On this side of the Atlantic, US Lowfers are experimenting with a new weak
signal mode
called "WOLF" developed by Stewart Nelson, KK7KA. It has proven to be far
superior
to QRSS(S) mode in both off air and on-air tests to date.
Lyle Koehler, K0LR conducted off air tests where he mixed a random sample
of LF noise
with the desired signals from a variety of modes. The results were:
CW (by ear) -18db below the noise
QRSS (3 sec dots) -27db below the noise
QRSS(S) (60 sec dots) -31db below the noise
WOLF -40db below the noise
These tests have been further confirmed by on-air tests as well. Despite
the Springtime
QRN, record breaking receptions in WOLF mode have been made in the past few
days including Stewart's reception of the XM(GR) beacon at a distance of
1,874 miles
with a 1 watt input (2 milliwatt ERP) beacon.
I urge LF'ers on both sides of the pond to investigate this exciting new
mode. It offers
the promise of Trans-Atlantic QSO's even with current US power limits...and
certainly
with the type of ERP common in Europe and Canada.
Please note that not only is the weak signal performance of this mode
superior to QRSS
but also that more information can be passed in a given time frame.
Currently, WOLF uses
a 15 byte message format that can be totally unknown to the receiving
station (AS WAS
THE CASE IN ALL TEST TRANSMISSIONS SO FAR) resulting in little doubt that
an actual reception or QSO has occurred.
More info can be found on the Noise Floor Web site:
http://www.highnoonfilm.com/xmgr/updates/wolf.htm
73,
Les Rayburn, N1LF
4919 Cox Cove
Helena, AL 35080
XMGR 184.900khz
1LF 187.300khz
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