09.29.2012 - My friend Floyd WA2WVL, a great Ham enthusiast, excellent designer and builder, is putting together the elements to build for WF2XXQ a 6 Power MOSFET - IRFP32N50K (3+3 in push/pull) Class D RF amp which is going to run at 12V, 24V, 36V and 48V using four used 800W 12VDC HP server switching power supplies in series. When we put on line this equipment, driven by our KB5NJD built 10W transverter, our ERP should increase by approximately 20dB.
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09.18.2012 - With the help of my long time friend Ken Hopper N9VV from Chicago, IL, this afternoon we were able to update the Operating Softwares: Simon Brown's HB9DRV - SDR-Radio and Mo Wheatley's AE4JY SPECTRAVUE, update the Firmware and calibrate the frequency of my RF Space SDR-IQ receiver. My plans are, weather permitting, for WF2XXQ to run it all night with the SDR-IQ as the receiver, in conjunction with the TS-2000 during our WSPR session. We look forward to evaluating the results of these experiments.
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09.10.2012 - Reception on Kenwood TS-2000 of WSPR signals on 494.4 KHz using 4 x elevated EWE loops designed by WA2WVL connected to the HF Receive antenna connector of the Kenwood have been adequate, since I have been able to decode each station that has heard me, with the Kenwood's receive Preamp ON. I have on line a Clifton Labs BCB Filter specially designed to attenuate Broadcast signals in my Zip Code.
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09.04.2012 - This morning at 0818 UTC our 58 mW ERP WSPR signal on 495.9 KHz was decoded by Dave Riley AA1A the operator of WD2XSH/17 at FN42pg Marshfield MA, a distance of 2024 KM at an azimuth of 24 degrees from our QTH. SNR was -29 dB.
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09.03.2012 - Today we spent the day experimenting and consulting with other hams in order to "tweek" the antennma system and lower the SWR from 1.6: 1 to 1:1 to 1. We are now able to transmit on any frequency from 472 to 505 KHz at a SWR of 1:1 to 1 by simply adjusting the variable loading coil at the base of the antenna. I will soon publish details and pictures. The WF2XXQ Experimental License Grant restricts our operations from 495 to 505 KHz.
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09.02.2012 - Began transmissions at 495.5KHz on WSPR at 630PM EST and will leave it ON until tomorrow at 9am EST. First station to decode our signal was Bill KK4XO el96uf , Coral Springs, FL.
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09.01.2012 - Began experimental transmissions on the air on WSPR 0.4959 MHz. Antenna is a top loaded 43 feet vertical wire with three slopping horizontal wires, each 43 feet long acting as "top hats" with a variable base tuning coil. SWR upon first try 1.6:1 from 472 to 505 KHz (needs tweeking). ERP is much less than 1/10th of one watt (probably 58mW).
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08.14.2012 - Transverter for 472KHz - 505KHz built for me by KB5NJD, John Langridge of Duncanville, TX modified from a design by Roger Lapthorn G3XBM's, was shipped yesterday. Special thanks to John Langridge KB5NJD and to the publishers of The Ground Wire, the newsletter of the Southwest Dallas County Amateur Radio Club (SWDCARC), for the wealth of detailed technical information that we are using to help us get WF2XXQ on the air.
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10.15.2011 - FCC issues Experimental License Grant WF2XXQ to operate on the 130KC and 500KC bands to Licensed Radio Amateur Juan A. Granados /K4LCD until 10.01.2016.
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As part of our VLF - Very Low Frequency amateur radio experiment, on September 6, 2011 we submitted an application for an Experimental License to operate within certain parameters in the 130KHz and 500KHz bands.
We have been listening successfully to experimental transmissions of some of the 45 licensed amateurs participating in the experiments conducted under an Experimental License granted to the ARRL in the 500KHz band.
Receiving with a RFSpace SDR-IQ SDR Receiver w/HB9HRV's SDR-Radio software and a Kenwood TS-2000 in sync, NE and NW loops of the 4 x elevated EWEs designed by Floyd Koontz WA2WVL.
With the help of Floyd Koontz WA2WVL, we are involved in designing an antenna that will transmit at 500KHz. We now have a preliminary design.
Floyd Koontz WA2WVL is very advanced in the development of a 28.5MHz transmitter down converter and solid state RF amplifier to provide us with approximately 1KW output to operate at 500KHz.
At the same time we are looking towards HPSDR as an efficient solution to these challenges, and specifically to the work being done by Simon Brown HB9HRV in his SDR-Radio software; Phil Covington N8VD, Phil Harman VK6APH, RFSpace and it's SDR-IQ receiver, JUMA and others.
I am specially grateful for their support to Tim O'Rourke W4YN, my long time friend Ken Hopper N9VV whose resource of knowledge is invaluable and my neighbor and lifetime friend David Ternent KP4EOR.
Interesting!