Got up early today to listen for SAQ (first run started up at 4:15 am EDT).
I had a chance to try 3 antennas on the first transmission:
1: Large (20 x 30 feet vertical loop) in trees but favouring east/west -
Heard lots of other stuff but nothing from SAQ
2: Ferrite Rod (3/4" square x 12" long), tuned, into OP-27 preamp -
good SNR between
static crashes but weak signal
3: 40-turn tuned loop diamond-shaped equiv to 75 cm dia circle in
area - OP-27 preamp
SNR similar to ferrite rod but stronger signal and noise
Used sound card receiver by SM6LKM, recorded audio to cassette. Best
settings were
with 1000-Hz bandwidth and local osc set for 16457 Hz.
The QRN here was terrible for both transmissions, slightly better on
second transmission
but by then the locals were up for breakfast and my powerline-induced
noise was much
worse, hi! The static was incessant, so much that I was not able to
copy the official
message. But I did hear lots of "VVV VVV VVV DE SAQ SAQ SAQ" and
some long dashes before
the official transmission. Don't think there is much I can do with
the recording to
improve the copy.
My QTH is Westmeath, Ontario, Canada - grid square FN15nt (over 1000
Km inland from the
Atlantic Coast). Bearing to SAQ is 56 degrees magnetic. Calculated
distance: 5865 Km.
Many thanks to SM6LKM for the cute software receiver and to the folks
at Grimeton for
making it happen. This was the first time I was able to hear
anything from SAQ.
73,
Bill VE2IQ
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