and I probably will one or two more times -
My Part 15 station was renamed about a month or so
ago in honor of my dog, Betty, a rescue dog that
we got when she was 8 years old. She made it til
age 14 and is in Dog Heaven now. The last year or
so she spent most of her time in this room with
the radio stuff. We love you Betty, Rest In Peace
I looked back and saw that I have
mentioned this transmitter on this
board a few times before. OH MY. We had one
that my friend built, but it is gone now.
Well, anyway, if you Google:
Neglected Band Transmitter Popular Electronics
1972, you will find several references to it.
One of the antique forums that is in the Google
search results has the entire article for that
transmitter, and a companion receiving tuner
for that range.
So, it has a VFO that runs from 160 to 190 kHz,
and it runs the One watt input with Amplitude
Modulation. It is meant to be
used with a 50 foot antenna.
There are probably better articles for solid
state transmitters for that range. And I don't
think it would be that easy to build nowadays.
However. just looking at the articles is a real kick!
Bruce, Dog Radio Studio 2
Check out ebay and look for the "Slinky Antenna". Lots of different styles and applications.
RFB
I think somebody has a crystal set
for kids that uses a slinky for
the tuning coil.
Does the crystal set walk down the
stairs too?
Best Wishes,
Bruce, Dog Radio Studio 2
Dear Part 15 Friends:
I hereby, thereby, and bye-bye propose that we officially and for kicks launch a longwave transmitter building project. We should capitalize the first letter of each word, and call it a Longwave Transmitter Building Project. But there should be a shorter name for the project, like "Long Reach," or maybe, "Long Wave Surfer," or..... I know, how about a contest searching for a good name?
The line is now open for suggestions.
"I hereby, thereby, and bye-bye propose that we officially and for kicks launch a longwave transmitter building project."
Perhaps even set up a Long Wave Network and attempt a "daisy chain" across the entire North American continent.
There's my suggestion. 😀
RFB
160-190 khz uses 1 watt input to final and a 15 meter antenna. ssb is probably best for voice and cw.
Count us in as an affiliate!
Let's talk about how each of us can supply a chunk of network programming.
On second thought, the network feed will come from KDX and we welcome each LW affiliate to link up!
Help me come up with a good name for the network.
Here's my thought on the a name.
The North American Longwave Network.
Possible Abbreviations: NLN / NALN / NALW
NLN could Also work for National Longwave Network
Should we have a national frequency for all stations or separate into districts?
On one hand the thought of one uniform frequency is appealing. Would there be any downside to that way of operation?
Also, the names sound good. NLN is a neat abbreviation. But it is a little hard to say. Looks good in print.
This is a question about using the name "North American," and that is...
is Canada allowed to operate low power long wave? If they could join the network it truly would cover north america.
If only the U.S. is allowed LPLW then maybe that would be the reason to say "National."
I would think it would be a good idea for NLN
(I'll call it that for now) to be on one channel.
If someone near us wants to be an affiliate we could simply sync up the carriers, or have an alternate frequency.
For example:
Primary: 162 khz
Alternate: 180 khz
NLW can be another abbreviation if NLN is hard to say. "North American" was indeed picked to allow Canada to join the net, if longwave use is permitted.
Good deal. Of course someone still might come along with other ideas, but until that happens, I am in with suggestions from you, The Crow.
NLN ( makes a good vocal exercise)
162kHz (secondary 180kHz)
Now we need transmitters.
Of Course this still all in the planning stages,
but for every network there is a logo,
and since we still don't know if Canada can participate there are two nearly identical logos for either scenario.
<-If Canada Cannot Do It.
<-If Canada Is Eligible
Quick and good, The Crow, your logos look super.
Let's pretend we already have the network so we can start using the logos!